There are some more mouth-watering battles in store on Matchday 22 of the JC MSFL season. Keep an eye on the top-of-the-table clash in Division Three. Danny Caro looks ahead to the action.
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SEE JC MSFL LATEST NEWS & REPORTS
JC BARRY GOLDSTEIN CUP PREVIEW
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JC VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:
PETER MORRISON LM LIONS A vs MANCHESTER MACCABI 1ST
JC PHOTOGALLERIES:
PETER MORRISON OAKHILL LIONS vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
PETER MORRISON LM LIONS A vs MANCHESTER MACCABI 1ST
PETER MORRISON LIVERPOOL HAROLDEANS vs LEEDS MACCABI 1ST
JC MSFL DIV 2 TEMPLE FORTUNE A vs BRIXTON OLD BOYS
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JC MSFL MATCHDAY 22 AWARDS
JC GOAL OF THE WEEK
Jacob Gold (NL Raiders A)
JC SAVE OF THE WEEK
Guy Ben-Aroya (Catford & Bromley)
JC GOAL CELEBRATION OF THE WEEK
Dany Kon (Los Blancos - goal 2) - inspired by the Jewish Chronicle headline of 'King Kon' last week, Dany ingeniously ran over to the corner flag after his second goal, and with his royally ordained privilege, knighted a kneeling Sami Birnbaum with the flag
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JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Hendon Utd Sports Club A vs Los Blancos
North West Neasden A vs Redbridge Jewish Care A
Ties scheduled for March 6
JC BARRY GOLDSTEIN MINOR CUP DRAW
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HMZ SUSPENDED FOR FIELDING INELIGIBLE PLAYERS
PETER MORRISON QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
JC BARRY GOLDSTEIN MINOR CUP DRAW
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
Email team news to dcaro@thejc.com
PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND 4
FAITHFOLD A vs NORTH WEST NEASDEN B
Redbridge Jewish Care A awaits the winner of this tie as Premier Division rivals Faithfold and Neasden B prepare to do battle for the third time this season.
The Superhoops are fancied to book their place in the quarter-finals of a competition that means much to the club. In Alex Levack and Daryl Phillips, they have two players who have won the competition before.
Zuriel Solomon’s men have claimed a win and a draw in the two league meetings. David Lederman scored in both but he has found himself on the bench in recent outings. Michael Pearson was the other scorer in the recent 2-1 win with Neasden’s goal coming through Danny Daggers, another player who has tasted Morrison success with Neasden’s A team.
The first meeting was an absolute cracker with Alex Levack (2) joining Lederman on the scoresheet, while Ben Wulwik popped up with a hat-trick for Neasden.
Faithfold showed their true colours last Sunday, coming from two down to draw against Hendon with goals coming from Alex Levack and Alex Kaye. Manager Zuriel Solomon was disappointed that his troops did not go on to win.
With the title likely to go to Redbridge or Hendon, the Morrison is Faithfold’s best bet of silverware, and I’m sure they know that. They certainly have the players capable of going the distance.
Sunday is also last chance saloon for Neasden B. Their first season back in the Premier has not gone as planned but they certainly have the opportunity to put down a marker here.
In David Fox, Danny Daggers and Daniel Hodes, they have three players who have tasted Morrison success before. All three have been great ambassadors for Neasden over the last few years and will be out to ensure they take Faithfold to the wire.
Man for man there won’t be much it but I expect Faithfold to set up what would be a mouth-watering contest against Redbridge.
Recent results
Faithfold
Hendon A (a) – 2-2
Hendon A (a) – 1-2
NL Raiders A (h) – 4-1
Neasden
Lions A (a) – 0-1
Redbridge (h) – 0-3
NL Raiders (a) – 1-2
Forthcoming fixtures
Faithfold:
Lions A
Neasden B:
Redbridge A (h)
Harmen A (h)
Lions A (h)
Venue – The Hive, Ref – R. Benardout
JC star man: Daryl Phillips (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Faithfold A 3 NW Neasden B 1
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JC MSFL PREMIER DIVISION
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A vs NORTH WEST NEASDEN A
First there was AC Milan versus Spurs, then we had Arsenal against Barca. And the big games keep coming thick and fast as the two most recent winners of the Premier Division title go head to head.
