Returning Harel spurs a Maccabi form revival
NORTH Caulfield Maccabi travelled to the home ground of cellar-dwellers Nunawading City FC on Sunday and recorded a strong 3-1 win.
NORTH Caulfield Maccabi travelled to the home ground of cellar-dwellers Nunawading City FC on Sunday and recorded a strong 3-1 win.
It was a must-win game for the Maccabi seniors, who have been down on form recently, but they were buoyed by the return of club cham- pion Oran Harel, an experienced forward who signed back with the club after leaving Frankston Pines mid-week.
Maccabi started the game on the front foot, with young guns Bradley Blumenthal and Domenic Paul looking dangerous up front.
Yonnie Lipshutz was handed a new position, moving from the mid- dle to right back, but he stepped up to his new role with resolute defending that cancelled out several Nunawading forward forays.
The breakthrough finally arrived for Maccabi when a well-delivered corner kick was fumbled by the defence and fell perfectly for Alon Esterman, who volleyed the ball into the net, leaving Nunawading’s keeper with no chance.
Esterman’s opener encouraged the visitors and Maccabi opened a two-goal lead soon after.
Winger Blumenthal turned his defender in the box, and from the harshest of angles he managed to beat the keeper with a low drive.
Nunawading pulled back the margin with a contentious goal before half-time, when it appeared the team’s striker started from an offside position.
After half-time, Maccabi was keen to assert its advantage, led by the tireless midfield of Josh Braver and Franklin Ngwa.
A quickly taken free kick caught Nunawading’s defence flat-footed, and the addition of Harel paid its dividends as he scored Maccabi’s third goal, securing the three points for his new team.
Maccabi’s Reserves continued their hot form, winning 5-1 behind a stellar performance from Alex Godler, while the Thirds were defeated 3-2 by Old Trinity.
North Caulfield Maccabi play Seaford United at 3pm on Sunday at Caulfield Park.
SAMANTHA PHILLIPS
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