TAMESIDE LEAGUE
RINGS O'BELLS 2 MANCHESTER MACCABI 2
Stuart Delmonte is adamant his Manchester Maccabi battlers will not be bullied into submission this season.
Alex Singer’s dramatic 94th minute equaliser ensured Maccabi claimed a point against Ring O’Bells following a highly-charged clash in Dunkinfield.
Joint-manager Delmonte was left fuming after his players were subjected to a number of rough challenges which resulted in five Ring O’Bells players being booked before the break.
But despite being targeted by constant verbal jibes and a number of aggressive tackles, Maccabi held their own, much to the delight of Delmonte.
“They were one of the worst behaved clubs we’ve ever played against and it was a game we just wanted to get on with and get out alive,” he said.
“They tried to kick anything which moved but they didn’t intimidate us at all and we completely battered them with football.
“We played some great stuff in the first-half and in the last 15 minutes we completely battered them into submission.
“When Alex Singer scored in injury-time it really did feel like a victory and it was a fantastic feeling.
“I’m just so proud of the boys because we’ve used our football to batter them and it was great to score at the death.”
Maccabi had made the perfect start when Alex Lee fired the visitors in front and only the woodwork denied Adam Stevens from doubling Maccabi’s lead.
But two lapses in concentration allowed Ring O’Bells to move ahead before Singer’s late intervention sparked scenes of celebration on the touchline.
Delmonte is now hoping his side can show their battling qualities once again when they take on Farnworth Panthers in the first round of the Fred Davies Challenge Cup.
Division Four Panthers have yet to win a game this season but the Maccabi boss is still expecting a tough game on Sunday.
“We got knocked out in the first round last season so we want to improve this year,” he added.
“I don’t really know anything about Farnworth but it’s a cup game so anything can happen.”
