With double-headers confirmed from March 3, teams should be pulling out all the stops to play before the lottery, and there's a late Valentine's Day treat in store in north-west London as Blizzard Storm go in search of one of the biggest upsets in the history of Jewish football when they go head-to-head against Faithfold A. Danny Caro looks ahead to all the action in league and cup on Matchday 23 of the JC MSFL, and invites FC Team A manager Mitch Young to battle it out in the 'Challenge Caro' prediction game. From this week, there's also a new stats feature, I'm sure you'll like, focusing on the referees.
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JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Camden Park vs Temple Fortune or Redbridge JC A
London Maccabi Lions A vs Faithfold A or Oakwood A
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JC MATCH COVERAGE:
PMT: SOUTH MANCHESTER 1st vs TEMPLE FORTUNE A - SEE MATCH PHOTOS
JC MSFL DIV ONE: LM LIONS B vs SHIRLEY PARK - SEE MATCH PHOTOS
LM LIONS B vs SHIRLEY PARK - SEE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
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TOP-SCORERS: OVERALL
28 - Jamie Kent (Shirley Park)
26 - Ben Zloof (AC Mill Hill)
18 - Lee Cash (LM Lions A - 10 for Neasden A), Adam Hersh (Los Blancos)
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DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 22 OSCARS
GOAL OF THE WEEK - ANDY COHEN (NORSTAR C) - SEE DETAILS
SAVE OF THE WEEK - MARC JACOBS (LOUGHTON ORIENT) - SEE DETAILS
QUOTE OF THE WEEK - Ric Blank (Oakwood A) - SEE DETAILS
REFEREE OF THE WEEK
Martin Lavender (London Maccabi Lions B vs Shirley Park)
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND THREE
BLIZZARD STORM vs FAITHFOLD A
The romance of the cup will be in full swing down at Hampstead Heath on Sunday.
Blizzard Storm will look up 30-odd places in the Jewish football ladder to the team tipped to win the elite Premiership title as they look to record what would be arguably the biggest ever shock in the history of Jewish football.
“It’s time for Blizzard to put down sticker albums, autograph books and show the MSFL what they can do,” manager Simon Linden told JC Sport.
Indeed, Linden's Blizzard have had a very tough season to date with the team playing for survival in Division Two.
Signings like ex-Brady youth star Zak Presky, former Essex pin-up Dan Simons and what Linden describes as “one of the best and most under-rated players in Jewish football - Andrei Grayson - have been great business but the club needs a lift. The latter has just been ruled out for the rest of the season which Linden describes as “a massive blow”.
But come Sunday at 10.30am, I’ve no doubt Linden will call upon his squad to give Faithfold what he describes as a “performance to be proud of”.
We caught up with Linden at his Fonehouse store in Borehamwood this week; he was offering the Galaxy s3 mini for under £21 per month with £30 worth of accessories.
Speaking about the bumper cup tie, Linden told JC Sport: “I have a squad that's looking forward to the match. It’s a cup-tie against extremely good opposition. I just want a 110 per cent attitude from my team, matched by a good solid performance that we can be proud off. We will not lie down and die. I want us to be proud of who we are and show what we are about. I don't want to make up the numbers.”
And just to show you how much Sunday means to Blizzard, Stuart Muller has insured his mini-bus ready for a possible trip to Manchester in the next round, while Mark Rubin has declined a seat in the commentary box.
No doubt, the majority of Faithfold fans will believe they will only need to turn up to progress, but I’m sure manager Zuriel Solomon ensured his players arrive focused and get on with the job in their normal professional manner.
Looking ahead to the tie, Solomon told JC Sport: "We hopefully finally get this game played after all the postponements.
"We do not know much about our opponents, only what division they are in. We will of course show them respect and treat this as any other game we play.
"I will make sure my boys are not complacent and make sure we turn up with the right attitude."
Tempting as it may be to stick a pound on Blizzard at 33-1, it’s Faithfold all day long for me.
JC team news: Faithfold have a full squad to choose from apart from Paul Babai.
Venue – Gosling Park Sports Centre, Ref – Laurie Benson (13 games, 24 yellows, 0 reds)
JC star man: Dan Perkins (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Blizzard 0 Faithfold 5
MY Prediction: Blizzard 0 Faithfold 7
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JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP QUARTER-FINAL
TEMPLE FORTUNE A vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
The chances are that Temple Fortune’s challenge for silverware will be over for another season come 12.15 on Sunday afternoon.
2011 Anekstein winners Redbridge will be nice and fresh and raring to go, although manager Eilon Kennet believes things will be tough on Sunday.
Kennet told JC Sport: “It’s going to be another difficult game, cup games always are.
“Unfortunately for us, we are coming to this game from another extended period without matches. It’s been the story of our season. Every time we look like we can get a run of games going, we get another round of postponements, not just weather-related cancellations. It cost us points against Hendon, for example.
“As a result we're bound to be a little rusty, something we'll have to guard against.
“Coupled with a strong and pumped up Temple Fortune, we expect a difficult morning.
“As always, its really down to us knuckling down and getting on with it.”
