The first of three Maccabi GB Southern Football League cup final days took place on Sunday, and it was HMH and Brady FC who were celebrating after they claimed the first silverware of the season.
The Cyril Anekstein Cup final was an all-Premier Division affair, with third-place HMH taking on leaders Oakwood.
A tense, closely fought battle saw little created in the way of goalmouth chances during 120 minutes of play.
HMH’s Eli Wegrzyn had the best chance of the first half, but he mishit his shot when clean through on goal, while Oakwood’s best opportunity saw Charlie Kasler’s strike from outside the box force a superb save from HMH goalkeeper Jake Lewis.
Needing penalties to settle the tie, HMH emerged victorious, winning 3-2 on the spot kicks with Alex Moss, Dom Feldman, Ethan Krell successfully converting to seal HMH’s first win in this competition for 40 years.
Delighted with his side, player-manager Avi Goldberg said: “I’m extremely proud of the lads and in particular the way we defended, as we kept a clean sheet — the foundation of any win.
“We restricted Oakwood to one clear shot on target.
“It was end-to-end and while they edged possession and territory, we created the clearest chances, four in total, which we failed to convert.”
Looking ahead to the rest of the campaign, he added: “We’re still involved in another two cup competitions. The season is far from over.”
BRADY MACCABI
David Wolff Division Two Cup winners Brady (Marc Morris)
Earlier in the day was the inaugural David Wolff Division Two Cup, which saw Brady defeat Redbridge Jewish Care White 3-1.
All four goals came in the first half. Jamie Myers fired in Brady’s opener with a 20-yard strike, before his side doubled their lead through an own goal. Noah Raphael put them 3-0 up and although Bailey Brown pulled one back for Redbridge, a resilient Brady defence held out to claim the win. Manager Ricky Ansher said: “I felt we deserved the victory.
“We controlled all areas of the pitch, stuck to our game plan and were strong in possession.
“A slow start in the league meant that we were playing catch-up from the off, but we were competitive in every cup we’ve played in this season, and who knows, we could have another final at the end of May.
“We’re proud of not only the results that we’ve achieved, but also the way the boys have adapted, grown and progressed as the season went on.”
Elsewhere, London Athletico warmed up for their winners-take-all Division One title clash on Sunday, by booking their place into the last four of the Barry Goldstein Trophy thanks to a 7-0 win at Oakwood Town. Zacki Doumou helped himself to six goals, with Sam Martin also on target.
Athletico’s Adam Nahum said: “It was a professional performance from the boys, now on to the big one against Brook Farm Rovers for the league title.”
The one League fixture played saw North London Raiders move up to fifth spot in the Premier Division table as goals from Liron Mannie and Matt Warner helped them to a 3-2 win at Stoke Salmon.
Scrabble have been crowned Maccabi Masters Football League champions for the first time after they beat second-place Maccabi London Lions 3-1. Jonny Summerfield, Lloyd Becker and an own goal saw them to the win.
In the League Cup, Brady beat Hendon Harriers 6-0 to set up a Group 1 semi-final clash against the Lions. Scott Ansher scored a hat-trick, Ben Kent bagged a brace, with Kevin Lotzof hitting their sixth.
In Group 2, St John’s Wood Tigers confirmed their place in the last four as goals from Grant Morgan and Simon Black earned them a 2-1 win over Glenthorne.
London Lions’ First XI picked up two Combined Counties Football League Premier Division North wins over the past week.
They began the week with a 2-1 win over Harefield United, thanks to goals from Felix Shalom and Sam Sollosi, and followed that up with a 5-0 win at Hilltop, which featured a James Gershfield hat-trick.
Max Davis and a first-team debut goal for Yonni Levy completed the scoring as Andrew Landesberg’s side move up to a more healthy 11th place in the table.
London Lions’ Development run of five league wins came to an end as they were held to a 2-2 home draw against Waltham Cross FC First.
Trailing 2-0 with only ten minutes remaining, goals from Sam Morris and Mike Perkins salvaged a point, which took them top of the Herts Senior County League Division One table on goal difference, though they have played a game more than the second and third-placed sides.
