Danny Caro looks ahead to some mouth-watering action in the Peter Morrison Trophy, Cyril Anekstein Cup, Barry Goldstein Trophy and MGBSFL on Matchday 29 of the season.
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DANNY CARO'S PREMIER DIVISION TEAM OF THE WEEK
DANNY CARO'S GOAL OF THE WEEK - DEAN NYMAN
DANNY CARO'S QUOTE OF THE WEEK - DAN SHAFRON
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MGBSFL ROLL OF HONOUR
Premier Division: TBC
Division One: Champions - Redbridge JC B, Promoted: NL Raiders B
Division Two: Champions - FC Team B, Promoted: TBC
Division Three: Champions - London Rovers
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CUP COMPETITIONS: LATEST
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL
Norstar London Raiders A vs North West Neasden or Hendon United Sports Club A - May 3
PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
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PHOTOGALLERIES FROM THE SEASON
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SEASON
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL
AFC FLIXTON vs FC TEAM B
It’s the clash of the titans in Manchester as AFC Flixton and FC Team B battle it out to become the first side to nail spot in the semis.
Team have already landed the MGBSFL Division Two title, while Flixton are the hot favourites to clinch the Manchester Accountants League Premier Division crown at the first attempt.
Managers Stuart Delmonte and Tony Rosenberg deserve huge credit for putting together a top-quality squad who are looking to show they are the top dogs in Jewish football.
Team Maccabi GB stalwart Michael Sacks helped Flixton edged closer to the league title with the winner against his former club, Manchester Maccabi last week, while Leor Sidle has been scoring for fun in a team packed with pace and power.
Ahead of kick-off, Stuart Delmonte told JC Sport: “We’re expecting a difficult game as Team have won their league, but I hope that with our home advantage and massive pitch, we can do the business.
“The pitch will be cut and rolled on Saturday and I’m sure they’ll be really up for it, as will we, and it’s all about who adapts the better on the day.”
Team remain on course for the treble after cementing top spot in their group in the Barry Goldstein Trophy. Boss Mitch Young loves a challenge and he told me this week his troops have nothing to lose ahead of their trip up north.
“We are expecting an extremely difficult match up against the current best team in Manchester,” Young told JC Sport.
“We know a lot of the Flixton team, led by the likes of Michael Sacks, have been considered for the forthcoming European Maccabi Games in Berlin.
“We are not at full-strength, which is a shame, but nonetheless this is the quarter-finals; we have earned the right to be in this stage of the competition and we have enough quality to hurt Flixton.
“We need to be bold, we cannot just defend for 90 minutes and hope for the best, so I will be looking for my big name players to shine on the big occasion. On their day, Lorian, Salmon and Mossy are unplayable so I hope Sunday is their day!”
The battle between Sacks and Salmon will be worth the admission fee alone in a contest that could be settled by small details.
JC team news: Flixton have three regulars unavailable.
FC Team are missing Oliver Segal, Ben Binder, Andy Sheena and Jules Noti. They look set to give a late fitness test to the returning Jake Weiner.
Venue – Valley Road, KO – 1.30pm
JC star man: Leor Sidle (Flixton)
DC Prediction: Flixton 2 Team 1
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CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP SEMI-FINALS
NORTH WEST NEASDEN vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
OK, Neasden are huge underdogs on Sunday. Let’s make no secret of that. But upsets are part and parcel of cup football and that’s the message Stirling Kay will pass on to his players in the build-up to kick-off.
The fact that Hendon slipped up in the league will not help them, but with a place in the final at Wingate & Finchley against Raiders the prize for the winner of Sunday’s meeting, the Neasden boys need no added incentive to try and send the holders crashing out.
Stirling knows the odds are stacked against his team, whose tails are up after the crucial win over Faithfold last week, but he told me this week they will most certainly give it their best shot. After all, they have nothing to lose.
Josh Tiano and Scott Kay were the stand-out performers last week, and NWN fans are hoping for big displays from the likes of Adam Arnold, Michael Field, Rick Harris, Craig Edwards and Dan Orgel.
