Soccer win keeps season alive

DANIEL OPAT

NORTH Caulfield Maccabi put its recent poor soccer form behind it at the weekend, returning to the winner’s list with a 1-0 win against Croydon City.

Following two heavy defeats in previous weeks, and with several players heading to Israel for the Maccabiah Games, there were plenty of fresh faces in the team.

Also missing was star forward Franklin Ngwa, who only 24 hours earlier suffered serious leg injuries after being involved in a car accident.

The early stages of the match were physical and almost saw the home side go a goal down after the dodgy Caulfield Park pitch caused an Alex Gutwirth kick back into play skew off the side of his boot and land with a Croydon player, whose shot went astray.

Paul Miller, one of a trio of players promoted from the reserves, was linking well with player/coach Andrew Freund to set up good forward entries.

Henry Kazaryan was causing problems for Croydon in midfield, while Justin Scrobogna provided a solid focal point as the sole striker.

Jarryd Briscoe was solid in defence, while Gutwirth was brilliant in goal for North Caulfield.

At the other end Gui Glasberg was dominant in the air, but despite controlling the general play, the Maccabi side was unable to convert in front of goal and the sides went to the break locked at nil all.

At half time, Freund urged his side to be more direct in its forays forward and North Caulfield responded with a bright start to the second half.

Miller, Briscoe and Freund were linking up well and after 15 minutes the breakthrough came for the home side.

Briscoe was released down the right and whipped in an early cross to the penalty spot, Scrobogna smashing a header into the back of the net to break the deadlock.

Maccabi’s lead was nearly doubled when Esterman’s fierce drive after a penetrating run was brilliantly turned wide by the Croydon ‘keeper.

Maccabi held on for an important one-goal victory, and sang the song for just the third time this season. The win sees the team temporarily out of the relegation zone with a tough assignment against Peninsula Strikers at home at the weekend.

The reserves notched up its sixth win on the trot in emphatic style, smashing Croydon 3-1 and maintaining its impressive run.