Fortune bowed out of the Morrison after going down 5-0 in South Manchester last weekend. They frustrated their hosts in the first half but conceded four times in the second.
RJC old boys Dan Orgel and Scott Kay will be determined to perform well against their former club. Orgel will look to give RJC defences Brad Frankel, Adam Hakimi and Joel Berg a testing morning, while Kay will have his hands full with RJC top-scorer Adam Stolerman and Steve Summers.
I can see this game being tight for the first hour but expect Redbridge’s superior quality to take them through.
Venue – Gosling Park Sports Centre, Ref – Warwick Blake (Games 15, Yellows 9, Reds 2)
JC star man: Nathan Sollosi (RJC)
DC Prediction: Temple Fortune 1 Redbridge 3
MY Prediction: Temple Fortune 0 Redbridge 5
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JC MSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
18 - Lee Cash (LM Lions A - 10 for Neasden A)
14 - Adam Stolerman (Redbridge JC A)
11 - Daryl Phillips (Faithfold A), Josh Green (Norstar A)
BRADY MACCABI A vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
There’s a high-quality affair on the cards at Rowley Lane as leaders Hendon travel to fourth-placed Brady.
The home side were in rampant mood last time out when Ben Joseph excelled in the 8-1 demolition of Lions A in the cup. Joseph will be keen to impress once more as he lines-up in a star-studded Brady team.
The teams shared the points in the first meeting following a 2-2 draw at Hadley. Hendon led but then went 2-1 done before finding the net once more on a day when Avidan Last and Ben Kon were the marksmen.
Looking ahead to the big match, Brady's Joel Nathan told JC Sport: "It was a shame we didn’t play last week as we had such great momentum after the win against Lions, but we now face another massive challenge against Hendon who are a great team.
"Our season turned around last time we met when we were unlucky to not come away with three points after letting in an equaliser 10 minutes from the end.
"Hendon are in a rich vein of form and haven’t let a goal in this year which just shows how tough the match will be, but the lads are up for it and are ready to show what they are capable of.
"For the first time all season we have a full strength squad to choose from, but that also brings headaches as I now have to decide who to leave out ... the joys of a being a manager!
"Also like to congratulate Josh Rosenfeld on his engagement."
Avidan Last was on the scoresheet again last weekend, when Hendon recorded an impressive 3-0 victory over Oakwood and no doubt, their manager will be looking for a similar level of performance on Sunday.
Hendon boss David Garbacz told JC Sport: “The squad is still on a high after last week’s excellent performance at Oakwood but any drop in quality and we are well aware that we will get punished by a very dangerous Brady team.
“Judging by the recent form guide, Brady should go into this match as favourites having beaten Lions 8-1 last time as they beat us on penalties the previous week. They have improved dramatically over the second half of this season and Faithfold aside, I am expecting this to be our biggest league test of our remaining matches but one which once again we cannot fail if we wish to retain the title.
“The boys are currently in top form so we go into this humdinger full of confidence and we will leave it late before deciding whether to change things up at all for this game.
“Defensively we are right back where we were last season and we haven’t let in a goal now for over a month. If we can continue to be strong in that department then I fully expect our red-hot forwards to do the business down the other end
“It will be tough though, but once again we will be going all out for another vital win.”
Hendon have won their last four away games and even though I think Brady will ask questions, I can see them coming away with a point.
JC team news: For Hendon, Dovid Korman faces a late fitness test on a hamstring injury which kept him out of last week’s win over Oakwood . Definitely out are Alex Gilbert, Alex Nadler and Yoav Kestenbaum . Everyone else should be available.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Richard Jaye (Games 11, Yellows 5, Reds 4)
JC star man: Oli Colmans (Brady)
DC Prediction: Brady 2 Hendon 2
MY Prediction: Brady 1 Hendon 4
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A vs NORSTAR A
Things are coming together nicely at North London Raiders. With a crunch clash against FC Team in the Morrison looming, manager Rob Richman hopes his side can record their third consecutive league victory when they host Norstar in Uxbridge.
Victories over Oakwood and Brady tell you everything you need to know about L’Orange. And they go into Sunday’s meeting against the division’s bottom team full of confidence.
Richman told JC Sport: “After a slow start to the season, the back end of 2012 and start of 2013 has seen us find some consistency in our performances and the results have followed.
“Last week’s postponement allowed a number of our players to rest some knocks and we will be stronger for the extra week off.
“The table is still so very tightly congested and our aim is to maintain this form for the last few months of this season and try to finish as high in the league as possible.
“Make no mistake, Sunday will be a very tough examination. Despite their league position, Norstar are a very talented side and they will be going all out for a win on Sunday.
“We are well aware of the threat Josh Green poses and we will try and make sure that for once he doesn’t score against us. All in all it should be a very entertaining affair and I am just sorry that Phil won’t be around for it.”
With Norstar boss Phil Peters on a scouting mission in Washington, Jamie Slavin will be in charge.
Norstar have found life tough in their first season in the top-flight but I expect Sunday’s match against Raiders to make the headlines for all the right reasons. Both teams play the game the right way and it promises to be an entertaining affair.
