There are eight matches scheduled on the opening week of the new MGBSFL season with two mouth-watering contests in store in the Premier Division, while Scrabble FC will be looking to mark their return to the fold with three points against Athletic Bilbaum. Danny Caro looks ahead to all the action.
SEASON'S PREDICTIONS:
DANNY CARO
Premier Division: NL Raiders A
Division One: FC Team B
Division Two: ML Lions B
DAVID WOLFF
Premier Division: Hendon A
Division One: Real Sosobad
Division Two: Scrabble
CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND TWO DRAW
YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A vs FAITHFOLD A
Morrison holders HENDON will be looking to put down their marker on Sunday when they start their campaign against a Faithfold team for whom pre-season was far from smooth.
With defending champions NLR starting next week, David Garbacz’s troops know the importance of three points and it’s important they get any rustiness out of their system.
Yoav Kestenbaum and Dovi Fehler have maintained high fitness levels through the summer and I’m sure gaffer Garbacz will be more concerned about the result rather the performance come Sunday lunchtime. He has injected the squad with youth, with three new faces coming in over the summer.
He told JC Sport: “Sunday is all about getting off to a winning start - we have a number of big players still away for the game and we will not be having a squad bigger than 12 men.
"Faithfold did us last year at a similar stage of the season and we will not know for sure what to expect from them.
"We will be returning to the newly refurbished fortress Hadley after playing all over the place last year. We want to make our home advantage count and a win on Sunday will set down a nice marker.
"It seems like it's been quite a long summer - the boys are a bit rusty but hopefully we will have enough about us to take home the points.”
Faithfold’s new management has been working hard on the recruitment front following the merger with AC Mill Hill. However, as far as the A-team set-up is concerned, things were in disarray following the shock departure of new boss Josh Daniels.
Dan Beresford has been left to pick up the pieces and he has an unenviable task. He couldn’t have asked for a tougher start. "Hendon have been a dominant force over the past five years and it's not going to be easy," he told JC Sport.
Hendon are raring to go on the other hand and I can only see one winner.
JC team news: Hendon have a very “holiday type” squad available. They will be missing Avi Korman, Yoav Kestenbaum and the three summer signings - Zack Lewis, Zack Collins and Sami Zerovabeli - are all away.
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – Martin Lavender
JC STAR MAN: Dovi Fehler (Hendon)
DC PREDICTION: Hendon 3 Faithfold 0
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MACCABI LONDON LIONS A vs OAKWOOD A
Big-spending OAKWOOD go into the Lions den looking to make a real statement of intent in a season where they are looking to push for honours in all three competitions.
With Dan Kristall added to the management team, it’s all systems go and I’m predicting big things from the mighty Oaks. It promises to be a big season for striker David Woolman who is a nightmare to defend against with his high-energy and pressing game.
The pace and trickery of Brad Wine will also keep the Lions defence on their toes, while the no-nonsense approach of captain fantastic Adam Levine will keep the visitors honest.
Sunday also sees Guy Helman make an emotional return to the club he served so well. There is simply no better left foot in the league. He chipped in with some important goals last season and will be looking to hit double figures.
Ahead of kick-off, Kristall told JC Sport: "Most summer signings are involved and raring to go. We are missing a couple of more senior players and with home advantage and with a newly reformed squad, I’d expect Lions to be firm favourites for the game.
"I would also expect them to be challenging for the title this year. We know that we will have to be at the top of our game to take the points."
Lions are keeping their cards close to their chest, with their final training session behind closed doors. But with David Pollock and Johnny Meltzer now in charge, they must be taken seriously.
Meltzer told JC Sport: "Sunday's game is an exciting opener for a new-look Lions team. We are a young squad with some great spirit. We know Oakwood are a great test and in my opinion one of the favourites for this season.
"This opening game will be a real test for us to show what level we are at. Polly and I are really looking forward to seeing how far this team can grow in the coming years."
Much is expected from some of the youngsters including Thomas Prias. Meltzer added: "Hopefully we can grind out some points this season."
That said, if Oakwood bring their A-game, I can see them claiming a famous win.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Neil Cooper
JC STAR MAN: David Woolman (Oakwood)
DC PREDICTION: Lions 0 Oakwood 1
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DIVISION ONE
OAKWOOD B vs LOS BLANCOS
Two ambitious teams go head-to-head on Sunday as the mighty OAKWOOD welcome Blancos.
