A last-minute strike from Sam Taylor put HMH Eilat into the final of the Maccabi Junior Football League Cup as they won a gripping semi-final against HMH Haifa 6-5.

HMH Eilat went into the tie missing two key players and they had their work cut out against a HMH Haifa side who had something to prove having been beaten by Eilat in the league.

HMH Haifa raced into a three-goal lead inside the first five minutes and Eilat looked shell-shocked but they fought back to 3-2 only to concede a fourth. At 5-3 the match looked lost but Eilat stepped up a gear to equalise before Taylor scored his second of the game, smashing home the rebound after his penalty had been saved.

The other goals for HMH Eilat came through Leo Cohen, Jacob Bernstein (2) and an own goal

HMH Eilat manager Lewis Cohen said: “I’m really proud of my team. They have performed brilliantly and shown incredible determination and spirit all season.

“They have played some great football along the way. Having missed out on the league title by a very narrow margin, I’m delighted that the boys have reached the final and have the chance to cap a fine first season of competitive football."