The Division Three title race went down to the final game of the season, when Loughton Orient's memorable win over L'Equipe ensured the championship went to L'Orange.
1. NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS C
League record: Pl. 20, W. 13, D. 3, L. 4, F. 55, A. 21, Pts. 42
Players of the season: Jake Yudelowitz, Grant Waissel, Alex Goodman, Liam Stein, Dan Polak
Best buys: Liam Stein
Best result: 4-1 vs L’Equipe
Biggest win: 8-2 vs Faithfold
Worst result: 2-1 vs Boca
Heaviest defeat: 4-1 vs Catford
Games failed to score in: 2
Clean sheets: 5
Top Scorer: Will Ufland 10
WAGS favourite: Dan Tannenbaum
DC Rating: The champions made a steady if unspectacular start but were by and large the model of consistency. They owe Loughton Orient a huge debt of gratitude for winning the title, but if ever there was a case of points in the bag being better than games in hand, this was it. Keeper Grant Waissel and star defender Jake Yudelowitz were two big reasons why they boasted the best defensives record and ended up with the pot of gold. The goals of Will Ufland were important at the other end and they must replace the meat and olives buyer who will be otherwise occupied on Sunday mornings next season. 9.5/10
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2. L’EQUIPE
League record: Pl. 20, W. 12, D. 4, L. 4, F. 59, A. 42, Pts. 40
Players of the season: Richard Fogelman, David Prager, Richard Alexander
Best buy: Richard Fogelman
Best result: 1-0 vs NLR
Biggest win: 9-1 vs King Crown
Worst result: 3-3 vs Fortune
Heaviest defeat: 6-3 vs Boca
Games failed to score in: 0
Clean sheets: 2
Top Scorer: Richard Fogelman 42
WAGS favourite:
DC Rating: The acquisition of Schnitzelman paid dividends as they talked the talk – having tipped NLR to be their title rivals back in August. Without doubt this was their best season since joining the MGBSFL. They scored in every game and hardly put a foot wrong, with their wise, old heads remaining calm throughout against more youthful opposition. 9/10
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3. JEWDINESE
League record: Pl. 20, W. 10, D. 6, L. 4, F. 52, A. 32, Pts. 36
Players of the season: Grant Reingold
Best result: 1-1 vs NLR
Biggest win: 7-1 vs King Crown
Worst result: 3-1 vs Fortune
Heaviest defeat: 3-1 vs Fortune
Games failed to score in: 0
Clean sheets: 3
Top Scorer: Zack Collins 12
WAGS favourite: Josh Frey
DC Rating: Third place in their first season was an excellent return for the ‘Nese boys and their fans will be delighted to hear the news that they have accepted the management committee’s invitation to go up. They played with panache, pace and power and scored some exceptional goals – with Brad Dryer’s in the Invitational Trophy probably topping the lot. Right-back extraordinare Grant Reingold made it into my Young Team of the Year and there were several other candidates for a team that is clearly going places. 8/10
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4. CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI
League record: Pl. 20, W. 10, D. 3, L. 7, F. 42, A. 42, Pts. 33
Player of the season: Adam Luria
Best buy: Gabriel John
Best result: 4-1 vs NLR
Biggest win: 4-1 vs NLR
Worst result: 3-2 vs Faithfold
Heaviest defeat: 5-1 vs Whetstone
Games failed to score in: 2
Clean sheets: 2
Top Scorer: Joel Isaacs
WAGS favourite: Jonny Lee
DC Rating: Lester Jacobs’s troops started like a train but eventually ran out of steam in what was a highly encouraging season. With Adam Luria, Jeff Gotch and the return of the prodigal son, Gabriel John, they had a rock solid spine and had they had someone of the stature of Fogelman or Gordon up top, a top two finish would’ve been nigh on guaranteed. In September they will be ready to go again and it will take a good team to stop them. 7/10
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5. AC WHETSTONE
League record: Pl. 20, W. 9, D. 3, L. 8, F. 52, A. 43, Pts. 30
Players of the season:
Best result: 1-1 vs NLR
Biggest win: 6-1 vs Hendon
Worst result: 2-0 vs Fortune
Heaviest defeat: 5-0 vs NLR
Games failed to score in: 3
Clean sheets: 1
Top Scorer: Dan Cohen, Philippe Auret 10
WAGS favourites: ID first please lads!
