Voice of Jewish Sport

WITH CHELSEA getting a free ride to this season’s Barclays Premier League, any football fan wishing to get caught up in an exciting top flight title tussle need look no further than the Maccabi League Premier Division. A two-horse race, treble – and history-seeking Hendon seemed to have the upper hand on Norstar after beating them in their Peter Morrison Cup quarter-final tie last weekend. But as Norstar manager Rob Richman said after this past weekend’s fixtures, ‘a week’s a long time in football.’ In dropping two points at home to struggling FC Team, Hendon have now opened the door for Norstar, with the latter sitting six points behind them, but crucially with three games in hand. Hendon manager David Garbarz said he was incredibly disappointed not to come away with the three points, and that the title is now ‘very much’ Raiders’ to lose. He also made a point of wishing Team well for the remainder of the season, while adding, ‘hopefully they will be as committed when they play Raiders’. Garbacz’s counterpart isn’t rising to the bait, merely saying his side now move onto the next game against Woodford, ‘for what will no doubt be another tough fixture where we will do our utmost to secure another important three points.’ And for those wishing to see the game which could ultimately decide the destiny of the title, next Sunday morning sees both sides go head-to-head.

IT PROVED to be a case of first time lucky for Israeli midfielder Nir Bitton at the weekend after he helped Celtic to success in the Scottish League Cup Final. Playing 83 minutes of their 2-0 win over Dundee United at Hampden, the midfielder had never reached a Cup Final before, the closest he came was reaching two semis in Israel. Adding this to his League title from last season, and in contention for winning another two trophies between now and May, the 23-year-old is certainly enjoying life in Scotland right now.