PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND TWO
HMH AFC 1 FLIXTON 3
A second-half double from Leor Sidle helped Accountants League title hopefuls AFC Flixton into round three at the expense of HMH U18's in a titanic tussle in Finchley.
After a frantic and enthralling opening, Flixton, who had the wind in the first-half, enjoyed strong periods of pressure, without creating many clear-cut chances.
The pressure eventually told, albeit the penalty award was "somewhat controversial, according to HMH boss Avi Goldberg, with HMH believing the collision between striker and goalkeeper had taken place outside of the area. Steven Peck converted.
HMH drew level with another penalty, converted by Sammy Kingston and the underdogs finished the half strongly, with a bicycle-kick from Eli Wegrzyn and a superb header from Adam Abadi forcing great saves from the Flixton keeper.
HMH started the second half brightly but could not find a way through a resolute Flixton defence. Then Sidle, who had been kept quiet up to then, struck twice within five minutes to put daylight between the teams.
HMH did not lie down, and kept pressing trying to find a way through. Two free-kicks went close, while another couple of shots did not trouble the keeper sufficiently. Two further good openings were created but it was not to be ...
HMH boss Avi Goldberg told JC Sport: "My boys produced a fine performance - we rose to the occasion, moved the ball around in true Spanish style and matched them in all departments except in front of goal.
"In the end that proved the difference. Some towering performances from a team just returning from mid-season break (ergo half-term) on the beach."
