Andy Landesberg praised the impact of Austin Lipman after the former Arsenal starlet inspired London Lions to a 7-1 demolition of The 61 FC in the Anagram Records Trophy.
The Lions experienced cup delight for a second week in a row after dispatching another Spartan South Midland League side.
The Lions were able to give 20-year-old Austin Lipman his debut after being released from Arsenal in May. Austin spent 13 years at the club who also represented England at U15, U16, and U17 level.
From the off Lions were in total control, the link up play between Josh Kennet, Charlie Kasler, James Gershfield and Lipman started to take effect and it wasn’t long before Lions were 1-0 up through Kennet after great work between Kasler and Lipman.
The impressive start continued and Lions were soon 2-0 up after an outrageous piece of skill from Lipman. Centre back Ellis played a straight ball from just outside his box which travelled over the 61FC back four, Lipman somehow took the ball out the sky and killed it dead - all in one movement - then rolled the ball past the keeper, a quite incredible goal.
Gershfield then added a third just before half-time after receiving a ball from Kennet and smashing a thunderous shot past the keeper.
The second half got under way and within five minutes Lions were 4-0 up. Kasler received the ball from Lipman and struck a shot from 25 yards which flew past the keeper.
Lions then replaced Josh Pistol with Jake Rinsler who slotted in at right-back and was soon involved in Lions' fifth of the afternoon. Rinsler drove down the right and played in Lipman whose shot was saved only for Gershfield to score his second of the game from close range.
Shortly after Gershfield was replaced by another debutant from the U18 side Adam Burchell, and Connor Perl replaced Harry Hatchwell. Burchell was to have an immediate impact, with 20 minutes remaining the young Lions start drove at the back line of 61FC and was brought down just inside the area. Lions left-back David Soutar handed Burchell the ball who spotted it and sent the keeper the wrong way to score his first senior goal.
Burchell was soon to get on the scoresheet for a second time when the impressive Lipman produced a magical turn on the 61FC left back and cut the ball back for the Team Maccabi GB starlet to slam home his second goal making it 7-0.
With three minutes remaining 61 FC scored a consolation which beat Josh Tray from 25 yards and there was still time for Lions to win another penalty when Lipman was fouled in the box, Burchell was given the opportunity to score his first hatrick but blazed high over the bar.
Andy Landesberg said: "Today was our most complete performance. We controlled the game for 90 minutes and never took our foot off the gas all afternoon. At times the football was breathtaking and some of the goals were amazing.
"I was especially pleased with Adam Burchell who has been training with us for three weeks now and deserved his place in the squad, he scored two goals, should have had three and won the penalty.
Commenting on Austin Lipman, Landesberg added: "Austin was brought to our attention by my assistant-manager and coach Steve Grenfell. Since leaving Arsenal, Austin has been on loan at a few clubs but has found it difficult to adapt as for 13 years he only knows one way to play and that was the Arsenal way which is a passing game and which fits into our clubs philosophy.
"He trained on Thursday and was included in the side today and had a massive impact scoring one and making four.
"He has fitted in really well with the lads and I’m delighted to see him in a Lions shirt."
