Hendon are expected to be crowned MGBSFL champions on Sunday when they travel to Rowley Lane, with London Maccabi Lions Blue standing in the way of them and the treble. In an Arkley extravaganza, Oakwood A will be looking to finish the season by clinching third place against LML White. Danny Caro looks ahead to the final round of game of season 2013/14.
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
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CURRENT STANDINGS - TOP 4
1. Hendon Pl. 17, W. 14, D. 3, L. 0, F. 38, A. 10, Pts. 45
2. NLR Pl. 18, W. 14, D. 3, L. 1, F. 37, A. 12, Pts. 45
3. Redbridge Pl. 18, W. 8, D. 4, L. 6, F. 24, A. 29, Pts. 28
4. Oakwood Pl. 17, W. 8, D. 2, L. 7, F. 51, A. 30, Pts. 26
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TOP-SCORERS
17 - Yishai Last (Hendon A)
14 - Avidan Last (Hendon A), Richard Salmon (FC Team A)
LONDON MACCABI LIONS BLUE vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
We were promised one final twist this season. Unfortunately it didn’t come in the Barclays Premier League and although Hull City tried their best, it didn’t come in the FA Cup final either. Now let me tell you, you can get 500-1 to on LML Blue stopping Hendon from clinching the title on Sunday. However, the chances are Phil Peters has had a cheeky wager on it!
Unbeaten in Jewish football this season, Hendon’s 2-0 win over PMT runners-up Oakwood saw them put one hand, four fingers and a thumbnail on the famous league trophy. With the Morrison and Anekstein already in the trophy cabinet at Garbacz Towers, I expect the champagne and Palwins to flow once more on Sunday.
Avidan Last opened the scoring last week, with Yishai Last consolidating his position at the top of the Premier Division goal charts with another tidy finish.
Ari Nevies and talisman Greg Corin – a strong contender for MGBSL Player of the Season – were the star performers.
A big crowd is expected at the Lane as the Hammers look to finish the season in style, and although there will be a real family feel on the day, Garbacz is taking nothing for granted.
He told JC Sport: “The equation is simple - avoid defeat by a few goals and we win the treble - I assure you though there will be no inclination to play tight or defensive - we will go all out for the win and we will want to win in style.
“We are hoping for a carnival atmosphere at the home of Jewish football and we will want to treat the fans to a performance worthy of champions.
“We are also on the brink of an historic invincible domestic campaign and this is something we are particularly proud of and will not want to let slip.
“Lions Blue gave us a pretty good match a couple of weeks ago and we are aware they have some dangerous players so we will not be over confident.
“Hopefully Phil Peters and the Raiders boys will be there - it must have been a nightmare for them to see us claw back their lead and we would love to shake their hands to congratulate them as well on a brilliant season whatever the outcome on Sunday.
“The challenge they set us was huge and it wasn't their fault that we have managed to rise to it. I have never known such determination though from a squad of players and we are all confident that we will see it through in style to a glorious conclusion on Sunday.”
As Garbacz says, LML asked questions of Hendon a in the recent meeting and I don’t expect them just to roll over and say ‘come and tickle our bellies’. It’s just not their way.
Lions boss Jamie Kyte told JC Sport: “We’re looking forward to finishing a very long season.
“It would be great if we can get anything from this game.”
North London was red last weekend and I can see it being more of the same on Sunday.
JC team news: LML are missing Ryan Springer and Will Beresford which Kyte describes as “a huge blow”. He went on to say: “We'll give it our best shot.”
Hendon are missing Yoav Lebens, who is away, and Alex Rosenthal, who is still not fully fit
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – David Lazarus
JC star man: Yoav Kestenbaum (Hendon)
DC Prediction: LML 1 Hendon 3
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LONDON MACCABI LIONS WHITE vs OAKWOOD A
Oakwood will be looking to finish an excellent season with three points at the Lane that would see them leapfrog RJC and finish third.
Once again, they gave a good account of themselves against Hendon last week and they have shown this season they are one of the best Jewish teams on the circuit.
A cracker from Alex Koslover was the highlight of their 5-1 mauling of Lions in November and the signs all point towards another handsome win.
Oaks joint-manager Ric Blank told JC Sport: “I literally can’t believe we’re still playing, DC. But we’re paying the price for two extended cup runs and an awful winter of weather.
“Yet we find ourselves with a big game at Rowley Lane and a chance to come third.
“The boys are incredibly motivated and have been a credit to themselves all season. We aim to end it on a high against already relegated Lions.
“I know there are those at Lions who were hoping we wouldn’t be bothered about Sunday and that we might forfeit. They’ve got us totally, totally wrong. We’re really looking forward to it and hope to sign off in style.”
This has been a season of struggle and torment for LML White and the final whistle cannot come soon enough.
JC team news: Oakwood are still without Sam Jacobson, Adam Levine, Antony Kintish and several others. Blank added: “We’ll have a strong side out and hope to do the business.”
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Warwick Blake
JC star man: Dave Cohen (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: LML 0 Oakwood 4
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DIVISION ONE
TOP-SCORERS
23 - Jono Gaon (Blancos)
21 - Harrison Midda (Woodford)
18 - Mitch Hahn (Woodford)
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DIVISION TWO
TOP-SCORERS
22 - Ben Zloof (AC Mill Hill)
20 - Nathan Sollosi (Redbridge B)
18 - Nicky Woolf (Raiders B)
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DIVISION THREE
TOP-SCORERS
42 - Richard Fogelman (L’Equipe)
24 - Dan Gordon (Faithfold C)
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SEASON 2013/14 ROLL OF HONOUR
Peter Morrison Trophy:
Winners: Hendon United Sports Club A
Runners-up: Oakwood A
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP
Winners: Hendon United Sports Club A
Runners-up: Norstar London Raiders A
PREMIER DIVISION
Champions: TBC
Runners-up: TBC
DIVISION ONE
Champions: Woodford Wanderers
Runners-up: North West Neasden
DIVISION TWO
Champions: Norstar London Raiders B
Runners-up: Redbridge Jewish Care B
PREMIER DIVISION
Champions: Norstar London Raiders C
Runners-up: L'Equipe
