Faithfold A ended Redbridge's treble hopes as they joined Neasden A and North London Raiders A in the semi-finals of Peter Morrison Trophy. Danny Caro looks back on the action.
LATEST NEWS: LIONS A LOOKING FOR NEW MANAGER
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JC MSFL MATCHDAY 26 HEADLINES
PMT – Faithfold, Neasden and Raiders into last four
JC BGC – Faithfold C beat Real Life in five-goal thriller, Raiders C stun Heath Banta
Prem Div – Lions A finish with a victory
Div 1 – Brady frustrated as Chigwell make their point
Div 2 – Fortune clinch promotion
Div 3 – Shaw-footed Thornes win derby
Div 4 – Blizzard two good for Glenthorne B, Borehamwood hit Jewve for six
JC HAT-TRICK HEROES
Div 4 - Haki Elias (Hendon C), Zvi Ormonde (Los Blancos)
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JC PHOTOGALLERIES:
PREM DIV: REDBRIDGE JC A vs FAITHFOLD A
DIV 3: REDBRIDGE JC C vs GLENTHORNE UTD A
JC VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:
DIV 3: REDBRIDGE JC C vs GLENTHORNE UTD A
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JC GOAL OF THE WEEK
Benji Gourgey (NW Neasden C) - picked up the ball on the left in his own half, turned the right back with a Zidane-esque move, drove into the box and curled the ball into the corner past the flailing keeper. An absolutely superb goal
JC SAVE OF THE WEEK
Mike Perkin (NW Neasden C) - amazing finger-tip save from a downward header early in the game - almost like Gordon Banks, but possibly better!
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MATCH REPORTS:
DIV 1: LM LIONS C vs MONTANA BOCA UTD
DIV 2: TEMPLE FORTUNE A CLINCH PROMOTION
DIV 3: REDBRIDGE JC C vs GLENTHORNE UTD A
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IMPORTANT DATES
PETER MORRISON TROPHY FINAL
May 15 - venue TBC
JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL
Hendon United Sports Club A vs Redbridge Jewish Care A
April 17 - Wingate & Finchley FC - 6.30pm KO
JC BARRY GOLDSTEIN CUP FINAL
April 17 - Wingate & Finchley FC - 2.30pm KO
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YOUR WEEKEND REVIEW STARTS HERE:
PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINALS LINE-UP
Faithfold A vs NW Neasden A
Leeds Maccabi 1st or Manchester Maccabi 1st vs North London Raiders A
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINALS
EXPERIENCE THE KEY AS NEASDEN GO THROUGH
NORTH WEST NEASDEN A 3 NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B 1
Goals from Danny Cole, Rob Lerner and Matt Sofier helped holders Neasden come from behind to beat Division One leaders Raiders B in an excellent match at the Hive.
The Raiders forged ahead midway through the first half when a cross from Mike Hershman was fumbled into the net by Neasden keeper Max Shields.
Neasden levelled six minutes later when the returning Danny Cole struck a confident finish into the bottom corner.
The hosts went ahead seconds before the break when a quick free-kick from Sofier hit the head of Lerner and flew into the corner.
Raiders spurned several chances to equalise in the second half but it was not to be as Neasden clinched tie 15 minutes from time when Sofier ended an excellent counter-attack with a composed finish.
Neasden manager Jamie Cole told JC Sport: "Raiders were excellent today, but in the end we had a bit more quality and deserved the win.
"We now face Faithfold A in the semis and will be looking to book our place in the final."
Rob Richman, the Raiders boss, told JC Sport: "I think the occasion got the better of us in the first half, though we defended well we didn't do ourselves justice from an attacking point of view.
"However in the second half we were much sharper and we really put some pressure on the Neasden goal. Unfortunately, despite creating a number of opportunities, we just couldn't grab an equaliser and with 15 minutes to go Neasden caught us out on the break.
"Overall it was a really great cup game and we wish Neasden the best of luck for retaining the Morrison this year. Our focus is now on a massive league game this weekend."
DC Prediction: NW Neasden A 3 NL Raiders A 1
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FAITHFOLD END RJC’S TREBLE HOPES
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 1 FAITHFOLD A 3
Strikes from Lorian Madanes, Daryl Phillips and Jonny Haik saw Faithfold end Redbridge’s treble hopes with an excellent performance at Fairlop in one of the results of the day.
The Superhoops went 1-0 up but RJC levelled through Lewis Walker straight from the restart. Faithfold restored the advantage two minutes later to go in 2-1 at half time.
Faithfold stepped up a gear in the second half and sealed victory with a third to set up a semi-final against Neasden A.
