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Slater's Chigwell full of eastern promise

MSFL Division One preview

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CHIGWELL ATHLETIC

Title contenders Chigwell could be the real deal this season, especially in a brand new JC-sponsored kit. Manager Richard Slater said: "If we manage to keep a fit squad throughout the season I believe we'll be in the mix.

"The club has won every other lower league, but the title has slipped away twice now."

Slater has been one of the busiest managers in the transfer market, bringing in Lee Hyams, Lloyd Becker, Alex Norman from Southgate Harmen, along with Redbridge pair Antony Mendel and Jamie Fox plus Benji Dymant from Faithfold. Sam Rosenthal, Adam Shafron, Dean Ben Yosef and Russell Becker have departed.

Slater believes that Adam Goodman is one to watch. He said: "Adam was a great find last season, with bags of trickery and pace to burn."

BRIXTON OLD BOYS A

Runners-up in Division Two last season, Brixton have looked the business in pre-season and John Nitka's ambitious team have entered the Sunday FA Cup as well as the Morrison and Anekstein cup competitions.

Nitka will not settle for second best this year. He said: "It is not a question of hope but a must – we will be promoted to the Premiership and I want to win a cup. One thing is clear. We will be talked about."

As for the challengers, he said: "I do not know and quite honestly do not care. All I am interested in is how my team does."

MONTANA BOCA UNITED

Promotion is the name of the game for Montana who are spearheaded by new boss Vivian Emanuel. There have been encouraging signs during pre-season with new players including Jordan Segal, Mitch Green, Blake Buckman, Nathan Harrod, Mike Perkin, Jacob Webb, Simon Lindell, Elliot Kennard and Josh Greenham.

NORSTAR A

Phil Peters' Stars could be the dark horses in the division. The boys in orange will also enter the London FA Sunday Cup.

Peters said: "The realists think we should aim for mid-table this year and then mount a title-charge next season."

Playing in the shadow of Wembley Stadium at the Ark Academy, Norstar welcome new signings Josh Pistol and Jeff Gotch. Nick Hudson and Zak McLeod have flown the nest.

OAKWOOD

Promotion has become something of an obsession for the Oaks but joint-manager Ric Blank is striving for an improvement after flirting with a top two finish last season. He believes that the acquisition of James Abrams from Neasden will help their cause.

The return of Dan Ash and Dan Rose will also boost their chances in a division that Blank describes as "wide open".

SOUTHGATE HARMEN B

It's been all change at Harmen with Marc Cohen replacing Mark Engel in the hotseat. The team avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last season and Cohen is now targeting "a strong promotion push". He said: "We will bring a mix of exciting attacking football combined with a committed never-say-die attitude."

Big name signings include Bradley Fox and Ben Rosenblatt while Nick Kershberg and Doron Hershkorn will add firepower up front.

Temple fortune a

The departure of defender Scott Shindler is undoubtedly a blow but under new manager Lee Fegan, they have drafted in several new players including three from L'Equipe. Jason Miller has been in red-hot form during pre-season but according to club chairman Nigel Kyte, "survival is the first objective".

Kyte, who proudly leads the club into its 42nd season, said: "We are under no illusions that the first division will be extremely tough. When Fortune last won the Division Two championship in 1986, we held our own in the division above the next season and were then promoted to the Premier Division a year after that.

"So following on in that mould, stability is key. A promotion push would very much be a bonus."

WOODFORD WANDERERS

Describing themselves as the 'Crazy Gang' of Jewish football, the Wanderers were hampered by injury problems last season but manager Alex Aviram hopes for a change of luck. He has drafted in a number of new faces including big keeper Ben Rosenthal.

Andy Levy has left the club but Aviram believes that his squad are "more than capable of mounting a serious promotion challenge".

Temple Fortune, Brixton and Norstar are considered to be the main threats according to Daniel Segal.

● North West Neasden B and Redbridge Jewish Care B complete the line-up.

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