MGBSFL DIVISION TWO
NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C 3 BOCA JEWNIORS 0
Zack Gothelf insists North London Raiders C can go into next week's crunch clash against leaders Scrabble in a positive frame of mind after they made it four wins on the spin with a comfortable victory against Boca at Brunel.
Raiders took the lead midway through the first half when centre back CHARLES BRAUNSTEIN registered his fifth goal of the season with a fine header from a corner.
Raiders had dominated for long spells but failed to really test the Boca keeper. Boca pressed Raiders throughout the game and it prevented Raiders really creating any clear-cut chances inside the Boca box.
Five minutes into the second half, Raiders doubled their lead when JACK LEWIS' cross from the right found its way over the Boca keeper and in the back of the net.
Raiders never looked like they were going to lose this one and although Boca created a couple of chances, keeper Grant Waissel had very little to do.
The hosts confirmed all three points with virtually the last kick of the game when Waissel's long ball found OLI NATHAN through one-on-one and he dinked the ball over the onrushing keeper.
NLR boss Zack Gothelf told JC Sport: "This was a game that we never really got out of third gear. What's important is that we've picked up all three points without playing spectacularly.
"We know that we've got a big game against Scrabble next week, but since Scrabble beat us in January we've won all of our matches played since then so we've certainly got momentum on our side."
Boca's Anton Nyman told JC Sport: "It's easy to say this after losing 3-0 but in terms of our team play, and chances created - that is definitely an unjust scoreline in probably one of our best performances of the season.
"Playing into a vicious wind in the first half, we kept things tight, conceding late in the half to a good headed corner. A freak sliced cross meant goal helped them to a second early in the second half, and despite our comeback efforts, including hitting the post from an Adrian header and clearance off the line from Jacob's follow-up, we conceded a late third in the last kick of the match.
"If we play like that the rest of the season, I can see us picking up a lot more points. I'd like to add a special mention of good sportsmanship from then NLR striker late in the game, who when the ref blew for the penalty, admitted it was a clean tackle and hence recinding the punishment."
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