Forget the Manchester derby; there is only one game people are talking about this weekend - Redbridge Jewish Care A against Hendon United Sports Club A as the giants lock horns for a fourth time, with a place in the semi-finals of the Peter Morrison Trophy against North London Raiders C up for grabs.
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VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: OAKWOOD vs LIONS
PHOTOS: NL RAIDERS C vs HEATON PARK ROVERS
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SEE MORE MGBSFL PHOTOGALLERIES
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CUP DRAWS
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN FINAL
North London Raiders A vs Oakwood A
Wingate & Finchley FC
April 17, 2.30pm KO
PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINAL DRAW
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
Sunday is the final part of the quadrilogy as Redbridge and Hendon lock horns for the fourth time this season - a game in which David Garbacz feels his sidemust deliver. The first three contests have been box office and another epic is on the cards.
Hendon’s season revolves around the next 90 minutes and that’s ultimately the message David Garbacz will relay to his troops who edged home on penalties in the recent Anekstein meeting.
Indeed Garbacz insists there can be no excuses as he has a strong squad at his disposal. He told JC Sport: “These games have become something of a trilogy this season but unlike Fifty Shades, Hendon versus Redbridge has true sex appeal.
"We realise that in effect Sunday is our season - it is our last chance of a trophy this year and we are not used to having nothing to play for before the end of March.
"We are at total full strength so what you see on Sunday is all we've got - there will be no excuses - we have to go out there and somehow or other get the result.
"We know their dangers - Garfinkle and the Sollosis have been practically unplayable at times this season against us and we must stop them dictating play, but we have our own big match winner back in Moses Seitler this week which has given everyone a big boost after our last-ditch defeat last week.
"Everyone is expecting another classic - it may or may not be but our ambition is not to please the crowds - it is to get into the semi-finals.
"Saying that I can't see how defences can keep the score down - both teams have so much attacking prowess.
"We do know that Redbridge will never give up - they will always fight to the final whistle and the game is never safe.
"We are looking forward to the game and whatever the circumstances we are confident that we can turn last week’s form around."
Redbridge go into the tie with their tails up following last weekend’s dramatic 3-2 league win, which came courtesy of a rare strike from Adam Hakimi. And had it not been for the heroics of Goalkeeper of the Week Russell Corin, the margin of victory would have been much more emphatic.
Ahead of kick-off, RJC chief Jon Jacobs told JC Sport: “We know each other’s games so well and all I can guarantee is goals and excitement aplenty.
"There is a healthy respect between both teams and management and these games are a lot of fun to be part of. We know the game will be decided by fine margins and which attack is on fire.
"We have no special plans for any of their special players like Dovi Fehler and Zack Lewis but Hendon will have to find a way to stop us playing.
"This is going to be a real East London cup tie and Redbridge are chomping at the bit to reverse the penalty loss in the Anekstein.”
Much depends on how Hendon handle the dual threat of Garfinkle and Sam Sollosi, the former will would’ve had gaffer Garbacz having nightmares this week as he simply tore Hendon to shreds on Matchday 26.
The teams know each other inside – the strengths, the weakness, warts and all. There is no need to hype it up any more and it’s virtually impossible to predict a winner. But someone has to!
Garfinkle vs Fehler is a meeting of raw pace, Seitler vs Sollosi – two players at the top of their game. It really will tick all the boxes.
JC team news: RJC have been dealt a blow after it was confirmed that striker Dean Nyman is out of the game with an ankle injury. Sam Rank is away on a stag weekend but will be training morning and afternoon.
Hendon are at “absolute full-strength”. The Reds have a full squad of 16 to choose from, including Moses Seitler who has returned from Manchester for this weekend.
Venue - Fairlop, Ref – Neil Cooper, KO – 10am
JC star man: Daniel Garfinkle (RJC)
DC Prediction: Redbridge 2 Hendon 1
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
22 - Dovi Fehler (Hendon A), Daniel Garfinkle (Redbridge JC A – including 3 for RJC B)
16 - James Gershfield (Harmen)
HARMEN vs BLIZZARD STORM
Harmen played Blizzard off the park in October when James Gershfield, Dan Green and Adam Arnold all bagged braces.
