GARSTON VETS LEAGUE
LONDON LIONS 5 NORTH GREENFORD 2
Lions started the new year with a victory over North Greenford, although they were made to work far harder for the points than the scoreline might suggest.
Having not kicked a ball in three weeks, it was little surprise that both teams showed signs of rustiness in their play.
Greenford were well organised and tough, with their lone striker a real handful from start to finish, but it was Lions who looked the more likely, fashioning good openings when it clicked for them.
Tony Gold's cross was flicked on by Matty Kleinman and there was Craig Pearl to seemingly apply the finish at the far post only for a defender to perform a miracle block on the line. Andy Myers was then thwarted by a fine save, the keeper proving the difference twice more with saves from Pearl and Paul Lenchner.
Perhaps frustrated at not making the breakthrough, Lions' general play became scrappy, and in taking one or two risks and making the odd bad decision allowed Greenford a footing in the game. And when an attempted break was cut out, Greenford's forward capitalised on the space afforded him before cutting in and firing a deflected finish past Brad Lee to give the visitors a lead they still held at the interval.
A couple of positional changes from boss Dan Jacobs saw Lions encouraged to keep things simple and they produced a far better performance in the second half. But when the impressive Greenford keeper made a superb double save from Lenchner's pile-driver and Kaye's close-range follow-up, they wondered if this wasn't to be their day.
But they kept probing, and 15 minutes into the half levelled with a cracking goal. Gold freed Hadley Silver down the left, the latter whipping in a superb low cross that Lenchner met on the volley at the near post to level things up.
Kleinman and Russell Brill's energy had the home side controlling things while Alex Levack's influence was growing by the minute. Picking the ball up on the left, he turned inside before delivering a peach of a cross towards the onrushing Kleinman, the unfortunate centre back whilst winning the challenge succeeded only in finding his own net and Lions led.
Greenford pushed to get back on terms, but the back-line, with Adam Myeroff impressing, kept Lee well protected. And when they snuffed out a long ball forward, the ball was worked to Kaye who's pace sent him away down the right. As he approached the box he pulled the ball back to Lenchner who met the ball on the run, letting fly from 20 yards with the sweetest of strikes that found the top corner despite the keeper's best efforts.
And two minutes later the result was put beyond doubt and in some style, Levack opening his Lions account as he burst on to a Pearl through ball before unleashing a ferocious strike that arrowed into the net from the edge of the box.
Lions will be disappointed they conceded a poor goal from their perspective that allowed Greenford a sniff, but the hosts responded immediately, Pearl this time with time and space to pick his spot and he duly obliged with Lions fifth and final goal to put the seal on a good second half display.
Lions entertain Garston at Rowley next Sunday in what's traditionall a cracking game.
LIONS: Brad Lee, Tony Gold (sub: Jon Rayner), Russell Brill (sub: Adam Kaye), Adam Myeroff, Andy Myers, Matty Kleinman, Hadley Silver, Alex Levack, Craig Henry (sub: Max Radford), Craig Pearl, Adam Kaye, Paul Lenchner
