It's all about the league on Sunday, with key matches in all four divisions including a top-of-the-table clash in Division Three. Camden Park boss Josh Marks is the latest man to go head-to-head with JC Sports Editor Danny Caro in the Challenge Caro game.
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LATEST NEWS: MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CANCELS PLAYER REGISTRATION
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JC FOOTBALL PHOTOGALLERIES
LFA CUP FINAL - FAITHFOLD A vs SHOOTS & LEAVES - SET 1
LFA CUP FINAL - FAITHFOLD A vs SHOOTS & LEAVES - SET 2
PMT SEMI-FINAL - SOUTH MANCHESTER vs CAMDEN PARK
PMT SEMI-FINAL - REDBRIDGE JC A vs BRADY MACCABI A
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DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 30 OSCARS
MSFL PREM DIV TEAM OF THE WEEK
MSFL DIV THREE TEAM OF THE WEEK
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JC MANAGER OF THE WEEK
Zuriel Solomon (Faithfold A)
JC REFEREE OF THE WEEK
Adam Lewis (Redbridge Jewish Care A vs Brady Maccabi A)
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GOAL OF THE WEEK - DAN PERKINS
JC SAVE OF THE WEEK
Marc Jacobs (Loughton Orient) - an unbelievable one-handed save when the ball was destined for the net. Jacobs somehow managed to get to it and tip it round the post
QUOTE OF THE WEEK - ZURIEL SOLOMON
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JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL
London Maccabi Lions A vs Redbridge Jewish Care A
April 21, KO: 6.30pm at Wingate & Finchley FC
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY FINAL
South Manchester Sports Club 1st vs Brady Maccabi A
April 28, KO: 3pm at Boundary Park, Oldham Athletic
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
JC MSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
18 - Lee Cash (LM Lions A - 10 for Neasden A)
17 - Adam Stolerman (Redbridge JC A)
12 - Jonathan Green (Brady A +1 for B), Daryl Phillips (Faithfold A), Brad Wine (Oakwood)
FAITHFOLD A vs OAKWOOD A (DOUBLE-HEADER)
Zuriel Solomon and his Faithfold team have been riding the crest of the wave since last weekend’s historic cup final win in the London FA Sunday Intermediate Cup. However, they must ensure they give Oakwood maximum respect and their full focus, or else the visitors might just spoil the party.
Dan Howard was the star performer for me at Wingate last Sunday, although it would be fair to say that the other 10 plus subs covered themselves in glory. Keeper Ben Law did what he needed to when called upon, while Howard’s fellow defenders – Alex Taylor, Alex Levack and James Taylor were rock solid. Alex Taylor was particularly impressive against a livewire winger.
In midfield, Paul Babai and Sam Reeves did the ugly, physical job that laid the foundations for a memorable win, while Dan Perkins settled the contest with a stunning strike.
Jonny Haik, Daryl Phillips and Elliot Stern also put in excellent shifts, although they left their shooting boots at home.
Faithfold start Sunday’s double-header four points behind leaders Hendon who they meet in a couple of weeks, so maximum points against Oakwood would see them finish the weekend in pole position.
Solomon told JC Sport: "We hope to finally play a league game after our cup exploits. The guys are now focused on our next game and these are games that can be tricky. We will have to be on our game to come away with the right result.
"Oakwood are a good team and work hard and have some good players so we will have to be at our best. Double-headers can be a bit of a lottery and it is unfortunate we have to play one when there are still plenty of weeks left in the season."
Solomon and co know there’s no such thing as an easy double-header in the JC MSFL and Oakwood are determined to put a spanner in the work.
The Oaks, co-managed by Ric Blank and Alex Schock, claimed an important and impressive win over FC Team last weekend and will be just as determined against the double hopefuls. Sam Jacobson, Adam Levine and Toby Levy were exceptional.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Blank told JC Sport: “There is no harder prospect in amateur football right now than a double-header against Faithfold.
