Blanco boys secure promotion

Division One:
Los Blancos 5 Norstar B 1
Sunday, 19 May, 2013

There was a nervous atmosphere around John Lyon school playing fields as Los Blancos looked for one final win to secure promotion to Div 1 in front of super sponsors Cohen Arnold chartered accountants (for all your accounting needs!)

The nerves showed as Norstar started the brighter and had the first chance. a header from a corner was destined for the roof of the net until Cohen, in his last Blancos appearance, intervened with his fingertips to tip over the bar.

The rest of the half was dominated by Blancos but no clear chances were made. Aryeh Marks scored with a fantastic hand of g-d replica but was correctly booked and the goal ruled out.

The second half was a different story. Blancos were not prepared to fall at the final hurdle and stepped up a gear. Midfield duo Josh Caplin and Adam Waters were running the Norstar midfield ragged and it wasn’t long before Joel Kutner brilliantly beat his man on the left of the area before firing across the keeper into the far corner.

They doubled their lead when Sami Birnbaum was brought down after a surging run into the box, as a reward for dedicated service, Josh Cohen stepped up to score straight down the middle in his first ever MSFL goal.

Norstar got themselves deservedly back into the game almost instantly and at 2-1, Blancos had to fight.  Hersh, chasing the golden boot, used pace power and panache to beat the stars backline and take it past the keeper for 3-1.

Norstar then hit the bar and post in a goalmouth scramble, but Blancos survived and didn’t look back. Hersh added another equally well taken goal for 4-1 and had chances to grab his hat-trick. Substitute Benjy Israel used all of his fresh legs to run from midfield, beat four men, rounded the keeper and then slotted home – a definite goal-of-the-week/season contender!

Israel’s stunning strike wrapped up the scoring, leading to the flowing of champagne as Blancos started celebrating  promotion to Division One!