JC MSFL DIVISION ONE
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B 1
TEMPLE FORTUNE A 1
Stirling Kay, the manager of Redbridge B, cut a frustrated figure at the final whistle after seeing his 100 per cent record ended by a Fortune team inspired by the heroics of keeper Steve Murad.
Having won their first five league games, Kay's men came from behind to claim a point but the RJC manager believes that it should have been three.
Paul Walker had given Fortune the lead during the first half when he took advantage of a defensive slip to volley home, but Dan Orgel equalised in the second period after a succession of chances had come his way.
"We should have won the game given the number of chances we had," Kay said. "We've got to make better decisions in the final third of the pitch. We need to be sharper. We were not good enough in front of goal but I'm sure they will learn from it. We should be winning these games and putting our chances away."
An open and entertaining affair saw Fortune start on the front foot. A cross from John Fisher casued confusion in the RJC before Josh Marks fired against the bar.
Fortune forged ahead moments later when Redbridge's Josh Tiani inadvertently headed the ball to the unmarked Walker who volleyed home.
Redbridge felt aggrieved, but their frustration soon turned to the woodwork and the display of Murad in goal, as the visitors rode their luck.
The home side continued to attack with Scott Kay and Dan Orgel coming close again. Harrison Grant then missed a gilt-edged opportunity, turning the ball over the bar from close range when it looked easier to score.
Jay Lawrence, who was superb in midfield, saw a free kick come back off the post as the east Londoners went into the the break trailing. They continued where they left off after half time with Grant's cross almost looping in.
Fortune almost doubled their lead when Michael Goldberg ran through on goal, but he was unable to get his shot away.
Dan Orgel then had two more good chances following good work from Richie Caplin before the most controversial minute of the match. Goldberg was once again through on goal and beat Ollie Brooks to the ball, before appearing to be clipped. As Fortune players appealed for the penalty, Redbridge broke and released Orgel once more, and he made no mistake this time in finally beating Murad.
The same man still had two more chances late on to nick the win, but in the end it was not to be as Fortune ensured Murad's hard work did not go to waste.
Fortune boss Lee Fegan said: "It was a fair result. We had the edge in the first half and played lovely football.
"We let them back in during the last 10 minutes of the first half and they pegged us back in the second half. I also felt we had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down.
RJC: Brooks, Chernoff, Caplin, Taylor, Tiani (sub: Berkley), Kay, Grant (sub: Coates), Lawrence (sub: Soals), Dobrin, Orgel, Orgel
Temple Fortune: Murad, Cohen, Woolfe, Gilberry (sub: Fegan), Manheim, Marks (sub: Rubinstein), Fisher, Stead, Walker, Goldberg, Benson (sub: Miller)
