ByAnonymous, Anonymous
Maccabi GB Handball showed passion and spirit in their latest England Handball Association (EHA) Regional Development League 2 match against an under-manned Islington side.
However, the final result was to again highlight the difference in experience as the away side took the win by a 20-goal-margin at SportHouse.
The MGB side was a mostly-unchanged one from the last match against Ruislip. However, Tony Tropp returned for the absent Alex Elf and player-manager Adam Goldsmith had to deputise as back.
MGB started the more positive side, stringing a number of passes and moves together which showed how far they had come since the club started only a few months ago. Shots from Dean Caplin and Tropp tested the Islington keeper and, although MGB’s opponents went ahead on three separate occasions, the tie was proving to be a close contest as two break-away goals saw Goldsmith grab a brace.
However, as the half went on, Islington’s goring runs through the middle of the court ended in a number of consecutive goals scored. MGB Handball’s defence was being opened up continually and even goals from Tropp, Stein and Goldsmith were not enough to made their opponent’s heads drop.
After the interval, there was a repeat of MGB’s last two matches – where fatigue set in – and, despite a number of attacking chances, there was no real cutting edge and the net was only bulging at one end. Joey Carr, Adam Berg and debutant, Daniel Alexander, were working hard to increase their side’s tally, but in the end, even goals from Caplin and Tropp were not enough to put the Slingshot’s ‘goals for’ into double figures for this match.
Islington continued their ruthlessness in front of goal and, thanks to heroics in goal from Joshua Pinhass – one an impressive penalty save – the score-line finished just short of 30.
Maccabi GB Handball could feel a little disappointed, considering their positive start, but each game is a learning curve and the heart shown by the players on the court will see them ultimately improve each week.
Special mention must go to MGB man-of-the-match, Daniel Sichel, who worked tirelessly in defence and sprayed the ball about in attack.
Maccabi GB Handball Club coach Tony Tropp said: "The players looked a little deflated after the game, but that just goes to show how well they played in the first half.
"They have nothing to feel bad about as they are visibly improving each match and they have the courage and passion to get out on the court on go again."
SQUAD:
Dean Caplin
Liam Stein (Captain)
Daniel Sichel
Anthony Tropp
Joshua Pinhass
Daniel Alexander
Joey Carr
Yitzchok Mordfield
Adam Berg
Adam Goldsmith (Player-manager)
Goal-scorers
Tropp x3
Goldsmith x3
Stein
Caplin