The Maccabi GB Southern Football League resumes after a two-week winter break, with Oakwood A looking to close the gap on leaders Hendon United, while Redbridge Jewish Care B go in search of their eighth consecutive record.
January 5, 2017 11:22
PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND THREE
MACCABI LONDON LIONS U21 vs HERTSWOOD VALE
Lions are fancied to take their second MGBSFL scalp of the season when they entertain Vale at the Lane.
Josh Burns was their match-winner in the last round when they eliminated Scrabble FC in a mature performance in which Reuben Rabstein, Nathan Anders and Jack Mattey were among the star performers.
Coached by Mark Damici, the Lions are confident of setting up a trip to Faithfold B.
Hertswood are 10-1 to win in 90 minutes, but joint-manager Jacob Emanuel told me the underdogs aim to “kick-off the second half of our season with the intention of pulling off another cupset”.
They ended 2016 in style with a 3-2 win over FC Team B, a result that will sadly be wiped from the history books after their opponents folded. But they certainly won’t have any inferiority complexes going into the Lions’ den.
Emanuel told JC Sport: “Following on from our victory against Finchley City, who are flying high in the first division, we go into Sunday's game with a nothing to lose mentality.
“Despite being labelled as the competition's underdogs, we fully intend to secure our place in the third round of the cup. However, we are firmly aware that the odds are stacked well and truly against us.
“We go into this weekend without first choice keeper Yaacov Goldin due to his wedding on the following weekend, along with a number of our university players.
“We do however welcome back Cup Hero Ben Mandel who has once again decided to make the long journey down from Manchester and captain Josh Wood.
“Co-manager Jack Shulman, match winner against Finchley City in the last round looks set for his first stint in goal since pre-season.
“The dream of bringing home the trophy to Borehamwood continues.”
You may see one or two shocks in the FA Cup this weekend, but I can’t see one happening in the Jewish equivalent, despite a brave effort from the Vale boys.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Steve Levy, KO – 12 noon
JC star man: Jack Mattey (Lions)
DC Prediction: Lions 4 Boca 0
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP 3
1. Hendon Pl. 10, W. 9, Pts. 28
2. Oakwood Pl. 10, W. 7, Pts. 23
3. Redbridge Pl. 9, W. 7, Pts.21
BRADY MACCABI vs WOODFORD WANDERERS
Brady’s win at Camden Park at the back-end of 2016 was much-needed.
It stopped a shocking run of six straight defeats and the injection of blood from Maccabi London Lions was timely, with Sam Castle the two-goal hero. The clean sheet would’ve pleased managers Josh Dagul and Eli Dagul too.
But they face a very different challenge in the shape of Woodford Wanderers on Sunday – a team that has conceded 10 goals in the last two outings.
While most MGBSFL managers had their feet up over Chanukah, Daryl Kay has been active in a bid to ensure the east Londoners climb out of the danger zone.
Kay told JC Sport: “This week we could potentially have up to 18 players to choose from, who’d have thought! We’ve recruited over the Christmas break and I’m hoping that our luck will change this year.
“We know we can beat Brady and if I’m honest, if we have any hopes of staying in the Premier we have to beat them. It will be hard to accept anything less than a win, and the boys know that.”
Brady’s recent home form will give Woodford reason for optimism but if they go behind I can’t see them getting the result they desperately need.
JC team news: Harrison Midda (hamstring) and Ell Gold (injured) are the only absentees for Woodford.
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
BRADY: Harry Fine, Jordan Nathan, Dan Cohen, David James Cohen, Rob Cohen, Brad Dryer, Sam Monjack, Ricky Rinder, Marc Rister, Casey Sharpe, Reiss Mogilner, Scott Benson, Henry Ziff, Elliot Dagul, Dan Harrod, Nathan Harrod, Josh Miller, Ben Eliad, Sam Castle, Matt Frohlich
WOODFORD: Ben Rosenthal, Paul Biller, Adam Shafron, Adam Poole, Ricky Fox, Jerome Marks, Alex Aviram, Darryl Green, David Green, Alfie Rosen, Adam Kemper, James Ryan, Tom Alexander, Harrison Midda, Ryan Silkman, Aaron Rosen, Martin Sales, David Wexler, Jason Patmore,
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TOP-SCORERS
Brady – Reiss Mogilner 12
Wood - Harrison Midda, Tom Alexander 13
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FORM GUIDE
Brady – WLLLL
Wood - LLLLL
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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Brady – FC Team (a), Lions (h), SPEC (a)
Wood – Oakwood (h), Hendon (a)
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Luke Steele, KO – 10am
JC star man: Sam Castle (Brady)
DC Prediction: Brady 2 Woodford 1
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SPEC FC vs FC TEAM A
Mitch Young has always been a ‘cup half full’ kind of guy. Although much of his preparations for the trip to SPEC FC have been taken up by dealing with the collapse of his B-team, he sees no reason why 2017 can’t be a good year for his club.
