Manchester Maccabi In Eccles Win

Paul Rose - Tuesday 6th 2007f February 2007

Eccles & District Sunday Football League Prem Div
De La Salle 2 Manchester Maccabi 1st 4
Sunday, 4 February, 2007

De La Salle are second and had only lost one game previously to third-place Weaste Hotel. With Maccabi having games in hand over all teams, this was a very important game for the visitors.

A very slow start saw Maccabi on the back foot and it became evident that Redshaw was going to be a handful as he caused problems down Maccabi’s left-flank.

Several shots flashed wide and some scary moments were just about dealt with inside the first ten minutes. Gradually Bentwood, Loofe and Chaytow began to see more of the ball in the middle of the park with Ben Lauffer linking well to the front men. Huller was involved in a late challenge with the De La full back and was thankful for a minor lecture from the official.

After 13 minutes, Lavin disappointingly missed a good opportunity, at the other end Adam Lauffer cleared in front of his posts after a good save from Brunen. Ten minutes later Leon Huller unleashed a rocket that flew in from over 25-yards to the delight of his teamates.

The joy was shortlived as on 25 minutes, Redshaw smashed home after hesitancy saw Lauffer caught in possession 10 yards outside his own area.

In a game that swung from one end to the other, it was no surprise as Lavin started causing problems on the right and when his first shot hit the post, the rebound was crossed back, Ben Lauffer narrowly missed the all important touch but Huller was again on hand to smash home the second from just two yards.

It only took another two minutes for Huller to get a chance for a hat-trick but he scuffed his shot wide when faced with just the keeper to beat. On 35 minutes Huller raced away and with De La Salle all at sea, his shot was parried by the keeper only for Lavin to be on hand to roll into an empty net. Prior to the break, again De La pulled a goal back following a dribble by Redshaw which saw Stockton tap home to make it 2-3.

The second half saw Maccabi very much more in control. Their opponents, other than some scrambles around the penalty area from early corners, were never really matching Maccabi and on the hour mark, the game was virtually sealed albeit quite fortuitously. Lavin’s mis-placed pass on a break away somehow ended back with him via a defender and the result was inevitable with a 4-2 lead. Needless to say there were several great opportunities to increase the lead, Ben Lauffer’s 20-yarder hit the underside of the bar and Huller headed just over.

A deserved win which sees Maccabi just in behind the leaders with points to claw back and are proving to be one of the best teams in the league. Irlam will probably win the title but the crystal ball says Mcr Maccabi will be on their heels within a month.