The penultimate weekend of the season features some crucial contests in the JC MSFL, as Glenthorne United and Camden Park attempt to close in on the title. Danny Caro looks ahead to all the action.
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JC MSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
18 - Lee Cash (LM Lions A - 10 for Neasden A)
17 - Adam Stolerman (Redbridge JC A)
14 - Daryl Phillips (Faithfold A), Brad Wine (Oakwood)
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
35 - Jamie (Shirley Park)
16 - Richard Silver (Camden)
15 - Yishai Last (Hendon B), Max Kyte (Lions B + 2 for A)
CHIGWELL ATHLETIC vs GLENTHORNE UNITED A
Dan Lassman was Glenthorne’s matchwinner in last weekend’s derby win that finally put daylight between his team and Shirley Park, and he will be looking to shoot down local rivals Chigwell in the team’s final game of the season, a win that they hope will land them the title.
Indeed Glenthorne will hope that local rivals Woodford Wanderers can do them a massive favour and take points off Camden Park in a double-header, but they have a match to win first.
Glenthorne bossed the first half against Chigwell last weekend, but manager Sam Rosenthal was concerned that his old club enjoyed large chunks of possession and left Glenthorne fans biting their nails up to the final whistle.
Ahead to kick-off, Rosenthal told JC Sport: "We're looking forward to another battle. We were pleased to have secured local bragging rights in the league last week and anything else we can get out of Sunday will top off a brilliant 1st year in Division One.
"All credit to the boys, we will go out and enjoy ourselves Sunday come what may."
The top four teams in the division have been the model of consistency, but the same can’t be said of Chigwell. Player-manager Richard Slater started the season in confident mood that he had the players to challenge for a top two finish.
Maccabiah training sessions have meant they haven’t always been at full-strength, but Slater this week offered no excuses for his team’s failure to become serious promotion challengers.
Ahead of the game, he told JC Sport: “It’s been a disappointing end to the season, but hopefully we can finish with a win, although we’re slightly low on numbers for our final game.”
Glenthorne go into the game nice and fresh and I expect them to finish an excellent campaign in style.
Venue – Chigwell Met Police Sports Ground, Ref – Andy Myerson, KO – 10am
JC star man: Josh Wynne (Glenthorne)
DC Prediction: Chigwell 1 Glenthorne 3
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CAMDEN PARK vs WOODFORD WANDERERS (DOUBLE-HEADER)
I’m sure there’ll be a drink or two on the line at Faces if Woodford can take points off Camden Park on Sunday.
Leaders Glenthorne are praying their east London rivals will look to make life difficult for a Camden team gunning for the title.
It’s squeaky bum time for Camden right now, with Josh Marks’ troops having dropped points against Harmen last weekend.
They were denied maximum points by a keeper in top form in James Castle and Marks hopes his players find their shooting boots in what are two must-win games.
Guy Marks and Jake Saunders earned Camden a point last weekend, and back-to-back wins on Sunday would lift them two places, guaranteeing a top three finish.
Camden have named a full-strength team for Sunday’s marathon, with Marks telling JC Sport: “There’s a real urgency for the six ponts this weekend.”
Woodford were down to the bare bones in the latter stages against Hendon last Sunday and Marks hopes this is a good omen. They led 2-0 but injuries forced them to finish with just nine men.
Camden have only lost twice at home this season, to Glenthorne and Lions and, as long as they hold their nerve, I’d back them to do just enough in both games, but it’s crucial they play the game rather than the occasion.
Venue – Ark Academy, Ref – Tony McEvoy, KO – 10am
JC star man: Guy Marks (Camden)
DC Prediction: Camden 3 Woodford 1/Woodford 1 Camden 2
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FAITHFOLD B vs SOUTHGATE HARMEN
There’s a real feel-good-factor about Harmen at the minute and I’m backing Dan Uzan’s men to finish the season in style against relegated Faithfold B.
James Castle was the star of the show against title-chasing Camden Park last weekend. He produced some top quality saves to earn his team a point in a four-goal thriller. Wing wizard Alex Bull and the evergreen Adam Osper also caught the eye against one of the division’s fancied teams.
The Castles have shown real star qualities since moving to Ashmole and the Harmen heroes will be looking to give keeper James the perfect send-off before he prepares to represent Team GB at the 19th Maccabiah Games.