Hendon welcome back manager David Garbacz ahead of the big clash as they look to finish the weekend top of the table.
Garbacz was on the other side of the pond last Sunday when the Reds let slip a two-goal lead to draw with Faithfold. Ben Kon and Avidan Last were their marksmen.
With a potential title-decider against leaders Redbridge on the horizon, Garbacz knows that his troops can ill-afford any more slip-ups.
If the last meeting is anything to go by, then Sunday should be a stroll in the park for the Hammers. It finished 7-2 at the Hive when Paul Bentley (2), Josh Bentley, Yishai Last, Greg Corin, Avidan Last and Kon helped Hendon cruise to victory.
Garbacz knows that it is likely to be much closer on Sunday. He told JC Sport: “This season we never know which Neasden are going to turn up . If it’s the full strength one then they will always be difficult to beat.
“It does appear that they are concentrating on the cups this year, as their league campaign has been very disappointing . Although we beat them well last time out we will not be treating the game with any complacency, otherwise I am sure we will get punished .
“One thing is for sure, after last week’s draw we cannot afford any dropped points whatsoever if we are to maintain our challenge . We will be going all out for the win from the start and we will be expecting a tough game.
“We will need to show patience and be prepared for a battle . All we can do is concentrate on our own game and to put in as strong a performance as possibl .
As Garbacz says, the cup is the clear priority for Neasden. They edged past second division Woodford in the Morrison last Sunday when two goals from Rob Lerner and one from Adam Klein took them through.
Neasden will feel they have some pride to restore against Hendon, and remind everyone just what a good team they still are.
Jamie Cole, the Neasden boss, told JC Sport: “Winning a fourth consecutive league title is impossible now. We will be focusing on the Morrison and Anekstein, and saving our big players for the cup.
“Saying that, we have no pressure on us at all so u never know and we have hit some good form recently.”
Cole gave a special mention to Sammy Ross, whom he admits has been a “huge loss” in recent weeks.
The emphasis is clearly on Hendon on Sunday although for Neasden, several boys are playing for their places ahead of big cup dates.
This should be for another enthralling clash.
Neasden squad: Max Shields, Carl Peters, Kyle Bentwood, Jake Gottlieb, Elliot Stern, Sammy Ross, Matt Sofier, James Abrams, Rob Lerner, Shai Revivo, Adam Klein, Andy Glynne, George Fierstone
JC team news: Hendon are without the Kon brothers Ben and Rafi, who are away on a skiing trip. Avidan Last faces a late fitness test.
Neasden are without striker Lee Cash. Manager Jamie Cole hopes to have Andy Glynne and George Fierstone available. Jake Gottlieb faces a late fitness test. Sammy Ross returns.
Recent results
Hendon:
Faithfold A (h) – 2-2
Faithfold A (a) – 2-1
Neasden:
Woodford (a) – 3-2
Hendon – 2-7
Lions A (h) – 0-5
Forthcoming fixtures
Hendon:
CAC SF – Los Blancos (h)
Neasden:
Harmen (a)
CAC SF – Redbridge (h)
PMT QF – NL Raiders B (a)
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – M. Lavender
JC star man: Avidan Last (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Hendon A 3 Neasden A 1
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LONDON MACCABI LIONS A vs SOUTHGATE HARMEN A
Out of both cups and with nothing to play for in the league, it’s fair to say that the end of the season cannot come soon enough for the Lions.
Last Sunday they hit rock bottom when they were beaten at home by Manchester Maccabi.
Now they have three games remaining with little more than pride left to play for.
Harmen, on the other hand, are still in the Morrison and manager Dan Uzan hopes that his troops hit top form ahead of the big clash against North London Raiders.
