Sport
North Caulfield Maccabi snares win against old coach
Marty Shevelove
13May08
North Caulfield's Guy Ben Aharon uses his head against Sandringham City. PIC: TANYA FRY
AFTER opening the season with four frustrating draws, North Caulfield Maccabi collected its first State League 3SE win of the season last Sunday, defeating host Sandringham City 3-1.
North's reward was a move up to third place on the ladder. It remains the only undefeated team in the division.
The win was made even sweeter since it came against former coach Jim Maclean, who took Maccabi through three promotions in five seasons before taking up the top post at Sandringham. North dominated the one-dimensional Sandringham outfit, whose only avenue to attack appeared to be booting the ball high and long into their own half.
In comparison, Maccabi worked the ball around with slick passing and a dominant midfield display led by Ari Ritz, Jonathan Rochwerger and Gary Hughes.
Ritz opened the scoring with a curling shot off his wrong foot from 25 metres which found the top right-hand corner of the net.
Oran Harel made it 2-0 after the break and 3-0 a minute before full time. Sandy got on the board with an injury-time goal.
North lost Rochwerger in the second half to a dislocated shoulder, the fourth serious shoulder injury the club has suffered this season. Keeper Alex Gutworth came within a couple of minutes of keeping a clean sheet. Greig Rabinowitz, Guy Ben Ahron and Ryan Abrahams were standouts on defence.
North hosts Springvale City on Sunday at 3pm.
