The Barry Goldstein Trophy gets under way on Matchday 23 of the MGBSFL, while there's also action in the Cyril Anekstein Cup, but all eyes will be on the league, with key action in all four divisions.
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MATCH PHOTOS - AC WHETSTONE vs JEWDINESE
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PHOTOGALLERIES FROM THE SEASON
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SEASON
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW
FINAL DATE
Cyril Anekstein Cup - May 3
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND FOUR
NORTH WEST NEASDEN vs BRADY MACCABI
A money-spinning home tie against cup holders Hendon United is the reward for the winner of Sunday’s meeting between Premier Division strugglers Neasden and first division Brady.
Brady reached the last eight after coming through a five-goal thriller against Brixton and they can expect another physical encounter against a Neasden team smarting from a heavy defeat against their potential semi-final opponents.
Joe Brooks grabbed Neasden’s consolation this week, but if they defend in the same manner they did last week, there’s an upset on the cards.
Looking ahead to the tie, NWN boss Stirling Kay told JC Sport: "We know all about brady with having played two very close games last year, and I'm sure it will be very close again.
"With Brady all three Newmans on the pitch, it will be a fiercely contested game which gives us a a break from our relegation battle. But this game will be no different from the rest of the season where we will hoping to get 11 players on the pitch.
I've tipped NWN to lose to lower division opposition in the cup before, this season. Each time they have risen to the occasion, but Sunday is Brady's cup final and I expect them to produce the goods.
JC team news: NWN will give fitness tests to Josh Tiano (chest infection), Craig Edwards (back), Rob Caplin (work) who are all doubts, but they welcome back Scott MacKenzie.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
NWN
MGBSFL – FC Team (a)
BRADY
MGBSFL – Bilbaum (h)
MGBSFL – Brixton (a)
MGBSFL – Camden (a)
TOP-SCORERS
NWN – Danny Sherman (Neasden) 5
Brady – Reiss Mogilner 9
Venue - TBC, Ref – Robert Caplin
JC star man: Sam Singer (Brady)
DC Prediction: NWN 2 Brady 3
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BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY GROUP C
BLIZZARD STORM vs SPEC FC
First division Blizzard and SPEC FC get this season’s BGT competition under way, with goals on the cards.
The teams have shared a win apiece in the league, with the visitors possibly holding a psychological edge, given their 3-1 victory came only last month. Marc Cohen, Ricky Lawrence and Elliott Wallis, their player of the season thus far, were the marksmen.
Ahead of kick-off, SPEC FC joint-player-manager Rick Lawrence told JC Sport: "We're really looking forward to the cup, but it's fair to say we've been drawn in the group of death along with Blizzard, Los Blancos and AC Mill Hill.
“Sunday will be a tricky game and we know that, most importantly, it's game we don't want to be losing."
But I have a feeling the prospect of a visit to Wingate & Finchley will bring out the best in Blizzard in an action-packed encounter.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
BLIZZ
MGBSFL – Raiders (h)
SPEC FC
MGBSFL – Brixton (a)
TOP-SCORERS
Blizz - Dean Shaw 9
SPEC – Elliot Wallis 5
Venue -Hertswood , Ref – Paul Dobkin, KO – 10am
JC star man: Robbie Berwald (Blizzard)
DC Prediction: Blizzard 3 SPEC FC 2
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
18 - James Gershfield (Harmen)
16 - Johnny Haik (Faithfold A - includes one for B team)
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS A vs WOODFORD WANDERERS
The MGBSFL title race is heading for a thrilling showdown. There’s literally nothing to separate between Hendon, Raiders and Redbridge at the minute, and none of them appear to be letting the pressure get to them, although it’s anticipated that the impending clash between Raiders and Hendon will be decisive.
Raiders are currently neck and neck with Hendon, even their respective goal differences are similar. Raiders scored four last week to Hendon’s five, but the Reds conceded once, whereas L’Orange kept a clean sheet, their sixth of the league campaign.
