HMH will be looking to keep the pressure up on leaders Hendon United Sports when they take on Oakwood A and there's also the small matter of the final pre-merger Rowley Lane derby between Lions and Brady Maccabi, while Jewdinese and North London Raiders battle it out for a place in the final of the Barry Goldstein Trophy.
April 4, 2019 08:53
YOUR WEEKEND PREVIEW STARTS HERE:
(Matches KO at 10am unless stated)
MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
TOP 3
1. Hendon Utd Pl. 14, W. 10, Pts. 32
2. HMH Pl. 14, W. 8, Pts. 28
3. Oakwood A Pl. 15, W. 9, Pts. 28
TOP-SCORERS 17 - Reiss Mogilner (ML Lions), 14 - Josh Bharier (Oakwood A - includes 2 for B team)
FAITHFOLD DOC MM A vs LOS CAMDEN A
Faithfold manager Avi Markiewicz cut a proud figure after his team restricted leaders Hendon United to 1-0 win last weekend.
Full-backs Gideon Caller and Richard Hayim were praised for disciplined performances as they kept the likes of Moses Seitler, Dovi Fehler, Gav Noe and Zack Lewis at arm’s length in the main.
A repeat performance will be needed against a Los Camden team who also went down by the odd goal against Hendon last time out.
Like Markiewicz, Camden boss Stirling Kay has done a terrific job this season. Camden have proved time and again they can mix it with the big gunS.
Ahead of kick-off, Camden's Gav Krieger told JC Sport: "We know Faithfold are always up for it regardless of the context of the game.
"They showed rugged determination in a performance they took a lot of positives from last week, so we will have to be at our best to beat them."
If they have their big-hitters available and take their chances, I can see them coming away with maximum points.
JC team news: Camden will give a late fitness test to Sacha Nusenbaum, who is coming back from a hamstring injury. Dean Rosenthal remains sidelined with an ankle knock, while Charles Braunstein is away.
Venue – Capital City, Ref – Richard Jaye
JC star man: Joseph Levi (Camden)
DC Prediction: Faithfold 1 Camden 2
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HMH vs OAKWOOD A
Match of the day features the teams lying second and third respectively in the MGBSFL, as HMH host Oakwood.
I witnessed a great spectacle in the cup recently, when HMH staged an heroic comeback from two goals down to hold their nerve to win on penalties, and another epic contest is on the cards between two multi-talented teams.
Oakwood will go to the Hive with revenge on their minds, according to joint-manager Dan Kristall. A 3-2 win over Lions at Rowley Lane was the perfect preparation for team finalising their plans for the Cyril Anekstein Cup final on Sunday week.
He told JC Sport: “This will be our fourth meeting with HMH this season and for me, we have been really unlucky in at least two games.
“We have been on the wrong end of some poor decisions and I feel that only in the first meeting between both teams, did our hosts deserve to win.”
Kristall predicts big things for Avi Goldberg’s boys, and said: “HMH are a very good side and for me, they will only get better in future years. They are well-organised and have quality all over the park. They should go on to win the Morrison this season and whilst the league may be gone for both teams this year, they have a bright future.
“As for us, we are hoping to finally pick up a victory against HMH on Sunday and go into the game on a good little run, although the game is more about preparation for Wingate, so we will use the squad accordingly.”
You’ve read plenty on these pages about the HMH success story this season. Avi Goldberg is a contender for Manager of the Season, but he’d much rather focus on his young squad who have been like a breath of fresh air.
Their fortunes have nothing to do with chance or luck. Goldberg plans every detail in meticulous fashion. He leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit of glory, and there is a great vibe across the team, for whom winning has become a habit.
From goalkeeper Jake Doffman through to top-scorer Oscar Wagner, they have demonstrated a huge appetite for playing the game the right way, with a smile on their face. And, as we have seen time and again, they never know when they are beaten.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Goldberg told JC Sport: "It's a huge game for both teams as Oakwood prepare for their final against Hendon, whilst HMH can go top with a win as Hendon don’t play.
"We have been in very good form, having not lost since early January and having beaten Lions twice and Oakwood in our last three outings. We know Oakwood have quality all over the pitch and together with Hendon represent the pinnacle of MGBSFL.
