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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
(Matches kick-off at 10am unless stated)
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP QUARTER-FINALS
NORTH LONDON GALAXY vs OAKWOOD
Galaxy go in search of their biggest scalp yet when they take on former competition winners Oakwood on Sunday.
The only unbeaten team across the MGBSFL, Luke Lewis’s men will be relishing the weekend clash against an Oakwood team whose form can best be described as up and down this season.
Galaxy are locked in a title race with North London Raiders in Division One, but victory against top-flight opposition would really set them up nicely for the business end of the season.
Gaffer Lewis told JC Sport: "We haven’t played Oakwood too much but are excited to play against a Premier Division side to see what we can do. We’ve been on a great run recently, playing well at times but we know we haven’t been at our best - we’ve got another gear to go up and Sunday is the perfect chance for us to show how far we’ve come.
"Oakwood are a great side and we know they’re very physical - to get something from this game we’re going to have to be at our best. We’re really excited for Sunday and hoping to do the chairman himself, David Wolff, proud as we hear he’ll be in attendance."
Oakwood have not won in their last six matches, but in Josh Cuby they have a player that can shatter Galaxy dreams in the blink of an eye. Cuby’s blistering pace means he can play as the lone striker or pull defenders out of position. But as yet they don’t have another regular source of goals.
James Gold produced a strong performance against Fairlop last time out, and he could be that player that helps get the best out of Cuby once more.
In a one-off cup game, only a brave man would bet against an Oakwood team packed with experience, power and strength. Galaxy know they will have to match them every step of the game. I can see it going the distance, and then either side could edge through.
JC team news: Joe Bellman and Ethan Kessel rejoin the Galaxy squad - "two players who add real quality, know how and work-rate to our squad". Lewis has got 17 available, "so there’s slight selection dilemmas - the full squad will be unveiled Thursday morning".
Venue – East Barnet School
JC star man: Joe Bellman (Galaxy)
DC Prediction: Galaxy 1 Oakwood 1 (Oakwood to win on penalties)
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NORTH LONDON RAIDERS vs MLFC BLUE
Sunday is effectively a cup final for MLFC, who beat MGBSFL table-toppers Faithfold DocMM White last weekend.
Ben Kohler’s hat-trick plus an excellent all-round team performance set them up for a win that had managers Max Kyte and Laurence Judah kvelling.
However, they know Raiders are preparing to cause a major upset and defeat for the visitors would mean they finish the season empty-handed.
“It’s a really big game for us as it’s our key chance of silverware this year,” Kyte told JC Sport.
“Raiders are a fantastic team, and would be competing for the title in the Prem if they were in it. We are on their home turf, so the fans will be giving them the extra oomph, so we need to be ready to battle and do what it takes to get through to the next round.”
Winning the Division One title is the priority for Raiders this season, but they are now just two games way from the final and will go hell for leather to spring a surprise against another club that has won this competition before.
L'Orange have won five out of six at home, with Aron Gale and Liron Mannie tearing up defences on a regular basis.
Managers Gideon Gale and David Isaacs have done a superb job to get Raiders where they are, and they feel their have the ammunition to get the job done on Sunday.
Ahead of kick-off, Isaacs told JC Sport: “The boys have been looking forward to this since the draw was made. For 70 per cent of the lads they will be playing against their former team this week, such as David Nezri, Daniel Lipman and Ed Brafman to name a few.
“Looking at MLFC’s recent results, we know that this will be a very, very tricky game. If we want to get to the semis we need to be on it from minute one.”
He went on to say: “Next season we aim to be playing in the Prem, so it will be a good test to see how we cope against one of the better teams in that division."
Both teams are in a good moment and it could come down to a battle of the Raiders attack against the MLFC defence. That said, with Kohler on fire, I think MLFC will come up with a winning formula on the day. But only just.
JC team news: Raiders will give a late fitness test on Daniel Behar to see if he will be able to face his former club. However, Isaacs “can confirm Gavin Fox has ruled himself out of the game due to getting food poisoning last night”.
Venue – Ark Academy
JC star man: Ben Kohler (MLFC)
DC Prediction: Raiders 1 MLFC 2
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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
LEAGUE TABLE (TOP 3)
1. Faithfold DocMM White Pl. 12, W. 7, Pts. 23
2. Hendon United Sports Pl. 9, W. 7, Pts. 22
3. MLFC Blue Pl. 12, W. 5, Pts. 19
TOP-SCORERS 12 - Josh Cuby (Oakwood A), 11 - Akiva Solomon (Faithfold Doc MM White - plus one for Green), Avi Markiewicz (Faithfold DocMM White - plus two for Green)
FAIRLOP FC vs HMH
HMH’s tails are up following their 4-0 cup win over Jewdinese. A clean sheet is always good for confidence and the fact that they kept one of the league’s form striker quiet for 90 minutes is an encouraging sign for all concerned.
