SEASON 2017/18 ROLL OF HONOUR
PETER MORRISON TROPHY: WINNERS – Maccabi London Lions White, Runners-up - Haroldeans
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP: WINNERS - Oakwood A, Runners-up - Hendon Utd
BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY: WINNERS - Faithfold B, Runners-up - Temple Fortune
PREMIER DIVISION: CHAMPIONS - Hendon Utd, Runners-up - Oakwood A
DIVISION ONE: CHAMPIONS - Faithfold A, Runners-up - North London Raiders B
DIVISION TWO: CHAMPIONS - Fairlop FC, Runners-up – Bayern Mincha
MOST GOALS SCORED: Team – FC Team 79, Individual – Adam Ellis 31
FEWEST GOALS CONCEDED: Fairlop FC
PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Zac Lewis (Hendon Utd)
DIVISION TWO PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Bradley Gayer (Fairlop FC)
GOALKEEPER OF THE SEASON: Russ Corin (Hendon)
GOLDEN BOOT: Adam Ellis (MH Dons)
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DANNY CARO'S END OF SEASON REPORT
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
CHAMPIONS: HENDON UNITED SPORTS
League record: Pl. 14, W. 12, D. 1, L. 1, F. 45, A. 19, Pts. 37
Best win: 3-1 vs Oakwood
Biggest win: 7-1 vs Brady (league), 8-1 vs Fairlop (cup)
Worst defeat: 3-0 vs Raiders
Matches postponed: 2
Clean sheets: 4
Games failed to score in: 1
Star men: Zac Lewis, Russell Corin
Most improved: Mordi Weiler
Best signings: Mordi Weiler, Larry Cohen
DC Verdict: Did the double over runners-up Oakwood and were the most consistent team in the league by a distance. Showed tremendous character to stay in the cup final against their rivals who denied them the double after a shoot-out. 9/10
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2. OAKWOOD A
League record: Pl. 14, W. 9, D. 2, L. 3, F. 37, A. 20, Pts. 29
Best win: 3-2 vs Lions Blue
Biggest win: 6-2 vs Raiders (league), 12-1 Boca (cup)
Worst defeat: 3-1 vs Lions Blue
Match postponed: 1
Clean sheets: 3
Games failed to score in: 0
Star men: Josh Cuby, Joe Botchin, Leor Sidle
Best signings: Toby Levy, Josh Cuby
DC Verdict: Cup winners were, once again, hit by injuries to key players, which prevented them from pushing Hendon closer for the title. Having won two major competitions in two seasons, the Morrison is the priority next season. 8/10
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3. MACCABI LONDON LIONS BLUE
League record: Pl. 14, W. 7, D. 7, L. , F. 32, A. 28, Pts. 21
Best win: 3-1 vs Oakwood
Biggest win: 4-0 vs Camden
Worst defeat: 3-1 vs Raiders
Matches postponed: 1
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 2
Star men: Ed Brafman, Daniel Behar, Adam Abadi
Most improved: Jordan Aspis
Best signing: Liron Mannie
DC Verdict: The model of inconsistency. Seven wins, seven defeats but a top-three finish shows they are a team on the up. 7/10
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4. REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
League record: Pl. 14, W. 6, D. 2, L. 6, F. 28, A. 27, Pts. 20
Best result: 1-1 vs Oakwood
Biggest win: 5-2 vs Lions White and Brady
Worst defeat: 8-4 vs Raiders
Matches postponed: 4
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 0
Star man: Russell Goldstein
Best signing: Calvin Dickson
DC Verdict: The departure of Daniel Garfinkle, Ryan Cole, Daryl Rubin and Matt Berkley would hurt any team. Redbridge were no different. Struggled to fill the void and were on the receiving end of a couple of heavy defeats. Forfeited two matches due to a shortage of players, two of four games they didn’t play. Failed to rescue their season in the cup competition and an important summer lies ahead for the management team. 5/10
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5. MACCABI LONDON LIONS WHITE
League record: Pl. 14, W. 5, D. 3, L. 6, F. 34, A. 36, Pts. 18
Best result: 3-3 vs Hendon
Biggest win: 6-0 vs Raiders (league), 11-0 vs Faithfold (cup)
