PETER MORRISON TROPHY FINAL
SOUTH MANCHESTER SPORTS CLUB 1st vs BRADY MACCABI A

Laurence Newman is confident South Manchester Sports Club can finish the season in style as they prepare to take on Brady Maccabi in the final of the Peter Morrison Trophy.

The Manchester Accountants League leaders remain on course for the treble and manager Newman believes his men can step up to the challenge when they take on one of the strongest Sunday teams in London at Oldham Athletic’s Boundary Park stadium on Sunday.

MEET THE TEAMS - SOUTH MANCHESTER

MEET THE TEAMS - BRADY MACCABI

Strikers Adam Lavin and Bobby Abrams have been in excellent form this season but Newman says they must take nothing for granted going into the national final.

"Personally, this will be a special occasion for me to take this team to a Morrison final, particularly alongside Mark Stewart and Jody Marks who have worked so hard this season to continue from Darryl Lee’s management," Newman said.

"I can safely say after the first few games of the season we certainly didn’t expect to be where we are today - Morrison final, a league cup semi-final, and challenging for an unprecedented back-to-back titles.

"Obviously we have won nothing at all yet, but whatever happens from here it’s been another leap forward for this group of players, who are now rightfully seen in my opinion as Manchester’s top Jewish team.

"We are looking forward to a great day for our club that will shortly celebrate its 65th year. No doubt there will be South connections from all through the years in attendance, something key to this special Football Club’s longevity."

Lying third in the JC MSFL, Brady have produced their best performances in the Jewish FA Cup this season. Captain marvel Josh Gordon was the hero in the 5-1 semi-final win over Redbridge Jewish Care, while Josh Hershman, Jonny Ellis and Jonathan Green will also be looking to make their mark in the final.

Manager Joel Nathan said: “Having been involved with Brady Maccabi since 1979 this will hopefully be mine and the club’s greatest moment on a football pitch.

"This season our goal was to challenge for the league and get to another cup final after losing the JC Cyril Anekstein final last season.

"We strengthened our squad with six new signings, and although it took a few weeks to gel we are now on a great run, having lost only twice since October 28 - once in the league and once in the Anekstein Cup.

"It's a shame we are not going for the league and cup double, but we have a great team spirit and the squad will back each other up to the hilt."

Nathan, who works closely with Josh Rosenfeld on the touchline, knows little about Sunday’s opponents, but he is confident his players will rise to the occasion.

"We will take a squad of 16 to Oldham and every single one of them will do a job for the team, whoever starts," he said.

"As for South Manchester, I only know what Jonny Davis tells me and that is they are going to beat anyone in their way so all I can say is let’s wait and see. I hope the final will be a great advert for Jewish football."

There promises to be important battles all over the park, but the key one for me sees South danger man Adam Lavin go head to head with Brady's Jonny Ellis. There's no doubt that will be worth the admission fee alone.

A five-star billing sees Brady captain Josh Gordon look to replicate his form from the emphatic semi-final win over Redbridge Jewish Care A, while the twinkle-toed Josh Hershman will look to give the onlooking Maccabiah selectors a reminder of his talent. Also look out for some killer set-piece deliveries from the left foot of a wand of Brad Sharpe, while Matt Sofier will take no prisoners in what is expected to be a congested midfield engine room.

Venue: Boundary Park, Oldham Athletic FC, KO - 3pm