London Lions U-10s Compete In France
The London Maccabi Lions Under 10 Watford Friendly league team, managed by Danny Schindler, was invited to take part in an Under 11 tournament in Nice, hosted by the local Maccabi Association. Also invited were AC Whetstone and a team from Montpellier.
Although the Lions were playing a year above themselves, and for the first time as a 9-a-side team (as opposed to 7-a-side), they acquitted themselves exceptionally well.Their first game was against a very good Nice side but apart from the obvious height difference it was difficult to see who were the younger players. The team lined up with Sam the cat Chait in goal, a back three of Ben Ibrahimi, Mikey Kaye and Jonny Byre, with Nathan Schindler, Callum Lee and Matthew Silver in midfield, and Jordan Grundman and Sam Belchak up front.
The Lions took the game to the opposition from the off, and it was against the run of play when Nice won a corner from which they scored. However, Jordan Grundman then levelled the scores with a terrific shot that almost burst the back of the net after being put through by Sam Belchak. Despite having about seven shots on goal to the hosts one, which was brilliantly saved by Sam Chait, the scores remained level at the final whistle.
Next up was the Barnet derby between the Lions and AC Whetstone, and again the Lions performed brilliantly, belying the age difference between the two teams. This time Joel Citron started up front with Sam Belchak being rested but otherwise the team was the same as for the Nice game. A single goal to Whetstone, which came from a wicked deflection, separated the two teams.
The Lions played Montpellier in their final match, which they won 7-0 with goals from Callum Lee, Joel Citron (2), Jordan Grundman (2), Jonny Byre and Nathan Schindler.
This was the first time that such a young team had represented the London Lions abroad in a tournament of this nature, and it was a truly rewarding experience for the boys and their proud dads who accompanied them on the trip.
The Lions U-10 team with their U-13 counterparts:
Front row (from left) Matthew Silver, Sam Belchak, Mikey Kaye and Sam Chait. Second row Joel Citron, Jonny Byre, Callum Lee, Nathan Schindler and Jordan rundman.
