The JC MSFL season 2011/12 kicked-off in style on Sunday with goals aplenty across the five divisions, with defending champions Redbridge Jewish Care A sharing the points after a 10-goal thriller at North London Raiders A, while the top score saw Shirley Park thrash Team JLGB 18-0.
JC MSFL WEEK 1 HEADLINES
Prem Div – Champions pegged back by heroic Raiders, Hammers two good for FC Team
Div 1 – Four-midable Montana hurt Harmen
Div 2 – Hornets sting Glenthorne A
Div 3 – Classy Kutner comes back to haunt former club, Shirley Park hit 18
Div 4 – Super SPEC start in style
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HAT-TRICK HEROES
Div 3 - Saul Conway (Shirley Park) 6, Richard Rosenthal (Glenthorne Utd B), Joel Kutner (Los Blancos)
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JC GOAL OF THE WEEK
Jacob Gold (NL Raiders A) – a goal of sheer beauty and class. A brilliant chipped volley that went in off the post, with virtually his first touch, to put his team level from 0-3 down against the champions
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JC SAVE OF THE WEEK
Michael Perkin (Montana) - dived high to his left to save a penalty
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YOUR WEEK ONE REVIEW STARTS HERE
Send match reports and nominations to dcaro@thejc.com.
PREMIER DIVISION
CHAMPIONS HELD IN 10-GOAL THRILLER
NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A 5 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 5
There was an unbelievable game at Brunel University in Uxbridge this morning as defending champions Redbridge and Raiders shared the points following a 10-goal thriller.
Last season’s champions stormed into an early three-goal lead with Brad Frankel, Ben Sollosi and Mitch Lassman breaching a lacklustre Raiders backline.
The hosts started their comeback when Jonny Shapiro’s cross-shot curled into the far corner past Dan Lee. Then Jonny Blain converted a penalty early in the second half after Jamie Wolfson was brought down.
Supersub Jacob Gold made it 3-3 with a stunning chipped volley that flew in off the post.
Debutant Ben Ellis also came off the bench to dramatic effect, but no sooner were Raiders celebrating that were Redbridge level with Adam Stolerman firing home.
But there was another twist to come as straight from the restart, Wolfson ended a stunning moved with a deadly finish but RJC levelled with the last kick of the game as summer signing Fabio Revieccio found the net.
Redbridge manager Eilon Kennet told JC Sport: "I don't think I could have dreamt of a better start. The quality of our football in the first half was breathtaking and we could easily have scored more than the three we did.
"However, a soft goal gave NLR hope when they should have been dead and buried, but full marks to them for coming back as well as hey did.
"From our point of view, the result is a bitter disappointment. We ended up drawing a game we had already won.
"Let's hope we learned some important things to take into the next series of games.
"Pre-season has not been the best and we are clearly not yet as fit as we should be. Hopefully, we can sort this out quickly.
"On the positive side, if we can reproduce the form we showed in the first half of yesterday's game and sustain it for the whole game,things should be very exciting."
Raiders' Danny Caro said: "This was a real roller-coaster of a match. We started slugglishly but full credit must go to the boys who came back from the dead.
"In the end, having been in a winning position twice, we came away feeling as though we had lost.
"Congratulations to both teams who made this a great advert for Jewish football."
Raiders: Stuart Simons, Ben Sheldon, Lewis Blitz, Mark Leader (capt), Matt Leader (sub: Jacob Gold 46), Adam Posner (sub: Igal Yahya 68), Adam Joselyn, Jonny Shapiro, Danny Bloom, Jamie Wolfson, Jonny Blain (sub: Ben Ellis 55). Sub not used: Andrew McMaster
Redbridge: Dan Lee, Danny Sugarman, Sam McCarthy, Brad Frankel, Darren Brown, Mitch Lassman (sub: Sam Sollosi 70), Danny Hakimi, Lee Bibring (sub: Danny Berg), Ben Sollosi, Steve Summers (sub: Fabio Revieccio), Adam Stolerman
DC Prediction: North London Raiders A 1 Redbridge Jewish Care A 1
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HAMMERS OVERCOME TOP-FLIGHT NEW BOYS
FC TEAM A 0 HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A 2
A goal in each half from Greg Corin and Josh Bentley saw title hopefuls Hendon complete a hard fought win over new boys FC Team A in Borehamwood.
