ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
6 min read
ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
The race for the title went down to the wire but no-one could argue that Woodford Wanderers were worthy winners.
CHAMPIONS: - WOODFORD WANDERERS
Record: Pl 20, W. 13, D. 6, L. 1, F. 44, A. 26, Pts. 45
Honours: Champions
Best result: 2-1 vs FC Team
Biggest win: 4-1 vs Brady
Worst result: 4-3 vs Raiders
Clean sheets: 3
Games failed to score in: 0
Best buy: Adam Shafron
Star men: Alex Aviram, Tom Alexander, James Ryan, Harrison Midda
Top-scorer: Harrison Midda
Most-improved: Tom Alexander
WAGS favourite: Mitch Hahn
DC Rating: Deservedly crowned champions after just one defeat in 20. The acquisition of Adam Shafron was a brilliant bit of business to ensure they stayed ahead of the chasing pack. Did enough in front of goal in the absence of Harrison Midda – scoring in every league game - with James Ryan and Tom Alexander playing starring roles, along with chairman Alex Aviram. And once they took top spot, they never looked back. 10/10
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2. SPEC FC
Record: Pl 20, W. 12, D. 2, L. 6, F. 49, A. 35, Pts. 38
Best result: 2-2 vs Woodford
Biggest win: 6-2 vs Los Blancos
Worst result: 1-1 vs Faithfold B
Clean sheets: 3
Games failed to score in: 3
Best buy: Zack Neiman
Star men: Zack Neiman, Ben Myers, Marc Hecht
Top-scorer: Zack Neiman
Most-improved: Every player in the squad stepped up
WAGS favourite: Zack Neiman
DC Rating: One of the success stories of the season, and as boss Ricky Lawrence described, second place was “a truly fantastic achievement”. An excellent run-in, boosted by five victories, kept them out of reach of FC Team, Brady and Oakwood. The second best defensive record in the division served them well. Expect Ricky Lawrence to splash the cash as he beefs up his squad for their first season in the Premier. 8/10
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3 FC TEAM B
Record: Pl 20, W. 11, D. 3, L. 6, F. 85, A. 37, Pts. 36
Best result: 4-0 vs SPEC FC
Biggest win: 11-0 vs Brixton
Worst result: 4-1 vs Redbridge
Clean sheets: 4
Games failed to score in: 0
Best buy: James Korn
Star men: Richard Salmon, Jon Breger
Top-scorer: Richard Salmon 19
WAGS favourites: David Grossman
DC Rating: Two double-digit wins but it wasn’t enough for Mitch Young’s boys who were hampered by injuries and sloppy defending. They scored twice as many as champions Woodford but six defeats meant they fell short of second place. No doubt the gaffer will draft in some reinforcements and they should be there or thereabouts next season. 7/10
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4. BRADY MACCABI
Record: Pl 20, W. 9, D. 7, L. 4, F. 58, A. 42, Pts. 34
Best result: 4-1 vs SPEC
Biggest win: 7-2 vs Redbridge
Worst result: 3-3 vs Faithfold
Clean sheets: 0
Games failed to score in: 2
Star men: Reiss Mogilner
Top-scorer: Reiss Mogilner
WAGS favourite: Sam Monjack
DC Rating: Season can best be described as topsy-turvy and dramatic, bewildering and exciting. Josh Dagul’s squad had some of the best players in the division but after an excellent first-half, they were hit by a bout of consistency. Reiss Mogilner was the star man. He scored match after match and deserved more for his efforts. 6.5/10
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5. OAKWOOD B
Record: Pl 20, W. 9, D. 5, L. 6, F. 46, A. 39, Pts. 32
Best result: 4-3 vs FC Team
Biggest win: 6-3 vs Sosobad
Worst result: 3-0 vs Faithfold
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 4
Best buy: Bobby Abrams
Star men: Dan King, Bobby Abrams, James Abrams
Top-scorer: Jacob Richler Kleiman
Most-improved: Dani Dennison
WAGS favourite: Dan Seligman
DC Rating: A season that promised much, but ultimately ended in disappointment. They started the season with great intent, and with a front pairing that Roy Hodgson would take the France in JRK and Bobby Abrams. But the shock departure of the latter hurt them and, for me, ended their hopes of a top two finish. Gaffer Stein will know which areas to strengthen over the summer, and JC readers will be delighted to hear that the Oaks management have given him a licence to spend big. 7/10 (Mark upgraded after stewards' enquiry as they reached two cup quarter-finals)
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6. REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B
Record: Pl 20, W. 8, D. 4, L. 8, F. 48, A. 48, Pts. 28
