MGBSFL DIVISION ONE
LOS BLANCOS 1 SCRABBLE FC 2

Ray Abrahams praised his team's character as Scrabble FC recorded their second win of the season after a hard-fought battle against Los Blancos.

A tough physical game at the Hertswood Centre saw Scrabble claim back-to-back wins in the last two weeks to join the leading pack.

The match started with Blancos on the back foot and wave after wave of Scrabble attacks but the defence held solid and Blancos looked very dangerous on the break.

Scrabble lost new signing centre back Brandon Sassoon to a hamstring injury on 20 minutes and was replaced by the experienced Josh Bentley at the heart of the defence.

On 30 minutes Scrabble broke the deadlock as Josh Bharier broke into the Blancos penalty area and placed his shot wide of the goalkeepers outstretched arm to give Scrabble the lead.

Blancos threw their players forward after half-time and the ever-alert Adam Hersh fired home following a goal-mouth scramble.

Scrabble immediately hit back and after a couple of close efforts a long throw by Dan Stock was headed home by Danny Sherman on 60 minutes to restore Scrabble's lead.

The last 30 minutes saw both sides go close but scrabble came closest to putting the game out of Blancos reach with efforts by Dan Stock, Josh Green, Bharier and Rob Blackman making his debut.

In the final seconds though it was Scrabble keeper Ben Law, playing his first game of the season, who came to the rescue with a top-class save with his feet to deny Blancos an equaliser.

Scrabble manager Ray Abrahams told JC Sport; "That's back-to-back league wins now and our season is up and running. I thought we controlled the game well today and our defence was so solid.

"We had a hatful of chances to close the game off and with a bit of luck may have scored more on the day.

"In the end sometimes you have to dig out the win in these type of games and this is what we did today.

"I thought we were denied a penalty as well when Josh Green was brought down by their keeper but we were good for the three points.

"It keeps us in with the leading pack and or target for our aim of back-to-back promotions.

"We've got a big squad now and a competition for places but the attitude in the group is brilliant and our new signings have fitted in very well."

Blancos boss Nick Grosse told JC Sport: "We are all extremely disappointed. We were completely off the pace all over the pitch, particularly in the first half, which was in stark contrast to our victory last week.

"I know the players will want to improve and I sincerely hope they do in time for next Sunday.

"We were over-run in the first half by an attack-minded Scrabble who were able to break hard and fast. We improved in the second half, however we conceded a very poor goal from a long throw just three minutes after equalising.

"We weren't good enough in the first half, it's a simple as that."