Markiewicz makes HMH pay the penalty

The home side started brightly, allowing HMH to approach the half-way, before the Superhoops regained possession and broke dangerously. About 15 minutes in, recent arrival Yoav Kestenbaum won a free-kick around 40 yards out. Markiewicz whipped in the ball and it evaded a cluster of players and nestled inside the far post. After the game the Dubious Goals Committee awarded the goal to, Skipper for the day, Martin Smulovich for the final touch.

HMH had one real chance that was from distance which was excellently stopped by Gideon Caller. Meanwhile, Faithfold had several opportunities to increase their lead, in particular Eli Davila, Jamie Davila and Yoav Kestenbaum, but just failed in putting the ball into the back of the net.

HMH had several substitutes and changed personnel at regular intervals. Faithfold were then forced into one of their own, which saw Hill replacing Grayeff. The Superhoops "knew fitness and commitment was going to be really tested," and how it was. Several times throughout the second half Faithfold players went down with cramp. None gave up, however, and played on through the pain.

So it stayed for the rest of the half as HMH pressed, passed and probed but could not find the equaliser as top-scorer Oscar Wagner went close and George Goldberg forced the Caller into a good save while Alex moss and Eli Wegrzyn had shots blocked.

The second half continued in a similar pattern. Faithfold centre-halves Alex Rosenthal and Smulovitch denied HMH time and space in the final third. Full-backs Joe Cohen and Daniel Friedman defended doggedly and used the ball well. And when HMH got behind the Faithfold defence, Caller was there to catch it, punch it or turn it away.

Faithfold wingers David Leiwy and Kestenbaum gave their full-backs solid protection whenever HMH threatened in the wide areas. 

Jamie Davila, who has been waiting patiently for his first start, finally got his opportunity and he took it with both hands. He worked his socks off up top to to constantly keep pressure on the HMH back-line yet was the perfect target man allowing his wingers to play off him when the ball went forward. Not to forget Eli Davila in the middle who pulled all the strings - he always seems to play in five different positions, being supported by the industrious Grayeff and Markiewicz too. Hill, when filling in at full-back, also kept his side nice and tidy.

HMH's pass completion deteriorated and Faithfold started to capitalise and created a few chances in the first 15 minutes with goalkeeper Jacob Shapiro called into action. Faithold continued to threaten on the break. Leiwy thought he had scored a second for Faithfold but his appeals were waved away by the referee in the bright and icy light.

However, HMH recovered their poise and territorial domination and fashioned the equaliser as Goldberg beat his marker and delivered a tantalising cross for Ethan Krell to turn home.

Faithfold refused to let heads drop and they started to push forward, putting pressure on HMH. Joe Cohen, Eli and Jamie Davila and David Lewiy all went close before Cohen, who thrived in the wing-back role, went mazy run, beating several HMH players. Just as he was about to shoot he was taken out in what ref Phil Peters described as "the easiest decision he's had to make all year". Markiewicz confidently stepped up and smashed the ball down the middle.

There was still a good 20 minutes to play but Faithfold just persisted in their game-plan and efficiently saw out the game efficiently. HMH pressed and probed again and again, with Sammy Kingston hitting the post, Feldman hitting the bar and Wagner inexplicably heading straight into the keeper's arms when it looked easier to score.

It just did not happen for HMH who were denied what they believed to be "a pretty clear handball in Faithfold area" but Faithfold managed to hold on for their seventh league win in 11 matches.

Delighted Faithfold player-manager Avi Markiewicz told JC Sport; "On the face of it, this may seem like second beat third but in reality it was so much more than that.

"HMH's quality and athleticism is undoubted and with so many players missing, Faithfold were without question huge underdogs at kick-off. This was our best performance of the year so far and in fact in quite some time, on par with our 4-1 demotion of Redbridge A a couple of seasons back.

"This was a game that was won by on-field commitment and the experienced players leading by example. I know I must be saying this every week but I am so proud of my players, it was a real hard fought battle. Maybe this time we can stay top before the The JC actually comes out!"

Disappointed HMH boss Avi Goldberg told JC Sport: "We were not at our finest today and a bit like Pep Guardiola said, we only have ourselves to blame as yet again we could not turn possession and territory into goals despite all the extra practise at training. even if we still created enough to win.

"Take no credit away from Faithfold who like Leicester, defend deep and counter very well. Let’s hope Faithfold can join us and take some points off Hendon too."

FAITHFOLD: Gideon Caller, Joe Cohen, Alex Rosenthal, Martin Smulovitch, Eli Davila, Daniel Friedman, Avi Grayeff, Yitzy Hill, Yoav Kestenbaum, David Leiwy, Avi Markiewicz, Jamie Davila

SCORERS: Smulovitch, Markiewicz (pen)

HMH: Jacob Shapiro, George Goldberg, Joshua Goldstein, Sammy Kingston, Jake Norton, Thomas Prais, Alex Moss, Nathan Kashket, Ethan Krell, Eli Wegrzyn, Oscar Wagner. Subs: Max Bull, Dominic Feldman

SCORER: Krell

MATCHDAY 18 REVIEW

TEAM OF THE WEEK NOMINATIONS