From boys to men

FOOTBALL ANDY Landesberg insists his young guns got what they deserved after London Lions surprised championselect Southall to lift the SSM League Cup.

The Lions appeared to be heading for their second cup final defeat of the season, following last month’s loss to Baldock Town in the Herts Centenary Trophy, when they trailed 1-0 at halftime to opponents who have lost just once in the league all season.

But roared on by the sizeable Lions contingent who had made the journey up the M1 to Berkhamsted FC’s Broadwater Stadium, three secondhalf goals in 14 remarkable minutes, from Adam Burchill, Jake Furman and Adam Bolle, turned the tie on its head. Manager Landesberg heaped praise on his team and said: “It was an utterly brilliant performance. When you consider the average age of the side is just over 20-years-old, and we were competing against a team with lots of experience who have topped the league all season, you can’t get away from how well the boys have performed.

“Even when we were trailing, I always felt if we got it right mentally and played to our strengths, we could get something out of the game.”

PHOTO: MARC MORRIS Top-scorer Adam Bolle (in blue) sealed the win with the third Southall forged ahead on the stroke of half-time when attacking midfielder Jack Bennett fired past James Harpin from 18 yards. The Lions showed real heart and character to turn the game...