By, Danny Caro
8 min read
ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
There are five stand-out fixtures on Matchday 31 of the MGBSFL, with eight teams vying for a place at Wingate & Finchley in the Barry Goldstein Trophy, while AC Mill Hill and FC Team C go head-to-head in the name of promotion in Division Two.
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Harmen vs AFC Flixton
Hendon United Sports Club A vs Maccabi London Lions Spartans
Ties scheduled to take place on April 19
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MATCH PHOTOS - HENDON UTD A vs NL RAIDERS A
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DANNY CARO'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK - JORDAN MARKS
DANNY CARO'S MANAGER OF THE WEEK - ROB RICHMAN
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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 Hendon United Sports Club A - May 3
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINAL DRAW
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BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Final at Wingate & Finchley on May 3
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PHOTOGALLERIES FROM THE SEASON
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SEASON
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY QUARTER-FINALS
CAMDEN PARK vs SPEC FC
Camden Park go into Sunday's last eight meeting with Division One rivals SPEC FC are my favourites given the fact they completed a league double with respective 8-3 and 3-1 victories.
Having avoided relegation, the SPEC FC go into the tie with nothing to lose, knowing the prospect of a trip to the Harry Abrahams Stadium now lies just 180 minutes away.
But with Camden still harbouring hopes of a top three finish, they look to have more about them and will ask questions of the SPEC FC defence throughout.
And with home advantage, this ticks all the boxes for a Camden win.
DC Prediction: Camden 3 SPEC FC 1
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FC TEAM B vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B
Sunday is a huge day for everyone connected to FC Team. Their A team hope to rubber-stamp Premier Division football again next season, the C's are aiming to claim the runners-up spot in Division Two, while Mitch Young's B team are confident of progressing to the semis when they host tournament outsiders Hendon B.
Team parked the bus in their Morrison meeting in Manchester, but I expect them to try and make a fast start against their Division Three opponents, and go for the jugular from the first whistle.
With one piece of silverware already in the bag, FC Team B would grace a Wingate final, with players such as Lorian Madanes and Richard Salmon looking to shatter Hendon's dreams.
It's not in Hendon's nature to park the bus, so I expect Adam Glekin's men to line up with a game-plan, with Benni Sluckis expected to do much of the donkey work as the lone striker.
But don't be surprised if Team's big-match players turn on the style and the tie is won by half-time.
JC team news: Avi Mocton, Gideon Caller and Benni Sluckis are on the list of 'uncertainties' for Hendon.
DC Prediction: Team 4 Hendon 0
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LOS BLANCOS vs LONDON ROVERS
The third and fourth quarter-finals tussles are, for me, the most fascinating. This one throws up the prospect of a real treat as Division Three champions London Rovers look to extend what has been a fantastic first season when they take on first division Blancos.
It's the clash of the titans up top, with LB hotshot Simon Moses looking to show Avi Markiewicz just who is top dog.
Rovers have the momentum and their squad is raring to go after the Pesach break. And with Josh Bharier, Dovi Vogel and Adam Kaye leading the battle, it will take a big effort from Blancos to book their place in the final four.
JC team news: Adam Hersh is a doubt for Blancos, while Avi Markiewicz could be sidelined for Rovers.
DC Prediction: Blancos 2 Rovers 2 (Blancos to win on penalties)
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OAKWOOD B vs NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS B
Oakwood B are one of the MGBSFL's form teams and they are confident of overcoming the odds and toppling Division One runners-up Raiders B.
Jacob Richler-Kleiman has been the standout performer in the BGT thus far and he will be looking to show the NLR backline why he has become one of the league's most feared marksmen.
Dan Ash is the one to watch in midfield, he rarely comes out of any battle second best and his clash with David Esterkin will be worth the admission fee alone in a 10am kick0of at Nicholas Breakspear.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Oaks boss Jason Stein told JC Sport: "Morning DC, welcome to Oakwood HQ, please help yourself a kosher for Pesach kichel.
"On the eve of this special game I have plagiarised 'If' by Rudyard Kipling to express my feelings:
'If we can play with a positive attitude
And not let the occasion get to us
If we can keep a structured defensive line
And not leave too much space in behind
If we can improve the link play between defence and midfield
And get the ball wide quickly and consistently
If we can finally improve our final ball and finishing
And turn our possession into goals.
If we realise the importance of the game
And not be overawed by it
If we understand Raiders B might be supposedly more technically gifted than us
And cast such assertions aside
If we remember to box the opposition in on throw ins
And win the ball back high up the pitch
If we concentrate and not make silly errors
And listen to those around us
If we can get the ball wide quickly and persistently
And pepper the Raiders B box
If we can keep a high energy press going
And work hard for 90 minutes
If each man can outwork his direct opposite
And look him in the eye and say "I will not lose''
If we can put our bodies on the line for the greater good
Then Oakwood B will win this game.'
NLR are also packed with quality, and they have players who have won this competition before. Nicky Woolf, Jacob Gold, Mike Hershman, Danny Bloom and David Simnock possess the big-match experience to take Raiders through, but you write Oakwood off at your peril.