“They’ve had a brilliant season and I don't see too many weaknesses in their side. They will win the league to add to their LFA triumph and could well end up being reinstated to the Anekstein on appeal. So they're the team to beat.
“For us, we go into the game without fear trying to maintain our recent form. Though we’ve only won one of the last four, I'm happy with the boys. We are slowly adapting to the rigours of them Prem.
“I've seen improvement throughout, with a greater resolve following what was a catastrophic February when we lost several players to long-term injuries. We're fit and will be using Sunday to give some players a chance to prove themselves ahead of the crunch game at Brixton next week. That really has to be our focus.
“Anything on Sunday is a massive bonus. I am just looking forward to the challenge - and I know the boys are too.
“We're missing a couple as ever but we'll take a good squad and give it everything. If that's not enough then I'll have no complaints.”
Look out for Hendon manager David Garbacz wearing a freshly printed Oakwood scarf on Sunday when Faithfold will be taken to the max.
JC team news: Elliot Stern faces a late fitness test after injuring his knee in the final last weekend. Midfielder Alex Kaye has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Neil Cooper (Games 18, Yellows 11, Reds 0)
JC star man: Paul Babai (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 Oakwood 1/Oakwood 1 Faithfold 2
JM Prediction: Faithfold 2 Oakwood 1
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A vs BRADY MACCABI A
I’ve heard Peter Morrison Trophy finalists South Manchester are sending scouts to spy on Brady who hope to pick up maximum points when they travel to Brunel.
Anyone who saw Brady would have been mightily impressed as they blew Redbridge away in such ruthless fashion. Brad Sharp’s set-piece prowess was a joy to watch, while captain marvel Josh Gordon helped himself to a hat-trick against some pretty weak defending.
With a couple of weeks to prepare for the Jewish FA Cup final at Boundary Park, Brady boss Joel Nathan will be looking to fine-tune his team as they look to register their eighth league win of the season.
Looking ahead to the game, Nathan told JC Sport: “Following our last meeting with NLR we set ourselves a target of remaining unbeaten in the league and at the moment that is still on.
“Yes we are still on a high from last week, but we will have our heads firmly focused for Sunday’s task as we want to finish as high up the table as possible.
“NLR are a great team and have shown since the start of the year that their early season form was a blip and are always going to be a force to be reckoned with, especially on their home turf of 3g.
“This is our last match before the final so boys are playing for their places …”
Raiders claimed an impressive 3-1 win over Brady in January when Jamie Wolfson, Jonny Hesselberg and Adam Joselyn were the scorers. Manager Rob Richman was delighted with the levels of concentration shown by his team, especially in defence and he’ll be looking for a repeat performance on Sunday.
Richman told JC Sport: “It has been a very frustrating season, with so many stoppages due to the consistent poor weather. In the past five months we have played a total of five league games and as a result it has been a little difficult to get into a regular pattern of playing.
“We now have six league games on six consecutive weekends so at last we hope to actually play some football. In patches we have been very good this season and the aim between now and the end of the season is to try and get as many points as possible on the board.
“Brady on Sunday will be a very difficult game - they always give us a really tricky game and they will be on cloud nine right now after a brilliant semi-final win.
“We will give it our best and hopefully come the final whistle we will have something to show for our endeavours.”
Whatever the result, it should be a cracking game of football, so I’m sure the onlooking scouts will get value for money …
JC team news: Raiders are missing Lewis Blitz and keeper DeC Green due to Maccabiah commitments.
Brady has a full-strength squad to choose from.
Venue - Brunel, Ref –Laurie Benson (Games 20, Yellows 37, Reds 2)
JC star man: Alex Hershman (Brady)
DC Prediction: Raiders 2 Brady 3
JM Prediction: Raiders 1 Brady 3
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A vs FC TEAM A (DOUBLE-HEADER)
A double-header is probably not the way Eilon Kennet’s Redbridge would’ve chosen to prepare for the forthcoming JC Cyril Anekstein Cup final, but beggars can’t be choosers!
