Cup holders Hendon suffer shock loss to Lions Masters

Shock of the day saw the Rowley Lane side inflict a first Peter Morrison Cup defeat on Hendon A in two years.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS AT A GLANCE (SCROLL DOWN FOR FULL REVIEW):

HEARTFELT TRIBUTES AFTER MACCABI LEAGUE FOOTBALLER DIES, AGED 34

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PETER MORRISON TROPHY LAST 16 DRAW

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PETER MORRISON CUP THIRD ROUND:
Maccabi London Lions Masters 1 Hendon United A 0 (AET)
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Faithfold A P Camden Park P
(CAMDEN AWARDED TIE)
HMH 4 Masters Rep Team 0
SPEC FC 3 FC Team A 7

PREMIER DIVISION:
Brady Maccabi 1 Oakwood A 2
Maccabi London Lions A 3 Redbridge Jewish Care A 2
North London Raiders A 6 Woodford Wanderers 0

DIVISION ONE:
Brixton Old Boys 2 Athletic Bilbaum 7
Hendon United A 2 Finchley City 7
Oakwood B 2 Los Blancos 3
Redbridge Jewish Care B 3 North London Raiders B 1
Scrabble 6 Maccabi London Lions B 2

DIVISION TWO:
Boca Jewniors 0 FC Team B 3
Faithfold B 3 Redbridge Jewish Care C 1
Hertswood Vale 3 L’Equipe 4
North London Raiders C 0 RC UK FC 11
Real Hendon 3 Temple Fortune 4

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MACCABI LONDON LIONS MASTERS VS HENDON UNITED A:

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LEAGUE GOALSCORERS CHART (League & Cup)

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TEAM OF THE WEEK NOMINATIONS:

GOALKEEPERS:
Scott Shear (Redbridge Jewish Care B)

DEFENCE:
Jeremy Teacher (Faithfold B)
Sam Kanter (Finchley City)
Zac Garbacz (Hendon United A)
Guy Morris (Maccabi London Lions Masters)
Dale Bradman (Oakwood A)
David Brown (RC UK FC)
Josh Marlow (RC UK FC)
Brandon Sassoon (Scrabble)
Dan Stock (Scrabble)

STRIKERS:
Richard Fogelman (Faithfold B)
Connor Perl (FC Team A)
Jono Gaon (Finchley City)
Saul Conway (Maccabi London Lions Masters)
Guy Helman (Oakwood A)
Danny Sherman (Scrabble)
Jordan Sharifian (Temple Fortune)

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GOAL OF THE WEEK NOMINATIONS:

1) Lorian Madanes (FC Team A)
A stunning free-kick in to the top left corner

2) Jordan Sharifian (Temple Fortune)
Hit a volley from 25 yards out after a great ball from Gavin Levy

3) Adam Waters (Scrabble)
Cut inside from the right and hit a ferocious bending piledriver beyond the reach of the Lions goalkeeper from 25 yards out

4) Aaron Luftig (RC UK FC)
Scored his first ever league goal after twisting and turning two men tight in the area, before firing into the roof of the net

5) Sam Kanter (Finchley City)
Produced a stunning 25-yard volley into the top right hand corner

6) Luke Strauss (Los Blancos)
A 30-yard free-kick – the goalkeeper didn’t even move

7) John Kay (L’Equipe)
A long goal kick was flicked on by Mark Smith, it landed at Andy Smith’s feet, who played the ball forward to Kay, who hit the ball in that perfect sweet spot at the end of his boot into the top corner giving the goalkeeper no chance

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SAVE OF THE WEEK NOMINATIONS:

1) Nati Kind (RC UK FC)
A 35-yard driven lob seemed destined for the back of the net, until Kind backpeddled and got his fingertips to tip in onto the bar and out

 

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK NOMINATIONS:

1) Jonathan Pearl (FC Team A)
“Finally, I just want to give a shout out to the referee, Richard Jaye, who was superb.”

2) Samuel Marchant (Maccabi London Lions B)
“In my year and a half of managing this side, today is the first time I can safely say we were outclassed.”

