Redbridge beat Blancos to stay joint-top of table

Redbridge Jewish Care B continued their 100 percent winning start to the season as they recorded a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a spirited Los Blancos side.

MGBSFL Division One:
Los Blancos 1 Redbridge Jewish Care B 2
Sunday, 16 October, 2016

The game started with Los Blancos coming out the stronger team, but not creating anything to note, with RJC B goalkeeper Scott Shear not being tested at all.

Los Blancos were winning the first and second balls and going into half-time, were still the better team, but once again not threatening at all the RJC goal. The RJC boys had not started in their usual sharp passing and high pressing game, meaning a few tactical changes were needed, with player-manager Sam Rank coming onto the pitch to bring calmness, shapes and composure to the team.

The second half was a totally different game, with RJC B dominating the play, keeping the ball a lot better, winning the majority of the first and second balls, and creating a lot of chances. After good play from Sam Rank and Brad Gayer, Adam Goldman missed a guilt edge opportunity, blazing over from four yards out,

From the next phrase of play, RJC nearly opened the scoring again, with only a brilliant save from the Los Blancos goalkeeper keeping the scores level. But from the resulting corner, RJC opened the scoring. A corner was over hit by the usual reliable Brad Gayer, Ben Chernoff kept the ball alive in play, laid it back to Sam Rank, who hit a lofted half-volley cross to the back post to assistant manager Richie Caplin who headed emphatically back across the Los Blancos to give the RJC boys a 1-0 lead.

RJC B pushed for a second goal, but the Los Blancos defence stood firm. Then against the run of play, Los Blancos were handed a lifeline. Adam Hersh got the wrong side of RJC B centre-back Dan Andrews, who brought down Adam Hersh. The penalty was converted by Los Blancos converted midfielder Joe Davis.

RJC B had the bite between their teeth, and responded very well, with the game being camped in the Los Blancos half, and eventually the pressure counted. A loose ball in the midfield was picked up by Sam Rank, who picked out Ben Chernoff on the left, he twisted and turned the Los Blancos right-back, and hit a low drive at the near post, which the Los Blancos goalkeeper could only tip onto the post, the rebound fell to Joe Jordan who tucked away the winner, to send the RJC B boys into jubilation.

Rank said: “Overall, I feel the RJC B boys deserved the three points in the end, due to the second half performance, but they also know they can play a lot better. But during a long season, you’re going to have games like this, and these wins will be the difference between winning or losing the league.

“We go into a little break now, where we have two cup games over the next four weeks to re-energise our batteries.”