The FC Team treatment table has been doing over-time this season, but Young hopes a change of year brings with it a change of luck on the injury front.
Young told JC Sport: “I’m confident we will now prosper with one strong squad competing in the MGBSFL Premier Division and last 16 of the National Cup.”
The winter break came at a bad time for SPEC FC. They ended 2016 in style, beating Woodford 3-1, but there is a danger that any momentum could be lost.
But having lost 4-1 to FC Team in November, Ricky Lawrence’s boys are on a revenge mission.
"This will now be the third time in four matches that we've played FC Team and we're hoping to make it third time lucky,” Lawrence told JC Sport.
“We're hoping to have a decent squad though we also have some notable absentees.”
Sunday might not be a day for the football purists but it will come down to which side wants it most.
JC team news: SPEC are “looking forward to having Alex Kaye back to complete the Kaye trio after he's recovered from a bad knee injury”.
TOP-SCORERS
SPEC – Dan Amram 2
Team - Richard Salmon 4
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FORM GUIDE
SPEC – WLLLL
Team - LWWLD
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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
SPEC – Camden (h), Brady (h)
Team – Brady (h), Lions (h), Lions (h)
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LAST MEETING: FC Team won 4-1
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POSSIBLE SQUADS:
SPEC: Simon Roth, Simon Bagel, Ryan Fox, Marc Hecht, Dan Cohen, Jon Kaye, Ben Kaye, Laurence Rosenthal, Craig Cohen, Rob Murray, David Kendall, Robert Murray, Sam Roth, Dan Amram, Elliott Wallis, Nick Wallis, Ben Kaye, Ricky Lawrence, Daniel Pike
FC TEAM: Ed Bloom, Alan Aaronson, Dan Breger, Andrei Grayson, David Grossman, Lorian Madanes, Daniel Moss, Connor Perl, Adam Rones, James Stanley, Richard Salmon, Brad Cohen, Mitch Young, Tom Miller, Danny Moss, Jason Wood, Nick Russell
Venue - Hertswood, Ref – Martin Lavender, KO – 10am
JC star man: Jason Wood (Team)
DC Prediction: SPEC FC 1 FC Team 2
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS A
Lions go into Sunday’s meeting against defending champions Raiders with a slender advantage, although they have played a game more.
They were blown away by Redbridge last time out, failing to build on their excellent victory over Redbridge.
A clean sheet is long over-due but they will have their work cut out against one of the league’s most potent attacking forces.
Raiders have several players with Lions connections – past or present – in their armoury. Matt Stock, Jordan Marks and Ben Ellis have destroyed defences up and down the land over the last few years and L’Orange will be determined to finish the weekend ahead of their illustrious rivals.
I can’t see there being more than a goal between the teams, with home advantage swinging it.
