By, Danny Caro
24 min read
ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
MGBSFL leaders NLR A will be flying the flag in the Sunday Challenge Cup, while there is also action in the Morrison, Anekstein and all four divisions in the league on Matchday 13. Danny Caro looks ahead to the bumper programme and makes his predictions.
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DANNY CARO'S GOAL OF THE WEEK: PHILIPPE AURET
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MATCH PHOTOS: OAKWOOD A vs FAITHFOLD A
PHOTOGALLERIES FROM THE SEASON
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SEASON
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND THREE DRAW
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND 3 DRAW
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SUNDAY CHALLENGE CUP LAST 16
DEES FC vs NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS A
Fresh from their big derby win in the Anekstein, quadruple-chasing Raiders move Sunday Challenge Cup action as they make the last journey south to Mitcham to take on Dees FC.
Matt Stock was the toast of the club last weekend after producing the kind of master-class we all know he is capable of. At times, he was simply unstoppable.
Sunday is potentially about making the step up against a team playing in the Premier Division of the Morden and District Sunday Football League.
NLR boss Rob Richman knows his team are packed with goals and he sounded quietly confident they can do the business in Surrey on Sunday.
He told JC Sport: "We travel across the river without knowing too much about Dees, but since this is the elite Sunday amateur cup competition we are expecting a very competitive game.
"What we do know about Dees is they have lost just one of their six games this season and have a strong history in this cup competition.
"We were very pleased to knock out Cypriot side Cetinkaya Cinar in the previous round and it will take the same sort of effort to make sure we progress this week."
JC team news: David Dinkin, Liron Mannie and Jonny Kay all face late fitness tests. Adam Joselyn may make his return from injury, but the game comes a week too early for Elliot Espinoza.
Venue - Westminster City School Sports Ground
JC star man: Josh Pistol (NLR)
DC Prediction: Dees 1 NLR 3
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND TWO
OAKWOOD A vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS SENIORS
Oakwood’s walking wounded are preparing for what could be an almighty battle against a star-studded Lions team in St Albans.
120 minutes against Faithfold is hardly the perfect preparation for the tie, but the fact they came through with 10 men shouldn’t be sniffed at.
Brad Wine was a key factor behind the 5-2 win. He was determined not to end up on the losing side. Josh Rose wasn’t too far behind either, and joint-manager Ric Blank hopes he’s able to maintain the form he showed against the Superhoops.
Jonny Quinn also produced another eye-catching performance, and Alex Schock and Blank must be considering giving him a starting berth. With Dave Woolman and Guy Helman in great nick, Oakwood fans will arrive in confident mood, but they underestimate the Lions at their peril.
Oakwood's Ric Blank told JC Sport: "We're expecting one of our toughest game of the season on Sunday. We have had a full report on Lions Senior and know what's in store. They've got some class players, they've all played together a lot, but they've also got some weaknesses that we'll look to exploit.
"The winner plays Spartan Lions in the next round. That'll be a brilliant reward for a tough 90 minutes work.
"We were dealt the sickening news this week that Josh Rubin has ruptured his ACL and meniscus and is facing another year out. In a cruel twist of fate, he's done all this to his left knee - not the one he's just recovered from. The boys are genuinely gutted on his behalf - I've never known such concern for a player. At this stage we don't know what the future holds for him in terms of football, but he knows we'll be with him every step of the way. He is absolutely TBOATJIATL."
The Lions have made a rock solid start this season. They are littered with MGBSFL legends from yesteryear plus a plethora of former Wingate & Finchley, many of whom would enjoy a prestigious cup final outing. They are more than capable, with the likes of Paul Lenchner, Brad Lazarus, Danny Reuben, Andy Myers et al.
Beaten only once this season, they accounted for Oakwood’s B-team in the last round, with goals coming from Craig Pearl and Max ‘Ronnie’ Radford. No doubt, messus Stein would’ve had a word in the ear of messus Blank and Schock, but that would probably have only scared them as the Lions are a well-drilled, outfit with quality from back to front.
