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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
(KO at 10am unless stated)
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP 4
1. Hendon Utd Pl. 12, W. 8, Pts. 26
2. Oakwood A Pl. 12, W. 7, Pts. 22
3. HMH Pl. 11, W. 5, Pts. 19
4. ML Lions Pl. 11, W. 5, Pts. 17
TOP-SCORERS 16 - Reiss Mogilner (ML Lions), 12 - Josh Bharier (Oakwood A - includes 2 for B team)
BRADY MACCABI vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS
Sunday is a must-win for Brady as they go into the third Rowley Lane derby of the season desperate for a win of any description.
The Lions have beaten them in league and cup in recent weeks, and it’s vital they make the most on their games in hand on relegation rivals Faithfold before it’s too late.
Brady boss Joel Nathan told JC Sport: "We always look forward to a Rowley Lane derby, and we are still smarting from coming back from 3-1 down last time to
throw it away with last kick of the game and will be up for revenge this Sunday.
"Unfortunately we have a few injuries to deal with, so numbers will be thin, but the guys who will be on the pitch on Sunday will be giving 100 per cent as we know we are in need of the points."
The Lions have their tails up after booking two cup semi-final slots. They edged past Los Camden in extra-time last weekend, when Jordan Aspis sent them through.
Managed by Max Kyte and Sam Marchant, the Lions have two tough sandwiched in between two games against Brady, and they will be hard-pressed to secure a top three finish. But they certainly have the players to give it a go.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Martin Lavender
JC star man: Will Beresford (Lions)
DC Prediction: Brady 1 Lions 2
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HMH vs OAKWOOD A
There is virtually nothing to separate HMH and Oakwood this season. The teams recently drew in the league and their Peter Morrison Trophy tie last weekend finished with an identical scoreline at the end of 90 minutes and extra-time, before HMH held their nerve to progress on penalties in the Jewish FA Cup.
With just three points separating the teams, Oakwood, who have played a game more, must avoid defeat if they are to stay above HMH.
The Oaks are not used to losing, but they have come off second best four times in the league already this season. Yes they have injury and availability problems to some key personnel, but managers Dan Kristall and Dave Cohen have high expectations.
But with Hendon United odds-on retaining the title, Oakwood fans believe the Cyril Anekstein Cup offers their best chance of silverware this season, with a home draw against Los Camden A in the semi-finals on the horizon.
HMH boss Avi Goldberg admits he is "still recovering from last weeks nail-biting cup tie". He predicts another close contest and told JC Sport: "The lads put in a huge effort to reach the semis.
"We have played Oakwood twice so far and both results were 2-2 after 90 minutes. It’s very tight with both teams playing at high-tempo with high intensity. Great for the neutral, not sure about Dan Kristall and me! As Dan said, that game could easily have been 6-6.
"We now need to refocus and get ready to go again against the same team. There was good intensity at training. We are expecting another very tough game."
Oakwood will be relieved to hear my cameras won't be at the Hive on Sunday - HMH have an unbeaten record in front of them! The visitors are wounded, and could be at their most dangerous as a result. So they might just nick it.
JC team news: HMH will be missing one half of their dynamic strike duo in Adam Abadi, while Josh Goldstein, Alex Moss and Sam Monjack finished last Sunday’s epic on the treatment table. Goldberg is also waiting “anxiously” to see if Ethan Krell will be released by Nottingham uni and available to play after another sparkling performance last week.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Luke Steele
JC star man: Luke Brookner (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: HMH 1 Oakwood 2
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LOS CAMDEN A vs FAITHFOLD DOC MM A
“Small margins” was the difference between Los Camden beating Lions and being eliminated from the Peter Morrison Trophy last weekend.
That was according to boss Stirling Kay, who cut a proud figure after his team pushed the holders all the way. Gav Krieger was in the right place at the right time once again, to put Camden ahead. They held the lead until the 70th minute, when they conceded a penalty, before conceding a killer second in extra-time.
Now Kay and co are targeting reaching the final of the Cyril Anekstein Cup and finishing as high up the table as possible. And the arrival of Ollie Brooks certainly gave them another dimension last week. He oozed quality and once skipper Johann Jordi returns to fitness, they could strike up a commanding partnership in midfield.