3) David Garbacz (Hendon United A)
“Dovi Fehler missed a chance in the last minute of extra time to take the game to penalties that made Ronnie Rosenthal look good”

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PETER MORRISON CUP THIRD ROUND: (number in brackets represents division of team)

LONDON MACCABI LIONS MASTERS 1 HENDON UNITED A (Prem) 0 (AET)
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Saul Conway’s extra-time winner sealed a famous win for the hosts.

Manager Dan Jacobs told jewishnews.co.uk: “We’re an experienced side with some very good players and today was a question of whether we could use that to get the better of what is clearly a very good side. We showed good fitness levels and good quality on the ball. The group listened to what was asked of them and thus I’m very proud of them.

“Few would deny that we were good value in the end for the win. It was their goalkeeper making the saves and, while they of course had their moments, I thought both with and without the ball we looked in control.

“For us, this game is simply about challenging ourselves. At this stage, results are irrelevant, it’s about learning about each other and just enjoying the game. But the boys are chuffed they got reward for their effort and shows there’s plenty of life left in some of these old legs!

“We entered this competition to get an extra game or two in and so will look forward to whatever challenge the next game throws at us.”

Hendon manager David Garbacz told jewishnews.co.uk: “The whole squad including myself cannot remember ever coming off a pitch so incredibly disappointed to lose a game. We put our bodies on the line for 120 minutes against a very good Masters team and to come away with a defeat was devastating. They were supposed to be the ones with the fitness problems, but we finished the game like the walking wounded as Simon Peterman, Alex Rosenthal, Zac Lewis and Yoav Lebens all picked up bad injuries and it is a good thing the Chanukah break is around the corner to patch up the wounds.

“Saying that that is no excuse for the defeat – when all is said and done they deserved the victory – tactically they closed down our danger men very quickly and were able to dictate the pace of the match. They were very well organised but the most upsetting thing today was our finishing. Zac Lewis has been scoring goals in his sleep in recent weeks but today missed maybe four golden chances – our game plan was to soak up the inevitable pressure and catch them on the break with our pace and to an extent it worked – we just couldn’t put the ball in the net. Dovi Fehler missed a chance in the last minute of extra time to take the game to penalties that made Ronnie Rosenthal look good. It was genuinely easier to score – he is a great player, but he left today distraught at that miss.

“We have won this cup for the last three years running, so feel a huge sense of loss this morning – even the Redbridge defeat on the adjoining pitch failed to muster a smile. We need to feel sorry for ourselves for a few days and then pick ourselves up again for the weekend and keep our title challenge going. This season can still bring with it great success and joy so we can’t be down for too long.

“As for the Masters – I’m pleased for the likes of Josh Bentley and Russell and congratulations to Alex Levack who I thought was brilliant today and ran the game. I hope they go far in this competition and obviously we wish them all the best for the big prize next summer. If they continue to play like they did yesterday they will have a great chance of gold.”

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FAITHFOLD A (1) P CAMDEN PARK (Prem) P

TIE AWARDED TO CAMDEN PARK

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HMH 4 MASTERS REP TEAM 0
The Masters Rep Team had their work cut out against an HMH team with an average age of just 20, and were further hampered by the loss of Kevin Lotzof in the warm-up and Dan Hodes at the interval.

Despite the efforts of captain Jonny Summerfield, and Nigel Goldthorpe at the back, they eventually succumbed to HMH’s superior speed and strength, going down 4-0, and HMH progress to the next round.

Dan Hardoun scored twice, with Dom Feldman and Clark Norton also on target.

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SPEC (Prem) 3 FC TEAM A (Prem) 7
Team booked their place in the next round in emphatic style.

Connor Perl scored four goals, Adam Rones chipped in with two, with Lorian Madanes also on target.

Team’s assistant manager Jonathan Pearl told jewishnews.co.uk: “It was a very pleasing result today and a really good team performance.

“They just couldn’t cope with the movement and finishing of Connor, who terrorised them non-stop. Add to that a stunning all round, man-of-the-match, display by Ronesy and we were pretty much in control and dominant throughout.

“Credit to them as well though, as they didn’t ever give up and scored three really good goals.

“Finally, I just want to give a shout out to the referee, Richard Jaye, who was superb.”

