The Peter Morrison Trophy goes national on Sunday, with some mouth-watering north versus south ties, including Hendon United travelling to Liverpool and Redbridge Jewish Care A in Manchester, while there's also a tasty league programme in store, with HMH vs Oakwood A the pick of the bunch.
January 17, 2019 11:11
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
(all MGBSFL matches KO at 10am)
PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND TWO
HAROLDEANS vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS
MGBSFL leaders Hendon United face a tough tie ahead of the trip to Liverpool where a strong Haroldeans team will be lying in wait.
Hendon have set the standard in London this season – with just two defeats in Maccabi football this season. But I have a feeling they are about to experience their toughest game of the season.
Previewing the tie, Hendon boss Jordan Sapler told JC Sport: "We’re confident in the team that we’re taking though and it’s more then good enough to get a result.
"We don’t know much about Haroldeans but do know that it will be a tough challenge, but one the boys are relishing."
Haroldeans won the MJSL treble last season and having dominated the Manchester Jewish football scene, they took the plunge to go into non-Jewish football last summer. The decision is proving a wise one as they lie third in the Liverpool Business Houses League Division One and star striker Adam Shiffman is on fire after steering them into the semi-finals of the Division One Cup with a hat-trick against St. Helens last weekend.
Boss Mike Bloomberg is relishing the battle against arguably the no. 1 team in Maccabi football, and the outcome depends on Hendon's big-game players coming to the fore.
JC team news: Hendon are without Josh Harris, Yoav Kestenbaum, Chaim Korman, Yehuda Korman, Jonny Kay, Moses Seitler and Jonti Aremband. Simon Peterman’s a doubt too, which unfortunately means gaffer Jordan Sapler "may need to get my boots out".
Venue – Childwall
JC star man: Russell Corin (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Haroldeans 1 Hendon 2
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FAITHFOLD DOC MM A vs MILL HILL DONS
Second division Mill Hill Dons go in search of a ‘cupset’ when they travel to top-flight Faithfold A.
Brandon’s Hamme’s troops go into the tie on the back of two-match winning run, and they are back to their best as an attacking force.
Isaac Virchis has earned rave reviews this season, while Joseph Reece has been banging away the goals since the turn of the year. And with star striker Zach Cohen already into double figures, this has been marked down as a potential giant-killing. And the inspirational Nick Phillips will be boosted by his appearance in JC Team of the Week.
Ahead of the tie, Dons boss Brandon Hamme told JC Sport: "Sunday’s game is one of the biggest games if not the biggest we have had in the club’s history.
"A place in the quarter-finals would be an incredible achievement for the club. We know we are the underdogs, we know we are the lowest-ranked team left in this competition, but we also know we are capable of. If we are at our best this Sunday, I believe anything can happen.
"There’s always a bit of magic in the cup. It won’t be easy but the boys are raring to go and are up for the challenge."
Faithfold haven’t won any of their last six matches. But the arrival of goalkeeper Daniel Paull will provide some relief to a defence that hasn’t kept a clean sheet this season.
The Superhoops have made big strides this season, but Premier Division survival is clearly their priority. If the Dons can keep the fleet-footed David Leiwy quiet then they have a chance.
JC team news: Daniel Lande, Josh Cinna, Sam Stead and Joseph Reece are all out.
Ref – Paul Dobkin
JC star man: Daniel Paul (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 4 Dons 3
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FC TEAM vs MANCHESTER MACCABI 1st
Manchester Maccabi are one of the hot favourites to win the Jewish FA Cup this season.
Manager Scott McGarvey, the former Manchester United striker, will bring a strong squad down to London to ensure the Cheshire & Manchester League outfit come away with the right result.
Sunday marks a return to Rowley Lane for former Lions star Michael Sacks. Sacksy has won virtually every honour in Jewish football and is as good a defender as you will see at this level. He also has a knack of scoring goals, both from set-pieces and the odd penalty.
Louie Basso is another quality player in a Manchester team who never settle for second best.
FC Team have scored 10 goals in their last two matches, but they wouldn’t have played a team of Manchester’s quality too many times.
Boss Mitch Young cannot believe his luck that his side are back in the Division Two title mix, and I think they'll be able to concentrate on that league come tea-time on Sunday.
Ahead of kick-off, Young told JC Sport: "We face a tremendous task against one of the favourites for the competition.
