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JC MSFL Matchday 27 review

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The race for promotion to the Premier is hotting up with FC Team edging past North London Raiders B and 10-man Oakwood beating Lions C, while Redbridge A moved six points clear in the Premier. Danny Caro looks back on all the action.

JC MSFL MATCHDAY 27
JC BGC – Cats demolish Zig Zag, Raiders C through to last four
JC Prem Div – Redbridge show Neasden what four, Oaks send Lions C down
Div 1 – Raiders made to wait for title
Div 2 – Fortune made to wait, Brixton in 7th heaven
Div 4 - Glenthorne B run riot, Neasden C stuns depleted Los Blancos

JC HAT-TRICK HEROES
JC BGT - Ben Nassim (UJIA)
Div 2 - Jamie Kent (Brixton Old Boys)
Div 4 - Fabio Revieccio 5, James Law (both Glenthorne Utd B), Elliot Setyon (NW Neasden C)

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JC PHOTOS:

DIV 1: FC TEAM A vs NL RAIDERS B

JC VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:

DIV 1: FC TEAM A vs NL RAIDERS B

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DANNY CARO'S TEAM OF THE WEEK

JC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Steven Field (Brady Maccabi)

JC MANAGER OF THE WEEK
Mitch Young (FC Team A)

JC GOAL OF THE WEEK
Lee Platt (Brady Maccabi) - with the score 2-2, Platt curled home a delicious 25-yard free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner to give Brady the all-important win

JC SAVE OF THE WEEK
David Grossman (FC Team A) – brilliant last-minute penalty save to deny David Dinkin and the Raiders

JC REFEREE
Warwick Blake (L'Equipe vs Norstar A)

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LATEST NEWS:

MACCABI LEAGUE WELL BEATEN

LIONS A LOOKING FOR NEW MANAGER

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JC MATCH REPORTS

PREM DIV: REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 4 NORTH WEST NEASDEN A 0

DIV 1: FC TEAM A 4 NL RAIDERS B 3

DIV 1: SOUTHGATE HARMEN B 2 BRADY MACCABI 3

DIV 2: WOODFORD WANDERERS 2 TEMPLE FORTUNE A 1

DIV 2: L'EQUIPE 0 NORSTAR A 3

DIV 4: GLENTHORNE UTD B 15 PINNER JFC 0

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IMPORTANT DATES

PETER MORRISON TROPHY FINAL
May 15 - venue TBC

JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL
Hendon United Sports Club A vs Redbridge Jewish Care A
April 17 - Wingate & Finchley FC - 6.30pm KO

JC BARRY GOLDSTEIN CUP FINAL
April 17 - Wingate & Finchley FC - 2.30pm KO

JC MSFL FIXTURES

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PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINALS LINE-UP
Faithfold A vs NW Neasden A
Leeds Maccabi 1st or Manchester Maccabi 1st vs North London Raiders A

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YOUR WEEKEND REVIEW STARTS HERE:

Send match reports, club gossip and team/goal/save of the week nominations to dcaro@thejc.com.

JC MSFL PREMIER DIVISION

LEAGUE TABLES

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Champions: Redbridge Jewish Care A or Hendon United A

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REDBRIDGE SHOW NEASDEN WHAT FOUR
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 4 NORTH WEST NEASDEN A 0
Sam McCarthy's man went six points clear at the top with a four-goal demolition of last season's champions at Fairlop.

Two goals from Dean Nyman plus one apiece from Daran Bern and Mitch Lassman sealed the win.

Victory saw RJC complete a league double over Neasden to close in on the title and open a significant lead over second-placed Hendon who have a game in hand.

A delighted Sam McCarthy told JC Sport: "It wasn't the most attractive of games to watch at times and it took a little while to get into our stride. By the close of the second half with two goals up we were starting to look comfortable and control the game."

NWN gaffer Jamie Cole told JC Sport: "It has been clear for some time that the league is between Hendon and Redbridge. There is little to choose between the two sides and either will be worthy winners.

