Mill Hill Dons are preparing for the biggest game in their history as they head to Liverpool for the semi-finals of the Peter Morrison Trophy, while there are three matches in the MGBSFL Premier Division, with defending champions Hendon United Sports within touching distance of retaining the title.
May 2, 2019 10:25
YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
HAROLDEANS vs MILL HILL DONS
Leading marksman Adam Shiffman is a major doubt for Haroldeans ahead of the visit of Mill Hill Dons.
Shiffman has been restricted to a bit part in recent weeks as he looks to shake off a knock, and he might have to settle for a place on the bench on Sunday.
Home boss Mike Bloomberg could be without up to four regulars as the Merseysiders attempt to reach the final of the Jewish FA Cup for the second year running. But they have several other key players, including Bobby Fishel and should he score I urge home fans to sing: 'Sim senor, give the ball to Bobby and he will score!'
Chairman Fraser Saville admits his team know little about the Dons, but he told JC Sport they "will pay them the respect they deserve for reaching the last four".
The Dons went down in one cup semi-final last weekend but manager Brandon Hamme told me his boys are relishing a trip to Jurgen Klopp's doorstep.
Zach Cohen scored twice in the 4-3 defeat against North London Galaxy last Sunday, with Ryan Kramer also finding the net in a game they led 2-0 against higher division opposition.
But the challenge of a team enjoying life outside of Maccabi football poses arguably their toughest test yet.
Looking ahead to the tie, Hamme told JC Sport: "It feels like a lifetime ago when we won the quarter-final against Redbridge. To have won that game against such a formidable strong team was an incredible achievement.
"We have had no easy games in any of the rounds and the performances throughout this tournament so far have been nothing short of excellent.
"For a Division Two team who were struggling pre 2019 to not just turn our fortunes around but go on to complete giant-killing after giant-killing is a really impressive feat. It's all down to the players their attitude and drive to turn our fortunes around and fulfill our potential has lead us to success."
Hamme declared the Dons have nothing to lose this weekend. "Whatever the result come Sunday, I couldn't be more proud of the boys," he continued. "This is most definitely the biggest game the club has ever had, we are one step away from the final of the biggest cup in Jewish football.
"Whoever you face in this round is going to be a top team; Haroldeans were runners-up last year - they have beaten Hendon in their road to the semi-final, so we know we are in for a real challenge."
The Dons - who had two players in my Division Two Team of the Season - have an excellent defensive record this season, but they could find themselves under the cosh for spells on Sunday. But Hamme is confident they have the personnel and character to deal with anything that is thrown at them.
"We have been the underdogs throughout this tournament and we have been the lowest ranked team left since the last-16 stage. We have thrived in the underdog role and have not rolled over once.
"We can't switch off, we can't concede any sloppy goals and we need to be clinical in front of goal to stand a chance. We need to be at our best of course to stand a chance but if we are there is no reason why we can't complete another 'cupset'. Both myself and the boys are all really looking forward to the challenge.
The Dons have been terrific over the second half of the season. I expect them to give another excellent account of themselves, but think Haroldeans, who eliminated highly-fancied Manchester Maccabi in the last round, will have too much for them on the day.
JC team news: Isaac Virchis returns to the squad after completing the Virgin London Marathon in just over 3:30 - a hugely impressive effort. Goalkeeper Sam Singer remains sidelined after breaking his arm, so Oliver Burchell has been drafted in. Josh Cinna also looks set to miss out.
DONS SQUAD: Adam Bowman, Adam Isaacs, Adam Lisberg, Isaac Virchis, Jamie Nagioff, Joseph Reece, Jordan Rinsler, Josh Moses, Marc Charles, Nick Phillips, Oliver Burchell, Ryan Kramer, Sam Demby, Zach Cohen
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: NORTH LONDON GALAXY vs MILL HILL DONS
Venue - Childwall Sports Centre
JC star man: Bobby Fishel (Haroldeans)
DC Prediction: Haroldeans 2 Dons 0
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP 3
1. HMH Pl. 17, W. 10, Pts. 35
2. Hendon Utd Pl. 15, W. 11, Pts. 35
3. Oakwood A Pl. 16, W. 9, Pts. 29
TOP-SCORERS 17 - Reiss Mogilner (ML Lions), 16 - Rocky Spitzer (Hendon Utd), 14 - Josh Bharier (Oakwood A - includes 2 for B team)
HENDON UNITED SPORTS vs LOS CAMDEN A
Hendon United could be crowned champions on Sunday, if Lions beat HMH. But first things first, they have a game of their own to win against Los Camden.
Strength in depth was key in last week's 4-0 drubbing of Brady in the top against bottom clash and given how strong Hendon are at home, I can only see a home win here.
Rocky Spitzer did the damage with two goals last weekend. He's a good punt to win the Premier Division Golden Boot and is having a stellar season, pulling the strings behind the strikers.
At the back, Hendon have kept clean sheets in three of their last four home games, so it looks a big ask for Camden.
Ahead of kick-off, Hendon boss Jordan Sapler told JC Sport: "Firstly, it’s good to see Camden are able to get a team out this week. Even with our long injury and absentee list the fact that we’re able to put out such a strong squad is a testament to all the boys we have.
"The quality throughout is so strong. Camden have been tricky opponents this season - they play hard and physically and are able to pounce on chances and score goals. We need to be secure at the back and dominant going forward.
"We won’t accept anything less than a win, although it would be great if Lions did us a favour in their game!"
