SPORTS DIRECT OLIM LEAGUE
JERUSALEM 7 REAL ATLETICO JERUSALEM 2
A fab four-goal salvo from Zack Lewis saw Jerusalem ease to a comprehensive win over their neighbours Real Athletico Jerusalem, in the Jerusalem El Clasico.
Having played their solitary competitive game well over a month ago, last season's runners up, Jerusalem, found themselves in unfamiliar territory, going into the local derby in the bottom three, without so much as a practice session since narrowly losing to England FC on the opening weekend of the season.
Real Athletico, came into the game as one of the form teams, annihilating Ashdod 9-2 in their own backyard, during Chol Hamoed Succot.
Jerusalem edged the possession in the opening 10 minutes, with a couple of half chances. However, both sides looked a little rusty and jaded.
Real Athletico took the lead against the run of play, courtesy of an own goal from Dan Kosky, who inadvertently turned Real first cross of the game into his own net, whilst under pressure from Jacky Duek.
Jerusalem almost bounced straight back, peppering the Real Athletico goal, doing everything but score. The best chances coming when Moishe Lewis rattled the bar, followed by Akiva Zneimer having a 25-yard effort turned round the post.
Jerusalem finally got back on level terms when Gav Cohen showed some great individual skill, going past three defenders, before shooting a low shot that took a deflection off Dekel Itach on its way in.
Jerusalem had a couple of half chances, but both sides went into half time with one goal a-piece, with Real Athletico yet to bring out a save from Daniel Boerstra.
Jerusalem's Danny Newman made a couple of tactical changes at the interval, and within three minutes of the restart Jerusalem deservedly took the lead, and never looked back. A great move between Mordy Weiler and Zack Lewis ended with Gav Cohen being released on goal, making no mistake, to give Jerusalem a 2-1 lead.
It was three in the 52nd minute, Lewis hit the top right-hand corner from the edge of the area, with a sublime effort. Five minutes later, Zack got his second, when Weiler put him through with a superb pass. 4-1 and Jerusalem were cruising.
Real Athletico were thrown a semi lifeline on the hour, when they reduced the deficit. Jerusalem took their eye off the ball, and Real Athletico took advantage. A shot rebounded into the path of 'TJ' Olatunji Ogunshemi, who whilst looking like he may have been in an offside position, played to the whistle, and put the ball in the net. 4-2.
The goal knocked the sting out of Jerusalem's tail, and the next 10 minutes were very flat. However, Jerusalem got their act together once again, with Lewis capitalising on a defensive error to muscle his way through and slot past the keeper.
As the game entered the last 10 minutes, Jerusalem turned on the style, with two further quality goals from Lewis to take his personal tally to four, and top off a memorable 7-2 victory, that starts to propel Jerusalem back up the table, leapfrogging their opposition in the process.
Jerusalem's joint manager Danny Newman commended his players on a great result. "Despite looking a little rusty after six weeks without a fixture over the chagim period, we didn't do too much wrong in the first half.
"However, the cobwebs came off at half time, and once we got into our stride, we were a completely different side. I can't fault any of the players tonight, they were all immense.
"Credit to Real Athletico - they have a decent side, and should do well this year, but no one in the league would have been able to stop our second half performance. Everything just seemed to click.
"Next week is a new game, and we travel to one of the league's new teams, Rainball Tel Aviv, with a depleted side, due to a few injuries we picked up as well as imminent births. As such, we can expect a very tough challenge, with a stretched squad."
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Jerusalem:
Daniel Boerstra, Danny Sigal, Dan Kosky, Eyal Toledo, David Preston, Akiva Zneimer, Lollu Hibbert, Gav Cohen, Mordy Weiler, Zack Lewis, Moishe Lewis. Subs: Eli Warner, Solomon Emeke Eza, Gav Krieger, Yehuda Korman
Goals: Dekel Itach o.g. (29), Gav Cohen (48), Zack Lewis (52, 58, 84, 88), Moishe Lewis (73)
Real Athletico Jerusalem: Aron Alani, Nati Hasan, Gigi Garbin, Ben Russo, 'TJ' Olatunji Ogunshemi, Carlos Mazzini, Eden Sharma, Dekel Itach, Tzach Cohen, Meni Duek, Jacky Duek. Subs: Majdi Zayd, Mario Gayan, Andres Gayan, Shlomi Eisenmann
Goals: Dan Kosky o.g. (10), TJ (61)
