CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP QUARTER-FINAL
OAKWOOD A 1 JEWDINESE 0
Having beaten the Zebras in the Peter Morrison Trophy 2-1 a fortnight ago, Oakwood expected another tough game, and they were not disappointed.
This was a "difficult game where defences came out on top," according to Oakwood joint-manager Dan Kristall. He told JC Sport: "I thought we just about edged it and for the second game running found breaking Jewdinese down hard work. They set up to defend and stay compact and led by their captain Adam Gold who along with Alex Lee, were the stand out players on the pitch, dug in and we found creating any opportunities really hard work.
"Having said that, to beat a team who have only lost one game all season prior to meeting us, twice in 3 weeks isn't too bad is it?"
'Nese's best moments in the game came after Oakwood lost keeper Botchin to the sin-bin. The competition holders put winger Josh Cuby in goal and in that moment, it took an Alex Lee goal line clearance to protect our lead.
Oakwood's goal "was probably the only bit of attacking quality in the whole game," according to Kristall. With 20 minutes on the clock, a superb break from Cuby resulted in a great cross from Toby Levy and a brilliant chip that bounced down off the bar (that did cross the line) from Kaye.
Kristall commented: "Yes, it is fair to question how anyone including the referee could say it crossed the line and I know it upset some of the travelling Jewdinese supporters but when their keeper came running over five minutes later saying "it was miles in", we didn't hear too many complaints after.
The visitors continued to battle hard and had a great chance to equalise, but Zack Collins wasn’t able to take the opportunity.
Oakwood almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time with a fierce strike from just inside the box, however Ben Halmer expertly dived to his right and tipped over the bar to keep their lead to one.
'Nese fans will feel they had the better of the second half. Barney Rhodes found the ball sitting up nicely for him for a volley, but it sailed just over. Their best chance came when Scott Oldstein did well to beat his man and fiercely drilled a ball into the box. Adam Gold was there to volley the ball but it just went wide of the post.
Oakwood didn't create much In the second half, but defended well and saw the game out.
Kristall went on to say: "We now look forward to a tough semi-final against Los Camden but have lots of big games beforehand, starting with a very tough visit to the Hive in the Morrison to face an in form HMH.
"There is no doubt, that for this cup tie, we are the big underdogs but I think we will thrive on that."
'Nese boss Darren Lawrence told JC Sport: "Ultimately we couldn’t find the equaliser, but this was another great, well-fought, tiring and bruising performance against a top team. We have certainly shown what we’re about in our two games against Oakwood and are looking to take these performances into the league.
"Yet again I’m very proud of the performance from the boys. We suffered a couple of injuries to key players early on in the game which didn’t help us but we left everything out on the pitch today but just came up short.
"I’m confident of a strong finish to the league now and making a real push for promotion.
"I’d like to wish Jake Erlich a speedy recovery in what looks to be a nasty knee injury.”
-------------------------
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Hendon Utd Sports vs Maccabi London Lions
Oakwood A vs Los Camden A
Ties scheduled for March 17
Final at Wingate & Finchley on April 14
