Hendon United will be looking to take another steps towards retaining the title, while title hopefuls HMH hope to continue their good run when they visit Lions at Rowley Lane, on a day when there are three more ties scheduled in the Barry Goldstein Trophy.
March 7, 2019 10:46
PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINAL DRAW
HMH vs Maccabi London Lions
Haroldeans or Manchester Maccabi vs Mill Hill Dons
Dates TBC
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CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP TROPHY SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Hendon Utd Sports vs ML Lions
Oakwood A vs Los Camden A
Ties scheduled for March 17
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VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: JEWDINESE vs FAIRLOP FC
PHOTOGALLERY: JEWDINESE vs FAIRLOP FC
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
(Matches KO at 10am unless stated)
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP 3
1. Hendon Utd Pl. 12, W. 8, Pts. 26
2. HMH Pl. 12, W. 6, Pts. 22
3. Oakwood A Pl. 13, W. 7, Pts. 22
HENDON UNITED SPORTS vs FAITHFOLD DOC MM A
Hendon United can finally look forward to a run of consecutive matches as they look to cement their grip on the MGBSFL crown.
Lying four points clear of HMH, they will be looking to boost their double hopes over the coming weeks, hosting Lions in the cup followed by a trip to Los Camden after the Faithfold game and will be confident of taking a minimum of six points from those league games.
Jordan Sapler’s men are unbeaten in the league since November and go into the Faithfold game as strong favourites in the top against bottom affair. The red men beat the Superhoops 3-0 in November, when Jonti Aremband, Chaim Korman and Rocky Spitzer eased them to victory. Korman is in contention for the MGSBFL Young Player of the Year award after helping to keep Hendon flying high.
Ahead of the game, Sapler told JC Sport: "Faithfold are interesting - we never know which team will show up but they always prove tough opponents.
"We know we need to keep winning so will be looking to do that at Hadley again this week. Last time we put 10 past Faithfold when we played here, but we know that doesn’t mean anything for Sunday.”
JC team news: Yehuda Korman, Yoav Kestenbaum, Ari Last, Greg Corin, Rocky Spitzer and Jordan Mizrahi miss out through injury and weekend aways. Chaim Korman is on the ever-growing injury list. Hendon welcome back Moses Seitler for this week though.
Venue - Hadley FC, Ref – Phil Peters
JC star man: Moses Seitler (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Hendon 4 Faithfold 1
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LOS CAMDEN A vs BRADY MACCABI
Los Camden continue to target a top-four finish as they aim to become the latest team to beat lowly Brady.
Having recovered from a goal down against 10-man Faithfold last weekend, Stirling Kay’s troops came away disappointed they failed to hold on for the win, after goals from goal machine Oli Sade and David Kanzen.
Avi Markiewicz’s late leveller halted Camden’s three-match winning run, and with tough looking games against Oakwood and Hendon, it’s crucial they register their fifth league win on Sunday.
Joel Nathan was adamant Brady were not three goals worse than Lions last weekend. Once again, they were left to rue missed chances and signing a regular goal-getter has to be the priority over the summer.
Nathan played three U18 players last weekend and it’s clear he must draft in some new blood over the summer as they are tough times for the senior side.
He told JC Sport: "All I can say is we need a win big time, and after two close games against Los Camden we know we can do it. But Stirling will have boys raring to go and we will have to match them over every blade of the 3G if we are to get the result we want."
Brady have fallen short in several games this season, and I think Camden's will to win will earn them maximum points, in what promises to be a high-octane contest.
Venue - Hertswood, Ref – Luke Steele
JC star man: Josh Tiano (Camden)
DC Prediction: Camden 2 Brady 1
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MACCABI LONDON LIONS vs HMH
A run of five games without defeat has seen HMH keep alive their title hopes. But manager Avi Goldberg and co know only maximum points will do when they visit the Lane to take on an in-form Lions side.