The Southgate boys have had a week to recover from their exertions in the cup against Montana. 2011 has been very stop-start for them up to now, but they have a run of games coming up including both Neasden teams.
Ben Graham and Ben Murrell have been the star players for Harmen to date, but they have quality all over the park including in goal, where keeper Ziggy Lichman will need to be on top form against Ben Joseph.
Having played out a goalless draw in front of their fans on the opening weekend of the season, Harmen have a good chance of taking four points out of a possible six against a Lions team whose confidence has never been more fragile. This is their first Premier Division trip to Rowley Lane, and it could be a morning to remember.
Recent results
Lions:
PMT – Manchester Maccabi 0-2
CAC – Neasden A 2-3
Harmen:
PMT – Montana A 2-1
Forthcoming fixtures
Lions:
Faithfold A (a)
Neasden B (a)
Harmen:
Neasden A (h)
Neasden B (a)
PMT QF – NL Raiders A (a)
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – N. Burns
JC star man: Lee Hyams (Harmen)
DC Prediction: Lions A 1 Harmen A 2
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A P NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A P
Match postponed - waterlogged pitch
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DIVISION ONE
MONTANA BOCA UNITED A vs LONDON MACCABI LIONS C
Both Montana and Lions C earned morale-boosting recent last weekend.
Montana overcame Camden 4-3 with Vigril Levy, Simon Wax, James Sandler and Shmuey Mirwis sealing their first win in a while.
They were cruising at 4-1 before taking their foot off the pedal and almost allowing their opponents back into the game.
Joint caretaker-manager Adam Osper was pleased with the majority of the performance.
He told JC Sport: “We played really well in the second half, passed the ball and played more like Montana normally do.”
The Lions claimed a vital point at Harmen B. They put out a strong XI which included Jon Green and Scott Levy, who registered in a 2-2 draw.
Player-manager Jamie Kyte knows that they will face another tough workout on Sunday.
Kyte told JC Sport: “This weekend will no doubt test our survival ambitions. The influx of B team players has definitely strengthened our squad and the prospect of Joe Zender returning to fitness is always welcome, whether he manages to get into the team is another matter.
“Scott Levy had a great C team debut against Harmen and hopefully he can take that form into the game against Montana.
“There are also rumours of David Elf coming back from uni. Unfortuantely Bucky's pulled his hamstring (again). We wish him a speedy recovery and hope he's back soon.
Rumour has it that Montana are struggling on the goalkeeping front and that will be music to the ears of Levy who is known for blasting the ball home for distance.
Unless Montana find a reliable custodian quick-smart, they could face a set-back, with Lions desperate for maximum points.
Recent results
Montana:
Camden - 4-3
PMT - Harmen A – 2-1
Lions:
Harmen B – 2-2
Forthcoming fixtures
Montana:
Camden (h)
FC Team A (a)
Lions C (a)
Lions:
Oakwood (h)
Montana (h)
Venue – The Hive, Ref – S. Levy
JC star man: Scott Levy (Lions)
DC Prediction: Montana A 1 LM Lions C 2
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B vs SOUTHGATE HARMEN B
Back-to-back titles looks a distinct possibility for Rob Richman’s Raiders. But knowing him as I do, he’s taking nothing for granted ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Harmen B.
Last Sunday, L’Orange kept alive double hopes with a nail-biting victory over Division One rivals Oakwood in the Morrison. Rik Sherman plus a wonder save from David Simnock ensured that a strong Oakwood team could find no way through in 90 minutes. Then top-scorer David Dinkin put them ahead in extra time. Oakwood equalised but the Raiders kept their nerve as the tie was settled on penalties with Dinkin, Esterkin, Nicky Woolf and James Foley-Comer doing the rest, not forgetting another fine block by Simnock to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final at holders Neasden A.
The Raiders have been the model of consistency this season. Summer signings, including Dan Grossman, Dave Esterkin and Dinkin have settled in well while the old guard of Simnock, Sherman, Elliot Espinoza, Mike Hersham and Woolf have stepped up a level or two.
