Sport
Mission accomplished as Redbridge B win Division One crown
Sam Rank described winning the MGBSFL Division One title as a "brilliant achievement" as Redbridge Jewish Care B were crowned champions at Rowley Lane.
April 3, 2017 15:10
Sam Rank described winning the MGBSFL Division One title as a "brilliant achievement" as Redbridge Jewish Care B were crowned champions at Rowley Lane.
April 3, 2017 15:10MGBSFL DIVISION ONE
MACCABI LONDON LIONS 1 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B 2
Colossal noises could be heard from miles away from Arkley on Sunday as Redbridge achieved the big season goal.
RJC had several injuries scares going into the game, with player-manager Rank and Joe Jordan not fit to start and sriker Dean Ben Yosef out of the game due to injury, However this did not stop the the Essex men achieving their objective of winning the title, at the home of their main rivals, something Rank believes was "a massive statement for all".
The game started off with Lions having plenty of possession in their own half, but they lacked a cutting edge, while the visitors looked very dangerous on the counter, attacking at pace.
Redbridge created the first opening, winning the ball high up the pitch. They broke at pace, with Jack Van Gelder playing in Brad Gayer, who hit a fantastic shot across the keeper, only to be denied by James Harpin in the Lions goal.
This was definitely sign of things to come. The deadlock was broken 35 minutes into the first half. Once again, a long ball from Lions backline was cleared by the strong RJC B backline. Adam Goldman was running at pace with ball, looked up and played a sensational lofted pass to Van Gelder, who was through one on one and finished emphatically to send the travelling RJC fans wild. A brilliantly constructed counter attack goal.
The remainder of the half continued in similar fashion, with Rank joking that Lions boss Sam Merchant "must have been working with Sam Allardyce on long ball tactics".
The half-time message from Rank was "keep on the doing the job we are doing, and we will win this game. Lions B do not have a plan B, and when you are playing 50 yards into two big strikers, and playing against the immense centre back partnership of Jordan Sapler and Dan Andrews, Lions B will find it very hard to score".
The second half was a very similar game to the first, with Lions "pumping the ball 50 yards after five to six passes across their back line," according to Rank, and this was exactly what the RJC B wanted.
Redbridge were in dreamland after doubling their lead with 12 minutes remaining. Once again the tireless midfield trio of Adam Noble, Daniel 'Ngalo Kante Bean' and Kane Hopps won possession high up the pitch. The ball was played into Hopps, who controlled brilliantly, and played a little acute pass inside to captain fantastic Brad Gayer, who controlled and turned brilliantly, and hit a "world-class" volley into the top corner of the net to send the RJC B players and fans wild again.
Lions gave themselves a lifeline with eight minutes remaining. A corner was whipped in and the ball was cleared to the edge of the box. Lions were the first to react and the Lions B midfielder hit an excellent volley into the corner of net. Game on, or so Lions thought.
The message from sidelines for RJC was "game management". They managed to negotiate some nervy moment, standing strong. The "defence were outstanding, and then the loudest cheer of the day the final whistle," according to Rank.
He told JC reporters: "Firstly, I would like to thank Jewish Care, Jon Jacobs and Richard Bronzite - without these platforms and individuals, we would not have such a great club and team.
"From a managerial point of view, to do something that I love and am such passionate about is priceless and with combinations of the boys we have at RJC, these are such great times for club and team.
"I worked the boys very hard and they believe what I know, and bought into my style of training, playing and also how to celebrate in style. Just a brilliant achievement for all.
"The boys were outstanding today -everyone worked their socks off, and it shows especially, what RJC B are about. An unbelievable work ethic for each other and prepare to put their bodies on line. A great squad, unit and family."
The title celebrations had hardly died down when Rank added: "We're looking forward to playing Lions B again next season.
"We are thinking of renting a changing room in A406, for the opposition to get change in, like the porter cabin we changed into today.
"Round 1 went to RJC. Hopefully the A team will win Round 2 in up coming Cyril Ankstein final coming up this month.
"A great day for the RJC club and team, and rumours have that celebrations have just about stopped.
"Big special mentions go to the coaching staff of RJC B, Johan Simberg, Richie Caplin and Richard Stern, a great team always has a great backroom staff.
"And also a big thank you to all our fans especially big Dave Caplin and Marcus Bean."
LIONS: James Harpin, Adam Abadi, Nathan Anders, Daniel Behar, Ed Brafman, Charlie Cohen, Michael Kenley, Jake Rinsler, Zac Rose, Ben Weinberger, Ben Winters. Subs: Josh Bloom, Elia Cohen
SCORER: Abadi
REDBRIDGE: Scott Shear, Dan Andrews, Daniel Bean, Richie Caplin, Brad Gayer, Adam Goldman, Kane Hopps, Scott McKenzie, Adam Noble, Jordan Sapler, Jack Van Gelder. Subs: Anthony Cope
SCORERS: Gayer, Van Gelder