Redbridge & Raiders secure promotion from Division One

Both Redbridge B and NL Raiders B secured the point they needed to secure promotion as the Division One top-of-the-table clash ended in a 2-2 draw.

MGBSFL Division One:
Norstar London Raiders B 2 Redbridge Jewish Care B 2
Sunday, 8 February, 2015

Raiders started off quickly at Brunel and were taking a firm hold of the game. However, the loss of both Sollosi’s seemed to disturb the shape of the midfield and we were resorting to long balls that bypassed the midfield.

The opening goal came to Raiders with a simple ball over the top and a good finish from Jake Gilbert, and they had a chance to extend the lead with a cross from the right from Josh Morris, which saw Gilbert’s header somehow kept out by Brad Grant in the Redbridge goal.

Redbridge manager Jon Jacobs tore into his troops at the half-time break, reminding them of what was needed, calmness and composure on the ball and playing through the midfield.

Within two minutes,the scores were level. A great advantage was played by the referee following a foul and as the ball was crossed by Goldman, James Berkeley produced a calm first touch, before smartly finishing into the middle of the net, finally beating the heroic Simnock in the Raiders goal.

It was now all Redbridge with Garfinkle hitting the bar and forcing a fabulous save from Simnock, but the sucker punch came with about 20 minutes to go with another simple through ball which Redbridge failed to cut out, a smart finish from Josh Green putting the Raiders back in front with nearly a quarter of the game left.

A change was made with Alex Chernoff replacing Jimmy Castle at right-back for Redbridge and it was from he that the defining play was made, he passed down the line, Goldman again provided the cross which was taken down by the outstanding Scott Oldstein, who with the help of a richochet, bundled the ball in to the net.

With around 10 minutes left, both teams tried to win it but the defences held firm ensuring a share of the spoils, a point which heralded Redbridge’s first draw of the season, but one that guaranteed them promotion with three games left, needing one win for the title.

Jacobs said: “I’m proud of all of the boys who have achieved so much this season. I have managed some of these boys since they were six-years-old so couldn’t be happier.

“Credit again to Jonathan Adelman and his Raiders team.They fully deserve to be going up with us and having given us the two best games of the season, will look forward to renewing acquaintance next season in the Premier League and continuing the rivalry.”