Sals Bar Steal It. 2-2 AET, Lost On Penalties 2-1.

A hard fought quarter final was eventually lost by the Lions on penalties, despite completely outplaying Sals Bar, a division above, and enjoying a fine season in their own league.

Finishing 2-2 after extra time, the Lions only managed to convert one penalty, while, despite a couple of fine saves from Aaron, Sals Bar slotted the necessary two to progress to the semi final. The Lions lined up with their familiar formation, with the exception of fit again player-manager O’Keeffe returning to replace the injured Ollie at centre half. The Lions started brightly, with the usual neat interplay between midfield and attack soon stretching Sal’s somewhat laboured defenders.

Totally dominant, it was no surprise when the Lions went one up. Timid cut in from the left wing, and hit a daisy cutter which their keeper let slip through his hands. Somewhat fortuitous, but totally deserved. However, as so often happens, a couple of immediate lapses of concentration allowed Sals an equaliser. A rubbish bit of control by one of their attackers saw a pass ricochet off Grant, who conceded a corner. When it was floated over, the wind caught it, and it evaded Aaron and Don at the far post to float in. Rubbish goal, and their only attempt in the whole half. Justice swiftly followed though, when the Lions won a free kick on the edge of the box. Despite a substantial wall, Paolo cracked a screamer straight through it, and the keeper could only help the ball into the net. 2-1 up at half time, the Lions handled some early pressure in the second half, but were looking totally comfortable. Perhaps the turning point was when Ahmed was worked into space with only the keeper to beat, but hammered the ball against the crossbar. 3-1 would have seen Sal’s dead and buried, as they were offering little in attack.

With the Lions running down the clock, progress into the semis looked assured, until Sals scored their second rubbish goal. From an innocuous free kick with four minutes to go, the ball skimmed off the head of one of their attackers, confusing everyone, and crept into the net at the far post. You make your own luck, but they had no right to be in that position given the previous 86 minutes. Extra time was hard fought, but with few goal chances, although the Lions were much the stronger side. The Lions looked to have scored when Jabba bundled the ball into the net in the first half, but a foul on their keeper was awarded. Then, with minutes to go, Clark met a Paulo corner to bullet a header goal-wards, which the keeper kept out without being aware of what was happening. And so to penalties.

Sals went first, with Aaron pulling of a magnificent save. Unfortunately, what was to follow was disappointing, despite penalties being practiced for this eventuality at the previous training session. Jabba, Paolo and Timid all sent their penalties straight down the middle, and all were saved. Noel coolly slotted his, but Clark, needing to score to keep the Lions in the game, crashed the Lion’s fifth off the junction of post and crossbar. If you don’t win during open play, then the lottery of penalties means anything can happen, and as it does so often in these situations, the poorer side won.

The Lions can hold their heads high though. Another solid performance, and against a decent side from a higher league. Similar levels of performance will see plenty more points won by the Lions during the remainder of the season.

Written By Peter Clark