Hosts Roar Back - London Lions vs. Brimsdown

Brimsdown under pressure in the first half

Work commitments in East London meant my options were pretty limited this weekend. Considering I was working in Waltham Forest, my first hope was Frenford Senior but they were away and I was tempted by Clapton but in the end I made the trip across North London to London Lions. They play in Division One of The Spartan South Midlands League and today they were playing Brimsdown. Brimsdown currently ground share at Ware but at their old ground on Goldsdown Road, I saw the best match I've ever seen live when Enfield Town defeated Aveley 7-4 in torrential rain. London Lions themselves have ground shared numerous times but are now back at their impressive Rowley Lane headquarters. Both sides found themselves in the bottom half and were both looking to get closer to midtable. 

Kick off in the drizzle at Rowley Lane

London Lions have a lot of the ball early and they are given a helping hand with the opening goal. A weak shot from the edge of the area should be straight forward for the Brimsdown keeper but he lets the ball go through him for the opening goal. London Lions have a lot of the ball in around the Brimsdown area without creating any real chances and they are made to pay for their lack of ruthlessness. The Brimsdown attacker is allowed too much space on the edge of the area which allows him to rifle a shot past the London Lions goalie. The visitors complete the turnaround as the Brimsdown forward gets in on goal before a deflection takes his shot past the keeper. London Lions have a chance to equalise in the last minute of the half but the Brimsdown keeper redeems himself making a good save from a well hit shot.

Equaliser for Brimsdown at the clubhouse end

There is drama at the start of the second half when the hosts are awarded a penalty. The offending Brimsdown player receives his second yellow and the Brimsdown keeper ameliorates the situation, making a decent save from the spot kick. That is however as good as it gets for the away side as London Lions score three unanswered goals from some good passing football to seal the 4-2 win (it was very cold at this point, hence the lack of notes!).

London Lions pushing forward

So to get to Rowley Lane from Whipps Cross takes two tubes, a train, a bus and a walk but from Central London it is a bit more straight forward. The closest underground station is High Barnet which is twenty minutes or so from town. Then from across the road from the station you can take the 107 bus to Glebe Lane and the ground is a fifteen minute walk up Rowley Lane itself. If you have time, I recommend getting to Barnet earlier for a visit to Ye Olde Mitre Inne which had an excellent selection of ales and general beers. The clubhouse at the ground was very friendly and considering the time of year, the pitch was in fantastic shape. A great afternoon in extreme North London.

Closer shot of the stand at Rowley Lane