ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Hendon Hawks Rangers held Hendon Hawks Rovers to a 1 - 1 draw, thus ending their high scoring winning streak.
Hendon Hawks Rangers went into the game with a defensive game plan and executed the tactics to perfection. The Rangers were playing three defenders for the first time this season. This defensive approach ensured that David Amor did not add to his tally of 19 goals for the season whilst providing the Rangers with the ability to threaten on the counter - attack.
Josh Weiler and Joel Leighton threatened the Rovers goal twice in the first half. Amor and Akiva Restan both came close in the first half for the Rovers but their efforts were thwarted by man of the match Isaac Fahidi who had an outstanding game in goal. Defensively Alexander Lewin, Shmuli Miller and Jonathan Bush were strong and secure in both positioning and tackling which helped ensure that both sides went in at half time level pegging at 0-0.
The second half saw much the same with Hendon Hawks Rangers still looking to soak up the Rovers pressure and hit them on the counter attack. Once again strong performances from the Rangers midfielders and defenders helped limit the Rovers pressure but it was from corners where they threatened the most. Restan swung in some great corners and crosses testing goalkeeper Fahidi.
Ben Levi came close to opening the scoring for the Rangers after picking up a loose ball near the Rovers penalty area but driving his shot wide. Joel Ucko played a great through ball for striker Josh Weiler to latch onto but the pass escaped his reach and rolled into the Rovers goalkeeper's arms.
It was Weiler who broke the deadlock with a fantastic finish with the use of his knee. A cross from the left by Joel Leighton was latched onto by Weiler who tucked the ball into the bottom left hand corner.
The Rovers immediately sought to equalise, with Amor racing through the Rangers midfield only to be stopped by Miller and Fahidi. Five minutes later the Rovers whipped in a corner which Jonathan Korn latched onto with his head, directing the ball down past the goalkeeper and the defender positioned on the post for the equaliser.
Both teams continued to battle for the all important winner. However, the two sides could not be separated and the game drew to a close with the score level and the referee acknowledging the efforts of Fahidi as man of the match and the game itself as a great example of Maccabi Junior League football.