A-League Newswires (Brenecia Domestic Football)

by **A-League** » Sat Feb 14, 2015 3:15 am

THE BRENECIAN A-LEAGUE - SEASON DIRECTORY

History
Season  A-League Winner    Crown Cup Winner   MP Winner
49      Northern Union     Rockridge Phoenix  Halholzer United
50      Rockridge Phoenix  Mount Roland       Halholzer United (2)
51      Northern Union (2) Marque             Halholzer Sundays
52      Kingsgrove         Lotus Park         -
53      Marque             Rosbank Town       -
54      Kingsgrove (2)     North Rathia       -
55      Northern Union (3) Falkner United     -
56      Kingsgrove (3)     Guilder            Bellight Wanderers

Season  Winner               Runner-up         Third-Place          Crown Cup Winner
57      North Hall           Northern Union    Falkner United       Lotus Park (2)
58      Northern Union (4)   Bellight FC       Rozelle              Rozelle United
59      Rozelle              North Hall        Harmonica Tundra     Francisca Orient
60      Halholzer United (3) Kingsgrove        Northern Union       Francisca Orient (2)
61      Northern Union (5)   Rozelle           Halholzer United     North Hall
62      Northern Union (6)   Harmonica Tundra  Kingsgrove           Southern Star

Season  A-League Champion      Cup Winner             B-League Champion   Gold Boot
63      Northern Union (7)     Falkner United (2)     Gallant Cross       Tevin Lilley (ROZ, 17)
64      Northern Union (8)     Kingsgrove             Northern Stallions  Tevin Lilley (ROZ, 19)
65      Rozelle (2)            Guilder                AFC Swanbridge      Tevin Lilley (ROZ, 21)
66      North Hall* (2)        Francisca Orient (3)   Scaffield           June Gardot (KNG, 16)
67      Kingsgrove (4)         Northern Stallions (2) Proudcastle         Elena Culbreth (KNG, 26)
68      Kingsgrove (5)         Proudcastle            Swayback            Elena Culbreth (KNG, 23)
69      Kingsgrove (6)         Pikemouth              Chafford            Elena Culbreth (KNG, 21)
70      Kingsgrove (7)         Southern Star (2)      Twin Saints         Jackie Crawford (ROZ, 18)
71      Rozelle (3)            Northern Union         Rosbank Town        Aiden Denarian (PKM, 20)
72      Northern Union (9)     Northern Union (2)     AFC Swanbridge      Jackie Crawford (ROZ, 22)
73      Northern Union (10)    AFC Westpike           Finbar Stalwarts    Kara Ciogach (STS, 21)
74      Northern Stallions     Pikemouth (2)          Rosbank Town        Vega Zeale-Riddick (NTU, 19)
75      Kingsgrove (8)         Scaffield              Gallant Cross       Michael Ribbeck (KNG, 21)
76      Northern Union (11)    Northern Union (3)     Finbar Stalwarts    Andre Naulo (NTS, 19)
77      Rozelle (4)            Lotus Park (3)         Royal Westpike      Michael Ribbeck (KNG, 24)
78      Northern Union (12)    Marque (2)             Falkner United      Júlia Mueller (ROZ, 20)
79      Northern Union (13)    Royal Westpike         AFC Westpike        Michael Ribbeck (KNG, 24)
80      Northern Union (14)    Rozelle Alliance       Guilder             Scott Walker (NTU, 26)
81      Southern Star          Rozelle Alliance (2)   AFC Westpike        Roimata Shehu (GAC, 22)
82      Northern Union (15)    Guilder (2)            Southrons-Errant    Jessica Siafik (KNG, 21)