Dinkin (2) and Grossman were on target when the Raiders beat Harmen 3-1 at the end of last month. Now manager Richman is gunning for a double as they look to take another step towards the title.
Richman told JC Sport: “We have put last week’s penalty shoot-out win to the back of our minds and we are fully focused on the tough match we have this weekend against Southgate Harmen B.
“We played them less than three weeks ago, where we were pushed hard to win the game 3-1.
They have some talented players in their team and we will know we will have to be at our best to get a result."
Harmen face a real fight to get out of the danger zone. Last week, they failed to put daylight between them and basement battlers Lions C despite goals from Alex Hershman and Marc Cohen.
Here’s what manager Mark Engel had to say. “We face a battle to get ourselves out of the relegation dog fight. We will need to scrap and put our bodies on the line. If we can get the fundamentals right then we will be fine.”
Dave Marcus and Hershman were Harmen’s best two performers last Sunday but they will need a real team effort to halt the Raiders who, like Manchester United, look to be hitting top gear at just the right time.
JC team news: For Raiders, Dan Grossman is out but Bloch and Angel return.
Recent results
Raiders:
PMT – Oakwood – 1-1 (won on pens)
Harmen B 3-1
Harmen:
Lions C – 2-2
Redbridge B – 0-6
Raiders B -1-3
Forthcoming fixtures
Raiders:
Chigwell (h)
Camden (a)
PMT QF – Neasden A (a)
Harmen:
Brady (a)
Chigwell (a)
Venue – Brunel Uni, Ref – S. Russell
JC star man: James Foley-Comer (Raiders)
DC Prediction: NL Raiders B 4 Southgate Harmen B 1
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OAKWOOD vs FC TEAM A
Something must give on Sunday in a game that neither side can afford to lose.
The Oaks recently beat Team 3-1 with goals from Josh Rubin (2) and Eddie Manson.
Both teams are locked on 18 points although the Oaks have a game in hand.
Ric Blank, Oakwood’s joint player-manager praised the “all-round team performance” in the corresponding fixture.
He told JC Sport: “We dominated from start to finish and from back to front.
"Team were never in the game really and even on a terrible pitch we played some great stuff. Even when they were awarded a penalty, I felt confident we'd still go on and win. It helped that he sliced it wide though!
"But it's only one win and all we want to do is try and play at that level each week.”
Oakwood are only halfway through their season but with quality from front to back, they certainly have the players capable of going the rest of the season unbeaten.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Ric Blank told JC Sport: "The boys are looking forward to the game immensely. We're just delighted to finally be getting a run of games and we're just determined to enjoy it each week and do our best.
"FC Team are a very good side and we know the players they've signed so we're positive it'll be our hardest game of the season. We are up for the challenge as ever.
"We had a disappointing result last weekend and our determined to come back fighting. I won't be there unfortunately and nor will striker Kintish or playmaker Librae. We're iup north for yet another wedding."
I expect a big reaction from Mitch Young’s men after the gaffer told them that he felt let down in the previous meeting. He did not mince his words after the final whistle. "The performance was the worst any side I have ever managed have given,” he said before going on to say that “Oakwood fully deserved the victory”.
But it’s a blank page at 10.30 on Sunday morning as two of the best teams from outside the Premier Division attempt to make their dream become reality.
Recent results
Oakwood:
PMT – Raiders B – 1-1 (lost on pens)
FC Team A - 3-1
FC Team:
Chigwell – 2-3
Oakwood – 1-3
Forthcoming fixtures
Oakwood:
Lions C (a)
Brady (h)
FC Team:
Redbridge B (a)
Montana (h)
Camden (h)
Venue – Parmiters, Ref – R. Cahill
JC star man: Ben Myers (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 2 FC Team A 1
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CHIGWELL ATHLETIC P BRADY MACCABI P
Match postponed - waterlogged pitch
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B P CAMDEN PARK P
Match postponed - waterlogged pitch
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DIVISION TWO
FC TEAM B vs WOODFORD WANDERERS
Woodford remain one of five teams vying for the two automatic promotion places and I expect them to ease home against FC Team B on Sunday.
