CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP QUARTER-FINAL
OAKWOOD A 6 HARMEN 2
Ric Blank piled the praise on his Oakwood team after they destroyed Harmen to clinch their place in the semi-finals of the MGBSFL League Cup.
Doubles from Dan Selwyn and Guy Helman set up a memorable win that takes Oakwood into the hat, along with holders Hendon and last year's finalists Norstar London Raiders A.
"That result has been coming," Blank told JC Sport. "Since the new year we've played well against two good sides but come away with nothing. I told the boys if they stick at it the result will come - and it came in style yesterday against a really talented Harmen side.
"I'm just glad Tony Gold wasn't there - or he'd have been trying to sign even more of my players after just 20 minutes."
Harmen tried to press Oakwood out of possession in the opening stages, but Oakwood showed a good temperament and the quality to deal with anything thrown at them. Oakwood broke down the right and when Helman squared it to Selwyn who couldn't miss.
A good advantage from Martin Lavender saw Oakwood break again with a great ball controlled beautifully by Selwyn who showed enough composure to make it 2-0 after 10 minutes.
Oakwood were rampant at this stage and should have gone further ahead when David Woolman raced through, only for a defender to make a last-minute block. Brad Wine then hit the bar with a wicked volley from 20 yards as Oakwood continued to press.
Harmen pulled a goal back at half time as James Gershfield managed for the first time to elude Daniel Ailion at centre half. Blank commented: "Ails has come into his own in recent weeks and is turning into a fine defender. He was brilliant against a real top centre forward in Gershfield whose movement and strength will cause anyone a problem. But on this occasion Ails came out on top."
2-1 at half-time, Oakwood spoke about composure and managing the game - something that's been their downfall in the past. Goalkeeper Oren Hury made an unbelievable save at 2-1, but in truth they always looked the more likely to score next, with Guy Helman, Brad Wine and Woolman causing havoc up top.
Simon Davies scored the third with a mis-hit shot that crept under the defender's leg and left Max Shields in nets flat-footed.
Oakwood then scored another two in two minutes - both scored by Helman - one a wonderful chip from the edge of the box. Alex Bowman scored a consolation before Wine claimed a well-deserved goal to make it 6-2.
Blank told JC Sport: "It's a result that keeps our season alive and I have absolutely no doubt we'll get Raiders in the semi. That'll be a great game if so."
Harmen joint-manager Joel Alterman told JC Sport: "We have to put yesterday down to a very bad day at the office.
"To lose in the manner that we did is unacceptable and was a big reality check for some of our players.
"Some strong words have been said and we now have to pick ourselves up for the next run of games which is as tough as it comes, starting with Hendon on Sunday."
