MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
WINSLOW 0 LONDON LIONS 5
The long trip to Winslow proved a fruitful one as London Lions secured another three valuable points.
Any midweek match is tricky but this particular one was always going to be tough because of the sheer distance. Added to that, manager Tony Gold had no less than 14 players unavailable with a couple of dropouts on the day of the game. However, the starting 11 was strong and more than capable of getting the job done.
The eventual 5-0 scoreline slightly flattered the visitors as three of the five goals came in the final 15 minutes. In fact the game was extremely tight going into half-time with a Sam Sloma special being the only difference between the sides.
The first 45 minutes was played at a terrific pace with the home side getting everyone behind the ball bar one lone front man and Lions playing all the football but unable to break through the stubborn defence.
Sloma did eventually manage to penetrate but it took a terrific finish from just outside the box to achieve it.
Concentration and discipline were order of the evening and Lions needed both in abundance to ensure there were no slip ups. Michael Sacks eased the pressure by doubling Lions lead with a great finish in the box after Winslow failed to clear their lines following a melee in the penalty area.
Winslow still continued to huff and puff and Lions keeper Mario Cenolli, who returned to the starting XI after completing a suspension, was called into action twice in as many minutes to preserve the Lions clean sheet.
The game was over as a contest 15 minutes from time when Daniel Stanton finished clinically from the edge of the 18-yard box to make it 3-0.
Lions fourth came courtesy of Sloma with another deft finish following a lovely through ball from Ben Ellis. Provider then turned goalscorer as Ellis reacted first to a loose ball in the Winslow box slamming it home from eight yards.
In the end it was a competent performance against a side who has taken points off Harpenden Town, New Bradwell and Sun Postal.
Lions manager Tony Gold said: “Midweek games that involve long journeys are always difficult as our players find it difficult to leave work.
“Even with 14 players unavailable tonight we saw the strength in depth we have as a squad. It was a very controlled performance against a side that worked incredibly hard and are fighting for their lives even at this early stage of the season.
“The players should be commended for a truly outstanding start to the season but we must not get carried away we have a tremendously long way to go."
