CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP QUARTER-FINAL
HENDON UNITED SPORTS 5 MACCABI LONDON LIONS WHITE 3
An action-packed contest saw the Lions add Austin Lipman and Adam Burchell to their squad that had recently drawn 3-3 against Hendon in the MGBSFL.
Hendon were also close to full-strength, with Seitler linking up with the squad on a break from university, while former Player of the Year Josh Bentley was on the bench.
Lions drew first blood when a sizzling long-range strike from Tyler Smith smashed against the crossbar. Adam Arnold was alert to follow up and beat Russell Corin from close range.
Hendon stepped up a gear and drew level when a cross from the impressive Zac Lewis fell to Seitler who showed excellent technique to turn and fire the loose ball into the net.
With the bit between their teeth, Hendon continued to go forward and they were awarded a penalty when referee Andy Myerson whistled for handball. Avi Korman stepped up and made no mistake, firing coolly into the bottom corner past Jordan Sharifian.
Lewis set up the third as well, his dangerous cross found Seitler lurking at the far post and he lashed a shot through the legs of Sharifian to make it 3-1.
Manager Greg Corin asked for more of the same at half-time, knowing it was only a matter of time until Lipman would be introduced. With the next goal crucial, livewire Lewis put clear daylight between the teams, bringing down a high ball on his chest, twisting and turning his way past one defender and stroking the ball home from close range.
Dovi Fehler was introduced from the bench and his fresh legs saw him surge past Jamie Jackson before squaring to Seitler who was scythed down in the area. Myerson correctly had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Seitler grabbed the ball hoping to complete his hat-trick but he placed his shot the wrong side of the post.
The visitors did not let their heads drop and the introduction of Lipman and Adam Burchell saw them haul themselves back into the tie. The Maccabiah stars linked up to make it 4-2, with Burchell squeezing his shot between Corin and the post to make it 4-2.
Hendon were being pushed back, with Lipman orchestrating proceedings and it was from his dangerous cross that James Gold bundled the ball home from inside the six-yard box to set up a grandstand finish.
However, the final word went to Seitler who ended any hopes of a Lions comeback with a stunning solo effort. Fehler fed him with a short, square pass and Seitler accelerated, leaving several players in his wake before sliding his shot home from an acute angle.
Reflecting on the 5-3 triumph that eliminated the cup holders, Hendon boss Greg Corin told JC Sport: "It was a huge win today for the team. We played against a good side who drafted in some real quality players but the strength of our team really shone through and we were deserved winners in the end.
"The focus will be on the incredible forward ability of Moses Seitler and Zac Lewis who in my opinion are the two best forward players in the league, but there were many excellent performers behind them on the pitch, with special mention to Russ Corin in goal who pulled off a couple of very high quality saves."
So Hendon will travel to Rowley Lane to take on Premier Division rivals Brady Maccabi for a place in the final, while defending league champions Oakwood will travel to the winner of the tie between Los Blancos and Camden Park.
HENDON: Russell Corin, Ari Nevies, Mordi Weiler, Ben Lauffer, Alex Rosenthal, Avi Korman, Ari Last, Roie Spitzer, Josh Harris, Zac Lewis, Moses Seitler. Subs: Josh Bentley, Dovi Fehler, Yoav Kestenbaum
GOALS: Seitler 3, Korman (pen), Lewis
LIONS: Jordan Sharifian, Max Hassell, Alex Taylor, Jamie Jackson, Will Beresford, Eshed Rahav, James Gold, Tyler Smith, Adam Arnold, Max Misrahi, Akiva Levin. Subs: Austin Lipman, Adam Burchell, Ben Lampert
GOALS: Arnold, Burchell, Gold
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