There's a bumper league programme in store on Matchday 12 of the MGBSFL, with the matches involving Scrabble and Raiders B and L'Equipe and Catford of particular interest, with several players looking to impress on debut.
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JC MATCHDAY 11 COVERAGE
MATCH PHOTOS - HENDON A vs RAIDERS A
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LATEST NEWS:
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
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DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 11 AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK - JOSHUA CINNA
MANAGER OF THE WEEK - SEFTON MONK
GOAL OF THE WEEK: Jamie Jackson (ML Lions A)
SAVE OF THE WEEK: Nati Kind (RC UK FC)
REFEREE OF THE WEEK: Luke Steele (RC UK FC vs FC Team B)
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CUP DRAWS
PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND TWO DRAW
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
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YOUR WEEKEND REVIEW STARTS HERE:
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISON
DANNY CARO'S PREM DIV TEAM OF THE WEEK
TOP-SCORERS
13 - Liron Mannie (NL Raiders A)
11 - Reiss Mogilner (Brady Maccabi)
BRADY MACCABI vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
David Garbacz has his sights set on regaining top spot outright ahead of Hendon’s short trip to Brady.
Although he was disappointed by last week’s draw against defending champions NLR, he would’ve been delighted with their four-point haul against L’Orange this season.
Avi Korman and Rocky Spitzer were the marksmen in a 2-2 draw, while Yehuda Korman and Simon Peterman were pinpointed as the stand-out performers in a solid team performance.
The Reds will be looking to keep their first clean sheet in the league ahead of their first meeting with Brady this season.
Garbacz told JC Sport: “We remain very positive despite the fact that we dropped our first league points of the season last week. Overall I couldn’t fault the performance or the commitment or the attitude and our good form is very much intact.
“Saying that the result does put us under slightly more pressure in terms of margin for error and we know that another draw would put us in catch-up territory.
“We will therefore be going all out for three points on Sunday and the boys will know that nothing else will suffice.
“Brady have dropped away a bit after a very encouraging start but they clearly possess some big danger men who, on their day, can cause us problems. We will have to be patient and make sure we take all chances that come our way.
“Every game is vital and for us on Sunday nothing other than a win will do.”
Brady have acted swiftly in a bid to end their slump in form by signing Sam Castle and David Cohen have joined from Maccabi London Lions.
Managers Josh and Elliott Dagul are delighted with their acquisition who have both joined on four-year deals.
With the club having already added Brad Dryer, Casey Sharpe, Marc Rister and Ben Kohler to the squad over the summer, their intent is clear.
Elliott Dagul told JC Sport: "I wanted to add some experienced players to our young squad and both of them perfectly fit that bill.
"They are players with special qualities and I fully expect them to come straight in and make a difference for us."
A sizable crowd is expected at the Lane for a match that promises goals.
JC team news: Simon Peterman Yoav Kestenbaum and Yoav Lebens are out for Hendon. Greg Corin returns.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – David Lazarus, KO – 10am
JC star man: Greg Corin (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Brady 1 Hendon 3
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CAMDEN PARK vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
Table-toppers Redbridge go in search of their eighth straight win when they make the long journey to Hadley to take on relegation-threatened Camden.
Jon Jacobs told me his team were good value for their derby win over Woodford which came courtesy of strikes from Dean Nyman, Daniel Garfinkle and Ryan Cole.
Although we’re only three months into the season, it’s clear Cole is a contender for Player of the Season. He’s an old-school, no-nonsense left-back with a dream of a left peg. Jacobs wouldn’t swap him for the world.
Camden lacked killer instinct again the Lions last week, with a well-taken strike from Jake Saunders all they had to show for their efforts in a 4-1 humbling.
Indeed goals have come at a premium for Max Saunders’ men this season and although they will huff and puff, I can’t see them troubling the east Londoners.
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – Martin Fox, KO – 10am
JC star man: Sam McCarthy (RJC)
DC Prediction: Camden 0 RJC 3
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MACCABI LONDON LIONS A vs FC TEAM A
Jamie Jackson was the talk of the terraces after bagging a brace on his Lions debut.
