Mannie happy returns

NLR's team news made interesting reading, with Matt Stock failing a late fitness test. This meant Richman made two changes to the side that had defeated Harmen two weeks earlier. Out went Elliot Espinoza and Stock and in came David Dinkin and Jerome Marks.

For all the effort they've put in this season they deserve to be in this cup final

Five minutes into the game, Raiders suffered the blow of losing captain David Rhodes to a groin injury. Josh Morris was brought on and Josh Pistol switched from full-back to centre-back.

The opening half an hour was very competitive with chances at both ends. Oakwood came out the blocks flying causing Raiders trouble exactly as we knew we wouldNLR keeper Jake Doffman saved well from Brad Wine, who had another chance, and then Mannie couldn't convert after rounding the goalkeeper.

Raiders came back with Mannie causing problems up front. NLR were hitting him direct but gradually Harvey Kaye and Dan Rose cut out the supply as Oakwood reasserted ourselves.

Oakwood forged ahead 12 minutes before half-time when a through ball ricocheted through to Woolman whose finish was unerring into the bottom corner, after Raiders had appealed in vain for offside. The goal rattled Raiders and Oakwood finished much the stronger side to half time.

Raiders regrouped at half-time, but were indebted to another moment of magic from Joseph to draw level. Already this season Joseph had scored spectacular free-kicks against Hendon, Harmen as well as in the Sunday Challenge Cup, but this was the best yet. Twenty five yards out, the Raiders no. 11 effortlessly curled the ball into the top right corner giving the goalkeeper no chance whatsoever. Up until that point, Harvey Kaye, in particular, had snuffed out that threat posed by Joseph who showed what a fine player he is, and dead-ball expert. It was game on.

Raiders, now with a spring in their step, pushed for a winner, but Oakwood, led by the imperious Adam Levine, stood firm, weathering the storm over the next 10 minutes, with Dan Ailion also imperious at centre-half, while Jordan Marks got no change out of Dave Cohen.

Oakwood brought on Josh Rose on the hour mark and he made an instant impact. They also added Dan Selwyn into the mix, as there was nothing to separate the teams, with Oakwood's final ball letting them down.

Just as the game looked destined for an extra 30 minutes of extra-time, Raiders clinched a dramatic winner.
Excellent work down the right hand side between Joseph, Engleman and Morris led to the latter putting in a dangerous cross to the back post where the tireless Mannie climbed highest and got just enough power on it to get it over the line, past the despairing Oren Hury.

There was just enough time for Oakwood to kick off but that was all as Lavender blew up to end a pulsating cup semi final.

NLR boss Rob Richman told JC Sport: "Firstly, I think it's only fair to speak about Oakwood. They played their part in a brilliant game of football between two committed but excellent sides. They will be back next season, I have no doubt about that and I'd be astonished if they aren't pushing on all three fronts.

"I'd also like to pay special credit to Adam Levine, he's been out injured for most of this season but if anyone didn't deserve to lose a semi-final it was him yesterday. He was a colossus for Oakwood and if they keep him fit they will be that much stronger.

"For us, we are elated to be in the cup final again. It was a great team effort and the boys didn't panic even when a goal down.

"For all the effort they've put in this season they deserve to be in this cup final.

"However, the boys know this is just the start of some crucial games which come thick and fast over next few months. Exciting times ahead."

Oakwood joint-manager Ric Blank told JC Sport: "Football is a cruel game. No-one knows that better than us. We lost the PM final on pens, got knocked out of this year’s competition on pens and conceded a 91st minute goal that dumped us out of the Anekstein. Too cruel some would say.

"The truth is we didn’t deserve that. The game didn’t deserve it. It was a fantastic game between two very evenly matched – but markedly different – sides. We knew it would be like that."

Commenting on the winning goal, Blank added: "It was a phenomenal leap by Liron which we have to give credit for. There aren’t many that’ll beat Levine at the far post. I think Rob would agree it came out of nowhere and Raiders were setting themselves for extra-time – as we all were.

"But this is football. Anything can happen. We were stunned in the changing room after. This was the toughest, cruelest defeat in my time in charge. I can’t remember Oren having a save to make.

"But of course we wish Raiders well. They’re a fine side with some great individual talent and it’s no surprise they’re in line for all three trophies.

"When the dust settles we’ll work out what we need to do to get there – but for now we’ve just got to accept the game we love can hurt at times."