Kay told JC Sport: “Well, if you believe the Jewish press and certain individuals around the top brass of the league, they have already have Hendon booked in for their cup final breakfast.
“This is nothing new to us at Neasden - every week, it doesn't matter who we are playing or what league they are in, both papers tip the opposition virtually every week.
“So we are used to being the whipping boys in everyone’s mind. However, as a group we know on our day, with a full squad, we fear no-one.
“I am very proud of my lads this season for the way they have turned out week in, week out, knowing we are going to be short of players, playing part-time players, and most of them very rarely play in their best position.
“Hendon are obviously odds-on favourites, and rightly so. Win or lose on Sunday, I know my lads will give everything and they will walk away knowing they have given everything for the team.
Asked about squad news, Kay added: “I won't bore you with the amount of players missing, just to say whoever is in our starting line-up is really looking forward to the game”.
Hendon have dusted themselves down after slipping up against FC Team last week. Manager David Garbacz made his feelings clear after the 1-1 draw, apportioning much of the blame on the referee.
David Seitler gave them an early lead and they spurned several chances to add to their advantage and eventually let Team back into the game.
The pressure is clearly building in the Hendon camp but I believe their big-match experience will hold them in good stead for the Neasden game.
Garbacz told JC Sport: “We are all raring to go again after the immense disappointment last week of not picking up all three points.
“We have done some soul searching and analysis and we remain very positive about our chances in all three competitions.
“It brings with it enormous pressure when you are challenging for all three trophies and you know that one slip-up or mediocre performance and the dream is over.
“With that in mind, we will be fully focused for the game this week and we will treat Neasden with enormous respect. Their results seem to have picked up a bit lately as they fight to avoid the drop in the league and they clearly must have some proper talent to have got this far in the cups.
“A cup semi-final brings with it its own nerves and tension but we have been here many times before in recent seasons and we expect to use that experience to the full.
“There have been some classic Hendon v Neasden battles in the past – I wouldn’t be surprised to see my old mate Jamie Cole on the sidelines, and whilst they have dropped back a bit these past few years, this is just the type of fixture to potentially bring back their glory days.
“We have to make sure that does not happen. We will aim to come at them fast and put the game to bed as early as possible so as not to fall into the same trap as last week. We have well and truly reached the business end of the season and I still believe our boys have the bottle and nerve for these big occasions.”
The first 20 minutes are crucial for Neasden. It’s vital they concentrate, stay on their feet, keep their shape and don’t let Hendon play between the lines.
Dovi Fehler was Hendon’s star man in the 5-1 league win over Neasden and he could be the one to watch again, as Hendon return to winning ways, but rest assured, Neasden won’t give up without a fight.
JC team news: Ben Lauffer returns for Hendon after missing out last week. Rafi and Ben Kon, Yoav Kestenbaum, Avidan Last and Alex Rosenthal are all out.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
NEASDEN
MGBSFL – Faithfold (a)
HENDON
MGBSFL – Raiders (h)
TOP-SCORERS
NWN – Adam Arnold 7
HUSC - Dovi Fehler 10
Venue – Hazelwood Rec, Ref – Martin De La Fuente, KO – 10.30pm
JC star man: Dovi Fehler (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Neasden 0 Hendon 2
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
DANNY CARO'S PREMIER DIVISION TEAM OF THE WEEK
TOP-SCORERS
24 - James Gershfield (Harmen)
18 - Dave Woolman (Oakwood A)
WOODFORD WANDERERS vs NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS A
Rob Richman described Sunday’s trip to Woodford as “hugely important” as Raiders look to move to within three points of Hendon when they take on the basement battlers.
A 4-0 mauling of the Lions was the perfect response to their Jewish FA Cup exit and boss Rob Richman would’ve been delighted to see four different names on the scoresheet.
Richman singled out David Rhodes, Liron Mannie and Adam Joselyn for special praise in what was a really impressive performance.
L’Orange can expect a very different game on Sunday, when questions could be asked of them physically.
Ahead of kick-off, Richman told JC Sport: ‘It was very pleasing to get back to winning ways last weekend at Rowley Lane. We were disappointed to go out of the Morrison at the quarter-final stage, but we responded in exactly the right manner against Lions.