Alex Aviram’s men go into the game on the back of a terrific effort and performance against Neasden A in the Morrison.
His team even had the audacity to take the lead through Harrison Midda. Neasden went on to score three times before goal king Jerome Marks set up a grandstand finish, but it was not to be.
At the same time, FC Team B had the luxury of fielding Mitch Young and Richard Salmon who registered in the 4-0 win over L’Equipe. The chances are that one will return to A-team duties but the other is set to stay. My money would be on Salmon.
I can see him posing the Woodford defence some problems, but man for man, I expect the visitors to come out on top by a couple of goals.
Venue – Old Camdenians, Ref – A. Djanogly
JC star man: Harrison Midda (Woodford)
DC Prediction: FC Team B 1 Woodford Wanderers 3
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L’EQUIPE vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B
L’Equipe were stunned into submission by a star-studded FC Team B last Sunday and they shouldn’t expect things to get any easier when they host Hendon in Barnet.
A top six finish looks the best bet for Hendon now. I expect them to seal a league double over a L’Equipe team they beat 2-1 last month with goals from Pinty Baddiel and Alon Blitz.
The Hustlers have won their last two in the league but their away form has been woeful.
L’Equipe have scored just once in the last 360 minutes. Their early season aspirations have fallen flat and they face a tough job trying to accumulate enough points to stay up.
Hendon look the stronger team on paper and they will be kicking themselves if they don’t come away with maximum points.
Venue – King George V, Ref – D. Cohen
JC star man: Alon Blitz (Hendon)
DC Prediction: L’Equipe 1 Hendon Utd SC B 4
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DIVISION THREE
NORSTAR B vs FAITHFOLD C
Jonny Bunt, the Norstar manager, has labelled Sunday’s meeting with Faithfold as “season-defining”.
The Stars are the only team who could gatecrash the top four and Bunt has assured the Norstar faithful that he will be going flat out between now and the end of the season.
The teams shared the points following a six-goal thriller last month, when Adam Seres and Adam Landroff were among the scorers for Norstar.
They go into Sunday’s clash unbeaten in three, and Bunt cannot wait for kick-off. He told JC Sport: “I don’t think it is understating the point to describe it as season-defining. Taking nothing for granted, we are hoping for 12-13 points from our final five games after this one, so the result on Sunday could make all the difference between promotion and mediocrity especially now that it looks like HMZ are out of the equation.
“A win will give us every chance of overtaking Faithfold especially if they are deducted the points they have been given for their game against HMZ and we have our sights set on them.
“The game a fortnight ago was very interesting and a draw was probably the right result thought they were more than a match for us.
“They are clearly a side with experience and an effective style of play and they have certainly got our respect. But I can’t help but think a lot of that was due to the narrow pitch at the Hive. They have a great home record with only one defeat, but are not so hot away. There is definitely a decent chance of a win.”
Looking at the options in his squad, Bunt added: “In terms of personnel, we should be pretty strong, though we are missing a couple of members of the midfield and the management team has been decimated, by accoutancy and youth work commitments.”
Whatever the result, Sunday will be an emotional day for Faithfold, especially long-standing manager David Garson.
He told JC Sport: “We’re looking forward to returning to ‘our spiritual home’ Chase Lodge, having played there for so long. We have a full squad to pick from bar long-term injuries to Stephen Moss and Joel Hilton.
Faithfold have more like their old selves in recent games, scoring a few and conceding a few. They have scored and conceded in every league game so far this season and I can’t see that changing here.
Josh Gaon was Norstar’s star man last week. He was desperately unlucky not to get into my team of the week and I can see looking to impress once more.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – D. Jorden
JC star man: Josh Gaon (Norstar)
DC Prediction: Norstar B 3 Faithfold C 2
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE C P GLENTHORNE UNITED A P
Match postponed - waterlogged pitch
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DIVISION FOUR
LOS BLANCOS vs SHIRLEY PARK
Team-of-the-moment Los Blancos will be hard-pressed to claim their fifth straight victory when they take on promotion rivals Shirley Park.