Ahead of the tie, MLL boss Danny Jacobs told JC Sport: “We go in with no hopes or expectations; we enter simply to give our squad an extra game or two each season, and that's it.
"We only snuck past their B-team and a combination of torn hamstrings, pulled quads, kids matches, barmitzvah breakfasts and that old chestnut - the 'stag weekend' - has robbed us of an entire midfield - Dan Reuben, Matt Kleinman, Craig Pearl, Paul Linger and Scott Levy are all out, as are Gideon Barnett and Pete Lazard. So an already near impossible task just got tougher."
That’ll be music to the ears of the Oakwood fans, but with the match moved to the Lane, it’d be foolish to write Lions off altogether.
JC team news: As well as the sad news about Josh Rubin, Oakwood are missing Lee Warner, Jonny Quinn and Dave Cohen, but they'll "have a strong squad regardless".
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Neil Cooper, KO – 10am
JC star man: Josh Bentley (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 2 Lions 1
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CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND TWO
AC WHETSTONE vs FC TEAM A
Premier Division Team will be wary of a cup upset when they travel to Whetstone.
I tipped the Greens to beat Neasden in the Morrison and they only just fell short, with an extra-time strike sending them out. They warmed up for the tie with an important 2-1 victory over Oakwood B, with Philippe Auret the star of the show.
FC Team have had a good couple of weeks and their management, players, who have been on the right end of giantkillings in recent seasons, as well as their fans, know that attitude is key on Sunday.
Team are at full-strength on Sunday and head coach Ben Gilbey "expects us to get a comfortable win".
He told JC Sport: "It's the Cup so anything can happen, but as long as we guard against complacency and play to the level that our performances have been at lately, we shouldn't have too many problems."
The visitors are littered with big-hitters all over the park, with Yoav Lebens, Shim Bensoor, Rob Sanford, Eitan Ben-Zion and David Joseph Cohen keen to ensure this isn’t the coupon buster.
Venue - West Hendon, Ref – Martin Fox, KO - 10am
JC star man: Alon Hirshkorn (Team)
DC Prediction: Whetstone 1 Team 3
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BLIZZARD STORM vs HARMEN
I don’t expect Harmen to experience too many experience against first division Blizzard, especially with the game on 3G. Simple as that. Stick them on a mudbath in Colindale and it’s a totally different ball game. But on 3G I expect there to only be one winner.
A sell-out crowd is expected as Blizzard go in search of a major scalp. But with James Gershfield, Mike Pearson, Jake Gottlieb, Brad Sharp and Alex Bowman for company, I thing Harmen’s superior technical ability, pace and power will send them through.
That said, joint-manager Joel Alterman knows Blizzard won’t lay on the red carpet treatment for his galacticos.
Alterman told JC Sport: “We are looking to challenge on all fronts this season and the Cyril Anekstein cup is no objection.
“The draw was kind to us in our first match against Temple Fortune, but we face an altogether different challenge in Blizzard Storm.
"Looking at their results this season, there hasn’t been a game that they haven’t scored in and it has normally been more than one goal, so our back-line will need to be switched on for the whole game to stop them continuing this record.
"Our front players all have goals in them and will be constantly looking to get through the defence, held together by former Harmen player Mitch Green. Another former Harmen player sits in the middle of their team, Bradley Cohen, who we know will be pulling the strings and will definitely be one to watch.
"We are anticipating a good game against Blizzard Storm, but our firepower should pull us through as we look to progress to the latter stages of this competition."
As well as the Harmen old boy connection, there’s also a mouth-watering battle in store between Blizzard talisman Adam Levene and Gershfield, while the battle between Jon Morris and Green will be just as tasty.
It's certainly a match Blizzard boss Simon Linden is relishing. He told JC Sport: "I was delighted to get back to winning ways last weekend which gives us a boost going into a huge cup tie.
"This weekend will be a totally different game, we go in as underdogs - pressure is on the Harmen boys. I know my team will give everything, we look forward to the occasion."
The Blizzard chief was keen to play down rumours of a move in the market for a striker from the lower divisions.
"There is no truth in the boy Avi Markiewicz joining Blizzard from London Rovers," he said. "It appears Vivian is just trying to earn a quick buck!"
