MJSL JOAN COLLINS PREMIER DIVISION
HEATON PARK ROVERS 1 LEEDS MACCABI 5
Leeds Maccabi sent out a reminder they will once again need some stopping after their five-star display at Heaton Park Rovers.
The Yorkshire side swotted all teams aside last term. And the champions were at it again after last season’s nearest challengers HPR were sunk.
David Seligman’s side had no answer to the Yorkshiremen as opposite number Jamie Warner kicked-off his Leeds reign with a bang.
Warner, who replaced treble-winning manager Daniel Kristall, watched Adam Gilman (2), Rob Selwyn, James Landes and Nick Vale all net.
HPR responded via Alex Swift but that was no more than a scant consolation on a miserable day for the hosts.
Seligaman says his side were ring rusty and insisted they will improve. "We just didn’t get going and Leeds deserved to win," he said.
"We were rusty and I’m sure that in time we will come good. It’s just bitterly disappointed having waiting all summer of us to then perform like that. But we have to pick ourselves up and go again."
Elsewhere, Louis Rawlings netted four goals for MJL new boys South Manchester 3rd – but still failed to end up on the winning side.
Maccabi Manchester Blue were heading for a heavy defeat after Rawlings’ first-half hat-trick.
But Jonny Rose’s side refused to lie down and Tal Feingold struck a quickfire treble of his own.
Rawlings netted again but Nathan Pitt would have the last say as honours ended even in the eight-goal thriller at Hough End.