Scrabble FC will be looking to wrap up the Division Two title on a busy programme in the MGBSFL, which also features an important game between Oakwood and Redbridge in the Premier Division, along with the clash of the titans in Division One – Brady Maccabi and table-toppers Woodford Wanderers.
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PHOTOGALLERY: RAIDERS C vs HENDON A
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CUP DRAWS
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN FINAL
North London Raiders A vs Oakwood A
Wingate & Finchley FC
April 17, 2.30pm KO
Officials: Referee - David Lazarus, Assistant-referees - Stuart Ansher, Bob Caplin. 4th official (reserve referee): Mark Jacob
PETER MORRISON TROPHY FINAL
Hendon United Sports Club A vs Maccabi London Lions A
May 8 at Wingate & Finchley
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
24 - Daniel Garfinkle (Redbridge JC A – including 3 for RJC B)
22 - Dovi Fehler (Hendon A)
FC TEAM A vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
Rotation is the name of the game for Hendon, with manager David Garbacz promising a host of changes for the trip to FC Team.
By their own admission, It’s been a disappointing league campaign for the Reds who many expected to be challenging for the title. Dovi Fehler has been one of the rays of light, with 25 goals in league and cup competitions.
It finished 3-3 the last time the sides met, and Garbacz is expecting another testing morning.
He told JC Sport: “Unless we reschedule our final league of the season against Raiders, this will be our last competitive match before the Morrison cup final.
“It will obviously be good to go into that game with a win to maintain momentum but we are quite depleted this week and it will be chance to give a game to some squad members
who haven’t had a lot of first team football recently.
“Despite one horrible performance against Oakwood, we have done well since the turn of the year, losing just the once and overall we are in high spirits and the confidence is strong.
“FC Team always present a tough challenge but I do expect a less competitive match than usual bearing in mind there is not much relevance on the result for either team. But we will still be determined to come away with the points and with cup final places up for grabs everyone should have a good incentive.”
Matchday 30 sees FC Team bring down the curtain on a season that promised so much, but ultimately didn’t deliver, other than an Anekstein semi-final slot.
No doubt Ben Gilbey’s boys will be determined to go out with the bang, with Yoav Lebens once again keen to impress against his former club.
Bar Hariely earned Team a point in November’s six-goal thriller against Hendon, with Kane Gilbery registering the other two.
JC team news: Hendon will be missing Moses Seitler, Ari Nevies, Alex Rosenthal and Zac Lewis. Greg Corin is doubtful.
Venue – Harefield Uni 3G, Ref – Neil Cooper
JC star man: Avi Korman (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Team 1 Hendon 3
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OAKWOOD A vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
Oakwood haven’t given up hope of catching Redbridge, and they have the perfect chance to put their credentials on the line against east Londoners on Sunday, just a week before the big Cyril Anekstein Cup final clash with champions-elect Raiders.
The mighty Oaks trail RJC by nine points, but they have three games in hand and they will be determined to put on a good show in front of their fans, especially with cup final merchandise finally on sale following a hold-up with suppliers.
I popped down to the club shop earlier this week and saw an Oakwood vuvuzela and some novelty inflatables which Jason Stein is sure to snap up.
Joint-manager Dan Kristall told me the Oaks are raring to go on Sunday. "Hopefully this weekend's preview will lead to a game being played after the last two postponements which we feel have really halted our progress and momentum," he told JC Sport.
"I personally find it quite disheartening that teams are withdrawing from fixtures simply because they have little to play for in the league. Especially in the Premier league of Jewish football.
"We know that Sunday is win or bust for both teams and I'd be lying if I said we didn't have one eye on the following Sunday's show piece Anekstein final against Raiders.
"Last minute decisions will be made on some of the injured players and we may have to consider resting a few of them to ensure they are fit for Wingate.
"That said, we will field a competitive outfit as we look to overturn the disappointment for the game earlier in the season in Essex. On the day and with 10 minutes to go, the game was won but we only had ourselves to blame for what followed.
"We look forward to Sunday."
Redbridge have had an excellent season under Jon Jacobs. Sam Sollosi is a contender for Player of the Season, while the likes of Ben Sollosi, Dean Nyman, Dan Garfinkle and Steve Summers give them big threats and options in the final third.
Both teams have worked hard to get to where they are in the table and no quarter will be given on Sunday.
So if you’re looking for a good, old fashioned game of football between two honest teams, then get down to St. Albans.
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Richard Jaye
JC star man: Josh Rose (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 1 RJC 1
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
27 - Reiss Mogilner (Brady Maccabi)
17 - Jacob Richler Kleiman (Oakwood B), Richard Salmon (FC Team B including one for A team)
BRADY MACCABI vs WOODFORD WANDERERS
Sunday is effectively the first of three cup finals for Brady Maccabi.
It remains to be seen whether or not they would accept automatic promotion, but it’s important they give themselves a chance, against a Woodford team lying six points in front of them.
Josh Dagul’s boys were finally back to their best against Faithfold last week and only a similar effort will do for the visit of the title favourites.
