HERTS CENTENARY CUP QUARTER-FINAL
LONDON COLNEY 3 LONDON LIONS 2
London Lions' grip on the Herts Centenary Trophy came to an unfortunate end at London Colney as they lost the game 3-2 in the final minute of normal time.
Lions were without doubt the better side on the day and deserved to win the game having played some inspired football with 85 per cent possession of the ball. But having come back from 1-0 to lead 2-1 and take control of the game, one individual mistake proved costly which allowed London Colney an underserved way back into the game and to add insult to injury, Colney then snatched victory in the final minute.
The home side forged ahead after Lions failed to deal with a routine corner allowing the ball to be stabbed on from 10 yards.
Lions had to adjust as they lost Sam Sloma through injury. TJ Keterman replaced the injured midfielder taking up his position centrally with Matt Stock moving out wide left.
Once Lions finally settled it was they who dominated the remainder of the half but chances were few and far between. Dean Nyman, Daniel Stanton and Keterman all had chances from distance but the Colney keeper was very assured with his handling.
Lions finished the half strongly knowing that the same application in the second half would give them a good chance of winning the game.
Lions went for the jugular almost immediately, playing some exquisite football and virtually camped in Colney’s half they scored a deserved equaliser. Nyman slipped in the impressive Matt Stock who squared for Andy Glynne and his composed finish nestled in the bottom corner of the goal.
It was just what the visitors deserved, and 20 minutes from time Lions went in front. Stock once again caused problems for the Colney defence this time going on a mazy run. Just as it seemed he was about to lose the ball in a tackle, he managed to force it through to Glynne who once again picked his spot and slotted home.
The jubilation was shortlived, however, as Lions gifted Colney an equaliser. The referee, who was consistently poor all afternoon, awarded a free-kick to the home side just outside the Lions box and he was the only individual in the ground that could tell you what for.
Colney drove the set piece into the box with Mario Cenolli in the Lions goal coming bravely to collect. Unfortunately he misjudged the flight of the ball and as it slipped out of his hands and fell in the six-yard box it was bundled home in off Bentwood.
It was a cruel twist of fate which was to get even worse a minute from time. With the game heading into extra-time and the ball seemingly out of play for a goal kick, Lions stopped, allowed the Colney forward to run with the ball into the box and slot home unchallenged to seal an undeserved victory.
Lions manager Tony Gold summed up his side's performance with bags of praise: “My players can be very proud of the way they played today. They put in one of the best team performances I have seen from a Lions team in many, many years. The result in no way reflects the performance, but this is cup football and it can be cruel.
“It is easy to see why London Colney have been unbeaten for so long. They adapt a certain method of playing, make very few mistakes and have a strong belief that a game is still winnable even in the last few seconds.
"That said though, although we didn’t get the desired result today we were by far the better footballing side. Sadly playing better football and dominating possession for long periods doesn’t always win you games.
“Our next challenge now is to push up the table and see if we can close the gap on second place. One thing is certain if the players continue to play like they did today we have every chance."
Lions: Mario Cenotti, Danny Berg (sub: Ben Ellis), Ben Lampert, Adam Myeroff, Kyle Bentwood, Guy Morris, Daniel Stanton, Sam Sloma (sub: TJ Keterman), Matt Stock, Andy Glynne, Dean Nyman. Subs not used: Levi Levenfiche
MOM: Daniel Stanton
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