Scrabble produced the shock of the Maccabi Masters season by beating defending champions Brady Maccabi 5–1 in the second game of their double-header fixture at Gosling Sports Park.
The first game had ended in a comfortable 4–1 to Brady who expected to cruise the second game as well against the division's bottom team. Brady appeared to be heading back to the top of the table after Gideon Barnett’s first half strike was followed up by a second-half hat-trick from Nick Collins, with Andy Bloom grabbing a consolation for Scrabble.
But things didn't go to plan as a revitalised Scrabble side outplayed the title challengers, leading 2-0 and 3-1 before adding two more near the end.
Lee Dicker scored the goal of the game, netting from fully 40 yards, with Lee Levenson, Jon Isaacs, Jeremy Kornhauser and Andy Bloom completing the rout. Nick Collins grabbed a consolation for Brady in a result that throws the title race wide open.
In Division Two, the clash of the day saw title hopefuls London Maccabi Lions and EDRS Stonegrove go head-to-head, and in a hard-fought tussle, two late goals from Marc Morris settled it in Lions’ favour, reinforcing their hopes of a league and cup double.
Joining Lions at the top of the table, albeit having played two more games, are St John’s Wood Tigers, after their 4-2 win over Temple Fortune, thanks to goals from John Perloff (2), Perry Somers and Barry Abraham, whilst Jon Dubiner and Oren Wolf replied for Fortune.
Marshside and Hendon Harriers battled to a 2-2 draw with Harriers twice coming from behind to rescue a point.
Simon Ellard opened the scoring for Marshside towards the end of the first half, only for Gary Rose to equalise within a minute. After the break it looked as if Fara Moghim’s run and chip had won it for Marshside, only for Hendon’s Andrew Cohen to level with the last kick of the game.
Glenthorne C moved into sixth spot with a 4-1 win over Ashlodge CPC, with goals from Nick Pitch, Adam Lennard, David Galman and Laurence Davis. John Seigal replied for Ashlodge.
DIVISION ONE
Brady Maccabi A4 Scrabble 1
Scrabble 5 Brady Maccabi A 1
DIVISION TWO
Ashlodge CPC 1 Glenthorne United C 4
London Maccabi Lions 2 EDRS Stonegrove 0
Marshside 2 Hendon Harriers 2
Temple Fortune 2 St John’s Wood Tigers 4
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DIVISION ONE
1. Glenthorne Utd A Pl. 13, Pts. 20
2. Southgate Harmen Pl. 15, Pts. 20
2. NL Raiders A Pl. 15, Pts. 19
4. Brady Maccabi A Pl. 13, Pts. 18
5. Waldaf Town Pl. 14, Pts. 8
6. South Mancunians Pl. 11, Pts. 7
7. Scrabble Pl. 15, Pts. 6
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DIVISION TWO
1. Glenthorne B Pl. 15, Pts. 23
2. LM Lions Pl. 14, Pts. 23
3. St John's Wood Tigers Pl. 16, Pts. 23
4. EDRS Stonegrove Pl. 15, Pts. 22
5. Glenthorne Utd C Pl. 16, Pts. 14
6. Brady B Pl. 16, Pts. 12
7. Hendon Harriers Pl. 15, Pts. 12
8. Temple Fortune Pl. 15, Pts. 11
9. Marshside Pl. 14, Pts. 9
10. Ashlodge CPC Pl. 16, Pts. 3