Zuriel Solomon, the Faithfold manager, told JC Sport: "We were well organised against a strong Redbridge team but thoroughly deserved our win.
"We now have a massive tie against Neasden which should be a great game."
RJC manager Sam McCarthy told JC Sport: "Having bigged up the side for the match preview we go and let this game slip away from us. We started the game positively and I felt that we going to get a clutch of goals having missed three sitters in the opening 15 minutes.
"I was disappointed to concede what I felt were three soft goals but credit where credit is due and Faithfold deserved the victory as we struggled to gel as a team in the second half.
"We were in unfamiliar territory having to come from a goal behind with minutes ticking away and despite pushing four up front in the last 20 we could not break Faithfold down.
"This game was particularly disappointing as Neasden last week were a far better side then Faithfold and we rose to that challenge. This week, maybe we were a bit complacement, who knows. A valuable lesson indeed that when it comes to cup games anything can happen in 90 minutes.
"The team now need to refocus on the league and you can be sure that our heads will be in the right place for next Sunday's game."
DC Prediction: Redbridge JC A 3 Faithfold A 1
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A P SOUTHGATE HARMEN A P
Match postponed – Harmen forfeited as they were unable to raise a team
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JC BARRY GOLDSTEIN CUP
GROUP A STANDINGS
1. Faithfold C Pl. 2, W. 1, D. 1, L. 0, F. 5, A. 4, Pts. 4
2. North London Raiders C Pl. 2, W. 1, D. 1, L. 0, F. 4, A. 3, Pts. 4
3. Real Life Pl. 2, W. 1, D. 0, L. 1, F. 6, A. 6, Pts. 3
4. Heath Banta Pl. 2, W. 0, D. 0, L. 2, F. 4, A. 6, Pts. 0
FRANKS FRIES HEATH BANTA
NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C 2 HEATH BANTA 1
A late strike from Harry Franks put fourth division North London Raiders C within touching distance of the last four as they stunned Division Three high-flyers Heath Banta.
Heath Banta forged ahead through Dan Sinai on the stroke of half time although the Raiders felt that there was a handball offence in the build up.
Raiders battled away but just could not find an equaliser. A blatant shove in the area on Harry Franks went unpunished to Raiders' astonishment and manager Oli Shorts felt that for all his team's domination, it was not going to be their day.
Harry Franks was tormenting the right hand side every time but every time we couldn't find that killer ball.
It was backs to the wall stuff from Heath Banta as L'Orange pressed and pressed. Finally with about 10 minutes to go Harry Franks won a penalty after a mazy run into the area, with the Heath player on the floor he handled the ball and a spot kick was awarded. Jack Franks dispatched the spot kick and we went in search of the winner.
With 86 minutes played a mix-up in the back of the defence meant that Harry Franks robbed the ball off the last defender and coolly slotted home the winner.
Raiders manager Oli Shorts told JC Sport: "What a performance from the lads today. A huge win and a spirited performance from everyone involved.
"Two massive decisions didn't go our way today but at the end of the game the right team won.
"This performance shows our intent to win the cup and all the players were elated at the final whistle. We beat the highest ranked team in the competition and thoroughly deserved it.
DC Prediction: NL Raiders C 3 Heath Banta 2
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BIG BEN STRIKES TWO AS FAITHFOLD CLAIM FIRST WIN
REAL LIFE 2 FAITHFOLD C 3
Two goals from top-scorer Ben Simons took cup holders Faithfold C a step closer to the semis as they edged past Division Three rivals Real Life at the Hive.
Jonny Blain scored the other for David Garson’s men.
Real Life's goals came through Ed Lewin and Dan Markeson.
Faithfold player-manager David Garson told JC Sport: "We played well in patches and probably should have gone on to score more.
"The scorline flattered them really as we were 3-0 up with five minutes to go and they scored a penalty and a goal with the last kick of the game."
DC Prediction: Real Life 3 Faithfold C 3
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GROUP B STANDINGS
1. Temple Fortune B Pl. 2, W. 2, D. 0, L. 0, F. 7, A. 3, Pts. 6
2. UJIA Pl. 1, W. 0, D. 1, L. 1, F. 1, A. 1, Pts. 1
3. Zig Zag Pl. 2, W. 0, D. 1, L. 2, F. 4, A. 6, Pts. 1
4. Catford & Bromley Maccabi Pl. 1, W. 0, D. 0, L. 1, F. 2, A. 4, Pts. 0
FORTUNE REACH LAST FOUR
ZIG ZAG 1 TEMPLE FORTUNE B 3
Temple Fortune B became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals as they put Zig Zag to the sword.