Bouncebackability will be the name of the game for the 2011 double winners who were left embarrassed by Brady in the Morrison semi-final last Sunday.
You had to feel for keeper Dan Lee when you look at the match photos. The marking at corners was no-existent and Kennet must be considering ditching the controversial zonal marking system for Sunday.
The absence of Adam Hakimi, Brad Frankel, Steve Gervetz, Danny Sugarman and Ben Sollosi was too big a hurdle to overcome and they must put a smile back on the face of their fans on Sunday.
FC Team also conceded five last Sunday. They had no answer to a determined Oakwood side and still find themselves in a precarious position. With Brixton beating Norstar, Mitch Young’s men still need points to steer clear of relegation and they must play as though their lives depend on it.
Two hours of high-octane football is on the cards, with some big battles all over the park. It’s definitely one not to miss.
Venue - Fairlop, Ref – Andy Myerson (Games 18, Yellows 30, Reds 6)
JC star man: Brad Frankel (RJC)
DC Prediction: Redbridge 3 Team 1/Team 1 Redbridge 1
JM Prediction: Redbridge 4 Team 0
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LONDON MACCABI LIONS A vs BRIXTON OLD BOYS
There’s a bit of a ‘no-one like us, we don’t care’ feel about the Lions at the moment.
The Rowley Lane club has made few frieds after managing to stay in the JC Cyril Anekstein Cup competition despite eligibility concerns regarding players on two occasions and as things stand, they are preparing to take on Redbridge at Wingate & Finchley a week on Sunday.
But first they have the little matter of Brixton to take care of, a team who gave themselves a relegation lifeline by hitting fellow strugglers Norstar for six last weekend.
Adam Arnold was the star man for BOBs, smashing home five goals in one of their performances of the season. Alon Hershkorn also found the net in an exhilarating performance.
Brixton boss John Nitka will be hoping that Lions’ minds are elsewhere as they look to complete an unlikely double.
Former player Rob Blackman and Hershkorn (2) fired BOBs to a memorable 3-2 win over the Lions in September, but a change of management has resulted in a new-look Lions team, with an emphasis on youth.
As ever, BOBs boss John Nitka has a selection headache. He told JC Sport: “Stranger things can happen as I hope to field 11 players this Sunday.
“However, at this stage I don't know who is available but we’ll give it our best shot.”
There is likely to be a handful of former BOBs players in the Lions line-up, including keeper Jake Doffman, Benji Weinberger and the Weicz brothers, but I think this will only serve to motivate the visitors.
Lions’ recent form has been somewhat patchy but if the match is played on the top pitch at the Lane, it’s hard to see anything other than a home win.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Martin Fox (Games 19, Yellows 16, Reds 1)
JC star man: Benji Weinberger (Lions)
DC Prediction: Lions 3 Brixton 1
JM Prediction: Lions 3 Brixton 1
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
34 - Jamie (Shirley Park)
15 - Yishai Last (Hendon B)
13 - James Gold (LML B), Gideon Gold (Shirley Park), Richard Silver (Camden)
12 - Max Kyte (Lions B + 2 for A)
DANNY CARO'S MSFL DIV ONE TEAM OF THE WEEK
FAITHFOLD B vs UJIA
Sunday is pretty much make or break for both teams. The bottom line is that the table doesn’t lie and if the season finished tomorrow both would go down.
But the good news is that the season doesn’t finish tomorrow. Both clubs still have time to get out of the mire but the signs don’t look good.
It finished 1-1 when the teams met in September but that result would be no use to either side on Sunday. For the record, UJIA hotshot Assi Avital and Josh Brooks exchanged goals.
Sunday is a day for big hearts and cool heads as three points could be crucial come the end of the season.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Robert Benardout (Games 19, Yellows 9, Reds 1)
JC star man: Darren Rolfe (UJIA)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 0 UJIA 0
JM Prediction: Faithfold 2 UJIA 2
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HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B vs LONDON MACCABI LIONS B
Motty Korman was playing down Hendon’s chances in his midweek press conference ahead of the meeting with title seeking Lions B.
