London Lions gave a gutsy performance full of endeavour and hard graft, but Bedford's ruthless finishing in the final 30 minutes proved the difference in the end.
October 20, 2014 10:54ByAnonymous, Anonymous
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
BEDFORD 3 LONDON LIONS 1
London Lions gave a gutsy performance full of endeavour and hard graft, but Bedford's ruthless finishing in the final 30 minutes proved the difference in the end.
The majority of the Lions squad endured a two-hour journey to their hosts, so preparation was far from ideal. To add insult to injury, the referee reported Lions for handing the teamsheet in 20 minutes late. A Lions spokesman commented: "Perhaps the league needs to show a little more clemency given the effort people make to leave work and get to a destination almost 55 miles away on a Tuesday night."
Lions were hit hard by a complete lack of availability, but the side assembled on the night couldn't have given more in way of commitment and application. Ross Weinrabe made his Lions debut in goal and the U21 Wingate & Finchley development keeper gave an inspired performance between the sticks, showing what a bright future he has in the game.
With Andy Glynne, Jordan Davidson, Nick Landesberg, Jon Kurrant, Sam Shooter and Benji Weinberger all unavailable from Saturday's win over Hatfield, old guard TJ Keterman and Ben Lampert once again donned the Lions shirt joined by Sunday A-team player Cameron Most. Jake Rinsler, Ben Winters, Josh Kennet, Rafa Soccairello, Laurence Judah and Max Kyte completed the line-up.
A Lions legend was also spotted in the crowd having made the long journey North. Nathan 'Kozza' Kosky who scored 20 goals in 2002 during Lions Reserve Division Two Championship season, cementing his name in Lions history, took on his role as David Bailey.
The game started at a frantic pace, helped by the slick, wet playing surface following the recent heavy rain. Tackles were aplenty, some late and some borderline dangerous. Bedford made the early running in the first 20 minutes, and four good efforts on goal were thwarted by Weinrabe's fabulous goalkeeping.
Lions' back four of Judah, Winters, Gold and Most held firm, soaking up incessant pressure as the hosts became increasingly more frustrated.
It was all one-way trafficy however, Lions certainly had their moments. Max Kyte saw a header well saved, Keterman almost scored from a loose ball in the Bedford box and Kennet saw his free-kick well saved by the Bedford keeper.
Lions were extremely happy to be going in at the interval goalless taking everything into consideration, but they certainly had Weinrabe to thank.
It was much of the same at the start of the second-half, Bedford looking threatening in forward areas and Lions looking to counter at every opportunity. However on 65 minutes Bedford finally found a break through. The toll of 120 minutes football from Saturday's encounter with Hatfield and a few tired legs on the night finally caught up with the visitors. A shot just outside the Lions box was saved by Weinrabe. In the melee to follow there was an argument to be had that the Lions keeper was fouled, as the ball was bundled over the line, but Lions protests fell on deaf ears as the referee awarded the goal.
Lions almost hit back immediately but Kennet's low drive was pushed away by the keeper.
With 15 minutes remaining Bedford were 2-0 up. A good shot from 20 yards whizzed across goal and found the bottom left-hand corner. Lions continued to chip away, but all hope of getting back into the game was diminished 10 minutes from time. Without question goal of the night which secured the points for the home side.
The visitors never stopped working and their endeavour was finally rewarded with a deserved goal three minutes before the end. Gold released Keterman down the left, his cross was picked up by Soccairello who unselfishly laid the ball off to an unmarked Kyte, who tucked away his ninth goal in as many games.
In the end Lions just came up short, but it wasn't through a lack of effort or enterprise.
Lions manager Tony Gold said: "Bedford is never an easy place to come to on a Saturday, even with a fully-fit squad at your disposal. So to come here midweek with a patched up 11 makes it almost impossible.
"However, I couldn't have asked any more from my players tonight. They gave everything and on top of that there were some superb performances tonight, in particular Ross in our goal who was top-draw. For a young keeper with no experience at this level, he was always assured, composed and a presence.
"Andy, Steve and I know without any question that if we had our strongest 16 players available every week, London Lions would be a top three side in this league and that is frustrating. However, we have to work with the reality and that reality is those players for a whole host of reasons just can't find that commitment.
"Our current league position is an accurate reflection based on our inconsistencies. All that said, we have several players playing at the top of their games, Josh Kennet, Rafa Soccairello and in particular Max Kyte with nine goals in as many games. It's no coincidence that they all had good pre-seasons and have been available for every game."
LIONS: Ross Weinrabe, Cameron Most, Laurence Judah, Ben Winters, Tony Gold, Jake Rinsler, TJ Keterman, Ben Lampert, Josh Kennet, Rafa Soccairello, Laurence Judah, Max Kyte