In terms of a prediction, it’s interesting to hear Richman talking about Green. I wonder if this will make David Dinkin, one of his own strikers, stand up and take note to ensure that come the 90-minute mark, people are talking about him, as he remains one of the best in the business at this level.
JC team news: For Raiders, Mike Hershman, Jamie Wolfson and Adam Posner are all absent which leaves Raiders a little light on the wings.
Venue - Brunel, Ref – John Feenstra (Games 13, Yellows 19, Reds 3)
JC star man: David Dinkin (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Raiders 3 Norstar 1
MY Prediction: Raiders 3 Norstar 1
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LONDON MACCABI LIONS A vs OAKWOOD A
Lions and Oakwood start Sunday’s match just outside the relegation zone but I’d stake my mortgage on neither finishing in the bottom two. Far from it, in fact.
Both teams are packed with quality from back to front and only a couple of weeks ago were we talking about Oakwood being unbeaten in 90 minutes in 15 months.
Meeting for the first time this season, it would be fair to say both teams have the utmost respect for one another. Oakwood go into the game on the back of a 3-0 defeat at the hands of leaders Hendon. Joint-manager Ric Blank felt his boys “were the better team for large chunks,” with Josh Bentley, Dan Geey, Brad Wine and Dave Cohen on top of their game.
“We're ready to go after last week's tough-to-take defeat against Hendon,” a determined Blank told JC Sport ahead of the trip to the Lane. “We haven't played Lions A since they thrashed us in the Morrison back in 2006 so we're excited at the prospect of pitting ourselves against them again.
“The truth with Lions is you're not entirely sure what you're going to get. One week they are knocking Hendon out of the cup, the next they are getting thrashed by Brady. It all depends on whether any of their Saturday players or Gershfield are starting. For sure they have good players regardless (re-signing Lee Cash was massive for them) - but those players add an extra dimension that makes them one of the best teams in the league without a doubt.
“Their position in the table is a false one - they had a rough start to the season but since then have been on a wonderful run. They'll hope the 8-1 defeat to Brady was a one-off. If they have their best team out they'll beat anyone comfortably as has been seen.
“For us it's been a very tough week. We lost a game we should never have lost to Hendon with some very dubious refereeing. Since then we have lost Josh Bentley to injury for the rest of the season. Come to Oakwood, get a knee injury. That's our sales pitch. He is roughly the eighth player to get a serious knee injury in the past two years. It's uncanny.
“We are down to the bare bones but will never moan about absentees. I fully expect the team to come together and do their utmost to get a result."
The Lions are expected to give a debut to new keeper Jake Doffman – the latest new signing under the Andy Landesberg regime. The club has a proud history when it comes to keepers and the young Doffman rarely disappoints, although Oakwood will be sure to test him from set-pieces and Geey’s long-throws.
Looking ahead to the game, Landesberg told JC Sport: “This is going to be an extremely tough game for us. Oakwood have some real quality players, and we will have to be at our very best to get something from it.”
The midfield area will be key on Sunday. It wouldn’t surprise me if one side cancelled the other out completely.
Taking charge of the game is JC Referee of the Week Martin Lavender who appears to be a leading contender for the top award at the end of the season.
JC team news: Lions have a number of absentees, but new signings in Ed Weisz from Brixton and Alex Jacobs from NOBS look set to debut. Keeper Jake Doffman may be unavailable due to a family holiday so the returning Dec Green is waiting in the wings.
For Oakwood, Bobbie Cousins is also out for the foreseeable while Brad Wine, Jonny Beilin Dan Geey and Josh Rose are away this week.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Martin Lavender (Games 12, Yellows 8, Reds 0)
JC star man Ed Weisz (LML)
DC Prediction: Lions 1 Oakwood 1
MY Prediction: Lions 2 Oakwood 2
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
28 - Jamie Kent (Shirley Park)
15 - Yishai Last (Hendon B)
10 - Chaim Gothold (Hendon B), Stefan Benfredj, Gideon Gold (both Shirley Park)
NORTH WEST NEASDEN A vs FAITHFOLD B
Three points could prove priceless to Neasden A or Faithfold B come the end of the season.
Both teams have struggled to hit the heights or pick up points on a regular basis and I can see this being a tight, tense and tactical affair.
With NWN boss Dan Hodes still fighting off the advances of several big clubs to keep hold of star man Adam Klein, he has labelled Sunday as a must-win.
Hodes told JC Sport: “This is a vital fixture against potential relegation rivals and I’m hoping we can raise our efforts to battle our way to three points.”
Revenge will be on the mind of the Faithfold players as they were beaten by a single goal in the recent meeting with NWN. Rob Kaplan popped up with the all-important goal. Caplan and veteran defender Jon Kaye came in for special praise from Hodes after the game.
Rob Shooman’s Faithfold haven’t won a game since early October but they have performed well in their last two outings and their fans hope their luck can change on Sunday.
Assistant-manager Ben Lewis told JC Sport: “I’m hopeful game will be on and, bearing in mind what happened last time against Neasden, we’re hoping for a turnaround in the result as the performance was good.
