Redbridge win Division One top-of-the-table thriller

Redbridge moved to within a point of top spot as they inflicted a first league defeat of the season on leaders Raiders B in the top-of-the-table Division One clash.

MGBSFL Division One
Redbridge Jewish Care B 3 Norstar London Raiders B 2
Sunday, 21 December, 2012

Redbridge started in the ascendancy, dominating proceedings in the first 20 minutes and saw several half chances which were dealt with by the Raiders defence and most notably, their goalkeeper, David Simnock.

Raiders were strong physically and well organised and were playing on the counter using fast forwards to attack at pace and leave Redbridge stretched.

Raiders took the lead from a corner and scored from the goal line with a scrambled finish. Redbridge were still dominating the possession but couldn’t test the dominance of the Raiders keeper who looked so assured.

The pressure finally had an effect with a run and shot by Scott Oldstein wide on the left. Raiders continued to put pressure on Redbridge on the counter and again forced another corner which led to an error by Brad Grant in the Redbridge goal which was right on the stroke of half-time.

The Redbridge boss was fairly calm at the break, knowing that the chances would keep coming but equally, aware that the danger still lurked on the counter-attack from Raiders. Slightly changing the shape in the middle, the two Sollosi’s and James Berkley started to take hold of the game . The equaliser came after 15 minutes of the second half with a superb run and cross from the excellent Oldstein and met sweetly with a smart finish by top scorer, Garfinkle. The game was now tightening up and substitutions made made, Castle on at right-back and Sam Rank on to give some defensive cover, the game was destined to be met with some irony.

Raiders had been dominant at both ends from set-pieces, but with around 20 minutes to go, conceded a corner that was delivered perfectly by Goldman and the arch poacher, Nathan Sollosi was on hand to bury an unstoppable header into the net. Chances were still coming to Raiders but the game wound down and the final score was 3 –2 to Redbridge .

This was truly a great game played by both sides, not one bad tackle and witnessed by the League Chairman to boot so it was a great advert for Maccabi Football.

Redbridge will gain the points from the game against Spec so will head into 2015 at the summit and with games in hand but know that with the way Raiders competed today, nothing can be taken for granted .