PETER MORRISON TROPHY

BAYERN MINCHA 2 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 4

RJC A battled through to the second round of the Peter Morrison Trophy with a hard-fought victory over first division rivals Bayern.

With host of players rested for next Sunday's big league game against local rivals Fairlop , Redbridge "were a bit short in the attacking areas," according to Rank.

The game started with Mincha looking for the long ball to leading marksman Adam Ellis. But it was RJC who had the first chance when man of the moment Nate Kashket gambled on to a long ball and saw his shot go wide off the post.

Mincha had chances to go in front , but Matt Kemp stood very strong in the RJC goal, and made a couple of very good saves, including one top-notch stop.

Just when it looked as though the half would finish goalless, Rank played the ball to Jamie Bernstein, and showed some quick-thinking that shocked his team-mates following "a heavy night out," he showed his class, when letting fly from 30 yards to arrow the ball into the net.

The message at half-time from Rank and co was to "up the ante". The management team believed RJC were playing only "at tenth of there ability" and they needed to raise performance levels.

However, it was Mincha who drew level early in the second half when danger man Ellis latched on to a long ball to beat Kemp.

RJC responded in style, with a goal of the week contender. A free-kick was headed out to Rank, who showed great technical ability from 22 yards to volley the ball into the top corner, leaving the Mincha keeper with no chance.

This give Redbridge the boost they needed and it was 3-1 shortly after, with a very well-worked goal. Adam Bernstein received possession in midfield and played a lovely pass to Adam Noble who delivered a ball onto the plate for Kashket to finish efficiently.

Mincha refused to lie down and they made it 2-3 on 87 minutes from the penalty spot, with Ellis registering his second.

But Redbridge again showed great character to close out the game out in the final minute, when great work by David Green on the right touchline saw him feed the ball to Jamie Bernstein who squared for Kashket to double his tally for the day at the second attempt.

RJC joint-manager Sam Rank told JC Sport: "Overall, we didn't play to anywhere near the level we know we can, but the results says so much about squad when not playing to potential and grinding out win after win.

"Our squad was tested today, with a number of players being rested for the mouth-watering game against Fairlop - luckily the player-manager can score worldies!"

Rank descibed RJC's current form as "very similar to Spurs," adding "results win leagues- not performances."

And in a subtle warning to his players ahead of next week's crunch derby, he added: "We need to learn to be on the ball from minute one, and to be consistently playing the football we can.

"But the important thing is that we're In the hat for next round and hoping for a juicy tie."