No doubt Rob Richman’s troops will be looking to fill their boots on Sunday, when struggling Woodford come to town. While some NLR fans will rock up expecting a cricket score, Jonathan Green and Richman won’t allow complacency to creep into the group. That’s not how they roll.
After the 4-0 win over Harmen last week, which came courtesy of doubles from top-scorer Matt Stock and Ben Joseph, Richman was keen to praise the defensive resilient of his close-knit squad. He expects noting less than three points on Sunday.
Ahead of kick-off, Richman told JC Sport: “Last week’s victory was very well deserved, but there is no time to rest on our laurels and we must make sure we approach every game here on in as we did last Sunday.
“We won’t be taking Woodford lightly at all - we know on their day they can get a result against anyone. That first season straight from Division One to the Premiership is a very tough one and we know despite their results to date Woodford are a very good side.
“Unfortunately we picked up a few knocks and strains last week, but we are hoping everyone will be okay for Sunday.
“In saying that, we won’t be taking any risks with the semi-final just round the corner. We will have a good side out and what is pleasing is that a few of the guys who have been out for most of the season like Espinoza and Joselyn are now back involved as it will be crucial that we have everyone fit and available for what no doubt will be a very challenging but exciting few months ahead.”
The signs look ominous for Woodford right now. A closer inspection of their forthcoming fixtures tells you they will need to do something special between now and Passover to maintain top-flight status. Best of luck, lads.
JC team news: David Rhodes, Liron Mannie and Ricky Engleman all picked up knocks last week and they all face last tests. Elliot Espinoza managed his first 90 minutes of the season last weekend, “performing up to his accustomed excellent standards”. Adam Joselyn should make a long-awaited return on Sunday, while Elliott Moslawy is also back in the squad.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
NLR
CAC – Oakwood (a)
MGBSFL – Lions (a)
WOODFORD
MGBSFL – Hendon (h)
MGBSFL – Oakwood (h)
MGBSFL – Redbridge (h)
TOP-SCORERS
NLR – Matt Stock 14
Woodford - Harrison Midda 4
Venue – The Ark, Ref – Andy Myerson, KO – 10am
JC star man: Adam Joselyn (NLR)
DC Prediction: NLR 4 Woodford 0
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FC TEAM A vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
Hendon go in search of their third win over FC Team this season in the Mill Hill derby.
Victories in both cup competitions this season were hard-earned, with Team proving a tough nut to crack, and when you see Hendon’s team news, it’d be wholeheartedly foolish to rule the hosts out altogether.
Dovi Fehler produced his finest game in a Hendon shirt last week, with the ever-reliable Avidan Last and Simon Peterman sealing a convincing 5-1 victory over Neasden. But I have a feeling things will be much tougher on Sunday.
Hendon boss David Garbacz told JC Sport: “We have played and beaten FC Team twice this year in the two cups so we go into this game knowing that this is a match we should win.
"Without wishing to sound like a broken record, we are still severely depleted through an injury list - the like of which I’ve never known - plus we a number of players still away.
"Our squad is big, though, this year and whoever turns out will still be quality and this will not be an excuse if we don’t win this match.
"FC Team are a big physical side – both times we have played them they have taken the lead, but our superior fitness has been telling later on in the game. This time we hope to get off to a better start and hopefully will not have to play catch up.
"’Keep the ball on the deck’ that will be my message – they are big and strong in the air so we will aim to play the football on the ground and work our way in behind. We have no margin for error – every league game is a must-win if we are to retain the title so injuries or no injuries, we know what we have to do.”
With 10 league games remaining, Team have plenty of time to pick up points and climb the table. Of the three teams in the relegation battle, they look the best-equipped to get out of trouble. Team know they can score against Hendon and there’s zero pressure on Ben Gilbey’s boys, who have nothing to lose.
Ahead of kick-off, Ben Gilbey told JC Sport: "We go into the game after a much-needed week off, and on the back of a hard run.
