ANAGRAM RECORDS TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
LONDON LIONS 3 BELSTONE 2
Andy Landesberg praised the character of his team as London Lions reached the final of the Anagram Records Trophy for the first time following a five-goal thriller against Belstone at Rowley Lane.
A deadly double from top-scorer Max Kyte along with a goal from Austin Lipman sent the Lions through in a game they finished with 10 men following the late dismissal of substitute Harry Hatchwell
Passing a late fitness test Nick Landesberg lined up alongside Josh Pistol, returning at the heart of the defence with Adam Lipman and Oli Craig, dropping into left-back position with Will Beresford ruled out with a rib injury from last week, while Reuben Rabstein returned in goal.
Disaster struck early on for the Lions as Landesberg lasted only eight minutes before pulling up with a recurrence of his hamstring strain and was replaced by Zac Rose.
Lions started brightly with Josh Kennet looking lively from the start and going close twice and bringing a good save from the Belstone keeper. With Andy Glynne playing his first full game since injury and Adam Arnold, making his first start there was a strong centre in the Lions midfield. This gave freedom to Charlie Kasler and Austin Lipman to move forward and support Max Kyte up top. He had two early chances but failed to find the target.
And it was Kasler who found Kyte and his pace and a neat finish that put Lions ahead after 19 minutes.
The game ebbed and flowed until Lions pushed their luck too much having given away yet another free-kick in a dangerous position. Rabstein made a great save resultant shot, pushing the ball on to the bar but the Belstone striker was the quickest to react and ensured that the sides went into the break all level at 1-1.
Attacking the clubhouse end, Lions looked sharp at the start of the second half and Kasler and Kyte combined again with the striker notching his second of the match to put the boys in blue 2-1 up.
Lions went 3-1 up in the 70th minute when a Kennet set-piece found Austin Lipman who’s brave diving header inside the box found the back of the net.
However, if Lions thought the game was over they would have been mistaken. Belstone came back and Rabstein made a great save but was unable to keep out the strike from the resulting set-piece and Belstone were back in the game at 3-2.
Harry Hatchwell replaced Craig with 15 minutes to go as the Lions defence was reshuffled for a third time, but Hatchwell’s time on the pitch was short-lived as he saw red for an off-the-ball incident spotted by the assistant official.
Adam Burchell replaced Lipman as Lions' 10 men were pushed on to the back foot. But it was Burchell's fresh legs that tested the Belstone defence and kept the visitors quiet for the remainder of the game.
Manager Andy Landesberg said: "We made it hard for ourselves at times but the team worked so hard and showed tremendous character to come through.
"When we got forward we were superb but found ourselves under pressure as Belstone are a good team.
"Getting to the final is all you can ask of the boys, and we are looking forward to it."
Lions will play Springfield FC from Chelmsford in the final. The Essex Olympian Premier Division outfit beat Sandridge Rovers 3-2 after extra time in the other semi-final.
LIONS: Reuben Rabstein; Adam Lipman, Josh Pistol, Nick Landesberg (Zac Rose), Ollie Craig (Harry Hatchwell), Andy Glynne, Adam Arnold, Josh Kennet (capt), Charlie Kasler, Austin Lipman (Adam Burchell), Max Kyte
