JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP SEMI-FINAL
CAMDEN PARK 1 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 3
Two goals from Jack Vangelder saw Redbridge end Camden Park's excellent run of form after booking their place in the final with a 3-1 at the Ark Academy.
A Jack Vangelder double plus one from Ben Sollosi did the trick for RJC.
RJC forged ahead after Camden failed to clear their lines at a set-piece, but the Division One team forced a dramatic equaliser when central defender Michael Khalastchi headed home with 20 minutes remaining.
This means manager Eilon Kennet will take the 2011 competition winners to Wingate & Finchley to meet his former club, Lions A.
"It was a very satisfying victory," Kennet told JC Sport: "As anticipated, we were a little rusty at the beginning but got stronger and stronger and got the all-important opening goal before half time.
"Everyone won their personal battle and maintained their part of the game-plan, even, after conceding a sloppy equaliser. Heads never dropped and we pushed on for the winner. I thought it was thoroughly deserved, but Camden made it hard.
"It was a great team performance, but Jack Vangelder and Joel Berg in particular, were outstanding. Our two subs, Sam Solosi and Danny Sugarman were outstanding too, and Dan Lee made the save of the week to prevent an equaliser at 2-1.
"As I said in my preview, Camden are a very good side in good form and its no coincidence that they are having such a good season.
"I think it's a shame that the main MSFL Cup will ultimately be decided by the availability of boys playing on Saturdays in the South Midlands League, but everyone wants to win the Cup Final. It's hard to decide who the favourite is, until we know the team sheets.
"Otherwise, I had a lot of success with Lions in this competition, so it would be nice to start a run of victories with Redbridge."
RJC coach Danny Berg told JC Sport: "I'm very proud of the boys. We deserved to win the game and all in all it was a comfortable win."
"Camden are a decent young side who try and play football in the right way, but we were to strong for them all over the park. Defensively we were solid, in midfield we played some great football and up top we worked hard and were good on the ball - the main thing was that we were hard to break down and we were clinical in front of goal and in our own box.
"We wish Camden all the best for the season and maybe we’ll meet them again in the Morrison.
"On to the final which I’m sure will be a great game against Lions who have come a long way since Andy and Gersh took them over ..."
RJC captain Adam Hakimi told JC Sport: "The club are delighted to be back at Wingate; it will be a great occasion. Lions are a fantastic club and the biggest in Jewish football. But anyone that has witnessed an Essex based team in a final will know we have the fans that will create a party atmosphere!"
Camden player-manager Josh Marks told JC Sport: "Obviously we’re just so disappointed to have lost on Sunday. I feel that on another day things could have swayed slightly more in our favour and we could’ve beaten this team so there’s a lot of positives to draw from that.
"Redbridge are obviously one of the best teams in Jewish football and I look forward to testing our ability against them again hopefully in the near future.
"We didn’t quite reach the heights at which we have played at this season and, essentially, the game was lost in the midfield.
"We had a clear chance to go ahead early on which would have made things interesting. And then there was a point-blank header which may or may not have crossed the line but wasn’t given.
"It just wasn’t to be in the end."
Redbridge: Dan Lee, Joel Berg, Adam Hakimi (capt), Sam McCarthy, Ben Graham, Danny Hakimi, Richie Caplin (sub: Danny Sugarman), Ben Sollosi, Steve Gervertz (sub: Sam Sollosi), Steve Summers, Jack Van Gelder