LB edged a seven-goal thriller when the teams met on October 10. Adam Hersh, Ariel Weinstein and Sami Birnbaum (2) did the business for Joel Minsky’s men with Gideon Gold (2) and Jason Lindsay replying for Shirley.
Dany Kon has been in prolific form with six goals in his last two outings. He followed up his heroics in the cup against Neasden B with another four in the 11-2 demolition of Pinner.
LB have looked great in the final third in recent games with Kon and Birnbaum on fire. But they also boast a proud defensive record which has seen them concede just 18 times in 12 games.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Minsky told JC Sport: “It should be a cracking game, with both teams still going for a shot at the league title.
“Last time round we beat them 4-3 in a very tightly contested encounter, and I can't imagine Sunday being too different.”
There has been a bit of a shake-up in the Park camp ahead of Sunday’s big match. Howard Yuchetel has been officially installed as Park’s ‘Championship manger’ - a new role which has been created by Shirley utilising his years of experience in the game in the push for promotion.
A Park inside told JC Sport: Yuchs sees things others don’t and will have the authority to act for this one. The park contingent believe this will tip the scales in our favour.”
He went on to say: “We go into this fixture with a strong squad. We welcome back Gids ‘Tiny’ Gold after a few weeks out on the sidelines. We look forward to the fruitful partnership of gids and the ‘red mist’ Mr Lindsey combining ginger powers. Both are keen to add to their 40-plus goals between them.
“Club captain Dan Mitman will be missed so super Nicky Potnek will be taking over the reins as club captain in his absence. We wish injured trio Aron Jackson, Adam Redhouse and long-term absentee Sacha Benfredj well as they recover from injury. There may be a special appearance from the ever illusive Simon Shelley.
“It’s a big game with three valuable points at stake. We hope to take them all. Park life!”
Shirley were edged out 2-1 by Glenthorne last time out in a game they should not have lost. The million dollar question is, can they stop the Los Blancos wave?
JC team news: LB are set to have a full-strength squad bar Daniel Horowitz who is not available for selection. Yosh Radomsky, who made JC Team of the Week after a master class against Pinner, Marc Benamram and James Joseph all face late fitness checks but they are all expected to be fit in time.
Recent results
Blancos:
Pinner – 11-2
CAC - NW Neasden B 3-2
Blizzard Storm – 2-1
Shirley:
Glenthorne B – 1-2
Hendon C - 1-0
Hendon C (a) – 5-1
Forthcoming fixtures
Blancos:
Hendon (h)
CAC SF – Hendon A (a)
Borehamwood (a)
Shirley:
Blizzard (a)
Neasden C (h)
Venue – South Oxhey, Ref – S. Ansher
JC star man: Josh Cohen (Los Blancos)
DC Prediction: Los Blancos 2 Shirley Park 1
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GLENTHORNE UNITED B vs INTER BOREHAMWOOD
There’s a top game in store in Chigwell as Glenthorne go in search of the win that would see them return to the summit.
As predicted, they were taken the distance by North London Raiders C last weekend and another tough game is on the cards.
Twenty-goal striker Fabio Revieccio was the saviour once more, bagging a brace in a 3-2 victory. Jamie Crawford claimed the other.
Elliot Coulton’s men have a 100 per cent record at home. They have turned Old Chigwellians into a fortress, keeping three clean sheets in five games and scoring 18.
Coulton has reported a “fully fit squad” for Sunday, and they will need it against a Borehamwood team unbeaten on their travels.
Oluseun Thomas’ men thought they had done enough to take three points against Neasden C last Sunday, only to be undone by a last-minute equaliser. Jeff Gotch and captain Joel Lassman were their scorers in a 2-2 draw.
They have won five out of six on the road but it’s safe to say that this will be their toughest game of the season.
