There are big games galore on Matchday 30 of the JC MSFL season with Faithfold A looking to make history in the LFASIC, two Peter Morrison Trophy semi-final tie and a bumper league programme. Danny Caro looks ahead to all the action and goes head-to-head with Hendon B joint-manager Motty Korman in the latest installment of Challenge Caro.
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DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 29 OSCARS
< GOAL OF THE WEEK - JAMES MANDELL (Athletic Bilbaum) - click for details
< QUOTE OF THE WEEK - RICH ABRAHAMS (North London Raiders B) - click for details
SAVE OF THE WEEK
Ben Law - crucial late right-handed diving save guaranteed his team three vital points against FC Team
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DC's INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
JC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lee Greenfield (Southgate Harmen)
JC MANAGER OF THE Week
Dan Uzan (Southgate Harmen)
JC REFEREE OF THE WEEK
Dave Lazarus (Glenthorne United B vs North London Raiders B)
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JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL
London Maccabi Lions A vs Redbridge Jewish Care A
Sunday, April 21, KO: 6.30pm at Wingate & Finchley FC
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINALS DRAW
Redbridge JC A vs Brady A - scheduled to be played on April 7
South Manchester Sports Club vs Camden Park - scheduled to be played on April 14
Cup final - April 28 - venue TBC
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
LONDON FA SUNDAY INTERMEDIATE CUP FINAL
FAITHFOLD A vs SHOOTS & LEAVES FC
Faithfold manager Zuriel Solomon believes his players are ready to make history and become the first Jewish team to win the London FA Sunday Intermediate Cup.
A goal from Daryl Phillips took Faithfold to within a point of top spot in the JC MSFL Premier Division last weekend and they will be looking to complete the first part of a possible league and cup double against Shoots & Leaves FC at Wingate & Finchley on Sunday.
< FAITHFOLD'S SEMI-FINAL WIN - VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Venue – Wingate & Finchley FC, KO – 10.30am
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINALS
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A vs BRADY MACCABI A
Of the two semi-finals, I’d describe this as the glamour tie as Premier Division rivals Redbridge and Brady lock horns in the clash of the titans.
Having already secured their place in the JC Cyril Anekstein Cup final, Eilon Kennet’s Redbridge will be looking to keep their treble hopes alive as they welcome the Brady bunch to Fairlop.
The east Londoners are unlikely to play any of their players who represent London Lions in the Spartan South Midlands League, which means player-coach Danny Berg (injured), Josh Kennet, David Soutar and Adam Bolle miss out, although I have a sneaky suspicion that former Player of the Year Daran Bern could make an appearance.
RJC warmed-up for the tie with a double-header against Oakwood. Kennet would’ve been delighted that his players got some much-needed game-time under their belts, having been hampered by the wintry weather since the turn of the year. They haven’t played regularly in recent weeks so the two-hour marathon did them a lot of good, with Jack Van Gelder and Adam Stolerman finding the net, and Richie Caplin impressing at the back.
Brady have done well to get themselves back into the title race and manager Joel Nathan, who works closes with tactical guru Josh Rosenfeld, has his players exactly where he wants them.
Having overcome a tricky hurdle in the shape of Manchester Maccabi in the last round, Brady fans will travel to Redbridge in high spirits.
Looking ahead to the game, Nathan told JC Sport: “We are looking forward to what we all hope will be a great game. Redbridge are a great team who have proved over the last few seasons that they are one of the top Jewish teams in the country and we know we will have to be at our very best to progress to the final.
“We went out at the same stage last season and I really don’t want to have the same feeling again.
“Redbridge have a great pool of players to choose from and it will be interesting to see who is in their line-up Sunday, but we will ready for whoever is on the teamsheet and try and stop them reaching their second final of the season.
“It was a shame we did not have a game last week as we would loved to have continued playing following our match in Manchester, but we have trained well and the boys are buzzing.”
I think Sunday’s match will come down to small details. There will be key battles all over the park, with the big-hitting qualities of Adam Hakimi, Joel Berg, Brad Frankel, Steve Gevertz and Danny Hakimi up against the equally determined Jonny Ellis, Brady’s matchwinner in Manchester, Matt Sofier, Josh Gordon and Jordan Nathan.
Both teams are packed with quality as well as nice blend of youth and experience and it will come down to the team that wins their individual and collective battles.
It finished 4-0 to Redbridge when the teams met earlier in the season but I’ll stake my mortgage on that not happening again. In fact I can see it going the distance.
JC team news: RJC’s Adam Hakimi faces a late fitness test after limping off during last week’s double-header against Oakwood.
