YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
(all matches KO at 10am unless stated)
PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINALS
HMH vs OAKWOOD A
Match of the day sees the teams lying second and third in the MGBSFL go head to head in what promises to be a mouth-watering festival of football, with a place in the last four of the Jewish FA Cup up for grabs.
As we have seen in recent weeks, Oakwood have found a way of grinding out results when not at their best, which is what cup football is all about.
Although they remain in contention for the league, they have shown their cup pedigree over the last few seasons, culminating in last year’s thrilling triumph in the Cyril Anekstein Cup.
And most importantly, they have found a way to win without the likes of Leor Sidle and Sam Cantor, with players such as Josh Bharier and Josh Cuby chipping in with vital goals.
They also have amazing team spirit and a never-say-die attitude. Last week Harvey Kaye was the goal-scoring hero as they beat Jewdinese for the second time in a matter of weeks. Alex Lee has been the model of consistency in a team that have one of the best defensive records in the league.
Oakwodo joint-manager Dan Kristall predicts a "tough game". And now for the mind games ... "We will thrive on being underdogs after being favourites in our last two tough cup ties.
"HMH are on a great unbeaten run and we will expect them to have 16 to choose from once again. We know we were lucky to escape with a point the last time we faced HMH, so we will have to have learned the lessons from that day in order to come away with the win.
"We have a few last minute fitness tests but whatever side manage to put out, we will have to compete physically, where I think we have the edge but we will need to test their back line out much more than we did last time."
HMH are having an excellent first season in the top-flight. They came through three matches against league champions and table-toppers Hendon with a win and two draws and came back to draw 2-2 against Oakwood last month.
Avi Goldberg’s men are the future of the MGBSFL, with a young and talented squad that is definitely going places. Adam Abadi was the hat-trick hero in last week’s win over Faithfold, while strike partner Oscar Wagner is also in great goal-scoring form.
At the back, Jake Doffman looks like he has never been away, while Sammy Kingston, Josh Goldstein and former Oak Thomas Prais have been rock solid.
Sam Monjack received praise from Goldberg for his top-class performance against the Superhoops, and I can see the powerful Clark Norton starting to ensure HMH are not outmuscled in midfield.
You could sense the excitement in Goldberg’s voice at his midweek press conference. “It’s cup quarter-final day and arguably the tie of the round is between second and third in the Premier Division,” he told JC Sport.
“This tie has all the hallmarks of a classic. Nothing could separate these teams last time out in the league, a 2-2 draw with Oscar Wagner’s header ruled out. We are on a fine run of form having not lost in 90 minutes in Jewish football since October.
“We are in confident mood ahead of what could be the-mother of all battles. Abadi and Wagner cannot stop scoring and now have over 30 goals between them, but it’s the supply of opportunities from the rest of the team that has really been key to this.
“Monjack and Moss together with Wegrzyn and Winters are, when fit and on their day, very creative and more than a match for any midfield whilst our defence spearheaded by Doffman, Prais, Kingston and Goldstein is the meanest in the Premiership.
“Even Leo Ackerman and Ethan Krell are threatening to join the party from Oxford Uni and Nottingham Uni respectively. If, and it is still a big IF at this stage, they and the others in the squad are all available, for once this season, come Friday I may have a huge selection headache!”
Goldber knows HMH will only progress if they execute his game-plan to perfection. He added: “We are also still smarting from losing in extra-time to Camden in the Anekstein quarters. We don’t want that to happen again.
“However, we know this will be a very tough match as we know that Oakwood are full of talent, have plenty of cup pedigree and a team we have yet to beat.
“Sunday’s match is shaping up to be a mouth-watering tie for the neutral and could even put the recent thrilling 3-3 draw with Hendon in the shade.
For me, this tie will come down to which team which their individual and collective battles. Ultimately, it’s too close to call.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Martin De La Fuente
JC star man: Ethan Krell (HMH)
DC Prediction: HMH 1 Oakwood 1 (HMH to win on penalties)
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MACCABI LONDON LIONS vs LOS CAMDEN A
Home advantage could play a part in the outcome of Sunday’s clash between the in-form Lions and Los Camden, one of my teams of the season.
Max Kyte and Sam Hamerton scored their first goals of the season for a Lions team sitting fourth in the top-flight. Their talented and big pool of players is well-known, but that might just inspire the Camden boys to produce the performance of a lifetime.
Joint-manager Kyte was in upbeat mood when speaking to JC Sport in the build-up to Sunday's tie. He told JC Sport: "We're looking forward to playing Los Camden, which is always an exciting fixture with lots of goals both sides.
