Faithfold handed defending champions Hendon their first defeat in over a year, while Norstar London Raiders A destroyed Premier Division rivals Redbridge A in the opening round of the Anekstein Cup. There was also an impressive win for Athletic Bilbaum against Division One title hopefuls Brady Maccabi. Danny Caro reflects on all the action.
MATCHDAY 3 HEADLINES
CAC - Five-star Ellis inspires super Shacharit
Prem Div - Harmen two good for Woodford
Div 1 - Redbridge show Blancos what four
Div 2 - Madanes turns on the magic again
Div 3 - Sosobad off the mark
HAT-TRICK HEROES
CAC - Adam Ellis 5 (Shacharit Donetsk)
Jonny Quinn 5, David Woolman (both Oakwood A)
Julius Judah (Athletic Bilbaum)
Alon Hershkorn (FC Team A)
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PHOTOGALLERY: NL RAIDERS A vs REDBRIDGE JC A
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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
DANNY CARO'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK - ADAM ELLIS
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THE CONTENDERS
GK - Yaakov Goldin (London Rovers), Harry Fine (Harmen), Toby Constad (Jewdinese)
DEFENDERS - Ben Lewis, Dan Howard (both Faithfold A), James Neidle, Ezekiel Jacob (both Hendon B), JJ Spiro (NL Raiders A), Matthew Jaffa (Blizzard Storm). Josh Flax (Athletic Bilbaum), Dan Andrews (NW Neasden), Josh Cohen, John Lessem (both Real Sosobad), Sam Castle (Harmen), (Redbridge JC B), Anton Nyman (Boca Jewniors)
MIDFIELDERS - Dan Ezra (London Rovers), Ben Joseph, Liron Mannie (both NL Raiders A), Oli Henry, Dave Cohen (both Blizzard Storm), Sam Reeves (Faithfold A), Harry Franks (ML Lions Blue), Oli Nathan (NL Raiders C), Rick Harris (NW Neasden), Josh Hambling (Real Sosobad), Eli Davila (Shacharit Donetsk), Sam Sollosi (Redbridge JC B), Joel Lassman (AC Mill Hill)
STRIKERS - Adam Ellis (Shacharit Donetsk), David Dinkin (NL Raiders A), Johnny Haik (Faithfold A), Jonny Quinn, Dave Woolman (both Oakwood A), Josh Bloom (NL Raiders C), Julius Judah (Athletic Bilbaum), Ben Chernoff (NW Neasden), Adam Goodman (Real Sosobad), James Gershfield (Harmen), Daniel Garfinkle (Redbridge JC B)
MANAGER - Rob Richman (NL Raiders A), Zuriel Solomon (Faithfold A), Julius Judah & Nicky Shinder (Athletic Bilbaum)
REFEREE - Nicholas Bloom (NLR C vs L'Equipe)
Email nominations to dcaro@thejc.com
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DANNY CARO'S GOAL OF THE WEEK - BEN JOSEPH
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THE CONTENDERS
1. BEN JOSEPH (NL Raiders A) - "There will not be a better goal scored this season than Ben Joseph's today. He struck a ball from around 35 yards that arrowed into the top corner before the Redbridge keeper moved"
2. JOSH BLOOM (NL Raiders C) - GOAL 1 - looped his effort over the goalkeeper
3. JOSH BLOOM (NL Raiders C) - GOAL 2 - a clever back-heel from six yards caught out goalkeeper and defenders to seal victory
4. ZAK McLEOD (Catford & Bromley) - ended a slick passing moveby going past three players and pinging it in the top corner from 20 yards, leaving the keeper no chance
5. JAKE GOTTLIEB (Harmen) - a well-placed finish from around 25 yards which finished inside the keeper’s right hand post
6. JAMES GERSHFIELD (Harmen) - a long ball was flicked on by Gottlieb to Gershfield who took one touch and fired across the keeper into the bottom corner from the edge of the box
7. SAM SOLLOSI (Redbridge B) - picked up the ball 25 yards out, shifted his feet and smashed the ball home, caressing the bar on its way in
8. ANTHONY SHAW (Temple Fortune) - new boy equalised with an excellent 25-yard drive
9. JONNY QUINN (Oakwood A) - RVP-esque header - DC absolutely nailed it a diagonal right to left and Quinny header was outstanding
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DANNY CARO'S SAVE OF THE WEEK
SIMON ROTH (Athletic Bilbaum) - kept the Baums ahead with an unbelievable triple save in the dying moments of the game. Brady shot, he parried, they shot again, he pushed it onto the crossbar, they shot again and he hovered in the air to bat the ball off the line. Oh gosh it was breathtaking! Get that man a bagel!
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DANNY CARO'S QUOTE OF THE WEEK - JASON STEIN
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THE CONTENDERS
1. ADAM GLEKIN (Hendon B) - " I questioned our commitment a fortnight ago, but today it was second to none. The lads all worked their socks off and can go home and munch on some well earned carb-filled bagels"
2. JASON STEIN (Oakwood B) - QUOTE 1 - "This was a chastening experience on my first visit to the Stadio West Hendon and if Alex Salmond thinks he's had a bad week, I'd implore him to speak to me. This was an abomonation from start to finish and the players were left in doubt just how I felt about their performance."
3. JASON STEIN (Oakwood B) - QUOTE 2 - "In many ways I'm glad we're off next week as some of the lads will need the full 10 days of repenting from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur for that performance. And as we approach Yom Kippur I expect them to be immersed in a hungry state of remorse"
4. ROB RICHMAN (NL Raiders A) - "This wasn't the draw that either Redbridge or ourselves wanted when it was made so we are delighted to have come away with the win"
5. DAVID DOMB (NL Raiders C) - "I'm sure we'll face a very different L'Equipe in the league next week and give us another reminder of the good side they are, but we're finding our feet nicely in competitive football once more"
6. ZURIEL SOLOMON (Faithfold A) - "Today was all about our belief and desire with a patch work squad of 12, with six boys away or injured the boys were immense. Today we believed we could win and we matched Hendon all game and I thought we got our reward"
7. DAVID GARBACZ (Hendon A) - ""The bitter taste of defeat has lingered long in the mouth this Sunday afternoon, and for once my wife's left over chicken soup has not tasted good"
8. JACOB BRUNNER (Athletic Bilbaum) - "The stability of our defence today was magnificent which enabled beautiful breaking football, allowing us to utilise the frightening pace of our midfield and striker"
9. JAKE ERLICH (Jewdinese) - "You miss 100 per cent of the shots you don't take and that couldn't have been more true on Sunday. I'm pretty sure I saw the Team goalkeeper having a cup of tea at one stage!"
10. DAVID GORDON (FC Team B) - "We’ve beaten a very good side who we made look pretty ordinary for the first 45, but credit to Mill Hill who never let their heads go down and fought their way back from 4-0 down"
11. BEN GILBEY (FC Team A) - "Sunday was an important match for us as we want to do well in the cups this year. It was also important as a minutes silence was held before all games on Sunday for Stanley Shaverien who has recently passed away. His grandson, Daniel Rothman, is a member of Team and was important that we won in Stanley's name"
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND ONE DRAW
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND ONE DRAW
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PHOTOGALLERIES FROM SEASON 2014/15
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FROM SEASON 2014/15
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YOUR WEEKEND REVIEW STARTS HERE:
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND ONE
FIVE-STAR ELLIS INSPIRES SHACHARIT
OAKWOOD B 0 SHACHARIT DONETSK 5
ADAM ELLIS inspired third division new boys Shacharit to one of the shocks of the round as they destroyed second division Oakwood B.
Delighted Shacharit manager Elliot Nussbaum told JC Sport: "It was an outstanding performance from the first whistle, with outstanding work both on and off the ball. Today was the benchmark from where we grow as a team and get better."
Oaks boss Jason Stein told JC Sport: "This was a chastening experience on my first visit to the Stadio West Hendon and if Alex Salmond thinks he's had a bad week, I'd implore him to speak to me. This was an abomonation from start to finish and the players were left in doubt just how I felt about their performance.
DC Prediction: Oakwood 3 Shacharit 1
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FOUR-MIDABLE RAIDERS BLOW REDBRIDGE AWAY
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS A 4 REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A 0
Strikes from Liron Mannie, Ben Joseph, Adam Joselyn and Josh Green saw Raiders romp past former winners RJC at Capital City.
