JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL
Hendon United Sports Club A 3
Brady Maccabi A 1
Hendon Boss David Garbacz dedicated Sunday’s cup success to defender Josh Lipman after his team completed the first part of a possible treble with a 3-1 win over Brady at Wingate & Finchley.
Lipman has played through the pain of losing his father through illness, and he put in another heroic display in a season that could see him named JC MSFL Player of the Year.
Strikes from Greg Corin, Josh Bentley and Ari Last saw Hendon home in a match played on a rain-soaked surface to clinch the team’s first piece of silverware since 2009.
An emotional Garbacz said: “I’d like to dedicate our victory to the father of Josh Lipman, who recently passed away. He came to watch us regularly and would’ve been proud of how Josh performed today.
The result was thoroughly deserved. We dominated possession and in midfield, and did a good job on keeping the dangerous Paul Hakim quiet.”
It was Corin, another star this season, who opened the scoring midway through the first half. A twinkle-toed run by Ari Last saw him find Avidan Last whose low cross rolled across the Brady six-yard box for Corin to apply the finishing touch. Brady were denied an equaliser seconds after the restart when Hakim broke free and fired goalwards from 18 yards, only to be denied by Russell Corin, who pushed the ball around the post with his finger-tips.
Josh Rosenfeld’s men equalised with the last kick of the half after Jonathan Green was clipped in the penalty area by Martin Smulovitch and captain Jonny Ellis converted the spot-kick, sending Corin the wrong way.
Brady were left incensed when they had a penalty appeal turned away after Josh Hershman appeared to be tugged back in the penalty area by Corin.
Hendon stepped up a gear in the last 20 minutes with super-sub Josh Bentley restoring the lead with a wonderful volley from just inside the box. Ari Last sealed the tie with a twice-taken penalty after he was upended by Ellis.
Garbacz commented: “Going in level at half-time was a bit of a body blow, but the message in the changing room was positive.
“Josh Bentley made a massive impact from the bench. He was so disappointed not to start and being my nephew, it was a tough decision to make.
Brady boss Josh Rosenfeld said: “For me, the turning point of the game was definitely the penalty that never was. “Hendon are an excellent side with quality throughout the team. I am sure they will go an win the treble now and credit to all of them for so much hard work.”
Hendon: R. Corin, Gilbert (sub: J. Bentley), Smulovitch, Lipman, Rosenthal, Av. Last (sub: Korman 86), Ar. Last, Lauffer, G. Corin, R. Kon, D. Kon (sub: Kestenbaum 75). Sub not used: B. Kon
Brady: Colmans, Lassman (sub: Fox 88), Smith, Ellis (capt), Littas, Green (sub: Field 75), Hershman, Platt, Gordon, Keterman, Hakim. Subs not used: Grant, Cohen
Man-of-the-match: Ben Lauffer
