Avi Goldberg believes HMH were rewarded for their effort levels and intensity as they came out on top against Oakwood for the second consecutive week, with their latest triumph helping them leapfrog their rivals into second place in the MGBSFL.
March 4, 2019 14:01
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
HMH 2 OAKWOOD A 0
In a controlled performance, HMH, who were missing Adam Abadi, Sam Monjack and Ethan Krell, ran out winners against Oakwood at the Hive in gusty conditions.
The first half was a fairly even affair with Oakwood hitting the bar and forcing HMH 'keeper Jake Doffman into a superb save just before half-time.
HMH had their chances too, with top-scorer Oscar Wagner going close twice and Clark Norton hitting the post.
After a goalless first half, HMH edged the second half, with Alex Moss, Ben Winters and Nir Wegrzyn in control in midfield and Josh Goldstein and Thomas Prais In command at the back.
Two outstanding strikes from Goldstein and Winters put Oakwood to the sword. Goldstein opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick before Winters sealed the points with an exquisite lob from 25 yards.
2-0 and cruising, Oakwood did mount a comeback forcing Doffman into a couple of outstanding saves but a deserved victory it was.
Jubilant HMH boss Avi Goldberg told JC Sport: "The whole team were superb today, showing great intensity from start to finish. The goals and the win were well deserved and just reward for this. On to another big game next week against Lions and then to watch one of our own Leo Ackerman captain Oxford University in the varsity match at The Hive."
Oakwood joint-manager Dan Kristall believes fortune is going his team at the moment. He told JC Sport: "I probably sound like a broken record but this game was petering out to a draw or a one goal game when following the best tackle in the entire game and to our dismay, a free-kick was given to HMH on the edge of our box. As well as it was struck, it should never have been awarded and it completely cost us the game.
"We then missed a great chance to equalise late on when Doff saved from Woolman and our hosts caught then us on the break in the last minute.
"We do have to start taking our chances, for that we must look within but I feel that in three or four of the big games this season, big decisions are going against us at crucial times and it is really costing us. They aren't even tight 50 50 calls. The tackle was outstanding where Dan Seligman came out of the challenge cleanly with the ball. HMH weren't even appealing for the free-kick!
"I must add that I really appreciate the referee stepping in at the last minute yesterday, but these are the big decisions and they are really going against us right now. In tight games, these sorts of decisions decide football matches."
Looking ahead to the run-in, Kristall went on to say: "As for our league campaign, we will now aim to finish as high as we can. We experimented with the line-up against HMH, given the loss of Alex Lee, Tom Cantor and Harvey Kaye in addition to the other long-term absentees.
"We now have a fortnight to prepare for our cup semi against a very tough Camden side who we know will be up for it."
HMH: Jake Doffman, Dominic Feldman, Avi Goldberg, George Goldberg, Josh Goldstein, Sammy Kingston, Thomas Prais, Oscar Wagner, Eli Wegrzyn, Ben Winters, Clark Norton. Subs: Gab Arenson, Alex Moss
SCORERS: Goldstein, Winters
OAKWOOD: Joe Botchin, Kyle Bentwood, Dale Bradman, Luke Brookner, Josh Cuby, Toby Levy, Ben Peppi, Daniel Seligman, Bradley Wine, Josh Bharier. Subs: Zac Summerfield, David Woolman