Top-scorer Oscar Wagner fired a double on the last trip to Arkley. Sammy Kingston and Adam Abadi also registered in an impressive 4-1 win.
Having come through two tough tests in league and cup against Oakwood, HMH are in a good moment. The arrival of title-winning goalkeeper Jake Doffman has boosted a defence that is well-marshalled by the likes of Thomas Prais, Josh Goldstein and Kingston.
Ben Winters and Dom Feldman offer great energy and enthusiasm in midfield, while the powerful Clark Norton will also be keen to impress.
Ahead of kick-off, HMH boss Avi Goldberg told JC Sport: "This is yet another big game. Lions sit two points behind us in the league, and although we ran out 4-1 winners a few weeks ago, I am expecting a tough match at Rowley Lane as we know their squad is full of talent.
"We are on a good run of form but there is no room for slip-ups at this time of the year if we want to have any chance of winning the league and with a Peter Morrison Trophy semi-final against Lions around the corner."
Lions have responded well since the HMH defeat, scoring ten goals in three games. Much like HMH, they have a youthful squad, plus the likes of Will Beresford, Benji Weinberger and Alex Taylor, whose leadership qualities come to the fore in big games.
Ahead of the game, Lions’ joint-manager Max Kyte told JC Sport: “We are desperate to put right the result from our last fixture against HMH and will give it our all once more.
“HMH are a good side, with a dangerous attacking force who got the better of us last time. We have reduced the goal sizes to minimum MGBSFL requirements to avoid any further 35-yard Wagner screamers!”
It’s the start of a big fortnight for the Lions who face Hendon United in the semi-finals of the Cyril Anekstein Cup a week on Sunday. Now is the time for them to stand up and be counted.
JC team news: HMH will be missing Eli Wegrzyn for the remainder of the season due to travelling commitments. George Goldberg plays his last game of the season before he goes off to link up with Wegrzyn. Adam Abadi returns.
Venue - Rowley Lane, Ref – Richard Jaye
JC star man: Adam Abadi (HMH)
DC Prediction: MLL 1 HMH 1
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DIVISION ONE
TOP 2
1. Redbridge JC A Pl. 14, W. 9, Pts. 34
2. Fairlop FC Pl. 14, W. 10, Pts. 34
NORTH LONDON GALAXY vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS
The North London derby sees Galaxy looking to extend their fourth point lead over a Raiders team they hold a four-point lead over, with three games in hand.
Galaxy ran out 2-0 winners in the first meeting in November but they know Raiders will be eyeing revenge.
Luke Lewis’ men have lost their last two in the league, but they are looking forward to a good run in the Barry Goldstein Trophy and know victory and a good performance on Sunday would lift the mood ahead of big league games against Redbridge and Fairlop.
Raiders showed tremendous character to beat FC Team in a BGT thriller last weekend. They led 3-2 only for Team to rally and go 3-2 up. However, L’Orange stepped up a gear to recover and win 5-3 and the performance of Matt Warner was rewarded by a place in Team of the Week.
Scott Waissel will look to torment the Galaxy defence. They are young, quick and lively and if they click the visitors could become the first team to beat Galaxy on their own patch.
NLR’s David Isaacs told JC Sport: “This season we’ve had two mixed encounters against Galaxy; we won the first one in the cup very convincingly but then played again a few weeks later and lost after being outplayed.
“The boys know this will be a tricky tie and hopefully we will be able to get the win.”
Galaxy have earned plenty of plaudits in their first season in the league. They are unbeaten at home in the league and I can see them extending that run, but only just in a game of small margins.
JC team news: There will be no Aron Gale or Ben Rosen in the Raiders squad this week.
Venue - Ark Academy, Ref –Andy Myerson
JC star man: Josh Cohen (Galaxy)
DC Prediction: Galaxy 2 Raiders 1
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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
SPEC FC vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B
It’s now or never for Redbridge JC B. Richard Bronzite’s men cannot afford any slip-ups in their remaining games if they are to pip Hertswood Vale to the title.
