Maccabi GB suffered a 10-6 defeat against Genesis in their first National Futsal League outing of 2015.

Fielding their most inexperienced side of the season, with debutant Jamie Nagioff taking to the court for the first time, MGB were looking to avenge the recent 9-1 mauling against Genesis. But they were ultimately outclassed.

MGB settled quickly, with Jamie Bernstein and player-manager Jon Kurrant running past their opponents at will. Kurrant ‘Russian-stepped’ his opposing winger down the left channel before cutting inside and toeing his effort high past the goalkeeper. 1-0 to MGB and a small taster of the potential threat the away side had in their locker.

Genesis, however, began to gain a foothold in the match and MGB's dominance did not last long. Slow to be closed down, the Genesis forward manoeuvred the ball onto his deadly left foot and smashed it into the top corner before Davidson could even react.

MGB did not falter and soon regained the upper hand as Kurrant stepped on to a forced pass, countering with the ball. His effort was hit well but straight at the goal keeper. Jamie Bernstein reacted the quickest to sidefoot the rebound into the bottom corner.

However, MGB did not learn from their previous mistake of shutting down their opponents around the box and the scores were level following another well-timed strike.

Genesis then took control midway through the first half scoring fantastically intricate goals – each a replica of the last – to make the score 5-2 at the interval.

The end of the first half had dealt a blow to MGB who looked in control in the opening exchanges of the game, but Genesis showed their tactical class to create the openings when it mattered.

Genesis dominated possession at the start of the second half, camping outside the MGB area. The pressure soon told as a scramble in the box resulted in an easy tap-in at the back-post to make it 6-2.

MGB continued to battle and, after great hold-up play by Barnett in the box, a penalty was awarded for pulling the pivot down. Jordan Davidson, the MGB-nominated penalty taker, smashed the ball down the middle to reduce the deficit to three.

MGB started to get back into the match and two opportunities flashed past the Genesis post. The feeling was that if MGB were to get another before Genesis struck, the nerves might enter the home side’s minds.

However it was Genesis who struck next, following an excellent counter-attack, to make it 7-3.

MGB again fought back and moments later, Kurrant was on the attack once again. He played the ball from the cierre position to Adam Bernstein, who continued his run before playing in Kurrant to slot home.

Genesis added two more goals, making the MGB comeback ever harder, and soon raced to a 9-4 advantage.

MGB still did not let their heads drop and within a minute had the score line within three once again. Barnett found himself on the edge of the area, shimmied past his man before blasting an effort into the net.

Moments later, Kurrant broke down the right flank, scythed the Genesis defence before finding the excellent run of Nagioff. The debutant coolly slotted inside the keeper’s near post to reduce the deficit.

MGB’s tails were well and truly up and Nagioff went close soon after with good work again by Kurrant down the flank.

Barnett was a constant thorn in the side for the Genesis cierre and once again won another 6m penalty for MGB with four minutes to go. Davidson could not replicate his earlier finish and the Genesis keeper parried well to keep MGB within three. MGB came close moments later following a power-play, with Davidson striking the post from distance after a well-worked set-piece.

Davidson was beginning to become MGB’s biggest attacking threat and again flashed the ball agonisingly wide of the opposing goal. Jamie Bernstein worked his magic down the right flank and also hit the woodwork and it just seemed that the ball would not go in for his side.

At the death, Genesis countered with precision and scored again and, although MGB had been outclassed on the day in pivotal spells of the game, this could have been closer than the 10-6 scoreline suggested.

SQUAD:
1. Jordan Davidson
3. Jamie Nagioff
4. Nathan Kashket
5. Adam Bernstein
7. Jamie Bernstein
8. Jon Kurrant
10. Jonah Gordon-Boyd
11. Gideon Barnett
12. Jonny Cohen

SCORERS:
Kurrant x2
Barnett
J. Bernstein
Davidson
Nagioff