LONDON FA SUNDAY CHALLENGE CUP ROUND ONE
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS A 5 CETINKAYA CINAR 4
Three goals from new signing RICKY ENGLEMAN steered MGBSFL table-toppers NLR past Cypriot League opponennts Cetinkaya Cinar in a nine-goal thriller.
NLR went 2-0 up after just 10 minutes, Australian Jarred Rudman netted on his debut, curling a left-footed shot into the corner and then Ben Joseph bent a brilliant free kick into the top right-hand corner.
Cinar slowly got a foot-hold back into the game with their powerful striker causing problems for the Orange back-line and a penalty after half an hour and a strike just after half-time levelled proceedings.
Liron Mannie was then introduced from the bench and it was his direct and purposeful play that led to Raiders getting a grip back on the game.
Brilliant build-up play from Joseph and Mannie led to a first goal in Raiders colours for Engleman.
In a matter of moments 3-2 became 5-2 with Engleman beating the keeper again when played through on goal and then securing his hat-trick with a well-taken penalty.
Some weak defending allowed Cinar to score two soft goals allowing them back in the game, but L’Orange held out to secure a second-round trip to either Clapham or Bromley.
Jubilant NLR boss Rob Richman told JC Sport: "This was our first experience of the Sunday challenge cup and though our performance wasn’t at its best, we are just delighted to win and be in the next round.
"Twice we allowed Cinar back into the game and we know we can’t have these lapses in concentration in future weeks.
"That being said we looked very strong going forward and with a number of players returning to training this week we are excited for some very important games over the next month."
