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LONDON FA SUNDAY CHALLENGE CUP ROUND TWO
KENNINGWELL UNITED 1st vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS
MGBSFL champions Hendon United Sports make the long journey to Lewisham on Sunday as they look to secure their place in the third round against Kenningwell United at Kings College Sports Ground.
The red men are flying this season – having won every game so far - but they look set to face their strongest opponent in the shape of the team topping the Orpington & Bromley District Sunday League.
Ahead of kick-off, Hendon boss Jordan Sapler told JC Sport: "We don’t know too much about Kenningwell, although our scouts have seen some of their match-ups with their main rivals, the infamous SE Dons on YouTube. The SE Dons no. 1 fan Ari Nevies has compiled a dossier for us which all the players will be reading after Shabbat.
"They look quick and strong and play some good football so I’m sure it will be a huge test."
Kenningwell have won three out of three in the Senior Division this season. They have beaten Farnborough Old Boys, AFC Kazumi Strikers and Bickley FC, plus FC Kawooya Purples 4-0 in the last round of the cup. Tayo Ajayi will pose the biggest threat, as he looks to add to his tally of three goals.
Hendon have not conceded in 270 minutes of Maccabi football this season, but they did let two in in the previous round – an 11-2 demolition of NLO, when Josh Bharier and Rocky Spitzer were the hat-trick heroes.
But I can see things getting much tougher over the next 90 minutes as they look to continue to fly the flag for the MGBSFL in one of the premiere Sunday cup competitions.
Sapler gave a response to HMH manager Avi Goldberg's comments, and said: "He mentioned he's envious of myself (of which I can’t really blame him!). I can’t imagine it’s due to the eight players we currently have injured, four of which are long-term, so I can only assume it’s because of how we’re performing at the moment. Of which I’m in total agreement, we really are performing superbly so far this season.”
JC team news: Hendon "don’t have the largest squad available," with Ari Nevies, Jordan Mizrahi, Avi Korman, Chaim Korman, Ari Last, Jonti Arembrand. Jonny Kay and Moses Seitler all rated doubtful, but Kiki Levin should make his first appearance of the season.
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LONDON FA SUNDAY CHALLENGE TROPHY ROUND TWO
OAKWOOD vs PHOENIX KNIGHTS FC
The season has been a bit stop-start for Oakwood, but they will be looking to make a statement when they host Phoenix Knights in the second round of the LFASCT.
Unbeaten in two Maccabi matches thus far, things are still coming together under new boss Andrea Fraquelli, but I get the feeling we’ll know a lot more after this game.
Oakwood have become one of the top MGBSFL sides in recent years, and the squad is hungry to add more silverware to the trophy cabinet.
The mighty Oaks have good goalkeeping options this season, but some of their fans believe they need to strengthen after losing striker Josh Bharier to rivals Hendon United, plus Toby Levy returned to his northern roots over the summer.
Josh Cuby and Daniel Seligman are their biggest goal threats, Brad Wine often pops up with goals in big games and John Levy showed us what he is capable of in last season’s Cyril Anekstein Cup final. They also boast a mean defence and look well-equipped to progress further.
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THE WINCHMORE vs FAIRLOP FC
Fairlop head north to take on opponents from the top division of the Barnet Sunday League, who are fifth after one game, which they won 5-0.
The Winchmore are expected to provide “decent opposition” for Fairlop. Ahead of kick-off, assistant-manager Jake Sanders told JC Sport: “We don’t know anything about them, but we really fancy a cup run and with plenty of important players coming back into the fold, the boys are buzzing and relishing being back in action after the break.”
JC team news: Fairlop are missing goalkeeper Jake Sanders, who ruptured his ACL for a third time, which means he has sadly been forced to hang up his gloves. Other absentees include Ashley Rubin, Mitchell Gold, Arron Rosen, Nathan Davis, while Daniel Rosen is away. However, Matt Berkley could return from a two-month lay-off from an ankle problem and Daryl Rubin will make his first appearance of the new season as he returns from a wedding in Israel. Striker James Jaconelli also returns to the squad.