Worst defeat: 5-2 vs Redbridge
Matches postponed: 0
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 2
Star men: Alex Taylor, Kiki Levin, Jordan Sharafin, Max Misrahi
Best signing: Jordan Sharafin
Most improved: Eshed Rahav
DC Verdict: Last season’s League Cup winners endured a mixed season in the league. But they came good when it mattered most by lifting the Peter Morrison Trophy – the first Lions team to do so for 11 years. The arrival of twins forced boss James Gershfield to step down at the beginning of the season. Ryan Springer stepped into his boots and didn’t he do well! 7/10
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6. BRADY MACCABI
League record: Pl. 14, W. 5, D. 1, L. 8, F. 28, A. 39, Pts. 16
Best win: 3-2 vs Lions Blue
Biggest win: 6-1 vs Raiders
Worst defeat: 7-1 vs Hendon
Matches postponed: 2
Clean sheets: 0
Games failed to score in: 2
Star man: Reiss Mogilner
Best signings: Charlie Kasler, Stanley Offord
DC Verdict: Peaked too soon. If they’d have had 11 Reiss Mogilners they’d have won the league. 5/10
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7. NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A
League record: Pl. 14, W. 5, D. 1, L. 8, F. 26, A. 38, Pts. 16
Best win: 3-0 vs Hendon
Biggest win: 8-4 vs Redbridge
Worst defeat: 6-0 vs Lions White
Matches postponed: 3
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 2
Best signing: Joe Meisel
DC Verdict: It’s been a tough season for the former champions whose highlight was reaching the latter stages of the Morrison. They struggled to score on their travels but will take heart from their 3-0 win over Hendon United. Captain David Rhodes was one of a number of key men hampered by injury. Report finishes must do better. 3/10
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8. CAMDEN PARK
League record: Pl. 14, W. 2, D. 0, L. 12, F. 9, A. 32, Pts. 6
Best win: 2-1 vs Raiders
Biggest win: 2-1 vs Raiders
Worst defeat: 5-1 vs Lions White
Matches postponed: 4
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 4
Star men: Johann Jordi
Best signings: Grant Bates, Max Martin
DC Verdict: Didn’t win a home league game all season and score only nine goals. Struggled badly for number and forfeited four matches as a result. Gave Hendon two tough battles and Oakwood one. We hope to see them return bigger and better next term. 3/10
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DIVISION ONE
CHAMPIONS - FAITHFOLD A
League record: Pl. 14, W. 10, D. 3, L. 1, F. 44, A. 23, Pts. 33
Best win: 7-4 vs Raiders B
Biggest win: 7-0 vs Los Blancos
Worst defeat: 5-0 vs Redbridge B
Matches postponed: 2
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 2
Star men: David Leiwy, Avi Garson, Avi Markiewicz, Ben Shirbini, Louis Naughten, Josh Wagner
Best signing: Ben Shirbini, David Kizneris
DC Verdict: Things clicked perfectly for a united team who played their football the right way. A joy to watch, there were no weak links for a team who were unbeaten on their travels. 10/10
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2. NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B
League record: Pl. 14, W. 9, D. 2, L. 3, F. 47, A. 22, Pts. 29
Best win: 4-1 vs Oakwood
Biggest win: 7-0 vs Scrabble
Worst defeat: 7-4 Faithfold
Matches postponed:
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 1
Star men: Ben Law, Dave Esterkin, Jake Gilbert
Best signings: Josh Bharier, Ricky Lawrence, Elliot Espinoza
DC Verdict: Formidable at home, solid away, they got the job done. Finished the season strongly to ensured they pipped Oakwood to the runners-up slot. 7/10
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3. OAKWOOD B
League record: Pl. 14, W. 8, D. 2, L. 4, F. 40, A. 25, Pts. 26
Best win: 4-1 vs Los Blancos
Biggest win: 5-1 vs Redbridge C
Worst defeat: 2-1 vs Redbridge C
Matches postponed: 0
Clean sheets: 3
