Redbridge Jewish Care A 1 Maccabi London Lions A 2

By David Saffer

Super sub Adam Burchell fired home a 90th minute winner for London Lions in a 2-1 victory against Redbridge Jewish Care A to win the Cyril Anekstein Cup.

In a feisty affair Adam Arnold opened the scoring for Lions before a Zac Neiman equaliser but Maccabiah-bound Burchell shattered the east Londoners double dreams with a late strike.

Lions last lifted the trophy in 2013 and looked solid at the back as Redbridge pressed forward through Nathan Sollosi and Daniel Garfinkle down the left flank.

Adam Arnold had a first sight of goal for Lions but Dan Lee saved his effort.

Ryan Springer’s team had defended with gusto, and then suddenly from a long clearance, Arnold collected the ball with an instinctive first touch before lofting the ball over Lee.

The goal stunned Redbridge who drove forward looking to hit back, and they nearly did as Dean Nyman and Sam Sollosi went close to scoring.

Redbridge continued to push Lions back and after a sustained period of pressure, Nyman fired a shot wide of the post before Russell Goldstein hit another strike over the bar.

Lions needed to sharpen up and went close to doubling the lead when Max Kyte volleyed straight at ‘keeper Lee then Austin Lipman hit the underside of the Redbridge bar

David Sacal saved a goalbound effort from the dangerous Nyman as Redbridge responded. And they deservedly equalised when Sollosi touched a free kick for centre-back Neiman to sidefoot a 25-yard strike into the bottom corner of the net on 55 minutes.

With an extra 30 minutes beckoning Arnold cut the Redbridge defence open with a superb ball to Burchell who calmly slotted home the winner sparking wild celebrations in the Lions camp.

For Lions boss Ryan Springer it was a sweet moment whilst Redbridge manager Jon Jacobs has now set his sights on clinching the Maccabi GB SFL Premier League title.

Victories over North London Raiders A and Hendon United Sports Club A will see them crowned champions ahead of Oakwood A.

Lions: David Sacal, WIll Beresford, Alex Taylor, Jon Ellis, Max Hassell, James Gold, Ben Lampert (capt), Jamie Jackson, Adam Arnold, Austin Lipman, Max Kyte. Subs: Richard Gold, Harry Marlow, Ryan Springer, Adam Adabi, Adam Burchell

Redbridge: Dan Lee, Danny Berg (capt), Zac Neiman, Daryl Rubin, Ryan Cole, Ben Sollosi, Sam Sollosi, Nathan Sollosi, Russell Goldstein, Daniel Garfinkle, Dean Nyman. Subs: Adam Hakimi, Sam McCarthy, Matt Berkley, James Berkley, Scott Oldstein