MGBSFL DIVISION THREE
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS C 2 HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB C 1
Strikes from Alex Goodman and Nick Haringman helped Norstar secure promotion to Division Two with a hard fought, but in the end comfortable, victory over Hendon C.
Looking for the point they'd need to all but guarantee promotion (given their far superior goal difference), Norstar started a little nervously and despite having the vast majority of possession, conceded after about 20 minutes after a mistake by keeper Grant Waissel presented Alex Elf with the ball and he tapped into an empty net.
Norstar rallied after that and started to play as a team and to play the football that they've become renowned for. They created chance after chance, but didn't really test the Hendon keeper fully.
That changed on 40 minutes when NLR were duly rewarded for their endeavours when the superb Goodman rose highest from a corner to power his header into the Hendon net and the relief on the Norstar players faces was evident.
At half time, NLR boss Zack Gothelf "had to remind the boys to play the game rather than the occasion, as our ability would shine through eventually".
Norstar continued to dominate into the second half and despite having a few penalty claims turned down, grabbed the lead when substitute Haringman broke in on the right edge of the box and lifted the ball over the onrushing Hendon keeper and past the stretching Hendon defender.
Norstar should have added to the scoreline, but never really looked like conceding. As the full time whistle went, Norstar knew they'd secured promotion and gone the whole season undefeated at home. Beating Hendon also ensured that they have beaten every team in the league at least once.
