London Lions one game away from retaining HSCT crown

But it took some trademark defending from Adam Myeroff to keep the scores level just before the break, first sliding in with a great tackle before, although still grounded, thrusting his head in the way of the follow up to deflect the ball over.

Lions had their moments too, Adam Bolle’s shot on the run just going wide, but a succession of crosses from Adam Arnold and Dan Creese were collected by the giant Boro keeper.

With the wind at their backs it was Lions who had the balance of play in the second half, but they couldn’t find a route to overly trouble the Boro goal, and on the break the visitors carried a threat. And on the hour one such counter saw them take the lead, a through ball sending the long-haired winger away, and as Myers came out he rounded him and slotted home.

Lions huffed and puffed, Bolle forcing a smart save, but Boro had a couple of chances of their own to settle the game. And they were made to pay for failing to convert those opportunities with just six minutes on the clock. A long ball from Landesberg went over the otherwise commanding centre back and under the foot of his partner leaving Austin Lipman in the clear. Lions wouldn’t want anyone else in that situation – he gave the keeper the eyes and struck the ball home.

The tie moved into extra-time and it was now all Lions. With the wind at their backs again they poured forward, Bolle should have done better from close range, but credit the keeper for a superb save. Yet from the resulting corner, Landesberg got a perfect flicked contact, the ball arrowing into the far top corner and Lions led.

And 2-1 was soon 3-1. Edwards’ run was crudely ended 25 yards out, Lipman did a Lipman and struck home as sweetly as you like past the keeper’s despairing dive.

Lions might have feared a difficult second 15 minutes as Boro had the elements in their favour, but any chance was dispelled a minute in when Lions were awarded a penalty. Lipman was denied his hat-trick by a superb save, the follow up to deny Edwards arguably even better, but the ball fell to Edwards again who this time made no mistake.

Lions saw the remainder out comfortably, a late goal from the visitors proving nothing more than a consolation.

Belstone now stand in Lions' way from regaining a Herts Centenary Trophy that the club has had so much success in in the last 10 years.

LIONS: David Myers, Liron Mannie, Adam Harvey, Nick Landesberg, Adam Myeroff, Levi Levenfische, Austin Lipman, Adam Bolle, Dan Creese, Adam Arnold, Jack Mattey. Subs: Christian Edwards, Ethan Kessel

SCORERS: Lipman 2, Landesberg, Edwards