Seven days ago, Coulton told me that he sees Borehamwood as Glenthorne’s only challengers for the title. He has a chance to put daylight between the teams here and give the Essex boys the psychological edge for when the teams next meet.
That said, a Borehamwood win would put them right in the mix. They start the match seven points behind with two games in hand. So Thomas needs all his players to stand up and be counted.
With two proud record on the line, I can see this finishing honours even.
Venue – The Old Chigwellians, Ref – L. Benson
JC star man: Joel Lassman (Borehamwood)
DC Prediction: Glenthorne Utd B 1 Inter Borehamwood 1
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB C
Raiders’ five-match winning run came to an end against title hopefuls Glenthorne B last Sunday but they certainly gave them a scare.
Elliot Coulton’s men needed to pull out all the stops against a Raiders team who found the net via a wonder goal from skipper Josh Graham plus another strike from Jack Franks.
After the game, Raiders assistant-manager Richard Abrahams told JC Sport: “It was a fantastic game for the neutral but it’s obviously tough for myself, Oli Shorts and the boys to take as we feel we deserved something from the game.
“The lads can take a lot of credit from their performance as they showed great character to fight back from 2-0 down against one of the top teams in the division and we’re really showing that we've got the quality to start competing with the top teams in our division week-in week-out.
“It’s been a great start to 2011 and well be looking to pick ourselves back up with a good result against Hendon Utd C next week.”
The challenge for Raiders now is to go on another run and they have a perfect opportunity against a Hendon team who lost 2-1 at home to Bilbaum last week.
Benny Goldberg scored another goal for the Reds but it’s clear that other players must help out to share the burden of scoring goals – hence the song a team of Benny Goldbergs!
There’s every chance that Hendon may not have recovered from the 7-0 pummelling they suffered at the hands of the Raiders in December. They were terrorised by the Franks brothers that day who between them struck six times. Joe Newton was the other scorer.
The Raiders have fired 14 goals in their last two home games and I can see them filling their boots again here.
Venue – Hatfield Uni, Ref – L. Eppel
JC star man: Elliott Grossman (Raiders)
DC Prediction: NL Raiders C 5 Hendon Utd SC C 1
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NORTH WEST NEASDEN C vs PINNER JFC
Neasden player-manager Louis Taylor should be looking for nine points from the next three games.
Following Sunday’s meeting with Pinner, NWN faces Temple Fortune B and Hendon C before a much tougher game against Shirley Park.
They go into the Pinner game with their tails up after Elliot Setyon’s late leveller against Borehamwood last Sunday.
Taylor had started the comeback and was a happy man at the final whistle. “This was a great performance and I think a message to the league that when we get our strong squad out and on the same page, we can be a match for anyone, “he told JC Sport.
“What pleased me the most is how our boys play for each other and never gave up. So many times we come across teams on a Sunday who don't really seem to like each other or even like being there!
“Last-minute equalisers and performances like the one we gave are the reason we love football and love the MSFL.”
But they must take nothing for granted against Pinner – a team that has recorded just one win in 13.
Although the table does not lie, I don’t believe that Pinner are as bad as their results have shown. They have one or two quality players in there and if they can get a bit of luck and stop conceding, then they have an outside chance.
Ever the optimist, player-manager Vivian Emanuel told JC Sport: “We are hoping for a result this week.”
The highlight of last week’s 11-2 defeat against Los Blancos was a debut goal from loanee Phil Peters, manager of Norstar A. Emanuel has confirmed that Peters has extended his contract for another week and the manager will buy him a schwarma if he betters his goal. He drives a hard bargain that Emanuel!
The bottom line is, if Neasden turn up with the right attitude, not even the magic of Peters will save Pinner.
