It was a case of déjà vu for Lions on Sunday as, having once again gone toe to toe with the champions elect, they were punished late on for a moment's hesitancy that saw Bushey leave Rowley Lane with the points.
April 24, 2015 10:58ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
GARSTON VETS LEAGUE
LONDON LIONS 1 BUSHEY 2
It was a case of déjà vu for Lions on Sunday as, having once again gone toe to toe with the champions elect, they were punished late on for a moment's hesitancy that saw Bushey leave Rowley Lane with the points.
With several away and cup semi-final action elsewhere further limiting their resources, the late withdrawal of Paul Linger and late arrival of Scott Levy threw Lions' plans somewhat. It meant Alex Levack occupying the centre of defence alongside Jon Rayner, with Dan Reuben taking an even more unfamiliar role at right-back where he performed admirably. In his first game back from injury, Max Radford played considerably more than he'd have expected and Danny Daggers started his first league game of the season and also had a fine game.
It was Daggers, Matty Kleinman and Craig Pearl who set the early temp for a Lions side that definitely had the better of the early exchanges, snapping into challenges and playing their football. Dangerous balls in from both Hadley Silver and Radford had Bushey at full stretch, with two fine finishes from Paul Lenchner ruled out for offside.
Bushey, with the quality they have, of course grew into the game, but it was still somewhat against the run of play that they took the lead. A mis-placed pass into midfield was seized upon, and with Lions caught moving out a pass inside was swept home by Dale.
To their credit, Lions' makeshift side continued to take the game to Bushey, and deservedly levelled shortly before the break. Fine interplay saw Pearl's great run found by Daggers, but as he burst into the box he was unceremoniously dumped to the ground by the keeper's flailing legs, the penalty decision an easy one for the referee. Hadley Silver stepped up and fired it low and hard into the corner to ensure parity at the interval.
Kleinman's hamstrings are sadly less reliable than he is, and the loss of his energy allowed Bushey to get the upper hand at the start of the second half. Levy slotted in well though into midfield, and one of his driving runs released Daggers but he couldn't apply the finish. He was brought down soon after, Levack's free-kick was well taken by the keeper who then collided with Lenchner. The Lions man was bruised and winded in the challenge and that certainly affected his ability as the game entered the latter stages.
Bushey began to get on top as Lions struggled to retain possession, but Levack, Rayner, Reuben and Henry protected Lee in goal to the extent that he really didn't have a notable save to make all game.
However, with less than 10 minutes remaining, Bushey grabbed the goal they needed. Rayner was only able to get a flick on to a long punt downfield. It was pounced upon by Edmunds and, with Lee caught high up, he coolly lobbed the ball over him and into the net.
Lions did all they could to grab an equaliser and thought they had when Silver swung in a free-kick that Bushey's giant of a keeper mis-judged, the ball flying into the far corner. But the celebrations were short lived as the referee, much to Lions' consternation, had seen what he felt was a nudge ... a most generous decision.
In the dying seconds, Lions had one last break, but with four in the box, Silver chose to try his luck from 25 yards, the ball sailing way over and with it Lions' final hope.
Lions boss Dan Jacobs said: "It was rough on the boys that played and gave their all, the group on the day let down by the one or two who could have played but decided not to. Their presence would no doubt have made a big difference.
"As it was, the side were left to reflect on a really positive performance, although ultimately on yet another 'odd goal' defeat to the top sides. They are though getting closer."
LIONS: Bradley Lee, Danny Reuben, Alex Levack, Jon Rayner, Craig Henry, Matt Kleinman (sub: Scott Levy), Max Radford, Paul Lenchner, Hadley Silver, Danny Daggers, Craig Pearl,
Man-of-the-match: Danny Reuben