Targeting a third consecutive Premier Division title, North West Neasden A start the campaign as favourites.

The addition of Maccabiah star James Gershfield and Mancunian Kyle Bentwood means they should not be hard-hit by the loss of Ricky Kennet and Lee Bibring, who have returned to London Maccabi Lions A after one season.

Big spending Brady Maccabi and Montana Boca United A look like the teams to beat this season.

Under new manager Simon Hakim, Brady have bolstered their squad with a triple raid of Division One rivals North West Neasden B.

In has come Yoni Sidi, Adam Harvey, Mark Meltzer and Rob Lerner. There are also rumours that Team GB hotshot Paul Hakim, the manager’s son, will play a part in the campaign.

GB’s top-scorer at the Maccabiah, his presence could arguably be the difference between a top four finish and the title.

Jonathan Kestenbaum, the man who led Team GB to its first Maccabiah Open football medal for almost 50 years, has decided to take a sabbatical from all football duties in the coming season.

Kestenbaum came within seconds of steering GB to gold in Israel two months ago before losing the final on penalties against Argentina. He has also relinquished his duties as manager of the JC MSFL Rep Team.

“It was a difficult decision,” he said. “But for the moment, the right one. I feel extremely fortunate to have had an extended association with Jewish football.”

Chigwell Athletic begin the season boasting a clutch of players proven at Premier Division level. Whoever finishes above them is likely to be crowned champions.

Founded in 2001 by Richard Slater, Daniel Castle, Glenn Davis, Darren Morris, Russell Yershon and Steve Summers, the Chigs still hold the record of reaching the top-flight in only four seasons, winning three league titles along the way.

Keeper Neil Lawson is aiming for the most shutouts and with the rock-solid pairing of Jon Raven and Jon Swead in front of him, opposition strikeforces will have their work cut out.

Four new clubs have joined the Maccabi League with Blizzard Storm and Jewventus promising big things.

Managed by Simon Linden, the former Essex Wanderers and UJIA midfield maestro, Blizzard Storm could be the team to beat. Set up by Seb Vandemolen and Nick Rubin, Linden will work with a group of players, most of whom were successful in the guise of Southend Jewish Youth Club. The manager said: “I’m very confident that we have a good squad of players capable of doing very well.”

LONDON LIONS 3
MET POLICE BUSHEY 2

London Lions made it two out of two as they came from a goal down to win 3-2 against last season’s Herts Senior County League champions Met Police Bushey.

Adam Stolerman and a brace from once again man-of-the-match Lee Cash ensured victory at Rowley Lane with the hosts having keeper Matt Davis to thank for a superb penalty save.

Cash’s deadly double set Lions on their way to back-to-back Herts Premier league wins – but they made hard work of it in this five-goal thriller.

A stoppage time strike from Gil Vermouth put Hapoel Tel Aviv within touching distance of the group phase of the Europa League after they won 2-1 at FK Teplice in the playoff round first leg.

The contest came to life after 74 minutes as Hapoel’s Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama put the visitors ahead from the spot following a foul on Vermouth.

Teplice squared things up a minute from time when substitute Tomáš Vondråšek converted a penalty.

Vermouth’s strike four minutes into injury time put Hapoel in pole position ahead of next Thursday’s second leg at the Bloomfield.

LONDON LIONS 3
SANDRIDGE ROVERS 1

London Lions got the new season under way with a firm and tidy performance to beat Sandridge Rovers in the Herts Senior County League Premier Division.

Victory came courtesy of goals from defender Guy Morris, last season’s top-scorer Adam Stolerman and debutant, supersub Daniel Levenfiche.

Lions manager Tony Gold said: “I’m delighted. It is always nice to win your first game of any season.

A late strike from supersub Shlomi Arbeitman helped Maccabi Haifa take a huge step towards the group stage of the Champions League after they beat Red Bull Salzburg 2-1 on Wednesday night.

Playing on an artificial pitch in Austria, the visitors made a dream start to the play-off round first leg when Israeli Under 21 star Mohammed Gadir headed home.

Salzburg, who have won three out of their first four matches in the Austrian Bundesliga, gradually fought their way back into the contest with Alexander Zickler levelling on 57 minutes, then squandered a host of half-chances.