PLAYER OF THE WEEK: ZAC SUMMERFIELD (Scrabble FC)
--------------------------------------
YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND ONE
NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A vs MILL HILL DONS
The Dons have nothing to lose when they travel to Morrison holders North London Raiders in what is a dream tie for manager Brandon Hamme.
They have started the Division Two campaign in fine fettle, with Zach Cohen banging in the goals, and I have no doubt they will arrive at the Raiders ground with no fear, believing they can cause a big surprise.
A 5-1 win over Raiders C has set them up nicely for this match, although you can bet Dan Shafron has been in the ear of Sam Rose and Zack Gothelf to ensure L’Orange are not caught napping.
Raiders A have made a steady if unspectacular start. Having been hit for six by Brady last month, they were good value for the draw in front of the JC cameras at Brunel last weekend, with Zack Neiman showing NLR fans his qualities which earned him a place in Team of the Week.
Some people might say Raiders look light up top but it wouldn’t surprise me if Shafron sticks a couple of impact players on the bench, notably Oscar Wagner who could give them a big injection of pace and power in the closing stages.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
RAIDERS (from): Adam Zaidman, Josh Morris, Jono Rochwerger, David Rhodes, JJ Spiro, Zack Neiman, Alex Moss, Josh Pistol, David Cohen, Joe Cohen, Adam Joselyn, Ben Joseph, Jonny Kay, Josh Green, David Dinkin, Josh Goldstein, Joe Meisel, James Ross, Oscar Wagner, Jake Yudelowitz
DONS (from): Oli Burchell, Adam Ben-Harush, Josh Cinna, Adam Isaacs, Ryan Kramer, Adam Lisberg, Adam Morrow, Harry Moss, Jamie Nagioff, Nick Phillips, Joel Sinclair-Horne, Zach Cohen, Brandon Hamme, Harry Kalms, Richard Reback, Jordan Rinsler, Sam Denby, Josh Moses, Adam Diamond, Joe Reece, Jason Weldon
Ref – Robert Benardout
JC star man: Oscar Wagner (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Raiders 3 Dons 1
--------------------
--------------------
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
BRADY MACCABI vs OAKWOOD A
It’s the clash of the titans at the Lane as league leaders Brady take on defending champions Oakwood.
Brady came away frustrated from last week’s tussle with Raiders as they felt they had done enough to win the game.
Ricky Rinder continued his excellent early season form, while Ben Kohler tucked away his fourth goal of the season in great style.
But they will face a challenge of a different kind on Sunday against a confident Oakwood team who play to their strengths.
The Oaks saw off Hendon United 3-1 in the London FA Sunday County Cup last weekend and managers Dan Kristall, Adam Levene and Dave Cohen would’ve been delighted by the passion and commitment on show.
Ahead of kick-off, joint-manager Dan Kristall told JC Sport: "We go into Sunday's game against the league leaders having only played one league game. I think we have already confirmed that our season should last much longer this year.
"We are on an excellent run and our squad is at its best ever. Last week was a good example, with up to seven regular first teamers from last season missing but we were able to call on the entire squad to still get the win against a strong Hendon side.
"We know how difficult this Sunday's test will be. We always have close games with Brady. They have strengthened and have already taken four points off Raiders.
"They also play open attractive football in the right way and have some excellent players. We will need to be at our best to take the points on Sunday and look forward to the game."
Kristall ensured me that his focus is firmly on the game, despite some off-the-field distractions! "Thanks to Jason and the club for their kind words.
"It's been an eventful week and although I considered the paternity leave that chairman Ric Blank kindly offered me, after extended talks with the Mrs, I was given the go ahead to attend the Hendon match. (special thanks to Tami for that)."
Toby Levy was a real livewire down the left, with David Woolman a constant threat. And with Sam Cantor leading the line with great purpose, it will be a real test of Brady’s credentials.
JC team news: Leor Sidle is set to make his first appearance of the season for Oakwood. New Signing Jake Bentwood is available. Alex Lee, Josh Cuby and Brad Wine all return. Jonathan Quinn and Daniel Rose are away and Joe Botchin is still injured and yet to make debut in goal.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
BRADY (from): Zack Nathan, Harry Fine, Zak Skry, Stanley Offord, Jordan Nathan, Sam Castle, Henry Ziff, Brad Dryer, Marc Rister, Clark Norton, David Cohen, Nathan Harrod, Ricky Rinder, Ben Kohler, Reiss Mogilner
OAKWOOD (from): Dean Caplin, Harvey Kaye, Lee Warner, Alex Lee, Dale Bradman, Kyle Bentwood, Jake Norton, Josh Cuby, Tom Cantor, Simon Davies, Toby Levy, Dan Rose, Dan Seligman, Dave Woolman, Sam Cantor, Brad Wine, Jonny Quinn, Jordan Sherne
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Mark Jacob, KO – 10am
JC star man: Harvey Kaye (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Brady 1 Oakwood 2
--------------------
--------------------
MACCABI LONDON LIONS BLUE vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
How do you lose a game you led 3-0 against nine men? That’s what Sam Marchant has been asking himself over and over again following last weekend’s epic Lions derby.
