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BY DAVID SAFFER Hendon United Sports remain top of the Premier League after a thrilling 4-3 win at London Bears.
The league leaders took the lead three times against the Bears courtesy of an own goal along with strikes from Avi Korman and Dovi Fehler before conceding in the last minute. Super sub Gav Lewis settled the contest with an injury time goal.
“What a magnificent match,” summed up Hendon boss David Garbacz. “They equalised three times but we showed fantastic character to pick ourselves up to score a dramatic winner with a great finish from Lewis.” He added, “Credit to the Bears for their contribution to a great game but even bigger credit to the lads for coming away with three massive points.”
Hendon head HMH and are currently favourites in the title race having lost one game all season. Club de Chigwell moved into fourth spot behind Oakwood with a 4-2 victory at bottom club Faithfold White.
Only one match in Division One survived wintry conditions as Brook Farm Rovers edged home 2-0 against Hampstead Ducks with a Sam Georgevic brace to cement a top three place in the title race.
Stoke Salmon are top though a clash with FC East London Bees was postponed. Second placed Borussia Jewdinese collected the points as Redbridge Jewish Care Purple forfeited their clash.
Scrabble vs Mill Hill Dons and Straw Hat Pirates vs Temple Fortune A both fell to waterlogged pitches.
Division Two leaders Geez Park Rangers made it 10 wins from as many games with a 4-0 win over Millbrook Park Calcio who battled hard throughout.
Rangers dominated the match in blustery conditions. Ethan Kessel, with a double, and Jordan Grundman scored for the victors who also forced an own goal at Rowley Lane.
“Another fantastic performance from the boys,” noted Rangers boss Ben Leslie. “We are also very happy to have got another clean sheet. There is a long way to go, but we are hungry and want to continue to improve.”
The league pacesetters are nine points clear of Real Madreidel who defeated Brady FC 4-0 and a point further ahead of London Athletico who were in cup action.
The most exciting game of the weekend saw Qarabagel and Hapoel Hampstead play out an astonishing 13-goal thriller with Hapoel coming out on top 7-6.
Sam Prais, Mikey Leibovitz and Jordan Conn all bagged a brace apiece. Matt Davidson scored an instinctive backheel.
Lewis last minute winner keeps Hendon top
Stand in manager Marcus Foux described the performance as a “brave win”. Ben Binder scored twice as Temple ForBY DAVID SAFFER tune B edged past Camden City 2-1. The match between Redbridge JewReiss Mogilner scored six goals as Maccabi ish Care White and Oakwood Town was London Lions thumped Scrabble A in the postponed. second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup. Aaron Searle scored the only goal of a
Th e Premier League side racked up a 16-0 tough cup tie as injury hit Oakwood dewin with Daniel Green and Michael Kenley feated Maccabi London FC in the second both bagging a hat-trick. Ed Brafman, Da- round of the Peter Morrison Trophy. vid Dinkin, and Adam Hassanali complet- “Huge credit to the boys for getting the ed the rout in a mismatch of a tie. job done,” commented O’s Lewis Blitz. “It
Lions could have scored in the opening was a great result, we are looking forward to minute of the clash but soon opened the trying to go all the way in this competition.” scoring and led 9-0 by half time. In the Cyril Anekstein Cup first round,
Th e Division One team, though out- London Athletico won 3-0 against Boca classed, battled away to the end. Chillers with Rafi Rees (2) and Saul Fenton
Lions boss was lost for words at full time scoring. such was the display from his team who The match between HMH and NWL Azgave every respect to the opposition. urri was postponed.
“I’m not really sure there’s anything to say, we are happy to make it through to the next round of the cup,” he commented.
Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors against League One outfi t North London Raiders.
Th e Premier side led early in the second half only for Raiders to equalise but struck two late goals to book a place in round three of the competition.
Hendon now turn their attentions to the league as they travel to Oakwood A for a crucial top of the table clash on Sunday (10am).
Daniel Kristall’s team stunned the league leaders last month when they won 2-0, a victory would move them to within a point of Hendon with a match in hand.
Elsewhere in the latest round of fi xtures, 10-man North London Galaxy made it a three-way title race in the only Division One clash of the day after defeating Oakwood B.
Jamie Murray saw red early on but Galaxy rallied with goals from Josh Cohen and Jacob Leigh to record an important 2-1 away win.
Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish Care A in the table by just one point after 10 matches, third place Fairlop FC are fi ve points behind with two games in hand.
Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood.
“It was a fantastic performance in a must-win game,” commented Galaxy player-manager Luke Lewis. “We sat back and allowed Oakwood the ball, given the one-man advantage and looked to hit them on the counter attack with pace. “Both goals came down the right-hand side. Leigh crossed the fi rst one into Cohen to fi nish, before slotting home himself. Up to fi rst we go.” Th e Division Two title race also took a twist with league leaders Herstwood Vale going down to a 2-1 defeat at Temple Fortune. Faithfold B have played a game more than Vale but moved level with a 5-3 win at North London Raiders Masters. Jacob Kalms struck twice for Fortune who scored through leading scorer James Milletwith his 17th goal of the season. Th e result was all the more remarkable as Temple were down to 11 players with ‘keeper Ben Rebuck dislocating a shoulder in the warm up. “Th is was a fantastic win given the circumstances,” said delighted Fortune boss Simon Linden. “We had a number of players out, Rebuck got injured, so I couldn’t have asked any more from the players. We wish Ben a speedy recovery. “It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner. It’s a big win, one we will enjoy and we hope to build on it in 2019.” He added, “Th is win marks 50 years as a football club and will be one Nigel Kyte and everyone associated with the club from day
Sixteen-goal Lions rout Scrabble in Cup “It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner.”
