We're not ready to lift cup, says Delmonte

"But I don't think that we're ready to win the cup. We still need one or two more top quality players to challenge the best teams in London."

It needed a moment of inspiration from Maccabi's Michael Green who, after latching on to a through ball from Marc Woolfe, turned and fired in off the post from 20 yards 65 minutes into
a gripping contest.

The goal forced South into a tactical reshuffle with manager Darryl Lee throwing on a second striker. But it was Maccabi who doubled their advantage when Rafi Leeker's corner fell to Andrew Rosenberg who hooked the ball into the net. With the bit between their teeth, Maccabi continued to threaten with the industrious Adam Lavin, who had two goals ruled out for offside, denied by the woodwork.

Centre defender Michael Sacks sealed the tie with a bullet header from a corner. South grabbed a late consolation via Simon Davis.

Delmonte said: "The game was played at a good pace and in good spirits, which is very rare for a north versus south Manchester clash."

Lee believes that Michael Sacks and Adam Lavin were the best players on show. He said: "In cup football, when you are the underdogs, you need to score the first goal. I'm being philosophical about it. It's very unusual that the opposition manager wants the victor to win the cup but I think that Manchester will pose a proper threat to win it."