WATFORD FRIENDLY LEAGUE UNDER 18 LEAGUE CUP FINAL
London Maccabi Lions 2 Limassol 0
London Maccabi Lions won their first piece of silverware of the season with a 2-0 victory over Limassol at Harvester FC.
Strikes from Josh Bloom and Benji Weinberger saw the boys from Rowley Lane run out deserved winners with victory in the Watford Friendly League Under 18 League Cup final.
Joint-manager Nicky Bloom told JC Sport: "It was a simply phenomenal performance from the boys who gave the 100 per cent performance that they knew would be required if they were to lift the trophy and to a man each of them was superb. We simply could not have asked more from them on the day.
"In truth, we were by far the better side on the day, showing a greater will to win and our discipline and dominance of the possession and midfield gave us a significant edge over our rivals on this occasion."
The Lions started the game well - winning the early challenges and making their mark on the game from the off.
Josh Bloom put them in front after heading home at the far post from an excellent Charlie Rubin corner in the 12th minute.
Bloom was unlucky not to get a second a couple of minutes later when he stretched for a ball in the box but he was unable to keep his shot down.
David Nez, Dan Green and Charlie Rubin were working liking trojans in the middle of the park - covering every blade of grass - and it was David who had a volley in the 17th minute that whistled just wide.
Limassol did not have their first real threat on goal until the 21st minute when Lions conceded a free-kick on the right side of the penalty area, but they were unable to capitalise.
Lions went close again minutes later as a header from Jordan Nathan cleared the crossbar.
The Lions survived a penalty appeal in the 30th minute and went in at half time 1-0 ahead.
Having gone close early in the second half, the Lions doubled their lead when Weinberger showed great technique to crash home a volley from the edge of the area.
Such was Lions' level of play and concentration, it was not until the 72nd minute that their keeper was called into action, smothering a shot from the edge of the area.
David Nez and Charlie Rubin tried to add to the lead in the closing stages, with Rubin drawing a fine save by the Limassol keeper.
Just as it looked as though the game was won, the Lions keeper was called to make three vital; one when the Limassol forward was clean through against him, a block a minute later and a flying saving with five minutes to go.
There was still time for two late efforts from Lions, with but Jordan Marks and Matt Perlman were unable to find the net.
Bloom added: "The match officials were superb too and they made our goalie Dan the man of the match.
"Thank you to all our supporters on the day who came along to cheer the squad on. Our boys did us all very proud and lets hope we can achieve a cup double next weekend."
The Lions are in action against at Harvester FC, this time in the final of the WFL Challenge Cup.
