The MGBSFL resumes after a one-week break, with Cyril Anekstein Cup winners Hendon United Sports looking to take another step towards the double, while nearest rivals HMH hope to keep up the pressure and there's a mouth-watering replay in the Barry Goldstein Trophy featuring North London Galaxy and double-chasing Mill Hill Dons.
April 24, 2019 09:37
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MGBSFL ROLL OF HONOUR - SEASON 2018/19
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP:
Winners - Hendon United Sports
Runners-up - Oakwood A
MGBSFL PREM DIV: TBC
DIV ONE:
Champions - Redbridge Jewish Care A
Runners-up - Fairlop FC
DIV TWO: TBC
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP 3
1. Hendon Utd Pl. 14, W. 10, Pts. 32
2. HMH Pl. 15, W. 8, Pts. 29
3. Oakwood A Pl. 16, W. 9, Pts. 29
TOP-SCORERS 17 - Reiss Mogilner (ML Lions), 14 - Josh Bharier (Oakwood A - includes 2 for B team)
BRADY MACCABI vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS
Hendon United Sports will look to take another step towards the double when they visit Brady Maccabi at Rowley Lane on Sunday.
The MGBSFL returns to action after a one-break for Passover, and Hendon manager Jordan Sapler hopes there is no hangover following his team’s Cyril Anekstein Cup final victory over Oakwood.
Hendon were just minutes away from a defeat, only for player of the season Chaim Korman to break
Oakwood’s hearts in a tense final at Wingate & Finchley. The reds secured victory in extra-time, with second-half strikes from Roie Spitzer and Moses Seitler.
Having claimed 10 victories in 14 matches in the MGBSFL, Hendon are aiming to beat Brady for the third time this season.
Hendon manager Jordan Sapler admits his team will have something of a makeshift feel about it. Kiki Levin has been added to the squad for the first time this season, while experienced duo Josh Bentley and Greg Corin return. Sapler could make a rare appearance on the bench.
“We’re short on numbers but definitely not short on talent this week,” said Sapler. “The atmosphere in the squad is great after the Cyril Anekstein Cup final and the boys are excited to get back to league action where we know only a win is good enough in our pursuit of the double.”
“Brady are coming off the back of a good win against Los Camden so they will have confidence but we know what we have to do.”
I said even before the merger that Brady wouldn’t go down without a fight, and the recent performances against Lions (1-1) and Los Camden (3-1) are proof of that.
Ben Kohler has finally found his shooting boots, but there’s still plenty of work to do as they must register a minimum of seven points from their final four matches in their bid to avoid the wooden spoon and finish above Faithfold.
Once again, I can see Brady huffing and puffing, but can see Hendon overcoming the storm, with their experienced players ensuring they will maintain their discipline and grind out another victory.
JC team news: The timing of the match means they will be missing key players, including Avi Korman and Josh Harris, who are travelling in Australasia, while Moses Seitler, Ari Nevies and Dovi Fehler are all away. Jonti Aremband, Ari Last and Yoav Kestenbaum remain long-term absentees, while Mordy Weiler faces a late fitness test.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
Brady (from): Harry Fine, Brad Dryer, Daniel Cohen, Joel Freedman, Oli Levy, Ollie Shields, Jay Tomlinson, Scott Gordon, Graeme Grossman, Sam Lipton, Marc Rister, Ben Kohler, Jay Meranda, Josh Curtis, Aaron Diamond, Casey Sharpe
Hendon (from): Russell Corin, Greg Corin, Josh Bentley, Simon Peterman, Jordan Mizrahi, Ari Nevies, Zac Garbacz, Jonny Kay, Kiki Levin, Yehuda Korman, Chaim Korman, Zac Lewis, Gav Noe, Jordan Sapler
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FORM GUIDE
Brady: W, D, L, L, L, L
Hendon: W, W, W, W, W, W
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Martin De La Fuente
JC star man: Greg Corin (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Brady 0 Hendon 1
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HMH vs LOS CAMDEN A
HMH will not surrender their pursuit of the title until it’s mathematically impossible. They have to keep believing.