Gideon Wetrin and Dave Sawyer (2) registered for Fortune.
Zig Zag's goal came through Byron Watkins.
Fortune joint-manager Rob Jay said: "It was one of our best performances of the season. We were the better team from start to finish and could have scored more goals. Everyone played very well."
DC Prediction: Zig Zag 2 Temple Fortune B 3
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JC MSFL PREMIER DIVISION
LIONS FINISH WITH A FLOURISH
NORTH WEST NEASDEN B 2 LONDON MACCABI LIONS A 3
Goals from Scott Levy, Sam Arghebant and Pete Lazard helped the Lions finished a disappointing season with a victory after a five-goal thriller.
Brad Sharpe and Marc Lazare were the marksman for Neasden.
Neasden joint-manager Sammy Carr told JC Sport: "Yesterday was a remarkable performance. We were once again down to bare bones. We had no centre backs so Danny Daggers and Bruno Frankel took up the reigns. We had a C-team player, Richard Jacobs, help us at left-back and Danny Cohen returned from injury for only the second time in 16 months and had to play 90.
"It was our most battling display of the season and makes me confused as to why we haven't showed this spirit all season long.
"The boys were a real credit to the club today and I now look forward to our final three games of the season. We just plan to enjoy ourselves and try and rebuild for next year."
There were emotional scenes at the final whistle after it was revealed that Eilon Kennet was standing down as manager of London Maccabi Lions A.
LIONS A LOOKING FOR NEW MANAGER
DC Prediction: NW Neasden B 2 LM Lions B 2
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DIVISION ONE
CHIGS DENIED BY TOP-CAT COLMANS
BRADY MACCABI 1 CHIGWELL ATHLETIC 1
Brady's title challenge faltered as they were held by Chigwell at Little Bushey Lane.
The home side forged ahead from the penalty spot through Mark Smith after 11 minutes following a foul in the area from Chigs captain Jon Swead.
Chigwell levelled on the hour when Russell Yershon headed home a corner from a Michael Wizenfeld.
Richard Slater, the Chigwell manager, told JC Sport: "We totally dominated the game apart from the last 10 minutes when Brady came at us. We hit the bar, post, missed a penalty and two one-on-ones.
"The Brady keeper was superb. On reflection it we should have won the game by three or four, as I'm sure Josh would agree. It just wouldn't run for us. That's some of the best football I've seen from the boys for a long time. Everyone was on their game today. It was just frustrating we couldn't convert our dominance into three points."
Brady boss Josh Rosenfeld told JC Sport: "For the second week in a row, I have to admit we have been second best. We haven't got back in to our rhythm since having a long lay-off and it's clearly taken its toll on the squad. However, we still remain unbeaten in the last 10 league games and we need to look at it that way as we are a brand new squad.
"Chigwell were stronger than us and wanted it more than us. We went 1-0 up after a poor first half display and had chances to double the lead. Chigwell came back with a fully deserved goal and as mentioned by Richard, Oli Colmans kept us in the game, not only once but around eight or nine times, especially with a late penalty.
"We need to shape up quickly or we are in the position losing our lead at the top."
Chigwell: Marc Jacobs, Simon Felstein, Jon Swead (capt) (sub: Adam Conway 65), Adam Shafron, Russell Yershon (sub: Dean Michaels 76), Michael Witzenfeld, Marc Radzan, Daniel Castle, Craig Pearl, Russell Becker, Glenn Michaels
DC Prediction: Brady Maccabi 2 Chigwell Athletic 1
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LAST-DITCH LIONS STILL ALIVE
LONDON MACCABI LIONS 1 MONTANA BOCA UNITED A 0
A late strike from Josh Newman saw the Lions kept alive of their hopes of avoiding relegation with a hard-earned win over Montana at Rowley Lane.
Lions player-manager Jamie Kyte told JC Sport: "Today we showed the spirit that we’ve been lacking throughout the season. This was our first clean sheet and having Josh at centre back helped us a tremendous amount.
"If we win all our games and results go our way we still have a chance of staying up."
Montana joint-manager Raymond Harrod told JC Sport: "Lions had one shot in the last minute and scored. We were guilty of missing five good chances and games should have been all over by half time."
DC Prediction: LM Lions C 2 Montana Boca Utd A 2
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FC TEAM CLIMB TO THIRD
SOUTHGATE HARMEN B 0 FC TEAM A 2
Goals from Shai Davidi and Andy Sheena, with his third in two games, lifted FC Team A into third as they overcame a plucky Harmen B team at Ashmole.
