PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND THREE
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 3 SOUTH MANCHESTER SPORTS CLUB 1st 3 (South Manchester won 3-2 on penalties)
Following two defeats, South arrived in Essex after a wonderful coach journey, inspired by Roger Federer’s Australian Open success.
An even start to the game saw veteran Mark Stewart open the scoring, although the officials believed the ball did not cross the line – a personal heartbreak for Stewart with representatives from Maccabi GB present.
It was the home side that then took the lead, knocking the wind out of South, but Jack Lee equalised just before half-time with a well-struck half-volley, leaving the keeper no chance.
After weathering the storm in the first half, South dominated the second half, with midfield trio Toby Levy, Lee and Michael Stratton becoming increasingly influential, and Adam Lavin and Saul Shapiro finding space between the lines.
When captain Stratton hit a shot from 25 yards, it was parried out to Shapiro who slotted home with eight minutes to go in the game. Despite the linesman raising his flag, the referee (correctly) over-ruled the decision and the goal stood – extra-time it was.
Redbridge started ET fantastically and South equally as badly. Redbridge took the lead for the third time in the game, following more good play down their left. However it was on South again to claw the game back and substitute Josh Darcy’s cross was guided home fantastically by Shapiro for his second of the game.
A good game of football was to be decided on the lottery of penalties. Both teams missed their first kicks and South were in the ascendency after the second thanks to a stunning save from goalkeeper Alex Davies and Adam Lavin converting. Penalties No. 3 failed to register and Levy and Shapiro held their nerve to send South through.
South manager Neil Collins told JC Sport: “I’m so proud of the lads – it isn’t easy to get off a bus after five hours and play 120 minutes of football.
“Credit to Redbridge who were brilliant and on another day, it could have been different, but our lads worked hard and kept on coming back.
“There were some excellent individual performances, but everyone played their part, even those on the sidelines – a great win for the club and the north.”
PENALTY SHOOT-OUT
Redbridge 1 – MISSED
South 1 – Michael Stratton – MISSED - Ballooned (ball is still travelling and currently in Madrid)
Redbridge 2 – SAVED by South keeper, Alex Davies
South 2 – Adam Lavin – SCORED
Redbridge 3 – MISSED
South 3 – Jack Lee – MISSED - Ballooned (ball is still travelling, quicker than Stratton’s, currently in Southern Italy)
Redbridge 4 – SCORED
South 4 – Toby Levy – SCORED
Redbridge 5 – SCORED
South 5 – Saul Shapiro – SCORED