Added to that, strikers Adam Ellis and Oscar Wagner registered, while Natey Kashket continues to work hard, and I’m sure the goals will come.
Sam Monjack and Alex Moss bossed the midfield, and it’s this area of the pitch they will need to own if the double cup semi-finalists are to come away with maximum points.
Looking ahead to the trip to Essex, HMH boss Avi Goldberg told JC Sport: "After last weeks win and 'dry' January officially over, we are keen to get back to league and are looking to revitalise our league challenge. A long shot perhaps, but there may yet be twists and turns and we are a team that don’t concede much and so are hard to beat.
"Fairlop may be at the other end of the league table but we noticed they are now starting to clock up points and have beaten MLFC - a team we have yet to beat this season, so we know they are capable on their day."
Goldberg went on to say: "Sunday promises to be tricky, even though we were comfortable winners last time we visited, as it’s always noisy in the east end - an atmosphere the home team revel in, and with storms forecast. The weather could be a major factor, although it might just keep their noisy supporters in bed on Sunday morning!"
Fairlop continue to rely on the same small group of players to get them out of the relegation zone. Manager Aaron Dias has been told the money is there if he wants to bring in a player to boost their chances, but he’s confident in his current group and hopes their fortunes change on Sunday.
They were just seconds away from beating Oakwood last time out and will hope a similar effort will be enough to get something from this game against HMH.
JC team news: Adam Ellis, Sammy Kingston and Jacob Shapiro are all unavailable for HMH, but Eli Wegrzyn is set for a return after his mid-season break on the slopes, as is Max Foster and Alex Davies (the penalty shoot-out hero), who both missed last week's cup win. Oscar Wagner, Ethan Krell and George Goldberg will all be looking to start, after being benched for the first half in CAC tie, as the manager opted to give others some much-needed game time.
Venue – Fairlop
JC star man: Eli Wegrzyn (HMH)
DC Prediction: Fairlop 1 HMH 2
WATCH: VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: JEWDINESE vs HMH
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DIVISION ONE
LEAGUE TABLE (TOP 3)
1. NL Raiders Pl. 11, W. 9, Pts. 28
2. NL Galaxy Pl. 10, W. 7, Pts. 24
3. Hertswood Vale Pl. 12, W. 7, Pts. 22
TOP-SCORERS 16 - Aron Gale (North London Raiders), 15 - James Millet (Hertswood Vale), Zach Cohen (Mill Hill Dons)
MILL HILL DONS vs REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE
This is a relegation six-pointer, however you want to dress it up. The Dons turned a corner before losing to Jewdinese, while things just haven’t worked out for RJC.
The Mill Hill boys have yet to win at home, but they have enough goals across the team to believe they can take the points.
Ahead of kick-off, player-manager Jamie Nagioff told JC Sport: "Maccabi London Red's unfortunate collapse meant we ended up with no game last week, so we're looking forward to getting back out there against Redbridge.
"We've been superb since the turn of the year and I expect us to carry that on this week. Our good results have come against sides above us in the division but, for once, we will be facing a side below us in the table. But, we can't get complacent and expect this to be a walk over - we need to bring the same intensity from the last few weeks."
Nagioff added: "Redbridge have been typically difficult to deal with in the lead up to this game, but their moaning about changing rooms and showers doesn't bother us, and if they want to wind themselves up about stuff, we'll just focus on our football."
RJC, on the other hand, have scored just four times in five away games. It would appear a cautious approach is not getting the best of the players for manager Daniel Jacobs and perhaps a change of tact is needed.
They will know that other than 14-goal Zach Cohen, the Dons have no other major scoring threats, which leads me to believe this game will be won and lost in midfield.
JC team news: The Dons' squad availability "is roughly as it has been for the last few weeks," but Adam Isaacs is fit again following an ankle injury.
Venue – Marlborough Academy
JC star man: Adam Isaacs (Dons)
DC Prediction: Dons 2 RJC 1
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SPEC FC vs HERTSWOOD VALE
Both SPEC and Hertswood Vale lost points after MLFC Red withdrew from the league, and that is never good for confidence.