TOP-SCORERS
NLR – Liron Mannie 13
Lions - James Gershfield 3
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FORM GUIDE
NLR - WDWDW
Lions - LWLWW
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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
NLR – Lions B (h), Redbridge (a), Manchester (a)
Lions – Hendon (h), Brady (a), FC Team (a)
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POSSIBLE SQUADS:
Raiders: Jake Doffman, Josh Morris, Alex Bloch, David Rhodes, JJ Spiro, David J Cohen, Joe Cohen, David Dinkin, Adam Gold, Jonathan Rochwerger, Joe Cohen, Nick Lewis, Matthew Stock, Liron Mannie, Nyv Bogaire, Ben Ellis, Jordan Marks, David Nezri
Lions: David Sacal, David Slovik, Adam Arnold, Will Beresford, Alex Taylor, Richard Gold, Ryan Springer, Ben Lampert, Oli Craig, Max Hassell, Jamie Jackson, , Harry Marlow, Sam Sloma, Alex Rose, Elliot Stern, Adam Burchell, Max Kyte, Adam Stolerman, Sam Arghebant, James Gold, Udi Amiel
Venue - TBC, Ref – Robert Benardout, KO – 10am
JC star man: Alex Bloch (NLR)
DC Prediction: Raiders 2 Lions 1
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OAKWOOD A vs CAMDEN PARK
Oakwood can move to within two points of long-standing leaders Hendon when they host Camden Park in St Albans.
Boasting the division’s meanest defence, the Oaks made a real statement of intent in their final outing of 2016, crushing Lions 5-1 in their own back yard.
The arrival of Leor Sidle has given everyone in the camp a lift. Managers Dan Kristall and Ric Blank believe they have the best group of players in the league, and they will endeavour to prove that is the case between now and the business end of the season.
After the Camden game, Oakwood host Woodford before the crunch clash against Hendon and they will want to go into that contest all guns blazing.
With some key players slowly coming back off the treatment table, Oakwood will be fully focused on exacting revenge on a Camden team who knocked them out of the cup. Complacency won’t be an issue and messus Kristall and Blank will be determined to ensure their players earn the right to take maximum points.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Kristall told JC Sport: "We go into Sundays clash with Camden with caution following our disapointing cup exit against them back in September. No excuses, we were poor that day and although I still feel we had enough chances to move into the next round, we didn’t reach our normal high standards.
"We turned up with 12 players and finished with 10 men due to injury, where as our visitors turned up with five subs and were able to freshen up in extra time when it mattered.
"After an extended break, we will be using our squad to its maximum on Sunday. We know that to stay in the race for the title, we must keep winning.
"We are confident that if we play our fast attacking football and hit the heights of the Lions game, we will take the points."
Camden have shown they are capable of mixing with the best, but the reality is they haven’t scored enough goals. Six in eight goes a long way to explaining why they are near the foot of the table.
Manager Max Saunders needs a Jermaine Defoe type goal-poacher to help take the pressure off the defence.
A smash and grab will be their best bet on Sunday as if they try to go toe-to-toe, I can only see one winner.
JC team news: Sam Cantor has commitments up north and will miss the match, whilst Dave Woolman is preparing for the remainder of the season at a Health and Fitness retreat in Thailand. Both return for Woodford next week. Leor Sidle will be pushing for his first start, while Harvey Kaye returns following an injury lay-off. Oakwood welcome back Dean Caplin in goal who replaces Dan Cohen in goal. Kirstall said: "We wish Dan all the best in his trip back to the States." Dan King, Tom Prais and Jake Norton are all available.
TOP-SCORERS
Oak – David Woolman 7
Cam - Josh Marks 3
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FORM GUIDE
Oak – WWWDW
Cam - LWLWL
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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Oak – Woodford (a), Hendon (a)
Cam – Redbridge (a), SPEC (a), RC UK FC (h)
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LAST MEETING: Camden won on penalties
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POSSIBLE SQUADS:
OAKWOOD: Dean Caplin, David Cohen, Kyle Bentwood, Dale Bradman, Lee Warner, Guy Helman, Brad Wine, Zach Collins, Thomas Prais, Ben Lauffer, Jonny Quinn, Dan Rose, Leor Sidle, Rafi Stone, Luke Brookner, Dan King, Tom Prais, Jake Norton
CAMDEN: Steven Murad, Dan Baneth, Kane Gilbery, Rick Harris, Robert Hershkorn, Nick Kagan, David Kanzen, David Khalastchi, Michael Khalastchi, Alon Hershkorn, Jake Saunders, Max Saunders, Ezra Zipper, Sacha Nusenbaum, Hadrian Darman, Max Gordon, Johann Jordi, Josh Marks
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Martin Fox, KO – 10am
JC star man: Jonny Quinn (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 3 Camden 0
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DIVISION ONE
TOP 3
1. Redbridge B Pl. 7, W. 7, Pts. 21
2. Finchley City Pl. 9, W. 7, Pts. 21
3. Lions B Pl. 10, W. 6, Pts. 20
FAITHFOLD A vs MACCABI LONDON LIONS B
Chanukah was a time for reflection for Lions B boss Sam Marchant. In between the doughnuts and presents, he ran something along the lines of a SWOT analysis mid-season report, and the findings were most revealing.
