Hendon United Sports Club A will be looking to make a statement of intent when they take on Woodford Wanderers in the Peter Morrison Trophy, while Oakwood A hope to end their blip against quadruple-chasing Faithfold A in the JC Cyril Anekstein Cup. There's also a full programme of league action in the JC MSFL on Matchday 24 of the season. Danny Caro looks ahead to all the action.
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JC FEATURE MATCH COVERAGE
NEASDEN B vs REDBRIDGE B VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
NEASDEN B vs REDBRIDGE B PHOTOGALLERY
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DANNY CARO'S GOAL OF THE WEEK - DAN PERKINS - SEE FULL DETAILS
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JC SAVE OF THE WEEK
Matt Kemp (Redbridge B) - pulled off another wonder save at 2-2 when he flew through the air and tipped a goal-bound header over the bar with minutes left of a thrilling game with NWN
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK - RIC BLANK - SEE FULL DETAILS
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YOUR WEEKEND REVIEW STARTS HERE:
PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND THREE
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A vs WOODFORD WANDERERS
Bouncebackability will be the name of the game for both Hendon and Woodford on Sunday as they look to progress to the national round.
Hendon allowed a two-goal lead to slip against Brady last weekend and the signs are that manager David Garbacz is starting to feel the heat.
Garbacz was keen to shift the blame away from his team and on to the referee in the 4-2 defeat but there will surely be no excuses if his team slips up this weekend, as a Mitch Hahn inspired Woodford come to north London.
Woodford gave Glenthorne A a scare last weekend and had they not come up against an inspired goalkeeper, manager Paul Hyams believed they might have come away with the point their performance deserved.
With home advantage, Hendon start as strong favourites. I can't see Woodford parking the bus, especially if Hahn is in the team. I think Hyams will send his troops out to attack but this could play into Hendon's hands.
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – John Feenstra
DC Prediction: Hendon A 4 Woodford 1
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JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Camden Park vs Redbridge JC A
London Maccabi Lions A vs Faithfold A or Oakwood A
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JC MSFL PREMIER DIVISION
FC TEAM A vs BRADY MACCABI A
All the talk has been about Brady this week. Having staged the mother of all comebacks against last season's champions, manager Joel Nathan knows that victory in Borehamwood on Sunday would really spice things up.
Nathan, who works closely with Josh Rosenfield on matchdays, was beaming from ear to ear after Jonny Ellis converted two penalties, while Jonathan Green and big Zack White joined the party. Nathan was delighted with the performance of young Jordan Nathan who looks like he's been playing at this level for years.
This Brady team are really coming together and they will mean business on Sunday as they go in search of what would be their sixth win of the season.
FC Team had last weekend off but gaffer Mitch Young will be looking to move to within a single point of Brady - a side they lost 2-0 against in December when Green and White did the business again.
I have a feeling things will be just as tight but can see Brady's winning formula taking them through again.
The head to head between Richard Salmon and Ellis will be worth the admission fee alone. Blink and you'll miss it.
Venue – Meadow Park, Ref – Adam Lewis
DC Prediction: FC Team A 1 Brady A 2
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A vs LONDON MACCABI LIONS A
Given that Redbridge and Lions go into Sunday's meeting with big wins under their belt, I think we're in for a real belter at Fairlop.
Starting with RJC, Eilon Kennet's men showed bags of quality in coming from behind to put Temple Fortune to the sword last weekend. It was a case of the S&S show as Steve Summers and the red-hot Adam Stolerman fired double, with defender Joel Berg putting the cherry on the cake.
Kennet would've been glad to have had 90 minutes going into the Lions game as, by his own admission, his team looked rusty.
The RJC boys know that three points on Sunday would take them to within a point of Faithfold but they can take nothing for granted against a Lions team who appears to be getting stronger by the week.
The Lions flexed their muscles against Oakwood last weekend with Max Kyte finishing as hat-trick hero following three accomplished finishes. Matt Perlman played out of his skin, while Nick Landesberg looked right at home playing alongside Danny Daggers, and nothing got past Yoav Lebens and new signing Benji Weinberger.
