After warpping up a memorable season by lifting the Peter Morrison Trophy to complete a stunning league and cups treble, Oakwood have warned the rest of the League there is still more to come.
With the Premier Division title and David Wolff Premier Division Cup already in the bank, goals from Josh Bharier, assistant manager Louie Basso and Josh Cuby sealed a 3-1 win over North London Raiders and their place in the Maccabi GB Southern Football League record books.
Reflecting back on an incredible season, and how they can better it next season, manager Jake Feinstein said: “We’ll sit down and review the season, discuss the plans for next season and then set our targets. I think we can go one step further and that was the message from the boys — they want the quadruple!”
REAL MADREIDEL
Real Madreidel with the Barry Goldstein Trophy (Photo: Brandon Hammé)
Endorsing his views, Basso said: “Winning the treble is an incredible achievement but we are all equally looking at this year as one of missed opportunity. Losing on penalties in the Cyril Anekstein final was a sickener and we also know we should have gone further in the London County Cup.
"That’s the fire in our bellies to be better next year. We’ll be back to take them all in 2024!”
What made their treble feat all the more remarkable was going through the league campaign unbeaten. “I’m really proud of this team”, Finestein says.
“We knew we could challenge in various competitions, but to go the whole league season undefeated and get to three cup finals is an incredible achievement.”
Despite their historic season, neither are getting carried away enough to label their side “the best ever”.
Feinstein says: “It’s difficult to say this as we won’t ever be able to compare directly, but I know this team has a togetherness, desire, spirit that I think would be hard to match.” Basso added: “I don’t think that’s really for us to say.
"There have been many great teams in MGBSFL history and people get very precious about who is the best. What we’ve proven is that we are the very best right now, no one has been able to top us and our achievements will objectively stand shoulder to shoulder with anything that’s been done before.”
Praising the side, club chairman Ric Blank said: “It’s incredible what the boys have done this season. The quality, unity and sheer bloody-mindedness to win created an unstoppable force. Nobody beat us in 90 minutes all season. It’s a stunning achievement and this team will rightly go down as one of the best-ever in Jewish football.
“This team definitely ranks as the best ever Oakwood side but there’s always more to achieve and we know the other sides will be desperate to beat us next year.”
Echoing his sentiments was Oakwood Director of Football Daniel Kristall. He said: “To not lose a game in Maccabi football in 90 minutes, in both league and cup over a whole season is an unbelievable achievement.
“Next season is about maintaining these levels. We have a big summer planned with transfer targets in mind. We know next season will be even tougher, but feel we have the squad to compete and be a force for many years to come.”
Oakwood weren’t the only team celebrating, as 24 hours prior, Real Madreidel claimed their first-ever silverware by beating Boca Chillers 3-0 to win the Barry Goldstein Trophy.
After a goalless first half, Louis Relevy’s header broke the deadlock, Nathan Davis added a second soon after, before Eytan Millan made the game safe.
Manager Danny Elia said: “I felt we controlled the game from the first minute, dominated the ball, cut out their attacking threats but was just missing a goal in the first half.
“We knew once the first went in it was in our hands. All credit to Chillers, they were hard to break down and very physical, but we were ready for it on the day.”
Labelling their first piece of silverware as ‘a great achievement’, he added: “I’m super proud of the team, it’s been a tough season in the league, but we’re seeing this victory as the start of many.”
Looking ahead to next season, he added: “Our intention is always to fight to win the League, winning this trophy has reassured our belief that we can now challenge for it.”
In the penultimate match of this season’s Maccabi Masters Football League, Dan Hodes netted five times as EHRS beat Glenthorne 7-4. Brian Donne scored their other two as they sealed fourth spot in the table.
