YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
MACCABI LONDON LIONS MASTERS vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A
A place in the final in Manchester awaits the winner of Sunday’s Match of the Day between Lions Masters and currently MGBSFL champions Raiders A.
The JC cameras will be in attendance for a meeting between the best Maccabi players from yesteryear against the team that set the standard last year.
The Lions squad has been hit by injuries, with striker Adam Stolerman and talisman Alex Levack ruled out.
Boss Dan Jacobs insists this is another bonus match for his players, but there is plenty at stake for the team I labelled competition favourites after knocking out holders Hendon.
Ahead of kick-off, Jacobs told JC Sport: “You know my rhetoric won’t change on it. It’s simply another opportunity to play together.”
Raiders have had an up and down season, but manager Dan Shafron is determined to finish it on a high and lead L’Orange to Jewish FA Cup glory for the first time.
“This is our season defining game,” he told JC Sport. “With our league campaign over several weeks ago, reaching the semi-final has kept our fight and desire alive ever since our great performance in the fourth round against Manchester Maccabi.
“Everyone at North London Raiders is excited for this game. To go up against a group of MSFL legends who are soon representing GB at the Maccabiah will be an incredible test.
“Names such as Sloma, Hakim and Morris to name a few are brilliant footballers and have all been there, done it and have countless league and cup medals.
“Having said that, we’ve also got plenty of league and cup winners in our group who have played in high pressure games and so we will relish the challenge in hand.
“We go into this game off the back of some very positive results, which gives us plenty of confidence and belief.
“We are playing well and are well prepared. Our 1-0 win last weekend was a hard grafted performance and I think the exact type of game we needed in preparation for Sunday.”
It’s a shame for the neutral that Levack is out. Not only is he an outstanding baller, he’s a leader, an organiser and someone who gets his team ticking. And his battle against Jonny Kay would have been intriguing. But the Masters still have Craig Pearl and Paul Linger, a player who was once on the books of Charlton. And they have undoubted quality in the final third.
But Jacobs is wary that Raiders have legs in attack. How will his golden oldies cope with Matt Stock and Liron Mannie?
The bookies are struggling to split them, but if it goes to penalties the Masters have an advantage with Russell Corin likely to come into his own. However, I can see them squeezing home in 90.
POSSIBLE SQUADS
MASTERS (from): Russell Corin, Adam Myeroff, Adam Harvey, Guy Morris, David Soutar, Tony Gold, Craig Pearl, Josh Bentley, Paul Linger, Sam Sloma, Danny Daggers, Lee Cash, Paul Hakim, Saul Conway
RAIDERS (from): Jake Doffman, Alex Bloch, Josh Morris, JJ Spiro, David Rhodes (capt), Jonny Kay, Jono Rochwerger, Adam Joselyn, Joe Cohen, Jordan Nathan, David Nezri, David Cohen, Oscar Wagner, Nick Lewis, Nyv Bogaire, Matt Stock, Liron Mannie, Ben Ellis, David Dinkin
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Andy Myerson, KO – 10am
JC star man: Guy Morris (Masters)
DC Prediction: Masters 2 Raiders 1
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
BRADY MACCABI vs CAMDEN PARK
LEAGUE TABLE (TOP 3)
1. Oakwood A Pl. 18, W. 14, Pts. 45
2. Redbridge A Pl. 15, W. ,12 Pts. 37
3. Hendon A Pl. 17, W. 12, Pts. 37
This match is something of a dead-rubber, with no title or relegation issues at stake, but it offers Camden Park the opportunity to test themselves against a Brady Maccabi side who beat them 2-0 in December.
Sam Castle was Brady’s match-winner that day in what was one of only two clean sheet the boys from Rowley Lane have kept this season.
We have seen big improvement in Camden since the experienced Stirling Kay took charge as manager. They have tightened up defensively and are playing as more of a unit. They certainly made last season’s champions Raiders battle for victory last weekend.
Scoring goals has been an issue for Camden this season. They have failed to register in six matches and this will be something Kay is keen to address over the summer.
The goals have also dried up for Brady in the second half of the season, but I expect them to get something from the game nonetheless.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Daniel Fox, KO – 10am
JC star man: Jake Saunders (Camden)
DC Prediction: Brady 1 Camden 1
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SPEC FC vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
Title-chasing Redbridge will be missing defender Zack Neiman for what is the first of four cup finals for Redbridge.
Jon Jacobs’ have already secured their place in the Cyril Anekstein Cup final and they must win their last three league matches to be crowned champions. Simply put, there is no margin for error.
Neiman has been one of RJC’s leading performers since his mega-money move from SPEC FC, although he was little more than a spectator in the 9-1 demolition of FC Team last weekend.
Looking ahead to kick-off, Jacobs told JC Sport: “There will be no complacency from our guys as we go into the biggest month of the season.
“I have got guys playing for their cup final place so there is a lot to play for on Sunday.”
SPEC boss Ricky Lawrence knows it could be another long morning for his men. They were thumped 10-1 by the east Londoners last month, when Daniel Garfinkle ran amok. And it wouldn’t surprise me if they are even stronger on Sunday.
Oakwood hope SPEC can do them a favour and Lawrence told JC Sport: “The squad is brimming with confidence and extremely confident that we'll get the three points on Sunday."
SPEC have leaked 29 goals in their last four matches and something tells me their goalkeeper will be rather busy once more.
