There's a full league programme scheduled in the MGBSFL on Matchday 11, with the clash between Norstar London Raiders A and defending champions Hendon United Sports Club A the pick of the bunch. Danny Caro brings you his preview and predictions.
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MATCH PHOTOS: REDBRIDGE JC B vs HENDON UTD SC A
MATCH PHOTOS: WOODFORD vs REDBRIDGE JC A
MATCH PHOTOS: MANCHESTER 1st vs MANCHESTER 2nd
PHOTOGALLERIES FROM THE SEASON
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SEASON
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND THREE DRAW
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND 3 DRAW
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
DANNY CARO'S PREM DIV TEAM OF THE WEEK
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS A vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
Match of the day sees title rivals Raiders and Hendon go head-to-head for the first time this season, with L’Orange keen to make a big statement of intent after the Reds pipped them to the post in not one but two competitions last year.
Last season, NLR led the way in the league for three quarters of the season, only for David Garbacz’s men to complete a stunning comeback as they conquered an impossible-looking fixture backlog.
Both teams go into the game in great shape and the early signs are that this year’s title will be between them and Harmen, though it’d be foolish to write Redbridge and Oakwood out altogether.
Jamie Wolfson and David Dinkin fired NLR to a hard-earned win at Oakwood last Sunday and boss Rob Richman is confident his men can do the business in Willesden on Sunday morning.
He told JC Sport: “Both sides have changed slightly from last season, though our league records thus far are near enough identical.
“It promises to be an enthralling game and with so many good players on the pitch I expect we'll have quite the match.”
In terms of the personnel changes Richman is talking about, Jacob Gold has returned to NLR following a stint at Hendon, albeit he’s now playing for their B-team, while Ethan Zone has moved the other way. Added to that, NLR have drafted in some top-notch talent in the shape of Ricky Engleman and Liron Mannie, who will be looking to dominate in the absence of Player of the Year Ari Last.
Hendon have come through two titanic cup battles against Redbridge B, and they won’t relax the grip on the title any time soon. Garbacz demands that.
He told JC Sport: “We are eagerly awaiting the big top of the league clash on Sunday. Although we haven’t quite hit top form yet this season, we are still more than handily placed and a positive result on Sunday will give everyone belief that we can retain our title.
“This will be a major obstacle to overcome. however. We have lost our captain and last year’s player of the season, Ari Last, to a bad knee injury sustained in last week’s big cup battle and it is now time for others to step up to the plate.
“Avi Korman has been desperate for a run in midfield and now it looks like he needs to put his performances where his mouth is and step into the void – he is more than good enough.
“We pipped Raiders in dramatic fashion last season both in the league and cup final and have a tremendous recent record against them – however they have improved even further this year whilst our team is now younger and possibly less experienced than it has been for a while.
“I expect a great game on Sunday between two teams with the utmost of respect for one another – we have a couple of secret weapons they wouldn’t have seen before and in what will almost definitely be a tight match. We believe we have the match winners to see us over the line and put us in pole position for the season ahead.”
Just how you get the likes of Matt Stock, Jamie Wolfson, Ricky Engleman, Ben Joseph, Liron Mannie and David Dinkin into one team is a headache most managers would love.
I think the absence of Last could play into NLR’s hands and if their big-match players turn up, they might just have enough on the day.
JC team news: Alex Bloch is away for NLR, and Elliott Espinoza and Adam Joselyn still nurse knee and ankle injuries respectively, but otherwise Raiders are at full strength.
Ari Last “was the victim last week of one of Redbridge’s more “enthusiastic” tackles and he suffered knee damage and is out for between 3-5 weeks which is a big blow”. Yoav Kestenbaum might be available for his first outing of the season. Avidan Last and Russell Corin return after missing out last week. They have no other injury concerns.
