BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
JEWDINESE 2 NORTH LONDON RAIDERS 4 (After extra-time)
Both teams showing good attacking intent from the off and created a number of decent chances. 'Nese's best opening came when Zack Collins nicked the ball off the defender and played it back to Sam Stern, but his shot was cleared off the line.
Raiders then took the lead with a well-struck effort from 25 yards out.
Raiders doubled their lead early in the second half when the unmarked Bloom powered home a header from a free-kick.
At 2-0 down with roughly 20 minutes to go, Ben Halmer kept 'Nese in the game with an excellent save in a one-on-one situation.
In a frenetic finale that mirrored the FA Cup tie between Watford and Wolves later in the day, a 'Nese switch saw them throw caution to the wind and change to a 4-2-4 formation, which worked a treat. Ben Berrick played another sublime pass for Josh Platt to run on to, control well and finish with aplomb.
Then, with just three minutes left of normal time, some good wing play from Billy Lee saw the ball find Zack Collins, who’s deflected shot rolled across the face of the goal and Platt was at the back post to score his second in dramatic circumstances.
It was clear that players from both sides were struggling. 'Nese's best chance of the first half of extra-time came when a free kick was knocked towards the back post. Brad Lander got his head on it to knock it back across but it just evaded the players in a congested penalty area.
From kick-off in the second half, Raiders were awarded a free-kick by referee Martin De La Fuente, from which they capitalised on poor defended to regain the lead.
'Nese were then given a golden opportunity to equalise from the spot. Some excellent wing play saw Zach Collins slip the ball inside to Sam Stern, who was fouled as he was taking his shot. Collins stepped up from the spot but saw his effort saved by Misner.
And to rub salt into 'Nese wounds, Raiders scored a fourth from the spot to set up a final showdown against the winner of the other semi-final between North London Galaxy and Mill Hill Dons.
Jubilant Raiders manager Gideon Gale told JC Sport: "Finally, on our third attempt, we got the win against Jewdinese having had two cracking league games during the season. Having gone 2-0 up with 20 minutes to go, we really should have seen the game out, but credit to Jewdinese for fighting and taking the game into extra-time.
"Ultimately I think our quality shone through and we thoroughly deserved the win. Big shout out to Oli Misner for his penalty save at 3-2. In our first season together, a mid-table finish and a cup final, can’t really complain."
'Nese boss Darren Lawrence told JC Sport: "It was a really tough defeat to take but I’m immensely proud of the character the boys showed today. To fight back from 2-0 down with 10 minutes to go shows that we don’t give up.
"In our first season together, to get to a semi-final and to finish third is a decent achievement. However, we know we are capable of more and will be determined to show that next season.”
