BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY GROUP
TEMPLE FORTUNE 0 HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B 6
Hat-trick hero Benni Sluckis fired Hendon B into the next round of the Barry Goldstein Cup as they dismantled a 10-man Temple Fortune at Montrose Park.
Up against opponents who worked tirelessly to put out a competitive XI, right up to kick-off, Hendon went into the game knowing that the group could come down to goal difference, and they set about their task quickly.
The Reds forged ahead through to leading marksman Sluckis who finished clinically from inside the box.
Hendon double their advantage shortly after, from a considerably more unexpected source, as right-back Glen Turner was left unmarked in the six-yard box to slot home a corner, leaving him celebrating his first ever 11-a-side goal.
And they went into the break 3-0 up when Avi Mocton's shot was parried by the keeper, and Jaimie Grossman was on hand to net the rebound.
Hendon pushed for more goals in the second half, but Fortune, to their credit made life difficult for them. It took an excellent strike from Gab Saul to undo them, his sweetly-drilled strike from just outside the box going in off the inside of the post.
Sluckis scored his second of the game when he cut inside and finished with his trusty left foot, and then completed his hat-trick not long after when a free kick fell to him in the box and he neatly slotted home.
Hendon manager Adam Glekin told JC Sport: "It wasn't much of a contest to be honest; I can't recall our keeper touching the ball more than two or three times.
"Fortune battled hard and it's a shame they only had 10 men, but we were professional and should probably have hit double figures today. But when Glen popped up with a goal I think we knew it was going to be our day.
"I told Benni Sluckis at the beginning of the game I expected a hat trick from him, and fair play to him he duly obliged."
