PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Manchester Maccabi 2nd vs Maccabi London Lions Blue or Sedgley Park
Fairlop FC vs North London Raiders A
Haroldeans vs Redbridge Jewish Care A
Manchester Maccabi 1st vs Maccabi London Lions White
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND THREE
MACCABI LONDON LIONS BLUE vs SEDGLEY PARK CELTIC
MJSL title hopefuls Sedgley Park go into the tie in top shape having won seven on the spin.
Saul Shapiro and Moses Seitler have been influential figures in their push for honours this season and I expect them to give it a good go at the Lane on Sunday.
The Lions batted stablemates Brady last time out and have come through a tough run of games. Sam Marchant's men have played two of the top teams in recent weeks in Hendon and Oakwood and given a very good account of themselves.
If they take the chances the Lions will progress.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref - Andy Myerson, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ed Brafman (Lions)
DC Prediction: Lions 3 Sedgley 1
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MGBSFL PREM DIV
BRADY MACCABI vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS
Revenge will be the name of the game for a Brady team whose aspirations of silverware this season were quashed by Greg Corin’s Hendon.
Josh Harris, Ben Kon and Dan Howard were the key figures in Hendon’s 3-2 victory in the semi-finals of the League Cup, when Yoav Kestenbaum, Mordy Weiler and captain marvel Ari Last saw them home to set up a final showdown against Oakwood.
This is proving to be a big year in the life and development of Weiler, who looks like he has been playing in the team for years – a bit like Andrew Robertson at Liverpool.
Brady are determined to finish the season as high in the table as possible. They have been hit hard by injuries but the goals of Reiss Mogilner have been the highlight for them.
Hendon have added incentive to win. They also crushed Brady 7-1 in the league earlier in the season and that psychological advantage will be key come kick-off.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Mark Jacob, KO
JC star man: Mordy Weiler (Brady)
DC Prediction: Brady 1 Hendon 2
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CAMDEN PARK vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS WHITE
Lions White secured their place in the last eight of the Jewish FA Cup last weekend. Now they are setting their sights on three points against Camden.
3-0 victors over Stirling Kay’s troops in November, they remain a work in progress, although, as we have seen, they have some jokers up their sleeve for certain matches.
Adam Arnold and Ollie Craig are two of the talented youngsters pulling the strings at the minute, while much of the good work in midfield goes through Tyler Smith.
Camden have lost six out of seven in the league and I can’t see many positives coming out of the next 90 minutes.
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – Martin Lavender, KO – 10am
JC star man: Tyler Smith (Lions)
DC Prediction: Camden 1 Lions 3
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A
The Morrison is the priority for quarter-finalists Redbridge, who smashed home 12 goals against their B team last week.
Nathan Sollosi produced a performance of the season contender, with five sublime strikes, while brother Sam chipped in with four of his own.
Nate Kashket is also scoring regularly this season and although they start the match level on 13 points with Raiders, they have four games in hand.
Raiders appear to be hitting form at just the right time. They must continue to produce the good in their last two league outings before they get back to the business that is retaining the Morrison Trophy.
If you’re looking for five-star entertainment this weekend, this is your game.
Venue - Fairlop, Ref – Richard Jaye, KO – 10am
JC star man: Nate Kashket (RJC)
DC Prediction: RJC 3 NLR 2
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DIVISON ONE
LOS BLANCOS vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B
Blancos welcome title-challengers Raiders B on the back of an excellent performance against Premier Division champions Oakwood.
There were lots of positives to take away from the 1-0 defeat in the League Cup semi-finals, and it's important they approach this game with the same attitude.
Raiders could finish the weekend in top spot, although they have played a game more than table-toppers Faithfold.
Having four points out of a possible six against third-placed Oakwood, promotion lies in their hands.
Goalkeeper Ben Law and Jake Gilbert will be key figures for L'Orange between now and the end of the season, and I expect them to kick on again on Sunday.
