MGBSFL DIVISION TWO
MACCABI LONDON LIONS 6 SCRABBLE FC 1
Runaway leaders Scrabble FC finally met their match as they were hit for six by a strong Lions team at Rowley Lane.
Lions welcomed Scrabble to the Lane this week looking to avenge their 2-1 defeat earlier in the year. Lions welcomed back Mark Brahams, Nick Landesberg, Daniel Behar, and Cohen to face a Scrabble side yet to taste defeat this season.
Scrabble came into this game defending their 100 per cent record with a very strong side that included a fit again Josh Flax making s first start in several weeks and the wise old campaigner Josh Bentley at the heart of their defence, but on a windy day which made it difficult for both teams that record evaporated when Lions coping better and playing some neat football finished clinically and ran out 6-1 winners.
Lions started the brighter which was expected as the squad was given a Saturday night bedtime of 9.30pm by manager Sam Marchant.
Lions' pressure paid off when the returning Cohen finished well after a great ball from captain for the day, Josh Bloom. 1-0 Lions.
However, soon after, Scrabble drew level, somewhat against the run of play. A long throw from the Scrabble right-back fell to the feet striker Danny Sherman who held off the Lions defence to turn and rifle it past Brahams.
After a short period of Scrabble pressure, the ball fell to Charlie Cohen in the Scrabble penalty area and he went to go past the Scrabble defender who then proceeded to bring down Cohen. The referee awarded the penalty which Landesberg duly converted. 2-1 Lions and a deserved lead.
Lions continued to press with Eli Cohen impressing, covering every blade of grass in the first half, winning every single header.
The home side then went 3-1 up after an audacious back-heel from Bloom that Jake Hyman ran onto, and clinically put it past the keeper. Lions were truly on top at this point.
Shortly after, three became four after an excellent Sammy Kingston corner was flicked on and then headed in by Landesberg for his second of the game.
It could've been five before half-time with a couple of clear-cut chances coming and going before the whistle went. 4-1 Lions after the first 45.
Scrabble with the wind behind them after half time were expected to offer more but only managed a handful of attempts at goal in a very quiet second half for them as Lions eventually added two more to the score in the last period of the game to run out 6-1 winners.
The first goal in the second half was vital, and Lions were the ones to get it after another ridiculous piece of skill from Bloom who then put it on a plate for Charlie Cohen to convert for his second of the game. 5-1 Lions.
Scrabble played all their cards in the second half even sacrificing a defender and putting on a third striker to get the game back but it wasn't to be for them on the day for the first time in the league this season.
Bloom was provider once again for his fourth assist of the game when his first-time ball through to Hyman was brilliantly taken past the defender, and slotted into an empty net. 6-1 Lions and it was officially a rout.
It could've been double figures with six or seven clear-cut chances not being put away by Lions. But they weren't complaining after they ended Scrabble's winning streak quite convincingly.
Lions boss Samuel Marchant told JC Sport: "The boys knew what today meant for us, and we fully committed to the game-plan we had worked on all week.
"We know as a team what we are capable of and it truly showed today. Scrabble were limited to maybe two chances all game, one which was taken. In the second half we missed seven one-on-ones, and in reality, it should have easily been double figures.
"We’re delighted to bring their perfect start to an end, and we truly showed them today how to play football. It wasn’t that they were poor, we were just exceptional. Every single player on the pitch gave it their all and it was wonderful to watch.
"We made a team with such an amazing league record look distinctly average, and their really was a gulf in class between the sides on the day. It was a big result for us as we want the promotion spot, and with 10 games to go, everything is in our hands”.
Ray Abrahams told JC Sport: "We put a strong side out today with Josh Bentley at the heart of the defence but for the first time this season we just weren't 'at the races'.
"All credit to Lions for beating us on the day and ending our 16-game winning run since September and they looked really sharp but we noted that they made about six or seven changes from the side we met earlier this season and some of these players they selected were top quality and had to be on another level to have any chance of matching us as my lads have been first-class all season.
"We've got five games left now with 15 points to play for and our target is 10 points which would guarantee us the title and some silverware.
"I can promise you that I will be looking for a positive reaction from my players in our next game away to L'Equipe on Sunday and we will be back."
