David Saffer
Temple Fortune sealed Division Two promotion with a thumping 7-1 victory against champions-elect L’Equipe. Top scorer Jordan Sharifian struck a hat-trick on a red-letter day for the club.
“We knew we had to deliver and everyone in the squad played a part in today’s win. We certainly saved the best until the last game,” said manager Simon Linden.
“We bossed the game against a team that did look depleted with numbers but you can only beat what’s put in front of you. My team knew how much it meant to get the win and promotion.” He added: “We’ve conceded one goal in six games, which was a penalty. My back five have been outstanding, they have grown as a force and improved as the season has gone on. This season has been unbelievable because last year we finished second bottom, so the agenda was to get Fortune playing as a competitive force again. Not in my wildest dreams did I think we would finish top two but credit to everyone at the football club who played a part in making this happen.”
Fortune’s boss praised club chairman Nigel Kyte for his tireless efforts in running the club. He commented: “We will enjoy this moment and look forward to next season. We are back and, believe me, the journey has only just started.”
Fortune took the game to L’Equipe, but after having a goal bound effort cleared off the line. Striking the cross bar with a Michael Goldberg effort, the runaway league leaders took the lead with an Andy Smith penalty. But Fortune hit back through Goldberg who dribbled past two defenders before firing home into the left corner.
Moments later, Sharifian hammered in a low shot and with Fortune dominant, Brett Stead, scored with another low shot on 41 minutes for a 3-1 half time lead.
Gavin Levy forced an own goal just past the hour, before Sharifian bagged number fifth in the 72nd minute to extend the Fortune lead. With the champions struggling to contain a rampant Fortune side, substitute Zack Rich struck leaving Sharifian to complete his treble from close range three minutes from time.
In other fixtures, Richard Folgelman scored twice as Faithfold B won 5-1 at Boca Jewniors. Meanwhile, bottom club Hertswood Vale stunned promotion chasing RC UK Ltd with a Harry Gordon goal for a shock victory. In other fixtures, Oakwood A completed their Premier league fixtures in a nine-goal thriller Maccabi London Lions A.
Daniel Kristall’s charges won 6-3 but must wait to see if they can celebrate winning the title, as Redbridge Jewish Care A will clinch the crown by a point if they win their matches in hand.
Oakwood have only lost once in the league, and in their final game, had too much firepower for Lions. Dave Woolman and Alex Lee struck twice for the current league leaders with further goals from Kyle Bentwood and Bradley Wine. Redbridge hammered FC Team A 9-1 with Dean Nyman hitting a hat-trick. Adam Hakimi, Matt Berkley, Daniel Garfinkle, Sam McCarthy, James Berkley and Daryl Rubin also scored for the championship chasers. Johnny Kay scored the only goal of the match between North London Raiders A and Camden Park.