Venue - Hertswood, Ref – Luke Steele, KO – 10am
JC star man: Elad Hertshten (NLR)
DC Prediction: Blancos 1 NLR 3
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OAKWOOD B vs TEMPLE FORTUNE A
Having come out second best from their double-header against promotion rivals Raiders B, I expect a big reaction from Oakwood on Sunday. Temple Fortune beware!
Jason Stein's men are now relying on others slipping up. Their destiny is no longer in their own hands. But it's important they remain fully focussed and concentrate on the task at hand here, against the division's bottom team.
There was a positive vibe around the club's training ground this week. Manager Jason Stein explained: "DC, come in please. You'll have to excuse the sordid state of my office. A few of the A team lads thought it would be funny to break in and run havoc after the Anekstein semi-final win.
"It's obviously fantastic for the club to have a final to look forward. We've all got April 29 circled in our diaries. Well everyone except joint A-team manager David Cohen who was going to be on holiday until we alerted him!
Dan Seligman, James Abrams and Sam Modlin were the goal men when Oakwood beat Fortune 3-0 in October and another comfortable win looks on the cards.
Stein told JC Sport: "This weekend is the first of our final four matches and we've now entered that completely unavoidable period of the season where games are stretched out across a number of weeks.
"That lack of match practice can really hurt teams. So we will need to make sure we do a proper warm-up this week and shake some of the rustiness off.
"We can't afford to come off the pitch with anything other than a win this week and we'll need to approach the match professionally.
"Firstly, we want to close out third spot. It will be a complete travesty if we give that up. And secondly, people are playing for the places next season. So I'm looking forward to seeing us do a proper job and get a win on Sunday."
This season is best erased from the memory for Temple Fortune A. Manager Simon Linden deserves much better for his efforts - but he has been determined to see the season out.
As for a prediction, Fortune fans should look away now.
JC team news: New midfield signing Louie Libbert will make his second appearance since moving down from London. Stein can call upon nearly all of the squad regulars this week including, attackers Dan Ash, Dan Selwyn and defenders Dan King and Jordan Sherne
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Neil Cooper, KO – 10am
JC star man: Louie Libbert (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 6 Fortune 0
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B vs FAITHFOLD A
Dan Andrews is suspended for Redbridge B who will be determined to mirror the performance of their C-team against table-toppers Faithfold last weekend.
The east Londoners face the Superhoops twice in the next three weeks and could yet have a big say in the destiny of the title.
Faithfold are unbeaten on their travels in the league this season, but manager Avi Markiewicz knows they must arrive early and ready to go toe to toe with a team that plays to its strength.
Having seen the playing surface at Fairlop recently, Markiewicz's men must have a Plan B up their sleeve as silky free-flowing football may not be possible.
Redbridge can be tough to play against, so it might just be the day for a smash and grab.
Venue - Fairlop, Ref – Daniel Fox, KO – 10am
JC star man: Aaron Luftig (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: RJC 1 Faithfold 2
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SCRABBLE FC vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE C
Ray Abrahams has been looking for some divine intervention in a bid to turn Scrabble's fortunes around. And I couldn't think of a better place to do that than in Israel.
On the back of six consecutive league defeats, the club decided to withdraw from the Supplementary Cup before a ball had even been kicked. Redbridge were the chief beneficiaries as it allowed them to enter instead.
Mitch Hahn and Ashley Rubin registered when RJC beat Scrabble 2-1 earlier in the season. The east Londoners have gone on to show their qualities from there, drawing 2-2 against leaders Faithfold last time out.
Now they will be looking to consolidate their position in the top four and possibly challenge Oakwood for third.
Redbridge will look to get into Scrabble's faces and not give them any time on the ball. And if Scrabble are not at it they will come out second best again.
Venue – Capital City, Ref – Phil Peters, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ben Oldstein (RJC)
DC Prediction: Scrabble 1 RJC 3
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DIV TWO
FAIRLOP FC vs CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI
Fairlop got the draw they were looking for in the Jewish FA Cup this week - Raiders at home. There can be no bigger incentive than to knock out the holders in your own back-yard.
