MGBSFL ROLL OF HONOUR
Cyril Anekstein Cup – WINNERS: ML Lions A, Runners-up: Redbridge JC A
Premier Division – CHAMPIONS: TBC, Runners-up: TBC
Division One – CHAMPIONS: Redbridge JC B, Runners-up: ML Lions B
Division Two – CHAMPIONS: L’Equipe, Runners-up: Temple Fortune
YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
PREMIER DIVISION
LEAGUE TABLE (TOP 3)
- Oakwood A Pl. 18, W. 14, Pts. 45
- Redbridge JC A Pl. 16, W. 13, Pts. 40
- Hendon Utd SC A Pl. 17, W. 12, Pts. 37
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A
Redbridge have dusted themselves down and they are ready to go again after last weekend’s heartbreaking Cyril Anekstein Cup defeat.
They bossed possession and had a hatful of chances but failed to kill off the Lions who came back to bite them in the tuchas in the final minute.
Jon Jacobs’ men are now potentially faced with two cup finals. But their meeting with last season’s champions is a must-win. Simple as that.
I was impressed by Redbridge at Wingate. They handled the threat of Austin Lipman, Max Kyte and Adam Burchell well and it took two exceptional strikes to beat them.
Going forward, they created numerous chances and would have won the match nine times out of 10.
Jacobs knows his players can’t afford to feel sorry for themselves. The experienced players on the bench ensured the team’s frustrations didn’t spill over at the final whistle. And Jacobs told me they will take the “bitter pill of defeat” to inspire them over the next fortnight.
A Raiders win would see them finish in fourth position, and be the perfect warm-up for next weekend’s Jewish FA Cup final.
We saw their true colours in the semi-final win over a star-studded Lions Masters team and their players will be looking to cement their place in Dan Shafron’s cup final line-up.
Shafron told JC Sport: “We will be aiming to conclude our league campaign as positively as possible on Sunday.
“There’s plenty to play for heading in to the Morrison final and there’s no better way to prepare for it against a side who in my opinion have been the best this season.
“Redbridge were superb last weekend and were unfortunate not to come away as cup winners. I’m sure they will use that dejected feeling as motivation going in to our game.
James Berkley and Russell Goldstein fired Redbridge past Raiders on the opening weekend of the season. There won’t be much to choose between the teams second time around but it’s Redbridge for me, as long as they remember their shooting boots this time!
JC team news: Redbridge hope left-back Ryan Cole passes a fitness test after an injury last week. I’m 99 per cent certain he’ll play (Ed. If only Daniel Sturridge had his heart and attitude!)
NLR are without David Rhodes, Jono Rochwerger, Matt Stock and Jordan Marks. Justin Spiro (ankle), Ben Ellis (knee) continue their recoveries. David Cohen is a welcome return to the squad after eight weeks out.
Venue – Seven Kings, Ref – Richard Jaye, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ben Sollosi (RJC)
DC Prediction: RJC 2 NLR 1
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DIVISION ONE
LEAGUE TABLE (TOP 3)
1. Redbridge Jewish Care B Pl. , W. , Pts.
2. Maccabi London Lions B Pl. , W. , Pts.
3. Scrabble FC Pl. , W. , Pts.
FINCHLEY CITY vs OAKWOOD B
A big crowd is expected for Joel Holder's final game in charge of Finchly City.
His troops have had a strong first season and they will be looking to put on a good show after last week's 10-goal thriller against Raiders B.
Top-scorer Oli Sade bagged a brace, with Jono Gaon and Kon the other scorers in an end to end affair.
Jason Stein gave an honest assessment of his Oakwood team from the club's training ground earlier this week.
"Morning DC, the final press conference of the season. Please take as many Rich Teas as you like, they’ll go in the bin otherwise. And Alex Schock hates waste so better to eat them. Take for the family.
“Look, I’ve said it before but it wasn’t the season I wanted for the B team. We underperformed in the big games all year and really we let ourselves down in some desperately close matches throughout the season.
“Losing 2-1 to Redbridge B, 3-2 to Raiders B and 2-1 to Scrabble stand out. All incredibly close encounters that we let slide away from us.
“When it happens time and after time it’s no longer a coincidence and some of the lads have to toughen up - it really is that simple.
“For the A-team it’s been a magnificent season and really the B team lads should be drawing inspiration from that attitude and aptitude.
"However after waiting six weeks to get this game played we are really just looking forward to a game of football, hopefully some decent weather and a win to sign off on.
“We’re already well under way in terms of planning for next season and I’m so confident that this side will rebuild and come back better next season.”