Camden know Faithfold are scrapping for points as they look to stave off relegation just a season after coming up from Division One, and a tough test is predicted.
"There’s only one thing on the agenda after last week and that’s to bounce back," Camden's Gav Krieger told JC Sport. "We’ve made a habit of grinding out results and we hope we can get straight back to winning ways."
Avi Markiewicz has had plenty of trials and tribulations in the Faithfold hot-seat this season. Injuries and availability problems have hampered his plans, plus the absence of a recognised goalkeeper. Faithfold fans have yet to see the best of record signing Daniel Garfinkle and it wouldn’t surprise me if Camden man-mark him if he features on Sunday.
Last week’s cup defeat won’t keep Camden down for too long. With games in hand on the teams around them, they will look to kick on with what would be a fourth consecutive league win.
JC team news: Los Camden duo Sacha Nusenbaum and Johann Jordi miss this games after picking up hamstring injuries, but the club is positive on both return dates. Matt Perlman and Dean Rosenthal could finally feature after lengthy lay-offs.
David Leiwy is expected return to the Faithfold squad after turning out for the B’s against Hertswood Vale last week.
Venue - Hertswood, Ref – Neal Cohen
JC star man: Kane Gilbery (Camden)
DC Prediction: Camden 3 Faithfold 1
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DIVISION ONE
TOP 4
1. Redbridge JC A Pl. 13, W. 9, Pts. 31
2. Fairlop FC Pl. 12, W. 9, Pts. 30
3. NL Galaxy Pl. 12, W. 8, Pts. 25
4. Jewdinese Pl. 11, W. 6, Pts. 22
TOP-SCORERS 18 - Nate Kashket (Redbridge JC A), 12 - James Jaconelli (Fairlop FC), Adam Ellis (Bayern Mincha)
JEWDINESE vs FAIRLOP FC
Bouncebackability is the name of the game for Fairlop following their shock exit in the Barry Goldstein Trophy at the hands of second division SPEC FC.
Jake Sanders branded the performance as “unacceptable” and boss Aaron Dias won’t allow a repeat performance on Sunday, when they return to the bread and butter of the league.
Fairlop remain one of just two teams boasting an unbeaten record across the MGBSFL, but the next 90 minutes could be their toughest yet, against a ‘Nese team unbeaten at home in the league this season.
Ahead of kick-off, Fairlop's Jake Sanders told JC Sport: "It's a must-win game. Three points are all that matter and we will be doing everything in our power to get them. There's nothing more to say!"
The Zebras have also shown their pedigree with two fantastic performances in the cup against Oakwood A. They will be nice and fresh as they attempt to record their best result of the season.
Boss Darren Lawrence told JC Sport: "After a week off last week, we go into this crunch match with Fairlop raring to go.
"This game could be seen as make or break in terms of our promotion hopes, so we are determined to get the three points.
"I was a spectator at SPEC’s destruction of Fairlop last week, so I was able to make a few notes on areas where we can exploit them and am confident we can do so.
"I was informed it was Fairlop’s first game on grass of the season, so hopefully their second will be very similar."
Fairlop have only scored five goals in five away league games this season, while ‘Nese have registered eight times in four league games, so I’m not expecting a high-scoring contest.
JC team news: 'Nese are missing midfield general Billy Lee this week, while James Ross faces a late fitness test. They welcome back Sim Cohen from his trip to America.
Venue – Queens School, Ref – Andy Myerson
JC star man: Matthew Berkley (Fairlop)
DC Prediction: ‘Nese 1 Fairlop 1
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A vs LOS CAMDEN B
Match postponed - Los Camden forfeited
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DIVISION TWO
TOP 4
1. Hertswood Vale Pl. 18, W. 13, Pts. 40 (PROMOTED)
2. SPEC FC Pl. 16, W. 10, Pts. 32
3. Faithfold Doc MM B Pl. 18, W. 9, Pts. 28
4. Redbridge JC B Pl. 13, W. 8, Pts. 25
TOP-SCORERS 19 - James Millet (Hertswood Vale), Zack Neiman (SPEC FC), 17 - Richard Salmon (FC Team)
MILL HILL DONS vs FAITHFOLD DOC MM C
Sunday cannot come soon enough for a Mill Hill Dons team on cloud nine after reaching the semi-finals of the Jewish FA Cup for the first time.
