MGBSFL table-toppers Hendon are relishing this weekend's cup final and a return to Wingate & Finchley — and it’s a game which Sapler believes could go the distance again.
Indeed Sapler, who took over from Greg Corin at the helm last summer, has warned his team to be streetwise, hoping lessons have been learned from their defeat 12 months ago.
“Oakwood are one of the toughest teams to play against and are the best in the league at their style of play,” he said. “They have a number of quality players and it’s guaranteed to be a great game.”
Sapler identified Josh Cuby and Josh Bharier as the major threats to Hendon’s hopes of adding more silverware. “Oakwood are especially dangerous up front, with Cuby and centre-back-turned-striker Bharier.
“We’ve had great three great battles against them in the league this season. They’ve come out on top once and we won the other two, so it’s all to play for.”
Sapler admits confidence is high in the Hendon camp. “From our point of view, we go into the final on the back of a good winning run. Excluding our defeat in the Peter Morrison Trophy, we haven’t lost since the last time we played Oakwood in November.” But Sapler concedes “league form goes out the window in a one-off cup match.”
Hendon are “still struggling with injuries,” with defender Jordan Mizrahi ruled out with a dislocated shoulder. He joins Ari Last (ACL), Greg Corin (groin) and Yoav Kestenbaum (knee) on the sidelines. However, Sapler is “hopeful” brothers Chaim and Yehuda Korman will be passed fit enough to play.
Ari Nevies will captain Hendon in the absence of Last. Sapler went on to say: “We will look to provide the perfect blend of experienced players, such as Russell Corin, Simon Peterman and Avi Korman, with the younger lads, including Chaim Korman and Mordi Weiler.”
Sapler says selecting a starting XI for the final is giving him a headache. He said: “We have quality all over the pitch and whichever team I put out will be able to do a job, plus the strength and quality of our substitutes is staggering.
“It’s a huge occasion and it’s fitting that another Maccabi final will be played between two of the league’s most consistent clubs.
“However, we will try to treat it as just another game as we want to win the double and are very much looking forward to Sunday.”
Oakwood have missed the firepower of striker Sam Cantor in the league, where they look set to finish third. Joint-manager Dan Kristall believes Hendon start as favourites on Sunday but he is confident his players will relish the challenge.
“We face a very tough test,” said Kristall. “Hendon will be deserved league winners because, ultimately, winning a title is all about consistency and Hendon are the only side that has generally won week in and week out.”
Bharier and Cuby have shared goal-scoring duties this season, while goalkeeper Joe Botchin, the hero in last year’s final win over Hendon, provided a timely reminder of his penalty-saving abilities with a fine stop in the 1-1 draw against HMH last weekend.
Alex Lee, Kyle Bentwood, Simon Davies and Brad Wine are among a host of players looking to step up on Sunday. Kristall went on to say: “Just like last year, I feel it will go down to the team that performs better on the day. I firmly believe we are now playing our best football of the season, so we have timed that well.”
ROAD TO WINGATE
Hendon United Sports
Semi-final – beat Maccabi London Lions 2-0 – Peterman, Noe
Quarter-final – bt Brady Maccabi 3-1 – Weiler, Spitzer, Noe
Round Two – bt North London Raiders 3-1 Harris, Spitzer, Avi Korman
Round One - bt Temple Fortune 16-0 – Spitzer 5, Chaim Korman 3, Fehler 3, Lewis (2), Yehuda Korman, Weiler, own goal
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OAKWOOD A
Semi-final – beat Los Camden A - 2-0 – Toby Levy, Josh Cuby
Quarter-final – bt Jewdinese 1-0 - Harvey Kaye
Rounds One and Two – Bye
Venue - Wingate & Finchley FC, KO - 2pm
Match Referee: Richard Jaye, Assistant Referees: Nigel Kyte, Robert Caplin. Fourth Official & Reserve Match Referee: Luke Steele
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BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
NORTH LONDON GALAXY vs MILL HILL DONS
Galaxy go into Sunday's last four meeting with second division Mill Hill Dons as favourites given they have home advantage and an array of top, young talent hungry for success throughout their squad.
The MGBSFL new boys look set for fourth place in their first season in Division One, which is an excellent achievement, and they drew 2-2 against promoted Fairlop in their last league outing, coming close to ended Fairlop's two-year unbeaten league record.
Dean Benzaken is in great form, and I expect some of their big guns to come into contention, including Josh Shack, Tyler Smith and Jack Mattey.
Mill Hill Dons have turned into cup specialists this season. They have already booked their place in the last four of the Peter Morrison Trophy and await the winner of Sunday's replay between Haroldeans and Manchester Maccabi.
Brandon Hamme's men are unbeaten in three and will fancy causing another upset here.
The battle between Jake Rinsler and Dons hot-shot Zach Cohen will be key in a tie I can see going to the wire.
JC star man: Jordan Grundman (Galaxy)
DC Prediction: Galaxy 2 Dons 1
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINALS
HMH vs Maccabi London Lions (HMH won 4-0)
Haroldeans or Manchester Maccabi vs Mill Hill Dons (Haroldeans vs Manchester replay April 14)
- Final May 19, venue TBC
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CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP TROPHY FINAL
Hendon Utd Sports vs Oakwood A
- to be held at Wingate & Finchley FC on April 14, KO 2pm
Match Referee: Richard Jaye, Assistant Referees: Nigel Kyte, Robert Caplin. Fourth Official & Reserve Match Referee: Luke Steele
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BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY SEMI-FINAL DRAW
North London Galaxy vs Mill Hill Dons (April 14)
Jewdinese vs North London Raiders (Raiders won 4-2)
