Boca boys battle back to earn point against ten-man Lions

A dramatic injury time equaliser earned Boca Jewniors a share of the points against a Lions side who played the last 20 minutes with ten men.

MGBSFL Division Three:
Boca Jewniors 2 London Maccabi Lions Green 2
Sunday, 11 January, 2015

Gale force winds and a diabolical playing surface set the tone for Lions’ first fixture of 2015. With shots on goal a rarity, Lions had to rely on a first half penalty; converted by Jerome Colmans, to separate the two sides in an otherwise drab first half.

It seemed that more of the same was to come from the second 45, before the match sparked into life in the 70th minute. After an innocuous-looking tangle in the penalty area between the Boca striker and Grant Bates, the referee pointed to the spot. With Bates already on a booking, there was no other option that to send the Lions midfielder off. Boca converted the resulting spot kick and left Lions with a mountain to climb with 20 minutes to go.

Despite the odds being stacked against them, the dismissal seemed to invigorate Lions and they began to mount a some pressure going forward. Then, with 85 minutes on the clock, Aaron Spalter clipped a ball in behind the Boca defence and Steven Black lofted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to send the Lions back into the lead.

Lions looked to have sealed the points, but with seconds left on the clock, Boca were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal. With a seemingly tame effort, the ball took an awkward bobble in front of Lions goalkeeper Ed Bloom and his parry was tapped into the net by the Boca striker to tie the match.

It proved to be a fair result on the balance of play, but Lions will be looking at their next two home fixtures against Hendon and Boca for maximum points.