Hendon United Sports moved towards retaining the Premier Division championship with a comfortable 4-0 win against Brady Maccabi at Rowley Lane.
Rocky Spitzer, with a brace, Zack Lewis and Chaim Korman scored the goals for the league leaders who need four points to clinch the title.
Dominating possession, Hendon missed opportunities before opening the scoring with a Spitzer strike past the Brady ‘keeper midway through the half.
Gav Noe chased down a loose backpass before backheeling for Lewis to clinically finish for a 2-0 lead. Hendon then hit the Brady crossbar and wasted a guilt-edged chance for a third after Korman was brought down for a penalty but Lewis struck a post from the resultant spot kick.
Hendon bossed the second half and sealed the win when Simon Peterman put Spitzer in for his second of the match.
Korman knocked in number four from close-range to complete the scoring.
“It was a good win in a game where we dominated possession and scoring chances,” said Hendon boss Jordan Sapler. “On another day we could’ve scored a lot more.
“Rocky started us off with our first goal and from then we played mainly in the Brady half. Zack finished superbly but after half time we were on the receiving end of many offside decisions.
“It was a good result for a number of reasons. It was great seeing Josh Bentley, Yehuda Korman and Greg Corin return from injuries to play a significant part of the game which brings positives for the run in.”
Sapler added, “Brady made it hard for us and we can see why they’ve picked up some good results in the last couple of weeks.
“It was a shame though to see Los Camden A default against HMH in the run in. That’s three games they’ve been awarded points from but all we can do is keep concentrating on ourselves and winning games.”
North London Galaxy came from 2-0 down to win a thrilling semi-final against Mill Hill Dons in the Barry Goldstein Trophy.
Galaxy take on North London Raiders in the final.
The Dons made an impressive start to the match, a re-run of the initial clash abandoned after Dons’ goalkeeper Sam Singer broke an arm with Galaxy leading 3-2 in extra-time.
Dons wasted an opportunity before Zach Cohen fired them into the lead, tapping in after Galaxy ‘keeper Zack Nathan saved his penalty attempt.
Ryan Kramer doubled the advantage but Galaxy got back into the match when Tyler Smith calmly finished a quickly taken free-kick just outside the penalty area,
Zac Rose headed home a Smith cross to level the scores before half time. And Galaxy edged ahead when Josh Cohen scored with a deflected shot.
Galaxy hit a post before Jack Mattey sealed the win after Dons ‘keeper made a hash of a clearance upfield.
Cohen grabbed a second for the Dons late on but it proved only a consolation.
“Despite starting very strongly, dominating possession and creating numerous chances somehow, we found ourselves 2-0 down, but from then onwards, we dominated,” commented Galaxy boss Luke Lewis. “The Dons gave their all, but our quality, resilience and character shone through.
“After our killer third goal their goalkeeper gifted Mattey the ball, which was a big mistake, for our fourth of the game.
“Ultimately, we deserved the win, especially after the first game. Smith was instrumental again, with a goal and assist to get us back into the game.”
He added, “Nathan was fantastic all game. Zack made a couple big games and his distribution was superb. Jamie Murray at left back was excellent, strong in the tackle, he put in excellent balls and was unlucky not to have had an assist to compliment his game.
“Smith ran the game, with a goal and an assist as he did the first time we played Dons. You can’t rest when Mattey is around, his pace and power are too much for most full backs, often leaving them on the floor. And he got a goal to top off a complete performance.”
Looking ahead to the final, he commented, “We can’t start like we did this time against Raiders, they have a lot of quality and will punish us if we do the same.
“Silverware determines success, so we’ll do everything we can to make sure our first season ends with a trophy.”
By David Saffer