Maccabi London Sunday Vets A once again showed why age is no barrier when they come up against younger Maccabi GB Southern Football League (MGBSFL) players as they booked their place into the third round of this season’s Peter Morrison Trophy.
The Rowley Lane side have fond recent memories of the competition having reached last year’s final and having booked their place into the third round of this year’s tournament on Sunday morning, have high hopes of going one step further this year and lifting the trophy.
Two goals from Richard Salmon, coupled with Ben Joseph’s strike saw them seal a 3-0 win over MGBSFL Division Two side Schlepfield Wednesday and happy with the performance, Lions’ Ben Lauffer said: “We controlled the game from first minute until the end. We improved our attacking quality in the second half and were able to get the job done comprehensively. I’m pleased with our patience and belief that our quality would come to the fore.”
The 3-0 scoreline suggested a comfortable victory, and Lauffer believes that was the case. “They sat back and tried to hit us on the counter-attack, we never felt under pressure and felt it was just a matter of when we would find the quality to score”, he said.
As to how much they enjoy taking part in this competition, he added: “Our over 35 Vets are full of quality – players who keep themselves fit and have a desire to win. Losing last year’s final like we did was difficult to take, but we are getting on!
“Nonetheless, we still feel on our day we have enough quality to give any MGBSFL team a game!”
Happy with his side’s effort, Wednesday manager Josh Bond said: “It was a brilliant effort from us defensively, trying to stop an experienced, talented team from moving the ball around. For 60 minutes, we kept a clean sheet and held our own. It was an impressive shift from our back line and goalkeeper, which would have got us the three points in any other game this season.”
Not believing the 3-0 score was reflective on the game, he continued: “In my opinion, that wasn’t the case at all. We put in a really solid performance and kept them out for the first hour. We were massive underdogs going into the game, but there was a real sense of belief within the group and the players backed themselves. The main difference on the day was experience. They controlled the game well and, although they struggled to find the back of the net early on, their composure and game management eventually showed. It was a great challenge for us to test ourselves against such an experienced side, and the players really enjoyed that battle.”
Reflecting back overall on their season, which sees them in the Division Two promotion hunt, he added: “Obviously it’s disappointing to be out of the competition, but overall there’s a lot to be positive about in our season so far. We’ve shown real progress and belief, and we’re right in the mix in Division Two. The focus now is fully on the league and the divisional cup. We have shown we can compete and respond to challenges, which gives us real confidence going into the run-in. Promotion is absolutely achievable, and we’re determined to push for Division One football next season.”
HMH blew the Premier Division title race wide open as goals from Ethan Krell and Oscar Wagner saw them defeat leaders Stoke Salmon 2-0 to move within two points of them, and crucially they have two games in hand.
Hendon United Sports Club produced the comeback of the day as they fought back from 3-0 down to earn a 3-3 draw at Geez Park Rangers. Josh Cuby, Gav Lewis and Jack Naftalin all scored for the visitors, with manager Alex Rosenthal saying: “Fighting back from 3-0 to take a draw says everything about the group’s mentality. The spirit was excellent, we just need to cut out gifting opposition goals.” Michael Anthony Perkins and Tyler Brett Smith were among the scorers for Rangers.
The clash of the bottom two sides saw bottom side Redbridge Jewish Care A claim just their second league win of the season as they beat Stopinsky 2-1, Joshua Henry and Scott Oldstein both on target.
Brady FC kept alive their hopes of a top-two finish in Division One as two goals from Zak Lewis helped set them up for a 4-1 win over Mill Hill Minyan. Jared Garfield and Daniel Slavid scored their other two.
Rapid Viennas are up to fifth spot in the table as two goals from debutant Zacki Doumou plus Max Aston’s strike saw them beat Hampstead Ducks 3-1. Manager Josh Novak said: “Level at half-time, we played a perfect second half. The players listened to the tactics and executed them brilliantly.”
Further down the table, Bocher Juniors and 40 Year Wanderers played out a 1-1 draw. Eliezer Levene scored for Juniors, for whom manager Joel Ucko said: “I felt that we deserved all three points, although goalkeepers are there to make big saves in big moments and credit to their keeper Daniel Renchic who made several great saves for his team. I’m pleased with my players, and that is now three unbeaten, we have given ourselves a good platform to build on and long may this continue.”
Louis Linskell scored for Wanderers, for whom manager Sam Anderson said: "It was a good game but hard result to take in a game which meant so much. I’ll never fault my players commitment and desire, but we have to look at ourselves and wonder where we would be if we’d have been a more clinical unit throughout the season. Nevertheless, it was a hard-earned point and positives to take into the upcoming cups.”
The one game in Division Two saw Wolverhampstead Wanderers spurn the chance to close the gap on second spot in the table as they were held to a 3-3 home draw by Beitar Bushey. Lawrence Rosenberg, Sean Kramer and Mark Pearce scored for Bushey, with Simon Lousky and Jake Salem on the goal sheet for Wanderers.
This week’s Maccabi Masters League action focused on the Charity Cup, which saw victories for both Brady and EHRS Stonegrove. Brady’s 4-2 win over Temple Fortune came in no small part to two goals from Bradley Lazarus, with Kevin Lotzof and Ben Kent also on target. Stefan Simons scored twice for Fortune.
A closer-fought tie saw Mickaël Hacmoun fired Hendon Harriers into a first half lead, but goals from Martin Seifert and Antony Levinson steered Stonegrove to a late 2-1 victory.
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