London Maccabi Lions capped off an imperious Maccabi Masters League campaign by winning the
Nathan Horwitz Trophy to complete a league and cup double for a third consecutive season.
Having already secured the League title by reeling off 12 wins from 12 games, they came into the Cup Final as favourites against Scrabble, while also enjoying home advantage as the match was staged at Rowley Lane.
A feisty first half of few chances saw Scott Levy fire them in front, volleying home Bradley Lazarus’ defence-splitting through ball. However, Scrabble were not to be overrun and made Lions fight to maintain their advantage. As the game entered its final phase, Scrabble player-manager Jon Yantin threw caution to the wind, swapping a defender for an extra striker, a move which paid off in the final minute when a free-kick into the area was headed down by Jeremy King to Mark Wagman, who made no mistake to equalise and take the tie to penalties.
Scrabble blasted the first effort over the bar, and with the next nine all being converted, Lions secured a 5-4 win, before being presented with the trophy by his son Barnett. Scrabble player-manager Yantin said: “Losing 5-4 on penalties to a club like Lions doesn’t feel as bad as some previous defeats, they’re a proper club with a great set, which delivers on the pitch too.”
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