"We need to be focused as the game can go any way."
The bigger they come, the harder they fall. That’s has always been Stirling Kay’s motto. He will leave no stone unturned in Camden’s bid for glory and the squad will be relishing their run-in, which includes a Cyril Anekstein Cup semi-final clash against Oakwood A.
Reiss Mogilner ran Camden ragged in the last meeting and the visitors might be tempted to man-mark the former Brady front man. But there’s no guarantee he will start.
Although league form goes out of the window in a one-off cup tie, it’s worth recording the Lions have taken four points from a possible six against Camden, following up the 3-3 draw with a 5-2 win. But Camden have improved massively since the5-2 defeat in December.
Ahead of the tie, Camden's Gav Krieger told JC Sport: "The boys are extremely excited to play in their second quarter-final in two weeks, and hope to be in the final four of both cup competitions.
"We know Lions well having played them twice this season and we know we will have to play well in order to win.
"This has all the billings of being a famous PM mouth-watering clash. Our form has been positive since the turn of the year and we hope to build on the success of our win in the CA against Redbridge."
Goalkeeper Steven Murad has become one of the most reliable custodian’s in Maccabi football and with a strong and committed defence in front of him, much will depend on how Camden handle the big occasion.
JC team news: Los Camden have been dealt a blow after skipper Johann Jordi sustained a light hamstring injury against Redbridge last time out. Dean Rosenthal and Matt Perlman have returned to training but are a week or two away from being match-fit. Jake Saunders and Sacha Nussenbaum return this week.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Richard Jaye
JC star man: Max Kyte (Lions)
DC Prediction: Lions 2 Camden 1
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MILL HILL DONS vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
Opportunity knocks for Mill Hill Dons and RJC on Sunday as they look to join the big guns in the last four.
The second division Dons received a rude awakening against Temple Fortune last weekend, but a big crowd is expected to cheer them on as they look to reach the last four of the competition for the first time.
Looking ahead to the game, Dons boss Brandon Hamme told JC Sport: “To have got to this stage of the competition itself is a great achievement. We are amongst the eight best teams in the UK and the boys deserve all the credit for reaching the quarters.
“We don't believe that this will be the end of the journey for us though, we won't be rolling over come Sunday.
“We are up and ready for the game, we know Redbridge are a great side and we know we will have to be at our best to stand a chance.
“But we have shown what we are capable of doing in the cup so far and there is no reason why we can't go that one step further on Sunday. I am excited for the challenge and I trust the boys to give it their all once that whistle goes.”
RJC remain on course for the double. Lying top of Division One and unbeaten in 13 league matches, Sam Rank will ensure his players arrive focused and that complacency will not be an issue against lower league opposition.
They’ve had plenty of time to reflect on their League Cup exit at the hands of Los Camden and will feel they owe their fans a performance.
Ahead of kick-off, RJC joint-manager Sam Rank told JC Sport: "The Peter Morrison Trophy is cup that had so far eluded the RJC trophy cabinet, and this year we intend to try and create history and win this for the club.
"But first we take on MH Dons in the quarter-final. We will not take this game lightly. We have strong squad for this game, and I believe it will be strong enough to progress us, but the boys must perform to the abilities they can.
"A big message in the RJC A camp this week has been positivity. The boys suffered their first lost of the season in a dreadful performance against Los Camden A in quarter-final of Cyril Anakstein. However, the mentality will be for the players to work for each other and express their abilities on the game. Nate Kashket and Dean Nyman are itching for this game, and cannot wait for the kick-off.
"We're expecting a competitive game on Sunday, but I'm confident the class and fitness of the RJC A boys will come through and we will progress to the semi-final."
The battle between Dons defender Josh Cinna and Kashket will be key in a game I expect RJC to progress.
JC team news: Nate Kashket is expected to return to the RJC squad following a run out for the B’s last weekend.
Team News: Isaac Virchis, Josh Moses, Jordan Rinsler and Sam Demby are all out for Sunday's game whilst Josh Cinna is a doubt as he continues to recover from illness.
RJC A welcome back Nate Kashket, Carl Dobrin and Scott McKenzie. Jamie Bernstein and Adam Kempner miss out.
Ref – Phil Peters
JC star man: James Berkley (RJC)
DC Prediction: Dons 1 RJC 3
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP 4
1. Hendon Utd Pl. 11, W. 7, Pts. 23
2. Oakwood A Pl. 11, W. 6, Pts. 19
3. HMH Pl. 11, W. 5, Pts. 19
4. ML Lions Pl. 11, W. 5, Pts. 17
TOP-SCORERS 16 - Reiss Mogilner (ML Lions), 12 - Josh Bharier (Oakwood A - includes 2 for B team)
HENDON UNITED SPORTS vs BRADY MACCABI
Hendon United will be looking to extend their lead at the top as they take on a Brady team they beat 3-1 in the cup last weekend.