"It doesn't get any easier as we go for round three of four against Hendon. Hendon are a really good team who I think will win the league this year. However, both our games so far have been good games and close up until the last 20 minutes, and I believe we really can get one over on them this week.
"We have a game-plan to go into the game with and I am very much looking forward to it."
Team are 8-1 to beat the champions, but with so many missing for the visitors, there’s the potential for this to be a real coupon buster.
JC team news: Hendon still have a number of absentees, through injury and unavailability. Definitely out injured are Ari and Avidan Last and Avishai Kestenbaum. Away are Dovi Fehler,Tali Nevies, Dave Seitler, and Yoav Kestenbaum. Ben Lauffer and Greg Corin should return, although neither are fully fit.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
HENDON
MGBSFL – Woodford (a)
MGBSFL – Lions (h)
CAC SF – NWN or Brady
TEAM
MGBSFL – Lions (h)
MGBSFL – Neasden (h)
MGBSFL – Harmen (h)
TOP-SCORERS
Team – David Joseph 12
Hendon - Greg Corin, Dovi Fehler 8
Venue - Hatfield Uni, Ref – Laurie Benson, KO - 10am
JC star man: David Joseph Cohen (Team)
DC Prediction: Team 2 Hendon 3
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HARMEN vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS BLUE
Lions will be looking to move to within a point of Harmen when the teams meet on Sunday.
The recent transfer of Dan Green from Rowley Lane to Chase Lodge will no doubt add some spice for a match Jamie Kyte has labelled a derby.
Lions won the first encounter this season, with Harry Franks and James Gold joining Green on the scoresheet. The stormed into a 3-0 advantage before Harmen staged something of a recovery despite finishing a man light after a red card.
Another high-octane affair is on the cards. Kyte told JC Sport: “We’re looking forward to the Harmen game as always. With Camden dropping down a division Harmen are now our local rivals and if it's anything like the last game it should be a great battle.
“As for Dan Green, we're just trying to have the game played on 3G.”
Harmen were second best against Raiders last week. They huffed and puffed for 45 minutes but ultimately missed the presence and quality of top-scorer James Gershfield.
Joint-manager Joel Alterman told JC Sport: "Lions is a massive game for us - some of our boys know theirs very well and there are always bragging rights at stake in this fixture.
"The capture of Daniel Green, who has been in fine form since joining us from Lions, has stoked the flames for this one a bit and we all want to do our bit to help him get one over on his former club.
"As with the last game, I'm sure Jamie will be bringing in his top players for this game and we can’t blame him for that.
As always, it’s set up to be a great game against them and one that we are looking forward to."
I don’t expect us to see the best of Harmen until next season, I believe they can strengthen further in key positions, and it’s now all about the forthcoming cup semi-final.
JC team news: George Fierstone and Ollie Leslie look set to miss out for Harmen, but striker James Gershfield looks set to return to face his former club.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
HARMEN
MGBSFL – Redbridge (a)
MGBSFL – Faithfold (a)
MGBSFL – FC Team (a)
LIONS
MGBSFL – Team (h)
MGBSFL – Hendon (a)
MGBSFL – Raiders (h)
TOP-SCORERS
Harmen – James Gershfield 18
Lions - Connor Perl 10
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Keith Goodman, KO - 10am
JC star man: Dan Green (Harmen)
DC Prediction: Harmen 2 Lions 1
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A vs OAKWOOD A
Bouncebackability is the name of the game for Oakwood ahead of the trip to title-chasing Redbridge.
Ric Blank described the team’s defeat against Faithfold as “inexplicable” and he won’t stand for a repeat performance, especially with the Anekstein Cup semi-final against Raiders looming large.
The Oakwood joint-manger told JC Sport: “We're smarting after last week's defeat to Faithfold. We really shouldn't have lost that game and the boys know they didn't turn up in that first 30 minutes - and it cost us.
