HARRY BALCOMBE UNDER 14 CUP FINAL
HMH Wildcats 0 MANCHESTER MACCABI 0 (HMH won 4-2 on penalties)
HMH Wildcats held their nerve to win the Harris Balcombe Under 14 cup after beating Manchester Maccabi on penalties.
There were no goals in a tense contest at Rowley Lane, and HMH showed an ice-cool temperament to win the shootout 4-2.
Anthony Meir, Eitan Hakimi, Charlie Grossman and Ariel Rahamim converted from the spot for HMH while Theo Abramson saw his effort strike the post. Keeper Ross Waterman produced a vital save from Manchester’s fourth attempt. Matt Feingold and Elliott Bennett were successful for Manchester.
HMH boss Nir Wegrzyn said: “I thought that overall we were the better side by far. After a nervous first 10 minutes we completely controlled the game, but the Manchester defence was excellent. They restricted our
movement up front and for all the pressure we did not manage to crack their rearguard action.
They had only one meaningful chance which forced a good save from the goal keeper.
"Our passing game and determination was very good and we proud ourselves on the way we play football, the way we carried on passing the ball all the way until the end. It is a fantastic moment for the team.
Manchester manager Bryan Bennet said: “The players were magnificent. They gave 100 per cent throughout the game and extra time and can be extremely proud of themselves.
"Losing on penalties can be cruel but the boys knew they gave it everything and therefore spirits were good on the long journey home. They are certainly growing as a group of players."
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