Bush-whacked

In an outstanding performance, Maccabi brushed aside perennial rivals Bushey with a display of great energy, superb interplay and some cracking goals.

The hosts were big and powerful with some players of real quality as always, and in the opening quarter hour gave at least as good as they got in a game played at a great tempo. Maccabi though were soon into their stride, and with some fine play began to exploit the space on offer, Stanton blazing over from close range from Sloma’s fine cross. But they soon found their shooting boots, and 3 outstanding goals in a 15 minute period pretty much decided the game and left the hosts a mountain to climb.

Firstly, Harvey burst down the left and pulled the ball back into the path of Conway who, from just inside the box, arrowed a first time strike across the keeper into the bottom corner. Moments later the feat was repeated on the other flank, Rayner combining with Sloma who, stepping inside onto his left foot cracked in an effort from 20 yards off the far post and in. Just before the half hour it was three, this time a corner was headed out of the box to Pearl who, as if shelling peas, volleyed home the dipping ball first time, an absolute rocket that was unstoppable. Before the break Maccabi added two more, Stanton capitalising on a defensive error to finish with aplomb before Sloma added his second with a typically confident strike.

Bushey did push at the start of the 2nd period, but it remained Maccabi who looked the more threatening, and it was no surprise when they added a sixth, Corin rewarded for his all action display with a goal, a sweet strike from the edge of the area. Bushey pulled one back with a decent low strike of their own after the visitors did well to clear the initial danger, but back came Maccabi through a Hakim brace either side a fine curling second from Bushey. But this was clearly Maccabi’s day with every player contributing to a hugely impressive performance and result.