one will enjoy.” Vale boss Jacob Emanuel was quick to wish Rebuck well following his injury. “First and most importantly, everyone at Vale would like to wish the Fortune ‘keeper a quick recovery, we hope to see him back on the football pitch as soon as possible,” he said. As for the defeat, Emanuel commented, “It doesn’t matter how big a squad you have, you can never account for unavailability or injury. Only fi ve of today’s team played in our recent win over FC Team, a lack of togetherness and poor individual
16-goal Maccabi London Lions PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER
Ethan Kessel opens the scoring for Geez Park Rangers PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER Action from Geez Park Rangers versus Milbrook PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER Milbrook’s goalkeeper Clark Pollins makes a brave save against Rangers PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER
TREK TO SAVE LIVES
No amount of tests or forms would stop 16 trekkers getting on a plane to Jordan for MDA UK’s inaugural, groundbreaking Jordan360 trek in October - the fi rst group trip abroad since the start of the pandemic.
The 7-day trek gave participants a chance to appreciate Jordan’s beautiful sites, including Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba and the Dead Sea, together with the opportunity of saving lives along the way.
The journey encompassed a range of geopolitical issues, including Israel’s newfound role in the region. In exploring the key partnership between MDA and the Jordan National Red Crescent Society (JRC), trekkers were able to see and hear fi rst-hand how Israel, Jordan and their Gulf neighbours are working together to help save lives.
In Amman, trekkers were addressed by HE Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid, President of the JRC, and shown around the hospital where MDA has funded a new operating theatre. Dr Al-Hadid has helped bring the JRC and MDA closer together, to share knowledge, expertise and innovative medical technology.
Trekkers visited the Dead Sea area before heading south to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Petra. They enjoyed outdoor camping in Wadi Rum, meeting the local Bedouin community and all the stunning sights along the way.
We were delighted to have been able to share this experience with the brilliant Robert Rinder, whose insights you can read more about in the article overleaf.
So far, trekkers have raised over £80,000 which will be donated towards rebuilding the MDA ambulance station in Rahat, the largest Bedouin town in the world. will be off ering a series of treks - in Israel, in Jordan, and both together.
To register your interest in any of our treks, please visit mdauk.org/trek or contact
joshuadiamond@mdauk.org
It was a delight to see the co-operation between the two countries.
- Elaine Bermitz, Trekker
Image credit: Michael Mattison
Image credit: Michael Mattison
A BEACON
OF LIGHT by Robert Rinder
Of all of the privileges that you get for being in the public eye, the best one in every sense is bringing light to charities and organisations that people would otherwise not know about.
I remember my first conversation with Daniel Burger some years ago. “MDA… it’s the ambulance service, isn’t it?” “Yes” he replied, “but did you know that it isn’t funded by the Israeli government, but by the International diaspora?” I had no idea – in many senses it’s unthinkable. A nation with the most obvious demand for frontline medical services. It made no sense. But on reflection it made all the sense in the world. That we, Jewish communities around the world and within Israel itself, understand so fundamentally the threats to ourselves and each other. Making it natural that we would fund MDA’s frontline services.
And so I began my quest to discover the work of Magen David Adom. With each new example, each new piece of evidence of their work, something even more critical emerged. A realisation not just how obviously essential the services they provide are; be it the provision of blood or responding to emergencies. But that they are an example of something more powerful, more rich and important, now more than ever. Their work alongside otherwise hostile partners, to cross lines and deliver blood and critical first aid. The advances in technology, which make MDA the most advanced and innovative ambulance service in the world; and how each service is funded through a community’s shared understanding and fundamental belief in the importance of life.
For me, MDA has become the most articulate expression of how I respond to anybody whose views on Israel have tipped into antisemitism, which has become tragically and frighteningly pervasive in the past decade. It’s with this in mind that I had the gift of going to Jordan to walk alongside those raising funds for this essential charity. It was the very essence of a simcha, a collective group of people walking proudly in joy with one another. Culminating for me in a meeting with the President of the Jordan National Red Crescent Society, HE Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid, who spoke so powerfully about the possibilities of peace when enemies begin to work as partners and come to rely on one another. It’s hard to think of a better expression of light and hope than that. All of which is embodied in MDA.
What a gift it is, was and shall continue to be, to champion MDA’s incredible, magical work.
Magen David Adom UK marked the 1st Anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords with a series of events featuring HE Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid, President of the Jordan National Red Crescent Society and former Chair of the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
Dr Al-Hadid addressed and impressed MDA UK donors and friends about the humanitarian work he and The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have been involved in together with Magen David Adom in Israel.
Dr Al-Hadid’s insights into the Red Cross movement demonstrated a different side of Israel, which surprised some key politicians and church leaders who were previously not sympathetic to Israel.
It is hard to imagine how quickly the geopolitics of the region have evolved and how Israel and her Gulf neighbours have become partners and allies – at government level as well as people-to-people. As we and the world continue to adapt to constant change, we are so proud of the fact that Magen David Adom is always choosing humanity over politics in its mission to save more lives.
- Daniel Burger
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
@Magen David Adom UK @mda_uk @MDAUK_
