Score draw means Fairlop rely on Redbridge slip-up
FOOTBALL JAKE Sanders admits Fairlop are no longer in charge of their own destiny after sharing the points against promotion rivals Jewdinese.
Fairlop needed to win their game in hand on leaders Redbridge Jewish Care A to climb above their east London rivals, but in the end they were happy to come away with a point.
Jewdinese forged ahead midway through the first half when great play between Barney Rhodes and Zack Collins saw the ball laid off to Ben Berrick whose first-time strike swerved away from the keeper and into the top corner.
The home side saw two penalty appeals waved away by referee Andy Myerson before the official finally pointed to the spot in favour of Fairlop for a handball. Striker James Jaconelli made no mistake to draw the visitors level.
Jewdinese had one final chance to clinch the points but with just the goalkeeper to beat, Arron Goldberg fired straight into the hands of the Fairlop goalkeeper.
Fairlop’s Jake Sanders said: “I asked the boys to leave everything out there and that did exactly that, but the title is now out of our hands.
“It’s a shame it could come down to the fact Redbridge played Scrabble and we didn’t. We’re still unbeaten in the league and it’s important we do our job in the remaining games and hope for some favours elsewhere.”
Jewdinese boss Darren Lawrence reflected on “two points dropped rather than a point gained”. He said: “We were the better team from the first minute. It is a very tough one to take as the boys were absolutely superb. They battled for 90 minutes, were first to everything and were so unlucky to not get maximum points.”
Lawrence insists silverware remains a realistic target for Jewdinese this season. He said: “If we are able to produce that performance for the remainder of the season, I’m sure we will be pushing for promotion, as well as going all the way in the Barry Goldstein Trophy.”