Hendon United Sports Club A were toasting double delight after beating Norstar London Raiders A 3-0 in the Cyril Anekstein Cup final, while Woodford Wanderers were crowned champions of Division One. Danny Caro reflects on all the action on Matchday 34 of the MGBSFL.
MATCHDAY 34 HEADLINES
CAC - Three and easy for Hendon
IT - Raiders seal Invitational Trophy
Prem Div - Oaks hit the jackpot
Div 1 - Wonderful Woodford crowned champions
HAT-TRICK HERO
Prem Div - David Woolman 5 (Oakwood A)
Div 1 - Jamie Kent (Neasden)
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ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL VIDEO PHOTOGALLERY
ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
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JC TEAM OF THE WEEK: THE CONTENDERS
GK -
DEFENDERS - Ben Kon, Ari Nevies (both Hendon A), Josh Bentley (Oakwood A), Scott Kay, Craig Edwards, Dan Field (all NW Neasden)
MIDFIELDERS - Ari Last, Yoav Lebens (both Hendon A), Jaime Cooper, Josh Gilbery (both NW Neasden)
STRIKERS - David Woolman, Brad Wine (both Oakwood A), Jamie Kent (NW Neasden), Mitch Hahn (Woodford)
MANAGER - David Garbacz (Hendon A), Tony Charles (Woodford), Stirling Kay (Neasden), Ric Blank & Alex Schock (Oakwood A)
REFEREE - Richard Jaye (Hendon A vs NLR A)
Email nominations to dcaro@thejc.com
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JC GOAL OF THE WEEK
Josh Gilbery (NW Neasden) - a goal of the season contender - the ball was passed across the field, Josh took the ball in the centre circle looked up saw the keeper off his line and volleyed the ball over the keeper straight into the ball. Stirling Kay "can't believe there's been a better goal"
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YOUR WEEKEND REVIEW STARTS HERE:
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL
THREE AND EASY FOR HENDON
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS A 0 HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A 3
Hendon completed part two of a probable double as they proved too strong for NLR, with goals from Ben Kon, Yoav Kestenbaum and a penalty from captain Ari Last securing the Anekstein Cup at Wingate.
Photogallery to follow ...
DC Prediction: NLR 1 Hendon 2
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MGBSFL-MMFL INVITATIONAL TROPHY FINAL
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS B 3 HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B 2
There was a consolation for NLR as the B team lifted the Invitational Trophy after beating first division Hendon B at Wingate & Finchley.
ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL VIDEO PHOTOGALLERY
ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
L'Orange did it the hard way, coming from 2-1 down to lift the cup. David Esterkin put NLR ahead after 20 minutes, but strikes from Chaim Gothold and Alex Neiss either side of half-time put Hendon in the box-seat.
But NLR reminded everyone why they are Division Two champions, with strikes from Esterkin and Will Ufland doing the trick.
DC Prediction: Hendon 1 Raiders 3
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
16 - Yishai Last (Hendon A)
14 - Richard Salmon (FC Team A)
FIVE-STAR OAKS MAUL LIONS
OAKWOOD A 8 LONDON MACCABI LIONS BLUE 1
A fab five-goal blast from DAVID WOOLMAN saw Morrison runners-up Oakwood boosted their hopes of a fourth place finish as they destroyed the Lions at Brunel.
Two more goals from top-scorer Brad Wine plus one from Ben Buck completed the rout.
Oaks joint-manager Ric Blank told JC Sport: "After the pain of last week, I'm so happy with the performance and attitude of the boys. We had 10 first-teamers unavailable and the squad was stretched - though you wouldn't have known it.
"We totally dominated from the whistle and must have had 90 per cent per cent possession. Honestly, we could have run up a rugby score had it not been for some inspired lions keeping and profligacy in front of goal.
"We are determined to end the season strongly and are looking forward some big games between now and end of May."
DC Prediction: Oakwood 2 Lions 1
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
23 - Jono Gaon (Blancos)
21 - Harrison Midda (Woodford)
WONDERFUL WOODFORD CROWNED CHAMPIONS
WOODFORD WANDERERS 2 BRADY MACCABI B 1
Woodford came from behind to seal the title over fellow high-flyers Brady B 2-1, just as I predicted.
With Neasden thumping Chigwell, Tony Charles's men needed maximum points as they didn't disappoint in front of their fans at Fairlop, with Mitch Hahn their two-goal hero.
Stanley Offord had put Brady in front, but in the end the north-west Londoners were forced to settle for fourth spot.
Woodford boss Tony Charles told JC Sport: "Woodford were not even mentioned at the beginning of the season and they have certainly proved everyone wrong."
Brady manager Josh Dagul told JC Sport: "The boys put in a proper shift today and I can only congratulate them for that. Also congratulations to Woodford and Neasden on promotion. Hopefully watching Woodford celebrating on the pitch will spur the boys on for next season. With the right additions and correct attitude we'll be up there challenging again next year and hoping to go one better."
Photogallery to follow ...
DC Prediction: Woodford 2 Brady 1
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MAGICAL NEASDEN PROMOTED
CHIGWELL ATHLETIC 0 NORTH WEST NEASDEN 8
Neasden missed out on the title, but Stirling Kay's men were still celebrating as they clinched the runners-up spot to mark their return to the top-flight following an exhilarating performance in Walthamstow.
JAMIE KENT was the hat-trick hero as NWN inflicted Chigwell's worst defeat of the season, with Adam Arnold (2), Josh Gilbery (2) and Scott McKenzie putting the icing on the cake.
Delighted NWN boss Stirling Kay told JC Sport: "We left our best performance to last. Knowing a win would give us promotion to win by four or more could give us the title, it was for us to produce and that we did.
"I would like to congratulate Woodford players on winning the league and look forward to playing them next year."
Photogallery to follow ...
DC Prediction: Chigwell 2 Neasden 1
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
22 - Ben Zloof (AC Mill Hill)
20 - Nathan Sollosi (Redbridge B)
18 - Nicky Woolf (Raiders B)
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DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
42 - Richard Fogelman (L’Equipe)
24 - Dan Gordon (Faithfold C)
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SEASON 2013/14 ROLL OF HONOUR
Peter Morrison Trophy:
Winners: Hendon United Sports Club A
Runners-up: Oakwood A
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP
Winners: Hendon United Sports Club A
Runners-up: Norstar London Raiders A
PREMIER DIVISION
Champions: TBC
Runners-up: TBC
DIVISION ONE
Champions: Woodford Wanderers
Runners-up: North West Neasden
DIVISION TWO
Champions: Norstar London Raiders B
Runners-up: Redbridge Jewish Care B
PREMIER DIVISION
Champions: Norstar London Raiders C
Runners-up: L'Equipe
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