MGBSFL DIVISION TWO
TEMPLE FORTUNE 0 BORUSSIA BARNET 2
The conditions were really tough as both teams struggled to get a foothold at Silver Jubliee Park, with Fortune starting the brighter of the two teams, without creating too much in the way of clear-cut chances. The adopted bold tactics for this promotion six-pointer, often leaving four players high up the pitch, but top-scorer Danny Sherman was generally well-marshalled.
Borussia settled into the game more after 30 minutes and they began to play better football and slowly got on top, although neither goalkeeper - Joe Botchin of Borussia or Ed Bloom of Fortune had too much to do.
Borussia thought they had broken the deadlock when striker Michael Kenley fired the ball into the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
The visitors came out strongly at the start of the second half and they finally made the breakthrough after great work from Bowman and Gerber led to a scramble, with Bloom and defender Nick Prager making heroic blocks, Kenley converted his 10th goal of the season.
Fortune did not panic and they created a couple of chances, but Botchin was equal to strikes from returning striker Jordan Sharifian on both occasions - one a brilliant one-on-one block and the second a fine save low down to his right.
The second goal was all about Mitchell Gerber. He pressed by himself and caused a sliced clearance from Bloom before controlling the ball with a couple of deft touches and sent a sublime volley it into the corner - a JC Goal of the Week contender (and likely winner!)
Delighted Borussia Barnet Brad Papier told JC Sport: "It was a very commanding performance from us, keeping Temple Fortune to limited chances and a few long shots.
"We should’ve scored more but we’re delighted with the win to keep us in a great position to continue to challenge for the title."
Fortune boss Simon Linden told JC Sport: "It was a frustrating morning - the first half was very even and, to be honest the opening 15 minutes Barnet looked there for the taking.
"Borussia scored very early and took a bit more control of the game but we had our fair share of chances and it could have been a different story.
"We can’t dwell on this result - Borussia shouldn’t be in our division and I expect them to win the title and the division above next season. We matched them and that is encouraging and shows how far we have come and the potential we have."
FORTUNE: Ed Bloom, Adam Speck, Nick Stern, Liam Stein, Daniel Vandermolen, Jacob Kalms, Jonathan Kaye, Eshed Rahav, Jordan Sharifian, Danny Sherman, Gary Hyams. Subs: Alex Kaye, Mark Singer, Gabriel Stone
BORUSSIA: Joe Botchin, Daniel Lee, Oliver Lewin, Sam Lipton, Josh Pampel, Oron Sheldon, Oli Smith, Joe Eskenazy, Scott Greenfield, Oliver Hart, Michael Kenley. Subs: Noah Bergman, Adam Bowman, Mitchell Gerber, Ethan Gold
SCORERS: Kenley, Gerber
