MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A 1 BRADY MACCABI 0

David Garbacz was full of praise for opponents Brady after his team kept alive their title hopes with a hard-fought victory against the Morrison holders.

A solitary effort from Josh Lipman was enough to earn Hendon maximum points, but they were indebted to goalkeeper Russell Corin who produced heroics in nets to keep out Brady.

The excellent Lipman bundled in an early goal, but for the rest of the first half Brady were the better team and caused Hendon no end of problems with their slick passing.

Corin made a number of saves and the whole Hendon defence stood up brilliantly to all the pressure, with Ben Kon and Avi Korman were both brilliant at full-back.

Hendon improved in the second half and had a number of very good chances to put the game to bed, but they just didn't seem to have their usual composure in front of goal. We still had to be fully focused at the back and managed to use their full experience to see the game out.

Hendon boss David Garbacz told JC Sport: "This was far and away our toughest game of the season - far tougher than either of the Norstar games - and we had to be at our resolute best to come away with all three points.

"All credit to Brady who I thought were really superb in contributing to a very high standard match which was also very well refereed.

"One down - just the 10 games to go. With Norstar winning again today with what sounded like a controversial goal, we are well aware that the odds are against us. However, if we can negotiate next week's double-header and pick up six points there then we really do believe we will get very close indeed."

Stand-in Brady boss Josh Gordon told JC Sport: "We were brilliant and for such a young team, it bodes well for Jewish football, the average age of our back 5 was 18! I have never seen Hendon outplayed like that but as usual they defend well and were super organised which is why they are successful.

"It was a gutting feeling to walk away with nothing, especially after what we saw as a nailed on penalty to us late on (in fairness to the ref he apologised after the game), but you win some you lose some so on we go.

"Thanks to David & Hendon for their kind words after with regard to us. Good luck to them"