Hendon boss David Garbacz told JC Sport: "We were delighted to get our season off to a winning start. We were up against a very determined FC team who were not lacking in any motivation.
"The pitch conditions made it difficult to play our normal flowing brand of football and we had to resort to more battling qualities. Overall we deserved our win as their keeper must have produced three or four excellent saves to keep them in the match.
"All 14 players contributed well today including our three debutants but the stand out performances came from Alex Rosenthal, who was faultless at the back, and Ari Last who battled hard in midfield.
"The season is up and running but today showed how competetive this league will be this year. I expect FC team to more than hold their own this year so good luck to them . As for us a really important win in the quest for the holy grail."
FC Team: David Grossman, Gideon Moss, Jon Toby, Jake Weiner, James Korn, Jason Wood, Simon Peterman, Matt Drage(sub: Jonny Breger), Craig Edwards (sub: Cohen), Shai Davidi, Richard Salmon
Hendon: Russell Corin, Martin Smulovitch, Ben Kon (sub: Motti Colman), Alex Rosenthal, Josh Lipman, Avi Last, Ben Lauffer, Josh Bentley, Yishai Last (sub: Avishai Kestenbaum), Greg Corin, Dovid Korman (sub: Dany Kon)
DC Prediction: FC Team A 1 Hendon Utd SC A 2
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NEASDEN EDGE HOME
SOUTHGATE HARMEN A 1 NORTH WEST NEASDEN A 2
Title hopefuls Neasden A edged past Harmen with strikes from Elliott Stern and summer signing Jason Lindsey edging them to a hard earned victory.
NWN joint-manager Lee Cash told JC Sport: "First game, three points, job done."
Harmen's Ben Graham told JC Sport: "Even though we were missing a number of players, the boys did very well and were very unlucky not to get a point from the game.
"We created a number of chances in the second half, hitting the bar and Max Shields in goal for Neasden made a number of key saves.
DC Prediction: Southgate Harmen A 0 NW Neasden A 3
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BRADY HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
BRADY MACCABI 3 LONDON MACCABI LIONS A 1
A Jonny Ellis double gave Brady the dream start upon their return to the top flight.
Josh Gordon sealed the win for Josh Rosenfeld's men.
Joint player-manager Josh Newman was on target for the Lions.
Brady boss Josh Rosenfeld told JC Sport: "It was pleasing to get the season off with a win. We played very well, especially in the second half where we dominated the game, playing very attractive football.
"We had a very young team out and we showed great character from 1-0 down in our first game to come back and win convincingly.
"Lions will always be a tough side to play and it’s great to get one over them. It's just the one win. We can't get too excited and will continue to take it one game at a time."
DC Prediction: Brady Maccabi 2 London Maccabi Lions A 1
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DIVISION 1
FOUR-MIDABLE MONTANA HURT HARMEN B
MONTANA BOCA UNITED 4 SOUTHGATE HARMEN B 2
Two goals from Gary Cohen helped Montana make a flying start as they proved too strong for Harmen B.
Further strikes from Darren Cohen and Nick Goodmaker rubber-stamped a first victory for new manager Vivian Emanuel.
Harmen's goals came through Paul Stein and Doron Hershkorn.
Delighted Montana boss Vivian Emanuel told JC Sport: "A really good game with many chances for both teams saw Montana come out on top.
"After falling behind, we showed really character to go 3-1 up at half time. A great penalty save from Mike spurred us on.
"Four very good goals and a great start to the season."
Harmen boss Marc Cohen told JC Sport: "Harmen dominated possession and played some exceptional football in what can only be described as the biggest smash and grab result I've ever been involved in.
"The result is not a fair reflection but I suppose that's what happens when you don't take your chances."
Responding to Cohen's comments, Montana chairman Raymond Harrod said: "We are happy with the three points in the first game of the season. After a nervy first 20 minutes we then took control and scored four goals.
"We then sat back and invited pressure from Harmen. The game was over with 30 minutes remaining. A comfortable win and a good start for our new manager. I'm not quite sure what "smash and grab"” means when you are 4-1 up."
DC Prediction: Montana Boca Utd A 3 Southgate Harmen B 1
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THE ONLY WAY IS REDBRIDGE
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B 2 WOODFORD WANDERERS 0
Redbridge won the first east London derby of the season with strikes from Mark Zealander and Daniel Orgel taking them past Woodford.