The season is effectively over but now it’s about finishing as high up the ladder as possible.
Injuries have held Harmen back this season, but with three managers at the helm, they won’t be allowed to feel sorry for themselves and they will go all out to complete a league double.
The end of the season cannot come soon enough for Blizzard. They battled valiantly against FC Team last week but failed to take their chances.
That’s been the story of the season for Simon Linden’s men who I expect to be second best again on Sunday.
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – Keith Goodman
JC star man: Alex Bowman (Harmen)
DC Prediction: Harmen 3 Blizzard 1
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OAKWOOD A vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS A
Revenge is the name of the game for Oakwood who could find themselves up against a very different Lions team to the one who ended their hopes in the Morrison last week.
Andy Landesberg leads the Lions in the PMT, while David Pollock and Adam Klein take charge for league games. Klein enjoyed a cameo off the bench last week in a game where injuries to key men and the quality of Austin Lipman, Josh Kennet, Max Kyte, Andy Glynne and Charlie Kasler ended their run.
Quite incredibly, Oakwood have six games in hand on a Lions team they start level on points with, though tellingly the Lions have lost six matches more.
And I expect normal service to be resumed despite the absence of two star men. Joint-manager Dan Kristall told JC Sport: “It’s a big game where we entertain Lions for the secon week running. Whatever side they put out, we know it will be competitive.
"For us to stay in the hunt, we must continue to win each game with no slip-ups. This Sunday begins a huge six weeks with games back to back.
"If we continue our good form, we know that we will be in contention. We must bounce back from last week’s disappointing defeat to Lions in the Morrison.
"On further reflection of the game, injuries and the stretched squad really didn’t help us against such a strong side. We really felt that we could have given a better account of ourselves had we been at full strength."
Oakwood still have several targets this season. Winning the Anekstein is one and finishing as high up the table as possible is another. And they will make their intentions clear on Sunday.
JC team news: Oakwood welcome back Alex Lee. Sam Cantor is in contention although Kyle Bentwood and Eddie Manson Miss out.
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Martin Fox, KO - 10am
JC star man: Alex Lee (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 3 Lions 1
More to follow ...
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FC TEAM A P CAMDEN PARK P
Match postponed - Camden Park have forfeited due to their extensive injury list
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
27 - Reiss Mogilner (Brady Maccabi)
17 - Jacob Richler Kleiman (Oakwood B)
BRIXTON OLD BOYS vs REAL SOSOBAD
A Sosobad win would end any lingering relegation fears once and for all as they prepare to do battle with Brixton.
Dan Shafron is confident his team can finish the season strongly. Their last win came on January 31 and he has been frustrated by the manner of goals conceded in recent weeks.
With players of the calibre of Jamie Shaw and Fabio Revieccio up top, he’ll be confident of out-scoring a team such at Brixton, but fans of Sosobad under-estimate Sunday’s opponents at their peril.
Defeats against SPEC, Faithfold and Raiders have left Brixton with it all to do. The goals also appear to have dried up and if Sosobad play their cards right I can see them doing the business in what is expected to be a high-octane affair.
Venue - Clowes, Ref – Martin De La Fuente
JC star man: Dan Lassman (Sosobad)
DC Prediction: Brixton 1 Sosobad 2
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FAITHFOLD B vs BRADY MACCABI
Brady are now in danger of missing out on the automatic promotion slots altogether. They must win on Sunday, simple as that.
Having gone ahead in the promotion six-pointer against Woodford last week, Josh Dagul and co could not have foreseen a 4-1 defeat that must have hit them very hard.
Now they are looking over their shoulder at FC Team B – a side scoring goals and playing with great confidence.
Faithfold’s good run ended at the hands of Redbridge last week as they conceded for the first time more than 270 minutes. They were undone by a goal at the start and end of the game and boss Rob Shooman will remind his players of the importance to be switched on from the start.
