JC MSFL DIVISION THREE
L'EQUIPE 0 NORSTAR C 2

Goals from Nick Haringman and Oli Nathan helped Norstar C finally put some points on the board with a backs to wall, gutsy performance at L'Equipe.

Norstar started very strongly and their very early dominance was rewarded when Haringman was played in down the left side of the box and his shot beat the L'Equipe goalkeeper at the near post after 10 minutes.

After conceding Norstar were soon on the back foot and we soaked up wave after wave of attack. A strong defensive performance ensured we kept a slender lead at half time.

After the break Norstar rallied and tried to use the pace in our team to beat L'Equipe down the flanks. Although they continued to be pressed, they battled well and together to keep L'Equipe out and created chances.

Midway through the second half, a Josh Younger free-kick on the right side of the box was brilliantly headed in by Nathan. That goal gave Norstar the extra boost they needed to keep L'Equipe out for the remainder of the game.

As the game went on, Norstar continued to work non-stop to keep L'Equipe out and they did.

Norstar boss Zack Gothelf told JC Sport: "Not only our first win of the season, but a rare clean sheet too for Sunday league football has given us all a massive boost and we'll look to play with a similar mentality and work-rate in the cup games over the next two weeks and then the very winnable return fixture against Loughton Orient in three weeks time.

"Everyone played brilliantly today, working together and not stopping. Special mentions to Lee Benson who pulled off some good saves, Oli Nathan who thoroughly deserved his goal with a Man-of-the-Match centre back performance and Ali Gordon pulling the strings in the midfield.

"That being said, everyone should be delighted with their individual performances today and that was comfortably the best 90 we've played this season as a team."

L'Equipe manager David Prager told JC Sport: "Sunday's game was one the most ridiculous results I have ever been involved in. Norstar scored from their only two chances and we failed to score from our 15+ attempts on goal. That’s football if you don’t score you can’t win the game, but I really can’t stress how one-sided the game was.

"Credit to Norstar - they never gave up and showed a lot of character, but I think that they’ve used a whole seasons luck up in one game. We have to take this result on the chin and bounce back asap. I’ve got a very talented bunch of lads but we are our own worst enemies at the moment."