Stuart Delmonte believes home advantage will be crucial ahead of AFC Flixton's Peter Morrison Trophy semi-final against MGBSFL second division champions FC Team B.
It’s the clash of the titans in Manchester as Flixton and Team B battle it out to become the first side to clinch a spot in the semi-finals of the Jewish FA Cup.
Team have already landed silverware this season, while Flixton are the hot favourites to clinch the Manchester Accountants League Premier Division crown at the first attempt.
Joint-managers Tony Rosenberg and Delmonte deserve huge credit for putting together a top-quality squad who are looking to show they are the top dogs in Jewish football.
Team Maccabi GB stalwart Michael Sacks helped Flixton edged closer to the league title with the winner against his former club, Manchester Maccabi last week, while Leor Sidle has been scoring for fun in a team packed with pace and power.
Ahead of kick-off, Stuart Delmonte told JC Sport: “We’re expecting a difficult game as Team have won their league, but I hope that with our home advantage and massive pitch, we can do the business.
“The pitch will be cut and rolled on Saturday and I’m sure they’ll be really up for it, as will we, and it’s all about who adapts the better on the day.”
Team remain on course for the treble after cementing top spot in their group in the Barry Goldstein Trophy. Boss Mitch Young loves a challenge and he told me this week his troops have nothing to lose ahead of their trip up north.
“We are expecting an extremely difficult match up against the current best team in Manchester,” Young told JC Sport.
“We know a lot of the Flixton team, led by the likes of Michael Sacks, have been considered for the forthcoming European Maccabi Games in Berlin.
“We are not at full-strength, which is a shame, but nonetheless this is the quarter-finals; we have earned the right to be in this stage of the competition and we have enough quality to hurt Flixton.
“We need to be bold, we cannot just defend for 90 minutes and hope for the best, so I will be looking for my big name players to shine on the big occasion. On their day, Lorian, Salmon and Mossy are unplayable so I hope Sunday is their day!”
The battle between Sacks and Salmon will be worth the admission fee alone in a contest that could be settled by small details.
JC team news: Flixton have three regulars unavailable.
FC Team are missing Oliver Segal, Ben Binder, Andy Sheena and Jules Noti. They look set to give a late fitness test to the returning Jake Weiner.
Venue – Valley Road, KO – 1.30pm
JC star man: Leor Sidle (Flixton)
DC Prediction: Flixton 2 Team 1