“We have a full squad to pick from, with captain Moss returning, Leor Harel in the form of his life and Dan Cohen looking to get game-time from the A-team squad. We’re are looking forward to it.”
I can’t see there being many goals in it on Sunday on a day when defences could dominate. But Faithfold need to pull something special out of the hat sooner or late and if they keep things simple, they might just take the points.
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – Aaron Djanogly (Games 15, Yellow 22, Reds 4)
JC team news: Dan Cohen (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Neasden A 0 Faithfold B 1
MY Prediction: Neasden A 2 Faithfold B 3
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SHIRLEY PARK vs CHIGWELL ATHLETIC
League leaders Shirley Park will be looking to extend their six-point lead when they welcome Chigwell to their Edmonton home.
Dave Lusman’s men recorded an impressive win over title rivals Lions B at Rowley Lane last Sunday to move into double figures in the wins column and they will fancy themselves to make it 11 on Sunday.
Although Shirley have played more games than anyone else in the division, they keep winning and that’s really all Lusman can ask for. He showed great composure to put two penalties past Lions keeper David Kosky last Sunday, with the 86th minute winner showing real bottle.
The Shirley gaffer was also delighted to see Dan Oade pop up with a typically predatory finish in a team that is averaging more than four goals a game. Jamie Kent (26), Stefan Benfredj and Gideon Gold have already reached double figures in the goal charts, while Saul Conway is only two off that landmark. He was the star man against Lions last Sunday, in centre mid.
Looking ahead to the visit of Chigwell, Lusman told JC Sport: “It’s another difficult fixture but we hope to give Chiggers a good game and steal the points at Norseman. Park life.”
Chigwell are in a false position in my opinion. They have played eight games less than Shirley and will give them a real test on Sunday. A quick glance through their squad will tell you they have a quality squad offering a combination of experience, power and leaders.
It finished 3-3 in the last meeting when Chigwell skipper Dan Castle broke Shirley hearts with a last-ditch equaliser. His head to head with Conway could be key on Sunday.
Knowing Chigwell boss Richard Slater as I do, he’ll be determined to topple the leaders knowing a win would make him a strong contender for my Manager of the Week award.
He had this to say ahead of the game. “'It will be a tough game away to the league leaders,” Slater told JC Sport. “They score goals for fun and are very good going forward, but also have conceded a huge amount and clearly have trouble defending. We had a great battle drawing 3-3 with them in early September, so we go there with confidence and as underdogs.”
Messus Caro and Young have predicted a home win. The gauntlet has been well and truly laid down in what should be a real blood and thunder affair.
Chigwell squad: Rob Shepherdson, Jonathan Swead, Lee Hyams, Glenn Davis, Russell Yershon, Pierce Prince, Bradley Gayer, Greg Lautman, Daniel Castle (capt), Richard Slater, Richard Baum, Craig Pearl, Anthony Mendel, Jamie Fox, Neil Tilley, Dean ben-Yosef, Doron Weinstein
Venue – Norsemen FC, Ref – Martin Fox (Games 13, Yellow 11, Reds 1)
JC team news: Shirley welcome back Stefan Benfredj who missed the win over Lions.
Everyone is available for Chigwell bar the experienced trio of Paul Lenchner, Alex Norman and Russell Brill who are all away.
DC Prediction: Shirley Park 3 Chigwell Athletic 2
MY Prediction: Shirley Park 4 Chigwell Athletic 2
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SOUTHGATE HARMEN vs CAMDEN PARK
Promotion-chasing Camden go in search of their seventh league win of the season when they travel to Southgate on Sunday.
Josh Marks’ men have been the model of consistency this term, scoring goals from all over the park.
With games in hand on the top three, back-to-back promotions are well within their grasp and on Sunday I think it will be a case of getting the job done against a goal-shy Harmen.
Dan Uzan’s Harmen haven’t won since November 11. Although they give little away, they have yet to find a winning formula against the top teams.
I think an early Camden goal would make things tough again for Harmen on Sunday.
Venue – Ashmole School, Ref – Henry Raffe (Games 13, Yellows 12, Reds 0)
JC star man: Josh Toff (Camden)
DC Prediction: Harmen 0 Camden 1
MY Prediction: Harmen 1 Camden 2
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UJIA vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B
Hendon saw their promotion hopes go up in smoke against a Mitch Hahn inspired Woodford Wanderers last weekend.
The Reds simply had no answer to the brilliance of the JC Player of the Week. But the good news for Hendon fans is that UJIA don’t possess a player in Hahn’s class. What they do have is Assi Avital and Matty Radstone, players capable of making things difficult for them as the U’s go in search of what a few weeks ago seemed like an unlikely double.
Ahead of the game, I caught up with Hornets joint-manager Motty Korman. He told JC Sport: “We took a battering last week and no-one wants to get out of bed for that on a Sunday morning, so hopefully we can regain our pride this week.
“With promotion now out of our reach we can just enjoy our football and start building again for next season. “e will be back fighting after last week.
“Olly Garbacz has impressed since joining in January and Ben Mandell could make his debut ... both young boys with a lot of potential.
