It's all about the league between now for the end of the JC MSFL season, with the Division One title the only one still up for grabs. Danny Caro's looks ahead to all the action, which includes the clash of the respective winners of the Morrison and Anekstein on Matchday 34. Stats king Jonny Blain is the latest to try his luck in Challenge Caro.
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LATEST:
MANAGERS MARVEL AT BRADY'S MORRISON SUCCESS
MORRISON FINAL PHOTOS - SOUTH MANCHESTER vs BRADY
SOLOMON SAVOURS FAITHFOLD TITLE JOY
PHOTOGALLERY - HENDON vs FAITHFOLD
HENDON vs FAITHFOLD - VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
DEBUT SUCCESS DELIGHTS OAKS BOSS TUSSIE
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
JC MSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
18 - Lee Cash (LM Lions A - 10 for Neasden A)
17 - Adam Stolerman (Redbridge JC A)
14 - Daryl Phillips (Faithfold A), Brad Wine (Oakwood)
DANNY CARO'S PREM DIV TEAM OF THE WEEK
BRADY MACCABI A vs LONDON MACCABI LIONS A
Sunday sees a clash of the cup kings as Morrison winners Brady take on Anekstein victors Lions in the Rowley Lane derby.
This will be the third meeting between the sides this season, with the Lions mauling Brady 4-0 in the first league meeting, while Brady exacted revenge in the cup, cruising home 8-1.
The fact that none of the three scorers for Lions in September’s league meeting - Michael Pearson
Michael Pearson (2), Lorian Madanes and Oli Craig will feature for Andy Landesberg’s team tell you how much things have changed.
Having clinched the Jewish FA Cup in Oldham last weekend, the Brady bunch are determined on finishing the season in third place. They start Sunday’s derby a point ahead of the Lions, with two games in hand.
Looking ahead to the game, joint-manager Joel Nathan told JC Sport: "I am sure Lions will be very much up for it, especially as they will want to reverse the cup match from a few weeks ago, plus we still have a score to settle following the league meeting earlier in the season.
"The Lions squad has changed considerably in the past few months, with Andy relying on the young players he knows so well and great credit to them as they have performed brilliantly, culminating in their cup success two weeks ago. But we still have eyes on the runners-up spot - although we need NLR to do us a favour on Sunday - and we are determined to remain on this unbeaten run until the end of the season.
"The job this week is to make sure the boys are focused, especially after last week’s exploits. Josh and myself will make sure the boys turn up and be ready to die for the cause as nothing is bigger in Jewish football than a Brady/Lions derby."
The Lions moved on to 26 points last weekend following a 1-1 draw against Oakwood. Landesberg told me his players suffered a cup hangover in what was a case of “after the Lord Mayor’s Show”.
I’m expecting a top quality affair between two talented teams who will no doubt challenge for silverware again next season.
JC team news: Brady has a full-strength squad to pick from, although there is an injury concern over vice-captain Josh Gordon.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Adam Lewis (Games 18, Yellows 15, Reds 3)
JC star man: Joel Lassman (Brady)
DC Prediction: Brady 3 Lions 1
JB Prediction: Brady 2 Lions 2
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HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A
Having seen their hopes of retaining the title crushed by newly-crowned champions Faithfold last week, Hendon will look to bow out on a high when they welcome Raiders to Arkley.
David Garbacz’s troops have fond memories of L’Orange as they were the team beat to win the title last season.
Treble winners last year, Garbacz and co will be shocked to have finished the season empty-handed, but the gaffer sounded more determined than ever to get back on track in season 2013/14.
I believe the loss of Ben Lauffer, Josh Bentley and Paul Bentley – three match-winners - hurt them more than they realised and it’s clear they need to bring in a couple of top quality reinforcements.
Speaking to JC Sport ahead of their final game on the 2012/13 calender, Garbacz told JC Sport: “The sun is out and it feels like it is time to don the cricket pads and put the boots away for a few months. Before doing that however, we have our final fixture to fulfil and we know that we need a win to be absolutely sure of a runners-up spot; not quite the lofty ambitions we had at the start of the season, but a decent effort nevertheless considering we have had a significantly weaker squad this year.
“We want to go out on a high, but it will be difficult to motivate the players after last week’s disappointment against Faithfold. In truth we did not lose the league last week – we lost it with a bad first half to the year and all credit to the boys for fighting hard since January to remain in touch.
