MGBSFL Matchday 8 preview

BROOK FARM ROVERS vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS

History will be made on Sunday as cup holders Hendon United meet Brook Farm Rovers for the first time.

Rovers fans may be dreaming of an upset but they know Hendon have made an ominous start to the season and it’s no surprise to see them at odds of 33-1 to win in 90 minutes.

Jordan Sapler’s men have made an excellent start to the Maccabi football season; they are scoring for fun and have conceded just twice in five matches.

They were at their rampaging best in the Peter Morrison Trophy last weekend when they put 13 past North West London Bears. Zack Lewis hit the target four times, while Josh Harris treated Hendon supporters to his own Goal of the Week competition.

Sapler and co expects a tougher test against Rovers. He told JC Sport: “Another week and another new team to play against. Once again, we know little about Brook Farm, they beat PSJ 2-0 in the Morrison and have had, based on their results and position in the table, a fairly average start in Division One. However, as we all know it's a cup so all that goes out of the window.”

Sapler went on to describe the absence of midfield general Jonny Kay as “a huge loss for this week as he's been playing superbly the last few weeks, but we're glad to welcome back Russ Corin, who has been away for a couple of weeks.”

He went on to say: “We're looking to start strongly and keep Brook Farm on the back foot for the whole game. We want to produce an attacking display like we did last week but with the intention of being even more ruthless in the final third. Defensively we've been playing really well so far and will look to keep that going."

Rovers produced a professional performance to beat Paris Saint-Jewmain in the other cup competition last weekend with goals from Dan Cohen and Samuel Leader – the latter was voted for JC Goal of the Week!

They are on a five-game unbeaten run and know a victory of any description would be splashed all over the backpages of the JC if they can produce what would undoubtedly be one of the upsets of the decade.

For this to happen, Rovers would need to execute their game-plan to perfection, Hendon to have a major off-day and a lot of luck.

Rovers' joint-manager Dan Cohen told JC Sport: "Apart from a few long-term injuries, we take a fully-fit squad with us on Sunday to our biggest game yet as a club. We are under no illusions how difficult Sunday will be, with Hendon proving year after year why they are the best in the business, but we have no reason not to go into the game full of confidence after our recent unbeaten run.

"It is a great opportunity for us to test ourselves against higher level opposition and use the underdog tag to catch out Hendon and shock the MGBSFL.

"One thing you can guarantee is that we will work our socks off, look to put Hendon under as much pressure as possible and continue to play our normal style of football regardless of who we’re up against. The boys are ready, excited and up for the challenge, and as we know in the cup, anything can happen."

But as we saw again last week, Hendon have great strength in depth and I can see them over-running Rovers and winning by at least a couple of goals.

JC team news: Russ Corin returns in goal for Hendon, as does Dovi Fehler and Zac Garbacz, who has served his suspension. Still out injured are Ari Last, Avi Korman, Jonti Arembrand. Jonny Kay is unavailable and Chaim and Yehuda Korman are both unlikely to feature.

Venue - Capital City

JC star man: Josh Harris (Hendon)

DC Prediction: BFR 1 Hendon 4

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FAIRLOP FC vs FAITHFOLD DOCMM WHITE

Fairlop FC take on top-flight rivals Faithfold White - a team they will play twice over a three-week period.

The Essex boys showed tremendous character to come from 0-2 down to draw with MLFC Blue last time out. But they know a fast time is essential against a Faithfold team at home on 3G.

Brad Gayer and James Jaconelli registered in the 2-2 draw and with hopes of a cup run high this season, attack could be the best form of defence on Sunday.

Faithfold produced a defensive master-class to frustrate HMH last time out. Goalkeeper Gideon Rabstein produced a master-class while Martin Smulovitch gave a 10 out of 10 performance at centre-half.

The Superhoops will look to penetrate down the wings, with Ryan Cole against David Leiwy one of the key battles.

I'm predicting goals and five-star entertainment.

Venue - 7 Kings

JC star man: Brad Gayer (Fairlop)

DC Prediction: Fairlop 3 Faithfold 2

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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION

LEAGUE TABLE

TOP-SCORERS 6 - Avi Markiewicz (Faithfold DocMM White), 4 – Daniel Orgel (Camden Park), Avi Garson (Faithfold White), Zack Lewis (Hendon Utd Sports), Benji Weinberger (Maccabi London FC Blue), Josh Cuby (Oakwood A)

HMH vs CAMDEN PARK

It’s the clash of footballing cultures on Sunday as HMH entertain a Camden Park team smarting from a cup exit at the hands of second division opposition.

