There's a bumper league programme in store across the MGBSFL as Scrabble, who secured promotion last weekend, look to move a step closer to the Division Two title, while there's a mouth-watering tussle in store as high-flying Oakwood B and Woodford Wanderers go head to head.
WEEKEND COVERAGE
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SEE MORE MGBSFL PHOTOGALLERIES
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CUP DRAWS
PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN FINAL
North London Raiders A vs Oakwood A
Wingate & Finchley FC
April 17, 2.30pm KO
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YOUR WEEKEND REVIEW STARTS HERE:
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
21 - Daniel Garfinkle (Redbridge JC A – including 3 for RJC B)
16 - James Gershfield (Harmen), Dovi Fehler (Hendon A)
BLIZZARD STORM vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
Redbridge are pretty tasty up top these days, and with Sam Sollosi firing on all cylinders they fear no-one.
Blizzard Storm look destined for an immediate return to Division One and I don’t envy the challenge facing boss Simon Linden as he tries to nullify the threat of one of the league’s most potent strikeforces.
Daniel Garfinkle, Steve Summers, Dean Nyman and Sollosi will be relishing the prospect of coming up against the
Blizzard defence. Left-back Ryan Cole earned rave reviews in last week’s 2-0 cup win over Harmen when a deadly double from Sollosi set up another showdown with Hendon United.
An early goal would really spell trouble for the Blizzard boys.
JC team news: Richie Caplin is back from his successful stint in running the B’s with Sam Rank. Brad Grant returns in goal. Scott Oldstein, Nathan Sollosi and Jordan Sapler remain sidelined through long-term injuries. New to the squad: Max Freedman is available for the squad for the first time this season. Defender Darren Brown has unofficially retired due to work commitments though he will be available in case of emergency.
Venue - Hertswood, Ref – Neal Cohen
JC star man: Ryan Cole (RJC)
DC Prediction: Blizzard 1 Redbridge 4
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HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS A
The Lions will be looking to complete a notable league double over a Hendon team they beat 2-1 in November.
David Garbacz accused Lions of “a smash and grab” but the Lions were still finding their feet at that stage and messus Pollock and Klein weren’t complaining.
Having put Camden Park to the sword last week, the Hendon boys are relishing the rematch.
Garbacz told JC Sport: “Last week we got a few of the Oakwood cobwebs out of our minds with an excellent performance and win.
"Some of the football we played was right back to our best and we looked more solid at the back.
"We will hope to take some of that from into this week against Lions – a team where you never quite know what to expect but you do know that the match will always be tough and they will be well coached and set up.
"I presume their priority will be the Morrison from here on in as is ours, but both teams will still want to take some good form into their respective ties.
"We want to finish the league campaign as high up as possible and it is not the Hendon way to take any foots off peddles so I am expecting another good performance and will be disappointed with anything less than three points."
The Lions have shown they fight to the end. Their fitness levels are good and they do not panic if they fall behind.
Garbacz mentioned the Morrison. Lions line up very differently in that competition so with momentum key for Hendon, I’m tipping them to edge home.
JC team news: Hendon hot-shot Moses Seitler has returned to university, Ben Kon is attending his grandfather’s 99th birthday party in Birmingham and Ari Last is at his kid’s birthday party. Gaffer Garbacz will also be absent - at a 50th birthday party – meaning Greg Corin will be in charge. Everyone else is available, including the returning “Rt Honourable Yoav Kestenbaum”.
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – David Lazarus
JC star man: Yoav Kestenbaum (Lions)
DC Prediction: Hendon 2 Lions 1
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FC TEAM A vs OAKWOOD A
It’s the clash of the titans in Mill Hill as FC Team look to get back on track after a double whammy against Raiders.
Ben Gilbey’s men showed great spirit in both matches but Raiders found another gear when required to get them out of a tight corner.
Second place remains a realistic target for the Oaks who have a big Morrison meeting with the Lions on the horizon. I was hugely impressed by their recent performance against Hendon and if they produce a similar performance you would think they’d have too much for FC Team.