“We are unbeaten at home all season and we will be giving it one last push in order to remain that way. Raiders have been a bit hit-and-miss this year, but are always dangerous on their day.
“I expect an open typical end of season affair where we will hopefully come out on top and then start to think what changes we can put in place next year in order to mount a fresh challenge.”
Raiders secured their top-flight status with a 4-1 win over Brixton last week. Like Garbacz, Raiders manager Rob Richman is already looking ahead to next season. With games in hand on Oakwood, they will be keen to push for a top seven finish but I think Hendon, who thumped them 6-1 at Brunel in September, will have too much for them on the day.
JC team news: Jacob Gold, Ben Kon and Alex Nadler are unavailable for Hendon, but Yoav Kestenbaum is back (one week too late!)
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – Richard Jaye (Games 19, Yellows 16, Reds 6)
JC star man: Yoav Kestenbaum (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Hendon 3 Raiders 0
JB Prediction: Hendon 3 Raiders 1
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A vs FAITHFOLD A
Newly-crowned champions Faithfold will be given a guard of honour when they make the journey east to play 2011 winners Redbridge.
A goalless draw against 2012 table-toppers Hendon saw the Superhoops crowned to complete an historic double.
Paul Savitz and Jonny Haik were the scorers when Faithfold beat RJC early season and I’m predicting another tight affair as Redbridge look to bounce back from last weekend’s double-header defeat against FC Team.
Faithfold boss Zuriel Solomon told JC Sport: “It’s a great feeling already knowing that we have now achieved what we set out to do at the beginning of the season with two games to spare.
“We will enjoy ourselves Sunday, but look to keep the good work going and as always look to come away with three points.
“Redbridge are always a dangerous side to play and sometimes you don’t know what personnel you will be playing against so we will have to be on our game.”
I get the feeling RJC want the season to end now. Two hours of football was not the way they wanted to recover from defeat in the Anekstein final and manager Eilon Kennet could find it hard to motivate his players.
Faithfold boast an excellent defensive record and have lost just once in the league this season. They will want to show the home side just why they are champions …
JC team news: Faithfold have a few doubts with late fitness tests on Dan Howard, James Taylor and Mike Pearson. Elliot Stern (knee) and Alex Kaye (ankle) are out for the last two games.
Venue – Fairlop, Ref – Andy Myerson (Games 20, Yellows 31, Reds 6)
JC star man: Paul Savitz (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Redbridge 1 Faithfold 2
JB Prediction: Redbridge 2 Faithfold 1
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
35 - Jamie (Shirley Park)
16 - Richard Silver (Camden)
15 - Yishai Last (Hendon B), Max Kyte (Lions B + 2 for A)
CHIGWELL ATHLETIC vs UJIA (DOUBLE-HEADER)
Chigwell boss Richard Slater knows that nothing less than six points will do when his team takes on rock bottom UJIA.
The east Londoners were the victims of a big shock last weekend when they were thumped 4-1 in the derby against Woodford and it would be fair to say that Slater is looking for a big reaction from his players.
Slater told JC Sport: “After the disappointing performance last week - we let ourselves down massively and blew five months of hard work - I expect to see a big response from my players capped with six points.”
Sunday is really the beginning of the business end of the Division One season with several important double-headers taking place. If the Chigs want to be in contention, they must adopt a ruthless streak from here on in.
JC team news: Dean Ben Yosef, Glenn Davis, James Swead and Lee Hyams return for Chigwell, but Doron Weinstein and Jamie Fox miss out.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Martin Lavender (Games 19, Yellows 16, Reds 0)
JC star man: Glenn Davis (Chigwell)
DC Prediction: Chigwell 4 UJIA 1/UJIA 1 Chigwell 2
JB Prediction: Chigwell 3 UJIA 1/UJIA 2 Chigwell 7
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FAITHFOLD B vs GLENTHORNE UNITED A (DOUBLE-HEADER)
Glenthorne will be looking to finish the weekend level on points with table-topping Shirley Park when they take on struggling Faithfold B.
By Sunday, Sam Rosenthal’s men wouldn’t have played for four weeks and the manager hopes rustiness doesn’t play a part for the two-hour marathon.
Daniel Lipman and Fabio Revieccio were the marksmen in Glenthorne’s last outing, a 2-1 success at Temple Fortune, but I can see the gulf in class being pretty clear from the start this weekend.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Rosenthal told JC Sport: "The lads are looking forward to getting back out there, and are focused on coming away from Chase Lodge with the maximum six points available."