Venue – Capital City, Ref – Tony McEvoy, KO – 10am
JC star man: Matt Stock (NLR)
DC Prediction: NLR 2 Hendon 1
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FC TEAM A vs WOODFORD WANDERERS
The derby win in the Morrison came as a major boost to everyone at Woodford, but now manager Tony Charles turns his attentions to the league and three points on Sunday as his troops look to pull out of the danger zone.
The Woodford boys were quality from back to front against a Redbridge team containing the likes of Daran Bern, Danny Berg and Adam Hakimi last weekend, but they must park any thoughts of a third-round meeting with Leeds Maccabi to one side for the next few weeks as they look to climb the table.
Dan Cooper popped up with a rare goal, but it was talisman Mitch Hahn who, once again, grabbed the headlines with a deadly double to seal a memorable 3-1 win.
Ahead of the trip to north-west London, Charles told JC Sport: "After last Sunday's result in an irrelevant cup competition, my players will have to remain focused and stay hungry as the league is our priority.
"However, we are once again fighting against the uncontrollables as our squad is paper thin."
Team also claimed an eye-catching result, beat an MLL Blue team 5-1 who had beaten them in the league the previous week. Shim Bensoor produced his best performance in a Team shirt to go home with the matchball after a fab four-goal salvo.
Ahead of Sunday's meeting with Woodford, Team head coach Ben Gilbey told JC Sport: "We have a strong team going out for what, for me, is a huge game.
"We are close to Woodford in the league, with a game in hand and it is important we get the win to give ourselves some breathing room.
"Woodford have had some good results recently, especially noting their win against Redbridge A. However, on our current form, I am a strong believer that as long as we are finishing and taking chances, we are one of the best teams around.
"Shim Bensoor, who has been playing at centre forward this year, is improving week in week out and following his four goals last week, he is certainly a player for defences to be worried about.
"Last time we played, it finished 2-2, but really we should have won 6 or 7 -2. This weekend we are concentrated on getting three points and I hope the demolition of London Lions last week will give us plenty of confidence."
"I expect it to be an exciting game, as per usual when FC Team A are involved."
A high-octane encounter is on the cards in a game which will be decided by the side that wins their individual and collective battles. It should be a cracker.
Venue – Old Camdenians, Ref – Andy Myerson
JC star man: Rob Sanford (Team)
DC Prediction: Team 3 Woodford 2
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS BLUE
Redbridge will be looking to bounce back from, as one fan told me, was a “horror show” against Woodford last week.
The east Londoners had high hopes of going a long way in the Jewish FA Cup, but they were undone by two moments of magic from Mitch Hahn. Not even the presence of former Player of the Year Daran Bern could lift them.
With boss Sam Rosenthal away, Danny Berg has been left to pick up the pieces and, no doubt, he’ll be looking to lift a few chins off the ground in training this week.
Bergy told JC Sport: "We were very disappointed going out in the PMT, but we need to put that behind us and crack on with our decent start in the league.
"To be honest, we played some very good football last weekend and it could've honestly been double figures, but Ben Rosenthal was immense in goal, along with us not being able to finish our dinner. If one early goal would have gone in then the floodgates would have opened, but it didn’t happen.
"Fair play to Woodford, they hung on and got the win. We’re looking forward to putting it right this weekend against Lions and gaining three points."
The Lions also suffered a cup exit, crashing 5-1 against FC Team A. Ric Jacobson’s goal was about the only positive as far as boss Jamie Kyte was concerned.
With three wins and three defeats from their six league games, Kyte will be looking for a consistent run up to Chanukah to ensure their doughnuts taste that little bit sweeter this year.
He told JC Sport: “We've got a point to prove on the back of last week's loss. We were really poor and if we can travel to Essex, get all three points and go above Redbridge then we'll be back on track.”
A Lions win would see them leapfrog RJC. That could spark angry protests from the Fairlop faithful. It’s not in their nature to park the bus so if they play their cards right, I can see a spirited Lions team sneaking home.
JC team news: James Gold returns for Lions, but Adam Kosky is out.