"They will be very motivated and will be taking the game very seriously. Where we will just be treating it as another game of football where if everything goes our way we could cause a shock but we are realistic and hope just to give a good account of ourselves and at least get a goal!"
FC Team don't keep many clean sheets and Maccabi's technical and fitness superiority will be just two of the reasons why McGarvery's men progress.
JC team news: Connor Perl (injured) and Michael Patterson both miss out for FC Team.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Robert Benardout, KO – 1pm
JC star man: Michael Sacks (Maccabi)
DC Prediction: FC Team 1 Maccabi 4
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LOS CAMDEN A vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS
Los Camden will still be feeling the effects of last week’s League Cup epic against HMH.
Magic man Oli Sade and Goal-of-the-week hero Josh Tiano were toasted of the team after an extra-time win that certainly took its toll.
Stirling Kay’s boys roll on, and they know first division Raiders are a side that cannot be under-estimated.
Camden's Gav Krieger told JC Sport: "We’re coming into this off the back of a great result in the other cup against HMH and we know we are going to be tested by another young side with terrific players.
"A few of the boys know some of their players from Los Blancos last season and the EMFT Maccabi Games and we know they have threats all over the pitch, we are particularly wary of the magic Jake Doffman has in his boots! (Ed. let's just hope they haven't been spying on them in training ;))
"We know we will have to play well to get a result, and we hope to give the fans a season they deserve by getting into the next round."
Raiders start as underdogs, but if their big guns are playing it'd be foolish to rule them out. They produced a strong display against Jewdinese last weekend and would've won, had it not been for a bizarre own goal.
NLR's Gideon Gale told JC Sport: "We are looking forward to this one. With a mid-table finish looking almost certain this year, we are looking at cup competitions as an opportunity to show our full potential.
"As proven in our last cup appearance, where we dominated the chances against Hendon, we believe we can match anyone and we are excited to be testing ourselves against another opposition in a higher division."
It should be a cracker!
JC team news: Los Camden's "injured boys who returned last week have all recovered well after playing extra-time" last week. Matt Perlman and Dean Rosenthal have resumed light training but this game might come to soon for them. Sacha Nusenbaum will go through a late fitness check after a training ground scare.
Ref – Martin De La Fuente
JC star man: Dan Orgel (Camden)
DC Prediction: Camden 3 Raiders 2
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ROUND ONE
JEWDINESE vs OAKWOOD OLD BOYS
This game has already been postponed a couple of times, so both teams hope it’s a case of third time lucky. Darren Lawrence's Jewdinese go into their Jewish FA Cup meeting with Oakwood in good form, especially in front of goal.
They were a tad fortunate to come away from their game against Raiders last weekend with a draw, following the most bizarre of own goals.
Gaffer Lawrence is taking the Morrison seriously, so I expect them to go in all guns blazing. on Sunday. He told JC Sport: “We are excited to get our cup run under way and are obviously wary of Oakwood Vets, as we know nothing about them.
“However, with no disrespect intended, we are hoping to be the quicker, fitter and sharper team on the day, and hopefully this will lead us to a victory.
“We are aware of our draw in the next round - Oakwood A - and we are very keen to test ourselves against a team doing very well in the Premier Division, but first we must do the business on Sunday.
Ric Blank (and possibly Blank jnr, depending on childcare duties) will lead Oakwood OB into battle. The league title-winning boss just couldn't stay away!
No doubt, he will put out a competitive team in a bid to prove experience can conquer youth.
"We decided to enter an Old Boys team into the competition this year as a chance to roll back the years, and to pay tribute to Rob Davidson, who as you know, we lost nearly two years ago. Rob would find nothing funnier than watching us old dads lumber around getting skinned by lads ten years younger. So we thought, "why not?
"We are a strictly an over-30's side (most depressingly closer to 40 these days) and we'll be adopting Arrigo Sacchi's 9-0-1 formation complete with a triple pivot in midfield.
"Returning from retirement will be Daniel Geey's hand gestures, Eddie Manson's disdain for his team-mates and Jonny Quinn's shooting addiction. We are under no illusions that we're up against a good side who won't hold back and we are also completely aware of how big an 11-a-side pitch actually is. Mercifully I will be on the sides, doing what I do best – watching!"
Ultimately I can see 'Nese fitness levels and finishing ability taking them through.
