JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND TWO
FC TEAM A 2 BRADY MACCABI A 4
Two goals from Alex Hershman helped Brady book their place in round three after coming through this tough all-Premier Division tie against FC Team A.
A windy Sunday morning greeted the two Premiership rivals on a small pitch in Borehamwood. Both teams were again missing a few players and the game started as a scrappy affair.
Brady started the stronger of the two and some good chances came and went for Mark Smith and Jon Green.
FC Team broke the deadlock, somewhat against the run of play, as the Brady defence were caught out, and a cross was easily slotted in by Craig Edwards.
This did not however change the dynamic of the game and Brady, led by captain fantastic Jonny Ellis, soon found themselves back on level terms. Some very neat foot work from Alex Hershman and a wonderful outside his foot pass released younger brother Josh Hershman, who played a delightful ball into the box, to be volleyed home by Mark Smith.
Brady soon were in front as not to be out-done by his brother getting an assist, Alex Hershman hit and a brilliant strike from about 35 yards, which rocketed into the top corner, in a similar manner to Mata’s goal 24 hours earlier.
FC Team began to get on top, but Ellis and Fox were like a wall for Brady.
The second half again started much the same as the first with Brady playing the better football, and in the ascendancy. Manager Rosenfeld must have wished his team could have played like this in the league a fortnight ago.
Hershman and Green went close, but failed to increase the lead. Minutes later FC Team fell further behind when a great run from Alex Hershman saw him leave three men in his wake and he fired an excellent shot into the bottom corner.
Not wanting to make it easy for themselves, Brady conceded a second goal, with Shai Davidi sending a looping shot over Oli Colmans.
FC Team continued to press and only a brilliant aerial display from Ellis and left back Adam Littas prevented Team from getting behind the Brady defence.
There was however time for Brady to make a defensive change, bringing on the young Joel Nathan - who had refused to run the line - citing age as a reason. He rolled back the years bombing up and down the left flank like a man possessed. Rosenfeld must have been thankful there was only five minutes to go!
Brady rubbed salt into Team’s open wounds with two minutes to go. Colmans pumped a ball upfield, Josh Gordon ran on to to flick his header over the out of position keeper.