JC MSFL DIVISION ONE
Montana Boca United 0 Norstar A 9
A 9-0 away win saw Norstar restore some confidence and get their promotion push back on track at The Hive.
Montana were always going to be up against it, going into the game with only 11 players and it was to be an even bigger struggle after Jonny Kay was fouled in the penalty area within the first 60 seconds. He calmly dispatched his penalty and Norstar never looked back.
The second goal game soon after with Kay again involved, dropping a beautiful quick free kick into the path of Josh Green whose pass to Eli Houri allowed the striker to pull the ball back on to skipper Jeremy Elster's chest for the easiest of tap-ins.
It was 2-0 at half time but soon after Montana began to tire and Norstar took advantage. Green was released by keeper Ben De La Fuente, whose distribution was outstanding all day, and he sprinted past the last man and hit a neat finish with his left foot into the bottom corner before his trademark flip celebration came out for the first time in a while.
The fourth and fifth followed with Elster and Green picking up their second goals of the day. Substitute Jonny Isbitt then added a sixth with goal of the day, and exquisite loft over the Montana keeper into the top corner, before assisting the seventh throwing the ball onto Jeff Gotch's head.
Green completed his hat-trick soon after and Adam Kaldor put the icing on the cake late on.
Montana were gracious in defeat and battled until the end, their goalkeeper in particular pulling off some excellent saves. But Norstar showed why they started the season so well and why they shouldn't written off as promotion candidates.
Player-manager Phil Peters told norstarfc.co.uk: "We're delighted to have got the three points and the performance was a joy to watch. Every player in the 14 - myself included(!) - contributed to an excellent performance on a day when other results went our way meaning we're right back in the mix.
"There are five teams in with a shot of promotion - the four of us battling at the top and Brixton have it all to do but can't be ruled out. We've got seven games to go and will need to win five or six of them if we want to go up.
"Promotion would be great but our number one aim is to keep enjoying our football and what will be, will be. We welcome Neasden to the Ark next week and hope to avenge a crushing defeat that started our poor run of form. Bring it on!"
