Danny Berg, the JC MSFL Rep Team manager, has named a 22–man squad for Tuesday night’s London Inter-League Cup opener against the Turkish Community Football Federation at Wingate & Finchley.
Having appointed Faithfold’s Alex Levack as his captain, Berg said: “We’ve won this competition before so there’s no reason why we can’t do it again.”
Camden Park's Luke Brookner is the one real surprise package in the squad which includes four players from JC MSFL Premier Division title hopefuls Redbridge Jewish Care A, six from last season's double winners North West Neasden A and five from North London Raiders A.
Brookner, Mitch Hahn and keeper Dan Cohen are the only non-Premier Division players.
Mitch Young, the Rep Team assistant-manager, added: "We are all very proud of the league that we play in and this season we have a great chance to do really well in the Inter League Tournament.
"Danny Berg has assembled a great squad, it is young and talented and based on your advice I feel we have looked at players in all divisions at all levels."
JC MSFL REP TEAM SQUAD
GK
Dan Lee (Redbridge)
Dan Cohen (Montana)
DEFENDERS
Motti Colman (Lions)
Jon Ellis (Neasden)
Jake Gottlieb (Neasden)
Kyle Bentwood (Neasden)
Adam Hakimi (Redbridge)
MIDFIELDERS
Alex Levack (capt – Faithfold)
Paul Babai (Faithfold)
Dovid Korman (Hendon)
Adam Joselyn (NL Raiders)
Alex Olcot (NL Raiders)
Jamie Wolfson (NL Raiders)
Luke Brookner (Camden)
Mitch Hahn (Woodford)
STRIKERS
Jacob Gold (NL Raiders)
Matt Stock (NL Raiders)
Daran Bern (Redbridge)
Dean Nyman (Redbridge)
Lee Cash (Neasden)
James Gershfield (Neasden)
TJ Keterman (Neasden)
MATCH ONE: DETAILS
JC MSFL Rep Team vs Turkish Football Federation
When: Tuesday, November 30
KO: 7.45pm
Where: Wingate and Finchley FC, Summers Lane, Finchley, London, N12 0PD
DC PLAYER PROFILES
Dan Lee (Redbridge) - the best thing to come out of Essex before Daran Bern. Lee has made big strides up the footballing ladder in quick time. No. 2 at Wingate & Finchley and looks a cast-iron bet for the European Maccabi Games squad. Commands his box, has a monster kick and is a brilliant shot-stopper.
Dan Cohen (Montana) - another young keeper who is also a top referee and OK cricketer ;) Like Lee, DC2 has a big kick and likes to let his defence (and the rest of the team) know what he wants. Trains regularly with some team in Watford (when not on Facebook!)
Motti Colman (Lions) - Mr Consistent. One of the most reliable full-backs in the MSFL and never lets anyone down. Loves to bomb forward and never shirks a challenge.
Jon Ellis (Neasden) - The John Terry of the JC MSFL. The former Wingate & Finchley star has been there, seen it and done it, and played a big role in the team last season. Regularly pops up with important goals.
Jake Gottlieb (Neasden) - The Roberto Carlos of Jewish football, Gottlieb is the free-kick king of the MSFL. If there is a better left peg or full-back in the league, then I haven't seen him. The Spurs fan loves getting stuck in but dislikes onions!
Kyle Bentwood (Neasden) - the only northerner in the squad, Bentwood has added another dimension to the NWN backline since joining last season. A tower of strength at the back and a handful attacking set-pieces.
Adam Hakimi (Redbridge) - another key player for the Reps last season, Hakimi is the Alex Levack of Essex. A versatile player who can play centre back, holding mid or as a midfield destroyer. Would run through a brick wall for the cause and just the kind of player you want in a Rep Team squad.
Alex Levack (Faithfold) - captain by name and captain by nature. Levack brings a winning mentality to any squad. Bags of quality and plays with his heart on his sleeve. Takes a mean set-piece and is always one step ahead of the rest.
Paul Babai (Faithfold) - tigerish midfielder looked the business last season, particularly in the London Inter-League Cup final. Strong in the tackle and covers the ground well.
Dovid Korman (Hendon) - has been toasting double delight this week after bagging a brace against Lions A and getting engaged. One of the most naturally gifted players in the league. A real class act. Definitely one to watch.
Adam Joselyn (NL Raiders) - Jos has been the boss for L'Orange this season. A strong, driving midfield who can play in a midfield four or at the top of the diamond. A highly disciplined player who likes to take the game to the opposition and plays slide-rule passes for fun.
Alex Olcot (NL Raiders) - one of the finds of the season, Olcot has formed a brilliant central pairing with Joselyn this season. Has a great engine, great feet and great leap. In fact, he's got the lot.
Jamie Wolfson (NL Raiders) - another debutant in the squad, Wolfson has been described by Raiders fans as the Lionel Messi of the MSFL. Need I say any more?
Luke Brookner (Camden) - one of the surprise packages in the squad. Has clearly impressed manager Berg and has been key to a resurgent Camden this season. Good luck to him I say.
Mitch Hahn (Woodford) - fresh from his five-goal salvo against FC Team (he clearly impressed Mitch Young on Sunday!). Hahn is a top-notch player who like Levack, Stock, Gershfield and Bern, represented his country at last year's Maccabiah. Got all the flicks and tricks with the CV to back it up all.
Jacob Gold (NL Raiders) - the Raiders speed merchant has made a big reputation for himself this season. In fact, he's stepped up since helping Raiders climb into the Premier Division, averaging two goals a game. Any manager would take that return.
Matt Stock (NL Raiders) - Stock has gelled into the Raiders team well since a summer move from Neasden. Has also done well for London Lions this season. Got pretty much everything in his locker including two feet and an exceptional turn of pace. A match-winner on his day.
Daran Bern (Redbridge) - has put himself on the MSFL map with some scintillating displays over the last couple of years. Quicker than Usain Bolt with quick feet and a cool head in front of goal. Definitely a JC MSFL Player of the Year in the making.
Dean Nyman (Redbridge) - another gifted young man who loves playing football. Nyman tries to play with a smile on his face and was a key player in the London Lions team that won the Herts Senior County League last season. Not afraid of experimenting and often pulls off the improbable.
Lee Cash (Neasden) - one of the most written about players in MSFL history. Mr Goals is never far away from the headlines. A natural born winner.
James Gershfield (Neasden) - such are our attacking options that I genuinely fear for the Turks. With Gold, Cash, Bern, Stock and Nyman in the squad, the question is, can manager Berg squeeze them all into his starting XI. Gersh has come to the fore in recent years, showing that he's a big man for the big occasion. Feed the Gersh and he will score.
TJ Keterman (Neasden) - clearly a big match player, Keterman is a real team player in every sense. Does his bit defensively and can fit into any formation. One of Neasden's unsung heroes.
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