Lions Produce Benfica Masterclass
London Lions produced a master class performance against Sporting London Benfica, showing what they are capable when they have a near full fit squad available.
South Midlands League Division OneSporting London e Benfica 1 London Lions 8
Tuesday, 25 August, 2010
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MILLET SPORT
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The contrast to Saturday's lacklustre showing was staggering. Lions played with energy, desire and attitude cutting their hosts to pieces with eight excellently well taken goals.
Manager Tony Gold made five changes to his side after Saturday's 4-1 defeat at London Colney. Danny Berliner replaced Matt Davis in goal, Guy Morris, Josh Kennet, James Gershfield and TJ Keterman all started and made up the other changes.
With the rain lashing down on a slick surface at Haringay Borough, the conditions suited Lions high-tempo passing game and it wasn't long before Sporting Benfica were on the back foot. Unable to deal with the movement and passing, the hosts got deeper and deeper worried about the pace and trickery of Gershfield and Kennet.
The latter was to open proceedings with a lovely goal, driving the ball low and hard past the keeper, those on the Lions bench initially thought the ball hit the side netting but soon realised it was a goal as they watched David Snellman jump out of his seat in the main stand and yell "Great goal Joshy".
Five minutes later and super G-Mo got in on the goal action. He finally arrived on time for the first time in his life with a bullet header to make it 2-0.
Before Sporting Benfica had time to breathe their keeper was picking the ball out of the net again three minutes later as Kennet smacked in number three.
It seemed that the hosts number nine had seen enough and the Papa Bouba Diop lookalike walked off the pitch and disappeared into the distance. Sporting Benfica brought on a sub to even up the numbers again and actually managed to settle down into some kind of rhythm seeing the half out without conceding further.
With the rain continuing to full in buckets referee Kevin Moore who officiated tremendously well in difficult conditions kept a close eye on the pitch, as certain parts started to look more like a paddling pool.
James Gershfield who was relatively quite in the first-half suddenly sprang into life like DC hero Aquaman in the second-half. Drenched through and clearly loving the conditions he produced a second hat-trick of the season scoring two of the three in five minutes to put Lions 5-0 up.
Daniel Stanton then added a classy sixth sliding in at the far post to guide Kennet's excellent cross over the line. The hard working Ketterman was eventually rewarded for his efforts with a well taken seventh.
Credit to Sporting Benfica though as they kept on driving forward and although it was little consolation they did manage to find the net through Russell Chandler.
With time almost up and not a dry person in the place Gershfield completed his hat-trick putting him top of the goal scoring charts in the South Midlands League.
After Saturday's disappointment, manager Tony Gold was delighted to see his team bounce back saying: "I know what this group of players is capable of when everyone is fit and available. Similarly I also know when we have six to eight players unavailable we will find it extremely tough.
"The fact is to date our results reflect our player inconsistency that is just the way it is right now. We still have several players out who will strengthen our all round core which is obviously encouraging. Tonight the lads thoroughly deserved the accolades for a truly excellent performance in ridiculous weather conditions".
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MILLET SPORT
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