Thornes top-scorer Craig Sanford will be licking his lips at the prospect of taking on a Faithfold defence that has conceded 60 goals in 18 games. But the bigger problem has come at the other end of the pitch and it wouldn’t surprise me if manager Rob Shooman borrowed a Jamie Taylor or Paul Savitz from the A team after running his eye over the new JC MSFL champions last week.
The Thornes have an inferior goal difference to Shirley and Lions B so a shoot-on-sight policy will be the order of the day.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Tony McEvoy (Games 11, Yellows 19, Reds 0)
JC star man: Craig Sanford (Glenthorne)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 0 Glenthorne 4/Glenthorne 5 Faithfold 0
JB Prediction: Faithfold 1 Glenthorne 4/Glenthorne 5 Faithfold 0
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SOUTHGATE HARMEN vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B
Biggest under-achievers of the season. That is how Hendon joint-manager Motty Korman describes his team.
He told me: “It’s been a terrible season and we genuinely don’t have any stand-out performers.”
The Hornets start Sunday’s game a point behind Harmen, and they have played a game more, so they will really need to pull something special out of the bag to take the points.
“There’s not much to say this week,” Korman added. “After a few good performances against Lions B and the first game of the double-header against Camden, we were poor against Neasden and threw away a two-goal lead.
“The long season is taking its toll on some of the players and after a terrible second half of the season I think some of the boys are looking forward to the summer.
“We are not yet in a relegation battle, but with three games to play if we don’t pick up then we may find ourselves playing Division Two football next season.... that in itself should be enough to motivate the players ...”
Harmen have worked hard to hold a mid-table position. Israeli hotshot Ori Kobi has undoubtedly been their star man this year and manager Dan Uzan sang his praises in the build-up to Sunday’s meeting.
Revenge will be the name of the game for the Harmen boys who were edged out 2-1 by Hendon at the start of the season, when Chaim Gothold and Avi Marcowitz found the net.
It’s clear Hendon will mean business on Sunday, but it remains to be seen whether or not they can keep Kobi in check.
Venue – Ashmole School, Ref – Laurie Benson (Games 22, Yellows 40, Reds 2)
JC star man: Ori Kobi (Harmen)
DC Prediction: Harmen 2 Hendon 2
JB Prediction: Harmen 2 Hendon 1
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WOODFORD WANDERERS vs LONDON MACCABI LIONS B
Jamie Kyte’s Lions must be on their guard when they tackle the Wanderers of Woodford.
A 4-1 win over local rivals Chigwell was a real coupon spoiler for the JC MSFL massive and it’s clear Kyte and co won’t be taking Paul Hyams’s men lightly.
With top-scorer James Gold filling in for Kyte in the hotseat, it will be interesting to see how the Lions line-up, with five in midfield an option they should consider.
Having won the first encounter between the teams 3-1, the Lions know they will face a different animal altogether and Gold hopes that the commanding figures of Henry Ziff and Nick Astaire will keep Woodford at arm’s length.
Kyte told JC Sport: “It's another must win game for us, and with Woodford beating Chigwell last week it seems they just get stronger as the season goes on.”
Woodford are expected to have a full-strength squad as they go in search of what would be their biggest scalp of the season.
Two-goal hero James Ryan played out of his skin in the derby last weekend, with Joe Sumray and Harrison Midda, who started on the bench due to a hangover, sealing the win.
The battle between Astaire and Ryan will be key.
Venue – Fairlop, Ref – Robert Benardout (Games 22, Yellows 11, Reds 1)
JC star man: Sam Arghebant (Lions)
DC Prediction: Woodford 3 Lions 4
JB Prediction: Woodford 4 Lions 5
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
28 - Reiss Mogilner (Brady B)
24 - Adam Hersh (Los Blancos)
16 - Dan Hildebrand (Brady B)
ATHLETIC BILBAUM vs GLENTHORNE UNITED B
Following their excellent double-header performance against Blancos last weekend, the Baums will be looking to finish the season on a high when they entertain Glenthorne B at their Mill Hill home.
Managers Mark Pasha and Ed Greene were rightly proud of the effort levels and quality produced as they dented Blancos’s home of automatic promotion. However, they will be kicking themselves dreaming of what might’ve been as they know they have the players capable of finishing in the top two themselves.
