Galaxy the pride of north London
BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY FINAL
FOOTBALL NORTH London Galaxy manager Luke Lewis expressed pride after his team ended their first season in the MGBSFL with a trophy after beating Division One rivals Raiders at Coles Park, Haringey Borough FC.
Braces from Josh Cohen and Tyler Smith ensured Galaxy ended the campaign on a high. Smith opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Raiders had Charlie Kasler sent off by referee Phil Peters for foul and abusive language just two minutes later.
Cohen doubled Galaxy’s lead before Raiders pulled one back three minutes into the second half through top-scorer Aron Gale.
Smith restored Galaxy’s two-goal advantage on 55 minutes before Raiders set up a grandstand finish with Josh Bloom converting a penalty to make it 3-2. But Cohen calmed Galaxy’s nerve with a fourth goal settling the game in their favour.
Lewis said: “We dominated throughout and our quality came through. We’ve got an incredible group of boys here, with great spirit and our 12th man was the masses of fans that came to support us.”
Lewis declared: “This is the first trophy of many for us – we are all winners and we now just want to push on and win more and more.
“Special mentions to Tyler Smith for once again getting on the scoresheet. He’s a creative genius.”
Lewis also praised goalkeeper Zack Nathan for an “incredible early save,” while he described Jordan Freeman “an absolute rock at the back”.
Lewis went on to say: “The boys at this club really are some of the best in Jewish football and their character is incredible.
“I’m so proud to be managing them and am delighted to win a trophy in our first season.”
NLR joint-manager David Isaacs admitted the result “was very hard to take”. He said: “I’m extremely proud of the players but it was a shame we couldn’t stay 11 against 11 on the pitch.
“We started strongly and spurned two big chances through Alex Jacobs and Kasler.
“Credit must go to the Galaxy keeper who made a fantastic save very early on from the Alex’s chance.”
Isaacs described Kasler’s dismissal as “unfortunate” and admits the game got away from his team after the 35th-minute. “Down to 10 men, Galaxy took advantage and scored twice in quick succession.
“We showed great character and the boys didn’t give up. We started the second half strongly and found a route back in to the game.
“However, the extra man advantage for Galaxy paid off only a few minutes later. The boys continued to battle but it was too little, too late.
“All being said the boys did fantastic job. We are now looking forward to next season and hopefully coming back and going one step further in the cup.”