There's a full league programme scheduled this weekend, with Premier Division leaders Hendon United Sports, Division One table-toppers North London Raiders and Division Two front-runners FC Team all in action.
February 20, 2020 09:45
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YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
(Matches kick-off at 10am unless stated)
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), 10 - Oscar Wagner (HMH)
CAMDEN PARK vs OAKWOOD
Having eased into the last four of the divisional cup, it’s back to the bread and butter of the league for Oakwood.
Josh Cuby was at his irresistible best in the 5-1 destruction of Camden Park last weekend – and the mighty Oaks will be looking to beat Stirling Kay’s men for the fourth time on Sunday at the Cliff.
Daniel Seligman has scored in all three meetings with Camden so far, with the other games having finished 2-1 and 1-0 in favour of Oakwood.
The season has been a tough, old slog for Camden thus far. Positives have been few and far between and only an eternal optimist would see them getting anything from this game.
Venue – Aycliffe Road
JC star man: Daniel Seligman
DC Prediction: Camden 0 Oakwood 2
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HMH vs FAIRLOP FC
Cup kings HMH will be looking to return to the top three when they welcome Fairlop to the Hive.
The teams recently shared the points after a four-goal thriller, but I can see home advantage inspiring HMH to victory this time.
HMH have saved their best form for the cup competitions this season. They find themselves in the last four of three cup competitions, and exciting times lie ahead.
Looking ahead to the game, HMH boss Avi Goldberg told JC Sport: "After making the long trip east in Storm Ciara to play Fairlop just two weeks ago, only to drop two points in the last minute of the game, the lads will be under no illusion as to what is required to beat a resurgent Fairlop.
"We may have dominated territory and possession but we missed far too many chances."
Fairlop are in a good moment. Their last three league games have seen them draw with Oakwood, HMH and beat MLFC Blue, but I think they will have their backs to the wall for large part of the game on Sunday.
Brad Gayer revealed on Twitter that he’s joined Buckhurst Hill earlier this week, but Fairlop fans hope their talisman will continue to turn out for the team.
Ahead of the game, Fairlop boss Aaron Dias told JC Sport: “We’ve got a strong squad ready for Sunday. We’re excited to battle it out with HMH once again after our 2-2 draw a fortnight ago.
“We know their weaknesses and know exactly how we’re going to set up on Sunday to win.
“We’re looking forward to securing our second win in the league this season and pushing on for the run-in.”
HMH’s goals-to-chances-created ratio needs to improve games for the big cup games ahead and I’m sure the strikers will look to repay the faith of Goldberg. I expect them to dominate possession, but the final outcome might be closer than many expect.
JC team news: Definitely missing for HMH this weekend will be Sam Monjack and Alex Moss, but gaffer Goldberg was pleased with the way midfield duo Ethan Krell and Eli Wegrzyn managed the game against MLFC last Sunday without them. There's also no Jacob Shapiro and Clark Norton while Tom Prais and Dom Feldman face late fitness tests. Dan Hardoon and Adam Ellis may feature
Venue – The Hive
JC star man: Daniel Hardoon (HMH)
DC Prediction: HMH 2 Fairlop 1
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MLFC BLUE vs HENDON UNITED SPORTS
Come Sunday, it would’ve been almost four weeks since Hendon last played. Their last outing saw them draw 2-2 against Sunday’s opponents, MLFC Blue – for whom Benji Weinberger scored an injury-time equaliser in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
MLFC have played a couple of times since then. With a win over league leaders Faithfold DocMM White followed by a 2-1 defeat in the cup against HMH.
Joint-manager Laurence Judah was happy with the levels MLFC achieved at the Hive last weekend - he believes they are in a good moment - and their supporters will be confident that a repeat performance might be enough to see them take a point or three off last season’s champions.
Ahead to the game, co-boss Max Kyte told JC Sport: “We’re looking forward to another tough game against Hendon. It’s always challenging and a game we love to play in.”
Match sharpness and rhythm are key factors in football – at any level – and if Hendon aren’t at it from the first whistle, MLFC could claim a big scalp.
I'm going to make a bold prediction and tip MLFC to nick it.
Venue – Rowley Lane
JC star man: Aaron Diamond (MLFC)
DC Prediction: MLFC 2 Hendon 1
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DIVISION ONE
LEAGUE TABLE (TOP 3)
1. NL Raiders Pl. 10, W. 8, Pts. 25
2. NL Galaxy Pl. 11, W. 7, Pts. 24
3. Jewdinese Pl. 9, W. 6, Pts. 19
TOP-SCORERS 20 - Zach Cohen (Mill Hill Dons), 16 - Aron Gale (NL Raiders), 15 - James Millet (Hertswood Vale), 14 - Reiss Mogilner (Jewdinese), 12 - Liron Mannie (NL Raiders)
BROOK FARM ROVERS vs SPEC FC
SPEC FC’s next three games are crucial. After playing Rovers, they face Hertswood Vale and Jewdinese so three points on Sunday are vital.
Ricky Lawrence’s boys last won on November 10. Defensive frailties and a lack of concentration have come back to haunt them, so a back-to-basics approach will be needed in Wembley.
Lawrence's kept his expectations realistic ahead of Sunday's game, and he told JC Sport: "It’s been a tough 2020 so far but fingers crossed, on Sunday we can register a win/goal."
Brook Farm have had a tough run of games recently, with defeats against the top two. They produced an excellent performance against Galaxy in their last league outing and should take great confidence from that.
