London Athletico moved a step closer to securing an historic league and cup treble as they picked up their second piece of silverware of the season.
Max Walker’s 30-yard wonder strike proved to be the difference as they beat Redbridge Jewish Care Purple 1-0 to claim the David Wolff Division One Cup and move to within one game of completing what would be an astonishing feat.
After a tight and closely fought game, Athletico manager Adam Nahum said: “It was very scrappy but we got the job done.
"Our goalkeeper only really had one major save to make, we controlled the box and defended perfectly. We had two or three great other chances, the goal itself deserved to win the game and I felt we deserved it overall.”
They will be looking to complete their trilogy when they face Real Salt Beef in the final of the Super Cup. Looking ahead to that, Nahum said: “It will be a tough game. They are a new team with a couple of quality players we know of and we look forward to playing them.”
He believes his side won’t feel the pressure going into that final, despite knowing what’s at stake.
He said: “I remember writing my piece for the start of the season and mentioned I didn’t want to lose a game and win everything we could.
“I think that’s the mentality throughout the squad and we will do everything to get the job done.”
Real Salt Beef booked their place in the final thanks to Scott Leigh’s strike in their 1-0 win over Redbridge Jewish Care Purple.
Manager Sam Keene said: “It was a tough game against a strong and physical side but everyone stuck to their task and got the job done. We’re now looking forward to our first cup final and completing what has been a great first season.”
Elsewhere in the league, Real Madreidel booked their place in a cup final of their own, beating Millbrook Park Calcio 1-0 to reach the final of the Barry Goldstein Trophy.
In the Maccabi Masters Football League Cup, EHRS Stonegrove won a nail-biting penalty shoot-out to win the Jack Morgan Trophy. In a repeat of last season’s final, this time Hendon Harriers tasted defeat, and in the cruellest fashion.
EHRS MASTERS
Jack Morgan Trophy winners EHRS Stonegrove
The Harriers thought they were on course to retaining the trophy, establishing a two-goal lead with just seven minutes of the tie remaining.
Nick Roman’s spectacular 30-yard strike, coupled with Ben Simons’ tap-in seemingly put them in control, but EHRS bounced back, first through Jon Dubiner’s strike, and then Russell Rich’s 25-yard free-kick in the final minute of injury time.
Going straight to spot kicks, Mark Kingston stepped up and convert the winning penalty, and the team who had been outplayed for large swathes of the game won the trophy.
Ian Leader, EHRS player-manager, said: “Most of our team are now in their sixties and it definitely gets harder every year so to be involved in another cup final, so to come away victorious is very special. We look forward to defending the trophy next season.”
Hendon Harriers’ player-manager, Perry Greenblatt, said: “I’m totally gutted. Disappointments are a part of the game, and without them, the taste of glory is not so sweet. But no one should be in any doubt that Hendon will bounce back and demonstrate their resilience again next season.”
EHRS came back down to earth in the league as they followed up their cup win with a 3-2 home loss against St John’s Wood Tigers.
Jonny Summerfield’s double fired them into an early two-goal lead, but strikes from Jason Bentley, Adam Barton and Grant Morgan completed a dramatic comeback that guarantees the Tigers a top-four finish.
Elsewhere, two 30-yard wonder strikes from Sid Shaw earned Glenthorne a 2-2 draw with Temple Fortune, who had forged into a two-goal lead thanks to Wayne Davison and Simon Black goals.
In the Manchester Jewish Soccer League, Reich completed a league and cup double as they beat Broughton Park Rangers 6-4 to win the Tony Cohen Cup.
Reich, who secured the league title against the same opponents last week, raced into a two-goal lead in the opening eight minutes through Josh Mechlovitz and Elisha Frankel goals, before the league’s top goalscorer Jamie Greene, scored twice to make it 2-2. Marley Rubens fired Reich back in front and Mechlovitz scored again to send Reich 4-2 up at the break.
Harry Samuels pulled the score back to 4-3, before Mechlovitz completed his hat-trick to restore his side’s two-goal lead. Ben Loynds ensured a nervy finish as he made it 5-3, before Mike Gastwirth rounded off the scoring to seal the win for the league champions, making them the 42nd different team to win the cup.
