Scrabble’s Ray of hope
First Maccabi League title of season goes to new boys who are hungry for more TH EJC. C N O O M
FOOTBALL RAYAbrahamsisalready setting his sights on reaching the Premier Division after Scrabble FC became the first MGBSFL champions of season 2015/16.
Strikes from top-scorer Zak McLeod, Adam Waters and Elliott Espinoza secured the second division title following a 3-1 victory over Faithfold C — their 19th success in the league this season.
A champagne-soaked Abrahams said: “We saw some big performances from myplayerswhenitreallymattered.With what was at stake in terms of the title, the guys looked cool on the ball and in control and showed no nerves.”
AbrahamsreturnedtoMaccabiLeague management following a lengthy sabbatical and he says Scrabble’s first season back in the league could not have gone any better.
“We have battled and worked hard for each other and I am so proud of the way we have gone about our business,” said Abrahams. “It’s been an honour to manage the boys and now we’ve had the taste of some silverware we want more days like this.
“We deserve to be champions because we have been the most consistent side in the division all season and have beaten every team.”
McLeod, who has scored 25 goals in the league, and Espinoza, with 17 strikes, are leading contenders to win the Division Two Player of the Season award, but manager Abrahams insists it has been a real team effort.
“What has set us aside from the other teams is consistency and a determination to dig out games when they have appeared to be lost,” he said. “We just don’t accept the word defeat easily.
“We’vekepttoasystemthathasserved us well all season and whoever has been asked to do a job for the team has done so. “Next season will give us a bigger test but we will look to strengthen the squad in the summer and bring in the players we need to compete in Division One next year. We will only register players who will improve the squad and not just because they are available.
“We are not planning just to make up the numbers. We want to mount a seriouschallengeagainnextseasonbecause the prize next time is a place in the Premier League. That is our ultimate goal.” Scrabble ( celebrate their 19th league win that sealed the title, Elliott Espinoza (right) scores the third in a hard-fought game, where the champions secured their second 3-1 win over Faithfold this season