“The last few months have been quite a roller-coaster for us when you look at our results, especially having started the season in such a strong manner,” Marchant told JC Sport.
“The December break has given me a chance to analyse what had changed over time and we can approach the second half of the season with a fresh perspective.
“Redbridge have clearly shown their intent this season and they are a force to be reckoned with, perhaps no-one will be able to stop them. However, there are four or five teams who are still competing for the second promotion spot and it really is anyone’s to win.
“The table is so close at the top and this second half of the season is going to prove extremely exciting for the avid followers of the MGBSFL Division One. If we are to be fierce competitors for the promotion to the Premier, this Sunday is vital for us to get off on the right foot.
Asked about Sunday’s meeting with Faithfold, he went on to say: “We had a fiery game at Rowley Lane early on in the season I expect nothing different on Sunday against a strong and physical Faithfold side.
“As always I have absolute faith in our squad and will always believe that we can get the much-needed victory.”
Faithfold were hampered by inconsistency – with four wins, four defeats and a draw. Manager Rob Shooman and John Nitka must find away to get their big-name star firing on a regular basis, otherwise it’s mid-table obscurity for them.
That said, they remain dangerous opponents. But I expect Lions to produce the goods on Sunday with the front pairing of Michael Kenley and Josh Bloom causing havoc.
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TOP-SCORERS
Faith – Craig Cole, Mark Charles 2
Lions - Michael Kenley 8
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FORM GUIDE
Faith – LWWDL
Lions - LWLWD
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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Faith – Brixton (h), Finchley (h), Bilbaum (a)
Lions – Raiders A (a), Oakwood (h), Raiders (a)
LAST MEETING: Lions won 3-1
POSSIBLE SQUADS:
FAITHFOLD: Dan Kosky, Marc Charles, Jonny Gahan, Stuart Haring, Jonny Horwitz, Richard Jaffe, Elliott Kaye, Daniel Kent, Jamie Kent, James Lee, Ben Portnoi, Sam Reeves
LIONS: Marc Brahams, James Harpin, Nathan Anders, Dan Green, Sammy Kingston, Daniel Behar, Edward Brafman, Charlie Cohen, Daniel Fattal, Dom Feldman, Benji Weinberger, Elia Cohen, Michael Kenley, Josh Bloom, Dean Rosenthal, Adam Abadi, Sean Ekon, Ben Winters, Harry Kurlander
Venue – Christs College, Ref – Andy Myerson, KO – 10am
JC star man: Sammy Kingston (Lions)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 Lions 3
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B vs LOS BLANCOS
Sam Rank has plenty of respect for Sunday’s opponents Los Blancos, as Redbridge Jewish Care B look to extend their proud record as the only 100 per centers across the league.
The east Londoners have ticked all the boxes thus far, but only time will tell if they can carry on where they left off.
Rank told JC Sport: “The games against Blancos are always tight and competitive. They are a very hard-working side, and at times, are hard to break down.
“However, with the quality, team ethic and commitment these RJC B boys have, I am expecting a very good performance on Sunday.”
Earlier on in the season, RJC B won 2-1, in a tight affair with assistant-manager Richie Caplin scoring a wonder header and big Ben Chernoff scoring the winner. Rank added: “If the attitude, commitment and performance are good, their will only be one winner.”
Nick Grosse finished 2016 with a smile on his face following the 3-0 win over Faithfold. That result and performance showed what Blancos are capable of when they turn up and click into gear.
Adam Hersh won JC Goal of the Week for his wonder strike and he will be looking to make the headlines on Matchday 16. Blancos fans have yet to see the best of Simon Moses, and it’s only a matter of time until he clicks into gear.
Ahead of kick-off, Grosse told JC Sport: “This is going to be a tough game and as it's a fast day, we have a number of players missing.