He ensured managers Will Beresford and Ryan Springer secured their second successive win since taking over the reins and they will be looking at Sunday’s fixture as a very winnable game.
Lions really upped their game in the second half and the top three is now well within their grasp.
FC Team have now strung together a three-match unbeaten rather after recent arrival Connor Perl guided them to a deserved 4-1 win over Camden Park.
Mitch Young’s men were terrific going forward but he knows questions will be asked of them defensively on Sunday.
I’m predicting goals aplenty on Sunday, and a Lions win.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Mark Jacob, KO – 10am
JC star man: Jamie Jackson (Lions)
DC Prediction: Lions 3 Team 2
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SPEC FC vs WOODFORD WANDERERS
Daryl Kay remains in upbeat mood despite Woodford’s worrying run. Last weekend’s derby defeat saw the message really hit home; they may not be able to beat the top teams, so that makes the trip to Borehamwood that much more important.
Tom Alexander's late goal ensured they finished the game on a high and Kay and co will be looking to call the shots against fellow strugglers SPEC – a game in which they hold a psychological edge.
"Three points are the order of the day and nothing less," Kay told JC Sport. "We've already beaten SPEC this season and this is absolutely another chance to pull away from the teams at the bottom.
“We’ve had two hard games since we last played them but conceding four goals in our last three games isn’t that bad, especially when you consider two of those games were against Oakwood A and Redbridge A.”
SPEC have lost seven on the spin and scored just five goals in that time. They finished ultimately well beaten by FC Team last week, although they did threaten from set-pieces. This could be their best way forward on Sunday.
Ahead of kick-off, SPEC's Ricky Lawrence told JC Sport: "After coming so close to getting our first point of the season against Woodford last time we played them, here's hoping we can go one better this weekend."
It’s vital Ricky Lawrence’s boys capitalise on home advantage and make sure they pull in one direction in a bid to get points on the board before it’s too late.
JC team news: Woodford are missing James Ryan and Dave Green this week and Ell Gold will have a late fitness test. Ben Rosenthal will return to the line-up after some time out of the team. Kay hopes “he comes back revitalised and ready to compete”. Kay misses the match due to an international scouting mission in Rome so Jerome Marks will lead the team in his absence. Kay added: “He knows the drill and exactly what will be expected from the boys.”
Venue - Hertswood, Ref – Darryl Colmans, KO – 10.15am
JC star man: Ryan Fox (SPEC)
DC Prediction: SPEC 1 Woodford 1
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DIVISON ONE
DANNY CARO'S DIVISION 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK
TOP-SCORERS
10 - Oliver Sade (Finchley City)
8 - Daniel Polak (Finchley City)
OAKWOOD B vs ATHLETIC BILBAUM
I’m glad Jason Stein didn’t hold being overlooked for the JC Manager of the Week award personally.
He knows that 99 times out of 100 I’d have given him the nod for beating the Lions and being the first team to take points off them this season. Believe me, it was a tough call.
Four games unbeaten, it’s no surprise Stein had a spring in his step and paired the fact he can once again call on the services of A-team hot-shot David Woolman, he sounded quietly confident at the club’s training ground when I caught up with him during the week.
“Good afternoon DC, thanks for moving the press conference to a later time. We had the personal shoppers in from Harrods today helping the lads pick holiday gifts for the WAGs. A few diamond encrusted dreidels later and here we are.
“Before we discuss the match it would be wrong of me not to reveal some news from Oakwood this week that we have parted company with Jacob Richler Kleiman by mutual consent.
“JRK scored close to 50 goals during my time at Oakwood and we are grateful for his commitment as we are with every player. Every player who commits to the MGBSFL is making a sacrifice of sorts.
“But things move on and we had reached a stage over the past few months where I was no longer able to offer JRK the guaranteed starting spot he wanted. I’ve no doubt that JRK could have continued to be a helpful player for us this season.
“I am sure that in a more suitable environment he will score goals in the MSFL and I hope we come up against him one day soon.