Hendon have battled past Los Camden 3-2 and 2-1 already this season and will show Stirling Kay's men respect. Johann Jordi has been one of the star performers for Camden this season - when he plays well, Camden play well.
Up top, Oli Sade has been a revelation, scoring some outstanding goals, while Daniel Orgel has also chipped in in recent weeks.
Hendon know Camden are a tough nut to crack, but with speedsters Dovi Fehler and Moses Seitler down the flanks, I can see them getting the result they need.
JC team news: Hendon are once again low on numbers, with Greg Corin, Josh Bentley, Mordy Weiler, Jordan Mizrahi, Yoav Kestenbaum, Josh Harris, Avi Korman, Jonny Kay, Ari Last and Jonti Arembrand all unavailable this weekend. However, they welcome back Dovi Fehler, Ari Nevies and Moses Seitler.
Venue - Hadley FC, Ref - Luke Steele
JC star man: Dovi Fehler (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Hendon 2 Los Camden 1
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BRADY MACCABI vs OAKWOOD A
Bouncebackability is the name of the game for Oakwood, for whom this will be their first outing since the Cyril Anekstein Cup final.
John Levy's equisite volley wasn't enough to get them over the line against Hendon, before they were undone with 10 men in extra-time.
Oakwood have already beaten Brady 6-1 twice this season. They are guaranteed to finish in third place but managers Dan Kristall and Dave Cohen expect them to win their last two games to finish on 35 points.
I expect they have already started discussing plans for next season and know in which areas they must strengthen the squad.
Brady were beaten 4-0 by Hendon United last weekend, and it looked as though one or two players are already on the beach.
They also have two games left, but the second one is against Hendon, so will do well to get anything from either game.
Venue - Rowley Lane, Ref - Barry David
JC star man: John Levy (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Brady 0 Oakwood 3
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MACCABI LONDON LIONS vs HMH
HMH go into their final league game of the season needing a win to keep the title race alive.
Avi Goldberg's boys have fared well in their three previous meetings with Lions this season, but I expect the hosts to put out a strong squad in what could be one of HMH's hardest games of the season.
That said, with competition for places, ahead of the Peter Morrison Trophy final, I expect a confident HMH to come out all guns blazing. And they will be nice and fresh, with no matches played for four weeks.
Looking ahead to the game, HMH boss Avi Goldberg told JC Sport: "We have two hopes. Firstly, we need to win to keep pressure on Hendon and hope Camden are able to put out their strongest team and give Hendon a shock!"
Goldberg went on to say: "We are now top of the league and enjoying the view, although if JC score predictions in our matches we would have significantly higher goal difference advantage than we do, so we will be asking Johan and Oli and co at Camden to do us a big favour - win and win big which they are more than capable of doing if their performances against us are anything to go by!
"For our game, we know Lions are a top team but we are motivated to finish the season with a great performance, unbeaten against the top teams and then add the Peter Morrison Trophy to our brand new cabinet that the chairman is having made."
Reiss Mogilner has had a strong first season for Lions, where he has also broken into the Saturday first team squad. But the team have failed to win any of their last four games and a strong finish in their last three games is much-needed.
I'm predicting an open and entertaining affair that will be won and lost in midfield. In the end it will be decided by small details.
JC team news: Goldberg said: "Bank holiday weekend is never great as people go away and we have added complication of forthcoming exams for our uni students, so the squad will not be finalised until close to kick-off. But we definitely out are the five lads away, travelling the world."
Venue - The Hive Lane, Ref - Phil Peters, KO - 10am
JC star man: Ariel Rahamim (HMH)
DC Prediction: Lions 1 HMH 2
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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)
JEWDINESE vs NORTH LONDON GALAXY
Third place is up for grabs for both Jewdinese and Galaxy, and five-star entertainment is on the cards.
The teams drew 2-2 in the opening month of the season and I'm predicting another high-scoring contest.
Galaxy have named a full-strength squad and boss Luke Lewis insists they will attack from the off. "We go into the game with the aim of beating Jewdinese by seven goals and finishing above them," he told JC Sport. "It's the perfect opportunity for us to go out there with nothing to lose and just play our possession game.
"It’s a perfect chance to try some new things, be expressive and attack."
Galaxy fans will be buoyed by last week's cup semi-final win over Mill Hill Dons, although Lewis admits they must be switched on from the very start.
He said: "This is a nice build-up game to the cup final, which is our priority at the moment. We played Jewdinese earlier and know they’re a well-organised team, with a strong spine but are vulnerable in full-back positions which we’ll be looking to exploit.
"The boys know that Sunday is great prep for the final and will all be looking to do their best to earn a starting spot in the final.
"Our recent training sessions have been excellent and were transitioning a lot better with more direction with our attacking play.
"Can we do the unthinkable? Time will tell ... we most definitely have the quality on Sunday to do Jewdinese by a lot of goals, it’s just whether we want it enough on the day."
'Nese captain Adam Gold has earned rave reviews from rival managers across the division, who have also told me he's capable of playing at a higher level.
His qualities and character will be needed by a 'Nese team whose last league defeat came in November.
A regular goal-getter will be the priority for Jewdinese in the summer. Yes they have players who chip in but they need someone capable of hitting the 20-goal target.
Midfield general Billy Lee will be looking to make his mark as Jewdinese hope to finish the season with an unbeaten home record. If they do that third place will be an achievement they can be proud of.
Venue - Queens School, Bushey, Ref - Andy Myerson
JC star man: Josh Shack (Galaxy)
DC Prediction: 'Nese 2 Galaxy 3
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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)
No matches scheduled
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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 FINAL
North London Galaxy vs North London Raiders