The first round of matches of 2015 sees a mouth-watering clash between title hopefuls Redbridge Jewish Care A and Norstar London Raiders A, with defending champions Hendon also keen to impress. Danny Caro looks ahead to all the action.
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
SEE MATCH PHOTOS - REDBRIDGE B vs RAIDERS B
PHOTOGALLERIES FROM THE SEASON
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SEASON
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND THREE DRAW
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
17 - James Gershfield (Harmen)
13 - Dave Woolman (Oakwood A)
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS A vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
There's a barn-storming contest in store in north-west London to get the year under way as joint-leaders NLR and RJC go head-to-head.
Both teams finished 2014 in fine fettle, with L'Orange leading the way on goal difference after an outstanding victory over FC Team A in which Matt Stock fired a four-goal salvo.
With two games in hand on the east Londoners, a draw would be a decent result for Rob Richman's men, but they will want to make a big statement of intent and go for all three.
Redbridge have gone about their business quietly and effectively, but having played two games more, the onus is on them to win.
Availability has been something of an issue for RJC over recent seasons and you can be sure NLR will be close to full-strength and ready to do the business.
Ref - Andy Myerson
JC star man: Jake Doffman (NLR)
DC Prediction: NLR 2 RJC 1
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
OAKWOOD A vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
Hendon hold something of an Indian sign over Oakwood and Ric Blank recently described the defending champions as excellent match managers after his team's recent defeat at the hands of the Reds.
Hendon chief David Garbacz told JC Sport there was room for improvement following the goalless draw against RJC, and he knows his players face a tough test against an Oakwood team who have failed to deliver on the big stage, when it matters most.
The treble remains a realistic target for Hendon, who have some important games coming up in the pursuit of a double treble, but with players such as Greg Corin, Ben Lauffer and David Seitler in eye-catching form, they will fancy themselves for maximum points.
Oakwood are more than capable of rocking the apple-cart, but they must bring their A-game to the table and hope Hendon have an off-day.
Ref - Neil Cooper
JC star man: Josh Bentley (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 1 Hendon 1
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
19 - Daniel Garfinkle (Redbridge JC B – including 3 for RJC A)
14 - Jake Gilbert (NL Raiders B)
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B vs BLIZZARD STORM
2014 ended on a high for RJC, with Daniel Garfinkle, Scott Oldstein and Nathan Sollosi on target in the 3-2 win over arch rivals Raiders B.
Having ended NLR's unbeaten run, RJC are now in pole position to take the title, with three games in hand on L'Orange. But Blizzard are not a team they can afford to under-estimate, as having done the hard work, boss Jon Jacobs would see red if all their good work came undone over the next 90 minutes.
But Blizzard harbour promotion hopes of their own and they certainly won't lay on the red carpet treatment.
When push comes to shove, I expect RJC to take the points but they won't have things all their own way.
Ref - Adam Lewis
JC star man: Darren Brown (RJC)
DC Prediction: RJC 2 Blizzard 1
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
SPEC FC vs CAMDEN PARK
Nick Kagan has set his Camden team a challenge of winning their last five games ahead of the trip to SPEC FC.
A series of frustrating results means promotion is no longer in their hands, but this looks like one of their easier games on paper.
8-3 victors over SPEC earlier in the season, I expect the Camden boys to fly out of the blocks and pin SPEC back for long periods.
The home side will have to soak up lots of pressure and there will be periods when they don't see much of the ball, with Camden looking to play between the lines.
A Camden win would take them level on points with Raiders B, and then things really could get interesting again ...
Ref - Martin Fox
JC star man: Josh Marks (Camden)
DC Prediction: SPEC 1 Camden 3
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
11 - Adam Stolerman (FC Team C)
9 - Jacob Richler-Kleiman (Oakwood B)
AC MILL HILL vs OAKWOOD B
Mill Hill's promotion hopes hand in the balance ahead of Sunday's visit of fourth-placed Oakwood.
The way things are shaping up, it looks like an FC Team 1-2, unless Dan Beresford's men step up a couple of notches and up the ante. Anything else and they will be dreaming about what might've been.
But with Oakwood on the up, it looks set to be a testing 90 minutes for Mill Hill fans, especially with Jacob Richler Kleiman and Haydon Davidson in tip, top shape.
On their day Oakwood are capable with mixing it with the best in Division Two and if availability is strong, Jason Stein might just get the new year's gift he's looking for.
Venue - Chase Lodge, Ref - Neal Cohen
JC star man: Dave Eden (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Mill Hill 2 Oakwood 3
------------------------------
------------------------------
DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
18 - Avi Markiweicz (London Rovers)
12 - Phil Braham (King Crown)
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B vs SHACHARIT DONETSK
It's hard to see Hendon finishing anything higher than fifth in a division that could be split into two or even three quality-wise.
Adam Glekin's men have produced some good football at times, and having beaten Shacharit once already this season, they have nothing to lose in what I expect to be a wide open game.
Benni Sluckis was instrumental in the 3-1 victory on a day when their back four excelled and they scored first.
Adam Ellis has been the star performer for Shacharit thus far and manager Elliot Nussbaum continues to wave away the big bids for the man he says he won't sell in the January transfer window.
However, if Shacharit go down to their sixth league defeat, his patience will be well and truly tested.
Venue - Montrose Park, Ref - Elliot Mayer
JC star man: Benni Sluckis (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Hendon 3 Shacharit 1
------------------------------
------------------------------
KS REUNITED vs LONDON ROVERS
League leaders London Rovers will face a frosty reception in Essex when they take on KS.
Jeremy Brown's boys hold a four point lead at the summit after running in another eight goals, as well as other results going their way. They are now the bookies' favourites for the title.
Rovers have been playing sexy football since September and Brown's players are playing with big smiles on their faces, with goal-scoring threats from front to back.
Avi Markiewicz remains highly fancied to take the prized MGBSFL Golden Boot. Indeed Markiewicz hit three the last time the teams met and I expect the north Londoners to bring home the points once more.
Venue - Montrose Park, Ref - Elliot Mayer
JC star man: Nigel Someck (Rovers)
DC Prediction: KS 0 Rovers 3
To get more from Life, click here to sign up for our free Life newsletter.