Sam Singer was the hero of the hour – keeping a clean sheet over 120 minutes against Division One table-toppers Redbridge JC A and then making a crucial save in the resultant shoot-out.
They will find out their last four opponents on Monday – with HMH, holders Maccabi London Lions and the winner of the tie between Haroldeans and Manchester Maccabi 1st also in the hat. Adam Freeman, Adam Lisberg and Jamie Nagioff were their stand-out outfield performers last weekend, showing they can match a team destined for the top-flight.
But first thing’s first, they have a league game at home to struggling Faithfold C. JJ Marrache earned the Superhoops a 2-1 win over the Dons in November, so Brandon Hamme’s men will be on a revenge mission of sorts.
But having recently crushed Faithfold’s high-flying B-team 4-0, I’ve got this firmly marked down as a home banker.
Venue – Goffs Academy, Ref – Bob Caplin
JC star man: Adam Lisberg (Dons)
DC Prediction: Dons 4 Faithfold 0
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B vs TEMPLE FORTUNE
Five wins is what Richard Bronzite is demanding from RJC’s final five league games, as they look to get their promotion bid on track following the heavy defeat against FC Team.
A couple of late pull-outs hurt RJC, and makeshift ‘keeper Richie Caplin only lasted 20 minutes before succumbing to injury. But with a near-full squad available, and playing on grass, I expect the east Londoners to make a statement against Fortune on Sunday.
They hit Fortune for six on their own patch a couple of weeks ago, when two-goal hero Dan Gordon bagged a brace.
Ahead of the return leg, RJC boss Richard Bronzite told JC Sport: "We have been very unlucky over the last 2 weeks so hoping for a change this weekend.
"We currently got 15 to choose from and will have a recognised keeper this week. We just need get back to winning ways and I expect nothing but three points come Sunday."
Fortune have been shipping goals this season, but it’s worth remembering they earned a terrific 4-2 win over Mill Hill Dons last time out. So write them off at your peril!
The key clash will be RJC striker Steve Summers against Fortune talisman Adam Speck, but when all is said and done, as long as there are no late disruptions, I'm banking on a comfortable Redbridge win.
Venue - Fairlop, Ref – David Lazarus
JC star man: Raanan Firmin (RJC)
DC Prediction: RJC 4 Fortune 1
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BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY ROUND ONE
FC TEAM vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS
The BGT competition hasn’t really taken off yet. But I expect that to change on Sunday when FC Team host Raiders.
The sides have been involved in some classic encounters over the years, but the personnel in the NLR camp is much-changed these days, so many of their boys won’t remember …
FC Team warmed up for the game with a brilliant performance against RJC B, with top-scorer Richard Salmon boosting his Golden Boot credentials with a double in a 6-3 triumph.
Player-boss Mitch Young is also having an excellent season, and with home advantage, they will believe they can turn L’Orange over.
NLR's league form can be best described as inconsistent, but if their big guns are available, they will fancy themselves.
"The lads are really excited for this one," NLR's David Isaacs told JC Sport. "We know it will be a tricky affair and that FC Team will be no walkover.
"With Fairlop being knocked out last week, this tournament will be wide open and we hope we will be able to get our hands on the trophy. However, we know every team can beat any opponent on their day.
I'm expecting an open and entertaing affair, offering five-star entertainment. Time to stick out my neck and go for an upset!
Team news: Ben Rosen is having a late fitness test however he should be available for NLR.
Ref – Robert Benardout
JC star man: Connor Perl (Team)
DC Prediction: Team 4 NLR 3
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ALSO SEE:
DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 21 AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Sam Singer (Mill Hill Dons)
MANAGER OF THE WEEK: Brandon Hamme (Mill Hill Dons)
GOAL OF THE WEEK: Jordan Aspis (ML Lions)
SAVE OF THE WEEK: James Hiller (Oakwood A)
REFEREE OF THE WEEK Barry David (FC Team vs Redbridge JC B)
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