Revenge will be the name of the game for a Lions team beaten 3-1 by RJC in November in what was Andy Landesberg's first game in charge. Stolerman (2) and Ben Graham did the business that day.
After the demolition of Oakwood last Sunday, Landesberg told JC Sport: “If this team wasn’t to really start to be talked about then there is no bigger test than this game. As always I am not sure who will be available, and who will be fit.
“It seems every game we face is massive, and it isn’t hard to get everybody tuned in and wound up to achieve a big performance.
“Hopefully Sunday we can do it all again. Redbridge as everybody knows is a quality team, with experienced players and management. We are still pretty much the new kids on the block, but you just never know.
JC team news: Lions welcome back striker Lee Cash from holiday and Jake Doffman is set to make his eagerly awaited debut.
Venue - Fairlop, Ref – Steve Levy
DC Prediction: Redbridge A1 Lions A 1
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DIVISION ONE
CAMDEN PARK vs SHIRLEY PARK
The top game in Division One sees fourth-placed Camden host free-scoring leaders Shirley Park.
Josh Marks' Camden were made to sweat at Harmen last Sunday but a double from fox-in-the-box Richard Silver did the trick in a 2-1 win.
Camden have an incredible six games in hand on Shirley and they start Sunday's clash 14 points behind them.
Shirley came through an awkward game against Chigwell 3-2 last weekend, with top-scorer Jamie Kent making it 29 for the season, while Gideon Gold popped up with a crucial double.
Dave Lusman's men have won their last six. Confidence is high although they had already been beaten on 3G this season by Temple Fortune.
A full house is expected for what promises to be an open and entertaining affair. It should be a cracker.
Venue – Ark Academy, Ref – Richard Jaye
DC Prediction: Camden 2 Shirley 2
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CHIGWELL ATHLETIC vs NORTH WEST NEASDEN A
Richard Slater's Chigwell gave a good account of themselves against table-topping Shirley Park last Sunday and I expect them to return to winning ways against Neasden.
Experience will be the name of the game as a star-studded Chigwell team, featuring the likes of Paul Lenchner and Craig Pearl, take on the MSFL's answer to Dad's Army.
Lenchner helped himself to a brace against the leaders as they came from 3-0 down to really make a game of it but in the end it wasn't to be.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Slater told JC Sport: "'We've lost our last two now, so need to get back to winning ways on Sunday."
Neasden's match was postponed last Sunday and manager Dan Hodes will be keen to see his troops put on a good show in their first meeting with Chigwell this season.
Although NWN have scored twice in each of their last two games, they still concede too many and I can see Chigwell putting some testing balls into the box that will make things difficult for a defence in which Jon Kaye remains the stand-out performer.
I don't think there will be more than a goal in it, but on paper at least Chigwell have the edge of me.
Venue – Peter May, Ref – Andy Myerson
DC Prediction: Chigwell 2 Neasden A 1
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LONDON MACCABI LIONS B vs FAITHFOLD B
Lions boss Jamie Kyte will be targeting three points as his team takes on Faithfold B for the first time this season.
Striker James Gold enjoyed a run out for Lions' A team last weekend and he certainly didn't look out of place, scoring in an 8-1 win over Oakwood.
I believe Gold will benefit in what will be a slightly slower tempo at the Lane on Sunday as the Lions look to bounce back from the recent defeat against Shirley.
Although Faithfold currently lie in the bottom two, they still have plenty of time to get themselves out of trouble. However, they have yet to keep a clean sheet this season and given they don't score freely, the signs don't look great for Sunday.
I think Lions will boss the game and ultimately run out comfortable winners.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Nigel Burns
DC Prediction: Lions B 3 Faithfold B 0
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TEMPLE FORTUNE A vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B
Temple Fortune hope to finish the weekend on 15 points together with Hendon as the teams prepare to do battle in Edgware.