NLR manager Rob Richman told JC Sport: "We continued where we left off last week, knocked the ball around with good pace, defended calmly and created countless chances. It was a dominant performance from start to finish.
RJC boss Sam Rosenthal told JC Sport; "Sadly our shortage of numbers killed us today, but we look forward to putting it right in the league."
DC Prediction: NLR 2 RJC 1
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MIGHTY OAKS HIT LEGS 11
OAKWOOD A 11 KS REUNITED 1
Oakwood A made a big statement of intent, with JONNY QUINN smashing home five and DAVE WOOLMAN four in the routing of new boys KS.
Further strikes from Haydon Davidson and Adam Blin completed the rout.
Oaks joint-manager Ric Blank told JC Sport: "We should have scored more but for some profligacy at start of second half. Quinny finishing was absolutely outstanding. He scored three with his left, one with his head and another with his right. There are not many at this level who can finish like that.
"With 16 first teamers away at one stage we were going to play with 10, but Eddie Manson made his long-awaited comeback at left back and looked composed as ever.
"Obviously, it was a very comfortable game - I even had a runout - but we're happy to be in next round."
Zack Gordon grabbed a consolation for KS whose boss James Lewis told JC Sport: "We knew it was going to be at tough day for us and so it proved.
"We were missing key players in Jason Goldstein and Ethan deal, but full credit to Oakwood who were stronger better and quicker to every ball. But we move on and hope to bounce back next week."
DC Prediction: Oakwood 5 KS 0
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WE'RE MOTORING NOW, SAYS LINDEN
BOCA JEWNIORS 1 BLIZZARD STORM 5
Blizzard completed back-to-back wins as they destroyed Boca 5-1, courtesy of a double from Oli Henry and one apiece from the in-form Mitch Green, Dean Shaw and Stuart Muller.
Callion McGregor grabbed a consolation for Boca from a Gabriel John free-kick.
Jubilant Blizzard boss Simon Linden told JC Sport: "It was a good, comfortable win for us - we had a few players missing but those that came into the side impressed and the competition for places is really healthy. The focus now turns to Brady next week."
In what was a tough game for Boca, manager Gabe John was rather upbeat about his sides performance: "I told the boys there was no pressure on them. It's the very first competitivegame we've played and the league is our priority.
"All in all the lads did reall well against a very good Blizzard side. The second half was somewhat of a training excercise for them, but at 3-1 we had our tails up a bit. Fatigue and good football by Blizzard quashed that!
"Simon is good friend and I'm sure they will do well. But so will we in our respective division. I just can't wait for our opening league game. Onward and upwards."
DC Prediction: Boca 1 Blizzard 3
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DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR EXCELLENT EZRA
FAITHFOLD B 0 LONDON ROVERS 2
A deadly double from Dan Ezra steered Rovers past Division Three rivals Faithfold B.
Rovers boss Jeremy Brown told JC Sport: "I think we got away with it today. The first half was the worst I've seen us play so far and that was really disappointing. Second half we were better but I told the boys we can't start games in that manner.
"Our defending however was exceptional as usual and the two finishes from Dan Ezra was top class. I'm happy to go through to the next round with back to back clean sheets and hopefully for our next game in two weeks time, we'll be more like ourselves."
DC Prediction: Faithfold 2 Rovers 3
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TEAM HIT HIGH FIVES
FC TEAM A 5 CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI 2
Premier Division class told as FC Team A ran in five goals against the Cats, with ALON HERSHKORN (3), Shim Bensoor and David James Cohen on target.
Zak McLeod and Jeff Gotch registered for the visitors.
Team head coach Ben Gilbey told JC Sport: "Sunday was an important match for us as we want to do well in the cups this year. It was also important as a minutes silence was held before all games on Sunday for Stanley Shaverien who has recently passed away. His grandson Daniel Rothman is a member of Team and was important that we won in Stanley's name.
"It was a very comfortable game, where we hardly ever came out of second gear, which I was impressed with after again being short on numbers."