Venue – Capital City
JC star man: Ben Levene (Rovers)
DC Prediction: Rovers 3 SPEC 1
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JEWDINESE vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS
Jewdinese have their foot in the title race door after securing a memorable win over Galaxy last weekend.
They became the first team to beat Luke Lewis’s side with a performance based on defensive resilience and ruthlessness in the final third. And it’s clear they go into this game on a high.
Reiss Mogilner, Brad Dryer and Zac Brin steered them to their best win of the season so far. But on Sunday they have an opportunity to go one better, and beat the leaders.
“My hopes for Sunday are more of the same,” ‘Nese boss Darren Lawrence told JC Sport. “This game is just as big as the game against Galaxy. In terms of the title, a win on Sunday puts us three points behind Raiders with a game in hand. In terms of promotion, it puts the fight for second place firmly in our hands.
“We know the magnitude of this game and I have no doubt that we have the ability to get the three points on Sunday.”
Lawrence went on to say: “Of course, Raiders will not be an easy test at all. A win for them and it would all but confirm the title, so they will be up for it I'm sure.
“Our last two games against Raiders have not gone our way at all, however we have got the better of them in the past and it is vital we do so again on Sunday.”
By the time Sunday comes around, it would have been almost a month since NLR’s last league game. Their fans know they have the measure of the Zebras, but the first 20 minutes will be crucial, especially with key personnel missing.
NLR joint-manager David Isaacs told JC Sport: “It’s been a few weeks now but we are back. We have had some very good battles with Jewdinese in the past and I expect the same this Sunday
“With Jewdinese big result last week, we now know that the title race has been hit wide open. However, it is still in our hands and if we can win on Sunday we know we will be step closer to being league champions.”
Having beaten Galaxy and beaten them well, it’s clear Jewdinese know how to execute a game-plan whoever they are playing. Consistency of performance is now key going forwards as they look to register another statement win.
JC team news: Barney Rhodes and Arron Goldberg come back into contention for ‘Nese.
Bradley Lander has passed a fitness test and will be available against former club. However, Raiders will be missing Aron Gale and Yarden Sharon available.
Venue – Great Strand
JC star man: Ben Halmer (Nese)
DC Prediction: Nese 1 NLR 1
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REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE vs NORTH LONDON GALAXY
Bouncebackability is the name of the game for Galaxy, and it’s not often you’ve heard me say that.
The 3-0 defeat to Jewdinese came as a shock to the system. It just goes to show that Luke Lewis’s winning machine is human after all.
A trip to Redbridge would’ve seemed an easier proposition a few weeks ago, but now, in the height of the storm season, it might not be so straightforward.
If results go their way, Galaxy could finish the weekend top of the pile, assuming they do the business in Essex. Joey Gold (3) was the hero when they thumped RJC 8-0 last month, but their character will be tested to the limit on Sunday.
RJC were just seconds away from victory against the Dons last week, until they had three points snatched away from them by Zach Cohen.
Ben Nathan, Anthony Cope and a wonder strike from Jimmy Castle had put them on course for only their second win, but there were plenty of positives for manager Daniel Jacobs to take from the game.
He’ll quite enjoy the underdogs tag on Sunday against a team pushing for the title. And with Raiders the visitors next weekend, it really is an exciting time to be an RJC fan.
Lewis will ask his players to show what they are all about on Sunday. Can they do in on a cold, dark morning in Essex? Only time will tell ...
Venue –Fairlop
JC star man: Joe Bellman (Galaxy)
DC Prediction: RJC 1 Galaxy 2
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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), 12 - Saul Green (Club De Chigwell), 11 - Richard Salmon (FC Team), Simon Cohen (Temple Fortune), 10 - Connor Perl (FC Team)
FC TEAM vs SCRABBLE
Not the fixture Scrabble want … especially not during half-term!
Although Mitch Young’s men scraped home 2-1 in the recent cup meeting, I expect them to destroy Scrabble with their pace, power and movement second time around.
With Mitch Young, Richard Salmon, Connor Perl and Jonny Haik hungry for goals, Team will be looking to boost their already superior goal difference over Temple Fortune and Borussia Barnet – which would be the equivalent of another point at the business end.
Scrabble have lost three on the spin and they have run dry of goals in recent games. Whoever turns out for them will look to make life as tough as possible for Team, but when all is said and done, I can only see one winner.
Team have won four out of five on their own patch, at an average of four goals a game. These stats alone should strike fear into Scrabble.
Venue – London Academy
JC star man: Craig Sandford (Team)
DC Prediction: Team 5 Scrabble 0
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FAITHFOLD DOCMM GREEN vs PARIS SAINT-JEWMAIN
Faithfold have five games in hand on PSJ and victory on Sunday would take them above Sunday’s opponents.
And with no A-team game for the club, you can expect an Avi Garson or Akiva Solomon to help their cause as they look to complete a league double.
Both teams have blown hot and cold this season, but PSJ have a nice, little break after this game so I expect them to go in all guns blazing as they go in search of their seventh league win.
I'm predicting a game of goals, and a narrow Faithfold win.
Venue – Tempsford Green
JC star man: Moshe Fehler (Faithfold)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 3 PSJ 2
More to follow ...
ALSO SEE:
DANNY CARO'S MATCHDAY 22 AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Harry Graham (Hertswood Vale)
MANAGER OF THE WEEK: Darren Lawrence (Jewdinese)
GOAL OF THE WEEK: Jimmy Castle (Redbridge Jewish Care)
SAVE OF THE WEEK: Zack Nathan (North London Galaxy)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Darren Lawrence (Jewdinese)