JC MSFL DIVISION THREE
Glenthorne United B 3 UJIA 1
Glenthorne United B, managed by Craig Sandford and Sam Rosenthal, became the first JC MSFL team to clinch promotion this season after beating nearest rivals UJIA at London Marathon Playing Fields.
A brace from Richard Rosenthal plus one from Sandford saw the Thornes clinch their 13th consecutive league defeat.
Now they will be looking to secure the title against Hendon United Sports Club C on Sunday.
Glenthorne went into the game knowing it would be a battle and the windy conditions didn’t suit either side. A battle it was with tough challenges going in all over place. Referee Brandon Peters had to get the yellow card out on more than one occasion.
Glenthorne got off to the best possible start as after five minutes. Good work from Daryl Rubin ended in a great pass to Rosenthal who broke the off side trap and had time to pick his spot with a cool finish.
More chances came Glenthorne’s way but Darren Rolfe stood strong in goal. At 30 minutes, UJIA started increasing the pressure with Matt Radstone and Assi Avital starting to get foothold on the game. After a succession of four corners, Tony Plaskow delivered a great cross which was headed brilliantly home by Avital.
Minutes later and just before the break, Glenthorne’s James Rubin crossed perfectly for Rosenthal to score his second goal with a bullet header.
Glenthorne were good value for there lead going in at half time as most of the first half chances fell to them.
The second half started very cagey with both teams knowing the next goal was crucial. Again, chances came Glenthornes way but the UJIA defence and Rolfe kept them at bay.
With 20 minutes to go, Glenthorne got the daylight they needed and made it 3-1. James Law broke free down the right hand side, drew the keeper out and unselfishly played a square pass to Sandford who scored from just inside the area.
The Glenthorne defence once again kept good players at bay and remained strong under pressure from UJIA. The game was getting stretched and both sides had chances but the result was to stay the same and it finished 3-1 to Glenthorne to spark scenes of celebration.
Craig Sandford told JC Sport: "We have completed stage one of three. We have secured promotion and now we have to move on and secure the title next Sunday.
"I said very early on during the season that the boys are getting better and better each week and they haven’t let me and Sam down.
"They are a credit to themselves and to the club. The job is not done and more hard work is still required. We came up against a strong UJIA side with bags of experience but our young team were not phased and did what they do best.
"After a long spell on the sidelines, Richard Rosenthal came back into the team today and was fantastic. He scored two great goals at the perfect time and settled everyone’s nerves."
UJIA player-manager Darren Rolfe told JC Sport; "It was good to be back playing again after having no game for six weeks. This really showed as we start until the fifth minute but by that time we found ourselves one down, completely flat-footed and the finish was cool.
"I have to say that spurred us into action on a wind-swept pitch. This was our 30 minutes of pummelling the thorns defence. After equalising, we thought we had turned the game around but were hit with a sucker punch from a corner to go into the break trailing 2-1.
"The second half was a none event really except for some really wWoeful decisions by the ref who blew at any given chance. We pressed for the equaliser but to no avail. We got caught on the break and conceded the third - game over.
"Thornes deserve the title, well done to Sandford and his lads."
