MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
HARMEN 2 NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A 6
Rob Richman and Jonathan Green described a huge sense of satisfaction after North London Raiders A completed the double double after hitting Harmen for six at Hadley FC.
Two goals from David Dinkin leaves Raiders A just 90 minutes away from a possible treble, although there was a price to pay, with several players suffering injuries.
Dinkin's first-half double plus a great effort from Alex Moss had given NLR a healthy half-time 3-0 advantage. Jordan Marks, Alex Bloch and Jono Rochwerger added the gloss as L'Orange extended their unbeaten run in their first outing since winning the Cyril Anekstein Cup to clinch the MGBSFL trophy.
NLR joint-manager Rob Richman told JC Sport: "We're delighted to have sealed back-to-back titles. The boys have been remarkably consistent this season and our strength in depth has paid dividends.
"This has been a wonderful season and we can all take a great sense of satisfaction from it. Week in, week out we’ve put in some great performances and to have won the league by winning 12 out of 13 games and drawing the other is testament to the quality in the squad."
NLR have really kicked on this year, with the recruitment of Jordan Marks - a leading contender for the Player of the Season award - keeping daylight between them and their rivals.
Co-boss Jonathan Green told JC Sport: "We are elated to have wrapped up the title. It's not an easy thing to win and probably even harder to retain; there are some other very good teams in this division so obviously we are overjoyed.
"The League and Anekstein double-double has not been achieved since 1977 so we are very, very proud. The boys for the best part of two years have given their all for the cause and they deserve all the praise that comes their way.
Both Richman and Green cited the team's consistency as a major factor. "We have been amazingly consistent this year which has been a key part of our success," said Green.
"We knew the challenge would be harder this year but we are blessed with an amazingly talented squad and a key part of our success has been not relying one or two players to perform each week.
Asked about next week's Peter Morrison Trophy final against Hendon United, co-boss Jonathan Green added: "We have some injury concerns which we hope will clear up before Sunday."
