The penultimate round of action of 2015 features mouth-watering contests in all three divisions, with the crunch clash between Harmen and Oakwood A taking centre stage.
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MATCH PHOTOS: OAKWOOD B vs NL RAIDERS B
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DANNY CARO’S MATCHDAY 14 AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: MOSES DAVID SEITLER
MANAGERS OF THE WEEK: DAVID POLLOCK & ADAM KLEIN
SAVE OF THE WEEK: - RUSS CORIN (Hendon Utd SC A) - melee in the box ending with Russ saving a shot on the line from behind him – a truly remarkable save
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND 3 DRAW
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
DANNY CARO'S PREMIER DIVISION TEAM OF THE WEEK
TOP-SCORERS
15 - James Gershfield (Harmen)
12 - Dovi Fehler (Hendon A)
BLIZZARD STORM vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
The winter break cannot come soon enough for the Blizzard boys. With only eight league games remaining, Simon Linden’s boys will continue to fight for their lives, but I fear Hendon will have too much for them.
Blizzard have conceded 14 goals in their last two games and they will not fancy a Hendon team looking to finish as high up the table as possible.
Moses Seitler gave Hendon fans a taste of what they had been missing in the 2-2 draw against Oakwood last week. He had manager David Garbacz on the edge of his seat with a real powerhouse performance.
Gaffer Garbacz was also full of praise for centre back Gav Kregier, describing him as one of the unsung heroes of the team.
Garbacz told JC Sport: "We managed to look a little bit like our old selves last week in a top quality match and hopefully we can kick on from there into this week.
"We have a few missing again but also a few returning so overall we are still able to name a reasonably strong squad.
"We really need a win – some of our results have been embarrassing but we are confident we can finish the year strongly and then go all out for an assault on the cups next year.
"I don’t know a great deal about Blizzard but as with all teams in this division I expect them to be competitive but ultimately we will be expected to win and hopefully we can deliver."
If the result against Oakwood was “a small stepping-stone,” Hendon can make big strides on Sunday and leave Blizzard begging for the final whistle in their final game of the year.
JC team news: Alex Rosenthal and Ethan Zone are unavailable for Hendon. Moses Seitler is back at uni, Ari Last, Rafi Kon and Dovi Fehler return.
Venue - Hertswood, Ref – Neal Cohen, KO - 10.15am
JC star man: Ari Last (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Blizzard 0 Hendon 4
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CAMDEN PARK vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
Title-chasing Redbridge will fancy their chances against an out-of-sorts Camden in Willesden on Sunday.
Sam Sollosi has been earning rave reviews most of the season but it was Jason Goldstein who took the plaudits against Faithfold last week – a game Jon Jacobs’s men didn’t need to get out of first gear in.
Camden are in free-fall results-wise. Their last win came in mid-October and the goals have really dried up – they have failed to score in over 270 minutes.
And with Danny Hakimi keeping birthday celebrations low key this year, I expect Redbridge to turn up showing they mean business.
JC team news: RJC are missing Adam Hakimi, who is on a belated gap month and Jordan Sapler (work commitments). Students Nathan Sollosi, Matt Niman and Scott Oldstein all return from university.
Venue – Capital City, Ref – Mark Jacob
JC star man: Danny Hakimi (RJC)
DC Prediction: Camden 0 RJC 3
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FAITHFOLD A vs FC TEAM A
Faithfold have lost nine on the spin and I can’t see them ending their losing streak on Sunday against a confident FC Team side.
They did well to limit Redbridge to three last week, with goalkeeper Yaakov Goldin producing some inspired stops in goal.
Goldin and co look set for another testing morning against opponents who beat Redbridge earlier in the season and Blizzard last week.
Ben Gilbey will instruct his players to enjoy themselves and try to fill their boots against a Faithfold team who scored their first goal in five games last week.
Team are making good progress under Gilbey and I’m backing them to win again.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Neil Cooper
JC star man: Yoav Lebens (Team)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 Team 4
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HARMEN A vs OAKWOOD A
It is hard to stop Harmen at the moment. They are clearly trying to get as many people in and around James Gershfield as possible, with Adam Arnold, Dom Cheniart, Sam Castle and Dan Green all chipping in.
On Sunday they face what could possibly be described as a season-defining moment against an Oakwood team two points ahead of them.
Harmen’s recent fixtures have been tough, but they have passed the test of time and remain in contention, with 10 games remaining. They still have 30 points to play for and will go flat out to win them all.
A top-quality, high-octane affair is on the cards in a game featuring two of the league’s strongest squads. There are a number of big-hitters on both teams, none of whom will pull out of challenges the way Roberto Firmino did the other day.
