CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND TWO
FAITHFOLD A 2 JEWDINESE 1
Former cup winners were given a scare by second division Jewdinese at the Hive, but in the end experience told as the former winners progressed.
Before the game manager Darren Lawrence made it absolute clear that it was vital for 'Nese to keep themselves in the game for as long as possible, by sticking 11 men behind the ball and hitting Faithfold on the counter using their pace and quick passing. After a few jokes were out of the system from the away players about being lucky to only be 10-0 down at halftime, we knew before the game we had the ability to cause Faithfold problems.
Well within 10 minutes of the game 'Nese were dominating and took a shock lead when a great piece of play saw Oron Sheldon beat the offside trap where he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Instead of taking the glory he played a perfectly timed pass across goal in which Luke Lewis slotted home.
'Nese battled for the whole half but Faithfold equalised with a goal the visitors felt had a touch of offside about it.
At half-time everyone in the 'Nese camp felt the tie was there for the taking, regardless of the league gap between the teams.
'Nese defended for their lives, dealing with every attack Faithfold threw at them. With 20 mins to go they had two very dangerous attacks but they were repelled by the Faithfold keeper.
Faithfold went ahead with the goal of the game, scored by Alex Kaye, following a great passage of play with 10 to go, but even then 'Nese did not give up and started to pile on the pressure. A last-ditch tackle from their defender denied Sheldon in the final minute.
Relieved Faithfold boss Zuriel Solomon told JC Sport: "It was a good win although more goals would have been more satisfying. Jewdinese battled for 90 minutes and should be proud and put in alot of effort.
"We knew we would have a lot of the ball and we did get lots of balls and bodies in the box and now we can look forward to the next round."
'Nese chairman Jake Erlich told JC Sport: "I must congratulate everyone of the boys on an outstanding performance against a top division team.
"We fought for 90 minutes. Not only for the results but for eachother. A great team effort."
