There's a full league programme scheduled this weekend with the Match of the Day coming in the Premier Division where title rivals Redbridge Jewish Care A host Oakwood A, as well as action in Divisions One and Two.
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WEEKEND PHOTOGALLERIES
REDBRIDGE JC A vs BRADY MACCABI
WOODFORD WANDERERS vs BRIXTON OLD BOYS
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DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 10 AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: JAMES GERSHFIELD
MANAGER OF THE WEEK: JEFF GOTCH
GOAL OF THE WEEK: STEVE SUMMERS
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND 2 DRAW
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
12 - James Gershfield (Harmen)
11 - Dovi Fehler (Hendon A)
CAMDEN PARK vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A
Sunday is part one of a Camden/Raiders double-header. After the league meeting, the teams go head-to-head in the Morrison, so both sets of players will be gunning to claim a psychological edge here.
Camden go into the game on the back of a hard-earned win over Faithfold B in the Cyril Anekstein Cup. Josh Marks, Michael Khalastchi and DJ Kanzen were their scorers. Marks put in a real shift up top – filling the boots of the injured Rob Hershkorn – and it will be interesting to see if boss Will Castle keeps him there for the match against last season’s champions.
Raiders enjoyed last weekend off after Faithfold withdrew from the cup, but in fairness manager Rob Richman would rather have played.
Ahead of Sunday’s trip to Camden, he told JC Sport: “Having played the fewest number of league games in the divisions it will definitely be good to return to league action this weekend.
“Our results have been very consistent so far but our winning run will no doubt be put to the test against a very decent Camden side.
“They’ve had a very strong start to the season and we know we will have to produce a really good performance to get the result.
“The next six weeks up until the new year break are going to be really crucial and Sunday’s game couldn’t be more important.
“We are fully focused for this one and hopefully that will be reflected in our performance Sunday morning.”
Raiders lie a point behind joint-leaders Camden, but they have three games in hand so it looks only a matter of time until they leapfrog them.
JC team news: The good news from the Raiders camp this week was that Ben Joseph, who has struggled all season with an injury, does not need a hernia operation and he will most likely be in the squad for Sunday. Alex Kaye could also return having missed the last six weeks. Oscar Wagner is away, while Adam Joselyn and Matt Stock remain out injured.
Venue – Capital City, Ref – Andy Myerson
JC star man: Ben Joseph (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Camden 1 Raiders 3
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FAITHFOLD A vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
Hendon warmed-up for Sunday’s trip by hitting the target 12 times against their B-team in the cup and manager David Garbacz is hoping for another goal fest against basement battlers Faithfold.
Dovi Fehler, Zac Lewis and midfield maestro Simon Peterman filled their boots, while the versatile Ethan Zone capped a monumental display with a double. Yoav Kestenbaum, like Fehler another Team Maccabi GB star from the European Maccabi Games in Berlin, added the gloss in a game they had in the bag at half-time.
I have a feeling Sunday's trip to Faithfold is coming at just the right time for Garbacz's giants who have their tails up once more.
Garbacz told JC Sport: “It was good to get back amongst the goals last week and that should set us up nicely for the next few league games.
“We know we have left ourselves with little room for error after a bad October but hopefully we can get ourselves right back in it in November.
“To coin an old cliché it really is a case of taking each game as it comes and that starts with Sunday in a game which on paper we should win.
“Faithfold have always been dangerous and despite their poor start to the season we will always expect a competitive tricky game whenever we come up against them.
“However, if we play anything like how we played last week then we should hopefully have enough to get our league challenge right back on track.”
Faithfold have lost six on the spin in the league and things went from bad to worse when they forfeited their scheduled Cyril Anekstein Cup match against Raiders A last week.
Prediction-wise, I’ll be kind to Faithfold and limit the damage to four.
JC team news: With the exception of Rafi Kon and Israel Lewis, Hendon have a full squad to choose from.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Martin De La Fuente
JC star man: Yoav Kestenbaum (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 0 Hendon 4
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HARMEN vs BLIZZARD STORM
Harmen are far from a one-man team, but they would be in a very different position were in not for the goals of James Gershfield.
The former Potters Bar Town hotshot gave them the kiss of life against Real Sosobad in the cup last week, scoring a hat-trick in a game they trailed the first division outfit in.
Sam Castle also played his part, adding a double, but the 12-goal Gershfield must be licking his lips ahead of the visit of Blizzard.
Simon Linden’s troops were caged by the Lions last week. That was the third time they’ve failed to register this season and the defeat saw them slip back into the bottom three.
It wouldn’t surprise me if manager Simon Linden set them up to park the bus but I genuinely can’t see them getting any joy.
