MLFC went top of SAL Cup Group B with a comfortable win away at UCL Academicals, setting up a tasty encounter with Wood Green next month with the victor taking the group spoils and with it a home quarter-final tie.
November 18, 2019 15:39
SOUTHERN VETS AMATEUR LEAGUE CUP GROUP B
UCL ACADEMICALS 0 MLFC 4
Despite the midweek rain, the pitch, although a little slow, held up very well and allowed for a decent game. MLFC were on top in the early exchanges but shots from Hadley Silver, Max Radford and Bradley Lazarus all posed more danger.
The hosts had good mobility going forward, and it took a couple of smart saves and some good handling from Brad Lee to ensure the early misses weren't punished, although he was a relieved man when an excellent UCL move saw their striker's fierce strike cannon back off the bar.
This prompted MLFC into some changes, and the introduction of the extra pace given to them by Steve Summers, Paul Allen and most notably Gideon Gold saw the visitors regain control and almost immediate reward.
Silver linked well with Gold to create the initial opening, his cross-shot blocked back into his path. Second time his delivery was more accurate, Summers controlling the cross before rifling into the far corner to give the side the lead.
Although the visitors were in control, with just the one goal in it the game was still in the balance. The half-time message to stay on the front foot was certainly heeded as more chances were created, with Gold especially causing all sorts of problems to UCL.
The game was effectively decided in a ten- minute spell when the side struck three times without reply. Gold was rewarded for his all-action display with a clean sight of goal, a composed finish doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half.
Next Dan Piler and Danny Daggers worked the ball through for Silver, and having missed a couple of good first half chances he this time made no mistake with a lovely strike.
More changes failed to upset the rhythm of the team, Lazarus finding Gold who presented Summers with his second of the game.
While UCL never gave up, it was Maccabi who continued to attack and create, Radford, Gold, Lazarus, Jon Rayner and Allen all coming close, while Summers was denied a hat-trick by the fingertips of the flying keeper with the game's final chance.
MLFC: Brad Lee, Jon Rayner, Adam Klein, Alex Norman, Adam Myeroff, Dan Piler, Danny Daggers, Bradley Lazarus, Max Radford, Hadley SIlver, Paul Lenchner. Subs: Paul Allen, Gideon Gold, Steve Summers
SCORERS: Summers 2, Gold, Silver