Venue - Fairlop, Ref – Keith Gold, KO – 10am
JC star man: James Gold (MLL)
DC Prediction: RJC 0 MLL 1
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OAKWOOD A vs HARMEN
Harmen were given a major scare by Camden in the cup last week. In the end new signing Mike Pearson marked a dream debut with the winning goal, in extra-time.
Lying a point off top spot, Harmen look well-equipped to go the distance, and the presence and experience of JC Goalkeeper of the Week Matt Shields will stand them in good stead between now and the business end of the season. They have a rock-solid spine and can score goals from anywhere.
Ahead of kick-off, Harmen joint-manager Joel Alterman told JC Sport: "We are on a roll now - four weeks unbeaten and we will be looking to continue our good run of form.
"Teams like Oakwood are always going to be a tough challenge and we know that we are going to come up against a well=organised team who will want to stop the 'new boys' continuing their march on the league.
"It’s another game on 3G, which suits us perfectly, but with it being Oakwood’s home pitch, we know that they will be equally suited to playing on the fast surface.
"It’s one of those games that we have been looking forward to since the fixture was announced and with the strength of our squad, we are confident of being able to take all three points on the day.
"Everyone who picked up a knock in the extra-time match last week seems to have recovered in time for this game and we have a near full strength squad to choose from.
"Co-manager Joe Marsh is away in Barcelona this week, teaching the Barca boys how to play, so we are down to our smallest management team of the season of just two people!"
Bouncebackability is the name of the game for Oakwood. A 2-0 home defeat against Raiders was a spanner in the works and they have now lost as many as they have won.
Injuries are holding them back at the minute and the cup might be their best hope of silverware this season.
But that won’t stop Blanky’s boys trying to shoot down the big names of Harmen in a match that guarantees five-star entertainment.
Ahead of the game, he told JC Sport: "The big games are coming thick and fast right now. It's the benefit of having a 3G pitch.
"Harmen are the best team in the league on paper. They signed a whole new squad in the summer to deal with promotion and it's no surprise they're at the top of the league. I'd be amazed if they didn't win a trophy this year.
"My boys have been with me for years - I couldn't have done what the guys at Harmen have done, building a whole new team just like that - but fair play to them. Oakwood are about spirit and a determination to improve and testing ourselves against the best is the only way to measure ourselves.
"We still have aspirations of competing this season despite the numerous injuries we've suffered. At centre half we've been dealt body blows with Eddie Manson, Adam Levine and Sam Jacobson all out with long-term injuries. Dave Cohen has also been injured and we're without Guy Helman and Bobbie Cousins this Sunday too.
"But one man's absenteeism is another's opportunity and I expect the boys to show what they're made of on Sunday. As ever, we can't wait for Sunday morning."
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Gary Silver
JC star man: Ricky Rinder (Harmen)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 1 Harmen 2
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DIVISION ONE
DANNY CARO'S DIV ONE TEAM OF THE WEEK
BLIZZARD STORM vs BRADY MACCABI
Mid-table isn’t where Blizzard and Brady fans wanted to be going into the busy pre-Chanukah spell.
Having crashed out of the Morrison at the hands of the Masters Rep team, Simon Linden’s Blizzard have games in hand on the teams around them as they go in search of three points against a Brady team they’ve already drawn with this season.
Linden believes they could’ve won that day had it not been for an inspired performance from Sam Singer in the Brady goal.
Four points from a possible six against one of their promotion challengers would be a good building block. Linden told JC Sport: “It's a big game, there's no doubt about it - I want a reaction from my team from last week’s poor performance.
“We know we weren't good enough and must improve.”
The less said about the SPEC FC game the better, as far as Brady are concerned. Most people had it down as a home banker, but it ended up being a coupon spoiler.
Remember it’s Blizzard who are the team without a recognised keeper, but the number of goals conceded by Brady has set alarm bells ringing.
The battle between Henry Ziff and Ben Ellis is key to the outcome.
