Mill Hill NW7ers 3 v 1 Edgware
Match Report
Mill Hill Shul congregants made light work of an out of sorts Edgware team at Rowley Lane on Tuesday evening, 12th June. Goals Josh Bentley, Paul Myers & Joel Davis saw Mill Hill to victory and helped the team maintain its impressive record in the North West London, United Synagogue, Over 30s, Friendly League.
Mill Hill turned up with a full complement of players and all 15 men who were present contributed to the victory.
The composure of goalkeeper Andy Emden, the power of centre back Gil and the guile of his central defensive partner Mossy gave the Mill Hill back line a solid feel, and full backs Dan Ws and Joel Davis worked tirelessly to provide excellent cover & width. When Anthony came on, he slotted into the back line perfectly and put in a fine display.
The ever present central midfield partnership of Andy & Jarrod gave the team a strong spine and what they lack in height they certainly make up for in tenacity & desire.
On the wings the two Danny’s, Zinkin & Myers showed some strong running and dangerous crosses which caused the Edgware full backs all sorts of problems. It is however worth bearing in mind that one of these Edgwarian full backs was playing his first competitive game of football in ten years and the other had an uncanny physical resemblance to Harold Bishop the Australian TV Soap, Neighbours.
Devoid of any recognised strikers, young central midfielder Josh Bentley and twinkle toed left back Ben Novik were asked to lead the line, which they did to great effect.
An early Injury to left back Ws was a blow to the Mill Hill men, but his replacement Shnayer Shapiro proved his worth. The South African, best known for his tasty barbecued Boerewers, showed strong running with the ball and some nifty footwork.
Play went back and forward in the early moments of the game. Mill Hill worked themselves into some good positions without managing to muster any clear cut chances. There were some dangerous free kicks both teams but the deadlock was finally broken on the half hour mark when great work Cahn in the middle saw the ball fall to Bentley just outside the box and with the goal beckoning he made no mistake, coolly slotting it into the corner of the net to make it 1 - 0. Moments later the same man almost made it 2 but the Edgware keeper saved well a shot that was destined for the top hand corner.
Mill Hill turned the screw in the second half. Myers replaced Bentley up front and his contribution was felt immediately when he scored an excellent goal distance with a sweetly struck shot which nestled into the top of the Edgware net to make it 2 - 0.
However the goal and moment of the match was still to come. Right back Davis picked up the ball on the corner on the opposition box, dribbled past a man and struck the ball beautifully, directing it into the top left hand corner of the goal. Only Davis and The Almighty will know for certain whether the strike was intended as a cross but it was certainly impressive nonetheless. Davis celebrated the goal with a loud roar and fist pump which Tim Henman would have been proud of.
Player manager Zeital, who is owed great thanks for organising the team so well, came on for a cameo appearance up front and this by coincidence, coincided with a in Mill Hills standard of play. A defensive lapse saw Edgware grab a consolation goal but it was too little too late as the day was clearly the Menschen Mill Hill.
Josh Bentley