Craig Edwards was the hero for Fortune the last time the sides met. He scored a fab four-goal salvo in a game the boys in yellow and red won 5-4. It was one of those games where no-one left before the final whistle.
Fortune were well-beaten in the cup by Redbridge A last weekend. Dan Orgel gave them a shock lead but they ultimately caved in against superior opposition and the final whistle couldn't come soon enough for manager Lee Fegan.
Having lost Matt Leader to Raiders B, Fegan has some big decisions to make and he needs as many no nonsense defenders as possible to stop a Hendon team that rarely struggles for goals.
Entertainment is the name of the game for a Hendon team who have blown any realistic hopes of promotion this season. Manager Motty Korman and Chaim Gothold already have one eye on next season and it would be fair to say that one or two players are playing for their futures.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Neil Cooper
DC Prediction: Temple Fortune A 3 Hendon B 3
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UJIA vs GLENTHORNE UNITED A
Glenthorne should not expect an easy ride against a UJIA team fighting for survival.
The east Londoners came through a tough derby against Woodford with the right result last Sunday, thanks to goals from Dan Lassman, Dan Lipman and Ryan Cole.
But it was the performance of keeper Jordan Davidson that had manager Sam Rosenthal purring. The young stopper reminded everyone just how good he is and he will be keen to impress in NW7 on Sunday.
Glenthorne have won nine out of 13 and are odds-on to overcome a UJIA team expected to get numbers behind the ball.
I can see it being a frustrating morning for U's top-scorer Assi Avital who will be chasing shadows for long spells. The big Israeli thrives off good services but I cannot see the north Londoners winning the all-important battle in the centre of the park.
It's all pointing towards an ugly 1-0 win for the visitors.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Aaron Djanogly
DC Prediction: UJIA 0 Glenthorne A 1
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DIVISION TWO
BLIZZARD STORM vs FC TEAM B
Simon Linden came away from last weekend's cup defeat against Faithfold A a proud man.
The Blizzard boss could not have asked for any more from his players, especially keeper Oli Simons who came away nursing a sore back after the 7-1 defeat.
Now Linden wants his troops to maintain that level of performance for 90 minutes, week in, week out for the rest of the season. That's some ask, but they're more than capable.
Linden will be confident of overhauling Catford as the Blizzard boys attempt to get out of the danger zone. But he knows things won't be easy against dogged opponents.
FC Team will be rubbing their hands after looking at Blizzard's home record. However, their form on the road has been nothing to write home about and they will need to pull out all the stops if they are to come away with maximum points. Maybe, just maybe.
Venue – Hampstead Heath, Ref – Neal Cohen
DC Prediction: Blizzard 2 FC Team B 3
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CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI vs NORTH WEST NEASDEN B
The bigger they come, the harder they fall. That has long been the motto of this Catford & Bromley team.
Having produced two excellent displays in recent weeks, Lester Jacobs' warriors know exactly what they have to do on Sunday. Stop Oli Joseph. The big man destroyed them earlier in the season and it wouldn't surprise me if captain Adam Luria is assigned man-marking roles.
Neasden were pushed to the wire by Redbridge B last Sunday. They came up against an inspired goalkeeper and, no doubt, Guy Ben Aroya will be keen to dent their promotion hopes.
Catford need big players with big hearts right now and if they get the rub of the green they might just come away with a precious point.
Venue – Norseman FC, Ref – Adam Yuchetel
DC Prediction: Catford & Bromley 2 Neasden B 2
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NORSTAR B vs ATHLETIC BILBAUM
The first double-header of the JC MSFL season sees struggling Norstar B take on Athletic Bilbaum.
Norstar gave a good account of themselves in the 2-0 defeat against SPEC FC last Sunday. One SPEC onlooker described they as "determined" and "spirited" and they will need both those qualities in abundance for the challenge of Bilbaum in what could turn into survival of the fittest.
The Baums have games in hand on the teams above them, that's probably why this is a double-header! In all seriousness, six points could put them right back in the mix and I'm sure managers Mark Pasha and Ed Green have something special up their sleeves. Failing that, club mascot Baum Baum the Elephant will have something special up his trunk.
