North London Raiders A vs FC Team A

Andy Myerson
07976 418163

Defeat isn’t an option for the Raiders on Sunday. With just five games remaining, everyone in the squad knows that they must pull out all the stops to take three points from FC Team.

With matches against Lions A, home and away, Hendon and Brady to follow, the Cyril Anekstein Cup semi-finalists know exactly what is at stake.

A Raiders spokesman told JC Sport: “We were all disappointed to see the snow come down last week and force the postponement against Brady.

“Now we’re focusing on the challenge of FC Team, another good team with dangerous individuals. Mitch has put together a top group of players and they have held their own against most teams, scoring many goals along the way. We will show them the respect they deserve.”

Team will be looking to register their fourth league win of the season – their first in the top-flight. Shai Davidi has joined striker Richard Salmon in earning rave reviews in recent weeks, and they will be looking to cash in against a Raiders defence that has conceded 41 times in 13 games.

Salmon and Dan Cohen were the goal men for FC Team in the corresponding fixture – a match they bossed for 75 minutes.

Looking ahead to Sunday, FC Team boss Mitch Young told JC Sport: “We are looking forward to the game, hopefully it goes ahead. We know Raiders will be a very tough test having a lot of their main players back, and potentially Matt Stock, if we are not on top of our game we will be punished.

“We will do our best to nullify their attacking threats and hope to get something from the game.

“Raiders must win so the pressure is on them. We just have to make sure we defend and defend well but without certain key players it will be difficult."

Victory for Raiders would take them to within a point of Sunday’s opponents, who have a game in hand. To do this, they will need to execute the perfect game-plan a adopt a low-risk strategy when defending.

Sunday is a day for cool heads and big hearts. Ultimately, it will boil down to which team wants it most.

JC team news: Raiders are missing Igal Yahya and Oli Henry. Joe Tankel and Andrew McMaster have been ruled out for the rest of the season, while rumour has it that Anthony Shaw has fallen out of love with football.

FC Team are missing the injured Gideon Moss, Dave Ossack, Jules Noti, Richard Salmon and Danny Moss. Tom Miller comes in from Montana to the squad.

Venue – Brunel Uni, Ref – A. Myerson

JC star man: Jamie Wolfson (Raiders)

DC Prediction: NL Raiders A 2 FC Team A 1