Sport
Shooter steers Lions Spartans past Brixton
Maccabi London Lions are the first team to reach the third round of the Jewish FA Cup following a 3-1 victory over first division Brixton at Rowley Lane.
October 19, 2014 17:23
Maccabi London Lions are the first team to reach the third round of the Jewish FA Cup following a 3-1 victory over first division Brixton at Rowley Lane.
October 19, 2014 17:23PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND TWO
MACCABI LONDON LIONS SPARTANS 3 BRIXTON OLD BOYS 1
Maccabi London Lions are the first team to reach the third round of the Jewish FA Cup following a 3-1 victory over first division Brixton at Rowley Lane.
Whilst a young Spartans team cruised comfortably into the next round of the cup, there were one or two difficult periods of the games where they lost concentration, and their playing levels dropped.
In fact in the first 15 minutes of the game but for a triple save from keeper Jack Franks Brixton could easily have found themselves ahead. It was probably that opportunity that sparked the Lions into life, and midway through the first half that Sam Shooter opened the scoring when he ran onto a low cross from the right hand side from Harry Franks.
Lions started to settle down a little and again a cross in from the right saw a Max Kyte shot blocked and came to Shooter who added a second with a well-taken right foot volley.
With the score 2-0 at half time, it was probably Brixton who were the happier of the two teams. MLL manager Andy Landesberg had warned his team that this was not going to be easy, and that the youngsters needed to be disciplined and play with a high-tempo and make the right decisions. The half-time team-talk was the same as the pre-match talk all over again. Landesberg was hoping his Lions would come out for the second half and put right all the bad habits that had picked up in the first half.
That was not to be and Lions continued to play at a poor level, and mistakes and poor decisions continued across the team. However, with 13 minutes to goKyte added a third goal, taking his chance well with the inside of his right foot.
The visitors claimed a consolation with six minutes remaining via Jason Lindsay following some poor Lions defending and that is how the score remained up to the final whistle.
Manager Andy Landesberg was less than happy with his young Lions, although it was never going to be an easy ride against Brixton. There was only one thing to say to the boys at the end of the game and that was, "we are in the hat for the next round of the cup, and hopefully you listen and learn from today's experience.
"Congratulations to Brixton, who gave a great account of themselves today, they never stopped working and competing from start to finish."
Brixton boss Paul Shamplina told JC Sport: "It was a hard-fought game, but Lions' youth, fitness and quality proved the difference. I'm proud how we fought and in the first half - we had two big chances we couldn't convert.
"The only criticism I have of the Lions players was their antics in our penalty area, diving to try and win a penalty which the ref didn't give, but failed to book then for diving.
"I think this Lions team can go far in the competition, but their management needs to get these young kids to act more maturely."
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