SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

LONDON LIONS 3 BRIMSDOWN 3

The outcome was marred by some unsavoury scenes but Lions will be disappointed to concede having looked in control for large parts.

Lions were two up at the break with goals from top-scorer Austin Lipman and another from Jack Mattey who netted his first for Lions only a few days earlier.

Within minutes of the restart it was 3-0, when Charlie Kasler scored a third, but after that the tide turned.

Brimsdown were given what seemed no more than a lifeline when they pulled one back with Lions careless in possession, but this looked to be in vain when having used all three subs, one of their players was injured and unable to continue; forcing the visitors to carry on with just 10 men.

This didn’t stop them however when a dubious penalty was awarded to Lions dismay which ‘The Limers’ scored to make it 3-2.

Brimsdown were playing in a very robust manner and it was no surprise when they received a red card and then had to play the closing stages with only nine men to Lions 11.

Incredibly this didn’t contain the comeback, with a further penalty awarded in the dying moments. This time, Lions ‘keeper Dan Lipman saved it; only for the rebound to be tucked in for an unlikely equaliser.

The terrific comeback was undermined by some unwanted incidents after the final whistle – which will no doubt be the subject of further debate – but Lions will be disappointed by the manner of the last 40 minutes and final result; although Lions are still six games unbeaten in the league, so there are some positives to take into our next match at Rayners Lane.

Mattey scored his first senior goal for the club three days earlier, in the 2-1 win over Wodson Park. Jake Furman scored the other for a Lions team Fielding a number of players Under 21 and four 17-year-olds.