“Another youngster, Yehuda Korman, stood out last week in the 45 minutes he played and we are hoping we can persuade him to play for us over the A's this week.”
Avital (2) and Radstone got the Ben Radstone revolution off the ground in the last meeting between the teams but when you consider they have yet to win at home, they may well find things a lot tougher second time around.
JC team news: Hendon will be missing Danny Steel, Gav Noe, Div Vogel, but the new boys have the opportunity to make a claim this week.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Stuart Ansher (Games 12, Yellows 6, Reds 1)
JC star man: Yehuda Korman (Hendon)
DC Prediction: UJIA 2 Hendon B 4
MY Prediction: UJIA 1 Hendon B 4
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WOODFORD WANDERERS vs GLENTHORNE UNITED A
Glenthorne hope that neighbours Chigwell can do them a favour and get something at table-topping Shirley Park, but Sam Rosenthal’s troops must give Woodford their full focus on Sunday.
The Thornes have not been at their best over the last few games and that is something Rosenthal and co are keen to put right on Sunday.
Rosenthal told JC Sport: "We always look forward to our local derby's, none more so than against the Woodford boys ...
"It's always nice to see these lobosses, but we'll be going to Fairlop focused on grabbing all three points."
Matchday 22 of the JC MSFL was all about the Mitch Hahn show. The Enfield Town striker kept himself razor sharp with six of the best in a 9-1 demolition of Hendon B and the Wanderers may need to double up on him Ronaldo style if they are to come away from Fairlop with maximum points.
Woodford boss Paul Hyams know full well that they cannot rely on the brilliance of Hahn every week. He wants his players to stand up and fight for the right to play Division One football again next season.
The return of keeper Ben Rosenthal means they will concede far fewer than they have done, but they shouldn’t expect any favours from their local rivals on Sunday.
It finished 5-1 to Glenthorne when the teams met back in on Matchday Two of the season, Daryl Rubin, Richard Rosenthal, Jamie Bernstein, Craig Sandford and Fabio Rivieccio were the scorers, but I have a strong suspicion things will be a lot tighter second time around.
Venue – Fairlop, Ref – David Lazarus (Games 8, Yellows 7, Reds 0)
JC star man: Daryl Rubin (Glenthorne)
DC Prediction: Woodford 1 Glenthorne 2
MY Prediction: Woodford 1 Glenthorne A 3
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
17 - Adam Hersh (Los Blancos)
14 - Reiss Mogilner (Brady B)
11 - Dan Hildebrand (Brady B)
10 - Jake Gilbert (Bilbaum)
ATHLETIC BILBAUM vs BRADY MACCABI B
Bilbaum appear to have gone off the boil at just the wrong time ahead of the meeting with table-toppers Brady B.
Managed by Mark Pasha and Ed Green, they strong candidates to finish in the top two but they have hit the buffers at just the wrong time.
A run of three games without a win could not have come at a worse time and no doubt, they will be asked some big questions by a rampant Brady team.
Josh Dagul’s Brady hit Bilbaum for six in September when Dan Hildebrand went home with the match ball. Captain James Joseph added two more, while Reiss Mogilner, who like Hildebrand and Joseph is having another excellent season, popped up with the other.
Bilbaum fans were quick to remind me that their heroes completed a league double over Brady last season but I think that come Sunday lunchtime, we’ll see a role reversal in that respect. It’s Brady all the way for me.
Venue – Copthall, Ref – Neil Cooper (Games 11, Yellows 6, Reds 0)
JC star man: Michael Beaber (Brady)
DC Prediction: Bilbaum 2 Brady B 4
MY Prediction: Bilbaum 0 Brady B 6
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GLENTHORNE UNITED B vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B
There’s a tasty mid-table battle in store in east London where Glenthorne B take on Raiders B.
Raiders still have one eye on promotion and manager Oli Shorts knows exactly what is at stake. Lose and they can wave goodbye to any lingering hopes of a top two finish.
“This game is probably our biggest of the season,” Shorts told JC Sport. “There hasn't been much talk of our team this season, but 18 points from the last 21 shows we can compete with the best teams in our league.
“To finish second is a big ask but we really believe this is possible. It's a challenge we've set to the team but we're well aware we'll need results to go our way but we just need to keep winning.
“Our squad is starting to get back together. David Shamash will be included in the squad for the first time since October and there has been good news regarding Jonny Blain as he looks likely to return in the next couple of weeks rather then missing out for the season.
“It's been a busy week on the transfer front as we welcome back Matt Leader. We've always said there is no place like home when it comes to Raiders and Matt joins the growing contingent of old Raiders players returning to the B team. We're delighted by the signing and believe his experience in the higher divisions will be vital.”
Glenthorne can’t buy a win at the minute. They beat Raiders in a nine-goal thriller on the second weekend of the season, with Adam Goldman the hat-trick hero, but little has gone their way of late.
Raiders have yet to win on the road in the league this season, but they have won their last three and are the form team as Glenthorne have lost their last five matches.
