HERTS VETS COUNTY CUP

BUNTINGFORD TOWN 0 MACCABI LONDON LIONS 7

Lions made the long trip to Buntingford and, after a scrappy first half when they weren’t at their best, put their hosts to the sword in the second period as they tired on the big pitch.

The visitors had some early chances – Paul Lenchner stabbing wide with the best of these. But it was a fair reflection on the game when they took the lead after 20 minutes through a trademark Pearl strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

And when Conway rifled home form 16 yards a few minutes later all seemed well, but in truth birthday boy Bradley Lee more than earned his clean sheet in the run-up to the half with some alert keeping, safe handling and one superb save to ensure Lions remained comfortably on top.

With these warnings heeded, Lions upped their quality in the second half and were rewarded with the killer third goal after barely five minutes, a quite brilliant flicked finish from Conway from Stanton’s excellent whipped pass.

Tony Gold was finding space aplenty, and one of his crosses found the back of the net via a deflection to give Lions a fourth.

Pearl doubled his tally for no. 5, Bradley Lazarus converted from the spot for a harshly awarded spot-kick for handball for Lions’ sixth before Stanton completed the scoring with an outstanding solo goal, jinking his way past several players yellow defenders before applying the calmest of finishes.

There were other chances but a good solid second half performance and a decent work out for the group.

LIONS: Brad Lee, Russell Brill, Alex Norman, Tony Gold, Paul Lenchner, Alex Levack, Craig Pearl, Daniel Stanton, Bradley Lazarus, Hadley Silver, Saul Conway. Sub: Pete Lazarus

SCORERS: Conway 2, Pearl 2, Gold, Lazarus, Stanton