Oakwood joint-manager Dan Kristall told JC Sport: “We go into Sunday’s tough away game against a wounded FC Team side who will be looking for revenge for the hammering at Breakspear earlier in the season.
"On that day, we were superb. We overpowered them and they simply had no answers to our fast, attacking style of football.
"They will be desperate to get back to winning ways after not travelling to Manchester and being knocked out of the Anektein in the semis.
On to this Sunday, we have a few issues at the back with injuries and will give one of two players late fitness tests.
"The treatment room is certainly getting busier, but we will make sure that whatever team we put out, we will be competitive in our aim to stay as contenders for the title race."
There are some similarities between Team and Oakwood this season. Both have great pace in the final third and power and strength in the middle of the park so it could come down to discipline and survival of the fittest.
JC team news: Dale Bradman joins Oakwood captain Adam Levine, Eddie Manson, Guy Helman and Sam Cantor are the sidelines.
Venue – Old Camdenians , Ref – Martin De La Fuente
JC star man: Dave Cohen (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Team 1 Oakwood 2
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CAMDEN PARK P HARMEN P
Match postponed due to injury crisis at Camden Park
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
27 - Reiss Mogilner (Brady Maccabi)
17 - Jacob Richler Kleiman (Oakwood B)
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OAKWOOD B vs WOODFORD WANDERERS
Woodford are now odds-on favourites to land the title and secure an instant return to the Premier Division. Some bookmakers have already paid out.
SPEC FC’s win over Brady Maccabi and FC Team B’s unexpected dip has played right into the hands of the Woodford boys. And it’s helped Oakwood a little too.
But manager Jason Stein can only see one winner in the title race from here.
He told JC Sport: “This title race was between two horses and a little horse that needs plenty of Palwin and needs to learn how to jump. Maybe next season we can win.
"Woodford will come to us with all the pressure in the world because when you look at the table, how can that not be the case?
"They are five points clear - yes with one game more played - but when you are in that type of position and you do not win the league then it can only be considered to be a huge and colossal failure on the part of players and management.
"And of course there is the danger that Woodford players and management overthink things and realise that if they win on Sunday they are definitely champions. In that situation it would be a shame for Woodford because Woodford are clearly the best team in our league, with the most money, the best trainers, the best supporters, the best players and, of course, the most pressure because now they have absolutely everything to lose.
"I maybe would not like to be the Woodford coach this week because that sort of pressure can do a lot of things to a man.
"But I guess we will see on Sunday.”
"You keep wanting to talk about Oakwood, DC. Why? We are the little horse."
Woodford were infuriated by last week’s late postponement against FC Team. The Essex giants have lost the fewest games in the division and conceded the least goals and it appears managers Daryl Kay and Jerome Marks are holding all the aces.
If Woodford’s big players turn up they will fancy themselves but I can see Oakwood trying to get into their faces and manage the match to perfection.
JC team news: Midfield enforcer Dan Geey returns in central midfield for Oakwood.
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Andy Myerson
JC star man: Dan Geey (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 2 Woodford 1
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FAITHFOLD B vs LOS BLANCOS
Goals are guaranteed at the Hive on Sunday as a Faithfold team who have finally found their feet take on Los Blancos.
Rob Shooman has worked wonders with the Faithfold squad in recent weeks and the goals of Jamie Kent and Craig Cohen have seen them crush title-chasing Oakwood B and Brixton over the past couple of weeks.
I’m delighted the Superhoops have clicked into gear. The big games are coming thick and fast, with Redbridge
and Brady to follow. And given they forfeited the corresponding fixture, I’m expecting another free-flowing performance.
Kent’s head-to-head with Blancos top-scorer Jono Gaon will be worth the admission fee alone on Sunday. Gaon was at his brilliant best against FC Team last time out, although he may not find the Faithfold defence as generous.
But Blancos have conceded 10 goals in their last two games so there is hope for the Superhoops.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Laurie Benson
JC star man: Craig Cole (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 3 Blancos 1
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REAL SOSOBAD vs FC TEAM B
FC Team have bad memories of their first two trips to Essex this season and manager Mitch Young knows failure isn’t an option on Sunday against Real Sosobad.