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LONDON FA SUNDAY JUNIOR CUP
HACKNEY WEDNESDAY vs FC TEAM
FC Team have been dealt a major blow following news that star striker Connor Perl is out “for the foreseeable future” after picking up an injury in last Sunday’s cup game against Camden Park.
Perl currently tops the MGBSFL goal charts with six strikes, the most recent of which can be seen here. He leaves big boots to fill, with player-manager Mitch Young the likely replacement.
Young has good memories of this tournament, and he told JC Sport: “We have enjoyed some success in this competition in the past and I am hopeful we can put together a good run in this cup.
“We face an away trip down in Hackney Marshes, which is always a lot of fun, so looking forward to facing a team from a league we have never played against.
“The injury with Connor is a blow, however we still have Richard Salmon whom will take the leading light and I may have to dust off my shooting boots.”
The Camden game was good preparation for a venue where the likes of Arsenal great Ian Wright were discovered, so hopefully it will bring out the best in the MGBSFL Division Two table-toppers.
JC team news: Connor Perl is injured. FC Team will also be missing Eitan Ben Zion and Bradley Jacobs (away), but Ben Sollosi returns.
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CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND ONE
BORUSSIA BARNET vs HMH
HMH will give a debut to Max Foster ahead of what manager Avi Goldberg sees as a potential banana skin tie at second division Borussia Barnet. The PMT winning boss is taking nothing for granted, however, as his talented squad has been hit by an injury crisis.
“Sunday’s cup tie against Borussia promises to be a tricky test for at least two reasons,” Goldberg told JC Sport. “First, they are a new team who we know very little about other than they are one of the few teams who seem to have been able to prise Lions Saturday boys away from Lions for their big games and second, our injury list is so long I am not sure I can field a team.
“Borussia may be in Division Two, but sources tell me their forward line reads as follows - Lipman, Mattey and Kenley, so not much of a new team there! In fact it feels more like the Lions team we faced in the Peter Morrison Trophy last season! So I am expecting a tough battle!”
A couple of weeks’ rest means that those available will be nice and fresh and the sky blues look to start stringing together a set of positive results. And having tasted glory in their first season in senior football in the Jewish FA Cup last season, the HMH boys are hungry for more.
Goldberg went on to say: “We are starting to find our rhythm after a slow start and kept a clean sheet on our last outing against a well-oiled Camden machine, as keeper Alex Davies and his back-line were in constant control so our heads are up.
“The issue for us is injuries and that is despite not playing last weekend. Ethan Krell, Jordan Levy, Ben Winters, Josh Goldstein, Sam Monjack, Max Bull are all facing weeks out or late fitness tests, while a number of others are unavailable, so we will be waiting anxiously on getting some of these guys off the treatment table.
“On a brighter note, Clark Norton trained and looks set to return after injury, while new boys up front Adam Ellis and Nate Kashket will feature, as hopefully will Max Foster, who will make his debut.
“We have a great squad but I have yet to be in a position where I have to tell people they are having a week off. I am looking rather enviously at Jordan Sapler, the Hendon boss, in that respect at the moment. That does not look set to change this week."
A bumper crowd is expected at the Bridgestone Arena and Borussia joint-managers Bradley Papier and Sam Sharer insist the Division Two high-flyers will leave nothing on the pitch.
“We face a huge test against HMH on Sunday,” Papier told JC Sport: “We’re fully aware of the quality they possess both going forward and defensively.
“Every single player is going to have to give it their all to have any chance of getting a result. However, we aren’t ruling ourselves out as we know in football anything is possible.
Co-boss Sam Sharer sees this game as something of a free-hit. He told JC Sport: “It’ll be good for the boys to see the level we want to be at in a few seasons as well. We think we have the players that can hurt them on the break but the game-plan has to be executed to perfection.
“We’re looking forward to playing a top side and we have to make the game as uncomfortable as possible for them. Who doesn’t love an underdog story? We would’ve preferred not to get them in the first round but if you dream of winning any cup you’re going to have to play the best teams at some stage. We’ll give it everything we’ve got.”
