closeicon
Sport

Bloch's date with destiny

articlemain

Anthony Bloch has challenged his Republic of Mancunia players to prove once and for all that they are the undisputed super power of the MJSL.

Republic will claim their first ever league title on Sunday as long as they avoid defeat against championship rivals Manchester Maccabi 3rd.

A point from their final league fixture will give Republic the first part of a possible treble with the club still involved in both the Feldman and Shonn Trophies.

And after watching his side fight back from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 against Sporting JLGB last weekend, Bloch is relishing the Super Sunday clash against Maccabi.

"I have said from the first week of the season that I believed we were the best team in this league," said Bloch.

"This team is full of talent and true winners but now is the time that we have to show it.

"The Sporting game was just another league match in which we had to win in our lead up to the Maccabi clash. We know what we have to do and we are now one step closer.

"It was inevitably always going to come down to this Sunday and as I said a few weeks ago it will be the perfect platform for us to take our first title.

"With the week of the game arriving we must come back down to earth and ensure we are mentally and physically prepared."

Bloch's boys were given a real scare by Sporting, who took a two-goal lead through a Yochai Zorno own goal and a Rafi Bloom strike.

But in a fight-back reminiscent to Manchester United's at West Ham a day earlier, Dave Eden scored a stunning hat-trick inside the final 18 minutes to leave boss Bloch breathless.

"We seem to show more and more character each week and the belief from the players on the pitch was quite incredible," he added.

"Dave Eden, what can I say? He has a knack for the big games and he was just simply our match-winner.

"Big matches need big players and Dave consistently steps up the plate. "

While Republic go into the Brooklands clash unbeaten since October, Maccabi have lost their way in recent weeks and were soundly beaten 5-2 at Haroldeans.

Alastair Goldsmith and Paul Harris scored twice for the Merseysiders with Josh Silverberg also on target.

Max Rose and Josh Hayes replied for Maccabi but manager Martin Simons says his side must step up their level of performance with their title aspirations hanging by a thread.

"We have a talented young team and we just hope we'll be able to go into Sunday's game with full availability," he said.

"That will give the players the chance to find out how they perform under real pressure in a one-off game that will make or break our season.

"The title is decided over 18 games and whoever comes out on top will be worthy champions.

"But even if we did beat Republic, we would still have to defeat Westdene 1st in our final game if we were to win the title."

Meanwhile, Oakhill grabbed all three points after seeing off Westdene 2nd 2-1 thanks to goals from Dan Cohen and Harry Roache.

Share via

Want more from the JC?

To continue reading, we just need a few details...

Want more from
the JC?

To continue reading, we just
need a few details...

Get the best news and views from across the Jewish world Get subscriber-only offers from our partners Subscribe to get access to our e-paper and archive