Five-star Lions Vets reach cup final

AFA VETS TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
LONDON LIONS 5 OLD WOODHOUSIANS 2 AET

London Lions booked their place in the final of the AFA Vets Trophy following a 5-2 extra-time success over Old Woodhousians.

It wasn’t pretty at times and the side were certainly far from their best, but on a heavy pitch, in a strong breeze and with disciplined and hardworking opposition it’s the end result that matters most. So, having played so well but suffered the heartbreak of losing on penalties in last week’s semi, the Lions side were jubilant at the final whistle as they booked their spot in the final where they’ll face Old Aloysians on February 28.

With injuries to forwards Paul Lenchner and Gideon Barnett, Lions were delighted when Bradley Lazarus declared himself fit to lead the line after seven weeks out with a groin problem. But it was clear from early on that he was still hampered somewhat, yet he ran himself into the ground for the team.

Old Woods, with the wind at their backs, started quickly, but Andy Myers, Jon Rayner, Brad Lazard and Craig Henry comfortably kept them at bay allowing Lions to soon take control.

Max Radford was finding space on the right, but despite some promising positions was unable to find the desired final ball. Their visitors kept a high line and were ultra disciplined, resulting in Lions being caught offside time and again. So despite their domination of possession, and for all their probing in and around the box, the OW’s keeper was hardly overworked.

Lions began trying to force things, but this simply played into Woods’ hands. However, having hardly ventured into Lions territory, there was nothing to suggest what was about to happen as the half hour mark approached. A rare foray by Woods saw Lions concede a deep free-kick. It was floated in on the wind where the forward managed to get the wrong side of Lazard, the volleyed finish he executed though on the run was of the highest order and from nothing Woods lead.

And five minutes later they were in dreamland as they broke clear down their right catching Lions bodies horribly out of position. The cross was delivered low to the unmarked forward. His shot was blocked by Lee, but the ball cannoned off him on to Pete Lazard and looped back into the goal.

Lions were stunned, and almost conceded a third but the chance was spurned. A late challenge saw Henry’s involvement curtailed, the break in play allowing Lions to regroup, shuffle their pack and press again. And press they did, turning the game on its head before the interval.

A short corner was worked to Richard Baum just outside the box on the angle. He jinked his way passed two defenders before curling a splendid effort in off the far post. Game on.

Danny Piler fed Tony Gold whose cross was deflected into the air by a covering defender. Paul Linger reacted quickest, volleying the dropping ball superbly into the net from 12 yards. Two goals in as many minutes to level things up; Lions had the bit between their teeth.

Baum broke the line and galloped away, the goal he’d have likely scored only denied him when he was crudely upended. The penalty kick was obvious, a relieved Woods defender delighted that the referee only branded a yellow. Up stepped Linger and he made no mistake, the comeback complete and Lions led at the break.

In the first 15 minutes of the second period the game should have been put to bed. Radford delivered three times – Lazarus saw his strike well saved at point-blank range from the first, took a touch from the second before being crowded out and finally Myers smashed his first time effort onto the bar.

And for failing to take any one of these they were rocked when, having smothered a low cross, Lee in the Lions goal bizarrely simply dropped the ball at the striker's feet as he got up, the ball tapped home from a yard to the amazement of everyone and Woods had been gifted an equaliser.

This was the boost Woods needed, suddenly finding an extra yard all over the pitch. Baum, Linger and Reuben were trying to make things happen while Myers made three or four long runs as the game got stretched.

Lions will rue not making more of some very promising openings, but will equally be relieved that as they lost their shape they weren’t punished at the other end.

And so to extra-time. With this competition allowing just thre subs and with the games 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra-time – and all this coupled with the strong wind and heavy pitch - both sides were finding the going tough.

Lions sorted one or two things and the break and came out with renewed purpose and were rewarded halfway through the first period. Lazard’s long ball found the run of Linger who beat the keeper to ball before the Woods no. 1 brought him down as he rushed out. He’d have had no complaints at a straight red, but having already been booked a second yellow was the absolute minimum and he received his marching orders. The linesman however indicated the contact had taken place outside the box, but this didn’t matter to Linger who whipped the ball high into the net passed the stand in keeper.

Against 10 men, Lions for the most part kept the ball well, but in failing to take any of a host of chances (although fair play to the make shift Woods keeper for two brilliant saves) Woods continued to play a part in an end to end to game, Lazard, Myers and Rayner all having to make vital interceptions to keep Lee protected.

With 10 minutes remaining they did though finally wrap things up, Radford beating the offside trap and, with the whole half to himself kept his cool as he ran in on goal and slid the ball home.

The Lions team have had to win through half a dozen rounds to make it to the final. They’ve played some great stuff along the way but, especially today, showed a real spirit to dig deep when not at their best and, to come back from two down they deserve the plaudits and their chance to battle Old Aloysians for the chance to win their first piece of silverware as a team.

LIONS: Brad Lee, Pete Lazard, Andy Myers, Jon Rayner, Brad Lazard, Craig Henry, Danny Piler, Tony Gold, Paul Linger, Richard Baum, Max Radford, Brad Lazarus, Dan Reuben