Jake Gilbert fired Bilbaum to a 3-0 win in east London in October, but it was Ben Bell who was the star of the show against Blancos last weekend.
Glenthorne have two games left and will be keen to impress what is expected to be a big travelling support.
4-2 winners against Blizzard last Sunday, the Thornes are ready to go again.
Joint-player-manager Jordan Sapler told JC Sport: "We have a near full strength team for this week and we're looking to build on last week's superb second half performance - the score line in the last game was fortunate with three goals within 10 minutes, but we know what to expect and I believe we have enough to win on Sunday."
It’s clear both teams have rediscovered their mojos, but my money is on the Baums edging home in what could be a real thriller on Sunday.
Venue – Copthall, Ref – Neil Cooper (Games 18, Yellows 11, Reds 0)
JC star man: Benjy Aarons Richardson (Bilbaum)
DC Prediction: Bilbaum 3 Glenthorne 2
JB Prediction: Bilbaum 3 Glenthorne 1
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BLIZZARD STORM vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B
It’s not looking good for Blizzard Storm, but there’s still hope.
A 4-2 defeat against a resurgent Glenthorne B means they need two wins from their last three matches to avoid relegation.
Manager Simon Linden has called his troops in for double training this week ahead of what he describes as a must-win game.
Redbridge will be managed by Richard Bronzite, who will be in the dugout in the absence of Jon Jacobs.
Jacobs is close to extending the contracts of several of the club’s talented youngsters, including keeper Matt Kemp, Scott Oldstein and Ben Binder.
But there are still question marks about one or two of the players who will looking to impress Bronzite and earning rave reviews for when Jacobs returns.
The teams drew 2-2 on the opening weekend of the season, but a similar outcome might not be enough to save them.
JC team news: Match referee Steve Levy faces a late fitness test after being spotted limping heavily in Edgware on Friday.
Venue – Hampstead Heath Extension, Ref – Steve Levy (Games 15, Yellows 4, Reds 0)
JC star man: Jimmy Castle (RJC)
DC Prediction: Blizzard 2 Redbridge 2
JB Prediction: Blizzard 1 Redbridge 3
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CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI vs NORSTAR B
It looks like there will be light at the end of the tunnel for the Cats, but captain marvel Adam Luria is taking nothing for granted.
With it looking more and more as though Blizzard Storm will join Norstar B in Division Three next season, the Cats will be looking to put even more daylight between themselves and Simon Linden’s troops when they host the division’s bottom team.
The Cats have won five league games this season and Luria is hungry for one last hurrah.
“It's a massive game for us on Sunday,” he told JC Sport. “ We know that a win will almost certainly see us safe as it will mean Blizzard Storm must win all of their games to finish ahead of us.
We've got a decent squad out, with a couple of absences. Despite Norstar's position, we're under no illusions that they'll be going out for the win. They've had a few decent results along the way and we'll have to be at our best.
“With their A-team not playing there's a chance they could use their extended squad, so we know that whatever happens, we can't take anything for granted.
“Next season is Catford's 50th anniversary. We don't want to start it in the bottom division, so we're playing for more than just pride this Sunday.
Norstar were blown away by Jamie Sinai in the corresponding fixture as the Cats started the season in style with a 4-2 success.
Thumped 7-2 by SPEC FC last weekend, the Oranges hope Rob Blackman can remind the onlooking scouts of his qualities, with one or two other big names also in the mix.
Norstar has nothing riding on the game so the emphasis will be on the Cats flying out of the blocks and going for the jugular.
JC team news: Catford’s Oli Hitman and Lewis Maleh are both away. Jonny Lee returns to the squad after missing the Glenthorne double-header.
Venue – Norseman FC, Ref – Adam Yuchetel (Games 10, Yellows 10, Reds 1)
JC star man: Jonny Lee (Catford)
DC Prediction: Catford & Bromley 4 Norstar 3
JB Prediction: Catford 4 Norstar 1
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LOS BLANCOS vs FC TEAM B
Blancos boss Adam Hersh isn’t hitting the panic button just yet after his team failed to secure automatic promotion in the double-header against Bilbaum last weekend.
One point out of a possible six did not go down well in the Blancos boardroom but they can right those wrongs on Sunday, when FC Team B come to town.
As long as their destiny lies in their own hands, Hersh will be a happy man.
Looking ahead to Sunday, he told JC Sport: “We are still without a couple of our best players but despite that we are determined to perform better than we did last week.
