Sunday Preview - Week 34
The Division One and Four titles are up for grabs on Sunday, while a few relegation issues could also be sorted out as the season draws to a close...
**Remember to send in goalscorers, match reports and team-of-the-week nominations to andrews@thejngroup.com----------------------------------------------------
PETER MORRISON CUP FINAL HIGHLIGHTS:
FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS:
SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS:
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SUNDAY'S PHOTOGALLERIES:
PETER MORRISON CUP FINAL: HENDON A VS NORTH WEST NEASDEN A B
OAKWOOD B VS BRIXTON OLD BOYS
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PREMIER DIVISION:
UPDATED PREMIER DIVISION TABLE
Chigwell Athletic A VS Hendon United A (SCORING D/H)
Last week’s 2-1 defeat in the final of the Peter Morrison means Hendon will end the season empty-handed in terms of silverware, though manager Jonathan Kestenbaum is still extremely proud of his side’s achievements over the duration of the season.
Reflecting back on last week’s defeat, he said: “We were obviously disappointed, particularly as we felt for long periods we were in control. But our intensity dropped for the last twenty minutes and we were punished by a very resilient Neasden team..
“However, I am very, very proud of this Hendon team. They are still young and have achieved so much in the past three seasons. It is a team in the genuine sense of the word – no stars, no players who have played at high levels but a tremendous collective ability. I have no doubt we will come back stronger next year.”
All Hendon have to play for this season is second spot in the table, though they will come under pressure from the Lions to achieve that given that the Rowley Lane side are just three points behind them with a game in hand.
Their opponents this week, Chigwell find themselves just waiting for the end of the season to arrive. One win in four games has seen their season stagnate of late, and although they have occupied a top-four place for the majority of the season, fourth is as high as they are realistically going to get.
Hendon will want to get back to winning ways to prove they can bounce back from last disappointment to firm their push for runner-sup spot, some would argue that’s the least they deserve for their efforts this season – including that fabulous 13-game winning run.
They should have just enough this week to claim maximum points over the Essex men.
TJ PREDICTION:
Chigwell Athletic A VS Hendon United A 1-2/1-3
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Faithfold A VS Oakwood EDRS A
While hovering just above the bottom places in the table, no one would ever have envisaged that they’d be embroiled in a relegation tussle, though that Is exactly the scenario that faces them now following a quite spectacular 5-1 defeat at the hands of Bafana last week.
The fact that they lost two men in the process may hint at signs of frustration with the predicament they find themselves in and they are now potentially four points away from safety with three games to play. Normally, you’d think they’d escape the drop given the talent at their disposal; the likes of Alex Levack, and strikers Daryl Philips and Ben Lewis, however last week’s humbling loss may have shaken all and sundry involved with the Greens, and they could now face something of a battle to hang in there.
Oakwood of course still wish they had the chance to fight for their survival but unfortunately for them, they were consigned to division one football a while ago. Manager Gavin Stollar has though enjoyed major success this season – unfortunately for the O’s it came with his country at last weekend’s European Championships in Madrid, and not with his club.
This game could well be determined by whom has more to play for. While Oakwood have little less than pride to go out on the pitch for, Faithfold have the dangling carrot of consolidation in the top flight. Although last week’s performance was extremely disappointing, expect them to come back with the three points this week as they look for a repeat performance of their 4-1 win from earlier in the season.
TJ PREDICTION:
Faithfold A 3 Oakwood EDRS A 0
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London Maccabi Lions A VS North West Neasden A
Always tasty encounters, Jamie Cole’s Neasden side enter this fixture as double holders and will relish the opportunity of playing the Liosns with their two titles safely in the trophy cabinet.
Cole has spent the best part of the season eulogising about his team saying that the current squad he has are the are the best he’s managed from a footballing point of view.
The manner of last week’s win – coming from a goal down and having to play over an hour with ten men really enforced the spirit and fighting abilities of the side and you’d be hard pressed to find anyone query their doubles success.
Looking ahead to this week’s game, Cole said: “Now we have won the double, our season is effectively over and therefore this game means more to Lions than to us. As they are looking to claim second place from Hendon.
