GARSTON VETS LEAGUE

MACCABI LONDON LIONS 3 GARSTON 2

Garston came to Rowley Lane boasting the only 100 per cent record in Masters Football in Hertfordshire. Played on the top pitch at Rowley Lane, it was the hosts who settled the quicker despite playing against the strong wind, Craig Pearl and Lee Cash were denied by a superb double save from the Garston keeper as he served early notice of the agility he would display with great aplomb throughout the game.

But when Saul Conway created space and delivered from the left, Paul Lenchner controlled and rolled the ball into the path of Cash who rifled home the opener from 12 yards.

Lions pushed, Lenchner thought he’d doubled the lead when he broke clear and fired into the bottom corner, but having initially overruled his linesman the referee consulted and chalked the goal out. Whilst this rankled at the time, it was soon forgotten as Josh Bentley flicked on Levack’s corner and Lenchner was on hand to poke the ball home to make it 2-0.

Garston are a quality side, and with pace and strength in the wide areas, they began asking questions of their own. Although occasionally living dangerously, Lions defended well enough for the most part, but with the festive season approaching decided to gift wrap Garston a way back into the game. A short goal-kick saw Lions try and pass their way out, but one mis-placed ball inside and Garston had a freebie, 2-1.

Then a poor clearance from Rob Abrahams was then seized upon, but the Lions stopper made a superb recovery save. However, the resultant corner saw Garston force the ball home to level the game, and that’s how it stayed until half time.

There is no doubt that the visitors started the second period on top in terms of chances. Lions, with Alex Levack, Pearl and Stanton impressing, drove forward, but three times when the play broke down Garston were away and in the clear, Lions thankful to profligate finishing and one superb Abrahams save to keep the scores level. 

The hosts juggled things around, Tony Gold and Max Radford joined the action and Adam Harvey added his energy in midfield. From this base, Lions came again, Cash and Conway caused Garston problems. The pair were denied by outstanding saves only. Pearl let fly from distance, again the keeper flying to his left to execute a stunning stop before Levack tried his luck only to be denied by the frame of the goal.

Radford was next, played in by a fine Stanton pass he bore down, the keeper getting a touch on his low strike to soemhow divert it against the post. Cash was inches away from the rebound.

With the clock ticking down, Stanton was clearly upended in the box but appeals were waived away, but when Conway broke clear only to end up the meat in keeper/defender sandwich this time the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Stanton and, cool as you like, drilled the ball home.

With just a minute left, Garston threw everything forward and seemed to have fashioned the opening they desired, only for the long leg of David Soutar to poke the ball off the striker’s toe and to safety, and with that clearance Lions secured the points.

LIONS: Rob Abrahams, Jon Rayner, Anthony Jacobs, David Soutar, Josh Bentley, Craig Pearl, Alex Levack, Daniel Stanton, Paul Lenchner, Saul Conway, Lee Cash. Subs: Tony Gold, Adam Harvey, Max Radford

SCORERS: Cash, Lenchner, Stanton (pen)