Oakwood manager Jake Finestein says he wants his side to dominate Jewish football for “years to come” after he saw them presented with the Maccabi GB Southern Football League Premier Division title.
Handed the trophy after seeing his side complete the second leg of a potential league and cup treble, Finestein has thrown down the gauntlet to his side, saying: “It feels good [to win this title] but we have longer-term targets in mind. We want to build a squad capable of dominating this division for years to come and the challenge to the boys is to go again next season.
“We’re sure the other teams will strengthen to try and come after us, however we’re absolutely confident that if we stick to what we do best, we can go to-to-toe with any team in Sunday League football.”
Securing their third top-flight title in seven years and becoming the first Premier Division winners to go through the whole season unbeaten, he said: “As the season progressed and we saw others around us slipping up, we knew we had to keep focused and take it one game at a time.
REAL SALT BEEF
Super Cup winners Real Salt Beef (Photo: Marc Morris)
"There were many games we went behind in this year and many games we scored in last ten minutes to take the win. That is testament to the commitment and hard work we’ve put in this year.
“Winning the league is extremely tough, but we have been consistent each week and our momentum has continued to build.”
Their second trophy of the season arrived when they beat Geez Park Rangers 3-1 to lift the inaugural David Wolff Premier Division Cup.
Felix Shalom fired them ahead from the penalty spot and although Michael Perkins drew the sides level, further strikes from Shalom and Alex Lee ensured there was double cause for celebration, ahead of another chance to lift one more trophy, this time when they face North London Raiders in the Peter Morrison Trophy final.
Reflecting on the win, Finestein added: “I’m delighted, lots of hard work has gone into this season so it’s nice to see the results now.”
Another team celebrating over the weekend were Real Salt Beef, who crowned their first season in the league by securing a first piece of silverware.
Goals in each half from Daniel Rinkoff, heading home Ethan Kessel’s corner, and a 90th-minute Jayden Tomlinson penalty, saw them beat London Athletico 2-0 to win the Super Cup, while also denying their opponents the chance of securing a league and cup treble.
Delighted with his side’s first season, manager Samuel Margo said: “I’m immensely proud to have won silverware with RSB less than a year after forming.
"It means a lot to everyone involved that our hard work and efforts across the season have been rewarded with a trophy and getting to share these moments with all our friends and family was something very special.
“After being promoted a couple of months ago, we already had a successful first season but to cap it off with the Super Cup turned it into a great first season as a club. We have all enjoyed it a lot and believe this is only the start of the journey for RSB.
"We are all already very much looking forward to next season in a higher division to test ourselves against quality opposition and hopefully win many more trophies.”
In the Maccabi Masters Football League, Brady Maccabi secured a top-three finish as Jon Cohen’s goal was enough to give earn them a 1-0 win over St John’s Wood Tigers
The other game of the day saw Marshside and Hendon Harriers play out a 3-3 draw. Ben Simons gave Hendon an early lead from the penalty spot, with Jon Nesbitt’s 25-yard strike and Sacha Alter seeing them lead 3-2 with just ten minutes remaining. Michael Abraham scored twice for Marshside, with Ben Shooter netting their third.
