Schools lose out in trophy clash
Published: 26 November, 2010
by STEVE BARNETT
ISLINGTON’S Primary Schools District football team suffered their second defeat of the season in the Lester Finch Trophy on Saturday when they lost away at Tower Hamlets.
The talented side dominated the first half but failed to make the most of their possession as the game remained goalless going into the break. Islington paid a hefty price for failing to find a breakthrough when they were on top as Tower Hamlets scored twice in quick succession to take a stranglehold on the game.
A neat finish from Frankie Scott pulled a goal back for the visitors, but Tower Hamlets scored again with a free kick to seal a flattering 3-1 victory.
“We didn’t pass the ball well enough or in the right areas,” said manager Michael MacNeill. “We dominated the first half but didn’t score the goals to make that dominance count.”
The defeat continues a frustrating run of results for Islington, who lost 5-4 on penalties against Brent in their previous outing in the Crisp Shield.
Islington started quickly and took the lead when Adam Tazi tucked home Joe Bennett’s corner. The goal, however, only seemed to spur Brent on, who hit back to take a 3-1 half-time lead.
This time it was hosts Islington who battled back as goals from Ryan Ward and Tazi’s second of the game pulling the score back to 3-3. In a topsy-turvy game Brent restored their lead, but an own-goal saw the game finish 4-4, and with both teams failing to score in extra-time the game went to penalties.