“For us it will be nice to play the game in a relaxed fashion and to rotate the team around a bit. We obviously want to win every game so hopefully we will have recovered from the hangovers from our double celebrations.”
While they may have been slightly off the pace at the top of the table – due in no small part to a lengthy injury list, managers Eilon Kennet and Ben Winston are nonetheless extremely proud of their side’s efforts this season, and they can of course also claim to have produced one of the most complete performances of the season when they defeated Chigwell 6-0 in the final of the Cyril Anekstein Cup.
As Cole points out, the Lions are also battling for second spot with Hendon and know that anything but three points here could potentially be fatal in their chances of claiming runners-up spot.
Neasden’s one defeat this season was against the Lions, when the latter came away with a 2-1 win. This week will see them be without Matt Stock, Sammy Ross and Adam Levine, while Johnny Ellis, Ben Foreman and Daniel Levenfiche most likely dropping out to help out the B’s.
No quarter is ever given in these contests, but a share of the spoils could be the most likely outcome here.
TJ PREDICTION:
London Maccabi Lions A 2 North West Neasden A 2
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Redbridge J Care A VS North London Raiders A
Redbridge’s season is proving to tail off with a mid-table placing be the most likely outcome. Although not mathematically safe from the drop, in reality there are too many side below them which should see them clear of the drop.
The Raiders’ plight is a lot more serious as they probably have to get seven more points from their last nine to stand any chance of staying up, though bearing in mind Redbridge’s current form, this isn’t exactly a bad time to be playing them.
However, Raiders’ one win in their last six games – and that was against basement boys Oakwood – doesn’t point to a side who can get those necessary points. Their last outing saw them ship nine goals, and they have been conceding far too many goals of late which is only conducive to relegation.
When the two sides last met, both played out a thrilling 3-3 draw, it will be just as tight this time round though Adam Fegan’s men know they have to go that extra bit if they’re to get the win and keep alive their hopes of beating the drop.
TJ PREDICTION:
Redbridge J Care A 2 North London Raiders A 2
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DIVISION ONE:
UPDATED DIVISION ONE TABLE
Glenthorne Utd VS Brady Maccabi
Although already promoted, Glenthorne saw their hopes of securing the title take a dent last week as they were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by Neasden B.
Manager Ian Cohen would have been fuming with his side’s display in that game, though his anger may be subsidised if they clinch the win on Sunday that sees them crowned champions.
Missing some personnel last week contributed to that poor display last week though Cohen will be hoping for much better this week.
:Last time the two sides met, Brady frustrated Glenthorne by holding them to a 1-1 draw. Lynton Stock’s men currently sit in mid-table and have had an overall satisfactory season proving at times, as illustrated by that aforementioned 1-1 draw, that they can mix and match with the best this division has to offer.
The club would like nothing more than to put another spanner in Glenthorne’s title hopes, though once bitten, twice shy, the East Londoners surely won’t allow lightning to strike twice and will go on to claim both the win and the title.
TJ PREDICTION:
Glenthorne Utd 3 Brady Maccabi 1
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Golders Green VS Chigwell Athletic B
Golders Green are still favourites to go down though they’re not going to relinquish their division one spot without a fight as they showed last week with a 4-1 win over fellow relegation strugglers Faithfold B.
Star of the show was 17-year-old Roie “Rocky” Spitzer who helped himself to a hat-trick, though it was the overall team effort from the entire side which pleased manager Yair Spitzer the most. Commenting afterwards, he said: “I wish we had played like this all season, we would not have been in the silly position we are in. The boys were magnificent, played as if their life depended on this game. I’m very proud of all of them, especially my son Rocky, who scored a fantastic hat trick.”
Despite last week’s heroics, Golders still find themselves up against it. They’re going to have to win their remaining two games, and then hope the two sides above them – Hendon B and Faithfold B.
Unfortunately for Golders, hits week sees them come up against a Chigwell side who are looking to secure third spot, and who crushed them 5-1 in their earlier meeting between the two.
On the plus side for them, Russell Green’s men could still be suffering from their Cup Final defeat to the Lions, maybe a factor in their 2-1 loss to Brady last week.
