SOUTHERN AMATEUR LEAGUE

CORINTHIAN CASUALS 0 MACCABI LONDON LIONS 5

After a cautious start by both teams, Lions were literally gifted the breakthrough when a mix-up at the back saw the keeper strike his clearance into his own man, the loose ball falling at the feet of Jamie Cohen who had the simple task of tapping into the open net.

Two fine balls across, from Jordan Aspis and Creese deserved a finish, but the second did duly arrive when George Leigh’s perfect pass sent Creese free only for him to be upended. Creese dusted himself down and despatched the spot-kick.

At the other end, Casuals had their moments, but Zac Rose and Nathan Anders proved a superb partnership at the heart of the defence and were lent able support by Louis Lazarus and Benji Katz, the latter impressing on his first outing.

Casuals tried to apply the pressure, the screen offered by Nathan Schindler and Nick Barnett repelled them each time and started many a Lions counter. With half-time approaching Aspis was brought down, the resulting free kick delivered by Barnett was nodded back across goal by Schindler for Creese to ghost in and nod home from close range.

Try as they might, Casuals really found little joy and it was Lions who continued to look the more threatening. Ben Schwarzmann linked up well with Creese but Alex Rose just couldn’t apply the finishing touch. But soon, after more good work down the Lions right, the ball was delivered across goal where Charlie Dryer was on hand to rifle home Lions’ fourth.  A fifth came with 15 minutes to go, Alex Rose finding a yard before striking home from 12 yards.

Nathan Bloohn earned his clean sheet with three fine late saves to further enhance his reputation and with it secure the impressive scoreline.

Parkonians await next week in what will provide a different challenge, but points now in the bag ensure the side will go on to contest the grand final on AFA Senior Cup Final day at the Bank of England Ground on April 28.  That should be a great occasion at an iconic venue for the boys. And well deserved too.

LIONS: Nathan Bloohn,Louis Lazarus, Benji Katz, Nathan Anders, Zac Rose, Nathan Schindler, Nick Barnett, George Leigh, Jamie Cohen, Dan Creese, Jordan Aspis. Subs: Charlie Dryer, Ben Schwarzmann, Alex Rose

SCORERS: Creese 2, Cohen, Dryer, A. Rose

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Jordan Aspis