“Personally and on behalf of all his teammates I thank him for his service and I’m sure there will be sides looking to snap him up.”
Gaffer Stein knows victory on Sunday could take the Oaks into the top three. He told JC Sport: “In terms of Bilbaum this week, it’s pretty simple for us and we need to win again and I’m putting the lads under pressure to do so.”
Sam Deaner and Jonah Gordon-Boyd were Bilbaum’s goal-scoring heroes in the 2-1 triumph over Los Blancos – their first of the season.
Ben Cantopher earned a surprise call-up into my JC Team of the Week after bossing the midfield, but he will have his work cut out on Matchday 11, against a quality Oakwood engine room full of big-hitters.
The first 20 minutes will be crucial for Bilbaum on Sunday. I can see them being under the cosh for long spells and a 4-5-1 counter-attacking formation could be the way forward.
But when all is said and done, I expect Oakwood to run out comfortable winners.
JC team news: Daniel Selwyn and Daniel Seligman will return in midfield while Dave Woolman is likely to continue up front as the A-team again have no fixture. Left-back Ben Buck continues to captain the side while Dan King nears a return to action.
Venue - Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Andy Myerson, KO – 10am
JC star man: David Woolman (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 4 Bilbaum 0
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BRIXTON OLD BOYS vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B
With big matches against Raiders and Oakwood to follow, Redbridge B will be looking to boost promotion hopes against basement battlers Brixton.
Sam Rank’s boys were mentally and physically ready for their battle against Scrabble last week until the bad weather intervened. It’s clear Sunday cannot come soon enough as they go in search of win No. 5.
Rank told JC Sport: “The boys are pumped up to get back onto the field after last week's waterlogged pitch. They are buzzing to be playing and also so motivated to keep their 100 per cent record going.
"The league table doesn’t lie and Brixton are bottom of the table, but we will not be taking the opposition lightly. They will give the opposition respect.
"I am expecting a very strong performance form the RJC B boys, especially with starting line-up places available for the big cup game against NLR A.
"I’m not predicting a cricket score this week, but an authoritative win."
Brixton have problems at both ends of the pitch and last Sunday’s 6-0 mauling at the hands of Finchley City has done little for their confidence.
Damage limitation could be their best bet here.
JC team news: RJC B “have been very busy in transfer window” this week. Daniel Orgel has returned from his travelling experience and he is ready to get stuck into Sunday morning football again. They also welcome Seth Walmer from Brixton. He will debut against his former club. RJC B have an almost full squad available, which according to Rank “brings extremely fun selection headaches for the RJC B management team”. Scott McKenzie misses out with a groin and Rank will have a late fitness test, to see whether he is in dugout or in the centre of the park.
Venue - Clowes, Ref – Henry Raffe, KO – 10am
JC star man: Dean Ben Yosef (RJC)
DC Prediction: Brixton 0 RJC 4
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FAITHFOLD A vs LOS BLANCOS
Los Blancos cannot buy a win at the minute and their 2-1 reverse against Bilbaum was their fourth on the bounce.
However, their fans will be boosted by the news that Nick Grosse has a big squad available as they look to end their barren run.
"I have the strongest availability of the season with 21 players offering their services this weekend,” Grosse told JC Sport.
"I have a very difficult task choosing the match day squad. Confidence is high and spirits are raised.
"Faithfold are in trouble no matter how much scouting they undertake. I fear Rob Shooman's trip to Borehamwood in the rain last week is going to prove to be a futile exercise.”
Faithfold are unbeaten in their last two and the Superhoops will be determined to ensure they go into the second leg just before Chanukah with a psychological edge.
Sunday will come down to which teams wins the individual and collective battles.
JC team news: Grosse has all his “key players back from injury including Tim Heynes, Svi Freedman and Benjy Israel. Adam Hersh, Joel Barnett, Josh Hirshowitz and Luke Strauss are also available again”.
Venue – Christs College, Ref – Martin Lavender, KO – 10am
JC star man: Jonny Gahan (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 3 Blancos 1
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HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS B
Bouncebackability is the name of the game for both Lions and Hendon on Sunday.