Jubilant RJC boss Stirling Kay told JC Sport: "It was a very good performance from a very young team. Our players are aged 16 to 22. Most of them have not played for three years."
Woodford manager Alex Aviram told JC Sport: "Looking back at the game, there wasn't much to separate us. In the first half I feel we played the better football and looked more dangerous in front of goal. Unfortunately we didn't capitalise on the chances we created and they did late on.
"All credit to Redbridge and their goalkeeper who I thought was excellent. Any other day the scoreline could have been different.
"Our new signings still need to settle in so we will be working on it in training. We looked far from our best.
"I expect a big response from my team next week where anything other than three points is unacceptable."
DC Prediction: Woodford Wanderers 4 Redbridge Jewish Care B 1
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GLORY FOR GOTCH
NORSTAR A 1 TEMPLE FORTUNE A 0
A solitary strike from new signing Jeff Gotch helped Norstar win the battle of the two newly-promoted teams as the Stars edged past last season's Division Two champions.
Norstar manager Phil Peters told JC Sport: "It's always important to get the three points on day one. Fortune were a shadow of the team that won the title last season and we should have been four or five up by half-time. Our build-up play was outstanding but our finishing very rusty.
"Thankfully we scored our winner - a scrappy goal from a set-piece just before the break - and managed to hold out in the second half.
"The only time Fortune looked like scoring was in the final 10 minutes of the game but we defended brilliantly with a stand-out performance from Anthony Goodmaker at right-back."
Fortune boss Lee Fegan said: "Our players fought well and battled hard. It took us a while to get into the game but when we did we showed signs of good quality and in my opinion finished the game on top. We were unlucky with the decisive goal but we will bounce back."
DC Prediction: Norstar A 2 Temple Fortune A 1
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BRIXTON TWO GOOD FOR NEASDEN B
BRIXTON OLD BOYS A 2 NORTH WEST NEASDEN B 0
John Nitka's men made a flying start as goals from Rory Lincoln and Alon Hershkorn took them past Neasden B.
Jubilant Brixton boss John Nitka told JC Sport: "We made hard work of a hard fought game. Being our first league game of the season, I was happy with the result.
"We have started as I aim to go on by winning!"
NWN player-manager Daniel Hodes told JC Sport: "Yesterday's match was strange. We played a great first half and conceded two, a rubbish second half and conceded none.
"We were tired and disjointed in the second half and haven't gelled as a team yet, but our first half chances including a strike onto the post by Michael Field means there is much promise."
DC Prediction: Brixton Old Boys 2 NW Neasden B 1
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DIVISION 2
THREE CHEERS FOR KYTE
LONDON MACCABI LIONS B 3 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE C 1
There was a smile back on the face of Jamie Kyte as Lions B started the season in style, beating Redbridge C 3-1 at Rowley Lane.
Lions' goals came through James Gold, Lazare and Elf.
Redbridge's goal came through David Castle.
DC Prediction: London Maccabi Lions B 1 Redbridge Jewish Care C 2
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HORNETS STING THORNES
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B 2 GLENTHORNE UNITED A 1
Hendon B earned one of the results of the day as they beat title favourites Glenthorne A.
Strikes from Parys Hammond and Chanania Englesman completed a memorable morning.
Josh Wynne was on target for the visitors.
Hornets joint-manager Motty Korman told JC Sport: "It was a great team performance against a physical Glenthorne team that have been tipped to win the league."
DC Prediction: Hendon United Sports Club B 1 Glenthorne United A 1
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FC TEAM ARE SIX-HITTERS
FC TEAM B 6 L'EQUIPE 1
FC Team B ran hit L'Equipe for six with Freddie Marks, Emile Ben-Atar, Adam Goldsmith, Ricky Shafier, David Silver and Daniel Afreds completing a fine morning for Ben Simon's troops.
Team played the majority of the game with 10 men after James 'the Milkman' Milman was sent off following a tangle of legs with a L'Equipe striker who was through on goal.
Delighted FC Team boss Ben Simon told JC Sport: "It was a great team performance despite being down to 10 men for over 45 minutes.
"Everyone did themselves proud and we can look forward to the season ahead."
DC Prediction: FC Team B 4 L’Equipe 2
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CAMDEN SHOW STARS WHAT FOUR
CAMDEN PARK 4 NORSTAR B 2
Josh Marks' Camden made a fine start as they beat Norstar B in a six-goal thriller.