"It’s a shame that teams have dropped out of the league this year which has made it a bit of a farce.

"However, that is not to take anything away from Hendon or Redbridge who are both excellent sides.

"On a personal note, my lads have been a different class over the last three years but we have really struggled this season with availability for reasons which I have previously stated. However, we will be working hard over the summer to bring in some new recruits and get our trophy back next season."

Redbridge: Matt Davis, Russell Leiter, Joel Berg, Adam Hakimi, Craig Sandford, Daran Bern, Steve Gevertz (sub: Danny Hakimi 65), Steve Summers (sub: Mitch Lassman 70), Sam McCarthy, Adam Stolerman (sub: Lewis Walker 75), Dean Nyman. Subs: Alex Lishak, Ritchie Caplin

SEE MATCH REPORT

DC Prediction: Redbridge JC A 3 NW Neasden A 1


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BARRY GOLDSTEIN CUP

GROUP A STANDINGS
1. Faithfold C (Q) Pl. 3, W. 2, D. 1, L. 0, F. 10, A. 4, Pts. 7
2. North London Raiders C (Q) Pl. 3, W. 2, D. 1, L. 0, F. 7, A. 5, Pts. 5
3. Real Life Pl. 3, W. 1, D. 0, L. 2, F. 8, A. 9, Pts. 3
4. Heath Banta Pl. 3, W. 0, D. 0, L. 3, F. 4, A. 11, Pts. 0

RAIDERS C MARCH INTO THE SEMIS
REAL LIFE 2 NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C 3
Fourth division Raiders C booked their place in the semi-finals after two more goals from Harry Franks plus one from Darren Russell won a five-goal thriller against Real Life.

Real Life's goals came through Charlie Bernstein and Eddie Lewin.

Russell put the Raiders in front with a dipping effort that slipped through the keeper's hands., Real then took matters into their own hands by piling on the pressure. A ghost goal should have brought it to 1-1 five minutes from the end of the first half however bang on 45 Real did get their equaliser via some questionable defending.

The game was on a knife-edge and was delicately poised in the second half. With a quarter of the game to go Real were given a dubious penalty that they dispatched, and then five minutes later stand in goalkeeper Huerelhjoe Tankel pulled off a great save that rebounded to a Real player, odds on to score he scuffed his shot that gave Josh Fineman enough time to pull off a sensational goal line clearance.

With 10 to go Toby Katz sent Franks racing clear and he tucked in the equaliser and the goal to send us through. Queue wild celebrations from the Raiders bench.

As Real went in search of the winner another fantastic Katz assist allowed Franks to sneak in his second, heading the ball past a hapless keeper.

Raiders boss Oli Shorts told JC Sport: "We never do things the easy way at Raiders. It was nerve racking at times and I'm sure Real will feel hard done by, but yet again we showed our undoubted quality.

"I'm shocked that Real are in the position they are in, however I'm sure with about three games remaining they could get themselves out of the relegation zone.

"Credit to Joe Tankel for playing a great game in goal. Not only a great outfield player but now an assured keeper. On a more subdued not we would like to wish Darren Russell well after he picked up what looks like a season-ending injury. I'm sure everyone of the team will do their best to win the cup for Darren."

Real Life Director of Media & Communications Eddie Lewin told JC Sport: "We're bitterly disappointed to have lost the game. You can look at incidents such as their first goal which we felt was offside and our 'goal' that never was in the first half.

"But when we went 2-1 up with 15 to play we should have seen the game out. The lads were very down in the dressing room after the game. We need to pick ourselves up for the league."

DC Prediction: Real Life 1 NL Raiders C 3

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FIVE-STAR FAITHFOLD DEMOLISH HEATH BANTA
FAITHFOLD C 5 HEATH BANTA 0
Cup holders Faithfold C stormed into the semi-finals with an easy win over Division Three rivals Heath Banta.

