Second half fade-outs plague Maccabi

NORTH Caulfield has again succumbed after relinquishing a lead, this time against Peninsula Strikers.

The visitors took a 1-0 lead into the break before conceding twice. The sealer for the 2-1 loss came with just seconds left.
Amgad Marieh looked lively early on in the game, showing off his neat footwork and deft passing, while Ariel Lashansky was providing a handy option at left back.

Josh Braver weaved his way through some traffic and sprinted towards goal, with just the Penisula shot stopper between him and goal, but he was unable to convert. But Braver got another chance moments later and made the most of his second pportunity.

After a failed attempt to clear the danger area by the Peninsula defence, Braver swooped, firing a pinpoint strike that sailed into the top, right corner to give North Caulfield the lead.

Peninsula got the ball moving in the second half, using the favourable wind to its advantage.

With Maccabi under pressure in defence, a Peninsula player got a shot away in heavy traffic, which took the inside of the far post on its way to the back of the net. It was a brutal way to concede the lead with returning keeper Alex Gutwirth no chance to save the shot.

Maccabi brought on some fresh legs in Michael Braude and Adam Fridman midway through the second half. They worked hard to recapture the lead, linking well with Adam Rischin in the midfield.

But when Jason Tasker pushed forward for a corner kick, the defence was thin on the ground and the subsequent rebound attack from Peninsular was met with tired legs. A through ball to a lone Striker was duly slotted, breaking Maccabi hearts and continuing the side’s poor recent record of second-half capitulations.

The Reserves lost an entertaining battle 4-3, with the lead seesawing in the second half. Daniel Miller opened up the scoring and Nat Vardi doubled the lead with a well-taken penalty. Defensive lapses allowed Peninsula to score not one, but three goals.

A settler from Miller levelled the scores, but a late goal resigned North Caulfield to defeat.

North Caulfield Maccabi plays Nunawading City FC on Sunday at 3pm at Caulfield Park (Melway 59 C11).

DANIEL OPAT

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