Sunday Preview - Week 30
Neasden A could win the premier division this weekend if they beat Hendon A, while Montana B and Holy Mount Zion do battle for division three survival.
**Remember to send in goalscorers, match reports and team-of-the-week nominations to andrews@thejngroup.com----------------------------------------------------
LAST SUNDAY’S PHOTOGALLERIES:
CHIGWELL B VS HENDON A
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ZIG ZAG VS NL RAIDERS B
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PREMIER DIVISION:
UPDATED PREMIER DIVISION TABLE
London Maccabi Lions A VS Bafana Bafana
While all eyes will be focused on Neasden vs Hendon, the Lions will just be hoping the result will fall in their favour and they do the necessary by claiming the three points against a Bafana side knowing one more win which will give them three points will all but guarantee their top flight status.
While the Lions still have hopes for the league, realistically they know glory in the Cyril Anekstein cup is there only real chance of silverware. There’s no doubt that the Lions haven’t been their normal effervescent selves this season, be that due to injuries or just lack of form. Losing is still a rarity for them but the fact they’ve drawn half of their other games suggests why they are lacking somewhat off the pace.
One of those aforementioned draws was one of the games of the season which saw the sides play out a 5-5 thriller. The Lions management weren’t happy with that performance and coming so early on in the season, kind of put them on the back foot even at that early stage.
Having seemingly got a foothold in their battle to avoid the drop, Bafana were dragged right back into it last time out as they were handed a 7-1 thrashing by Lions B; their heaviest defeat of the season and one which they hope will not see them spiral into relegation waters.
On paper at least, if the B’s can inflict that kind of damage on them, imagine what the A’s on their day can do. The Rowley Lane side will definitely be up for it and looking to make amends for those dropped points earlier in the season will surely go and pick up the points here.
TJ PREDICTION:
London Maccabi Lions A3 Bafana Bafana 0
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North London Raiders A VS Faithfold A
A true six-pointer here as second-from-bottom host third-from-bottom.
Faithfold’s situation is slightly less arduous as they have a two-point advantage, and more importantly two games in hand. With only their safety to now play for, you’d feel Jonathan Kessel’s side, focusing on the task of hand, and with the players at his disposal should come good in the end.
Statistically speaking, the Raiders would be favourites to join Oakwood in division one next season, though their last game, a 3-0 win over Oakwood was a victory which gave them a shot in the arm in terms of their chances in beating the drop, and if Steven Silver can repeat his heroics in the run-in from that match when he scored twice, then the Raiders could yet escape from the predicament that they find themselves in.
This game is crucial as it’s the first of two meetings the sides will have before the end of the season. A psychological boost that the three points would bring here could then go a long way to wining ht ere match and before you know it, that’s six points on the board.
Faithfold spendign life at the foot of the table at this time of the season is unthinkable, don’t expect it to last for much longer and a win here would see them go a long way to moving clear from bottom to ease their relegation fears.
TJ PREDICTION:
North London Raiders A 1 Faithfold A 2
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North West Neasden A VS Hendon United A
Game of the day where a win for Neasden would see them crowned champions as a 13-point gap would give them an insurmountable lead for their nearest challengers to face.
In what is obviously their biggest game of the season, Neasden manager Jamie Cole will have a full squad to choose from and with competition for places being as strong as ever. To say they’re going great guns in the league is something of an understatement as just one defeat from 16 games would suggest. Strength in depth in all areas of the pitch, never mind the team fighting for each other, they also have enough individuals who on any given day can produce a moment of magic to settle a game. Up front they have Ryan Sher, who’s aerial presence caused Hendon all matter of problems last time out, while the return of Lee Cash has given them a further boost.
All in all without wishing to jinx them, things are looking pretty sweet for Neasden now. One more push, one more win and everything they’ve been fighting for over the past six months would have come into fruition.
Hendon go into this game on the back of their first defeat in 17 games, a 2-1 cup semi-final defeat to Chigwell B which ended their hopes of securing the treble. Manager Jonathan Kestenbaum was at a loss to describe how they ended up on the losing side there, saying: “We created fifteen good chances, hit the woodwork three times, missed a penalty and probably enjoyed 80% of possession. It was a bewildering result. It does though make us doubly determined to make progress in the two competitions still to play for.”