Strikes from Adam Leveson, Jon Blain (2), Josh Sugarbread and Nick Viola did the damage.

Banta finished with 10 men after their keeper was sent off after receiveding a second yellow - after kicking the ball over a fence after conceding a goal.

Faithfold player-manager David Garson told JC Sport: "I thought we played well today and once their keeper got sent off it was never in doubt."

Ben Nathan, the Heath Banta boss, told JC Sport: "Having already been knocked out of the cup, I used this game to give players who hadn't played much a run out.

"We will be back for next week to full strength for our league run-in, in an effort to gain promotion."

DC Prediction: Faithfold 3 Heath Banta 1

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GROUP B STANDINGS

1. Temple Fortune B (Q) Pl. 3, W. 3, D. 0, L. 0, F. 8, A. 8, Pts. 6
2. UJIA Pl. 2, W. 1, D. 1, L. 1, F. 6, A. 2, Pts. 4
3. Catford & Bromley Maccabi Pl. 2, W. 1, D. 0, L. 1, F. 7, A. 4, Pts. 3
4. Zig Zag Pl. 3, W. 0, D. 1, L. 2, F. 4, A. 11, Pts. 1

CATS HIT HIGH FIVES
CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI 5 ZIG ZAG 0
The Cats registered their first win in the competition with an emphatic 5-0 drubbing of the Zeds at Norsemen FC.

Eli Baraty (2), Dan Stone, James Kleinman and Ryan Kangisser were the goal men for an inspired Catford team.

Cats joint-manager Adam Lewis told JC Sport: "Sunday was absolutely superb from us. Zig Zag were no pushovers and hit the post in the first half, but our passing was purposeful and crisp and our finishing deadly at times.

"We've been lacking that killer touch on a few occasions, which has made it difficult to kill teams off - a prime example being the two draws against Real Life - but hopefully now we're finally starting to click in front of goal.

DC Prediction: Catford & Bromley 2 Zig Zag 1

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UJIA HIT HIGH FIVES
TEMPLE FORTUNE B 1 UJIA 5
UJIA kept alive their hopes of joining Temple Fortune B in the last four after putting in a five-star display in Hatch End.

A BEN NASSIM treble plus two from Dan Roth finished the job.

Terry Jeffries snatched a consolation for Fortune.

A draw in the final Group B fixture between Catford and UJIA will make Fortune the group winners, whereas a win for either team will push Fortune into second place.

UJIA player-manager Darren Rolfe told JC Sport: "This was a great performance from my lads. Three players made their debuts this week and they all played out of their skins.

"Paul Shamps was quality and organised the back four really well. Special mention to Ben Nassim who deserved his hat trick. We should have been out if sight by half time.

"We knew Fortune would be a physical outfit. We passed the ball well and our finishing was exquisite. We were fitter and had more desire.

"It's in our hands against Catford."

DC Prediction: Temple Fortune B 1 UJIA 3

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DIVISION ONE

Champions: North London Raiders B, Brady Maccabi or Oakwood
Promoted: Two of NL Raiders B, Brady Maccabi, FC Team A, Oakwood, Chigwell
Relegated: London Maccabi Lions C plus Camden Park, Harmen B or Redbridge B

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THREE CHEERS FOR BRADY
BRADY MACCABI 3 SOUTHGATE HARMEN B 2
Brady rediscovered their winning formula as they came from 2-0 down with strikes from Steven Field, Lee Platt and Josh Hershman against Harmen.

Brady dominated the opening 20 minutes and played some really good football. But Harmen opened the scoring against the run of play to put Brady on the back foot. They started to panic on the ball and resorted to long balls instead of playing thier usual passing football on the ground.

Harmen scored a second in the second half, and it was here that Brady boss Josh Rosenfeld describes it as his team's "season defining moment" with Platt netting with a stunning free-kick and Hershman completing the comeback.

Dave Marcus and Alex Hershman netted for Harmen.

