Maccabi’s last-gasp loss a kick in the guts

IN what is fast becoming a season of wasted opportunities, North Caulfield Maccabi missed a chance to move into the top rungs of the State League 3 ladder when it was beaten at home 2-3 by Mornington.

In what will rank as one of the most devastating losses for some time, the team led 2-1 with only five minutes left, before conceding an equaliser from the penalty spot and then the deciding goal seconds from full-time.

It was another painful reminder of how important it is to capitalise on opportunities to close out matches, coming hot on the heels of a draw the previous week in another match Maccabi should have nailed shut well before the final whistle.

The team suffered a pre-game blow when midfielder Ari Ritz could not take his place because of other commitments, but Gideon Sweet returned after a couple of weeks out with injury. His second-half performance was instrumental in getting Maccabi back into the contest after going into the break down 0-1.

The only goal of the first half came after a Mornington corner was cleared only to the edge of the penalty area. The follow-up shot was brilliantly saved by keeper Brett Sacks, but he could only push the ball back out to a waiting Mornington player, who tucked the goal home from close range.

North Caulfield’s best chance for an equaliser came from a low shot from distance by Jason Tasker that was well saved by the Mornington keeper. The last 10 minutes of the half featured a much better effort from Maccabi, and the side started to get behind the Mornington defence, but crosses from wide areas were not quite on the mark.

The team was read the riot act by coach Andrew Freund at half-time, and the injured Michael Braude was replaced by Dion Esterman. From the opening whistle Maccabi looked a completely different team and the whole game was being played in the Mornington half. The equaliser should have come when Josh Braver got on the end of a low cross, but he instead scooped his shot over the bar from five metres.

Soon after, the referee awarded a penalty for a hold on Esterman that looked soft. Amgad Marieh smashed the penalty home off the underside of the crossbar, even that moment resulting in hearts in mouths.

Maccabi pushed relentlessly for the go-ahead goal, and it was no surprise that it came from build-up down the left. Braver and Sweet, who were dominating that flank, combined beautifully, with Sweet whipping in a low cross from the by-line. Marieh got a toe to it, and Adam Rischin, alone at the far post, had the simple task of side-footing into an empty net.

With the game petering out and Maccabi looking comfortable, the whole contest was turned on its head. First, a Mornington player broke through on the left-hand side of the box and was cut down for a needless penalty, Sacks having no chance to save the precise spot kick. Then, with the referee checking the watch, a long clearance found a Mornington player, who turned Ben Ahron and slotted a low shot.

The reserves went down 3-1 to Mornington as they also struggled to turn possession into goals.

North Caulfield Maccabi plays Frankston Pines on Sunday at 7pm at Monterey Reserve (Melway 99 K8).

HARVEY SILVER

Get The AJN Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up