4 Goals, 8 Men, 3 Points

Familiarity was the buzz word going into this Sundays game. An away trip against familiar opposition, Latymer at a familiar ground, The Paulin Ground in Winchmore Hill. With a familiar face back in the Lions squad.

After a disappointing result last time out in the league, it was a chance to put another three points on the board against Latymer.
With the management duo shuffling the pack and introducing the returning Danny Daggers from a two year absence into the heart of the Lions midfield, it was the visitors that once again started the brightest.

Lazarus enjoying the freedom of the No 10 role playing some lovely football with the creativity and guile of Daggers and Benfredj behind him, and with Conway, prepared to run all morning, with Silver and Lenchner making up the rest of the Lions front line, the home side we’re going to have to be on their game to keep the visitors at bay.

20mins in, and the Lions took the lead, starting from a clean Sam Mac lunge, the right back carried the ball into space and played in Lazarus who from a tight angle riffled in an unstoppable low drive in off the right hand post.

The Lions lead didn’t last long and an error by Lee who opted to dink a McCarthy back pass over the onrushing Latymer forward rather than wellie it up the pitch saw the ball hit the hosts striker falling cleanly into his path for an easy tap in into an open goal. 1-1

The Lions didn’t let this affect their game and brilliant work from the home keeper and a little luck after Gotch saw his header come back off the post meant that the scores remained level.
However two minutes before the break, Conway burst into the box, set up Warren who’s shot was parried by the home stopper into the path of Lazarus who made it 2-1 on the stretch.

After the break and with the hosts tiring this Lions side started to grow and become more and more dominant, Nygate making his full debut at centre half looking strong and composed, knocked the ball into Conway who spun and played in another debutant Paul Allen who powered his way past his fullback, cut inside and hit a low shot with his left foot low past the keeper to make it 3-1 to the Lions.

A fourth wasn’t far away, Firmin played it to Lenchner who in turn slipped in Warren who took his time to slot it calmly past the keeper for 4-1.

With ten minutes remaining Latymer grabbed a dubiously offside consolation, the Lions playing a high line, looked to have caught the Latymer forward at least 2 yards off side however with the referee opting to not use linesman, he let play continue and the Latymer forward was able to put the ball past Lee for 4-2.

The game then turned farcical...
Sam Mac was sin binned for protesting the offside, Gotch then received his marching orders to join him after he clapped the Lions right-back off the pitch, the referee wrongly assuming it was sarcastic gesture aimed at him, and then moments later in the most baffling circumstances Silver was shown a straight red card after a heated discussion with the referee.

With the Lions down to 8 men for the last 10 minutes the home side threw men forward in search of a way back, but clever defending and good marshalling from Lee behind them meant that the Lions weren’t going surrender their two goal lead.

So a rather disappointing end to what had been a dominant display from the Lions, and with several players missing this week, to finish the game with 8 men and take the 3 points meant the Manager of the Week award was justifiably given to Laz and Lench, back to winning ways and with 9 points on the board from a possible 15 the new Rowley Lane outfit are more than holding their own in the SAL league.