Faithfold player-manager Adam Lustigman believes his team can win the cup after they recorded a dramatic comeback to beat former winners London Maccabi Lions A in a penalty shootout.
Lustigman was bemused to see his team throw away a three-goal lead with the Lions hitting the target five times to go in ahead at the break.
The Superhoops had got off to a dream start with strikes from Adam Barton (2) and Andrew Hearn putting them in pole position inside the opening 15 minutes.
Lions then turned the Henry Swerner Maccabi Masters League Cup tie on its head with two penalties from Daniel Reuben plus efforts from Andy Miller, Ben Dale and Stacy Eden put Lions into the box seat.
At half time, Lustigman reminded his team to focus on the task at hand rather than remonstrate with referee Laurence Thorne and the team did as they were told, drawing level courtesy of second half own goals from Lions keeper Darren Zeller and ex-Faithfold player Jon Yantin.
Finishing 5-5 after 90 minutes the tie was settled on penalties. Faithfold scored four out of four with Jonny Kessel, Simon Gold and Russell Rich joining Lustigman on the scoresheet. Reuben converted his third penalty of the day but Laurence Swerner and Adam Brand blasted their efforts against the bar to send Faithfold into the quarter-finals.
Lustigman said: “It was one of the most interesting games I’ve ever been involved in and I was delighted to go through. It was pleasing to keep a clean sheet in the second half after letting in five in the same half for the second week running.
“The boys showed great courage and composure in the end to score all our penalties. Having beaten the Lions we now believe we can beat anyone.”
And there was a penalty drama in the game between Norstar and Glenthorne United B. The teams were locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes with Glenthorne’s Danny Seller cancelling out Martin Lerner’s header. Glenthorne scored all five of their penalties and went through as former Norstar keeper Darren Hymos saved the fifth and decisive Norstar spot-kick.
Joining them in the draw are South Mancs. They dispatched Ashlodge 5-0 courtesy of goals from Barry Abraham (2), David Hyman, Jon Cohen and Mark Shooter.
Phil Small, Graham Meyer, Jeremy Fess and James Ryan earned Temple Fortune B a 4-1 win over Brady Maccabi B. Martin Schultz scored a consolation. Fortune player-manager Steve Feiger said: “It was a good all-round performance. Everyone played well but, for me, Peter Kyte was outstanding, his best game I can remember for a long time.”
Teams return to league action on Sunday with leaders North London Raiders travelling to Glenthorne United A while champions Brady Maccabi A entertain Temple Fortune A.