"We feel we have more than matched them both this season but we will not be resting on any laurels. Our hopes of a league and cup double rest on winning our remaining games and hoping Hendon slip up in the league and winning a cup final.
"We are ready to do our part. We trained well in the week and the squad know they are also playing for their Peter Morrison Trophy final places, so the lads will be up for it. It’s sure to be one hell of a game again.
There's more at stake for HMH on Sunday, but you can bet your bottom dollar Oakwood won't go through the motions, even with a cup final on the horizon.
JC team news: HMH report "no major injury worries". However, Clark Norton and Gabes Arenson join an ever-lengthening list of absentees.
Luke Brookner and Tom Cantor are doubts for Oakwood.
Venue – The Hive, Ref – Phil Peters
JC star man: Kyle Bentwood (Oakwood)
DC Prediction: HMH 1 Oakwood 1
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MACCABI LONDON LIONS vs BRADY MACCABI
“Getting a team out” is proving problematic for the Lions, according to joint-manager Max Kyte, ahead of last-ever Lions/Brady MGBSFL match before the clubs officially merge. What the future holds for these two teams, only time will tell.
Lions have beaten Brady twice already this season. A nail-biting 4-3 win was followed by an easier 3-0 romp, so don’t be fooled by Kyte’s ‘mind games’. I’m sure Lions will send out a strong XI with options on the bench.
Brady boss Joel Nathan recently returned from a trip to Budapest but he had no joy in unearthing the next Jewish Ferenc Puskas, so he’ll have to make do with Ben Kohler for a little while longer!
Both teams have little more than pride to play for, although given recent developments, victory for either camp could feel a little sweeter. But don’t expect Reiss Mogilner to celebrate if he scores against his former club.
Venue – Rowley Lane, Ref – Andy Myerson
JC star man: Reiss Mogilner (Brady)
DC Prediction: Lions 2 Brady 1
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BARRY GOLDSTEIN TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
JEWDINESE vs NORTH LONDON RAIDERS
Winning is all that matters to both Jewdinese and Raiders this Sunday, with the Division One rivals ready to do battle with a place in the final up for grabs.
Aviel Schwarz made the scoresheet in the last round for Raiders and I expect the 'Peter Pan of Jewish football' to feature again as L’Orange look to beat the Zebras for the first time this season.
And with Aron Gale and Scott Waissel looking to feed off Schwarz’s precision deliveries from set-pieces and open play, the ‘Nese defence will need to be on its guard.
“It’s the big one,” NLR’s David Isaacs told JC Sport. “We’ve had two very difficult games against Jewdinese this season and we know this isn’t going to be easy.
“However, we believe we know their weaknesses and we hope we will be able to exploit them Sunday and reach the final of the BGT.”
Adam Gold has been one of the star for ‘Nese this season. A contender for Division One Player of the Season, the centre-half has earned rave reviews and when he has a good game, ‘Nese win. Grant Reingold is another consistent performer, who can play anywhere across the back.
Darren Lawrence’s boys warmed up for the tie with a 4-2 win over Oakwood B, with Scott Oldstein scoring twice. The former Redbridge Jewish Care man looked sharp in a game where Brad Lander and Sim Cohen.
‘Nese also possess some other dangerous weapons in attack, with Ben Berrick, Zac Brin and Arron Goldberg looking to grab the headlines.
Ahead of kick-off, ‘Nese boss Darren Lawrence told JC Sport: “We have been looking forward to this game since the draw was made. It’s our first-ever semi-final and we can’t wait for Sunday to come.
“We know that Raiders have quality; in both our games them, they pushed us to the limit and in the game we won they were arguably the better team.
“The boys know that Sunday will be a very tough test against a team who will want it just as much as we do and we will have to be at our best to win.
“However, I am confident that if we stay disciplined and stay together, we are capable of booking our place in the final.”
The head to head between ‘Nese’s Billy Lee and Schwarz will be worth the admission fee alone and it’s impossible to call a winner.
JC team news: ‘Nese are sweating on the fitness of Brandon Sassoon. Lawrence added: “He will be a massive boost to us if he is fit. Apart from that, we have a fully fit squad.”
Raiders will be missing Josh Nagli this week, but they welcome back Ashley Diamond and Tal Cohen to the squad after sending them on a training camp in New York in preparation for Sunday’s semi-final.