SPEC replied through Elliot Wallis‘ double and Marc Hecht’s strike, for whom player-manager Ricky Lawrence told jewishnews.co.uk: “It was a classic cup tie with chances at both ends. Unfortunately for us, all of their chances ended up in the back of the net and ours didn’t. Their striker Connor, was the difference between the teams and we simply couldn’t live with him.”

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PREMIER DIVISION:

FIXTURES & RESULTS:
TABLE:

BRADY MACCABI 1 OAKWOOD A 2
Oakwood moved to within a point of second spot – and five off top spot – thanks to this hard-fought win.

Dale Bradman headed home a Rafi Stone corner, before Jonny Quinn popped up in the 90th minute from a brilliant Dave Woolman cross, to claim the winner.

Joint-manager Daniel Kristall told jewishnews.co.uk: “Ultimately, we took the points and after the disappointment of last week, that was our main target. We made several changes and welcomed back some key players. We also introduced two new signings in Ben Lauffer and Leor Sidle.

“It’s never easy blending in new players and yesterday we had 3-4 players that had never met each other. I am confident in time, that we will get stronger as we play more football together as a group.

“In a tough match and on a difficult surface at Rowley Lane, we just about did enough to secure the points. In all honesty, we could have been 5-1 up at half-time, but we were extremely wasteful with some excellent opportunities. Our decision making and finishing must improve.

We equalised on half-time after a Rafi Stone corner found Dale Bradman on his own in the area to level the match. I think that was the key moment in the game as requiring two goals up the hill and into the sun in the second half, may have been too big an ask.

“Our general play lacked some aggression at times and Brady looked a threat on the break throughout the game. Especially with the ever dangerous Mogilner.

F”or the first time in several weeks, we were able to freshen up as we had 15 players to choose from. I actually think that contributed to us finding another gear in the last 10 minutes. In previous weeks and especially last week, we have been unable to turn to the bench.

“We stuck to our task as we have done a few times this season and we were patient. The winner came in the 90th minute after a brilliant Dave Woolman cross was bundled home by substitute Jonny Quinn.

“We have a massive game next week away at a very strong Lions side where you never know what 11 they are going to put out. For now, we hang in there and with no cup distraction and Hendon to play twice in the new year, don’t go writing us off just yet.”

Reiss Mogilner scored for Brady.

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MACCABI LONDON LIONS A 3 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 2
Redbridge spurned the chance to move with a point of the leaders as they suffered defeat in a five-goal thriller.

Max Kyte, a Nate Kashket own goal, and strike from Harry Marlow saw Will Beresford’s side to the three points.

Russell Goldstein and Daniel Garfinkle twice brought Redbridge level, for whom manager Jon Jacobs told jewishnews.co.uk: “With a squad shorn of six first teamers, Redbridge performed admirably to run a very good Lions side as close as they did.

“Making simple errors, they took the lead after 10 minutes when a simple though ball led to a miscommunication that saw goalkeeper and defenders leaving each other to deal with it, allowing them to go ahead.

Lions were totally unrecognisable from the team that played earlier in the season, they were running the game, but after 30 minutes, Russell scored a well-crafted equaliser.

“If the first goal was bad, the second goal was even worse with a total mix up leading to an own goal by Nate Kashket which was totally avoidable.

“Still, we had enough time to get ourselves back in the game and with another smart through ball by Berkley, Garfinkle finished and the game was there to be won.

“We were then denied what we felt was a stonewall penalty, before they scored the winner five minutes from time.

“The game deserved to end up all square but we have to take defeat on the chin and keep going. I couldn’t ask for any more from my boys but just didn’t have enough cover today when we really needed it.”

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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A 6 WOODFORD WANDERERS 0
Raiders moved up into fourth spot with this comprehensive win.

Matt Stock scored twice, with David Dinkin, David Cohen, Josh Morris and Adam Gold also finding the back of the net.

Woodford manager Daryl Kay told jewishnews.co.uk: “It was very disappointing considering how well we played in the first half.

“We seem to be capitulating at any opportunity this season which is very unlike Woodford, it doesn’t seem like we’re there mentally.

“We’ll keep fighting because that’s the sort of team we are and hopefully come April/May we’ll have enough points to stay in the Prem.”