“This Sunday see’s us travel to Fairlop for a hugely important game against Woodford. With so few games left now, it is crucial we show the same focus and effort every week until the season is done.
“We know Sunday won’t be easy, no game in this league is, but we are fully focused on producing a strong performance and one we hope that leads to three points.
“We trained well on Wednesday night and we will look to take that sharpness into the game on Sunday morning.”
Time is running out for Woodford. They just can’t seem to score enough goals and it’s though they’re treading on quicksand.
Mitch Hahn has been unable to work his magic off the pitch and it’s fair to say they should start planning for life back in Division One next season.
As for Raiders, they have a huge game against Hendon next week so will do their best to clinch their 11th league victory as quickly as possible.
JC team news: NLR have a few doubts, with Matt Stock and Ricky Engleman both carrying knocks. Josh Morris and Elliot Espinoza are definitely out but Josh Pistol returns.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
WOODFORD
MGBSFL – Lions (h)
MGBSFL – Harmen (h)
RAIDERS
MGBSFL – Hendon (a)
TOP-SCORERS
Woodford – Harrison Midda 4
NLR – Matt Stock 14
Venue – Fairlop, Ref – Andy Myerson
JC star man: Adam Joselyn (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Woodford 0 Raiders 4
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A vs HARMEN
There’s a tasty affair in store at Fairlop in what is effectively a playoff for third place.
Redbridge start the game in the ascendency, with points in the bag – they are five points ahead of Harmen, who have a game in hand.
The teams drew 2-2 earlier in the season and another tight affair is on the cards.
A top-quality battle is in the cards, with two of the finest strikers in Jewish football topping the bill as RJC’s Dean Nyman goes head-to-head with another former London Lions star in James Gershfield.
Gersh is in line to win the Premier Division Golden Boot, but Nyman looked the bees knees in last week’s derby win over Woodford, including a worldie JC Goal of the Week.
If Harmen can strengthen in a couple of key positions over the summer, I expect them, and RJC, to challenge for honours next season.
As for Sunday, may the best team win.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
RJC
No games scheduled
HARMEN
MGBSFL – FC Team (a)
MGBSFL – Woodford (a)
TOP-SCORERS
RJC – Steve Summers
Harmen - James Gershfield 24
Venue – Fairlop, Ref – Keith Goodman
JC star man: Dean Nyman (RJC)
DC Prediction: RJC 2 Harmen 1
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BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY
GROUP A
Camden Park Pl. 3. Pts. 7
London Rovers Pl. 2, Pts. 3
Norstar London Raiders C Pl. 2, Pts. 3
L’Equipe Pl. 3, Pts. 1
LONDON ROVERS vs NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS C
There’s a winner-takes-all clash in store in Wembley as Division Three champions London Rovers take on in-form Raiders C.
Both teams have their tails up after victories last week in what promises to be a great advert for Jewish football.
Rovers were pushed hard by King Crown, with a last-gasp strike from Dovi Vogel cementing the points.
And boss Jeremy Brown told me that they will go in all guns blazing for a place in the next round.
"It's turned out that this game will be a proper cup tie for both teams, the winner going through to the quarter-finals and we certainly want to make sure it’s us that gets there,” he told JC Sport.
“I expect a very difficult game against a very well-organised Raiders team.
“We've had a great season so far and getting to the last eight of a cup competition will add to that success.
“I do feel that with a full squad to choose from and playing our best football we are good enough to go all the way, but we have to win the games first before we can start saying how good we are.
“We'll give it our best shot and hopefully have something more to celebrate this season."
Raiders registered their first win in the BGT last Sunday, with Will Ufland, Adam Leveson and Nick Haringman on target in an impressive 3-0 success over L’Equipe.
L’Orange looked solid from back to front and boss Zack Gothelf was delighted to see Shaggy register for the first time this season.
Sunday will come down to which team wins their individual and collective battles, with the one involving Avi Markiewicz and Jake Yudelowitz the key one for me.
