GARSTON VETS LEAGUE

GARSTON 1 MACCABI LONDON LIONS 2

With several regulars away or injured, it was a reshuffled pack that took to the field, with several of the Maccabiah 45+ squad reminding boss Dan Jacobs just how good they still are.

Paul Buxton came in at right back alongside the evergreen Pete Lazard and skipper John Rayner, while the defensive line was completed by Hadley Silver who slotted in superbly in an un-customary left back role.

Ahead of them James Temple excelled in providing the screen that allowed the younger legs of Adam Harvey and Dan Stanton to pull the strings. Up top Saul Conway played a blinder, supported by the presence of Paul Lenchner and, after Max Radford was forced off through injury, Gideon Barnett.

After an even start, Lions came closest when Lenchner’s shot came back off the post, Barnett was unable to prod home the rebound. Harvey, Stanton and Lenchner all came close before, against the run of play, a quickly taken defensive free-kick saw Stanton caught by surprise, Garston’s number 9 saying thank you very much, passing the ball into the empty net with goalkeeper Brad Lee still out of position.

Not great from Lions…but the reaction was.  And the side deservedly equalised on the half hour when Lenchner and Stanton combined in the area. The latter’s shot seemed to strike a hand, but the appeals were rendered irrelevant as Conway nipped in to guide the ball into far corner. And for their excellent play Lions took a half time lead, Conway this time with the sweetest of strikes from the edge of the area into the bottom corner.

Both teams tired in the hot conditions during the second half, but there were chances at both ends. Garston really should have equalised with a couple of great headed chances, but in truth Lee had little to do other than collect a succession of balls into the box which he did calmly and bravely throughout.

At the other end Lions had their chances too but somehow neither goal could be breached and Lions took the three points.

Another fine season comes to an end. The group came so close but ultimately this season were destined to be the bridesmaids. Here’s to a good summer and to getting tangible reward for the side’s obvious progress next year.

LIONS: Brad Lee, Paul Buxton, Hadley Silver, John Rayner, Pete Lazard, James Temple, Adam Harvey, Daniel Stanton, Paul Lenchner, Saul Conway, Max Radford. Subs: Gideon Barnett, Ranaan Firmin

SCORERS: Conway 2