HERTS CENTENARY CUP SEMI-FINAL
LONDON LIONS 5 BISHOPS STORTFORD SWIFTS 0
On a perfect surface, with a welcome sun in the sky Lions looked focused from the off and were not taking their Essex Olympian League opponents for granted, indeed the visitors looked sharp and incisive with the ball in the early stages.
After only a few minutes, however, some sloppy defending from Swifts to allow Lions to take a lead they never looked like relinquishing; Austin Lipman capitalising and slotting home to open the score.
SEE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MATCH
After 30 minutes, Lions added another. Adam Burchell was looking ever more effective on the left and found himself on the end of a long ball, his pace and dribbling left everyone in his wake and slotted in unerringly to double Lions lead.
The visitors still looked dangerous, whipping in some good crosses, although the Swifts defence was looking exposed at times and it seemed a matter of who would be more clinical in front of goal.
Just after the restart it was almost Stortford who made the perfect start but a good header came back off the bar with Jake Lewis beaten.
It didn’t matter to Lions and Burchell, who effectively put the game beyond doubt when Gershfield squared unselfishly for the winger to slot in and spark jubilant scenes as the Lions players realised they were on the verge of a first final of the season.
Lions continued to press and Gershfield twice missed when the in-form striker looked certain to score, but he eventually got his reward – making it 42 for the season in the process, a new club record. This time the impressive Jake Furman flighted a superb ball into the path of the Lions striker who expertly lobbed the keeper on 78 minutes.
With both teams urging the final whistle for different reasons, Max Kyte finished the day in style. The outstanding Burchell this time whipping in a fine cross for the big striker to volley home in the closing moments and complete a super win.
Lions now have their third ever Herts Senior Centenary Trophy Final in the bag; and having won the last two in 2007 and again in 2011, they will have to beat South Midlands League opponents Wodson Park to reclaim the silverware.
Manager Andy Landesberg said: "The boys had a job to do and stuck to the plan perfectly.
"Bishops Stortford were a decent attacking force but our team defended well, while at the other end we continue to be on good form.
"Adam Burchell, in particular, was outstanding today. We look forward to the final, but have another important game next week and so we'll need to park that for now."
LIONS: Jake Lewis, Adam Lipman, Nick Landesberg, Charlie Rubin, Ben Goldberg, Harry Hatchwell, Jake Furman, Josh Kennet (capt), James Gershfield, Austin Lipman, Adam Burchell. Subs: Andy Glynne, Adam Arnold, Max Kyte
SCORERS: Lipman, Burchell (2), Gershfield, Kyte