Ref – Martin Lavender
JC star man: Jake Erlich (Nese)
DC Prediction: Nese 3 Oakwood 1
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MJSL REP TEAM vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
It’s out of the fire into the frying pan for Division One leaders RJC.
It’s best they put last week’s derby behind them and only look ahead. Especially with the cream of the Manchester Jewish Soccer League determined to take their scalp.
RJC's Sam Rank told JC Sport: "After last week game against Fairlop, I am very happy to have a welcome league distraction with a last 16 Peter Morrison game against MJFL Rep Team.
"The boys who are making trip are very much looking forward to. The quality we have on offer should make us favourite for the game, but we will not under-estimate our opponents.
"We are aware the top Manchester sides unfortunately do not play in the Jewish league as they want to be challenged, but the side that Ian Selwyn produces will be tough opposition for RJC A.
"Overall I am very much looking forward to our game and the icing on the cake for the weekend will be going through to quarter-finals of the Peter Morrison."
Any side managed by Selwyn will be tough to overcome. Ben Gould, the MJSL's top-scorer, is expected to take his place in what is expected to be a team that combines youth and experience.
The Morrison is a competition RJC have never won, and Rank is determined to take them into the latter stages.
JC team news: RJC A are taking strong and select squad to Manchester. Nate Kashket, featured in the Player Profile section of this week's JC, will be leading the line and looking to increase his goal tally this season and continue to be top goalscorer in the MGBFSL.
JC star man: Nate Kashket (RJC)
DC Prediction: MJSL 1 RJC 2
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CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND TWO
FAIRLOP FC vs BRADY MACCABI
The Fairlop Ultras are preparing to welcome Premier Division strugglers Brady Maccabi to 7 Kings, and they fancy their chances of causing an upset.
The Essex giants have an incredible league record - no defeats in 31 games and they are unbeaten since they were founded in July 2017.
Ryan Cole kept that proud record intact in last week's epic derby that ended on a sour note. But Sunday will be all about making positive headlines, and doing things the right way. The Fairlop way.
This is the beginning of a crucial run of games for Fairlop - with Galaxy and Jewdinese to follow ... and they know it. "The league is our main objective, but this is a nice distraction," Fairlop's Jake Sanders told JC Sport. "We’re still fighting on three fronts and we'd love nothing more than to add a cup to our trophy cabinet.
"We’ve got real momentum right now and we’ll go out on Sunday looking to continue that with another victory."
Joel Nathan knows a trip to Essex is a real banana skin. "Well I guess everyone is writing Brady Maccabi off for this game, due to the form of both teams but it’s the cup and anything could happen ..." he told JC Sport.
"Last week was disappointing, especially after we started brightly and created a number of chances but as per previous games we didn’t take them and we got punished.
"Fairlop had a ding-dong battle (both on and off the pitch) last week, so hopefully they are still recovering and we can take advantage. But we know the boys in Orange will be up for this and we will go to Seven Kings School ready to upset the form books.
"Unfortunately we are missing a couple of players which doesn’t help our cause but we will battle on and give as good as we get."
Brady have struggle to score on a regular basis this season and if Fairlop treat this like just another game, I can see them sending Brady tumbling out.
JC team news: Fairlop are without Jake Sanders (knee) and Daryl Rubin (ankle). They have a fully fit squad apart from that.
Ref – Luke Steele
JC star man:
DC Prediction: Fairlop 2 Brady 1
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
LEAGUE TABLE - TOP 2
1. Hendon Utd Pl. 10, W. 7, Pts. 22
2. Oakwood A Pl. 9, W. 6, Pts. 18
TOP-SCORERS 16 - Reiss Mogilner (ML Lions), 11 - Rocky Spitzer (Hendon Utd), Josh Bharier (Oakwood A - includes 2 for B team)
HMH vs OAKWOOD A
Oakwood travel to Edgware in top shape, with 10 goals under their belts in their last two games following convincing wins over Los Camden and Brady respectively.
New boy Scott Smith has hit the ground running, which was crucial in their bid to keep their title challenge alive following a pair of defeats to Hendon.
But it's the performances of Josh Bharier that have Oakwood fans talking right now. He has taken his game up a couple of notches this season, providing a regular source of goals which was much-needed in the absence of injured strikers Leor Sidle and Sam Cantor.