Harmen c0-boss Joe Marsh told JC Sport: "Following on from our postponed game last week the boys a eager to get back on to the pitch and this is another game were we go into it as underdogs.
"Oakwood's position shows in the table they are having a very good season so far and it makes for a very interesting title race this year with a number of teams vying for top spot.
"I’m sure the boys will be letting their hair down a bit and will be putting on a few pounds over the winter break so there is no better way of signing off with six points.
"I feel this has the making for game of the week as both sides will not want to lose, both will be fully committed and with some top quality players on show it will be a joy to watch."
Oakwood earned the David Garbacz seal of approval against Hendon last week. David Woolman bagged a brace in the 2-2 draw and joint-manager Dan Kristall was delighted by the character and resilience shown in a game they trailed in twice.
Right-back Harvey Kaye put in a real shift and now Kristall is predicting “another extremely tough test”.
He told JC Sport: "We go into our final game of 2015 aiming to take the points although we know that our hosts who are the in-form team in the league are big favourites.
"We were impressive in the second half against Hendon last week but must cut the silly mistakes out. If we do, we will be challenging at the business end of the season.
Sunday will come down to which team keeps their discipline. I'm predicting a feisty affair settled by a late moment of magic.
JC team news: Oakwood "have plenty of competition for places," with late fitness tests for Guy Helman and Sam Cantor. Eddie Manson has joined skipper Adam Levine on the injury list and will be out until the new year.
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – Andy Myerson
JC star man: Adam Arnold (Harmen)
DC Prediction: Harmen 2 Oakwood 1
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MACCABI LONDON LIONS A vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A
David Pollock and Adam Klein hope the dread Manager of the Week curse doesn’t strike on Sunday when they welcome table-topping Raiders A to the Lane.
The dynamic duo were rewarded following the 2-0 win over Camden Park which came courtesy of a deadly double from James Gold.
But it was the defensive performance that impressed me most, with giant keeper Ed Bloom leading the rearguard resistance.
But on Sunday they face a very different type of challenge against a Raiders team that have won seven on the spin.
Rob Richman’s boys are winning for fun at the minute, with a number of players chipping in with goals.
Raiders are comfortable dictating players, but they can also play on the counter, with the lightning pace of Jordan Marks and firepower of players such as David Dinkin, who will no doubt be keen to impress against his former club.
Alex Kaye has also given them another dimension and it wouldn’t surprise me if the former MJSL Player of the Year hit double figures in the goals department.
Two other summer recruits, Nick Lewis and Oscar Wagner have fitted in superbly and it’s impossible to find a weak link. And they still have Matt Stock to return, probably in the new year.
Ahead of kick-off, Richman told JC Sport: "Sunday see’s us face the in-form London Lions who in recent weeks have got some really impressive results.
"We played Lions in mid-October and they had the look of a decent side that day. They are a very young side who play with no fear and we will have to be at our best to get the result we want.
"From our end we are fully focused on this weekend and making sure we maintain our decent form. We have a strong squad available and confidence is high and we will aim to produce a performance to put Lions under pressure and win the game."
These are indeed good times for L’Orange fans. Yes Lions will give them a game but over the course of 90 minutes I expect Raiders to have too much firepower.
JC team news: Liron Mannie and Alex Bloch return to the NLR squad. Ricky Engleman and Nick Lewis are unavailable.
Venue – Brunel, Ref – Richard Jaye
JC star man: Liron Mannie (NLR)
DC Prediction: Lions 1 NLR 3
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DIVISION ONE
DANNY CARO'S DIVISION 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK
TOP-SCORERS
15 - Reiss Mogilner (Brady Maccabi)
14 - Jacob Richler Kleiman (Oakwood B)
FC TEAM B vs FAITHFOLD B
The MGBSFL breathed a sigh of relief when Faithfold B confirmed they will indeed continue amid fears of a collapse.
Their character will no doubt be tested on Sunday as they travel to an FC Team B looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat against in-form SPEC FC.
Manager Mitch Young continues to search for a recognised keeper to fill in as regular custodian Dave Grossman completes a ban.
A quality stopper is key as Team still harbour strong promotion aspirations, knowing that if they win their games in hand they could go second.
Finding the right manager is key for Faithfold. They need organisation and leadership, but Sunday could come too soon for them.
Venue – Old Camdenians, Ref – John Nitka
JC star man: Richard Salmon (Team)
DC Prediction: FC Team 4 Faithfold 0
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LOS BLANCOS vs BRADY MACCABI
If you're looking for goals on Sunday, West Hendon is the place to be as leaders Brady Maccabi take on mid-table Blancos.
Both teams are blessed with excellent attacking options, although Brady now have the art of defending down to a tee. They are simply playing opponents off the park most week.
