Cup fever will grip the Maccabi football programme north and south this weekend, with holders Hendon United in action along with a number of other contenders in the Peter Morrison Trophy including North London Raiders A, Manchester Maccabi 1st, Oakwood A, Redbridge Jewish Care A and Harmen. Danny Caro looks ahead to all the action which includes matches in the MGBSFL first and second divisions.
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MATCH PHOTOS: RAIDERS vs HARMEN
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DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 17 AWARDS
SAVE OF THE WEEK: DAVID SIMNOCK (NL Raiders B) - made a great late one-on-one save from Mitch Hahn to earn his team a point
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CUP DRAWS
PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND 3 DRAW
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND THREE
NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A vs MANCHESTER MACCABI 1st
It's the clash of the titans in Hatfield on Sunday as MGBSFL table-toppers NLR take on Accountants League leaders Manchester Maccabi in a lunchtime kick-off.
Maccabi boss Tony Gellman was in Innsbruck on a scouting mission this week as he looks to draft in a winter bargain from Austria. Although he wouldn’t reveal any names, he told me that Maccabi are “expecting a tough game, but one they’re looking forward to".
NLR’s season is going from strength to strength. They boosted their treble hopes with a handsome 5-1 victory over Harmen in a game they fell behind in. Ricky Engleman got them back into the game, following several fine saves from Jake Doffman, and they capitalised on a Harmen red card to run out comfortable winners with a double from David Dinkin and one apiece from Nick Lewis and top-scorer Jordan Marks.
The match took its toll on the NLR team but manager Rob Richman is confident of putting out a strong XI, with the dangerous Matt Stock expected to return to the squad after a lengthy absence.
Richman told JC Sport: “After booking our place in the last four of the Anekstein last weekend, we are determined to make it through to the last eight of the PM Cup this weekend.
"Manchester Maccabi, though, will provide a very stern challenge. They have a number of boys who represented GB at the recent Berlin games so obviously possess some real quality and that will explain why they sit top of their respective league having lost just one league game all season.
"We picked up a few knocks and bruises last weekend in a real battle against Harmen and I imagine this weekend’s game will be much the same. It should be a really good test and a further examination of the strength of our squad.
"My guess is that this will be our toughest game to date this season but is one we are all excited to be involved in, I’m sure it would have made a very good final."
Maccabi have produced several defensive master-classes in the league this season but this will undoubtedly be their biggest test to date. Raiders are packed with pace in the wide areas and players such as Engleman will be crucial on Sunday to ensure they have enough in terms of physicality.
I have a feeling home advantage will be crucial in a match decided by small details.
JC team news: Oscar Wagner misses out as he is cup-tied. Nick Lewis and Ben Ellis both hope to be fit. Adam Joselyn, Alex Kaye and David Rhodes are all definitely out. Oli Henry is set for his second debut for the club.
Venue - University of Hertfordshire Sports Village, Ref – Martin De La Fuente, KO – 1pm
JC star man: Matt Stock (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Raiders 2 Manchester 1
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FAITHFOLD C vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C
Division Two bragging rights are up for grabs as Faithfold lock horns with Raiders C – with both sets of players hoping for a tie against one of the big boys as reward for progressing.
Faithfold’s league form has been pretty patchy and on Sunday they will find themselves up against a Raiders team looking to bounce back from the 3-1 defeat against Scrabble FC.
Zack Gothelf’s boys pushed Scrabble all the way and had it not been for the reflexes of Ben Law, things might’ve ended differently.
NLR’s David Domb told JC Sport: “Sunday was a tough one to take. For around an hour we matched the best team in the division but we just couldn't lift our game in the final stages. No-one can fault the players, we gave Scrabble a real scare.
“And that confidence we can take into this week. I'm not too sure what team Faithfold will have out, but they'll hope their season can last that little while longer. It really is a shame to have one of the former champions fold from the league.”
“But for us it could well be a great opportunity to be in the last eight of the national competition. We're the lowest ranked team left, and we want to show how much quality there really is in Division Two.