There is a sense of what goes around comes around as it was Hendon who secured the title on a Wednesday evening last May when they defeated Neasden. A win for Cole’s side and the title is over, a win for Hendon and it would be in their hands to then lose. A draw could ultimately see the title go down to goal difference, that is how crucial this game is. Nerve and bottle, not necessarily flair and skill may be the order of the day here.
Neasden have already shown they have what it takes to beat Hendon, as they did earlier in the season when they came away from Mill Hill with a 4-2 win. There may not be that many goals in it this time around and a scoring draw could be the outcome.
TJ PREDICTION:
North West Neasden A 2 Hendon United A 2
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DIVISION ONE:
UPDATED DIVISION ONE TABLE
Faithfold B VS Camden Park
Anyone of five teams could conceivably take the second relegation spot this season such is the close proximity of the division. This fixture pits two of those sides together, and although Faithfold currently occupy that second-from-bottom spot, games in hand on those above them mean they’re not fretting about their survival hopes quite yet.
They boosted their chances of beating the drop by producing a quite stunning 3-1 win over leaders Glenthorne in their last game, a win which will surely have them believing that they can rack up the points against some of the lesser sides of the division.. Midfielder Yoni Raeburn is the star turn for them, when he performs they invariably do and if he’s on fire on Sunday, the points will surely be winging their way towards them.
Camden currently sit in sixth spot though are far from being in the clear. Justin Rockberger’s side have only played twice since the start of February, resulting in one win and one draw, and the Graphites manager must be fearful of his side’s chances. In his favour he’ll be hoping to rely on the likes of the tried and trusted in Russell Greenfield and Gideon Barnett. They are faces who have been there and worn the t-shirt so to speak and their experience will be called upon to guide them through this.
The earlier meeting between the two sides resulted in a 1-1 draw, that wouldn’t really suit either side. Faithfold do have momentum behind them, they could just nick it.
TJ PREDICTION:
Faithfold B 2 Camden Park 1
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Glenthorne Utd VS North West Neasden B
It’s a case of take-two as the sides hope to get this game on this week around One of the games of the day as the leaders host fourth-place Neasden, a side who still harbour hopes of premier division football next season.
Glenthorne will be raring to get back on the pitch having suffered that 3-1 defeat against Faitfhold with Thorne’s manager Ian Cohen not a happy man after that. He said: “I am angry with that performance and will be throwing some tea cups around…I promise there will be another Glenthorne team next time out.”
Next time out has been a while in coming around what with two successive postponements due to the weather. Cohen is though promising a different side will turn up this week saying: “Providing the river that was on the pitch last Sunday has gone, we will take our wellies off and put out boots back on and go out to try and grind out a result.”
Neasden have kept themselves in the title shake-up thanks to a 3-2 win over Golders Green a fortnight ago which came courtesy of a Rob Lerner hat-trick. Their performances of late have been inconsistent, winning one week, losing the next. There’s not doubt Cohen would have given his Glenthorne side the proverbial rollicking over the past 21 days, expect them to respond with a narrow victory.
TJ PREDICTION:
Glenthorne Utd 3 North West Neasden B 2
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Golders Green VS Chigwell Athletic B
Having defeated Hendon A in the cup last week, Chigwell will feel nothing is beyond the realms of possibility, particularly a visit to Yair Spitzer’s side who sit bottom of the table.
Last week’s win which saw them book their place at Wingate for the Cyril Anekstein cup final came on the back of a gritty, battling performance where they refused to give Hendon an inch and coupled with two classy finishes from Greg Bookmna, sealed a famous win.
Manager Russell Green said he had never known a set of players to be so much up for a match before that tie and he’ll be hoping for that same amount of effort this time round, hoping Sunday’s performance won’t be a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show.
A top-two finish seems an unlikely prospect now given the fact that the two sides above them have games in hand and more points on the board, though Green knows his players are now also playing for a cup final place meaning complacency shouldn’t be an issue.
While Chigwell have Wingate to look forward to, Golders are facing up to the prospect of division two football next season. Boasting the third worst defence across the whole six divisions, not even the goalscoring prowess of Assi Avital has been able to rescue them this season, as just two wins from 15 games would suggest. Chigwell were handsome 5-1 winners in the earlier fixture between the two sides, expect more of the same this time around.
