Morrison marvels
JACOB EMANUEL reflected on what he described as Hertswood Vale’s finest hour as the Division One team booked their place in the last four of the National Cup for the first time following a memorable victory over Premier Division Fairlop.
Having beaten double winners Hendon (below)
United in an earlier round, Vale went into the tie in buoyant mood but their dream run looked over as they trailed to a first-half strike from Max Freedman.
Jordan Harris’s heroic goal-line clearance kept Vale in the game and they deservedly drew level ten minutes from full-time when James Millet was fouled in the penalty area. The top-scorer dusted himself down before converting to set up a grandstand finish.
Vale substitutes Zach Mandel and Jack Winton helped push Fairlop back and
BRAD PAPIER insists second division Borussia Barnet can go all the way after they boosted their treble hopes with a comfortable win over ten-man Whitefield at the Hive. Borussia attacked from the off and they opened the scoring after 15 minutes when a corner from man-of-the-match Nathan they conceded another penalty when livewire Millet was hauled down again. He showed great composure to convert for a second time to make it 2-1.
Fairlop pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but it was Vale who scored a killer third goal when Harry Graham broke through the defence. His shot was parried into the path of Dan Reuben who poked home from close-range to spark wild celebrations.
Joint-manager Emanuel said: “What an achievement. I couldn’t be prouder of every single one of the boys today. We had to be patient but we got our
Rosenthal fell into the path of Sam Lipton and the home captain slammed the ball into the roof of the net.
The hosts continued to dominate and their pressure was rewarded with a stunning strike from left-back Ben Bellman. Receiving the ball just inside the Whitefield half, he surged forward before unleashing a powerful strike that flew in at the near post.
Whitefield grew into the game in the second half, without creating any major chances. However, frustration got the better of them, with several just desserts for a faultless team performance.”
He said: “I think the result speaks for itself on how far we’ve come as a team since our last match against Fairlop.
“To be in the semi-final is an absolute dream for everyone involved in the club, and something that Viv Emanuel, Danny Hirschberger, Jack Shulman and I, or any of the boys who have been with the club from minute one could never have imagined.”
Asked who Vale would like in the draw, he added: “We don’t know who we’ll play in the semis, and frankly it’s players cautioned before Reece Miller was sent off by referee Richard Jaye for kicking out at an opponent.
Borussia saw out the match with no major alarms to join Manchester Maccabi 1st, HMH and Hertswood Vale in the last four of the competition.
Papier said: “It was an absolutely tremendous and dominant performance from start to finish as shown by zero shots for the lads from up north.
“We dominated midfield and defence and although we didn’t create much during the second half, I always not important. We’re going to hold on to this moment for as long as possible.
“Well played to Fairlop in what was a quality match for the neutral. They congratulated every single one of the boys at the final whistle, and we wish them well for the rest of the season.”
Fairlop’s Jake Sanders said: “We only have ourselves to blame. When you’re 1-0 up with ten minutes to go you must see the game out, let alone a big cup quarter-final. Credit to Hertswood, who stayed in the game and blew us away in the closing stages. They’re a great bunch and we wish them luck in the last four.” felt we were comfortable.” Having joined the MGBSFL last summer, Papier went on to say: “We’re delighted to be in the final four. We feel we can beat anyone on our day, so we’re all eager to see who the draw gives us.”
Whitefield manager Jonny Rose conceded “the best team won on the day”. He said: “We didn’t quite have the quality where it counted.
“The boys worked really hard and our second-half performance was really good. We huffed and puffed and gave a good account of ourselves overall but