Rob Shooman’s troops will go into the tie believing they hold a clear psychological edge having stuck five past Raiders in October’s league meeting. Dan Gordon was the hat-trick hero that day, with Dave Sherman adding the gloss.
Ahead of kick-off, Shooman told JC Sport: “This game against NLR is going to be very difficult as they are a very good, well-organised and talented side.
“We, on the other hand, are missing several players who are out for one reason or another. We are hoping to be competitive and give them a decent game.”
Indeed Gothelf vowed that NLR would bounce back and bounce back they have. They are bang in the mix in the race for promotion and will go into the tie with a point to prove.
JC team news: Alex Elf returns after missing the Scrabble game, but Nick Haringman is out.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Callum Foster
JC star man: Marc Woolfe (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 Raiders 3
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BLIZZARD STORM vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS A
Opportunity knocks for both Blizzard Storm and Lions who have claimed a win apiece in their two league meetings this season.
But league form goes out of the window on Sunday as both sides prepare for their first outing of 2016.
Shai Revivo was Blizzard’s two-goal hero in the early-season victory over the Lions who have looked so much better since Adam Klein joined David Pollock in the hot-seat.
Indeed Adam Abadi was their match-winner in the return match when a solitary first-half effort settled it.
But I’m expecting a very different Lions XI on Sunday. The Lions have high hopes in the Morrison this year – although their Saturday first team have matches against the top two in the space of four days.
Boss Andy Landesberg told JC Sport: “The Morrison is never an easy competition for us, although it is a cup the Club wants to win.
“We have a game on Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday. So that’s four games in eight days. We therefore have to balance out the squad for Sunday which will include a few first teamers, two or three from the Sunday A’s, two from the Sunday B’s and two from the under-16 squad. So it will be a real cross-section of our teams.
“I hope we have enough to be able to get us through to the next round. Especially as we may pick up some knocks from the Saturday game.”
If any team can cope with cope with a fixture pile-up, it’s Lions and I think that will be reflective in the full-time scoreline.
Venue - Hertswood, Ref – Martin Lavender, KO – 10.15am
JC star man: Will Beresford (Lions)
DC Prediction: Blizzard 0 Lions 4
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HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A vs SPEC FC
David Garbacz was smiling like a Cheshire cat after the third round draw, delighted that his Hendon team avoided the likes of Raiders, Redbridge, Oakwood, Lions and Manchester Maccabi.
The visit of first division SPEC FC is one that realistically they would expect to win nine times out of 10, but Garbacz knows the pressure is all on his players to produce – the performance and result.
Garbacz told JC Sport: “We were very disappointed that last week’s match was called off at the last minute as we are extremely keen to get our season back on track especially in the cups.
“This week we have ensured no postponements by getting the game on at the 3G of Brunel and it is vital we put in a decent display so that we can progress to the next round and gain some much needed confidence for the weeks ahead.
“We are the proud holders of this fine cup and fully intend to defend it with everything we have got. We will not under-estimate SPEC who I’m sure will fancy their chances of an upset.
“The key will be to put the game to bed early and not to have them still in it after 60 -70 minutes so we will be looking for a fast start.
“It will be good to play some football again and the boys need to get believing that this could still be a year of glory even if things have not gone to plan so far.
“We are looking forward to Sunday and fully expect to be in the hat come Monday morning for the quarters.”
SPEC boss Ricky Lawrence told me his team “were on fire” in the first half of the 6-2 win over Los Blancos. Zack Neiman carried on where he left off last year, while left-back Ben Myers produced a top-notch performance that earned him a place in JC Team of the Week.
But he knows Sunday will be a totally different proposition. Lawrence told JC Sport: “We've never played against Hendon before, all we know is that they are the holders and it's going to have to one hell of a performance from us if our name is going to be in the hat for the next round."
SPEC FC will huff and puff but in the end Hendon will come away with the result they need.