When push comes to shove, I’m backing the Harmen boys to move another step closer to their first major Wingate final.
JC team news: Adam Levene and Dean Shaw face late fitness tests ahead of Blizzard's last 16 showdown. Ben Ellis remains sidelined.
Venue – Hertswood , Ref – Martin De La Fuente
JC star man: Marc Foster (Harmen)
DC Prediction: Blizzard 1 Harmen 3
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BRIXTON OLD BOYS vs BRADY MACCABI
Sunday marks the start of an incredibly busy and testing period for Brixton Old Boys.
After Brady, they finish the year with matches against Camden Park and Raiders B and I don’t envy the task ahead of Paul Shamplina and co one bit.
Yet to meet Division One rivals Brady in the league this season, Brixton’s last two results sum up where they are. A thumping 8-1 win over Bilbaum was followed by a 7-2 humbling at the hands of Redbridge B. If one goes in early against them on Sunday, I’d fear for them.
But the bigger they come, the harder they fall has long been Shamplina’s motto. Ahead to the game, Shamplina told JC Sport: “For our last game against Redbridge, we just folder like a pack of cards.
“Players are fighting for places in a big squad. It would be nice to go far in this cup competition, but we know it will be hard against Brady, who have found some form.”
Much was expected from Brady at the start of the season, but they have failed to deliver on a regular basis, and manager Josh Dagul sincerely hopes that their last result and performance – a 6-2 demolition of Blizzard – was a sign of things to come.
On their day, Brady can beat any team in Division One and Brixton certainly come into that category.
I’m predicting goals aplenty on Sunday in a tie that should be a real thriller.
Venue – Enfield Playing Fields , Ref – Adam Lewis
JC star man: Reiss Mogilner (Brady)
DC Prediction: Brixton 2 Brady 3
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FC TEAM C vs NORTH WEST NEASDEN
Big-spending FC Team C have nothing to lose when they host Premier Division Neasden in Palmers Green – a contest in which I’m predicting an upset.
Although NWN had a terrific result against the Lions at Rowley Lane last week, I think Team will prove more than a match given the players they have acquired and the form they are in.
Adam Stolerman, Dan Stanton, Aron Barnes, Matt Davis and Ben Graham – the names just roll off the tongue. And when you through in Mitch Lassman, Josh Kaye and Adam Lenz, they are much more than dark horses. In fact the bookies don’t want to go anywhere near it.
Having moved to the top of Division Two following their second win over FC Team B this season, boss David Gordon cannot wait for kick-off.
He told JC Sport: “The pressure is off of us this weekend and we can go out and just enjoy the game.
“We’ve been on a great run in the league and if we can get something from the game on Sunday, against an established Premier League side, it would be a massive bonus.”
Neasden ticked all the boxes last week, with Danny Sherman producing another outstanding shift. Keeper Steve Murad was on top of his game, while the back four of Dan Andrews, Craig Edwards, Josh Tiano and Rob Caplin were top-notch.
NWN boss Stirling Kay told JC Sport: "We go into this game on the back of a very good win and performance last week.
"We know that FC Team have some outstanding individuals and have had a very good start to the season, so we will treat them as if they are a premiere side, with Dan Sherman, Michael Field and Adam Arnold starting to form a very potent attacking partnership and will be a problem for any defence.
"We are desperate to keep the momentum up from last week so the game can't come soon enough. We have no new injury problems so expect to have a unchanged squad."
Kay was also encouraged by the performances of young Joe Brooks in the middle of the park, but, with the pressure off, I think Team’s big-match experience will pull them through.
Venue – Hazelwood Recreation Ground , Ref – Richard Kaye, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ben Graham (Team)
DC Prediction: Team 3 NWN 1
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HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A vs WOODFORD WANDERERS
Woodford are likely to have two former cup winners in their ranks for the visit to Hendon.
The big-match experience of Mitch Hahn and Aviel Schwarz will be crucial as they prepare to lock horns with the holders.
Things may not have gone for them thus far this season, but manager Tony Charles hopes we see the real Woodford on Sunday, especially with a number of fans expected to make the journey west.
