There were concerns that North London Raiders A would suffer second-season syndrome but if anything they stepped it up again this season as they completed the double-double in style. However, the coveted Jewish FA Cup still eludes them after Hendon United maintained their grip on the national trophy.
CHAMPIONS: - NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A
Record: Pl 16, W. 12, D. 2, L. 2, F. 45, A. 18, Pts. 38
Honours: MGBSFL Premier Division and Cyril Anekstein Cup double for second year in a row
Best result: 4-2 vs Redbridge
Biggest win: 7-1 vs Harmen
Worst result: 4-0 vs Oakwood
Clean sheets: 4
Games failed to score in: 1
Best buys: Jordan Marks, Nyv Bogaire
Star men: Jordan Marks, Jonny Kay, Ricky Engleman
Top-scorer: Jordan Marks
Most-improved: Jonny Kay
WAGS favourite: Ricky Engleman
DC Rating: The bookies’ favourites did not disappoint. This was a lesson in how to defend the Premier Division title. The incoming Jordan Marks more than made up for the loss of Liron Mannie, who returned towards the end of the season. Marks – my tip for Player of the Year – was simply unplayable and unstoppable as L’Orange marched mercilessly towards the double-double. Ricky Engleman, Ben Joseph and Jonny Kay produced a winning combination in midfield, while the defence held firm after skipper David Rhodes broke his arm. Don’t bet against them completing the double treble next year, although it’s the Morrison they’ll want most! 10/10
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2.REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
Record: Pl 16, W. 11, D. 3, L. 2, F. 55, A. 29, Pts. 36
Honours: Anekstein Cup finalists and only team to beat champions NLR in league
Best result: 2-1 vs Oakwood
Biggest win: 7-1 vs Camden
Worst result: 3-1 vs FC Team
Clean sheets: 6
Games failed to score in: 1
Best buy: Sam Sollosi
Star men: Sam Sollosi, Daniel Garfinkle, Ben Sollosi
Top-scorer: Daniel Garfinkle
Most-improved: Daniel Garfinkle
WAGS favourite: Dean Nyman
DC Rating: Second place is an excellent return for Jon Jacobs’s young squad who took little time to bed in after merging their respective A and B teams. The pace of Daniel Garfinkle and the guile of Sam Sollosi gave their rivals some torrid Sunday mornings, while Ben Sollosi also had an impressive campaign. With a tinker here and a tweak there, they should push Raiders even closer next season. 8.5
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3.OAKWOOD A
Record: Pl 16, W. 11, D. 3, L. 2, F. 36, A. 12, Pts. 36
Honours: Anekstein Cup finalists and only team to beat champions NLR in league
Best result: 4-0 vs Raiders
Worst result: 1-0 vs Hendon
Clean sheets: 6
Games failed to score in: 1
Best buys: Sam Cantor, Kyle Bentwood, Dale Bradman, Jonny Blain
Star men: Sam Cantor, David Woolman, Dale Bradman, Jonny
Top-scorer: Dave Woolman
Most-improved: Jonny Blain
WAGS favourite: Josh Rose
DC Rating: The wait for silverware continues, although it wasn’t for the lack of trying. Some ambitious signings were made in a bid to take them to the next level, but they were ultimately made to pay for a sluggish start. Finished with the best defensive record in the league Pushed Raiders all the way in the cup final and exacted revenge in their next league game, with a crushing 4-0 success. Deserved more than they got and desperately unlucky not to claim second place. Could be the ones to watch next term. 8.5/10
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4.HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
Record: Pl 16, W. 7, D. 4, L. 5, F. 43, A. 21, Pts. 25
Honours: Retained the Peter Morrison Trophy for third year in a row
Best result: 1-0 vs Raiders
Biggest win: 9-0 vs Lions
Worst result: 2-1 vs Lions
Clean sheets: 4
Games failed to score in: 2
Best buy: Zac Lewis
Star men: Avi Korman, Dovi Fehler, Zac Lewis
Top-scorer: Dovi Fehler
Most-improved: Gav Krieger
WAGS favourite: Ethan Zone
