MGBSFL DIVISION ONE
NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B 2 SCRABBLE FC 1
Nicky Woolf scored a goal-of-the-season contender as North London Raiders made in two wins from two as they edged a high-quality game against Division 1 new boys Scrabble at the Ark.
The opening 10 minutes saw Scrabble start strongly looking to use the pace of Josh Green down the right and the trickery of Zak McLead on the left. Raiders soaked up that initial pressure and then began to settle in to their passing game and exert a control on proceedings that in truth they didn't ever look like relinquishing.
It was always going to be a tight affair given the extensive strengthening Scrabble had carried out in pre-season to an already strong second division title-winning squad.
And as with so many tight games, it took a moment of genuine brilliance to break the deadlock. NICKY WOOLF, playing his first game since his recent marriage, dropped deep to pick up the ball 35 yards out after 33 minutes. Woolf somehow stayed upright riding challenges from two Scrabble midfielders at the same time before hammering a 30-yard screamer in to the roof of the net.
The lead was no more than Raiders deserved for their controlled passing but five minutes later Scrabble were level in controversial circumstances. A long diagonal ball by Ben Bell on the right ended was headed home at the far post by ZAK McLEOD, although NLR felt he was in an offside position. Despite the linesman's flag, ref Keith Goodman gave the goal explaining that the flag had gone up too early.
An incensed Raiders had further cause for dismay when a deep corner was fired back towards goal only to be diverted out of the penalty area by a Scrabble hand - it looked a clear penalty but Goodman waved play on.
Despite these decisions Raiders retained discipline and when Woolf was hacked down 25 yards from goal, Josh Goldstein whipped in a free-kick which the Scrabble keeper acrobatically palmed over to leave it level at the break.
The start of the second half saw another chance go begging when Jake Gilbert got on the end of a lovely passing move, only to be crowded out.
Scrabble's brief forays in to the Raiders half were rebuffed by the outstanding Charles Braunstein, Elad Hertshten and skipper Anthony Goodmaker - and on the one occasion Scrabble got in behind the whipped cross evaded everyone.
With time running out and energy sapping, it was GOLDSTEIN who pounced on a loose clearance from the Scrabble keeper, he raced in to the box and clipped a deft finish in to the far corner to the delight of his teammates.
Scrabble had 12 minutes to search for an equaliSer but with the Raiders midfield of Toby Katz, Danny Bloom, Si Buchler standing strong, Scrabble had to resort to longer balls which for the most part Raiders dealt with comfortably. Antony Shaw and Matt Leader excelling at full-back. The closest the Blues came was when David Simnock used all of his agility to palm away what would have been a Braunstein own goal.
The final whistle saw the points go to Raiders but mutual respect between two sides who'd asked and given no quarter for the full 90 minutes.
A delighted Raiders manager Jonathan Adelman paid tribute to a resolute display: "Scrabble are a good side no question about that. There were so many excuses we could have made today against a team like that, we were short of no less than eight squad members before this morning, we then had to lend our A-team Lewis Blitz and Alex Elf was unable to play.
"As a result we had just 12 players so couldn't play the high-tempo game we wanted to against an opposition we knew would use their rolling substitutions well. But wow, what an effort from our 12, every one of them was superb.
"It was also very pleasing that despite some questionable decisions in the first half the boys retained their calm and brought home a deserved three points."
Co-manager Zack Gothelf was especially happy that the team "learned the lessons of last weekend. Today we kept the ball well and our defenders won their individual battles.
"After losing narrowly twice against Scrabble last season with our C's I'm delighted to finally get a win over them.
"Our skipper Goodie was immense against Sherman and that goal from Nicky Woolf - that's what you get out of bed on a Sunday morning for!"
Scrabble boss Ray Abrahams told JC Sport: "It was a cruel way to lose and I'm disappointed not to have got anything from the game but in terms of effort I cannot fault our lads.
"In the end a sloppy error at the back and our failure to be a bit more clinical in front of goal cost us the game and I thought a draw would have been a fair result.
"On another day we might have been awarded a penalty in the second half but I have no complaints.
"This is going to be a very competitive league and we knew that after winning promotion last season but we will be there in the mix at the end of the season as we've got a talented group of players who will give everything for this club.
"All credit to Raiders today and it was a fantastic game of football to watch.
"I will be looking for a positive reaction in our game next week as we look to bounce back quickly from this defeat."
