Sport
Five-star RJC recover to book last eight slot
Redbridge Jewish Care A came from two goals down to move into quarter-finals of the Peter Morrison Trophy with a hard-fought 5-3 against a spirited MJSL side.
January 21, 2019 11:20
Redbridge Jewish Care A came from two goals down to move into quarter-finals of the Peter Morrison Trophy with a hard-fought 5-3 against a spirited MJSL side.
January 21, 2019 11:20PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND TWO
MJSL REP TEAM 2 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 5
The home side made a dream start and stormed into a two-goal lead inside the opening eight minutes, courtesy of goals from Jacob Huller and Sam Baskind as a number of the Redbridge squad were still feeling the affect effects of their Saturday night antics, and a lack of sleep.
Player manager Sam Rank came on to steady the ship and get RJC A on the front foot and also give them some physical presence against a youthful MJSL side.
RJC finally awoke from their slumber and started to create chances. Nate Kashket and James Berkley both went close, with MJSL keeper making a great save to deny Kashket.
However, RJC's top-scorer was not to be denied and he pulled a goal back when when RJC regained possession high up the pitch and Kashket was played through before finishing in clinical fashion with his left foot.
The visitors hauled themselves level before the break when good work from new boy Lewis Rackham saw him show great composure to twist and turned his defender and finish into the roof of the net.
The message at half-time from Rank was "keep what were doing and our class will show". However, it was the MJSL came out of blocks quicker in the second half and they restored the lead when a great cross was delivered in by MJSL winger and the onrusing Rafi Dines timed his run into the penalty area perfection to nip in between the RJC defence and head in.
RJC made it 3-3 shortly after with a superbly executed free-kick on the edge of the box by man-of-the-moment Kashket - his fourth free-kick goal of the season.
RJC were now in control of the match and they went in front for the first time with the goal of the game. A move that mirrored "Subbuteo football" started with goalkeeper Akiva Liberman picking out winger Jamie Bernstein with great, lofted kick. Bernstein showed great technical ability to bring the ball down and played a wonderful volleyed pass into the channels for Kashket to run on to and deliver a stunning first time cross for Rackham to tuck away.
The visitors closed the game out with a fifth. Impressive work by Rackham who twisted and turned on the left wing and got beyond the MJSL who delivered a lovely floated cross over the MJSL keeperand James Berkley could not miss.
Victorious RJC boss Sam Rank told JC Sport: "The hospitality that Ian Selwyn and his team showed was top-class. The spread was lovely.
Commenting on the game, Rank described it as "a great advert for Jewish football - two hard-working teams from different ends of country. I would like to wish all the boys who played for MJSL - good luck for there respective clubs this season.
"A real big thank you also to all my boys who made the trip. The RJC A boys will definitely take a lot of memories from this trip. To play as well as did in the condition which we were in - is a real credit to the boys."
With local rivals Fairlop FC beaten by Brady Maccabi in the Cyril Anekstein Cup, Rank expressed pride at the comeback win. "To be only team now left in Jewish football unbeaten this season after Fairlop defeat is a real credit to the boys and our dream for the treble is still on," he said.
"We're looking forward to both cup draws, I know no-one will want RJC A!"