Beitar Bushey moved a step closer to securing their first-ever piece of silverware as they beat HMH Camden 3-0 in a comprehensive quarter-final victory.
February 5, 2025 09:31
ByMaccabi GB, Andrew Sherwood
Booking their place into the last four of the Maccabi GB Southern Football League David Wolff Division Two Cup, they turned the form book on its head given they sit rock-bottom of the Division Two table, while Camden are flying high in second spot.
Should they end the season with the trophy, manager Aaron Conway says it would mean a lot to everyone involved at the club. “A lot of the boys haven’t experienced winning a trophy in senior football and considering how close our group is, I think it would mean a lot to everyone – not least with it being our second season,” he says.
“We think we’ve got a genuine chance, and everyone’s willing to do whatever it takes out on the pitch to make it happen. The big favourites are obviously Sukkotingham Forest, but having kept them down to 1-0 and 2-1 scorelines in the league, we're confident we can give them a good game should we draw them in the semis – and we all know that anything can happen in a final.”
Sunday’s win came courtesy of a Guy Oberlander double and Dan Mincer strike, and reflecting on the performance, Conway said: “Today was probably the first time we’ve won comfortably this season without a few of our key players, everyone put in a big performance. I think we’re really starting to see the team gel as a group, good teams win when they’re not at their best, and we dominated most phases of play in a tough contest.
“The biggest contributor to the win was effort and hard work, the boys gave 100% and never gave up or dropped their heads, they played not just for themselves but for each other and it has reaped rewards for us.”
Believing the 3-0 scoreline was a fair reflection on the game, he said: “On balance, it was. We had most of the ball in the first half and were 2-0 up at the break. Some of the boys began to tire, but all credit to them, they busted a gut for the team and it was great to see the depth we’ve now got in our squad.”
Reflecting on their league campaign, which despite their current lowly position could see them end the campaign in fourth spot, Conway says: “The one piece of feedback we've received overwhelmingly this year from opposition managers has been incredulity at the result and our league position. We've been adamant for a while that our performances have not been reflected in the league table and a strong mid-table finish would certainly be a fair reflection on this season.
“We’ve been unlucky in a lot of tight games and definitely don’t deserve to be where we are in the league. We’re only getting better as a team, and it’s exciting being a part of such a brilliant group of lads.”
Disappointed with the result, HMH Camden manager Joe Levi said: “We fought hard but for whatever reason couldn't play our normal passing game. We’ve played a lot better and weren’t up to our normal standards. We gave the ball away too often and never got going, but credit to Beitar who played well and put us under a lot of pressure.
“It was a competitive match with both teams giving 100%. The main difference was that they took their chances and we didn't. Had we managed to score, the game could have turned out differently. We're disappointed to go out as we felt we could have a good cup run and get to the final.”
Looking to the League, where they currently sit second in the table, Levi has high hopes of gaining promotion. “I feel we deserve it as we've generally had a good season”, he says. “However, there's not much between most teams in the league and I feel anyone can beat anyone on their day. Promotion will be tight but I hope we manage to edge it.”
Through to the semi-finals of the Division One David Woolf Cup are Redbridge Jewish Care, who defeated champions Yallatasary 1-0. Harry Goldsmith’s header was the difference on the day, with manager Brandon Levine saying: “I’m so incredibly proud of our team, they’re a top team who are already champions of our division and who have already beaten several Premier Division sides this season.
“We’re the first team this season to beat them in 90 minutes and to keep a clean sheet against them. We made it a tough game for them packing out the midfield, made sure we won all of our battles and made it as physically challenging as possible for them. Our defensive line was incredible to ensure we kept a clean sheet against one of the best attacking sides in Jewish football.”
HMH A booked their place in the final of the David Wolff Premier Division Cup as they won 3-2 at Stoke Salmon.
Hendon United moved a step closer to securing the Premier Division title as goals from Yehuda Korman and Mark Weiler saw they claim a 2-1 win over Geez Park Rangers. Manager Alex Rosenthal said: “It’s a massive win. It was a pretty tight game against a decent side, but I thought all the lads were fantastic and showed the greater spirit and desire which proved the difference.”
London Athletico moved up to third spot in the table as a Zacki Doumou hat-trick, along with a Jason Burns strike saw them beat Hapoel Hampstead 4-2.
Millbrook Park Calcio closed in on securing runners-up spot in Division One as they came away from Brook Farm Rovers with a 4-0 win. Two goals from Jordan Sapler, coupled with Guy Nehushtan’s strike saw Brady FC beat HMH B 3-2, Joshua Gavin scored twice for the beaten visitors.
London Lions U18’s will be paying a visit to Charlton Athletic’s The Valley ground next month after they booked their place into the final of the London County Cup. Max Teacher’s double, along with strikes from Alex Duschak, Joe Carmona, Josh Doctors and
Solly Jacobs saw them beat Barking 6-1. Manager Lee Glassar said: “I’m absolutely thrilled for the boys and the club for reaching an U18’s County Cup. To do this at any club is a tall order, but to do it with all Jewish boys in this age group makes it even more special.”
In the Maccabi Masters Football League, Maccabi London Lions maintained their lead at the top of the Division One table thanks to a 7-0 win over Temple Fortune. Michal Abraham scored a hat-trick, Adam Kaye bagged a brace, with Bradley Lazarus and Daniel Sugarman also on target. Scrabble remain on their heels as Jon Isaacs, Mark Wagman and Tony Plaskow all scored in a 3-1 win at Brady. Johnny Caplan had levelled for Brady with a stunning 40-yard strike.
In Division Two, EHRS Stonegrove moved to within a point of leaders St John’s Wood Tigers after beating them 4-2. Dan Hodes, Barry Silkman, Antony Levinson and Mark Kingston all found the back of the net, with Adam Barton and Grant Taylor replying for Tigers.