“Redbridge beat us earlier in the season when we were decimated with injuries so early in the season. We are travelling with a strong squad and are looking forward to showing what we're really about.
“We hope the weather holds - it'll be a great game if it does."
Some people have already written off Redbridge for the title, but not me. Okay, Hendon and Raiders are the favourites, but several players in the RJC camp have won the title before, and they have experience from front to back. And most importantly, they know how to grind out a result.
Ahead of kick-off, RJC boss Sam Rosenthal told JC Sport: "All we can do is aim to win all our games and hope for a slip up from others. We're looking forward to getting out there after a couple weeks off."
Apprentice star Dan Lassman was RJC’s match-winner in the early-season meet, but I expect Sunday’s rematch to be much closer, with the Oaks coming away with something to show for their efforts.
JC team news: RJC are missing injured duo Steve Summers and Craig Sandford. Richard Caplin and Danny Hakimi return.
Oakwood's Adam Levine faces a late fitness test, as is Dan Rose. Simon Davies, Josh Bentley and Dave Cohen return. Eddie Manson is away,” doing damage to a hotel buffet somewhere in Tenerife”.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
RJC
MGBSFL – Harmen (h)
MGBSFL – Woodford (a)
OAK
CAC - Raiders (h)
MGBSFL - Woodford (a)
TOP-SCORERS
RJC – Steve Summers 6
Oak - Dave Woolman 15
Venue - Fairlop, Ref – Adam Lewis
JC star man: Dave Cohen (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: RJC 1 Oakwood 1
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
23 - Daniel Garfinkle (Redbridge JC B – including 3 for RJC A)
17 - Jake Gilbert (NL Raiders B)
LOS BLANCOS vs BRIXTON OLD BOYS
This one has home banker written all over it. Simple as that. Blancos are flying, Brixton are struggling, big time. There can only be one winner. Surely.
The Blancos boys are in the midst of a long unbeaten run. The players are playing with smiles on their faces and manager Jonathan Ison was relieved that no-one made a bid for red-hot striker Simon Moses, who will be looking to fill his boots against a Brixton side thumped 5-2 at the back-end of last year.
Brixton are treading on quicksand at the minute. I’ve heard rumours that one or two of their players want out, even on loan deals until the end of the season.
Damage limitation could be Brixton’s best bet.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
BLANCOS
MGBSFL – RJC (h)
BGT – SPEC (a)
BGT – Mill Hill (a)
BRIXTON
MGBSFL - SPEC FC (h)
MGBSFL - Brady (h)
MGBSFL - RJC (a)
TOP-SCORERS
Blancos – Simon Moses 14
Brix - Lee Cutler 4
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Neal Cohen
JC star man: Adam Hersh (Blancos)
DC Prediction: Blancos 3 Brixton 0
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NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS B vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B
Match of the day sees league leaders Redbridge B visit arch rivals Raiders B.
L’Orange boss Jonathan Adelman told me last week that RJC are “nailed on” to win the title, but I don’t expect them to lay out the red carpet treatment, especially not in front of their own fans.
Adelman was delighted by the nature of last week’s important win over Blizzard, describing it as the team’s “best performance in four months”.
The NLR chief has clearly been doing his maths. With Camden Park now out of the automatic promotion mix, Adelman has challenged his players to register “two points from their remaining two games to ensure Los Blancos can't catch us for second place”.
Jake Gilbert and Nicky Woolf both featured on the scoresheet last week and they will be looking to get behind the RJC defence.
Adelman told JC Sport: “To be in this position given how many important players have been missing for so much of the season is in my view as big an achievement as last season's Invincibles. Now we need to close things out and secure promotion.”
The foundations for RJC’s success this season has been built around a solid defence. They have conceded just 16 in 12 games, by far the best of any team in the division. And where you have players such as Daniel Garfinkle, Sam Sollosi and Nathan Sollosi banging them in at the other end, it’s clearly a recipe for success.
