MGBSFL DIVISION TWO
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS C 3 AC WHETSTONE 1
A brace from Oli Nathan helped Norstar make it four league victories in five league matches with a good win against AC Whetstone.
NLR C have come into great form, picking up 12 points from a possible 15, following looking like they could get left behind at the bottom of the table after picking up just two points from the first 15 available.
Norstar took the lead with their first real attack of the game. A corner from the right was delivered by Liam Stein and Oli Nathan was on hand to head home from close-range at the back post.
The game was fairly balanced, with Norstar not getting as much of a foothold in the game as they would have liked, but their defence was solid.
Norstar doubled their lead after about half an hour. A superb flick by Nick Haringman released Oli Nathan on the right edge of the box and he dribbled passed a couple of players before beating the keeper at his near post.
At half time NLR C knew they'd put in a real team performance with everyone working for each other.
Into the second half and the game remained good and had a good tempo, but neither side were really able to test the keepers early on. NLR C never looked like losing and appeared to have the game firmly in their control.
The points were all but secured with about 15 minutes to go when Nathan unselfishly played in Daniel Polak who curled the ball past the keeper from just inside the box.
Jonah Gordon Boyd pulled one back with a 40-yard special, which was the only way Grant Waissel was going to be beaten in the Orange net.
NLR boss Zack Gothelf told JC Sport: "It's always a pleasure to play against AC Whetstone, a team who really play football in the proper way. David Woolf, as the sole supporter of the day, certainly got his money's worth in a fantastic fixture between two proper footballing sides.
"We took far too long to click into gear this season. We knew that we were more than capable of pushing towards the top in this league and it just took a while longer to get going than planned. We're now in great form and we now find ourselves with an outside chance of promotion."
"I've got to give huge credit to my squad who kept their heads up when we were rock bottom and are now reaping the rewards."
Commenting on the recent transfer rumours, he added: "No-one at the club likes rumours, especially when as unfounded as this one is. Having our players linked to anyone is of course flattering, but Jake isn't going anywhere.
Whetstone joint-manager Anthony Cohen told JC Sport: "My main feeling is disappointment. We keep playing well and getting plaudits from the opposition and officials.
"Ideally I would like the same comments after we win with a last-minute, scrappy goal that creeps over the line having deflected off our forwards knee!
"Good luck to Zack and Raiders who are a good outfit."