Brady have a full-strength squad available, with the Hershman brothers returning after missing the quarter-final trip to Manchester due to a family wedding. Joel Nathan has confirmed striker Paul Hakim will not take part.
JC BIG MATCH ODDS
First Scorer
Adam Stolerman (R) - 3-1
Steve Summers (R) - 4-1
Jack Van Gelder (R) - 6-1
Jonathan Green (B) - 6-1
Josh Hershman (B) - 13-2
Rob Lerner (B) - 7-1
Jonny Ellis (B) - 12-1
Matt Sofier (B) - 20-1
Danny Sugarman (R) - 20-1
Brad Frankel (R) - 25-1
Venue – Fairlop, KO – 10am, Ref – Adam Lewis (Games 15, Yellows 12, Reds 3)
JC star man: Dan Lee (RJC)
DC Prediction: Redbridge 1 Brady 1 AET (RJC to win on penalties)
MK Prediction: Redbridge 3 Brady 2 AET
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SOUTH MANCHESTER SPORTS CLUB 1st vs CAMDEN PARK
Opportunity knocks for South Manchester and Camden Park with a place in the Jewish FA final up for grabs.
Both clubs have done brilliantly to reach this stage of the competition and it’s a huge opportunity for one of the teams to book themselves a place in the showpiece final.
South are an excellently run club and have stepped up a level since Loz Newman took charge as manager. They recorded a famous win against cup holders Hendon in the last round and will take some stopping on Sunday.
Looking ahead to the game, Newman told JC Sport: “We’re still missing a couple of key players for the game but with no 2nd team game this weekend, we’re fortunate to have a home tie and strength in depth to call upon.
“We have had three really tough games in this competition and I expect this to be no different. Obviously I would love nothing more than to see South in a PMT final, especially for Mark Stewart and Jody Marks who have put so much hard work in this season.
“I still see retaining the Accountants League as being the big prize this year, but I know this competition means a lot in Jewish football, particularly to Jonny Davis, Neil Collins and everyone connected with our great club.
“Following on from last year’s title win under Darryl Lee, I expected a tricky defence particularly after our first few league games which were a real struggle. But we have added some new faces, have really kicked on since then and have found ourselves still fighting for three competitions at this stage of the season, which is great for South Manchester. I am really hoping at the end of May the team have something to show for their efforts.”
Camden have also been one of the teams of the season. Having fallen at the semi-final stage in the JC League Cup, manager Josh Marks is determined to take his troops into their first-ever Morrison final.
They needed a late strike from Richard Silver to earn them a point against Shirley Park last weekend but they can put thoughts of promotion to their back of their minds for the next few days as they focus on the task at hand.
Marks told JC Sport: “We have an almost full-strength squad travelling up to Manchester this weekend and obviously we hope to come away with a place in the cup final.
“If you asked me before our last semi final against Redbridge ‘would you take being in one cup final now,’ It would have been difficult to say yes. Having lost that match and knowing how it feels to lose in a semi-final was horrendous.
“If that wasn’t motivation to get to that extra gear this week that we didn’t find against Redbridge then I don’t know what is.
“Last time we travelled the 200 miles up north we did what had to be done and this time again we will do what has to be done.
“Redbridge in the final has to be the dream … but we won’t under-estimate the task we currently have at hand.”
Camden produced a stunning victory over Republic of Flixton to reach the last four but they will need to step up a level to beat a streetwise South Manchester team.
The first goal will be crucial on Sunday and the extra motivation for South is that if they can progress here it would keep the final up north.
JC BIG MATCH ODDS
First Scorer
Adam Lavin (S) - 5-2
Harvey Kaye (S) - 5-1
Richard Silver (C) - 5-1
Guy Marks (C) - 7-1
Jake Saunders (C) - 7-1
Sam Bennett (C) - 10-1
Mark Stewart (S) - 12-1
Tom Cantor (S) - 12-1
Michael Khalastchi (C) - 20-1
Mark Addis (S) - 20-1
Ben Harris (C) - 20-1
Selected bets
Jonny Davis to do a David Pleat-esque celebration - 5-1
Venue – The Armitage, KO – 1.30pm
JC star man: Akiva Lieberman (South Manchester)
DC Prediction: South Manchester 2 Camden 1
MK Prediction: South Manchester 2 Camden 1
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JC MSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
18 - Lee Cash (LM Lions A - 10 for Neasden A)
17 - Adam Stolerman (Redbridge JC A)
12- Jonathan Green (Brady A +1 for B), Daryl Phillips (Faithfold A)
11 - Josh Green (Norstar A)
BRIXTON OLD BOYS vs NORSTAR A
Are Brixton and Norstar resigned to relegation? Not on your nelly. Favourites to go down perhaps, but until it’s mathematically impossible, neither will give up the fight.
