Rabstein sends Lions U21's into Morrison semis

PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL

MACCABI LONDON LIONS A 3 MACCABI LONDON LIONS UNDER-21's 3 AET (2-2 AET, U21s won 5-4 on penalties)

Rowley Lane was the setting fixture for this inter-club quarter-final of the Jewish FA Cup. The U21’s lined up with a strong side, as Saturday team star man Max Kyte led the line for them.

The young Lions entered the pitch full of hope, but knew they had a monumental task ahead of them. Many had written them off and felt this incredible cup run would now come to an end. Lions A are a team of seasoned Jewish footballers who are doing well in the top division, but the 21's rose to the challenge physically and mentally. They showed true character in how they acquitted themselves throughout the game.

Having conceded a couple of early chances that were well saved by Rabstein, the 21s soon gained their composure and began to play flowing possession football. The chances came and were clinically taken. Kyte’s impact was quick to come in to play, as his well hit crossfield pass from left to right played in Sam Hamerton on the right of the Lions A penalty box, the right-back did well to pull a ball back to the feet of an unmarked Jack Mattey who executed a shot low and hard to beat David Kosky at his near post to take the lead. They showed great maturity to manage the game and take their 2-0 lead through to half-time, a significant mental milestone.

Lions were constantly finding it difficult to put passes together against a team of energetic youngsters. With a two-goal deficit starring them in the face Lions A needed to change things dramatically in the second half if they were to give themselves any chance of a comeback.

Fighting back from being behind has become a major pattern in the majority of Lions A victories this season. Only a few minutes into the second half and a Lions A corner led to a goal-mouth scramble with the ball finding its way in to the goal for 2-1. Game on.

Lions A began to look more settled and confident in the second half and it wasn’t long after the first that the equaliser came. Again from a well-delivered set-piece and Jon Ellis rose highest to bring the game level.

The game then settled and appeared to be a case of who dares wins. The 21s were awarded a free-kick from 25 yards out and the captain Mattey took control. It was a well struck free kick that took a deflection on the way, changed direction and flight, eventually beating the hapless keeper. The team were overjoyed and once again just had to stay focused and see the game out.

Rabstein pulled off a string of fine saves to maintain the U21's lead, but they were eventually undone by another set-piece. The ball was bundled over the line by the physical and determined A's, leading to wild celebrations who twice had come back from the brink.

Both sides continued to to battle it out with Rabstein pulling off a number of crucial saves to thwart the As from scoring a third. At 2-2, the game went into extra-time.

In the early stages of the first half, the U21’s were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out. A Mattey strike deflected off the outside of the Lions wall, leaving Kosky, already diving to his left with an impossible task of keeping the ball out to make it 3-2.

However, Lions A, once again showed great resilience not to be beaten, throwing their bodies at every ball in the last moments of the game and somehow after a string of phenomenal saves from Rabstein – the A team managed to beat the big man from another set-piece to make it 3-3 and a penalty shoot-out was going to be the cruel way to decide the game’s fate.

Both sides had seven penalties each, with both Kosky and Rabstein pulling off a number of great saves. But it was the U21 team who won the shoot out in sudden death and will advance into the semi-final’s of the trophy.

Jubilant U21 boss Joe Zender told JC Sport: "Tremendous credit to the team, 1 to 14 played incredibly well and pulled off a remarkable victory.

"The courage to secure the win on penalties, having been cruelly pegged back twice is something truly special.

"Marc D'amici deserves great credit for finishing the last few training sessions with penalty practice, however much of that goes out the window and instinct took over. The boys kept their nerve and Rabstein was once again the hero."

A Lions A spokesman commented: "After a performance full of great belief, determination and strong technical ability, it would be hard to argue that the this young generation (bar Kyte) didn’t deserve to take something out of the game."

Lions A move onto next weekend, where a season defining Cyril Anekstein semi final awaits against Lions B, for another inter-club derby.

LIONS A: David Kosky, Max Hassell, Will Beresford, Jon Ellis, Alex Taylor, Sam Arghebant, Ben Lampert, Harry Marlow, Nathan Schindler, James Gershfield, James Gold. Subs: Brad Sharp, Adam Arnold, Sam Lewis

LIONS U21: Reuben Rabstein, Sam Hamerton, Nathan Anders, Fred Kramer, Mikey Perkins, Max Misrahi, Nick Barnett, Josh Burns, Jack Mattey, Jamie Cohen, Max Kyte. Subs: Charlie Dryer, Jonny Rosen, Jacob Caplin

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT LOW-DOWN

LIONS A

Arnold – saved

Ellis – scored

Sharp – scored

Lampert – scored

Arghebant – miss

Taylor – scored

Gold – saved

LIONS U21

Max Kyte - saved

Fred Kramer - scored