Stunning Saul sees Hendon win 11-goal thriller

Four goals from Saul Cohen – including a last minute winner – saw Hendon B edge an 11-goal thriller against Shacharit Donetsk to complete their first double of the season.

MGBSFL Division Three:
Hendon United B 6 Shacharit Donetsk 5
Sunday, 4 January, 2015

With the pitch somewhat iced over and the lines not entirely visible, the game was in danger of being called off but conditions improved, leaving what can only be described as a mudbath.

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However, the frantic build-up to the game unsettled Hendon, and they quickly fell a goal behind. Despite levelling through Gideon Barth‘s first goal of the season, they were 3-1 down within 15 minutes and facing a mountain to climb. However, they were level by half-time as Saul Cohen maintained his record of scoring in every game he’s played, before Barth added his second of the game following some magnificent wing play by Chaim Korman.

Hendon started the second half with all the momentum, and they soon took the lead with a wonderful team goal, the ball being played out from the back all the way through midfield before Avi Mocton released Cohen who showed great composure to slot the ball home. Cohen completed his hat-trick when he rose like a salmon to score a fine header from Gab Saul’s free-kick, despite being one of the shortest men on the pitch. However, Hendon were made to pay as they took their food off the gas and Donetsk pegged them back to 5-5. But in the dying seconds, Cohen scored his fourth to seal all three points, bundling in the ball at the far post – there was a hint of a hand used, but the goal was allowed to stand.

Hendon boss Adam Glekin said: “If ever there was a topsy turvy game, that was it. We singled out their main man in the team talk, saying how critical it was to contain him – 15 minutes in we’re 3-1 down and he’s nabbed a hat trick. The joys of mangaging a team in Jewish football where no-one listens! But we showed tremendous spirit once again to come back although we switched off when we went 5-3 up and were lucky to get away with it. Our front three of Saul Cohen, Chaim Korman and Gideon Barth were unplayable today. We could probably have scored 15 if we’d been a little more clinical. And although they might feel aggrieved by the winner, I’m not sure they can have many arguments that the better team won.”