ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
PETER MORRISON TROPHY (SOUTHERN SECTION) ROUND ONE
GLENTHORNE UTD 1 LONDON MACCABI LIONS B 4
London Maccabi Lions B showed they were up for the cup as they brushed aside fellow division two opponents in what was a very well fought game.
Lions came into the game missing at least four regulars and showed that they had enough depth in their squad to progress against a very capable Glenthorne side.
Ahead of kick-off, the Lions were keen to show that they were ready to put their last two league games behind them and to get on with a Peter Morrison cup run.
Glenthorne got off to a fantastic start and took advantage of a very weary Lions team who did not seem to get switched on until after 30 minutes.
Lions paid for this slow start as Glenthorne took advantage of sloppy marking at a corner which resulted in a far post header from David Blitz
It was only after 35 minutes that Lions started to play the ‘ticky tacky’ football that Maccabi chairman David Wolff came to see. Dan Alexander and Adam Kosky started to open up the Glenthorne midfield releasing the Lions wide men who in turn caused trouble for the home side.
The pressure finally paid off when a headed clearance fell to Lions new boy Jonny Cutter on the edge of the box who lashed home a ferocious strike into the top corner of the goal.
The stage was surely set for Lions technical talents to parade their gifts. Yet after the goal Lions failed to seize numerous attacking opportunities and at half time the game seemed at a deadlock.
The second half began much how the first ended, Lions on top but unable to convert chances. It was only after the introduction of David Kyte for a jaded William Beresford that they started push on further to Glenthorne’s very deep back line and cause trouble.
It was then in the space of 10 minutes that two quick fire Lions goals put the game to bed, a nice little strike from Lazare and a calm finish from PM captain Alexander. One final goal came from an Alex Springer screamer that took a deflection on the way to goal and then it really was game over.
LML player-manager Jamie Kyte said “This is the performance we’ve been missing for the last two games, when each player gives their all and everyone works for each other.
"I was particularly impressed with our two new lads. Khalili’s hold up play was perfect and once Cutter got into the swing of things he was unstoppable. Bring on the next round.”
Player of the week nomination: Jonny Cutter - Striker - fantastic debut and a stunning goal