DC Rating: The league’s youngest team came away with heads held high. A top two finish was on the cards early doors and they gave as good as they got virtually every week. The even made backpage of The JC once! They struggled physically, on occasion, with a pair of defeat against Fortune showing managers Clive Nathan and Anthony Jacobs exactly where they need to strengthen over the summer. A solid first season and great foundations for them to build on. 6/10
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6. LOUGHTON ORIENT
League record: Pl. 20, W. 9, D. 2, L. 9, F. 41, A. 45, Pts. 29
Player of the season: Josh Hambling
Best buy: Dan Shafron
Best result: 2-0 vs NLR
Biggest win: 4-1 vs Fortune
Worst result: 4-3 vs Fortune
Heaviest defeat: 6-2 vs Faithfold
Games failed to score in: 2
Clean sheets: 3
Top Scorer: Josh Jacobs 10
WAGS favourite: Dean Silver
DC Rating: Beat the champions but lost to the wooden spooners – that, in a nutshell, tells you everything you need to know about Loughton. Dan Curtis’s boys always tried to play the game the right way – and they went from the sublime to the ridiculous from time to time. Dean Silver scored their goal of the season – FACT – while star man Hambo cracked a peach past me as well. Jaimie Sinclair pulled the strings in the middle of the park, with Dan Howard giving them good options out wide. Keeper Marc Jacobs pulled off some unbelievable saves in a season to be proud of. 6/10
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7. KING CROWN
League record: Pl. 20, W. 7, D. 3, L. 10, F. 48, A. 66, Pts. 24
Players of the season:
Best buy: Dominic Cheniart
Best result: 1-1 vs Catford
Biggest win: 5-2 vs Boca
Worst result: 3-3 vs Fortune
Heaviest defeat: : 9-1 vs L’Equipe
Games failed to score in: 1
Clean sheets: 0
Top Scorer: Benji Greenblatt 7
WAGS favourite: Dominic Cheniart
DC Rating: It was a funny first season for the Crown boys who recovered well following a 9-1 battering on the opening day of the season. Goals were guaranteed (at both ends) and manager Jacob Kadoch got the reaction he wanted after the L’Equipe pummelling as his troops went on to register seven victories. Another striker, winger, ball-winning midfielder over the summer and a top four finish beckons next season. 5/10
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8. BOCA JEWNIORS
League record: Pl. 20, W. 5, D. 6, L. 9, F. 49, A. 55, Pts. 21
Player of the season: Dovi Fehler, Michael Sidloff
Best buy: Yoshua Silverman
Best result: 6-3 vs L’Equipe
Biggest win: 2-1 vs NLR
Worst result: 3-1 vs Faithfold
Heaviest defeat: 6-3 vs Hendon
Games failed to score in: 1
Clean sheets: 1
Top Scorer: Dovi Fehler
WAGS favourite: Ami Wynbourne
DC Rating: Dovi Fehler was the Luis Suarez of Boca. Whether in midfield or up top, the boy could do no wrong, scoring for fun and running games like an expert. A win over the champions was the highlight, closely followed by another against second-placed L’Equipe. The potential was there, but the consistency was not, despite the best efforts of keeper Michael Sidloff. Rumours have reached me of a merger with London Haroldeans so next season could be very, very interesting. 4/10
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9. HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB C
League record: Pl. 20, W. 6, D. 3, L. 11, F. 36, A. 51, Pts. 21
Player of the season: Alex Elf
Best buy: Ezra Dulberg
Best result: 1-1 vs NLR
Biggest win: 6-3 vs Boca
Worst result: 4-2 vs Faithfold
Heaviest defeat: : 6-1 vs Whetstone
Games failed to score in: 3
Clean sheets: 1
Top Scorer: Alex Elf 7
WAGS favourite:
DC Rating: The Reds gave the promoted teams great games, but that was about as good as it got. A top three finish was the aim, but an inability to string together consistent results prevented that from happening. Boss Adam Glekin got some good performances out of his troops, but a series of lapses at the back resulted in a season of frustration. 4/10
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10. FAITHFOLD C
League record: Pl. 20, W. 5, D. 2, L. 13, F. 45, A. 63, Pts. 17
Player of the season: Josh Barnett
Best buys: Dan Gordon, Danny Caro
Best result: 3-2 vs Catford
Biggest win: 6-2 vs Loughton
Worst result: 3-1 vs Boca
Heaviest defeat: : 8-2 vs NLR
Games failed to score in: 3
Clean sheets: 1
Top Scorer: Dan Gordon 24
WAGS favourite: With me, Flash, Gars and Boris in there, they’re spoilt for choice!
DC Rating: Scored a few, conceded more, but rediscovered their mojos before the season was out. It was important that record signing Dan Gordon hit the ground running and his higher division experience and sharpness in front of goal tested the best defences. Supply was slim at times however as they experimented with formations. Josh Barnett was outstanding at the heart of defence most weeks, while Charlie Resnick took no prisoners. On their day they matched the best teams in the division, but a move into the Masters League will suit them and they could do well, depending on injuries. 3/10
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11. TEMPLE FORTUNE
League record: Pl. 20, W. 4, D. 5, L. 11, F. 33, A. 52, Pts. 17
Player of the season: Dave Sawyer
Best buys: Michael Goldberg, Matt Leader
Best result: 3-3 vs L’Equipe
Biggest win: 3-1 vs Jewdinese
Worst result: 5-1 vs Faithfold
Heaviest defeat: 5-1 vs Faithfold
Games failed to score in: 3
Clean sheets: 3
Top Scorer: Dave Sawyer 6
WAGS favourite: Rob Jay
DC Rating: Although the disciplinary side was radically improved, results were surprisingly far from being what the club anticipated, despite the best efforts of manager Jonathan Cohen. The move to bring Michael Goldberg back to his spiritual home was inspired, but it wasn’t enough to help them avoid the wooden spoon. 3/10
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