AFA VETS TROPHY
LONDON LIONS 2 OLD ALOYSIANS 2 AET (Lions won 4-3 on penalties)

In a game totally dominated by the appalling weather, Lions at least showed enough heart and courage to dig out the win over an Old Aloysians side who for periods coped better with conditions than the holders.

This tie, played between last year's finalists, promised lots on paper but in truth delivered little by way of spectacle. An exposed, slopping and bobbly pitch offered zero protection to the fierce winds as both teams struggled from the off to play any football.

Lions had the better of the chances, Tony Gold twice getting on to the end of crosses to the far post but unable to hit the target while Richard Baum was clearly tripped in the area, the referee citing being unsighted for not giving.

However, having been totally untroubled at the back to the half hour mark, Lions got caught with men upfield following a corner, but it was definitely a cross that floated on the wind over the head of Brad Lee that gave Aloysians a lead they took into the break.

Encouraged to at least try and play their football by the management at the break it’s to Lions’ credit that for 20 mins they tried to do just that. Having created a couple of half chances they deservedly equalised on the hour. Baum fed Gold who crossed on the run to the far post where Kaye slid in to knock the ball back into the path of Paul Lenchner who smashed home from close range.

Gold and Lenchner combined moments later, this time the striker’s towering header flew inches over.

Lions were asking the questions, and thought they’d won it late on when Lazarus swung one on the wind that went oh so close before striking the bar direct from a corner.

In the ever-increasing gloom, extra-time was needed. Lee saved expertly with his legs as Aloysians briefly threatened, but was powerless when the forward went over Lenchner’s outstretched leg, dusting himself down to rifle home from the spot.

With 15 minutes to save themselves Lions huffed and puffed, but the wind was making it almost impossible to play any football. With the clock in its final seconds a long ball from Dan Piler was helped on by Andy Myers. Lenchner scrapped for the loose ball, managing to dig out a pass to Gold who whipped a cross into the danger area that deceived the keeper, nestling into the top stanchion literally on the final whistle to Lions’ delight.

Penalties were needed. Lazarus and Baum converted but when Piler missed the target with Lions’ third kick they feared the worst. Aloysians converted their first three but their fourth was blazed over, so when both Max Radford and Myers found the net Aloysians had to score to take things on, but when their centre half, the best player on the park on the day, fired his kick high and wide it was Lions who had battled through.

Hardly a ‘game’ of football but a tie that had to be negotiated. A word of praise for the two full-backs who were both excellent on the day. Craig Henry put in a performance of real strength while Danny Gordon, on after 15 minutes, really stood up excellently and played a huge part in an ultimately satisfying result.