JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND 1
BRADY MACCABI B 1 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE C 0

Brady B carried their league form into the cup after a battling victory over Redbridge C.

Upsetting the odds, a depleted Brady showed a combination of grit, determination and ability to trump their opponents, who play two divisions higher than the Division Four newboys.

The first half was high in intensity, but without too many clear chances to speak of. Tidy midfield play gave captain James Joseph the ball, and after the Redbridge keeper could only fumble his shot from just inside the area, Kane Alexander pounced upon the rebound and finished smartly from an acute angle.

Brady's work ethic didn't slip in the second half, with the likes of Josh Dagul and Sam Sinclair putting pressure on the Redbridge back line with some success, but in truth it was defensively where Brady won this game.

It is testament to Brady's back four that pressure didn't bring about clear chances for the visitors, and Brady's central midfield trio curbed their naturally attacking instincts to counter their opponents who went all out try and force a goal.

Two late saves from Josh Lewis ensured Brady marked their debut in the cup with a victory, but in truth, despite some late tension, defensive solidity meant that the victory was well deserved.

Redbridge boss Dan Gordon told JC Sport: "We performed well today, I can't fault any of the 14 boys that played today. We had the majority of the ball but just couldn't score.

"Full credit to Brady who nicked an early goal and defended well.

"We will now turn our attention back to the league and try for three points on Sunday."

Brady: Lewis, Posner, Bosier, Meltzer, Mogilner, Beaber, Dagul, Joseph, Rosenfeld, Sinclair, Alexander