Injury crisis or not, HMH's squad is packed with great quality from front to back. Yes Borussia's strikeforce is very decent, but I expect HMH's big-match players to step up and deliver to ensure their injured team-mates can return for the latter stages of the competition. In the end fitness and superior technical ability man for man will prove decisive.
JC team news: Jack Mattey, Nathan Rosenthal, Ben Bellman and Ethan Gold miss out for Borussia, but there will be competitive debuts for Henry Mattey and Adam Lipman. Other than that they “have everyone else available”.
Venue – Bridgestone Arena
JC star man: Max Foster (HMH)
DC Prediction: Borussia 1 HMH 3
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP 3
1. Hendon United Sports Pl. 2, W. 2, Pts. 6
2. Faithfold DocMM White Pl. 2, W. 1, Pts. 4
3. Oakwood Pl. 2, W. 1, Pts. 4
MACCABI LONDON FC BLUE vs FAITHFOLD DOCMM WHITE
Revenge is the name of the game for Maccabi London who go into their second meeting with Faithfold lying four points behind.
Maccabi have lost both league games this season and they were denied the opportunity for a morale-boosting win when Scrabble forfeited their scheduled Cyril Anekstein Cup tie last weekend.
Max Kyte told me Maccabi have a score to settle against the Superhoops, who beat them 4-3 last month, with goals from Avi Garson, Akiva Solomon, Dovi Vogel and Markiewicz himself.
Ahead of the rematch, Kyte told JC Sport: “We are looking forward to putting things right from our last game against Faithfold and getting our first win of the season.
“It’s been too long and we need to start picking up points.”
Faithfold were at their free-flowing best in the cup last weekend when that man Markiewicz helped himself to five goals. Joe Cohen played the role of impact sub perfectly, scoring three times. He must be pushing for a start on Sunday. North West London Bears could not live with Faithfold’s clever wing play combinations or their movement, qualities which shine through on 3G.
But having beaten Maccabi once, the test is can they do it again. I think they can, but it would need a defensive master-class.
Venue – Rowley Lane
JC star man: Martin Smulovitch (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Maccabi 1 Faithfold 2
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DIVISION ONE
TOP 3
1. NL Raiders Pl. 3, W. 3, Pts. 9
2. Hertswood Vale Pl. 3, W. 2, Pts. 6
3. SPEC FC Pl. 3, W. 2, Pts. 6
BAYERN MINCHA vs NORTH LONDON GALAXY
Bayern Mincha are in a bad moment and the visit of a buoyant Galaxy team is probably the last thing they need now.
Last week’s 7-0 cup humbling at the hands of lower league Temple Fortune was hard to stomach, making it three games without scoring. They need some help and fast.
Galaxy, on the other hand, have come through three tough games in the shape of Hertswood Vale and Mill Hill Dons twice. They next couple of games will be tougher, with Raiders visiting in the North London derby followed by SPEC FC. But it’s all about getting the job done against Bayern on Sunday for now.
Zac Rose was at his commanding best last week, earning himself a place in my Team of the Week, while James Belchack, Josh Shack and Jamie Murray maintained their impressive early-season form.
Bayern’s namesake, Munich, produced a seven-star show at Spurs in the week, but unfortunately the Mincha hierarchy failed in a cheeky attempt to convert Serge Gnabry, Robert Lewandowski and Phil Coutinho.
All joking aside, I expect Galaxy to win and win well this weekend.
Venue – Mill Hill Village SC
JC star man: Jordan Aspis (Galaxy)
DC Prediction: Bayern 0 Galaxy 5
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HERTSWOOD VALE vs SPEC FC
Second takes on third in East Barnet, with Hertswood Vale looking to maintain their recent monopoly over SPEC FC in the battle between two newly-promoted teams.
SPEC go into the game on the back of a terrific 5-0 win at Redbridge. But Ricky Lawrence hopes the Manager of the Week curse doesn’t strike for a game his players will be relishing.
In the absence of goal machine Zack Neiman, Jamie Smaje stepped up to the plate with a hat-trick, and Josh Green and Lawrence chipped in with further efforts in a perfect away day performance.