That said, I’m pretty sure both are preparing for the worst and drawing up squad lists for next season so it would be fair to say several players on both sides could be playing for their places.
Defensive frailties have haunted both teams this season and you would think that would result in a high-scoring affair on Sunday, but as we all know, things don’t always pan out as you’d expect in this game.
Norstar go into the game with the psychological edge after beating Brixton 3-0 in December thanks to goals from Ben Sheldon, Josh Green and Justin Spiro. That was the Oranges’ first-ever MSFL win and they will be looking to leave Brixton doubled up.
Brixton boss John Nitka has been playing the numbers game after some big-name players left the club. The end of the season cannot come soon enough and I think it will be Norstar holding all the aces again on Sunday.
Venue – Clowes, Ref – Barry David (Games 10, Yellows 4, Reds 0)
JC star man: Zak McLeod (Norstar)
DC Prediction: Brixton 0 Norstar 2
MK Prediction: Brixton 1 Norstar 1
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LONDON MACCABI LIONS A vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
There will be an emphasis on youth for the Lions on Sunday as they look to heap more misery on Hendon.
Andy Landesberg’s troops ended Hendon’s pursuit of back-to-back Anekstein titles a couple of weeks ago and victory on Sunday would be a real body blow as far as Hendon’s hopes of defending the title are concerned.
The Lions still have 12 league points to play for and although they won’t win the title, the future certainly looks bright.
Landesberg told JC Sport: “We’re looking forward to playing again on Sunday.
“The majority of the cup-tied players all return and we will probably be the youngest line-up of the season as all the University boys are home for the holiday break.
“As always, it’ll be another tough contest for the Lions, and many of the players are playing for their place in the Cup Final squad. Let's hope the snow stops.”
Hendon’s league form has been good although not quite as spectacular as last season. They set an incredibly high standard when winning the title but the signs are that despite the recent 2-0 league win over the Lions, they will finish this short.
But that won’t stop David Garbacz’s troops doing everything they can to claim nine points from their last three games. The gaffer will be desperate to put down a marker, especially with a crunch clash against title favourites Faithfold on the horizon.
Looking ahead to the game, Garbacz told JC Sport: "Where there is a chip there is a chance. As long as we are still mathematically in with a chance of retaining the league we will be giving it our all.
"Saying that, Faithfold are well and truly in the box-seat and are massive favourites from here. Most of the team are now back after Pesach and we are still struggling to get over the disappointment of going out of the Morrison a couple of weeks back.
"But if ever there was a game to raise the emotions once again it would be against Lions. It is always difficult to know what we will be up against, but whoever turns out will be extremely difficult to beat, especially at Rowley Lane.
"Nothing less than three points will do for us so we will be going all out for the win. Expect an open attractive game with lots of goals."
JC team news: Lions are missing top-scorer Lee Cash.
Hendon are expected to welcome back a whole host of players who missed the cup defeat in South Manchester. Danny Kon and Dovid Korman are unavailable, but "everyone else is back and fit".
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Neil Cooper (Games 18, Yellows 11, Reds 0)
JC star man: Dovid Korman (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Lions 0 Hendon 2
MK Prediction: Lions 1 Hendon 2
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OAKWOOD A vs FC TEAM A
FC Team boss Mitch Young is predicting a physical contest against the Oaks as the teams looking to end any lingering relegation fears.
Team and Oakwood are two of five sides who can still go down although both sets of players will be confident of finishing the season strongly.
Young’s troops have four games left and they go into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat against double-chasing Faithfold. Dan Silverman was their best player last Sunday.
The Faithfold game was only the third time Team have failed to score in the league this season and Young hopes they get back on the goal trail on Sunday.
“We are looking forward to playing back-to-back games,” he told JC Sport. “This will be a real physical game.
“Oakwood are a very hard team to break down and are particularly strong in midfield. We believe our attacking threats can cause them problems and we will be looking to attack as much as possible.
“We still need another three points from our remaining games and Sunday we will be doing all we can to get them.”
It finished 1-1 when the sides met recently and another tight encounter is on the cards. Richard Salmon netted for Team with Leeds ace David Woolman on target for the Oaks.
Adam Levine, the Oakwood captain, came in for some rough treatment and his battle with Salmon will be worth the admission fee alone.