With games starting to run out, it’s important they keep picking up points to ensure they stay out of Brixton’s reach.
But with the return leg against Woodford on the horizon, Brady know that anything less than maximum points and they will be dreaming of what might’ve been.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Robert Benardout
JC star man: Matt Frohlich (Brady)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 Brady 3
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LOS BLANCOS vs OAKWOOD B
There will be a carnival atmosphere around west Hendon as Los Blancos look to bring down the curtain on their season in style.
Jonathan Ison’s troops have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch this season and they will be looking to put on a great show in front of their fans. Let’s just hope they continue next season.
Jacob Richler-Kleiman was the chief tormentor when Oakwood crushed them 4-1 in September. He has gone on to achieve big things this season and he will no doubt be looking to turn on the style again for Jason Stein’s men who have suffered defeats in three of their last four games.
Indeed Stein sounded in determined mood at this week’s press conference. He told JC Sport: “I want us to finish as high in the league as possible and earn a spot befitting of our talent. That starts with Los Blancos on Sunday as we now enter our final six league games of the season.
"Los Blancos will fancy it I am sure. It was a competitive match back on the opening day in September and they were unlucky not to go 2-0 ahead, but our second half performance led by Anton Feingold and Dan Ash that day was sublime in a 4-1 win.
"This is the last match before Purim and I am expecting the locals at West Hendon Playing Fields to be vocal in their support."
I think Blancos will huff and puff but a resilient Oakwood will do just enough on the day.
JC team news:Harris Kersh, a former Blanco and accomplished ex-Manchester Maccabi goalkeeper, will make his Oakwood debut in goal. Dan Geey, Dan Ash and Ben Polak return to the fold after missing the 6-1 defeat to Raiders.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Martin Lavender, KO – 10am
JC star man: Harris Kersh (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Blancos 1 Oakwood 2
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SPEC FC vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B
Zack Neiman kept SPEC FC in the mix last week when he put Real Sosobad to the sword with a stunning exhibition of finishing. A place in JC Team of the Week was the very least he deserved for his outstanding achievement.
A hat-trick of victories have kept Ricky Lawrence’s boys in contention for a top two finish, although they have played more games than their rivals – Woodford, Brady, FC Team and Oakwood.
Elliott Wallis was the two-goal hero when they beat Raiders in December – a game which was far from a classic, according to Lawrence.
Ahead of the second meeting with NLR, he told JC Sport: “If we're to have any chance of finishing in the top two we simply have to win our last two games.
"We've got a few players out but are confident of getting a result."
Raiders were back to their Sunday best against Brixton last week. And there was a new name on the scoresheet too as Josh Goldstein was introduced to L’Orange fans.
Indeed Jonathan Adelman is already looking forward to next season, which could be good news for SPEC for whom three points would certainly make things interesting.
Venue - Hertswood, Ref – Neal Cohen, KO – 10.15am
JC star man: Sam Roth (NLR)
DC Prediction: SPEC 3 Raiders 2
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
18 - Zak McLeod (Scrabble FC)
17 - Danny Sherman (Scrabble FC)
FAITHFOLD C vs CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI
Jeff Gotch was rewarded for last week’s sensational victory over champions-elect Scrabble FC with a new five-year contract. Richly deserved, I say.
There are few more passionate figures in MGBSFL football than Gotch how wears his heart on his sleeve, both on and off the pitch. If Catford had 11 Jeff Gotch’s they would win the league. Well almost, but you catch my drift.
Jamie Sinai, Ben David and man-of-the-match Richard Adams fired the bullets that down the runaway leaders, with Gotch describing’s Adams’s performance as on a different level.
Now he is setting his sights on Faithfold. “All is going well this week at camp Catford,” he told JC Sport. “As you would expect everyone is on a high from last week and all of a sudden I have an influx of players back from injury.