With Reiss Mogilner sitting pretty joint-top of the MGBSFL goal charts, he is the man Blancos must watch. But the hosts have exciting front men of their own in Jono Gaon and Adam Hersh and the prospect of being big underdogs might encourage the Blancos boys to produce something special.
Blancos will create chances but Brady will have too much firepower on the day.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Callum Foster
JC star man: Nathan Harrod (Brady)
DC Prediction: Blancos 2 Brady 4
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B vs SPEC FC
I can't remember the last time SPEC FC were playing as well as they are, and scoring so freely.
The have overcome every hurdle of late, and sharing the goal-scoring duties around. Confidence is high after they propelled themselves to second in the table with a 3-1 win over FC Team B.
Ahead of Sunday's trip to Raiders B, player-manager Ricky Lawrence told JC Sport: "Confidence is high but we must guard against complacency.
"Our record isn't the best against Raiders so we'll be looking to change that come Sunday. We also look forward to playing against old SPEC centre back Mark Leader."
The Raiders team has a familiar look to it these days, but they are finding results increasingly hard to come by. But with a team packed with quality throughout in David Simnock, Matt Leader, Mark Leader, Danny Bloom, Adam Posner, Nicky Woolf and Jacob Gold, it shouldn't be too long before they get things right.
But momentum is important in football and that's why I'm backing SPEC FC on Sunday.
Venue – The Ark, Ref – Keith Goodman, KO – 10am
JC star man: Daniel Amram (SPEC)
DC Prediction: Raiders 1 SPEC FC 2
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OAKWOOD B vs BRIXTON OLD BOYS
Nothing less than a comprehensive Oakwood win will do for manager Jason Stein on Sunday.
Last week's win over Raiders was crucial, with Bobby Abrams in the right place at the right time to complete a 2-1 comeback.
Season ticket sales have gone through the roof at Nicholas Breakspear since Abrams put pen to paper to play alongside Jacob Richler Kleiman but I don't recall both scoring on the same week. Brixton beware.
Dan Ash blotted his copybook with a red card last Sunday so he'll be keen to set the record straight and remind fans of what he does best in a game I expect Oakwood to dominate.
Not much has gone right for Brixton who were comprehensively beaten again last week and damage limitation could be their best bet on Sunday.
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Martin De La Fuente
JC star man: Dan Ash (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 4 Brixton 0
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B vs REAL SOSOBAD
Both Redbridge B and Sosobad have been involved in some epic high-scoring draws of late and I can see Sunday producing another.
Emotions having been running high in the RJC camp this week after they bid farewell to Yoni Fialka and Josh Orgel. RJC's Sam Rank told JC Sport: "We would like to say a big thank you to Yoni and Josh who have now played there last game this season for the team. The two forwards have now gone travelling and wish them a great time on there journey and adventures."
The hosts have been competitive in most games, but they must stop conceding to end any lingering relegation fears. Rank told JC Sport: "After the recent entertaining draw away to Los Bloncos, the RJC B Boys felt it was two points dropped. However after a very hard worked training session and a few discussions, the spirit in the camp is very high.
"New record signing David Dobrin looked a little ring rusty in training, but still showed he still has it. David Fialka is also finding his goal scoring boots, and his hopeful to be on the scoresheet for the third consecutive game. One special mention must also go to Daniel Alderman, who has been converted from a Fazio-like player to Toby Alderweireld!
"We are not taking the opposition's league position for granted, and are pumped up to earn the three points."
Dan Shafron knows promotion is now a big ask after his team dropped points from a winning position, not for the first time this season.
But another derby is sure to bring the best out of his Sosobad players. He told JC Sport: We need to get back to winning ways this weekend. We’ve been playing well and refusing to lose which is a positive but we have to start finishing games off.
"Aside from our one loss to Oakwood, we’ve only been behind in one other game this season and we are proving difficult to beat.
"We’ve come up against Redbridge B twice already and we know what to expect. They are a very good footballing team and although we’ve won both times, they’ve given us a real challenge and would have felt hard done by in our first meeting.
"I’ve got a good squad to pick from and the starting team will be picked on merit and attitude over the last few weeks."
JC team news: New record signing David Dobrin will be making his debut for the RJC B, along with another new signing who will be kept under wraps till Sunday. Richie Caplin returns from suspension. Carl Dobrin and Richard Stern have also taken an early winter break.
Venue - Fairlop, Ref – David Lazarus, KO – 10am
JC star man: David Dobrin (RJC)
DC Prediction: RJC 2 Sosobad 2
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DIVISION TWO
DANNY CARO'S DIVISION 2 TEAM OF THE WEEK
TOP-SCORERS
9 - Andy Smith (L’Equipe), Gav Noe (Real Hendon)
8 - Dan Gordon (Faithfold C)
FAITHFOLD C vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C
Faithfold gave a decent account of themselves against table-topping Scrabble last week, but ultimately fell short.
