SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
LONDON LIONS 7 HILLINGDON BOROUGH 0
After a solid 4-2 win over MK Robins during the week before Passover, Lions finished their league campaign in style at Rowley Lane against Hillingdon.
The match saw Adam Myeroff play his 501st game for Lions, being presented with a silver salver by vice-chairman David Hyman, prior to the KO, surrounded by his fellow players.
Played in very difficult weather conditions, there was a chance that it could play a major part in the game. After a poor 15 minutes, with neither side able to adapt to the conditions, the breakthrough came via a three-man move that was well finished by Creese.
This seemed to settle the home side down, and they took complete control of the game, stringing some excellent passing moves, and on the half hour mark, another great move was finished by top-scorer Bolle.
This was followed quickly by another good string of passes, with Creese setting up Bolle for his second goal. It was 3-0 at half time for the Lions.
With a cup final only four days away, the half-time talk was about making sure complacency didn’t set in, and boss Andy Landesberg demanded that the team pushed on and improve on their first half performance, at the same time maintaining their excellent defensive performance.
The team responded and continued the trend from the first half, and a great cross from the left-hand side saw Creese get his second, volleying in at the fast post.
The chances kept coming for the Lions and perhaps the forward line should have notched up one or two more. Another good move down the left saw Creese complete his hat-trick, again at the far post. Creese was replaced by the ever-improving 16-year old Eytan Millan.
Bolle also completed his treble on 70 minutes, enabling Nick Landesberg to come off and be ready for the final on Wednesday. Jamie Jackson came on to replace him.
Lions saved the best goal until last, with a superb six-man move being back-heeled into the path of Reiss Mogilner by Bolle to hit firmly with his left foot into the bottom right hand corner.
Lions manager Andy Landesberg said: “Whilst this was a very comprehensive performance by the boys today, it will not be so easy on Wednesday night against Risborough.
“This was a great way to finish the season after a very difficult start. We only had 13 points at the end of the November, sitting in the bottom three.
“Slowly we got players back from long-term injuries, gaining 15 points alone in December, winning team of the month.
“The boys have put in a mammoth effort this season, and have been rewarded with one cup win, another final to come and an incredible sixth spot in the League, giving us access to the FA Cup next season.
“Now we have to finish the job in style, and win the next piece of silverware. That would be six trophies in the last three seasons if Lions can go on to complete the job.”
LIONS: David Myers, Adam Lipman, Adam Myeroff, Levi Levenfische, Nathan Schindler, Nick Landesberg, Dan Creese, Reiss Mogilner, Adam Bolle, Max Kyte. Subs: Eytan Millan, Jamie Jackson
SCORERS: Cresse 3, Bolle 3, Mogilner