"We have the same squad as last week, with the addition of Adam Belchak and Jordan Grand. The only player not there will be Ashley Stokes so I will be looking to field pretty much the same XI as last week so that we can gain another three points.
"We're enjoying it now and that’s a recipe for success in itself."
Dan Gordon returns to the Faithfold squad who know that victory would see them leapfrog the Cats.
Flash scored in the 2-2 draw against the Cats on the opening weekend of the season but they are on a bad run and I believe the backdrop of Wembley will inspire the Cats to secure their sixth win of the season.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Paul Dobkin, KO – 10am
JC star man: Adam Belchak (Catford)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 Catford 2
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ATHLETIC BILBAUM vs BOCA JEWNIORS
Bilbaum were at their brilliant best against Real last week and I expect them to have too much for Boca.
Josh Pugh followed up his crackerjack of a goal with an outstanding performance, matched only by Ben Bell. It was the perfect result and performance following the heavy defeat to Lions.
The fact that five players - Jacob Brunner, Seb Silverman, Rob Rodney, Pugh and Bell – scored tells you everything you need to know about the Baums. They don’t rely too heavily on one player.
Results have been few and far between for Boca this year. They were well beaten by L’Equipe last week and it could be a long 90 minutes for them here.
Venue – Market Road, Ref – Stuart Ansher
JC star man: Seb Silverman (Bilbaum)
DC Prediction: Bilbaum 5 Boca 1
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L’EQUIPE vs FC TEAM C
L’Equipe have the bit between their teeth after cruising past Boca Jewniors, but I expect FC Team C to give them a tougher challenge.
Mark Smith was back to his best in a great, all-round team performance on a day when Nick Stern’s troops were at their ruthless best.
It was the other Smith, Andy, who fired L’Equipe to victory over FC Team in October, with Mark Singer adding the gloss.
There was little to separate the sides that day and another close encounter is on the cards.
Team looked a little weary towards the end of the 7-2 defeat against the leaders last week and David Gordon is hoping for a big improvement.
He told JC Sport: “We have a strong squad to choose from this weekend and we’ll be looking to get back on track again following the disappointing Scrabble defeat and the forfeited game against Temple Fortune.
“L’Equipe will be a tough test for us and we will have to be at our very best to take all the points on Sunday.”
It is important they put on a big performance on Sunday because they have got to come across as having a real go.
Even if they do, I don't think it will be enough because L’Equipe couldl have too much know-how for them - I can see them sitting in at west Hendon and waiting to take their chance.
JC team news: FC Team player-manager Mike Myers is away and Johnny Samuel is injured.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Steve Levy
JC star man: Jon Kaye (L’Equipe)
DC Prediction: L’Equipe 3 FC Team 1
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MACCABI LONDON LIONS B vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B
It is hard to stop Lions at the moment. They were excellent against Scrabble recently and built on that result with another emphatic result against Bilbaum.
Josh Bloom is on fire and they have fresh legs and will dominate possession against a workmanlike Hendon team.
I am expecting an open game here too, because I don't think Hendon are a team who will try to close games down. That is just not the way they play.
Hendon boss Adam Glekin told JC Sport: "A lot of the lads are looking forward to the game on Sunday.
"We haven't played a lot of games over the last few months, and when we have the pitch has tended to be a mudbath.
"One thing you can almost guarantee when you play the Lions is that the pitch will be a good one.
"Having said that, it's going to be a really difficult game. We haven't fared that well against the other sides at the top and we're going to need to correct that if we're going to push for promotion. Starting on Sunday ..."
Hendon have found the going tough against Raiders and Temple Fortune in recent weeks and I have no doubt the Lions will have too much pace, power and movement for the Reds to handle.
JC team news: Hendon manager Adam Glekin has a virtually full-strength squad to select from. Gab Saul is the main absentee but otherwise Glekin has a large array of options at his disposal.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Luke Eppel, KO – 10am
JC star man: Zak Linden (Lions)
DC Prediction: Lions 3 Hendon 0
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ALSO SEE:
DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 26 AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK - RUSSELL CORIN