CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND ONE
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS C LOS BLANCOS 2

Los Blancos avoided a potential banana skin thanks to goals from Yaakov Suissa and Adam Hersh against third division Raiders C.

Blancos put in a solid shift to come back from 1-0 down to move into round two - dominating for long spells - and sealing the comeback with strikes from two set-pieces.

Norstar were always going to find it a tough challenge playing against a team two divisions above, but they will be disappointed not to hold onto the 1-0 lead held until 80 minutes.

In a fairly uneventful game, Norstar struggled to create many chances but more than held their own against Blancos. After losing centre-back jake Yudelowitz to a muscle injury - the second central defensive injury in as many weeks - Norstar had to play a centre midfielder at the back.

As the game progressed Norstar got into the game and starting playing some decent football but didn't really test the Blancos keeper. A very solid defence ensured that it was scoreless at the break.

As the second half progressed, Norstar looked more comfortable and scored the opener in style. After striker Nick Woolf was pulled down as he was running through on goal, Oli Nathan scored a majestic free-kick from 25 yards out that any keeper would have struggled to get close to.

Norstar continued to keep Blancos out but with 10 minutes to go, a defensive error saw the Whites level. Blancos then scored the winner from a corner that Norstar simply couldn't deal with.