By, Andrew Sherwood
5 min read
ByMaccabi Gb, Andrew Sherwood
Rapid Viennas manager Louis Jays saw his team book their place into the semi-finals of the Barry Goldstein Trophy on Sunday morning – and insists this is only the start as to what the team can achieve.
In what is their debut season in Maccabi GB Southern Football League, they are now just 180 minutes away from securing silverware, and Jays said: “The confidence and morale is sky-high. We’ve never been here just to take part – we want to be the best, and a trophy in our first season is the perfect way to show that we can be.
“With two other really solid sides still in the competition, and 40 Year Wanderers as well, we know it won’t be easy to win it, but if you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, and teams like HMH are certainly one of the best. We’re excited for the challenge.”
Sunday’s 3-1 win over Mill Hill Minyan saw Jack Miller claim their first goal, after some lovely link-up play with Cobi Jacobs. Jascha Selby scored their second, with Miller securing the win, claiming his second of the morning from the penalty spot.
Delighted with his side’s effort, he said: “The desire got us the win today, we knew what was at stake and know that a trophy in our first season would be a massive statement. The boys want to get there no matter what and that showed today. We created loads of chances and credit to their goalkeeper for keeping them in it.”
Believing they deserved the win, he continued: “To be frank, it should’ve been more with the amount of chances we had, the scoreline flattered them. I think the desire [from us] was the difference.”
As to the season overall, which currently sees them sitting in third place in the Division Two table, he says: “It’s been really solid. The boys have gelled well, which will mean a lot going into our second season. A third-place finish, if we get it, in a division with veteran teams like Temple Fortune and HMH means a lot and shows the path we’re on. Our summer recruitment was brilliant, signing Jack and Max Aston from Real Salt Beef and Club De Chigwell, they’ve been integral to our season. There’s a reason they wanted to come here, because this is only the start for the Viennas.”
Benjamin Dallal scored for Minyan, with Dallal saying: “We were proud of the shift the players put in. We had a very positive first half, but unfortunately went into half-time 2-1 down. We were unable to capitalise on the momentum we had after pulling the goal back, and they outclassed us in the second half.
“We had to make do with 11 players and no substitutions which greatly hampered us. We’ve had to deal with an injury crisis of late, but the players on the pitch all put in an absolute shift. We are of course disappointed with the result and it is a tough pill to swallow. However, we’ll regroup and hope the disappointment of today will feed the players appetite to complete for silverware next year.”
As to what he’s made of their first season in the League, he said: “Whilst disappointed we couldn’t quite find the consistency to challenge for promotion or to go on a cup run, we have thoroughly enjoyed it. We’ve learnt a great deal and will work hard to make the necessary improvements to ensure we are competitive next season. For now, we look forward to the break ahead and are excited to return in September refreshed.”
Joining Vienna into the last four of the competition are Beitar Bushey, who won 4-0 at HMH Camden. Noah Abrahams, Guy Oberlander, Reuben Gordon and Lawrence Rosenberg all found the back of the net, with manager Aaron Conway saying: “The boys were fantastic, they were switched on from the first whistle and didn’t give the opposition a chance to get a foot in the game. We're all buzzing to be in another semi-final and still hoping for a cup double to reward all the hard work and effort put in this season.”
HMH B were the biggest winners of the day as a hat-trick from Daniel Slavid helped them to an 8-1 win over Temple Fortune. Zak Simon, Dylan Berger, Jack Skinner, Zak Samuels and Ben Nyman scored their other goals, with manager Nick Berger saying: “It was a great team performance.”
The final team through are 40 Year Wanderers, who beat Hampstead Ducks 3-2, thanks to goals from Daniel Mellor, Daniel Ben-Yair and Samuel Adams.
There were also quarter-finals played in the Super Cup, as two goals from Ethan Myers helped Brady FC come away from Hapoel Hampstead with a 3-2 win, Aaron Gareh netted their third goal.
Sukkotingham Forest edged past Bocher Juniors on penalties, defeating them 3-2 on spot kicks. Matty Lee scored for the victors, with Noah Meszarich, Dillon Caine, and Harry Caplin converting from the spot. Forest manager Sam Nagioff said: “Starting the game with 10 men was always going to be tough. Going a goal up gave us a massive boost, we dug in well especially in the second half when we were under a lot of pressure and Max Schulberg’s saves in the shootout got us over the line.” David Amor scored for Juniors. Manager Joel Ucko said: “After a very poor first half showing, I thought we showed great character to respond in the second half. At the end of the day, penalties are a lottery, I’m very proud of the courage that our boys who stepped up showed and we go again.”
HMH A failed to put the pressure on Premier Division leaders Hendon United as they let slip a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with London Athletico, Joel Walters and Sam Martin netting for Athletico.
Charlie Ezra and Clark Norton scored for HMH, with captain Jake Norton saying: “It was a solid performance against a tough side to beat. This result takes the league to the final game of the season. The boys are ready for the big battle with Hendon and looking forward to a great occasion.”
There were two Nathan Horwitz Maccabi Masters Football League Cup matches played, with the Group A clash between St John’s Wood Tigers and Temple Fortune ending in a point a piece. The Tigers’ early dominance was rewarded through Grant Taylor’s header, though Fortune equalised in the final minute when Olly Weingarten squared for Stefan Simons to fire home.
In Group B, a hat-trick from Kevin Lotzof, plus Scott Ansher’s strike, saw Brady A claim a 4-0 win over Glenthorne.
London Lions U18s moved a step closer to becoming league champions after they confirmed second spot with a 10-2 win over Royston Town. Josh Doctors scored a 22-minute hat-trick, with Joe Carmona, Solly Jacobs and Alex Duschak scoring two each. Daniel Gillary bagged their tenth. Manager Lee Glassar said: “This was the team display that’s been coming for quite a while. We were so good and I’m so pleased for everyone concerned. With second place secure, we’re now going after the league.”
