ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
HERTS FA CENTENARY SENIOR TROPHY
LONDON LIONS 2 BALDOCK TOWN 2 AET (Baldock won 7-6 on penalties)
London Lions experienced the heartbreak of losing on penalties as they tumbled out of the Herts FA Centenary Senior Trophy following a well-contested battle against Baldock Town.
Baldock took the game into extra-time courtesy of a 90th minute from the penalty spot in what was ultimately a lucklustre performance from the Lions for which they paid the price.
Lions once again made several changes to the side ensuring the whole squad is used during what has been a relentless period of football. However, some players still looked way off the pace with regards their individual fitness, game understanding and general overall technical ability.
Baldock Town were workman like and scored a big 'A' for effort as they hurried and chased every ball. It was that desire that eventually won them the game. Had Lions been able to muster the same enthusiasm as their opponents then it may have been a different outcome.
Lions were 30 seconds away from winning the game in normal time but paid the price for giving the ball away cheaply in Baldock’s final third. The resulting counter attack led to Guy Morris giving away a cheap penalty enabling the visitors to take the game into extra time.
Either side could have nicked it in the following 30 minutes with Lions coming closest when Sam Sloma drove a shot against the post.
In the end it came down to spot-kicks and although Mario Cenolli pulled off one great save to give Lions hope, ultimately two poor spot penatlies from David Souter and Josh Kennet proved decisive as Baldock progressed.
Manager Tony Gold said: "The attitude of some of the players today left a lot to be desired and it was that lack of attitude which ultimately cost us.
"Our game mirrored that of Arsenal’s over the weekend against Norwich - lots of possession which we didn’t do too much with and poor quality in the final third.
"Football isn't a game you can perform in by turning your performances on and off like a tap. The application, attitude and work ethic needs to be consistent no matter what team you are playing and from what level.
"Baldock wanted it more on the day, it is as simple as that and they fully deserve the accolades and the penalty shootout win.
"Two great positives I can take from today, firstly another lesson for my players about attitude and application, basically this is what happens if you don’t approach every game in the same manner, and secondly, we have one less cup to be distracted by and can start playing some important league games."
Lions: Mario Cenolli, Adam Myeroff (sub: Craig Ellis), Guy Morris, Kyle Bentwood, Michael Sacks, Guy Helman (sub: Sam Sloma), Daniel Stanton, David Soutar, Dean Nyman, Matt Stock (sub: Josh Kennet), Adam Bolle