In Jake Gilbert, Ben Bell and Green, the Baums have an embarrassment of attacking options and it wouldn't surprise me if they left the Stars feeling doubled up.
Ref – Quentin Fox
DC Prediction: Norstar B 1 Bilbaum 3/Bilbaum 1 Norstar B 2
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B vs REDBRIDGE JC B
Is there a better keeper in the league than RJC's Matt Kemp right now? That's the million dollar question facing Raiders boss Oli Shorts right now.
Young Kemp has a really bright future ahead of him and he's one of the hottest properties in the league at this moment in time.
He pulled off what one RJC fan described as "a worldie" in the 2-2 draw at Neasden B last Sunday and looks a real class act.
That said, I can see Raiders asking big questions of Kemp and co as RJC make the long journey west.
Several big giants have fallen over the years and the prospect of a free-flowing Orange wave will really test the visiting team.
A win for RJC, who are set to welcome back manager Jon Jacobs, would take them level on points with Raiders.
Shorts and co will be keen to avenge the recent 2-1 defeat against RJC when Josh Taylor and Bradley Rains sealed a famous win which came courtesy of a brilliant defensive performance - a game in which Kemp also came away smelling of roses
Both teams are playing with confidence at the minute and it's hard to call a winner.
Venue - Brunel, Ref – Laurie Benson
DC Prediction: Raiders B 2 Redbridge B 2
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SPEC FC vs BRADY MACCABI B
History is in the making in Hatfield on Sunday as a buoyant SPEC FC get ready to rumble against old foes Brady B.
Laurence Conway's men didn't need to be at their best to beat Norstar B last weekend, but they did what was needed to come away with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Ashley Burns and Craig Cohen.
But SPEC FC's Ricky Lawrence knows the team will need to step up a couple of gears for the visit of the leaders.
He told JC Sport: "We will be looking to complete a historic league double over Brady in a game that will define the rest of our season..... a win will see the title race thrown wide open.
"Conway's right hand man Doug Berlin is currently compiling a dossier on Brady in a bid to ensure a repeat of SPEC's 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture.
"The squad are all chomping at the bit to get another win against their bitter rivals, and whilst we don't want to give too much away, it looks like James Segal might just pass a late fitness test. And if the poacher plays, SPEC win." There's confidence for you.
Brady go into the game bang in form with wins over Glenthorne and Neasden under their belt. They appear to have the answer to whatever is thrown in their path, with captain James Joseph, this week's JC Player Profile, leading the fight.
Reiss Mogilner is enjoying another terrific season as is top-scorer Dan Hildebrand. We've also see the emergence of young Nathan Harrod, with Dan Harrod, Josh Newman and Sam Singer turning them into an power house.
The first goal will be crucial on Sunday and with so much quality on show, it could be just the kind of game to be settled by a moment of magic.
Venue – Hatfield Uni, Ref – Martin Fox
DC Prediction: SPEC FC 1 Brady B 2
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DIVISION THREE
BOCA JEWNIORS vs JEWVENTUS
Sooner or later, the inevitable will happen and Boca will need to bite the bullet and sell keeper Ryan Monk for as much money as possible.
The basement battlers have worked hard to keep their one real star player at the club for as long as possible but as the saying goes, all good things come to an end.
With the MSFL transfer deadline fast-approaching, manager Jamie Weinrich is still feeling the water. I believe a four-figure offer would sway him, but not before the visit of Jewventus.
Having beaten Loughto Orient earlier in the season, Weinrich had hoped lightning would strike twice when the teams met for the second time last weekend. But alas, they were beaten, no hammered in fact, 7-1. And there was nothing that even Monk could do.
That's 13 defeats now for the Boca boys and Weinrich may be fearing the worst against a Jewve team who hit them for six as recently as December.
Yes it was Jewve player-manager Gabriel John who grabbed the headlines that day with three textbook finishes - a wind-assisted cross-shot, a deflected lob and a daisy-cutter. Hardly a classic hat-trick but they all count.