But Lawrence expects a tougher challenge on Sunday. He told JC Sport: “We enjoyed a very good result last week but we expect an even tougher game this time around.
“Hertswood took six points off us last season so we know it's going to be a really tough test.”
Vale joint-manager Jacob Emanuel knows last season’s win double over SPEC is history. Their title-winning season saw them build up momentum, something they are keen to replicate in 2019/20.
Danny Hirschberger and Emanuel know the next couple of games will be a good barometer of their qualities, with a cup game at Jewdinese to follow.
Emanuel told JC Sport: “Following our promotion last season, every game is an opportunity to prove that we can compete in this division.
“We've had a week off so we'll need to switch on early doors to get past SPEC. Although we did the double over them last season, both games were played at an extremely high level and the result could've gone either way.”
Vale hold Sunday’s opponents in high regard, and Emanuel added: “Ricky has put together a quality squad, and based upon their strong start, they've clearly stepped it up a level.
“The boys are up for this game, and we're aiming to grab our first home win of the season, following our controversial loss to Galaxy last time out.”
Sunday is a big game that neither side will want to lose, so I can see it finishing in a score draw.
JC team news: Vale captain James Neidle, Justin Mullem, Tony Gold and Harry Marlow miss out this week following the win against Redbridge, while Jamie Steinberg is still out through injury. They do, however, see the return of Ashley Hirschberger, Dan Reuben, Charlie Becker, Jack Winton and Jack Shulman who are all available for selection.
Venue – East Barnet School
JC star man: Jack Shulman (Vale)
DC Prediction: Vale 1 SPEC 1
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MILL HILL DONS vs BROOK FARM ROVERS
Mill Hill Dons will be all the better for their two recent matches against Galaxy, even if results didn’t go their way.
The fact they pushed one of the division’s leading lights close in both games is a message they have the squad to do well in Division One.
Individual mistakes have cost them in recent weeks, but Hamme hopes his players will put on a good show in front of their fans in St. Albans.
He told JC Sport: "We may be coming off the back of two defeats, but the mood remains positive. We knew that the transition to Division One will take time but I have full faith that we will come good. We have really struggled with injuries this season and last week our situation got even worse, with four players coming off.
"We head into this Sunday's game with a thin squad but a squad that is full of quality. Brook Farm are a team we have never faced before but they have had a relatively good start to the season so we know it won't be an easy game.
"We need to be at our best on Sunday for us to ensure we can get the three points. It's so crucial for us to get some more points on the table and start putting a string of good results together."
Brook Farm Rovers enjoyed a straight forward victory over second division Faithfold in the cup last weekend. Winning breeds confidence and strikes from
Goals from Joseph Gourgey (2), Yossi Brownson and Ben Levene has left their fans dreaming of getting one of the big boys in the next round.
But the immediate priority is on stringing together a run of results in the league.
A Rovers spokesman told JC Sport: "We take a strong squad with us to St Albans this Sunday. Being a new team, we face new challenges every week against opponents we know little about, but we know that every game in this league is tough and Mill Hill Dons will present a real test for us, especially given some of their recent results.
"We’ll have to be at our very best to get a result but we’ve prepared well all week and we look forward to what should be a great game between two good sides."
The Dons don’t go many games without scoring and I can see this being an open and entertaining affair with goals aplenty.
JC team news: NLR's Scott Waissel suffered a torn ATFL during the warm up of last week's game and will be out for around three months. Olly Goodman came off injured in last week's game with a strained patellar tendon and will be out for three to six weeks. Marc Rister, a third injury from last week's game after a late challenge on his ankle, has been ruled out for three weeks. They join Ben Rodol, Josh Cinna, Josh Marks, Josh Moses and Sam Singer on the injury list. Harry Kalms, Jamie Nagioff, Jason Weldon, Jordan Rinsler and Richard Reback are all unavailable.
Venue – Marlborough Academy
JC star man: Richard Reback (Dons)
DC Prediction: Dons 3 Rovers 2
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS
Table-toppers NLR go in search of their fourth straight win when they make the long trip to Redbridge.