Since their last meeting with the Cats in October, Fairlop having been scoring goals for fun. And record signing Daniel Garfinkle has only just got started.
Aaron Dias's troops start the match a point behind the Cats, with three games in hand. Three out of their next four matches are at home, and there's also the small matter of a meeting with promotion rivals Mill Hill Dons as well. Dias has done a fantastic job in his first season, and I believe the best is yet to come.
Jeff Gotch was happy with his team's performance against Lions White in the Morrison, despite the 7-2 scoreline. There were spells when they played some good football but they can blow hot and cold - that has been their biggest issue this season.
I'm expecting a big crowd and a great atmosphere, which will spur Fairlop into yet another victory.
Venue – Redbridge Sports Centre, Ref – Darryl Colmans, KO – 10am
JC star man: Daniel Bean (Fairlop)
DC Prediction: Fairlop 4 Catford 1
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MILL HILL DONS vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C
Mill Hill Dons return to action for the first time since their defeat against title rivals Bayern. And I have a feeling their are in for a big test against Raiders C.
In the end their match against the Mincha boys came down to small details, but manager Brandon Hamme will be disappointed they came away with no to show for their efforts, especially after top-scorer Zach Cohen had put them ahead.
The Dons must impose themselves from the first whistle on Sunday, as they go in search of their fifth home win of the season. With games in hand, they are still in charge of their destiny, but it's important they take it one game at a time from here.
Raiders have won both their last two games by one-goal margins, and manager Sam Rose is happy with their form. He believes he has finally found the right tactics and right formation, and his players will be looking to make things awkward for the Dons.
Nick Haringman will be relieved to have finally score his first goal of the season, while I've really been impressed by the regular goals and contributons of Ben Kaye.
The Dons will feel they have bigger fish to fry but football has a nasty habit of biting you in the tuchas when you least expect it, so Sunday will be about getting the job done.
Venue - Aycliffe Road, Ref - Neal Cohen, KO - 10am
JC star man: Joel Levitt (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Dons 2 Raiders 2
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REAL HENDON vs STRAW HAT PIRATES
I'm looking forward to Sunday's meeting between Real and the Pirates - with goals on the menu.
Real start the game a point better off, with games in hand. They were allowed to play very little football, mainly due to the conditions rather than anything else, against FC Team last time out, but came away with a hard-earned point.
They showed great character and attitude that they would not be beaten and they will go into this game believing they can win.
The Pirates have been performing to a good level in their first season, whilst not necessarily picking up the points they have deserved.
The goals of Aron Gale have been a real plus and it wouldn't surprise me if one of the big boys came in for him during the summer.
Sim Cohen gives them steel at the back while Jono Nesbitt will be looking to pull the strings in the centre of the park. When he plays, the Pirates play.
I'm expecting an open and entertaning affair - one Real might just edge if they can cut off the supply line to Gale.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Robert Benardout, KO – 10am
JC star man: Sam Georgevic (Pirates)
DC Prediction: Real 3 Pirates 2
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TEMPLE FORTUNE B vs FAITHFOLD B
Temple Fortune will be looking to complete what is likely to be their only league double this season when they host Faithfold B.
Gab Saul and Jordan Jay were the goal men when Fortune edged past the Superhoops in November.
I've heard good things about young goalkeeper Joel Carlowe and he will be looking to keep the team's first clean sheet of the season on Sunday.
Faithfold went down fighting against Raiders last weekend and could've pinched a point on another day.
Time is starting to run out for them however, in terms of avoiding the wooden spoon.
The playing surface in Pinner won't allow much football and I can see it being a game of kick and rush.
When push comes to shove the result will be more important than the performance, so don't expect this to be a classic.
Venue – Roger Bannister, Ref – Steve Levy, KO – 10am
JC star man: Joel Carlowe (Fortune)
DC Prediction: Fortune 3 Faithfold 2
More to follow ...
