MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS A 0 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 1

Sam Rosenthal praised his defence after Redbridge finished the weekend in top spot after beating long-time leaders NLR in a hard-fought tussle at the Ark.

Having ended 2014 in great goal-scoring form, Ben Sollosi gave RJC fans some new year cheer by condemning NLR to their second league defeat of the season.

There was little to separate the teams, with the decisive moment seeing the former Young Player of the Year firing home in the first half.

RJC boss Sam Rosenthal told JC Sport: "We were missing a few of our attacking options so we knew shutting them out was going to be key.

"We executed our game-plan to perfection - the back four gave a defensive master-class. Adam Hakimi made one of football's finest tackles, and Bergy, Macca and Shaf showed their class and experience to limit them to only really a few long-range efforts.

The win sees RJC move three points clear of NLR, who have two games in hand. Defending champions Hendon are a further three points adrift, with three games in hand following their win at Oakwood.

Asked about the title race, Rosenthal commented: "The players don't feel under any added pressure now that we're top. All the pressure is on Raiders, and to some extent Hendon. We know we are not favourites, but will continue going into every game with winning intentions."

NLR manager Rob Richman told JC Sport: "We are all a little disappointed after the defeat to Redbridge, we felt our performance deserved a point, but you have to give credit to Redbridge who defended superbly."

"Their back four of Berg, Hakimi, Shafron and McCarthy were really excellent and they should get the respect they fully deserve.

"Although we dominated possession and were camped inside the Redbridge half for the majority of the second half, we didn’t test the opposition goalkeeper nearly enough. Our passing was a little off and, at times, we held on to the ball just a little too long. We must learn from this and improve as the season progresses.

"In the games against the top sides the first goal is always so crucial and that’s exactly what happened today; once Redbridge took the lead they set up to preserve that lead and we didn’t have the skills on the day to break them down.

"The table is now very compact and it promises to be a very close fought out title race. Today was obviously a set-back but we will do our utmost until the final game of the season."