Maccabi GB Futsal cranked up their preparations for the new season with a 1-0 win in a friendly against London Saints.

Having had a successful 2013/2014 campaign, Maccabi GB Futsal have been working hard in the pre-season period, training up to three times a week. This was the first time the players had competed since the side bowed out at the FA Futsal Cup quarter-final stage back in May and it was clearly evident in the performance.

London Saints carved out an opportunity in the first 30 seconds of the game, only for Dan Lipman to be on guard to save from close range. Maccabi GB then dominated the possession, with Jamie Bernstein linking well with Olcot and Phillips, creating openings that were not put away.

Maccabi GB carried on their assault with Sollosi missing twice at the back-post and Bernstein jinking in from the left before unleashing a venomous shot that hit the upright. Moments later, Sugarman played a delightful wall-pass with Gordon-Boyd, for the former to crash his effort against the upright as well.

London Saints had an opportunity once or twice towards the end of the half. This was due to defensive hesitation and lack of awareness of opposition runners from MGB and this nearly cost them before the interval.

Although positive in the amount of chances created in the first half, intensity in defence and offence were needed. This was magnified in the second half as MGB’s defensive unit was breached early on and only a flurry of close-range saves from Lipman kept the scores level.

Kurrant, Phillips, Olcot and Bernstein were gradually turning the tide, with attempts from all four players well-saved before the opening goal was scored. From a set piece, Kurrant played in debutant Phillips to smash the ball home, left-footed from out wide, into the top left corner of the goal.

MGB continued to push the ball around with tempo and conviction and were unlucky not to add to their tally. The game finished 1-0, positive in that no goals were conceded, and all thanks to an inspired man-of-the-match performance by Lipman.

The Community’s Premier Futsal team play their second friendly on Wednesday night at the Score-Centre in the Leyton League before training on Thursday at Sporthouse. They have another friendly fixture on Sunday against Enfield.

Squad:
1. Dan Lipman
2. Jamie Bernstein
3. Adam Bernstein
4. Sam Sollosi
5. Alex Olcot
6. Alex Norman
7. Jonah Gordon-Boyd
8. Josh Phillips
9. Gideon Barnett
10. Max Radford
11. Daniel Sugarman
12. Jon Kurrant

Goalscorers: Josh Phillips