Sam Marchant’s men tasted defeat for the first time this season against Oakwood last week, although they know they will not come up against a striker of the quality of David Woolman every week.
Marchant was let down by two late withdrawals, but he knows his team cannot afford to make a habit of sloppy starts if they are to finish in the top two.
Hendon have slipped down the table at a rate of knots following four consecutive defeats. Managers Jono Nesbitt and Jamie Neidle have been working hard to right the wrongs but they know they will have to pull out all the stops against a strong Lions team.
The spine of Dan Lipman, Nathan Schindler, Charlie Cohen and Michael Kenley will be enough to beat most teams in the division and I think they will have too much for Hendon on the day.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Keith Goodman, KO – 10am
JC star man: Daniel Behar (Lions)
DC Prediction: Hendon 1 Lions 4
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SCRABBLE FC vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B
Raiders face another big test of their title credentials when they take on Scrabble FC for the second time, looking to complete a notable league double.
Josh Goldstein was the match-winner when the teams met in September but manager Jonathan Adelman believes his depleted squad will find things tougher second time around.
Cranking up the pressure on Sunday’s hosts, Adelman told JC Sport: "We know this is a must-win game for Scrabble if they want to be in the mix for the promotion places, so we are expecting a battle royale.
"We've a lot of respect for Ray’s boys - a number of whom are ex-Raiders and we’ve had two good games with them already this season. I'd be surprised if it wasn’t another close game on Sunday.
"We have spent the past few weeks trying to cobble together a viable squad for this game and work out a formation to suit those players we have whilst trying to counter the threat from Scrabble.
"Fingers crossed we will be in a position to do ourselves justice. We know a win would be a huge boost for our promotion hopes whilst dashing Scrabble’s so it's all set up to be a cracker."
Scrabble have games in hand on the teams at the top and manager Ray Abrahams knows they need a statement victory to make their rivals stand up and take note.
They were beaten by the weather last week and will have plenty of pent up energy and aggression, so it’s important they manage that properly.
Josh Bharier and Elliot Espinoza have been their top performers up to now, but it will take a real squad effort to turn NLR over.
I have a suspicion that substitutes will have an important role to play on Sunday and it wouldn’t surprise me if the points are shared in a real war of attrition.
JC team news: Due to a "bizarrely timed" engagement brunch, NLR are missing Nicky Woolf, Richard Bloom and David Simnock on Sunday. Also missing are Jake Gilbert, Jacob Gold and new signing Jack Roberts leaving Will Ufland as our only recognised forward.
Venue – Capital City, Ref – Daniel Fox, KO – 10am
JC star man: Josh Green (Scrabble)
DC Prediction: Scrabble 2 NLR 2
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DIVISION TWO
DANNY CARO'S DIVISION 2 TEAM OF THE WEEK
TOP-SCORERS
20 - Richard Fogelman (Faithfold B)
11 - Jorden Sharifian (Temple Fortune), Avi Markiewicz (RCUK FC)
BOCA JEWNIORS vs MILL HILL DONS
Both the Player and Manager of the Week awards went to Boca Jewniors – a JC first. No doubt the families of Joshua Cinna and Sefton Monk have been schlepping nachas and hopefully purchasing a bumper number of copies!
The challenge now is to do it again, and again, and again. Perhaps they should play as if they are 4-0 down at the start of every match!
All joking aside, whatever Monk said to his players at half-time worked a treat. He lifted their performance levels to new heights and now he hopes that having seen what they are capable of achieving, they take more responsibility on board week in, week out.
Ahead of the visit of the Dons, Boca’s Anton Nyman told JC Sport; “We’re looking to build on the momentum from last week but can take nothing for granted."
“We’re busy on the transfer front at the moment with a new goalkeeper on the cards - all to be revealed soon and hopefully before Sunday.
The Dons were brought down to earth last week, going down 5-1 against leaders L’Equipe.
However, manager Brandon Hamme is confident his players will rise to the occasion on Sunday.
