BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY FINAL
NORTH LONDON GALAXY 4
NORTH LONDON RAIDERS 2
Braces from Josh Cohen and Tyler Smith ensured Galaxy ended the campaign on a high. Smith opened the scoring from the penalty spot, drilling his shot down the middle, before Raiders had Charlie Kasler sent off for foul and abusive language.
Cohen doubled Galaxy’s lead when he swivelled sharply before rifling his shot into the net.
Raiders continued to battle and they pulled one back in the second half through top-scorer Aron Gale.
Smith restored Galaxy’s two-goal advantage following excellent work from Josh Shack and Jack Mattey before Raiders set up a grandstand finish with a second, with Joshua Bloom converting a penalty. But Cohen calmed Galaxy’s nerve with a fourth goal settling it 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 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 Jordan Freeman was praised for being “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 these boys and pleased 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 boys though and it’s a shame we couldn’t stay 11 against 11 on the pitch.
“We started the game very strong and we had two big chances through Alex Jacobs and Charlie Kasler. Credit must go to the Galaxy keeper who made a fantastic save very early on from the Alex’s chance.
“However, on the 35th minutes we were down to 10 men as Charlie got sent off for dissent and unfortunately Galaxy took advantage of this by then scoring two very quick goals.
“The boys never gave up and in the second half we started very strong where Aron pulled one back early and gave us a route back in to the game. However, only a few minutes later the extra man advantage for Galaxy paid off and they ended up going 3-1 ahead.
“The boys still continued to fight on and again we were given a lifeline when Joshua Bloom converted from the spot. A few minutes later Galaxy went up the other end regained their two goal advantage and then it was just a little too late.
“All being said the boys did fantastic to keep fighting with ten men especially being 2-0 down at the break. We are all now looking forward to next season and hopefully coming back and going one step further in the cup.”
