The nerves will be kicking in any time now ahead of Norstar London Raiders A's first-ever cup final at Wingate & Finchley. Phil Peters has done an excellent job in his first season in charge of the (Norstar/North London Raiders) team who merged only last summer. Hendon look set to crush their hopes in the league, but L'Orange are just 90 minutes away from Anekstein gold
JAKE DOFFMAN (Goalkeeper) - ever-present this season, managing to keep a club record 10 clean sheets. In his spare time Jake enjoys visiting famous London hotels. Likes keeping clean sheets and Maya Lightman. Dislikes Hints.
ROB BLACKMAN (Full-back) - one of those handy players that every squad loves to have, can play anywhere across the defence or midfield. Played predominantly at full-back this season, but masquerades as an attacking midfielder for his Saturday side. Joint-chief scout.
ALEX BLOCH (Full-back) - athletic full-back who will be especially motivated for today's game as has often been linked with Hendon in the past. Once dated David Garbacz’s daughter but has yet to score for Norstar London Raiders in over 62 games.
JOSH MORRIS (Full-back) - made the move from Lions the season before last and has never looked back. Last year’s player of the season. Scored in the quarter-final win versus Los Blancos. Remarkably his dad Peter Morris has actually been to more NLR games than Josh this season.
JJ SPIRO (full-back) - cultured left-back who set NLR on their way to Wingate with their first goal in this season's competition back in October.
DANIEL GROSSMAN (Centre-back) - the oldest player in the squad. A natural leader who is hugely loyal and committed to the Raiders’ cause. His son Levi is one of two Raiders mascots today.
JOSH PISTOL (centre-back) - formed a formidable partnership with Rhodes at heart of NLR defence with just 12 goals conceded during the league campaign. Man-of-the-match in the semi-final. Mr Norstar.
DAVID RHODES (Centre-back) - captain and colossus of the team. Now in his 10th season at the club. Highlights his hair the same colour of his shirt - orange. Mr Raiders.
ELLIOT ESPINOZA (Midfielder) - vice-captain and master of the sideways pass. Known to be willing to give up his wife to be for a chance to win the cup for his beloved Raiders.
OLI HENRY (Midfielder) - one part of the powerful Zone, Doffman, Henry triumvirate (Doffman - look it up!) who are central to nearly all jokes and wind-ups at the club. Henry was part of the GB U18 Maccabiah squad in 2009 and has been a vital cog in Raiders’ successful season to date.
JONNY KAY (Midfielder) - has undoubtedly the finest beard in the entire MSFL. Formed an intimidating central midfield partnership with Espinoza over the course of the season. JK got engaged the same weekend Raiders got to the Anekstein final. What a great weekend, mazel tov Sam and Jonny!
ADAM JOSELYN (Midfielder) - all-action central midfielder and most talented actor, plumber and mechanic in the Raiders squad. A jack of all trades.
DAVID DINKIN (Forward) - currently in his fourth season at the club having spent most of his youth career at Lions and Wingate and Finchley. Dinkin has 60 goals in 81 appearances in an orange shirt and is favourite to open the goal scoring for Raiders this afternoon.
JOSH GREEN (Forward) - single-handily knocked out Hendon C in the second round of the cup with a fabulous four-goal performance. Brilliantly quick and lethal central or out wide, known to be the longest in the shower.
MATT STOCK (Forward) - scored in every round of the cup thus far including a hat-trick against SPEC in the third round. Potential match-winner. If you don't believe us Google 'Matt Stock Cambridge vs. Oxford' and enjoy the video.
JAMIE WOLFSON (Forward) - described by Danny Caro as the Jewish Messi. Diminutive, tricky winger who is averaging a goal every other game this season.
ETHAN ZONE (Forward) - youngest in squad, graduated to the first team after successful season with second team last year. Pacy winger who loves nothing more than eating chicken nuggets.
PHIL PETERS (Manager) - Phil is a gold-medal winning EMFT manager who has spearheaded the amazing 1st team run this season. They have lost just once under his command and he has guided NLR to their first-ever major cup final. His success has landed him the position of assistant-manager for the men's
football side at next year’s European Games.
ROB RICHMAN (Secretary/treasurer/social planner/vice president/director of football) - Rob guided Raiders to the premiership via three divisional titles in four seasons before stepping down as manager at the start of this season. Still plays an active role for the club and was the driving force behind the
merger. His son, Jake, is also Raiders mascot today.
JONNY ADELMAN (Chairman) - his association with Raiders is now in its 22nd season and it has been his lifelong ambition to see his beloved NLR in a major cup. Today his wish comes true.
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ROUTE TO WINGATE:
Semi-final: bt Oakwood 2-1 Wolfson, Stock
Quarter-final: bt Los Blancos 4-1 - Morris, Pistol, Mcleod, Stock
Round 3: bt SPEC 8-0 - Stock 3, Dinkin 2, Mcleod, Green, Henry
Round 2: bt Hendon C 10-1 - Green 4, Rhodes 2, Spiro, Stock, J Peters, Richman
Round 1: – Bye
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