Games failed to score in: 0
Star men: Ben Loofe, Max Clynes, Daniel Seligman, James Frener, Daniel Selwyn
Most improved: Max Clynes
DC Verdict: Gaffer Stein was “thrilled to secure Oakwood B’s highest-ever finish”. Scored in every game. Finished the season with a solid home record and “plenty to build on”. 7/10
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4. LOS BLANCOS
League record: Pl. 14, W. 7, D. 2, L. 5, F. 22, A. 34, Pts. 23
Best wins: 3-2 vs Raiders B (league), 3-0 vs Camden (cup)
Biggest win: 5-2 vs Scrabble
Worst defeat: 7-0 vs Faithfold
Matches postponed: 3
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 4
Star men: Oli Sade, Svi Freedman
Best signing: Oli Sade
DC Verdict: Started the season with title ambitions but fell short, with consistency the key issue despite a promising start. Need three or four big-name signings to challenge next season. 6/10
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5. SCRABBLE
League record: Pl. 14, W. 5, D. 2, L. 7, F. 24, A. 39, Pts. 17
Best win: 1-0 vs Raiders B
Biggest win: 6-1 vs Temple Fortune
Worst defeat: 7-0 vs Raiders
Matches postponed: 3
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 2
Star men: Zac Summerfield, Tony Gold
Best signing: Lorian Madanes
DC Verdict: Few could’ve predicted the struggles of Scrabble. Although they drew with champions Faithfold and beat runners-up Raiders B, the last win came in November but the loss of some big names and lack of commitment from others made life tough for manager Ray Abrahams. He struggled to bring in like-for-like replacements, despite his best efforts. 4/10
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6. REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B
League record: Pl. 14, W. 4, D. 2, L. 8, F. 31, A. 26, Pts. 14
Best win: 5-0 vs Faithfold
Biggest win: 6-2 vs Temple Fortune
Worst defeat: 6-1 vs Raiders B
Matches postponed: 3
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 1
Star men: Dan Gordon, Dan Lassman
DC Verdict: Home form was shocking but they enjoyed some good away days, most notably a 5-0 destruction of champions Faithfold – their only home defeat. They will do well to hold on to goal-poacher Gordon on the back of another season where he finished in double figures. 4/10
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7. REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE C
League record: Pl. 14, W. 4, D. 2, L. 8, F. 27, A. 30, Pts. 14
Best result: 2-2 vs Faithfold
Biggest win: 9-1 vs Temple Fortune
Worst defeat: 4-3 vs Temple Fortune
Matches postponed: 2
Clean sheets: 0
Games failed to score in: 2
Star man: Ashley Rubin
DC Verdict: On paper they looked like a strong team. But on grass it was a very different story. There’s talk the club may lose a team next season, so a merger between the Bs and Cs wouldn’t be the worst idea. 3/10
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8. TEMPLE FORTUNE A
League record: Pl. 14, W. 1, D. 1, L. 12, F. 16, A. 52, Pts. 4
Best win: 4-3 vs Redbridge C
Biggest win: 4-3 vs Redbridge C
Worst defeat: 9-1 vs Redbridge C
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 4
Matches postponed: 2
Star man: Lee Fegan
DC Verdict: The aim was “to be extremely competitive” but 12 defeats in 14 tells you a different story. The departure of goalkeeper Jordan Sharifian to Morrison winners Lions was a major blow. Lee Fegan did an excellent job in between the sticks. Finished the season with a nice run in the Barry Goldstein Trophy but disappointed in the final. 2/10
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DIVISION TWO
CHAMPIONS – FAIRLOP FC
League record: Pl. 20, W. 16, D. 2, L. 2, F. 59, A. 8, Pts. 50
Best win: 3-0 vs Bayern
Biggest win: 10-0 vs Hertswood
Worst defeat: 1-1 vs Catford
Matches postponed: 2
Clean sheets: 7
Games failed to score in: 0