Brady’s Daniel Harrod told JC Sport: “Three wins from three is now the required target as we face arguably our toughest opponents from our remaining fixtures.
“Woodford have been the most consistent performers all season, and whilst the pressure will be on them to have the title wrapped up as soon as possible, we'll be going into the game hoping to put some serious pressure on the potential champions.
“For the second game running we have the option of choosing from one of our strongest squads available.
“We're certainly looking forward to it and who knows, we may even finish the game with more than nine men on the pitch!”
Woodford go into the game with the psychological edge after thumping Brady 4-1 last month. Alex Aviram, Tom Alexander, Harrison Midda and James Ryan were the marksmen in a win that was a real statement of intent.
Managed by Daryl Kay and Jerome Marks, Woodford have been the model of consistency this season and they always battle to the end.
Ahead of kick-off, Kay told JC Sport; "I don’t think we’re in a position to be afraid of any team in this league now, especially after beating Brady one already this season 4-1.
"That said, we won’t be taking this game lightly – the boys know that a win on Sunday knocks Brady out of the title race, leaving us only needing a result against FC Team the following week to become Champions again.
"We have a fully fit squad to chose from and everyone is hungry to play – this is exactly the attitude that has kept us at the top of the league for so long – a competitive environment with everyone pulling in the right direction."
Kay described them as “the team to beat” after that famous win, but I think they will find Brady a tougher proposition second time around, especially with striker Michael Kenley proving a real handful.
Venue – Rowley Lane Ref – Mark Jacob
JC star man: Michael Kenley (Brady)
DC Prediction: Brady 1 Woodford 1
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FC TEAM B vs OAKWOOD B
It’s been a tough week for Jason Stein. But now he is ready to go again.
With Elliott Espinoza and Josh Kennet top of his summer shopping list, Stein is determined to show there’s plenty of fight in the old dog just yet ahead of the trip to FC Team.
He's just about over what he believed to be an injustice in the game against SPEC FC last weekend.
"DC, I'm not going to talk about it anymore,” he told JC Sport. “What I will say is we need fairer situations for a manager. To put managers straight into the press conference after the game, it's not helpful.
“Emotions run high, you've barely had a chance to talk to the players and then it's into the press conference.
"I gave Andy (Myerson) a hug on Wednesday night, we've put it to bed now. We'll move on. I'm not going to talk about the handball anymore.
"I will talk about my team and Team B.
"If I am Mitch Young, I am in a very happy situation right now. Because his side are in a great position. They are the only team who can challenge Woodford and they will face an Oakwood in a low moment.
"It is not the Oakwood of September, October, November, December or January. It is the Oakwood not playing to our fullest potential. I have challenged the players to end this season well, to make these four games not a chore, but a joy.
"We'll play Team B twice, they are overwhelming, massive, huge, favourites twice. But we will try some new things, some players will have the big chance to show me they still have the hunger and that they can come back stronger next year."
Mitch Young knows the maths are simple. Win their remaining five games and they will finish in the top two. They have some tough games left, but play like they did against Raiders last week and it should be enough.
And with Richard Salmon and Lorian Madanes in the side, I expect them to do the business.
JC team news: Dan Linton returns to the Oakwood side three months to the day since being ruled out with injury and will play in midfield. Dean Caplin returns in goal. Centre half Dan King will mark a fine debut season by wearing the captain’s armband.
Venue - TBC , Ref – Callum Foster
JC star man: Adam Rones (Team)
DC Prediction: Team 3 Oakwood 1
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REAL SOSOBAD vs BRIXTON OLD BOYS
Dan Shafron won’t allow Real Sosobad to go through the motions in the final weeks.
This season was all about consolidation but the defeat against Brixton was a bitter pill to swallow.
Prior to that they’d had a tough run against the top teams but that 6-0 win over Faithfold now seems like a long time ago.
But they are scoring and will go into the rematch with Brixton feeling they have a point to prove.
Shafron told JC Sport: “It’s an important last few games of the season for us and anything less than a win this week is not an option if we want to stay in the division.
“It’s not been a good season, however we have to put past results behind us and dig deep for each other on Sunday.
“Our last game against Brixton wasn’t good. Although we were makeshift, certain players let themselves down and because of that, I expect a big response from everyone included in this match squad.”
Brixton remain rooted to the foot of the table, but you know that any team managed by Robert Silverman will always battle to the bitter end.
Both Faithfold and Sosobad are within reach, and I expect them to go all out once against for maximum points as they go in search of a relegation lifeline.
Venue – 7 Kings High School , Ref – Daniel Fox
JC star man: Richard Rosenthal (Sosobad)
DC Prediction: Real 2 Brixton 2
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
18 - Zak McLeod (Scrabble FC), Josh Bloom (ML Lions B)
17 - Danny Sherman (Scrabble FC)
BOCA JEWNIORS vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS B
I’m expecting a big Lions backlash on Sunday, and a big Lions win.
Manager Sam Marchant would’ve been hugely frustrated with the performance more than the result against L’Equipe, as in the end they showed great spirit to earn a point.