Rosenfeld told JC Sport: "Brady showed true grit, resilience, and character to come back with 20 minutes to go and score three goals and win the game. This shows the strength our boys have especially as we missed Jason Sears and Mark Smith.

"Everyone was saying how Brady have been stalling for the past couple of weeks, but we have still lost one league game in 13 and from a brand new side. That's pretty outstanding whatever the remainder of the season has to offer.

"We need to take that character in to next week and every game now is a cup final."

Harmen manager Mark Engel told JC Sport: "Credit to Brady for fighting back from two down. They scored a couple of crackers.

"We can't help but feel a little hard down by after playing well for a large chunk of the game. We know what we have to do and it is in our hands to avoid the drop."

SEE MATCH REPORT

DC Prediction: Brady Maccabi 2 Southgate Harmen B 1

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BRIDGE BOYS EDGE FIVE-GOAL THRILLER
CAMDEN PARK 2 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B 3
Redbridge B won the relegation six-pointer at the Hive with goals from Jamie Cooper, Daniel Gordon and James Rubin earning them maximum points.

Camden's goals came through Gideon Barnett and Nick Gold.

RJC boss Ben Norris told JC Sport: "We started off the game very sluggishly, giving the ball away far too easily, but found our feet as the game went on.

"In the second half we woke up and started to pass the ball a lot better and attacked with a lot more force.

"We scored some good goals today but made it hard work by allowing them back into the game at 3-1.

"Overall were very happy with the win but know we can play a lot better. Staying up is still out of our hands but all we can do is keep winning and hope others slip up around us."

Justin Rockberger, the Camden manager, told JC Sport: "We played OK first half, second half not as well and got done. Small rally at the end but not enough ..."

DC Prediction: Camden Park 1 Redbridge B 2

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GROSSMAN DENIES RAIDERS
FC TEAM A 4 NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B 3
A last-minute penalty save from David Grossman boosted FC Team’s promotion hopes as they forced long-time leaders Raiders B to wait another week to wrap up the title following a seven-goal thriller at Underhill.

SEE BIG MATCH PHOTOS

Team raced into a 3-0 lead before L’Orange pulled one back before half time with an early goal from Craig Edwards plus a double from Adam Rones. Jonny Hesselberg made it 3-1 just before the interval with David Dinkin hauling the visitors back to 3-3 but Dinkin was then denied by Grossman to leave Shai Davidi to settle it late on, heading home in off the underside of the bar, with Raiders appeals for offside in vain.

FC TEAM A vs NL RAIDERS B

FC Team manager Mitch Young told JC Sport: "They came back really well but we always had a plan to hit them on the counter with Shai and Mossy. We rode the storm, we are delighted with the win and it gives us a good chance of promotion. They will win the league anyway but for us it is massive.”

Raiders boss Rob Richman told JC Sport: "We did not turn up first half. I think the boys were a bit excited about the possibility of winning and going up to the Premier League today. You can’t win them all.

"Next season whether we are in Division One or the Premiership we won’t get away with our first half performance today.”

FC Team: D Grossman, O Segal, A Rones, D Silverman, J Weiner, J Wood, J Breger (sub: M Green), M Drage, D Moss, S Davidi, C Edwards (sub: M Young)

Raiders: D Simnock, R Angel (R Samuelson), D Rhodes, D Grossman, S Haring (sub: J Foley Comer), M Hershman, E Espinoza, D Esterkin, J Hesselberg (sub: S Ben Soor), N Woolf, D Dinkin

SEE MATCH REPORT

DC Prediction: FC Team A 2 NL Raiders B 3

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MANSON LIFTS 10-MAN OAKWOOD
OAKWOOD 1 LONDON MACCABI LIONS C 0
A goal from Eddie Manson boosted Oakwood’s promotion hopes in a fractious affair that they finished with 10 men at Parmiters.

Defeat condemns Lions C to Division Two football next season as they now cannot finish higher than ninth.