FC Team player-manager Mitch Young told JC Sport: "The team were excellent today in all areas of the pitch. I am very happy with the clean sheet and we now have some consistency in team selection which is why we are beginning to move back up the table.
"I thought everyone done their jobs well and am very pleased."
Harmen's Lloyd Becker told JC Sport: "We were disappointed to come away with nothing after a conceding two weak goals late on in the game. Credit to FC Team who kept going until the end."
DC Prediction: Southgate Harmen B 1 FC Team A 1
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DIVISION TWO
FORTUNE CLINCH PROMOTION
TEMPLE FORTUNE A 4 FAITHOLD B 3
Temple Fortune A became the first club to clinch promotion this season as goals from Dan Woolf, Scott Shindler (2) and Rob Benson wrapped up a thrilling win over fellow high-flyers Faithfold B in Hatch End.
Faithfold's scorers were Joe Levi, Adam Grossman and Matty Klienman.
Delighted Fortune manager Andrew Souber told JC Sport: "The promotion is terrific news for the Club. I'm delighted for Lee, myself and all the players who have worked so hard all season for this. But we make it so hard for ourselves.
"Mission one accomplished, mission two is that championship. The first objective was always gaining promotion and I'm delighted we have achieved that."
Assistant-manager Lee Fegan added: "I'm ecstatic for the Club. This has been three years in the making for Andy and I. I'm full of praise for everyone associated with the First Team. But the job is not fully completed until we win the division."
DC Prediction: Temple Fortune A 3 Faithfold B 2
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DIVISION THREE
SHAW-FOOTED THORNES NEAR TITLE
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE C 0 GLENTHORNE UNITED A 1
Jamie Shaw was the match-winner as Glenthorne put one hand on the Division Three title in an uninspiring contest at Fairlop.
Thornes joint player-manager Dan Lipman told JC Sport: "This morning was billed to be the game of the day and it didn’t disappoint.
It was a 90-minute battle and we were first and second to almost everything. Everyone won their personal battles and if it wasn’t for a couple of great saves from the RJC keeper we could have won it 2 or 3 nil.
"Jamie Shaw played his first game since the A team folded last year and although he was massively off the pace his quality was visible. He missed a sitter in the second half and I thought that that was it and we wouldn’t score, but then I beat the offside trap, then the full back, fired the ball across the six-yard box and Shaw was in the right place at the right time to bundle it in.
"I couldn’t be any prouder of the boys today. It’s in our hands now.”
RJC manager Richard Bronzite told JC Sport: "I'm bitterly disappointed as we got going way too late in the game. The league title is in their hands but we need to keep believing and fighting which we will do."
Glenthorne A: Bradley Grant, Tiller, Joe Grant, Kanter, Levy, Lipman, Lessem, Jay, Stanton (sub: Cohen 23), Biller (Shafron 55 minutes) Shaw
Redbridge C: Sanders, Furman, Silver, Ballen, Clements (sub: Ryan 76), Solossi, Green, Grodent (sub: Sugarman 45 minutes) Mendel, Bookman, Gordon
DC Prediction: Redbridge JC C 2 Glenthorne Utd A 1
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NORSTAR SHOW JLGB WHAT FOUR
NORSTAR B 4 TEAM JLGB 0
In-form Norstar B romped home with two more goals from the red-hot Josh Green plus one apiece from Josh Kleiman and Johnny Kay.
It was not JLGB's day as they hit the woodwork and missed a penalty through player-manager Rob Silverman.
Norstar manager Jonny Bunt told JC Sport: "This was another solid win.
"It is very strange to substitute your man-of-the-match at half time, but after a defence-splitting assist and a 25-yard free kick, Josh Kleiman our unsung left-back who has been improving week on week had to go to his future brother-in-law's 21st birthday - a worse excuse than Baliotelli's grass allergy."
"Fortunately it didn't halt our progress and whilst for long periods of the game JLGB broke up our passing and spent time in our half, our defence kept stopping the killer balls and repelling their advances. In fact the only save our keeper had to make all game was from a dodgy penalty.
"Going forward we were typically over-elaborate at times but we took enough chances to make the final score look comfortable."
"The win leaves us with three games to secure third place and/or make a push for second anything but nine points and we can forget about being runners-up but if we continue our form in 2011 - where we are the form team in the division and probably the whole league - then who knows."
DC Prediction: Norstar B 4 Team JLGB 1
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DIVISION FOUR
ATHLETIC BILBAUM 4 HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB C 3
As predicted, Bilbaum closed the gap on Hendon following a seven-goal thriller in Hampstead.
