The opening weekend of the Olim League season produced a combination of goals and fireworks.
Jerusalem 3 England FC 2
Jerusalem shocked the Olim football world on Saturday night as they defeated last year's champions, England FC.
Jerusalem debutant Moishe Lewis stole the headlines as he scored the first hat-trick ever conceded by England FC.
Lewis, started off the game by hitting the bar with a 20 yard effort and moments later got on the score sheet to put Jerusalem 1-0 up.
England FC tried to work themselves back into the game and were in luck when an error from Jerusalem keeper Francisco let England player Zac get his first goal of the season.
Francisco did, however, make up for his mistake with an excellent save from England's prolific forward Josh Portnoi and just before the half time whistle England were handed another blow as Lewis scored his second goal of the night 2-1.
There was controversy in the second half when England claimed a second equaliser Josh Portnoi was alleged to have been brought down by Rafi Wreschner in the area and from the spot England captain Yoni Sidi drilled home another equaliser for his side 2-2.
The Jerusalem back four led by Danny Newman proved impenetrable as they held off a frustrated England and Moishe Lewis continued to provide a huge threat at the other end hitting the crossbar for the second time.
Lewis then stole the show after being put through perfectly by Ben Rosen to convert his third goal of the night. 3-2 to Jerusalem the final score.
Jerusalem Sqaud:
Fancisco Salgado; Yoel Finchas, Danny Newman, Dan Kosky, David Preston; Raffy Wreschner, Jose “Misa” Misael Garcia Guarneros (Ben Rosen 70), Lolu Hibbert, Calev Ben-Dor (Benzion Loonstein 60); Moishe Lewis, Eran Ben-Ari (David Zackon 60)
Jaffa 1 Ashdod 1
After being withdrawn from the league last season for disciplinary issues, Ashdod returned to Olim football on Saturday night with a sterling display drawing 1-1 with lasts season's cup winners Jaffa.
Ashdod started off the brighter side with their No. 11 rattling the crossbar after 12 minutes with a header. Moments later Jaffa were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty after a potential Ashdod handball in the area.
Ashdod also experienced bad luck in the first half after their winger was denied a penalty following being hacked down in the area by Jaffa full back Yossi Sandler.
It was Jaffa who got on the score sheet first as a defence breaking pass from Alberto Tellias came through to Nir Hacohen who confidently netted Jaffa's first goal of the season 1-0.
The beginning of the second half saw Ashdod grab a deserved eqauliser as their No. 21 ran 40 yards past several Jaffa players and then placed a low drive past Jaffa keeper Avram Piha.
Ashdod were looking to take charge of the game but Jaffa had not given up the three points as Nir Hacohen hit the crossbar for the second time in the game on 67 minutes and it wasn't meant to be Jaffa's night as on 77 minutes Alberto Tellias saw his powerful header hit the Ashdod crossbar.
With the score 1-1 and 10 minutes to go, a tiring Jaffa side had to weather the storm from a fast Ashdod attack and full credit to Daniel Berekley, Simon Berkley and goalkeeper Piha for making sure that Jaffa didn't end the night empty-handed.
The game unfortunately ended on a sour note as an Ashdod forward was sent off for slapping Jaffa captain Dan Berekley around the face in injury time.
Jaffa squad: Avram Pih , Rama Crevato, Dan Berkeley, Josh Berekley, Nir Madmon, Ben KS, Eyal Hoffman, Stephen Caffrey,Simon Berkely, Alberto Tellias, Nir Hacohen, Subs: Asaf Shappira, Yossi Sandler
Manager of the week: Yoel Ochnona (Ashdod)
Player of the week: Moishe Lewis (Jerusalem)