Ben Kohler gave Brady an early lead, but the defending champions remained calm to win thanks to goals from Mordi Weiler (we think!), Rocky Spitzer and fox-in-the-box Gav Noe, who recently returned for his second spell at the club following a stint at Faithfold.
The hosts go into the game a point clear of Oakwood, with a game in hand. Goalkeeper Russell Corin and Jonny Kay were their stand-out performers last week, and they are scoring goals from all over the park.
Hendon boss Jordan Sapler knows the cup win over Brady will count for nothing come 10am Sunday. “Last week was not a classic by any means but we did enough to get through to the next round of the League Cup,” he told JC Sport.
“Joel [Nathan] spoke of every single one of Brady’s games being a cup final and we know that they’ll be extremely up for this game.
“Their performance last week was not showing their league position and they will always provide us with a tough challenge. Saying that we know what we need to do in our remaining league games this season and are determined to meet our minimum expectation which is to win the title.
“I’m confident in our ability and we have a talented and good enough squad that, despite missing some players, we want to extend our lead at the top using our game in hand over Oakwood.”
Brady asked questions of Hendon last week and manager Joel Nathan has told his players they must treat every one of their remaining games.
With Faithfold at home next week, this is an important stage in Hendon’s season and I’m expecting them to kick on from here.
JC team news: Hendon have the same long-term injuries as the last week. Chaim Korman is struggling and Zack Lewis may not be available.
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – Neal Cohen
JC star man: Simon Peterman (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Hendon 2 Brady 0
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DIVISION ONE
TOP 4
1. Hendon Utd Pl. 11, W. 7, Pts. 23
2. Oakwood A Pl. 11, W. 6, Pts. 19
3. ML Lions Pl. 11, W. 5, Pts. 17
4. HMH Pl. 10, W. 4, Pts. 16
TOP-SCORERS 18 - Nate Kashket (Redbridge JC A), 12 - James Jaconelli (Fairlop FC), Adam Ellis (Bayern Mincha)
NORTH LONDON RAIDERS vs OAKWOOD B
Goals are on the cards as mid-table rivals Raiders and Oakwood get ready to rumble.
These two teams were great rivals a few years ago, but much has changed and with little at stake it could be a bit of an anti-climax.
Raiders failed to put a team out against Redbridge last weekend, but they will be looking to get their season back on track with five wins under their belts in 12 matches. Consistency has been their biggest issue and the loss of Jake Doffman leaves them with big boots to fill.
Ahead of kick-off, NLR’s David Isaacs told JC Sport: “From our game against Oakwood earlier in the season, we know this will be a very tricky tie and the outcome of this could really determine who finishes higher between the two of us.”
Much the same can be said about an Oakwood team in need of a win. They will be on a revenge mission after losing a five-goal thriller to L’Orange in November, when Charlie Kasler, Aron Gale and Scott Waissel struck them down.
I’m predicting an open and entertaining affair, with the points shared.
Venue – Ark Academy, Ref – Luke Steele
JC star man: Dan Selwyn (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: Oakwood 2 NLR 2
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DIVISION TWO
TOP 4
1. Hertswood Vale Pl. 17, W. 12, Pts. 37
2. SPEC FC Pl. 16, W. 10, Pts. 32
3. Faithfold Doc MM B Pl. 17, W. 9, Pts. 28
4. Redbridge JC B Pl. 12, W. 8, Pts. 25
TOP-SCORERS 19 - James Millet (Hertswood Vale), Zack Neiman (SPEC FC), 15 - Richard Salmon (FC Team)
FAITHFOLD DOC MM B vs HERTSWOOD VALE
Vale go into their final league game looking for three points to take them on to the magical 40-point mark.
Jacob Emanuel and Danny Hirschberger are flying high after winning the coveted JC Manages of the Week award after the win over Redbridge JC B.
Emanuel admitted it wasn’t their prettiest performance, but the clean sheet showed their resilience, while their bold approach saw the luck go their way in the final 15 minutes. Neither of their strikes will win any Goal of the Week awards, but the result was all that mattered on the day.
The same applies this weekend. Vale joint-manager Jacob Emanuel told JC Sport: “I have mixed emotions ahead of Sunday’s game. We’re playing some fantastic football at the moment and the boys are really up for it, but sadly it’s our last league game of what has been an enjoyable season.