TJ PREDICTION:
Golders Green 1 Chigwell Athletic B 3
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Hendon United B VS Southgate Harmen A
Harmen boosted their chances of surviving the drop last week by picking up a valuable three points against Faithfold B.
Captain Jonathan Hirshler led by example last week as he had a hand in both of their goals in a 2-1 win, his free-kick being deflected in for the opener, before he netted the winner 15 minutes from time. The Purples were also boosted by the return of his brother Gilon, who returned to the side for the first time in four months, and slotted into central midfield as if he’d never been away.
If last week’s win was crucial, three points here in what is their penultimate game of the season will go a long way to making them safe, and giving them some much-needed breathing space.
This game is even more delicately poised due to the fact hat both sides are level on 17 points though Marc Lewis’ side, with games on hand on those sides below, will feel confident of beating the drop. One of the highlights for the Hornets was a 6-4 win over Harmen earlier in the season though quite how that game was finished seeing as it was played on a near-ice rink remains one of the mysteries of the season.
Two wins in their last two games – including a 3-1 win over Neasden has seen them pull away from the bottom of the table and they’ll be hopeful of making it a hat-trick of wins. Hendon haven’t played for three weeks, Harmen are buzzing on the back of last win’s win, a draw could be the outcome here.
TJ PREDICTION:
Hendon United B 2 Southgate Harmen A 2
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DIVISION TWO:
UPDATED DIVISION TWO TABLE
FC Heath VS Scrabble
Scrabble’s plight of late has been well chronicled, with some poor performances of late. However, even when they do play well as was highlighted in their last match, they still end up on the losing side as they did against Heath a coupe of weeks ago. Speaking about that 5-4 loss, manager Jeremy Derman said: “I don’t know how we lost that game when we dominated in terms of territory and chances, it could have ended up 8-5 to us.”
Therefore looking to make amends for that defeat on Sunday, Derman will be hoping his side can begin to show some kind of that early season solidarity at the back which served them so well. Heath’s last outing was also that 5-4 win and it a moved them a significant step away from the bottom two. One points from their final five games will guarantee them safety, though they may have to wait at least another week to achieve that.
TJ PREDICTION:
FC Heath 1 Scrabble 2
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Oakwood EDRS B VS Brixton Old Boys
Just 180 minutes away from securing the title, assuming closest challengers Manx A win their remaining three games, two wins would definitely see Oakwood home while four points from their remaining two games could see them win it on goal difference.
Not wishing to let it go down to that, the O’s will be looking to complete the league double over a Brixton side who have been one of the surprises of the season, and who are homing in on a top-three finish, not something that many predicted at the start of the season.
They further reinforced those hopes last week when a Paul Allen double double helped them on their way to a 3-1 win over Redbridge B, and they also gave the leaders a stern test earlier in the season though the leaders eventually prevailed 3-1.
However, while Brixton are definitely a side who will be no pushovers, Oakwood are on a mission. With the title in their grasp, they’re not going to be in the mood to start dropping points now and give the Manx encouragement.
It may not be pretty for the home side, and if necessary they’ll grind out a result which will see them claim the three points.
TJ PREDICTION:
Oakwood EDRS B 2 Brixton Old Boys 0
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Southgate Harmen B VS South Manx A
Mickey Collins’ Manx are hot on the trail of Oawkood and know they just have to keep on ploughing away, winning their games and hoping that Oakwood somehow slip up.
The fact that their opponents this week may have more than half an eye on the upcoming Minor Cup final may also play into their favour, that couple with the more obvious fact and stat that on the whole, Harmen have struggled this season.
It’s been anything but a struggle for the Manx overall this season as 12 wins from 15 games would suggest with their attacking flair seeing them home more often than not. The fact that Harmen aren’t exactly watertight at the back may be music to the ears of the likes of the Kent brothers and you can’t see much further than Manx keeping the pressure up on Oakwood.
The Manx only just edged the earlier meeting between the two sides – coming away with a 3-2 win, expect it though to be more comprehensive this time around/
TJ PREDICTION:
Southgate Harmen B 1 South Manx A 3
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DIVISION THREE:
UPDATED DIVISION THREE TABLE
London Maccabi Lions C VS Life FC
The Lions will end their season this weekend by looking for a win that will see them end the day in third place and the possibility that that entails of winning promotion.