I’ve been blown away by the tidy receptions I’ve received at the Oaks since Jason Stein took charge and my first visit of the season was arguably the warmest yet.
“Welcome to the Kosher Delights Training Complex, St Albans. Glad you could join me,” Stein told JC Sport.” I put out all these biscuits, but you're the only one here. Help yourself.
“You've joined me at a rare moment of quiet. We've done our business, the welcome tweets have been sent, signed shirts for the fans and the players have received their opposition dossiers.
“It's a beautiful moment isn't it the season opener? So much hope and promise. Anything can happen in this wonderful cocoon of calm ahead of the big kick-off.
“We've prepared well, trained hard and overhauled the squad. We've signed 14 new players and let three go and I've worked my tuchas off to conclude our business.
“So your original question, my hopes for Sunday? How can I have any hope other than a win on opening day? We're playing Los Blancos who I know will be a strong opponent. They're fit, they press, they have a long throw, they're a good team. We're going to play a lot of good teams this year, but let me tell you, we're a good team. The promotion doesn't scare me because there is so much promise in our new side.”
Blancos chairman Joel Minsky will be looking for double reason to celebrate after getting married last week. Jon Ison described pre-season as a frustrating period as they were forced to cancel games due to a shortage of available players, but they are ready to go again.
He told JC Sport: “We now have 15 available this week with a few debutants eager to get their first league action for the Blancos.
“I’m very excited to have signed up the Belchak brothers, Adam and James. Adam will be certain to shore up our backline, whereas James has already shown in pre-season his ability to dazzle and get amongst the goals, so two great additions there. Other signings looking to make their mark this week are Saul Hoyland and Simon Cohen.
“A good blend of the old guard and the new mean we will look to get going from the word go. Previous seasons have seen a very slow start, but we know that if we want to be challenging for a promotion push in a tough league, we need to start with a win, and we plan to push Oakwood all the way this Sunday.”
There has also been talk of a certain Jono Gaon returning to the fold so watch this space!
As for Sunday, I can see home advantage playing a part as the Oaks get off to a flyer.
JC TEAM NEWS: Stein is expecting to hand out at least five competitive debuts. Elsewhere, Jacob Richler Kleiman will begin his goal hunt up top and James Abrams will captain the side from central midfield in Elliot Jackson's absence.
Venue – Nicholas Breakspear, Ref – Neal Cohen
JC STAR MAN: Jacob Richler Kleiman (Oakwood)
DC PREDICTION: Oakwood 2 Blancos 1
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SPEC FC vs LONDON ROVERS
Ricky Lawrence cut a frustrated figure earlier this week, with the memories of the glory nights of Berlin something of a distant memory.
The SPEC FC player-manager had high hopes going into the transfer window but his best-laid plans have been scuppered, and he wasn’t slow in hiding his disappointment.
Lawrence told JC Sport: "Much like Arsenal, we left fans congregated outside the stadium disappointed on Tuesday night as we failed in any last minute big money moves.
“We are however confident going into Sunday's game that we have a squad that will be able to compete this season.
“We will be stretched at the weekend though as we have many still on holiday though Simon and Sam Roth, Ben Myers and Zack Neiman are all set to make their debuts."
Division Three champions London Rovers hand debuts to five players for the trip to SPEC FC.
Manager Jeremy Brown has several key players unavailable but he has confidence in his LONDON ROVERS' new recruits.
"This month marks one year since we were last beaten in the league and we want to keep that run going,” Brown told JC Sport. “It's very important that we start the season with a win as we have some very tough games ahead in this competition.
"We need to show the same commitment and determination that won us the league last season and not settle for just one successful season.
"It's going to be tough this year but we still have some very talented players and we can have another good season if we put in the effort."
SPEC FC didn’t score enough but I think they will do enough on the day to ensure a share of the spoils.
Venue – Hadley FC, Ref – Andy Myerson
JC STAR MAN: Simon Roth (SPEC FC)
DC PREDICTION: SPEC FC 1 Rovers 1
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FAITHFOLD B vs REAL SOSOBAD
Dan Shafron must be relishing the prospect of first division football after just one season in the league.
He’s confident his SOSOBAD squad can handle double promotion in what could be a busy season for captain Scott Shear who for me was one of the top keepers outside of the Premier Division last season.