Venue – Ford Sports & Social, Ref – Adam Lewis (Games 10, Yellows 4, Reds 2)
JC star man: Matt Leader (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Glenthorne B 1 Raiders B 3
MY Prediction: Glenthorne B 2 Raiders B 3
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LOS BLANCOS vs FC TEAM B
Los Blancos will be aiming to finish the weekend in the top two as they prepare to take on FC Team B at their west Hendon home.
Player-manager Adam Hersh is without a couple of regulars as Blancos look to complete a league double over a side they beat 5-4 on the second weekend of the season. Hersh (2), Joel Kutner, Sami Birnbaum and Ben Annis were the goal men for Blancos that day.
West Hendon has become something of a fortress for the whites this season. Other than the defeat against leaders Brady B, they boast a 100 per cent record and will fancy themselves to claim what would be their ninth win of the campaign.
Looking ahead to the game, Hersh told JC Sport: “Our biggest hope is to finally play a game. As much as we like a Sunday morning lie-in, we’re all getting a little too fat so playing a game is a must.
FC Team B have picked up some decent results this season, but they are not safe yet. I expect them to do more than enough to keep their heads above water, but they could struggle on Sunday.
Last Sunday’s defeat at Catford was a real setback and manager Ben Simon and co will be keen to put in an improved performance.
But when all is said and done, I think Blancos will have too much on the day.
JC team news: Blancos have a few absentees, including Adam Waters and Aryeh Marks but Hersh believes his squad “is still strong squad for Sunday”.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Andy Myerson (Games 15, Yellows 30, Reds 5)
JC star man: Sami Birnbaum (Blancos)
DC Prediction: Blancos 3 FC Team B 1
MY Prediction: Blancos 1 FC Team B 5
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NORSTAR B vs SPEC FC
I don’t envisage Norstar B will give promotion-seeking SPEC FC too many problems on Sunday.
Laurence Conway’s troops haven’t lost since mid-November and with Elliot Wallis and Ashley Burns in top form, I can see them overpowering the division’s bottom team.
But it’s not all about the goals. The SPEC FC boys have also kept five clean sheets and I think chances will be at a premium for the Norstar forwards.
Ahead of the game, SPEC FC’s Ricky Lawrence told JC Sport: “Norstar are an unknown entity so we don’t know what to expect, especially with them playing a lot less games than other teams in the league.
“All we know is that we have to make sure we leave Wembley with three points. With rumours of James Segal being in the squad again, he’ll be aiming to threaten the top scorer charts starting this week.”
Norstar have been well beaten in their last four outings and they’ve conceded goals aplenty at home. I’d like to paint a brighter picture but fear the worst again on Sunday.
Venue – Ark Academy, Ref – Robert Benardout (Games 14, Yellows 8, Reds 0)
JC star man: James Segal (SPEC FC)
DC Prediction: Norstar B 0 SPEC FC 3
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NORTH WEST NEASDEN B vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B
Redbridge B were rampant last Sunday as they claimed their biggest and best win of the season after dishing out a 4-1 battering to high-flying Bilbaum.
Ben Binder added two more goals to his portfolio, while man-of-the-match Harrison Grant and Scott Oldstein finished the job.
The performance left manager Jon Jacobs with a big smile on his face, so much so that he rewarded himself with a well-earned break. Richard Bronzite makes an eagerly-awaited comeback in the hotseat for Redbridge.
No doubt, the presence of Ben Sollosi, the former JC MSFL Young Player of the Year, boosted them but they are unlikely to have the luxury of his services for the trip to title-seeking Neasden B.
Sunday promises to be a classic battle between youth and experience. It will also give the east Londoners the perfect opportunity to avenge November’s 4-0 defeat, which came courtesy of goals from Adam Levene, James Abrams, Simon Cohen and Louis Taylor.
Neasden’s form has been somewhat inconsistent of late and if they think things will be as easy second time around then they can think again. They have lost their last two home matches 3-2 and if RJC score first, it would make things really interesting.
Venue – Hertswood Centre 3G, Ref – Gary Silver (Matches 8, Yellows 13, Reds 0)
JC star man: James Castle (Redbridge)
DC Prediction: Neasden B 2 Redbridge B 2
MY Prediction: Neasden B 4 Redbridge B 3
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DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
26 - Ben Zloof (AC Mill Hill)
16 - Jono Gaon (Tottenham Chutspah), Alex Elf (Hendon Utd SC C), Ben Polak (Oakwood B)
13 - Richard Fogelman (Jewventus)
12 - Terry Jeffries (Temple Fortune B)
11 - David Joseph Cohen (FC Team C)
LOUGHTON ORIENT vs BOCA JEWNIORS
Dan Curtis will be looking for a big reaction from his players when Loughton Orient entertain whipping boys Boca.
The manager this week told me he felt “let down” following their first meeting with Boca this season and there will be no excuses should the unthinkable happen again.
Jamie Weinrich (2) and Yaacov Goldin were the scorers for Boca in a famous win – their first and only win to date since joining the JC MSFL.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s game, Curtis told JC Sport: “We let ourselves down when we played Boca earlier this season and came away with what we deserved - nothing.