Reading between the lines, he’s as good as waving the white flag before kick-off, or is he just trying on the mind games. You decide!
The Reds were hit for six by Lions in February but gave a much improved performed in a narrow defeat against Chigwell last Sunday.
Ahead of the Lions game, Korman told JC Sport: “I’m expecting a tough game against the best team in our division who I think will win league.
“We will have quite a depleted team as few players injured and another few have called it a day for this year.”
James Gold was the chief tormentor when Lions met Hendon earlier this year. He went home with the matchball after helping himself to a hat-trick. Hendon simply couldn’t live with him. Further strikes from Joey Lazare, Jonny Cutter and Nick Astaire put the icing on the cake.
Jamie Kyte’s Lions are unbeaten since the Shirley Park match. They’ve also kept two clean sheets in that time and for me, this all points to another Lions win.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Aaron Djanogly (Games 17, Yellows 26, Reds 5)
JC star man: Nick Astaire (Lions)
DC Prediction: Hendon 1 Lions 3
JM Prediction: Hendon 1 Lions 3
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SOUTHGATE HARMEN vs CHIGWELL ATHLETIC
Richard Slater says his Chigwell team will need to be at their best to beat Harmen.
The east Londoners climbed into fourth spot last weekend after a hard fought win over Hendon B. Anthony Mendel and Dean Ben Yosef were on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win.
Slater is delighted that Ben Yosef has scored two in two as his team looks to become only the third team to come away from the Mole with maximum points.
The Chigwell manager told JC Sport: “We have a few away this week for various reasons, but the squad is still focused on maintaining our great run of form this Sunday.
“Harmen are a decent side so we will have to be at our best to get the win.”
Dan Uzan’s Harmen took a while to get going against Neasden last Sunday, but another goal from Israeli hotshot Ori Kobi and a midfield masterclass from Bradley Fox ensured they came away with a point.
After the game, Uzan told JC Sport: “We gave everything but couldn’t find a winner.”
Dan Castle was the star man for Chigwell last Sunday and the matchwinner when these two teams met back in January. And once again, I think he’ll be the man that Harmen must look out for.
Venue – Ashmole School, Ref – Neal Cohen (Games 16, Yellows 10, Reds 6), KO – 10.15am
JC star man: Dan Castle (Chigwell)
DC Prediction: Harmen 1 Chigwell 2
JM Prediction: Harmen 2 Chigwell 2
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TEMPLE FORTUNE A vs CAMDEN PARK
No-one needs reminding what happened the last time these two teams met, but both clubs have moved on since then, and an entertaining contest is on the cards.
It’s all about the league now for a Camden team who have come away from two cup semi-finals empty-handed. Having bowed out of the Anekstein, Josh Marks’s men were given a masterclass by a rampant South Manchester team last weekend.
But the Camden boys are certainly not feeling sorry for themselves. They have made big strides this season and will be looking to finish the season strongly.
Marks sounded in determined mood when I caught up with him earlier this week. “We’re all looking forward to Sunday as we hope to start climbing up the league,” he told JC Sport.
“We look in decent standing at the moment but it’s important we get the points from our games in hand if we are going to mount a serious challenge to gain promotion.
“Our semi-final defeats are behind us and it is Temple Fortune that stand in our way this weekend. We have a full squad which is always nice.
“Our last game against Fortune got quite heated, but we want to make sure it’s all about the football this Sunday. They are a very good side and have taken some big points this season off the top teams. But if we are serious about getting to the Prem, then these are the games we need to be winning.”
Fortune gave a good account of themselves against title-chasing Glenthorne last Sunday. Manager Lee Fegan felt his players deserved something from the game on a day they were missing some key men.
Once again, Kane Gilbery was on target for Fortune and he will be looking to steer Fortune to their seventh win of the campaign.
