CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP SEMI-FINAL

LOS BLANCOS 0 OAKWOOD A 1

A first-half strike from striker Leor Sidle was all that separated the teams as first division Los Blancos pushed league champions Oakwood all the way at Nicholas Breakspear.

"It was a tough game in difficult windy conditions," Kristall told JC Sport. "Credit to our visitors who battled well and stayed in the game.

"Having said that, we had enough chances to win several games but couldn't quite finish the game off and so at 1-0, it is always a bit nervy."

Kristall saluted centre halves Simon Davies and Dale Bradman as Oakwood preserved their slender advantage to progress.

"We defended well as a unit and kept a clean sheet which is pleasing as we haven't kept enough this season," commented Kristall. "I think that has been mainly down to our injuries and changes to our back four.

"In cup football, it doesn't matter how many you win games, as long as you get through. We knew Blancos would be bang up for it and give it everything which they did, but ultimately the best team definitely won.

"We are very excited for a big cup final against Hendon, It should be one for the spectators. I think our squad has been tested to the max this season, so it is an excellent achievement to be back in the final.

"For now, we will forget about it and focus on five cup finals in the league, starting with a trip to Lions in a fortnight."

BLANCOS: Gideon Rabstein, Joel Barnett, Jake Doffman, Gav Krieger, Avishai Kestenbaum,  Nick Lewis, Elliott Maslawy, Daniel Sinclair, Luke Strauss, Josh Cohen, Oli Sade

OAKWOOD: Dean Caplin; Dave Cohen, Dale Bradman, Simon Davies, Alex Lee, Luke Brookner, Toby Levy, Dan Seligman, Brad Wine, Leor Sidle, Josh Cuby. Subs: Jonny Quinny, Jake Norton, David Woolman, Sam Cantor

SCORER: Sidle