MACCABI MASTERS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
Glenthorne United B 2 London Maccabi Lions 2
Two goals from Barry Silkman earned a resilient Lions team a point in the top of the table clash at Fairlop.
Lions started the game at a much higher tempo than in previous games and dominted the early exchanges, with Darren Coon always a threat up front.
The visitors were quite awarded a penalty midway through the first half after Coon was shoved in the back from a long throw. The resultant penalty was cooly slotted away by Silkman.
Glenthorne levelled against the run of play and they went into the break 2-1 up after a goal on the counter-attack.
A half time reshuffle, with the shape and balance of the team altered, saw the Lions start the second half on the front foot. However, they were caught by a long ball out of defence with the backline out of position as Glenthorne moved into a 3-1 lead.
Lions did not let their heads drop as the Thornes tried to run down the clock and their efforts were rewarded by two further goals.
A superb shot from 25 yards from Silkman gave Lions hope and now the pressure was on Glenthorne to see if they could hang on.
A move on the right saw Jacob and Rose combine allowing Rose to cross deep leaving Coon to do what he does best and challenge the keeper. As the ball dropped Price was there to tap in from a yard to bring the scores level.
With five minutes of normal time left and at least five minutes of injury time to play, there was only going to be one winner. Another cross into the box saw the ball break for Immanuel Ezekiel but his shot was weak and the keeper was able to clear with his legs.
Then in the final minute of added time the Lions won a corner. Coon rose majestically at the back post only to see his header come back off the upright.
A Lions spokesman said: "It was a gallant effort and a superb team display was just not enough to enable Lions to close the gap at the top of the table.
"It may be that Lions will have to retain the Cup if they want silverwear this season."
Lions: Jeremy Reuben, Barnett Horwitz, David Pollack, Marc Jacobs, Julian Marks, Simon Barr, David Price, Lee Cohen, Barry Silkman, Stuart Coutts, Darren Coon
Scorers: Silkman (2), Price
Scorers: Gary Green, Adam Hart and Gary Adams
Man of the match: Lee Cohen
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