ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
JC MSFL DIVISION THREE
BLIZZARD STORM 1 UJIA 2
Blizzard Storm's misery continued as they were undone by a strike from Gavin Sherman and an own goal against a UJIA team who won for the first time this season.
UJIA went one up after a wicked Gavin Rhodes a cross from the left was helped into the net by a Blizzard defender.
The U's stood strong and Darren Rolfe between the sticks made a top-drawer save from Shai Revivo as he smashed an 18-yard pile-driver into the right hand side of the goal only to see Rolfe match the stinging shot with great reflexes and tip it over the bar.
Moving into the second half and Storm were up for it, really pressing the UJIA back four who remained solid and frustrated the Storm with their well-oiled offside trap.
However, it took a bit of genius play from new Blizzard signing Aron Barnes who chipped Rolfe from 20 yards out.
It appeared that the match would end in a draw until the UJIA's mustered some magic late on. Assi Avital took a quick corner and played a one-two with Ben Nassim. Avital delivered the ball to an onrushing Sherman who coolly guided his header into the bottom corner to put U's fans in ecstasy.
Reflecting on the team's first win of the season, UJIA player-manager Darren Rolfe told JC Sport: "We were superb from 1 through 11. We knew our season had to
Start today and we knew we would be up against a tough Storm side with real quality in their ranks.
"We changed formation to cope with Aron Barnes and it paid off. We went 4-5-1 and everyone did their job very week.
"Praise to the back four who were excellent and two midfielders who were up and down all game.
"Ben Radstone had the game of his life at right back and Alex Seligman and Gavin Sherman were like two bouncers - nothing got past them."
Blizzard boss Simon Linden told JC Sport: "I can't believe we didn't pick up a result today. We were well in the game and searching for a winner.
"We had chances but couldn't finish our dinner. I can only ask us to go again next week, we are matching every team, dominating large perioids of games and losing by the one goal.
"We could be top of the league, not down the bottom end. I wouldn't want to be on the end of who we beat. I'm aiming to trounce Hendon next week and finally get our season started."