MGBSFL DIVISION ONE
BRADY MACCABI B 3 BRIXTON OLD BOYS 5

An Ali Aquilina hat-trick handed Brixton their first win of the season in a pulsating match which saw Brady Maccabi fall short.

It was a miserable morning at Rowley Lane and, after an end to end thriller, it was the visitors which left Borehamwood with a smile on their face.

Brixton, who were relegated from the Premier Division last season, have found it tough going in the first division losing both of their opening matches, but they have a gem of a player in Aquilina and with the big powerful Guy Belot up front they have a potent frontline.

The game couldn’t have started any better for Brixton as they won an early penalty as Aquilina was upended; he brushed himself down and slotted the ball past the Brady keeper.

It got better for Brady as Aquilina found space on the edge of box, wriggled past two defenders and found the back of the net.

Brixton were dominating having the majority of the possession and not allowing Brady a sniff, Paul Shamplina was solid in the middle of the park distributing the ball well and mixing things up.

Brixton were able to keep the dangerous Reiss Mogilner quiet in the early stages of the first half, but Brady were handed a lifeline after 25 minutes when Josh Newman hit a fierce shot from 25 yards out, it was only parried by the Brixton goalkeeper and Simon Moses was on hand the put the ball in from a couple of yards out.

Brady's joy was only shortlived though as Brixton won a free-kick moments later after Shaun Ekn was hacked down. Dave delivered a tame free kick which looked like it was going to be dealt with easily by the Brady goalkeeper, but he fumbled the ball and after a scramble in the box Brixton won a penalty after the ball bounced off Henry Ziff’s arm which was raised and Brady could have no complaints about the decision. Aquilina coolly slotted past the keeper and celebrated his hat-trick.

Half time shortly followed and Brixton looked solid, although there were glimpses of class from Mogilner but he didn’t receive much space or time on the ball.

Brady couldn’t have made a better start to the second half as Mogilner put them level after 65 minutes, his first goal was a cool finish but his second was a memorable goal. He received a pass from Henry Ziff and turned immaculately, he beat three defenders before firing the ball pass the the keeper.

Mogilner then tried his luck from 25 yards out but this time the keeper was equal to it, as he tipped it over the bar.

Brady were in control and believed they could go on and win the game, but it was Brixton's turn to score next, albeit against the run of play Brixton. It was route one as the Brixton keeper launched the ball forward which Rob Hershkorn latched onto, he kept his composure and slotted the ball passed the goalkeeper.

Brixton were then reduced to 10 men as Dave Ronson’s was dismissed for a second yellow card, but that made no difference whatsoever as Brixton sealed the win with a fifth. Hershkorn was through on goal, he was taken down and Daniel Raphael was on hand to put the ball in the back of the net. And that was that.

Brixton on the whole deserved the three points but Mogilner deserved more; he was a menace playing in the free role for Brady. He was unstoppable but unfortunately didn’t have enough to see them through.

Brixton claimed their first win under new boss Scott Smith and they are up and running. Brixton chairman Robert Silverman told JC Sport: "Although our new squad still needs more time to gel, we were are satisfied with our performance, particularly the manner in which we reacted after Brady pulled level."

Brady boss Josh Dagul told JC Sport: "We weren't at the races in the first half and Brixton took advantage of that, taking a deserved 3-1 lead into half time. We came back into the game in the second half and showed great character to come back to 3-3 but Alon killed us on the break with his pace. They then scored the 5th at the end when we were chasing the game.

"Credit to Brixton, who utilised their strengths and didn’t panic when we came back to 3-3."

Report written by Sam Ellard.