The Raiders have by far and away been the best team in the division this season, with Neasden not far behind them. However, Lions manager Laurence Swerner will feel his side have been there or thereabouts in third spot and deserving of a top-three position.
However, while the Lions are looking at the top end of the table, Life have been rooted to the bottom for the duration of the season. For whatever reason, it just hasn’t worked out for them this season meaning they’ll probably just want to get through their last two league games as quickly as possible.
The Lions though have more positive aims and on the back of a 4-2 win earlier in the season, where Swerner played a starring role, will be confident of more of the same on Sunday.
TJ PREDICTION:
London Maccabi Lions C 3 Life FC 0
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Montana Boca B VS Holy Mount Zion
Here is a real relegation six-pointer where a win for either will give them a huge psychological boost in their bid to beat the drop.
Rob Lerner’s Zionists currently hold a one-point advantage though has been nothing much to separate the sides in terms of their overall stats for the season.
Montana had all but given up the ghost of escaping the drop earlier in the season though some improved displays coupled with Zion’s form going the other way sets this match up perfectly as bineg one of the games of the day.
Although the visitors have games in hand, they’ve only played one league game in 2008 and that resulted in a defeat so they haven’t exactly got league form to draw on. Montana can at least point to a win over Life back in mid-February which can give them the confidence to achieve a few more wins.
These two sides are yet to meet each other in the league meaning the six points that are on offer here from both games could make or break it for one of these sides.
Both sides will feel they’re capable of winning both games, neither want a draw though that is what they may have to settle for.
TJ PREDICTION:
Montana Boca B 1 Holy Mount Zion 1
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DIVISION FOUR:
UPDATED DIVISION FOUR TABLE
Kenton Maccabi VS FC Team A
You’d have to fancy FC Team putting one hand on the title this weekend as a win over the bottom side would put them within two points of becoming champions – that’s assuming Cricklewood were to win their remaining four games.
Team’s charge up the table has been relentless of late, swiping aside their nearest challengers in the guise of their B team and Chigwell C, and despire Crciklewood’s threat, it would take a very brave man to bet against them now.
Not even a semi-final against Neasden A in the cup will detract them from their job in hand and up against the division’s bottom side, this should be a routine 90 minute affair.
One win from 15 games and a whopping 65 goals conceded shows where their problems lie. Division five football awaits them and they won’t receive any let-up on Sunday. The previous meeting may not have been as comprehensive as one would have thought, with Team coming away with a 3-1 win. Sunday though could prove to be a more comprehensive affair.
TJ PREDICTION:
Kenton Maccabi 0 FC Team A 4
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DIVISION FIVE:
UPDATED DIVISION FIVE TABLE
Hendon Hawks VS FC Marylebone
The Hawks can at least mathematically finish in the top two and while the likelihood of them achieving it remains realistic, Stuart Polak will be demanding his side give it their all in their last 180 minutes of the season.
Marylebone also have something to play for – that being getting out of the bottom two though up against a Hawks side with more loftier ambitions, may find it hard to contain them.
Hendon were comfortable winners in the earlier fixture between the two when a Danny Conn double plus strikes from Shim Bensoor and Josh Gaon saw them to a 4-1 win, a game which Polak described as his boys as “performing well” in.
TJ PREDICTION:
Hendon Hawks 3 FC Marylebone 1
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South Manx B VS Team JLGB
Although leading the way at the top, Manx know the pressure is on them to keep on winning as any slip-up is all L’Equipe need to pounce on, to threaten them for top spot.
The Manx, still unbeaten, don’t drop too many points, though they did just that when the sides played out a 2-2 draw earlier in the season. They’ll be hoping that lightning doesn’t strike twice and that JLGB don’t turn out to be some kind of bogey side for them this season
An interesting sub-plot will be the battle between two of the leading scorers in the division – Manx’s Richard Fogelman who is the league’s leading scorer, while Neil Lux also knows where the back of the net is for JLGB.
Manx though have the league title on their horizon, JLGB just playing out the season. Manx won’t suffer another draw here as they’ll move one step closer to landing their hands on the title.
TJ PREDICTION:
South Manx B 3 Team JLGB 1
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