HMH produced arguably their best performance of the season in crushing Division One North London Raiders 6-2 last weekend. Oscar Wagner led the way with a double, with Dan Hardoon, Alex Moss, George Goldberg and Thomas Prais doing the damage.

One key element of the game was Josh Goldstein’s tussle with Liron Mannie and it was a battle the HMH defender won and won well, earning him a place in my Team of the Week.

Camden had a good record against HMH last season, but the sky blues strengthened over the summer and beat Camden 3-0 last month. And I can see them doing the business again on Matchday Eight.

It’s important that Avi Goldberg’s boys build on that morale-boosting win, but he knows they will face a test of a very different kind on Sunday.

"It's a big game in the league for us if we want to stay in touch with leaders, Hendon," gaffer Goldberg told JC Sport. :We are playing better and dominating large parts of games and have now not lost in four matches, only conceding two goals. But last time in the league we failed to convert our pressure into goals against Faithfold.

"Camden are a well-organised team who we know quite well now, having played them a few weeks ago. I am hoping for a similar result - clean sheet, plenty of possession and goals."

After beating MLFC in their opening game, Camden’s form has slipped. And they need to discover it sharpish. Goalkeeper Steven Murad looked a class act between the sticks against Borussia Barnet last weekend, but the team is lacking a spark and perhaps some quality in the final third.

Looking ahead to Sunday, Camden boss Stirling Kay told JC Sport: "We look forward to playing HMH who had a very good record against last season. We played them recently and lost and look to correct on our mistakes and improve."

Camden will huff and puff, but HMH will come out on top.

JC team news: Adam Ellis is looking to replace missing Oscar Wagner in the HMH starting line-up, while Ethan Krell and Eli Wegrzyn look to have shaken off their injuries at training so could be in line for a recall.

Sacha Nusenbaum has been ruled out by injury for Camden.

Venue – The Hive

JC star man: Clark Norton (HMH)

DC Prediction: HMH 3 Camden 0

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MACCABI LONDON FC BLUE vs OAKWOOD

Oakwood won two out of their three league meetings against MLFC last season but they travel to Rowley Lane with the hosts in the midst of a three-game unbeaten run.

The mighty Oaks had an unwanted weekend off as their Anekstein opponents forfeited, so they will be raring to go come Sunday morning.

The season has been stop-start for Oakwood thus far, but the main challenge for boss Andrea Fraquelli will be getting his strongest XI on to the pitch week in, week out.

MLFC look in good shape going into a game after their impressive 3-0 win over Jewdinese. Both Gold brothers scored, while Ben ‘Beauty one’ Kohler added the gloss in a strong team performance.

Joint-manager Max Kyte and Laurence Judah have got their message across and getting the team to produce winning football. Ahead of the game, Kyte told JC Sport: “Oakwood are one of the best teams in the league and it’s always a tough game against them.

“They are hard working and have players who can cause damage. We will need to be on top form to get a result.”

It’s never easy to predict the outcome of games between these two, but I think momentum will get MLFC over the line.

Venue – Rowley Lane

JC star man: Sam Hamerton (MLFC)

DC Prediction: MLFC 2 Oakwood 1

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DIVISION ONE

LEAGUE TABLE

TOP-SCORERS 10 - Zach Cohen (Mill Hill Dons), 9 - James Millet (Hertswood Vale)

JEWDINESE vs BAYERN MINCHA

Mark this one down as a home banker. Jewdinese will be determined to bounce back from their cup exit at the hands of MLFC Blue. They don’t lose many and will be out to prove a point in front of their own fans, especially with North London rivals Galaxy and Raiders setting the bar so high.

Darren Lawrence’s men will be looking to fill their boots on Sunday, especially with crucial games against Galaxy and SPEC FC to follow in the weeks to come.

Lawrence told JC Sport: “We are all very excited for Sunday as it is the grand opening of our brand new pitch and we are hoping to mark the occasion with three points.

“Our previous games against Bayern Mincha have been very close and although they have been struggling slightly this season, we still expect a tough game.

“After the disappointment in the cup last week, we are hoping to get our season back on track with victory this Sunday.”

