Premier Division Maccabi London Lions defeated title-chasing Los Camden A at Rowley Lane.
Samuel Marchant’s team ran out 5-2 victors for their second league win of the campaign, but with games in hand on leaders Hendon United Sports, joined the title mix.
With the winter break coming up, six of the seven teams have everything to play for in what is turning into the most exciting season for years.
Lions earned the points with goals from Reiss Mogilner (2), Benji Weinberger, David Dinkin and Michael Kenley.
Marchant praised goalkeeper Jack Franks, making his first appearance in four years, central midfielder Benji Weinberger, who showed quality attacking and defending, and right midfielder Mogilner for a brace of goals and an assist.
Sharpshooter Dinkin struck the goal of the game, Charlie Cohen and James Gold combined before Dinkin rifled home a left-foot volley.
“We showed today what we are capable of, Camden has been playing well and getting results so we knew it would be tough today,” commented Marchant. “The composure and work the boys put in meant we could win the game and not face too many problems.
“Some of the passing moves were a joy to watch and we hope to build on this performance.”
North London Galaxy are in contention for the Division One crown after a comfortable 5-0 win over 10-man Scrabble A who had striker Ben Nassim sent off on the hour.
The championship is a three-way battle as co-managers Luke Lewis and Jess Alexander notched two goals apiece as Galaxy moved to within two points of leaders Redbridge Jewish Care A.
Josh Cohen capped off the Galaxy win with the final goal following a 25-passing move.
Galaxy are in the third spot, a point adrift of Fairlop FC, both teams have a match in hand on the pacesetters.
“Our fifth was a superb team goal with all 11 players touching the ball before Cohen beat his man and smashed it into the far corner,” said a delighted Lewis.
“We were in cruise control from the start so it was a matter of how many today. We’re building up momentum and are looking to go into the break with a win against Oakwood B.”
“Galaxy’s pre-match comments came back to haunt him as they did not manage to put our goal difference into orbit,” said Scrabble boss Ray Abrahams.
“For the second game in a row against top quality opposition, we acquitted ourselves very well. I was proud of every player as we went toe to toe with them and gave everything.
“The passion and commitment from our boys was incredible considering our league position. At 1-0 at halftime we were confident of pulling off a shock result but we conceded early in the second half and that gave us a real uphill task.
“Our keeper saved a penalty but they scored from the rebound and we gifted them two easy goals when we failed to clear the ball. But if we keep working hard and continue to give it a go like we did today then results will come for us.”
The Division Two race is turning into a battle between Hertswood Vale and Faithfold B.
Both teams won their latest encounters, though leaders Vale are favourites as they sit three points clear and have a match in hand over second-placed Faithfold.
Star striker James Millet scored his second hat-trick of the season in a 5-1 win away to FC Team.
Vale almost led inside 10 seconds when Josh Gorb just couldn’t get his shot away from an inch-perfect ball from Millet, but the first goal soon arrived when Ben Kaye centred for Millet to nod home on eight minutes.
Vale centre-back Ashley Hirschberger departed due to a bad hand injury in the first half but his teammates scored within a minute when Kaye jinked inside to play in Jordan Harris who finished with aplomb.
An FC own goal on the hour from Gorb’s corner followed then Millet was pulled down in the box before smashing home the resulting penalty for a 4-0 lead.
Millet completed the scoring, beating the ‘keeper after Josh Wood dummied a Danny Feuer’s long throw into his path.
“We knew all about FC’s attacking quality coming into this game, but we turned up and put in a solid offensive performance, quelling most of what they had to throw at us,” said Vale boss Jacob Emanuel. “It was an enjoyable game, always is against Mitch Young’s men, and we look forward to playing them in the return fixture.”
Marchant added, “Justin Mullem put in a really strong performance at right back on his debut, Jack Shulman was also thrust into centre back after Hirschberger’s injury and despite not making many appearances this season was back to his best alongside James Neidle.
“Millet is the best player in Division Two and enjoyed another class performance. That’s 16 goals so far this season and he’s hungry for more.
“Kaye has had to a knee injury, he may not have grabbed a goal, but his assists for our opening goals were top drawer. Harris grabbed his first goal of the season, and was well worth the wait, while Simon Englander sprayed passes all over the pitch from midfield.
“Overall, it was a solid performance and saw us get a big three points as we look to head into the winter break in the strongest position possible.”
Faithfold Doc B ran out comfortable 5-1 winners against in-form Temple Fortune.
Benny Goldberg grabbed a hat-trick, Jack Joseph and Leor Harel scored the Faithfold goals.
“Fortune gave a good account of themselves and did their best to disrupt our play,” said Faithfold boss Doron Shooter.
“We rode a couple of moments where they threatened to come into the game but we dominated throughout and played some excellent football at times, scoring some cracking team goals.”
Mill Hill Dons came from a goal down to record a 3-1 success at North London Raiders Masters.
The Dons started sharply, striking the crossbar twice early on. But Raiders took the lead from a disputed penalty decision.
The visitors equalised with a well-worked free kick on 40 minutes, Zach Cohen’s strike ricocheted off the bar and in off the Raiders ‘keeper.
The Dons wasted chances to take lead but edge ahead before Sam Stead struck on the stroke of half-time, reacting quickest in the box to tap home from close range.
Dons dominated the second half and were rewarded by an outstanding 35-yard strike from Isaac Virchis, who let fly into the top corner, giving the Raiders ‘keeper no chance.
“I’m delighted with the boys’ attitude and intensity,” said Dons assistant manager Nagioff. “It’s no secret we have massively underperformed in several games this season, so it’s a fantastic feeling to play better and we’re finally on a good run of form.
“Credit to Raiders, who played some really nice passing football from the back today, but we didn’t give them space to move. There is a real positive atmosphere among the side again now and we are looking forward to Sunday’s game against SPEC FC.”
Away from league action, Division One leader Redbridge Jewish Care A caused a shock by knocking out Premier outfit Faithfold A 4-1 at home in the only Cyril Anekstein Cup second round tie not to be postponed.
Oakwood B v Jewdinese and Redbridge Jewish Care C v Bayern Mincha were both postponed due to a waterlogged pitch though Oakwood A advanced as SPEC FC forfeited the match.