Goals are hard to replace in any team, and although not an out-and-out striker, Bharier has shown great versatility and improved his all-round game.
With games in hand on the top two, HMH remain in title contention. But they are the young pretenders in every sense. Once their cup tie against Los Camden went to extra-time last weekend, most people expected them to win - given their younger legs - but they were unable to see the job through.
Sunday will be the first in a three-part series between HMH and Oakwood. Avi Goldberg's troops must earn the right to play and play with clear and cool heads against opponents aiming to be quicker to the ball and win their individual and collective battles.
Goldberg told JC Sport: "Sunday will be a big test off the back of two cup defeats that should never have been. Defensively we have been very good, but Sunday could be our biggest test yet as I have been learning about the Oakwood forward line.
"When we started last summer, everyone talked about the big two. We have seen Hendon. Now we will see what Oakwood are like.
"Whilst nobody under-estimates us now, we know Oakwood iwll be prepared and are on a fine run of form. We go into the game on the back of a frustrating game last Sunday. We welcomed back some players from long-term injuries, including Adam Abadi and Sammy Kingston, but failed to convert our chances.
A high-octane affair is on the cards, so may the best team win.
JC team news: Goldberg expressed frustration that injuries and more absentees, due to uni exams, means he was unable to confirm which players whill be available. HMH will definitely be missing Jake Norton, Gabes Arenson, Ariel Rahamim and Ethan Krell.
Venue –The Hive , Ref – Phil Peters
JC star man: John Levy (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: HMH 1 Oakwood 2
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DIVISION ONE
LEAGUE TABLE - TOP 4
1. Redbridge JC Pl. 12, W. 8, Pts. 28
2. NL Galaxy Pl. 11, W. 8, Pts. 25
3. Fairlop FC Pl. 10, W. 7 Pts. 24 (probable 3 points to be added after Scrabble forfeit)
4. Jewdinese Pl. 10, W. 5, Pts. 19
TOP-SCORERS 18 - Nate Kashket (Redbridge JC A), 12 - James Jaconelli (Fairlop FC)
BAYERN MINCHA vs OAKWOOD B
"Bayern are back, Bayern are back." That was the cry from the terraces after the Munich boys triumphed 3-1 over title-chasing North London Galaxy.
It was ultimately a performance that ticked all the boxes, and arguably their most complete performance of the season. Adam Ellis, Alon Pinhas and Samuel Leader grabbed the goals on a memorable day for the team.
But the challenge now is to repeat it, again and again and again. Keep to that level and they will have no problems. But consistency, rhythm and momentum are hard to maintain in this division unless you have your top players available week in, week out.
Oakwood beat Bayern 3-0 earlier in the season, but they have gone backwards since then. They've lost their last four games by one-goal margins and hope a change of luck is just around the corner.
Bayern's next game is against basement battlers Scrabble and six points would put them in a much healthier position.
Venue – Capital City, Ref – Neal Cohen
JC star man: Matan Ozin (Bayern)
DC Prediction: Bayern 3 Oakwood 2
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SCRABBLE FC A vs LOS CAMDEN B
Sunday sees a relegation six-pointer for Scrabble A and Los Camden B.
Camden have two wins from nine, while Scrabble still await their first win.
Ray Abrahams took 16 boys to Scrabble's last match and I have a sneaky feeling Sunday could be their day.
Venue – Aycliffe Road, Ref – Bob Caplin
JC star man: Jay Rosenthal (Scrabble)
DC Prediction: Scrabble 3 Camden 2
More to follow ...
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DIVISION TWO
LEAGUE TABLE - TOP 4
1. Faithfold B Pl. 14, W. 8, Pts. 25
2. Hertswood Vale Pl. 12, W. 8, Pts. 25
3. SPEC FC Pl. 14, W. 7, Pts. 23
4. FC Team Pl. 12, W. 7, Pts. 21
TOP-SCORERS 17 - James Millet (Hertswood Vale), Zac Neiman (SPEC FC), 13 - Richard Salmon (FC Team)
HERTSWOOD VALE vs FAITHFOLD DOC MM B
If you're looking for five-star entertainment this weekend, this could be your game. Faithfold B and Vale are deadlocked at the top on 25 points, although the home side have two games in hand.
Vale have a nice run of games after this one, before the return leg against Faithfold, and I'm predicting goals on Sunday.
