3 min read
JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP SEMI-FINAL
Brady Maccabi A 2 Brixton Old Boys A 0
Ten-man Brady A held off the challenge of first division Brixton to secure their passage into the final of the JC Cyril Anekstein Cup thanks to goals from Josh Gordon and Josh Hershman.
Brady came out the blocks looking really sharp and dominated the first quarter of an hour. They created the first opening after only two minutes as Paul Hakim had a header from a corner cleared off the line.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF BRADY vs BRIXTON - JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP SEMI-FINAL
At the back, the experienced partnership of Jonny Ellis and Ryan Fox were really commanding their opponents and Brixton's Jamie Kent hardly got a look in.
Brixton finally got into the game midway through the half. The influential George Fierstone was starting to get some more time on the ball and was causing the Brady midfield problems with his trickery and mazy runs.
Alon Hershkorn had a good chance to give Brixton the lead but his shot from distance was well saved by Ollie Colmans in the Brady goal.
Minutes later Kent dispossessed his marker laid the ball off to Mike Posner who shot wide of the post.
Brixton's best chance of the first half came after half an hour when Alon Hershkorn let leash from a mere 30 yards, Colmans was beaten but the crossbar wasn't as the ball rattled the woodwork and was hacked clear.
Brady's Lee Platt was then booked for dissent for questioning a decision from referee Warwick Blake. Platt would later rue to regret his actions.
Platt didn't let his frustrations worry him for too long as he had the next best chance of the game after being played through by Hakim but his shot was well saved.
Brady had a great chance to go into the break leading after a Jon Ellis free kick was dropped by Brixton keeper Dorfman but his defence bailed him out as Sam Franks cleared his lines.
It was Brady who started the second half the brightest and the first real chance fell to Jon Green who let leash from 20 yards out but his shot was well saved by Dorfman.
Brady's pressure was rewarded with the opening goal came on 57 minutes. Steve Field's exquisite cross fell to the path of Gordon who swivelled before lashing a half volley back across goal and into the net.
Brixton's heads were clearly down as Brady then started to take control. They doubled the lead minutes later when an Ellis free kick found Hershman who glanced a header past Dorfman.
The visitors tried to haul themselves back into the game. Ed Weisz shot from distance but failed to hit the target.
In the last few moments of the match Brady substitute Danny Cohen had two chances to kill the game off, but he failed to make the most of his chances.
Brixton were clearly getting frustrated by the dominance of Brady's second half possession and this was evident with the amount of silly bookings they were picking up.
Referee Warwick Blake had a busy day in the office with eight cautions and the inevitable red card came on 89 minutes when Platt was dismissed for a second bookable offence. Platt was clearly distraught with the decision.
Even with 10 men, Brady managed to keep hold of the ball for the remaining few minutes and saw themselves in the final of the cup which is due to be played at Wingate & FInchley on April 22.
Josh Rosenfeld told JC Sport: "I thought we had a slow start to the game and Brixton were a tough side. They had a 20-minute spell in the first half were they had chances to score and if one had gone in it would have been an uphill battle.
"We came out quick and strong in the second half and our quality showed. Brixton gave us as good a test as anyone this season and we always knew they would be strong and tough to beat.
"I have to congratulate all my boys who have put so much hard work in to get this far and deserve their place at wingate.
"Over the past two years we have worked so hard on and off the pitch and it showed today with the result how far we have come.
"We aim to continue to pick up points in the league and there's still one more final to reach. Spirits are high and confidence is good. Our boys deserve it.
"I thought we were solid at the back throughout and they never had a shot in the second half.
"Now we have to look forward to the final and enjoy the occasion."
John Nitka told JC Sport: "It was a game of two halves - we were the better team in the first half and if we would have put our chances away, who knows.
"Brady were better in the second half and good luck to them in the final.
Brixton: Dorfman, Blackman, Weisz, Franks, Lee, Posner (sub: Kaye), Fierstone, Weinberg, R Hershkorn, A Hershkorn, Kent (sub: Lincoln)
Brady: Colmans, Littas, Fox (sub: Lassman), Ellis, Smith, Hershman, Field (sub: Cohen), Platt, Hakim, Gordon, Green