Tony Gold this week started the search for a new striker after top-scorer Adam Bolle joined Hoddesdon Town.

The departure of Bolle, who represented Team GB at the recent Maccabiah Games, comes as a big blow to the Lions as he played a key role in the team that won the Spartan South Midlands League Division One title last season.

It has been another tough week for Gold who also saw playmaker Josh Kennet move to Wingate & Finchley and goalkeeper Mario Cenolli signed by Cockfosters.

"It’s no secret how frustrating things have been at times this season, with one disappointment after another, all compounded by some of our top players leaving the club," said Gold.

"Adam goes with my blessing. He should push on and play at a higher level. He has shown fantastic professionalism and will be sorely missed.

"He is a real winner with a fantastic attitude which is rare in young players today, and he is a true gentleman. Now he needs to build on what was a fantastic season. Obviously, I wish he could do it here, but it wouldn’t be fair to keep him here, certainly the way things currently stand. Our loss is certainly Hoddesdon’s gain."

Lions have found things tough in their first season in the SSML Premier Division, but they earned a morale-boosting victory in the FA Vase at the weekend.

Ben Ellis, David Soutar and man-of-the-match Michael Sacks steered them to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over FC Romania in the first qualifying round The win sets up a clash at league rivals Stotfold later this month.