Speaking at his midweek press conference from the club's training ground, Oakwood joint-manager Ric Blank told JC Sport: "We're massively up for this game. The last time we met was a farce. Played on a water-logged by a pitch, which turned into a mud bath instantly, we were fantastic - before the ref decided not to play the second game of a double header. I have never experienced anything like it.
"Sunday should be a double-header, but it is instead a single game. The whole thing is odd. But we feel a sense of injustice about the last time we played Team and are determined to do something about it.
"We are still without Adam Levine who sustained a terrible elbow the last time we met. He's not played since. We know Team are a really strong side and have achieved what we want - to stay in the Prem. We've managed to steady the ship in recent weeks and we'll be very hard to beat on Sunday I promise you.
"Team only lost 1-0 to a really strong Faithfold side last week so they're in form too. It'll be a cracker. Bobbie Cousins is unavailable as is Dan Geey but other than that we're ready."
It’s definitely one to watch.
JC team news: Bobbie Cousins is unavailable as is Dan Geey, but other than that Oakwood "are ready".
FC Team's Richard Salmon, Ollie Segal and Jake Weiner all return from holidays after missing out last week.
Venue – Parmiters, Ref – Richard Jaye (Games 15, Yellows 10, Reds 4)
JC star man: Jake Weiner (Team)
DC Prediction: FC Team 1 Oakwood 1
MK Prediction: Oakwood 2 Team 3
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
34 - Jamie (Shirley Park)
15 - Yishai Last (Hendon B)
13 - James Gold (LML B), Gideon Gold (Shirley Park), Richard Silver (Camden)
11 - Chaim Gothold (Hendon B), Max Kyte (Lions B + 2 for A), Stefan Benfredj (Shirley Park)
CHIGWELL ATHLETIC vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B
The form book says Chigwell, the bookies say Chigwell and I’m saying Chigwell as Richard Slater’s men go in search of their eighth league win of the season.
Five consecutive victories have put Chigs back in the promotion mixer but Slater and co know that anything less than three points would end their hopes. It would certainly be a coupon spoiler if they failed to do the business.
If memory serves me correctly, Slater’s blood pressure took weeks to get back to normal after the first meeting with Hendon. It finished 6-6 that day and had Neil Tilley not scored an injury-time equaliser, Slater may well have had kittens.
But he sounded in positive mood when I caught up with him earlier this week, after the double-header success over Faithfold B.
He told JC Sport: “We’re hopeful we can carry on our good form against Hendon on Sunday. We’re on a great run.”
Hendon have been hit by a double dip in form. It’s hard to believe that such a talented group of players has fallen off the rails in terms of form but managers Motty Korman and Chaim Gothold are adamant they will give a good account of themselves on Sunday.
“We have really struggled over last few months and haven’t played in a few weeks now,” Korman told JC Sport.
“We are hoping that we can finish our campaign on a high and get as many points as possible.
“We have an almost full-strength squad for the first time in months) and have a few youngsters in who are keen to impress for the new season.
Chigwell have the bit between their teeth at the minute, with Russell Brill pulling the strings in midfield. I can’t see them failing.
JC team news: Hendon are missing Chaim Gothold who is away.
Venue – Peter May, Ref – Alan Russell
JC star man: Russell Brill (Chigwell)
DC Prediction: Chigwell 4 Hendon 1
MK Prediction: Chigwell 2 Hendon 2
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FAITHFOLD B vs LONDON MACCABI LIONS B
Jamie Kyte’s Lions are now in pole position to win the title as results have gone in their favour over the past couple of weeks.
Leaders Shirley Park, Glenthorne and Camden have all dropped points recently and, with games in hand, the Lions cannot believe their luck.
On Sunday, it looks like a case of only turning up to win the game against an out-of-sorts Faithfold B.
The Lions had an extended Pesach break and will be confident of extending their unbeaten run to four games. They drew 2-2 against Harmen last time out but this game looks like a case of how many the Lions will win by.
James Gold, Sam Arghebant, Jonny Cutter were among the scorers when Lions thumped Faithfold last month and if they score early on Sunday, the floodgates could open once more.
It’s almost the last throw of the dice for Rob Shooman’s Faithfold, as a heavy defeat would make it really tough to avoid relegation.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Aaron Djanogly (Games 16, Yellows 25, Reds 5)
JC star man: James Gold (Lions)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 0 Lions 4
MK Prediction: Faithfold 0 Lions 3
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NORTH WEST NEASDEN A vs SOUTHGATE HARMEN
Southgate Harmen were pretty impressive against title-chasing Glenthorne last Sunday and I expect them to show their class against Neasden.
