SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
LONDON LIONS 4 BROXBOURNE BOROUGH 2
While Austin Lipman once again took star billing with a brace of top quality free kicks, the side were indebted to keeper Dan Lipman whose first 20 minutes ensured the side stayed in the game.
Lions led within 30 seconds of the start. Retaining the ball from the kick-off they worked it forward. The early ball into the box was headed clear, but from fully 25 yards skipper Jake Furman caught the sweetest of half volleys, the ball arrowing into the bottom corner to give the hosts the perfect start.
Clearly quicker and more energetic than their opponents, Lions had chances to extend the lead, but sloppiness in possession began to allow Broxbourne a footing.
With their giant centre forward the visitors began to try and play off him, and with the Lions backline struggling to keep a good shape they started to get sighters of goal as a series of flick-ons allowed the runners opportunities. Thankfully for Lions keeper Lipman was in great form - three times in one-on-one situations keeping Broxbourne at bay.
Lions were living dangerously though and they were somewhat fortunate when Nick Landesberg was beaten to the ball following a cross - the fine header though chalked out for a most marginal offside.
But eventually a deserved equaliser came, and with their aerial domination it was no surprise it came from a header from a corner, a really fine finish though.
Lions however, with the experienced Alex Levack, began to work things out at the back, and with the Broxbourne threat now somewhat nullified the hosts came again. Once again quicker and sharper to everything the side looked to Burchell’s pace, he twice went close with surging runs.
With 10 to go to the half Lions were rewarded for their endeavours. A free-kick was struck by Lipman straight down the keepers’ throat, but he fumbled what should have been a routine catch and there was youngster Sam Hamerton to gratefully smash home the rebound for his first senior goal to give Lions the lead.
And with barely seconds to go to the break Lipman proved that first effort was just him getting his bearings. 25 yards from goal he won the side another free kick, this time curling a delicious effort over the wall and into the corner of the net to make the half-time cuppa even sweeter.
Knowing there was still work to do the hosts came out quickly again, and the points were effectively wrapped up within five minutes. Broxbourne hadn’t learned and conceded another cheap free kick, this time 30 yards out. Up stepped Lipman and rifled one into the roof of the net past the hapless keeper – another absolute cracker.
From here Lions managed the game superbly and came close on several occasions to extending the lead. Burchell and Lipman both shot narrowly wide before the excellent Jake Rinsler stung the keeper’s palms with a fine shot on the run.
Broxbourne did their best to apply some late pressure and for this were rewarded with a last minute goal, but it served as little more than a consolation, the Lions win sending them into Saturday’s FA Vase in buoyant mood.
LIONS: Dan Lipman, Adam Harvey, Alex Levack, Sam Hamerton, Nick Landesberg, Adam Lipman, Jake Furman, Jake Rinsler, Adam Burchell, Austin Lipman, Josh Shack. Subs: Ollie Craig, Tyler Smith, Lee Cash
GOALS: Furman, Lipman (2), Hamerton