Oaks joint-manager Ric Blank told JC Sport: "I'm delighted with the three points. As the scoreline suggests it was a very difficult game against a spirited Lions side who gave everything.

"The boys did very well considering we were taken by surpise by the fact that Lions had a completely new team out from three weeks ago. All our pre-match planning was out the window and our challenge was increased when A-team captain Motti Colman came on at left back after 25 minutes.

"We may have had more goals but for some extremely contentious offside calls. Teams have to be as fair as possible when running the line - otherwise it makes the referee's job impossible. It's tempting to put your flag up every time the opposition goes forward but if you do that the game descends into farce very quickly.

"But we dealt with it as well as can be expected and managed to keep a clean sheet and maintain our steady progress towards the top. Next up is Raiders away and we're champing at the bit to play."

Lions manager Jamie Kyte told JC Sport: "This weekend was a real fight to the end. The referee never really had any control over the game and was lucky no one was hurt with any of the challenges that were going in.

"Their goal was fairly contentious too, a double-handed push in the back of our defender left Ed free far post for an easy header into the back of the net.

"The respect shown towards our linesman was disgusting from the Stoakwood boys, calling him Sian Massey was very distasteful and outright sexist, there's no place for that in Jewish Sunday League football.

"Bar the contentious decisions the game was very well contested. We hit the post early on the first half and an excellent run from James Gold through the centre of the pitch nearly resulted in a Goal of the season contender.

"It was also nice to give Motti a run out who had to ditch his Jack Sparrow Purim costume on the touchline before entering onto the pitch.

"We wish all the best to Oakwood for their promotion challenge and it looks like it'll go down to the last game."

SEE MATCH REPORT

DC Prediction: Oakwood 2 LM Lions C 1

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DIVISION TWO

Champions: Temple Fortune or Brixton Old Boys
Promoted: Temple Fortune, Brixton Old Boys, Norstar A

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KENT PUTS BRIXTON IN 7TH HEAVEN
FAITHFOLD B 1 BRIXTON OLD BOYS 7
Three goals from JAMIE KENT helped Brixton finish in seventh heaven as they completed a league double over Faithfold B.

There were also goals for Alon Hershkorn (2), Rob Hershkorn and Dan Sherman in a game Brixton came from behind to lead 2-1 at half time. They went into overdrive in the second 45 to run out emphatic victory.

Brixton manager John Nitka told JC Sport: “We were a different team in the second half despite having to make three substitutions through injuries, and fully deserved the win.

“Next week we play Woodford for runners-up position although we could be promoted as champions if Temple Fortune fail to beat Faithfold.

“All I know we will be in Division One next season, and watch us go.”

Faithfold No. 2 Ben Lewis told JC Sport: "I understand we did OK in the first half, scoring first until we lost a couple of key players. We were already missing a number of players through injury and being away but we struggled in the second half to a physical team with a potent attack who are obviously strong enough to play in the first division next year – good luck to them for next season.

"We have the makings of a strong squad of players to complement the first team in particular, in a growing club with tremendous facilities, and we have all worked very hard to achieve this.

"If we can keep the good players we have brought in and add some experienced players to help them through then we won’t be far off next season. We're already looking forward to it."

DC Prediction: Faithfold B 2 Brixton Old Boys 3

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STARS CLINCH THIRD
L’EQUIPE 0 NORSTAR A 3
Goals from Sammy Kalms and two from Eli Houri wrapped up a comfortable win over Norstar.

Norstar manager Phil Peters told JC Sport: "I thought our defence were superb again - Sammy got the TotW nod for his goal but Goodie, Robin and Matt have been superb all season and in Ben De La Fuente we've unearthed one of the best goalkeepers in Jewish football. He'll be signing a new long-term contract in the next few weeks.

"In attack we moved the ball well and are certain to pose a threat next season in whatever division we end up in."

L'Equipe manager Gideon Chain told JC Sport: "It was a tough game on Sunday - Norstar are a good team and I take nothing away from their performance.

