David Saffer

Lions’ victory opened up a seven-point gap in the only Maccabi GB Southern Football League Division 1 fixture of the day.

Joshua Bloom scored the goal of the game for the hosts with a looping left foot volley to put his team three up early in the second half.

After Doron received a red card Oakwood hit back through a Daniel Seligman penalty and a Rafi Bloom effort five minutes from time.

Benji Weinberger had already scored for Maccabi before sealing the win with a late breakaway strike.

Michael Kenley grabbed Lions other goal.

“Having lost at Oakwood earlier in the season we knew this would be a tough affair,” commented Lions boss Samuel Marchant.

“Knowing that nothing other than a victory would do we had to dig in deep.

“The red card (for Doron) had a huge impact on the game but Weinberger relieved the pressure by scoring a wonderful goal on the counter attack.”

“It was a tough defeat to take because for large parts of the game the two sides were evenly matched,” said Jason Stein of Oakwood.

“They (Lions) had much more of a killer instinct in front of goal and took their chances well in particular the third goal (from Bloom) which was a great hit.

“Two costly first half defensive errors at 0-0 in the space of a minute left us with a big task.

“To come back from 3-0 showed our character but we lacked a cutting edge today.”

Second place Redbridge Jewish Care B have four games in hand but face fixtures against the top sides in their remaining games as the title race hots up.

Third place Scrabble are nine points adrift of top spot having played three games fewer.

Scrabble will be clear favourites to cut the deficit against lowly Athletic Bilbaum at Chase Lodge on Sunday (10am)

In the Premier League, Maccabi London Lions A came from behind to defeat Brady Maccabi 5-3 in a thrilling encounter.

Redbridge Jewish Care A remain ahead of Lions in third place following a 6-0 rout against bottom of the table Hendon United Sports B.