Hendon come back from behind to turn the tide against Chigwell
V HENDON UNITED manager David Garbacz believes his side turned in a championship-winning performance as they increased their lead at the top of the Maccabi GB Southern League Premier Division to 10 points with a crushing 6-2 win at Club de Chigwell.
A brace from Gav Lewis, one apiece for Chaim Korman and Dovi Fehler, and two own goals sealed the win.
Garbacz said: “We trailed 2-1 at halftime to a tricky team on a tricky pitch, but we then turned it on in the second half to show what potential champions are made of. There were great performances from everyone today.”
Oakwood remain the closest challengers, keeping on Hendon’s coattails after a 5-3 win at Faithfold White.
Elsewhere, goals from Ben Kohler, Charlie Dryer and Joe Cohen saw Maccabi London FC beat London Bears 3-0. Manager Laurence Judah said: “It was a great win and I’m proud of all the boys. We’ve been unlucky in the past two games, but today we managed to build on our good defensive performances by adding some goals. Clean sheet and a goal for all three of our forwards.”
Stoke Salmon increased their lead at the top of the Division One table to seven points after a 7-0 win over FC London Bees. Alex Bleetman and Jamie Smaje both bagged braces, with Ben Ingram, Jonny Halmer and James Barnett also scoring. They moved further ahead of second place Borussia Jewdinese, who were beaten 3-1 at NWL Azzuri.
Brook Farm Rovers stay in the promotion push after they came away from Scrabble with a 7-1 win. Philippe Auret scored twice, while Jonah Gordon Boyd, Oli Assor, Dan Cohen, Sam Georgevic and Simon Zeffertt all finding the back of the net.
Manager Dan Cohen said: “It was a solid performance to get back to winning ways. We scored some nice goals and could have had more. It took us a while to get going on a tough pitch, but our quality showed in the second half.”
Division Two’s top-of-the-table clash ended in stalemate, as Geez Park Rangers maintained their three-point lead over London Athletico. Zacki Doumou’s stunning free-kick put Athletico in front but captain Sam Steinberg earned the leaders a point. Rangers boss Ben Leslie said: “It was a tough game against a good team and we battled hard to gain a point.
“On a different day, it would have been three if not from some great saves from their goalkeeper. I can’t fault my boys for their effort, they gave everything and I felt we deserved the win.”
Athletico’s Adam Nahum said: “On reflection a fair result, looking forward to the return game.”
Boca Chillers dropped two points in their push for a top-two spot, James Belchak’s strike only enough to see them come away from Hapoel Hampstead with a 1-1 draw, Sam Prais netting for the latter. Camden City moved up into joint-seventh with a 2-1 win over Brady FC. There were also two ties in the second round of the Peter Morrison Trophy – and both saw experience get the better of youth. An inter-club derby saw Oakwood Old Boys beat Oakwood Town 2-1, while MLFC Vets beat Mill Hill Dons 3-1.
London Lions’ first team continued their promotion push as they consolidated third spot in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Division One table, thanks to a battling 1-1 draw at FC Deportivo Galicia. Making their first ever visit to The Rec, Max Kyte’s strike earned the Lions a point that puts them four points off top spot but with two crucial two games in hand on leaders Hilltop.
It was cup action in the Maccabi Masters League, with all attention focused on the Football League Cup competition. In Group 1, goals from Sid Shaw and Marc Linch saw Glenthorne beat St John’s Wood Tigers 2-0.
In Group 2, there was a hard-fought 2-1 win for Maccabi London Brady at EHRS Stonegrove, Ashley Davidson and Tim Levene both on target. Temple Fortune were more comfortable in their win, Alex Gubbay, James Ryan and Garry Simpson all scoring in their 3-0 triumph against Hendon Harriers.
The clash of the top two in the Manchester Jewish Soccer League featured two goals, two red cards and two missed penalties as Reich and Haroldeans played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
The hosts took the lead going into the break before Adam Shiffman equalised for Haroldeans. Both teams were then reduced to ten men and, incredibly, Reich missed not one but two penalties in injury time.
The stalemate means that Haroldeans will stay three points clear at the top of the table, but Reich have a game in hand.
Victory despite the challenge of facing a tricky team on a tricky pitch