It’s been a strange old season for SPEC, who can go from the sublime to the ridiculous in less than 90 minutes.
They have great experience throughout the team, plus quality players who can score at will, but concentration levels are not where they need to be. The bottom line is they have conceded some soft goals and will struggle to pick up results if this continues.
“We’ve had a couple of weeks off but it’s fair to say the second half of the season hasn’t been what we wanted so far," SPEC player-manager Ricky Lawrence told JC Sport.
"There’s still time to turn it around, hopefully starting with this Sunday but we’ve got a terrible record against Vale, so we know we’ll have to be at our absolute best to change that.”
Hertswood Vale are riding high after reaching the semi-finals of the Peter Morrison Trophy for the first time. A plum home draw against holders HMH awaits them. But they must park that fixture for a few weeks as they look to get points and goals back on the board.
Ahead of the trip to Colindale, Vale joint-manager Jacob Emanuel told JC Sport: "After a week's break following our historic win against Fairlop, we turn our attentions back to the league, as we look to finish the season with a bang.
"Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, Danny and I consider this season to be a huge success, and that's entirely down to the squad we've got at our disposal. However, we've got an ambitious group and they want to push for the best possible finish in both league and cup."
Emanuel went on to say: "We face another huge test this weekend away to SPEC, and I'm looking for the boys to start as fast as possible. Last time out, we went 0-1 down within the first two minutes, and had to battle back to victory, although a late goal saw us hold on in the end.
"They're a team managed well by Ricky and have absolutely no problem scoring, so we'll have to be at our best to ensure we walk away with the three points and a league double."
I make Vale favourites to win, just because that’s what they do so well. And I'm predicting a game of goals.
JC team news: Vale have lost Charlie Becker and Jamie Steinberg for the rest of the season as they travel the world, while Josh Gorb and Harry Marlow remain out for this one. They welcome back Alex Trup, Ollie Brill and Adam Morrow to the matchday squad, and rumours of a starting role for DOF Jack Shulman are circulating following a strong showing in training on Tuesday.
Venue - St James' Park, KO - 10.15am
JC star man: Jack Shulman (Vale)
DC Prediction: SPEC 2 Vale 3
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DIVISION TWO
LEAGUE TABLE
(TOP 3)
1. FC Team Pl. 13, W. 10, Pts. 32
2. Temple Fortune Pl. 13, W. 9, Pts. 28
3. Borussia Barnet Pl. 11, W. 8, Pts. 26
TOP-SCORERS 17 - Jono Gaon (Hampstead Ducks), 16 - Daniel Garfinkle (Club De Chigwell), 15 - Danny Sherman (Temple Fortune)
BORUSSIA BARNET vs SCRABBLE
Brad Papier this week spoke of his frustrations about the programme ahead of Borussia’s league game against Scrabble.
With a mouth-watering home semi-final against Manchester Maccabi 1st in the National Cup competition to look forward to next month, Papier hopes his team gets the run of games he believes they desperately need.
“We've had a very slow return since the winter break, with only three games played due to no game that week, postponements or forfeits,” he told JC Sport. “It’s been tough for the boys as it’s been very stop-start.
“However, we know now we have an incredible run of games where we need to put a winning run together starting Sunday.”
Papier went on to say: “It just happens the fixture gods have given us Scrabble at home and then FC Team, Temple Fortune, Chigwell and finally the Bears all away in an exciting blitz of tough away games.
“The next five games will determine our whole season and if we win them all we’ll win the league. All that starts Sunday so the lads are more than up for it.”
Papier believes his team will have the psychological edge going into Sunday’s game. “We demolished Scrabble 6-0 away earlier in the season, so we’re hoping for more of the same at home, though we know no two games are alike in this league.”
Scrabble have had a tough few weeks, with back-to-back defeats against leaders FC Team and a heavy loss to Faithfold DocMM Green. They are going through ridiculous amounts of Deep Heat and Voltarol in the changing room before games, and perhaps one or two of the squad are dreaming about joining Liverpool first team members in the sun in the Maldives.
Things won't get any easier for Jon Yantin's men over the next 90 minutes, when their fitness levels and desire will be put to the test by a Borussia team that mean business.
JC team news: Borussia are “delighted” to welcome Ethan Gold back to the side after a bad injury and Ollie Smith after suspension. Ollie Lewin is out, as is Joe Freedman. Apart from that they have a full squad available.
