MGBSFL DIVISION ONE
SHIRLEY PARK 1 BRADY MACCABI B 2
Brady B returned to winning ways with a rock-solid display that gives plenty of positive signs for the rest of the season – dominating proceedings throughout.
The squad assembled prompt and keen, with the players also wanting to put the memory of a terrible display last time out to bed. A well-drilled warm-up from captain Daniel Harrod instantly paid dividends as the B’s quickly worked through the gears, asking questions of an underwhelming home side.
Unfortunately a small pitch meant their signature tika-taka passing game had to be thrown out the window for a more direct approach, with the forward partnership of Josh Newman and Reiss Mogilner both going close.
Man-of-the-match Simon 'Makélélé' Moses threw himself about with little regard for his own safety in a dominating performance in the centre of the park. However, Shirley went ahead against the run of play when Stefan Benfredj's speculative long-range drive whistled into the net. One Brady fan said: "The goal shows what a cruel mistress football can be when you don’t take your chances ..."
Despite going into half time 1-0 down, a Josh Dagul meets Al Pacino morale boosting monologue preached “more of the same and our time will come". Unfortunately for Shirley, it did the trick.
The second half started nervously for both sides, but when new signing Henry Ziff chipped a delicate ball into the path of Mogilner, he skipped past one and found Jimmy “Goals” Winton who fired a low drive into the corner of the goal.
Throughout the second half the superb Brady B defence lapped up the attacking play of Shirley Park. The growing centre-half partnership of Davis and Ziff looks similar to Baresi and Maldini of old, with ever-present “Ranny” Carlos stampeding up and down his left flank.
With 15 minutes to go Mogilner drove again at the Shirley defence and was hacked down desperately in the area. The referee pointed to the spot. Mogilner dusted himself down and coolly slotted his penalty past the keeper.
The last 10 minutes showed the character of this Brady team, with goalkeeper Korn tested. A tireless performance from the returning Josh Laurier and Josh Dagul’s moment of brilliance as he headed clear off the line.
This pundit feels Brady B should be buoyed by the result but not become over-confident. Dispatching Shirley Park means nothing if not backed up with repeat performances over the next couple of weeks.
Delighted Brady boss Josh Dagul told JC Sport: "That was exactly the type of performance I've wanted to see all season. We were defensively solid, offensively dangerous and overall I couldn't have asked for any more from my players."
Shirley boss Dave Lusman told JC Sport: "That was easily one of are worst performances since are formation as a football club - we were absolutely shocking and completely disjointed across the field due to further last-minute dropouts.
"We may of hit the frame of the goal twice and had opportunities to tie up the game after going 1-0 up, but we could not put the ball away.
"When our chances came our are decision-making was absolutely poor. We were all over the place and deserved to lose today. It's very disappointing and embarrassing to watch, but we expect to get back to business next week."
