Rampant Lions show no mercy
DAVID Garbacz insists he was to blame for Hendon United’s exit after a deadly double from Adam Arnold put Lions into the semi-finals of the Cyril Anekstein Cup as they came from two goals down to win 4-2.
Strikes from Josh Harris and Moses Seitler had put Hendon in the charge at Rowley Lane against a Lions team who were forced to play top-scorer James Gershfield in goal.
The Lions rallied superbly and their comeback was inspired by Austin Lip- man whose free-kick was deflected past Russell Corin. Further strikes from Adam Burchell and super-sub Arnold guided Lions through.
Hendon boss Garbacz commented: “This was the ultimate game of two halves. For 45 minutes we were absolutely superb, scored two great goals, were defending confidently and looked in total control.
“But we self-destructed after they pulled one back and gave away some very sloppy goals. We looked like a totally different team.
“I accept full responsibility for the defeat as we should have shored things up earlier once we looked like we were losing the momentum, but instead we were far too gung-ho and were chasing the game unnecessarily.
“Ultimately though, we came away full of regrets and we are out of both competitions and don’t have a final to look forward to for the first time in years.
“L i o n s w e r e always going to put out a strong team — I have no complaints about that at all and we expect- Sam Arghebant sends Greg Corin tumbling at Rowley Lane
Sam Marchant described his Maccabi London Lions B team as “legends” after they produced the shock of the day by sending holders NLR crashing out of the cup.
Two goals from Josh Bloom made it a memorable morning for the first division outfit as they put Raiders to the sword with a top-quality performance.
Marchant admitted his team needed “a tiny bit of luck” to progress, with goalkeeper James Harpin forced into a great save in the first half when Raiders also hit the post, and the Lions were indebted to a wonderful goal-line clearance by Daniel Behar towards the end.
Substitute Bloom scored twice in the first half before Ben Ellis hauled NLR back into the tie. A superb 25-yard strike from Adam Abadi gave the Lions some breathing space before Matt Stock fired a second goal for NLR.
But Bloom delivered the killer blow to send his team-mates into the last four in Wembley.
Lions B boss Sam Marchant commented: “This performance was one of heroes, actually of legends.
“The passion, commitment and determination by every player was truly awesome.
“Raiders have quality all over the park butwemorethanmatchedthem.Many teams would face a Raiders side and sit back, trying to soak up the pressure and hit on the counter.
“We chose to play our own game and take it to them from the start. Of course, attimes,ourbackswereagainstthewall but the defence was terrific.
“It was a true team and highly-spiritedperformance.Togo farincupcompetitions you have to beat the best teams at some point, and we’ve done that today in a wonderful manner to get through to the last four.
“I’m sure Raiders A will not be happy at all to have been condemned to two defeats in a row by two different Lions sides but, for certain, the better team won.”
NLR boss Dan Shafron said: “Congratulations to Lions B who were the better side. We wish them the best for the rest of the competition and their season.”
ed it. But we were good enough to beat them if we would have been just a bit more savvy when things started to go wrong. Slowly but surely, their big guns like Max Kyte and Adam Arnold took control.” Hendon’s misery was compounded as they slipped off the top of the MGBSFL Premier Division following Oakwood A’s 7-0 mauling of Woodford. Nick Landesberg helped Lions B beat Raiders A