Honours: Invitational Trophy winners
Best result: 3-3 vs Woodford
Biggest win: 5-1 vs Los Blancos
Worst result: 7-2 vs Brady
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 0
Best buy: David Fialka
Star men: Scott Shear, Daniel Alderman, David Fialka, Daniel Bean
Top-scorer: David Fialka
Most-improved: Daniel Alderman
WAGS favourite: Ben Chernoff
DC Rating: The team was on an upward curve after Sam Rank took over the reins and they finished the season with great momentum. Victory in the Invitational Trophy final means they go into the summer high in spirit and if they can keep the squad intact they will be the ones to watch next season. 6.5/10
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8.LOS BLANCOS
Record: Pl 20, W. 5, D. 7, L. 8, F. 43, A. 56, Pts. 22
Best result: 2-2 vs Los Blancos
Biggest win: 7-0 vs Brixton
Worst result: 2-0 vs Faithfold
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 2
Best buy: Jono Gaon
Star men: Jono Gaon
Top-scorer: Jono Gaon
WAGS favourite: Benjy Israel
DC Rating: The return of the prodigal son – Jono Gaon – brought with it much hype and expectation but as well as he did, Blancos failed to hit the heights. That said, they managed three 5-5 draws in a season of entertainment. There were concerns – at a mid-season meeting - that they may struggle to continue next season but I sincerely hope they continue as the MGBSFL is all the stronger with them in it. 5/10
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8.REAL SOSOBAD
Record: Pl 20, W. 5, D. 6, L. 9, F. 44, A. 49, Pts. 21
Best result: 2-2 vs Woodford
Biggest win: 6-0 vs Faithfold
Worst result: 9-2 vs FC Team
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 1
Best buy: Fabio Revieccio
Star men: It was a team effort!
Top-scorer: Dan Lassman
Most-improved: Josh Jacobs
WAGS favourites: Fabio Revieccio
DC Rating: Dan Shafron turned into the MGBSFL’s version of The Special One after following up his EMFT appointment by being named the new boss of double winners Raiders A. Consolidation was the name of the game for Sosobad and they achieved their goal without too many scares. Scoring wasn’t a problem but the shock departure of goalkeeper Scott Shear rocked the boat a bit. Their season can best be summed up by drawing with champions Woodford and losing to Brixton. But what the future holds with Shaf, nobody knows. 4/10
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9.NORTH LONDON RAIDERS B
Record: Pl 20, W. 5, D. 5, L. 10, F. 36, A. 53, Pts. 20
Best result: 4-3 vs Woodford
Biggest win: 4-3 vs Woodford
Worst result: 10-1
Clean sheets: 2
Games failed to score in: 2
Best buy: Josh Goldstein
Star men: Adam Posner
Top-scorer: Josh Green
Most-improved: Josh Goldstein
WAGS favourite: Joe Tankel
DC Rating: With everyone available, NLR had the players to challenge for a top two finish. But that was the problem. Availability. Indeed there were times when Jonathan Adelman struggled to cobble an XI together. The 10-1 defeat against FC Team was one example. They took four points out of a possible six against champions Woodford. Enough said. 3/10
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10.BRIXTON OLD BOYS
Record: Pl 20, W. 5, D. 2, L. 13, F. 30, A. 69, Pts. 17
Best result: 3-1 vs SPEC FC
Biggest win: 7-0 vs Faithfold
Worst result: 11-0 vs FC Team
Clean sheets: 1
Games failed to score in: 5
Best buy: Josh Kalinsky
Star men: Dave Lusman
Top-scorer: Daniel Kuber
WAGS favourite: Stefan Benfredj
DC Rating: Did well to avoid the division’s wooden spoon but that was about as good as it good for a team in need of a makeover. The highlight of the season was a win over SPEC, but defensive frailties must be addressed over the summer. 3/10
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11.FAITHFOLD B
Record: Pl 20, W. 4, D. 3, L. 13, F. 26, A. 55, Pts. 15
Best result: 3-0 vs Oakwood
Biggest win: 3-0 vs Oakwood
Worst result: 7-0 vs Brixton
Clean sheets: 3
Games failed to score in: 3
Best buy: Dan Stock
Star men: Dan Stock, Craig Cole, Joe Cohen
Top-scorer: Jamie Kent
Most-improved: Craig Cole
WAGS favourite: Joe Cohen
DC Rating: Truth be told the season was a struggle for Faithfold B. Following the collapse of the B-team they were boosted with a handful of Premier Division players but other than a three-match winning run in mid-March, they left manager Rob Shooman with many more questions than answers. 2/10
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