Daryl Phillips described Alex Kaye as the perfect midfielder after his fantastic five-goal salvo destroyed Southgate Harmen A and rekindled his team's title hopes.
Standing in for manager Zuriel Solomon, who was away on honeymoon, Phillips, the assistant manager, could only stand back in admiration following an exhilarating display from last season's MJSL Player of the Season.
Kaye, a summer signing from Oakhill Lions, marked his return to top-flight action with a powerhouse display that simply blew Harmen away.
"Alex was exceptional," said Phillips. "Everything he hit went in today as well as running from box to box for 90 minutes, showing great work-rate."
Mike Pearson, Jonny Haik, Phillips and an own goal completed the 9-2 victory on the 3G at The Hive in Edgware. Faithfold led 3-0 inside the opening 25 minutes but Harmen hit back with a long-range strike from Ben Graham followed by
a header from Grant Taylor.
But it was all Faithfold from there, much to the delight of Phillips. "It's
a nice start to 2011, however its just the beginning and we will be trying to continue this form through the season."
Harmen boss Dan Uzan said: "We actually played very well in the second half but a combination of excellent football from Faithfold and a lack of confidence from my boys proved decisive."
Uzan said: "Faithfold are a great team with Alex Levack and Mike Pearson very composed and difficult to contain. We just weren't good enough on the day and a lack of desire and unity cost us massively. We have to pick ourselves up."
North London Raiders A twice came from behind to complete a league double over London Maccabi Lions A courtesy of goals from Igal Yahya (2), Andrew McMaster and Jamie Wolfson. Sam Arghebant and Lee Bibring were the marksmen for Lions.
Strikes from Dan Gordon, David Castle, Paul Bloch and player-manager Michael Winehouse earned Redbridge Jewish Care B maximum points against Lions C in a relegation six-pointer in Division One.
Winehouse said: "This win will be rendered meaningless if we don't get
a result against Harmen on Sunday."
Doubles from Dan Price and Alon Hershkorn lifted Brixton Old Boys to second in Division Two following a 5-1 demolition of FC Team B. Rob Blackman finished the job. FC Team's consolation came through Adam Rose.
L'Equipe caused one of the upsets of the day, putting a depleted Woodford Wanderers to the sword with a 4-2 victory. Woodford arrived with 10 men and their fate was sealed when midfielder Elliot Gold was sent off after 30 minutes. Jules Bohm, Paul Rubenstein (2) and David Prager were the goal-scoring heroes for L'Equipe. Woodford's Jerome Marks had pulled it back to 2-2.
Chaim Gothold (3), Moishe Noe and Akiva Zneimer set up Hendon Bs 5-0 drubbing of FC Marylebone.
Heath Banta's promotion hopes were dented as they were held 2-2 by UJIA in Division Three. David Cohen and Dan Roth struck for UJIA with top-scorer Stefan Simon replying.
Struggling Real Life and Zig Zag shared the points following an eight-goal thriller. Danny Fenton, Laurence Rosenthal, Neil Marcus and an own goal registered for Zig Zag. Real's goals came through Rob Green (2), Max Curtis and Dan Markeson.
Three goals from Alex Rubin took Blizzard Storm third points clear as they beat long-time leaders Glenthorne B. Joel Kutner finished the job. Daniel Lassman fired a consolation for the Thornes.
Simon Linden, the Blizzard boss, said: "We made Glenthorne look average and, for a defence that has hardly conceded, we tore them apart."
Thornes player-manager Elliot Coulton admitted: "We weren't good enough."
A treble from Jack Franks halted Hendon Cs title charge as they were thumped 7-0 by a resurgent North London Raiders C. Harry Franks (2), James Franks and Joe Newton put the icing on the cake.
"The three brothers made the difference, scoring six between them. However, everyone played their socks off," said Raiders boss Oli Shorts.
Laurence Spear (2), Louis Taylor and Daniel Hodes eased Neasden C to a 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbaum.
Marc Herman and Garry Simpson were the goal men as Temple Fortune B edged past Pinner JFC. Alex Sherr replied.