"However, I think we've come along way this season, especially given our relentless battle with injuries.

"We've really struggled but still managed to get points against some of the top teams.

"I have high hopes for next year and look forward to really strengthening our squad over the summer."

SEE MATCH REPORT

DC Prediction: L’Equipe 1 Norstar A 4

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FORTUNE MADE TO WAIT
WOODFORD WANDERERS 2 TEMPLE FORTUNE A 1
A goal in each half from Jerome Marks and Darryl Green saw Woodford keep Temple Fortune's title celebrations on ice as they claimed an impressive win at Redbridge Sports Centre.

Fortune goals came through Michael Goldberg.

Woodford player-manager Alex Aviram told JC Sport: "Today we showed what we are all about. The result speaks for itself. The scoreline flattered them."

Fortune boss Andrew Souber told JC Sport: "We always knew it would be tough going over there. It was a tight game and I think a draw would have been a fair result.

"My strikers will know that we had chances to kill the game off but by the same token they also had some very good chances.

"I am pleased to say that the game was played in a much better spirit then the first time around and the main thing is we live to fight another day."

SEE MATCH REPORT

DC Prediction: Woodford Wanderers 2 Temple Fortune A 2

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DIVISION FOUR

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Champions: One of Glenthorne B, Blizzard Storm, Inter Borehamwood, Los Blancos
Promoted: Two of Glenthorne B, Blizzard Storm, Inter Borehamwood, Los Blancos

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THORNES GO GOAL CRAZY
GLENTHORNE UNITED B 15 (FIFTEEN) PINNER JFC 0
Pinner felt the full force of a Glenthorne backlash in the top against bottom clash at The Old Chigwellians with star striker FABIO REVIECCIO leading an incredible 15-0 demolition.

Having been beaten by second-placed Blizzard Storm last weekend, Revieccio fired home five of the best with teammate JAMES LAW adding a hat-trick.

Further strikes from Dan Lassman (2), Jordan Sapler, Josh Wynne, Grant, Ross and Jamie Crawford completed the rout.

Pinner player-manager Vivian Emanuel told JC Sport: "We always knew today would be tough. We had 12 players come Thursday but Alex Sherr got injured.

"Another problem was the fact that Jordan Segal failed to turn up to the game. With no warning he was a no show. We have taken the decision to suspend him immediately and for the rest of the season. This left us with 10 which made the task even harder.

"Anyway, we look forward to Borehamwood, then NWN C and then Wood again!"

SEE MATCH REPORT

DC Prediction: Glenthorne Utd B 7 Pinner JFC 1

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BOREHAMWOOD LEAVE JEWVENTUS DOUBLE UP
JEWVENTUS 1 INTER BOREHAMWOOD 2
Borehamwood completed a quickfire league double over Jewventus with Nick Smith and Dan Goldsmith on target at Chase Lodge.

Jewventus had opened the scoring through Mark Simons but a wonder goal from Smith put Borehamwood back on terms and the goal seemed to wake them up.

Then Jamie Taylor and Goldsmith inspired the win after coming off the bench. A peach of a cross from Taylor found the head of Goldsmith to seal the win.

Borehamwood boss Oluseun Thomas told JC Sport: "Jewventus took the game to us but we showed real character to finish it with a win."

Gabriel John, the Jewventus player-manager, told JC Sport: "It was great to see a fighting comeback after last week's abysmal display. Mark Simons led the line really well and in the whole I was really proud of my boys.

"Joel Lassman for them was great over both legs, and I think they just had that little more class than we did.

"That said we led during the game and I maybe should have done better with the Nick Smith goal.

"Cruel to be beaten in the last minute too, but we’ll learn and comeback stronger next year."