The east Londoners have won 10 out of 12, including a crucial 3-2 win over Raiders, and they will be looking to deliver another big blow on super Sunday.
RJC are unbeaten at home and the head-to-head between Gilbert and Garfinkle will be worth the admission fee alone. It’s definitely one not to miss.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
RAIDERS
MGBSFL – Blizzard (a)
REDBRIDGE
MGBSFL – Blancos (a)
MGBSFL - Brixton (a)
TOP-SCORERS
NLR - Jake Gilbert 17
RJC - Daniel Garfinkle 23
Venue - Brunel, Ref – Tony McEvoy, KO - 10am
JC star man: David Simnock (NLR)
DC Prediction: RJC 2 NLR 2
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
14 - Adam Stolerman (FC Team C)
13 - Ben Zloof (AC Mill Hill)
OAKWOOD B vs NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS C
NLR’s David Domb has described Sunday’s trip to Oakwood as “The battle for 'best of the rest' in Division Two”.
Raiders look favourites to finish fourth, but it’s clear they hide Sunday’s hosts in high regard and David Domb is expecting a tough encounter.
He told JC Sport: “We opened the season against Oakwood and were perhaps a little unlucky not to take all three points on that occasion.
“They were a good side, and from what I remember battled well after falling two-goals behind. We know Jason has high standards for his team, and rightly so.
“It looks like our position is safe in the league for now, but we can't be stepping off just yet. With the Barry Goldstein Trophy to come, the boys are all confident of another good cup run, whilst finishing as close to the top three as possible, so the season is far from over yet. There’s still plenty of games on the way and the boys are all playing for places.
It’s been a testing couple of weeks for Oakwood boss Jason Stein. He’s had to block one or two people on Twitter and hope his defence adopts the same attitude for L’Orange strikers on Sunday.
Four more points should make them safe, but Stein is keen to silence his critics and win their remaining games. Given their personnel, that’s more than possible.
Having been the only Sports Editor invited to the ground on #deadlineday, here’s what Stein had to say. “DC, good afternoon. Busy week on the tinternet last week with the Tussie/Stein spat driving more traffic than a dodgy set of lights on the Barnet Bypass.
“Another cancellation last week which means we're now undefeated for three weeks going into Raiders C. That's some nice momentum right there and we're going to try and keep that going - albeit with some actual football - this week.
“We drew 3-3 with Raiders back in September when they equalised very late and I'm sure Sunday will be another tasty encounter.
“However, we don't make life easy for any side at The Spear and we'll be focusing on playing our expansive football, getting the ball wide, moving nicely in midfield and, crucially, working on our defending.
“The time for talking is finished although I do quickly want to remind readers that Ian Tussie, like Steven Gerrard, actually quit his post. Just saying.”
Stein always tries to look on the bright side of life and if his players execute his game-plan and focus for the full 90, we might just see a smile return to his face.
JC team news: Oakwood have got a strong squad this week, including midfielders Carl Peters, Dave Eden and Nicky Harris while defender Johnny Beilin “also joins us. Ben Polak is still clinically dead so he misses out”.
NLR’s Nick Haringman joins Jonny Blain and Sam Cherkas as unavailable, though David Domb should return after missing the 4-0 win over Catford.
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Neil Cooper, KO – 10am
JC star man: Carl Peters (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 3 NLR 2
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FC TEAM B vs AC WHETSTONE
FC Team B continue their merciless march against one of the league’s youngest teams for whom it could be a long 90 minutes.
Having tipped Mitch Young’s troops pre-season, I’m confident they will go on to land the title, with Catford to follow next week.
The second derby defeat was a real wake-up call, and Team haven’t conceded since. They have turned into a winning machine, scoring the most and conceding the fewest. It’s hard to spot a real weakness anywhere in their armoury.
Whetstone claimed a crucial win last week, but they will be fearful of the threat posed by Team front man Richard Salmon, who scored twice against them earlier in the season. Having seen him terrorise Team Maccabi GB defender Michael Sacks a couple of years ago, he should really be playing in the top flight.
