Faithfold’s phenomenon
FOOTBALL DAVID Leiwy’s masterclass shattered the giantkilling cup hopes of FC Team, who were blown away by the player described as a “little magician” by his manager Avi Markiewicz.
Leiwy dazzled as Faithfold set up a second round clash away to first division leaders Redbridge Jewish Care A. The twinkle-toed winger scored two smart finishes before complet- ing his hat-trick with a header in an outstanding first-half performance at Hertswood. Striker Jordan Sharifian added a fourth in what was a dominant first-half performance from the Premier Division high-flyers.
FC Team battled valiantly, scoring a goal in each half via top-scorer Connor Perl and David Cohen. But any hopes of a comeback were ended by former player Lorian Madanes, who sealed the tie with a beautifully whipped free-kick into the top corner.
Markiewicz commented: “We moved the ball really well across the back today. Getting David Leiwy and Eshed Rahav on the ball was key and once they had, it was there the damage was done.”
Markiewicz praised Sharifian and described him as “a real handful, so strong and powerful,” but he reserved special praise for the performance of Leiwy. “David was marvellous, especially in the first half. He really tormented the full-back and was man of the match.”
But he expressed disappointment at his team’s second-half performance. “We were far too complacent, invited pressure and started trying to be too clever,” said Markiewicz. “Credit to FC Team who matched us for the second 45 minutes. They forced us into errors after their second goal and we didn’t hold on to the ball well enough, for a team two divisions above their opponents.”
FC Team player-manager Mitch Young voiced frustration after his side had pulled it back to 4-2, when he claimed the ball “went over the line” for a third, but the “referee somehow didn’t see it”. And to make matters worse, FC Team’s Josh Morris was sent off for his protests, although Young claimed “it should’ve been sin-binned instead.” He added: “If the goal was awarded and Josh remained on the pitch, I am confident we had the momentum to level the scores.”
Young reflected: “We gifted Faithfold a strong lead, although we were just about in the game thanks to Connor’s great goal.
“I changed the tactics at half-time and put an extra man into midfield, that saw as dominate the second half.
“I am proud of our second-half performance. We all feel aggrieved but we will move on. Faithfold have some talented players and good luck to them for the remainder of the competition.”