Red-hot Maccabi on the rise
NORTH Caulfield Maccabi has continued its hot start to the 2013 season with a stellar 2-0 victory away to Frankston Pines recently.
NORTH Caulfield Maccabi has continued its hot start to the 2013 season with a stellar 2-0 victory away to Frankston Pines recently.
The side moves up to third spot on the ladder with three wins and a loss and will look to continue its rise after a week off when it takes on cellar-dweller Peninsula Strikers.
Both sides struggled to create chances in a hard-fought first half, but Maccabi did go close on a couple of occasions.
Jason Tasker was denied a penalty despite being crudely brought down in the box, before Ilya Davidov’s shot was acrobatically denied and Joshua Braver missed the follow up.
Coach Juan Mascuñano implored his team to “remain patient and be smart” with the ball in order to gain the ascendancy in the second half.
But unfortunately North Caulfield did not heed its coach’s words and allowed the opposition forwards to launch several attacks, with one header sailing just wide.
The game heated up following the close shave, with Maccabi’s Aaron Cohen clearing the ball out of defence, before being head-butted in an off-the-ball incident.
Davidov took full advantage of the distraction, setting up Bradley Blumenthal to slot the opening goal and give the visitors the lead.
Immediately after the restart, Frankston lifted its intensity and pressed forward for an equaliser, but missed a gilt-edged opportunity from less than a yard from the line.
Maccabi made the hosts pay on the rebound, with Elliot James getting pulled down in the penalty box by the opposition goalkeeper, who became the second Frankston player sent off for the game.
Leftheri Arhontogiorgis completed the scoring from the spot kick to ensure North Caulfield walked away with the points.
The side could have increased its margin late in the game, but failed to capitalise on clear opportunities.
The Reserves were unable to maintain their winning streak, going down to Frankston 3-1 in a tough encounter, while the Thirds also struggled in their 2-0 defeat to East Bentleigh.
North Caulfield plays Peninsula Strikers on Sunday, May 12 at Caulfield Park (Melway: 59 B12).
Daniel Shandler
Photo: Daniel Opat
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