Rebridge Jewish Care B maintained their unbeaten start to the Maccabi GB Southern Football League season as Dylan Sugarman’s goal saw them beat Schlepfield Wednesday to book their place into the second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup.
Delighted with both his team’s performance and start to the season, manager Dani Sivan said: “It’s still early days, but I’m really proud of our start. We’re unbeaten, second in the league, through to the next round of the cup, and overall have been superb defensively – we’ve only conceded one goal all season.”
Their latest win, in the words of Sivan, was a ‘real battle, both emotionally and physically’. He said: “The boys played with pure belief from minute one and worked their absolute socks off. Even with a smaller squad and the memories of what happened last time we came to this ground, they were phenomenal. The result truly reflects how hard they’ve worked this season. Another solid defensive display, great control in midfield, and a real sense of togetherness across the pitch. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
While the final 1-0 scoreline may have suggested a tight game, Sivan said: “I think we were the stronger side throughout. They had spells of possession, but we limited them to very few real chances. Our defensive shape was outstanding. Dylan took his goal well, maybe a scrappy finish, but those are the goals that win you games. It was a deserved win built on heart, grit, and pure effort.”
As to what he hopes the next few months hold for the side, he added: “There’s still so much more to come from this group, but I’m confident we can keep pushing at the top and hopefully enjoy a good cup run too.”
Equally proud of his side’s performance was Wednesday manager Joshua Bond. He said: “For us, today was all about a performance that we could be proud of as well as building upon our core foundations which is exactly what we did, there’s loads of positives to take out of today.
“For 90 minutes we were the better side and should’ve taken our chances better. The wind won Redbridge the game as it took the ball past the goalkeeper for a tap-in just before half-time.”
Reflecting on his side’s start to the campaign, he added: “As a new team it’s been a positive start and we’re pleased with how we’ve got on. Commitment has been fantastic from the boys with good numbers every matchday and training. If we didn’t think we could compete we wouldn’t be here. It’s still a long season to go.”
In the Premier Division, Yallatasary are up into joint-second in the table as a last-minute winner from Avishai Wynne saw them win 2-1 at Stoke Salmon. Goalkeeper Daniel Radberg helped earn them the win with a penalty save, with manager Buddy Smith saying: “After huge disappointment last week, we bounced back really well. We fought and battled very well with our boys working tirelessly to win second balls, headers and duals. I’m so proud of this team and what we are becoming, we have learnt a lot over the last year and feel we can have a serious impact this year in all cups and leagues.”
The battle of the bottom two sides saw Geez Park Rangers prevail, coming away from Redbridge Jewish Care A with a 1-0 win.
It’s as you were at the top of the Division One table as the top three sides all won. Temple Fortune lead the way on goal difference as they got back to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Rapid Viennas. Despite being without top goalscorer Zack Gluckstein, goals from Adam Grossman, Michael Goldberg and Jack Isaacs saw them to the points.
Sukkotingham Forest made it three wins from four games as they came away from Mill Hill Minyan with a 4-1 win. Samuel Mallet scored twice, with Eytan Millan and Josh Davidson also on target. Hampstead Ducks completed the trio of top-three side wins thanks to a 4-2 win at 40 Year Wanderers. Matt Waks and Tom Stepsky scored for the beaten hosts, with manager Sam Anderson saying: “It was a game of two halves. Unfortunately, our lacklustre first half display left us with too much to do in the second.”
Real Masmid made it three wins from three as they extended their lead at the top of the Division Two table to four points after they beat Beitar Bushey 4-3. David Amor scored twice, with JJ Rubinoff also on target. Chairman Josh Abraham claimed his first goal of the club to put them 4-1 up, before two late Bushey goals set up a nail-biting finish for the leaders, who just about managed to hang on for the three points.
Scrabble claimed their first league point of the season as a stunning Max Pearson effort, plus Ethan Kessel’s second half equaliser saw them to a 2-2 draw at Chopped Villa. Scrabble manager Ollie Sugarman said: “It was a strong team performance and a deserved point on the road.”
Hendon United Sports Club are through to the next round of the London Sunday Challenge Cup as two goals each from Jack Naftalin and Gav Lewis helped them to a 5-1 win over Enfield Club De Futbol. Mordy Weiler scored their fifth goal, with manager Alex Rosenthal saying: “It was a brilliant all-round team performance full of spirit, graft and quality.”
In the Maccabi Masters League, Scrabble increased their lead at the top of the table to five points as Oli Kenner’s hat-trick saw them on their way to an 8-1 win over bottom side Hendon Harriers. Michael Patterson, Jamie Kaye, Andy Miller, Jonny Summerfield and Ryan Kansigger goals completed the rout, with Ben Simons netting Harriers’ consolation.
St John’s Wood Tigers lost ground on the title chase as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Temple Fortune.
Brady claimed their first league win of the season as they won a nine-goal thriller at EHRS Stonegrove. Adam Brand, Neil Kochane. Jamie Kent, Ben Kent and Jamie Danan were all on target in a 5-4 win, with Jeremy Derman, Nick Riesel, Antony Levinson and Russell Rich replying for EHRS.
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