Two goals from Richard Silver plus one apiece from Daniel Needleman and Dan Beneth clinched the points.
Norstar's goals came from Ben Menahem and Jono Gaon.
DC Prediction: Camden Park 3 Norstar B 3
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DIVISION 3
CLASSY KUTNER COMES BACK TO HAUNT FORMER CLUB
LOS BLANCOS 4 BLIZZARD STORM 3
The script could not have been written any better here as JOEL KUTNER came back to haunt his old club with a stunning hat-trick to win a seven-goal thriller.
Los Blancos captain Adam Hersh added another.
Scorers for Blizzard were Shai Revivo, Dean Shaw and Joe Stolerman.
Blizzard boss Simon Linden told JC Sport: "It was a frustrating opening day against a team we really should be beating. Los Blancos didn't look much of a threat and we gifted them the game, they must have thought chanukah had come early.
"I'll get my team up for next week against Glenthorne. We will need a much better performance all round."
Los Blancos: J. Cohen; D. Greenberg (sub: B. Engelsman), E. Nathan, J. Colman, J. Gertner; J. Ison (sub: D. Minsky); A. Hersh, M. Benamram, J. Caplin (sub: D. Sudwarts), S. Birnbaum; J. Kutner.
DC Prediction: Los Blancos 2 Blizzard Storm 2
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A WINNING START FOR NEASDEN C
NORTH WEST NEASDEN C 2 UJIA 1
Neasden C, my tips for the title, made the perfect start as they overcame UJIA.
Strikes from Aron Lewis and a good close-range finish from Tony Chadwick clinched the points.
Gary Chajet, who stands at 6ft 4", registered for the U's following a through ball from Assi Avital.
NWN player-manager Louis Taylor told JC Sport: "This was a good result in a scrappy game but excellent to get three points on the board.
"We showed character to come back from 1-0 down but know we can play a lot better and we will do. Nonetheless, a win is a win."
Darren Rolfe told JC Sport: "We had five players missing and three new players making their debut.
"I thought we gave a good account of ourselves considering the new faces who did really well.
"I'm remaining positive about this season as we still have some very good prospects to come in."
DC Prediction: NW Neasden C 3 UJIA 1
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SHIRLEY PARK IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
SHIRLEY PARK 18 (EIGHTEEN) TEAM JLGB 0
Shirley Park were the biggest winners on the day - registering 18 against JLGB.
A sensational six-goal salvo from new boy SAUL CONWAY set them up, with NICKY PLOTNEK adding another four.
Stefan Benfredj (2), Sacha Benfredj (2), Siimon Shelley (2), Adam Redhouse and Dan Mitman put the icing on the cake.
Shirley Park joint-manager Dave Lusman told JC Sport: "Fair play to Team JLGB - they never gave up and played the game in good spirit. They had their moments throughout the 90 but were denied by a string of acrobatic saves from Dan Oade between the sticks.
"Putting the score line to one side, JLGB have a fair few talented players and I’m sure with one or two additional signings to their squad they can’t be ruled out of a top half finish in Division 3. We wish them well for the season.
"We expect Divison 3 to be rough ride with so many teams equipped to win the league. We hope to be in contention come the end of the season."
Lusman went on to say: "The Park faithful would like to congratulate Jason Lindsey on getting the winning goal for Neaden in there victory over Harmen. Jason's gone throught the youth system here at Park. Myself, Dan and the rest of the lads have seen him progress very slowly through the ranks and at the tender age of 30 he's proven sky's limit. It may not be the Barclays Premier League, a league which we at Park play, and jason knows he would bless with his colorful style of football. But it's the top flight of jewish football something which I’m sure Jason will just have to settle with. We wish him all the best on his travels with neasdon for the season."
JLGB boss Rob Silverman told JC Sport: "Shirley Park are an excellent team, with most of their team being very technically gifted. They are clearly in the wrong division.
"Everything Shirley Park hit today flew into the net, I dont think our keeper, Rob Levene, made any mistakes. In fact he made a great save from a penalty.
"JLGB were missing some players today who hopefully will be back next week, however I don't think the scoreline would have been much different.
"We were completely outclassed today."
DC Prediction: Shirley Park 3 Team JLGB 2
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ROSENTHAL’S ROCKET FOR GLENTHORNE
GLENTHORNE UNITED B 8 CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI 0
A RICHARD ROSENTHAL treble helped Glenthorne got their campaign off to an flying start against the Cats.
