Norstar London Raiders B became the first team to win a MGBSFL title this season as the Division Two crown was clinched with a five-star performance against AC Mill Hill, while FC Team C and Chigwell Athletic were top of the shocks in the Morrison. Danny Caro looks back on all the action on Matchday 24 of the MGBSFL season.
JC MATCHDAY 24 HEADLINES
PMT - Deadly Deano cages Lions
Prem Div - Raiders do it again
Div 1 - Harmen hit top spot
Div 2 - Raiders B crowned champions
Div 3 - Faithfold C show off their six packs
JC HAT-TRICK HEROES
PMT - Josh Newman (Brady B)
Div 3 - Richard Fogelman (L'Equipe), Dan Gordon (Faithfold C)
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PHOTOGALLERY - AC MILL HILL vs NL RAIDERS B
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DANNY CARO'S PREM DIV TEAM OF THE WEEK
DANNY CARO'S DIV 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK
DANNY CARO'S DIV 2 TEAM OF THE WEEK
DANNY CARO'S DIV 3 TEAM OF THE WEEK
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THE CONTENDERS
GK - Steve Murad (NW Neasden), Russell Corin (Hendon Utd SC A), David Simnock (NLR B), Jake Doffman (NLR A)
DEFENDERS - Bradley Gayer, Paul Hizer (both Chigwell Athletic), Josh Greenham, James Milman (both FC Team A), Ben Kon (Hendon Utd SC A), Parys Hammond (Boca Jewniors), James Joseph (Los Blancos), Josh Kay, Stuart Haring (both FC Team B)
MIDFIELDERS - Craig Sandford (Chigwell Athletic), Jon Breger (FC Team A), Dovi Vogel (Boca Jewniors), Joel Kutner, Zak Mcleod, Darren Russell (both Los Blancos), Ben Radstone (FC Team B), Ben Weinberg (Southgate Harmen)
STRIKERS - Richard Fogelman (L'Equipe), Jonny Haik (Faithfold A), Dan Gordon (Faithfold C), Josh Newman (Brady A), David Dinkin (NLR A), Mitch Lassman, Matt Davis (both FC Team B), Ben Henry (Southgate Harmen)
MANAGER - Jonathan Adelman (NL Raiders B), Richard Slater (Chigwell Athletic), Ben Gilbey & Michael Myers (FC Team C), Phil Peters (NL Raiders A)
REFEREE - Adam Lewis (Chigwell Athletic vs LM Lions White), Richard Jaye (Hendon A vs Brady A), Gary Silver (Hendon Utd SC B vs Southgate Harmen)
Email nominations to dcaro@thejc.com
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DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 24 OSCARS
GOAL OF THE WEEK - RICHARD FOGELMAN
SAVE OF THE WEEK
David Simnock (NL Raiders B) - hot-shot Ben Zloof was put clean through but as he bore down on goal, Simnock spread himself and produced an outstanding save diving at the feet of the striker
QUOTE OF THE WEEK - PHIL PETERS
MISS OF THE WEEK
Lee Greenfield (Southgate Harmen) - blazed over the bar from 1.5 yards out with a completely open goal to aim at
REFEREE OF THE WEEK
Gary Silver (Hendon B vs Southgate Harmen)
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SEASON 2013/14 VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
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CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW
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YOUR WEEKEND REVIEW STARTS HERE
PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND THREE
CLASSY BRADY BREEZE INTO LAST EIGHT
BRADY MACCABI B 5 SHIRLEY PARK 1
JOSH NEWMAN guided Brady into the last 16 with a treble in the 5-1 demolition of Shirley.
Reiss Mogilner and Nathan Harrod also found the net as Brady breezed into the last eight in some style. Jamie Kent snatched a consolation for Shirley.
Brady boss Josh Dagul told JC Sport: "It was a fantastic performance from start to finish. We played some great football and created countless chances. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and we are now looking forward to the quarters."
Disappointed Shirley boss Dave Lusman told JC Sport: "Brady put on a nice show and the win was fully deserved. We've picked up way too many injures over the last few months and have been down to bare bones, but I'm confident we'll be back soon."
DC Prediction: Brady 3 Shirley 2
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TEAM EFFORTS SEES OFF HUSTLERS
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB C 1 FC TEAM B 3
Mitch Lassman, Josh Kay and Matt Davis helped FC Team B reach the last eight after they came from behind to beat Hendon.
Alex Elf had put Hendon ahead.
FC Team player-manager David Gordon told JC Sport: "There was no complacency and we produced a hard-working and solid performance to see off very determined opposition. We’re hoping for a big team in the quarters!"
Hendon manager Adam Glekin told JC Sport: "It was a case of what might have been. We should have taken a lead into half time, and we were made to pay for it.
DC Prediction: Hendon 3 FC Team 4
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DEADLY DEANO CAGES LIONS
CHIGWELL ATHLETIC 1 LONDON MACCABI LIONS WHITE 0
Dean Ben Yosef's 60th-minute strike fired first division Chigwell into round four at the expense of Premier Division Lions White on the 3G at Rowley Lane.
