ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
South Midlands League Division One
Kentish Town 0 London Lions 3
A hat-trick from captain Dean Nyman helped London Lions return to winning ways with a deserved 3-0 victory over Kentish Town at Copthall Stadium.
Lions welcomed back Guy Morris and Josh Kennet to the starting line-up with manager Tony Gold reverting to a 4-3-1-2 formation.
The Copthall pitch was in fantastic condition and ideal for Lions' quick productive football helped even more so by the light rain giving the surface a lovely zip.
Kentish Town were bright and lively especially in the final third but Morris, Kyle Bentwood, Ben Lampert and Danny Berg defended superbly throughout the night.
Lions almost took the lead on 10 minutes but Kennet's curling free-kick smashed off the underside of the bar and was cleared to safety.
Kentish Town were reduced to a few half chances with Mario Cenolli in the Lions goal commanding and dominant.
Lions deservedly took the lead on 25 minutes. A lovely move involving Ricky Engleman, Andy Glynne and Daniel Stanton saw the latter release Nyman who composed himself before slotting home a neat finish.
Lions led 1-0 at the break but they had been here many times before this season with the second half not always proving as successful or fruitful.
Lions doubled their lead on the hour mark. Nyman - once again a livewire and reading a superb Kennet through ball - didn't think twice before setting himself and smashing the ball past the home sides keeper.
Ben Joseph was introduced with half an hour to go replacing the hard working Engleman. Within 10 minutes the game was put to bed as Nyman completed a deserved hat-trick. Outmuscling his marker he raced clear, took the ball round the keeper before calmly rolling the it into the goal.
Ben Ellis and Jordan Marks were then introduced to freshen things up and ensure Lions finished the game on a high.
Manager Tony Gold said: "This was a great result and a terrific team performance. Tonight was a true reflection of what we are about as a team and what we are capable of when I have a full squad of quality at my disposal. I could make changes at crucial times and more often then not that makes the difference.
"The biggest compliment I can take from tonight was from their manager who said after the game we were the best side they have faced this season bar none.
"Consistency is the name of the game and only works when a manager can select from the same group of players week in and week out. Mario and Ricky have been two welcome additions to the squad and hopefully with a couple more to come in and come back we will have the strength in depth to finish the season strongly."