Dan Weisellberg was Whetstone’s stand-out performer last week, but no-one will envy him trying to keep Salmon quiet, not to mention Andy Sheena, Adam Rones and Lorian Madanes.
But joint-manager Clive Nathan is keen to take the pressure of his team of teens, telling JC Sport: “With five games left until it's all over we just want to enjoy every minute.”
Whichever way you look at this, I can only see one winner.
JC team news: Whetstone are without Dan Brennan, Ethan Davis, Josh Silverman and David Clements through unavailability or injury. Phillipe Auret sits this one out due to rotation.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
TEAM
MGBSFL – Catford (h)
WHETSTONE
MGBSFL – Raiders (h)
TOP-SCORERS
Team – Richard Salmon 10
Whetstone - Dan Cohen 7
Venue – Gosling Sports Park, Ref – Martin De La Fuente, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ben Binder (Team)
DC Prediction: Team 3 Whetstone 1
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L’EQUIPE vs FC TEAM C
L’Equipe go into Sunday’s clash with promotion hopefuls FC Team C with no fear.
Beaten 4-3 by Team in October, L’Equipe know they start the game as huge underdogs, and that they must cut the supply line to the ever-dangerous Adam Stolerman who fired a hat-trick in the autumn meet.
Some teams are losing sleep over the prospect of a relegation battle, but not L’Equipe. They have great confidence in their own ability and believe they have what it takes to register their result of the season.
Joint-manager Josh Lewis told JC Sport: “I’m hoping we get the game on this weekend. We’ve had a couple of postponements recently due to the frozen pitches, but we’ve still been getting full attendance at training so the team are all raring to go and also looking forward to a cup run in the Barry Goldstein Cup over the coming weeks.
“This weekend we have a strong squad available. It’s nearly the same squad that came close to beating FC Team C in our last meeting when I felt we were unlucky to lose 4-3 after having made an excellent comeback from being 3-1 down.
“FC Team C seem to concede a lot of goals and have paid for that in recent games, so we’re aiming to take advantage of their weaknesses at the back and ensure that we tightly mark their strikers.
With Marc Glucksman in goal and Dave Prager leading the defence FC Team can expect a difficult morning.
FC Team C are the great entertainers of Division Two. It’s no surprise that their remaining games are sell-outs and player-manager David Gordon is confident they can bounce back from the heart-breaking defeat against promotion rivals AC Mill Hill.
They remain five points off the pace, but with four games in hand, it’s hard to look past them. That’s not to say I’m writing L’Equipe off in a game that will all boil down to which side takes their chances.
JC team news: L’Equipe are missing James Bell, “who we’re expecting back soon after being out for the past few months,” Ian Baron, Gid Chain and Adam Graham, “who will unfortunately be out for the season following a serious injury picked up in the week”.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
L’EQUIPE
BGT – Camden (a)
MGBSFL – Jewdinese (h)
MGBSFL – Raiders (a)
TEAM
MGBSFL – Mill Hill (a)
MGBSFL – Raiders (a)
MGBSFL - Jewdinese
TOP-SCORERS
L’Equipe – Andy Smith 5
Team - Adam Stolerman 14
Venue –West Hendon , Ref – Robert Benardout, KO – 10am
JC star man: James Milman (Team)
DC Prediction: L’Equipe 2 Team 3
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JEWDINESE vs CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI
The bottom two teams in Division Two locks horns in a game where defeat for either will spell doom and gloom.
I expected much more from Nese this season, and even the return from injury of Simeon Cohen has failed to galvanise them. They were involved in a real thriller against AC Whetstone last week and the fact that they have started scoring again can only be good news.
That said, boss Darren Lawrence is desperate to avoid his team becoming the first to get relegated and win the Barry Goldstein Trophy in the same season.