He told JC Sport: “We take on Hendon A in the cup for the second successive season. I’m disappointed because for one reason or another, we never give a true account of ourselves against the champions. I hope that this Sunday my players stand up to be counted.
“Having a squad of only 15 players is starting to hamper our aspirations, especially with a few players being injured. However, we shall try our best to adapt and overcome, even if it means fielding only 11 players.”
Hendon boss David Garbacz was left kicking his heels in the direction of Brent Cross last week after the match against FC Team was postponed. A return visit would probably push him over the edge, so I sincerely hope the weather behaves and he’s allowed to unleash his champions on the east Londoners.
Ahead of the game, Garbacz told JC Sport: "The strength of our squad will be well and truly tested this week as once again we are without key personnel.
"We beat Woodford quite easily earlier on on the season, but this time I am expecting a much tougher game. Their results appear to have improved considerably and the incentive to knock out the cup holders will be big.
"We have switched the game from Mill Hill and given up home advantage in the hope of getting the game on and we just have to hope that doesn't come back to haunt us.
"We enter the month of December still harbouring hopes and dreams of a treble treble, but a game like this is a very dangerous potential banana skin."
There will be plenty of quality on both sides on Sunday, but Hendon have been the model of consistency for more than a year now and over the course of 90 minutes I expect them to do the business.
Venue - Fairlop, Ref – Keith Goodman
JC team news: Hendon are missing Ari Last, Rafi Kon, Dave Seitler and all the Kestenbaums. Russ Corin returns.
JC star man: Ben Kon (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Hendon 2 Woodford 0
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SHACHARIT DONETSK vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS BLUE
Adam Ellis will go into the shop window on Sunday as new boys Shacharit go in search of one of the shocks of the round.
Back-to-back defeats against Hendon B and Faithfold B have put a real downer on Shacharit’s first season and with a juicy league meeting with Division Three leaders King Crown on the horizon, it’s important they give a good account of themselves on super Sunday.
The Donetsk boys have struggled for goals this term. Take Team Maccabi GB U16 starlet Ellis out of the equation and you’d be asking where the next goal is coming from. Manager Elliot Nussbaum hopes his players step up this weekend.
The Lions suffered their worst result of the season last week, going down 4-0 at home to struggling Neasden. The absence of stalwart Ryan Springer and recent arrival Rick Jacobson hurt them and gaffer Jamie Kyte will be looking for an instant reaction here.
Kyte didn’t get the fast start he was looking for last week, but I’d be surprised if they came out second best against the minnows.
Ref – Henry Raffe
JC star man: Ryan Springer (Lions)
DC Prediction: Shacharit 1 Lions 3
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
DANNY CARO'S PREM DIV TEAM OF THE WEEK
TOP-SCORERS
17 - James Gershfield (Harmen)
13 - Dave Woolman (Oakwood A)
10 - David Joseph Cohen (FC Team A)
FAITHFOLD A vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
Bouncebackability is the name of the game for Faithfold following last week’s heart-breaking Anekstein exit at the hands of Oakwood.
It looked as though they had done enough before Brad Wine forced a late leveller and they ran out of steam in extra-time.
Lying eighth in the table, much more than character will be tested both on Sunday and between now and the rest of the season in the Faithfold camp.
Boss Zuriel Solomon told JC Sport: “Our season is over in the cups, which is very disappointing considering we have not reached December yet, so we need to show some pride and learn how to close out games.
“Last week we were unlucky not to win, but that’s football. You always get another game to prove yourselves.
“Redbridge are always a tricky fixture and we know what to expect so we will not take anything for granted.”
Redbridge have made a steady yet unspectacular start to the season, but with Dean Nyman and Daran Bern back in the fold, you’d have to consider them realistic title challengers.
A win would lift Redbridge into second place and having thrown away the lead no less than three times against Faithfold in the first league meeting, Sunday is about setting the record straight for Sam Rosenthal and co.
A Redbridge victory would really shake the rest of north-west London, and if their big guns are firing, I expect to nick the points.
