PM Cup Preliminary Round Review
The first cup action of the season provided a couple of real upsets as lower division sides enjoyed turning over their higher-division opponents...
PETER MORRISON CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND: (Number in bracket represents division)BAFANA BAFANA (Prem) VS FC TEAM B (3)
The only surprise here will be if the premier division team don't win this tie relatively handsomely.
Even when give into the fact that the Bafana boys will be in search of their first win in three games, their current fifth placing in the top division doesen't really reflect the fine start they've made to the season.
Even in defeat to Hendon A last week, which saw them go down 3-1, they received the praise of the Hendon boys who said of Bafana: "They will be a threat to every team they play. They are quick, well organised and dangerous going forward. We admire them greatly after what was a very tough encounter." High praise indeed - and well-warranted. Scoring nearly on average three goals a game in the top flight is no mean feat and they have been the side who have gone the closest in taking anything off the so-far unbeaten champions Neasden.
Ben Simon's Team side sit in mid-table in the third division and with just the one win from four games, you can't see them doubling that tally on Sunday. They do though in striker Mitch Young possess a striker who could find the back of the net against any premier team side in the division and there's no saying he won't do that on Sunday either. Unfortunately for Team it will prove to be mere scant consolation.
TJ PREDICTION:
BAFANA BAFANA (Prem) 4 FC TEAM B (3) 1
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CAMDEN PARK (1) VS FAITHFOLD B
An all-division one clash which will prove to be a tight encounter - as is further illustrated by the fact that only a point separates the sides in the table.
Camden striker Darren Saffer grabbed the headlines last week following his superb five-goal salvo which saw the Graphites to a 5-2 win at Brady. Described by manager Justin Rockberger as a "vintage masterclass of finishing" from Saffer, Rockberger will also have been pleasantly surprised by the fact that his 'experienced' side scored the vital three goals in the last 15 minutes, against the more youthful Brady outfit.
Last week wasn't a good one for the Greens as they succumbed to their first defeat of the season against Hendon B. Last season saw a lengthy run in the cup nearly cost them a place in the first division, while not wishing to go out they'd rather have a more productive stab at challenging for promotion.
Camden go into this fixture as the team in the better form, they may well just nick this one by the odd goal.
TJ PREDICTION:
CAMDEN PARK (1) 2 FAITHFOLD B 1
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CHIGWELL B (1) VS HENDON HAWKS (4)
Four points from a possible 15 - accumulated by four draws signifies not the most impressive of starts for the East Londoners and they'll be hoping - and thinking - that this cup tie against lower league opposition should provide them with their first win of the season.
However, they will have to guard against complacency as the Hawks, apart from one blip which saw them lose 6-1 to the Knights, have looked impressive recording three wins from four games.
And in 16-year-old striker Amit Dinowitz, they have a striker who may well prove to be a threat to their backline, with last week's double taking his tally to six goals in four games. Chigwell haven't exactly been shy in conceding goals and Dinowitz may well fancy his chances of adding to his tally, albeit in vain in terms of providing a cup upset.
Chigwell may have got off to an inauspicious start, but won't come a cropper here.
TJ PREDICTION:
CHIGWELL B (1) 4 HENDON HAWKS (4) 2
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HOLY MOUNT ZION (2) VS HENDON B (1)
Riding high in division one, the Hornets will more than fancy their chances of booking their place in the first round proper.
They got back to winning ways last week as a Chaim Gothold double inspired them to a 3-1 win at Faithfold, at the same of which, the Zionists were salvaging a point with an injury-time goal against Temple Fortune to draw 3-3.
Stuttering in mid-table right now, Hendon will be a challenge far too strong for them and it will show with a comprehensive, eventual scoreline.
TJ PREDICTION:
HOLY MOUNT ZION (2) 1 HENDON B (1) 3
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PURE ORANGE FUNCTION BAND (3) VS HENDON C (3)
This may be an all-division three clash but that is where the similarities end as the free-scoring Hustlers take on rock-bottom POFB for the second consecutive week.
Getting back to winning ways last week - and anther emphatic one to say the least - Zvi Noe's were simply too good last week where Ben Russell's performance drew special praise from Noe.
When they turn it on they really turn on and as was displayed last week, POFB had no answer. That unfortunately for Matt Bick's side has been pretty much the case for the whole of the season. Things won't change this week as the visitors will be celebrating once again.
TJ PREDICTION:
PURE ORANGE FUNCTION BAND (3) 1 HENDON C (3) 4
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RAPID BANTA (2) VS WOODFORD WANDERERS (4)
Arguably the tie of the day as Banta - fresh from their exploits over NWN C last week - take on the new division four leaders.
Banta's win over NWN last week was certainly one of the shocks of the day as goals from Simon Cooper and Adam Carter gave them a seemingly unlikely victory. However, while it may been somewhat of a surprise to most people, it was a felt that Banta weren't surprised about given the fact that three of their losses came by the odd goal and their game against HMZ saw them have to play without a goalkeeper.
Nevertheless, last week's win would have given them a massive boost and they'll now be keen not to fall victim to an upset here.
That possibility is a plausible one. Not only did the Wanderers go clear at the top of the table last week, but they also achieved it by playing wth ten men for 70 minutes. Left-back Andrew Levy was certainly the man-of-the-match last week as the birthday boy scored twice and gave a faultless performance down the flank.
Woodford's start has been perfect so far with four wins from four. Had it not have been for Banta's win last week, you feel the visitors could have provided a shock here. That of course may still be the case, but Banta have the experience to rely on and will probably have just enough on the day to keep their cup dream alive.
TJ PREDICTION:
RAPID BANTA (2) 3 WOODFORD WANDERERS (4) 2
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