L’Orange fans were waxing lyrical following the 4-1 win over Maccabi London Red, when Liron Mannie and goal king Aron Gale ran them ragged.
Raiders are playing like a well-oiled machine at the minute and they are firing on all cylinders. Joint-manager David Isaacs told JC Sport: “We’ve had three games so far this season and claimed three wins, so the boys couldn’t be happier.
“It’s hard to know what to expect this week as it looks like Redbridge haven’t started the season as strongly as we expected them to.
“However, last season they were extremely strong so we know we can not take them lightly as we want to maintain our 100 per cent record this season.”
At the start of the season, RJC boss Daniel Jacobs gave me an honest assessment of where he felt the team were at. “A season of transition” is not what the fans wanted to hear but defeats in their opening three games is a worrying start.
Things won’t get any easier over the next 90 minutes, especially with two of the league’s most dangerous strikers in the neighbourhood.
Raiders have started the season like a house on fire and they will be too hot for the RJC to handle on Sunday.
JC team news: Raiders will still missing Bradley Lander after he failed a fitness test. Yarden Sharon (hamstring) is also sidelined. Goalkeeper Daniel Lipman returns to the squad.
Venue – Fairlop
JC star man: Josh Nagli (NLR)
DC Prediction: RJC 0 NLR 3
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DIVISION TWO
TOP 3
1. FC Team Pl. 3, W. 2, Pts. 7
2. Borussia Barnet Pl. 3, W. 2, Pts. 6
3. Paris Saint-Jewmain Pl. 3, W. 2, Pts. 6
CLUB DE CHIGWELL vs NORTH WEST LONDON BEARS
James Harpin was keen to draw a line under last week’s heavy cup defeat against Premier Division Faithfold ahead of the trip to Chigwell.
"We knew last week was a free hit and therefore we made changes to get everyone up to speed with how we want to play,” he told JC Sport.
“We were not good enough but that's in the past now and we move on to this game on Sunday.”
After draws in their opening three league games, joint-player-manager Harpin knows his players must up the ante as they look to secure their first win since joining the MGBSFL. On Sunday the result will be more important than the performance.
“This is a big game for us as we know we need to find three points from somewhere,” commented Harpin. “We know we haven't matched expectations or our own objectives as of yet, but it is fine margins that have stopped us getting the wins.
“If we can be more ruthless when we get chances in front of goal, I fully expect us to get the points on Sunday morning.”
Harpin has good knowledge about Sunday’s hosts, and said: “Chigwell have some very pacy and technically sound players that we have highlighted and look to stop them.
“They have had mixed results so far so we know they can turn up on any given day as shown by their outstanding result against Borussia Barnet.”
Victory in Essex would be just what the doctor ordered according to Bears captain Alex Rose. "I think we have done enough to have a minimum of seven points so far this season,” he told reporters.
“We have been close to stringing together a decent set of results. We need to keep doing what we have done, being hard to beat and working hard, but we need to be more clinical. We are a young team, we are learning fast and we are definitely ready for the game Sunday at Chigwell.”
Club De Chigwell came away from last week’s meeting with double winners Hendon United with heads held high. Some pundits had predicted a landslide victory, but Reds boss Jordan Sapler praised Chigwell for being “ solid and extremely well-organised in defence”.
Sapler went on suggest Chigwell would “take a lot of points off teams in their division” if they perform to the same level on a weekly basis.
Bouncing back from three consecutive defeats is what it’s all about for Chigwell. While for the Bears, much depends on them concentrating on denying possession to Chigwell forwards.
It’ll be interesting to see how things one pans out, with no outright favourite from the start.
JC team news: The Bears welcome back a couple of players, including Harry Russell and Tommy Lustigman, ‘who are vital for the style of play we implement,” according to Harpin. Also, 18-year-old, Saul Shimoni will be making his first appearance for the club. Zacki Doumou is serving the final game of his suspension while Jake Salem is out with an ankle injury he picked up in the Scrabble game.