Cats captain Adam Luria told JC Sport: "It was a deserved win for FC Team as their superior movement and clinical finishing gave us far too much to do."
DC Prediction: Team 4 Catford 1
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TEAM TAME MILL HILL
FC TEAM C 4 AC MILL HILL 3
Mill Hill's woes continue as they finished second best in a thriller against second division rivals FC Team C.
Dan Alfreds, Mitch Lassman, Josh Kaye and Aron Barnes steered Team through.
Jamie Kent, Richard Winton and Ben Zloof registered for Mill Hill.
Team player-manager David Gordon told JC Sport: "This game was similar to the last game we played in that we were excellent first half and not so good in the second - the difference being Mill Hill were a lot more clinical than Catford were a fortnight ago.
"We’ve beaten a very good side who we made look pretty ordinary for the first 45, but credit to Mill Hill who never let their heads go down and fought their way back from 4-0 down.
"We were lucky in the end as they had a great chance to equalise very late on but we can take a lot of positives from the game in how good our football was at times. We’ll need to work on being more solid in the second half, but that’s two wins out of two so overall I’m pleased."
Mill Hill manager Dan Beresford told JC Sport: "After starting the game slowly again, we managed to regroup and put together a mighty fightback and we're very unlucky not to grab the equaliser. Seems like we have to be a few goals behind before we start to play ..."
DC Prediction: Team 3 Mill Hill 1
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RAIDERS C GET THE JOB DONE
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS C 3 L’EQUIPE 1
Raiders C moved into round two following a hard-fought win over Division Two rivals L'Equipe.
L'Equipe deservedly took the lead after a great cross and then finish by Rob Simons, but a sublime double from Josh Bloom double and an Oli Nathan header ensured NLR will be in the hat for round two.
NLR's David Domb told JC Sport: "I'm sure we'll face a very different L'Equipe in the league next week and give us another reminder of the good side they are, but we're finding our feet nicely in competitive football once more."
L'Equipe joint-manager Dan Cordell told JC Sport: "With a depleted squad of only 11 players I thought we really took the game to Norstar. But the league is the priority for us and I'm expecting a full squad next week against Norstar again."
DC Prediction: NLR 4 L’Equipe 1
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PREMIER DIVISION
DANNY CARO'S PREM DIV TEAM OF THE WEEK
HEROIC HAIK STUNS CHAMPIONS
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A 0 FAITHFOLD A 1
A 90th-minute winner from Johnny Haik saw Faithfold hand Hendon their first defeat in over a year as last season's champions suffered defeat in their first match at their new home.
Delighted Faithfold boss Zuriel Solomon told JC Sport: "Today was all about our belief and desire with a patch work squad of 12, with six boys away or injured the boys were immense. Today we believed we could win and we matched Hendon all game and I thought we got our reward.
Hendon manager David Garbacz told JC Sport: "This will give us a kick up the backside though - make no mistake about that - we will come back stronger and more determined than ever not to make losing a habit and we will be there or thereabouts in May I promise you that. We all have a lot to reflect on in Shul over the next week and I'm sure we'll regain our inspiration then."
DC Prediction: Hendon 3 Faithfold 1
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LIONS WIN FIVE-GOAL THRILLER
NORTH WEST NEASDEN 2 MACCABI LONDON LIONS BLUE 3
A Harry Franks double inspired Lions Blue to their first win of the season following a five-goal thriller against Neasden.
James Gold finished the job for Jamie Kyte's men.
Ben Chernoff grabbed both goals for NWN.
NWN boss Stirling Kay told JC Sport: "The lads did themselves proud with a second-half performance that deserved at least a point, if not all three."
DC Prediction: NWN 1 Lions 1
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GALACTICOS BLAST WOODFORD AWAY
HARMEN 2 WOODFORD WANDERERS 0
A goal in each half from new signings Jake Gottleib and James Gershfield earned Harmen their first win at the expense of Division One champions Woodford.
DC Prediction: Harmen 2 Woodford 1
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DIVISION ONE
DANNY CARO'S DIV 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK
JUBILANT JULIUS LEADS BAUMS HOME
ATHLETIC BILBAUM 4 BRADY MACCABI 3
There were wild celebrations at the Bernebaum after Bilbaum finished the weekend joint-top after getting the better of title hopefuls Brady Maccabi.