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – Neil Cooper
JC star man: Sam Castle (Harmen)
DC Prediction: Harmen 4 Blizzard 1
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE vs OAKWOOD A
What a cracker we have in store at Fairlop as table-toppers Redbridge host title rivals Oakwood.
Jon Jacobs’s boys were involved in a game of two halves against Brady last week. They were frustrated for the first 45, but a tweak here and there did the trick as they romped home 4-1, with the evergreen Steve Summers scoring the pick of the bunch – my JC Goal of the Week.
The east Londoners are bang in form, playing with confidence and it will take something special to beat them right now.
Oakwood will be looking to make a real statement of intent and prove they can deliver on the top table. They have pushed Raiders, Hendon and Redbridge close in recent seasons, but I believe they better equipped now to produce a result and performance to make the rest of the league stand up and take note.
Joint-manager Dan Kristall told JC Sport: "We expect a really difficult game against the league’s top side and we certainly go into the game as underdogs.
"Redbridge will also benefit from having played the last two weeks, whereas due to the Raiders forfeit and a free week, we have not played. Instead, we have had to have played some behind closed doors friendlies to keep ourselves prepared and sharp for Sunday.
"However, we know that if we apply ourselves properly and play to the level that we have done so far this season, we are a match for anyone and rest assured, we are very much up for the game."
I'm not brave enough to call a winner and can see both sets of fans going home happy in what promises to be a high-quality affair.
JC team news: Brad Wine is banned but in the main Oakwood have a full squad to select from and welcome back Sam Cantor who has not featured since the opening day. He gives them another option going forward and the Oaks expect big things.
Venue – Fairlop, Ref – Richard Jaye
JC star man: Jonny Blain (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Redbridge 1 Oakwood 1
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
13 - Jacob Richler Kleiman (Oakwood B)
11 - Reiss Mogilner (Brady Maccabi)
FAITHFOLD B vs SPEC FC
I can’t remember the last time SPEC FC won three on the spin but they have the momentum and will be confident of coming away from Edgware with the right result.
I also can’t remember the last time they scored four goals in one match. Perhaps the memory is going!
Zack Neiman, Alex Hershman, Craig Cohen and Elliot Wallis found the net in what one SPEC FC described as “the ultimate team performance”.
Faithfold impressed in the cup last week, pushing Premier Division Camden Park all the way. Darren Bloom earned them a point against SPEC earlier in the season but it's crucial that everyone in a green and white shirt puts in a real shift and tries to win their individual and collective battles.
Winning is a habit for SPEC FC at the minute and that's why I'm backing them to edge it.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – John Nitka
JC star man: Craig Cohen (SPEC FC)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 SPEC 2
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LOS BLANCOS vs WOODFORD WANDERERS
Goals are guaranteed in Sunday's meeting between Blancos and Woodford.
Meeting for the first time this season, both teams harbour strong promotion ambitions in a contest where there are quality strikers on show in both camps.
Consistency has been something of an issue for Blancos thus far but they are a match for anyone in the division on their day, especially with players of the calibre of Jono Gaon, Adam Hersh and Joel Kutner.
Manager Jonathan Ison would love to see more players chipping in with goals, although it's important they keep their shape and discipline in what I expect to be a frenetic affair on Sunday.
Ison told JC Sport: "It was lucky our game was called off last week - we were struggling to get a team together. This week we have a number if players missing once again, so numbers are not our strong point, but the quality is still high.
"We are certainly hopeful of the three points as with Nick Grosse in between the sticks, and Jono up top with support from Hersh, we always have a great chance of getting the win."
Woodford managers Daryl Kay and Jerome Marks have "selection headaches all over the pitch" this week as they once again travel to north-west London with an almost fully fit squad.
Harrison Midda made a dream return against Brixton last week, smashing home a hat-trick in his first game back in nine months. His head-to-head with Gaon will be worth the admission fee alone.
Daryl Kay told JC Sport: “Los Blancos are a place below us in the league and two points behind, so we’ll be looking to create some space between us and the teams below us this weekend.
"They’ve scored 15 but also conceded 15, so whilst we’re aware of their attacking threat I know we have the forward line to cause them all sorts of problems.”
Fans are advised to stay the full 90 minutes in what will be an end-to-end affair.
JC team news: Andy Levy and Amir Nathan both made strong cameos in last week’s 6-0 thrashing of Brixton, and the only change to the Woodford squad is that keeper Dan Lee replaces Ben Rosenthal who is in Poland on a Goalkeeper's Training Course.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Neal Cohen
JC star man: Andy Levy (Woodford)
DC Prediction: Blancos 2 Woodford 2
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OAKWOOD B vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B
Redbridge's good run of form came to an unexpected halt against SPEC FC last week and they look in for another tough examination against high-flying Oakwood on Sunday.
