Avi Goldberg hailed his team's powers of recovery as HMH came from a goal down to move to within a point of leaders Hendon United after an impressive 2-1 win over in-form Lions at Rowley Lane.
March 10, 2019 19:43
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
MACCABI LONDON LIONS 1 HMH 2
Lions started very well, strong and direct and they were awarded a penalty for apparent handball but the spot-kick from top-scorer Reiss Mogliner was superbly saved by Jake Doffman.
The pressure continued and Lions deservedly took the lead via James Gold. This cajoled HMH into action and as soon as they started to close down the space quicker, so the chances started to come. Top-scorer Oscar Wagner should have scored from six yards but the Lions' goalkeeper somehow managed to keep it out. Wagner then met a cross with a firm header but his effort whistled just over.
Then the move of the game as George Goldberg danced past a couple of Lions defenders before playing a beautiful one-two with Adam Abadi and then bending the ball just over the bar.
HMH's equalised on the stroke of half-time when an attack down the wing by Ben Winters saw his cross met by Wagner, whose mistimed shot ricocheted into the path of Berger to smash home.
The game opened up in the second half, with both teams creating half chances but HMH winning the territorial battle. Again Wagner did not quite have his shooting boots on today as Berger set him up with a fine chip but he was ruled offside and then he was put through by Goldberg only to pull his shot wide.
Feldman then forced a very good save low down at the post and fluffed his lines as he ran on to a superb ball by Alex Moss.
Lions saw two men go in the book both for scything down the marauding George Goldberg as he bore down on their goal on numerous occasions. With ten minutes left Wagner eventually did have the final say as after a neat move he beat his man got to the byeline and cutback only for Lions defender to slide in and turn into his own net.
There was, however, time for one last scare as inexplicably a weak cross found its way to the back post only for Doffman to produce an outstanding point-blank save to preserve victory.
Delighted HMH boss Avi Goldberg told JC Sport: "We just edged it on a very blustery day at the Lane. Both sides created some good chances but both goalkeepers were in fine form.
"The lads once again showed great desire in overturning a one-goal deficit against a strong Lions team.
"With Hendon not playing for a while, we now have the chance to go back to the top of the Premiership if we beat Brady on Sunday - what a prospect!"
Lions' joint-manager Max Kyte told JC Sport: "A deserved win for HMH who just tipped the balance on the day. Jake Doffman made key saves from a penalty when 1-1 and again in the dying moments when HMH were 2-1 up.
"Unfortunately not enough of our players turned up, and when that is the case, you can’t expect a result."
LIONS: Jack Franks, Daniel Behar, Edward Brafman, Richard Gold, Joe Salomon, Alexander Taylor, James Gold, Benji Weinberger, David Dinkin, Adam Arnold, Reiss Mogilner. Subs: Jono Gaon, Michael Kenley
SCORER: J. Gold
HMH: Jake Doffman, Gabriel Arenson, Max Bull, Josh Goldstein, Sammy Kingston, Thomas Prais, Dominic Feldman, George Goldberg, Adam Abadi, Oscar Wagner. Subs: Leo Berger, Alex Moss
SCORERS: Berger, own goal