Avi Goldberg’s men are unbeaten in the league since mid-October, with one of only two defeats coming against Camden, who also beat them in the cup.
Ahead of the game, Goldberg told JC Sport: "The lads are looking forward to playing again after a month off eating matzos and enhancing their tans.
"This is the first of two remaining league matches, must-wins to keep the pressure on Hendon in the league and as the players prepare for the PM cup final.
"We will not be taking this game lightly as Camden have been our bogey team this season. Their stout defensive displays have meant that we have found them very difficult to break down and create as many chances as we normally do, and they have been a real threat on the counter, a real credit to boss Stirling Kay’s management skills."
With several players unavailable, competition for places will be hotting up ahead of next month’s Peter Morrison Trophy final, against the winners of Haroldeans or Mill Hill Dons.
But the immediate focus must be on three points against Los Camden, who appear to be one of the teams who know how to play against HMH and frustrate them.
That said, Camden have lost recent games against the bottom two teams in the division in Brady Maccabi and Faithfold Doc MM A. Stirling Kay’s men still have 12 points to play for, and they usually relish the challenge of the big boys – with matches against Hendon, Lions and Oakwood to follow.
Momentum is key for HMH ahead of the cup final, so I think that will help them get over the line.
JC team news: Availability this week will be the big issue for HMH, with a number of key men now away on gap year and others away on Pesach duty, including Tom Prais and Ethan Krell, so they "will be down to bare bones". However, those who play will be looking to impress the gaffer and ensure their cup final squad berth.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
HMH (from): Jake Doffman, Gabe Arenson, Ben Winters, Sammy Kingston, Thomas Prais, Josh Goldstein, Dom Feldman, Avi Goldberg, George Goldberg, Avi Goldberg, Alex Moss, Ariel Rahamim, Ethan Krell, Leo Ackerman, Oscar Wagner, Max Bull, Leo Berger
Camden (from): Steven Murad, Kane Gilbery, Guy Fenton, Gav Krieger, Ashley Couque, David Kanzen, Mike Khalatschi, David Khalatschi, Johann Jordi, Joseph Levi, Oli Sade, Daniel Orgel, Josh Tiano, Oli Brotherston, Scott Igel, Oli Brooks, Jake Saunders, Yoel Deal
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FORM GUIDE:
HMH: D, W, W, W, D, W
Camden: L, L, L, L, W, D
Venue – The Hove, Ref – Lee Brown
JC star man:
DC Prediction: HMH 2 Camden 1
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BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY SEMI-FINAL REPLAY
NORTH LONDON GALAXY vs MILL HILL DONS
Mill Hill Dons manager Brandon Hamme insists Mill Hill Dons will remain focused ahead of Sunday’s Barry Goldstein Trophy semi-final replay against first division North London Galaxy.
The original tie, a fortnight ago, was abandoned after Dons’ goalkeeper Sam Singer broke his arm in extra-time with Galaxy leading 3-2.
Hamme told JC Sport: “This replay is obviously happening on the back of a horrid injury to our keeper Sam Singer.
“It’s never nice to see that happen to anyone let alone someone who is such a big part of the team on and off the pitch.
“X-rays have confirmed that he has broken his humerus, however fortunately they showed that it was a clean break, which means the recovery process should hopefully be more manageable for him. We all very much look forward to seeing him back in his famous trademark pink and black strip in the near future.”
The Dons made a dream start in the original tie before Galaxy staged a thrilled comeback. And Hamme insists his players will learn from their experiences.
“The boys are determined to get a result on his behalf this Sunday. It was frustrating to have not finished this game off the first time round, we were 2-0 up and comfortable in the first half, we should have finished the game off then. We had our chances but couldn’t find the net.
“Galaxy were much-improved second half and I expect that they will play that same way on Sunday. We know we will be in for a challenging game but we will relish the challenge once again after coming so close last time out.”