Venue – Vale Farm, Ref - Neal Cohen, KO – 10am
JC star man: Zac Lewis (Rovers)
DC Prediction: Rovers 2 Raiders 1
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GROUP B
FC Team B Pl. 3, Pts. 9 (GROUP WINNERS)
Norstar London Raiders B Pl. 3, Pts. 6
Maccabi London Lions Green Pl. 2, Pts. 3
Boca Jewniors (replaced Catford & Bromley Maccabi) Pl. 2, Pts. 0
No games scheduled
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GROUP C
SPEC Pl. 3, Pts. 5
Blizzard Storm Pl. 2, Pts. 3
AC Mill Hill Pl. 2, Pts. 1
Los Blancos Pl. 1, Pts. 1
LOS BLANCOS vs BLIZZARD STORM
In-form Blizzard go into Sunday’s crucial clash against Blancos with a slight psychological advantage as they look to join SPEC FC in the next round.
A 5-0 win in October was followed by a 1-1 draw in their respective Division One meetings.
Blizzard boss Simon Linden knows Blancos are organised and have a major threat in the shape of Simon Moses, but he believes his team will deliver.
He told JC Sport: “We go into this game off the back of three straight wins and confidence is high. Both teams know that defeat would result in elimination, so I expect a very tight game.
“I don't even want to think about a draw. We need to win the game to know we are safely through to the quarter-finals.
“I'm delighted to have Ben Ellis and Andrei Grayson back involved after long spells on the sideline, especially the latter. Both came through the 90 minutes last week which was good to see.”
Blancos have been involved in some high-scoring matches since the turn of the year, but it’s all about the next 90 minutes for Jonathan Ison’s boys.
I don’t expect there to be more than a goal between the teams, with the outcome settled by which keeper has the better game.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Tony McEvoy
JC star man: Andrei Grayson (Blizzard)
DC Prediction: Blancos 1 Blizzard 2
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GROUP D
Oakwood B Pl. 2, Pts. 6
Temple Fortune Pl. 2, Pts. 3
Hendon B Pl. 2, Pts. 1
Jewdinese Pl. 2, Pts. 1
JEWDINESE vs OAKWOOD B
Jason Stein is never one to counts his eggs until they’ve hatched, but I sensed his mind was elsewhere when I caught up with him ahead of Oakwood’s final group game against Jewdinese.
Jacob Richler-Kleiman has been dreaming of playing at Wingate & Finchley and after back-to-back victories, his manager and teammates hope to make that dream a reality.
"Hello DC, you've caught me at a good time. I’m just packing for Nyon and the Barry Goldstein quarter-final draw.
Haim Revivo is doing the draw with Avram Grant and I’m really excited to see who we get.
“It’s all go at the minute and we’re looking forward to the knockout stages which we think will begin next week.
“Of course we’ve got a match against Jewdinese to fulfil and we’re certainly not treating it as a dead rubber. There is no love lost between the sets of players following two keenly contested matches this year, with both of us winning one match each by the same 3-1 score. We want to win, make no mistake.
“They need a win to go through, but they need goals as well for their goal difference. That could play into our hands, we don’t concede many and we have the pace to punish a team on the break."
Jewdinese can still qualify but their priority is on staying in Division Two. Darren Lawrence’s men are keen to avoid making history – they don’t want to be the first team to win the BGT and get relegated in the same season.
Currently 33-1 to win the competition, it’s important they play with discipline as they look to extend their season.
But Oakwood have the momentum and I can see them finishing the group with a 100 per cent record.
JC team news: Dan Abrams and James Abrams will feature again following stellar performances last week and they’re joined by defender Mark Abrams. It’s a proud occasion for the family.
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Elliot Mayer, KO – 10am
JC star man: Mark Abrams (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Jewdinese 1 Oakwood 3
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TEMPLE FORTUNE vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B
Rank outsiders at the beginning of the competition, Temple Fortune are just 90 minutes away from booking a place in the quarter-final as they prepare to host Division Three rivals Hendon B.
Paul Rich was the star man in last week’s brilliant victory over second division Jewdinese, and there were also outstanding performances from stand-in keeper Lee Fegan and Gideon Wetrin.
Rich carried the battle to ‘Nese, putting life and limb on the line on a day when all the Fortune boys got “stuck in”.
