ByAnonymous, Anonymous
Olim League champions England FC were made to work as they edged past Ashdod 2-1.
The champions, started the game positively pushing forward on every opportunity and dominating possession with the Ashdod keeper making two great saves from Aviv Saphir and blocking a trademark belter from Josh Portnoi. Roy then had a free header at the back post that he just could not connect with.
On the half hour mark England’s dominance paid off when Saphir had space to turn on the box and drive to Roy to slide in.
The second half was a replica of the first, with the Ashdod No. 1 again keeping his side in it with a string of saves. This allowed Ashdod the opportunity to break down the right and with their first real attack punish England with a great finish.
With 30 minutes still left there was time for the Ashdod keeper to keep excelling until JJ decided to take matters into his own hands and beat three players on his way to the box and then squared to Roy who got his second of the game.
Binke and Omer Peleg both went close and in the dying stages Ashdod could have sneaked a point but the defence held firm.
England FC player-manager Yoni Sidi said: "This was our best performance yet and it looks like the new players are starting to gel. We should have killed the game off but fair play to Ashdod who have improved a lot and made it hard for us. I thought Roy was fantastic tonight and made the difference."
Elsewhere, Saturday, saw an early important fixture take place, with Aviv City hosting Modiin. Both teams had lost their first game of the season and were hungry to get points on the board and rise off the bottom of the table.
With three new signings for Aviv City - from Sweden, Italy and Nigeria - all making their debut, Aviv looked the livelier, with good possession and a handful of chances.
Midway into the first half, one of Aviv City's two Swedish players, Micha Gladnikoff, lobbed a looping ball into the opposing goal area and the ball deceived the keeper and went in – 1-0 to Aviv.
The second half saw the tempo raised as Modiin chased an equaliser and following some pressure in Aviv's area, Matan Kroizer netted the crucial goal Modiin had craved for 75 minutes, much to elation of the Modiin team and bench. 1-1.
With 15 minutes to go, it was Aviv City who stepped up their game and Nigerian debutante Martin Udeani, put Aviv City in the lead with a fine header on a counter attack.
Aviv City then went on to put the game to bed with two more goals in the last 10 minutes – architected by American whizz kid Adam Jaffe. His pace up front was too much for a tired Modiin defence - he caused them to concede an own goal and then slotted home the fourth himself.
A good game that was well-balanced throughout – man of the match went to Swedish debutant Micha Lederman from Aviv City.
Other results:
Jaffa 3 England B 2
Raanana 6 Jerusalem 4