It’s been a couple of weeks since Reiss Mogilner found the net and he’s odds-on to register a hat-trick. Lawrence continued: “In only our third league game of the season, we know how crucial a win will be as we are playing catch up at the moment. We are looking to take advantage of Bayern’s poor form and put them to the sword and get back to playing football the way we know we can.”

Bayern’s forfeited their League Cup match last weekend, and with four consecutive defeats, damage limitation could be their best bet. That said, the fixture list doesn’t get any easier, with Galaxy and Mill Hill Dons on the horizon.

JC team news: Sam Stern and James Van Straten again miss out, however Jewdinese welcome Jack Balsam back to the squad. 

Venue – Stade de Zebra (St James Catholic Park)

JC star man: Jack Balsam (Jewdinese)

DC Prediction: Jewdinese 4 Bayern 0

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NORTH LONDON GALAXY vs SPEC FC

One of the games of the day sees joint-leaders North London Galaxy host third-place SPEC FC.

Confidence is sky high in the Galaxy camp following their penalty shoot-out triumph over MLFC Red last weekend. Goalkeeper Zack Nathan reminded everyone why he is rated as one of the best in the MGBSFL with an outstanding performance, which included two dramatic spot-kick saves.

Player-manager Luke Lewis was one of five Galaxy players to convert and they will be putting their unbeaten record on the line in this top of the table clash.

Speaking at his midweek press conference, Lewis told JC Sport: “I don't know too much about SPEC but I know that they'll want to beat us - I have always said I have confidence in my squad but Sunday will be a big test of that.

“It’s important those featuring Sunday put in the same energy levels and produce the same quality we've seen in recent weeks.”

SPEC are one of the league’s top-scorers and they go into this game on the back of a memorable win over Mill Hill Dons.

Boss Ricky Lawrence knows a tough test is on the cards for a team SPEC will show respect to.

He told JC Sport: “We all enjoyed our Sunday mornings with our kids or in the case of our younger players, sleeping in till noon!

“We’re looking forward to getting on the pitch again in what we know will be a really tough game against a strong Galaxy side.”

There are potential match-winners on both sides. In the end it will come down to who wants it more.

JC team news: Sunday will be a game whereby Galaxy will be missing several regular starters, in Nick Barnett, Josh Shack and Luke Lewis. However, Dan Brennan and Bailey Snow “have impressed massively in  recent weeks and will be looking to come into the XI picking up where they left off”. 

Joey Gold is back from a foot injury and will be looking to get his first goal for the club, with Zac Rose our newly announced captain for the season leading from the back as always. 

Venue – East Barnet School

JC star man: Bailey Snow (Galaxy)

DC Prediction: Galaxy 3 SPEC 2

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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE

Raiders hope to finish the weekend clear in top spot ahead of the visit of mid-table Redbridge.

L’Orange fans came away disappointed last week when their hopes of a cup shock against holders HMH fell flat. They have a multi-talented group but they are not the finished article just yet.

It’s best they take that result on the chin and move on. Joint-manager David Isaacs told JC Sport: “After last week’s poor performance in the cup, we now put our focus again back on to the league and we know we need to get our performance levels back up to how we performed at the start of the season.

“It will be our first encounter against this Redbridge team as our previous game was postponed as we were unable to find a referee.

“Looking at Redbridge’s two previous games, it looks like their form has picked up and we can’t take them lightly.

“The boys were gutted last Sunday after the game and you can see everyone was extremely focused in training last night and are all ready to get back to winning ways on Sunday.”

Niv Gur was the toast of Redbridge last weekend, as the Israel hot-shot made it five goals in his last two games. He led the way in the 13-0 bashing of West Hamdillah.

Josh Joseph continued his excellent form, which makes him one of the front-runners for JC Player of the Month for October. He’s a creative genius who is the heartbeat of the team managed by Daniel Jacobs.

But I can see Sunday being about how the RJC defence handles the ruthless NLR attack. And I can see there being only one winner.

JC team news: Ed Brafman is still recovering from his tonsillitis and the NLR star will miss Sunday’s game. But they welcome back Zak Linden to the squad.

Venue – Ark Academy

JC star man: Yarden Sharon (NLR)

DC Prediction: NLR 2 RJC 0

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DIVISION TWO

LEAGUE TABLE

TOP-SCORERS 8 - Danny Sherman (Temple Fortune), 7 - Connor Perl (FC Team), Jono Gaon (Hampstead Ducks), Simon Cohen (TFFC)

BORUSSIA BARNET vs FAITHFOLD DOCMM GREEN

I strongly advise Borussia fans to buy every copy of this week’s Jewish Chronicle, which features a special report (and photos) on their memorable cup giantkilling of Camden Park.

