Faith back on the top table
AVI MARKIEWICZ saluted his players after Faithfold secured the Division One title and their return to the top tier of the Maccabi League.
Player-manager Markiewicz had put Faithfold ahead in the first half of a match they dominated and although Scott Waissel registered a late equaliser for Raiders, nothing could dampen Faithfold’s spirits as their title celebrations got under way, with champagne corks exploding soon after the final whistle.
“We needed a point and we got it,” commented a champagne-soaked Markiewicz. “We won the title without losing a game, which is no mean feat for a team that is effectively only twoyears-old, and in our first season in this division.”
Faithfold are one of the most cel- ebrated names in the MGBSFL – they have won the Premier Division and Cyril Anekstein Cup on three occasions and are the only Maccabi team to have won the London FA Sunday Intermediate Cup.
But their fortunes have dipped since players of the calibre of Alex Levack and Daryl Phillips left the club. They have endured some dark days since dropping out of the top-flight but Markiewicz has transformed the team after merging it with RC UK FC, and they have had a season to remember.
“I am very proud of my team and I have to thank every single player who contributed over the course of the season,” he said. “League chairman David Woolf, who was in attendance today, is going to have a tough time getting medals for all those involved.
“It was hard work but over the course of the season we played some lovely attacking football and my team deserved it.”
Faithfold went into the game with the MGBSFL’s only unbeaten record. They had won nine out of 11 matches and required only a point to secure the title following recent 2-2 draw against Redbridge Jewish Care.
The hosts spurned a number of chances, either side of Markiewicz’s strike, and referee Phil Peters waved away their goal appeals after Markiewicz lobbed Ben Law but the ball was heroically cleared off the line.
Law impressed for Raiders but he had no chance with the opener, which came as a result of good play from Louis Naghten and Ben Shirbini.
Faithfold goalkeeper Josh Corin also pulled off several important stops, including a brave double save, which saw him collide with the post. Markiewicz revealed the stopper later had an x-ray which confirmed a broken arm.
Raiders were hanging in and their efforts were rewarded in the final minute when a low cross by Jake Gilbert was fired into the roof of the net by Waissel to deny Faithfold victory.
“We should have run away with the game,” insisted Markiewicz. “We missed several clear-cut opportunities and dominated with some fantastic football. In the end, we didn’t get the result we may have wanted, but we got the result that we needed.”
He went on to praise his squad and said: “Committed players, who have been superb, were left out but I think they understood what was at stake. Unity was shown as many of them turned up to support the club and join in the festivities after, which really shows what this team is about.
“NLR may have nicked a draw but in the end it was a green-and-white day.”