MGBSFL DIVISION ONE
NORTH WEST NEASDEN 1 SOUTHGATE HARMEN 4
An inspired piece of management and a brilliant brace from Ricky Rinder helped Southgate Harmen come from behind to boost their title hopes with an impressive win at Neasden.
Looking to bounce back from last week’s disappointing loss to Shirley Park in the cup, the Harmen boys were up for the game and gave 110 per cent.
They started well, playing at a quick tempo and created some good early chances. Harmen put the ball in the back of the net twice - both were disallowed, much to their frustration, however - one for offside and the other for a debatable handball.
It was NWN who took the lead against the run of play through Shai Davidi 20 minutes into the game. It stayed that way up until the 70th minute after the Harmen management of Joel Alterman and Ben Adaki made two great subs that changed the game.
Oliver Leslie, the man of the match who ran the game for Harmen, scored a great free kick to level the game. Five minutes later co-manager Samuel Castle made the score 2-1, with a wonder goal, a header from 18 yards that seemed to hang in the air for five minutes before droping over the keepers head. That sparked wild celebrations with a 17-man pile up on the Harmen bench with Alterman struggling for breath on the bottom.
With Neasden having to chase the game, they began to tire and the energetic Rinder took advantage with a brace within the last 10 minutes, deserved after a great 90 minute shift.
Another special mention must go to birthday boy James Castle between the sticks with a solid game.
Harmen co-managers Joel Alterman and Ben Adaki told JC Sport: “We can’t be happier with the boys today, our squad is very strong with competition in every position but the boys are all working for the same end goal.
"We kept battling for 90 minutes to get all three points and that’s exactly what happened. In Joel’s words, 'we were hunters'."
Co-boss and goal-scorer Sam Castle told JC Sport: "It was a great team performance and nice to score a goal to contribute to a great victory.
"We worked hard as a team and now look forward to next week against Brixton, another tough assignment."
NWN boss Andrew Goldman told JC Sport: "To be winning the game with 12 minutes to go, losing 4-1 is poor and shows that this team has a long way to go. You should never capitulate the way we did today.
"We lost to an organised, physical and good footballing side and were finally punished for not taking our chances.
"A few decisions went against and hopefully they will even out over the season. Good Luck to Harmen for the rest of the season and we now move on to a big game next weekend."
