If ever a club made a statement of intent, signing James Gershfield, Jake Gottlieb and Max Shields was it.
Harmen’s pulling power has blown the MGBSFL title race wide open and it will certainly make the next few months an exciting contest for the neutral.
The talented trio have won a plethora of silverware at Sunday League level, with sharp-shooter Gershfield having also done the business at a higher level, both at Potters Bar Town and for Team Maccabi GB in international competition.
For me, James is the real jewel in the crown for Harmen whose win over table-topping Norstar London Raiders A is a real game-changer. They also recently pushed champions Hendon close, and the acquisition of Shields will make them even harder to beat.
Having hit the target nine times in October, Gershfield wins my Player of the Month award. Harmen joint-manager Joel Alterman agreed with my selection. “For me, there would be no other contender,” he said. “Nine goals from four games says it all about Gersh. Since taking over the captain’s armband, he has led the team by example. Not only is he a natural finisher, he encourages everyone around him to raise their game.
“Whether it’s against the top of the Premier or the bottom of Division Three, Gersh has given 100 per cent to the cause and you know a goal is never far away when he’s on the pitch.”.
Outside of London, Leor Sidle has been the main man, with his goals keeping AFC Flixton flying high at the top of the Premier Division.
* South Manchester manager Neil Collins has cleared the air with club legend Mark Stewart following his mysterious disappearing act during Sunday’s win over Saints.
Collins said: “I knew Mark wanted to get away early to get to the Manchester derby, but I didn’t think he would pull up lame just so he could get changed quicker. It’s not what I expect from my players.
“I’ve talked to Mark, as has the Board, and reminded him of his responsibilities as ex-vice-captain of this great football club and he unreservedly apologised on his Facebook fan page.
“Otherwise it’s been a great week for us. We won again and we feel the club is on an upward trajectory. Our social media numbers are higher than our rivals the other side of the city and our recent BOGOF ticket offer for the Handicup has been gobbled up by our fans.”
* Do you have what it takes to make the next level? A leading Jewish club is on the lookout for a centre-half, aged 18-28 to play FA STEP 5 football.
Reliable, committed and motivated players need only apply, with some non-league football experience.
Midweek games under floodlights and weekend home games played at a fantastic club and on a fantastic pitch are on offer. Applicants can send me their football CV to pass on.
* Players from Brady Maccabi and Temple Fortune were left scratching their heads after Sunday’s match in the Maccabi Masters League was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The thing is that the game was scheduled for one of the 3G pitches at the Hive in Edgware, but sheets of surface water made it unplayable.
So much for all-weather pitches!