Woodford beat them 2-1 and Redbridge 3-1 and they expect a real examination against Dan Shafron’s boys.
Sosobad went down to a single goal against Raiders last week, but Shafron believes they deserved better.
He told JC Sport: “It's been a tricky period recently in terms of results but there's a lot of positivity amongst the boys and we know that it's a matter of time before it clicks again.
"We are playing well and last week was yet another example that not taking chances will prove costly.
"We created enough to share across the entire league and on any other day, it would have been a cricket score.
"FC Team are a good opposition, however last time out we played in a knee-high bog and it wasn't a game of football.
"Playing them on a proper surface will make a huge difference and if we continue to play how we've been playing, I'm sure we can come away with three points."
Draws don’t help FC Team. They need wins. I believe they will go to Essex with a specific game-plan and look to dominate from the first whistle. But given their defensive frailties, they will need to score twice.
Venue – Ark Academy, Ref – Daniel Fox, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ricky Shafier (Team)
DC Prediction: Sosobad 1 Team 2
More to follow ...
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
18 - Zak McLeod (Scrabble FC)
16 - Elliott Espinoza (Scrabble FC)
ATHLETIC BILBAUM vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS B
Lions B were simply irresistible last time out. They didn’t want a 14-day break after hitting runaway leaders Scrabble FC for six so the question now is, can they do it on a freezing cold morning in Islington?
Sam Marchant’s boys really hit the heights against Scrabble, when deadly doubles from Jake Hyman, Nick Landesberg and Charlie Cohen eased them home.
Landesberg performed how you’d expect a European Maccabi Games gold medal winner to perform, while Daniel Behar, Elias Cohen and Josh Bloom also produced eye-catching displays. Indeed Cohen and Bloom put in big shifts, showing great work-rate in the complete team performance.
Bloom also impressed against the Baums on the opening weekend of the season and Marchant told me this week that more of the same is on the cards.
He told JC Sport: “It’s all about staying focused and maintaining our levels of football. If we keep our mental attitude consistent and play as we have been in recent weeks, we hope to not face too many problems for the season run-in.
"We do somehow still have 10 games remaining and promotion is right in our sights. We need to make sure we take our opportunities and prove to everyone and ourselves why we do not belong in this division.
"The group are happy and know what is required of them, we just need to go out each week and do it.
"A victory on Sunday will push us further in the right direction. Bilbaum will know what to expect after we played them on the first game of the season and I expect a strong and resilient side. We’ll be prepared as usual and hope to get the three points."
Bilbaum are in a rich vein of form and much-improved from their first meeting with Lions. They will have a point to prove.
Jacob Brunner is scoring regularly and it’d be foolish to write them off altogether. They have a great sense of togetherness and if anything, the prospect of playing a team with such a big reputation will lift them for 90 minutes.
But the Lions are flying at the minute and I expect them to come away with the points.
Venue – Mark Road, Ref – Paul Dobkin
JC star man: Zak Linden (Lions)
DC Prediction: Bilbaum 1 Lions 2
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FAITHFOLD C vs BOCA JEWNIORS
Faithfold are long over-due a win and I think they will get one on Sunday.
Their last one came in November – against Boca – when Leor Harel was the match-winner.
With Faithfold Masters not having a game, David Garson takes charge, and he is expected to bring a handful of his golden oldies with him.
Boca slipped to the foot of the table after going down 2-0 against Temple Fortune last week. Now it’s important they don’t feel sorry for themselves.
I can see Faithfold sitting in at the Hive and waiting to take their chance.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Martin Lavender
JC star man: Dan Lowen (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 Boca 0
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FC TEAM C vs SCRABBLE FC
Newly-promoted Scrabble require two wins and a draw to clinch the Division Two title. The job begins on Sunday with a trip to Harefield where Scrabble will be looking to complete the double over FC Team C.
Ray Abrahams’s troops have been absolutely terrific this season – beyond his wildest dreams. His ambitious signings have paid dividends and they are already fancied to do well in Division One next season.
