Sacks stands tall for Manchester
PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL MLFC BLUE 2 MANCHESTER MACCABI 1ST 4
Maccabi player-manager Michael Sacks praised his team’s game-management skills as they marched into the semi-finals of the National Cup with an impressive win over MLFC at Rowley Lane. With a point to prove following defeat against the same opponents two years ago, Maccabi put in a commanding performance, scoring three times before half-time. After a cagey opening 15 minutes, with both teams missing half chances, Toby Levy opened the scoring with a beautifully dispatched free-kick. The visitors doubled their advantage soon after when Aaron Goldman poked home from a corner. A third goal followed as captain Adam Jackson released right-winger Jamie Green who delivered a dangerous ball across the goal, giving top-scorer Sam Hatton the simplest of tap-ins. MLFC rallied at the start of the second half, pulling one back through Mikey Perkins, but Hatton restored Maccabi’s two-goal advantage from another Levy corner to put the game beyond the home side. MLFC continued to battle and scored for a second time through Sam Hamerton but Maccabi saw the game out comfortably and go into the hat for the last four. Sacks said: “It’s not easy spending five hours on a bus and then going straight into an intense game of football, but the boys adapted well and delivered. “From one to sixteen today, everyone played their part. We grabbed the goals and then relied on our in-game management, which was spot on. We thank MLFC for their hospitality and look forward to the draw in a couple of weeks.” MLFC joint-player-manager Max Kyte said: “Maccabi were clinical against us, putting away most of their opportunities, while we squandered good chances in front of goal. “They caused us problems from set-pieces, scoring three from dead-ball scenarios, and that’s something we can’t allow if we are going to win games.” Kyte went on to say: “While we had a couple of fightback moments, Maccabi maintained their dominance and they very much deserved the victory.”
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION FAITHFOLD DOCMM WHITE 2 HMH 1
Faithfold player-manager Avi Markiewicz saluted his players for producing their “performance of the season” as they overcame title rivals HMH to go top. Martin Smulovitch’s opener was cancelled out by HMH’s Ethan Krell, but Markiewicz secured the points with a last-minute penalty. He said: “On the face of it, this may seem like second beat third but in reality it was so much more than that. HMH’s quality and athleticism is undoubted and with so many players missing, Faithfold were without question huge underdogs at kick-off. This was a game that was won by on-field commitment and the experienced players leading by example. I know I must say this every week but I am so proud of my players, it was a real hard-fought battle.” HMH boss Avi Goldberg lamented his team’s bad luck in a game where they hit the woodwork twice. “We were not at our finest today and we only have ourselves to blame, as yet again we could not turn possession and territory into goals,” he said. “Even if we still created enough chances to win, take no credit away from Faithfold who like Leicester
City, defend deep and counter very well. Let’s hope Faithfold can join us and take some points off Hendon too.”
FAIRLOP FC 3 OAKWOOD 3
A last-minute strike from James Gold (2) earned Oakwood a draw following a six-goal thriller against improving Fairlop. Gold was joined on the scoresheet by Alex Lee, with Daryl Rubin and James Jaconelli (2) on target for Fairlop. Oakwood’s Dan Kristall said: “We experimented with our squad with next week’s cup tie in mind. We rested several regulars and top-scorer Josh Cuby pulled out in the warm-up, so ultimately a point must be seen as a good result from a tricky match.” Fairlop’s Jake Sanders responded: “Ultimately, it’s two points dropped given the fact we conceded deep into stoppage-time but on a positive note it’s two matches unbeaten and four points from a possible six available.”
DIVISION ONE HERTSWOOD VALE 3 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE 1
James Millet (2) and Charlie Becker helped Vale recover from a goal down to beat RJC and regain second place following a hard-fought win. Daniel Green replied in a game where RJC stand-in goalkeeper Hayden Pitch was the man of the match. Vale joint-manager Jacob Emanuel said: “Fair play to Redbridge.
The first half was a very even and they deserved their lead. They made it difficult for us throughout and I have absolutely no doubt that they’ll pick up points off a number of teams in our division this season.”
SPEC FC 3 MILL HILL DONS 5
Zack Cohen scored four times as the Dons sealed their second consecutive victory in a high-scoring match against SPEC. Jordan Rinsler added his first goal for the club in a five-star display. Dons manager Jamie Nagioff said: “We look completely unrecognisable compared to the side that was struggling for points earlier in the season. It was a well-fought game but our early lead, coupled with a constant threat going forward, meant we never looked like losing.” Zack Neiman, Jamie Smaje and Josh Green replied for SPEC. Player-manager Ricky Lawrence said: “It was a disappointing day at the office.”
DIVISION TWO WEST HAMDILLAH 1 FC TEAM 3
Mitch Young (2) boosted FC Team’s title hopes as they beat West Hamdillah. The visitors also benefitted from an own goal in a hard-fought win, with Hamdillah captain Ben Mandell replying with a spectacular free-kick nestling in the top corner. Player-manager Young said:
“We are happy to get the win first and foremost. Hamdilllah put in a committed performance and their players never gave up.” Hamdillah manager Elliot Cukier praised his players for a resilient performance and said: “We gave the best team in the division a scare and it should show the rest of the division we mean business in 2020.”
PARIS SAINT-JEWMAIN 1 BORUSSIA BARNET 5
Michael Kenley (3) produced his Sunday best as Borussia Barnet kept up the pressure on leaders FC Team with a powerful 5-1 win at PSJ. Further strikes from Ollie Hart and Nathan Rosenthal ensured Borussia made it eight wins out of 11.
FAITHFOLD DOCMM GREEN 4 SCRABBLE 0
Jamie Rodney, Zalmy Cohen, Hezzie Raymond and Ben Bowers fired Faithfold to their biggest win of the season at the expense of Scrabble. Faithfold playermanager Ben Kfir said “Our fitness enabled us to out-run the opposition and control the game. Our passing was very good and it enabled us to stretch the game and create chances.”
NORTH WEST LONDON BEARS 6 HAMPSTEAD DUCKS 2
A five-goal blitz from Zacki Doumou earned the in-form Bears their fourth triumph as they destroyed the Ducks. Sam Martin added the gloss in a ruthless display. NWLB joint-player-manager James Harpin said: “We worked extremely hard and created many opportunities for our attacking players. Our midfield looked a class above in the first half and I am proud of the work-rate we put into the game.”