Venue – Bridgestone Arena
JC star man: Adam Bowman (Borussia) - had his best game in the 10 against them last time and he’ll be starting in the same role Sunday.
DC Prediction: Borussia 3 Scrabble 0
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TEMPLE FORTUNE vs FC TEAM
Simon Linden was in full-on Delia Smith mode ahead of Temple Fortune's crunch clash against table-toppers FC Team.
Linden has worked wonders to get the very best out of his squad, who some believe are punching above their weight.
In terms of passion, effort and focus, Linden is as good as they get at this level. His players are playing for him, and most would run through a brick wall for him.
Fortune fans will remember FC Team have destroyed them, and many of their rivals, in the past, but Sunday is 11 against 11, and anything could happen.
A pumped up Linden told JC Sport: "I’m proud of my team - five straight wins going into this game. It’s not easy each week with tough opposition, there’s no easy game, but we do have desire, hunger and belief that can win football matches and confidence is high.
"We didn’t play well last weekend but we got the result. We can’t afford to be sluggish this week against a top side - it won’t be easy against the league leaders, they have quality but If we stick to the game-plan there’s no reason why we can’t go and get three points."
FC Team start the game four points ahead of Fortune. Their merciless march to the title continues, and manager Mitch Young knows the next two games are crucial in their pursuit of the championship. After Fortune, FC Team faces PMT semi-finalists Borussia Barnet. So there can be no ifs or buts. Young will tell his players the result is more important than the performance in what could be the ultimate slug-fest.
Sunday is all about game-management for Fortune. Winning second balls and reacting to flicks-on will be key in what could be a war of attrition.
JC team news: Fortune go into this game with the return of Grant Bates, Simon 'the Argie', but there’s doubts over Eshad Rahiv, Jacob Kalms and Danny Vandermolen.
JC star man: Craig Sandford (FC Team)
DC Prediction: Fortune 2 FC Team 3
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HAMPSTEAD DUCKS vs FAITHFOLD DOCMM GREEN
With some of his nearest Golden Boot rivals having been docked goals, following the demise of MLFC Red, Ducks' hot-shot Jono Gaon will be looking to cash in against Faithfold DocMM Green on Sunday.
Goals should be on the menu in a contest which features two teams whose attack is better than defence.
The Ducks are due a win - their last victory came on my birthday! "It's been a tough few weeks," Max Prais told JC Sport. "Being without a win and conceding heavily. But last week's 2-1 defeat against Temple Fortune brought a lot of positives, despite the result, and we'll be looking to build on our defensive solidity while utilising a fully fit Jono in attack."
Things haven't been much easier for Faithfold, who have registered five league win to date. They forfeited last week's game against Borussia Barnet and it's clear the Ducks are more at their level. The table never lies.
Ahead of the game, Faithfold boss Ben Kfir told JC Sport: "We've been struggling to make numbers and had to recruit three players just to make the 11 this week…"
Prior to that, the Superhoops had been on a decent little run, so if they can get 11 men together, it should be a cracker.
JC team news: After only playing a half last week, the Ducks are bolstered by the return to fitness of top-scorer Jono Gaon. The pacy Dan Fattal is also making his first appearance of 2020.
Venue – West Hendon Playing Fields
JC star man: Jono Gaon (Ducks)
DC Prediction: Ducks 3 Faithfold 3
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CLUB de CHIGWELL vs WEST HAMDILLAH
On paper, this game looks like a home banker. And if Daniel Garfinkle and Saul Green feature in the CdC starting XI, it should be a handsome win at that.
Garfinkle helped himself to a hat-trick against the very same opposition last weekend, with Green chipping in with another. Indeed both players have high hopes of winning the coveted MGBSFL Golden Boot in May, so don't be surprised if they adopt a shoot-on-sight policy on Sunday.
Speaking to JC Sport ahead of the game, CdC co-manager Adam Conway told JC Sport: "Having only played West hamdillah last week, we know exactly what to expect from them. I have faith in the team to get the win and have a strong end to the season."
Hamdillah were left chasing shadows for long spells in last week's 7-1 cup thumping. And with home fans hoping for a top four finish, a similar outcome looks on the cards.
Venue - St. John’s school, Epping
JC star man: Saul Green (CdC)
DC Prediction: CdC 5 Hamdillah 1
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DAVID WOLFF DIVISION ONE CUP QUARTER-FINAL
BROOK FARM ROVERS vs JEWDINESE
Jewdinese’s season hinges of Sunday’s trip to Rovers – win and they can continue to dream of lifting a trophy, lose and that will be that. Pretty much the same can be said of Rovers, who for me start as the underdogs.