But Abrahams will want his players to focus on the task at hand against dangerous opponents.
He described FC Team as tough opponents in November when strikes from Adam Pearlman, Jonathan Peters and Zak McLeod saw them home.
Ahead of Sunday, Abrahams told JC Sport: "When the season started we had two main targets.The first was promotion and having secured that then to try and win some silverware for the club for the first time in many years.
"We've now achieved the first of those targets and starting on Sunday we will try and secure the points we need. I'm proud of the way the lads reacted to the Lions defeat last Sunday against L'Equipe and once again we will be fully focused on Sunday.
"Having a fairly good depth to our squad has been vital in the last few weeks as players have taken knocks and injuries, but they all want to be involved in every game and the camaraderie is as good as I've seen anywhere."
FC Team have bounced back well since the heavy defeat against the Lions. They are playing with confidence and go into the Scrabble game with nothing to lose.
"The pressure is off us this weekend and we can just enjoy the game knowing that we are playing against the champions elect,” said FC Team’s David Gordon.
“We have a number of players missing once again, but I expect that whatever team we put out will work hard and make things difficult for Scrabble.
"A strong performance is what we want and maybe we can cause a shock."
I think FC Team will huff and puff for 70 minutes but can see Scrabble doing enough to take the points.
JC team news: FC Team have six first-team regulars unavailable.
Scrabble may welcome back long-term absentees in midfielder Tom Prevezer and striker Andrew Charles, depending on the fitness of some of the boys that have taken them this close to the title.
Venue – Harefield Academy, Ref – Stuart Ansher, KO – 10am
JC star man: Jonathan Peters (Scrabble)
DC Prediction: Team 2 Scrabble 3
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L’EQUIPE vs CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI
L’Equipe gave a good account of themselves against Scrabble last week and manager Nick Stern will be looking for a similar performance for the visit of Catford.
Like the Cats, L’Equipe have improved this season but they have been conceding too many goals and, at times, it’s been a case of one step forward and two back.
But they’ve had a tough run of games since the turn of the year and will be confident of turning the corner in front of their fans.
Revenge is the name of the game for the Cats who were beaten 3-1 by L’Equipe in September, when Mark Singer, Grant Bates and James Mandell were the marksmen.
Boss Jeff Gotch has been spending a big chunk of his week trying to get 11 names down on his teamsheet, with no less than 10 players declaring themselves “busy”.
The end of the season can’t come quickly enough for Gotch who had this to say ahead of kick-off.
"I have 11 for the day and we still have a team capable of beating most teams so we will go out there and try our best against a strong l’equipe side that I know very well but with that many players missing it makes the task a lot harder – who knows maybe the heavens will open and well get a week off!"
JC team news: Richard Adams, Joel Isaacs, Ashley Stokes, Danny Yeshua, Daniel Zegze, Ophir Lethbridge, Guy Ben Aroya, Jordan Grant, Danny Benaroch and Tal Cohen miss out for the Cats.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Steve Levy
JC star man: Rob Simmons (L’Equipe)
DC Prediction: L’Equipe 2 Catford 1
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HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C
Raiders C will be looking to leapfrog Hendon and finish the weekend in the top four as they prepare to take on Adam Glekin's men.
L'Orange have lost their last two against FC Team and Scrabble, but they might have one eye on next week's Morrison meeting with Heaton Park.
Hendon have been conceding plenty of goals in recent weeks, including two against lowly Temple Fortune last time out.
Both teams have got some excellent players and, if they play as well as we know they can, they are both capable of winning.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Callum Foster
JC star man: Charles Braunstein (NLR)
DC Prediction: Hendon 1 Raiders 2
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DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 28 AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: ELLIOTT ESPINOZA
MANAGER OF THE WEEK: RICKY LAWRENCE
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: JONATHAN COHEN
SAVE OF THE WEEK: - JAKE DOFFMAN (NL Raiders A) - made two of the best saves Ben Gilbey has seen this season, including a point-blank stop to keep out a Richard Salmon header was brilliant and came at an important time in the game with FC Team having just pulled one back
