MGBSFL DIVISION TWO
L'EQUIPE 2 HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B 4
A virtuoso performance from super-sub David Reid helped Hendon B maintain their promotion push at the top of Division Two after a gutsy victory over L'Equipe.
Playing into a strong wind in the first half, Hendon grabbed an early lead when a corner was headed against the bar by Ezekiel Jacob, and Benni Sluckis was on hand to tap in the rebound and return to goal-scoring ways.
L'Equipe used the wind to their advantage and piled the pressure on Hendon as the half wore on, and scored two goals in quick succession to lead at the break through James Mendel and Andy Smith.
With the wind to their advantage in the second half, Hendon improved but were struggling to find a way through an organised L'Equipe backline. However, manager Adam Glekin sent on Gab Saul and David Reid, for his debut, and the game changed.
With just over 15 minutes remaining, a ball dropped to Saul 25 yards out and he struck a trademark left foot beauty which curled away from the keeper and into the corner. A L'Equipe player suffered an injury in the lead up to the goal and had to play the remainder of the game with 10 men, and Hendon were to take full advantage.
Reid, who was making his 11-a-side footballing debut, was the hero as with five minutes to go, a cross found him at the back post and from a tight angle he squeezed the ball in.
Reid's dream debut was completed on the stroke of full-time when he bundled in Benni Sluckis' cross to seal a vital three points for his new club.
Hendon manager Adam Glekin told JC Sport: "I'm delighted to get the win, but if I'm being honest we were a touch fortunate.
"It wasn't our best performance, we did ok in the first half in tough conditions but their two goals were highly preventable.
"I thought we'd kick on in the second half but we didn't really look like scoring until Gab Saul pulled one out the bag and they went down to 10 men in the process which obviously helped us.
"And then David Reid's had a debut to remember. I'm not sure if I started with the wrong team or the changes I made were a managerial masterstroke - we'll go with the latter.
"It's an important win, and hopefully we can now put together a good run to end the season and finish as high as possible."
L'Eqwuipe manager Nick Stern told JC Sport: "We were completely in control at 2-1 and were ultimately punished for not taking our chances.
"When we went down to 10 men after losing the influential midfielder Scotty, and with the wind against us, we sadly stood little chance.
"What is frustrating is for what could be the third week in a row opposition keeper's are getting man-of-the-match and every shot that goes against us seems to fly into the top corner.
"We have not had the luck recently but I am proud of how my team have been performing and know that for the remaining 10 games of the season we will ensure that we end on a high.
"I also want to say we wish Scotty a quick recovery from what could be a nasty knee injury."