Yoni Fialka added another strike to his tally in a 4-1 defeat and they will be determined to put things right here.
RJC's Sam Rank told JC Sport: "We know Sunday games will be tough against a very in-form Oakwood B side.
"We have heard very good things about Jacob Richler Kleiman, however Dan Andrews has been conducting a lot of research on this striker, and if we stop Jacob, we may able to pull off a shock result.
"The spirit and commitment from the boys is still very high, and are hopeful of a very solid performance."
Dan Ash was Oakwood's match-winner last week but with Richler Kleiman aware his lead at the top of the goal charts has been reduced, don't be at all surprised if he pulls something special out of the bag.
I received another warm welcome at Oakwood HQ this week and received a delicious birthday cake too. "Where does the time go, DC?" boss Jason Stein told JC Sport. "Another week and here we are back at Oaks HQ. The A team are back after a two-week break so it's a bit busier. Fair to say Dan Kristall wasn't happy when he saw that I redecorated his office, but I think it looks nicer my way and a bouncy castle and a new hamster never did anyone any harm.
“I'd have done some Feng Shui on the boardroom but Ric locked it and also emptied the alcohol cabinet. I did stick a signed shirt from the 2012 Morison Final on Ebay though to raise some money to buy new ankle tape and cones.
"Where was I? Oh football. Back to league action this week and we've now gone two full months unbeaten. Month three begins against Redbridge B and we're confident of getting another win. If we're to win the league we will need to continue picking up points at home and I believe we will this week.
“One thing we need to do is use our width more. We're not doing it enough and when we do teams can't live with us."
There won't be much between the teams but I'm tipping Oakwood to nick it.
JC team news: RJC welcome back Brad Gayer into the mix for Sunday game. Jimmy Castle will be making his first appearance off the season in a Redbridge shirt. The Chernoff brothers will not be involved due to injuries and also attending the bris of their nephew Ruben!
The entire Oakwood squad bar two is available this week meaning “some brutal selection dilemmas” for Stein. He told JC Sport; “I can't say much more than that right now regarding Sunday, but you can be certain that Dan Ash being back to full fitness after being injured in the second game of the season is a huge plus for the squad.”
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Darryl Colmans, KO – 10am
JC star man: James Abrams (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: RJC 1 Oakwood 2
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DIVISION TWO
DANNY CARO'S DIVISION 2 TEAM OF THE WEEK
TOP-SCORERS
8 - Andy Smith (L’Equipe), Dan Gordon (Faithfold B)
7 - Dean Rosenthal (ML Lions B)
BOCA JEWNIORS vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C
Boca gave an excellent account of themselves against Faithfold last week, but ultimately came away empty-handed.
Tremendous energy, desire and work-rate counted for nothing in the end, and it could be a long 90 minutes against Raiders on Sunday.
Zack Gothelf’s boys also gave a stand-out display against first division Oakwood B last week, another game which finished with a 1-0 scoreline.
Goalkeeper Grant Waissel was rewarded for an outstanding display with a place in my JC Team of the Week. I expect him to be much quieter on Sunday.
NLR's David Domb told JC Sport: “The boys have set their standard now. We were unlucky to be out the cup after last weekend’s performance - a game for large spells we dominated but we just weren't clinical.
“But there was a real positive feeling around the group after the final whistle that there is more to come from this team this season.
“Boca's league position will mean nothing come kick-off. They have players who can hurt any team and they will pick up some big wins this season.
“We’ll have to be at our best this weekend as we look to push towards the top of the table once again.”
With their big front three back in the fold, Raiders should win at a canter.
JC team news: Olivier Telvi is out for NLR along with Dan Tannenbaum, but attacking trio Alex Elf, Nick Haringman and Will Ufland all return after missing the Oakwood defeat.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Keith Goodman, KO – 10am
JC star man: Alex Elf (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Boca 1 NLR 4
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HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B vs ATHLETIC BILBAUM
League leaders Hendon B took a right thumping at Hendon A in the cup last week, but it's back to the bread and butter of the league as Adam Glekin's men go in search of win number seven.
Top-scorer Benni Sluckis breached the Premier Division defence last week and he will be looking to make his presence felt in a game where home advantage could play a part, with Hendon unbeaten in their own back yard, with the last three having ended in 4-1 victories.
Speaking at his pre-match press gathering, Hendon boss Adam Glekin told JC Sport: "I think most of the lads will be happy that it's back to league business this week, the game against Hendon A was a humbling experience.
"Hopefully our confidence hasn't been dented too much, as our league form had been excellent prior to that.
"We played Bilbaum not long ago and had a really tough game so we certainly won't be taking anything for granted on Sunday."