Dan Green and Jamie Sinai fired the bullets that shot Nese down earlier in the season – one of only two wins for Lester Jacobs’s boys all season. It wasn’t one for the purists that day and I can see this being a case of more of the same.
However, quality isn’t essential in relegation six-pointer which are more about bottle and discipline than anything else.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
NESE
BGT – Hendon B (a)
MGBSFL – L’Equipe (a)
MGBSFL – FC Team C (a)
CATFORD
MGBSFL – FC Team B (a)
BGT – Raiders C (a)
TOP-SCORERS
Nese - Zack Collins 8
Cat - Jamie Sinai 5
Venue – Napsbury Park, Ref – Laurie Benson
JC star man: Simeon Cohen (Nese)
DC Prediction: Jewdinese 3 Catford & Bromley 2
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DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
22 - Avi Markiweicz (London Rovers)
19 - Adam Ellis (Shacharit Donetsk)
BOCA JEWNIORS vs REAL SOSOBAD
Dan Shafron still believes his team can muscle in on a top two finish, but three points are essential if Sosobad are to realise his ambitions.
The east Londoners have been starved of action since the turn of the year, with the defeat against basement battlers Temple Fortune still haunting their fans.
They now have a favourable run of games in which they must look to string a series of wins together, and handsome ones at that. Attack, attack, attack is the name of the game from here on in.
I'm not sure where Boca will get their goals from on Sunday. They fell well short of the standard required against Lions last week, and an early goal could result in the floodgates opening.
Anton Nyman was in charge of media duties at Boca this week. Ahead of the game, he told JC Sport: “After an extremely disappointing second-half last week, we're tasked with playing against a team in the upper echelons of the league to show our true footballing credentials and bounce back in fanciful style; it's going to be tough with a couple of absentees still in the treatment room, but with the sterling performances of players like Danny Yeshua, Dale Bradman and Jamie Weinrich in the last few weeks, we have some hope of proving our critics wrong.”
The bottom line is that Sosobad haven’t scored enough goals this season and if they can rediscover their ruthless streak, they might yet be rewarded.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
BOCA
MGBSFL – Faithfold (h)
MGBSFL – Sosobad (a)
REAL
MGBSFL – Lions (h)
MGBSFL – Shacharit (a)
MGBSFL – Boca (h)
TOP-SCORERS
Boca – Lioz Tov 4
Real - Richard Rosenthal, Barry Green, Josh Jacobs 4
Venue – Roger Bannister, Ref – Steve Levy, KO – 10am
JC star man: Barry Green (Sosobad)
DC Prediction: Boca 1 Sosobad 3
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FAITHFOLD B vs KING CROWN
A King Crown win would go some way to securing promotion as they take on nearest rivals Faithfold.
Having been in the top two all season, Jacob Kadoch’s boys believe they deserve to go up, and their fans haven’t given up on the title altogether. The fact they were recently awarded three points for the match against Faithfold, one they lost 2-1 but were awarded on default, came as a major boots.
Kadoch and co have had plenty of time to reflect on back-to-back defeats against Shacharit and leaders London Rovers, and they are ready to go again and show Faithfold who are top dog.
Faithfold were also beaten by King Crown last time out and the concession of four goals – for the first time this season – bothered boss Rob Shooman.
He knows that defeat would end their automatic promotion hopes and will have his team ready to produce something special.
Looking ahead to the game, Shooman told JC Sport: “I’m sure we will try to put out a competitive side to hopefully compete with a very good King Crown outfit.
"They must be favourites going into this game, but my guys will give it their best.”
Sunday is ultimately Faithfold’s cup final. Defeat isn’t an option.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
FAITH
MGBSFL - Rovers (h)
MGBSFL - Boca (a)
MGBSFL - Lions (h)
CROWN
MGBSFL - KS (h)
MGBSFL - Shacharit (h)
TOP-SCORERS
Faithfold - Dan Gordon 8
Crown - Phil Braham 12
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Gary Silver, KO – 10am
JC star man: Dan Gordon (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 2 King Crown 1
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HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS GREEN
Hendon manager Adam Glekin faces a selection headache on Sunday as his in-form side take on Lions Green on Sunday.