Venue - Hertwood, Ref – Neil Cooper
JC star man: Conor Brand (Blizzard)
DC Prediction: Blizzard 2 Brady 1
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CAMDEN PARK vs NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS B
Camden pushed Harmen all the way last weekend and will be out to prove a point against another of the MGBSFL’s up-and-coming teams.
Rob Hershkorn is in top form right now, while the Marks brothers have shown their class in recent weeks.
But manager Nick Kagan knows his team’s promotion credentials face an acid test against their nearest rivals.
He told JC Sport: “Although we are still gutted about last Sunday’s loss to Harmen, after reviewing the video footage, there are a lot of positives to take from the game.
“We dominated a top Premiership team for the majority of the game and clearly deserved to win in the 90 minutes.
“However, we cannot dwell on it for too long as we have a promotion battle to focus on and a match this weekend against one of our promotion rivals.
“Norstar are a good team and will be looking to bounce back from their draw last week, so we have to make sure we are fully focused to achieve our objective of three points.”
Many inside the Camden camp felt that Rob Hershkorn was hard done by after Jake Gilbert pipped him to the title of October Player of the Month. Sunday’s head-to-head will be guaranteed the admission fee alone as NLR prepare to rub shoulders with a team vying for an instant return to the top-flight.
Gilbert was on target again last Sunday, as NLR staged a dramatic late comeback against Blancos.
It’s hard to call a winner on Sunday as NLR are more free-scoring than a Camden team with an excellent defensive record.
In the end it could all come down to small details.
JC team news: Michael Khalastchi and David Khalastchi have returned from their respective injuries and will be assessed in training today, however it is unlikely that both, or either, will be fit enough to start. Ben Harris and Sam Bennett remain on the treatment table.
Venue – Hatfield, Ref – Martin Lavender, KO – 10am
JC star man: Mike Hershman (NLR)
DC Prediction: Camden 2 NLR 2
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B vs BRIXTON OLD BOYS
David Garbacz paid Redbridge B a huge compliment last week when he said they are “better than some teams in the Premier Division”.
Having more than held their own against last season’s double winners over 180 minutes of football, they can now put all their eggs into one basket and go for gold in the league.
The east Londoners have had no problems raising their game for the best team in Jewish football. But the million dollar question is, can they do it on a dark, cold morning against the battlers of Brixton. Only time will tell …
Venue - Fairlop, Ref – Robert Benardout
JC star man: Scott Oldstein (RJC)
DC Prediction: Redbridge 3 Brixton 1
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SPEC FC vs ATHLETIC BILBAUM
The SPEC FC boys are on a high following last week’s terrific result of Brady Maccabi.
It was certainly a result I didn’t see coming, but just goes to show what they are capable of.
On Sunday they host a Bilbaum team smarting from a heavy defeat and back-to-back wins are on the cards for the team managed by Ricky Lawrence and Michael Rhodes.
Ryan Fox, Marc Hecht and Marc Cohen were the heroes for SPEC last Sunday and three points against the Baums could lift them up as high as third.
Looking ahead to the game, Ricky Lawrence told JC Sport: “After a great result last week, we'll be hoping to gain another vital three points this weekend but we know that Bilbaum are a good side and will be looking for revenge following our victory over them earlier in the season.
“We will make sure we present them with countless chances if we take the lead though after they moaned about us keeping the ball last time!
“Hopefully James Lesner will be able to shake off his knock after some heavy treatment from Brady last week and we are hoping to unveils new signing too, providing the paperwork goes through in time."
The Baums go into the game in fourth spot, but with five defeats already to their name it will take something special for them to challenge for automatic promotion.
A heavy defeat against Brixton would’ve hurt everyone at the club and this might just play into SPEC FC’s hands.
Venue - The Ark, Ref – Alex Smith, KO – 10.15am
JC star man: James Lesner (SPEC FC)
DC Prediction: SPEC FC 3 Bilbaum 1
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DIVISION TWO
AC MILL HILL vs NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS C
Norstar will be looking to build on last week's cup victory as they take on AC Mill Hill.
