PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 0 HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A 4
David Garbacz described Hendon United's 4-0 success over arch rivals Redbridge Jewish Care as "season-defining" as the holders returned to their best, in a performance capped by a hat-trick from Dovi Fehler.
The final game in the quadrilogy ended as a damp squib with Redbridge second best to a well-drilled and resolute Hendon.
The loss overnight of Sam Sollosi to illness seemed to affect the shape of the team and bringing in new boys just went against Redbridge in the end.
The game started brightly, with neither keeper troubled for the opening 40 minutes, although a bobbly surface at Fairlop saw the players struggle to control the ball.
Hendon forged ahead after 35 minutes when a flowing move down the right saw the impressive Yoav Kestenbaum deliver a low cross which was slotted in at far post by Fehler.
The visitors remained solid for the rest of the half – resolute defending meant Redbridge created no chances and danger man Daniel Garfinkle was kept very quiet, with Hendon doubling up on him at times.
Hendon then started to boss the game in the second half and Redbridge seemed to have no energy and in the middle of the park as the Redbridge central midfielders had worked so hard they had no more to give.
The killer second goal for Hendon - who maintained an excellent shape and defence throughout - came after Kestenbaum and Moses Seitler had spurned a couple of chances. But another rampaging run down the right by Kestenbaum concluded with a pinpoint cross which Fehler headed home with aplomb, before setting off on his trademark backflip celebration.
From this point Hendon went on to totally dominate and scored two more goals – one a great free-kick from super-sub Zac Lewis - with his first touch – and a hat-trick goal from Fehler, who was on hand to tuck home the rebound after the RJC keeper spilled a long shot.
It was a performance Hendon could be proud of, with Avi Korman brilliant in midfield along with Seitler and Ari Last and they can now look forward to a semi-final showdown against second division North London Raiders C.
Hendon boss David Garbacz told JC Sport: "In what was a true season-defining game, we turned in easily our best performance of the season.
"From 1 to 13 everyone was brilliant today – there was a real determination amongst the boys to get the right result today and in the end it was far more comfortable than most people would have predicted and to be honest it could have been more.
"Our defence was as watertight as they have been all year as we cut the supply to Garfinkle on the left and Ben Kon stuck to him extremely well all match. Further forward Avi Korman, the returning Seitler and Ari Last totally dominated the crucial midfield area as we restricted Redbridge to hardly any chances.
"My man of the match was Yoav Kestenbaum today who I thought held the ball up really well and created two goals in an excellent performance. Dovi Fehler scored a real centre forward's hat-trick to impress the watching Maccabiah management but overall this was as dominant a performance from the whole squad as we have had all season. When we have everyone available as we did today there is no better Jewish team in the country.
"Redbridge were not quite at the races today – I’m sure they missed the Sollosi’s which certainly gave us a pre-match boost but today was all about us – we are the proud holders of this trophy and we aim to defend it with pride in the final should we overcome our semi- final opponents in a few week’s time.
"We have had some crackers against Redbridge this year and the final score is two wins apiece which is probably just about right. We wish them all the best in their quest to catch Raiders in the league – I hope they do it."
Redbridge boss Jon Jacobs told JC Sport: "No excuses offered, we were not good enough today and hope Hendon can keep the Maccabi Southern Football League flag alive in the Peter Morrison Sunday National Cup if and when they inevitably face the Lions Saturday team at Wingate.
"This result makes next Sunday’s game against Raiders a vital must win game so am hoping I can get my best 11 out for this encounter."