“This Sunday we need to start strong and take the game to Boca. We will be going for the win and playing an attacking side which should have goals in it.”
Very little has gone right for Boca since the Loughton game in October, despite the best efforts of keeper Ryan Monk. Scoring goals continues to be a major problem for the league’s bottom team, although they will be pleased to hear the hosts are missing their regular keeper.
Looking ahead to the game, a Boca spokesman told JC Sport: "Gants Hill, Faces nightclub, East 17, Walthamstow dog track, the horrible people from TOWIE. Your boys took a hell of a beating."
"Those were the words of commentator John Motson on October 7, 2012 - a day which will live long in the hearts and minds in all players who pulled on the famous shirt of Boca Jewniors, and a day that the Loughton boys will never forget."
It was on that day, that the formbook was ripped up and this Sunday sees the rematch. People may say it was a fluke, a freak result, but others say it was a turning point. Some said at the time it was a sign. Some say it was a day that made people believe again.
If last week's result for Boca was not enough inspiration for them, then that Sunday morning in October, will definitely inspire Weinrich's troops into action. Before last Sunday's disaster against Norstar C, the Boca boys had been holding their own against even stronger opposition in previous weeks. And even at 1-1 after an hour, there were people dreaming on another famous victory. But it all went Pete Tong. Even with a few players out last week, but it did not explain the complete surrender of the Boca team.
So to this week, the Boca boys have been hard at it on the training pitch to put things right. And all players have been watching the DVD of the first game, to inspire them.
"Keeper Ryan Monk commented "in the first match, I had my quietest day in between the sticks. It just proves to show how well we outplayed them from the back, all the way to the front. It just shows it wasn't a fluke."
But I think on Sunday, nothing will stop the Loughton boys who know that anything less than three points will result in the Curtis hairdryer.
JC team news: Orient keeper Marc Jacobs has been ruled out for two weeks with a shoulder injury, which Curtis describes as “a big blow”. The hosts will also be missing Nicky Stone who is “living it up in Barcelona”. Everyone else is in contention to be in the squad.
Boca welcome back Parys Hammond and Viv Emanuel but Chandler Monk is still not fully fit to return to the line-up.
Venue – Peter May, Ref – Barry David (Games 8, Yellows 2, Reds 0)
JC team news: Marc Silver (Loughton)
DC Prediction: Loughton Orient 3 Boca 1
MY Prediction: Loughton Orient 4 Boca 2
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OAKWOOD B vs FC TEAM C
Title rivals Oakwood B and FC Team C go head to head in one of the games of the day in what could be a pivotal match in Division Three.
And if the first meeting between the sides is anything to go by then it should be a real thriller.
FC Team are the last man standing in terms of teams unbeaten in the entire league this season. They recorded a memorable 4-3 win over the Oaks in early October, when David Joseph Cohen, Oli Senchal and Rob Sanford helped them stage a dramatic recovery in a game they came from two goals down to win after Ben Polak and Rafi Bloom had given the Oaks a dream start.
Oaks boss Ian Tussie told me that “a lack of discipline and composure” cost his team
Although Sunday’s match was always going to be a humdinger, I’m confident the predictions of my guest this week – none other than FC Team A manager and club chairman Mitch Young – will be an added incentive for the Oakwood boys. He’s tipping his club to romp home 4-1. I think it’ll be much tighter.
Ahead of the game, Tussie told JC Sport: “Fair play to Mitch, he's got a right to be confident, they've been the pace-setters all season and are the team to beat. If we can keep it to four I'll be happy.
“It's a big game for us that's fo' sho' and we know it'll be very tough. They played really well against us earlier this season and showed great courage to come back from 3-1 down to win. We were without our entire back-four that day and our team has changed quite a bit since then so it should be a close contest. If we play to our capabilities though I'm confident that we can win the match.
“We may need some divine inspiration for this one so I've told the lads to put their teffilin on, go to shul on Saturday and duchen their hearts out and we'll be holding a minyan before the game in the home team dressing.”
David Joseph Cohen has been the star of the show for FC Team this season, but he couldn’t have scored the goals he has without the talented players around him.
The boys in yellow and blue have maintained a high standard week in, week out so far this season and they know another tough contest is on the cards.
Joint-manager Michael Myers told JC Sport: “It’ll be an exciting match-up on Sunday. Winning this game is huge for our title chances and I know the boys are really up for it.
“Oakwood were good going forward last time so my defence will have to be on top of their game, Eitan Ben-Zion (CB) has already told everyone he is going straight to bed after Shabbos.”
Myers believes Jamie Breslaw and Eitan Ben-Zion will be the key men for visitors who have been scoring for fun of late.
Oren Hury has been one of the unsung heroes for Oakwood this season and he could be in for a busy game.
The stats show ref Steve Levy has been lenient with his distribution of cards thus far but he may be busier than usual on Sunday.
It promises to be a right royal battle on Sunday and if they take their chances, I can see Team edging it again.
JC team news: Oakwood are without a few, including our club captain and leader Stefan Isaacs who is attending a classic car convention in Taplow. Also missing are Jamie Beale, Dan Broman, Jack Sultan and Dave Epstein whose season has been all-but ended through injury.
