PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND TWO
HARMEN 4 SOUTH MANCHESTER MACCABI 1st 3
Harmen overcame a late scare against Manchester Maccabi to set up a mouth-watering third round showdown against Redbridge Jewish Care A.
Brilliant braces from Adam Arnold and top-scorers James Gershfield ensured Harmen held their nerve to win a seven-goal thriller against South Manchester at Hadley FC.
Harmen joint-manager Joe Marsh told JC Sport: "The scoreline doesn't really do us justice as we dominated the majority of the game, with South Manchester pegging two goals back in the last 15 minutes to add some excitement for the travelling fans.
"It says a lot about the game when their keeper is in contention for man of the match, making five top-draw saves.
"Our boys were creating chance after chance with wingers Adam Arnold and Elliott Stern causing havoc among the apposition. A well deserved victory for our boys."
Maccabi boss Greg Louca told JC Sport: "It was a battling performance. We were right in the game without ever creating any meaningful chances. But we never caved in and fought until the end.
"We just came up against a stronger opposition but we move on.
"Our bread and butter is the league and we are in a very good position. We are top and there's no reason why we can't stay there and win promotion.
"There is a big game for us coming up against Platt Lane, who are our nearest challengers, on Sunday and we will be prepared for that.
"We won't let one defeat spoil our season. Everyone wanted to progress in the competition and maintain our run. But it wasn't to be so we move on."
South Manchester joint-player-manager Toby Levy told JC Sport: "It was a tightly fought game, with a mad period of 20 minutes either side of half time, and individual errors that cost goals.
"Dominant and comfortable isn't exactly how the game went - I think that is a slightly blinkered view of the game, made clear from be fact that we felt hard done by and did enough to win the tie, let alone take it to extra-time.
"There were good individual battles all across the park, in what was a fiercely contested cup tie.
"Alex Davies in goal was excellent, getting his hands to a couple of attempts that he had no right to reach. Also the debut of youngster Felix Shalom was a real highlight, topping it off with a goal.
"But in end, time was against us, and gifting four goals away will always ensure the odds are stacked against you.
"We wish Harmen the best of luck moving forward, and hope they continue to be 'dominant and comfortable' in the next stages."
Additional reporting by Darren Witcoop
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