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DIVISION ONE:

FIXTURES & RESULTS
TABLE

BRIXTON OLD BOYS 2 ATHLETIC BILBAUM 7
Bilbaum claimed their second win of the season, as Brixton slumped to their ninth consecutive loss.

Benjamin Bell netted a hat-trick, Jacob Brunner scored twice, with Samuel Deaner and Nick Shinder also getting on the scoresheet.

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HENDON UNITED B 2 FINCHLEY CITY 7
Finchley consolidated their top-four spot thanks to this comprehensive win.

Jono Gaon scored four on his debut, with Ariel Weinstein, Sam Leader and Sam Kanter also on target.

Manager Joel Holder told jewishnews.co.uk: “The boys were superb today and fully deserved the win. We came out the blocks quickly and looked dangerous every time we went forward. Two of arguably our best players of the season in Sade and Polak were unavailable today which shows the depth of quality we have throughout the squad.

“Our finishing today was top draw. Jono Gaon on his Finchley debut was unplayable and showed everyone a masterclass in finishing. We bossed the midfield and were breathtaking going forward.

“Confidence is high at the moment, but we are just focusing on each game as it comes. It’s going to be a massive test against Scrabble next week but one we are all looking forward to.”

Stuart Harris and Gideon Gale scored for Hendon, for whom manager Jonathan Nesbitt told jewishnews.co.uk: “It was a shame that we only started playing football in the second half, it meant we were able to keep the scoreline into single digits which didn’t look likely after the first half an hour but he game was over and we didn’t have a chance of getting back in it.”

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OAKWOOD B 2 LOS BLANCOS 3
Oakwood twice let slip a lead as they were surprisingly beaten by the Blancos boys.

Avi Kestenbaum, Luke Strauss and Joel Kutner strikes sent the visitors to the points, with Joel Minsky telling jewishnws.co.uk: “After a tough run of results, we’re thrilled to have eventually got a result that our performances of late have deserved – it’s just a shame now that the Chanukah break is shortly upon us.”

Rafi Bloom and Aaron Searle were on target for Jason Stein’s men, who told jewishnews.co.uk: “It wasn’t a great day at the office today for Oakwood. We’re going through a tough moment and confidence is low. We started the game well and Rafi Bloom took his goal very well from a lovely James Frener pass but our old friend ‘set pieces’ came back at us today.

“Fair play to Blancos who defended well today and stayed organised, but we just didn’t play well enough or pass the ball well enough to break them down.

“I know we’re better than the football we are playing but there is no doubt that right now we are suffering from some complacency, poor decision making and basic mental errors at set pieces.

“We need to pick ourselves up quickly before a hard game against Redbridge next week.”

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REDBRIDGE B 3 NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B 1
Third hosted second and claimed a win which saw them move to within a point of the Raiders.

Player-manager Sam Rank led by example, getting on the scoresheet, with Brad Gayer and Kane Hoops also on target.

Rank told jewishnews.co.uk: “The performance wasn’t the greatest, but the last 30 minutes was the football we know we can play. We owe Scott Shear a big drink after the saves he has made today. We move onto next week again against Oakwood B, determined to keep the 100 percent record going. The fitness levels from the boys was brilliant today, which shows the effort you put into training pay dividends on the pitch on Sunday.

“Full credit to them, they are a great club, and I hope they will be taking some points of our title rivals during the second half of the season, we wish them good luck for the rest of the season.”

Will Ufland had fired The Raiders on front, for whom manager Jonathan Adelman told jewishnews.co.uk: “We ended up missing some key players (as I know Redbridge were too) and whilst we played ok in the first half, in truth we were abject after the break. We missed clear cut chances, conceded awful goals and gifted possession away. 

“We’ll dust ourselves down and some tough decisions will be made over the coming weeks so that we have a squad fit for purpose for the second half of the season.”

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SCRABBLE 6 MACCABI LONDON LIONS B 2
Lions remain top of the table – though that was the only positive to take out of the game as they suffered this heavy defeat against ten-man Scrabble.

Two goals each from Josh Pugh and Danny Sherman, coupled with strikes from Adam Waters and Josh Bharier saw them to the win.

Manager Ray Abrahams told jewishnews.co.uk: “We were magnificent today and had 13 heroes who all played their part in this win. But after going 3-0 up as we did at Rowley Lane earlier in the season, my boys were determined not to let Lions back in this time.

