A solitary effort from Craig Pearl ensured London Lions came out on top in this fiercely contested match, breaking a long term hoodoo in finally getting the better of reigning champions Bushey.
Both sides were shorn of one or two regulars, but that didn’t impact on the quality of the Garston Vets League game, played on the superb surface at the back of Rowley Lane.
The visitors started the better, and although failing to create anything clear-cut were controlling the tempo of the game with some excellent passing football.
They were getting some joy down their right, but some masterful defending from Adam Myeroff and the returning Tim Becker ensured keeper Dan Jacobs was well protected. The Lions stopper though was in the action after 20 minutes, tipping over a fierce strike before palming away a free-kick destined for the corner.
Lions though began to grow into the game. Alex Levack and Pearl started to get to grips with the midfield challenge and, ably abetted by Dan Reuben, got the ball out wide from where Lions looked a threat.
Pearl had a great chance, drifting in to meet Max Radford’s cross he poked wide from six yards. Another fine Pearl strike was well held by the Bushey keeper, Saul Conway’s pace created a chance but he too was denied while Myeroff headed over from a corner.
Becker, Jon Rayner, DAn Piler and Myeroff remained rock solid at the start of the second half as Bushey threatened briefly, but Lions were soon on the front foot.
Conway forced a fine save from the Bushey keeper on the hour, from the resulting corner though Lions finally took the lead, Pearl rising to power home a header.
Bushey responded, but with Lions defending superbly – Myeroff a colossus throughout – it was actually the home side that came closest to scoring, with both both Conway and Phillips denied when clean through one-on-one.
The failure to take those chances could have proved costly, but despite throwing everything at Lions Bushey were unable to grab an equaliser.