Hats off to London Lions whose promotion confirmed that they will be playing the highest level the club has ever achieved next season.
Manager Tony Gold, together with his assistant Steve Grenfell, deserve much credit for keeping the team believing and imbedding a winning mentality. Striker Adam Stolerman has had another excellent season but it has been a magnificent team effort.
Doing the rounds last weekend, it was good catching up with my old FC Team before the League Cup game against Hendon United A. I then zoomed down the M1 to see North West Neasden A play Faithfold A. It was an excellent game with Faithfold’s future looking bright with late cameos from young guns Roi ‘Rocky’ Makdasi and Mickey Field.
London Maccabi Lions B manager Gavin Stollar has blasted Redbridge Jewish Care following their controversial withdrawal against Neasden. He said: “If the league wishes to maintain its integrity, it is important that it acts on this issue now. I have received so many comments expressing outrage at a team’s ability to simply forfeit a game and ultimately benefit from that course of action. It is my view that if the league wishes to be seen to be acting on behalf of the teams who turn out week in, week out, and not protecting those less well run clubs who spoil the competitive nature of the league by forfeiting games, it needs to act whilst this game still means something.”
League chairman David Wolff said: “The league will deal with this matter in accordance with its rules. There is nothing else I wish to say.”
My suggestion would to force RJC and Lions B to playoff in a winner-takes-all contest to ensure a fair outcome.
Stollar watched Lions C play FC Heath last weekend. Heath were already down and played with just nine men. They lost 10-0 but earned the respect of Stollar, who said: “Everyone present admired their determination to turn up and see out their fixtures. It truly embodied the genuine spirit of the MSFL.”
Maccabi Netanya have announced that Lothar Mattaus, the former German World Cup winner, will not continue as manager next season.
Glenthorne United A manager Ian Cohen has resigned, saying “I am very proud of the record I leave behind and wish Glenthorne every success for the future.”
Mickey Collins and Steve Reiterbund have replaced Cohen. Chairman Sid Shaw, who will manage Glenthorne B, said: “They have a proven record and enjoy working together. I am confident that they can take the club forward and bring back the glory years with silverware on the agenda.”
Nostalgia lovers will be interested to read that Nick Sonenfield has organised a match between his current team HMH Under 17 and Victoria Community Centre Under 17s, whom he managed 25 years ago. The Victoria boys are now in their 40s and Sonenfield, who has managed to locate most of his former players, said: “Many will not have seen each other for over 20 years.”
The game, in aid of Camp Simcha’s children’s charity, will take place at Leyton Orient’s stadium in Brisbane Road on May 10, kicking off at 4pm.
Team GB’s open cricket team lost their first warm-up match ahead of the Maccabiah Games. They lost a Twenty20 contest by five runs against West Herts.
Two Peter Morrison Trophy semi-finals take centre stage on Sunday with holders North West Neasden A travelling to North London Raiders A while Leeds Maccabi host Hendon United A.
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