The majority of the action on Sunday morning in the Maccabi GB Southern Football League was in the first round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup, with the seven ties played producing nearly 40 goals.
The match of the day was undoubtedly a nine-goal thriller that saw Redbridge Jewish Care Purple edge out Beitar Bushey 5-4. Bradley Gayer helped himself to a hat-trick, with Max Pincus and Ryan Cole also on target. Manager Jake Sanders said: “We were far from our best and made hard work of what should have been a routine victory. Having said that, credit to the boys, who never stopped working and finally found a way despite trailing on three separate occasions to ensure we kept up our treble hopes.”
Mark Pearce’s double, along with strikes from Joshua Jacob and Eli Leader ensured Bushey — who led 3-1 at half-time and 4-2 with half an hour remaining — were always in the tie. Manager Aaron Conway said: “The team put in a great shift and showed how dominant we can be. As a new team facing an established club in the division above, we gave them a really tough game and forced them to work for the win.”
Real Salt Beef had four different goalscorers in their 4-2 win over Temple Fortune, Joel Walters, Eddie Lisberg, Jack Miller and Daniel Bowman all on target. Jake Stockman and Michael Goldberg scored for Fortune.
Oakwood battled their way into the next round but did so the hard way coming back from a 2-0 half time deficit to beat Redbridge Jewish Care White 3-2. Harry Myers scored twice with Max Lever their other scorer. Manager Mikey Cohen said: “Trailing at the break, we only had 12 men with no goalkeeper and several players playing out of position so to come back and win was very pleasing. The 95th-minute winner made it even sweeter and we’re just happy to be in the draw.”
Joining them in the next round are Real Madreidel, who won 6-3 at Mill Hill Dons. “We were sloppy today and were punished by an impressive performance from Madreidel,” said Mill Hill Dons manager Brandon Hammé. “Despite this setback, we take pride in our strong start to the season and are determined to demonstrate that this is merely a temporary setback in the weeks ahead.” Club de Chigwell will also be in the next round after a 5-0 home win against 40 Year Wanderers as will Hampstead Ducks, who beat Boca Chillers 2-0 , and Stoke Salmon, who were 2-1 victors over Hapoel Hampstead. Mati Brooks scored for Hampstead. Their manager Jordan Conn said: “It was a tough game. We pulled a goal back but were unable to turn our late pressure into an equaliser.”
The top-of-the-table Premier Division clash saw HMH A leap into first place as they came away from Geez Park Rangers with a 4-1 win. Sam Monjack, George Goldberg, Ben Gur strikes and an own goal sealing their victory.
North London Raiders claimed their first points of the season as two goals from Joe Cohen, plus a Josh Bloom strike saw them beat Brook Farm Rovers 3-1.
Manager Tal Cohen said: “It was a tough game and but for a brilliant stop and penalty save from Daniel Lipman, it could have been different.
“They pulled a late goal back, but we managed the game well enough to see them off.
Marc Charles scored for Rovers, for whom manager Dan Cohen said: “We had lots of players missing but put in a big effort with only 11 players and should really have taken something from it given the chances we created. They were clinical and we weren’t but lots of positives to take.” In Division Two, goals from Zak Samuels and Joshua Gavin weren’t enough to prevent HMH B falling to their second league defeat of the season – a 3-2 reverse to Millbrook Park Calcio, who saw their campaign get off to a winning start.
Brady Maccabi booked their place in the second round of the Middlesex FA Sunday Junior Trophy thanks to a 9-0 win over AFC Heathrow FC Sunday Reserves. Jack Brand hit a hat-trick, while Ben Myers, Noah Raphael, Sam Raphael, Eytan Copitch and Jordan Nathan were also on target.
Oakwood A made progress in the London Sunday Trophy, coming away from Long Lane Sunday FC with a 3-2 win, but Hendon United bowed out of the London Sunday Challenge Cup, defeated 8-0 at Highgate Albion 1st SFL.
Scrabble maintained their 100 per cent winning start in the Maccabi Masters Football League as goals from Serge Cowan and player-manager Jon Yantin — from the penalty spot — sealed a 2-1 win over Maccabi London Lions. Jonny Caplan’s header had pulled the Rowley Lane side level.
Brady secured their first win of the season thanks to a 3-1 triumph against Hendon Harriers. Gavin Sherman, Paul Rodin and Scott Ansher all netting in the first half. Ben Simon hit Harriers’ consolation.
Glenthorne came away from EHRS Stonegrove with a 4-2 win, Gary Adams’ double plus Jason Rich’s strike and Mickey Nathan’s penalty sealing the win. Stefan Simons scored Stonegrove’s goals.
London Lions booked First XI booked their place into the second round of this year’s Isuzu FA Vase competition as goals from Austin Lipman and Zak Jackson saw them win 2-1 at Frenford FC. They will next host Woodford Town FC.
