Five-star Raiders through in Cup

Raiders put in a superb team performance to progress to the next round of the Morrison Cup against a faithfold team with a mix of players from their respective squads.

Peter Morrison Cup Third Round:
Faithfold C 2 North London Raiders C 5
Sunday, 17 January, 2016

On a snowy morning in north west London the pitches were declared playable and fair play to the referee for keeping the game on when many wouldn’t have fancied it.

Both sides started strongly and had chances to take the lead without success. Raiders took the lead mid-way through the first half when a sublime move lead to Alex Elf playing a delightful cross into the box from a free-flowing move and Oli Nathan stopped low to head home from close-range. Raiders got a second as the half continued, a misplaced faithfold defensive free-kick fell to Elf and after taking a touch with his right sent a 30 yard left footed shot over the helpless keeper and into the back of the net. Raiders held on to lead 2-0 at the break and owed a lot to Charles Braunstein who brilliantly cleared a shot from inside the box off the line with a fantastic header.

It was clear that the third goal was going to be crucial and raiders got it not long after the break. Elf was through one-on-one with the Faithfold keeper and slotted it passed him to grab his second.

Both sides continued to create but the work rate of the boys in orange gave Faithfold very little time and space to create anything.

Faithfold then scored with a header from a free-kick and possibly the smallest player on the pitch snuck in at the back post to give the Greens a lifeline. Faithfold continued to press and looked threatening, but Raiders restored their three-goal advantage when a good move saw Nathan find Josh Daniels inside the box and he beat the keeper with a low shot.

The goals didn’t stop there. Faithfold pressed again and a long-range effort beat Grant Waissel into the top corner. Raiders then made the game safe with 10 minutes to go, great play by Oli Telvi saw him create space for himself and his low shot across the keeper found the back of the net.

Raiders looked comfortable and could have had more but ultimately played safe to ensure the victory and progression to the quarter finals for the first time in their history