The Blues made a dream start, with Adam Abadi, Daniel Fattal and Jono Gaon putting them in the driving seat but they simply had no answer to the drive and determination of the Whites on the day.
I’ve heard shirt sales have gone well since Liron Mannie joined the club. However, a six-week stint in Thailand means Marchant and co will have to carry on without one of the MGBSFL’s leading lights. Let’s just hope it wasn’t a PR stunt!
Another tough workout is on the cards as they welcome a Redbridge team who were back to somewhere near their best against Camden Park last weekend. Steve Summers scored the goal of the week – a strike applauded by both managers and worthy of winning any game.
And with Sam Sollosi back in the fold, the east Londoners know they will need to be on their game if they are to tame the Lions.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
LIONS (from): James Harpin, Ben Winters, Adam Abadi, Jordan Aspis, Nathan Anders, Nick Barnett, Daniel Behar, Daniel Fattal, Ed Brafman (capt), Jono Gaon, David Nezri, Sammy Kingston, Zach Perez, Alex Rose, Josh Bloom, Michael Kenley, Charlie Cohen
RJC (from): Dan Lee, Danny Berg, Sam McCarthy, Craig Sandford, Brad Frankel, Danny Hakimi, Richie Caplin, Nate Kashket, Ben Sollosi, Scott Oldstein, James Berkley, Sam Sollosi, Steve Summers, Daniel Garfinkle, Adam Hakimi, Sam Rank
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref - , KO – 10am
JC star man: Sam Sollosi (RJC)
DC Prediction: Lions 1 RJC 2
--------------------
--------------------
DIVISION ONE
OAKWOOD B vs L’EQUIPE
Bouncebackability is the name of the game for both Oakwood and L’Equipe.
The Oaks were edged out by an efficient Faithfold team currently firing on all cylinders. The finishing on show was of the highest calibre from both sets of players.
There has been mazel in the Oakwood camp this week, so I had to tread carefully when visiting the club’s training ground this week.
“Cheers, DC. Do come in. Close the door quietly behind you please. Dan Kristall’s new born is fast asleep in the recovery baths in a bid to be fit for Sunday,” Oakwood B joint-manager Jason Stein told JC Sport. “I also just wanted to put in the paper the heartiest of hearty mazel tov from everyone at Oakwood to Dan and his wife Tami on the birth of their daughter last week.
“Dan was still on the touchline for our win against Hendon, a move that surprised absolutely no-one.
“It was nice to see you at the game last week, DC. I think you saw the best and the worst of Oakwood B. Mesmerising going forward, maddening at the back.
“Despite the result I maintain I was happy with what I saw last week. The fitness levels were really positive and some of the quality of the attacking play and passing was among the best in my time at the club.
“So I think we’ll take far more good than bad into the game against L’Equipe this weekend.”
Nick Stern cut a frustrated figure after the 4-0 beating at the hands of Los Blancos last weekend. He mentioned Blancos’ finishing was far superior on the day and goalkeeper Mark Glucksman would’ve been disappointed with one of the goals that beat him at the near post. But he could have done nothing about Svi Freedman’s wonder strike.
L’Equipe are finding out there is a big jump between Division One and Division Two so it’s important they come up with a way of frustrating Oakwood and perhaps trying to pinch something on the break. Because if they try to go toe to toe that will find things tough at Fortress Breakspear.
JC team news: Simon Field and Stein have got “some big decisions” to make for Sunday with squad availability really good. They will be welcoming Haydon Davidson and Dan Ash back into the fold for the game.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
OAKWOOD (from): Ben Annis, Danni Dennison, Ben Feingold, Dan King, Ilan Scorah, Ben Loofe, Ben Peppi, Jacob Richler-Kleiman, Dan Seligman, Dan Selwyn, Haydon Davidson, Jordan Sherne, Ben Buck, Max Clynes, Dan Linton, Sam Modlin, Dan Ash, Rafi Bloom, Aaron Searle, Jake Frener, Dan Linton
L’EQUIPE (from): Mark Glucksman, Richard Alexander, Ian Baron, Grant Bates, Jon Conway, Jon Kay, Josh Lewis, James Mandell, Nick Stern, Rob Simons, Sam Sinclair, Jules Bohm, David Prager, Max Martin, Erez Noonoo, Andy Smith
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Neal Cohen, KO – 10am
JC star man: Dan Ash (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 3 L’Equipe 1
--------------------
--------------------
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B vs TEMPLE FORTUNE
Redbridge B will feel they are catching Temple Fortune at a good time.
