Back
Sat 14 Dec 2019
SAL VETS - Div 1Wood Green
P Lenchner (55'), G Gold (67'), (88'), D Soutar (81')
4
2
Group Winners
Daniel Jacobs16 Dec 2019 - 11:21
Share via
MLFC were made to work to secure top spot in Group A of the SAL Shield
MLFC overcame difficult opposition and equally difficult weather conditions to secure top spot in Group A of the SAL Shield, and in so doing ensuring a home quarter final against one of the other group runners up.
Following the recent downpours the match was moved to the 3G, but while the surface was fine the howling wind made it tough for both sides. Maccabi, playing against the breeze, started the brighter, but soon lost the lively Paul Allen to a hamstring injury. Lenchner came close a couple of times while one fine move ended with Gold rattling the upright. So it was against the run of play when, on the half hour, Wood Green took the lead, a shot form the edge of the area too hot for Lee in the home goal.
The introduction of Summers had made Maccabi look somewhat better as he held the ball up well and helped the side ask more and more questions. So it was no surprise that he was instrumental in the equaliser, great control and a fine lay off found the well timed run of Lenchner who slotted home coolly to level things up. The pace and energy of Gold began to reap dividends, one great run and cross deserved a better finish. But he was soon rewarded for his endeavours when he pressured the full back into a back pass that fell short, his pace seeing him beat the keeper to the ball, nipping it past him and tapping into the now unguarded net.
Wood Green however are a more than decent side, well organised and strong. They didn't threaten much, but when they did they did so quickly, and when they countered on a loose pass they exposed Lions down their left, the pull back smartly finished on the run by the onrushing forward to level things up.
The setback didn't thankfully affect the home side too much, and with the game approaching the final 10 minutes they deservedly re-took the lead. Another foul on Summers saw Levack's deep free kick find Soutar who controlled with his chest before dinking a clever finish over the keeper as he came to narrow the angle. A fourth and decisive goal came in the closing stages, Harvey brilliantly intercepting a free kick taken by the keeper, feeding Gold who capitalised on the now stranded stopper by rolling home into the empty net.
Not the prettiest but a solid and effective performance to take into the Xmas break.
Following the recent downpours the match was moved to the 3G, but while the surface was fine the howling wind made it tough for both sides. Maccabi, playing against the breeze, started the brighter, but soon lost the lively Paul Allen to a hamstring injury. Lenchner came close a couple of times while one fine move ended with Gold rattling the upright. So it was against the run of play when, on the half hour, Wood Green took the lead, a shot form the edge of the area too hot for Lee in the home goal.
The introduction of Summers had made Maccabi look somewhat better as he held the ball up well and helped the side ask more and more questions. So it was no surprise that he was instrumental in the equaliser, great control and a fine lay off found the well timed run of Lenchner who slotted home coolly to level things up. The pace and energy of Gold began to reap dividends, one great run and cross deserved a better finish. But he was soon rewarded for his endeavours when he pressured the full back into a back pass that fell short, his pace seeing him beat the keeper to the ball, nipping it past him and tapping into the now unguarded net.
Wood Green however are a more than decent side, well organised and strong. They didn't threaten much, but when they did they did so quickly, and when they countered on a loose pass they exposed Lions down their left, the pull back smartly finished on the run by the onrushing forward to level things up.
The setback didn't thankfully affect the home side too much, and with the game approaching the final 10 minutes they deservedly re-took the lead. Another foul on Summers saw Levack's deep free kick find Soutar who controlled with his chest before dinking a clever finish over the keeper as he came to narrow the angle. A fourth and decisive goal came in the closing stages, Harvey brilliantly intercepting a free kick taken by the keeper, feeding Gold who capitalised on the now stranded stopper by rolling home into the empty net.
Not the prettiest but a solid and effective performance to take into the Xmas break.
Further reading