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MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
FOOTBALL NEWLY-CROWNED league champions Hendon United ended the season in style, with Chaim Korman scoring twice as they sealed their 14th win. Further strikes from Zac Lewis, Mordy Weiler and Rocky Spitzer took Hendon past the 50-goal mark. Charlie Cohen and Reiss Mogilner replied for the Lions in a contest joint-manager Max Kyte described as “really enjoyable to be a part of”. Hendon boss Jordan Sapler said: “Credit to the boys for the way they’ve conducted themselves this season. We’ve been professional and ruthless at times and fully deserve the double.” Kyte praised Hendon for a terrific comeback and said: “They took advantage when our mentality dropped. Hendon are worthy winners and were probably the most intelligent, fluid and dangerous attacking force I’ve seen this year.” After the game Lions confirmed that coboss Samuel Marchant is stepping down after four seasons at the helm.
Josh Pugh scored twice on his A-team debut as Oakwood finished the season on a winning note against Los Camden. David Woolman was also on target as Oakwood, already guaranteed third place, clinched their tenth league win of the season. Kristall believes Oakwood were capable of better after missing out on major honours. He said: “Our lack of game time since April along with a mix of A/B players didn’t help our rhythm. And you know it is an end of season game when I bring my little one-year-old down with me. She was itching to go on but unfortunately she isn’t registered, so I had to tell her no!” Kristall believes the league is as “competitive as ever” despite only seven teams playing in the top division. He said: “Having HMH enter has only improved the quality. Hopefully we will have a ten-team Premier Division next season to avoid having to play each other three times in the league. We have a busy summer ahead, with lots of things to improve on, but don’t go writing us off for silverware next season.” David Khalatschi replied for Camden and manager Stirling Kay said: “I’m proud of my player who showed great spirit and determination.”
FOOTBALL HMH manager Avi Goldberg described his team’s Peter Morrison Trophy triumph as the “perfect ending to a great season” as they lifted the Jewish FA Cup following a comfortable win over Haroldeans at Harrogate Town AFC.
Having beaten Los Camden B, Fairlop FC, Oakwood A and holders Maccabi London Lions on their way to the final, MGBSFL runners-up HMH headed north intent on ending their first season in senior football with a major trophy. Indeed the prize of National Cup holders was on the line for both clubs.
HMH started brightly and created some good early chances on the 3G pitch, with top-scorer Oscar Wagner and Clark Norton threatening.
However, in failing to convert those opportunities, it became clear that Haroldeans had the edge, both in age and having played in last year’s final. Their physicality was helping them as HMH became edgy and their flowing football became harder to produce.
Haroldeans came close through Ben Kersh, but from the resulting goal-kick, HMH broke away and after great work from Ben Winters on the inside left, his cross found Ariel Rahamim who fired the ball over the line.
With the bit between their teeth, HMH grew in confidence and a towering header from Tom Prais was cleared off the line.
With half-time approaching, Haroldeans were rewarded for their efforts with defender Sam Kersh heading a corner past Jacob Shapiro and into the net.
HMH found their rhythm at the start of the second half, piling the pressure on Haroldeans who struggled to get out of their half. Captain Alex Moss was in control, dictacting play, ably assisted by Ethan Krell and Max Bull in midfield and suddenly HMH were dominating play, with Leo Ackerman and Wagner going close.
Their pressure was finally rewarded when Dom Feldman was hauled down on the edge of the area and
Moss stroked his free-kick perfectly into the far corner to make it 2-1.
Haroldeans were then redueced to 10 men as refereee Andy Myerson flashed a second yellow card to skipper Jack Goldsmith for a foul on Wagner.
From this point the spaces opened up even more for HMH and Wagner deservedly added two more goals, the first from a corner after good play by Feldman and a great delivery by Sammy Kingston, which was followed by a spectacular longrange strike
to seal