ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Haroldeans came from behind to defeat South Manchester 2nd 2-1 thanks to goals from James Hudaly and Alistair Goldsmith in the MJSL.
Sam Cantor had put the home team ahead, and Ivan Gee felt his side were full value for the win.
“It was an easier victory than I thought it would be and I was delighted with the way the team played, particularly with a few players out. It was one of our better displays.”
Cantor put South Manchester in front as the home team dominated the proceedings early on. He beat Dan Burman to the ball to chip past the Haroldeans goalkeeper.
Haroldeans began to come back into the game and took control as the half wore on, but they went into the break trailing.
It did not take long for the visitors to draw level in the second period as Zack Goodman flicked on a throw in towards Hudaly, and he latched onto the pass to fire home expertly.
Haroldeans continued to pass the ball well and control the play, and they scored what turned out to be the decisive goal when Goldsmith fired home a superb free kick from 30 yards midway through the second period.
South Manchester rallied though, and could have levelled the scores in the last 10 minutes. David Tuck was denied before Dan Linton’s fierce half volley was kept out by stand in goalkeeper Adam Cross, who had a superb game for the visitors despite not being a regular between the posts.
South Manchester manager Neil Collins said: “It was a very tough encounter which was keenly contested, but on balance Haroldeans always had the edge.”