Camden have nine games left this season, that’s 27 points still to play for and if they manage to win their individual and collective battles then I can see them sneaking past Fortune.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Warwick Blake (Games 17, Yellows 9, Reds 2)
JC star man: Jake Saunders (Camden)
DC Prediction: Fortune 1 Camden 2
JM Prediction: Fortune 1 Camden 3
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WOODFORD WANDERERS vs SHIRLEY PARK
Current leaders Shirley Park will be looking to finish what has been an excellent season on a high when they take on mid-table Woodford.
Dave Lusman men have been out in front for some time now and even though they are unlikely to win the title, they have a chance to put down another marker as they go in search of win number 13.
No doubt, Lusman will have spent some time mulling over drop points but Shirley fans will be happy with the repeat of the recent meeting with Woodford, when Jamie Kent (3) and Saul Conway steered them to a thrilling 4-3 victory.
Woodford have only won once in front of their fans this season and manager Paul Hyams will be looking to right the wrongs of the second game of a double-header against Fortune.
He knows he has the players to ask questions of the Shirley defence, but Sunday could come down to how well Woodford defends.
The home side has kept one clean sheet all season and with this in mind, the bookies fancy Shirley to bow out on a high.
Venue - Fairlop, Ref –David Lazarus (Games 11, Yellows 11, Reds 0)
JC star man: Saul Conway (Shirley)
DC Prediction: Woodford 2 Shirley 3
JM Prediction: Woodford 2 Shirley 2
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
20 - Reiss Mogilner (Brady B), Adam Hersh (Los Blancos)
14 - Jake Gilbert (Athletic Bilbaum), James Joseph (Brady B)
11 - Dan Hildebrand (Brady B)
ATHLETIC BILBAUM vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B
Sunday is a must-win for Bilbaum who know that anything less than three points would end their promotion dream.
With Blancos now in pole position to join Brady B as the two automatically promoted teams, the Baums must pick up maximum points from their last four games and see where it leaves them.
The momentum picked up from the double-header win over Neasden B was lost when they went down to Brady and they must now make another statement of intent.
It’s vital they go in all guns blazing and go for the jugular from the very first whistle against a Redbridge team with little more than pride to play for.
Jon Jacobs’s kids have had two bad results – conceding eight goals in the process. I’m sure Jacobs already has one eye on next season when we could see the best of his young squad.
The Baums will be determined to set the record straight after being thumped 4-1 by the east Londoners at the start of the year and I think they will have too much for RJC on the day.
Venue - Copthall, Ref –Henry Raffe (Games 16, Yellows 12, Reds 0)
JC star man: Richard Angel (Bilbaum)
DC Prediction: Bilbaum 3 Redbridge 1
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BLIZZARD STORM vs SPEC FC
What Laurence Conway and Simon Linden would do for three points right now? That’s the million dollar question.
Whilst SPEC FC’s destiny lies in Los Blancos’s hands, they minimum they must do is take 12 points from their last four games and hope the teams above them slip up.
They earned a crucial three points against an in-form Raiders B last Sunday, when Dave Newman saw them home in a game where Nick Berman and Simon Lee caught the eye.
SPEC fans will feel the scoreline should’ve been more emphatic and they will encourage their heroes to shoot on sight on Sunday.
Ricky Lawrence told JC Sport: “After a hard fought win last Sunday against a strong Raiders side we will be hoping to carry that form into this week’s game against Blizzard Storm who we know next to nothing about.
“Laurence is in Manilla so it’ll be up to Doug to lead us to victory and he’ll be boosted by the return to the squad of James Segal.”
Time is running out for the Blizzard boys who were this week punished for fielding an ineligible player in the recent meeting with Norstar B.
Simon Linden’s men have found points hard to come by over the past couple of months and they will need to pull something special out of the bag against a SPEC team who have kept an impressive seven clean sheets in the league this season.
Speaking told JC Sport earlier this week, Linden told JC Sport: “This weekend is vital in terms of Blizzard staying up.”