JC team news: Alex Taylor misses out for Faithfold.
Venue - Hatfield Uni, Ref – Martin Lavender
JC star man: Dean Nyman (RJC)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 RJC 2
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
14 - Jake Gilbert (NL Raiders B)
10 - Julius Judah (Athletic Bilbaum)
CAMDEN PARK vs LOS BLANCOS
Camden were left shell-shocked by Blancos last week and boss Nick Kagan hopes that a blast of his hairdryer has done the trick.
Adam Waters and Zvi Freedman were simply outstanding, but it was hat-trick hero Simon Moses who grabbed the headlines following a top-quality hat-trick. Camden simply couldn’t cope with his pace and movement on the day.
The defeat meant they failed to regain top spot and with Redbridge B awarded points by the Management Committee this week for the postponed match against Brady, the Camden boys start this match outside of the promotion places.
Blancos boss Jonathan Ison felt it was only a matter of time until his team climbed out of the relegation zone. He recently told me their football has been getting “progressively better” and he’s challenged his troops.
Ahead of the game, Ison told JC Sport: “After beating Camden last week, we are hopeful to make it two out of two against the same opposition.
“We only had 11 in the squad last week, but this week we're back up to 14, which should certainly help add some needed energy in the second half.
“Moses is on fire at the moment, so let's hope Camden have no fire extinguishers - as that's the only way he'll be stopped on current form!”
With back-to-back defeats to their name, it’s important Camden make a statement of intent to ensure this is just a blip. Anything less and Raiders, Redbridge, Brady and Blizzard will be rubbing their hands.
Venue - Capital City, Ref – Andy Myerson, KO – 10am
JC star man: Svi Freedman (Blancos)
DC Prediction: Camden 2 Blancos 2
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NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS B vs ATHLETIC BILBAUM
Forget NLR’s cup defeat last week. For me, this has home banker written all over it.
L’Orange held their own for longer than many expected against their A team in the cup last week, but the floodgates opened in the end.
But manager Jonathan Adelman told his players that he was proud of them after they gave an excellent account of themselves. Simon Buchler scored a quality goal and a similar performance would surely give them the win that would keep them top on Sunday,
Ahead of kick-off, Adelman told JC Sport: “We have an injury/absence crisis this weekend, with no less than eight players missing.
“Despite missing so many players, we will still have a very strong 14 on Sunday - we'll need it because Bilbaum will be out for revenge after we beat them convincingly a few weeks ago.
“I've reminded the boys that if we are even in the slightest bit complacent Bilbaum have the weapons to hurt us.”
The Baums are going through a bad spell right now and they won’t need me to remind them how old boy Jake Gilbert destroyed them in the recent meeting.
They are leaking goals and keeper Simon Roth is working overtime and the last thing they want right now is to travel to a NLR team packed with goals from back to front.
It’s Raiders for me all day long.
JC team news: Richard Bloom is out for NLR after picking up a nasty ankle knock last weekend. Danny Bloom and Andrew McMaster return. Ben Cherkas impressed outfield in training during the week and the 'keeper, who did so well in goal in the absence of David Simnock, is pushing for a place in the match day squad as an outfield player.
Venue – Brunel, Ref – Tony McEvoy
JC star man: Ben Cherkas (NLR)
DC Prediction: NLR 4 Bilbaum 0
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SPEC FC vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B
Redbridge go into the game boosted by the news that they’ve been awarded the points for the postponed match against Brady, and enter Matchday 13 in joint-top spot.
Three points currently separate RJC and SPEC FC, though Jon Jacobs’ troops have four games in hand, and, no doubt, they will be keen to show the gulf in class with a typically fast start.
But SPEC FC will be no pushovers. They are on an upward curve and came away from the match against Blizzard feeling they deserved something for their efforts.
Speaking to JC Sport ahead of their first meeting with the east Londoners, SPEC FC joint-manager Ricky Lawrence told JC Sport: “We know Sunday is going to be a really tough game against a high-flying Redbridge B. Hopefully we'll be able to spring a surprise."
