ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
2 min read
ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
London Maccabi Lions C showed what they were made of as they came from two goals behind to get a point in what could be crucial for survival.
Lions are still sitting bottom of the league and need to win all of their remaining games in order to stay up. With one more game against Oakwood and two against Montana it’s not only in their hands but they also need results to go their way.
The weekend’s game started in the worst case possible for Lions. Apart Adam Kosky’s early strike against the post Lions did not create that much and suffered due to a lapse in concentration and organisation.
Oakwood’s first goal came from a cross that eluded the Lions defence before being smashed home on the volley by Anthony Kintish. This 1-0 lead was soon strengthened again when Oakwood strolled through the midfield completing a nice move with the red-hot Ian Tussie slotting the ball home to make it four goals in two games.
With Oakwood 2-0 up Lions knew they had to play the total football that former Under 18 manager Simon Zender came to see, and they sure did. For the rest of the half Lions played smooth, silky football that often left Oakwood chasing shadows.
This total football often started at the back with Astaire or Kyte III threading the ball through the middle of the park before once again offering for it and spreading it wide to the full backs of Lever and Levy. Senchal did a fantastic job filling in for Gold who was unable to attend the game as he was too much of a lightweight to get out of bed having drunk some alcohol the night before.
It was football at its best. These flowing passes finally led to a Lions breakthrough where the ball fell to captain Danny Reuben who looked up and struck the sweetest of shots with the outside of his foot guiding the ball into the top corner of the goal having come off the angle of the crossbar.
At half time Lions really felt the wrath of Kyte II. He blasted the lack in concentration but also encouraged them and told them to keep their heads up. A very caring manager.
Lions started the second half just as they finished the first and continued to press for the equaliser. Soon they were rewarded for their hard work. A cross entered the box, bobbled about and then Ricky Rinder was on hand to poke the ball in, prompt his signature arm crossover celebration.
After the goal the game started to slow down as both teams tired. Richard Gold had to disappear to car park duties and was replaced by Kyte I who slotted in the DM position and the injured Joe Zen Der Vaart was replaced by Kyte II. After the subs were made not many chances fell to either team, Brahams made a couple of great saves and claims and the most clear-cut chance was a Reubs one-on-one where the Oakwood keeper did fantastic to make himself as big as he could swiping away the onward shot.
2-2 final score and probably a fair result, the question is who will win when they meet again in three weeks.
LM Lions C: Brahams, Lever, Levy, M. Kyte, Astaire, Gold, Reuben, Kosky, Zender, Rinder, Senchal Subs: J. Kye D. Kyte