Linden has got six games to get his club out of the woods and he says this Sunday is where it starts. “It really is about my team and what we can do to get our act together. We must perform to a better standard and it has to start this Sunday '
“I’m sure SPEC FC are a good side, but we must compete and be organised and ready for a massive 90 minutes. I need the whole of Blizzard to pull together and keep us up and it starts this Sunday.”
With two key men missing for Blizzard, I can see SPEC FC coming away with at least four points.
JC team news: Skipper Adam Speck and top-scorer Oli Simons miss out for Blizzard.
Venue – Hampstead Heath, Ref – Steve Russell (Games 8, Yellows 18, Reds 0)
JC star man: Dave Newman (SPEC FC)
DC Prediction: Blizzard 1 SPEC FC 4
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CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI vs BRADY MACCABI B
I don’t give the Bromley boys a Cat in hells chance against champions-elect Brady B.
Without wanting to do Lester Jacobs’s teamtalk for him, I believe the big gulf in class will be evident pretty much from the start.
It appears Brady underestimated FC Team B last Sunday and manager Josh Dagul won’t allow his troops to make the same mistake again.
Only SPEC FC has conceded fewer goals than a Brady team who are the division’s top-scorers. Reiss Mogilner and James Joseph have been in top form all season, but last weekend it needed a last-gasp strike from Ollie Kay to earn them a point against Team.
27 points separate the teams ahead of the game and I’d be surprised if Brady don’t have this won by half-time.
Catford missed influential captain Adam Luria last Sunday. They were thumped 7-1 by Brady in October when Jacobs came away saying the Brady bunch were the best team the Cats have played in a long time.
Another heavy defeat would leave the Cats in a bad place so I advise them to double park the bus in front of their goal and hope for the best.
Venue – Norseman FC, Ref – Brandon Pieters
JC star man: Dan Hildebrand (Brady)
DC Prediction: Catford & Bromley 1 Brady 5
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FC TEAM B vs NORSTAR B (DOUBLE-HEADER)
FC Team B were within seconds of taking a major scalp in the shape of Brady B last Sunday and manager Ben Simon will be looking for more of the same this weekend.
The pace and energy of Mitch Lassman made it a torrid morning for the Brady back line in a gripping encounter Team came from behind to lead twice until having their hearts broken late on.
Emile Ben Atar was their other star, giving brilliant protection to the Team defence.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s double-header, FC Team’s David Gordon told JC Sport: “
“We're confident that if we play with the same commitment we showed against Brady that we can get all six points this weekend and pull away from the bottom.”
Indeed maximum points would put Team in a really healthy position. They certainly have the ammunition to ask questions of a team that has struggled to score goals this season.
Strikes from Nick Benson and Jonathan Kay did not prevent Norstar from going down 3-2 against Glenthorne B last weekend and it looks as though they will be in for a very long two hours against opponents who are better than their record suggests.
JC team news: FC Team are expected to welcome back Daniel Woolfe to the squad this weekend, but Daniel Alfreds is still a doubt because of an injury he picked up two weeks ago.
Venue – Meadow Park, Ref – Laurence Thorne (Games 16, Yellows 19, Reds 0)
JC star man: Mitch Lassman (Team)
DC Prediction: Team 4 Norstar 1/Norstar 0 Team 3
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NORTH WEST NEASDEN B vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B
Goals are guaranteed in Sunday’s meeting between promotion chasing Neasden and a Raiders team who will fall short in their bid for a top two finish.
It finished 2-2 when the teams met in October, when Adam ‘Shaggy’ Leveson bagged a brace for NWN and Daniel Garb was among the scorers for L’Orange.
Having been overtaken by Blancos, NWN boss Adam Levene knows victory at Copthall on Sunday followed by the final match against SPEC FC is a minimum requirement as they look to reclaim the second automatic promotion spot.
But Raiders will be looking to do them no favours, although striker Jonny Blain will no doubt keep any goal-scoring celebrations low key if he strikes against his former club.
The bottom line is that Raiders have nothing to lose in what looks like a potential banana skin for NWN.
