ByJames Masters, James Masters
Neil Collins paid tribute to the players of South Manchester Sports Club 2nd and Manchester Maccabi 3rd after they marked the 30th anniversary of his mother’s death with a real cup thriller.
Both sets of players observed a minute silence in honour of former MJSL league secretary, Joan Collins, before playing out a cup classic in the Harold Feldman Trophy.
And despite watching his side squander a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 in extra-time, South boss Collins believes his mother would have been delighted by such a contest.
“My mother would have been proud that 30 years after her passing, two sides which had formed the backbone of the league’s success, could put on such a display,” he said.
“The League had requested a minute silence in her recognition and it was superbly upheld by both sides.
“It signalled a fantastic match, almost in her honour you could say.
“But we’re mega disappointed because it was ours for the taking. You have to take your hat off to Maccabi, because they never gave up.”
Jack Lee’s penalty and Dan Linton’s effort had given South a two-goal advantage with Oli Black and Danny Schweiger also hitting the woodwork.
Maccabi keeper Josh Samberg pulled off three stunning saves to keep his side in the game as South failed to kill off the tie.
And Collins’ men were made to pay for their wastefulness as they collapsed to a dramatic defeat.
“I think the moment which changed the whole course of the game was the injury to Danny Schweiger,” he added.
“He had been peerless at the back with Darren Brewer but he went down in agony with a back spasm.
“It has been a long recurring problem, which has restricted his games to singles rather than any run of games and it was his first start in months.
“After he was replaced with Jack Rowe in the centre, the team totally lost its shape.”