A workmanlike win over HMH set up a mouth-watering third-round Morrison trip to Premier Division Neasden and I’ve heard tickets are already flying for that one.
But before that, a first league win is the priority, starting on Sunday. Assistant-manager David Domb told JC Sport: “Having played Mill Hill a few seasons ago, and knowing a bit about them through some of our players, we'll be up for a good game, and if we play as we played last week will hopefully get a result at Chase Lodge.
“We seem to have not played a league game for a while and we know we need to get a league win under our belts and if we play as we know we can, this Sunday is a great opportunity to get that win.”
Mill Hill look to have overcome some teething problems and one of the things that would’ve pleased boss Dan Beresford most after last week’s win over L’Equipe, was the fact that they hit the target four times, without Ben Zloof or Jamie Kent featuring. Joel Lassman and Jason Shoffman reminded their Division Two rivals that they are much more than a two-man team.
Beresford told me he has “several players out again,” but they are “hoping to come away with the right result”.
He told JC Sport: “The league standings are irrelevant and we need to turn up with the right attitude and still perform.”
This should be an open and entertaining affair, and I'm tipping the home side to take maximum points.
JC team news: NLR club captain Jonny Samuel is back in contention having been injured since the start of the season.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Martin Fox, KO – 10am
JC star man: Joel Lassman (Mill Hill)
DC Prediction: Mill Hill 2 NLR 1
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CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI vs OAKWOOD B
High-flying Oakwood are preparing for what is expected to be an almighty battle against the Cats in Edmonton.
Boss Jason Stein will be looking for a big reaction following last week’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Jewdinese, a result which has seen them slip off the pace. With a game in hand on the teams above them, three points are vital on Sunday.
Stein was in typically jovial mood ahead of the crunch clash. “Thanks for coming down to the training ground to speak to me,” he told JC Sport. “Thursday is easier for me as those potatoes won't roast themselves for Shabbos dinner!
"It's a big game against Catford on Sunday, that much is obvious. No side wants to lose two in a row and we're no different. We need to get back to winning ways and ensure that last Sunday wasn't a regression to the mean.
"The league table means very little to me in terms of assessing Catford. I'm sure they're a decent side and after last week, there is no danger of complacency setting in.
"I want us to relax, get the ball on the ground and play with some smiles on our faces. We have the quality, but the attitude needs to follow.
"We've got a few regulars like Max Clynes, Elliot Jackson and Ben Polak away, but we're still able to call on 13 or 14 players which is testament to the size and calibre of the squad we have. I have faith in every player who pulls on the sacred 'deep-red' of Oakwood B and once they make like Japquin Pheonix and walk the line I believe in each one of them. Haydon Davidson will play a big role going forward and it's great to have Dan Selwyn back in the middle of the park.
"The board (Blanky) have continued to back me in the transfer market and we've added a goalkeeper, Jonathan "Broc" Kennedy to our ranks this week. It was tough to get the deal done without the press finding out, but thankfully we agreed personal terms of a dollop of chopped liver and a kichel per-week very quickly and he passed his medical without any hiccups. Literally. He didn't hiccup once.
"We go again."
The Cats are chomping at the bit, with Lester Jacobs naming a “very strong squad of 15 this week, all desperate to play after last Sunday's game was called off”.
Other than long-term absentees Ryan Kangisser (I want England vs South Africa rugby tickets) and Tom Prevezer, the only other player missing is Gary Hill as he's headed back to Glasgow for the weekend to “stock up on deep fried Mars Bars”.
Captain Adam Luria told JC Sport: “We don't know anything about Oakwood, but will be expecting a tough game so, as ever, we'll need to make sure we're well up to the task.”
JC team news: Zak McLeod will be looking for a place back in the starting 11 after missing Catford’s win over Jewdinese and Jeff Gotch will also be vying for a place after missing the same game.
