Ellis helps Neasden retain Morrison

A 76th minute strike from defender Jonny Ellis helped NWN retain the Jewish FA Cup as they battled past Hendon in a war of attrition at Wingate & Finchley.

An uneventful first half saw Daniel Stanton come closest to breaking the deadlock but Hendon keeper Danny Berliner was equal to his volley.

Berliner was the hero again midway through the second half after Lee Cash's corner bounced up and hit the hand of Hendon's Dovid Korman. Ref Jon Smith, in his last match, pointed to the spot but Cash's low shot was brilliantly parried by the Maccabiah keeper.

Hendon's joy was short-lived as a Cash free-kick fell to sub Matt Stock who did well to keep possession before slipping the ball to Ellis who cracked home into the bottom corner.

Hendon's best chance came in the last 10 when Dovid Korman's corner was flicked goalwards by Josh Lipman but Daniel Levenfiche cleared off the line.

Upon the final whistle, Neasden retained the cup to clinch part one of a possible treble. They face London Maccabi Lions A in the JC Cyril Anekstein Cup semi-finals on Thursday night before playing basement battlers Montana A on Sunday where victory will guarantee the successful defence of their title.

Neasden joint-manager Jamie Cole told JC Sport: "It was a mature performance. It wasn't a great game, which was a great shame for the people who came to watch. We had loads of injury problems this morning including Jake Gottlieb who needed a cortisone injection as three games in seven days caught up with us. We showed our character. Hendon put in a typical performance and battled hard.

"We have assembled the strongest Jewish football team in the country and winning back-to-back Morrisons proves it. It was not pretty but we got the result and the treble is still alive."

Daniel Fox added: "Our defence was superb and our quality shone through in the end and to retain the Morrison is an amazing achievement."

Hendon boss Benjy Wreschner said: "It was a tight game and there was always going to be one goal in it. It just wasn't to be today but I'm proud of the boys and we'll be back. We have one more trophy to fight for and we will come back."

NWN: David Fox 7, Adam Levene 7, Scott Shindler 9, Jonny Ellis 8, Jake Gottlieb 7 (sub: Matt Stock 8), Matt Sofier 7, Danny Daggers 7, Daniel Cole 7, Daniel Stanton 7, Daniel Levenfiche 7 (sub: Ben Ellis), Lee Cash 7. Subs not used: Lee Bibring, Ben Forman, TJ Keterman

Hendon: Danny Berliner 9, Alex Gilbert 7, Paul Bentley 8, Alex Rosenthal 8, Motti Korman 7 (sub: Ilan Scorah), Ari Last 8 (sub: Saul Conway), Josh Bentley 7, Greg Corin 6, Avidan Last 6, Josh Lipman 7, Dovid Korman 7. Subs not used: Simon Shooter, Benjy Wreschner