Venue - Copthall, Ref – Adam Yuchetel (Games 9, Yellows 10, Reds 1)
JC star man: Richard Starr (NWN)
DC Prediction: Neasden 2 Raiders 2
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DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
33 - Ben Zloof (AC Mill Hill)
24 - Jono Gaon (Tottenham Chutspah)
23 – Alex Elf (Hendon Utd SC C)
17 - Ben Polak (Oakwood B)
MSFL DIV THREE TEAM OF THE WEEK
OAKWOOD B vs FC TEAM C
The JC cameras will be present for the battle of Borehamwood as title rivals Oakwood and Team get ready to rumble.
Just a single point separates the sides ahead of the game, although the Oaks have played a game more. It really is hold on to your hats time.
Looking ahead to the crunch clash, Oaks boss Ian Tussie told JC Sport: “Sunday it is clear is a big occasion for us and I am sure that the intensity and commitment of the players is fundamental and vital for sure.
“We are in a good moment in this moment and now is the moment for us to progress collectively. The players have the eyes of the storm in their hearts and they can smell the success in the future.
“I believe that if we have the luck and desire on Sunday that we can be the ultimate winners for certain. I am of the essential belief that to win in life you must first overcome the best, and that FC Team C is the superior team in this league.
FC Team C remain the only unbeaten side in the entire league. They face Tottenham and Boca over the coming weeks and victory over their nearest rivals would see them put one hand on the title.
FC Team joint-manager Michael Myers told JC Sport: “It’s a crucial game on Sunday, Oakwood are back in the title race due to Jewventus folding.
“It’s going to be a very tough game and one which my team is relishing. The boys are up for it and I have faith in my team. Let’s hope we do the business.”
Revenge will be the name of the game for the Oaks who were beaten in a seven-goal thriller in October. Rob Sanford helped Team comeback a brilliant comeback with the winner in a game they found themselves 3-1 down in.
Victory for FC Team would by no means guarantee them the title, but it would leave things firmly in their hands.
JC team news: Oakwood have doubts over the fitness of a few, including Eric Lewis, Vic Librae and Dave Epstein. Player-manager Ian Tussie is out and Charlie Cohen has an “11 per cent” chance of playing. Stefan Isaacs' whereabouts are unknown, he was last seen boarding his private jet at Ipswich airport, believed to be en route to his off-shore bank in Gibraltar.
There will be no minute silence for Maggie Thatcher. Tussie did suggest it to the squad, but Marc Hymanson threatened to boo throughout out of support for the miners.
Venue – Aycliffe Road, Ref – Martin Lavender (Games 16, Yellows 15, Reds 0), KO – 10am
JC star man: Rob Sanford (Team)
DC Prediction: FC Team C 3 Oakwood 2
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AC MILL HILL vs L’EQUIPE
Sunday promises to be an emotional day for AC Mill Hill boss Joe Levy.
He told JC Sport: “It’s a replay of the game against L’Equipe that was abandoned with only 10 minutes to go when I broke my leg. We were 2-1 up at the time.
“All the boys want to win it for me as well as to maintain our push for promotion.”
Mill Hill go into the match two points off the pace as they go in search of their 14th win of the season.
They were pushed all the way by Norstar C last weekend, with strikes from Jason Shoffman and Ben Zloof edging them home.
Levy was frustrated with his team’s second half performance and relieved that keeper James Grabiner was on top form.
He added: “We luckily have a few returning players who were absent last week and meant only having 11 players.
“We’ll look to dominate the game from the off and put another three points on the board.”
L’Equipe go into Sunday’s meeting on the back of a double-header against Hendon C. They lost the first match before exacting revenge in part two, thanks to a goal from the impressive Mark Singer.
A top four finish is still a possibility for David Prager’s men but they will need to play the game of their lives against a team gunning for the title.
Venue - Copthall, Ref – Martin De La Fuente (Games 13, Yellows 26, Reds 0)
JC star man: Adam Lenz (Mill Hill)
DC Prediction: AC Mill Hill 3 L’Equipe 1
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FAITHFOLD C vs LOUGHTON ORIENT
Going out with a whimper is just not in Loughton Orient’s make-up.
