JC MSFL DIVISION THREE
Team JLGB 2 North West Neasden C 1
Strikers from Dan Curtis and James Lester saw Team JLGB claim their first win of the season, at the 15th time of asking, to put a massive dent in Neasden's promotion hopes.
A fantastic performance saw JLGB pick up there first points of the season. And it was fully deserved too.
JLGB welcomed back Lester, who had been on paternity leave and had to play people out of position with some players playing with knocks and others dropping out last minute. So with a matchday squad of 11 men, JLGB set to their task.
JLGB took the lead through a sumptuous free kick taking by Curtis. The captain putting ball in the bottom corner out of the keeper's reach.
JLGB were dealing with everything that Neasden were throwing at them in what was clearly a very even match.
Chances were at a premium with defences on top. Rob Silverman and Byron Watkins playing in unfamiliar centre back slots in imperious form. and ensuring Ryan Kissin in the JLGB goal did not have much to do.
JLGB extended their lead when Mike Marks played a delightful through ball to Dave Mitchell. Mitchell looked up and put in a cross which Lester gratefully knocked home.
JLGB went into half time 2-0 up and it was fully deserved.
Neasden edged the second half and JLGB were not helped when James Lester pulled his calf. Despite playing on, Lester was in effect out of the game and JLGB's attack suffered with no one up front to keep hold of the ball.
So, after reshaping the formation, JLGB had to keep Neasden out who were clearly getting frustrated and there were a few tasty challenges going in. Neasden had a goal ruled out for offside and to be fair were threatening to score. A couple of good saves from Kissin and some stout defending from the JLGB defence kept Neasden out. Rob Freedman in particular was having a stormer at left back and was preventing any crosses coming in from that side.
Neasden did break through with about 20 minutes to go courtesy of player-manager Louis Taylor, but JLGB held firm and did not concede further.
JLGB boss Rob Silverman told JC Sport: "I am a proud man today. We were not lucky. We deserved it. It was our best performance of the season and I am sure we would have scored more in the second half if we didnt have to reorganise due to James Lester's injury".
"I would nominate the entire team for team of the week as every player, to a man, played exceptionally well.
However, the top three performances for me were Rob Freedman, Matt West and Mike Marks. (I didnt play too bad either!)