With two games against Redbridge, plus one against Raiders B sandwiched in between, this is an important period for SPEC FC. It will certainly separate the men from the boys and I think their game-plan will be to get into RJC’s faces.
But when all is said and done, I think RJC will edge it.
JC team news: Ricky Lawrence misses out for SPEC FC.
Venue - Brunel, Ref – Laurie Benson
JC star man: Matt Niman (RJC)
DC Prediction: SPEC FC 1 RJC 2
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
10 - Adam Stolerman (FC Team C)
7 - Zak McLeod (Catford & Bromley), Jacob Richler-Kleiman (Oakwood B)
AC MILL HILL vs CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI
Catford & Bromley Maccabi are out of relegation zone for now, but only on goal difference. It’s certainly tight at the bottom.
Back-to-back wins were just what Lester Jacobs ordered following the 3-1 defeat against Mill Hill in October and captain marvel Adam Luria is challenging his team to put in a repeat performance as he felt there wasn’t much between the sides that day.
Luria told JC Sport: “We've got a strong squad again this week, all raring to go after a week off when we were all desperate to play.
“Last time out against Mill Hill we shot ourselves in the foot with a poor start, giving them a two-goal head start before we even got going. In the second half we completely outplayed them and but for the width of the post could have come away with at least a point.
“However it wasn't to be and a clinical counter-attack from them finished us off just as we were throwing everyone forward for the equaliser.
“We know we'll have to be at the top of our game against Mill Hill. They're a very good side with a number of good players, but we'll go into the game aiming to extend our winning run to three games.”
Mill Hill’s good run came to a halt last weekend on a frustrating morning against Raiders C – only the second time they have failed to score in eight league games.
Other than the match against FC Team B, Mill Hill’s home form is good and boss Dan Beresford expects nothing less than three points.
He told JC Sport: "I'm hoping we can bounce back after a shocking result last week. We should have some strikers back and hopefully can find the back of the net.
"Catford are a decent outfit and I'm sure they will pose a threat."
The Cats know they can ill-afford to let the hosts get the ball down and play. They also found out the hard way they are great on the break, so I can see them packing the midfield and it’s important they don’t show them too much respect.
Sunday will be about earning the victory and it could all boil down to which team shows the greater composure in front of goal.
Venue - Chase Lodge, Ref – John Nitka, KO – 10am
JC star man: Rob Kleinman (Mill Hill)
DC Prediction: Mill Hill 4 Catford & Bromley 2
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JEWDINESE vs NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS C
Last week’s win over Mill Hill was a huge result for Raiders C.
A solitary effort from Jarred Rudman was enough to cement their first victory, but the bottom line is they are still at the foot of the table and it’s important they build from there.
There were outstanding performances from Marc Woolfe, Alex Goodman, Dan Tan and Rudman but they definitely have the personnel to win games like this one.
NLR’s David Domb told JC Sport: “We recaptured some of our belief with improved performances in recent weeks, and proved a lot of doubters wrong last weekend with that victory.
“We always knew within the group that the quality was there, and hopefully now we can kick on.
“It will be another tough game on Sunday. Jewdinese were in the promotion race right until the end of last season, and deserved their victory earlier in the season, but we've got some key players back now, and we'll give Jewdinese a real test.”
The 2-0 win at L’Orange was one of only two ‘Nese have achieved this term. The top four is still very much in reach, although a top three finish less so, with both FC Team sides and Mill Hill starting to pull away.
But with a tough run of fixtures ahead, it’s important the ‘Nese boys look no further than Sunday against a good NLR team.
I can’t see there being much between the sides on Sunday and in the end it could boil down to small details.
JC team news: Andy Cohen and Sam Cherkas miss out through injury for NLR, but Jonny Samuel and Luke Goldsmith continue their recovery and are in the squad.
Venue - Napsbury Park, Ref – Robert Benardout
JC star man: Zac Brin (Nese)
DC Prediction: ‘Nese 2 NLR 1
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OAKWOOD B P FC TEAM B P
Match postponed
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DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
12 - Avi Markiweicz (London Rovers)
9 - Phil Braham (King Crown
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B vs TEMPLE FORTUNE
Hendon B host struggling Temple Fortune on Sunday, and manager Adam Glekin to me he plans to show no mercy on his old club.
