Champions have fallen short
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION OAKWOOD A
ML LIONS BLUE 1 3
DAN KRISTALL has conceded Oakwood’s hopes of retaining the title are as good as over after the defending champions were humbled by Lions Blue. Josh Bloom, Michael Kenley and Liron Mannie registered for the Lions as Oakwood were beaten for only the second time in the league this season. Kyle Bentwood’s 59th minute effort gave Oakwood hope but their fate is no longer in their own hands. Joint-manager Kristall remarked: “This was a hugely disappointing day for the club. To be clear, we deserved nothing from the game and were beaten by the better side on the day. “Unfortunately, it feels like our injury list has caught up on us. Missing up to seven key players, we just couldn’t get going in a game where I felt the first goal was key. Lions scored it on half-time and we just couldn’t get ourselves going.” Kristall went on to praise the Lions and said: “They won’t have put a stronger XI out all season and featured a few Saturday players and like most teams we play against, they were desperate to beat us. It’s a shame they don’t put that team out every week because if they did, they’d challenge at the top and would certainly take points off lots of other sides, including Hendon.” He went on to say: “We didn’t lose the title in this game, we lost it through dropping too many points at key times throughout the season.” Victory lifted the Lions into third place and boss Sam Marchant commented: “Heading into our last game of the season, we really wanted to finish on a high and thankfully did just that. “Oakwood A are a strong side, title-challengers this season, and we knew this game was a big occasion for them, and a slip-up could cost them their chances of winning the title. We lost to them at home earlier in the season in a close game so we knew if we were at our best we could get something. All the lads worked tirelessly and proved to ourselves what we are actually capable of if we are committed and concentrated each week. It feels great to finish the season in such a positive manner, and for our first season in this division. We feel we have done well, learnt a lot and will be prepared better for next season.” Kristall insists Oakwood’s season is far from over and he is confident his squad can bow out with silverware. “If we do ultimately finish second, with our cup final to follow, it will have been another really positive season for Oak- wood,” he said. “We will work hard over the summer to recover players and add the quality we need to challenge for the title again next season. In the meantime, we will now prepare for the final in three week’s time, where we hope to recover some of the injured boys.”
DIVISION ONE REDBRIDGE JC B 2 OAKWOOD B 4
OAKWOOD CONSOLIDATED third place after returning to winning ways thanks to doubles from Jacob RichlerKleiman and Daniel Selwyn. Oakwood boss Jason Stein said: “Before the kick-off I explained to the boys how important it was for us to win the game. We’ve never won in Essex before and I wanted us to tick that mental barrier off. So I’m more than pleased we did it. We’ve got one more game to play and a win against Blancos seals third spot - our highest ever finish.” Redbridge’s goals came via Josh Wynne and Richie Caplin.
DIVISION TWO
MILL HILL DONS 2 HERTSWOOD VALE 3
A LAST-GASP winner from James Neidle ended Mill Hill’s title hopes and placed their dreams of a top-two finish in jeopardy. Josh Cohen and James Millet also found the net for a red-hot Hertswood team who registered their eighth league victory. Vale co-boss Jacob Emanuel reflected on “a huge result”. He said: “Having thrown away a twogoal lead in the reverse fixture, the boys were up for the match and ultimately got their reward for clinical finishing and hard work.” Zach Cohen and Josh Cinna were the marksmen for the Dons.
REAL HENDON 7 FAITHFOLD B 2
GAV NOE (4), Benny Goldberg, Doron Shooter and player-manager Martin Smulovitch registered as Real destroyed Faithfold B to clinch their seventh league victory.