Maccabi Manchester progressed in the cup after scoring all their penalties in a shoot-out against Hulme FC.
October 20, 2014 08:39ByAnonymous, Anonymous
MANCHESTER COUNTY CUP ROUND ONE
HULME FC 2 MACCABI MANCHESTER 1st 2 (Maccabi won 5-4 on penalties)
Maccabi Manchester progressed in the cup after scoring all their penalties in a shoot-out against Hulme FC.
It was a week off from the league for Manchester Maccabi 1st as they travelled to Manchester Amateur Sunday League leaders Hulme FC. Not much was known about the opposition but any team boasting an unbeaten league record would be a tough challenge.
Both teams started well and were matching each other all over the pitch. Hulme had the better chances but some superb goalkeeping by Phil Pole kept Hulme at bay.
It was Maccabi who forged ahead midway through the first half when a flick-on from striker Alex Lee was latched on to by David Herman who finished first time with a low drive.
Maccabi knew that the second half would be a battle and it was imperative they maintained their concentration. After resisting for so long, the Maccabi defence was finally broken after the Hulme centre forward finished well after two reaction saves in a row from Pole.
Maccabi kept going strong and after some great play by their front three, a free-kick was awarded in a dangerous position just outside the area. Midfield general Louie Basso stepped up and stroked the ball elegantly onto the underside of the crossbar and in to restore Maccabi's advantage.
Hulme were clearly rattled, and so resorted to route one football, throwing men forward and desperately trying to grab an equaliser. Save after save was made from Pole, block after block by the Maccabi defence but finally Hulme scored. A long ball into the box wasn’t cleared allowing Hulme’s centre forward to grab his second of the game.
Despite the onslaught in the last 10 minutes, the Maccabi defence, marshalled by captain Ashley Loofe, stood strong as the game went to penalties. Pole had been in inspiring form for Maccabi and this was further evident when he saved Hulme’s first penalty. This save gave Maccabi the foundations they needed to go on and win the shootout 5-4, not missing once.
Maccabi manager Martin Simons said: "The spirit and commitment we showed was fantastic. Today’s game was fantastic for the spectator and really allowed us to gauge where we are in terms of progress.
"Special mention has to go to our goalkeeper who single headedly kept us in the game."
Elsewhere, Maccabi 2nd team also played in the County Cup against Tameside opposition, East Manchester. Despite battling to the end, it wasn’t to be Maccabi’s day as they were just edged out 4-3, with Maccabi's goals coming from Simon Lester, Jason Hamburger and Jordan Kaye.