“Nevertheless, we have strong depth in our squad and we will be fielding a side capable of beating even the undefeated. I will let the team do the rest of the talking on the pitch.”
A high octane affair is on the cards, but with no A-team game again, I can see Redbridge coming up trumps.
JC team news: “Travellers” Carl Dobrin, Dan Adleman, Dan Orgel and Scott Kay are out of the country. Craig Sandford has been ruled out for the season, which Rank describes as “devastating news for the club”. Kane Hopps is suspended for the clash and Alex Chernoff returns to his normal scouting duties, whilst big brother Ben is still resting his shoulder injury. RJC welcome back Sam Moss from study break, Anthony Cope returns from “sunbed duties”. Other than this RJC B have a full squad with “a few added extras”.
TOP-SCORERS
RJC – Richie Caplin, Joe Jordon 4
LB - Adam Hersh 5
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FORM GUIDE
RJC – WWWLW
LB - WWLLL
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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
RJC – Bilbaum (a), Brixton (h)
LB – Raiders (h), Brixton (a)
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LAST MEETING - Redbridge won 2-1
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POSSIBLE SQUADS:
REDBRIDGE: Scott Shear, Daniel Andrews, Daniel Bean, Sam Moss, Matt Berkley, Anthony Cope, Richie Caplin, Ryan Cole, Brad Gayer, Adam Goldman, Adam Noble, Ben Sollosi, Sam Sollosi
BLANCOS: Nick Grosse, Joel Barnett, Josh Cramer, Elliott Moslawy, Benjy Israel, Sam Cramer, Joe Davis, Svi Freedman, James Hodari, Mitchell Green, Avishai Kestenbaum, Tim Heynes, Adam Hersh, James Kutner, Jeff Gross, Joel Kutner, Simon Moses, Luke Strauss, Alex Lewis
Venue – Old Parkonians, Ref – David Lazarus, KO – 10am
JC star man: Ben Sollosi (RJC)
DC Prediction: Redbridge 2 Blancos 1
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SCRABBLE vs BRIXTON OLD BOYS
It appears whenever I predict Brixton to lose heavily, they forfeit the match. So there is a temptation to keep this match preview short and sweet. Scrabble to win, hands down.
Ray Abrahams’s boys will still be hurting from their heavy defeat against Finchley City. The highs of the 6-2 success over Lions were quickly forgotten as they finished well beaten.
Ahead of kick-off, Abrahams told JC Sport: "We will be looking for a positive reaction from the players this week following our heavy defeat just before the break, but we've shown a few times this season that on our day we can compete with anybody in this league.
"Brixton have obviously had a tough season so far but it's important for us to pay them the greatest respect and not under-estimate them, and our boys have to ensure there are no unexpected slip-ups.
"It's these sort of games that are a must win if we are to keep in with the leading pack, but up till our last game we were playing with a lot of confidence and playing some very attractive football in an undefeated run which has taken us to a good position in the table and a Cup quarter-final.
"We've struggled to keep our line-up consistent as we've had more than our share of injuries and absences, but we've got a good squad and whoever plays will not let us down."
If Danny Sherman, Josh Bharier, Zak McLeod, Elliot Espinoza and Josh Bentley are available, this will be a stroll in the park.
TOP-SCORERS
Scrab – Josh Bharier 8
BOB - Mitchell Gerber 2
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FORM GUIDE
Scrab – LWWDW
BOB - LLLLL
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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Scrab – Finchley (h), Bilbaum (h)
BOB – Faithfold (a), Blancos (h)
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LAST MEETING: Brixton forfeited
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POSSIBLE SQUADS:
SCRABBLE: Ben Law, Josh Bentley, Dan Stock, Zac Summerfield, Josh Tiano, Josh Bharier, Dan Green, Rob Blackman, Elliot Espinoza, Josh Pugh, Brandon Sasson, Zac McLeod, Josh Pugh, Danny Sherman, Adam Newman, Andrew Cohen, Josh Flax, Sam Stead
BRIXTON: David Cohen, Lee Cutler, Ethan Deal, Eli Dias, Josh Kalinsky, Daniel Miller, Jacob Nevitt, Oliver Segal, Ross Segal, Neil Silverman, Lee Stone
Venue – Capital City, Ref – Darryl Colmans, KO – 10am
JC star man: Josh Pugh (Scrabble)
DC Prediction: Scrabble 5 Brixton 0
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DIVISION TWO
TOP 3
1. L'Equipe Pl. 10, W. 9, Pts. 28
2. Temple Fortune Pl. 12, W. 5, Pts. 20
3. RC UK FC Pl. 9, W. 6, Pts. 19
BOCA JEWNIORS vs CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI
By my estimations, Jeff Gotch must’ve walked under a ladder or opened an umbrella indoors in or around October 12. Nothing else can explain Catford’s barren run which saw them go from promotion hopefuls to also-rans.