DC Prediction: Jewventus 1 Inter Borehamwood 4

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NEASDEN C GIVE LOS BLANCOS FIVE-KNUCKLE SANDWICH
LOS BLANCOS 0 NORTH WEST NEASDEN C 5
A powerful Neasden C team placed a dent in Los Blancos' promotion after a hat-trick from ELLIOT SETYON capped a sensational 5-0 victory.

Richard Braham and player-manager Louis Taylor put the icing on the cake.

NWN player-manager Louis Taylor told JC Sport: "This is a fantastic result that continues our great run in the league. The only motivation I needed to give the boys was the JC match prediction, that said we would lose despite our recent form and Blancos missing players - I taped it up in the dressing room and that did the job!

"A great hat-trick from the 80 per cent fit Elliot Setyon, his finishing second goal was a particularly clever lob. Richard Braham scored after good work on the wing from Jack Peet, and Louis Taylor scored after a good take down from a Richie Braham through ball.

"We were aware that Blancos said they were missing players but as the cliché goes, you can only beat what's put in front of you and that's what we did."

Before the match, Los Blancos manager Joel Minsky told JC Sport how unhappy he was that the match was scheduled after he requested no game with 10 men out due to Purim six weeks ago.

He mood was no better at the final whistle. "This game should never have taken place, its as simple as that. It's not me throwing my toys out of the pram because we lost, it was a view shared by an ex-head of Maccabi UK, one of the MSFL secretaries and today's referee, who went as far as calling it "disgraceful" that we were forced to play.

"We were conscious months ago that Purim would be on a Sunday, and as per league regulations we applied to "close" this weekend. I am yet to be given a proper reason yet but this request was rejected.

"We had 20 players missing this week, only two regular starters were available and pretty much everyone was forced to play out of position. We were completely powerless to do anything about it.

"Forcing a religious team, or any team for that matter, to play on a day like Purim is really inconsiderate, especially when we have followed the correct protocol in attempting to close off a weekend. NW Neasden C definitely deserved the victory today, but it ultimately comes as no surprise."

DC Prediction: Los Blancos 2 NW Neasden C 1

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BLIZZARD MARCH ON
SHIRLEY PARK 2 BLIZZARD STORM 3
A last-minute winner from Adam Specksaw second-place Blizzard Storm record their 13th league success of the season to stay within a point of leaders Glenthorne.

Goals from JC star man Stuart Muller and Michael Woolf sealed the win.

Sacha Benfredj bagged a brace for Park.

Blizzard boss Simon Linden told JC Sport: "It's moments like Speck's winner that win promotion. What a win!

"My feelings go to Shirley Park who are by far the best team in this division and deserved a point minimum. They have quality all over the park. I can't understand why they aren't at the top.

"We struggled to deal with them for large periods. Michael Woolf's goal to make it 2-2 with 20 left gave us half a chance, it was out of the blue - a goal of the season contender with a volley from 30 yards out. Specky popped up at 90 and the whole club went mad, great scenes ... We wasn't at the races today but grabbed the three points, very special win."

Dave Lusman, joint-player-manager of Shirley Park, told JC Sport: "What a joke. Blizzard must of thought we were having a laugh throwing away the points in the last 10 minutes of the game. We were 2-1 with about 10 minutes left on the clock and it should of been plain sailing as we dominated the best part of the game and kept the Blizzard boys pegged in the own half for pretty much the while game.

"Howard Yukatel, bless him, will have nightmares about this game. He was caught napping and managed to get lobbed whilst firmly on his line for their second. And for Blizzard's winner, Xbox flapped at a standard take in the dying minutes of the game which Blizzard ended up converting.

"Too many errors and lapses in concentration cost us the points. Blizzard had three shots on target one from a set-piece and two gifts which lead into goals.

"The story was the same last week against Neasden. We put in a solid 90 minutes week in, week out only for a few stupid errors to ruin the hard work we put in which ends up costing us the game.

"We should be walking away from this with all three points but to be fair to Blizzard, they capitalised on our blunders and that's the way it goes."

DC Prediction: Shirley Park 1 Blizzard Storm 2

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