I can see lots of huffing and puffing from both sets of players, but expect the Oaks to come away with the upper hand.
Venue – Norseman FC, Ref – Stuart Ansher, KO – 10am
JC star man: Jonathan "Broc" Kennedy (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: CABMA 2 Oakwood 3
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JEWDINESE vs FC TEAM C
FC Team are licking their wounds after coming off second best in their Morrison meeting with FC Team B – their second derby in two weeks.
A run in the National cup competition would’ve been nice, but deep down boss David Gordon knows that the bread and butter of the league is what really matters, even if some of his more established stars fancied mixing it with the big boys in the latter rounds.
Team will be looking to extend their perfect league run, but match number six will be a real test, against a Jewdinese team that picked up a really good result last week.
Ahead of the game, Gordon told JC Sport: ““We have the chance to show our character and bounce back from defeat last weekend.
“We have shown our quality and effort levels against the B team in the league and, if we can match that this Sunday, then I’m confident we can win this game to keep in touch at the top of the table.”
Consistency is key for ‘Nese now. Darren Lawrence’s men must ensure the win over Oakwood wasn’t a flash in the pan. Yet to play either FC Team C or B this season, the manager and Jake Erlich will know much more about the squad come Sunday lunchtime.
I can see 'Nese asking questions of Team, but in the end experience will be the key factor.
Venue – Napsbury Park, Ref – John Nitka, KO – 10am
JC star man: Dan Alfreds (Team)
DC Prediction: Jewdinese 1 Team 2
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L’EQUIPE vs FC TEAM B
Having righted the wrongs of the Matchday 9, FC Team B are in for a tricky wet-weather test against L’Equipe.
Mitch Young was delighted his boys stepped up and avoided a second derby defeat. And it certainly allowed their fans to sleep a bit more comfortably.
The decision to move Danny Moss has added a new dimension to the boys in yellow and blue and he will be one of the players to watch on Sunday. Lorian Madanes was, once again, at his magical best on the wing, and he has fond memories of the first meeting with L’Equipe.
Ahead of Sunday’s trip, Young told JC Sport: “L’Equipe are a good team and we found it difficult to break them down last game, so we may have to be patient, but I am expecting us to go and win the game and after last week’s performance, confidence is high."
L’Equipe go into the game on the back of a poor result against Mill Hill. Mark Singer told JC Sport: “Last week’s was a disappointing day for everyone at L’Equipe. But we are not a team that dwells on the past. We will be reading and raring to make up for last week this Sunday against FC Team B.
“We will have our work cut out for ourselves as we know that FC Team B are as good as anyone in this league. We played them the first game of the season, but I think they will find us an altogether different team from the one they faced earlier in the season.
“We know that we are a match for anyone on our day and we very much intend for Sunday to be our day.
I’m sure Young will challenge his players to go on another good, unbeaten run, starting on Sunday.
JC team news:
JC team news: Team Welcome back Ben Binder who missed last week’s derby win.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Laurence Thorne
JC star man: Danny Moss (Team)
DC Prediction: L’Equipe 1 Team 3
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DIVISION THREE
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B vs BOCA JEWNIORS
Both Hendon and Boca registered much-needed wins on Matchday 10 and this all points towards an entertaining tussle at Montrose Park.
It was a case of ‘Tov m’e-odd’ for Boca last Sunday as new boy Lioz made a sensational start, finishing as a hat-trick hero in the 4-2 success at Fortune.
Boss Gabriel John predicts many more goals from his record signing, who really looked the part in a side that also featured former FC Team star Adam Rosenfeld.
John told JC Sport: “We go into Sunday’s game with our tails up. New signings Adam Rosenfeld and Lioz Tov look like the real deal.”
With a settled back four, and skipper Josh Marlow starting to motor in midfield, gaffer Gabe John is quietly confident ahead of Sunday.
"All the lads are really impressing me in training and with their attitude. Players like Adam H and Yaakov turn up and give their all.
