Lions hit the ground running
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
ML LIONS 3 3 FAITHFOLD DOC MMA 2 2
Sam Marchant insists Maccabi London Lions will improve after they ground out a victory over Division One champions Faithfold A.
A brace from Daniel Green (2) plus one from Adam Arnold secured the victory in their top-flight opener.
Lions joint-manager Sam Marchant remarked: “We didn’t come out the blocks as we’d have liked, and perhaps gave our opponents too much time and space early on, allowing them to keep possession. But once we scored our goal, we settled and really controlled the game.
“We became complacent towards the end and conceded from a setpiece and a sloppy pass deep inside our half. However, we’ve started the season as we wanted, with three points and we stay focused and aim to do the same next weekend.”
DIVISION ONE
BAYERN MINCHA 3 LOS CAMDEN B 2
Adam Ellis carried on where he left off last season - with the Golden Boot winner steering Bayern Mincha to victory over Los Camden B.
Bayern joint-manager Daniel Holder remarked: “Although we trailed at half-time, we were comfortably the better side and it was only a matter of time before the goals came. We turned things around to lead 3-1 with quarter of the match to go and were comfortable and in control.”
FAIRLOP FC 0 JEWDINESE 0 Division Two champions Fairlop played out a goalless draw against Jewdinese. Fairlop boss Aaron Dias commented: “We dealt with their attacks well, limiting them only to a few set-piece chances, but at the same time we struggled to get out of second gear or play the expansive football we had been during pre-season.” Three and easy: Adam Ellis carried on where he left off Jewdinese manager Darren Lawrence reflected on the draw positively: “We held our own, didn’t show them too much respect and gradually got a foothold in the game. It’s a point we’ll happily take and will look the build on.”
NL RAIDERS A 3 REDBRIDGE JC A 4
Sam Rank expressed pride as Redbridge Jewish Care A opened with a win in a seven-goal thriller against North London Raiders A. Nate Kashket, Carl Dobrin and Steve Summers were on target for RJC, with Liron Mannie (2) and Jake Yudelowitz replying.
“I asked the boys to give a performance that they know they can and be proud off, and it was brilliant to see,” said Rank.
NLR joint-player-manager Jake Yudelowitz remarked: “We controlled the game and I’m not sure how we didn’t win. There were plenty of positives to take and overall it was a good showing in our first competitive game together.”
DIVISION TWO
FC TEAM 1 MILL HILL DONS 4
Brandon Hamme believes patience was key as Mill Hill Dons sent out a title warning with a deserved victory at FC Team.
A treble from Zach Cohen and Joseph Reece secured the victory. Hamme said: “It was a fantastic performance from the boys. They all put a proper shift in and we got the result we deserved.
“We looked solid at the back and deadly going forward. We have such desire flowing through the team and the boys are so determined to make a success of this season.”
FC Team player-manager Mitch Young commended the Dons on their victory and predicted: “Any team that finishes above them this season will win the division.” HERTSWOOD VALE 2 TEMPLE FORTUNE 1
A late penalty save from
Adam Zaidman ensured maximum points for Hertswood Vale against Temple Fortune. James Millet and Harry Graham registered for Vale, with Daniel Vandermolen replying.
Vale co-boss Jacob Emanuel commented: “After a quality first half, where we completely controlled play, we let ourselves down in the second half and almost paid the price for it.”
Fortune manager Simon Linden described Vale as “one of the favourites for promotion” and credited his team for “battling hard, not giving up and pushing them all the way”.
FAITHFOLD DOC MM B 2 SPEC FC 2
SPEC FC came from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Faithfold B. Adam Hersh had given Faithfold the upper hand but second-half strikes from midfield general Ricky Lawrence and recent arrival Zac Neiman secured a point for SPEC. The boy Don good: Zach Cohen fired a hat-trick against FC Team