JC team news: Moses Seitler has returned to uni, while Simon Peterman is away. Everyone else is available for Hendon.
Venue - Brunel, Ref – Elliott Mayer, KO - 10am
JC star man: Ethan Zone (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Hendon 2 SPEC 0
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OAKWOOD B vs REAL SOSOBAD
Revenge is the name of the game for Sosobad on Sunday as they look to erase the memory of the 6-3 league defeat at the hands of the mighty Oaks.
Jacob Richler Kleiman had a field day that day, scoring a double along with James Abrams. With both Oakwood team flying this season, spirits are sky high and home fans will arrive full of confidence.
Jason Stein is confident his players will bounce back from the Anekstein elimination at the hands of FC Team A. He told JC Sport: “It was a whirlwind week last week with all the extra media commitments for the Anekstein quarter-final. The TV crews only picked up the last remaining things yesterday actually. I was sad to see them leave. But those were all positive problems to have.
"Of course the result against Team A wasn't the one we wanted but I came away really energised about what we can achieve this year. If the boys put in that level of effort every single week then we will win this league.
"But this weekend isn't about the league, it's about qualifying for the quarter-final of the Morrison Trophy and getting those TV cameras back at The Spear. We had a taste of the big time and now we want another crack at a Prem side.
"Of course to get to that stage we will need to beat our league rival Real Sosobad again after a 6-3 win earlier in the season. That game was closer than the scoreline suggests, but we really cracked it open in the last half hour from 3-2 down.
“The same number of goals this weekend would be welcome. They're a good side, rough and ready and this will be a really competitive game I'm sure. Looking forward to it."
Josh Hambling breathed a sigh of relief when manager Dan Shafron had his application to replace Jose Mourinho at Chelsea decline. Politely. See Caro’s Column in Friday’s JC for more details.
Indeed Shaf is now turning his attentions to getting Sosobad through to the last eight of the Jewish FA Cup, although the bookies have them down as underdogs.
Sosobad’s last win came on October 11. They have drawn too many games since then and also been beaten by Raiders B. But they hope the new year brings with it a change of luck.
The east Londoners certainly have the players who can ask questions of Oakwood and this will result in another enthralling encounter.
JC team news: Jacob Richler Kleiman will return up front as does Dan Selwyn to bolster the midfield. Apart from that “we will be staying loyal to many of those who did so well last week”.
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Mark Jacob
JC star man: Dan Selwyn (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 4 Sosobad 2
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LEEDS MACCABI vs OAKWOOD A
There will be a real derby feel around Squirrel Way as Dan Kristall goes up against his former club, Leeds Maccabi.
Kristall took a leaf out of Jose Mourinho’s book and left the club in a trail of glory after guiding Leeds to the MJSL treble last year. But he hasn’t looked back since his big-money move down south.
He told JC Sport: "When the draw was made, I couldn’t believe it as only six months earlier I was managing Leeds in a truly amazing 14/15 season where we achieved a clean sweep.
"Leeds Maccabi is a club who I hold close to my heart and over the years has done some amazing things for the Leeds Jewish community. It was in fact it was my late father, Howard Kristall, who managed the first Leeds Maccabi under-12 team back in the late 90’s and my brother Adam will be playing for Leeds on Sunday.
"However, on to the main issue and the game on Sunday. It is all about my new team advancing to the next round of the Morrison - a competition that we firmly believe we can win, but we must overcome this very tough hurdle.
"Weather dependent, we look forward a very tough test on a pitch which will be a real leveller at Squirrel Way. With four ex-Leeds Maccabi players in our team – David Woolman, Dan and Josh Rose, Brad Wine - the game certainly has an added spice to it.
"The Leeds Maccabi team includes many good friends although I know they are keeping their team news tight-lipped. I do expect them to ‘bring in some ringers for the game’ but whatever side Leeds put out, they will raise their game and with home advantage, we know how that this will be a very tough tie.
"If we can hit the heights of last weekend’s performance against Camden, they will definitely have no answers but this will be very difficult as the conditions will certainly impact our passing game.
