Curtain falls on roller coaster season
NORTH Caulfield Maccabi's up and down soccer season has ended following its 1-0 loss to league champions Berwick City.
DANIEL OPAT
NORTH Caulfield Maccabi’s up and down soccer season came to a close on September 6 with a 1-0 loss to league champions Berwick City.
Decimated by injury and missing players who made the trip to Israel for the Maccabiah Games in July, the club was in serious danger of losing its spot in State League 3 mid-season.
But to North Caulfield’s credit, the makeshift side fought hard to finish in ninth with six wins, 10 losses and six draws.
The outcome of the match shaped the race for promotion, and a good crowd turned out at Caulfield Park for the clash.
With David Kleitman out injured, Ariel Lashansky played left back for the first time in his career and held down the position with distinction.
Dion Esterman looked menacing in the early exchanges, while Josh Braver was giving his side excellent run on the right.
At the 15 minute mark, keeper Alex Gutwirth asserted his authority as captain when he pounced off his line to clear the danger from a corner kick. Christian Smak was resolute in defence as he has been all year.
The Maccabi side could have had the lead after Josh Braver delivered a corner kick into the danger area, which Jonathan Rochwerger latched on to with a header. But it wasn’t to be, the Berwick keeper denying North Caulfield with a spectacular save.
In the shadows of half time, Gutwirth was left exposed by his defence, and Berwick took full advantage, with a strike on goal hitting the bar and crossing the line.
In an attempt to find an equaliser, Justin Scrobogna was cleaned up by the Berwick keeper and received two broken ribs for his troubles.
Jonathan Braver replaced Scrobogna after the break.
Berwick continued to attack after the restart, but it was North Caulfield that had the most meaningful scoring chances.
Jason Tasker was kept busy in midfield, linking up well with Esterman and Josh Braver and mounting many useful attacks with the help of Rochwerger, while Gui Glasberg was brought on to replace Graham Evans.
Paul Miller managed to run onto a long ball and controlled his looping cross to the back post where Josh Braver was agonisingly close to tapping in an equaliser. But it just wasn’t to be for the home side.
Just prior to the final whistle, Tasker connected with a header direct from a corner kick, but the ball sailed wide of the mark.
Post game, Freund thanked his charges for their dedication in season 2009.
The club will now look to next season and hopes to continue the development of its exciting youngsters, who performed so well in the absence of the side’s stars.
The reserves lost 3-0 to Berwick City, with Gilad Ritz and Dave Friedman North Caulfield’s best in the difficult loss.
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