Ahead of Sunday's Peter Morrison Trophy final between treble-chasing Hendon United Sports Club A and Division One champions Oakwood, Danny Caro gets the predictions from representatives of JC MSFL clubs.
Josh Rosenfeld (Brady Maccabi A manager)
"Oakwood are a fantastic side with great quality. They have had a superb season - winning the league with ease and reaching a cup final. Rik has done a great job and I know they will give Hendon a good game.. Unless Hendon have an off-day or take their foot off the gas, I just think the experience will take its toll and see Hendon win it. It will definitely be a tight game and it’s a shame I can't be there to watch it. Good luck Oakwood."
Prediction: Hendon 2 Oakwood 0
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Darren Yarlett (NW Neasden A joint-manager)
"I think the way the season has gone, Hendon should win the game but any side who have won 13 on the bounce will be a danger. I went to watch the CA cup final which lacked any real quality, I suppose that is the way the league and standard has gone over the last year. It s a really shame Jewish football has turned out this way but like anything it will bounce back but may take a good few years. All you needed to win trohies this year was a real togetherness and Hendon have that."
Prediction: Hendon 3 Oakwood 1
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Mitch Young (FC Team manager)
"Hendon are a superb team and have deserved to win the league and the cup this season because they have the best team. They are strong throughout the whole spine of the team with Lipman and Rosenthal at the back and Last, Lauffer and Bentley in midfield. Greg is on top form as well so to try and beat them is very difficult. Oakwood though are made up of northern grit and on their day they can beat anyone. I think Oakwood could cause a shock to Hendon in the first 20 minutes as they have some great players and will do well in the Premier next season, but overal I think Hendon will be too strong."
Prediction: Hendon 3 Oakwood 1
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Rob Richman (North London Raiders B manager)
"Obviously Hendon will be huge favourites but knowing Ric, he will have a plan or two up his sleeve. Oakwood have been on an exceptional run throughout the second half of the season and I can really see them making it difficult for Hendon. If Oakwood are to stand a chance they are going to have to take any chances that come their way.
"However I don’t see a weak link in the Hendon side and they will be buoyed by last week’s cup final win so I am going with another 3-1 Hendon win."
Prediction: Hendon 3 Oakwood 1
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Daryl Phillips (Faithfold A assistant-manager)
"I think Hendon will be too strong. I played against Oakwood a year or two ago and they are not a bad team. They have a good northern team spirit which is always useful in any football match and I look forward to facing them in the Prem next season. I would like to see the underdog win, but I just can't see it. Hendon are a well organised outfit with some very good players and again good team spirit and a decent squad. They will win the triple this year. I cannot see them losing this cup final.
COME ON OAKWOOD!"
Prediction: Hendon 3 Oakwood 0
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Phil Peters (Team GB & Norstar A manager)
"Hendon will win convincingly. They have waltzed their way through the Premier Division this year and there's no reason why they shouldn't stroll to victory again on Sunday. I like the Oakwood boys and I'd love to predict a victory for them but just can't see it happening..."
Prediction: Hendon 4 Oakwood 0
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John Nitka (Brixton Old Boys A manager)
"Having played Oakwood twice this season, I know they are a well-organised team although both games were very close and could have gone either way. I do not know much about Hendon, however it would be great for Oakwood to beat them. They will have to concentrate and play for one another then who knows; Good luck to them."
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Stirling Kay (Redbridge Jewish Care B manager)
"Oakwood are a very well-organised team. They will make very few mistakes and are a very good defensive unit. However, going forward they are not so effective so I can see it going to extra time in a low scoring game and possibly penalties, with Oakwood causing a big surprise.
Prediction: Oakwood to win on penalties
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Jonny Blain (North West Neasden B)
"I think Hendon's big match experience and fitness will be more than enough. I'd love to see Ric Blank have his hands on that trophy, but can't see it happening this year. As long as Oakwood wear their awesome blue kit with the red/white diagonal, all is well with the world."
Prediction: Hendon 3 Oakwood 1
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Jack Morris (Temple Fortune A assistant-manager)
"We played Hendon in pre-season and obviously we played Oakwood twice in the league, and on the basis of those three games, I think Hendon will walk the final. However, we all know football doesn’t work like that, and if Oakwood are up for it then I’m sure they can give Hendon a run for their money. Oakwood were very good against us twice this year, however when we played Hendon pre-season they were simply outstanding. They’ve got quality all over and in Ben Lauffer they’ve got the best player in Jewish football. I expect him to run the show on Sunday.
Prediction: Hendon 3 Oakwood 1
Danny Caro's prediction: Hendon 2 Oakwood 0
Email your prediction to dcaro@thejc.com
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CUP FINAL PACKAGE:
