Gold: I’m proud of mylions
LONDON Lions manager Tony Gold believes his team has over-achieved after they defied the odds to win their penultimate game of the Spartan Midlands League Division One season.
The Lions had 20 players unavailable but it mattered little as they chalked up their 21st victory of the season, beating Chesham United Reserves 3-1.
Ben Ellis opened the scoring following good work from Cameron Most.
With man-of-the-match Ben Lampert pulling the strings in midfield, the visitors doubled their lead on 30 minutes when Josh Kennet curled home a superb effort.
Ellis made i t 3-0 after good work from Dean Nyman before Chesham pulled one back.
Gold said: “In terms of shape and discipline for 75 minutes that performance was up there with one of our best of the season. The lads showed great resilience and character.
“Seventy-one points with one game to play is a fabulous return given the start we had to the season and the turnover of players over the last four weeks. I was asked last week if we had achieved our objective for the season and I can say without question we have over-achieved.”
Lions finish their league campaign at home to Kentish Town tomorrow. Lions Reserves boosted their promotion hopes with a thumping 13-0 win over Buckingham Athletic.
A superb seven-goal salvo from Scotsman Nick Goodman plus further efforts from Sam Sloma (3), Guy Helman (2) and keeper Mario Cenoli completed the rout.
Hendon United Sports Club A moved to within touching distance of an unprecedented treble with a brutally efficient 5-2 victory over leaders London Maccabi Lions A to return to the top of the Premier Division table.
David Garbacz’s troops are now firm favourites to win what would be their second MSFL title on a weekend where challengers Redbridge Jewish Care A were beaten by Faithfold A.
Braces from Avidan Last and Greg Corin plus one from Ari Last took them two points clear of a Lions team they have three games in hand on.
Hendon’s push for a second league title will be put on hold for a couple of weeks as they face two trips to Wingate & Finchley. They take on Brady in the final of the JC Cyril Anekstein Cup on Sunday followed by a meeting with Division One champions Oakwood in the Jewish FA Cup final seven days later. Hendon will be confirmed league champions if they beat North London Raiders A on May 6.
Theredswerepeggedback on two occasions against the Lions, with Joel Ross and joint-player-manager Josh Newman grabbing the goals, but they stepped up a gear to record their 12th victory y in 14 league matches.
Garbacz said: “We twice, uncharacteristically, let them back into the game, but on both occasions we reacted well and pushed on again at the other end.
“Lions are an excellent young team but their time will probably come in the next couple of years if they stay together.
“For us, our time is now — we are on the cusp of something very special, but we will refuse to celebrate anything until the trophies are actually in the cupboard. “We are totally united and are full of confidence and skill. We ca cannot wait for the big cup fi finals in the next couple of weeks. The only tricky thing will be picking the team. The Carmel champagne is well an and truly on ice.” L Lions joint-manager Josh Newm Newman said: “Congratulations to Hendon who have thoroughly deserved to win the league this year.
“The fact they have only lost once all season shows you what a good and consistent side they are.