Dream start for North Caulfield

NORTH Caulfield Maccabi FC began the 2010 season in style against Nunawading City FC, belting home three goals and keeping a clean sheet in the season opener.

With Graham Evans a late withdrawal, Jason Tasker was forced into the central forward position as Maccabi elected to stay with its 4-3-3  formation.

Josh Kacen, a dual Maccabiah representative and a new arrival from the Sydney Maccabi team, joined the local boys, lining up in the holding midfielder position, adding poise and experience.

Maccabi looked dangerous from the outset, with Ari Ritz the beneficiary of a brilliant build-up inside the first minute. Tasker intercepted in the centre circle and delivered to Josh Braver, who sprinted down the left wing and into the box, cutting the ball back for the lurking Ritz. The star striker came agonisingly close to giving his side the best possible start, but his shot sailed over the bar.

Tasker sent another shot high on three minutes, and keeper Alex Gutwirth kept Nunawading out at the other end, after North Caulfield conceded a free kick.

Minutes later, Steven Braude drove a long ball from the right back position deep into the forward penalty box, putting the Nunwading defence under pressure. Ritz again looked likely and earned a penalty kick, after he was blatantly fouled by the opposition goalkeeper. Ritz finished off to break the deadlock.

Maccabi continued to dominate after the restart, but failed to capitalise. Tasker headed wide, while Paul Miller got one out with the Nunawadding keeper, but missed the shot.

At the other end, Gutwirth executed a magnificent reaction-save, diving at the near post to deny a Nunawading volley from close range that looked a certain goal. Gutwirth was called into action again moments later to defend a Nunawading spot kick, the North Caulfield stopper effecting a superlative save, diving to palm the ball wide.

At half-time, head coach Andrew Freund urged his players to “play smarter in the second half”, and said he was “confident that we can win if we keep up the positive attitude”.

Tasker was at it again after the break, this time reeling off a fierce left-foot strike. The shot was kept out, but the rebound fell to a waiting Braver, who pounced for an easy tap-in.

Freund started making substitutions, replacing club stalwart Braude with Daniel Miller, recently returned from an extended UK stint. The Maccabi side was lucky not to concede a goal, after a Nunawading player was ruled offside despite putting the ball in the back of the net.

The remainder of the second half saw Maccabi pinned back in their defensive half, as Nunawading pressed for a goal with the breeze at their backs.

Maccabi defended well, with Gui Glasberg showing strong aerial presence, and debutant Akiva Epstein coming on for his first senior game at the club.

Epstein impressed immediately, delivering a sublime through-ball to Tasker, who coolly slotted a bottom-corner strike, sending the strong Maccabi away crowd into raptures.

Coach Freund noted that he was “proud of the team’s performance”, and anticipated a big crowd for the side’s first home game of the season against Croydon City at the weekend.

North Caulfield Maccabi plays Croydon on Sunday, April 18 at 3pm at Caulfield Park (Melway: 59 C11).

DANIEL OPAT