In the end another goal from Dan Gordon, his 9th of the season, was all they had to show for their efforts. Promotion now looks like a distant dream for Rob Shooman's boys who know they really should be doing better.
In Dan Kosky, they have one of the top keepers around, the same can be said about the versatile Josh Barnett and goal-poacher Gordon. But they appear to have fallen short.
Raiders go into the game in good form. They dug deep to beat L'Equipe 4-3 last week with four different scorers registering.
But David Domb insists they will take nothing for granted in Edgware on Sunday. "The previous meeting with Faithfold was an unwelcome although possibly needed wake up call," Domb told JC Sport.
"Since then we've gone on a fine run. We were unlucky to bow out of one cup competition, but three straight wins have seen us regain our confidence and belief in what we can achieve.
"And this Sunday is just an extension of that, it's not about banishing any ghosts from what happened a month ago. It's just another game we have to win."
Everyone is talking about Scrabble FC and Lions B, but three points against Faithfold would put Raiders right in the mix.
JC team news: Alex Elf, Josh Daniels and Olivier Telvi are unavailable, but Nick Haringman returns.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Paul Dobkin
JC star man: Nick Haringman (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 Raiders 3
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FC TEAM C vs REAL HENDON
Sunday's game between FC Team C and Real Hendon is tough to call, with both teams ending 2015 in good form.
Real Hendon put local rivals Hendon United to the sword last week, with goal-poacher Gav Noe adding another double to his tally. Player-manager Chaim Gothold is also scoring on a regular basis, but having played more games and lost more games than their promotion rivals, they need to pick up some big results in the new year.
Team were hit and miss at the start of the season but they are starting to turn things around.
They won a thriller against Bilbaum last week with Freddie Marks and Nicky Sugarman clinching the points.
Their tails are up now and they are ready to avenge the recent 5-2 defeat at the hands of Real.
Team's David Gordon told JC Sport: "We had a very good victory last time around, with a number of the boys hitting top form, and we will be looking to build on that again on Sunday.
"We have had a problem scoring goals this season but, we seem to have found our shooting boots now, with Nicky 'Vardy' Sugarman hitting three in three and Freddie 'Giroud' Marks signing a new contract with Puma prior to last weekend’s game and getting back in the goals.
"We were missing a number of players when we played Real Hendon a few weeks ago but, with a large squad to choose from this weekend, we are very confident of winning the game.”
I can see Team enjoying good periods of pressure but can see Real's big match players using all their guile and experience to come away with the points.
JC team news: FC Team centre back Mike Myers returns and Jamie Cooper is available for the first time this season after a hamstring injury.
Venue – Old Camdenians, Ref – Mike Cowan
JC star man: RA Noe (Real)
DC Prediction: Team 2 Real 3
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HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B vs SCRABBLE FC
Ray Abrahams is taking nothing for granted as Scrabble look to make it 10 wins from 10 as they travel to Hendon for the meeting between first and second in Division Two.
Scrabble have "no injury worries" ahead of the game and Abrahams expects them to be "at full strength" for what looks one of their toughest tests on paper at least.
Abrahams told JC Sport: "The table doesn't lie and Hendon are in second place on merit. We are anticipating a difficult game but all the pressure will be on the Hendon lads who have to win the game.
"We are looking forward to every match at the moment but we know that Hendon will be a different preposition than the team that lost 7-0 to us earlier in the season.
"Teams are trying to hit us on the break at the moment and getting a lot of men behind the ball as they try and end our run.
"Hopefully the weather will not cause the teams too many problems this week and we are looking forward to the game."
Hendon are dusting themselves down after a heavy defeat in the derby against Real. They have gone off the boil of late and I'm predicting a Scrabble win.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Stuart Ansher
JC star man: Josh Flax (Scrabble)
DC Prediction: Hendon 0 Scrabble 2
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L’EQUIPE vs TEMPLE FORTUNE
There will be a party mood in west Hendon on Sunday as L'Equipe celebrate the birthdays of David Prager and Rob Simmons - and there's a special two for one admission policy on the gate as Nick Stern's boys look to get their season back on track.
Stern has been watching clips of the 4-3 defeat against Raiders through the week but he knows his players will face a different kind of threat against the division's basement team.
At times, both clubs have been criticised for their style of football but it's only the points that matter on Sunday.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Steve Levy
JC star man: James Bell (L'Equipe)
DC Prediction: L'Equipe 2 Fortune 0
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