Five-Star Maccabi Stroll Past Bishops
Friendly
Maccabi GB U18’s 5 Bishop Stortford Youth 0
Thursday, 9 May, 2005
This game played on a bumpy pitch in a high wind proved that the harsh lessons learned by the last game have been taken on board and are being rectified.
This was a much better performance albeit against less talented
opposition. The defence was once again strong and error free, the midfield hard working and frugal in possession and the attack much more aware of their team-mates runs.
The game didn't get off to the best of starts when after five minutes Mark Leader had to go off after receiving a nasty eye injury, he was replaced by Ollie Leslie.
The team however quickly recovered from this set back to take complete control of the game. Danny Berliner in goal had one of his easiest ever games ever not being required to make one save although handling all the crosses very well.
The back four of Danny Cole, Leslie, Michael Sacks and Jake Gottlieb were superb. The error ridden night of last week was replaced by a flawless performance, highlighted by a headed clearance off the line by Cole, the smallest player on the pitch, and a Jake Gottlieb volley for a goal from a corner.
Danny Cohen on the right wing and Sammy Ross on the left worked back and forth tirelessly and were always dangerous in going forward, Danny scoring a goal and providing the first for Dominic Cheniert.
The central midfielders Adam Jocelyn and Benji Dymant provided a
defensive screen in front of the back four and at the same time made some superb runs into the area to support their forwards. Their one touch football was a delight and they have seemed to have learnt the lesson that holding onto the ball too long and trying to dribble their way through defences does not always work at this level.
Up front captain Kyle Bentwood and Cheniert were a handful that BS could not control, Kyle scoring twice and Dominic once. Apart from this they were far more aware of their team-mates in this match and therefore the attack itself was far more dangerous.
There were only 13 players available and this helped the continuity of the team. James Shuster came on in the second half replacing the injured Sammy Ross and as this was his first game for several months since returning from injury, he can be pleased with his efforts.
All in all a pleasing performance, lets hope it can be carried forward into next week’s game against Barnet Youth which will be the decider of three.
