FA VASE FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND

WOOTTON CROSS BLUE 2 LONDON LIONS 3 (AET - 1-1 after 90 minutes)

Lions were taken all the way to extra time in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase before finally finding their shooting boots.

Having lost at the first hurdle last year, Andy Landesberg’s team were determined to have a run in this famous competition and even dream a little of a Wembley final.

Facing Bedfordshire County League opponents, Lions would be favourites, but Wootton had started their season strongly and Lions are still without eight players due to injury and suspension, so this was a potential banana skin.

Lions – again starting three players from the under-18 squad – opened the score midway through the first half when a raking Charlie Rubin diagonal ball was volleyed home by Adam Burchell for a really special goal.

The home team bounced back early in the second half to equalise and Lions were now in a game.

Despite creating half a dozen fantastic opportunities, Lions were simply unable to apply a ruthless finishing touch to the game.

It took until extra-time for Lions to take their chances, and on 97 minutes it was one of the young protegees Josh Shack who threaded a ball through to Burchell who slotted home his second of the afternoon.

Midway through the second extra period, Burchell turned provider when he squared for Kasler to finish well.

Wootton immediately responded to set up a grandstand last few minutes, but it is Lions who will play in the Second Qualifying Round in two weeks at home to Malmesbury Victoria.

LIONS: Jake Lewis, Sam Hamerton, Charlie Rubin, Jake Furman, Jon Ellis, Nick Landesberg, Tyler Smith, Josh Shack, Charlie Kasler, Austin Lipman, Adam Burchell. Sub: Ben Goldberg

GOALS: Burchell (2), Kasler

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Burchell