MGBSFL DIVISION ONE
FAITHFOLD A 3 NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B 7
Jonathan Adelman insists there is room for improvement after North London Raiders B moved three points clear at the top of the table following a 7-3 demolition of Faithfold A.
In a win marred by a serious injury to David Esterkin, NLR made a real statement of intent against a Faithfold team who looked a shadow of the team who had won so convincingly seven days earlier.
Indeed it was Esterkin who opened the scoring with a firm low shot into the bottom corner from edge of box after a smart pull back from Nicky Woolf.
Faithfold equalied but NLR regained the upper hand soon after. Woolf was again the provider, his pinpoint corner was met by a towering header from Jake Gilbert.
The home side levelled for a second time but NLR stepped up a gear and Gilbert released Alex Goodman who fired calmly into the net to make it 3-2.
Gilbert then put daylight between the sides, lashing home a volley following a cross from Will Ufland.
The goals continued to flow and Goodman made it 5-2 with a deft clip over the keeper after Ufland dispossessed a Faithfold defender.
Dead ball expert Danny Bloom popped up with the a sumptuous free-kick before Ufland unleashed the goal of the game with a glorious long-rang strike arrowing to the top corner after a rapid break to complete the scoring.
NLR joint-manager Jonathan Adelman told JC Sport: "To be honest it took until the second half for us to figure out the best way to play on a narrow and very fast surface. Once we realised that short passing and good movement was key, we did much better.
"Overall it wasn't a great performance however our finishing was a real highlight, we scored some excellent goals including a ripper of a free kick from Danny Bloom and a sumptuous long range effort from Will Ufland.
"I think the boys know that we weren't on it in the first half. The boys knew they had to up their level in the second half, which they did."
Adelman also believes L'Orange caught the Superhoops on a bad day. "We knew that with Faithfold missing important players and having no subs, the higher tempo we played the more they would tire - it's not a surprise that our flurry of goals came after the hour mark.
"I feel for Rob and Dan - it's tough enough running a Sunday football side without players pulling out at late notice and leaving your plans in tatters.
"When they can get all their best players on the pitch they will cause problems for anyone in the division.
"I know they were incensed at the ref's decision to give an indirect free-kick for the stuttered run-up for the penalty. I happen to think it's a daft rule but in fairness all the clubs were made aware of the law changes before the season started and I'm not sure the ref's have any choice but to implement the letter of the laws of the game.
"We're obviously happy with three wins from three but we know that we not as compact and controlled this week as we were against Scrabble. There's plenty for us to improve on."
"Sadly David Esterkin suffered a broken shoulder today which will keep him out for a few months. A cruel blow for such an important player who missed all of last season with injury. We all wish him a speedy recovery."
