Herts County League Premier Division: London Lions 2 Evergreen 0
A thoroughly professional and composed performance kept London Lions firmly on the heels of league leaders Codicote as they beat a decent Evergreen side 2-0 at the Lane.
With every player available for the first time this season and with no reserve team fixture, manager Tony Gold opted to choose a strong 16-man squad.
Surprisingly Evergreen were better then their current league position suggested playing some good passing football and at times looking dangerous on the break.
However, the Lions back four of Guy Helman, Guy Morris, Eddie Manson and Adam Myeroff defended superbly throughout with the latter earning Man-of-the-Match for a strong, solid individual display.
As the first-half unfolded the Lions threatened on numerous occasions but lacked the finishing prowess to make the domination count. Rob Glass, playing the holding role in midfield, buzzed around winning important tackles whilst Ben Lauffer and Ben Lampert pulled the harmonious strings but still they couldn't conjure up a breakthrough note.
Adam Stolerman, Nick Goodman and Dominique Cheniart looked lively with Cheniart spurning several good opportunities and it looked like it could be another one of those days for the home side.
Whatever was said at half-time in the Lions dressing room seemed to have an immediate impact as straight from kick-off they surged in front. Great work from Stolerman allowed him to pick out an easy pass to the supporting Glass who placed the ball into the gaping goal.
The Lions never looked back and took total control of the game with keeper Danny Berliner a virtual spectator. The introduction of Avi Schwarz, Max Fieldgrass and Lee Cash added more woes to the visitors as the football continued to flow.
Goal number two arrived courtesy of Ben Lauffer scoring his first goal of the season giving him a great platform to go and build on. After a great passing move involving several players, Lauffer latched on to a loose ball, drove forward and finished with aplomb.
It was another excellent team performance and another fantastic result. After the game a jubilant Gold said: "Credit where credit is due, the players have shown and are showing tremendous mental strength. It takes a lot of character to perform week in and week at a decent level and get the right results and my players are showing that right now.
"Of course we take nothing for granted and the hard work must continue because I am sure there are a few people out there that can't wait for us to fail and fall flat on our faces.
"The hardest job now is keeping the focus, remaining positive whilst retaining the belief these elements are what will eventually separate us from the rest."
Lions: Berliner, Helman, Manson, Myeroff, Morris, Glass (sub: Fieldgrass), B. Lauffer (sub: Schwarz), Lampert, Stolerman, Nick Goodman, Cheniart (sub: Cash). Sub not used: Castle, A. Lauffer
MOM: Myeroff
