Purple reigns as Redbridge Jewish Care close the gap in title race
REDBRIDGE JEWISH Care Purple thrust themselves back in the Maccabi GB Southern Football League Division One title hunt as they won 4-0 at Temple Fortune A.
They took the lead when Adam Goldman headed in Brad Gayer’s freekick and Ben Oldstein doubled the lead with a cool finish. He effectively ended the game as a contest, confidently finishing after good set-up play from Scott Oldstein, before the latter completed the scoring with a fine long-range strike.
Reflecting on the game and looking ahead to the rest of their season, joint-manager Arron Goldberg said: “It was a very good first half performance from us where we showed our quality and took our chances for a welldeserved three points and clean sheet.
“We’ll go into our next few games with the momentum and push for promotion. We have a very strong group of players and have the ability to achieve something big this season.”
The victory takes them to within three points of leaders Brook Farm Rovers but they also crucially have a game in hand.
Oakwood Town spurned the chance to end the day in second spot as goals from Jake Kelly and Louie Rawlings were only enough to see them draw 2-2 at home to Real Madreidel.
HMH moved clear into second spot in the Premier Division after recording an impressive 3-2 win over Hendon United. They raced into a threegoal lead thanks to strikes from Saul Norton, Jake Norton and Josh Goldstein and although they conceded twice in the final ten minutes, held on for the win, which saw them move three points clear of Hendon.
Player-manager Avi Goldberg said: “It was a big win in what was a very disciplined performance. It was a reminder of what we are capable of — great discipline, great shape and great movement from a team that has given away too many leads this season. Hopefully, this will energise the lads to kick on from here.”
Zac Lewis and Gav Lewis scored for Hendon, for whom manager David Garbacz said: “We probably played better today than we have done in previous weeks. But another couple of errors led to two goals which proved to be the difference. It was a good game though and credit to HMH for coming away with the points. It’s proving to be one of those seasons for us.”
North London Raiders boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation by recording a 4-2 home win over
Stoke Salmon. Liron Mannie scored twice, with Nick Lewis and Ethan Zone also on target. Jamie Smaje and Nate Kashket scored for Salmon, for whom manager Jamie Weiner said: “Unfortunately, a lack of final product in front of goal and a few team mistakes led to the three points going to Raiders.”
Real Salt Beef moved three points clear at the top of the Division Two table as Jayden Tomlinson’s strike proved to be the difference as they earned a battling 1-0 win at bottom side Qarabagel.
Millbrook Park Calcio dropped two points in the title race, though do move up to joint second, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Redbridge Jewish Care White, Bailey Brown scoring for the Whites.
One tie in the David Wolff Division Two Cup saw Brady FC defeat Camden City 6-5 on penalties, after a 1-1 draw.
The one game in the Maccabi Masters Football League saw EHRS Stonegrove consolidate mid-table stability as two goals from Mark Kingston, coupled with Ian Leader’s strike, saw them beat Temple Fortune 3-1. Paul Herzsaft netted Fortune’s consolation.
London Lions’ First XI dropped down to joint-11th in the Combined Counties Football League Premier Division North following a 3-0 defeat at North Greenford United. They were though celebrating a cup win in midweek as they overcame Knaphill 5-3 on penalties after the sides played out a 2-2 draw, Max Kyte scoring both goals for Andy Landesberg’s side.
The development side continue to make strides in Division One of the Herts Senior County League as they stay on the coattails of the promotion places thanks to a 2-1 win over L7 FC. Goals from man-of-the-match Aron Gale and Nate Kashket secured the win as they fought back from conceding to an eighth minute free-kick.
Manager Laurence Judah said: “This was the most mature performance of the season and we showed that we can grind out results against a talented side.
“All the more pleasing is that 11 of our players on the day were 23 or under so we’re really learning what it takes to win matches at this level.”