Hendon back to their best, says Garbacz

Garbacz told JC Sport: "This was probably our best performance of the season – everything we did wrong a few weeks ago against Raiders we did right today and some of the football we played at times today was truly exceptional.

"Our front three of Greg Corin Dovi Fehler and Dave Seitler were superb and caused endless problems to seasoned and current Maccabiah players as their pace and movement made them too hot to handle.

"In midfield, Ari Last was truly back to his best – how we’ve missed him for most of this season but he has come back more determined than ever to lead us to these two cup victories.

"The game itself was extremely entertaining and was played at a good tempo between two excellent teams. Chances fell to both sides but there is no doubt we were far more clinical.

"Overall I thought we dominated and were comfortable for the most part although there was a 10-minute period after they got one back in the second half when we were under the cosh and they were a bit unlucky not to score a second which could have got us panicking."

Garbacz believes Dovi Fehler's opener helped Hendon settled. "Lions put out a strong team as expected, but the turning point was probably as early as the first 10 minutes when we got gifted a priceless early goal thanks to Dovi running everything down and their keeper smashing the ball against a defender and into the net. That really settled us and once we got our second there was only ever really going to be one winner.

"They will come again though I’m sure as the team is full of excellent players and credit to them and Andy for the spirit which the game was played and their magnanimous acceptance of defeat.

"Our motivation for this match was huge – despite two trebles in three years, Hendon players are constantly overlooked for National tournaments in favour of others and today the incentive, as well as getting to the cup final, was to show that some of these boys definitely deserve far more recognition than they get.

"As far as the Cup Final is concerned – Stuart Delmonte said he wanted us and now he’s got us in what will be a tremendous North versus South shoot out at Oldham. Up the South – we’re coming to get you!

"Finally, as expected Raiders clinched the league today and all at Hendon wish them enormous congratulations – they fully deserve it having been the most consistent team this year – we’ll be hoping they plan their celebrations for the night of May 2 - the day before the Cyril Anekstein final."

Lions boss Andy Landesberg was magnanimous in defeat. He told JC Sport: "Hendon United were without question the better team on the day - they were sharper, tougher and far more hungry than we were.

"The boys let themselves and the Club down today, and they know that, no question. Hendon were fantastic and David should be very proud of his team. Perhaps one or two things could have gone our way, but they didn’t. You make your own luck, and that usually comes from hard work and wanting it more than the other team.

"I think the final will be a great game, it’s a real shame we didn’t achieve what we set out to do."