MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION

OAKWOOD A 1 HENDON UNITED SPORTS 2

Hendon started strongly and Oakwood couldn't really get into the game. It came as no surprise when Hendon forged ahead in a tight first half. A right to left through ball from Corin split open the defence and Lewis ran on and chipped Oaks goalkeeper Joe Botchin to give Hendon a valuable lead. 

Hendon broke well throughout and looked the more dangerous side in front of goal but Oakwood dominated the second half and got a deserved equaliser through Dave Woolman following excellent work from Brad Wine down the right, showing great perseverance before sending a dangerous low centre across the face of goal.

The home side were then on top but it looked as though the game would finish honours even, until a moment of individual brilliance from Lewis. Receiving a square pass from captain Ari Last five minutes from time, he unleashed a vicious, swerving left-foot volley that dipped perfectly into the top corner. It was a goal worthy of winning any game. 

Victory takes Hendon to within four points of top spot, with four games in hand and means they are now the only team in the division to boast a 100 per cent record.

A delighted Corin told JC Sport: "It was a great Sunday League game. We've needed that. Despite a few players getting well into their 30s, in terms of talent, this was a fantastic Hendon team which had quality the whole way through.

"We worked hard as a team and there were a number of good performers today so I'm delighted with the team.

"Oakwood are a fit and strong team and really pushed us the whole game so credit to them. I believe the best team won today but their dugout may have thought different. 

"We can't wait for the forthcoming games. If we can keep the squad together in the next few weeks then we should go into the new year in a good position."

Commenting on the winning strike, Corin added: "The goal was a magnificent moment of qualityfrom Lewis, who in my mind is the most technically gifted player in the league."

Oakwood joint-manager Dan Kristall reflected on "a very well-contested game where a draw would probably have been the right result".

Kristall told JC Sport: "Hendon also defended very well throughout the match but we had the ball and the territory for the most part. We just lacked that bit of patience and quality in the final third."

"Our starting midfield three haven't played over the last three months and it showed. Credit to all of them because they stepped in for the team. For that we thank them because they were so determined to play.

"I feel confident that if we’d have been at full strength and especially in that area, we’d have won the game."

Kristall went on to defend Oakwood's proud record and say neutrals should read nothing into the result.

"We got the better of close games with Hendon last season," he said. "We’ve beaten them on our last four meetings. They got on the right side of it yesterday. That’s football.

"To go 14 months unbeaten in the league shows what a great team this is. We will bounce back from this.

"As a management team, we are incredibly proud of how far we have come and we now expect a reaction in the next few weeks where we turn our attention to both cup competitions.

"As for the league, we know how strong the division is and teams will drop points. I really believe it will be the most open race in years and I am confident we will be in the mix at the end.

"Don't go writing us off. Many of you did that last season and look what happened."

OAKWOOD: Joe Botchin, Harvey Kaye, Alex Lee, Tom Cantor, Lee Warner, Dan Rose, Kyle Bentwood, Simon Davies, Brad Wine, Toby Levy, Leor Sidle. Subs: Dave Cohen, Jonny Quinn, Dan Seligman, Dan Taylor, David Woolman

GOAL: Woolman

HENDON: Russell Corin, Greg Corin, Josh Bentley, Larry Cohen, Ari Nevies, Avi Korman, Ari Last, Ben Lauffer, Roie Spitzer, Josh Harris, Zack Lewis. Subs: Dudi Edreyi, Yoav Kestenbaum, Mordi Weiler

GOALS: Lewis 2