Lions B can dream big this season, says Marchant

Finchley's consolation came via Moshe Fehler.

Lions boss Sam Marchant told JC Sport: "Our performance today pleased me a lot. We had a slow start in the first five to 10 minutes and nearly conceded, but it was a wake up call and the boys reacted superbly.

"We started playing the football we know we are capable of, creating chance after chance, whilst also restricting the City attack. We knew we would be in for a tougher game this week against a highly motivated and spirited side, but we really showed ourselves well on the pitch.

"I still firmly believe we have more to give as a side and can play better than we did today, but the performance was certainly a step in the right direction.

"The lads have now set a new benchmark for the level of performance and they know what is required of them. I would say it was our most conniving performance of the season so far.

"Of course winning 4 from 4 is the perfect start we dreamed of. We take each game as it comes and make sure we are focused on the task ahead each weekend.

"As I said, I do feel our side has a lot more to give. We are young, averaging 20/21 years old and the boys can continue to improve as footballers both individually and together. We have a lovely spirit in the dressing room and we know that although we are capable, nothing ever comes easy. We work extremely hard midweek training and have to make sure we are always at the top of our levels if we are to continue competing."

Marchant believes that squad strengthening ensured the team was equipped for Division One football. He said: "We made some very tidy additions over the summer and the squad is strong in talent and depth.

"At this level, squads need to be larger in order to compete and we hope that this season our squad is able to provide that. This strength and depth was highlighted today - I mean, we had Joshua Bloom starting as a lone striker after his hat-trick last week, and Michael Kenley on the bench. With these two terrific strikers, we can rotate or play play them together. Kenley came on midway through the first half and proved a point by scoring with his first touch and then again shortly after.

"The competition for places all over the back is fantastic to have and it pushes the lads to play that bit better if they want to keep their place. In regards to key players, it would be unfair to pick out certain names. Everyone across the park has their own job to do whether it be defending or scoring the goals and it only works well when everyone is doing their job correctly."

Sitting pretty at the top of the table, on goal difference, Marchant went on to say: "The end of the season is a long way away and we take each week as it comes. Each week provides a different challenge for us and if we complete each challenge each week, we should be around the top of the table come the business end of the season.

"We have started very well, our result have shown that - we believe we can challenge for promotion, but we take nothing whatsoever for granted.

"Of course we would love to get promoted and win the title, and in order to achieve big, we must dream big. But, as I said, it is far away from now and the focus goes week on week, not month by month or year on year."

Finchley boss Joel Holder told JC Sport: "The overall performance today was not good enough. At the moment we are lacking consistency.

"Last week against Faithfold, we really took the game to them, but unfortunately we did not turn up today. There were a lot of unforced errors and I think we gave Lions B too much respect

"The scoreline is not a true reflection on how the game went, but at the end of the day the better team won.