Letchworth end Lions’ 100 percent home start to season
Andrew Sherwood is the Jewish News Sport and Community Editor
London Lions saw their 100 percent home winning run come to an end on Saturday after they were held to a 2-2 with Letchworth Garden City Eagles.
Herts Senior County League Premier Division:
London Lions 2 Letchworth Garden City Eagles 2
Saturday, 26 September, 2015
FIXTURES & RESULTS
LEAGUE TABLE
Such was the dominating performance of the home team, the game could – and should – have been over in the first half, but a mixture of fine goalkeeping and poor finishing always gave the away side a chance.
Within the first five minutes of the game, Lions could have been two-up after chances fell to Weinberger and Furman. Lions were playing free flowing football and their dominance finally turned into a goal when the lively Benji Weinberger scored his third goal in six games. Lions continued to dominate, TJ Keterman, Charlie Kasler and Josh Kennet were all guilty of missing chances to kill the game off. With 10 minutes remaining of the half, LGC were level after a sloppy ball by Lions centre-half Jon Ellis gifted the forward an opportunity to level from 15 yards to send the sides in level at the break.
The second half started as the first ended with Lions creating more chances but unable to re take the lead. The visitors grew in confidence and forced a fine save from Josh Tray, the game was starting to turn for LGC, before the Lions were dealt a blow when Furman was forced off with a pulled hamstring and was replaced by the returning David Soutar, with 20 minutes remaining Lions went ahead after Louie Greenham’s left foot shot flew past the keeper. The lead didn’t last long and LGC were back on level terms after the centre-forward ran off his marker and rounded the on coming Tray to slip the ball into the bottom corner of the net 2-2. With 15 minutes remaining a little bit of history was made when Lions introduced U16 star Jack Mattey who at 16 years and 14 days became the youngest player to make his senior debut. The young winger found his feet straight away and looked tidy and accomplished whilst being able to run the LGC full back. Lions searched for a winner and Kasler had a great chances with minutes remaining but it wasn’t to be.
Lions boss Andy Landesberg said: “The last few weeks I feel like I’m repeating myself, I cant fault the performances, it’s just the finishing which is killing us, we must create 15-20 chances a game but if you don’t punish teams then results like this will happen more often than not. I think we know what will be worked on in training this week!”
Speaking about the appearance of Jack Mattey, he said: “What an unbelievable story this is, Jack and his family have had a great few days at the club, he was on the bench last week but unfortunately never got on, Darren coaches him at U16 level and only has good things to say, he had been invited into training with the 1st team over the last few weeks and looked bright and sharp, I always say if you are good enough then you are old enough, he attacked well, defended well and his pass completion was excellent. This shows what hard work is currently going on with the youngsters at the club, We had both Josh Tray and Louie Greenham ( both 18) starting today.”
Jack said: “It’s an amazing feeling to play for the 1st team today and I’m honoured to make my debut at such a young age. It’s been a mad few days that I wont forget in a hurry, Thursday night’s opening of the new stand in memory of my dad and becoming the youngest player in the clubs history to make his Saturday senior debut is an unforgettable experience, I’m just gutted that we couldn’t get the win as I thought we played well enough to get all three points.”
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