R10: North Caulfield 1 drew with Fitzroy City 1 Played: Caulfield Park Date: Sunday 19th June 2011

Team: Sacks, Esterman A. Vardi, Ben-Ahron G (Lashansky 60), Sweet, Rischin, Tasker 45 (On: Esterman D. 75 (Arhontogiorgis 75), Braver J, Marieh, Ritz, Evans

Maccabi Point Share with Late Equalizer

North Caulfield Maccabi FC secured a valuable point from its home encounter with Fitzroy City on the weekend re-securing its mortgage on sixth spot with a 1-1 draw but still holding a glimpse of the top two promotion places with twelve rounds to play. Played in blustery conditions with fading light, North Caulfield Maccabi FC produced some late sparkle to produce an exceptional equalizer to welcome in the winter solstice against a well credentialed opponent. With two bitter fading finishes etched in the memory from the immediate past two home games, North Caulfield Maccabi FC showed true grit and determination to cancel out a Fitzroy City opening goal scored midway through the second half. Earlier in the game, both teams traded blows but neither could land the vital opener. Fitzroy City looked at its most dangerous from predominant wide positions aided by some slick distribution emanating out of the centre of midfield. North Caulfield Maccabi FC dazzled at times technically but could not sustain possession in the vital forward third to be able to launch any meaningful strike at goal. With few meaningful goal scoring opportunities created in the first half, the best of the squandered opportunities were presented to Ari Ritz from a Jason Tasker cross from the right and a Amjad Marieh who hit sweetly late in the half, but unfortunately directed his shot perfectly straight at the opposition goalkeeper. In an unfortunate incident, a Fitzroy City midfielder had to be stretchered off after half an hour of play with a suspected broken leg.

Fitzroy City also had its better chances in the first half mainly from some generously awarded set pieces in advanced positions but to North Caulfields defensive credit, the scores remained locked at 0-0 half time with Alon Esterman a stand out performer in the key defensive position ably partnered by returning veteran Guy Ben Aharon who performed amicably and Nat Vardi who produced what was easily his best performance for the club. At half-time coach Andrew Freund was mainly interested in reigniting North Caulfield Maccabi FC threat from wide positions by introducing Deon Esterman into the game as a wide right player replacing Mr Versatile Jason Tasker. Numerous chances were then created but not grasped with the best opportunities snuffed by Josh Braver who hit the keeper with a goal beckoning and a Marieh free kick that hit the wall from good distance. Fitzroy Citys opening goal was scored with an exceptionally executed left-footed free kick taken from the edge of the box which gave a despairing Brett Sacks no chance in goal as he flew high to his right with a great attempted save. Twenty five minutes then remained to play with North Caulfield Maccabi FC in a dilemma whether to take up the fight or succumb to a third consecutive home loss as an unlucky loser. Whilst Dion Esterman began the second stanza promisingly, coach Freund had seen enough after half an hour and chose to substitute the substitute for Lefti Arhontogiorgis in a tactical reshuffle that placed Arhontogiorgis in for additional defensive cover after a knee injury to Ben Aharon left the defence more vulnerable, with North Caulfield Maccabi FC still chasing the game at 0-1 down. Opportunities continued to be created predominantly by North Caulfield Maccabi FC but the home side seemed to lack an instinct for taking shots, over finessing often when the direct route looked more palatable. With no more than five minutes remaining, a marauding solo effort from Gideon Sweet out of left back is what it took to grab a share of the points as he took the initiative and single handedly took on the Fitzroy City midfield and defence from deep down the left, advancing into a good scoring position and shooting just wide of the Fitzroy City keeper far post only to see a late arriving Ari Ritz pounce with a pulsating finish that cracked the back of the net for the equalizer. A stunning finish to reverse previous home disappointments and whilst the game could have been won late in time again by Ari Ritz, his effort unfortunately was parried by the Fitzroy City keeper and a resulting difficult second effort unfortunately was hit wide.

The reserves had a good solid 4-0 win with club founding veteran Danny Fridmans son Adam Fridman scoring a hat-trick and Daniel Miller returning to net the other. Laurence Miller also managed to climb off the medical bench to re-launch his season after an enforced four game break. Next Week: Round 11 vs Kingston City Monday Night: 27/6/2011 @ 8:30pm Venue The Grange Reserve Address Osborne Ave,Clayton South Map Reference 79F8

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