BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY FINAL
NORTH LONDON GALAXY vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS
Nine points separated Galaxy and Raiders in MGBSFL Division One this season, but I can see Sunday’s cup final being really tight.
Raiders have been dealt a blow after confirming Josh Nagli has been ruled out for the showpiece match after tearing a hamstring last weekend.
But joint-manager David Isaacs insists nothing will hold L’Orange back at White Hart Lane on Sunday evening.
“It’s the big one Danny, the REAL north London derby,” he told JC Sport. “We’ve had three encounters now with Galaxy and we know what to expect.
HIGHLIGHTS: RAIDERS' QUARTER-FINAL WIN OVER JEWDINESE
“Seeing that in Galaxy recent games they have conceded early, we know we need to exploit this and have a strong start.”
Defensively there isn’t much to separate the teams, but offensively Galaxy have offered a bigger threat during the league campaign, scoring 15 times more. That said, players of the quality of Charlie Kasler, Scott Waissel and Aron Gale will no doubt threaten the Galaxy backline.
Isaacs added: “For our first season together, we are delighted to reach a cup final and we our hoping we can get our hands on the trophy.”
Galaxy have enjoyed a decent first season in the MGBSFL, winning nine league games out of 16. They have enjoyed an easier run to the final, beating second division Temple Fortune and Mill Hill Dons, as well as receiving a bye.
HIGHLIGHTS: GALAXY'S SEMI-FINAL WIN OVER DONS
Goalkeeper Zack Nathan has earned rave reviews this season and is a contender for the Golden Gloves award in Division One.
Left-back Jamie Murray is the Andy Robertson of the MGBSFL, he loves bombing forward and contributes regularly. Jordan Freeman has been a rock at the heart of the defence, while Tyler Smith and Josh Shack offer flair and assists galore, while Dylan Kaye has enjoyed a strong end to the season.
Josh Cohen scored in both league meetings with Raiders, which Galaxy won 2-0, and he will be looking to be a thorn in their side once more.
Ahead of the final, Galaxy boss Luke Lewis told JC Sport: "Our squad depth is much better and following the training sessions we’ve been having, everyone’s taken it up a notch.
"Partnerships are forming and stability is coming. We have a team full of serial winners and everyone knows what they need to do to win this trophy.
"We know Raiders' qualities and who we’ll have to stop to keep them out the game, and our team will be formulated accordingly.
"Jake Rinsler being back at the back is huge for us - one of the coolest heads in Jewish football, filled with experience in occasions like this.
"We know it won’t be easy, but all 16 players in our squad are aware of what it’ll take to bring home the win."
I can see this being a high-octane affair that is won and lost in midfield.
JC team news: Galaxy have "a couple players out," due to injury and uni, including Jack Mattey who tore his groin against Dons.
Venue – Haringey Borough FC, KO – 5.30pm, Ref – Phil Peters
HEAD TO HEADS
Match 3 – Lg - (March 10) – Galaxy 2 Raiders 0 – Scorers: Cohen, Mattey
Match 2 – Lg (Nov 18) – Raiders 0 Galaxy 2 – Scorers: Shack, Cohen
Match 1 - CAC (Oct 28) - Galaxy 0 Raiders 7
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ROUTE TO THE FINAL
RAIDERS
Match 3 – bt Jewdinese 4-2 (AET)
Match 2 – bt SPEC FC 5-2
Match 1 – bt FC Team 5-3
GALAXY
Match 3 – bt Mill Hill Dons 4-3
Match 2 – bt Temple Fortune 4-0
Match 1 – NL Raiders Masters forfeited
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS – PLAYER PROFILES
OLI MISNER (Goalkeeper) - Has been consistent this season and has made key saves throughout the tournament so far. Had it not been for his penalty save in the Semi-Final, we may not have been here today
JOSH BLOOM (Defender) - has really shown us that he has his goal-scoring instinct back in recent weeks, with eight in his last five games, including a hat-trick from centre-back in the semis. He has also really relished taken the armband, being a leader on and off the pitch
BEN ROSEN (Defender) – All-round player who can play anywhere across the defence and midfield who has become a leader on the pitch in recent months. Our very own Philip Lahm
GAVIN FOX (Defender) - The ‘moaner’ of the team, but always puts in 110 per cent and can play anywhere across the back line. Some call him a poor man’s Phil Jones.
TAL COHEN (Defender) – Part-time defender, part-time gaffer and part-time lino, Tal is very consistent at all three of his roles and always has a smile on his face
ALEX ROSE (Defender) - Joined in the January transfer window as has been a very versatile play for us, operating in midfield and also at left-back. We know every time Alex steps on to the pitch he will give 110 per cent
JAKE YUDEOLOWITZ (Defender) - Big part of the team, although he has not been available for most of the season since we lost him on loan to Singapore FC in the January transfer window
CHARLIE KASLER (Midfield) - The most technically gifted player in Jewish football. You can almost guarantee an assist or a goal each time Charlie steps out on the field and if he is on it, the trophy will be theirs
MATT WARNER (Midfield) - Agent Warner was signed on a night out in Camden by agent Isaacs, he’s our very own Xabi Alonso with his wide range of passing and NLR fans hope he will be able to control the tempo of the game for us on Sunday
ALEX JACOBS (Midfield) - Quick feet and has a very powerful shot, NLR lost AJ for around four months of the season, however since he’s been back he’s slotted right-back in the midfield and provided us with eight assists
JORDAN NATHAN (Midfield) - Pace, power and a great engine on him. It has been very stop start with Jordan due to him being at university but whenever he is back he always gives us another dimension and we are hoping he can make the difference in the final.
SCOTT WAISSEL (Midfield) - Offers speed and has an eye for goal and can play on both wings. One of our many ex-Maccabiah boys
YARDEN SHARON (Midfield) - Looks like Lucas Torreira, plays like Lucas Torreira, tough tackler and is always looking to break up the play. Whenever the big games come Yarden ‘Torreira’ Sharon delivers for us with a 10/10 performance
ASHLEY DIAMOND (Midfielder) - The surprise package with great agility who can operate on ether wing
ARON GALE (Forward) - Mr Goals, has always been a threat in every game with his power and speed and we are hoping he can continue this with a couple of goals in the final
ALEX NEWMAN (Forward) - Has been hampered with injury throughout the season however the physio has confirmed that he will be fit to play in the final and if we need a late a goal we know this man can deliver for us
