OLIM CUP FINAL
ENGLAND FC 2 INTER TEL AVIV 0
Terry Newman described England FC's cup final success over Inter Tel Aviv as a "remarkable achievement" after they rounded off a superb second half of the season with a commanding victory.
The win saw England add another trophy to their cabinet after returning the Pesach Cup to Israel.
The final kicked off just as proceedings at the FA Cup final at Wembley were drawing to a close, with a significent amount of English talent on show.
England FC were bolstered by the return to midfield of Motti Colman, while Inter were missing their dominant centre-back and captain, Sam Sank.
With both teams set up in similar 4-3-3 formations, the first half was plagued by nerves on both sides. England dominated possession but failed to make it count, while Inter were finding it hard to penetrate the strong England midfield and defence, led by Yoni Sidi and Tommer Zaban, who along with the rest of the England back 5, complete the cup run without conceding a single goal.
The best chance of the half fell to Zac White, but his aerial volley from a cross by right-back Yonni Shelmerdine was just off-target.
England picked up where they left off at the start of the second half. Yuval Rupin, playing his last match for England FC, came on at left-back.
Inter’s Ayerton caused the England midfield problems, however most of Inter’s attacks ended up in long balls that, in light of the current form of the England defence, caused little disturbance.
As the game drew on, England started piling on the pressure. Colman was denied by an incredible goal-line clearance after some lovely movement inside the Inter box.
England finally made their possession count when some nice built-up play saw Shelmerdine thread a great ball into new boy Louis Libbert, who finished with aplomb, smashing the ball into the bottom corner.
England did not stop there and sealed the victory on 80 minutes when another great move started by Colman ended with a selfless cross from Shelmerdine, leaving White with a simple tap-in.
With the game drawing to a close, emotions were running high. A rush of blood saw the Inter keeper being sent off after taking a swing at Tommer Zaban. In injury time, England keeper Roy made his first real save of the match to deny a great header from the Inter striker.
As the whistle was blown, the England players ran to celebrate with their small but loyal group of fans.
England FC manager Terry Newman commented: "What a remarkable achievement from a remarkable bunch of boys.
"We have turned around the season and finished with two pieces of silverware.
"Next season we will be aiming for the league also."
