Sunday Preview - Week 38
The 2008/09 season comes to an end on Sunday evening as Hendon A and NWN A do battle in the Cyril Anekstein Cup Final...
**ALL FOOTBALL VIDEOS CAN BE ACCESSED FROM HERE**----------------------------------------------------
**ALL FOOTBALL PHOTOGALLERIES CAN BE ACCESSED FROM HERE**
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**VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FROM HENDON A 3 MONTANA BOCA A 1:
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LAST SUNDAY'S PHOTOGALLERY
HENDON A 3 MONTANA BOCA A 1
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CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP FINAL:
HENDON UNITED A VS NORTH WEST NEASDEN A
Revenge is in the air for Hendon, Neasden are looking to complete their next step of the treble - and although awaiting confirmation of the title triumph, have all but got their hands on that too.
The sides of course met in the final of the Peter Morrison Cup a couple of weeks ago, a game which saw Neasden run out 1-0 winners, one though which Hammers player-manager Benjy Wreschner said was a fair one.
Speaking about the game, he said: "It was a really tight game with neither team dominating. However, we didn't create enough chances so can't really complain that we lost by the only goal in the game.
"The game itself was poor to watch and this was because the two sets of players have enormous respect for each other, and neither team was prepared to gamble and throw lots of players forward. I thought there would be a bit more quality on display, but the size of the Wingate pitch and the fact that neither team is used to playing on it probably contributed to the lack of short passing.".
With this game being contested at Hadley as opposed to Wingate, this will hopefully ensure a better quality of play.
Looking to right the wrongs from that game, Wreschner obviously therefore sees this as the perfect opportunity to do so: "I told my players that they gave everything and I couldn't have asked for any more from them [after the Morrison final]. There's no need to get too down as we have a chance to put things right in the Anekstein."
Hendon warmed up for this game last week when they beat Montana A 3-1, to move a step closer to securing join-third spot in the league. The league though for them was out of the equation for a long time and as Wreschner states, their eyes have been firmly on the cups for quite a while now, and they've been preparing for this well in advance.
He said: "I rested Ari Last and Greg Corin as they needed a rest but for the rest of the squad, it was a good workout with this game in mind. It was great to see Ilan Scorah get 90 minutes from the game, and he now gives me another option for the game.
"I'm not too worried about our final league position and once it was clear that we couldn't win it, we've used some of the league games to try our different formations. We have focused on the cup competitions, so now we have to win this to make it worthwhile. We'll go into the game as underdogs, but we'll give it our best shot."
As for Neasden, joint-manager Daniel Fox has said this will be 'their biggest test of the season' - stepping up the psychological warfare or genuine concern?
What he has said about the tie was: "We're looking forward to playing Hendon which will no doubt be our toughest test of the season, especially when you bear in mind they beat a very strong Lions side which was bolstered by members of their Saturday team."
Hoping his team do the talking on the pitch, and reflecting back on the Morrison final, he said: "I wouldn't say we dominated the game but I think if any team looked dangerous or looked like trying to get the ball down and play football is was us. There weren't many chances in the game but we did have the better ones. As they say if you win without playing well that is the sign of a great team, that is exactly what we are and I think the end result was the right one."
Talking about Hendon, he said: "It is always a difficult game when you play them, and a lot of the time we cancel each other out. Last time we knew the ball would be in the air and they would play their long ball game, we had to match them physically I think we coped with this pretty well."
Two of the best teams in the division, one hopes they don't cancel each other out and unlike the Peter Morrison fina, this one proves to be more than a damp squib.
Neasden wil go into the game as slight favourites, of that there is no doubt. For Hendon the challenge is not only to deny them their treble, but also enact revenge for the other Cup Final loss.
A change of tactic could be the answer for them, and they've certainly had enough time to practice it. That thouh=gh may not be enough. Expect another close tussle, hopefully with more to saviour, but once again Neasden just edging it by the odd goal.
TJ PREDICTION:
HENDON UNITED A 1 NORTH WEST NEASDEN A 2
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