Mitchell Gerber started the party with one of the goals of the week, while goalkeeper Joe Botchin was another hero after coming up trumps in the penalty shoot-out.

Defender Oli Smith together with midfielders Scott Greenfield and Adam Lipman were other stand-out performers on a memorable day for the club.

It’s back to the bread and butter of the league on Sunday as basement battlers Faithfold DocMM Green come to town.

I caught up with managers Brad Papier and Sam Sharer in the build-up to Sunday’s home match and they are confident the team can register a fourth consecutive league win but turning up with the right attitude is key.

Papier told JC Sport: “We come into this week following a fantastic upset in the Morrison against Camden where every single played pulled their weight and was brilliant.

“It’s important to switch focus back to the league and ensure we aren’t complacent following knocking out a side two divisions above.”

He went on to say: “We try to play the same way every week regardless of who we’re playing, slick attacking football and playing out from the back, as you can see from the goal last week it’s really being implemented brilliantly by the boys.

“But the main thing for this week is to see to the task at hand in a game against a Division Two side who haven’t won yet. We just need to apply the same effort and desire as we have against Camden and I’m confident we can come away with all three points.

That’ll make it four in a row in the league and put that truly awful start against Chigwell behind us.”

Co-boss Sharer was in full agreement and said: “After pulling of undoubtedly one of the biggest upsets in Jewish football history, we now turn our attention back to the league, where we hope to make it four wins on the bounce.

“After a slow start to our football journey, we seemed to have found some rhythm and consistency within our game. We play with a tempo and fluidity that myself and Bradley our trying to install as a philosophy within our club. I hope the good work we have been doing continues in our game against Faithfold.

“Taking all we have learnt and experienced in the last few weeks we hope to eclipse Faithfold quality and walk away with another win at home.”

The odds are stacks against Faithfold on Sunday. They’ve lost every game they’ve played in so far and concede goals at an alarming rate.

Manager Ben Kfir must come up with a plan to frustrate Borussia and stop them from playing. But several others have tried and failed and parking the bus could be the only way.

JC team news: Team news: Oron Sheldon out injured after a horror tackle in the Camden game.

Venue – Bridgestone Arena

JC star man: Mitchell Gerber (BB) - - magnificent finisher and real quality when he drives with the ball, he’s hard to contain

DC Prediction: Borussia 4 Faithfold 1

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FC TEAM vs TEMPLE FORTUNE

Mitch Young pulled off one of the coups of the season when he signed former Neasden and Faithfold striker Jonny Haik last week, and it was no surprise to see the Haiky get off the mark in the 6-1 mauling of Scrabble last weekend.

Haiky has been there, seen it and got the T-shirt – winning every Maccabi League and cup honour, and it’s great to see him back in the mix.

Haik is the latest big gun to donn the yellow and blue of FC Team, and the timing of his arrival is just about perfect following the injury to top-scorer Connor Perl. It softens the blow a little and means they will be an irresistible force when Perl returns.

FC Team have a game in hand on joint-leaders Temple Fortune, but Young sounded in high spirits ahead of the match against one of the league’s oldest clubs.

“We are looking forward to getting back to the league and getting on with business,” Young told JC Sport.

“We respect Fortune and know they have a good determined team but I am expecting our quality to shine through and to get the job done.”

Fortune have made an excellent start but their toughest 90 minutes of the season lies ahead. Boss Simon Linden told JC Sport: "It’s a big big test against a side that look excellent to date this season. It doesn’t help that we are short on numbers, with some key players missing, but knowing my lot we will give it everything.

"It’s FC Team's to lose; they should go undefeated the whole season and be playing in the Premier Division, which they proved against Camden in the cup. So all I can ask is for my team to give it our best shot."

I can see this game being one and lost in midfield, and predict that it will be FC Team holding the aces in what promises to be an enthralling contest.

JC team news: Jonny Haik will make his league debut for FC Team. Ben Sollosi returns but top-scorer Connor Perl and Adam Noble have both been ruled out.

Ed Bloom is expected to line-up in goal for Fortune against his former club.

Venue – London Academy

JC star man: Jonny Haik (FC Team)

DC Prediction: Team 2 Fortune 1

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PARIS SAINT-JEWMAIN vs NORTH WEST LONDON BEARS

A high-octane is on the cards as PSJ entertain the Bears in a case of friends reunited.