New signings Craig Sandford (2), Lewis Walker (2) and Andy Levy completed the rout.
Cats joint-manager Adam Lewis confidently predicted: "Glenthorne will win the division. I can't see anyone in the third division living with them."
Glenthorne United B Catford & Bromley Maccabi
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DIVISION 4
BRILLIANT BRADY ON FIRE
BOCA JEWNIORS 1 BRADY MACCABI B 3
Josh Dagul's Brady B made the perfect start with Hildebrand, Kay and Maynard on target in the 3-1 win over fellow newcomers Boca Jewniors.
Boca boss Sefton Monk, who received his first-ever booking in the MSFL during the match, told JC Sport: "I felt Brady deserved the win as my team failed to turn up today. There were some good individual performances but at the end of the day football is a team game and unless your players work as a unit you will fail to pick up points in the league.
"It was our first ever league game and obviously showed, but we we will progress from here and learn from our mistakes and come into our game next week raring to go.
DC Prediction: Boca Jewniors 1 Brady Maccabi B 2
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JOY FOR JEFFRIES
FC TEAM C 0 TEMPLE FORTUNE B 3
Player-manager Terry Jeffries (2) and Rob Jay were on the money as Temple Fortune B claimed maximum points and registered a rare clean sheet to make the perfect start to the season.
Fortune's Gavin Levy said: "It was a tremendous hard-working performance. The stand-out player was Simon Allen who was excellent in defence. We had to dig in hard after a close goalless first half and we scored three very good goals. A superb result and just the start we needed."
FC Team boss Michael Myers told JC Sport: "The first game for FC Team C didn't go to plan. We dominated possession but didn't create enough goal-scoring chances.
"Temple Fortune were very well organised and played well as a team, something which we didn't do. In the end lost 3-0, their second goal was a fantastic strike.
"When the game was at 1-0 we had a goal disallowed which I think was a turning point because our head drops and we were very frustrated with the decision."
DC Prediction: FC Team C 2 Temple Fortune B 1
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PASHA LEADS BY EXAMPLE
JEWVENTUS 1 ATHLETIC BILBAUM 2
Strikes from player-boss Mark Pasha and Joe Bekhor saw the Bilbaum boys edge past Jewve.
James Alexander was the marksman for the home team.
Bilbaum boss Mark Pasha told JC Sport: "Overall a solid and mature performance from the Baums on the opening day of the season, very much picking up where we left of at end of the last campaign ... and even despite the absence of mascot Baum Baum and spiritual leader King Baum, both away on overseas scouting missions.
"Jewventus are always a tough team to play against and proved no different today, but our backline stayed tight and focused throughout thwarting the Jewventus' attack.
"The midfield worked tirelessly throughout, even under the constant pitter patter of the September rain, linking up delightfully at times with an accomplished attack.
"Special mention to debutant keeper Simon Roth who had a commanding first outing for the Baums."
Jewve player-manager Gabriel John told JC Sport: "This was a truly disappointing start and one which will be rectified against Brady.
"I thought a draw would have been fair, but their keeper held on to everything and played well."
DC Prediction: Jewventus 2 Athletic Bilbaum 2
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SUPER SPEC START IN STYLE
SPEC FC 3 BRIXTON OLD BOYS B 0
Captain Ashley Burns (2) and Craig Cohen were the marksmen as highly-fancied SPEC ran out worthy winners against fellow new boys Brixton B.
SPEC joint caretaker-manager Ricky Lawrence was quick to pour scorn over the favourites tag that has been attached to SPEC. "As much as we would love to, and feel we have the opportunity to do so, I most certainly feel we are not favourites for the title.
"Half of our squad hasn't played 11-a-side football in five years, and what's more we are just a group of friends having a good time on a Sunday morning. The last thing we want is the added pressure of being the ones to beat this season.
"I personally think Brady will be the team to catch and if we have the opportunity to be up there come the end of the season we’d love to get our hands on the title."
SPEC FC: Rhodes, Wilson (Lee), Rosenthal, Berlin, Lesner, S.Murray (Bookatz), E.Wallis, Burns, R.Lawrence, C.Cohen, A.Lenz (R.Murray) Subs not used: Segal
DC Prediction: SPEC 4 Brixton Old Boys B 1
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