Although the teams have claimed a win apiece in the league, Hendon will start as favourites based on their league position. They are also a more free-scoring team but the Jewdinese result will have given the Fortune boys huge belief and momentum.
Venue – TBC, Ref – Martin Fox
JC star man: Mike Byers (Fortune)
DC Prediction: Fortune 2 Hendon 2
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
24 - Daniel Garfinkle (Redbridge JC B – including 3 for RJC A)
20 - Jake Gilbert (NL Raiders B)
No match scheduled
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
23 - Adam Stolerman (FC Team C)
18 - Jacob Richler-Kleiman (Oakwood B)
L’EQUIPE vs AC WHETSTONE
Until we know the outcome of the abandoned Catford and Jewdinese match, L’Equipe and Whetstone cannot sleep easy. With this in mind, a win for either team would secure their second division status.
Sunday’s meeting is the ultimate battle of experience against youth. L’Equipe have fallen short in the Barry Goldstein Trophy, and they trail Whetstone by a point, although they have a game in hand.
L’Equipe romped to a 4-0 success in the first league meeting. The Smith brothers ran the Whetstone defence ragged, allowing James Mandell (2), Andrew Smith and Dan Finegold to clinch the points.
L’Equipe have picked up in the league of late, while Whetstone have found things a little tougher, so you have to fancy the home side. Just.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Stuart Ansher
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
L’EQUIPE
MGBSFL – Catford (a)
WHETSTONE
MGBSFL – Catford (a)
TOP-SCORERS
L’Equipe – Andy Smith 6
Whetstone - Dan Cohen 11
JC star man: James Bell (L’Equipe)
DC Prediction: L’Equipe 2 Whetstone 1
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DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
29 - Adam Ellis (Shacharit Donetsk)
25 - Avi Markiweicz (London Rovers)
FAITHFOLD B vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS
With Real Sosobad stepping up, Faithfold B look set to finish fourth.
Having flirted with promotion for three quarters of the season, they will be deeply disappointed to have finished outside of the automatic promotion slots, though they might yet be invited to go up during the summer.
That all said, victory over Lions this week and Sosobad next week and third could be theirs. But it’s out of their hands as the east Londoners have games in hand.
First things first, however, they must be Lions to stay in the mix. Revenge will be the name of the game for Rob Shooman’s boys who were put to bed 3-0 by the Lions in November. Jerome Colmans, Ben Winters and Danny Reuben scored the goals in a game from which Faithfold have never properly recovered from.
Lions are a hard team call, however. Having limped out of the Barry Goldstein Trophy, they will look to make things tough for Faithfold.
The Lions were well beaten by Sosobad in their last league outing but I think things will be closer this time.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
FAITHFOLD B
MGBSFL – Sosobad (a)
TOP-SCORERS
Faithfold – Dan Gordon 9
Lions - Jerome Colmans 3
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Martin Lavender
JC star man: Dan Gordon (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 2 Lions 1
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REAL SOSOBAD vs BOCA JEWNIORS
Sosobad’s late push for promotion remains on course following a run of wins that has seen them conquer Boca, Lions, Hendon and Shacharit.
Dan Shafron’s boys are breathing down King Crown’s necks and they are now six points behind, with three games in hand.
Josh Jacobs and Barry Green earned them a 2-0 win over Shacharit, but it was keeper Scott Shear and defender Elliot Coulton who took the plaudits after keeping out MGBSFL top-scorer Adam Ellis.
Boca pose much less of an attacking threat, but they should be treated with the same respect as they have produced some decent results and performance, as Faithfold B discovered the hard way.
That said, Boca have only kept one clean sheet all season so if Sosobad remain patience, the chances should come.
Venue – Peter May, Ref – David Lazarus
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
SOSOBAD
MGBSFL – Faithfold (h)
MGBSFL – KS (h)
BOCA
MGBSFL – Shacharit (a)
TOP-SCORERS
Real – Barry Green 9
Boca - Lioz Tov 4
JC star man: Josh Cohen (Sosobad)
DC Prediction: Sosobad 3 Boca 1
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