"We travel north with up to five first-teamers out due to injury and work commitments and we are trying desperately to use the January transfer market to bring in a couple of players. We are in advanced talks with one with a view to him playing on Sunday but I can’t reveal the name of this player until the personal terms are agreed."
James Warner has done an excellent job since taking over the reins from Kristall, with Leeds winning six out of seven in an unbeaten start to their league defence.
Leeds are averaging more than three goals a game and have only conceded three times in seven matches, but Warner knows this will undoubtedly be his biggest test yet.
A bumper crowd is expected as the likes of Nick Vale, a hat-trick hero already in 2016, Johnny Goldstone, John Saffman and Rob Selwyn go in search of a major scalp.
There will be no pressure on Leeds on Sunday but I can see one goal being enough for Oakwood.
Venue – Squirrel Lane, KO – 1pm
JC star man: Simon Davies (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Leeds 0 Oakwood 1
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HEATON PARK ROVERS vs FC TEAM A
The cup competitions can keep FC Team A’s season alive although they can take nothing for granted in the league where a battle against promotion is what faces them.
Shim Bensoor was their hero in the Anekstein last week, steering Team into the semi-finals with a quality hat-trick against first division Oakwood B.
Team caused endless problems at set-pieces, with Bensoor alert to tuck away three sharp finishes and they will go to Manchester with their tails up.
Heaton have had a disappointing season to date, with the form of striker Jonathan Franks keeping spirits high.
But on Sunday manager David Seligman needs a big team effort as they look to reach the latter stages for the first time.
Home fans will also be looking for something special from the likes of Alex Swift, David Taylor and Joe Copeland but assuming they are near to full-strength, I think that Team will hold all the aces on the day.
JC star man: Jon Weisz (Team)
DC Prediction: Rovers 1 Team 3
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HARMEN vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
Treble-chasing Redbridge will be looking to end Harmen’s silverware hopes for the season when they make the trip to north-west London.
Jon Jacobs’s men have been a breath of fresh air this season and are making an excellent fist of pushing Raiders for honours on all fronts.
The east Londoners were frustrated by the weather last weekend when their Anekstein quarter-final against Hendon fell victim to the weather. Now they are raring to go again.
Sam Sollosi has lit up the MGBSFL this season and last season’s Young Player of the Year is a leading contender for the main award. The Premier Division is a much better place with him in it. Another key player is Steve Summers who hates lie-ins. Rather than stay at home in the warm, he opted to play for Chigwell Athletic in their 5-5 thriller against Raiders in the Masters last week, chipping in with a goal.
RJC have taken four points out of a possible six against Harmen this season, with Daniel Garfinkle and Summers registering in both games so they will go into the game with the psychological edge.
Asked for his hopes, Jacobs told JC Sport: “That the game is going to be on as guys are keen to kick start 2016."
Harmen are in last chance saloon following their heavy defeat against Raiders last week. Things looked good early on when James Gershfield tucked home a penalty but he went from hero to villain with a red card later in the first half. And then Raiders went on the rampage, scoring four times.
A high-octane affair is on the cards in a game where discipline and keeping 11 men on the pitch is key. He who dares wins.
JC team news: RJC are missing Scott Oldstein and Nathan Sollosi who have returned to university.
Venue - TBC, Ref – Neil Cooper
JC star man: Brad Grant (RJC)
DC Prediction: Harmen 1 RJC 2
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
15 - James Gershfield (Harmen)
12 - Dovi Fehler (Hendon A)
No matches played ...
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
19 - Reiss Mogilner (Brady Maccabi)
16 - Jacob Richler Kleiman (Oakwood B)
BRIXTON OLD BOYS vs BRADY MACCABI
League leaders Brady Maccabi put six past Brixton at the end of November and it could be another long morning for the boys from Clowes.
Reiss Mogilner was the chief tormentor that day – he has scored in their last six matches and is to Brady what Harry Kane is to Spurs. Indeed the bookmakers have stopped taking bets on Mogilner for Division One Player of the Year.
