MGBSFL DIVISION ONE
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B 5 SCRABBLE FC 1
Redbridge captain Brad Gayer won the coin toss and decided to go against the wind first half.
Scrabble were trying to force the RJC backline deep, but once the game settled down the hosts started to dominate, with Dean Ben Yosef and Adam Goldman causing the Scrabble defence problems.
The hosts forged ahead midway through the first half when a magnificent delivery from a corner from captain Brad Gayer was headed in by the big centre back Dan Andrews, for his fourth of the season.
Redbridge pushed for a second which arrived moments later. The menacing Dean Ben Yosef received the ball on the right wing and played a pinpoint crossfield ball which was intelligently dummied by Kane Hopps. The ball landed at the feet of Brad Gayer, who was in the exactly same position as he was last week, and the same result. An effortlessly low left drive across the keeper finished right into the corner.
Redbridge knew how important it was maintain their two-goal advantage going into the break, especially as they would benefit from the conditions in the second half.
And so it proved. Solid defending from back four of Richie Caplin, Jordan Sapler, Scott McKenzie ensured their maintained their lead.
The message was very simple at half-time from the RJC management; "keep the same intensity and work-rate, and the game will be killed".
RJC freshened things up at the start of the second half - introducing Anthony Cope, Adam Noble and Jack Van Gelder to kill the game off.
A killer third goal lifted home fans, when Adam Goldman won a free-kick. Left-back Scott McKenzie sent in a delicious cross that was emphatically headed in by Ben Yosef who fully deserved his goal.
Redbridge were now ripping through Scrabble at will, and the fourth was not to far away. Cope, who had a big point to prove today, was winning a lot of 50/50s and worked extremely hard on and off the ball.
The fourth goal came as a result of outstanding play by Cope. Receiving a bouncing ball from Daniel Bean, Cope twisted and turned the Scrabble centre-backs before finishing clinically from 12 yards.
To be fair to Scrabble, they did not lie down and scored a consolation goal via the skilful Elliot Espinoza.
Redbridge knew they needed to raise their levels to see out the game and this was indeed what happened with the goal of the game by the returning Van Gelder. He received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and twisted and turned past four Scrabble defenders before creating an opening that was finished clinically with his left foot into the bottom corner. Brilliant play which sealed promotion to the top-flight for the talented RJC B side.
Jubilant RJC boss Sam Rank told JC Sport; "The boys were brilliant today from 1-15. It was a fantastic squad performance. Special mention to Daniel Bean (Jewish N'Galo Kante), Dean Ben Yosef and Anthony Cope.
"Today was second of three cup finals, and the boys passed the test in flying colours. Just a fantastic squad performance, and shows the importance of having a squad, when you can bring on Cope, Noble and Jack Van Gelder.
"All the Scrabble squad and management are great guys and if they can get all their squad fit for next season they would be my tip for promotion from Division One.
"The RJC B boys have come on leaps and bound this season. They have bought into my football philosophy, knowledge and love for the game, and it is amazing to be around.
"Next week is the biggest game of Division One championship. We cannot wait for that first whistle to be blown."
FINCHLEY: Yoni Benari, Simeon Daniel, Eli Davila, Yoel Deal, Jono Gaon, Josh Gaon, Jamie Gurvitz, Josh Kanter, Gabriel Krieger, Sam Leader, Oliver Sade. Subs: Moshe Fehler, Sam Kanter, Alon Pinhas
REDBRIDGE: Dan Lee, Daniel Berg, James Berkley, Ryan Cole, Daniel Garfinkle, Russell Goldstein, Zac Neiman, Darryl Rubin, Ben Sollosi, Sam Sollosi, Steve Summers. Subs: Matt Berkley, Adam Hakimi, Danny Hakimi, Sam McCarthy
SCORERS: Andrews, Ben Sollosi (2), Russell Goldstein (2)
