North West Neasden A joint-manager Jamie Cole hailed his side as “the best Maccabi league team ever” after winning the Peter Morrision Cup for the third year in a row thanks to a 3-1 win over Faithfold A.
A Jake Gottlieb free-kick and a double from Ben Eliis had the game sewn up in an hour. Cole said: " Our boys have really grown up over the last three seasons. To win a league or cup once can be done by many teams, but year-on-year success proves you are a great team. All of our side are good enough be in next summer’s European Maccabi Games squad.”
NWN forged ahead when Gottlieb sent a curling free kick from the edge of the penalty area into the top right-hand corner of Ben Law’s goal to reward Neasden’s early pressure.
There might have been another as the excellent Danny Cole - playing his sixth match in nine days - played a one-two with Ben Ellis but volleyed just wide.
Ellis settled the contest with goals either side of half time; the first of which was a dink over the goalie and the second saw him slot home from eight yards from an excellent Matt Sofier through-ball.
Benji Dymant pulled one back for Faithfold on 67 minutes with a great chip after finding space on the edge of the area. The goal came as a result of Neasden taking their foot off the pedal, having substituted Gottlieb and Danny Daggers with the league campaign in mind.
Dymant could have set up a grandstand finale had he managed to connect with a cross 10 minutes from the end and Lee Cash missed two chances right at the death for Neasden.
Two-goal hero Ellis hopes that his recent performances have boosted his chances of appearing at Maccabiah level. “Playing around these guys as well as my London Lions teammates has helped my game a lot. The aim is to play in the European Games next summer and hopefully push for Wingate after I finish university.”
Faithfold manager Zuriel Solomon was unhappy with Neasden’s conduct after the final whistle. “We applauded them when they lifted the cup and it would have been nice if they have done the same when we collected our medals. They are a great side but they should show more humility.”
He added: “We are improving. Half of our squad is 20 or under. We have made big improvements this season and playing games like this will take us on.”
NWN: Max Shields, Adam Levene, Jonny Ellis (capt), Kyle Bentwood, Jake Gootlieb (sub: Ben Lampert), Danny Daggers (sub: Andy Glynne), Daniel Cole, (sub: James Abrams), Matt Sofier, James Gershfield, Lee Cash
Faithfold: Ben Law, Daniel Howard, James Frenner, Alex Taylor, Paul Savitz, David Lederman (sub: Rocky Spitzer), Benji Dymant, Joe Cohen, Alex Levack, James Taylor (sub: Dan Harrod), Paul Lenchner
JC man of the match: Daniel Cole (NWN)
