Sam Rank compared midfield maestro Daniel Bean to N'Golo Kante after Redbridge Jewish Care B returned to winning ways with an commanding performance against promotion rivals Finchley City.
February 14, 2017 11:10
MGBSFL DIVISION ONE
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B 3 FINCHLEY CITY 1
Goals from Dean Ben Yosef, Brad Gayer and Dan Andrews ensured RJC kept the pressure on table-toppers Lions B.
The game was not played on a great surface, but most definitely playable conditions. The home side took to the conditions better and we're working hard as a unit for each other.
RJC B were dominating the play, and were unlucky not to be 1-0 up when Anthony Cope was played in by the tenacious Kane Hopps, only for Anthony effort to be tipped on to the post by the Finchley keeper.
RJC B eventually took a 1-0 lead when ever-present skipper Brad Gayer whipped in dangerous delivery from a free-kick which the Finchley keeper and defence could not deal with and ball was tapped in by tall centre-back Andrews.
The hosts created further openings before the first half finished, but did not take their chances. Finchley had one attempt on goal, near the end of the half, but RJC B keeper Scott Shear tipped the effort away.
Redbridge introduced Dean Ben Yosef for the second half, in replacement of the very hard working Cope. Ben Yosef made an instant impact, running behind and causing the Finchley defence plenty lot of problems.
Finchley then had a golden opportunity to equalise, but a world-class double save from Shear kept RJC ahead.
RJC then doubled lead, when Ben Yosef got in behind and cut back to Gayer who brought down the ball delightfully and hit a sweet low drive into the corner of net. It was truly a top-class finish.
The three centre-midfielders of Daniel Bean, Joe Jordan and Hopps were running the game, with hard work offensively and defensively.
The third goal came was a mazy run by Gary Neville's new 'best friend' Hopps who went past five players in this run, only to see his effort to be saved by the Finchley keeper, but goal-poacher Ben Yosef was on hand to tuck in the rebound in to make the score 3-0.
To their credit an under-strength Finchley side responded quite well, and they put the RJC B backline under pressure, and from the pressure they did get a consolation goal, but RJC B managed the game well to ensure the scored remained 3-1, and kept the momentum going.
Jubilant RJC boss Sam Rank told JC Sport: "The boys were brilliant today. The back five were immense and the central midfielders worked their socks off today, especially Daniel Bean. Gayer gave a Captain performance today.
"After the game, It was spotted that Ref Andy Myerson was asking for Daniel Bean autograph. He has never seen a short central midfielder, outmuscle, outrun and out tackle players like it. He is Ngalo Kante of Jewish football.
"RJC B move on to next week's game against Hendon, knowing the level performance required to bring the title to Essex."
Finchley boss Joel Holder told JC Sport: "We had a very depleted squad available today against Redbridge which ultimately cost us.
"I cannot fault the commitment and desire of the boys. The game was played in very difficult conditions and any team missing the likes of Sade, Gaon and Polak are going to suffer.
"It's probably fair to say that the title is looking increasingly unlikely, but we are definitely in the race for promotion.
"We also have the Cyril Anekstein semi-final against Redbridge A to look forward to. Our season is by no means over, but we need to get back to winnings ways starting with Lions B next week at Rowley Lane."