Hendon had won four games on the spin, but haven't played for three weeks, and Glekin has warned his side against complacency.
Glekin told JC Sport: "Despite our comprehensive win against the Lions a few weeks ago, they caused us some problems and have some very capable players. They'll be out for revenge so we must not take anything for granted.
“Our pitch has been dire in the second half of the season - I wish this game was at Rowley Lane but we'll have to make do. I have no idea if it will even be playable on Sunday, but if it is then I expect us to dig in and win the game.”
Lions recovered well from their 6-1 mauling against Hendon with a 6-1 win of their very own, at the expense of Boca last week. They were boosted by the presence of A-team top-scorer Connor Perl and it will be interesting to see how they cope without him, as the team has been struggling for regular goal-getter.
The Lions boys have been brought up playing on carpets at Rowley Lane and if the match beats the freeze, you have to fancy Hendon doing the business.
JC team news: Glen Turner will be missing for Hendon on Sunday, which gives Chaim Strom the chance to come back into the side, but other than that Glekin says he should have everyone else available. Gab Saul's waterproof socks were denied their debut due to a frozen pitch two weeks ago, but they may we'll see an outing this time out if the pitch holds up.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
HENDON
BGT – Jewdinese (h)
BGT – Fortune (a)
MGBSFL – KS (a)
LIONS
MGBSFL - Sosobad (h)
BGT – FC Team B (a)
MGBSFL – Faithfold (a)
TOP-SCORERS
Hendon - Saul Cohen 5
Lions - Jerome Colmans 3
Venue – Montrose Park, Ref – Martin Lavender
JC star man: Chaim Strom (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Hendon 3 Lions 2
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KS REUNITED vs LONDON ROVERS
Jeremy Brown is taking nothing for granted ahead of London Rovers’s trip to KS Reunited.
The bookies have already paid out on them winning the title, but Brown is taking it one game at a time, ahead of their challenge in the Barry Goldstein Trophy.
But the champagne is on ice and with Avi Markiewicz back in top form, he’ll be looking to destroy the KS defence for the second time this season.
Brown said "We have a really difficult month ahead and the league hasn't been decided yet. There is still some work we have to do in order to finish as champions.
“We had two fantastic results against our rivals, but we still have to play them again and make sure we don't give them an opportunity to get close to us.
“KS this week will not be an easy game and we need to treat this game in the same way we treated the King Crown and Faithfold games.
“We need to give KS respect because they won’t turn up to lose, I'm certain of that. I just don't want anyone to get carried away because we need to focus on each game as it comes and if there is something to celebrate along the way then we will do that for sure."
KS are determined not to finish with the wooden spoon. But scoring goals has proved an issue in recent outings and if they concede early on, expect the worst.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
KS
MGBSFL – King Crown (a)
MGBSFL – Hendon (h)
MGBSFL – KS (a)
ROVERS
MGBSFL – Faithfold (h)
BGT – Camden (a)
MGBSFL – Fortune (a)
TOP-SCORERS
KS – James Ryan, Zack Gordon 5
Rovers – Avi Markiewicz 22
Ref – Barry David
JC star man: Aron Luftig (Rovers)
DC Prediction: KS 0 Rovers 4
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ALSO SEE:
DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 22 AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Josh Pistol (Norstar London Raiders A)
MANAGER OF THE WEEK
Rob Richman (Norstar London Raiders A)
DANNY CARO'S GOAL OF THE WEEK - JONAH GORDON BOYD
DANNY CARO'S QUOTE OF THE WEEK - CLIVE NATHAN
SAVE OF THE WEEK
JAKE DOFFMAN (NL Raiders A) - made an outstanding double save at 3-0. Reacted brilliantly to first parry a Dan Green strike from close-range and then stop the follow up from going in