Although it’s done nothing to dent their promotion charge – given the big lead over third-placed NLR – it effectively ended their title hopes, which were already slim due to Scrabble huge advantage.
But now Marchant and co are focusing only on the next 90 minutes.
He told JC Sport: “The result last week was disappointing for us, even though we had a slightly weaker squad.
“We didn’t lose and fought back well to get a point, and although we are out of reach of the title, realistically we still have our eyes set on promotion.
“We are unbeaten in the league since the end of November and we would like to finish the season as strong as possible.
This Sunday’s game is being for us, we are nine points clear of third with six games of our season left and we’ll be so close to the finish line with a victory on Sunday.
“Of course we aim to go there and win although we expect a resilient Boca side in which they’ll care more about not conceding rather than scoring.
“We will have to be prepared to break them down and move the ball quickly, something which we struggled to do last week.”
Boca were on top of their game last week as they drew with a Catford team that were riding high after beating champions-elect Scrabble.
Two excellent finishes from Josh Webber capped an excellent team performance. They also show big hearts and will need them again on Sunday for what will be a tough 90-minute work-out.
Boca’s Anton Nyman told JC Sport: “We’re up against a top side but are hoping to build on last week’s positivity, although we know it will be a tough, tough ask.”
JC team news: Boca are missing defender Gab Stone and Gavin Fox.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Barry David
JC star man: Josh Nagli (Lions)
DC Prediction: Boca 0 Lions 4
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FAITHFOLD C vs SCRABBLE FC
Sunday is the day of reckoning for Scrabble FC. Victory would see them crowned champions and it seems only a matter of time, especially after Lions slipped up against L’Equipe last week.
Manager Ray Abrahams has had the champagne on ice for several weeks and he is expecting strong support as they look to seal the title against Faithfold in Finchley.
Jonathan Peters, Josh Sheridan and Josh Flax were the marksmen when Scrabble beat Faithfold 3-1 in November and they are odds-on to complete the double and finish the weekend with the mother of all parties. It would be fully deserved.
Whilst Scrabble have not had a game since losing to Catford on March 20, they go into this game on 54 points, and Lions if they win every game they have to play can only reach 56. So a win on Sunday against Faithfold or Sunday week against Temple Fortune will see them crowned champions in their first season back in the league.
Ahead of kick-off, Abrahams told JC Sport: “We've got to where we are through hard work, commitment and a great spirit in the group. We’ve also shown that we can play a bit too.
“We got a squad together last summer which we were confident would challenge for promotion but once we got to the top of table the players have shown great desire to stay there.
“It hasn't been easy and some of the teams in this league have shown that they can play too and in many games we've really had to dig out the points.
“We are all hoping to secure the title on Sunday but Faithfold will not make it easy for us and gave us a good game when we played them at Willesden earlier in the season.
“We will give 100 per cent on Sunday as we always do and hope to get the result we need. If not we will go again against Temple Fortune a week later.
“I'm proud of what we've achieved so far this season but we still have a job to do and we will keep ourselves focused.”
Faithfold will be determined to put Scrabble’s party on hold. They have nothing more than pride to play for and I think they will be swept aside in a game where momentum is key. And the JC cameras will be there to soak up the action.
JC team news: Scrabble will ring the changes after the Catford defeat as they welcome back key players in Elliott Espinoza, Adam Waters and Jonathan Peters to strengthen their squad.
Venue – Christ College 3G, Ref – Robert Benardout
JC star man: Adam Waters (Scrabble)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 Scrabble 3
FC TEAM C vs TEMPLE FORTUNE
Jonathan Cohen is determined to ensure Temple Fortune don't finish with the MGBSFL wooden spoon this season.
He knows full well they start as underdogs against FC Team, but recent results against Boca and Hendon have shown they are no longer a team to under-estimate.
Cohen told JC Sport: "We have a superb squad available this weekend and are looking forward to our first game for many weeks.
"We are confident of picking up a result this week."
Bar wins over Raiders and Catford, FC Team have failed to hit the heights in recent times. With everyone fit, they are definitely a top-half-of-the-table side, but consistency has been an issue.
And that could play into Fortune's hands on Sunday.
Venue – Meadow Park, Ref – Mike Cowan
JC star man: Lee Fegan (Fortune)
DC Prediction: Team 2 Fortune 3
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REAL HENDON vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C
Raiders must avoid defeat to ensure they finish third, in my eyes.
Zack Gothelf and David Domb were rightly proud of their players who battled valiantly in the semi-finals of the Jewish FA Cup last week. They impressed with their organisation and work-rate in the first half and it wasn't until the second we saw the true qualities of the holders.
NLR's recent league results have been up and down, with dropped points against Catford and FC Team coming as a disappointment. But they will be looking to leave Real doubled up following September's 3-2 win which came courtesy of goals from Will Ufland, Nick Haringman and Alex Elf.
Hendon have won more than they've lost, just, but they have fallen short against the teams above them, plus Athletic Bilbaum last time out.
If NLR take their chances they will take maximum points.
Venue - TBC , Ref – Callum Foster
JC star man: Nick Haringman (NLR)
DC Prediction: Real 2 NLR 4
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