MGBSFL DIVISION THREE
LOUGHTON ORIENT 1 CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI 2

Yet again Lester Jacobs and his Catford troops proved the doubters wrong by taking their predictions and turning them on their heads.

After a mixed but busy pre-season, Catford and Bromley Maccabi begun life in Division 3 with a trip to sunny Basildon.

Their opposition for the day was Loughton Orient - a strong well organised side that has real experience.

From the off neither team could stamp their mark and it was a scrappy nervy first half from both teams.

The deadlock was broken when Cats centre back and MOTM Jeff Gotch delivered a telling free kick into the LO penalty area. The LO keeper and his centre back getting mixed up ended up sending the ball into the net.

LO did not give up and started to play. With old hands David Blitz and Josh Hambling beginning to get involved Loughton started to play some attractive football. This all culminated with a delightful ball over the top dispatched with aplomb by the Dan Shafron. There ended the first half.

Catford came in and regrouped. Jacobs with some precise commands and a few rousing words. The Second half was much of the same, until talented winger Yonni Board decided to go on one his mesmerising runs. Having beaten a few players with skill he then showed heart to carry on into the box under numerous challenges and deliver an unplayable ball across the Loughton goal line. There as usual, (the only player able to keep up with Yonni) was the irrepressible Eli Baraty who tapped home from 1.74cm as the Cats sealed their first three points of the season.

Dan Curtis, the Loughton boss, told JC Sport: "I'm very disappointed to kick off the campaign with a defeat, especially after our good pre-season form. We never got going and created very little. The boys are gutted but will be looking to put it right next weekend."

Loughton will win plenty of games this season and seasoned vets Dan Curtis et al will regroup.

Catford will take a great deal of delight with a good start to the season.