MGBSFL DIVISION ONE
NORTH LONDON RAIDERS 5 HERTSWOOD VALE 1
In a very open first half, Vale took the lead after 43 minutes through Dan Reuben. From a freekick, Josh Gorb played a brilliant ball into the box which was tapped in by Daniel Reuben.
Just when it looked as though Vale would take a deserved lead into the half-time break, Nathan spanked an equaliser top bins from 30 yards.
The second half was much of the same, with both teams creating few chances, but both teams very much in the game. A penalty decision in the 83rd minute went against Vale which broke their resolve and Raiders took the lead. At 2-1 down, Vale went for broke in an attempt to get an equaliser and they fell apart defensively and conceded another three goals in the last seven minutes. It finished 5-1, with Josh Bloom also registering for Raiders.
Jubilant Raiders joint-manager Gideon Gale told JC Sport: "Goal for the season achieved and couldn’t be prouder of the boys! True grit and determination got us through today and think it’s safe to say that the scoreline doesn’t reflect the way the game flowed! Credit to Vale who made it difficult.
"Let’s focus on the full season though, terrific achievement from the lads! Not a single team has got close to us this season and we can all be very proud about the hard work we’ve put in throughout the campaign.
"We haven’t conceded a goal from open play since October, have two of the top-scorers in all of Jewish football and exceptional midfield combinations to tie it all together."
Gale added: "We’re hoping to play our two semi-finals as yes double winners sounds great but quadruple winners sounds even better.
"For myself and Isaacs, it’s now about building a team which we think is good enough to challenge the top two in the Prem next year which we know were more than capable of!"
Vale joint-manager Jacob Emanuel told JC Sport: "It’s a scoreline that really doesn’t tell the full story, and whilst I’m disappointed that we collapsed in the last few minutes, I’m very proud of a strong performance which saw both teams level at 1-1 on 83 minutes."
He went on to say: "Well done to Raiders for a deserved title win - they’ve been fantastic all season and will do well in the Prem next season.
"I’m disappointed that we’ve come off the pitch with an undeserved 5-1 loss, and had it not been for an unfortunate penalty decision, I would’ve backed us to grab a draw, with both teams looking for chances on the break.
We were naive at the end, and I feel like we’ve let ourselves down with the final scoreline, but it was hard for the boys when they deserved a result from today’s performance. It’s a learning curve for us and we’ll come back stronger from it."
RAIDERS: Joshua Bloom, Ed Brafman, Charlie Cohen, Gavin Fox, Josh Nagli, Jordan Nathan, Yarden Sharon, Matt Warner, Jake Yudelowitz, Liron Mannie, Aron Gale. Subs: Ashley Diamond, Jordan Marks, David Nezri, Zak lLnden
SCORERS: Nathan 4, Bloom
VALE: Adam Zaidman, Josh Gorb, Harry Graham, Ashley Hirschburger, Adam Morrow, Justin Mullem, James Neidle, Daniel Reuben, Alex Trup, Jack Winton, James Millet. Subs: Jordan Harris, Jack Shulman, Andy Gilbert
SCORER: Reuben