Joint-player-manager JULIUS JUDAH was the hat-trick hero in a seven-goal thriller, with Ben Bell adding the gloss.
Brady's scorers were Reiss Mogilner, Simon Moses and Henry Ziff.
Baums striker Jacob Brunner, who was forced off early due to injury, told JC Sport: "The stability of our defence today was magnificent which enabled beautiful breaking football, allowing us to utilise the frightening pace of our midfield and striker. All around solid team performance. We can go far this season."
DC Prediction: Bilbaum 1 Brady 2
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SOLLOSI MASTERCLASS INSPIRES REDBRIDGE
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B 4 LOS BLANCOS 2
Redbridge B made it two out of two as they ran out worthy winners against Blancos at Fairlop.
Jon Jacobs' troops raced into a 3-0 lead on their way to their first home win, with summer arrival Daniel Garfinkle (2), Sam Sollosi and Darren Brown finding the net.
Daren Russell and Benjy Israel netted for a Blancos team who never gave up.
RJC boss Jon Jacobs told JC Sport: "The Blancos midfield will have nightmares of chasing and failing to catch or kick Sam - a true master-class in the art of midfield play."
DC Prediction: RJC 1 Blancos 1
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SUPER SPEC FC GET OFF THE MARK
SPEC FC 4 BRIXTON OLD BOYS 2
Struggling SPEC FC gave their fans some much-needed cheer, with Elliot Wallis, Marc Hecht, Dan Pike and Craig Cohen finding the net in the 4-2 win over Brixton.
Jason Lindsay and Sacha Benfredj were the marksmen for Brixton.
SPEC FC joint-manager Ricky Lawrence told JC Sport: ""We went behind twice to two set-pieces, but at half time we knew if we were patient the chances would come and that's exactly what happened. We have now given ourselves something to build on but know that the fixtures will not be getting any easier."
DC Prediction: SPEC 1 Brixton 0
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DIVISION TWO
DANNY CARO'S DIV 2 TEAM OF THE WEEK
MADANES TURNS ON THE MAGIC AGAIN
JEWDINESE 0 FC TEAM B 1
Lorian Madanes maintained his good early-season form with the winner as Team edged past 'Nese.
The win capped a day of celebration after Team boss Mitch Young became a dad for the second time, to another baby boy. Mazel tov to Mitch and family from all at the JC.
Young told JC Sport: "I was disappointed that we gave our opponents the chance to believe that they could get something from the game as it was 0-0 at half time and we missed chance after chance. Our finishing was simply unacceptable and on another day it could have been 5 or 6."
'Nese chairman Jake Erlich told JC Sport: "We were beaten by a very good but beatable side. In terms of chances they dominated the game, but in open play we were very much up to the challenge and battled right until the very end of the match."
DC Prediction: Jewdinese 1 Team 3
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DIVISION THREE
DANNY CARO'S DIV 3 TEAM OF THE WEEK
GOLDMAN IS THE REAL DEAL
REAL SOSOBAD 1 HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B 0
Recent arrival Adam Goodman guided Real Sosobad to their first ever MGBSFL victory, with a solitary effort enough to see off Hendon B.
Jubilant Real boss Dan Shafron told JC Sport: "We were excellent today and it was the exact response we needed after last week.
Hendon boss Adam Glekin told JC Sport: "Credit to Real - they're a good side and pass the ball very well. My only slight disappointment is we didn't really do enough when we had the ball, but that will come with time."
DC Prediction: Sosobad 3 Hendon 2
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LIONS SHOW THEIR GRIT
TEMPLE FORTUNE 1 MACCABI LONDON LIONS GREEN 2
Strikes from Nick Silverstone and recent signing Phil Peters helped Lions Green come away from Roger Bannister with a 2-1 win, just as I'd predicted.
Summer arrival Anthony Shaw netted for Fortune.
Fortune's Lee Fegan, running the team in Jonathan Cohen's absence, commented: "We can have nothing really to complain about to be honest."
DC Prediction: Fortune 1 Lions 2
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MATCH OFF
Div 2 - NL Raiders B vs Camden Park - no pitch available