Manager Dan Curtis is setting his sights sky high and believes it’s still all to play for in terms of a top four finish. But three points against rivals Faithfold are essential.
The Loughton gaffer was delighted with the effort levels and commitment in last week’s match against high-flying FC Team C.
Looking ahead to Sunday, he told JC Sport: “This game is massive for us as we still feel that if we get maximum points from our remaining fixtures we can make the top four depending on results.
“We have had encouraging news regarding Jaimie Sinclair who should be back for our last two games.”
Faithfold remain top of the second tier in Division Three and manager David Garson will be looking for a repeat performance of the 2-0 win over the east Londoners in October. Simons and Dave Sherman were the goal men that day.
But with AC Mill Hill their next opponents, deep down Garson and co will know the importance of three points on Sunday.
Loughton’s away form has been less than impressive this season, but they have the players to ask questions of the Faithfold defence.
JC team news: Loughton has a full-strength squad available with the exception of Jaimie Sinclair.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Robert Caplin (Games 12, Yellows 9, Reds 2)
JC star man: Nicky Stone (Loughton)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 2 Loughton Orient 2
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NORSTAR C vs TEMPLE FORTUNE B
What could have been ... that has been the story for Norstar C in recent weeks.
They produced a gutsy, no heroic performance against high-flying Mill Hill but fell just short.
Another goal from Nick Haringman saw them take a team contesting the title right to the wire and if they remember their shooting boots, they will fancy themselves for three points against Fortune.
The Fortune boys have been struggling for goals in recent weeks. They have little more than pride to play for between now and the end of the season and this will be reflected on the away terrace where very tickets have been sold for Sunday’s game.
Jonny Samule, Ali Gordon and Dan Polak are in top form and whichever way you look at it, it’s Norstar for me.
Venue – Ark Academy, Ref – Quentin Fox (Games 11, Yellows 13, Reds 0)
JC star man: Ali Gordon (Norstar)
DC Prediction: Norstar 3 Fortune 1
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TOTTENHAM CHUTSPAH vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB C
Some people are saying it’s not a good time to be a Tottenham fan, but Chutspah boss Ariel Tamman would judge that as an unfair assessment.
Four wins in their debut season in the JC MSFL has given Tamman food for thought and he knows which areas of the team he needs to strength for next season.
Jono Gaon has been their most impressive player and it would be interesting to see how he and Hendon hotshot Alex Elf would fare in the same team. Both players have been shortlisted for my Division Three Team of the Season.
Elf helped Hendon home in part one of the double-header against L’Equipe, but Craig Miller’s troops struggled in the follow-up, when they drew a rare blank.
Ice baths and RICE have been order of the day. Miller was contemplating taking his players away for a few days in the sun, but decided to tighten purse strings as he knows he will need to pull out all the stops to keep hold of star man Elf when the transfer window reopens.
Ben Slukis was the hat-trick hero when these two teams met at the start of the year. Further strikes from Adam Glekin, Ben David and Elf wrapped up the points in a 6-2 win.
Tottenham can afford to go for it on Sunday, but for all their huff and puff, I think Hendon will blow their house down again.
Venue – Regents Park, Ref – Barry David (Games 11, Yellows 4, Reds 0)
JC star man: Ben Glekin (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Chutspah 1 Hendon 4
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CHALLENGE CARO RESULTS
Week 1: Caro 4, Rob Richman 5
Week 2: Caro 14, Mitch Young 10
Week 3: Caro 20 (incl. 2 correct scores), Richard Slater 15 (inc. 1 correct score)
Week 4: Caro 15 (incl. 2 correct scores), Phil Peters 5
Week 5: Caro 1 Loz Newman 8
Week 5: Caro 6 Josh Dagul 4
Week 6: DC 9 Motti Korman 14 (incl. 1 correct score)
