Lavin At The Double For Mcr Mac

Paul Rose - Sunday 11th 2007f February 2007

Eccles & District Sunday Football League Prem Div
Manchester Maccabi 1st 2 Charlestown CYC 1
Sunday, 11 February, 2007

Manchester Maccabi battled on a heavy pitch which cut up against a Charlestown side full of energy and commitment.

The visitors were still smarting from their earlier league defeat when two late goals saw a Maccabi 3-2 victory.

This game was as close as the other one also with minimal room for error. The first chance came on 17 minutes when Huller’s dipping shot cleared the bar. At the other end Pollock similarly shot over. Adam Lavin snatched at the next opportunity but likewise so did Charlestown’s centre forward.

Ben Lauffer’s free-kick was met by Bentwood but the resultant header flew wide. The end of the first half action saw Addis slip and gift an opportunity which was also not taken.

On 29 minutes, Pollock delayed his run perfectly and caught Maccabi’s defence, easily slipping it past the helpless Brunen. This prompted an immediate reply from the home team, several attacks and finally a deft touch from Lauffer allowed Lavin to slip home the equaliser.

Huller was then unlucky as the Charlestown keeper just manager to hold on to his chip at close quarters.

The second half saw a very sticky midfield and challenges never really allowed for the conditions, also the referee had his work cut out with several cautions for dissent.

On 67 minutes, Tucker swept up in the left hand position and then pinpointed a pass over the Charlestown’s centre half, Lavin ran on to lob the onrushing keeper to make it 2-1.

Ten minutes later, an alleged push and tangle of legs saw Adam Lauffer penalised and a penalty was awarded. The Charlestown substitute stepped up and smashed the kick against the bar and then to safety. A final ten minutes saw several anxious moments with a tough rearguard action needed.

Some late corners caused more panic but eventually three points were secured along with third place in the table.

The flowing football synonymous with Maccabi of late was not really evident, however, the mark of a good side in this league is that when not playing particularly well, managed to grind a result out and beat their old rivals for a second time this season.