2-0 winners in the second derby of the season, the east Londoners have their tails up following goals from Carl Dobrin and Dan Gordon. Treat this game like another derby and I can see them coming away with maximum points again.
Fortune are finding life tough in a higher division. Even though manager Simon Linden worked tirelessly over the summer to bring in reinforcements, they are simply shedding too many goals.
It’s not in Linden’s make-up to park the bus, so it could be a case of trying to outscore Redbridge.
But with strikers of the quality of Gordon on show, that might not be the best game-plan.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
RJC (from): Brad Grant, Jon Fialka, Daniel Adelman, Dan Andrews, Paul Biller, James Law, Scott McKenzie, Adam Noble, Daniel Cooper, Josh Hambling, Lee Cutler, Carl Dobrin, Dan Lassman, Dan Lipman, Dan Gordon, Josh Kalinsky, Richard Rosenthal
FORTUNE (from): Lee Fegan, Connor Brand, Brett Stead, Adam Speck, Lee Hyams, Jake Marks, Jason Lindsay, Eshed Rahav, Joe Stolerman, Gab Stone, Michael Woolf, Adam Lenz, Michael Goldberg, Simon Linden, Gideon Wetrin, Ricky Fox, Dan Vandermolen
Venue - Fairlop, Ref - Bob Caplin, KO – 10am
JC star man: Daniel Cooper (RJC)
DC Prediction: RJC 3 Fortune 1
--------------------
--------------------
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE C vs FAITHFOLD A
Redbridge C have lost three on the spin and they will need to play out of their skins if they are to stop a Faithfold team gunning for the title.
Having beaten Redbridge B in their opener, they have been brought back down to earth since, with defeats against Raiders, Fortune and the Bs.
Their quality and experience is undoubted and it’s surely only a matter of time until they click. Players such as Ben Rosenthal, Jerome Marks, Alex Aviram and Darryl Green have been there, seen it and bought the MGBSFL t-shirt and I’ve heard great things about your Conor Silkman.
That said, I’ve also seen enough of Faithfold in recent weeks to tell you they could be one of the surprise packages of the season. With no recognised goalkeeper, manager Avi Markiewicz has been donning the gloves, and his players have showed immense quality on 3G.
I know there have been rumours that I’ve bought a Faithfold season ticket this year. That’s simply not true. I just wish I had played for them when they had so many great players!
They have excelled on 3G but can they do it on a cold, dark morning in Essex?
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
RJC (from): Ben Rosenthal, Jerome Marks, Alex Aviram, Darryl Green, Ben Oldstein, Jason Patmore, Harrison Midda, Ashley Rubin, Martin Sales, Seth Walmer, Matt Zartz, Daniel Wexler, Lewis Rackham, Brad Glazer, Conor Silkman
FAITHFOLD (from): Avi Markiewicz, Jonny Gahan, Leor Harel, Yitzy Hill, Elliott Kaye, Avi Garson, David Leiwy, Akiva Solomon, Josh Wagner, Gav Lewis, Joseph Gordon, Zalmy Cohen, Chaim Bordon
Venue - Fairlop, Ref – Steve Levy, KO – 10am
JC star man: Yitzy Hill (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: RJC 1 Faithfold 2
--------------------
--------------------
SCRABBLE FC vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B
Raiders will put their 100 per cent league record on the line when they travel to Scrabble.
The teams were arch rivals last season and given several players have rejoined NLR over the summer, there could be some extra spice.
Scrabble are still gelling and that’s why Raiders start as favourites for me. Elliot Espinoza could be a marked man on his return to Capital City, as Ray Abrahams looks to kerb his attacking instincts, while goalkeeper Ben Law will be determined to keep a clean sheet against his former club.
Zac Summerfield produced a contender for performance of the season in the morale-boosting 5-3 win over Temple Fortune, but Abrahams knows his team must tighten up at the back.
