AUBREY CUP FINAL
LONDON LIONS 7 LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY 1
The old trophy now joins both the Herts Senior County League Premier title and Herts Centenary Trophy in the clubhouse at Rowley Lane to complete a superb season for the club.
The match itself was a contest for long periods, but Letchworth found Lions’ relentlessly direct and powerful attacks too much to deal with as the game went on, and by the end the scoreline was emphatic as both Lipman and Kyte claimed trebles.
Lions – with the final at Rowley Lane to enjoy ‘home’ advantage – took an early lead within 10 minutes after Charlie Kasler’s shot was turned behind; the resulting corner was cleared back to the Lions midfielder who thundered a volley into the top corner for a quite sublime goal.
Letchworth looked dangerous on the break as Lions were not quite at their fluent best in midfield, and after 25 minutes they equalised when a neat turn and cross was finished well at the near post by the Eagles striker.
Lions pushed on again and went on the hunt for another lead. Adam Burchell was twice denied when he looked certain to score and the Eagles keeper again denied Kyte.
With half-time approaching Lions quality told; Kasler played a superb pass to free Kennet, and his cross was turned in by Kyte to give a half-time lead.
After the interval it was simply all Lions as they went on the rampage. After 54 minutes, Burchell was tripped in the box and Kyte stepped up to slot home.
Eight minutes later the game was ended as a contest when Burchell squared for Lipman to drill under the keeper and make it 4-1.
It was Lions defensive solidity that was really building the platform as Letchworth simply could not get a foothold with Nick Landesberg, Zac Rose and an impressive performance at left-back from Jordan Marks standing out.
Lions made it five on 69 minutes, the Letchworth defence were undone by another fine Kennet cross to Kyte who gratefully completed his hat-trick.
The last 10 minutes saw a number of chances for Lions as the scoreline turned into a rout, and the Eagles defence was looking rather beleaguered.
Lipman moved up front and capitalised with two more goals and a hat-trick of his own, firstly rounding the keeper to score after beating the offside trap, and then on 87 minutes again it was Kennet who was the provider when he left the Eagles defence in his wake and squared for Lipman to make it 7-1… and bring the curtain down on an incredible treble season for Lions.
Jubilant Lions boss Andy Landesberg commented: "I can't praise these boys enough. It's been an amazing journey and we have had to approach each competition one game at a time over recent weeks, and the boys have executed it brilliantly.
"We have needed the entire squad over the season and everyone can be proud of their part.
"We have never won the Aubrey Cup, so in doing that and adding to the two we have won already makes this an historic moment for the club.
LIONS: Jake Lewis, Zac Rose, Jordan Marks, Nick Landesberg, Ben Goldberg, Jake Furman, Charlie Kasler, Josh Kennet, Austin Lipman, Adam Burchell, Max Kyte. Subs: Andy Glynne, Jamie Jackson, Rocky Spitzer
SCORERS: Kyte (3), Lipman (3), Kasler
