CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND ONE

HERTSWOOD VALE 2 BRADY MACCABI 3

Vale's early pressure told and they took the lead 31 minutes into the first half – James Millet was hauled down in the box by the Brady keeper and the referee pointed to the spot. The keeper pulled off a quality save from the spot, but the rebound was gobbled up by the ever-eager Ben Mandel.

A wounded Brady team were fearing the worst, but they stepped up a gear and created chances galore as the half ended and Nathan felt they "should've been level before half-time".

Brady's pressure finally paid dividends when Graeme Grossman levelled with a header from a cross, despite a flag from assistant-referee, but he was over-ruled by the ref.

As Vale started to tire after a herculian effort, Brady forged ahead from the spot through Rister, after a Vale player was adjudged to have handled in the box., and quickly got the third when Curtis, who was excellent throughout the game, finished off a good move with a great shot from the left-hand side of the box which should have killed the game off.

But Vale did not let their heads drop and a quality ball over the top from Zach Mandel found Mandel who audaciously lobbed the Brady keeper from 35 yards from the most brilliant of angles – his fifth goal of the season and fourth in his last two games.

Relieved Brady boss Joel Nathan told JC Sport: "At last we get a win, but it wasn’t pretty. Hertswood are a good young team and we wish them well in the league this season."

Proud Vale joint-manager Jacob Emanuel told JC Sport: "The boys really stepped up today and found ourselves on the front foot throughout the first half. We missed a couple of chances that on another day would’ve ended up in the back of the net.

"However, despite up against superior Premier Division opposition, the boys pushed on. Sadly it wasn’t to be and credit to Brady for taking their chances – it was a feisty match and I thought the referee was brilliant today. To come away from the match against top-flight opposition and put in such a solid performance, Danny and I are very proud."