Hoping to capitalise on that uncertainty, Golders need a big performance to get the three points here, they should certainly have the confidence to do it based on last week’s performance – whether they can achieve it or not remains to be seen.
TJ PREDICTION:
Golders Green 2 Chigwell Athletic B 2
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Montana Boca Utd A VS Faithfold B
Second-from-top host second-from-bottom with both sides needing points for obviously different reasons.
Marc Zeidman’s Montana side need four more points from their last two games to secure promotion, and will be hoping from similar performances from key men who played their part in last week’s 2-0 win over Camden Park.
Gary Cohen was one of their heroes last week as he scored both the goals, while Ben Law in goal kept yet another clean sheet, making some vital saves and commanding from the back.
The reverse fixture between the two produced one of the surprising scorelines of the season on this division – Montana’s heaviest defeat and Faithfold’s best.
That 6-2 win was one of Faithfold’s best performances of the season, though has been a rare league highlight for them in what has otherwise been a very poor campaign.
Last week’s loss to Golders in the absence of manager Paul Shamplina would have been a right shock to the system and if they didn’t know they were in a right relegation dogfight, they do now.
Going on current form for both sides, this points to only one outcome – a Montana win. Faithfold need all their big hitters to firing on Sunday, but even then especially with revenge for that earlier defeat on their mind, Montana should be victorious and move a giant step closer to securing their place in the premier division.
TJ PREDICTION:
Montana Boca Utd A 3 Faithfold B 1
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North West Neasden B VS Hendon United B
Neasden B kept alive their promotion hopes with a superb 4-1 win over title favourites Glenthorne last week thanks to goals from Stevie Krein, Ben Foreman, Bruno Frankel and Adam Klein.
What was just as impressive with that win though was that despite the evident attacking display, Ed bloom in goal was one of their star performers, doing an excellent job curtailing the division’s most prolific scorers.
However, having turned in a star show against the leaders, they now need to do the business against one of the strugglers in the division.
Neasden’s need for the points is obvious enough, though the three points are just as crucial for Marc Lewis’ Hornets who find themselves just two points off the bottom two following last week’s 4-0 home humbling by Harmen.
Hendon do know they have the capabilities of beating them having already done so earlier this season – by beating them 3-1. Whether history repeats itself does seem like a tall order.
TJ PREDICTION:
North West Neasden B 3 Hendon United B 1
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DIVISION TWO:
UPDATED DIVISION TWO TABLE
Brixton Old Boys VS Scrabble (SCORING D/H)
Brixton showed exactly what they’ve been all about this season when they denied Oakwood lifting the title last week – fighting back from two goals down to hold the leaders to a 2-2 draw.
Still with an outside chance of a top-two spot, a top three place is more realistic and judging by their recent form, nine points from their last three games is well within their grasp.
For Scrabble, the end of the season probably can’t come soon enough for Jeremy Derman’s side. Promising so much early on, a couple of defeats against the top two signalled a declining spiral that they never recovered from. Now finding themselves in the bottom half of the table, albeit with games in hand, this double-header encounter could provide them with a long morning ahead as Brixton will be fired up and confident of taking the maximum amount of points on offer.
TJ PREDICTION:
Brixton Old Boys VS Scrabble 2-1/2-1
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FC Heath VS South Manx A (SCORING D/H)
With Oakwood dropping those two points last week, the destination of the title is now in the Manx hands, though they still have a bit of work to do if they’re to achieve it.
In a nutshell, in their remaining three games (two if they’re automatically awarded the points for Harmen B pulling out last week), they need to win the games and overhaul the Oaks’ superior goal difference which as it stands is +13.
The odds of them making inroads into that goal deficit will have heightened as they travel to Heath, a side with little to play for but pride. Heath’s last outing ended in them conceding six goals to Oakwood, and it the Manx are in the mood, which they have to be of they’re to close in on the title, another heavy defeat could be on the cards for Ben Kaye’s men.