Both teams were eliminated from the Jewish FA Cup last weekend so getting their respective seasons on track is what this weekend is all about.

The Bears were crushed by double winners Hendon United and had it not been for the reflexes of joint-player-manager James Harpin, the margin of defeat would’ve been even worse than the 13 they conceded.

Now Harpin is challenging his players to dust themselves down and go again. He told JC Sport: “This is our biggest game so far as a team. Our boys know a good few of the opposition this weekend which makes for a feisty affair.

“Our last two cup results are not a fair reflection on where we are at, we could not have asked for two harder games. However, there is pressure building up on us to get results in the league and this is the perfect opportunity to do this.

“We believe we have to take maximum points in our next three games. When we played PSJ in pre season we set up with a back five and two strikers, who scored a hat-trick and a brace respectively. This is certainly something we will be exploring again.”

He went on to say: “PSJ have some physical players who we would like to deal with early on in the game. A lot of our boys are down from university for this game and I expect the same from PSJ.

“However, we do have a few injury concerns going into this game including captain Alex Rose and myself. But we fully expect to have enough to get the three points we have been so eager to get.”

Co-boss Sam Fresco knows that much more than pride will be at stake on Sunday. In a rallying call to his players, he said: "These are the games we look forward to. We know quite a few of their boys which may hinder us, but it also may encourage our boys.

“James and I feel we know how we can get at PSJ and cause them problems. The lads are really up for the game so I am confident we can get the important three points, as we have not achieved what we set out so far.”

PSJ boss Elio Elia will be looking for a reaction following the 2-0 cup defeat at first division Brook Farm Rovers.

He told JC Sport: “After some tough losses on the road, we're looking to get back to winning ways at home against Bears.

“We faced them earlier during pre-season and know they are a good side with some decent players.”

PSJ fans will be boosted to read that the home squad this week “is looking the strongest it's ever been, particularly boosted by the return of Zac Summerfield, who scored four goals in his last game”.

Elia predicted “a high-scoring game and have no doubt we'll be sending the Bears back with their tails between their legs!”

This has all the hallmarks of a classic. It’s definitely one not to miss!

JC team news: Bears’ goalkeeper James Harpin picked up a thigh injury playing at University this week and is a doubt for this game. Alex Rose is rated 50:50 after picking up a calf injury. Jake Salem will have a fitness test on Sunday after a couple of months out with an ankle injury. Noah Meranda will be making his Bears debut after a serious injury kept him out so far.

Venue – Brunel Uni

JC star man: Noah Meranda (Bears)

DC Prediction: PSJ 2 Bears 2

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SCRABBLE FC vs CLUB DE CHIGWELL

It’s beauty against the beast on Sunday as Club De Chigwell and Scrabble bid to get back to winning ways.

Both teams exited the National cup competition last weekend in contrasting styles. Scrabble were never really in contention against Mill Hill Dons, while the east Londoners were given a master-class by Hertswood Vale.

Both teams have claimed two wins out of four in the league, with Scrabble a point better off.

Ahead of kick-off, Scrabble boss Jon Yantin preferred to look up than down and he told JC Sport: “We’re looking to take advantage of our game in hand and push upwards.”

CDC co-boss Adam Conway hopes visiting fans see the real Chigwell this weekend, and said: “Last week’s result was disappointing, not just the scoreline but the way we played as we know we can do a lot better starting with this Sunday.

“We don’t know a lot about Scrabble but they have had a good start to the season, so we will have to be at our best to beat them.”

I can see this being a tight and tactical affair and much will depend on how Scrabble deal with the dangerous Garfinkle.

JC team news: Injuries have hit the CDC squad over recent weeks. However, Joe Klein returns from university this weekend to “give us a added boost to our midfield”.

Venue – JCoSS

JC star man: Sam Stein (CDC)

DC Prediction: Scrabble 2 CDC 3

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ALSO SEE:

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: BORUSSIA BARNET vs CAMDEN PARK

PHOTOGALLERY: BORUSSIA BARNET vs CAMDEN PARK

DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY SEVEN AWARDS

DIVISION ONE TEAM OF THE WEEK

GOAL OF THE WEEK: Sam Leader (Brook Farm Rovers)

SAVE OF THE WEEK: Zack Nathan (North London Galaxy)

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: James Harpin (North West London Bears)