By, Danny Caro
2 min read
ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
UJIA manager Darren Rolfe has challenged his big guns to cut Faithfold C down to size when the teams meet in the JC Barry Goldstein Cup final.
Faithfold go into Sunday’s final at Wingate & Finchley with a psychological edge having beaten Division Three rivals UJIA twice this season.
But Rolfe, who has spent much of the season in goal, believes that his experieced campaigners can stop Faithfold becoming the first club to retain the trophy.
He said: “Sunday is UJIA’s first ever final. This is a real achievement for the club and we will enjoy the occasion.
"We are looking for more silver wear to add to the Division Four title last year."
UJIA have named a 16-man squad for the clash with ex-Brixton players Jeremy Leigh and Ben Sokel key to manager their plans.
"Some of our lads including myself have not played at Wingate and we can't wait to grace the turf.
"We are fully aware of Faithfold’s strengths in Simons, Josh Sugarbread and Blain.
"We have a game plan set out and hope to give the supporters a fine footballing spectacle.”
Dan Roth will look to maintain his record of scoring in every round with the front pairing of Ben Nassim and Assi Avital set to ask questions of the Faithfold backline.
Gary Chajet scored a late winner in the nine-goal thriller against North London Raiders C at the last four stage and now the manager is hoping that his 6ft 4” front man can get at the Faithfold defence.
Rolfe said: “We weren't at our strongest in our league encounters with Faithfold this season. However, we have had a turn-around and go into the game unbeaten in seven having scored 27 goals in six games."
After a two-year absence due to bad weather and fixture congestion, the competition for teams in the bottom two divisions of the Maccabi League has proved as popular as ever.
Now player-manager manager David Garson, who lifted the trophy in 2008, is confident that an experienced line-up including Matt Kleinman, Jonny Blain, Adam Leveson and Ben Simons, the team’s matchwinner in the semi-final against Temple Fortune can do the business again at Wingate & Finchley.
Garson is the longest-serving manager of any MSFL club and he is looking to keep the trophy locked firmly in his cabinet. He said that Sunday’s 4-2 victory over promotion rivals Redbridge Jewish Care C was “the perfect platform” for the big game.
Faithfold: Dave Grabiner, Charlie Resnick, Adam Leveson, Ricky Stoltzman, Josh Franklin, Steven Moss, Ben Portnoi, Matty Kleinman, Gary Dymant, Nic Viola, Steve Benson, Josh Sugarbread, Rob Phillips, Ben Simons, Jonny Blain, Simon Beresford, David Garson (player-manager)
UJIA: Darren Rolfe (player-manager), Simon Sokel (coach), Ben Angel, Elliot Norman, Ben Radstone, Gavin Sherman, Matt Radstone (capt), Bradley Cohen, Ben Sokel, Dan Roth, Nick Russell, Paul Shamplina, Alex Seligman, Gavin Rhodes, Jack Selt, Jeremy Leigh, Adam Rosenfeld, John Cohen, Oliver Henry, Gary Chajet, Assi Avital, Ben Nassim, Jake Green, Tony Plaskow
Venue – Wingate & Finchley, Ref – R. Benardout, Kick-off: 2.30pm
JC star man: Matty Kleinman (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Faithfold C 3 UJIA 1