PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND THREE
HARMEN 0 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 2
Jon Jacobs praised match-winner Sam Sollosi whose deadly double knocked Harmen out of the cup and set up a mouth-watering clash against Hendon United.
One of the stars of the season, Sollosi was at his predatory best as Redbridge saw off Harmen. On a superb playing surface at Hadley, "there was only going to be one winner, according to Jacobs, "if it came down to a football contest and Redbridge were up for it from minute 1".
Harmen were well-organised at the back and physical all over the pitch, but they were not allowing Redbridge any space. The first half was one of frustration with the Harmen keeper pulling save after save from Steve Summers, top-scorer Daniel Garfinkle and Sam Sollosi.
The half ended scoreless in what was a physical but fair first half but Redbridge on top.
Redbridge just needed to keep doing what they were good at and the goals would come and sure enough - that was the half-time message from Jacobs - and true to his word, the opening goal came early in the second half - a smartly taken goal by the game’s outstanding player SOLLOSI.
The game opened up and the tackles were getting more and more desperate by the Harmen defenders. After about 20 minutes, the game’s first talking point saw Steve Summers taken out by the no. 2 for Harmen. He was already on a Yellow and the ref had a big decision to make but having realised the player had already been cautioned, Summers spoke to the ref and talked him out of getting him sent off - a truly Mensch of the Match decision.
With that act of kindness came another one with the Redbridge defence playing Harmen onside and in a one-on-one situation, the Redbridge keeper, Ross Weinrabe, pulled off a superb save.
The magical boots of SOLLOSI sealed the tie with an easy finish after one of his trademark slalom runs and that seemed to knock the stuffing out of Harmen.
With a few minutes to go, the final flashpoint came with a truly sickening foul made by a Harmen substitute on Sam Sollosi sending him flying in the air. The ref again was well placed and deemed it only a yellow card.
The game ended as a comfortable 2-0 win and RJC now the chance of cup revenge against Hendon.
Harmen joint-manager Oli Leslie told JC Sport: "Like last year, we have exited the cup due to injuries and suspensions - James Gershfield, Elliott Stern, Daniel Green, Alex Levack, Jonny Haik, Oliver Sade, Ricky Rinder, George Fierstone, Marc Foster and Aviel Schwarz. That is nine players who would walk into most first teams in the Premier League.
"Credit to Redbridge - they are very organised and with an experienced spine through the middle of the pitch could win this trophy.
"We will dust ourselves off and do our best to finish as high up the league as possible."
