Haroldeans flying the flag for MJSL in Morrison
PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
MACC. MANCH. 2ND 0 HAROLDEANS 1
MIKE BLOOMBERG insists his players stepped up after MJSL table-toppers Haroldeans edged into the final following a hard-fought win over Manchester 2nd. A first-half header from Eden Harris was enough to send the Merseysiders through. Haroldeans boss Mike Bloomberg commented: “I wasn’t too confident before the game, with key men Paul Harris and Maxim Green missing. But the players stepped up and the performance was outstanding. Our back five, including 17-year-old keeper Jared Clein, were superb. That was our third clean sheet in a week — and that’s good going at any level. This group of players are on the verge of achieving something special if they maintain this attitude and effort.”
PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL
MACC. MANCH. 1ST 0 ML LIONS WHITE 1
WILL BERESFORD believes MLL showed another side to their game as they set up a semi-final showdown against holders North London Raiders after overcoming highly-fancied Manchester 1st. A superb long-range effort from Max Kyte kept alive MLL’s hopes of silverware. The giant striker capitalised on good work from Eshed Rahav before smashing his shot into the top corner. “It was a great battle today from the first minute to the 93rd,” said MLL joint-manager Beresford. “We came prepared for a battle and put aside our usual expressive, fluid football to get a win. The back four won every header and tackle and let the Manchester know they were in a game. Their solid performance allowed the midfield to drive forward and press the Maccabi ball-players and nullify their usual attacking threat.”
BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY SEMI-FINALS TEMPLE FORTUNE 0
FC TEAM 0 (FORTUNE WON 3-0 ON PENALTIES)
JOEL CARLOWE was the hero of the hour as Temple Fortune set up a final showdown against Faithfold B after holding their nerve to beat FC Team on penalties. After a goalless 90 minutes, keeper Carlowe saved three spot-kicks to seal Template Fortune’s passage into the BGT final, which takes place on April 29 at Rowley Lane. Fortune boss Simon Linden enthused: “The 90 minutes were tough — FC Team probably edged it but we wanted it more as a group. It’s a proud day for this legendary football club as we go into our 50th year next season.” FC Team player-manager Mitch Young remarked: “This is the first time we have failed to score all season and if you don’t score, you can’t win a game of football.”
FAITHFOLD B 4
NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C 3
YOSS BROWNSON (3) and Josh Martin helped Faithfold put their poor league form aside as they won a sevengoal thriller against Raiders C. Liam Stein and Ben Kaye (2) replied for Raiders, but Faithfold player-manager David Garson believes victory was deserved as his players “controlled the game well”. He said: “We are delighted to get to the final, especially with it also being my last Faithfold game before returning to the Masters League.” Raiders boss Sam Rose expressed “disappointment” and conceded “it was a game decided by fine margins and individual decision-making”. He went on to say: “Ultimately, we came up short but we’ll look to give our all in our final game against Fairlop and play a part in the title race.”
DIVISION TWO BAYERN MINCHA 0 FAIRLOP FC 3
AARON DIAS praised Daryl Rubin for a defensive master-class against league top-scorer Adam Ellis as Fairlop’s title challenge gathered momentum following an impressive victory over leaders Bayern. The east Londoners blew Bayern away in the opening stages, with strikes from captain Brad Gayer, Max Freedman and Rubin putting them in charge. Manager Dias said: “I challenged the boys to start fast and they executed the gameplan to perfection. We knew that if we pressed high and played our attacking football early, Mincha wouldn’t be able to handle us.”