CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND THREE
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 4 OAKWOOD B 3
An extra-time strike from Russell Goldstein ensured Redbridge A avoided an upset following an heroic effort from first division Oakwood B.
This game can only be described as a wake-up call for Redbridge. Missing a few regulars but essentially still playing a string 11, this was the toughest game Redbridge have had and that includes the game against Oakwood A,
Oakwood play a very organised and physical game and play on the counter attack to great effect.
Taking the lead with a neat finish , Oakwood looked good value for their lead after 20 minutes but were pegged back just before half time when Dan Garfinkle mesmerised the Oakwood defender into conceding a soft penalty that was easily converted by captain, Danny Berg.
One all at the break, this was proving to be too tough to call.
Following a break, the ball fell kindly for Dean Nyman to nod home and put Redbridge into the lead. Oakwood did not let this setback worry them and pushed forward for the equaliser which came from a ball out wide that was finished really well into the bottom corner.
Redbridge then took control of the possession and Oakwood conceded a free-kick just outside the area with about 10 minutes left. This was buried into the middle of the goal by Ben Sollosi but still, Oakwood weren’t finished and with about five minutes left, equalised with a bullet header from Max Clynes from a delicious cross from the right wing.
Extra-time now beckoned and time to shuffle the pack again, fully utilising roll on roll off. Dean Nyman came off and Russell Goldstein was pushed up front. The move paid instant dividends with a clever finish by Goldstein rounding the defender and the keeper before finishing from a tight angle.
That seemed to be it from Oakwood and although they huffed and puffed, they did not really threaten again.
Relieved RJC boss Jon Jacobs told JC Sport: "A 4-3 win in a cup tie full of commitment and played in the right spirit and refereed superbly by Neal Cohen, playing advantage when needed and stamping down on any foul play.
"Breathing a huge sigh of relief, we will take that and move on to the last eight."
Proud Oakwood boss Jason Stein, who missed the match, told JC Sport: "Under the management of Oakwood legend James Abrams, we put in a heroic performance today.
"Before the weekend we spoke about every single player needing to play to their absolute best, for us to work hard, be prepared, be committed and to be brave and that sounds like exactly what happened. The fact it still wasn't enough is testament to how good a side Redbridge A are and how hard it was going to be today for us.
"I'm so proud of everything we did today. When we are at full full strength - which has not happened at all this year for various reasons - we are a good side. A really good side. But it's not enough to say it - you have to do it. And today we did.
"We have to learn the lessons of today and take them forward. That every game has to be treated in the same fashion. I don't want to see that performance today go to waste."
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