Oakwood ready
FOOTBALL RIC Blank has described the absence of Kyle Bentwood as a major blow ahead of Oakwood’s Cyril Anekstein Cup final showdown against holders North London Raiders A at Wingate & Finchley on Sunday.
Midfield general Bentwood is making good progress after fracturing his collarbone. But Blank admits his presence will be missed as Oakwood look to wrestle the League Cup from a Raiders team looking to win the competition for the third season in a row.
“Kyle is a big miss for us,” said jointmanager Blank. “However, we have great strength in depth this season and have been far more consistent.
“We’re unbeaten in the league since mid-November and have only lost twice in the league all year. We just feel that a lack of consistency in the early part of the season and the lack of player availability for the big games has really hurt us.”
Blank praised the qualities of Dan Kristall who joined him and Alex Schock in the managerial set-up last summer. “Dan has been excellent,” he said. “It has been a season to build on and the platform for a big title challenge next year.”
Kristall believes the 5-0 semi-final success over Hendon United has given the Oakwood players a huge lift.
“It was a performance to rival any at this level,” said Kristall. “We simply took them apart — they were literally in shock.
“To hammer the Morrison winners and t his s eason’s finalists in that manner was an unbelievable achievement.”
Dan Rose and captain Adam Levine — a long-term absentee — will also miss Sunday’s final as Oakwood look to secure victory at Wingate for the first time following two defeats. Goalkeeper Jonny Blain and Alex Lee face fitness tests.
Kristall said: “We will use the underdog card to our advantage. We know that Raiders will be the big favourites and we understand why given their excellent league campaign, only dropping two points all season. “However, in our league meeting we proved that we can match t h e m.” Nyv Bogaire’s stoppage-time kept NLR’s unbeaten record intact. Kristall continued: “We believe we will take the cup if we play to our maximum on Sunday.
“Raiders are an excellent side and certainly the team to beat in Jewish football. They are worthy champions.” NLR joint-manager Rob Richman is confident his players have recovered from the exertions of their Peter Morrison Trophy semi-final against Lions. They have dominated the League Cup competition for the past three years and Richman says they have risen to the challenge of defending their trophies.
“As champions we knew the going would be that much tougher this season and we’d have to improve to mount a real challenge,” he said.
“We made some clever signings last summer and managed to hold on to all bar one of our squad from last season.
“Every week we have been tested but