Yallatasary made Maccabi GB Southern Football League (MGBSFL) history on Sunday morning when they became the first club to win the Peter Morrison Trophy within two years of being formed.
The club’s meteoric rise has seen them end their debut Division One season last year as champions, and they’ve now added to that silverware by lifting the “Jewish FA Cup”.
Goals from Max Davis – with a 25-yard free-kick – and Chase Calvert were enough to see off Geez Park Rangers 2-1 and the team’s display left their manager Buddy Smith beaming with pride.
He said: “My boys put absolutely everything on the line for me out there today. It was a really hard-fought battle, one that required us to be at it, focused and sharp for more than 100 minutes. They gave everything and on the day, I thought they were physically and technically excellent.
“While the game was definitely won on fine margins, I felt we had the better of them for large spells of the game.
“Geez had phases where they made us dig deep and defend well, but my players gave everything.
“It came down to quality in the final moments and, as we have done so many times already this season, we didn’t give up many clear-cut chances against what was a very strong attack.
“They made it difficult for us, they had some big moments and half chances that could’ve come to more on the day, but so did we and I felt we saw out the win very maturely.
“There were some massive moments where we had to step up and go up a level, so much credit to the likes of Ben Fox who was our man-of-the-match and match-winner Chase, who has really found some form, but I could say the same about the whole group.
“To be honest, I’m speechless. To play in a match of this magnitude – against my brother’s team, whom I’ve followed for two years, watched win this competition, and on the back of which, decided to start up Yalla, it’s an incredible full circle moment to go head-to-head with them today and come out the winners.
“We also made history today, everyone associated with the club are so committed and care deeply and that means everything.
“We couldn’t be prouder as a collective and on a personal level for me as manager to see how much this group has come on, evolved and grown together over the last two years is so special for me. But what I’m most proud of is building an environment with a group of boys who feel so connected to the club, each other and the core principles we stand on. We will never forget this day.”
After winning this trophy and finishing runners-up in the Cyril Anekstein and potentially in the Premier Division too, how does he reflect back on the campaign? “The season’s been hectic” he said. “I really do have an immense amount of pride for our achievements and how much the club and group have developed.
“As a young group, we’ve had to deal with some major lows throughout this season in terms of defeats, so to end it by winning the biggest trophy of them all really is a massive moment for our season and the history and future of this club.”
Looking ahead to next year and what they hope to achieve, he added: “We all need some time off first!
“We’re excited to reset over the break, but I can’t wait for next year where hopefully we have a good competitive league with lots of quality sides. We want to do it all.
“Winning a competition of this magnitude gives us the confidence to go and win more trophies next year.
“This is a statement victory and we believe we’re a special club destined for trophies and success.”
Rangers tasted defeat soon after winning their own piece of silverware, courtesy of a 4-0 win over Hendon United in the Super Cup final.
Mike Perkins scored twice, with Zak Jackson and Ethan Mooney completing the scoring in an emphatic victory.
They also have the chance to add another trophy when they take on Stoke Salmon in the final of the David Wolff Premier Division Cup.
One game in Division One saw Brady finish their league campaign as runners-up after they beat 40 Year Wanderers 5-3.
Harry Earle helped himself to a brace, with Zak Lewis, Joe Shaw and Daniel Slavid also finding the back of the net.
Dexter Purton scored twice for Wanderers and won the penalty for the third, which was converted by Ben Conway.
Wanderers manager Sam Anderson said: “It was a good performance with very limited numbers.”
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