The Zebras gave a good account of themselves for 70 or so minutes in the cup quarter-final against HMH. Trailing 0-1 at half-time, they were unable to break through a well-drilled defence, and ultimately came out second best in midfield too.
But manager Darren Lawrence has confidence his players can dust themselves down and go again.
He told JC Sport: “After the disappointing cup exit last week, we are looking to amend things this weekend in a different cup.
“We know that this BFR team will be a lot different to the team we beat 8-2 back in September. They have come a long way since then, having taken points of Galaxy once and coming so close to doing so again last Sunday.
“The DWT offers our last realistic opportunity of silverware, so don't expect to see any Jurgen Klopp-esque rotation. Plus, unlike him, I'll actually be at the game!”
Rovers feel the luck has gone against them this season, and that’s without VAR. All joking aside, they have been a positive addition to the league – playing football the right way and joint-manager Dan Cohen believes they are not too far away.
He told JC Sport: "After a tough run of league fixtures recently, Sunday is a great chance for us to switch our attentions elsewhere and enjoy some knockout football without worrying about our position in the table.
"It’s also an opportunity for revenge, to show Jewdinese that we’ve come a long way since that opening day defeat, so we’re looking forward to it and will be up for the challenge."
Man for man ‘Nese have the edge but the stats will all count for little on Sunday, when it will be all about who wants it most on the day.
JC team news: Alex Woffenden returns from injury for Rovers, and Dan Weisselberg comes in for his first home game of the season.
‘Nese are without James Ross and Billy Lee this weekend, but welcome Grant Reingold and Brad Dryer back to the fold.
Venue - Capital City
JC star man: Brad Lander (Nese)
DC Prediction: Rovers 1 Nese 3
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DAVID WOLFF DIVISION TWO CUP QUARTER-FINAL
PARIS SAINT-JEWMAIN vs NORTH WEST LONDON BEARS
James Harpin is ready for what he described as the Bears’ “biggest game of the season” as they prepare to take on PSJ.
The Bears are one of the league’s form teams and have climbed into the top four virtually unnoticed.
The arrival of veteran goal-poacher Ashley Davidson was an excellent bit of business - much better than Bruno Frenandez going to United in fact - and he could play a big part on Sunday. The former North London Raiders striker offers the team a genuine scoring threat and he will tuck away the type of chances say perhaps a forward of lesser of experience, and quality.
But Sunday is about how the Bears fare as a team. Harpin told JC Sport: “We know we have not reached the heights in the league that we expected to this season, and a cup run would certainly put this right.
“A win would give us a meeting with Borussia Barnet, which would be an exceptional game of football considering both teams current form.
“But first we have to beat PSJ for the second time in two weeks. It would be a difficult game on a difficult pitch, so we know it could a physical and scrappy game.”
Asked where he thinks the game will be won and lost, Harpin continued: “We are going to have to work hard in midfield and play intelligent passes to our attackers who are in great form at the moment.
“We have Sam Morris available this week which is a huge boost. He will cause havoc for a defensive that we saw last week is extremely weak.
“PSJ are strong in midfield but if we win the battle, as we did last week, we will win the game. The boys have been exceptional in recent weeks, and if we keep up the hard work and intensity in our play we will meet the expectation that we should be winning this game."
The score stands at one all between PSJ and the Bears this season. As Harpin mentioned, the Bears won 3-0 a couple of weeks ago, while Elio Elia’s men triumphed 2-0 in the autumn.
Anything can happen in a one-off cup game, but the momentum is with the Bears and it’s for this reason and this reason alone I’m tipping them to come out on top.
JC team news: The Bears have a couple of injury doubts, but are not naming names! They do have Sam Morris available this week.
Venue – Brunel Uni
JC star man: Ashley Davidson (Bears)
DC Prediction: PSJ 1 Bears 3
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PETER MORRISON TROPHY SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Hertswood Vale vs HMH
Borussia Barnet vs Manchester Maccabi 1st
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STAR MAN: Ben Kohler (MLFC Blue)
MANAGER: Max Kyte & Laurence Judah (MLFC Blue)
GOAL OF THE WEEK: Ben Kohler (MLFC Blue)
SAVE OF THE WEEK: Ben Pollins & Ben Levene (Brook Farm Rovers)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Adam Speck (Temple Fortune)