He told JC Sport: “Our unbeaten run may have come to an end but we are still positive for the rest of the season.
“We are still in the promotion race but we can’t afford to drop that many more points if we are to remain challenging until the end of the season.
“This week we take part in the Mill Hill derby; I’m glad the league favoured the 10am kick-off time over a later start for television viewing. This should mean the ultras from both sides should be less intoxicated heading to the match.
“We know how much this game means to the fans and we will be doing our upmost to bring the three points back to the better side of Mill Hill. On Sunday we will prove once and for all that Mill Hill is gold.”
Boca have been riding on a wave since last week’s “comeback of the season” that they could only have dreamt of. But I think it will be harder for them at home, firstly because the Dons will not come forward in numbers to allow Boca to counter-attack, and also because Monk’s men are now a scalp.
JC team news: Boca are expected to have a “fairly full strength team available” on Sunday.
Harry Cohen has returned from injury and should be back for selection for the Dons on Sunday. Joe Reece has returned to training after more than seven weeks out, but he is a doubt for the game, Harry Moss, Ryan Kramer and Zach Perez are also doubts. Ben Bazini and Adam Ben Harosh are both out with injuries.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Barry David, KO – 10am
JC star man: Michael Rosenthal (Boca)
DC Prediction: Boca 2 MHD 3
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FAITHFOLD B vs HERTSWOOD VALE
What have Faithfold B and Hertswood Vale got in common? No checking Google please … I’ll give you all a couple of minutes.
How a team throws away a 4-0 lead is beyond me. Some of the defending from both teams was at times, well, catastrophic. Both sets of players deserved detentions, although the worst they got was the hairdryer in their respective dressing rooms.
Faithfold’s 2-2 draw against Raiders last week shows they progress they have made under David Garson and James Stanton this season. But they know that with more concentration and game intelligence it could have been three points rather than one.
In true Football Focus style, JC Sport caught up with Faithfold B’s most loyal supporter, Sol Garson. He told reporters: "We haven’t been defeated in the league since 5776, well before Trump got elected. Fogey is back with a vengeance and we are still scoring enough to win matches. That’s the positives.
"But from 60 minutes onwards it goes downhill; we’d struggle against Faithfold ladies B team. So we know what we need to focus on
"Hertswood Vale successfully managed to mimic our tactics of self-destruction, letting a four-goal lead slip to lose 5-4 against Boca last week, so I’m sure they’ll be doing a lot of soul-searching about last half hours too. Vamos Faithfold.”
As Garson mentioned, the Vale boys were their own worst enemies in last week’s horror show against Boca. But joint-manager Jack Shulman took time out at his press conference to praise arguably the best British box-to-box midfielder of our generation.
"Let's be honest,Shulman told JC Sport, “this week should be all about Steven Gerrard.
"Football has lost great man. Normal time for the game.”
Moving on to Sunday’s encounter with the Superhoops, Shulman went on to say: “Once again we have a lot of big name players out, including myself who has family commitments and Viv Emanuel who is our latest injury and will be out until 2016 with the latest in a string of niggling injuries.
"All I can say is at some point, this team will click, we are all really angry at how we let ourselves down last week, in more than just football.
"We want to put it right this week."
Shulman also predicts eye-catching performances from last week’s hat-trick hero Elio Elia and the returning Josh Gorb. “With four goals in two games we are hoping for big things from the two of them.
JC team news: Faithfold captain Josh Barnett, Dan Abrams and Raphael Meyers join long-term absentee Jon Posener on the unavailable list.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Mike Cowan, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ben Kfir (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 4 Vale 2
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FC TEAM B vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE C
Josh Hambling's RJC boys head to darkest Harefield with revenge on their minds.
FC Team produced the coupon spoiler result against the east Londoners last month when a solitary effort from Jamie Breslaw was all that separated the sides.
Redbridge have been suffering a hangover ever since, dropping points against Raiders, L’Equipe and Temple Fortune. Hambling knows they are due a win and with only Faithfold B to play between now and Chanukah, Sunday is a must-win.