JC team news: Former NLR star Carl Peters joins the Oakwood squad for the game. Stein told JC Sport: "He will be a huge presence in central midfield. James Abrams is a big miss up top, but the likes of Charlie 'Champers' Cohen, Bobbie Cousins, Dan Ash, Dan Abrams ensure we have our strongest possible XI and squad".
DC Prediction: Oakwood 2 Raiders 3
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
CURRENT STANDINGS:
1. Raiders Pl. 15, W. 12, D. 1, L. 2, F. 49, A. 11, Pts. 37 (Raiders to be awarded 3 points following defaulted match vs Woodford)
2. Hendon Pl. 17, W. 11, D. 4, L. 2, F. 48, A. 14, Pts. 37
TOP-SCORERS
27 - James Gershfield (Harmen)
18 - Dave Woolman (Oakwood A)
FC TEAM A vs OAKWOOD A
Victory on Sunday would go a long way to securing Premier Division football for FC Team A next season.
Ben Gilbey's boys have produced some excellent performances and results since the turn of the year, derailing Hendon's title bid in the process.
David Joseph Cohen has adapted well to his first season in the top-flight, while their defensive unit has made giant strides.
Oakwood know that defeat would lift Team to within a point of them, but that hasn't even crossed Ric Blank's mind.
The Oaks can still finish fifth and that would be respectable as far as the management would be concerned.
So it's all to play for on Sunday. Let battle commence!
DC Prediction: Team 2 Oakwood 1
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WOODFORD WANDERERS vs HARMEN
James Gershfield faces a late fitness test after being knocked unconscious in Harmen's last outing, against FC Team, for the trip to Fairlop.
A cast-iron certainly for the MGBSFL Premier Division golden boot, Gershfield hopes to give the Harmen management a boost ahead of next weekend's Peter Morrison Trophy semi-final tussle against AFC Flixton and get at least 75 minutes under his belt.
Harmen have their sights firmly set on a top three finish and with Woodford already thinking about life back in Division One, I can't see them giving the north Londoners took many problems.
DC Prediction: Woodford 1 Harmen 3
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
24 - Daniel Garfinkle (Redbridge JC B – including 3 for RJC A)
Simon Moses (Blancos – includes two for Brady)
20 - Jake Gilbert (NL Raiders B)
BRIXTON OLD BOYS vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B
Top visits bottom in a match that will have a real end-of-season feel to it as champions Redbridge take on relegated Brixton.
It's been a little while since Jon Jacobs' troops last played, but I hope Brixton give them the guard of honour as they truly deserve it.
RJC's success this season has been built on an outstanding defence record, while Daniel Garfinkle has been an absolute relevation in attack. He's my favourite for Division One Player of the Year.
Indeed it was the boy Garfinkle who cracked home a hat-trick when RJC thumped Brixton 7-2 in November and he will be hungry for a repeat performance on Sunday.
DC Prediction: Brixton 1 RJC 4
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
24 - Adam Stolerman (FC Team C)
21 - Jacob Richler-Kleiman (Oakwood B)
AC MILL HILL vs FC TEAM C
The JC cameras will be out in force to see the completion of what has been a nerve-jangling race for second place.
Many thought it was job done when FC Team C completed the double over their title-winning B-team, but they hit a blip at just the wrong time, meaning a draw will be enough to take Mill Hill up in what promises to be an almighty battle.
Some pundits believe Mill Hill are fortunate to still be on course for a place for second, but I'm not having any of it. They responded well following the loss of striker Jamie Kent, and in Ben Zloof and Elliot Bloom they have two players who will look to make it an awkward morning for the boys in yellow and blue.
Team know they will only have themselves to blame if they finish third. They pulled off some of the signings of the summer when Adam Stolerman, Dan Stanton and Aron Barnes joined the club and it would come as a major surprise to me if the big match experience of their Maccabiah stars didn't get the job done on Sunday.
DC Prediction: Mill Hill 2 FC Team 3
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CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI vs L'EQUIPE
WIth the outcome of Catford's abadoned match against Jewdinese yet to be confirmed, L'Equipe will go all out for the win that would ensure Division Two football again next season.
Catford's fate was sealed several weeks ago, so they can go out and enjoy the occasion, and try to make things tough for the visitors, who by and large have struggled in front of goal this season.
Promoted last season, this year was all about consolidation for L'Equipe I expect them to do what they need to do before a bit of an overhaul over the summer.
DC Prediction: Catford 1 L'Equipe 2
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DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
29 - Adam Ellis (Shacharit Donetsk)
26 - Avi Markiweicz (London Rovers)
REAL SOSOBAD vs KS REUNITED
Three points would lift Sosobad into the automatic promotion places, but Dan Shafron's boys can expect no favours against east London rivals KS.
Sosobad are finishing the season strongly, with Barry Green banging in the goals at a rate of knots and with tickets selling out fast, I expect them to put on a real show.
This season has been matzah do about nothing for KS. They may have avoided the wooden spoon, but have fallen well short and need to reinforce over the summer.
An early Sosobad goal would calm any nerves and then I can see their superior quality coming through as they finish the weekend above King Crown.
DC Prediction:
