CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND ONE

FAITHFOLD DOC MM WHITE 10 NORTH WEST LONDON BEARS 0

A rotated Bears team started the match with a new formation to try and combat the threat of Faithfold's tricky wingers. They did well for the opening periods of the game and looked to be defending well. The score remained 0-0 for the first 30 minutes with little in the way of chances. However, Faithfold found the breakthrough when midway through the half when a great ball over the top by Eli Davila was taken down nicely by Markiewicz who jinked past the GK and slotted into the empty net.

Faithfold doubled their advantage a few minutes later when Yoav Kestenbaum beat his man down the right and hit a lovely ball across the box for Markiewicz to slide in.

The Superhoops were now in free-flow and a third goal followed, with Kestenbaum the creator once more, with Markiewicz applying the finishing touch again, this time with his head.

The hosts added a fourth goal before half-time, David Leiwy, causing usual mischief was clipped, for a clear penalty and Markiewicz put into the side netting for his fourth.

Sitting pretty at 4-0, Faithfold made a substitution at the break, replacing the excellent Kestenbaum for new arrival Joe Cohen. Faithfold picked up where they left off in the second half, with Cohen's dangerous corner was eventually poked in by Leiwy.

Akiva Solomon, who was at the heart of everything for Faithfold, beat several men and despite being one on one unselfishly squared the ball to Markiewicz to sweep in for his fifth and Faithfold's sixth.

The best goal of the day was scored by debutant JoeCohen. Intricate passing by Avi Garson, Eli Davila and Solomon found Kestenbaum who slipped in Cohen to hit high into the roof of the net. 

Cohen got a second after Markiewicz was put in by Solomon, who this time himself was able to square the ball to Cohen to tuck into the empty net. 

Jamie Davila got in on the action after Friedman broke down the left, found Markiewicz who squared the ball to Davila to score nicely from outside the box.

Cohen completed his hat-trick with the last kick of the game. A great cross by Jamie Davila was headed in by Cohen to seal his third and Faithfold DocMM’s tenth.

Faithfold joint-manager Rob Shooman told JC Sport: "The Bears are a young team and it’s never easy to go away to an experienced team but they should stick with it.

"I am very pleased with my lads today because it’s very easy to get complacent even in the middle of the match but we continued to push throughout. The goal-scorers may get the plaudits but this was a real team win.

"Gideon Rabstein in goal for his debut, although largely untroubled, was a calming influence. Avi Mocton and Martin Smulovitch cleaned up everything. Lorian Madanes was excellent on his first game of the season. In the middle, Davila, Garson and, especially, Solomon really controlled the game. Overall a good days work for the green and white."

Bears joint-player-manager James Harpin told JC Sport: "Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say your opponents were better than you. Today was one of those days.

"Sam and I decided to give those that have not appeared much this season a game today, and gave the opportunity for the other new boys to impress.

"We will not have this quality of opponents every week and need to keep our heads high. We are still unbeaten in the league and we move on to the Chigwell game next week."