The victory over RJC has been the only real highlight for FC Team thus far. They looked set for a heavy defeat against RC UK FC last week, going 2-0 down inside 10 minutes. But after riding their luck, with the woodwork rescuing them on several occasions, they made a good fist of it and were somewhat unfortunate not to come away with a point in the end.
But it will take a very good team to complete a double over RJC this season and I expect Hambling’s warriors to hold all the aces on Sunday.
Venue – Harefield Academy, Ref – Robert Benardout, KO – 10am
JC star man: Jacob Kaye (RJC)
DC Prediction: Team 1 RJC 3
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L’EQUIPE vs CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI
Jeff Gotch splashed the cash this week to complete a club record transfer for striker Jacob Richler Kleiman.
The Catford manager fought off a host of rival bids to land his prized asset who was quickly snapped up after leaving Oakwood B. He will go straight into the clash against promotion rivals L’Equipe.
Having slipped down to sixth, Gotch believes there is plenty of time for the Cats to get back into the mix.
He told JC Sport: “Sunday is a massive game for us against a good foe of mine in Nick Stern.
“We need the three points to close the gap and know that if we play to our potential we should have a great shout of getting the win.
“We are missing two key midfielders but those stepping in will do a job, I’m sure of that.
“I can happily announce that I have dipped into the market and made two signings, one of those being a marquee signing of a certain JRK who we have managed to pick up on a free from Oakwood.
“We are all thrilled to have a proven goal-scorer at a higher level with us and eagerly anticipate his debut this Sunday.”
L’Equipe looked a class act in crushing Mill Hill Dons 5-1 last Sunday. The goals were shared around in what manager Nick Stern described as a real team effort.
The table-toppers have taken seven points out of a possible nine from their three toughest matches – Redbridge, Temple Fortune and RC UK, and Stern is ready for a real clash of the titans on Sunday.
He told JC Sport: “Things are looking good in the L’Equipe camp but by no means are we getting ahead of ourselves.
“The message is still the same and as clear as ever; it is one week at a time, concentrate on just that match, do your job, win your individual battles and by Sunday afternoon we will remain top of the league.
“Most of my squad has been involved in Jewish football for over 10 years so they know the perils that lie in wait as the pitches deteriorate and the temperatures drop. No-one is getting excited beyond Sunday and that’s most important.
“Now to Sunday match itself and against arguably our biggest rivals for the league Catford. Sunday is also special as Jeff Gotch, their manager, used to send me to sleep babysitting me when I was younger with tales about how good of a footballer he is.
“Some 20 years later and it looks like Jeff is finally realising those dreams by scoring for fun in Division Two of the Maccabi League and building an extremely competitive team. I am sure that is what he meant when he said he was going to make the big time as a bright-eyed 20-year-old!
“We have a lot of respect for Catford and know many of their players and we can’t wait to commence battle with them this Sunday morning. We actually play Catford twice before Chanukah and we know if we can take points in both these games against our rivals it will set us up extremely well for the rest of the season."
Now for the bad news. Stern this week launched a plea for help from the L'Equipe WAGS. “Frustratingly I have a number of absentees this week due to ‘injuries’ and anniversaries. After the New Year I have banned all girlfriends and wives from taking their husbands or boyfriends away for the weekends, it’s not that special and winning the league should be the priority of every member of our squad.
“Anniversaries and birthdays happen every year but having the chance to win the league is a once in a lifetime possibility for many of my players so I hope that they will all listen to the memorandum that is coming down from the board.
“Mark Smith is even driving from Windsor for the game and that’s the commitment I hope I get from all my squad.”
The acquisition of JRK is huge news for Catford supporters. But it’s at the other end of the pitch I fear for them at the moment. They have leaked 10 goals in their last two matches and will need to pull out all the stops to halt the march of L’Equipe.
It should be a cracker.
JC team news: Ian Baron is injured for L’Equipe and Mark Singer is away, “both of whom are big losses”. Stern is “still waiting on a few final injury check-ups” before announcing his final squad.
Catford’s Joel Lassman and Yarden Sharon miss the game through suspension.
