Oakwood A took a giant step to retaining the Maccabi GB Southern Football League Premier Division title on Sunday morning as they thrashed their closest challengers Hendon United 6-2.
In what could prove to be a title-deciding result, two goals from Charlie Kasler, coupled with strikes from Josh Bharier, Daniel Seligman, Louis Basso and Ben Kohler, ensured the Os claimed a statement win which sees them go three points clear at the top of the table, while also having a game in on their nearest rivals.
Delighted with his side’s display, O’s manager Jake Finestein said: “It was a very impressive attacking performance against a strong team. We talked about where we can be dangerous and where we could get at them. We were disappointed with our last few results and had been missing a few big players, so it’s good to get them back and get the three points.”
While the win puts them in a very favourable position, Finestein refused to get carried away when it comes to what his side can achieve. “We’re just taking it one game at a time”, he said. “We’ve got a big game against HMH next and we will get ourselves properly ready for that.”
With a semi-final match in the David Wolff Trophy also awaiting them, he added: “We want to win the league and cup double so we’ll give everything for the remaining games.
“Today was a strong performance against a good team and now we’re looking forward to the next game.”
Akiva Restan and Chaim Korman scored for Hendon, with Alex Rosenthal saying: “I thought we played well in patches and it was a balanced game at 2-2 with some quality goals from us, but we constantly gifted them goals which was deflating. It was a slightly flattering scoreline but they deservedly won.”
Conceding their title challenge is over, but with a chance of winning silverware as they’re in the semi-finals of the David Wolff Trophy, he added: “We’ve got a great group of players who give everything for the club so we’ll keep pushing to win every game we have left.”
Redbridge Jewish Care Purple have become champions after their 6-3 win over Boca Chillers secured them the Division One title. Scott Oldstein and Max Pincus scored two goals each, with Ryan Cole and Matt Niman also on target.
The Division Two title race is proving to be a more closely-run affair as both the top two teams recorded wins. Redbridge Jewish Care White continue to lead the way at the top maintaining their five-point lead thanks to a 3-1 win over Brady FC. Club De Chigwell consolidated second spot with a 5-2 win at Hampstead Ducks, with them also having a game in hand on the leaders.
HMH B came away from Lads on Torah with a 4-0 win. Zak Nyman, Joshua Gavin, Oliver Canter and Jack Skinner all scored.
Torah manager Joel Ucko said: “To have lost due to being punished for the only real mistakes we made in the game is painful to say the least. I’m personally delighted with our second half performance, and the desire from the lads across the full 90 minutes. My job is to take responsibility for ensuring that we can go again next week against Calcio, knowing we are capable of getting a result in what will be another tough game.”
The one cup match of the weekend saw London Atheltico book their place in the final of the Cyril Anekstein Cup as a last-minute goal from Saul Fenton helped to secure them a 2-1 at Real Madreidel. Alex Rose scored their other goal.
In the Maccabi Masters Football League, St John’s Wood Tigers consolidated third spot as goals from Dan Forman, Andrew Brummer and Paul Herszaft spurred them to a 3-1 victory at Hendon Harriers.
Away from the League, the Maccabi Masters lost 1-0 to SW London Partisans in the Over 60s National Cup.
Manager Ian Leader said: “With a severely depleted squad we huffed and puffed but in the end were beaten by the better side and if we’re totally honest the score line flattered us. We hope to turn the tables in the return game at our place with our fans behind us.”
London Lions First XI claimed their first league triumph in nearly a month as goals from Jack Mattey, Austin Lipman and Zack Jackson contributed to a 3-1 win at Shefford Town & Campton. The Rowley Lane side raced into a three-goal lead, with the hosts being reduced to ten men when Luke Carter picked up a second yellow card with the score at 2-0. Despite Kurtis Christopher Alleyne scoring a late consolation, the win pushes up the Lions to tenth place in the Spartans South Midlands Football League Premier Division table.
London Lions’ Development team didn’t enjoy such success as they suffered a 4-1 home defeat against Bush Hill Rangers FC First. The loss leaves them in eighth place in the Herts
Senior County League Premier Division table.