Dan Uzan has finally got striker Lee Greenfield firing on all cylinders and the diminutive marksman will be keen to impress once more and show that his hat-trick last weekend wasn’t a flash in the pan.
Adam Velleman also impressed in an excellent team performance. He has taken his game to another level after being given the captain’s armband in Jon Morris’s absence.
Speaking after the Glenthorne win, Uzan told JC Sport: “We always had the ability, but there is a belief about the squad now and I am excited to see what the boys can do in the last seven games.”
Neasden virtually secured their Division One status last weekend with a crucial double-header win over UJIA.
But I fear heavy legs could take their toll as Daniel Hodes’ ageing squad struggles to overcome two hours of football. They did what they needed to last weekend but I think Sunday will be Harmen’s day again.
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – Robert Benardout (Games 18, Yellows 9, Reds 1)
JC star man: Lee Greenfield (Harmen)
DC Prediction: Neasden 1 Harmen 3
MK Prediction: Neasden 1 Harmen 4
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TEMPLE FORTUNE A vs GLENTHORNE UNITED A
Defeat against Harmen last Sunday came as a real body blow for everyone connected to Glenthorne United A.
But manager Sam Rosenthal isn’t hitting the panic button just yet and he hopes normal service will be resumed this weekend.
Richard Rosenthal and top-scorer Craig Sandford found the net once more but they came unstuck against the brilliance of Harmen hotshot Lee Greenfield.
Thornes boss Sam Rosenthal knows that his men must get back to basics and give a talented Fortune team no encouragement in another potential banana skin.
Looking ahead to the game, Rosenthal told JC Sport: "This week's all about bouncebackability. We've had some tough games against Temple Fortune already this season and the boys know they'll have to put in a big shift to come away with all three points. We're raring to go."
On Sunday they come up against an in-form Fortune team who are putting together a nice little run at just the right time.
Fortune certainly won’t have an inferiority complex against their east London rivals. Dan Orgel (2) and Michael Goldberg earned them a point at Ford Sports & Social back in November when they came away with a deserved point.
A repeat performance would really put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Venue – Ark Academy, Ref – Laurie Benson (Games 19, Yellows 32, Reds 1)
JC star man: Steve Murad (Fortune)
DC Prediction: Temple Fortune 2 Glenthorne 2
MK Prediction: Fortune 2 Glenthorne 5
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UJIA vs WOODFORD WANDERERS (DOUBLE-HEADER)
Last weekend’s double-header defeat against Neasden came as a big blow to everyone at UJIA.
Manager Ben Radstone had hoped to have picked up at least a win but they had no answer to Neasden on the day.
But they have another opportunity to get points on the board as they go into their second consecutive double-header.
Woodford boss Paul Hyams was fuming after his team’s double-header against Fortune last week. One point out of a possible six fell way below expectation and he will be looking for a big reaction from his players against the division’s bottom team.
There will be much more at stake for UJIA on Sunday so Woodford should prepare for the unexpected.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Robert Caplin (Games 12, Yellows 9, Reds 2)
JC star man: James Ryan (Woodford)
DC Prediction: UJIA 1 Woodford 2/Woodford 3 UJIA 1
MK Prediction: UJIA 1 Woodford 3/Woodford 2 UJIA 2
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
20 - Reiss Mogilner (Brady B)
18 - Adam Hersh (Los Blancos)
14 - Jake Gilbert (Athletic Bilbaum)
12 - James Joseph (Brady B)
11 - Dan Hildebrand (Brady B)
CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI vs NORTH WEST NEASDEN B
Catford captain Adam Luria came away from last week’s match against Blancos in reflective mood.
They were down to the bare bones for a game they went on to lose 4-0, but Luria believes that had they taken their chances, things might have ended very differently.
But they cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves against a Neasden team vying for promotion.
The Cats were blown away by Oli Joseph in the first meeting between the sides this season. The former FC Heath striker led the Catford defence a merry dance, hitting the target four times in a 5-2 success.
Luria believed the scoreline flattered Neasden but it’s time his players pull together and give Neasden a run for their money.
But Adam Levene’s NWN know they can ill-afford to drop any more points and I can see them winning by at least a couple of goals on Sunday.
Venue – Norseman FC, Ref – Andy Myerson (Games 17, Yellows 30, Reds 6)
JC star man: Michael Irving (NWN)
DC Prediction: Catford 1 Neasden 4
MK Prediction: Catford 1 Neasden 3
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NORSTAR B vs GLENTHORNE UNITED B
Norstar B gave themselves a relegation lifeline last Sunday when they produced a stunning 4-1 victory over an in-form Redbridge B.