Venue – Old Finchleians, Ref – Laurence Thorne, KO – 10am
JC star man: Jacob Richler Kleiman (Catford)
DC Prediction: L’Equipe 3 Catford 2
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REAL HENDON vs RC UK FC
RC UK made heavy weather of beating FC Team last weekend, but they have fond memories of their first meeting with Real Hendon this season.
Jonti Aremband was the chief destroyer, helping himself to a four-goal salvo in a 7-1 mauling. It was a day when everything he touched turned to goals.
There will be a derby feel to Sunday's clash, with several former Hendon United players on both sides. And RC player-manager Avi Markiewicz, last week's two-goal hero, is expecting a closer affair second time around.
Markiewicz told JC Sport: "We haven't played a lot of teams once but this will be our second game against Real Hendon.
"Last time around was very close until half-time and from there we managed to push on and get seven.
"We know that things won't be the same this time around with the likes of Bennis Sluckis and Motti Korman back available for them, but ultimately I believe that we have the talent to overcome Hendon."
Real's good run was halted by Mill Hill Dons last Sunday. Manager Chaim Gothold was disappointed they failed to hold on to a lead, but he is under no illusion as to how tough things could be against RC, who are deadly on the break.
An open and entertaining match awaits.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Paul Dobkin, KO – 10am
JC star man: Avi Mocton (RC)
DC Prediction: Real 2 RC 3
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C vs TEMPLE FORTUNE
You've probably heard the more clubs than Jack Nicklaus gag ... the same applies to Jonny Blain who has made a surprise return to his spiritual home after rejoining the Raiders.
He played an important role in goal for Oakwood A last season, including an appearance in a cup final, but has taken the plunge to drop two divisions to play with his mates, and bring some quality and experience.
"We’re delighted Jonny has returned to the club, NLR joint-manager David Domb told JC Sport. "I was thrilled to hear he had an interest in rejoining us and couldn’t turn down the chance to have him back. His arrival has certainly given everyone a lift."
Edged out 3-2 by Fortune in September, it's clear Domb and co respect Simon Linden's men who currently lie second in the table.
"They have come a long way," continued Domb. "It’s great to see they’re no longer the whipping boys of the league, and well done to Simon and his troops for the way they’ve turned themselves into a force in this division.
"You could see how far they’d come from the league’s earlier meeting, where we were unlucky to be on the end of a defeat.
"But we have come a long way since then too. We’ve had to rebuild a lot during the season, and it’s a shame it took us so long to settle, but the last few weeks we’ve really demonstrated what this team is about.
"Sunday will be another very tough game, but we’re virtually at full strength this week. It’s all looking very bunched at the top of the table. It was important we kept ticking over with points on the board last weekend – and we need to add another three this week."
Zach Rich, Jordan Sharifian and Brett Stead were the marksmen for Fortune in the aforementioned win over L'Orange. Sharifian and Stead have been in sensational form ever since, but it will be interesting to see how they perform on 3G.
With leaders L'Equipe in for a tough game against Catford, Linden's men will be looking to close the gap at the top, but it will take a special performance to overcome NLR.
Linden told JC Sport: "Another week, another tough game. Raiders have improved since we last met back at the start of the season, they have what it takes to beat anyone especially considering the fact they destroyed Catford 6-0 so I'm expecting a very tight game but we have to win."
Fortune are on a good run and playing with confidence. It's impossible to call a winner here in a game in which the key battle will be the Fortune defence and NLR attack.
JC team news: Jonny Blain has served his one-match suspension and is in line to return for his first Raiders appearance in two years following his stint at Oakwood. Liam Stein is also in the squad after returning from international duty and Joel Levitt is also available, though Rob Samuelson and Ricky Zeiderman are both away. Jake Yudelowitz hopes to return from injury on December 11.
Fortune will give late fitness tests to key Israeli stars Eshad Rahiv and Jordan Sharifian.
Ref – Neal Cohen, KO – 10am
JC star man: Jonny Blain (NLR)
DC Prediction: NLR 3 Fortune 3
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