DAVID WOLFF DIVISION ONE CUP QUARTER-FINAL
JEWDINESE 1 NORTH LONDON GALAXY 1
Nese took the lead 15 minutes into the game after a corner from Joe Meisel was headed in by James Ross.
Galaxy slowly started to settle into the game, however Nicky Silverstone came very close to doubling Nese's lead after he cut onto his left foot and had a shot destined for the far corner but it was tipped round the post.
Scott Oldstein then came close with a right-footed volley that was well saved and then Scott Oldstein then had a shot just wide of the post.
The Zebras dominated the first half and limited Galaxy to long-range efforts, however they had much more of the ball in the second half as Nese started to tire.
Galaxy drew level with a truly sensational free-kick from Tyler Smith into the top corner, with Ben Halmer getting a hand to it but not being able to keep it out.
From there on, it was a lot of pressure from Galaxy, however Halmer became the star of the show. First he got down well to tip a low driven shot round the post, before a save of the season contender in the last minute. The ball fell nicely for a Galaxy player to sweetly strike a volley towards the top corner. Halmer flew across to fingertip it away and the game went to penalties.
Nine spot-kick each couldn’t separate the teams, with Dryer, Mogilner, Oldstein, Berrick, Lee, Reingold, Collins, Goldberg and Ross all converting. Galaxy’s tenth taker saw his effort saved by Halmer, however Zac Brin skied his penalty meaning it was back to sudden death and it was down to the goalkeepers. Halmer came out on top both times. First he saved superbly to his right before stepping up himself and slotting home the winning penalty.
Jubilant Nese boss Darren Lawrence told JC Sport: "We're absolutely delighted. It was a truly superb win today. We may not have been at our best the second half but we dug in deep and limited Galaxy to playing in front of us.
"We defended tremendously. And what can I say about Ben Halmer? He single-handedly won us the game, making two or three superb saves during the game before two penalty saves and the winning penalty, what a day for him! He was outstanding and has been all season. He deserves this and I’m so happy for him. Onto the semis!"
