JC MSFL PREMIER DIVISION
LONDON MACCABI LIONS 8 OAKWOOD A 1
MAX KYTE was at his majestic best as Lions A ran riot against Oakwood at Rowley Lane.
Further goals from Nick Landesberg, Jacobs, Benji Weiberger and James Gold completed the rout.
With eight players under 21 years of age, Lions started this game with an extremely high and aggressive tempo, not allowing Oakwood a second to settle into any rhythm.
After the poor performance of their last game, a massive effort was demanded from manager Andy Landesberg. The players did not disappoint.
After eight minutes the excellent Kyte headed home Charlie Rubin's corner. It wasn't long before Lions moved further in front. Another Rubin corner fell to Yoav Lebens, whose shot was turned in by Landesberg.
New signing Weinberger broke free from the Oakwood defence, hitting a superb left-footed shot above the advancing keeper into the top right hand corner of the net. Only 25 minutes gone and it was 3-0 Lions.
Lions continued to control the game, and when goalkeeper Declan Green was called upon he more than coped with whatever Oakwood threw at him. Green was making a welcome return from a long-term injury.
Kyte had a couple of further chances, once just missing the target, and then hitting the post. Just before half time Kyte finished off a superb five-pass Lions move with a right footed strike in the corner of the net. 4-0 Lions at half time.
After just five minutes of the second half Weinberger again found space and beautifully finished with a great left foot strike. Lions had taken the wind out of Oakwood's sail.
Lions made their first substitution, with James Gold coming on, and it wasn't long before he linked up with Lebens down the right, Lebens getting into the box, before being brought down, and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Kyte, who's right foot strike hit the top corner of the net, and a hat trick and the match ball was his. 6-0 Lions.
Kyte was replaced by another new debutant Alex Jacobs, his first touch was to latch onto a great through ball from the evergreen Aviel Schwarz, and slotted home for 7-0.
Oakwood did get one back from a goalmouth scramble through Jonny Quinn, but Lions had the last word when the hard working Gold rounded the keeper and made it 8-1. The final new signing Ed Weisz made his debut, replacing the excellent Weinberger.
On the attacking front Lions were extremely clinical, but defensively we were superb, Matt Perlman making a huge claim for the permanent right back position, he was sharp, tough and his distribution was excellent. Nick Landesberg scored his third goal in four games from the back, partnering the experienced Danny Daggers. In the middle of park Weinberger had a superb debut , and Schwarz and Lebens never stopped working.
Manager Andy Landesberg was delighted with today's result. He told JC Sport: "This team owed themselves and the Club a big performance today, and they duly delivered.
"James Gershfield and I were very specific with what we wanted from the team, and we could ask for no more. It was exactly what was needed. This is a very young team by MSFL standards, and they really are starting to gel and a great spirit is developing fast."
Oaks joint-manager Ric Blank told JC Sport: "We just had too many big players unavailable today and those that played fell woefully short of the standard we have set at this club. Lions worked harder than we did and thoroughly deserved their comprehensive victory.
"We talked before the game about being tight at the back in the absence of key players - and gave away two goals from corners in the opening eight minutes. It was game over from that point on. We were too open in the middle and just made countless individual errors that were ruthlessly punished by a clinical Lions team. Every time we got a grip in the game we gave the ball away cheaply and conceded a soft goal.
"Against Hendon we were the better team and arguably unfortunate. Today we were miles off. We've lost Josh Bentley for the season. He joins Eddie Manson and Josh Rubin in the cruciate club. I'm looking for others to step up and take it to Faithfold next week. It was no coincidence that we put in that performance when we had a pathetic five first teamers at training four days earlier.
"The desire to improve has to constantly be there or we will be having this chat again. We're hurting - that was without question the worst defeat in my time as manager - we are in a dogfight, but we will be back."