The Brady game apart, Brixton have shown signs that they won’t go down without a fight. Manager Robert Silverman will instruct his players not to show Brady too much respect. It’s important they get in their faces and have no inferiority complex as if they allow Brady time and space they will get punished.
Venue – Clowes, Ref – Stuart Ansher
JC star man: Ben Horn (Brady)
DC Prediction: Brixton 0 Brady 3
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B vs FC TEAM B
Raiders and Team have had some almighty battles over the years and I expect Sunday to be no different.
The games will come thick and fast for Team who managed only five league games in the first half of the season, with tasty clashes against Sosobad, Brady and Faithfold to follow.
Mitch Young maintains big ambitions for Team but they can ill-afford many slips-up between now and the end of the season if they are to achieve a top two finish that they are so capable of.
Raiders deserve huge credit for their thrilling comeback against high-flying Woodford last week. Josh Green and Lewis Blitz helped them come from two goals down to earn a point in a game they rode their luck in. Goalkeeper David Simnock was outstanding, with Danny Bloom and Blitz also catching the eye.
Team have an incredible seven games in hand on Raiders who will try to pull out all the stops to stay ahead of them.
Venue – The Ark, Ref – Laurie Benson
JC star man: Scott Waissel (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Raiders 2 Team 2
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WOODFORD WANDERERS vs LOS BLANCOS
Woodford will be looking to complete their first league double of the season as they take on an inconsistent Blancos team.
Harrison Midda, Tom Alexander and Paul Billar inspired Woodford to a 3-1 win in north-west London at the beginning of November, but they have won only once since.
Managers Daryl Kay and Jerome Marks know their players have produced some scintillating football this season, but in recent weeks an outstanding first 45 minutes has been followed by below-par displays, so concentration, focus, application and their attitude will be put to the test on Sunday.
Ahead of kick-off, Kay told JC Sport: “Last time out against Blancos we produced what (at the time) was our best 45 minutes I’d seen us play in awful conditions and with a depleted squad.
“Some positive news, summer signing Ricky ‘5’ Fox joins the squad after numerous set-backs with back, ankle and appendix injuries, and he will provide some fresh competition the boys playing on the right.
“The boys know what needs to be done this week after our result against NLR, and Jerome and I won’t hesitate to ring the changes if the team isn’t performing.”
The Blancos boys were hit for six by SPEC FC last week. They will be the first to admit they have concede far too freely this season and Woodford will be champing at the bit.
JC team news: Woodford are still missing captain Adam Poole with the last of a three-game suspension and Tom Alexander (warm weather training), while Andy Levy is also unavailable. Key players James Ryan and Paul Biller “who both had excellent games against Blancos last time out” return to the squad and they are joined by the return of Darryl Green who has finally recovered from a broken nail.
Venue – Fairlop, Ref – Daniel Fox, KO – 10am
JC star man: Darryl Green (Woodford)
DC Prediction: Woodford 4 Blancos 2
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
14 - Zak McLeod (Scrabble FC)
13 - Josh Bloom (ML Lions B)
CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI vs ATHLETIC BILBAUM
The Cats had a terrific result at the end of 2015 when they beat Hendon B and they are preparing to welcome Bilbaum for the first match at their new home.
Player-manager Jeff Gotch has led by example week in, week out and he is fully aware of the importance of three points against a team below them.
Gotch told JC Sport: “We have games in hand and have found our rhythm and now it’s time to push on.
“We play a team we don’t know much about but as always we are good enough to beat anyone in our league and have produced some fine performances over last few games.”
The Baums have lost all three games since registering double figures against Temple Fortune. Scoring goals hasn’t been an issue but keeping them out has so they will be keen to deliver in their first outing of the year.
But when push comes to shove, I am backing Cats to come away with maximum points.
JC team news: Ashley Stokes, Joel Isaacs and Danny Yeshua are among the players out for Catford who have “an extremely strong 14 available and are raring to go”.
