ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Having monopolised the Maccabi football scene for the past few seasons, there’s a danger Hendon United Sports Club A could finish the season empty-handed.
Less than 24 hours after the defeat against Norstar London Raiders A, David Garbacz’s men got the Peter Morrison Trophy draw they didn’t want, Maccabi London Lions Spartans.
Andy Landesberg’s men sent a strong squad to do a job in Leeds, but I expect them to add more big guns for their semi-final clash against last season’s treble winners.
After several years in the wilderness in terms of Sunday football, the Jewish FA Cup is a competition the Lions want to win badly. So Hendon could well find themselves up against a team made up of players plying their trade in the Spartan South Midlands League in their pursuit of glory.
To be the best you have to beat the best. That’s the message Garbacz will relay to his troops. But with the title seemingly gone, they have it all to do.
In the end it appears that the Premier Division title race has come down to fine margins. Hendon have hardly put a foot wrong in the MGBSFL, but Norstar London Raiders have finally come of age. I was mightily impressed by their performance against last season’s champions on Sunday, when the conditions favoured Hendon.
Raiders showed a new-found mental and physical toughness and resilience on the big stage, when it mattered most.
The likes of Ricky Engleman, Liron Mannie, Ben Joseph and Jordan Marks, who has matured into a really fine player, have given them a new dimension and allowed them to take on the likes of Hendon with no fear.
Goalkeeper Jake Doffman may not have had his best game, but he didn’t go hiding after his mistake. He stood tall, with captain David Rhodes a real giant at the back. Justin Spiro, Alex Bloch and Josh Pistol are other key factors in the reason why Raiders have conceded just 11 times in 15 matches.
Jonathan Kay is one of the unsung heroes of the team. He had no right to win his battle against Ben Lauffer, but win it he did. And the likes of Greg Corin and David Seitler were prevented from getting a foothold in the game.
That set the tone for an outstanding NLR team performance and, once that first league title is in the bag, they can go into the Cyril Anekstein Cup final against Hendon with chests puffed out as they prepare to do it all over again.
But don’t write Hendon off just yet. They were missing Alex Rosenthal and Avidan Last, two experienced big-match players, plus Yoav Kestenbaum, and they will be determined to set the record straight at Wingate & Finchley on May 3.
* Congratulations to the Maccabi GB Table Tennis team of Dov Katz, Jeremy Banks and Rafi Marom who regained the prestigious Elvin Cup and retained the Wembley & Harrow League.
Team Captain Jeremy Banks said: “Our team spirit and unity is unparalleled.
"Representing and winning for Maccabi GB, in a league which is arguably the strongest in England, is a superb achievement, and provides further incentive for our aspiring junior players to excel in the sport."