The International Olim Rep Team held their nerve to beat a visiting England Maccabi on penalties to lift the Pesach Cup.
The England side featured a blend of youth and experience in defence, with outstanding London Lions and Berlin-bound U16 keeper Reuben Rabstein between the posts.
A strong defence, marshalled by Joel Barnett and Max Kyte and supported by SPEC FC's Rob Murray and 16-year-old left-back Dan Freedman, were unfortunate to concede an early goal, scored by on-loan striker Marco Lawrence who impressed in this fixture last year and signed a nine-month loan spell at the beginning of the season.
England Maccabi bounced back quickly and equalised through teenager Oscar Wagner after good work from Danny Daggers and skipper Michael Abrahams.
Taking confidence from the goal and good possession, and with teenager Tommy Prais impressing in midfield having replaced the injured David Smouha, alongside Ricky Lawrence and Oli Donne, it wasn't long before England Maccabi took the lead with a fine individual goal from Norstar London Raiders striker David Dinkin.
It looked to the large mass of spectators as if the trophy would be retained by the visitors with Ben Bazini keeping the Olim midfield quiet and the evergreen Brian Donne and Jack Wagner filling in defence equally well.
But the Olim team equalised with five minutes remaining after great work from former Lions and Hendon star Motti Colman which resulted in a penalty shoot-out.
With every one of the first 10 spot-kicks converted, it went to sudden death and the Olim team triumphed.
As always, the game was played with great spirit and comradely between the two teams and the match has become an eagerly awaited and permanent fixture for both teams.
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