Sunday is D-day for North West Neasden A. Managers Jamie Cole and Daniel Fox hope that it is not a case of once bitten, twice shy as they enter unchartered waters in the last 16 of the Sunday FA Cup. I can’t remember the last time they lost two games on the spin but that is a real possibility as they start their match against Ilford-based Sungate as underdogs.
Cole cited a lack of match sharpness as the reason for their first defeat of the campaign, in the London FA Sunday Challenge Cup. But there is a serious possibility that their season could fall flat. Having squeezed past third division UJS Norstar A recently, they are facing a new year hangover at the worst possible moment but I have no doubt that the quality and character of players such as Lee Cash, Scott Shindler, Jonny Ellis, Adam Levene and Jake Gottlieb will help them through this blip.
It’s refreshing to hear about two young players earning rave reviews for their teams. Guy Marks, 15, made his debut for London Lions reserves in the Herts Senior County League. He chipped in with two assists in the 5-1 win over Bovingdon.
Having starred as vice-captain for the Under 16 at last year’s Maccabiah Games, he also helped Lions Under 16s beat an Australian Under 16 representative side from New South Wales. Charlie Rubin, Charlie Cohen and Tom Doronalso netted for the Lions who played host following a recommendation of the Watford Friendly League. The Aussie team had a full itinerary of matches against some top school sides in the country and will complete their visit with matches in Liverpool.
Having set the Maccabi GB Primary League on fire in the first half of the season, sharp-shooter Joshua Resnick started 2010 in style with a seven-goal salvo in Hendon Hawks B’s 10-4 victory over Redbridge.
Raphael Bajer has been appointed the new manager of JC MSFL Division Three FC Marylebone. He will have responsibility for all football-related matters starting this week.
Jon Davody and Marc Touboul have decided to step down due to family and work commitments. They will however remain as chairmen and players of the club.
Davody said: “Raphael is one of the most passionate players we have ever seen and he has FC Marylebone in his DNA. He knows each player extremely well and attends training sessions more often which puts him in a better position to make the right decisions.”
Team JLGB, the new leaders of Division Four, will be missing striker Neil Lux for six weeks with medial ligament damage.
HISHU completed a clean sweep of the Dennis Shore Maccabi GB Indoor five-a-side competition by winning the Under 13 final. Having clinched the Under 11 and 15 titles last week, HISHU Blue overcame Alyth Belsize Yellow 6-2 in the final of a 14-team event.
This week’s column is dedicated to football widows across the land. While many of us play, manage or referee on a Sunday morning, spare a thought for our respect other halves. The real unsung heroes. Swapping the school run for the party run, I’d be lost without mine.
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