Co-managed by Jacob Emanuel and Danny Hirschberger, Vale fans be looking for a big performance as they look to return to winning ways. And with some key personnel returning, they will be ready to make another statement against one of their title rivals.
Emanuel told JC Sport: "After two consecutive league defeats, the boys have had to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror this week to kick us back into gear.
"Both defeats, which have not been helped by significant breaks following those games, have been hard to take, and perhaps some of the over-confidence that we had gained, has absolutely now been replaced by realism.
"For reasons unknown, we have yet to face title favourites Faithfold B in the league this season, but now have the pleasure of two games against them in just four weeks. We are however buzzing at the prospect of having four consecutive games for the first time in a long time, allowing us to build up some momentum as we approach our final six games.
"There's no denying it's a huge game, and as we know, absolutely anyone can beat anyone in our league. We know we're going to have to be at our best on Sunday against a team full of experience, and not shy of scoring, but we'd actually need to turn up on this occasion, after failing to do so against Temple Fortune or Scrabble."
Faithfold have also lost their last two games, and, dare I say, a little momentum. They conceded 10 goals in those two games against FC Team, and with five defeats to their name, they can ill-afford any more.
Benny Goldberg has been one of their star performers this season, while Zalmy Cohen will be confident following his brace for the C's last weekend.
Attack, attack, attack will be the name of the game for both teams on Sunday, and it will all boil down to which side takes their chances.
JC team news: Elio Elia, Josh Wood, Jack Shulman, Ben Kaye and Adrian Leibovitch are amongst those missing from Vale this week's game, but they welcome back an important trio in James Millet, Danny Feuer and captain James Neidle.
Venue – Ark Elvin Academy, Ref – Nigel Kyte
JC star man: Danny Feuer (Vale)
DC Prediction: Vale 3 Faithfold 2
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS MASTERS vs FAITHFOLD DOC MM C
The league's bottom two teams are ready to rumble, with Raiders hoping to complete a league double over Faithfold.
Joint-managers Jonny Blain and James Cartmell bagged braces in November's 4-0 success - a result which was arguably the highlight of NLR's season so far.
Faithfold go into the game with their tails up after beating title-chasing SPEC FC in an excellent team performance.
But consistency of performance and availability has hampered Ben Kfir's best laid plans.
I'm predicting Raiders to come out on top in the rematch, with Blain and Cartmell finding the net once again.
Ahead of kick-off, Cartmell told JC Sport; "We're really looking forward to the game as we've probably got one of the strongest match squads we've had all season.
"We have plenty of youth and skill, with the Miracco twins and Field brothers too, while Wayne Davidson will bring plenty of pace.
"I know Faithfold had a good result last week, so it should make for a good game."
JC team news: NLR welcome back Matty Kleinman and Rob Baker.
Venue – Ark Academy, Ref – Teddy Littner
JC star man: Adam Levenson (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Raiders 3 Faithfold 1
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TEMPLE FORTUNE vs SPEC FC
Bouncebackability is the name of the game for a SPEC FC team who went down 4-2 against the league's bottom team last weekend.
It was certainly a big opportunity missed for Ricky Lawrence's troops who would've been top had they won.
But Lawrence and co will have fond memories of their first meeting with Fortune - a day when leading marksman Zack Neiman helped himself to four goals in a 5-3 win.
Neiman started on the bench last weekend, but I Lawrence will learn from that. When you look through this SPEC squad and see household names such as Jeff Gotch, Josh Frey and some of the former NLR Division One team, you have to fancy their experience to help them get the right result.
Fortune have had a funny old season. Beating Hertswood Vale was the ultimate highlight but I can see them struggling at set-pieces against a well-drilled SPEC team.
Anything Fortune get from this game is a bonus, and I just don't see it happening.
Venue – Silver Jubilee Park, Ref – Stuart Ansher
JC star man: Daniel Cohen (SPEC)
DC Prediction: Fortune 1 SPEC 3
ALSO SEE:
DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 16 AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK Guy Fenton (Los Camden A)
MANAGER OF THE WEEK Ben Kfir (Faithfold Doc MM C)
GOAL OF THE WEEK Josh Tiano (Los Camden A)
SAVE OF THE WEEK Nathan Mehlman (Fairlop FC)
REFEREE OF THE WEEK Phil Peters (ML Lions vs Faithfold A)