Gold eyes fast start for Lions

Tony Gold says London Lions must hit the ground running when they start their first season in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division season against Leverstock Green tomorrow.

With 80 per cent of his squad selected for Team GB at the recently concluded Maccabiah Games, Gold and his assistant Steve Grenfell have been working with limited resources during pre-season.

“It’s gone as well as it could have — working with a core of 12 players made up of trialists, reserves and a handful of first team players. But our preparations have been non-existent in terms of working on team shape, team fitness, gameunderstandingandset-piecesand it will very much be a case of hitting the ground running and fast.

“It’s not ideal planning seeing as we are going into a very tough and competitive league, but our challenges this season are very, very different compared to last season. Each week and every game will be testing.”

Sam Sloma, Craig Ellis, Guy Morris and Aron Barnes will be among the key absentees for the early part of the season and Gold has challenged his team to shake off their Maccabiah hangover.

“The players will be bitterly disappointed not to have performed to the levels they expected in Israel,” he said.

“They are reasonably experienced and the majority of them have tasted highs and lows. I’m sure they will take important lessons from the defeat which will make them stronger.”