“We also have players nearing return fitness, like Ash Diamond and Danny Yeshua, who will make a difference.
“We're also delighted to have Jamie Weinrich back this week.
“All in all the squad is taking shape and I just wish we could go from the off again.
“Adam Glekin always puts out a good competitive side and Sunday should be a good a tussle.
“Hopefully my mate Gab Saul won’t score the winner again!”
Hendon gave boss Adam Glekin the win he demanded, running out 3-1 victors against Shacharit courtesy of strikes from Benni Sluckis (2) and James Neidle.
The pair, together with Gideon Caller impressed Glekin most, but it will need a big team effort to stop a Boca side with the bit between their teeth.
Venue – Montrose Park, Ref – Robert Caplin, KO – 10am
JC star man: Lioz Tov (Boca)
DC Prediction: Hendon 2 Boca 3
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MACCABI LONDON LIONS GREEN vs LONDON ROVERS
Rovers chairman Viv Emanuel is loving life at the minute. A big win over Real Sosobad – one of their main rivals – left him beaming from ear to ear and, while his luck’s in, he told me he’s “hoping Fortune can get there first win of the season against KC”. His logic is that “a win against Lions and KC dropping points will see us go top”.
With Avi Markeweicz and Dovi Vogel in red-hot form, Rovers look strong favourites to come away from the Lane with maximum points, but Emanuel is taking nothing for granted.
He told JC Sport: “We need to make sure we focus on beating a Lions team who are out for revenge after the 5-0 loss. We have a great crop of players here and special things will happen, but we need to work as a team to the end. One week at a time will be our motto.
With Markeweicz and Vogel in devastating form, boss Jeremy Brown will encourage his players to get the ball to them at every opportunity in order to capitalise on a Lions team low on confidence.
But Brown was in cautious mood ahead of the game and he’s told his players not to get ahead of themselves. "At the moment there is a real buzz about the camp and everyone is looking really focused and determined to do well,” he told JC Sport.
“The victory over Sosobad last Sunday was a massive step forward for us, but in all honesty I saw it coming. My players have been incredibly responsive and the football we have been playing since our defeat to Sosobad last time round has been absolutely top-class.
“However, I have made it very clear to the players that we must not let our fantastic result last Sunday send us into a complacent mood. It can sometimes be very difficult when putting in so much effort to beat a top team and then facing a team struggling at the bottom the following week because players might start to think that the game is won before it even starts.
“The game against Lions will not be so easy and we have to keep in mind that any team can beat us if we are not prepared to put in the required effort.
“We need to stay focused and continue to improve game by game. No team will hand us a victory, we have to go out and get it for ourselves."
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Henry Raffe
JC star man: Yisroel Lewis (Rovers)
DC Prediction: MLL 1 Rovers 4
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REAL SOSOBAD vs KS REUNITED
Kick-off cannot come soon enough for Real Sosobad this week. The 5-3 defeat against London Rovers hurt everyone involved with the team, none more so than boss Dan Shafron, who has put so much time and effort into the whole project.
He told JC Sport: “I refuse to go in to too much detail about last week. There were no positives and for me, I do not like talking negatively in public about my players. They knew what I thought of their performance collectively and individually and some will be suffering with ejection from this weekend’s squad in a game which all my players really want to be part of.
“The Rovers game was not a football score, it was a hockey score. In one game we have now conceded the same amount of goals we have conceded in all six of our other games combined and this has wound me up. But the situation is now that we are six points behind the leaders, five behind second place and three ahead of a team who have three games in hand on us.
“We will need a lot of luck now if we are to finish as champions so we must get back to winning ways this weekend.
“We now look forward to this game against our local rivals with an immense amount of determination and intent.
“We know many of their players and are excited about finally meeting. At the moment we are in a higher league position, but I know they have had a lot of bad luck. They can score goals and have often taken the lead in games, however they have lacked the capability to close out a match and get the three points.
