JNMJFL UNDER 11 CUP
BRADY MACCABI WHITE 3 HENDON UNITED BLUES 2

Brady Maccabi Whites edged home thanks to a last-minute winner to break Hendon hearts in a gripping first round tie in the MJFL Cup competition.

Sunday saw a real humdinger of a cup tie in the a game that was finely balanced throughout.

Brady’s stand-in captain, Jamie Brooks, put in a great performance in the defensive midfield role under some constant Hendon pressure. However, Brady had some good early possession with Nathan DaCosta trying his luck with an early long-range effort.

Brady forged ahead following a period of possession midway through the first half when Jamie Brooks converted a penalty with calm precision.

A goal to the goal, Brady were hit by injuries to Jayden Meranda and Danny Leboff and they struggled to keep the ball after the restart as Hendon drew level.

However, Brady pulled together, with Jack Durban, Jack Linch and Ryan Lipman working tirelessly to win challenges, and Samuel Jaffe switching the play across the pitch.

A well-taken goal from Samuel Adams saw Brady take a 2-1 lead, but they were then pegged back in controversial circumstances when Hendon Blue scored an equaliser after the referee had already blown his whistle. Nevertheless, with five minutes to play Jayden Meranda returned to the fray and with fired home the winner with his team's final attack.

Brady manager Perry Linch said: "This was a fantastic cup tie, with end-to-end attacking football and both teams putting on a great show for their fans.

"Thankfully the Brady quality showed at the critical stage of the match."

Brady scorers: Jamie Brooks, Samuel Adams and Jayden Meranda