MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
OAKWOOD A 2
LOS CAMDEN A 5
In the pouring St Albans rain, this Premier Division clash saw 20 minutes of stalemate football with the windy and wet conditions dampening proceedings. Camden forced their way ahead when Johann Jordi curled a ball around the Oakwood centre half for Dean Rosenthal to run onto, Rosenthal latched on to the ball and took his shot early whipping the ball into the top corner from 30 yards stranding the keeper.
The first half ended at 1-0, as the second half kicked off the weather settled and the game came to life, Jordi took a shot from 35 yards and the Oakwood keeper could only parry the ball to the on rushing Dan Orgel who calmly slotted home beneath the keeper.
Camden were defending excellently with Mike Khalastchi and Gav Krieger putting in some rugged challenges. On 65 minutes, Oakwood's Josh Cuby danced his way into the box receiving contact and scored the subsequent penalty with great confidence into the bottom left corner.
The next ten minutes saw Oakwood pile on pressure but it was met with grit and determination from the Camden defence with Steve Murad exceptionally commanding his area from crosses into the box.
On 73 minutes Oliver Sade sprinkled some star dust onto proceedings and skipped past two players curling a shot towards the top corner, the keeper would be upset having got a hand to the shot to have let it creep in.
Sade put the game to bed 10 minutes later, coming off the right flank, danced his way passed two players and from outside the area smashed the ball into the bottom corner with his weaker foot.
Jordi settled it four minutes from time. A free-kick five yards in the Oakwood half was whipped in into the channel where the keeper isn’t sure whether to come in fear of the dreaded deflection. The ball bounced and found its way into the top corner leaving the score at 5-1 after 88 minutes.
Oakwood pilled forward in the final minutes and claimed a consollation goal from a poorly dealt with cross where the onrushing Josh Bharier put the ball into an empty net, a deserved goal for his strong performance.
Los Camden manager Stirling Kay told JC Sport: "I felt we controlled the game and Oakwood found it difficult to break down. This was a perfectly executed team performance from the boys today.
"From the first minute of the game the back four dealt with everything that was thrown at them and Moo was vocal and commanding, the men in the middle worked tirelessly winning the ball back and gave us options going forward.
"The three up front looked dangerous and were all rewarded with goals for their hard work and tiring shifts they put in. Our substitutes came on and helped us get over the line, it was our team ethic and hard work which gave us this win."
Kay went on to say: "A word about Oakwood - they are a tremendous footballing side and we really enjoyed the high quality challenge they presented. We wish them well for their next few games and know they will be tough team for anyone to play against."
Following Los Camden's first win of the season, Kay quipped: "I've ordered my players not to shake lulav and Etrog this week, I don’t want any injury risks and want them rested and fit for next week."
Oaks joint-manager Dan Kristall reflected on a "terrible day at the office". He told JC Sport: "Fair play to Camden who counter-attacked well but anything that could go wrong did.
"Missing nine regular first-team players, losing the keeper in the warm-up and not having a striker was not the ideal preparation but that shouldn't be taken away from our visitors. Stirling works hard and has a good bunch of players. They will take point off plenty. Especially if they defend as well as that.
"We move on and welcome back a few of the absentees. We must improve - its that simple. DC and I expect a reaction both on and off the pitch."
