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Following yesterday’s incredible win over Nottingham’s Lenton Orient, Hapoel entered today’s game against Groß Misconduct with the opportunity to potentially secure the league title and promotion, pending other results.
With this motivation in mind, Hapoel began the game strongly with the player-manager grabbing an early goal, following an incredible assist from Louis Deacon. With Hapoel firmly in control of the game from the onset, it made promotion look all the more likely.
The opposition quickly put together a response towards the end of the first half, with a goal being ruled out for offside, and some solid defensive work from Hapoel’s Josh Davidson helping to maintain the lead. A chance from Toby Anthony was sent over the bar towards the end of the half, before a brilliant team goal from Groß Misconduct levelled the score.
With a lack of pressing towards the end of the half, Hapoel’s final chance before the break came in the form of a free kick from Josh Morris, which was sent wide, meaning Hapoel had it all to do again in the second half.
At the start of the second half, the team brought on fresh substitutes to change the game, bringing on Oli Simble, Zack Gold, Roye Chitiyat and Jonah Hirschel to take control of the game and get back in front.
Despite the changes, the second half turned out to be a frustrating one for the team, and Groß Misconduct took control of the game. Unable to win physical battles against their opponents, Hapoel were forced to make other changes late into the game. This included bringing off goalkeeper Jamie Margolis who had picked up an injury, replacing him with Sam Jacobs.
Shortly after the change of goalkeepers, Groß Misconduct scored their second goal of the game, firmly putting the game to bed. With Hapoel needing four points from their final two games of the season, former manager Jasper van Veen said that defeat today “doesn’t make it (promotion) any easier”. Today’s result means that the league title will go down to the final day, as Hapoel face off against Arab Society once again.