Max Kyte was Lions's two-goal hero as they exacted revenge on Letchworth to move into the last four of the Anagrams Records Trophy.
February 22, 2016 17:39ANAGRAM RECORDS TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL
LETCHWORTH GREEN CITY EAGLES 2 LONDON LIONS 5
Max Kyte was Lions's two-goal hero as they exacted revenge on Letchworth to move into the last four of the Anagrams Records Trophy.
In a repeat of last week's league game, Lions travelled to Letchworth knowing that they would have to improve on that performance if they were to progress to the last four of the Anagrams Trophy.
Missing the spine of the team with injuries to Jake Furman and Harry Hatchwell and Charlie Kasler and skipper Josh Kennet unavailable, Lions brought back Jake Rinsler and 17-year-old Adam Burchell started on the left hand side.
With the pitch and weather no better than last week, Lions started brightly and both strikers James Gershfield and Kyte should have tested the Eagles keeper having caught the Letchworth defence napping.
But with the wind behind them on 22 minutes Eagles had a strong penalty appeal turned down and Lions took heart from their good fortune.
Moments later Lions attack won a corner. Burchell put in a good delivery and Kyte's effort popped back to NICK LANDESBERG who scored his first of the season.
Ten minutes later a great ball from Rinsler put through KYTE who took his chance well to put Lions 2-0 up.
With Josh Pistol outstanding at the centre of defence alongside Landesberg and Zac Rose and Will Beresford compact at full back this is how it remained at the break.
The second half started with Letchworth the hungrier of the two teams and after just fiver minutes an Eagles set piece saw the lead halved as Thake followed up from close range.
The injured Rose was replaced by Oli Craig back from injury for his first game in three months.
Another free-kick for Eagles on 58 just outside the box and another goal as Lions failed to clear the ball and the Eagles skipper equalised from 18 yards with Lions keeper Reuben Rabstein unsighted by his crowded area.
This seemed to hurt the Lions pride and there was a great reaction from Andy Landsberg's boys.
Adam Lipman, who had fought tirelessly in the centre of the park, was cautioned for a strong tackle but this set the tone for the final half hour. On 68 minutes a Burchell corner was knocked back and his driven cross was handled by the Eagles centre half. KYTE, with his 17th goal of the season, made no mistake from the spot.
The Lions team defended excellently to a man and on 80 minutes Rinsler wriggled his way from the halfway line and his cross was headed down by Kyte into the path of GERSHFIELD who’s first touch was good and he struck the target leaving the keeper no chance to make it 4-2.
Rabstein still had to be alert and made a good save to ensure that Letchworth did not gain hope.
Alex Rose replaced Burchell who had given his all and with three to go AUSTIN LIPMAN who was a constant threat and had received some rough treatment from the Eagles defence showed his class with an excellent run going past four tackles and finishing with a great strike from just outside the box to put the game beyond doubt and ensure that Lions are in the semi-final draw.