Sunday’s match between Hendon and Redbridge had absolutely everything; goals, 12 to be precise, red cards and a penalty shoot-out. Was it the best ever Sunday League match? Quite possibly.
Credit to both sets of players and managers as there was no parking the bus, no time-wasting or negative tactics, just a good old-fashioned hell-for-leather football match. In the end it came down to a war of attrition and Hendon’s never-say-die attitude proved decisive.
Goalkeeper Russell Corin deserves plenty of credit. His wife, Helen, had a baby girl less than 48 hours before the match. Russell bounced back from a rare error to produce “a brilliant second-half performance and some astonishing saves in the shoot-out”. His manager, David Garbacz described him as “a true Hendon hero”.
Dovi Fehler also deserves a mention. He could hardly walk at the end of extra-time but he took his penalty like an expert. His celebration is certainly the most athletic in Jewish football.
Indeed it has been a big week for young Dovi who features on the front cover of Kick It Out’s new brochure on how to report antisemitism in football. That’s definitely a step in the right direction.
Much has been said about the decline of Jewish football in recent seasons and I suggest you give my recent podcast with Tony Gold a listen. But on Sunday, for 120 or so minutes, it was very much alive and kicking.
* Ricky Engleman is my Player of the Month. The midfield maestro has been a pivotal figure in ensuring North London Raiders A’s treble assault remains intact.
He has also chipped in with some important goals and is a contender for the league’s top player award in May.
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