The hosts will be able to field a “strong” line-up for the match, with captain James Neidle returning to the fold, but one regular definitely misses out. Otherwise Glekin has most of the weapons he would like at his disposal.
Ahead of the game, Glekin told JC Sport: “We should be able to put out a strong side on Sunday, but in no way will I be underestimating Temple Fortune.
“They're a great club with a great history, and knowing most of their lads, I'd say they're a far better team than their league position suggests. But we've been playing well the last month and we're in confident mood.”
Fortune boss Jonathan Cohen has been picking up the pieces following the 4-0 bashing at the hands of Boca.
His press conference was short and sweet this week, telling JC Sport: “All of our talk has to be in the pitch this week and there will be some changes made.”
Sunday’s clash features a contrast in MGBSFL footballing cultures and I expect Hendon to come through victorious, in spite of the testing conditions.
JC team news: Gab Saul will miss out for Hendon, while Jono Nesbitt will face a late fitness test.
Venue - West Hendon, Ref – Alex Smith, KO – 10am
JC star man: James Neidle (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Hendon 3 Fortune 1
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BOCA JEWNIORS vs FAITHFOLD B
Faithfold B are flying this season, but they could be in for a stern test against an improving Boca in Borehamwood.
Leor Harel guided them past Hendon B last Sunday in a game where keeper Dan Kosky was on top form once again, closely followed by Richard Jaffe.
With games in hand on the top two, the Superhoops know they can ill-afford any slip-ups against a Boca team for whom some recent signings are still bedding in.
Faithfold boss Rob Shooman told JC Sport: “We don’t have any injury problems but we do have one or two players away this weekend.
“Fortunately we do have a reasonable squad this season, so we are able to rotate players allowing us to give everyone a game.
“Boca had a very good result last weekend so must come into this game on a high. We will give them the utmost respect, as we do every team in our division, but we hope to continue our unbeaten run in the league .”
Jack Goldsmith made it two in two in the thumping 4-0 win over Temple Fortune. That result catapulted them to sixth in the table.
With a full squad going into Sunday, and the return of very influential player Adam Rosenfeld, Boca Gaffer Gabe John is hopeful of a good showing.
He told JC Sport: “We played well last week, even with a tough pitch and awful weather. Players like Charlie Hollis, Josh Webber and Callion McGregor are really starting to motor. That combined with the likes of Ben G Josh M and Jack means I'm looking at Sunday with the hope of picking up three points.
“Faithfold, always put a good side out and I know with them unbeaten this will be a tough game.
“I fancy Lioz Tov to be the star man and at training last night, he scored a wonderful brace.”
The head-to-head between Tov and Dan Gordon will be worth the admission fee alone.
Last Sunday featured Boca’s first clean sheet and even though they are improving, I am backing Faithfold to keep rolling on.
Venue - Aycliffe Road, Ref – Stuart Ansher
JC star man: Richard Jaffe (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Boca 1 Faithfold 2
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MACCABI LONDON LIONS GREEN vs KS REUNITED
It’s been a pretty disastrous start to the season for Lions Green, results-wise.
That said, there were signs of improvement against league leaders King Crown and that might just give David Pollock and Johnny Meltzer a base to work from
After three consecutive league draws, the wheels came off for KS last week against London Rovers. But as boss James Lewis explains, they have fond memories of their first meeting with the Lions and he believes they can come away with a much-needed win.
Lewis told JC Sport: “We need a big performance this week after what was a very poor result away at London Rovers.
“Lions are the only team who we have beaten this season and we will be looking to complete a double over them.
“It won’t be easy, but if we play to our potential, I’m confident we can get the three points we crucially need.”
KS are always going to be competitive with James Ryan in the team and I expect them to finish November on a high.
JC team news: Jason Goldstein remains out with injury, but KS have a full squad to choose from otherwise.
Venue - Rowley Lane, Ref – Laurence Thorne, KO – 10am
JC star man: Mitchel Ross (KS)
DC Prediction: Lions 1 KS 3
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