Venue – Ark Academy, Ref – Martin De La Fuente
JC star man: Tony Plaksow (Raiders)
DC Prediction: Jewdinese 1 Raiders 1 (NLR to win on penalties)
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DIVISION ONE
LEAGUE TABLE
TOP 4
1. Redbridge JC A Pl. 16, W. 12, Pts. 40 (CHAMPIONS)
2. Fairlop FC Pl. 16, W. 11, Pts. 38 (PROMOTED)
3. Jewdinese Pl. 14, W. 8, Pts. 29
4. NL Galaxy Pl. 15, W. 9, Pts. 29
TOP-SCORERS 18 - Nate Kashket (Redbridge JC A), 14 - James Jaconelli (Fairlop FC)
No matches scheduled
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DIVISION TWO
TOP 3
1. Hertswood Vale Pl. 18, W. 13, Pts. 40 (Promoted)
2. SPEC FC Pl. 17, W. 10, Pts. 32
3. Redbridge JC B Pl. 14, W. 9, Pts. 28
TOP-SCORERS 22 - Richard Salmon (FC Team), 19 - James Millet (Hertswood Vale), Zack Neiman (SPEC FC)
MILL HILL DONS vs FC TEAM
Richard Salmon will be looking to boost his Golden Boot dreams when FC Team visit double-chasing Mill Hill Dons.
The imposing forward has been the main man in Team’s menacing front three, with Mitch Young and Connor Perl also reaching double figures this season.
But it’s at the back they have been found wanting at times, as they have lost seven games, including a 4-1 loss at home to the Dons at the start of the season, and the good work of the front three is often undone by individual errors at the back.
Young is looking forward to representing Team Maccabi GB Masters in Futsal at the European Maccabi Games in Budapest, and he hopes to shake off a bruised toe in a bid to finish the season in style.
Manager of the Week Brandon Hamme is riding on the crest of a wave after guiding the Dons into two cup semi-finals. He’ll be targeting a top-five finish for a side finally fulfilling its potential.
The Dons are in a great place at the minute, with players chipping in with goals and inspirational performances from all over the park.
There are striking similarities between Salmon and Dons top-scorer Zach Cohen and Sunday could be a case of he who dares wins.
Venue – Goffs Academy, Ref – Bob Caplin
JC star man: Ethan Gold (Dons)
DC Prediction: Dons 3 Team 2
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SPEC FC vs FAITHFOLD DOC MM C
SPEC FC are hanging on in second place, but the chances are that Redbridge Jewish Care B will leapfrog them soon. So securing maximum points from their final game of the season are essential.
It’s unclear what the future holds for some of the SPEC players, although it wouldn’t surprise me if Jeff Gotch makes one final big move having got himself into great shape. He’s about the only person I know who can’t wait for pre-season and I've heard rumours he is considering releasing a fitness DVD in time for Passover!
Indeed Gotch is a much-travelled player in more ways than one, and with him at one end and top-scorer Zac Neiman at the other, Faithfold are advised to keep defending set-pieces to a minimum.
Ahead of kick-off, player-manager Ricky Lawrence told JC Sport: "Sunday is our last game of what has been a good season overall, albeit resulting in us coming up a little short in where we would have liked to have been.
“It's been great getting SPEC together again and we're hopeful of getting the band back together for another season next year.
“We played Faithfold at the beginning of the year and were awarded the points after they fielded a number of ineligible players. Hopefully they'll play by the rules this time around and we're able to secure three points in the more traditional way."
That said, Faithfold registered their biggest win of the season last weekend. Sammy Garson was the hat-trick hero in the 7-1 demolition of Temple Fortune. Jack Goldsmith chipped in with a couple of his own, though they won’t have things all their own way here.
Venue – Queens School, Ref – Stuart Ansher
JC star man: Jeff Gotch (SPEC)
DC Prediction: SPEC 4 Faithfold 2
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PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Toby Levy (Oakwood A)
MANAGER OF THE WEEK: Brandon Hamme (Mill Hill Dons)
GOAL OF THE WEEK: Gab Saul (Temple Fortune)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Luke Lewis (North London Galaxy)
REFEREE OF THE WEEK: Keith Goodman (Mill Hill Dons vs Hertswood Vale)