JC MSFL Division Four:
Woodford Wanderers 2 - UJS Norstar 1

A brace from Elliott Gold moved Woodford Wanderers a big step closer to the Division Four title as they beat rivals UJS Norstar 2-1.

After a last Sunday’s defeat to Real Life, Woodford set out to get there fight for the title back on track.

Manager Alex Aviram welcomed back goalkeeper John Nehard, star striker Mitch Hahn and attacking full-back Andy Levy into the starting line-up but was hit with a big blow when the skipper and centre-back Jamie Shafron failed a late fitness test.

Darren Ezekiel dropped back into Shafron’s role whilst Hahn partnered Aviram in the middle of the park, Daryl Green and JC star man Jerome Marks looked to head the firing line for the Wanderers as they set out against title challengers Nortsar.

Wanderers started the game with pace and were playing some quick passing football putting together several chances.

Twenty minutes in, Aviram picked the ball up in middle of the field and played a chip pass through to Daryl Green who then let the ball bounce and attempted to lob the keeper from 20 yards out just skimming the far post.

Woodford kept piling the pressure and failed to capitalise on a couple of excellent corners due to good defending from Norstar.

Midway through the half, Hahn picked up the ball from Green in the middle of the pitch and played a lob through ball across the field to Marks who then whipped a low hard ball for Gold to get across the defender and half volley the ball into the bottom corner, 1 – 0 Woodford and a true perfect finish to a fantastic move.

Woodford kept the momentum after the goal and looked good for a second when Green was played through into the 18 yard box by Gold, Green then tried to take the keeper on but was brought down, Woodford appealed for the penalty but the referee gave the goal kick.

Norstar come out for the second half with a point to prove and, for the first time in the game, managed to bring the take to Woodford.

A header from inside the six-yard box beat the keeper only for Green to clear off the line.

Norstar kept pushing and they sprung together a few good moves forcing Woodford back and 10 minutes in to the came up with the equaliser. A cross into the area left a pile up in the box for striker Eli Houri to poke the ball into the back of an empty net.

From this point, Woodford once again took control of the game and continued to push for that second goal and on the hour mark they did just that. A free-kick just inside Norstar’s half saw dead-ball specialist Emanuel Simberg stand over the ball. His delivery was whipped straight into the 18-yard box with power and precision to connect to a Green flick on header across the box and Gold latched on to the ball with back to goal scissor kick just inside the area creeping into the bottom corner. The keeper was left standing and Gold had just bagged his second and possibly the goal of the season.

Norstar never really looked like they could get back into the game. Hahn and Aviram where running the game in the middle of the park and the ball kept getting switched to Harrison Midda on the far right side. He kept finding space and kept creating dangerous chances but Hahn, Marks, Winner and Gold failed to convert them into goals.

On the whole a good game of football, both teams looked sharp but it was clear that the better team won.

Woodford boss Alex Aviram has this to say: “After last week’s performance we couldn’t of gone out there and done any better. We showed true class and character for the full 90 minutes. The football we played at times was exactly what Woodford are all about, sexy, precise, exciting and pacy.

“I had a squad of champions on that pitch today and everyone of my players can come out with their head held high and full of confidence for our next game. The win starts from the back, my back four where solid today and didn’t let hardly ne thing trouble them, my two wingers Midda and Gold where exceptional the whole game, giving me and Mitch options all the time. Green and Marks partnered well up front and where both so sharp and on top of their games. A true team effort today.

“I’m over the moon for Gold. The football we played, prior to both goals, was brilliant and the two wonder strikes from Gold will take a lot of beating.”