Cometh the hour, cometh the Korman
Avi’s late wonder strike helps Hendon seal Morrison treble
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A
FOOTBALL AVI KORMAN gave outgoing manager David Garbacz the perfect send-off after firing a stunning last-minute winner to help Hendon United Sports win the Peter Morrison Trophy for the third year in a row.
Tipped before kick-off to be manof-the-match by Garbacz, Korman saved the best till last, smashing a thunder-bolt into the top corner to spark scenes of jubilation as Hendon denied North London Raiders the treble.
Match-winner Korman said: “It’s an amazing feeling to have won the competition for the third year and to stop Raiders completing the treble makes it even more special.”
Hendon went into the final as underdogs, but defended resiliently against the double-double champions, who reached the final on a technicality after Maccabi London Lions were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player in the previous round.
Chances were few and far between in the first 60 minutes at Wingate and Finchley FC. Yoav Kestenbaum missed a gilt-edged chance when he fired over the bar early on in a contest where both goalkeepers and defenders from both teams caught the eye.
Russell Corin moved smartly across his line to tip over a floating cross by Liron Mannie and then the unmarked Ricky Engleman headed over with the goal at his mercy.
Corin produced the save of the match in the second half, showing remarkable reflexes to block a close- range bullet header from Engleman.
Hendon were celebrating around the 70-minute mark but striker Dovi Fehler had his effort ruled out for offside after Jake Doffman had kept out an effort from Kestenbaum.
With extra-time looming, Hendon mounted one final attack and Moses Seitler found the unmarked Korman whose shot swerved deliciously into the top corner.
Garbacz said: “I am so very proud of all the squad — we had a determination and a drive from the very off and had a good feeling that this was