Braces from Edward Green and Simon Finkelstein earned Bilbaum their sixth win of the season.
HAKI ELIAS fired a hat-trick for Hendon.
DC Prediction: Athletic Bilbaum 4 Hendon Utd SC C 3
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BLIZZARD TWO GOOD FOR THORNES
GLENTHORNE UNITED B 0 BLIZZARD STORM 2
Glenthorne's decision to lend players to the A-team backfired as they came a cropper against an excellent Blizzard Storm team in Chigwell.
Adam Speck and a late strike from Joel Kutner helped the Storm move to within a point of the Thornes, although they'd played two games more.
The result saw Blizzard complete a league double over Elliot Coulton's men.
Blizzard boss Simon Linden told JC Sport: "It was a case of who wanted it more. We battled hard against a good Glenthorne team.
"Defensively once again we dealt with everything. As a group we haven't let Shirley Park or Glenthorne score in the last 180 minutes, fantastic team effort.
"That's the biggest win yet. We had to win to get our promotion bid back on track. We have done the double over the league leaders and possible champions."
DC Prediction: Glenthorne Utd B 2 Blizzard Storm 1
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BOREHAMWOOD HIT JEWVE FOR SIX
INTER BOREHAMWOOD 6 JEWVENTUS 0
Inter Borehamwood hit Jewventus for six at the Hive courtesy of strikes from Scott Ackerman (2) plus one apiece from Jerome Colmans, Joel Lassman, Adam Lenz and Adam Newman.
Lassman - playing in a new role in centre midfield - put Borehamwood opened the scoring following a great penetrating run from deep in the opening stages. Ackerman then showed why, in the eyes of his manager Oluseun Thomas, "he is probably the most threatening player in the league with the ball at his feet" by tearing down the left beating a couple of men and slotting it in from a tight angle.
Borehamwood did not let up there and showed true determination and put in a performance to show our intent for the rest of the season. Then Richard Benson linked up beautifully on the right to provide Colmans with an opportunity he took with great composure. Finding themselves 3-0 in the first 20 minutes, Thomas became concerned that his team could become complacent and concede sloppy goals but the return of Mark Wayne to centre back after a long time sidelined due to injury proved to be a true lift with him and captain Johnny Meltzer putting in a faultless performance.
Jamie Taylor also impressed Thomas - coming in with a great debut performance dealing with everything defensively and then delivering some dangerous balls. Newman then completed the half time route with a clinical finish.
The second half was much of the same with home keeper Michael Mirelman having a very quite time with the Borehamwood defence and Joe Levy shutting down all the threats. Ackerman continued to create great opportunities and found the net again before Lenz rounded the day with a 20-yard strike making it six.
Borehamwood boss Oluseun Thomas paid a glowing tribute to his team at the final whistle. He told JC Sport: "My boys really showed again the true strength we posses and put in a faultless performance which we believe was the evidence we are in this. To win it, not just earning default promotion."
DC Prediction: Inter Borehamwood 3 Jewventus 1
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LOS BLANCOS HIT HIGH FIVES
LOS BLANCOS 5 PINNER JFC 0
A hat-trick from ZVI ORMONDE in his first start for the club saw promotion-chasing Los Blancos recover from last week's cup semi-final defeat against Hendon with an easy victory over rock bottom Pinner.
Centre back Eddie Nathan scored his first and second goals for the club as LB chalked up an 11th league victory of the season.
Pinner boss Vivian Emanuel told JC Sport: "We were 1-0 at half time and kept it at that until 55 minutes. We then lost concentration in the middle and let LB attack. LB had a good game."
DC Prediction: Los Blancos 4 Pinner JFC 1
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NEASDEN C DENT SHIRLEY'S PROMOTION HOPES
SHIRLEY PARK 1 NORTH WEST NEASDEN C 2
Strikes from Laurence Spear and Benji Gourgey helped Neasden C dent Shirley's promotion hopes in a shock 2-1 win at Gladstone Park.
Shirley's goal came through Gideon Gold.
Jubilant Neasden player-manager Louis Taylor told JC Sport: "A great win for the boys that keeps our fantastic run going.
"I have to say that our defence was immovable today. Adam Levene and Tony Chadwick played like men possessed, heading away long throw after long throw.
"We soaked up a lot of pressure in the game and scored two wonderful goals on the break from Benji Gourgey first, then the second from Laurence Spear.
"We look forward to continuing our great run next week."
DC Prediction: Shirley Park 1 NW Neasden C 1
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