TJ PREDICTION:
FC Heath VS South Manx A 1-4/1-3
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DIVISION THREE:
UPDATED DIVISION THREE TABLE
London Maccabi Lions C VS Life FC
It may be too little too late, but Life’s surprising 3-2 win over Neasden C last week was certainly a welcome boost for David Tropp’s beleaguered side, and if nothing else should give them a boost for next season and a swift return to division three.
Ed Lewin was the star of the show, helping himself to two of the goals in the win, though the likes of Jake Masteran, Jason Traub and Wayne Davidson also put in fantastic displays as they recorded only their second league game in 15.
As far as Laurence Swerner’s side are concerned, this represents their last game of the season and although disappointed with the way it tailed off at the end, Swerner can only be happy overall with how his young side have performed over the past nine months.
Life may be a slightly different proposition now on the back of that win over Neasden, Lions will be looking for a repeat performance of their 4-2 win earlier in the season. It won’t be easy but it should be the Rowley Lane outfit who come away with the points and end the season on a winning note.
TJ PREDICTION:
London Maccabi Lions C 2 Life FC 1
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Faithfold C VS Montana Boca B
Minor Cup winners Faithfold return to the pitch this week looking to win their final two matches of the season which could see them finish in third spot providing Red Sea fail to win their last game of the season.
Despite their cup success, manager David Garson left Wingate saying he wants to finish the season on a high and won’t allow for any complacency to set in as the season heads to a close.
Unfortunately for Montana, the only thing they’ve got left to play for this season is to avoid finishing bottom of the pile, and bearing in mind life’s surprise win last week may well need to win this, their final game is they’re to avoid that feat.
Montana’s fate was sealed four weeks ago when they fell to two 1-0 defeats in a winner-takes-all double-header against Holy Mount Zion. That put pay to any hopes they had of beating the drop, though in truth the writing has been on wall for Bob Major’s side for the vast majority of the season.
The Greens ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in the earlier match between the two, expect a similar outcome and scoreline this time round too.
TJ PREDICTION:
Faithfold C 3 Montana Boca B 1
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DIVISION FOUR:
UPDATED DIVISION FOUR TABLE
AC Cricklewood VS FC Team A
It may have been a while in coming, but all those at FC Team A can finally realise a dream on Sunday when a point against their old foes will see them crowned champions.
Barring one blip – a now famous (infamous for them) defeat to Hendon, it’s been pretty much plain sailing for Mitch Young’s side and nothing would give them greater pleasure than to do the business and lift the title against a team who they’ve enjoyed some terrific battles with over the years.
Credit though must be given to Rob Wilson’s Cricklewood side for extending the season this long. Despite a slow start, they’ve gone on a terrific run of late and can still win the title though to say it’s a long shot is something of an understatement given that Team would have to have a catastrophic slip up, not taking any points from their final three games.
Therefore, the best they can realistically hope for is to defeat Team here and prolong their celebrations for another week at least.
They did of course deny them the title last season, just edging them out via a disciplinary decision that was sorted out once the season was over. Team got a weight off their shoulder earlier in the season when they finally beat Wilson’s men, they’ll want to bury a few more ghosts this weekend by inflicting another defeat on them and wining the title to boot.
TJ PREDICTION:
AC Cricklewood 2 FC Team A 3
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Dynamo Hendon VS Pure Orange Function Band
Anything but a win here for the home side will see Jeremy Brown’s side face an anxious wait to see if they survive the drop – as they’ll be relying on UJIA not picking up two points from their remaining three games.
If they’re looking for positives going into the game, they may take solace from the fact that one of their four league victories this season did come against Matt Bick’s men when they beat them 4-2. More of the same is an absolute must if they’re to stand any chance of beating the drop.
As for POFB, although they’re all but safe from division five football next season, it hasn’t exactly been a celebratory season this year.
Although battling valiantly last week, a 3-0 win for Team was pretty was their ninth league defeat of the season – the worst in the division barring the bottom team Kenton.
If this game is going to be decide on who it’s more important to, then the pendulum is with Dynamo. POFB have little left to play for and Brown will be drumming into his side the fact that they’ve overcome them once before. A league double to boost their hopes of beating the drop awaits.
TJ PREDICTION:
Dynamo Hendon 2 Pure Orange Function Band 1
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