Galaxy have had a strong first season and manager Luke Lewis believes the momentum of their comeback will take them through.
“It’s a shame we’re having to replay the game, especially after we beat dons 3-2 after being 2-0 down early on.”
It clear Galaxy boss Luke Lewis wasn’t won over by MHD’s style of play. He went on to say: “It’s evident that the Dons are very rigid with their team and don’t have much flexibility with their approach to the game, with a very weak bench if I say so myself.
“We have drawn up a formation to directly exploit their weaknesses, with Jack Mattey, Dean Benzaken and Jamie Murray being pivotal - we’re over the moon to have them back.
“We want to make history, we deserve to be in the final and we’ll make sure we give it our all. The dons bottled a 2-0 lead against us first time out from a long throw in - we know not to give them throw ins close to our box and limit their Stoke-esque tactic to a minimal. We’ll make sure that football wins this game.
JC team news: Galaxy welcome back the ‘king of the jungle’ Jack Mattey on Sunday, “who’ll be looking to do what he does best”.
Josh Cinna is a major doubt for the Dons. He will face a late fitness test on lingering knee issues. Richard Reback returns after four weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury. Ethan Gold is out of Sunday’s game with both a broken hand and a knee injury picked up in the quarter-final win over Hertswood Vale. He could be back in time for next Sunday’s Peter Morrison Trophy semi-final against Haroldeans. Sam Singer (broken humerus) and Josh Moses (torn labrum) have been ruled out for the season. Another key absentee will be Isaac Virchis, who will be running the London Marathon on Sunday. Hamme commented: “We all wish him the very best. “Successful businessmen” Jamie Nagioff (Porto) and Daniel Lande (New York) will be on business trips abroad so will not be available.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
Galaxy (from): Jake Rinsler, Zac Rose, Nick Barnett, Josh Buchardt, Jordan Freedman, Dylan Kaye, Jamie Murray, Zack Nathan Dean Benzaken, Jack Mattey, Tyler Smith, Josh Shack, Bailey Snow, Josh Cohen, Jordan Grundman, Jacob Leigh, Harrison Baum, James Belchak, Dan Brennan, Ozzy Doron, Sammy Huberman
Dons (from): Adam Bowman, Marc Charles, Josh Cinna, Nick Phillips, Richard Reback, Ryan Kramer, Adam Lisberg, Adam Isaacs, Sam Stead, Zach Cohen, Sam Denby, Joseph Reece, Adam Freeman, Harry Kalms
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FORM GUIDE
Galaxy: D, W, L, W, L, L
Dons: W, W, W, L, W, W
JC star man: Jack Mattey (Galaxy)
DC Prediction: Galaxy 3 Dons 1
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DIVISION ONE
TOP 4
1. Redbridge JC A Pl. 16, W. 12, Pts. 40 (CHAMPIONS)
2. Fairlop FC Pl. 16, W. 11, Pts. 38 (PROMOTED)
3. Jewdinese Pl. 14, W. 8, Pts. 29
4. NL Galaxy Pl. 15, W. 9, Pts. 29
TOP-SCORERS 18 - Nate Kashket (Redbridge JC A), 14 - James Jaconelli (Fairlop FC)
No matches scheduled
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DIVISION TWO
TOP 3
1. Hertswood Vale Pl. 18, W. 13, Pts. 40 (Promoted)
2. SPEC FC Pl. 17, W. 10, Pts. 32
3. Redbridge JC B Pl. 14, W. 9, Pts. 28
TOP-SCORERS 22 - Richard Salmon (FC Team), 19 - James Millet (Hertswood Vale), Zack Neiman (SPEC FC)
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CUP UPDATE
PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINALS
HMH vs Maccabi London Lions (HMH won 4-0)
Haroldeans vs Mill Hill Dons
- Final May 19, venue TBC
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BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY SEMI-FINAL DRAW
North London Galaxy vs Mill Hill Dons (replay April 28)
Jewdinese vs North London Raiders (Raiders won 4-2)