HERTS SENIOR COUNTY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
LONDON LIONS 2 HADLEY WOOD & WINGATE 4

London Lions went down 4-2 against title rivals Hadley Wood & Wingate in the HSCL in a game they finished with 10 men.

The importance of the game was emphasised with Wingate bringing an experienced squad for this derby game and it was they who started brightly, with Lions in contrast really not at the races.

After just 15 minutes Wingate beat the Lions offside trap and with keeper Reuben Rabstein beaten and the goal at his mercy, the Wingate striker was taken down by Nick Landesberg in the Lions box. The referee was left with little option and awarded a penalty to Wingate and showed a red card to Landesberg. Wingate skipper Mason made no mistake from the spot.

Down to 10 men, Lions picked up their game and Charlie Kasler saw his shot fizz just over the bar after good work from Max Kyte.

Wingate doubled their lead after 30 minutes with a strike from Mason despite Rabstein’s brave attempt.

Wingate made it 3 –0 five minutes later. Andy Glynne, taking up his position at the heart of the Lions defence, left a gap at the heart of the midfield and this was exploited yet again by Wingate’s Laird and it looked like a severe thrashing for Lions was imminent.

This however seemed to spark a spirited Lions revival. Kasler went close again after good work from the tireless Jake Furman and then a glimmer of hope on 42 minutes with great work down the left by skipper Josh Kennet with Kyte finishing with a close range header.

After the break Lions started brightly with Austin Lipman looking dangerous but with a virtual replica of their third goal Wingate made it 4-1 with Laird once again just 10 minutes into the half.

Zac Rose was brave in the tackle and on 60 minutes the tenacious Firman fed Lipman. His early pass was picked up by Kyte and a great strike from just outside the box beat former Lion’s keeper Ross Weinrabe.

With 30 minutes to go Lions continued to press despite being a man down. Jake Rinsler replaced Glynne and 17-year-old Adam Birchill came on for Kasler who had given his all. Their fresh legs ensured that Lions remained dangerous but they were unable to get the goal that would have ensured a grandstand finish.

At the other end Josh Pistol and Rinsler both made crucial blocks as the game became stretched but there were no further goals as the Lions were left to reflect on "a disappointing result" and a first home defeat but they will no doubt "take pride in their battling spirit and hopefully take the positives" from this match into their visit next week to Hatfield in the league.

Lions coach Darren Yarlett said: "Our performance in the first half an hour was not good enough, we couldn’t get hold of the midfield and allowed H&W to play around us and didn't track their runners. Top that off with the sending off it was always going to be an uphill struggle.

"The second half was a great effort from the boys who looked more organised and harder to break down. It's still a young squad who are growing and are learning every week."

Meanwhile, a frosty pitch ended Lions league clash with Standon & Puckeridge on Wednesday evening as the match was abandoned after 40 minutes with Lions 2-1 up with another double from Kyte.