Stirling Kay saluted his Los Camden A team for coming through a war of attrition in extra-time against Premier Division rivals HMH, thanks to goals from Oli Sade and Josh Tiano.
January 14, 2019 13:36
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND TWO
LOS CAMDEN A 2 HMH 0
An even first half saw Camden playing into the wind, with neither set of midfields dominating the other. The hosts were dealt a blow on 30 minutes when Mike Khalastchi hobbled off with a hamstring injury, meaning Gav Krieger, who had started up front, shuffled back to his usual centre-back position.
With half-time approaching, Sacha Nusenbaum received the ball from Guy Fenton. He produced a 'Cruyff turn to play his way out of trouble and continued to play a one-two with the returning Dan Orgel. Nusenbaum broke into the area only to be clipped and Camden were awarded a penalty. Los Camden spurned this chance by hitting the post and missing from the resulting rebound.
HMH started the second half well from HMH and missed a number of chances, notably a header just past the post from a throw-in and then shooting wide from range late into the game.
Camden had their own chances through Gilbery and Sade, but their efforts were met by fine saves by the HMH keeper, resulting in the game finishing 0-0.
The hosts started extra-time playing against the wind. They started to look tired but forged ahead in the last minute of the first-half, when Sade, returning from injury, jinked and danced his way past three players and slotted into the near post, a goal of outstanding ability which left everyone a tad bewildered.
With HMH throwing caution to the wind, there was a coming together on 113 minutes when the HMH keeper collided with Dave Khalastchi, also returning from injury.
With HMH pilling men forward, and spurning some good chances, Camden fan and club favourite Josh Tiano capitalised on a poor clearance and first a speculative half-volley from five yards inside his own. Time stood still as the strike flew over the head of the HMH keeper and into the net, sending Camden through to the next round of the cup after some jubilant scenes of celebration.
This tie fiercely competed by between two excellent sides - a game where both teams deserved to go through but ultimately there had to be one winner.
Los Camden boss Striling Kay told JC Sport: "I am so happy for the boys; Oli Sade, Gav Krieger, Dan Orgel, Sacha Nusenbaum, Josh Tiano, Dave Khalastchi and Steven Murad all came back from lengthy injuries and still had the capacity to see us over the line in extra-time.
"The game was extremely competitive and HMH showed their class throughout. Ultimately we were able to take our chances in important moments of the game and that got us over line.
"Credit to HMH boss Avi Goldberg, who has got his team playing fantastically and could be tipped for big things this season."
"A few words on my boys, I would like to nominate them in all in TOTW as I don’t think we had one bad performance today. The lads were exceptional and again showed with a full squad we can go to toe with any team in this league.
"I hope that the injured boys returning can stay fit and the ones still side-lined come back to give me a nightmare in selection as with everyone fit we can really rely on our depth to get us over line.
"We know need to take this momentum and replicate it in the league and next cup games we have coming up."
HMH manager Avi Goldberg told JC Sport: "It seems Los Camden really have become our bogey team. Another match, another dominant display, two goals scored in normal time - both ruled out for offside - such is life. Tough but we need to regroup for big game against Oakwood on Sunday.
"Camden defended doggedly, as they always do, but we managed to create some good chances in both halves. Oscar Wagner, Adam Abadi and George Goldberg had enough opportunities between them to settle the match. LC’s only chance of note in first half came from a penalty decision, which hit the post and the rebound was saved expertly by Jacob Shapiro. In the second half same again one chance of note, this time HMH cleared off the line.
"However, to LCs credit, the goal that effectively settled the game in first half of extra-time came from a superb solo effort. We created numerous chances thereafter but it was not to be and in dying seconds they added a second with 50 yard long-range effort as we pressed for the equaliser with their goalkeeper in LC half.
"Goals win football matches and as spurs also found out later on in the day, if you don’t score you can’t win!"
LOS CAMDEN: Steven Murad, Ashley Couque, Guy Fenton, David Khalatschi, Michael Khalatschi, Elliott Moslawy, Sacha Nusenbaum, Jake Saunders, Johann Jordi, Gav Krieger, Daniel Orgel. Subs: Kane Gilbery, Alex Lewis, Josh Tiano, Oli Sade
SCORERS: Sade, J. Tiano
HMH: Jacob Shapiro, Gav Arenson, Max Bull, Avi Goldberg, George Goldberg, Sammy Kingston, Alex Moss, Ariel Rahamim, Ben Winters, Oscar Wagner, Adam Abadi. Subs: Dom Feldman, Thomas Prais, Eli Wegrzyn, Clark Norton