BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY FINAL
FAITHFOLD B 4 TEMPLE FORTUNE 1
First-half strikes from Jon Kay and Stuart Haring were added to by Gav Lewis and David Kirzneris, with Simon Cohen registering a consolation at Rowley Lane.
Kay opened the scoring early on, beating Fortune goalkeeper Lee Fegan to the ball before slotting home from an acute angle.
Haring doubled the lead on 17 minutes, when his cross from the left was fumbled into the net.
Fortune boss Simon Linden laid into his players at half-time, but with the next goal crucial, it was Faithfold who struck the killer third through Lewis.
Simon Cohen gave Fortune a lifeline with a great left-foot volley past Garson, but Kirzneris ended any hopes of a comeback with a curling drive into the bottom corner.
Garson confirmed before the final that he would be returning to the Maccabi Masters League next season, so he was proud to bow out on a high.
“To win a final is always special,” he told JC Sport. “When you are the bottom team in the league, it’s even more special.
“On a personal note, it’s a great way to sign off after 25 years and see Faithfold in a good place to move forward for the next 25.”
Reflecting on the match, he said: “From our point of view it was excellent. Despite being underdogs, I thought we took the game to them and really hit the ground running, and apart from one short spell when they got a goal back at 3-1 I thought we were pretty much in control.
“Credit to Temple Fortune, they never gave up Simon and his boys ensured that the game was played in the right spirit between two of the older MGBSFL clubs.”
Fortune manager Simon Linden struggled to hide his disappointment and said: “Well done to Faithfold and David Garson on winning the final.
“I’m disappointed - we didn’t perform anywhere near where we can. The two goals early on set the game up for them and we lost our focus and they took advantage.
“The killer blow was 30 seconds into the second half they scored the third - I wasted three minutes of throwing tea-cups to watch us concede again.
“It’s been a tough old season but we go again next year with good plans in place and a good pre-season lined-up.”
