Gershfield helps London Lions maintain perfect start

Going forward, Charlie Kasler had an effort well saved, Jordan Marks shot narrowly wide, and Gershfield had two breakaways chances – one saved, and one wide – leaving Lions frustrated at the break.

The hosts came out for the second half looking to convert chances into goals which was really the only thing lacking from the first half performance.

Quickly this was put to rights with Gershfield making it 1-0 after 51 minutes when freed by Kasler’s intelligent pass.

Less than 10 minutes later Marks struck the target to make it 2-0 and score his first goal on his return to Rowley Lane.

Cuffley’s keeper continued to be in inspired form but could do nothing to stop Gershfield making it 3-0 after a fine run and cross from Marks after 70 minutes.

The game surely was over; Lions played good possession football and were patient. However, a rare attack from Cuffley saw the visitors in the Lions box and Andy Glynne was adjudged by the referee to have tripped the Cuffley striker and the ref awarded a penalty; Dan Lee in the Lions goal had no chance to make it 3-1.

This gave Cuffley confidence and Lions began to get jittery. Another needless free-kick on the edge of the box saw Lions fail to really clear their lines and Cuffley scored a sloppy goal to make it 3-2.

With just five minutes remaining the home crowd began to get nervous but without reason as the Lions stayed resolute and saw out the final few minutes.

As on Saturday against Knebworth for Lions to make good progress this season as a team they will have to improve the ratio of chance completion along with defensive concentration.

LIONS: Dan Lee, Zac Rose, Ollie Craig, Nick Landesberg, Andy Glynne, Harry Hatchwell, Charlie Kasler, Austin Lipman, Josh Kennet, Jordan Marks, James Gershfield

GOALS: Gershfield, Marks

MAN OF THE MATCH: Nick Landesberg