JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL PREVIEW
LONDON MACCABI LIONS A vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
Eilon Kennet says London Maccabi Lions A are favourites to win Sunday's JC Cyril Anekstein Cup final at Wingate & Finchley.
Kennet takes his Redbridge Jewish Care A team to the Harry Abrahams Stadium in the first major Jewish cup final, with the east Londoners looking to win the competition for the second time in three years.
"Lions will be highly motivated and well organised," Kennet told JC Sport. "This is a very different team than the one Andy Landesberg took over from the Newman's. There's a good balance of young and old.
"They have a strong crop of young players who can score easily. We also have some youngsters in the squad, but they aren't all natural scorers, so I think it's a bit of a case of attack against defence.
"Based on the run into the final, Lions are probably the favourites, although there's not much in it.
Lions have had the tougher run to the final, beating the top two teams in the Premier Division - Faithfold and Hendon - along the way, but in Adam Stolerman, RJC has the competition's top-scorer with seven goals to his name.
Kennet said: "My message to the players before the match are to relax and enjoy the day, but remember that you'll enjoy it a lot more if you win."
The Rowley Lane club enjoyed great success under Kennet, who led the team with Ben Winston, as he looks to win the competition for the fifth time. And after a trophyless first season at Fairlop, he will be looking to make his mark at Wingate on Sunday.
Kennet said: "My record in the five years I managed Lions shows that I won four Cyril Anekstein cups, two Peter Morrison trophies and a league and cup double, so I don't feel I need to prove anything."
Lions boss Andy Landesberg has placed a big emphasis on youth since taking over the team in November.
"We have 10 players aged 20 or younger, all brought through our youth set up," he said. "The boys are in a positive frame of mind, and feel they certainly have a point to prove."
He has taken the team out of the relegation zone into fourth place, above RJC whom they beat 2-1 in February.
Hat-tricks from midfielder Max Kyte and TJ Keterman earned the Lions their biggest win of the season and Landesberg in a match that saw the return of key defender Ollie Leslie.
And with Maccabiah-bound James Gershfield and Jordan Marks also in the ranks, it promises to be a high-quality affair.
Venue - The Harry Abrahams Stadium, Wingate & Finchley FC, KO - 6.30pm
Officials: Referee - Tony McEvoy, Assistant-referees - Steve Russell, Brandon Pieters. 4th Official: Warwick Blake
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ALSO SEE:
JC PHOTOS: OAKWOOD B vs FC TEAM C
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DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 31 OSCARS
GOAL OF THE WEEK: HAKI ELIAS (Hendon C)
SAVE OF THE WEEK: DAN PIKE (SPEC FC)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: IAN TUSSIE (Oakwood B)
JC REFEREE OF THE WEEK
Brandon Pieters (Catford & Bromley Maccabi vs Brady Maccabi B)
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JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL
London Maccabi Lions A vs Redbridge Jewish Care A
April 21, KO: 6.30pm at Wingate & Finchley FC
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY FINAL
South Manchester Sports Club 1st vs Brady Maccabi A
April 28, KO: 3pm at Boundary Park, Oldham Athletic