It was a performance that really ticked all the boxes, with Jonny Evans, player-manager David Lubczanski, Jon Kay, Rob Blackman and Jordan Grant the stars of the show.
Blackman is filling his boots in Division Two and he could be the man to lead them to glory against a Glenthorne team low on confidence, while Stars fans were delighted to see Nic Gilbert make such an impact on his return following six months out through injury.
The east Londoners go into the game on the back of a 4-0 trouncing at the hands of Raiders B.
The Thornes last won a match on November 11. They have had injury problems like the best of them but defeat on Sunday would really turn up the heat on managers Liam Stein and Jordan Sapler.
Venue – John Lyons School, Ref – Neal Cohen (Games 15, Yellows 10, Reds 6)
JC star man: Nic Gilbert (Norstar)
DC Prediction: Norstar 3 Glenthorne 1
MK Prediction: Norstar 3 Glenthorne 4
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B vs LOS BLANCOS
Bouncebackability is the name of the game for Redbridge B on Sunday as they look to right the wrongs of the match against Norstar B last weekend.
The RJC kids received a dose of the Jon Jacobs hairdryer after they were ultimately well beaten by the basement battlers. Jacobs would’ve told his players in no uncertain terms that a repeat performance won’t be acceptable.
One of the few positives over the course of 90 minutes was another goal for Saul Green, and he and Dan ‘Flash’ Gordon will be determined to put the east Londoners back on the right path this weekend.
But they will come up against a Blancos team in top gear. Josh Gaon bagged a brace in an impressive 4-0 win at Catford & Bromley, with player-manager Adam Hersh chipping in with another and Adam Waters completing the rout.
That was Blancos’s 10th win of the season and it catapulted them into second place. They looked out of the promotion race a couple of months ago but an excellent run of results means their destiny lies in their own hands.
Hersh told JC Sport: “We were very strong last week and that will give us a lot of confidence going into Sunday’s match at Redbridge.
“Redbridge look a much-changed team since we last met so we have no doubt that this will be a very tough game.
“If I manage to score I will for sure not be celebrating too much out of respect to my former team.”
Hersh netted twice in the first meeting between the teams this season when Blancos ran out 4-0 victors. I think it will be a case of double delight on Sunday.
JC team news: Blancos are close to full strength on Sunday, with only a few unavailable on Sunday, notably creative midfielder Joshua Caplin and defensive commander Josh Colman.
Venue – Fairlop, Ref – Martin Fox (Games 18, Yellows 16, Reds 1)
JC star man: Josh Gaon (Blancos)
DC Prediction: Redbridge 1 Blancos 3
MK Prediction: Redbridge 2 Blancos 4
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SPEC FC vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B
I'd expect a good game here between two talented footballing teams.
Raiders kept alive their promotion hopes with a handsome 4-0 win at Glenthorne B last Sunday. Manager Oli Shorts was delighted to hear that Jonny Blain, Ethan Zone, Sam Morell and Rob Samuelson inspired L’Orange to their eighth league win in a game where assistant-manager Rich Abrahams took charge.
They played some vintage football and were clinical in front of goal, with the partnership between the experience Blain and wonder kid Zone catching the eye.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Shorts, who is back from a scouting mission, told JC Sport: “Rich steered the team to a fantastic victory and we’ll be asking the same from the boys on Sunday.
“It’s a massive match and unfortunately we’ve already lost two players in Ethan Zone and Toby Katz. However, we've still got a very good team and I expect the game vs SPEC to be very tight.
“No game between the two of us has been won by a two-goal margin and I expect the same on Sunday.
“It's an old rivalry and it's great for the players to return to what was our spiritual home for two seasons. The SPEC game is one that we always look forward to and there will be many familiar faces for everyone on Sunday. I think it will come down to who wants it more.”
With Brady and Blancos having moved into pole position to go up since SPEC FC last played, Laurence Conway’s men know they cannot afford to drop many more points.
SPEC have failed to win since the impressive victory over Brady and I think we’ll know much more about them come 12.15pm on Sunday.
Home fans would be delighted to hear that Raiders are missing two of their top players, but they won’t be at full-strength either.
SPEC’s Ricky Lawrence told JC Sport; “We have a few players (and managers) missing and Raiders are on good form. We know it’s going to be a really difficult game but only three points will do.”
It finished 2-1 to SPEC when the teams met in September. Elliot Wallis and Dan Amram were their scorers that day and a repeat performance would go down a treat in the Conway household.