Venue – Peter May Sports Centre
JC star man: Harry Russell (Bears)
DC Prediction: Chigwell 2 Bears 2
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HAMPSTEAD DUCKS vs WEST HAMDILLAH
Attack, or should that be a-quack, is the name of the game for Hampstead Ducks on Sunday as they go in search of their first home win. The good news for Ducks fans is that I have this down as a home banker, so they should be spitting feathers if the teams doesn’t get the result result.
I suggest the home team listens to Drake tunes in the changing room before the game to ensure they go out on the pitch hungry to deliver.
Boss Daniel Sonn spoke of the improvement in displays since the team started out. Chairman Sonn said in his press conference this week: “Coming off the back of two defeats but solid performances, the Ducks are ready for our next challenge, West Hamdillah.
“They have conceded 19 goals in their opening two games, so manager Josh Cohen has prepared an attacking team!”
Cohen added that he has been “working on set-pieces and is excited for the game”.
West Hamdillah have conceded 27 goals in their last two outings, both against second division opposition.
Their fans hope the manager is on the look-out for new talent as plan A hasn’t worked. Parking the bus must be an option going forwards but if the Ducks break through early doors the floodgates will open again.
Venue – West Hendon playing fields
JC star man: Daniel Glantz (Ducks)
DC Prediction: Ducks 4 Hamdillah 0
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SCRABBLE vs PARIS SAINT-JEWMAIN
PSJ have named a full fit squad for the trip to JCoSS where they will be looking to teach Scrabble a lesson.
Boss Elio Elia is thankful there are no injuries or suspensions in the camp, and he told me his boys “are raring to go”.
The MGBSFL’s new teams have experienced mixed fortunes so far this season, but in the cae of PSJ it has all been positive thus far.
Elio told JC Sport: “We have an opportunity to make it four wins on the bounce and look to reclaim a promotion position in the league.
“Our team will have more depth in defence this coming Sunday as opposed to last weekend in our 12-0 win over West Hamdillah, where we only had one out-and-out centre-back playing. This will be vital when playing against an experienced side like Scrabble FC.”
Elio went on to say: “We're hopeful and assured we can take our confidence from the 12-0 win from last Sunday in the cup, and the previous two 3-2 victories in the league, into this away fixture at JCoSS.”
Scrabble forfeited their cup game against Maccabi London last weekend, so any hopes of a fairytale return to Wingate & Finchley for some of their Maccabi legends have disappeared.
They have made a solid enough start in the league and will be keen to show PSJ who is top dog on Sunday.
It promises to be a good test for Jon Yantin’s warriors.
Venue – JCoSS
JC star man: David May (PSJ)
DC Prediction: Scrabble 1 PSJ 3
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TEMPLE FORTUNE vs FAITHFOLD DOCMM GREEN
Temple Fortune fans could be excused for getting nosebleeds as the team takes time to reflect on two high-scoring victories.
But if anyone deserves it, it’s their manager Simon Linden who puts great time, effort and care, not to mention attention to detail, in everything he does.
If Mauricio Pochettino left Spurs tomorrow, I’d have no hesitation in giving Linden a reference for the top job at the Lane. He’s doing a great job and brought in some new players who are helping the club achieve their goals. Progress is clearly being made.
A 15-0 win over West Hamdillah wasn’t a flash in the pan. That was followed by a 7-0 cup win over Bayern Mincha. So Faithfold DocMM Green beware!
There are very few strikers like Danny Sherman in the MGBSFL. He’s a throwback to the 1980’s when big target men were flavour of the month, but he is the glue that sticks things together up top.
Jacob Kalms and Benji Gourgey have been given a licence to thrill by Linden and I can see them coming out all guns blazing.
Faithfold pulled off a clever bit of business when agreeing terms with Jacob Richler-Kleiman. It’s important Ben Kfir plays him in the right position and that he gets enough of the ball if fans are to see him excel in a green and white shirt.
But it’s in defence I worry about Faithfold. Do they have what it takes to keep Fortune out for 90 minutes. That’s the big question.
Venue – Silver Jubilee Park, KO – 9.45am
JC star man: Liam Stein (Fortune)
DC Prediction: Fortune 4 Faithfold 1
