JC MSFL PREMIER DIVISION
SOUTHGATE HARMEN A 0 LONDON MACCABI LIONS A 3

Strikes from Joey Lazare, Alex Bowman and Yoav Lebens eased in-form Lions A to a comfortable win against struggling Harmen at Southbury Leisure Centre.

Fresh off their comprehensive defeat of Division One side Woodford Wanderers in the PMT, Lions went into the game in Enfield on the back of a good run of form.

A handful of changes were enforced from the win last week but that provided the opportunity for Joey Lazare to step in and fill a starting berth on the right hand side and Joel Ross to return and make his first appearance in seven months, much to the delight of the Lions faithful.

Although the home side had struggled in the league so far this term, Lions were keen not to underestimate their opponents.

Indeed the opening spell was a tight affair; neither side able to fully take command of the contest and a few individual errors from Lions gave the hosts some early encouragement that they could get something out of the game.

As the half wore on Lions began to look increasingly threatening going forward. Bowman continued his excellent recent run of form and new boy Lazare was proving a handful too. It appeared as though Ross had never been away, as he showed what a big difference he could make to this Lions side in the second half of the season, with an outstanding display.

Meanwhile at the other end, JJ Spiro and Jake Lew, in particular, were close to faultless throughout, with Harmen reduced to long-range efforts that failed to trouble Sam Castle in the Lions net, bar an excellent save when he found himself one on one with the Harmen striker.

Captain Yoav Lebens, along with stalwart Aviel Schwarz also began to get more involved in the game and things began to look promising for the away side.

It was only a matter of time before they made the opening breakthrough, David Goldberg winning possession and neatly slotting forward into the path of Lazare, who in turn, coolly lifted over the onrushing keeper.

It looked as if Lions would add to their lead in the 15 minutes remaining of the half but a few missed opportunities meant they went into the break up by the solitary goal.

With the first 15 minutes of the second period crucial to the eventual outcome of the match, Lions went out hungry to add to their tally. They began to dominate large amounts of possession and Harmen were unable to break up some scintillating spells of football. Bowman again, provided some outstanding forward options, whilst Ross carried on his fine work from the first half, bringing the oncoming midfielders into play with apparent ease.

Chances continued to come for Lions and with a bit more precision in front of goal, the match could have been wrapped up early in the second period. Ross, Lebens, Morris and Bowman were all guilty of missing some real good opportunities, when well placed.

Not to be deterred, Lions continued to press forward in numbers, creating chances almost at will. The second did eventually come via their captain, for his fifth of the season. Another flowing move from the visitors saw the ball spread from right to left across the midfield, for Bowman to lay into the path of Lebens, who needed no invitation to curl past the Harmen keeper, in off the post from 25 yards out.

More chances came and went; Ross only managed to hit the keeper when put through, with Morris doing likewise just five minutes later.

In an advanced role, Morris was beginning to enjoy more success down the right flank and from one such move he received the ball from Lazard, before a neat interchange with Lebens, resulted in the latter delivering to the back post for Bowman to steer his volley home from close range.

With a three-goal advantage the result was pretty much assured but Lions had ample more opportunities to beef up their goal difference. From a long Castle kick, Lebens was sent through; with the captain dubiously opting for an audacious first time lob that narrowly flew over the bar. Ross and Bowman again went close before the end of the contest but the back four and particularly Castle will be delighted to keep their third straight clean sheet in the league.

With an extended winter break it will provide the perfect opportunity for the players to get well rested for what will be a crucial second half of the season that awaits.

All in all a good, professional performance from the Rowley Lane outfit to end a pleasing first half to the season but more hard work will be needed in the new year to make it a successful season come May.

Lions: Sam Castle, Jacob Lew, Aviel Schwarz, Ollie Leslie (sub: Joey Lazare), Joel Ross, Josh Newman, Justin Spiro, David Goldberg (sub: Pete Lazard), Yoav Lebens, Alex Bowman, Joey Lazare

MOM: Joel Ross (Lions)