JC team news: Pinner are missing Theo Gluckstein (ankle), Dan Garfield (ankle - out for rest of season), but they welcome winger Bradley Lobbetta and keeper Jordan Davidson.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – R. Caplin
JC star man: Jordan Davidson (Pinner)
DC Prediction: NW Neasden C 4 Pinner JFC 2
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ATHLETIC BILBAUM P JEWVENTUS P
Match postponed - waterlogged pitch
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JC BARRY GOLDSTEIN MINOR CUP
While some teams cannot wait for the football season to finish, others cannot get enough. Now they are dreaming of a trip to Wingate & Finchley’s famous Harry Abrahams Stadium after entering the JC Barry Goldstein Cup.
The usual suspects such as Hendon United, Faithfold, North West Neasden and Redbridge Jewish Care are challenging for silverware in the big competitions but the Minor Cup gives some of the minnows their moment in the spotlight.
The tournament returns following a two-year absence with eight teams invited to battle it out for a place in the final on April 17.
Holders Faithfold C have been drawn in Group A alongside Heath Banta, Real Life and dark horses North London Raiders C.
The other group features Catford & Bromley Maccabi, Temple Fortune B, UJIA and Zig Zag.
CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI vs TEMPLE FORTUNE B
The Cats grabbed the headlines last Sunday when they claimed a shock win over leaders Glenthorne A in Division Three.
It was just the tonic they need go into Sunday’s Minor Cup opener against Division Four strugglers Temple Fortune B.
Rafael Marom and Ashley Stokes were their goal-scoring heroes but in truth, managers Simon Wolfson, Adam Lewis and Joel Isaacs were delighted with the performance from the entire squad on a memorable day for the club.
The trio know that a similar performance on Sunday should be enough to take scalp of Fortune. Cats captain Adam Lewis told JC Sport: “Temple Fortune teams are always strong, so we know that we'll need to be on top of our game to get a result. But we’re high on confidence following our performance against Glenthorne on Sunday and looking for three successive wins for the first time in a good few years.
“We know we can be a great team on our day and be a match for anyone, but we also know that we need to be consistent to progress. This is our best chance to get a consistent run going and we're raring to go.”
The fact that Fortune accepted the invitation to take part in the competition is a statement within itself. They have a group of players who want to play football, although the chance of a trip to Finchley is too good to pass up.
Fortune have failed to score in five league games and I can’t see them getting any joy in Edmonton.
JC team news: Catford have a few absentees this week but are still hoping to have a fairly strong team out. Ashley Stokes will be missing but Rafi Marom is available and they hope to welcome back the legendary Jonny Lee who was away last week. They’re also waiting on the fitness of youngster Elliot Alexson, who has been a revelation this season.
Venue – Norsemen FC, Ref – D. Nathan
JC star man: Elliot Alexson (Catford)
DC Prediction: Catford & Bromley 3 Temple Fortune B 1
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UJIA vs ZIG ZAG
It’s been a busy old week for DJ Neal Cohen, the Zig Zag manager. It started with a 4-1 defeat to Norstar B, a game where he named two keepers in his squad and substituted one for another as part of a squad rotation with one eye on Sunday’s Minor Cup opener against UJIA.
Cohen has been so focused on this game that he sacrificed going to the San Siro to watch Spurs beat AC Milan.
The Zeds will be looking to avoid a third defeat against the U’s this season. They were hit for six in October and lost by the odd goal in three at the back end of 2010.
UJIA player-manager Darren Rolfe is ready for round three. He would love nothing better than a trip to Wingate and in striker Assi Avital, he has a player who has already played in a Minor Cup final, for Golders Green.
Avital’s experience, power and strength will be useful to a UJIA team who have relied heavily on the inspiration of Matt Radstone in recent months.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Rolfe told JC Sport: “We’re looking to make it three wins from three games against DJ Neal’s outfit.
“It’s important we get off to winning ways in this tournament. We have got a good squad available although we’re missing a few key players.”
Rolfe has clearly been doing his research in the build-up to Sunday. He went on to say: “I know that DJ has re signed old favourite Danny Jacobs ahead of this clash. I’ll ensure my centre halves put him in the main stand early on!
It’s game on.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – B. David
JC star man: Danny Jacobs (Zig Zag)
DC Prediction: UJIA 2 Zig Zag 1
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