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Danny Caro's Premier Division review

June 12, 2014 13:00
Redbridge A vs Faithfold 2013 14(MM) 215[1]

By

Danny Caro,

Danny Caro

6 min read

Season 2013/14 went right to wire in the top-flight, with Hendon breaking NLR's hearts after over-coming a mammoth fixture backlog on their way to the title, capping a memorable treble-winning campaign. Danny Caro analysis the performance of the teams.

1. HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
League record: Pl. 18, W. 15, D. 3, L. 0, F. 46, A. 10, Pts. 48
Players of the season: Greg Corin, Ari Last, Yoav Kestenbaum
Best buys: Avi Korman, Yishai Last
Best result: 4-2 vs Oakwood (league), 2-1 vs Flixton (cup)
Biggest win: 8-0 vs LML Blue (league), 17-1 vs Boca (cup)
Worst result: 4-1 vs Apoel (LSCC)
Heaviest defeat: : 4-1 vs Apoel (only defeat))
Games failed to score in: 1
Clean sheets: 11
Top Scorer: Yishai Last 18
DC Rating: Under David Garbacz, Hendon have turned into a well-oiled winning machine. They like a fast start, but if plan A doesn’t work, there’s always on impact sub or two on the bench who can execute plan B. Greg Corin and Ari Last ensured they bossed the all-important midfield areas virtually every week, with young gun Yoav Kestenbaum and the evergreen Avidan Last popping up with crucial goals. Elevation suited Yishai Last, with Russell Corin pulling off the big saves whenever called upon. Wonder kids Avi Korman Ari Nevies and Yehuda Korman performed to a level well beyond their tender years, while Ben Kon rarely put a foot wrong. They ticked all the boxes, played with spirit, style and smiles on their faces and in terms of consistency, they were untouchable. 10/10

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2. NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS A
League record: Pl. 18, W. 14, D. 3, L. 1, F. 37, A. 12, Pts. 45
Players of the season: David Rhodes, Jake Doffman, Matt Stock, Jonny Kay
Best buys: Jake Doffman, JJ Spiro
Best result: 3-2 vs Oakwood
Biggest win: 6-0 vs FC Team
Worst result: 2-0 vs Brady
Heaviest defeat: : 2-0 vs Brady
Games failed to score in: 1
Clean sheets: 9
Top Scorer: Matt Stock 13
WAGS favourites: Matt Stock
Most improved: Jake Doffman
DC Rating: L’Orange played with a new-found maturity and were desperately unlucky not to win the title. They played some exhilarating tika-taka football and proved that they are anything but a one-trick pony. Whether on 3G or grass, Phil Peters’s merry men played the game the right way and notably, they did the double over defending champions Faithfold, bogey team FC Team A and drew with Hendon twice, and were undefeated until December. They ended their league campaign on March 2 and could then only watch on helplessly as Hendon devoured their big lead. They also enjoyed success in the cup, but failed to produce their best on the big stage at Wingate. Keeper Jake Doffman enjoyed an excellent first season, with Matt Stock the main man up top. With one or two big signings expected over the summer, second season syndrome shouldn’t be an issue. 9/10