Second-half strikes from Mike Pearson, Craig Pearl and Paul Hakim boosted Maccabi London Lions's title hopes as they earned a vital three points against an excellent Bushey side at the Met Police Ground.
February 11, 2019 13:22
GARSTON VETS LEAGUE
BUSHEY 0 MACCABI LONDON LIONS 3
Despite being without leading scorer Lee Cash and with Ben Lauffer pulling out unwell the morning of the match, it was a strong group that travelled to the game. Guy Morris and David Soutar at the heart of the Lions defence gave the side the rock solid base they needed. Alex Levack at his tenacious best early on set the tone. Up top Paul Lenchner worked tirelessly as the front man with the energy and pace of Mike Pearson and Saul Conway stopped Bushey from having the time they wanted on the ball.
The visitors certainly had more possession with Daniel Stanton outstanding on the ball, and pressing Bushey back they fashioned the clearer chances in the opening half hour. Pearson was denied by a fine block before his run and cross was met by a bullet header from Conway that whistled over.
And they probably should have lead when a brilliantly timed run from Craig Pearl saw his fierce shot excellently saved. Stanton was first to follow-up, but couldn’t quite apply the close range finish.
This was however far from a one-sided contest, with Bushey combining well several times to threaten, ex-Wingate striker Williams raced through on goal but blasted just over.
The second half remained a full-blooded and competitive affair. Jon Rayner and Tony Gold linked well with those in front as Lions looked to create from the flanks. Paul Hakim, on for Lenchner, caused Bushey a few problems, and when he robbed the centre half Lions should have led, but his pull-back missed Stanton who would have had a tap in. Pearson then blazed over the loose ball from a tighter angle.
Lions were indebted to keeper Rob Abrahams soon after, a superb one-handed save denied Williams the opening goal.
With 15 minutes remaining the game still hung in the balance, but it was the visitors who looked the more likely to score. And they got their reward when Levack swung in a corner and there was Pearson to flick home a bullet of a near-post header into the roof of the net.
Levack was then forced off injured, Soutar stepped into midfield and Lenchner dropped into the back four – both performed superbly. Stanton almost doubled the lead, but a crunching tackle not only prevented a certain goal but forced the Lions playmaker off injured.
However, despite the enforced changes, Lions managed to double the lead, Pearl controlling a ball on the edge of the box before arrowing a left footed strike as sweet as you like into the bottom corner to effectively seal the game.
Lions added a third on the break late on, Gold sending Conway away and although his effort was saved by the keeper, Hakim was on hand to tap in the rebound.
Lions travel to reigning champions Winchmore Hill next week for what should be another cracking Masters game.
LIONS: Rob Abrahams, Jon Rayner, Tony Gold, David Soutar, Guy Morris, Alex Levack, Craig Pearl, Daniel Stanton, Saul Conway, Mike Pearson, Paul Lenchner. Subs: Paul Hakim, Max Radford, Rob Glass
SCORERS: Pearson, Pearl, Hakim
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LEAGUE TABLE
1. ML Lions Pl. 9, W. 8, Pts. 25
2. Garston Pl. 10, W. 6, Pts. 21
3. Winchmore Hill Pl. 8, W. 5, Pts. 15
4. Interwood Pl. 8, W. 5, Pts. 15