JC MSFL DIVISION ONE
Redbridge Jewish Care B 1 Norstar A 3
After celebrating centre midfield maestro Jonny Kay's birthday until the early hours of Sunday morning in central London, Norstar's attention turned away from the dance floor and onto a 9am meet in Essex. With Jonny Kay still with lipstick all around his face, and with three strikers pulling out last minute with dontwanttogotoessexitus, the Norstar boys were ready.
Rumours were rife in Fairlop that Redbridge were bringing numerous A team players down to help them out in which has been labelled as the first of the three title deciding matches on really a super Sunday.
Redbridge started the stronger of the two teams dominating possession but showing little for their troubles. Then birthday girl Jonny Kay provided a wonderful ball to Eli Houri who switches the ball to Josh Green, who puts the ball away, creating wild celebrations in the Norstar camp.
The goal put a spring in the Norstar boys boots and when Kay gets fouled on the halfway line, quickly hits a delicious ball straight to Houri who drills the ball across the box for Green to find his eighth goal in three matches.
Redbridge - feeling a sense on injustice from dominating early possession - started to push forward in the last five minutes of the half. However, the Norstar defence of Freed, Gotch, Pistol and Scher stood strong and limited Redbridge to long range shots which didn't trouble the Portuguese sensation De La Fuenta in goal.
The half time whistle blew, and the Norstar boys were buzzing at the break, sensing their first victory in Essex for three years, four months and 12 days. Phillip Peter's quoting Bob the Builder stating to the boys can they win this game? "Yes we can!".
The second half started and Jonathan Peters and birthday girl Kay acting like they were in a quartet and pulling strings all over the place.
The big Redbridge crowd were getting unsettled and demanding more from their players. Redbridge huffed and puffed but know one could blow Gotch and Pistol's house down at the back.
The birthday girl, Kay then sends in a wind swept corner in, and Jonny Isbitt from two yards out helped himself to a goal taking Norstar's lead to three.
However, with 25 minutes still to go, Norstar with the come back from Neasden B last week in their minds remained focused throughout the game.
The Redbridge quality kept knocking on Pistol's and Gotch's door and finally Steve Summers with a cool finish with five minutes to go to keep the game alive.
Norstar remained professional and as the final whistle blew, round one of really super Sunday went Norstar's way to secure their third straight victory.
On the long journey home, left back sensation Jamie Freed had the following to say. "Redbridge are a quality side with some top players and we knew we would have a game on our hands today, especially with some late pull-outs.
"However, all 14 involved were brilliant today and the way we worked for each other was amazing. The spirit in the club is flying high at the moment and a massive shout out to my defensive line up today who I thought were rock solid throughout.
"We have a week off now and are buzzing to come back to Essex for a real battle with our old rivals Woodford Wanderers which will be a great affair for the neutral.
"We have five games left to win promotion and with Phillip Peters and Jamie Slavin in charge, I wouldn't bet against us!"
(Report written by Jamie Freed)