DC Rating: A hugely disappointing league campaign was eventually forgotten about once the Reds retained the Peter Morrison Trophy for the third season in a row. The loss of Moses Seitler really hurt them as they missed his cutting edge that helped them so much in the cup. Injury problems hampered their chances but in the end they gave gaffer Garbacz the send-off he deserved. 7/10
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5.HARMEN
Record: Pl 16, W. 6, D. 3, L. 7, F. 73, A. 37, Pts. 21
Biggest win: 8-1 vs Blizzard
Best result: 3-0 vs Hendon
Worst result: 4-1 vs Lions
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 1
Best buys: Adam Arnold, Alex Taylor, Dominic Cheniart, Max Shields
Star men: James Gershfield
Top-scorer: James Gershfield
WAGS favourite: James Gershfield
DC Rating: Made some fabulous signings but were hampered by injuries, and ultimately, indiscipline. Reds cards cost them as they were unable to put out their strongest XI in the big matches. Finished season with a whimper. 6/10
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6.FC TEAM A
Record: Pl 16, W. 6, D. 1, L. 9, F. 34, A. 54, Pts.19
Biggest win: 8-2 vs Blizzard
Best result: 3-1 vs Redbridge
Worst result: 2-0 vs Camden Park
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 4
Best buy: Bar Hariely
Star men: Shim Bensoor, Bar Hariely
Top-scorer: Shim Bensoor
Most-improved: Shim Bensoor
WAGS favourite: Rocky Spitzer
DC Rating: Did well to reach the semi-finals of the Cyril Anekstein Cup and claimed some important victories towards the end of the season to ensure they finished mid-table. Bar Hariely was one of the success stories of a decent season. 5.5/10
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7.MACCABI LONDON LIONS A
Record: Pl 16, W. 5, D. 2, L. 9, F. 21, A. 14, Pts. 17
Best result: 2-1 vs Hendon
Biggest win: 4-1 vs Harmen
Worst result: 9-0 vs Hendon
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 5
Best buy: Reuben Rabstein
Star men: Ed Green, James Gold
Top-scorer: James Gold 5
Most-improved: Nathan Schindler
WAGS favourite: Adam Klein (the rest are probably too young!)
DC Rating: Messus Pollock and Klein steadied the ship to ensure the Lions finished with a respectable finish in the table. Although they would’ve liked to have finished higher, they were never in danger and gave several youngsters the chance to develop. 5/10
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8 CAMDEN PARK
Record: Pl 16, W. 3, D. 2, L. 11, F. 17, A. 46, Pts. 11
Best result: 3-3 vs Redbridge
Biggest win: 3-1 vs Blizzard
Worst result: 8-1 vs Hendon
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 5
Best buy: Steven Murad
Star men: Rob Hershkorn
Top-scorer: Rob Hershkorn
Most-improved: Greg Meller
WAGS favourite: Ben Harris, Michael Khalastchi
DC Rating: Injuries played a big part in Camden’s season, most notably to talisman Rob Hershkorn who was in a purple patch until he was struck down for a key part. They failed to find enough goals from other areas and in the end it was a real struggle to see out the campaign. 4/10
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9.BLIZZARD STORM
Record: Pl 16, W. 1, D. 0, L. 15, F. 13, A. 52, Pts. 3
Best result: 2-1 vs Lions
Biggest win: 2-1 vs Lions
Worst result: 8-1 vs Harmen
Clean sheets: 0
Games failed to score in: 4
Best buy: Robbie Krupski
Star men: Dean Shaw, Adam Levene, Adam Speck
Top-scorer: Jonti Aremband
Most-improved: Dean Shaw
WAGS favourite: Dean Shaw
DC Rating: Simon Linden set his team out to be hard to beat following their shock promotion and they started the season with a narrow defeat against eventual champions Raiders. Linden and co were on cloud nine after they beat the Lions at Rowley Lane, but it the season went gradually downhill from there. But they deserve credit for seeing the season out when many would’ve folded. 3/10
DIVISION ONE TOTS
DIVISION TWO TOTS
TOP SIGNINGS TOTS
BEST NEWCOMER
MOST IMPROVED
OVER-33's
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DIVISION ONE REVIEW OF THE SEASON
DIVISION TWO REVIEW OF THE SEASON