Raiders are blessed with a plethora of attacking options and I can’t see Scrabble keeping them at bay.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
Scrabble (from): Jonny Mervish, Oli Richardson, Amit Kahana, Ben Cantopher, Lorian Madanes, Adam Newman, Adam Waters, Rupert Wood, Josh Pugh, Rob Rodney, Zac Summerfield, Dan Goldhill, Zac McLeod, Ben Krieger
Raiders (from): Ben Law, Matt Leader, Anthony Goodmaker, Mark Leader, Danny Bloom, Rob Blackman, Charles Braunstein, Scott Waissal, Ricky Lawrence, Brandon Sassoon, Simon Buchler, David Esterkin, Josh Green, Jacob Gold, Jake Gilbert, Joe Metliss, Josh Goldstein
Venue – Capital City, Ref – Luke Steele, KO – 10am
JC star man: Brandon Sassoon (Scrabble)
DC Prediction: Scrabble 1 Raiders 3
--------------------
--------------------
DIVISION TWO
FAITHFOLD B vs BAYERN MINCHA
I have two words for Faithfold B. Adam Ellis. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, chaps.
The Superhoops were toasting their first win on Matchday Six, when they beat fellow basement battlers Boca.
Player-manager David Garson described his team as “woeful” in the first half, but they looked a totally different side after a bit of hairdryer treatment, with goals from Yehuda Emmanuel (2), JJ Marrache (2) and David Kirzneris completed a remarkable comeback.
But if they conceded three goals against Boca, then Bayern will be rubbing their hands. I’ll leave it at that.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
FAITHFOLD (from): David Garson, Josh Barnett, Stuart Haring, Rob Cohen, Yitzy Hill, Ben Kfir, David Kirzneris, Dan Lowen, JJ Marrache, Josh Martin, Mike Patterson, Yiddy Gertner, Josh Martin, Ben Portnoi, Joel Becker, Yosef Brownson, Alex Davis
BAYERN (from): Akiva Fink, Sam Leader, Sammy Liebert, Gav Nussbaum, Nick Cooper, Nathan Hanan, Joe Nyman, Rafael Terespolsky, Adam Herszaft, Jake Dayan, Adam Biton, Allon David, Matan Ozin, Adam Ellis, Alon Pinhas, Harry Salter, Ben Albert
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Phil Peters, KO – 10am
JC star man: Gav Nussbaum (Bayern)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 0 Bayern 4
--------------------
--------------------
HERTSWOOD VALE vs CATFORD & BROMLEY
The Cats will be looking to finish the weekend top of the pile when they take on local rivals Hertswood.
Jeff Gotch admitted his boys rode their luck in the 1-1 draw against title rivals Fairlop last week, when another penalty from Jamie Sinai helped them nick a point.
The fact they stayed in a match with a team expected to walk the title speaks volumes of the characters Gotch has in his squad. Richard Adams and Mitch Green will be big presence for the Cats this season, while goalkeeper Guy Ben-Aroya was commanding in goal.
Hertswood joint-manager Jacob Emanuel told me Vale "are in the midst of a small crisis with an injury list that only Arsenal could be proud of".
Ahead of this week’s game, the hosts are missing "as many as 14 players through injury, suspension and unavailability. There’s even rumours of club chairman coming out of retirement to pull on the Vale shirt for his second appearance.
Emanuel told JC Sport: "Somehow, with a bare 11 we’ll soldier on but I imagine Jeff will be licking his lips at the prospect of playing us at the perfect time ... he still owes me £50 from last season when we beat them 4-1!
"We’re blessed with the top ref in the league this week with Andy Myerson and I’m looking forward to a competitive, friendly and disciplined game of football from both teams." (Ed. I like what you've done there Jacob ;))
Catford also have a couple of game-changers on the bench this season, giving them strength in depth and I can see their superior quality coming through in the closing stages.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
HERTSWOOD (from): Joni Hirschowitz, Gal Alkalay, Ben Davis, James Neidle, Jonty Schogger, Jack Shulman, Simon Englander, Josh Gorb, Ashley Hirschburger, Edan Dodi, Elio Elia
CATFORD (from): Guy Ben-Aroya, Richard Adam, Loz Bloom, Gav Fox, Jordan Grant, Mitch Green, Joel Lassman, Callion McGregor, Yarden Sharon, Danny Yeshua, Alex Jacobs, Jeff Gotch, Alex Newman, Jamie Sinai, Ben Adaki, Richard Winton, Matt Bennett
Venue – Tempsford Green, Ref – Andy Myerson, KO – 10am
JC star man: Callion McGregor (Catford)
DC Prediction: Hertswood 1 Catford 4
--------------------
--------------------
NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C vs BOCA JEWNIORS
If you’re looking for a nailed on home banker, this is your game. Every accumulator needs at least one, so stick your mortgage on Raiders.