“When Ben Law was sent off we could have collapsed, but such is the spirit in this squad that we reorganised ourselves and we took the game to Lions.To lose one of the best goalkeepers in the league with 35 minutes left was a huge blow for us, but in response we dominated all over the pitch and grew in confidence as the game went on. Sometimes when you are reduced to 10 men and your backs are to the wall you raise yourself to another level and we did exactly that today. Adam Waters took the goalkeepers jersey when Ben Law went off and to be honest looked comfortable  and could do nothing about their late second goal.

“The players took responsibility for their own game in this one and were determined not to let this game slip. To beat the League leaders and a good side in the manner we did today says a lot for what we have in our locker. The league is wide open now and we are unbeaten in 5 games so we are on a bit of a run at the moment and reached a level today that we need to stay at.

“We’ve had such a tough run of games in our first eight league fixtures, but have still been picking up points in these important games.

“After today’s result and last week’s against Oakwood B, we’ve put ourselves in a very strong position in the leading pack in the league and we are proud of what we have achieved over the the last two seasons. We’ve also got an exciting Cup quarter final to look forward to in the New Year.

“Hopefully our injury situation will improve as the weeks go on and we just have to keep going, keep picking up points and see where it will take us.”

Michael Kenley, Dean Rosenthal were on target for the visitors, for whom manager Samuel Marchant told jewishnews.co.uk: “In my year and a half of managing this side, today is the first time I can safely say we were outclassed.

“The team knew what this game meant for the season ahead, yet the determination and passion was non-existent. You can have the greatest footballers in the world, but if they’re not hungry to win, they will always be outfought by their opposition. The last couple of months have brought some difficult results for us to take, and we are in a low-patch. It does happen to all teams at times and we just need to crawl our way out of it.

“The December break couldn’t come at a better time for us now and we can rethink our plans going forward. There’s no reason why we still can’t be fighting for promotion come the end of the season but today’s result has certainly made that a lot harder to achieve.

“I must say Scrabble were superb today, especially their midfield trio who were up-and-down the pitch the whole game and very hard to deal with.”

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DIVISION TWO:

FIXTURES & TABLES
TABLE

BOCA JEWNIORS 0 FC TEAM B 3
Team claimed their second league win of the season as they sent Boca to a seventh loss in eight games. 

Eddie Sternberg scored twice, with Adam Newsome claiming their third.

Boca’s assistant manager Anton Nyman told jewishnews.co.uk: “We really didn’t play badly and a 3-0 scoreline doesn’t justify the scoreline. There was a number of dubious offsides given against us, but we couldn’t take our chances and gave them sloppy goals.”

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FAITHFOLD B 3 REDBRIDGE C 1
A hat-trick from the league’s top scorer Richard Fogelman saw The Greens claim an impressive win over the title challenger.

Rafe Neiman scored Redbridge’s consolation.

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HERTSWOOD VALE 3 L’EQUIPE 4
This fixture may have seen the bottom side hosts the leaders, but it was the former who came agonisingly close to securing the shock of the say – if not season.

Josh Cohen’s penalty put them ahead, and although they found themselves 2-1 down at the break, they found themselves leading again through Ollie Brill and Adrian Leibovitch.

Vale’s Jacob Emanuel told jewishnews.co.uk: “Well well well…almost the shock of the day!! We lost 4-3 having literally thrown away the lead against top of league with five minutes to go. The players are absolutely gutted. An exceptional second half performance almost got us our first win of the season but it wasn’t meant to be.

“We had multiple chances to extend the league through Elio Elia, Sam Cohen and Ollie Brill, but in classic Vale style we through away the lead with five minutes to go, conceding twice as L’equipe stole the victory 4-3.

“I’m proud of every single player. We’re bottom of the league without a win this season and we’re gutted to only take a point away from games against the two best teams in the division in the past fortnight.

“I hope FC team C are shaking in their boots at the prospect of coming to Borehamwood next Sunday. We’ll be waiting.”

But L’Equipe made it nine wins from ten games thanks to Andy Smith’s double, Grant Bates’ strike and a 93rd minute from birthday boy Jonny Kay.