Gotch knows he cannot change past events and he is looking forward to the second half of the season against a Boca team who on paper are the weakest team in the league.
He told JC Sport: “We need to go on a winning run stretching till the end of the season and I know we have the players to do that.”
“I have a good squad Sunday and we're looking to start as we mean to go on.”
Boca gave a good account of themselves last time out, with goalkeeper Will Martyn the star performer.
Ahead of their first meeting with Catford, it’s vital their big players stand up and be counted.
But when push comes to shove, I think the Cats will hold all the aces on Sunday.
TOP-SCORERS
Boca – Josh Cinna 3
Cat - Jeff Gotch 7
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FORM GUIDE
Boca – LLLLW
Cat - LLLLD
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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Boca – Hertswood (h), FC Team B (a)
Cat – Real (a), Faithfold (h)
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POSSIBLE SQUADS:
BOCA (possible squad): Will Martyn, Matt Davis, Jamie Leboff, Ben Retter, Michael Rosenthal, Brett Schuman, Jonny Winton, Tom Wyse, Josh Cinna, Benjamin Lederman, Joseph Leigh, Lee Benson. Oli Kyte, Anton Nyman, Sam Simon
CATFORD: Guy Ben-Aroya, Tal Cohen, Gavin Fox, Jeff Gotch, Jordan Grant, Joel Lassman, Joe Levy, Alex Newman, Yarden Sharon, Jason Shoffman, Richard Winton, Callion McGregor, Danny Yeshua, Ben David
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Barry David, KO – 10am
JC star man: Danny Yeshua (Catford)
DC Prediction: Boca 1 Catford 4
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L’EQUIPE vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C
It will take something out of the ordinary to stop L’Equipe winning the title from here. Nick Stern’s troops deserve huge credit for their efforts over the first five months of the season, when they talked the talked and walked the walk.
A league title to coincide with the club’s 10th anniversary was the target at the start of the season, and they are perfectly placed to kick on.
Players such as Max Martin, Andy Smith and James Mandell have led by example week in, week out, but under Stern they have developed an incredible bond, and they believe they can turn over any team in the division.
Stern is relieved to get back to his Sunday morning fix after the winter break. He told JC Sport: “We are all just glad to be back playing.
“It was a dream first half of the season but that’s all it was, one half. We know we have to go and win the second half of the season as if we win this we will win the league.
“Facing Raiders is always a tough one for us. Over the years they have had our number but this season’s run started with a huge victory against Raiders in the first game of the season and in the 10- year history of L’Equipe we have never done the double over our rivals.
“That is now the target for this Sunday as we know we can put a marker down for the second half of the season.
“We have a lot of respect for Raiders due to past results against us and we know they will always raise their game especially as we have an undefeated record to defend.
“My players are chomping at the bit to return to league action record let alone at our new fortress and I have many tough decisions this week.”
L’Equipe will be wary that Raiders B don’t have a game, so one or two players from their squad could be involved in case of any over-indulgence in the doughnut department over the Chanukah period.
NLR have seen players of the calibre of Jake Yudelowitz and Liam Stein promoted to first-team duties, but I expect them to have a strong line-up on Sunday.
Sam Rose told JC Sport: "When you go into a game against L'Equipe, a team that haven't lost yet this season, you know you're in for a tough task.
“We've not been in great form ourselves, but that doesn't mean we can't pose a challenge and ask the question and we'll do just that. My boys can give L'Equipe a game if they give 100 per cent."
Raiders start the year with a blank canvass. They have nothing to lose on Sunday and I can see them raising their game to take a point off the hot favourites for the title.
