Lauffer Double In Mancs Win

Paul Rose - Sunday 25th 2007f February 2007

Eccles Sunday Football League – Premier Division
Weaste Hotel 2 Manchester Maccabi 1st 3
Sunday, 25 February, 2007

This was one of Maccabi’s hardest games of the season as they led from the early stages but really played second fiddle for most of the second half.

Their opponents were second to Irlam and a Maccabi win saw the latter leapfrog. Lavin and Brunen were both unavailable so manager Sheldon Lee deputised between the posts, Stevens started in attack.

As early as the 10th minute, Maccabi took the lead, a corner was not cleared and Eddie Manson drilled home. A mere five minutes later, Ben Lauffer sprung a square Weaste defence although looking very much offside and clinically found the bottom corner.

On 25 minutes, Lee was called into action with a fantastic fingertip save having been caught a little out of position. Weaste were very frustrated with proceedings and had to substitute one of their players after he had received a caution, for fear of a red card being shown shortly after.

On the half hour, Lauffer once again made a superb run and coolly chipped the on rushing keeper to all but seal a victory. Strangely against the run of play, the home team got a goal back via a powerful shot from Cunliffe from fully 35 yards.

Ten minutes into the second half, Cunliffe’s free kick was headed home by an unchallenged Smith. This spurred Weaste on and they totally dominated the whole of the half, although chances were few and far between, set pieces being dangerous but Addis and his defence stood firm.

With Weaste pushing on, this left gaps and three times Maccabi broke away with more attackers and very few defenders in attendance. On all three occasions, the chances were squandered and this only heaped more pressure on at the other end in their own penalty area. With two minutes to go, a header went six inches wide and that was the last assault on the Maccabi goal who saw out four minutes of injury time.

A dogged performance, some of the intricate passing was a pleasure to see and with compliments coming from the opposition’s supporters, this was no mean feat. Lavin and Brunen were sorely missed but sometimes there are performances that need to be dug out when playing below par. An excellent result over close rivals and title hopefuls.

Team:
Lee; Manson, Addis, Tucker, A.Lauffer; Chaytow, Loofe, B.Lauffer, Bentwood;
Stevens, Huller;