Bilbaum withdrew from the Anekstein Cup before their scheduled match against top-flight opposition, but they are looking incredibly strong for Sunday's trip with revenge on their minds.
Saul Cohen earned Hendon a 3-2 win over the Baums last month and manager Nick Shinder would have been working them hard in training this week.
Ahead of kick-off, Shinder told JC Sport: “This is our strongest squad so far this season so we have big expectations.
"We are also excited for the debut of Josh Pugh who will add a new dimension to our central midfield.”
Big things are predicted from centre-back Sam Deaner this week. Shinder continued: "His calm presence should engineer a solid defensive display and is tipped to open his Baum account from set-pieces after threatening in the previous games."
The Anekstein derby was no more than a bonus match for Hendon B. They had nothing to lose and anyone who thinks their confidence will be affected can think again.
JC team news: Glen Turner and Josh Richman will both be out for the league leaders, but Sammy Barron and Ben Blackston will both be back in the squad. Gab Saul faces a late fitness test.
There is mixed news coming out of the Bilbaum treatment room. Short-term injuries are speedy striker Julius Judah (broken toe) misses out on Sunday along with Oliver Sharpstone who is awaiting an operation on his knee. And it will be a good while yet until Baums fans see Seb Silverman (ACL) and Scott Harisson (muscle injury). Their pair hope to return in the new year.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Stuart Ansher, KO - 10am
JC star man: Sam Deaner (Bilbaum)
DC Prediction: Hendon 2 Bilbaum 1
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L’EQUIPE vs REAL HENDON
The next few weeks could be season-defining for high-flying L'Equipe. Well placed to push on for honours, they face Raiders C in league and cup as well as Lions B.
The Smith brothers have been taking centre stage of late, but it's been a real team effort this season. The minute they arrive at a game, their heads are on and they show great focus, concentration and application, and they are playing to their strengths.
Sunday's visit of Real Hendon is another big opportunity to secure three points, but no-one at the club is taking anything for granted.
Boss Nick Stern told JC Sport: "We have another huge league game this week and we look to continue our fantastic run of form, there is even rumours the chairman himself David Wolfe has asked for a season ticket for L’Equipe after confirming he will attending his second L'Equipe game in three weeks.
"We have a couple of absentees this week, namely Mark Glucksman and Mark Smith but I have an unbelievable squad to choose from and are faced with some tough selection dilemmas this week.
"Whoever I select however will put us in the best place to win what is a crunch game in the league, will need to give 110 per cent, win every tackle, every header and be ready for a proper battle."
Real Hendon have a strong spine but we have seen they struggle to keep the goals out. They've conceded four apiece against Scrabble FC and Hendon B in recent weeks and will need to pull out all the stops to halt a confident L'Equipe team.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Callum Foster
JC star man: Mark Singer (L'Equipe)
DC Prediction: L'Equipe 3 Real 1
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TEMPLE FORTUNE vs CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI
Jeff Gotch is looking to build on Catford & Bromley's magnificent win over Lions B when they visit Temple Fortune on Sunday.
Player-manager Gotch was the man who instigated the comeback, also he pointed his adulation towards super-sub Danny Yeshua who must surely be pushing for a place in his starting XI this weekend.
Gotch told JC Sport; "Well it's been a lovely start to the week after our performance against a good Lions side on Sunday.
"Our game-plan worked perfectly and the boys have to take credit for that. They did everything I asked.
"This week it's Temple Fortune. We know their main weapon and we have called Rory Delap down to training this week to help us train against the long-throw!
"If we can nullify that threat we should be continuing our good run over the last few weeks.
"We have been scoring goals all season and recently we have not been giving them away and that is what we need to continue this week.
"I don’t want to count my chickens just yet but if we turn up with the right attitude and like we have done in recent weeks then the three points is ours to lose.
"We are missing a few key players this week but we have plenty of cover in all areas and those stepping in will be keen to show me what they can do.
"I am keen for my midfielders to start adding goals to their game to take the pressure off a certain someone and there's no better week to start that than this week!"
Fortune have yet to win at home this season, and I can't see that changing on Sunday.
They have conceded 42 goals in just eight games and I know that's something manager Jonathan Cohen is keen to address. No nonsense defending will be order of the day.
L'Equipe hit Fortune for six last week in a game where the only highlights for the yellow and reds were the goals of Adam Lenz and Mike Byers.
Catford will be looking to make a fast start knowing an early goal will result in Fortune heads dropping, and then they'll go for the jugular.
Venue – Roger Bannister, Ref – Martin Fox, KO – 10am
JC star man: Danny Yeshua (Catford)
DC Prediction: Fortune 1 Catford 3
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