ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
The opening weekend of season 2009/10 of the JC MSFL features some mouth-watering contests. Match of the day comes in the Premier Division where JC Cyril Anekstein Cup holders Hendon United A entertain Faithfold A at Hadley FC.
The Hammers have been busy over the summer with new boss David Garbacz busy with his chequebook as the team looks set to repeat their League Cup final success over North West Neasden A to win the championship.
Faithfold enjoyed an upturn in form last season and manager Zuriel Solomon is confident that new keeper Ben Law will be up to the task of keeping an attack-minded Hendon team at bay. It’ll be interesting to see whether or not the Superhoops have managed to keep hold of the likes of Paul Lenchner, Richard Baum and Danny Piler, players who caught the eye, as well as the sun, as part of the GB Masters Over 35 squad in Israel.
Champions Neasden will be hoping that their clash against Glenthorne United A does not have a sting in the tail.
My first competitive match as a manager sees North London Raiders A take on North West Neasden B in Division One. Last season’s corresponding fixture saw Neasden win the first game before Raiders exacted revenge in part two of a double-header.
Knowing a good start is vital before the break for High Holydays, it’ll be the kind of game where the result rather than the performance will hold the key.
Elsewhere, Southgate Harmen A and Montana Boca United A will be keen to show their title credentials when they take on Camden Park and Red Sea respectively.
The Division Three contest between UJS Norstar A and Catford & Bromley Maccabi should be a real humdinger. The Stars will look to new signings Ben Eliad, Josh Green, Jonny Kay and Joel Stodel to get them off to a winning start.
At 17, Eliad is looking forward to his first season in the Maccabi League.
The addition of Bafana Bafana midfield maestro Kaye tells you everything you need to know about the team’s ambitions but it is former London Maccabi Lions man Sammy Kalms that has been pinpointed as “the one to watch” by manager Phil Peters. Kalms has recovered from a spate of injuries and will be challenging Eli Houri and Green for the club and the league golden boot at the end of the season.
Keep an eye out for Nick ‘Usain’ Hudson on the wing. Peters believes that “he’s the fastest player in Jewish football”.
It’s the clash of the new boys in Division Four where Simon Linden’s Blizzard Storm welcome Jewventus.