Chigwell boss Richard Slater told JC Sport: "The lads dug in well, especially in the last 20 minutes. Our defensive display was superb - we were never really troubled and deserved the win. Bring on the quarters!"
DC Prediction: Lions 3 Chigwell 1
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ROUND TWO
FAITHFOLD BACK WITH A BANG
FAITHFOLD A 5 NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS C 2
Faithfold gave their fans some much-needed cheer with an ultimately comfortable win over third division NLR C at Chase Lodge.
Doubles from top-scorer Mike Pearson and star man Johnny Haik set up the win, with captain marvel Alex Levack adding some gloss from the penalty spot.
Faithfold boss Zuriel Solomon told JC Sport: "We're glad to get the win and progress into next round. We were comfortable overall.
"NLR C played well in patches, but we had too much for them."
DC Prediction: Faithfold 3 NLR 1
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ROUND ONE
NORTH WEST NEASDEN 1 FC TEAM C 2
FC Team C earned one of the results of the day after beating higher division Neasden to progress to round two of the National Trophy.
It was a morning to forget for NWN, who had drawn level through a stunning free-kick from Jamie Cooper
NWN manager Stirling Kay told JC Sport: "I'm sad to say this game was all but decided when four players did not show, leaving us with 10 men. Never in 30 years of management has this happened. One of the them turned up just before half time and we showed great attitude and determination - even with players having to play out of position - and we started to get on top.
"However an unlucky clearance hit our own player, leaving the outstanding Steve Murad no chance. As much as we tried in the first half, having to play with 10 men took its toll. FC Team had there luck but were worthy winners over the 90 minutes. They played some very good football and we wish them luck in the next round."
DC Prediction: NWN 3 Team 2
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NATIONAL ROUND
LEEDS MACCABI 1st 2 SOUTH MANCHESTER SPORTS CLUB 1st 3
South Manchester set up a third round meeting with arch rivals Manchester Maccabi 1st after winning a feisty five-goal thriller in Leeds.
Adam Gilman had put Leeds in front, but quickfire strikes from Marc Yaffe and Marc Addis turned the game on its head in South's favour. South skipper Mike Stratton was sent off and Leeds levelled when Bradley Lander levelled the scores. Toby Levy then converted for the 10 men of South and they breathed a huge sigh of relief when Gilman blazed over with a stoppage-time spot-kick.
South boss Jody Marks told JC Sport: "I am proud of my players. We have created a never-say-die attitude over the last couple of years and I'm not sure in years gone by we would have come away with a victory after going down to 10 men with the wind in our faces."
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP-SCORERS
12 - Matt Stock (NL Raiders A)
11 - Mike Pearson (Faithfold A)
DANNY CARO'S PREM DIV TEAM OF THE WEEK
LIPMAN AND CORIN SEE HENDON HOME
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A 1 BRADY MACCABI A 0
A solitary effort from Josh Lipman was enough to earn Hendon maximum points, but they were indebted to goalkeeper Russell Corin who produced heroics in nets to keep out Brady.
Hendon boss David Garbacz told JC Sport: "This was far and away our toughest game of the season - far tougher than either of the Norstar games - and we had to be at our resolute best to come away with all three points."
Stand-in Brady boss Josh Gordon told JC Sport: "We were brilliant and for such a young team, it bodes well for Jewish football, the average age of our back five was 18! I have never seen Hendon outplayed like that, but as usual they defend well and were super organised which is why they are successful."
DC Prediction: Hendon 3 Brady 1
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OAKS STOPPED IN THEIR TRACKS
OAKWOOD A 2 FC TEAM A 2
Oakwood's good run was halted by a spirited FC Team A for whom Jon Breger and Josh Greenham popped up with the goals.
The hosts had marched into pole position through Anthony Kintish and an own goal.
FC Team boss Mitch Young told JC Sport: "Missing 10 players and seven first-team regulars, we knew today was going to be extremely difficult against a great Oakwood side. However we came with a game-plan and even though we went 0-2 down, we kept battling away and managed to get a vital draw."
Oaks joint-manager Ric Blank told JC Sport: "We're very disappointed we didn't take all the spoils as we were clearly the superior side throughout. Still this is football and we only have ourselves to blame."
DC Prediction: Oakwood 3 FC Team 1
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RAIDERS DO THE BUSINESS AGAIN
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 0 NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS A 1
David Dinkin was NLR's match-winners as L'Orange took another giant step towards the title with a hard-earned win over Redbridge at Fairlop.
NLR boss Phil Peters told JC Sport: "It was a hard-fought match and the battle we were expecting but in the end our pressure told and we got the goal our performance deserved."
RJC manager Sam Rosenthal told JC Sport: "0-0 would've been fair, even though we clearly had the better chances, including what can only be described as a world-class save from their keeper. They are a great set of lads and wish them luck."
