MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS A 2 HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A 2
An 85th-minute strike from Yoav Kestenbaum earned defending champions Hendon a hard-earned point against league leaders NLR A in Willesden.
Hendon came out very strongly and with NLR's slack passing, they definitely were on top. The hosts defended well but couldn't really get anything going from an attacking sense. And it was Hendon who took the lead from a well delivered Rafi Kon free-kick which the unfortunate Ben Joseph could only glance past Doffman.
NLR reshuffled in the second half and for 30 minutes they gave Hendon the run-around. Matt Stock scored a well-deserved equaliser and then Ben Joseph, who had an outstanding second half, curled home a brilliant free kick to put L'Orange ahead.
And to make matters worse, Hendon then lost keeper Russell Corin to injury, with Last forced to replace him between the sticks.
Hendon had to regroup and stay hugely focused not to let NLR score again and it required enormous character to pull ourselves back into it.
The game by this stage was very open as each side took it in turns to attack and it was clear the game wasn't going to end 2-1 and it was Hendon who finished the scoring, with a great Yoav Kestenbaum strike from outside the box in the 85th minute.
The match ebbed and flowed one way to the next and when all was said and done the final score was probably a fair result. Both teams had big chances to win it in a superbly entertaining second half, but neither had the necessary composure and they shook hands on a tremendously fought out draw.
Hendon boss David Garbacz told JC Sport: "This was a magnificent advert for our league in what was a top quality match between undoubtedly the league's two best teams.
"It was vital we did not lose today - the loss of Russell was huge and Avidan Last showed great courage to take his place and keep a clean sheet for the last half hour.
"The match was played in marvellous spirit with big performances all around the pitch from both teams - this is what Sunday league football is all about - Norstar are a quality outfit and the additions of Liron and Ben Joseph have made them much stronger than last season.
"This years title winners will be one of these two teams and we have to make sure we match them stride for stride and pip them again at the post as we did last time around."
NLR boss Rob Richman was in full agreement with Garbacz. He told JC Sport: "Today was a superb advert for the league we play in. It was a truly brilliant game of football played between two very good sides and though I'm upset at conceding so late, the draw was the fair result.
"While we are disappointed that we didn't win the game we all accept the draw was a fair result. The season promises to be very closely fought out again and it will be a matter of who is more consistent over the coming months that goes on to win the title.
"One final point, I think it only right to mention the performance of Hendon's Avidan Last. Hendon's goalkeeper Russ Corin went off after an hour with a back injury and Avidan stepped into the breach. In my view he won his side a point today, doing absolutely superbly to stop Stock scoring a third which I think would have been a goal too many for Hendon to come back from."