NLR’s promotion challenge was dealt a big blow against the Dons last Sunday – to the tune of 5-1 – but I have no doubting their powers of recovery, especially against the league’s bottom team.
And with players of the quality of Callum Stein, Eyal Samovich, Alex Sherr, Nick Haringman and Jonny Blain, the outcome looks pretty straight forward.
Parking the bus isn’t Boca’s style, and credit to manager Sefton Monk for that. They were involved in a game of two halves against Faithfold B last weekend, scoring three times but coming away defeat 5-3.
Boca will need to win their individual and collective battles on Sunday, and then some, but I can’t quite see it.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
RAIDERS (from): Josh Daniels, Joel Levitt, Dan Lovat, Callum Stein, Dan Tann, Lewis Blitz, Adam Levenson, Joel Macader, Sam Roth, Eyal Samovich, Rob Samuelson, Jordan Sapler, Ricky Zeiderman, Alex Sherr, Nick Haringman, David Domb, Jason Green, Ben Kaye, Jonny Blain
Ref – Stuart Ansher, KO – 10am
JC star man: Sam Roth (NLR)
DC Prediction: NLR 4 Boca 0
--------------------
--------------------
TEMPLE FORTUNE B vs FC TEAM
Won two, lost two. That’s been the story so far for FC Team in the league. But when you consider one of their triumphs came in the shape of a cup shock, things look a little brighter. Their most recent successes came against Hertswood and I’d put Temple Fortune B in a similar bracket.
Although any pre-season predictions may have to be evaluated with the teams at the top setting the bar so high, you’d think this is a contest FC Team must win.
Manager Mitch Young led by example against Vale last weekend. His brace included a goal of the week contender as the chairman/player-manager rolled back the years with a vintage display.
And I can see them edging Sunday’s meeting against Fortune, especially if big target man Richard Salmon plays. He was made for the cut and thrust of the Roger Bannister Sports Centre, with Danny Moss delivering some teasing crosses.
Midfield will be a key area, with David Grossman looking to pull the strings, and Eitan Ben-Zion doing his best to keep things tight at the back, and give keeper David Gordon a relaxing morning.
But things are starting to come together for Fortune, according to joint-player-manager Steven Black.
"You have to remember that this is a side that was assembled as recently as July and many of our key signings have only been completed in the last fortnight," he told JC Sport.
"It has taken a good few weeks for our side to gel but with every game comes a little bit more comfort and confidence in each other.
"The spine of our side is now made up of Mancunians, Liverpudlians and Glaswegians; you will not find another side in Division Two with the passion and fighting spirit that we have.
"Our northern edge has a bit of a bite to it and no side will be coming to Roger Bannister for an easy ride this season, we can assure you of that.
"Now that our transfer activity is complete, we feel confident in our squad and the onus is now on the lads to make things tick quickly. We can sense a big victory is on the horizon and it's only a matter of time before we take our first big scalp of the season.
"Our performance against Boca a fortnight ago is the benchmark and we'll come out all guns blazing on Sunday to cause a shock."
Black and co respect Sunday's opponents but once that first whistle blows the gloves will be off.
He said: "FC Team are a very good side but Simon Linden has briefed us well following their Peter Morrison clash at the end of September.
"We have identified some weaknesses and a style of play which we will look to impose on them. We've heard Marc Hecht is past his prime and the fact he's playing at centre-back shows he's lost a yard of pace since his Glasgow Maccabi heyday. We expect our pacey front three to cause him nightmares.
"This is the sort of fixture that we relish and we expect our northern core of Adam Blin, Zach Goodman, Jacob Nevitt and Jonny Pressman to be the focal point of success come 10am on Sunday."
All that's left for me to say is may the best side win!
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
FORTUNE (from): Adam Blin, Simon Cohen, James Hudaly, Josh Klepper, Dan Krieger, Eric Lewis, Jacob Nevitt, Jonny Pressman, Nick Rubin, Gab Saul, Dec Spiro, Steven Black, Sam Cicurel, Jordan Jay, Jon Black, Jacob Kalms, Zach Goodman, Darren Zitren, Jacob Rich, Oli Segal
TEAM (from): David Gordon, Eitan Ben-Zion, Dan Breger, Jon Breger, Danny Moss, Jamie Breslaw, David Grossman, Marc Hecht, James Milman, Adam Rones, Richard Salmon, Mitchell Young, Dylan Young
Venue – Roger Bannister, Ref – Paul Dobkin, KO – 10am
JC star man: Adam Rones (Team)
DC Prediction: Fortune 1 Team 3
