Lions roar into the 2nd Round of Cyril Anekstein
Andrew Sherwood is the Jewish News Sport and Community Editor
Lions safely booked their place in the second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup as they thumped FC Team C in an all Division Two clash.
Cyril Anekstein Cup First Round:
FC Team C 2 Maccabi London Lions B 7
Sunday, 20 September, 2015
After a convincing victory in their first game of the season last weekend, Lions faced an FC Team C side in the Cyril Anekstein cup, looking to secure a safe passage into the next round.
The game kicked off with the pitch bathed in sunshine, and Lions were definitely the better team in the first 10 minutes. Good chances went begging with both Benji Weinberger and Daniel Mattey coming close. Lions were then unlucky to not take the lead through firstly a Dean Rosenthal shot, and then after some chaos in the FC Team box, a chance was saved off the line by the FC Team defender. Lions failed to take advantage of their early pressure and they were made to pay with FC Team attempting an audacious free-kick from just inside their half which bounced in and around the Lions box, finding its way into the back of the Lions net.
Minutes later, a great corner into the box by Rosenthal found Eli Cohen who comfortably placed the ball under the FC Team goalkeeper. Lions were back in the ascendancy after 20 minutes of intense pressure from FC Team and the end of the half saw Lions back on top, with chances coming at regular intervals, however Lions were again unable to capitalise on their chances, the sides going in at the break in level terms.
Lions came out after half-time with a bit more urgency and went 2-1 up minutes after play restarted. Josh Bloom, leading the line, chased down a long ball deep into the FC Team left hand corner, and dispossessed the Team defender. He then played a great ball across the box through to Weinberger who completed the move with a smart finish. However, soon after, FC Team equalised through a long-range shot from their centre-midfielder. Lions were determined to take hold of this game and found themselves back in front after a throw-in by Nick Landesberg deflected off FC Team’s centre-back and found its way into the goal.
Then the Dean Rosenthal show started. Rosenthal scored a 19 minute hat-trick to put Lions 6-2 up. The pick of the goals being a wonderful team move that culminated in the ball being played in from the left hand side, and Rosenthal tucking it away. Lions weren’t finished there as they went 7-2 up through a wonderful finish by Josh Bloom, who flicked the ball up to himself in the box, spun and volleyed the ball into the top right corner of the Team net. A tough test for this Lions team, but one which the boys passed with flying colours as they move into the next round to face Oakwood B in two weeks time.
A great performance from the whole team (especially in the second half), but there was only going to be one man who was going home with the Maltesers this week. Man-of-the-Match this week went to Dean Rosenthal for his quick-fire hat-trick in the second half and his tireless work both attacking and defending.
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