All joking aside, John's excellent TygerPaw product is perfect for these kind of conditions and I expect to see some unique celebrations unfold.
JC team news: Jewve welcome back keeper Dan Cohen following a wild weekend in Leeds.
Venue – North Herts Arena, Ref – Martin De La Fuente
DC Prediction: Boca 1 Jewventus 4
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L’EQUIPE vs FC TEAM C
FC Team go in search of their 11th win of the season when they travel to L'Equipe on Sunday.
Team have registered 34 goals in their last five matches and will be keen to keep the pressure on AC Mill Hill and Oakwood B ahead of their first ever league meeting with L'Equipe.
But they won't get any gifts against a L'Equipe team that has not conceded for more than 270 minutes. David Prager's team have really tightened up in recent times and they will be looking to give Team a run for their money.
Venue - Copthall, Ref – Stuart Ansher
DC Prediction: L’Equipe 0 FC Team C 2
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OAKWOOD B vs AC MILL HILL
The top game in the bottom division sees leaders Oakwood B come up against nearest rivals AC Mill Hill.
Ian Tussie's men start the match three points ahead but they have played a game more.
Tussie and co were disappointed that last weekend's scheduled match against FC Team C fell victim to the weather but they should prepare in much the same way for opponents they take on for the first time.
Some might say that Oakwood have had an easy run to date as they've played only one of their fellow title contenders in FC Team. But I'm not buying that. They are top on merit and will take some shifting.
Mill Hill have been boosted by the goals of star man Ben Zloof this season and I'm sure he'll be keen to show just who is top dog in his battle against Oakwood hotshot Ben Polak.
Joe Levy's men have kept five clean sheets on the road this season, but they met their match in the shape of FC Team C who beat them 5-0 after drawing 2-2. The thing about these Mill Hill boys however is that like Zloof, they score when they want.
Venue – Parmiters, Ref – Tony McEvoy
DC Prediction: Oakwood B 2 Mill Hill 3
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TEMPLE FORTUNE B vs NORSTAR C
Fortune boss Terry Jeffries has set his players a target of a top four finish.
If the season finished today then they would achieve that goal but they have some big tests on the horizon starting with Norstar C on Sunday.
Defeat in their last two home games has hit them hard and Jeffries will be looking for a positive reaction here.
Norstar would've had a couple of weeks to recovery from the 8-1 mauling of Boca. Shirt sales with Josh Younger's name have been flying out of the window since his memorable hat-trick and he's a tasty 7-1 to open the scoring against Fortune.
Stars boss Zack Gothelf will encourage the likes of Ali Gordon, Alex Goodman, Andy Cohen and Adam Rosenthal to follow up their goals against Boca with more of the same and I expect him to line up with an attacking formation.
Now we know Norstar have goals in the team, Gothelf has to work out how to get them firing on a regular basis.
Venue – Roger Bannister, Ref – Henry Raffe
DC Prediction: Temple Fortune B 3 Norstar C 3
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TOTTENHAM CHUTSPAH vs FAITHFOLD C
The last few games have been something of a horror show for the Chutspah defence. Their early season promise has evaporated and it could be about damage limitation against a well-drilled Faithfold C on Sunday.
But manager Ariel Tamman refuses to get down in the dumps about it. He continues with a smile on his face and will encourage his players to play to their strength in a game he really wants to win.
Faithfold have been frustratingly inconsistent this season. Ben Simons continues to fire the goals but manager David Garson needs more from his team who dare I say have, at times, been playing within themselves.
Garson believes they are capable of much better and he wants that to start on Sunday. I don't think he'll be disappointed.
Venue – Regents Park, Ref – Robert Benardout
DC Prediction: Tottenham Chutspah 1 Faithfold C 4
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CHALLENGE CARO RESULT
Week 1: Caro 4, Richman 5
Week 2: Caro 14, Young 10
- scoring - 3 pts for correct score, 1 point for correct result
Challenge Caro will return for Matchday 25 of the JC MSFL season.
