SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
LONDON LIONS 0 BEDFORD 0
London Lions were crushed 5-0 by SSML high-flyers Bedford after caving in during the second half.
After an encouraging first-half display which saw Lions go in level at 0-0 against second-placed Bedford, the wheels well and truly came off in the second-half, as tiredness and a lack of fitness finally took its toll.
Lions were forced into six changes from Saturday's side that took a great point away at Chesham. The fact the fixture was played on a Monday night also made availability difficult, especially with another game pencilled in for Wednesday.
Ross Weinrabe, TJ Keterman, Sam Sloma, Charlie Kasler, James Barnett and Jon Kurrant all came into the side. Guy Morris, Mario Cenolli, Cameron Most, Sam Shooter, Rafa Soccairello, Nick Barnett and Omri Brinner were all unavailable, along with the other 50 registered players.
For 45 minutes Lions gave a good account of themselves and on the balance of play, were arguably unfortunate not to be a goal up, Sloma's curling free-kick smashing the post their best effort of the half.
However, when a level of football relies on 80 per cent of it being about fitness, discipline and consistency it is clear as day to see why Bedford are second in the league and going for promotion and Lions are in the bottom half and grappling for points.
Once Bedford opened the scoring early in the second half, there was only going to be one winner. The disappointing aspect from Lions point of view was how easily they gave up the chase, disheartening but not surprising given the circumstances they face from game to game.
The night really was a game of two halves and, from Lions' point of view, they will want to remember all the positives of the first half and disregard the second ever happened.
Lions manager Tony Gold commented: "For 55 minutes we played reasonably well, but the first goal was always going to be important and unfortunately for us Bedford scored it.
"A second followed quickly and it was like putting a pin in a balloon. We didn't capitulate during the final 20 minutes, but we found it difficult to hold them. We didn't pick up the second balls, stopped working and made basic mistakes with the fourth and fifth goals through a lack of fitness.
"The lads coming in who haven't been around for weeks or months need to be stronger mentally. We succumbed too easily when the pressure was on.
"It will always be a challenge playing any team in the top three but when you do, you have to right mentally and physically. For 45 minutes tonight we were.
"We will dust ourselves down and go again Wednesday."
LIONS: Ross Weinrabe, Tony Gold, Zac Rose, Jon Kurrant, Charlie Kasler, Rick Jacobson, James Barnett, Andy Glynne, Sam Sloma, TJ Keterman (sub: Nick Barnett), Max Kyte
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