I'm expecting plenty of goals in a game that could swing either way.
JC team news: It will be a “pretty strong” Oakwood side, with Dan Selwyn and Dan Seligman on the wings. Ilan Scorah will captain the side at centre back.
Venue – Capital City, Ref – Robert Benardout, KO – 10am
JC star man: Oli Sade (Finchley)
DC Prediction: Finchley 4 Oakwood 3
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B vs ATHLETIC BILBAUM
The Baums will be expected to give Redbridge B the traditional guard when the champions set foot on the pitch for their final game of a wonderful season.
Matt Berkley was the two-goal hero when the teams met in January - one of 15 scalps in a memorable campaign.
Sam Rank's men have been a cut above the rest this season in what has been a real team effort. Victory would see them finish 10 points clear of their nearest rivals.
Rank told JC Sport: "The boys have had a brilliant season and achieved our main goal of winning the league.
"There had been talk of a party atmosphere for this game, however the boys still have two mini-objectives to achieve this season - to win the division by the most points, compared to the other divisions, and secondly, to be top-scorers in our division.
"Bilbaum had a fantastic result against Raiders B two weeks ago. They are fighting for their lives to avoid relegation from the division.
"I think Sunday will be a cracker of a game and be fiercely contested.
"I'm expecting a strong, well-drilled and action-packed performance, especially from N'Galo Kante (Daniel Bean).
JC team news: RJC captain Brad Gayer has started his summer training camp already with a trip to Madrid, however he will FaceTime David Wolff when the team are picking up their championship trophies. Kane Hopps has been invited to White Hart Lane early on Sunday to have peace talks with Arsenal Wenger. The biggest team news of the week is RJC B legend and stalwart Craig Sandford is back in the squad after being patched up brilliantly and is raring ago.
Venue – Old Parkonians, Ref – Luke Steele, KO – 10am
JC star man: Craig Sandford (RJC)
DC Prediction: Redbridge 4 Bilbaum 1
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DIVISION TWO
LEAGUE TABLE (TOP 3)
1. L'Equipe (CHAMPIONS) Pl. 20, W. 16, Pts. 50
2. Temple Fortune Pl. 20, W. 12, Pts. 42
3. RC UK FC Pl. 18, W. 11, Pts. 34
HERTSWOOD VALE vs RC UK FC
RC UK FC will look to cement a top three finish when they travel to a Hertswood Vale team on a high following a stunning win over Redbridge last weekend.
Avi Markiewicz's men go into the game on the back of a hat-trick of wins - scoring 17 goals in the process.
But they will revenge on their minds following Hertswood's shock 1-0 win over RC UK courtesy of a strike from Harry Graham.
Hertswood have won their last two and their tails are up. They have been playing some fantastic football with smiles on their faces and they will be looking to bow out on a high.
Joint-manager Jacob Emanuel told JC Sport: "This season has been a serious case of "what may have been".
"Jack and I entered this season pretty confidently but we didn't quite hit the ground running. Unfortunately, a huge list of injuries, lack of commitment and general inexperience of 11-a-side football meant that we struggled and lost out first 10 games in the league.
"Sitting bottom of the league, we knew the potential of the squad - evident in our cupset against Finchley City, we just had to build on it.
"A draw against promotion high-fliers Temple Fortune and a last-minute defeat to champions L'Equipe, was our turning point in the season."
"Since then, five wins in our subsequent seven games including a double against Redbridge, has not only taken us off the bottom of the table and second in the form table, but proved to us that we have a very decent squad that can easily compete with the teams around us.
"If only we were as good against the teams in the lower half of the table as we were against those in the top."
Hertswood don't want their debut campaign to end. They have enjoyed the rollercoaster ride.
"This season hasn't been an overriding success, but we're hoping to keep the squad together, build on it, and push on for a more successful season next season," Emanuel continued.
"On a sad note, Sunday also represents co-manager Jack Shulman's last game in charge of the Vale. Looking to push on as a full-time player next season with the club, I absolutely couldn't have achieved anything without his support this season.
"This week we entertain RC UK to the fortress. We're going to use the game as a bit of an experiment, with a number of players out, no recognised captain or striker - there's even rumours of a starting role for veteran chairman Vivian Emanuel!
"I hope RC UK aren't expecting a particularly competitive game! As always though, whichever team we turn up with on Sunday, we'll be looking to put in a performance."
Five-star entertainment is guaranteed.
Venue – Tempsford Green, Ref – Steve Levy, KO – 10am
JC star man: Vivian Emanuel (Hertswood)
DC Prediction: Hertswood 2 RC UK 3
