MGBSFL DIVISION ONE
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B 3 NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS B 2
Redbridge B stole a march on Division One leaders Raiders B, as Jon Jacobs' men ended L'Oranges unbeaten record in a five-goal thriller.
Redbridge met Raiders in a top-of-the-table clash at Townmead Park in what was a thrilling game.
Redbridge started in the ascendancy and dominated proceedings in the first 20 minutes and had several half-chances that were dealt with by the Raiders defence and most notably, the keeper, David Simnock.
Raiders were strong physically and well-organised and were playing on the counter using fast forwards to attack at pace and leave Redbridge stretched.
Dan Grossman headed NLR in front from a corner delivered by Adam Posner. Redbridge were still dominating the possession but couldn’t test the dominance of the Raiders keeper who looked so assured.
The pressure finally had an effect with a run and shot by Scott Oldstein wide on the left. Raiders continued to put pressure on Redbridge on the counter and again forced another corner which led to an error by Brad Grant in the Redbridge goal which was right on the stroke of half time, with Anthony Goodmaker adding the final touch.
The Redbridge boss was fairly calm at the break, knowing that the chances would keep coming but equally, aware that the danger still lurked on the counter-attack from Raiders. Slightly changing the shape in the middle, the two Sollosis and James Berkley started to take hold of the game.
The equaliser came after 15 minutes of the second half with a superb run and cross from the excellent Oldstein and met sweetly with a smart finish by top-scorer , Daniel Garfinkle.
The game was now tightening up. Substitutions made, Castle on at right-back and Sam Rank on to give some defensive cover, the game was destined to be met with some irony.
Raiders had been dominant at both ends from set-pieces but with around 20 minutes to go, conceded a corner that was delivered perfectly by Goldman and the arch poacher, Nathan Sollosi was on hand to bury an unstoppable header into the net.
Chances were still coming to Raiders but the game wound down and the final score was 3–2 to Redbridge.
RJC boss Jon Jacobs told JC Sport: "This was truly a great game played by both sides, not one bad tackle and witnessed by the League chairman to boot so it was a great advert for Maccabi football."
Redbridge will gain the points from the game against SPEC so will head into 2015 at the summit and with games in hand but know that with the way Raiders competed today, nothing can be taken for granted."
NLR boss Jonathan Adelman told JC Sport: "I'd like to pay tribute to my players for an amazing 21-month unbeaten league run and as I said to Jon Jacobs, all unbeaten runs end and I'm pleased it went to a quality team in a great game played in the right spirit.
"We'll pick ourselves up in the New Year with the aim of winning our final five games."