Star men: Max Freedman, Brad Gayer, Daniel Bean, Max Freedman, Pierce Prince, Ryan Cole, Daniel Garfinkle
Most improved: Max Freedman, Pierce Prince
Goals of the season: Brad Gayer vs Raiders and Catford & Bromley
DC Verdict: Lived up to their tag of pre-season favourites (as predicted by me!) Sealed the title with a game to spare and were rewarded for some ambitious registrations – namely former Player of the Year Ryan Cole and Daniel Garfinkle. Captain Brad Gayer was outstanding, with Matt Berkley and Daniel Bean also catching the eye. At the back, Jake Sanders conceded the fewest goals, with Max Freedman and Pierce Prince rock solid from start to finish. Also had a great run in the Jewish FA Cup and will no doubt be strongly tipped for success in Division One next season. 10/10
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2. BAYERN MINCHA
League record: Pl. 20, W. 15, D. 2, L. 3, F. 52, A. 26, Pts. 47
Best win: 6-2 vs Mill Hill Dons
Biggest win: 7-0 vs Faithfold
Worst result: 2-2 vs Real
Matches postponed: 2
Clean sheets: 4
Games failed to score in: 3
Star men: Adam Ellis, Gavriel Nussbaum, Eli Davila
DC Verdict: A fine debut season, but in the end pipped to the post by the favourites. Striker Adam Ellis could’ve done no more – 31 goals is a fine return and will, no doubt, have impressed several clubs in the top division. 9/10
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3. MILL HILL DONS
League record: Pl. 20, W. 14, D. 1, L. 5, F. 64, A.33 , Pts. 43
Best win: 4-0 vs Bayern Mincha
Biggest win: 6-2 vs Faithfold B
Worst defeat: 3-2 vs Hertswood Vale
Matches postponed: 1
Clean sheets: 4
Games failed to score in: 1
Star men: Josh Cinna, Zach Cohen, Adam Isaacs, Harry Moss, Jamie Nagioff, Nick Phillips, Ryan Kramer
Best signing: Josh Cinna
DC Verdict: Looked certainties for a top two finish, only to tail off in disappointing fashion during the last few weeks. The arrival of Josh Cinna raised their level as a defensive unit, while striker Zach Cohen gave Adam Ellis a run for his money in the goal-scoring stakes. One of the best-run clubs in the league, boss Brandon Hamme knows the areas he must strengthen the squad and he won’t waste any time registering his targets. 8/10
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4. FC TEAM
League record: Pl. 20, W. 12, D. 2, L. 6, F. 79, A. 41, Pts. 38
Best result: 2-2 vs Bayern Mincha
Biggest win: 11-0 vs Faithfold B
Worst defeat: 3-2 vs Hertswood Vale
Matches postponed: 3
Clean sheets: 3
Games failed to score in: 0
Star men: Mitch Young, Adam Rones, Ryan Kangisser
Best signing: Ryan Kangisser
DC Verdict: The top-scoring side across the league were held back by a threadbare squad, boosted by the mid-season arrival of Ryan Kangisser. Adam Rones “played every game and was the engine in midfield”, while player-manager Mitch Young won the club’s Players’ Player accolade after registering 25 goals. 7/10
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5. REAL HENDON
League record: Pl. 20, W. 10, D. 3, L. 7, F. 46, A. 37, Pts. 33
Best result: 2-2 vs Bayern Mincha
Biggest wins: 7-2 vs Hertswood Vale and Faithfold B
Worst defeat: 6-3 vs Raiders C
Matches postponed: 4
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 3
Star man: Joe Metliss
Best signing: Joe Metliss
DC Verdict: Struggled against the teams who finished above them and beat the ones below them. The emergence of attacking-midfielder Joe Metliss was a major plus. An injection of could inspire them to bigger and better things next season. 6/10
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6. HERTSWOOD VALE
League record: Pl. 20, W. 8, D. 3, L. 9, F. 48, A. 58, Pts. 27
Best win: 3-2 vs Mill Hill Dons
Biggest win: 10-0 vs Temple Fortune
Worst defeat: 3-1 vs Faithfold B
Matches postponed: 2
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 3
Star men: Josh Cohen, Ashley Hirschberger
Best signing: Joni Hirschowitz