This has been another steep learning curve for everyone at Faithfold B. Keeper Grant Waissel has needed to be in top form, while Leor Harel has impressed once more. Assistant-manager Ben Lewis believes this is a result of training with the club’s double-winning first team.
Dan Harris has also earned some rave reviews and manager Rob Shooman will face another battle trying to keep hold of him once the summer transfer window opens.
Harmen executed their game-plan to perfection against Camden, and I can see them having too much for Faithfold on the day.
Ref – Neal Cohen
JC star man: Alex Bull (Harmen)
DC Prediction: Faithfold – Harmen 3
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
28 - Reiss Mogilner (Brady B)
25 - Adam Hersh (Los Blancos)
16 - Dan Hildebrand (Brady B)
NORSTAR B vs LOS BLANCOS
Sunday is D-day for Los Blancos. Win and they’re up, draw or lose and their destiny would be out of their hands.
Whatever the outcome, it’s fair to say that tears will be shed on Sunday as Blancos keeper Josh Cohen bids farewell to the JC MSFL. Cohen has enjoyed an outstanding final season in goal for the club and no doubt, he’ll be determined to bow out on a high.
Blancos boss Adam Hersh was the hat-trick hero in the first meeting between the teams this season, as the boys in white romped home 8-0. There were also goals for Mikey Mendelsohn, Aryeh Marks, Sami Birnbaum, Adam Waters and Joel Kutner.
Hersh and Kutner were on target again in last weekend’s 4-2 win over FC Team B, and now they are just 90 minutes away from cementing Division One football next season.
I caught up with Hersh earlier in the week and this is what he told JC Sport. “It’s a massive game on Sunday where we hope to end our season on a high and claim a well earned second place.
“The excitement building up to the match is running through the whole squad resulting in nearly a full squad of 18 players making themselves available.
“A win is the target and if our pride, passion and determination is anything to go by then come 12:30 on Sunday the celebrations will be very much underway.”
But any Blancos fans expecting Norstar just to roll over and have their bellies tickled can think again. The Stars are much-improved from the first meeting, and in striker Rob Blackman they have a player who can really hurt them and potentially ruin their promotion party.
Plus, A-team boss and club chairman Phil Peters is also in contention to feature following his wonder goal against Raiders last weekend. He made the headlines for all sorts of reasons last weekend and knowing him as I do, will demand that standards are sky high for the club’s last-ever game in the JC MSFL before the merger with Raiders.
It’s definitely one to watch!
Venue – John Lyons, Ref – Steve Levy
JC star man: Josh Cohen (Blancos)
DC Prediction: Norstar 2 Blancos 3
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SPEC FC P BLIZZARD STORM P
Match postponed – now playing on Tuesday at Rowley Lane, KO 8.15pm
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DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
32 - Ben Zloof (AC Mill Hill)
26 – Alex Elf (Hendon Utd SC C)
24 - Jono Gaon (Tottenham Chutspah)
20 - Ben Polak (Oakwood B)
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MATCHES OFF
PREMIER DIVISION
Faithfold A vs Brady - Match postponed – due to a bereavement. Points will be shared and result go down as 0-0
PREMIER DIVISION
North West Neasden A vs London Maccabi Lions B - Match postponed – due to a bereavement
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CHALLENGE CARO RESULT
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)
Week 7: DC 4 Josh Marks 3 (Prem Div and Div 1 predicted only). DC scored 18 points overall incl. 3 correct scores)
Week 8: DC 12 (incl. 1 correct score) Ian Tussie 9 (incl. 1 correct score)
Week 9: DC 8 Richard Bronzite 10 (incl. 1 correct score)
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DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 35 OSCARS
DANNY CARO'S MSFL TEAM OF THE WEEK
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Daniel Simons (Blizzard Storm)
MSFL MANAGER OF THE WEEK
Simon Linden (Blizzard Storm)
GOAL OF THE WEEK - PHIL PETERS (Norstar A)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK - JAMIE KYTE (LML B)
SAVE OF THE WEEK
Jordan Davidson (Glenthorne United A)
REFEREE OF THE WEEK
Warwick Blake (London Maccabi Lions B vs Temple Fortune A)
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SEASON 2012/13 ROLL OF HONOUR
London FA Sunday Intermediate Cup winners: - Faithfold A
Peter Morrison Trophy winners: Brady Maccabi A
JC Cyril Anekstein Cup winners: - London Maccabi Lions A
Premier Division champions: Faithfold A
Division Two champions: Brady Maccabi B
Division Three promoted: Oakwood B