Manager Nicholas Stern told jewishnews.co.uk: “I must start by saying a how we got away with one this week! There is no doubt that Hertswood deserved at least a point and if they play like that the rest of the season, they will cause one or two big upsets along the way.

“I’m still in a bit of shock how we came away with three points, we said a poor performance was always possible but to have that this week, with a small squad and still come away with three points fills me with Chanukah joy.

“The match was all about the ever growing legend of John Kay. After falling behind 3-2, we got back into the game in the 87^th minute to tie the game but of course it wasn’t over, not when John Kay is around, sprinkled in with the fact that it was his birthday meant that magic was always possible. A long goal kick was flicked on by Mark Smith, the fans were on the edge of the seat confused as to why John Kay didn’t flick it on, it landed at Andy smiths feet who played the ball forward and there he was bearing down on goal, Tim Lovejoy appeared out of nowhere to state don’t worry its only John Kay but they haven’t met 2016 John Kay, scorer of 5 in 5 and L Equipe legend award winner 2015. He was, he was composed and he play hit the ball in that perfect sweet spot at the end of his boot into the top corner giving the goalkeeper no chance whatsoever. Carnage ensued; Captain Singer slapped John Kay to make sure he was real not an alien after his now 6 in 6 record and L Equipe were able to hang on for a huge victory.

“It’s now nine wins from 10 and we go again next week. As I have said all along, one week at a time and as long as we keep battling then we are in with a real chance the rest of the way.”

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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS 0 RC UK FC 11
RC UK FC moved up to third place in the table as they produced the most clinical result of the day.

Player-manager Avi Markiewicz helped himself to five goals, Eli Shebson, Dovi Vogel, Aaron Luftig, Zalmy Cohen and two own goals completed the rout.

Markiewicz told jewishnews.co.uk: “Another week, another flawless performance by the Roses.

“In the week leading up to the game we were very worried we wouldn’t be able to put a team out with key players Jonti Aremband, Avi Mocton and Yisroel Lewis all unavailable. This would have been a major downer after such a fantastic result last week. We managed to make a few late Thursday night signings so in the end had three subs and they slotted into the team seamlessly. Every player had time off utilising the rotation system to perfection.

“We led at half-time due to two own goals, and really pushed on in the second half. We were rarely troubled, but there was one moment that was heart in the mouth time when Nati pulled off a superb stop [see save of the week nomination at top of page].

“We didn’t rest on our laurels and continued to play beautiful football scoring a series of wonderful team goals. Eli Shebson recorded his first of the season with a fantastic drive from the edge of the area. Zalmy Cohen and Dovi Vogel scored with composed finishes and Aaron Luftig scored his first ever league goal after twisting and turning two men tight in the area and scoring high into the net.

“I scored a second, completed my hat-trick, and then got another two, saving the best for last with a delicate chip with the outside of the boot from the edge of the area that went over the keeper and bounced neatly on the line and in.

“Every player today, just like last week, put in 100 percent effort and the scoreline was no less than the consequence of that effort mixed with some raw talent. We are on a fantastic run at the moment we just need to make sure we keep that going against Temple Fortune next week.

“Robert Benardout, the referee, also had an excellent game.”

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REAL HENDON 3 TEMPLE FORTUNE 4
Fortune kept up their title challenge as they edged this seven-goal thriller.

Jordan Sharifian claimed a hat-trick, with Aron Barnes scoring the winning goal.

Manager Simon Linden told jewishnews.co.uk: “Today will be a game we look back on at the end of the season, it’s a huge three points.

“We had a few setbacks with Woolfe and Rehav both coming off. Credit to the boys though. It wasn’t easy, Hendon gave us a run for our money and at 3-3, it could have gone either way, but the boys dug deep and our main man struck gold when it mattered.

“When you have players like Jorden there’s always going to be chances, he can create out of nothing and did exactly that with three great goals, the first a contender for goal of the season.

“To win this speaks volumes, now the attention turns to RCUK in what is the biggest game of the season.”

Motty Korman scored twice for the hosts, with player-manager Chaim Gothold also on target. The latter told jewishnews.co.uk: “Disappointing as we played really well. We deserved something from the game today but fair play to them, who capitalised on three errors to take the points.”

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