LEAGUE INVITATIONAL CUP
MACCABI LONDON LIONS 4 COLNEY HEATH 0

Maccabi London Lions made it through to their second cup final of the season with this well deserved victory, as a brace from Craig Pearl plus further strikes from Paul Lenchner and Hadley Silver gave what was in the end a comfortable victory margin.

Lions started so brightly, and from a defensive base that was as solid as a rock they gave the side the confidence to play their stuff. Andy Myers and Rob Glass at the heart of the back line dealt with everything Colney had to offer while Jon Rayner and Adam Myeroff provided great support both ways. The energy of Alex Levack broke up many a Colney threat, and combining excellently with Danny Daggers the two started to get Lions playing.

Brad Lazarus set the temp early on, dominating his opponent and delivering a series of quality balls that had the Heath defence at full stretch. Lenchner was inches from connecting with one, then seeing his brave header fly just over.

On the other side the pace of Saul Conway was a constant threat, but for all their territorial domination there was already 25 minutes on the clock and neither keeper had made a noteworthy save.

Lions then made some adjustments, and with Silver now into the fold Lions were active down both sides. Instantly he whipped in a cross that Conway almost made the most off before a mazy run and ball across had a Pearl strike destined for target bravely blocked.

A goal was coming, and on the half hour it arrived. Again fine play saw Lions move the ball across the park to Silver. He drove forward before delivering a low ball in. It was just behind PEARL, but he took a quite a brilliant first touch that allowed him the half yard to swivel and strike the sweetest of half volleys into the top corner from just inside the box.

Lions sensed the game was there for the taking; Pearl upended on the edge of the box. Silver rolled the ball to Lazarus who belted one first time, another splendid goal for his catalogue denied him only by a spectacular save of the highest order from the Colney keeper.

With the half drawing to a close and Lions looking for the killer second, the moment that ultimately settled the game. Daggers freed Lazarus and the skipper was away and clean through on goal, only to be fouled from behind on the very edge of the box. The referee felt he had no choice – few on either team could argue the right call by the laws of the game but a shame for Colney. The free-kick came to nothing and the score remained 1-0 at the break.

To their credit the 10 men of Colney took the game to Lions at the start of the second period, the hosts seemingly unsure whether to stick or twist. That said Lee in the Lions goal was untroubled and the chances came to the side in blue, Conway and Silver both drawing excellent saves from Heath’s giant keeper.

On the hour mark though the ball was again worked to the tireless Conway who drove goalwards. He slipped it inside to SILVER who took a touch to open up the angle and this time made no mistake, slotting the ball home under the advancing keeper.

Dan Reuben, Craig Henry and Adam Kaye were now on, the latter two combining well down the left-hand side, Kaye’s pace and aggression ensuring Heath remained on the back foot.

A third duly arrived, Silver again the provider, his ball in brilliantly finished with a classy flick of the boot by LENCHNER.

Lions were enjoying this, and as Heath continued to push the gaps were there to exploited. From a half-cleared corner Rayner hit a cracking volley that the keeper somehow managed to divert onto the post, but his luck was out as the loose ball was smashed over the line by the alert PEARL.

In the dying moments a fifth almost arrived, but Rayner's second attempt at a worldie saw his 20-yard piledriver cannon back off the bar, Heath breaking clear to finally test Lee, a fine point-blank save ensured the clean sheet bonus.

Although the sending off limited Heath’s ability to get back on terms they were gracious in defeat and very complimentary to the way Lions played the game, acknowledging that the victory was certainly deserved. The spoils of which are a second cup final where the side will face either Winchmore Hill or Amersham Town next month.