ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
London Maccabi Lions White booked their place in the second round of the Under 11’s League Cup after thumping Lions Blue 6-2.
On a cold crisp postmeridian in leafy Rowley Lane, as the low grise cumulus pirouetted née fox-trotted majestically akimbo the aquamarine skyline, Lions White produced a great display to beat the Blues, however the for large periods of the first half, the match was closer than the final scoreline suggested.
Lions White were quick out of the blocks and before Lions Blue could settle, Josh Burns slotted a superb ball to Joseph Gale on the left wing, who shimmied and fired a superb shot past Daniel Simon in the Lions Blue goal.
Lions Blue passed the ball more slickly through midfield and dominated much of the possession - Jared Rand saw a fabulous shot hit the bar and Jono Mizrahi also was clean through but a fabulous last-ditch tackle from Ben Feldman saw the ball cleared. On 23 minutes, against the run of play, a cross evaded Gale and goalkeeper Daniel Simon. Sam Martin picked up the loose ball, cut in towards the goal and fired home for a 2-0 Lions White lead.
Lions Blue, however, continued to press and won a well deserved penalty five minutes before half time for handball. David Frey struck a great shot but it was superbly saved by Ethan Djanogly in the Lions White goal and that turned out to be the turning point of the match, as the score stayed at 2-0.
Gale had another superb chance just before half time as he went round two defenders, and shot past the goalkeeper, however the ball got stuck in the mud and Burns fired the resulting clearance against the post. 2-0 was the half- time score.
The tide turned hugely as the second half commenced and Lions White dominated much of the play. Within five minutes of the restart, they extended their lead as Burns turned sharply and curled the ball into the top corner of the net. Lions White continued to press and four minutes later, Jake Brassey won the ball on the right-hand side and after a great move, slotted home to make it 4-0 to Lions White.
Soon after Burns made it 5-0 as he was set free and coolly slotted the ball home after being left one on with the keeper, before the brave Benjy Cowen reduced the arrears for Lions Blue to 5-1.
Burns then completed his hat-trick with a few minutes left after a great run and shot for 6-1, before Louis Martin picked up the ball for Lions Blue on the edge of the box and fired an unstoppable shot into the Lions White goal to complete the scoring. 6-2 was the final score.