Energetic Lions were a class above, says Andy

FOOTBALL ANDY Landesberg expressed delight after London Lions edged out HSCL leaders Sandridge Rovers in their first outing of 2016.

Landesberg, who was recently appointed Team Maccabi GB Open Football manager for the 2017 Maccabiah Games in Israel, looked on with pride after his Lions overcame their promotion rivals thanks to goals from Austin Lipman and Charlie Kasler.

Max Kyte, Jake Furman, Josh Kennet and Lipman all went close early in the first half yet it needed a brilliant goal-bound block from the alert Will Beresford to keep them level.

The Lions forged ahead with a great strike from Lipman via a slight deflection.

They doubled the lead with 20 minutes remaining after great play from Kyte was rewarded by a neat finish by the industrious Kasler.

A far post header from Sandridge striker Reece May gave the visitors hope but a disciplined Lions team held on to win 2-1.

Landesberg said: “We would have preferred to have converted some of the early chances that would have made the game less tense.

“This was a great display throughout as the energy levels were excellent. My one criticism is that we only managed two goals.”

Max Radford and Adam Kaye guided London Lions into the semi-finals of the AFA Vets Trophy following a 2-1 win over the Civil Service.