JC team news: SPEC will be missing captain Ashley Burns who is suspended.
Venue – Hatfield Uni, Ref – John Feenstra (Games 19, Yellows 32, Reds 3)
JC star man: Dan Amram (SPEC)
DC Prediction: SPEC FC 2 Raiders 1
MK Prediction: SPEC 3 Raiders 2
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DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
32 - Ben Zloof (AC Mill Hill)
24 - Jono Gaon (Tottenham Chutspah)
23 – Alex Elf (Hendon Utd SC C)
19 - Ben Polak (Oakwood B)
AC MILL HILL vs NORSTAR C
Former leaders Mill Hill are ready to go again after a couple of weeks off.
Joe Levy’s men will be looking to bounce back from the 1-0 defeat against Loughton as they look to close the gap on Oakwood B and FC Team C.
No doubt Levy will be looking for a repeat performance of the result on the opening weekend of the season when they hit Norstar C for six. Ben Zloof, who else, was the star man for them back in September. He hit the target four times in a sign of things to come. And you can find out all about Mill Hill’s star man in this week’s JC.
Looking ahead to the match, Levy told JC Sport: "We are missing several players this week and might only have enough to field 11.
"We were disappointed to see Jewventus fold, thereby moving us down the table below oakwood without playing a game.
"However, we have four games left, all at home, and intend to do our upmost to win them all and gain promotion."
But Norstar have made a big improvement since then. They go into the game on the back of two decent performances in a double-header against high-flying Faithfold C last weekend and trusted no. 2 David Domb is hoping to get the best out of his players again, in the absence of gaffer Zack Gothelf.
“I know some of the boys are still disappointed not to be at least two points better off following last week’s display with Faithfold, but we need to forget that now,” Domb told JC Sport.
“Many expected us to roll over in those games, particularly after falling behind in the second, but we showed great spirit and I want to see that again.
“We know Mill Hill are a good side, and last time we met it didn't exactly go our way. But we’re a different team now, the boys are confident and we know that if we really dig deep we can cause them a few problems.”
Not many teams have tried to man-mark Zloof yet. Not just with one man, but possibly zonal as teams in La Liga and the Champions League do with Messi. But even if they try to double park the bus in front of goal I think Mill Hill have too much for the Stars on the day.
JC team news: Mill Hill player-manager Joe Levy remains a long-term absentee as he recovers from a broken leg.
Midfielder Gideon Aminoff is a major doubt for Norstar with an ankle problem. Daniel Polak is expected to return.
Venue - Chase Lodge, Ref – Henry Raffe (Games 15, Yellows 12, Reds 0)
JC star man: Greg Levy (Mill Hill)
DC Prediction: Mill Hill 3 Norstar 1
MK Prediction: Mill Hill 4 Norstar 2
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FC TEAM C vs LOUGHTON ORIENT
FC Team C will be looking to finish the weekend in top spot as they go in search of their 14th win of the season.
The smashed a perfect 10 against the Loughton boys only last months, when Dave Joseph Cohen fired a fab four-goal salvo. Adam Aminoff, Shim Bensoor (2), Rob Sanford
and Eitan Ben-Zion eased them home.
Loughton have picked up since then and will be looking to push the title favourites closer second time around.
For now though, the focus for Team is on taking each game as it comes. Joint-manager Michael Myers told JC Sport: “We’re in the final stretch of games until the end of the season, and Team are focusing on one thing and this is to claim the title.
“Every game is important, there is no time for complacency. We beat Loughton 10-1 last time but I think they have strengthened as the season has progressed. We have what it takes to go unbeaten this season and claim the Division Three crown, so I hope we fulfill our potential.”
Loughton boss Dan Curtis believed his men contributed to their own downfall in the first meeting and will be spurring his players to produce something special on Sunday.
“It’s a big game,” Curtis told JC Sport, “and one we are looking forward to. We are big underdogs but that will suit us and we go into this fixture in good form.
“It’s important we keep things tight at the back and work our socks off in midfield. If we do that I'm sure we will create chances ourselves.
JC team news: Loughton will be without Adam Conway, who is almost ready to return from injury. Matt West is unavailable and Jaimie Sinclair is waiting for results of a scan to see whether he will play again this season. Curtis added: “We keep our fingers crossed that its good news as he is vital to our team. Everyone else is available and we have strong competition for the starting 11.”
With title rivals Oakwood B next up for Team, this is a game they must win and I believe they will.