Consolidation is key for the east Londoners, according to Shafron, anything higher than mid-table will be a bonus in my opinion in a division where the manager believes most teams are equally matched.
He told JC Sport: "We have prepared well over pre-season and are ready for our opener against Faithfold this weekend.
"They are a good side but if we want maximum points, we have to give nothing less than 100% from the first minute."
Faithfold’s struggled have already been well-documented here, but their manager won’t allow the players to step foot on the pitch feeling sorry for themselves. They play their football for the love of the game and victory on Sunday would certainly put smiles back on faces.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Darryl Colmans
JC STAR MAN: Scott Shear
DC PREDICTION: Faithfold 1 Sosobad 1
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DIVISION TWO
CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI vs FAITHFOLD C
The CATS have made some really astute additions under new boss Jeff Gotch and I expect them to hit the ground running on Sunday.
Only four players have been retained from last season, with 17 new faces coming in.
A big crowd is expected at Meadow Park on Sunday as the Cats look to strike fear into their rivals.
Gotch told JC Sport: “We have a full squad to choose from bar a couple of players who are injured so things are looking good.
“The recapture of Ashley Stokes was a big coup for us and will complete our squad. Watch out for Danny 'Usain' Yeshua this season as his pace will cause endless problems for our oppositions defence.
“I don't know much about Faithfoldc apart from the fact they always put out a strong side and I am expecting a tough game, but nothing less than three points will make me happy.”
It’s been a pretty tough summer all round for Faithfold who will be taking things one game at a time. Rob Shooman has prioritised “playing good football and winning as many games as possible” but they certainly won’t have things all their own way first up.
Venue – Meadow Park, Ref – Rob Caplin
JC STAR MAN: Ashley Stokes (Catford)
DC PREDICTION: Catford & Bromley 2 Faithfold 1
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SCRABBLE vs ATHLETIC BILBAUM
Ray Abrahams is targeting a fast start as SCRABBLE FC make a welcome return to the league.
Club chairman Adrian Lewis, Zak McLeod and Abrahams have put all their energies into put together a really strong squad since deciding to reform the club and I expect everyone to see the fruits of their labours come May.
“We are looking forward to the start of our league campaign and are looking to hit the ground running with three valuable points,” Abrahams told JC Sport.
“It’s important to make a good start and not be left behind and chasing the pack. It has been a tough call to name our starting line-up as we have a group with depth and options, but included in the squad we have a legend of the club and Maccabi football in Adam Solomons who knows what it's like to win honours at the highest level and who is pushing for a place in the team.
“It will be an interesting division with several teams looking for promotion and we would hope to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.”
Bilbaum are reeling from the departure of Sam and Simon Roth but they will try to pull out all the stops to ruin Scrabble’s party.
But they will do well to find a way past Solomons, one of the finest custodians ever to have donned gloves in the Maccabi League, even if the hammy aren't as loose as they used to be!
Venue – Capital City, Ref – Laurie Benson
JC STAR MAN: Zak McLeod (Scrabble)
DC PREDICTION: Scrabble 2 Bilbaum 0
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HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B vs BOCA JEWNIORS
Adam Glekin is predicting big things from Avi Mocton ahead of HENDON'S season opener against Boca.
On his day, Glekin believes Mocton is up there with the best players in the division and if Benni Sluckis can start the season in good goal-scoring form, promotion is a possibility.
But slowly, slowly will be Glekin’s approach, especially as they have only entered two competitions this season.
The Hendon squad has been reinforced, with Ben Blackston, Josh Richman, David Reuben, Alex Klinger, Ben David and Michael Epstein coming in. Chaim Strom and Adam Jacobs were released over the summer but things are shaping up nicely.
Boca boss Gabriel John is confident his squad is equipped to deliver. Last season their performances weren’t always reflected with the right result so it’s important they make a fast start.
"Boca is a whole new outfit this season," he told JC Sport. "We're in this division to have fun and to take points where we can. There have been a few new additions but I don't want to give too much away.
"It's a big game on Sunday against a good and always competitive Hendon side."
But if Mocton and Sluckis are allowed the time and space to impress, they can pull Boca apart.
Venue – Chase Lodge, Ref – Andy Myerson
JC STAR MAN: Ben Blackston (Hendon)
DC PREDICTION: Hendon 3 Boca 1
