Lions hit Scrabble for six to end 100 percent winning start

Lions inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Scrabble – denying them a 17th straight win – as they ran riot at Rowley Lane

MGBSFL Division Two:
Maccabi London Lions B 6 Scrabble 1
Sunday, 21 February, 2016

Looking to avenge their 2-1 defeat earlier in the year. Lions welcomed back Brahams, Nick Landesberg, Behar, and Cohen to face a Scrabble side yet to taste defeat this season.

Lions started the brighter which was expected as the squad was given a Saturday night bedtime of 9.30pm by manager Sam Marchant. And their pressure paid off when the returning Cohen finished well after a great ball from captain for the day, Josh Bloom.

However, soon after, Scrabble drew level against the run of play. A long throw from the Scrabble right-back fell to the feet of Danny Sherman, who held off the Lions defence to turn and rifle it past Brahams.

After a short period of Scrabble pressure, the ball fell to Charlie Cohen in the Scrabble penalty area and he went to go past the Scrabble defender who then proceeded to bring down Cohen. The referee awarded the penalty which Landesberg duly converted to give them a deserved lead.

Lions continued to press with Eli Cohen impressing, covering every blade of grass in the first half, winning every single header. They then went 3-1 up after an audacious back-heel from Bloom that Jake Hyman ran onto, and clinically put it past the goalkeeper. Lions were truly on top at this point.

Shortly after, three became four after an excellent Sammy Kingston corner was flicked on and then headed in by Landesberg for his second of the game. It could’ve been five before half-time with a couple of clear-cut chances coming and going before the half-time whistle went. 4-1 Lions after the first 45 minutes.

The first goal in the second half was vital, and Lions were the ones to get it after another ridiculous piece of skill from Bloom who then put it on a plate for Cohen to convert for his second of the game.

Bloom was provider once again for his fourth assist of the game when his first time ball through to Hyman was brilliantly taken past the defender, and slotted into an empty net. 6-1 Lions and it was officially a rout.

It could’ve been double figures with a further six or seven clear-cut chances not being put away by Lions. But they weren’t complaining after they ended Scrabble’s winning streak quite convincingly.

Lions manager Samuel Marchant said: “A superb performance from everyone involved today, with the maltesers being shared around the changing room after the game.