GARSTON VETS LEAGUE

MACCABI LONDON LIONS 3 BUSHEY UNITED SPORTS 3

A cracking advert for Masters football saw these two excellent sides play out a thrilling 3-3 draw, yet it is the hosts, despite a last-minute equaliser, who will go away the more disappointed thinking this was a game that they really should have won.

The visitors, returning to the league after a two-year absence, started the brighter with one speculative effort clipping the post and another testing Rob Abrahams in the Lions goal.

But Lions’ makeshift back four, with Ben Lauffer deputising at the heart of the defence and Conway doing a superb job covering at full-back, soon got themselves together, and with the midfield of Alex Levack, Craig Pearl and Daniel Stanton finding their range it was Lions who began to ask the questions. Pearson first and then Stanton denied by the keeper before a sweeping move carved Bushey open.

Paul Hakim’s ball found Lee Cash who finished unerringly. The pair combined again soon after, the pace of the latter seeing him clear only to be tripped as he approached the box. But an excellent advantage saw Pearson take the loose ball and clip it expertly over the onrushing keeper and into the corner.

Lions were dominant; Pearl volleyed over and Hakim crashed one into the side-netting, 2-0 therefore the lead they took into the interval.

In the 20 minutes that followed the break the game should have been put out of sight as Lions created chances seemingly at will, their football some of the best this team has put together.

With David Soutar and Lauffer always wanting to play and a willing midfield ahead of them, Bushey were pegged back yet somehow, somehow, stayed in the game.

Pearl saw an effort excellently saved, Cash rounded the keeper but saw his shot cleared off the line, Pearson had two excellent chances that he couldn’t keep down, Hakim shot wide and had one saved, the frame of the goal was struck three times.

And with this catalogue of missed opportunities there was a sense of inevitability when a pass out the back was intercepted and from nothing Bushey had a lifeline. They were lifted, Lions rocked and two minutes later and somehow the scores were level when a quick throw saw Conway outnumbered, the low cross stabbed in from a yard.

With 10 minutes remaining the game was now up for grabs, and when Radford freed Hakim who got round his man and pulled the ball back into the path of Pearl it seemed as if he’d surely win it for Lions, but his normally trusty right foot struck the effort wide of the post.

And as is football’s want, Bushey launched an attack of their own, the striker for once getting the better of Soutar and his finish was outstanding to give Bushey the lead with a minute on the the clock.

Defeat would have been the most unjust of results. One last time Lions threw everything forward, Pearson winning a free-kick on the left touchline. Lions loaded the box, Alex Levack swung the ball in and there was Conway to get the vital touch that diverted the ball into the roof of the net to secure the point that was the minimum the side deserved.

A game they should have won but ultimately could have lost, a draw therefore a result that sent both teams home happy … but thinking of what could have been.

LIONS: Rob Abrahams, Adam Myeroff, Saul Conway, David Soutar, Ben Lauffer, Alex Levack, Craig Pearl, Daniel Stanton, Mike Pearson, Paul Hakim, Lee Cash. Sub: Max Radford

SCORERS: Conway, Pearson, Cash