Venue – Parmiters, Ref – Steve Levy (Games 10, Yellows 1, Reds 0)
JC star man: Jamie Breslaw (Team)
DC Prediction: Oakwood B 2 FC Team C 3
MY Prediction: Oakwood B 1 FC Team C 4
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AC MILL HILL vs JEWVENTUS
AC Mill Hill return to action for the first time since player-manager Joe Levy suffered a serious injury and I’m sure all the players will want to put a big smile on the manager’s face.
The signs look good as they hit Jewve for six earlier in the season and you don’t need me to tell you which player took home the match ball.
Ben Zloof is on course to win the JC MSFL Golden Boot. Although his hopes received something of a setback when the JC Barry Goldstein Trophy competition was cancelled, he is in the form of his life and is as important to Mill Hill as Gareth Bale is to Spurs right now.
Mill Hill start the game three points behind leaders Oakwood B, but with a game in hand. They are unbeaten at home and will expect to fill their boots against the mid-table battlers.
Jewve’s last two results have really hurt manager Gabriel John. On paper they have a very good team but other than drawing with Oakwood at the start of the season, they have flattered to deceive.
I can only see one winner on Sunday.
Venue – Copthall, Ref – Rob Caplin (Games 11, Yellows 7, Reds 1)
JC star man: Ben Grabiner (Mill Hill)
DC Prediction: AC Mill Hill 4 Jewventus 0
MY Prediction: AC Mill Hill 8 Jewventus 0
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FAITHFOLD C vs TOTTENHAM CHUTSPAH
Faithfold boss David Garson has always fancied pitting his wits against Tottenham, but this might be about as close as he gets.
Going into their first-ever meeting against the Chutspah boys, Garson is targeting a top four finish, something which looked nigh on impossible a couple of months ago.
Faithfold have lost more than they’ve won and failed to score in four matches this season but I don’t foresee any such problems on Sunday, especially if Ben Simons and Stefan Simons, Garson’s version of the S&S, are available.
Tottenham boss Ariel Tamman was remarkably upbeat at his press conference this week. Although his team have not won a game since October, Tamman believes they can get something from the game.
“I am very excited about this weeks game,” Tamman told JC Sport. “I feel that after a string of losses, Tottenham Chutspah need a win. This is a very competitive division and to stand a good chance at getting a respectable table place we are going to need to work harder than ever.”
Tottenham have conceded 28 goals in their last four matches and I’m sure Faithfold’s S&S will be rubbing their hands, and some.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Laurence Thorne (Games 12, Yellows 18, Reds 0)
JC star man: Dave Sherman (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Faithfold C 4 Tottenham Chutspah 3
MY Prediction: Faithfold C 3 Tottenham Chutspah 3
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HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB C vs NORSTAR C
Goals are guaranteed in Sunday’s game between Hendon C and Norstar C.
The bookies rarely get it wrong and they have yet to receive a bet on a goalless draw.
Since drawing with Oakwood B, Hendon have had something of a mixed bag in terms of results but as we’ve seen, they can match the best Division Three has to offer on their day.
Strikers Alex Elf and Ben Slukis are really hitting it off on the pitch. Both have scored hat-tricks this season and will be looking to impress once again, against a Norstar team that has conceded a quite alarming number of goals.
Norstar boss Zack Gothelf still has the occasional nightmare about the first meeting with Hendon, which finished 9-1. Indeed it was Elf who ran them ragged with a fabulous four-goal salvo. Daniel Major, Adam Glekin, Craig Phillips, Benny Goldberg and Gideon Caller put the icing on the cake.
Ignoring the two heavy defeats against Oakwood and FC Team, Norstar have made big strides and will be looking to give a better account of themselves.
One thing looks certain, it won’t finish 9-1 again.
Venue – West Hendon, Ref – Adam Yuchetel (Games 8, Yellows 10, Reds 1)
JC star man: Daniel Major (Hendon)
DC Prediction: Hendon C 4 Norstar C 3
MY Prediction: Hendon C 4 Norstar C 2
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L’EQUIPE vs TEMPLE FORTUNE B
Both L’Equipe and Temple Fortune B are fully focused on grabbing that fourth place slot.
They have similar records, although L’Equipe have been far less successful in front of goal.
I believe Sunday’s game will come down to how they defend. They know Fortune are direct and rely heavily on the goals of Terry Jeffries and if they can keep him quiet they will fancy themselves.
David Prager’s troops have performed to a high level since that heavy defeat to AC Mill Hill. They are breaking club records left, right and centre and with home advantage, they will be confident of picking up their sixth league win of the season.
Josh Lewis and Andy Burke steered L’Equipe to a 2-0 win at Fortune at the back end of 2012 and if they score first I can’t see them losing.
Ref – Neal Cohen (Games 10, Yellows 8, Reds 6)
JC star man: David Prager (L’Equipe)
DC Prediction: L’Equipe 2 Temple Fortune B 1
MY Prediction: L’Equipe 1 Temple Fortune B 3
