By, Danny Caro
6 min read
ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
The curtain has come down on another season, so Danny Caro gives his verdict on how teams in the top-flight performed.
1. FAITHFOLD A
Record: Pl, 18, W. 13, D. 4, L. 1, F. 45, A. 14, Pts. 43
Best league result: 5-2 vs LML
Biggest league win: 7-1 vs Raiders
Worst result: 2-0 vs FC Team
Clean sheet: 6
Games failed to score in: 1
Star men: Dan Howard, Sam Reeves, Daryl Phillips, Dan Perkins
Best signings: Sam Reeves, Mike Pearson
Top-scorer: Daryl Phillips 14
DC Rating: 2012/13 was the year Faithfold took Jewish football by storm. Manager Zuriel Solomon knew it would take something special to dethrone Hendon, and his team didn’t let him down. They were the model of consistency, losing just one in the league and three times in Jewish football. The Superhoops made history by becoming the first Jewish team to win the London FA Sunday Intermediate Cup and they went on to seal a glorious double by recording their first JC MSFL title success since 2004/05. There were no weak links in a Faithfold team that churned out the results in what was a wonderful team effort 10/10
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2. HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A
Record: Pl, 18, W. 11, D. 4, L. 3, F. 50, A. 27, Pts. 37
Best league result: 2-0 vs LML
Biggest league win: 7-0 vs Norstar
Worst result: 3-0 vs FC Team
Clean sheet: 5
Games failed to score in: 3
Star men: Ari Last, Greg Corin, Yoav Kestenbaum
Best signings: Jacob Gold, Alex Nadler
Top-scorer: Avidan Last 10
DC Rating: Repeating their heroics of 12 months ago was always going to be a hard act to follow. The departure of the Bentley brothers plus Ben Lauffer hit them hard, but manager David Garbacz pulled off two real coups in the transfer market by signing hotshot Jacob Gold from Raiders and former Team GB full-back Alex Nadler. Both brought much to the table, with keeper Ari Last, Yoav Kestenbaum and Russell Corin impressing, but they fell short in a couple of games which was ultimately the deciding factor. 8/10
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3. BRADY MACCABI A
Record: Pl, 18, W. 9, D. 5, L. 4, F. 50, A. 34, Pts. 41
Best league result: 4-2 vs Hendon
Biggest league win: 8-0 vs Brixton
Worst result: 4-0 vs LML
Clean sheet: 3
Games failed to score in: 2
Star men: Jordan Nathan, Bradley Sharp, Jonny Ellis, Josh Gordon
Best signings: Bradley Sharp, Marc Lazare
Top-scorer: Jonathan Green 12
DC Rating: Brady were arguably the team of the second half of the season. They went on an incredible run and finished the season as National winners. Managers Josh Rosenfeld and Joel Nathan got the very best out of their talented pool of players and they deserved everything they got. The treble will be in their agenda next season, as they look to win the league title for the first time since 2001. If they can keep the squad together, only a brave man would bet against them. 8/10
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4. LONDON MACCABI LIONS A
Record: Pl, 18, W. 8, D. 2, L. 8, F. 56, A. 47, Pts. 26
Best league result: 4-0 vs Brady
Biggest league win: 10-3 vs Brixton
Worst result: 7-5 vs Brady
Clean sheet: 1
Games failed to score in: 1
Star men: Nick Landesberg, Max Kyte, Bradley Lander
Best signings: Bradley Lander, Benji Weinberger, Jake Doffman
Top-scorer: Lee Cash 18 (including 10 for NWN)
DC Rating: Like Brady, it was a season of two halves for the Lions. With Andy Landesberg taking over from the Newmans in November, there was a marked improvement in results, with the addition of player-coach James Gershfield and some top-notch signings giving them a more than respectable finish in the league. But it was the Anekstein where they really impressed, beating Faithfold and Hendon on the way to Wingate where they staged an impressive comeback to thump holders Redbridge. The smile is back on the faces of Andy Landesberg’s young Lions who will be looking for a top three finish next season. 7/10
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5. REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE A
Record: Pl, 18, W. 7, D. 4, L. 7, F. 32, A. 30, Pts. 24
Best league result: 2-0 vs Hendon
Biggest league win: 5-2 vs Brixton
Worst result: 4-0 vs Faithfold
Clean sheet: 4
Games failed to score in: 1
Star men: Adam Stolerman
Best signing: They had more pulling power in Faces than with new MSFL signings