DC Verdict: Home form was poor but their end of season run ensured they finished the campaign smiling. If they can maintain that momentum, they might go places in 2019. 6/10
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7. CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI
League record: Pl. 20, W. 7, D. 4, L. 9, F. 35, A. 42, Pts. 25
Best win: 3-1 vs Mill Hill Dons
Biggest win: 6-0 vs Hertswood Vale
Worst defeat: 7-0 vs FC Team
Matches postponed: 1
Clean sheets: 3
Games failed to score in: 6
Star men: Lawrence Bloom, Mitch Green
Best signing: Mitch Green, Alex Jacobs
DC Verdict: Start the season with a six-game unbeaten run, including a draw against eventual champions Fairlop FC. That was followed by four consecutive defeats against their mid-table rivals before a terrible run of five matches without scoring, during a time when they were scratching around for players. Player-manager Jeff Gotch deserves praise for maintaining his proud record of never having to forfeit a match in a season where resources were stretched. 5/10
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8. NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C
League record: Pl. 20, W. 7, D. 2, L. 11, F. 48, A. 53, Pts. 23
Best win: 6-3 vs Real Hendon
Biggest win: 8-0 vs Faithfold B
Worst defeat: 5-1 vs Straw Hat Pirates
Matches postponed: 2
Clean sheets: 4
Games failed to score in: 1
Star man: Ben Kaye
Best signing: Jordan Sapler
DC Verdict: Expected a top half of the table finish but the failure to beat any of the top team hampered their plans. In the end they lost 11 matches and manager Sam Rose reflected on “an inconsistent season” but he insists he “will be looking to strengthen in the summer to mount a title challenge next season and come back stronger”. 4/10
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9. STRAW HAT PIRATES
League record: Pl. 20, W. 4, D. 2, L. 14, F. 30, A. 40, Pts. 14
Best win: 5-1 vs Raiders C
Biggest win: 5-1 vs Raiders C
Worst defeat: 5-0 vs Hertswood Vale
Matches postponed: 6
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 4
Star men: Aron Gale, Ethan Mooney
DC Verdict: New team boasted two of the best strikers in the division, but their season ended in misery after they were forced to forfeit four out of their last five matches. Manager Elliot Cukier put together a solid enough squad but they struggled to last the distance, losing the last seven matches played. 3/10
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10. TEMPLE FORTUNE B
League record: Pl. 20, W. 3, D. 2, L. 15, F. 16, A. 70, Pts. 11
Best win: 3-1 vs Hertswood Vale
Biggest win: 3-1 vs Hertswood Vale
Worst defeat: 11-2 vs FC Team
Matches postponed: 6
Clean sheets: 0
Games failed to score in: 5
DC Verdict: Failure to score in five games and no clean sheets isn’t a recipe for success. Wins were hard to come by and two double-digit defeats were hard to stomach. Managers Steven Black and Darren Zitren had a thankless task, at times, against their high-flying rivals who boasted players who could cut it in the top division. 3/10
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11. FAITHFOLD B
League record: Pl. 20, W. 2, D. 1, L. 17, F. 25, A. 94, Pts. 7
Best win: 4-1 vs Temple Fortune
Biggest win: : 4-1 vs Temple Fortune
Worst defeat: 11-0 vs FC Team
Matches postponed: 0
Clean sheets: 0
Games failed to score in: 5
Star man: David Kizneris
Best signing: David Kizneris
DC Verdict: The league’s bottom team finished the season with silverware after saving the best ill last with a near-perfect performance in the Barry Goldstein Trophy – if only they could’ve lined up with that team week in, week out from September! Player-manager David Garson was hoisted aloft in celebration at Rowley Lane, reflecting on 25 glorious years. He commented: “I’ve left Faithfold in a good place.” Job done! 5/10
