Heartbreak for Hapoel

Hapoel Hyde Park 1-1 Maccabi Selly Oak

(Selly Oak win 5-4 on penalties)

(Hapoel Hyde Park squad arriving in Birmingham yesterday for the game)

Team spirits were high as the team entered Birmingham after successfully raising £3,000 for Shalva.

Despite the success building up to the event, yesterday was a tough result for Hapoel following a hard-fought game against Birmingham’s Maccabi Selly Oak after sadly losing on penalties.

It had been an incredible achievement raising money for Shalva, and helping to launch the Year of Student Sport project, but the game itself was an unfortunate result, especially considering the progress the team has made this season with 25 goals in six games, compared to 22 in the whole of the previous campaign.

The game began following a minutes worth of applause in memory of Josh Carr, the former Leeds student and co-founder of Hapoel Hyde Park.

Although there had been strong defensive work from club captain Sam Clarfield and Sam Baker at the back, a first attempt on target from Selly Oak was sent over the bar. Some minutes later, a clash in the midfield led to Joe Salomon receiving Hapoel’s first booking of the match. Following the challenge, the home team managed to take control of the game and shortly scored a goal which was ruled out for offside.

The disallowed goal gave Hapoel a wake-up call, as the team’s familiar intensity was kicked back into life. After a booking for Joel Herman, Ben Gur managed to open the scoring for the day after a great assist from strike partner Joel Walters, giving Hapoel the lead going into the break.

(Hapoel celebrating after Gur sent the team into the lead before half-time-

photo by Josie Taylor)

The aggression of the first half didn’t stop there, as Dylan Saunders was brought on at the end of the half, only to then have his nose broken in a brutal challenge and then being forced to come back off for the rest of the game.

Second Half

After being ahead at half-time, Hapoel managed to continue their momentum as they created a chance at the beginning of the second half, with Joel Walters unfortunately sending a shot wide after a cross from Daniel Bowman.

The home team however quickly found a response then persisted in trying to break down the Hapoel defence, kept out by some heroics from Hapoel legend Ethan Isaacs and some fantastic defensive work from Baker and Clarfield.

A very controversial decision made by the referee confused both sides, originally allowing Ben Gur’s second goal to stand after going around the keeper only to then rule it out for offside.

The aggression from both sides continued as a penalty was given away by Hapoel. After an incredible save by Isaacs denying Selly Oak from the spot, who then followed by making another incredible save, keeping the visitors in the game.

However, with just five minutes left on the clock, Maccabi Selly Oak broke down the Hapoel defence and equalised with a rebound, sending the game straight to penalties.

It had been a heroic performance from both sides yesterday, but sadly it was former Leeds man Elliot Bloom who’s decisive final penalty meant that Maccabi Selly Oak emerged victorious, edging out Hapoel by just one penalty.

(Maccabi Selly Oak celebrating their winning penalty at the end of the game-

Photo by Josie Taylor)

Report on the team

Hapoel Hyde Park have made incredible progress this season, having already scored more goals by December than in the whole of last year’s campaign. This term, the team were able to finish 4th in their Wednesday social league and secured some incredible results including a hard-fought draw against the league leaders. Hapoel manager Jasper van Veen has said that the team feels more like a family this year, and squad unity has been second to none holding regular club socials after games, such as the Otley Run held at the end of this term.

We are proud of the team’s ability to bring Jewish students into campus life who may not feel comfortable attending Jewish events on campus. Our media has also taken a step forward this year, conducting regular interviews on matchday and having our match reports published in the local Jewish Telegraph, helping with further publicity for the team and for events such as the Birmingham charity match. Onwards to next year and Forza Hapoel!