Top-scorer: Adam Stolerman 17
DC Rating: A season that promised so much but, ultimately, delivered very little. It culminated in another final at Wingate, but it certainly didn’t end the way that manager Eilon Kennet and the RJC barmy army would’ve wanted. League form was inconsistent to say the least, as was available. Strikers Adam Stolerman and Steve Summers performed admirably after the club lost Adam Bolle, but it’s clear they must bring in some quality reinforcements over the summer months to get back where they belong. 6/10
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6. FC TEAM A
Record: Pl, 18, W. 8, D. 3, L. 8, F. 38, A. 42, Pts. 24
Best league result: 3-0 vs Hendon
Biggest league win: 2-0 vs Faithfold
Worst result: 4-2 vs Brixton
Clean sheet: 2
Games failed to score in: 3
Star men: Simon Peterman, Richard Salmon
Best signings: Declan Selbo, Marc Harris
Top-scorer: Richard Salmon 12
DC Rating: Team started the season with high hopes and victories of the champions Faithfold and defending champions Hendon tells you just how dangerous they were on their day. However, consistency proved something of an issue for a side in which Simon Peterman and Richard Salmon were the star performers. The aim at the start of the season was to challenge in all competitions and manager Mitch Young said it could be the “biggest in the club’s history”. 5/10
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7. OAKWOOD A
Record: Pl, 18, W. 5, D. 7, L. 6, F. 35, A. 32, Pts. 22
Best league result: 2-1 vs Brady
Biggest league win: 6-1 vs Brixton
Worst result: 8-1 vs Lions
Clean sheet: 1
Games failed to score in: 4
Star men: Brad Wine, Sam Jacobson, Josh Bentley, David Woolman
Best signings: Josh Bentley
Top-scorer: Brad Wine 14
DC Rating: The Oaks were left snookered by numerous long-term injuries to some of their big-hitters, but it was clear they were never going to be relegated, they had just too much quality and worked too hard to get into the top-flight to let it all go to waste. Managers Ric Blank and Alex Schock made some excellent signings, with Brad Wine the pick of the bunch. With a bit of tinkering we might just see the best of them next season. 5/10
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8. NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A
Record: Pl, 18, W. 5, D. 4, L. 9, F. 33, A. 43, Pts. 19
Best league result: 3-1 vs Brady
Biggest league win: 4-2 vs Lions
Worst result: 7-1 vs Faithfold
Clean sheet: 1
Games failed to score in: 2
Star men: Rik Sherman
Best signing: Josh Morris
Top-scorer: David Dinkin 8
DC Rating: Truth be told, I was expecting a lot more from Raiders this season. They lost against the bottom two and, in the end, avoided relegation reasonably comfortably. Wins over Lions and Brady tells you just what they were capable of, but consistency proved a real issue and it will be interesting to see how things go next season now they have taken the plunge to merge with Norstar. 4/10
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9. BRIXTON OLD BOYS A
Record: Pl, 18, W. 5, D. 0, L. 13, F. 33, A. 72, Pts. 15
Best league result: 3-2 vs Lions
Biggest league win: 6-3 vs Norstar
Worst result: 10-3 vs Lions
Clean sheet: 0
Games failed to score in: 4
Best signing: Adam Arnold
Top-scorer: Adam Arnold
DC Rating: It was something of a rollercoaster for Brixton in season 2012/13. They failed to replace Jamie Kent and the loss of a select bunch of their top talents – including Jake Doffman - to Lions was the final straw. Adam Arnold gave them some late hope but they fell short. 3/10
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10. NORSTAR A
Record: Pl, 18, W. 2, D. 3, L. 13, F. 29, A. 60, Pts. 9
Best league result: 3-2 vs Raiders
Biggest league win: 3-0 vs Brixton
Worst result: 7-0 vs Hendon
Clean sheet: 1
Games failed to score in: 2
Star men: Josh Green
Best signings: Rob Blackman
Top-scorer: Josh Green 11
DC Rating: The Oranges had to wait until December 9 for their first victory in a season where they were few and far between. Promoted last season, it was always going to be a big ask to stay up and a lack of quality and depth in the squad ultimately came back to haunt them. Manager Phil Peters hopes that a merger with Raiders will lead to big and better things and he’s confident the future’s bright, the future’s orange. 2/10
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