SPORTS DIRECT OLIM LEAGUE
ENGLAND 4 FC JERUSALEM 3
England FC and Jerusalem kicked off the new season with a 4-3 thriller.
The two Olim League heavyweights, who founded the league a number of years ago, turned up with their sights set on victory.
Jerusalem came out the stronger dominating the midfield and creating a number of chances. They deservedly took the lead within 10 minutes through a well-worked goal finished by Lolu Hibbert. This was doubled a few minutes later when Moishe Lewis opened his account for the season.
England regrouped and, led by captain Tal Stern in the midfield, repelled the Jerusalem tide and reduced the deficit to 2-1 with a smooth finish from Gaby Balulu.
Both sides continued to push forward but it was England that struck again next leveling at 2-2, through their new signing from Hendon United Sports Club, Yishai Last.
The game continued in the same manner with both sides playing open, attacking football. It was England again who struck to take a 3-2 lead, again through Balulu, taking England into the break with the lead.
Both sides came out fighting again in the second half but were unable to penetrate the opponents’ defence. But Jerusalem kept pressing and equalized with an excellent move that ended in Lewis slotting in from close range to level at 3-3 with 15 minutes to go.
The final word was to go to England though as Motti Colman, a strong presence in the England midfield, played a 60m pass that dissected the Jerusalem defence. Yuval Ruppin got on the end of the this and squared for the ever alert Balulu to complete his hat-trick and make it 4-3 to England.
England player-manager Terry Newman was delighted with the character of the team. He said: "Coming back from 2-0 down after 15 minutes to win, and doing so in style, was superb."
Despite the defeat, Jerusalem manager David Preston was be very pleased with the performance of his team. He commented: "It's hard to see either team losing many games this season if they both continue to play with such commitment and intensity."
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SPORTS DIRECT OLIM TEAM OF THE WEEK
1. Itai Koma (Jaffa)
2. Natan Weisenberg (Raanana)
3. Daniel Berkeley (Jaffa)
4. Mike Isaacson (Raanana)
5. Ziv Ram (Jaffa)
6. Stephen Caffrey (Jaffa)
7. Chanani Corney (Raanana)
8. Motti Colman (England)
9. Aviad Ben Meir (Raanana)
10. Gabi Balulu ( England)
11. Moishe Lewis (Jerusalem)
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