SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
RISBOROUGH RANGERS 2 LONDON LIONS 0
Lions saw their preparations disrupted by some late withdrawals, losing four players the night before. Adam Arnold (tonsilitis), Nathan Schindler (flu), Jack Mattey (groin) and Liron Mannie (hamstring).
Risborough adjusted better to the bumpy and sloping surface at Leverstock Green’s Pancake Road stadium, and they went into the break leading 1-0.
Defences dominated in the second half but a second goal for Risborough effectively ended their hopes.
Missing the creativity of Austin Lipman, top-scorer Adam Bolle went closest for Lions, also a goalmouth scramble nearly brought Lions the goal to set up a grandstand finish – but it wasn’t to be.
SEE MATCH PHOTOGALLERY
Lions boss Andy Landesberg said: “It was a game that we probably never deserved to win - we didn’t create enough goal scoring opportunities. I honestly believe Risborough deserved the win on the night, but can’t help feeling we could have performed better."
Landesberg picked the positives out of the game and said: "Considering the start we had to the season, it has been one of the most enjoyable campaigns, as we were put to the test from day one. The players responded magnificently, the coaches did a great job, and I know we spent a great deal of time planning every single game with players we had available.
"The season has finished in style, sixth place in the league, a cup and another cup final. I’m happy and I know the boys are fired up to show what we can do next season."
Landesberg is now preparing to lead Team Maccabi GB Open Football at the European Maccabi Games in Hungary this summer. He said: "Now it is a five-week break for all of us, and then its time to prepare for Budapest. That is a big challenge, but I am confident we can get everybody injury free and ready for a challenge to win the gold."
LIONS: David Myers, Adam Myeroff, Nick Landesberg, Adam Harvey, Levi Levenfiche, Jake Rinsler, Jake Furman, Adam Lipman, Max Kyte, Adam Bolle, Dan Creese