“They will be on a high after their draw with King Crown which was a fantastic result for them and the league so we must be wary of the threat they will pose.”
With Shafron promising changes for Sunday, he went on to say: “My squad will be picked based on players who showed the right desire, passion and attitude against Rovers. Individual form is ignored. So far we have adapted a very fair playing policy but for this one, players will be selected on who I believe deserves to be involved.”
Asked about the rumours circulating over KS’s in-form striker James Ryan, Shafron added: “I've been asked recently about certain players, but I will only speak about my players. James Ryan. Yes. He does interest me and is an excellent player, but he belongs to KS Reunited and is not one of my players. I will not talk about him.”
KS are a top-five team for me, but boss James Lewis won’t need to say much to motivate his players ahead of kick-off. Going 3-0 up against leaders King Crown was certainly a statement, but as Shafron says, they couldn’t see the game out.
Lewis told JC Sport: "After coming agonisingly close last week to pulling off a big shock against King Crown, we go into this game full of confidence knowing on our day we can run anyone close.
"We have been playing very well recently and just need to convert some wins into games. The local Essex derby is one that the whole town are talking about and our big away support will need to be at their very best."
The visitors will certainly be looking to put a spanner in the works for Sosobad, but I think the Shafron hairdryer will have the desired effect.
JC team news: Missing for KS are keeper Josh Cohen and utility man Ethan Deal, "both are off to Leeds this weekend on undisclosed business". Centre back David Cohen is out as is midfielder Jason Goldstein.
Venue – Peter May, Ref – Keith Goodman, KO – 10am
JC star man: James Law (Sosobad)
DC Prediction: Sosobad 2 KS 1
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TEMPLE FORTUNE vs KING CROWN
Jacob Kadoch is promising an improvement from his King Crown team after they dropped points for the first time this season.
There’s a chance that one or two of his players may have under-estimated KS Reunited but Kadoch will ensure his troops are focused and concentrate for the full 90 minutes against a struggling Fortune team.
He told JC Sport: “After switching off for 20-odd minutes last week, the boys will not be making the same mistake again.
“The boys will be looking to give their all from the first minute to the last kick off the game.
“We go into every game demanding three points and this Sunday is no different.”
It’s been a really tough start for Fortune, but manager Jonathan Cohen that the return of the prodigal son may lift some of the pressure.
Defeated 4-2 by Boca last Sunday, Cohen will ask his players to leave nothing on the pitch in a game they play the role of the underdog.
“Michael Goldberg makes his return to the team for the first time this season and Richard Cooper will make a cameo appearance between the sticks this week. He has been a good luck charm in previous cameos. But we are still short of a few players this week due to injury.”
If Crown score early, don’t be surprised if the floodgates open.
Venue – Roger Bannister, Ref – Elliot Mayer, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ben Retter (KC)
DC Prediction: TFFC 0 Crown 5
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SHACHARIT DONETSK vs FAITHFOLD B
For one reason or another, Faithfold B haven’t played for a few weeks and that could work one of two ways.
Rob Shooman’s boys have made a strong start, but they pulled out of the Morrison and although one or two niggles have been rested, a lack of match sharpness could come back to bite them in the tuchas.
The Superhoops have a solid spine, with Josh Barnett helping to keep things tight at one end and Dan Gordon a major threat at t’other. There’s also the likes of Leor Harel and Eric Hovelsen who played their part in a 4-0 win over Shacharit earlier in the season.
Elliot Nussbaum’s Shacharit have picked up some useful points this season, but they haven’t done it against the big boys.
The battle between star man Adam Ellis and Barnett is definitely one to watch in a game I expect Faithfold to boss.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Neal Cohen
JC star man: Eric Hovelsen (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Shacharit 1 Faithfold 3
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DANNY CARO'S GOAL OF THE WEEK: SAM GOLD
DANNY CARO'S GOAL OF THE WEEK: MICHAEL CASSON
