MGBSFL DIVISION ONE
SPEC FC 5 BRIXTON OLD BOYS 3
SPEC served up a lesson in clinical finishing against a spirited Brixton side at the Ark Academy.
Brixton started the brighter and were quick to let SPEC know they were in for a tough game by committing a foul somewhat impressively in the first five seconds! But SPEC gave as good as they got and slowly grew into the game.
The deadlock was broken after about 25 minutes when lone striker Dan Pike flashed home a powerful free kick from 30 yards out.
In a blink and you'll miss it next 10 minutes, SPEC pressed on to score goals 2 and 3. First of all Marc Hecht fed Dave Newman who turned his defender before coolly slotting home to continue his fine goal-scoring start to the season.
Next, James Lesner fed Newman who, with the help of a deflection, curled the ball into the top corner to leave the Bananas in dreamland approaching half time.
At 3-0 down, Brixton fought they way back into the game. A tap -n from a fine right wing crossed made it 3-1 before a rebound after an excellent Rhodes save made it 3-2.
As the game ebbed and flowed, it looked like Brixton were going to force an incredible comeback. However, SPEC showed great resolve to continue pushing forward and some trademark mazy footwork from Hecht forced a free-kick which Rosenthal lofted in to the path of Pike who powerfully crashed a diving header home. 4-2 SPEC. A celebratory bundle ensued whereby Pike demonstrated some more of his patented hold-up play as Ricky once again showed he's not afraid to get stuck in.
An ill-disciplined reaction from the Brixton striker forced the refs handed into a red card, however this didn't stop them once again putting the ball into the back of the net. This time an exquisite outside of the boot finish on the half-volley reduced the deficit to make it 4-3.
The final word however was that man Dan Pike's. The striker, with five minutes left on the clock, burst forward, held off a defender, and beat the keeper from 25 yards with a fine curling shot which nestled into the top corner.
With that, SPEC saw out the final few minutes to secure a dramatic 5-3 victory. Another team schooled at Ark Academy.
Brixton's goals came through Alon Hershkorn, Dean Rosenthal and Daniel Raphael.
Brixton chairman Robert Silverman told JC Sport: "Having pulled two goals back from being 3-0 down we seemed to have put ourselves in a position where we could have gone on to win the game. However, the match turned when we had a player harshly dismissed for a second yellow card.
"SPEC were an impressive, well-organised team and it was a credit to all our players for giving 100 per cent effort and competing with them for most of the match.
"After eight players made their debuts last Sunday, another three made their first appearances here. With some new signings still to come, we have the makings of a really good side. The challenge for us will be to achieve success sooner rather than later."
