Ritz ripper rescues point
NORTH Caulfield Maccabi FC secured a valuable point from its home encounter with Fitzroy City at the weekend, securing its mortgage on sixth spot with a 1-1 draw.
NORTH Caulfield Maccabi FC secured a valuable point from its home encounter with Fitzroy City at the weekend, securing its mortgage on sixth spot with a 1-1 draw.
The Maccabi side showed true grit to get back in the game after City scored midway through the second half. It took some brilliance from two of North Caulfield’s biggest stars to get the side back on level terms. Gideon Sweet showcased some dazzling skill to get from left back into a scoring position, and when his shot rebounded back into play, Ari Ritz found the back of the net from a near impossible angle.
Fitzroy City looked most likely to beat the deadlock in the early stages with its slick distribution out of the centre of midfield causing problems for the home side.
North Caulfield dazzled at times but could not sustain possession in the forward third and failed to create any meaningful shots on goal.
Ritz had the best chance from a Jason Tasker cross from the right and Amjad Marieh also hit sweetly late in the half, but directed his shot straight at the City shot-stopper.
To North Caulfield’s defensive credit, the scores remained locked at 0-0 at half-time with Alon Esterman a stand-out performer in the key defensive post, ably partnered by returning veteran Guy Ben Aharon and Nat Vardi, who produced what was easily his best performance for the club.
At half-time, coach Andrew Freund was looking to threaten from wide positions and introduced Dion Esterman into the game on the right wing replacing Jason Tasker.
The move paid dividends, with numerous chances fashioned, including one to Josh Braver, who hit the keeper with a goal beckoning, and a Marieh free kick that hit the wall.
Fitzroy City’s opening goal was scored with a sublimely executed left-footed free kick taken from the edge of the box which gave a despairing Brett Sacks no chance in goal.
Freund rang the changes as North Caulfield started to dominate in general play but they seemed to lack an instinct for taking shots, choosing to over-finesse rather than go direct.
Ritz levelled the match inside the final five minutes and he had a chance to give his side the lead soon after but the City keeper was equal to the task.
The reserves had a solid 4-0 win with club founding veteran Danny Fridman’s son, Adam Fridman, scoring a hat-trick and Daniel Miller returning to net the other. Laurence Miller also managed to climb off the medical bench to re-launch his season after an enforced four game break.
North Caulfield Maccabi plays Kingston City on Monday night at 8.30 The Grange Reserve (Melway 79 F8).
HARRY ZAITMAN
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