SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
LONDON LIONS 4 CHESHAM UNITED RESERVES 3
Super-sub Sam Shooter came off the Lions bench to inspire his side to a 4-3 victory over Chesham United and extend their winning run to five games.
The game was not one of Lions better performances of the season, but they rolled up their sleeves on a difficult pitch and against a lively side, showing real bottle to dig out what in the end was an extraordinary win.
Having taken the lead on three occasions, Lions were pegged back each time, that was until the final minute where Shooter came into his own, having already scored Lions's third with what can only be described as a world -class header, he produced an almost similar effort to ensure Lions left with all three points.
The weather had put paid to Lions's last two games, so they came into the game against Chesham following a 10-day break. Charlie Kasler made his Lions debut in centre midfield with Guy Morris, Charlie Rubin, Nicky Landesberg and Benji Weinberger all returning to the fold.
The first half was a scrappy affair, neither team seemed to settle well on the heavy pitch and poor decision-making and loose passing saw possession change frequently between both sides.
It was however the Lions who took the lead. The impressive Kasler used good strength and balance to work himself an opening, before clinically dispatching the ball into the net.
The home side held the lead for eight minutes before the visitors drew level. Having kept three recent clean sheets, Lions would have been disappointed with the ease in which Chesham got their equaliser.
Before the half ended and with Chesham in the ascendency, Lions firstly had Mario Cenolli to thank for a superb save at the feet of the Chesham forward and then secondly Zac Rose for making a last-ditch tackle, as the forward was about to pull the trigger. Had he not got his timing spot on, Lions would have been reduced to 10 ten and faced a penalty. As it was, Lions had the break to regroup and analyse the areas they needed to improve on, in order to go on and win the match.
In a vastly improved second half showing, Lions upped the tempo and started to make the right decisions opening up the visitors more frequently. Andy Glynne restored the lead with a sublime finish from 20 yards, curling the ball over the outstretched keeper.
Chesham, though, upped their game and almost immediately were back on level terms again. Lions failed to deal with a routine corner and a late runner managed to find the time and space to head home unchallenged.
Lions went again and on 65 minutes introduced Shooter for the tiring Charlie Rubin. His introduction had an immediate impact. On the pitch for less than seven minutes, his header from a terrific Josh Kennet corner was up there for an early goal of the season contender. Getting across his marker and rising with real intent, he guided the ball home which was slightly behind him, into the top corner of the goal.
Unbelievably, Chesham found the resolve to once again draw level. With Lions defence too eager to win the ball, the lively Chesham no. 9 rode a rash tackle, skipped into the box and finished splendidly. It was game on once again with just five minutes remaining.
A few months ago this was a game Lions would never have won, but now the team have a real desire and belief about them and they had one more gigantic push and that man Shooter was on hand once again, to deliver what was ultimately the final blow for the visiting team. Kennet once again delivered a peach of a ball and Shooter having worked a good angle, beat his man to the ball and headed home again to seal what was another great result for a resurgent Lions team.
Jubilant Lions boss Tony Gold commented: "The lads are starting to show that winning mentality, several of them have become mentally stronger no question.
"Collectively they deal with disappointment a lot better, it doesn't seem to affect them mentally as much as it did a few months ago.
"We also have a greater balance in the squad and a better level of quality footballer. Charlie, Ben and Rick are new lads that have added a greater dimension to our play and upped the overall quality in the squad. And having Guy, Kyle, Soutar, Nick, Benji and Jon more readily available we have a squad more than capably of competing at this level.
"We are closing in on one more decent signing and probably need one more striker to bolster our attaching options to take the pressure off Max and Josh who between them have already scored 27 goals this season.
"It amazing what a couple of wins can do, suddenly my phone is starting to ring from a few interested parties now wanting to come and play. That will be music to the ears of Oakwood�s manager Rik Blank!"
LIONS: Mario Cenolli, Zac Rose, Tony Gold, Nick Landesberg, Guy Morris, Charlie Kasler, Charlie Rubin (sub: Sam Shooter), Benjamin Weinberger, Josh Kennet, Andy Glynne, Max Kyte
GOALS: Charlie Kasler, Andy Glynne, Sam Shooter (2)
