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Craig steers new-look Lions into cup quarters

A deadly double from Ollie Craig fired a new-look Lions team into the quarter-finals of the League Cup after an impressive win at Division One high-flyers Redbridge B.

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CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B 1 MACCABI LONDON LIONS A 3

A deadly double from Ollie Craig fired a new-look Lions team into the quarter-finals of the League Cup after an impressive win at Division One high-flyers Redbridge B.

After a management reshuffle earlier on in the week and a few players leaving the club, Lions A interim managers Ryan Springer and Will Beresford were left with the task of putting a strong team together to take to Essex for a tricky cup tie against a talented, young Redbridge side.

A lack of goalkeeper options saw coach Springer make his debut between the sticks. On a boggy surface, it was the Essex side who started off stronger, piling on the pressure. But the Lions back four remained resolute, clearing away numerous long balls. Lions brought in a strong, new look defensive midfield duo of Ben Lambert and Jamie Jackson, who protected the back 4 making countless tackles and interceptions.

After soaking up the pressure for 20 minutes, it was Lions who drew first blood after a fast counter-attack, with Ollie Craig coolly chipping the ball over the Redbridge keeper to make it 0-1 to the away team.

Redbridge continued to press forward, but with good concentration, Lions competed for every ball and were soon rewarded with another quick break against the run of play. A smart pass from youngster Alex Rose, put Adam Arnold one-on-one against his marker. A bit of trickery from the fast feet of Arnold saw him leave his man for dead, leaving him one-on-one with the keeper. After a good save from his shot, it was left for clinical Craig to pick up the rebound and put Lions two goals ahead on the stroke of half-time.

Redbridge drew level via a glancing header from Ben Chernoff from a beautifully-flighted free-kick at the start of the second half, leaving the cup tie on a knife-edge.

Again, the Lions back-line was forced to clear balls and make last-ditch tackles as Redbridge threw everything at them. But Lions stayed strong and compact refusing to give in.

The introduction of Aviel Schwarz and Richard Gold gave Lions hard-working midfielders some much-needed rest and also steadied things up in midfield.

As 90 minutes approached and the Essex side continued to throw everything at Lions, it was another breakaway move that saw Lions finish the game in style. More magic footwork from Lions attacking midfielder Arnold, saw him side-step and skip through a couple of attempted tackles as he opened up on his right and slotted the ball into the far corner of the net.

The MLL boys came off the pitch having left nothing behind. There were some very promising individual performances from Ben Goldberg, Alex Taylor and Max Hassell, who all defended with great determination, and were rewarded for their hard work.

A Lions spokesman commented: "All in all, it was a very positive display with some new faces in the side. If the boys can stick together for the remainder of the season and continue to perform with this much commitment week in week out there might be some rewards with all still to play for."

RJC boss Sam Rank told JC Sport: "Lions A had known they had been in game today, and we wish them good luck in the future rounds. All the RJC B boys can be proud of their performance today, and will be raring to get back to league action next week in a big game against Scrabble."

LIONS: Ryan Springer, Max Hassell, Ben Goldberg, Alex Taylor, Will Beresford, Jamie Jackson, Alex Rose, Ben Lampert, Sam Arghebant, Adam Arnold, Ollie Craig. Subs: Aviel Schwarz, Richard Gold, Louis Torque

SCORERS: Craig (2), Arnold

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Ben Lampert

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