JC team news: Redbridge welcome back Nathan Sollosi into the squad following some “warm weather training” in north-west London last week.
Venue – Hertswood, Ref – Martin De La Fuente, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ben Sollosi (Redbridge)
DC Prediction: SPEC 1 Redbridge 5
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WOODFORD WANDERERS vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS A
Lions edged a five-goal thriller at the start of the season, but I expect things to be a little more one-sided second time around.
Ricky Rinder, Alex Rose and Adam Arnold fired the Lions to victory in a thrilling contest, with Tom Alexander and Harrison Midda registering for Woodford.
Darryl Kay’s men have suffered heavy defeats recently against all of the big boys. They are consigned to a bottom two finish and I can’t see them asking too many questions of a Lions team pushing for fourth spot.
Venue – Fairlop, Ref – David Lazarus, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ryan Springer (Lions)
DC Prediction: Woodford 0 Lions 2
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DIVISION ONE
LEAGUE TABLE (TOP 3)
1. Redbridge B (CHAMPIONS) Pl. 16, W. 14, Pts. 43
2. Lions B Pl. 17, W. 12, Pts. 38
3. Scrabble FC Pl. 18, W. 12, Pts. 38
ATHLETIC BILBAUM vs FINCHLEY CITY
Finchley City still have 12 points to play for and if they can finish on 38 points that would be a highly respectable finish.
Automatic promotion is no longer possible, but manager Joel Holder won’t allow his players to go through the motions. It just wouldn’t be fair on the travelling supporters.
The City boys have dusted themselves down after being crushed 5-0 by champions Redbridge. Now they are ready to go again.
Daniel Polak went home with the match ball after City thumped the Baums 5-1 in October. They have played on the front foot for the majority of the season and will no doubt go for goals on Sunday.
Baums boss Nick Shinder must be contemplating a summer clear-out. There are a lot of green and white players playing for new contracts so they may not be the pushovers City expect.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Neal Cohen, KO – 10am
JC star man: Josh Gaon (Finchley)
DC Prediction: Bibaum 1 Finchley 3
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS B
Only a mathematical disaster could stop Lions from being promoted.
That was the upbeat message from boss Sam Marchant following last week's 2-1 defeat against champions Redbridge.
The Lions have come a long way this season, making great progress and their game-management has been spot on pretty much every week.
But they can take nothing for granted against a Raiders team packed with goals. Although manager Jonny Adelman told JC Sport several regulars could be missing on Sunday.
"As always it's a challenge to get a side out during the Pesach period, but thankfully we do have a decent group for Sunday," commented Adelman.
Neither side has anything to play for so we'll hope for a nice open game."
That's what I'm expecting too.
JC team news: NLR striker Nicky Woolf will have a late fitness test on an ankle injury, Danny Bloom returns after a lifetime away with work, weddings and stags.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Martin Lavender, KO – 10am
JC star man: Nick Woolf (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Raiders 2 Lions 2
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DIVISION TWO
FAITHFOLD B vs REAL HENDON
Golden Boot winner Richard Fogelman will be looking to cement his title as the league's top goal-getter in what I expect to be a game of goals against Real.
An end-to-end contest is on the cards, with Fogelman looking to put the outcome beyond any doubt.
He has been simply sensational in front of goal and will no doubt be on the shopping list of several clubs across the MGBSFL and MMFL this summer.
The Greens will be on a revenge mission after being battered 7-1 by Real last month.
Real know that three points would ensured they finish above Faithfold, who looked a good bet for the promotion up to Chanukah.
Chaim Gothold's troops have numerous attacking options and will fancy their chances of completing a league double.
Ref – Stuart Ansher, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ben Goldberg (Real)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 3 Real 4
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RC UK FC vs MILL HILL DONS
RC UK saw their hopes of automatic promotion extinguished when they suffered a shock defeat against basement battlers Hertswood last Sunday.
I'm expecting a big reaction from Avi Markiewicz's men who will leapfrog the Dons is they secure maximum points.
Markiewicz has identified the areas in which he needs to strengthen his squad next season, so it will be a nervous summer for one or two of his players, who will have a point to prove against the Dons. It's all about playing for the badge.
Brandon Hamme is delighted with how things have gone in MHD's debut season.
He told JC Sport: "What a first season it has been for the Dons. There's been some ups and there have been some downs, but overall it's been a great experience and one we will look to end in style on Sunday when we face RC UK.
"We know this will not be an easy game - the last time we faced them we won, but I believe that game was the best we have played all season.
"We will need to be at our best again if we are going to stand a chance of repeating that feat.
"It would be great to get three points as that would secure us a top half finish, but we know we are going to be in for a hard game."
RC UK are like wounded lions at the minute and I can see them going for the jugular on Sunday.
JC team news: After his successful ambassadorial trip to Australia earlier in the year, the Dons have sent Harry Kalms to Mexico in an attempt to tap into the Dons Latino market. Because of this Kalms will be unavailable for Sunday's game. Adam Ben Harosh, Ben Bazini and Adam Isaacs have also gone away. Whilst Harry Moss, Harry Cohen and Sammy Hakimian remain out.
Venue – Ludgrove Playing Fields, Ref – Steve Levy, KO – 10am
JC star man: Zalmy Cohen (RC UK)
DC Prediction: Dons 2 RC UK 4
More to follow ...