Venue – Aycliffe Road, Ref – Steve Levy (Games 13, Yellows 2, Reds 0)
JC star man: Omri Shaham (Team)
DC Prediction: Team 4 Loughton 2
MK Prediction: Team 3 Loughton 0
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L’EQUIPE vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB C (DOUBLE-HEADER)
Take Alex Elf out of Hendon and you’d have a very different team. That’s probably why his manager Craig Miller, this week put a £50m price tag on his prize asset in an attempt to warn off the likes of Faithfold, Hendon, Redbridge and Lions who are all rumoured to be in the Hustlers’ star man.
Elf impressed the onlooking scouts with another hat-trick in the 5-0 demolition of Temple Fortune B last Sunday and no doubt he will be the one L’Equipe will need to watch in this double-header.
There will be nothing more than pride on the line on Sunday for Hendon and L’Equipe but Miller will want his players to put on a good show.
Ahead of the game, Miller told JC Sport: “Double-headers, I hate them. I don’t know what will happen. It’s a lottery.”
L’Equipe came away empty-handed from their double-header against title-chasing Oakwood B but they certainly didn’t disgrace themselves.
But the bottom line is they failed to score in 120 minutes. What they would do for an Alex Elf …
JC team news: Hendon are missing Gab Saul who is in Poland plus Ben David who is on a “naughty weekend with the missus!”
Venue –Copthall, Ref – Keith Goodman
JC star man: Ben Slukis (Hendon)
DC Prediction: L'Equipe 1 Hendon 3/Hendon 2 L'Equipe 2
MK Prediction: L’Equipe 1 Hendon 3/Hendon 2 L’Equipe 2
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TEMPLE FORTUNE B vs FAITHFOLD C
Three points will be the order of the day for Faithfold player-manager David Garson who will be keen to wipe away the frustration of last week’s double-header.
The Superhoops failed to win either game against Norstar C and Garson would’ve been disappointed with the manner of the goals his team conceded.
But there will be extra motivation to do the do against an out-of-sorts Fortune B.
Garson told JC Sport: “A win should guarantee us a top 4 finish, which considering the start we had to the season will be pretty satisfying. And if we avoid defeat we will not have lost in our last nine games, which is clearly something to build on for next season.”
Faithfold are unbeaten since February 3 and will be keen to avenge December’s 3-2 defeat at the hands of Terry Jeffries’ troops. Ollie Squires was Fortune’s match-winner that day in a hard-fought win.
But Fortune have struggled since then, with scoring goals on a regular basis something of an issue.
As long as Faithfold do the basics right, I can see them coming away with three points.
JC team news: Faithfold welcome back Jeremy Teacher, Charlie Resnick and Ben Portnoi. Dave Sherman and Nic Viola face late fitness tests.
Venue – Roger Bannister, Ref – Stuart Ansher (Games 18, Yellows 14, Reds 1)
JC star man: Stefan Simons (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Fortune 1 Faithfold 3
MK Prediction: Fortune 1 Faithfold 3
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TOTTENHAM CHUTSPAH vs BOCA JEWNIORS
The league’s bottom two teams go head-to-head in a match that could be more about quantity than quality.
The Chutspah boys thumped Boca 9-2 at the beginning of the season and manager Ariel Tamman will be confident they can register another big win.
Top-scorer Jono Gaon and Sammy Hakimiam were the hat-trick heroes in September, with the other goals coming from James Segal, Theo Mandel and Zach Margolin.
But the season has turned into something of a learning curve since then, although they have managed to pick up some other useful results in their first season in the JC MSFL.
The Boca boys continue to soldier on and player-manager Jamie Weinrich knows his team will never have a better chance of claiming their second win of what has been an up and down campaign. At least that’s what the table says.
But although Chutspah haven’t hit the heights, they have more potential match-winners in their ranks and the recent win over L’Equipe would’ve filled them with confidence.
There was also the draw against Faithfold C that shows the improvement they have made over the course of the season and it would be a major surprise to me if they failed to pick up all three points.
Venue – Regents Park, Ref – Adam Yuchetel (Games 9, Yellows 10, Reds 1)
JC star man: Adam Morrow (Chutspah)
DC Prediction: Tottenham 3 Boca 2
MK Prediction: Chutspah 4 Boca 3
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CHALLENGE CARO RESULT
Week 1: Caro 4, Rob Richman 5
Week 2: Caro 14, Mitch Young 10
Week 3: Caro 20 (incl. 2 correct scores), Richard Slater 15 (inc. 1 correct score)
Week 4: Caro 15 (incl. 2 correct scores), Phil Peters 5
Week 5: Caro 1 Loz Newman 8
Week 5: Caro 6 Josh Dagul 4
