Redbridge pay the penalty
FOOTBALL pace-setters A came as no surprise to him.
First-half strikes from Jake Saunders and a penalty from Rob Hershkorn had put the Premier Division strugglers in charge and although Ryan Cole netted for Redbridge, Camden held on to claim their first win of the season.
Camden manager Saunders commented: “We have had to endure the most ridiculous start to the season. Our seven games in the league have come against Hendon twice, Redbridge twice, Lions twice and Oakwood once. I’m sure if you asked all those teams, we have been very unlucky to have picked up no points prior to Sunday, the performances we have put in have deserved a lot more.
“If we had been a bit more clinical in some of those games, no doubt our points tally would have been a lot more handsome. We were due a result like this. So, although it may have been a shock to many, to us it was about time.
“Leading 2-1 with 25 minutes to go, most weeks Camden would have collapsed and allowed Redbridge to undo all our good play. However, this was a resolute Camden performance and in the end, we restricted Redbridge to only a few half chances.”
Having seen his team’s seven-match winning run come to an end, Jon Jacobs described the game as “a defining point” for Redbridge. He said: “It is up to us to go again and go on another winning run.
“Full credit to Camden, they had a clear game-plan and they executed it perfectly. If they can repeat that performance they will move up the league table very quickly.”
David Garbacz believes Hendon United A must “maintain the high standards set” in the 4-0 win over Brady Maccabi as they regained top spot. Zac Lewis (2), Avi Korman and Dovi Fehler eased them to victory.
FC Team assistant-manager Jonny Pearl expressed “incredible pride” following the 2-1 defeat of Maccabi London Lions A. Connor Perl opened the scoring against his former club, with Andrei Greyson doubling their advantage. James Gold pulled one back for Lions. Perl said: “The boys showed amazing attitude, dedication and commitment.”
Ricky Lawrence gave an honest assessment after SPEC FC registered their first win. Daniel Amram, Ben Kaye and player-manager Lawrence scored in a 3-1 win over Woodford Wanderers. Adam Poole fired a consolation. Lawrence remarked: “We weren’t great, but Woodford went down to 10 men due to injury and we just about managed to make the extra man count.”
Dan Shafron claimed North London Raiders A were “bullied” out of the London FA Sunday Challenge Cup following a 5-4 defeat against FC Bickley 1st.
Liron Mannie, Nyv Bogaire and Ben Ellis were the marksmen for NLR but they had no answer to the “route one tactics” adopted by their opponents from the Orpington & Bromley District League.
Shafron said: “I am very disappointed and baffled with this result. We were incredible in the first half but our second-half display was horrendous.
“Bickley didn’t change their tactics, we just allowed them to get back in the game in an inexcusable manner.”
Sammy Kingston admits Lions B “went back to basics” in the 5-0 success of Hendon B as they returned to the top of Division One. Josh Bloom (2), Ben Winters, Adam Abadi and Benji Weinberger steered Lions home.
Kingston commented: “We pressed from the front and in pairs and our attacking play was an absolute joy to woodB letic Bilbaum. Faithfold A Los Blancos. L’Equipe Catford & Bromley.
Sometimes you have to ride your luck in football’