PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND TWO
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 1 CHIGWELL ATHLETIC 4

Richard Slater's Chigwell put their disappointing league form behind them by stunning Premier Division giants Redbridge 4-1 at the Ark.

Two goals from James Jaconelli steered Chigs to their best win of the season, with Ryan Cole and Dean Ben Yosef finishing the job.

It was a cold and windy morning at the Ark in what turned out to be a typically feisty encounter. Redbridge settled first, playing quick one-touch passing football, whilst dominating the early possession.

The first opening saw Steve Gervertz whip in a great cross that saw Chigs no. 1 Jay Jaffa race off his line to clear the danger, but Adam Stolerman nipped in first only for his effort to sail over the bar.

At this point you were thinking that it was going to be a long day at the office for Chigwell, but after an early onslaught by Redbridge they grew into the game.

Ben Yosef put the visitors ahead after capitalising on a mistake in the RJC defence before beating the keeper from close range - coolly slotting past the man on the line.

Redbridge responded well to the early setback as talisman Steve Gervertz smashed one on to the bar. He then linked up well with Richard Rosenthal - forcing Chigs keeper Jaffa into a smart save.

Redbridge were level before the break as top-scorer Adam Stolerman headed past Jaffa.

The wind continued to be a big factor in the second half, and it almost cost Chigwell a goal. A ball was launched forward from Redbridge’s defence, and as keeper Jay Jaffa raced off his line to collect, but misjudged the flight of the ball and fumbled it straight to Stolerman who looked certain to score. But Jaffa reacted well as he was quickly back on his line to block the shot.

But the best was still to come from Jaffa as he tipped over a ferocious shot by Rosenthal. From the resulting corner, unmarked Redbridge defender Joel Berg crashed his header against the crossbar and Chigs were off the hook.

Chigs soon restored their lead as Jaconelli and co. stepped up a gear. Steve Summers, who had an excellent game in the middle of the park for Chigwell, played through Ryan Cole who still had plenty to do. Dan Lee rushed out of his goal to narrow the angle, but Cole slotted the ball past him to restore Chigwell’s lead.

Moments later Sam Rosenthal’s men had a golden opportunity to draw level. Stolerman forced Jaffa to parry as he unleashed a fierce shot, it was parried only as far as Danny Sugarman who looked certain to bury the ball from only a couple of yards out, but somehow he managed to miss the target as his shot sailed over the bar, much to Chigwell’s relief.

But what happened next was a moment of pure genius; Summers found the impressive Jaconelli found space and unleashed a thunderous strike from 30 yards which fizzed past Dan Lee and into the roof of the net to give Chigwell some breathing space.

They dominated the rest of the game and even added a fourth as Ben Yosef picked out Jaconelli who slotted home with a near-post.

Jaconelli even had the opportunity to complete his hat-trick; it was the same combination as Ben Yosef picked out Jaconelli, but his header was pushed away by Lee.

Jubilant Chigwell boss Richard Slater told JC Sport: "I've said all along our league position isn't a reflection of the talent we have. We've been too inconsistent, but today everything came together for us. The boys were outstanding, especially with only 11 men available.

"The second half was all one-way traffic and constant counter-attacks. Deano was simply unplayable. The RJC backline couldn't cope with his pace and movement.

"I've said all season someone will get a spanking - and it was just unfortunate RJC were on the other end of it - and the scoreline was deserved."

RJC boss Sam Rosenthal told JC Sport: "The best team won on the day. We had plenty of players coming back and look forward to focusing on the league."

Additional reporting by Sam Ellard