“Although it seems strange to have played all of our league games by the end of February, I guess this is to be expected with only 10 teams and the majority of the league now playing on 4G each week, so less postponements for bad weather.
“Faithfold B is a difficult test, and although we beat them 4-1 last month, I’ll be the first to admit that we absolutely rode our luck, and although we were clinical in front of goal, we were sloppy as a team defensively, and if it wasn’t for Adam Zaidman and some poor finishing, we may well have lost that game.
“We’re looking to get to the magical 40 points mark on Sunday, and have a huge squad of 19 players to choose from which is a brilliant situation to be in, and testament to the fight and competitive nature of our squad this season.”
Vale have been the model of consistency this season and their improvement has been plain for all to see. Emanuel went on to say: “Having lost our last games of the last two seasons by an aggregate of 14-2, I’m praying for third time lucky on this occasion.”
With neither of Faithfold’s other two teams in action, the B’s could be beefed up a little, with say an Avi Markiewicz, Avi Garson or David Leiwy possibly thrown into the mix to spice things up.
Fourth place is the best Faithfold B can hope this season but I expect Vale to out-run them and leave absolutely nothing on the pitch as they go out in a blaze of glory and continue their excellent away form.
JC team news: Zach Mandel remains unavailable for selection as he travels the world, but Jack Shulman, Adam Morrow and Ollie Brill are all available for selection once again.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Bob Caplin
JC star man: Ben Mandell (Vale)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 Vale 3
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FC TEAM vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B
Bouncebackability is the name of the game for RJC on Sunday. The 2-0 defeat at home to Vale sent shockwaves across the club, especially as they had such a strong side out. But in a game where little football was played, they were unable to breach a well-drilled and organised defence. And now they have left themselves with much to do.
“It’s a huge game for us on Sunday,” RJC chief Richard Bronzite told JC Sport. “Nothing but a win will do.
“We need to bounce back after a game to forget last week. I want to see us back on track and playing decent football on Sunday.”
Indeed, that was the factor that probably disappointed Bronzite the most. A team featuring the likes of former Premier Division winners Steve Summers, Adam Hakimi, Daniel Lee, Sam McCarthy and Craig Sandford, plus the quality of Max Aston and Dan Gordon are not used to failure. And not even a cameo from A-team top-scorer Nate Kashket could inspire them.
They are in for another tough game against FC Team who hope last week’s 5-4 defeat against Faithfold C will be scrubbed from the history books after their opponents played an ineligible player.
FC Team will have a point to prove after being unable to get a team to Redbridge in the first scheduled meeting. And the battle between Adam Shafron and Richard Salmon will be worth the admission fee alone.
I can see the home side eeking out a point if they play with full concentration for the 90 minutes.
JC team news: RJC welcome back Lee Cutler and Ben Sollosi to the squad.
Venue - Hertswood, Ref – Barry David
JC star man: David Grossman (FC Team)
DC Prediction: FC Team 2 RJC 2
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BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY ROUND ONE
SPEC FC vs FAIRLOP FC
This pairing would be worthy of the final, so the rest of the teams in the competition will be relieved that one of the big-hitters will miss out in the latter stages.
The draw has been unkind to Division Two high-flyers SPEC FC, who considered themselves something of a dark horse.
Top-scorer Zack Neiman hasn’t registered for a couple of games, but he will be disappointed to find out this tournament doesn’t count towards the Golden Boot.
But that won’t stop Ricky Lawrence’s men giving a good account of themselves. After all, they are a team packed with quality and experience.
He told JC Sport: “We’re looking forward to the new cup kicking off. But we couldn't have been handed a more difficult tie - other than possibly Redbridge A!
“We’ve never faced Fairlop before but we’re excited to welcome them to Bushey.”
Although winning the Division One title is the clear priority for Fairlop this season, there’s no reason why they can’t go all the way in this competition.
They don’t concede many and are littered with match-winners across the park – the perfect recipe for success.
Looking ahead to the trip to Hertfordshire, Fairlop’s Jake Sanders told JC Sport: “After a week off and then last week’s game against Scrabble A inevitably being postponed, the boys are raring to go and are looking forward to a distraction from our pursuit of the Division One title.
“Hopefully this is the first of four games in this competition and we can bring some cup success to the league title we will be lifting in April.”
Now that would really be the mother of all parties
JC team news: Fairlop have a fully fit squad available.
Venue – Queens School, Ref – Robert Benardout
JC star man: Adam Goldman (Fairlop)
DC Prediction: SPEC 1 Fairlop 2
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NORTH LONDON GALAXY vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS MASTERS
Match postponed – Raiders forfeited
More to follow ...
