ByJames Masters, James Masters
MJSL secretary Paul Rose insists the loss of the Leeds Maccabi Students team does not spell the end for Jewish football at the University.
The side, which replaced Hyde Park Rovers during the summer, has folded after failing to fulfil its fixtures.
But Rose expects a student side to be welcomed back into the MJSL next season, despite the recent struggle.
"At the start of the season a new group of students came to Leeds which would ordinarily blend in or replace the previous group," Rose said.
"On this occasion, it was decided that in the interests of all parties, the new ‘student’ team would be taken in under the Leeds Maccabi banner with an experienced management structure in place and a larger organisation.
"This has proved difficult and recently saw a cancelled game with potentially another to follow plus registration irregularities along with match day management issues."
Rose said the verdict was reached by Ian Selwyn, as a Senior Executive from Leeds Maccabi, in association with MJSL vice-chairman Rose and the executive and he believes it "to be the best for all concerned".
He added: "Ultimately the Student team agreed that this was best way forward for the remainder of this season so as not to cause the club, other teams or the MJSL any further problems.
"It is hoped that season 2013-14 will see a Leeds student team once again participate in the MJSL."
With several games falling to the weather, it was South Manchester Sports 2nd who gave the performance of the day with a 6-1 win over Crumpsall 2nd. Ed Jackson (2) Oli Black (2), Gary Stewart and Mike Herz found the net.
Broughton gave league leaders Manchester Maccabi 2nd a real scare before losing out in a seven-goal thriller. Rafi Leeker’s double and strikes from Yossi Brownson and Paul Clayton took Maccabi 2nd six points clear at the top.
Meanwhile, both Crumpsall 2nd and Leeds Maccabi 2nd have been docked three points after fielding non-registered players.