GARSTON VETS LEAGUE
LONDON LIONS 0 WINCHMORE HILL 2

The long list of injuries once again made life just too hard for Lions, as their depleted squad lacked the overall energy and desire required to get a result against quality opposition.

With the wind in their favour in the first half, Lions had the balance of play but in truth failed to really test the visiting keeper.

That said they had the two clearest chances, Paul Lenchner's flick header coming back off the post before he spurned another opening later on. But in his first game in almost two months, he was unable to make the impact he would usually.

At the other end, Nick Astaire and Pete Lazard both had fine games, and flanked by Craig Henry and Danny Schindler for the most part, kept Winchmore Hill at arms length.

But the energy levels dropped, the passing was off and the desire just not at the 100 per cent required as the second period progressed, and in truth Hill deserved the lead they took on the hour.

They almost doubled it when Schindler was harshly adjudged to have conceded a penalty, but Brad Lee made a terrific save to keep Lions in it.

Tony Gold had a great chance to equalise as he was sent clear, but his attempted chip as the keeper advanced went wide. Gold then crossed but Lenchner couldn't connect before Hill broke again and doubled the lead.

Lions misery was compounded when late on Gold again crossed but Lenchner showed his rustiness in somehow stabbing wide from six yards.

The over-40's take on Aloysians in the AFA Cup Final next weekend, the league side hopeful of reinforcements come their next outing in two weeks time.

LIONS: Bradley Lee, Jon Rayner, Danny Schindler (sub: Marc Radzan), Nick Astaire, Pete Lazard, Tony Gold Craig Henry, Alex Levack, Hadley Silver, Craig Pearl, Paul Lenchner