“It’s a must win game for us and we will be aiming for nothing short of that to reach our goal of second place.”
FC Team B boss Ben Simon will still have his heart set on a top six finish. Having drawn against Raiders B last weekend and champions Brady B recently, they are clearly a team not to be underestimated.
The stats all point towards a Blancos win but if the match on the opening weekend of the season was anything to go by, then it could go the distance.
Ref – Aaron Djanogly (Games 20, Yellows 32, Reds 9)
JC star man: Josh Cohen (Blancos)
DC Prediction: Blancos 3 Team 2
JB Prediction: Blancos 2 Team 1
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DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
36 - Ben Zloof (AC Mill Hill)
26 – Alex Elf (Hendon Utd SC C)
24 - Jono Gaon (Tottenham Chutspah)
20 - Ben Polak (Oakwood B)
FC TEAM C vs BOCA JEWNIORS
Division Three runners-up FC Team C will look to finish what has been an excellent first season in style as they take on wooden spoon winners Boca in Borehamwood.
Michael Myers and Ben Gilbey have got the very best out of their troops who go in search of their 15th win of the season that would see them finish a point behind newly-crowned champions Oakwood B.
Sides have been running scared of the division’s second top scorers who will be looking to overhaul Mill Hill’s goal tally of 70. Eight would draw them level, nine would do it. Boca, you have been warned.
Venue – Aycliffe Road, Ref – Neal Cohen (Games 18, Yellows 11, Reds 6)
JC star man: Jacob Symons (Team)
DC Prediction: Team 7 Boca 0
JB Prediction: Team 8 Boca 0
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LOUGHTON ORIENT vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB C
Hendon go in search of the win that could help them nail down a top four finish.
Like Loughton, they have been great entertainers, at both ends of the pitch, with their fans getting value for money week in, week out.
But manager Craig Miller will recall that Loughton were one of eight teams to beat them this season and he feels they have a score to settle, especially after last week’s 2-2 draw against Norstar.
Barry Green and David Blitz fired Loughton to that famous win over Hendon at the beginning of the year, and with Green in top form, the Hendon defence must bring their A-games to the table.
Manager Dan Curtis told JC Sport: “We want to get back to winning ways this Sunday and end the season strongly.
“We beat Hendon earlier in the season and will be looking to make circa double over them.”
A big crowd is expected so fans are advised to arrived early for what promises to be an entertaining affair.
JC team news: Loughton will be without Josh Hambling, but Jaimie Sinclair is set to start after getting 25 minutes as a sub last week.
Ref – Barry David (Games 14, Yellows 5, Reds 0)
JC star man: David Blitz (Loughton)
DC Prediction: Loughton 3 Hendon 3
JB Prediction: Loughton 2 Hendon 2
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DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 33 OSCARS
GOAL OF THE WEEK - JOSH HERSHMAN
QUOTE OF THE WEEK - MITCH YOUNG
SAVE OF THE WEEK
Russell Corin (Hendon A) - having been caught on the break, Russ found himself one-on-one with one of the best finishers in the business - Daryl Philips - yet managed to pull off an outstanding one-handed save low down to his left when it seemed certain he would score
TACKLE OF THE WEEK
Josh Gordon (Brady A) - produced a crucial last-ditch tackle on the edge of his box before finding Josh Hershman who ended a marauding run with a stunning solo effort
REFEREE OF THE WEEK
Neal Cohen (London Maccabi Lions B vs UJIA)
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SEASON 2012/13 ROLL OF HONOUR
London FA Sunday Intermediate Cup winners: - Faithfold A
Peter Morrison Trophy winners: Brady Maccabi A
JC Cyril Anekstein Cup winners: - London Maccabi Lions A
Premier Division champions: Faithfold A
Division Two champions: Brady Maccabi B
Division Three promoted: Oakwood B
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LATEST: LIONS LAND ANEKSTEIN CUP
ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
BRADY B WIN DIVISION TWO TITLE
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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
Week 6: DC 9 Motti Korman 14 (incl. 1 correct score)
Week 7: DC 4 Josh Marks 3 (Prem Div and Div 1 predicted only). DC scored 18 points overall incl. 3 correct scores)
Week 8: DC 12 (incl. 1 correct score) Ian Tussie 9 (incl. 1 correct score)
Week 9: DC 8 Richard Bronzite 10 (incl. 1 correct score)
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