Bronzite gave his side the hairdryer treatment following the 6-3 beating at the hands of FC Team last time out. He expects better from his players, and knows they are capable of beating any team in the division on their day.
Craig Sandford (2), Max Aston and Seth Walmer steered RJC to a nail-biting 4-3 win over SPEC in October. But defeats in RJC’s last two games has left them with it all to do.
Bronzite told JC Sport: "Sunday’s game is going to be very tough. SPEC are a very good footballing team, they are organised and will give anyone a game.
"We are short this week big time. If the rain comes I won’t be to upset!
"I’m hoping to have at least enough come Sunday. We are working hard on ‘encouraging’ men to play. It's just one of those weeks again.
"Come Sunday we will be up for it and know nothing but three points is needed."
SPEC FC have had a solid campaign with ten wins from 16 games. They have been the model of consistency at home and will no doubt be looking to put on a real show in front of their supporters in Bushey, especially with leading marksman Zack Neiman needing a goal to edge ahead of James Millet in the race for the MGBSFL Golden Boot.
SPEC player-manager Ricky Lawrence told JC Sport: "We're expecting Hertswood Vale fans to turn out in numbers on Sunday as anything but a victory for Redbridge will clinch them the title.
“Three points for us also means a victory in our last game clinches promotion for us, so it's a huge game. A draw is not much use to us so we'll be going all out for the win."
The JC cameras will be in position to cover SPEC for the first time this season. And it should be a cracker.
Venue – Queens School , Ref – Laurence Thorne
JC star man: Josh Green (SPEC)
DC Prediction: SPEC 3 RJC 2
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BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY ROUND ONE (Team already through NL Raiders, NL Galaxy)
FAITHFOLD DOC MM C vs MILL HILL DONS
Mill Hill Dons go in search of a quickfire double over Faithfold C – a team they crushed 4-0 in the league last weekend.
Marc Charles and Josh Cinna were rock solid in defence as the Dons third clean sheet in four games. Eyebrows were raised in some quarters as neither featured in the JC Team of the Week. But with cup glory on the line on Sunday, a repeat performance from the backline would be hard to ignore ;)
The Dons attacked Faithfold in the wide areas, with Adam Isaacs and Adam Bowman in scintillating form. And the team now knows who they will be playing in the semi-finals of the Peter Morrison Trophy, with a trip up north guaranteed.
Dons' boss Brandon Hamme told JC Sport: "It’s great to finally have our debut Barry Goldstein Trophy campaign. It would be fantastic to enjoy another cup run but we know there are some great teams in this tournament, so we will need to put in some great performances to copy over our success in the Peter Morrison.
"It’s a rare occasion to face the same team back-to-back; we know that Faithfold won’t roll over, we had to work hard to get the three points last week.
"Last time we played at Tempsford Green, we struggled to play our style of play, so we know we will have to adapt in order to get the win come Sunday."
The draw hasn’t been kind to Faithfold, but Ben Kfir will remind his players they have already claimed one win over the Dons this season.
Their fans hope they will give the Dons a game, but when push comes to shove, Brandon Hamme's men will have too much for them.
JC team news: Josh Moses will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Josh Cinna will be out after picking up a knee injury in last Sunday’s win and is set to see a specialist in the upcoming weeks. Daniel Lande, James Segal, Jamie Nagioff, Joseph Reece, Nick Phillips and Zach Cohen are all unavailable.
Ref – Paul Dobkin
JC star man: Richard Reback (Dons)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 Dons 3
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JEWDINESE vs BAYERN MINCHA
There’s a real European feel about this tie – as Division One rivals Jewdinese and Bayern prepare to do battle.
‘Nese start as favourites having already beaten Bayern twice in the league this season. Home advantage could also play a factor and the Zebras looked in good shape in the 1-1 draw against Fairlop last weekend.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, 'Nese boss Darren Lawrence told JC Sport: "After last week’s disappointing draw, we fully turn our focus to the Barry Goldstein Trophy. We are fully determined to win this trophy and will not be taking it lightly.