Venue – Meadow Park, Ref – Robert Caplin
JC star man: Joel Isaacs (Catford)
DC Prediction: Catford 3 Bilbaum 2
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FC TEAM C vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B
Hendon are not the side they were at the start of the season, going by their results. They started the campaign like a house of fire but have dropped silly points when least expected and now face a real fight to finish in the top four.
Benni Sluckis and Jono Nesbitt bagged braces in the first meeting of the season in a game where Sammy Barron had “a game to remember” according to boss Adam Glekin.
FC Team are unbeaten in three but they have been far from convincing this year.
I said a few weeks ago that Team might find it harder to play at home this season because their style can work better in away games. I think that will be the same here. They can pick up another draw, but it will not be easy.
Venue – Old Camdenians, Ref – Barry David
JC star man: Avi Mocton (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Team 2 Hendon 2
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MACCABI LONDON LIONS B vs L’EQUIPE
The Lions will be looking to finish the weekend in second place when host fifth-place L’Equipe at fortress Rowley Lane.
They made a real statement of intent against promotion rivals Real Hendon last week, with Josh Bloom going home with the match ball and a packet of maltesers after his stunning four-goal show.
Bloom was also on target in the previous meeting with L’Equipe when Daniel Fattal (2), Josh Bloom, Jake Hyman, Ed Brafman and an own goal earned the Lions a 6-2 success.
L’Equipe have lost four out of their last five but will be keen to put on a good performance in Arkley. But if they concede early doors, don’t be surprised if the floodgates open.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Robert Benardout
JC star man: Jake Hyman (Lions)
DC Prediction: Lions 4 L’Equipe 1
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REAL HENDON vs TEMPLE FORTUNE
Boucebackability is the name of the game for Hendon who were anything but the real deal against Lions last week.
Chaim Gothold’s troops have played the most games in the division but they will be keen to erase the memory of a 5-1 mauling against a Lions team looking good for promotion.
Fortune produced a resilient performance in their first meeting with Real this season, with Rob Benson scoring both their goals in a 2-2 draw. He has since moved on however and the team have found things incredibly tough since.
But manager Jonathan Cohen is taking it game by game and his players will undoubtedly give it their all for the famous Fortune badge on Sunday.
Cohen told JC Sport: “Paul Rich, Lee Fegan and Ollie Squires all return this week and we have a very strong line-up for the game.
“We felt harshly done by last time against Hendon - having had a man, we felt, wrongly sent off whilst leading the game - so will be up for this one.”
I predicting massive improvement from Real this week and three points.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Martin Fox
JC star man: Chaim Gothold (Real)
DC Prediction: Real 3 Fortune 1
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SCRABBLE FC vs BOCA JEWNIORS
Ray Abrahams hopes Sunday isn’t a case of unlucky 13 as the all-conquering Scrabble FC look to extend their proud unbeaten record and put one hand on the title.
I just hope Boca don’t go the same way as Temple Fortune and concede double figures but fear Scrabble will show no mercy.
Abrahams told JC Sport: “Last week's performance against Raiders was probably one of our best of the season in terms of grinding out a result when it mattered.
“This week's game against Boca will be different. We took a while to break them down in the game at their place and we would expect them to have a lot of players behind the ball once again.
“We know Boca have struggled this season but we know we will have to be on top of our game once again to pick up the three points.
“Scrabble are looking to keep the 100 per cent record intact to make it 13 out of 13.”
Other than the recent game against Lions, Boca have run their opponents close. But they need to start scoring goals. Ben Law has been in top form for Scrabble but they must try to catch him cold, that is if they can get behind a well-drilled defence.
But Scrabble are playing like a juggernaut and nothing will stop them on Sunday. They are clinical in front of goal and favourites for a reason.
Venue – Capital City, Ref – Neal Cohen, KO – 10am
JC star man: Adam Newman (Scrabble)
DC Prediction: Scrabble 5 Boca 0
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