DC Prediction: Redbridge 2 Raiders 2
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
18 - Jono Gaon (Blancos)
17 - Harrison Midda (Woodford)
DANNY CARO'S DIV 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK
JOEL KUTS BRIXTON UP
BRIXTON OLD BOYS 1 LOS BLANCOS 4
Man-of-the-match Joel Kutner steered Blancos towards their sixth league win of the season with a deadly double in the 4-1 win at Brixton.
There were also goals for recent acquisition Zak McLeod and Jono Gaon as Blancos moved on to 19 points following their third win on the spin. Brixton's goal came through Paul Shamplina.
Blancos boss Jonathan Ison told JC Sport: "All in all all Blancos players put in top performances, and I see no reason why we cannot finish in the top half of the table."
DC Prediction: Brixton 2 Blancos 3
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HARMEN HIT FAMOUS FIVE
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B 4 SOUTHGATE HARMEN 5
Sam Castle, Jordan Grant, Ben Weinberg, James Sandler and Ben Henry were Harmen's goal-scoring heroes as the Southgate boys opened a three-point lead at the top of the table following a nine-goal thriller at lowly Hendon B.
Harmen joint-manager Joel Alterman told JC Sport: "After a scrappy game on a bobbly pitch, all eyes are on next week’s big clash against Brady at Rowley Lane and there is no time to sit back as we look to continue our push in the league."
DC Prediction: Hendon 0 Harmen 4
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
22 - Ben Zloof (AC Mill Hill)
18 - Nicky Woolf (Raiders B)
DANNY CARO'S DIV 2 TEAM OF THE WEEK
RAIDERS CROWNED CHAMPIONS
AC MILL HILL 0 NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS B 5
Norstar London Raiders B became the first team to win a MGBSFL title this season as the Division Two crown was clinched with a five-star performance against AC Mill Hill at Chase Lodge.
Two more goals from the prolific Dave Esterkin, plus one apiece from Nicky Woolf, Richard Bloom and Jeremy Elster helped NLR finish their season in style, with an unbeaten record.
Jubilant NLR boss Jonathan Adelman told JC Sport: "Manager Jonathan Adelman full of praise for his team. He said: "What a way to win the league! From the moment the boys turned up today you could see their fierce desire to get the three points and walk off the pitch as Champions."
DC Prediction: Mill Hill 2 Raiders 3
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OAKS MAKE THEIR POINT
LONDON HAROLDEANS 3 OAKWOOD B 3
Oakwood B remain above London Haroldeans after snatching a point in a six-goal thriller, thanks to strikes from Matt Geey, Ben Polak and Rafi Bloom.
A Ben Binder double and one from James Abrams ensured Haroldeans climbed off the foot of the table, swapping places with Faithfold B, who have a game in hand.
DC Prediction: Haroldeans 2 Oakwood 2
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DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
27 - Richard Fogelman (L’Equipe)
22 - Dan Gordon (Faithfold C)
DANNY CARO'S DIV 3 TEAM OF THE WEEK
CATS FRUSTRATED BY BATTING BOCA
CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI 2 BOCA JEWNIORS 2
Goals from Jamie Sinai and Joel Isaacs were not enough to give the Cats maximum points as they finished honours even against Boca - just as I predicted.
A lack of match sharpness meant Lester Jacobs' men dropped points in their first league outing since December 15.
DC Prediction: Catford 2 Boca 2
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STONES STIFLE 'NESE
JEWDINESE 2 AC WHETSTONE 2
Jewdinese missed the chance to go joint top as goals from Tomer Tricot and Jonah Gordon-Boyd earned Whetstone a draw.
Zak Collins was among the scorers for 'Nese in a nail-biter.
DC Prediction: Jewdinese 2 Whetstone 3
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FAITHFOLD SHOW OFF THEIR SIX PACKS
LOUGHTON ORIENT 2 FAITHFOLD C 6
Player-manager David Garson scored his first goal in four years as Faithfold C improved their chances of avoiding the wooden spoon with a terrific win over Loughton Orient.
Top-scorer DAN GORDON also smashed home a hat-trick as the Superhoops exacted revenge for Loughton's win at Chase Lodge earlier in the season.
Josh Barnett and Ben Simons completed a good morning's work for the north Londoners at Peter May.
DC Prediction: Loughton 2 Faithfold 1
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FOGELMAN SAVES L'EQUIPE
TEMPLE FORTUNE 3 L'EQUIPE 3
A hat-trick in the last 30 minutes from RICHARD FOGELMAN ensured L'Equipe's promotion challenge remains intact in a thriller against Fortune.
With Maccabi stalwart Laurnece Swerner making his debut, Fortune stormed into a 3-0 lead thanks to a double from Dave Sawyer and one from Zach Rich in a game moved to west Hendon.
Fortune boss Jonathan Cohen said: "Another point, but I'm disappointed we couldn't hang onto our lead. I was pleased with our effort and we seem to be improving as a team which is a real positive."
L'Equipe joint-manager Dan Cordell told JC Sport: "Given we were 3-0 down after 50 minutes, it was a great test of character to pull the result back but the boys all need to remember that we can't let ourselves be playing catch up all the time."
DC Prediction: Fortune 1 L'Equipe 1