JC team news: L’Equipe are missing captain Mark Singer, but other than that have a full squad to choose from.
Raiders “have a few niggles across the team - wear and tear over Christmas and NY period but looking to shake them off for Sunday”.
TOP-SCORERS
L’Equipe – Max Martin 11
NLR - Liam Stein 8
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FORM GUIDE
L’Equipe – WWWWW
NLR - LLLDW
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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
L’Equipe – Redbridge (a), Fortune (h)
NLR – Faithfold (a), Faithfold B (h), MH Dons (a)
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POSSIBLE SQUADS:
L’EQUIPE: Marc Glucksman, Tamir Grant, Jonathan Kay, Josh Lewis, James Mandell, Max Martin, David Prager, Andy Smith, Mark Smith, Grant Bates, Rob Simons, Scott Bennet
RAIDERS: David Simnock, Jacob Ailion, Jake Yudelowitz, Danny Bloom, Jonny Blain, Andrew Bloom, Ashley Davidson, Nick Haringman, Richard Sacks, Eyal Samovich, Rob Samuelson, Alex Sherr, Liam Stein, Ricky Zeiderman
Venue – Old Finchleains, Ref – Neal Cohen, KO – 10am
JC star man: Jonny Blain (NLR)
DC Prediction: L’Equipe 2 Raiders 2
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE C vs MILL HILL DONS
Mill Hill Dons have made giant strides in their first season in the MGBSFL, and manager Brandon Hamme believes they can get even better over the second half of the season.
Richard Hayim and Adam Isaacs got the MHD faithful off their seats in the final match of 2016, while goalkeeper Sam Singer reminded everyone of his qualities with an outstanding performance.
A big travelling support is on the cards for a game they go into with confidence.
Hamme told JC Sport: “We are very excited to be getting back onto the pitch after the Christmas break and we will be looking to start 2017 in a similar fashion to the way we ended the previous year.
“In our last seven games we have gained 16 points from a possible 21. However, in that run we mainly faced teams lower down in the table and know that this weekend we face difficult opposition.
“Ilford is not the easiest of places to go on an early Sunday morning but to reward our loyal fans, we have offered a free coach to the game.
“We know we are in for a hard game but I feel confident that the lads can get something this Sunday.”
When you look at the names in the Redbridge squad it’s hard to fathom why they are not in the promotion mix. But they remain dangerous opponents and have the ammunition to ask questions of the Dons.
This weekend should be far more straightforward for the Dons but I can see them recording a famous win in a five-star contest.
MILL HILL STARTING LINE-UP: Richard Reback, Josh Moses, Mikey Salem, Sammy Hakimian, Ryan Kramer, Jordan Rinsler, Richard Hayim, Joel Sinclair-Horne, Adam Diamond, Harry Moss, Zach Cohen. Subs: Adam Ben Harosh, Sam Cicurel, Krieger, Jason Weldon, Brandon Hammé
JC team news: Zach Perez, Ben Bazini and Harry Cohen remain out with long-term injuries.
TOP-SCORERS
RJC - Jimmy Castle
MHD - Zach Cohen 9
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FORM GUIDE
RJC - LWDDL
MHD - WWWLW
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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
RJC – L’Equipe (h), RC UK FC (h), Hertswood (h)
MHD – Real (h), Raiders (h)
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POSSIBLE SQUADS:
RJC: Josh Hambling, Daniel Jacobs, Jacob Kaye, Dan Lipman, Daniel Lassman, James Law, Nathan Mehlman, Rafe Neiman, Craig Phillips, Richard Rosenthal, Jamie Crawford, Barry Green, Amir Nathan, Sam Zarts
DONS: Sam Singer, Adam Ben-Harosh, Zach Cohen, Richard Hayim, Adam Isaacs, Josh Moses, Harry Moss, Jamie Nagioff, Mikey Salem, James Segal, Joel Sinclair-Horne, Adam Diamond, Ryan Kramer, Adam Morrow, Nicholas Phillips, Jason Weldon
Venue – 7 Kings High School, Ref – Daniel Fox, KO – 10am
JC star man: Adam Isaacs (Dons)
DC Prediction: Redbridge 2 Dons 3