HERTS SENIOR COUNTY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
LONDON LIONS 4 BELSTONE 1

Two more goals from Max Kyte lifted London Lions into fourth spot as they leapfrogged Belstone with a 4-1 win at Rowley Lane.

An entirely forgettable first half, in which both sides hit a plethora of aimless long balls, saw both keeper's tested just the once, both diverting long-range efforts behind for corners; from Belstone’s a free header straight at Ruben Rabstein saw Lions let off.

That was until the 44th minute when a careless pass by the Belstone full-back gifted possession to Austin Lipman. The former Arsenal man didn't need a second invitation as he strode into the vacant space before pulling the ball back for Kyte who took a touch before sliding a fine finish into the bottom corner.

Both teams were clearly feeling the effects of the crazy end of season scheduling that results from leagues with too many sides – for Lions this was their ninth game since the start of April, for Belstone their 11th. But it was perhaps that fatigue that led to a far more open game in the second period to entertain the hearty few in the Alan Mattey stand. Alan’s son Jack, a late inclusion, was a real bright spark throughout, and when he forced an error from the Belstone defender barely a minute into the second period, the lively Zac Rose pounced and drilled home to double the home side’s advantage.

At this stage it was one-way traffic, and with Charlie Kasler now dominating his opponent rather than being wound up by him chances were coming. As Belstone belatedly made efforts to get forward gaps were appearing – Kasler himself testing the keeper from range before Lipman and Kyte combined, the latter doing everything right other than keep his fizzing effort down. However, picking up the ball moments later from yet another Lipman pass, the Lions hitman brilliantly put two men on their backsides before teeing up Arnold who made no mistake with his finish.

Capitalising on carelessness at the heart of the Lions defence – stand-in skipper Glynne was excellent throughout it must be said – Belstone, seemingly dead and buried, actually had three excellent sights of goal, but young Rabstein underlined his huge potential with one-on-one saves with his feet each time.

With 15 minutes remaining Oli Craig, already on a booking, was adjudged to have clipped the heels of the Belstone striker in the act of powering a shot high and wide. The referee was quick to point to the spot and, having done so, had no real option other than to hand a second booking to the young midfielder. However Rabstein’s legs again proved the nemesis of Belstone’s leading scorer Turner and 3-0 it remained.

Belstone did finally get one back – this time the spot-kick, awarded after Rabstein’s mis-timed lunge, was converted with aplomb, but it proved of little consequence. With the visitors also reduced to 10 men late on Lions added a fourth, Kyte again the man the finish.

The Lions side travel to Belstone next Tuesday before they round their season off with the cup final on Saturday.