"Our two league games against Mincha, especially the second one, have proved tough tests but we have come through them with three points each time.
"Fortunately for us, they have been without Adam Ellis both times and we are hoping he will be missing again on Sunday, but will prepare as though he will be playing.
"They have other decent players who can cause us problems, so we know we will have to be at the top of our game, as this is also all Mincha have left to play for."
It’s been a disappointing season for Bayern so far but manager Daniel Holder hopes there will be light at the end of the tunnel. In a one-off contest, they will feel they can beat most teams in their division. And as we know, anything can happen in the cup.
'Nese are not as free-scoring as Lawrence would like at home, but they always pose a threat. I expect them to create enough chances to progress, and their mean defence should do the rest.
JC team news: 'Nese are already missing Jake Erlich and Billy Lee, and they are now without two more key players, in James Ross and Brandon Sassoon, however Lawrence is "confident we have a talented enough squad to cover those absentees".
Venue - Capital City, Ref – Barry David
JC star man: Barney Rhodes ('Nese)
DC Prediction: ‘Nese 2 Bayern 1
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SCRABBLE FC B vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
With the destiny of the Division One title now firmly back in their hands, Redbridge begin their pursuit of the Barry Goldstein Trophy – a competition that as the top-ranked team, they are favourites to win.
Sam Rank’s team have hardly put a foot wrong in the league this season. No doubt they would have liked to have challenged more seriously in both the Morrison and Anekstein, but a league and BGT double is something that would result in the mother of all parties.
Looking ahead to the tie, RJC’s Sam Rank told JC Sport: “The Barry Goldstein Trophy is a great competition, and winning the tournament a few years ago, was a catalyst to winner the Division One title the following season.
“Obviously, our minds are on the title-winning game against Galaxy next week, but first we have a game against Scrabble B Masters.
“We have played Scrabble B before and this will be a test for us. With a few players missing or rested, it will be great to give players who have not had much game time this season there chance to show their abilities.
“We will have a strong squad of 16 for this game, including the deadly and prolific Dean Nyman and RJC are looking to win this competition again.”
Scrabble B are the most experienced team left in the competition. They are packed with MGBSFL journeymen in Nigel Goldthorpe, Lloyd Becker, Alex Bourne and Jeremy King – I’ve got the photos to prove it!
Scrabble boss Jon Yantin told JC Sport: “On balance, you’d expect it to be Redbridge’s. but as usual, we’ll make it very, very hard for them and they’ll remember having played us.”
No doubt Rank and Richard Bronzite will chat at training this week as Scrabble gave RJC B a tough game in the league, so it’s important the visitors cover all bases.
I don't expect this to be at all one-sided. But cup football is all about finding a way to get through and as long as RJC can cope with Scrabble's physical approach, I can see them edging home.
JC team news: Scrabble player-manager Jon Yantin returns after 12 weeks out with a hamstring. Brad Lazarus faces a late fitness test after an eight-week absence.
Nate Kashket, Dean Ben Yosef, Dean Caplin, Jamie Bernstein and Adam Kempner all miss out for RJC. Richard Stern will make a rare appearance after impressing immensely during pre-season.
Venue – Hive, Ref – Bob Caplin
JC star man: Richard Stern (RJC)
DC Prediction: Scrabble 1 RJC 2
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DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 22 AWARDS
STAR MAN: Jared Clein (Haroldeans)
MANAGER: Mike Bloomberg (Haroldeans)
GOAL OF THE WEEK: Gav Lewis (Faithfold Doc MM A)
SAVE OF THE WEEK: Jake Doffman (HMH)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Avi Markiewicz (Faithfold Doc MM A)
REFEREE OF THE WEEK: Neal Cohen (Los Camden A vs Faithfold Doc MM A)
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