BRENECIA PRE-MERGER

A-LEAGUE POST-MERGER - BFA/MBC

BRENECIA AFTER BREAKOFF

CYCLE 71
CYCLE 72
CYCLE 73
CYCLE 74
CYCLE 75

CYCLE 76
CYCLE 77
CYCLE 78
CYCLE 79
CYCLE 80

CYCLE 81
CYCLE 82

by **A-League** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 3:45 am

A-LEAGUE - SEASON 1 PREVIEW

CYCLE 57 BRENECIAN LEAGUE STANDINGS

Pos Team               	P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Kingsgrove        	38  29  6   3  95  33  +62  93
  2 Falkner United    	38  24  8   6  75  31  +44  80
  3 Northern Union    	38  24  7   7  59  29  +30  79
  4 Rozelle           	38  23  6   9  61  36  +25  75
  5 North Hall        	38  21  9   8  59  27  +32  72
  6 Marque            	38  18  7  13  57  48   +9  61
  7 South Rathia      	38  17  8  13  47  50   -3  59
  8 Francisca Orient  	38  16  9  13  54  55   -1  57
  9 Lotus Park        	38  15  8  15  55  54   +1  53
 10 Rozelle United    	38  14 10  14  46  56  -10  52
 11 Saint Alexander   	38  14  8  16  39  43   -4  50  R
 12 North Rathia      	38  13  7  18  48  55   -7  46  R
 13 Sutbyrne          	38  13  5  20  40  58  -18  44  R
 14 Gallant Cross     	38  11  9  18  40  50  -10  42  R
 15 Guilder           	38  11  7  20  34  44  -10  40  CeDC
 16 Pikemouth         	38  11  7  20  41  59  -18  40  R
 17 Mount Roland      	38  10  6  22  31  52  -21  36  R
 18 Snowden River     	38   9  8  21  38  63  -25  35  R
 19 Rosbank Town      	38   8 10  20  38  67  -29  34  R
 20 Chafford          	38   3  7  28  20  67  -47  16  R

  1 Westpike             	38  25   7   6  68  33  +35  82  P
  2 Hooker Ridge         	38  22   9   7  68  37  +31  75
  3 Platwood             	38  22   8   8  44  23  +21  74
  4 Westpike United      	38  21  10   7  55  31  +24  73[/color]

AWARDS
Iron Boot (Goals Scored): Malta Keohane (ROZ)
Iron Ball (Player of the Year): Rickard Lund (FLK)
Team of the Year: Fairhall (NTH); Milligan (ROZ), Monroe (NTU), Connors (NTH), Portadown (KNG); Stamper (KNG), Crowley (KNG), Lund (FLK); Hadley (NTU), Keohane (ROZ), Connolly (FLK)
Manager of the Year: Kieran Storrin (FLK)

CYCLE 57 MAREIBAT LEAGUE STANDINGS

                          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Bellight Wanderers       12    7   4   1    20   10  +10    25 - Champion's Cup
2 Halholzer United         12    6   4   2    16    8   +8    22 - Globe Cup
3 Halholzer Spitfires      12    5   3   4    23   18   +5    18 - Globe Cup
4 Bellight FC              12    5   3   4    17   16   +1    18 - Globe Cup
5 Gentlemen's Club         12    3   3   6    16   24   −8    12
6 Sciongrad Rovers         12    2   5   5    17   22   −5    11
7 Scraglet Rovers          12    1   4   7    19   30  −11     7

League Run: 3rd
Stadium: Hope Ground (12,000)
Manager: Brian Ashgrove
Captain: Roger O’Connor
Likely Starting XI: (5-4-1) 1 - Clark; 2 - Baars; 4 - Kirill, 5 - Uidhir, 6 - Enevoldsen, 3 - Ivers; 7 - Abbriacciabene, 8 - Jakkar, 10 - von Maelstrom, 11 - O’Connor (c); 9 - Dev

BACKGROUND
Biggest team in the land, they've been able to land a number of good transfers this season as they look to chase down the title. Historically dominant, and fully expect to compete with the best Brenecia has to offer. The fact that their ground is over twice again the size of the second-largest Mareibatian stadium says a lot about the club’s status, really.

THE GAFFER
Manager is Brian Ashgrove, a very experienced head, he's been managing United since the beginning of the league, many years ago. His tactics are extremely defensive, favouring what is technically a 1-4-1-3-1 formation, with Chris Baars the sweeper and Jakkar the midfield anchor man behind von Maelstrom. They won't concede often, but may sometimes struggle with scoring enough to keep themselves afloat.

OVERVIEW
The team captain is Roger O'Connor a tall powerful man who has a wicked right boot, he generally takes the free-kicks and is a bit of an all round legend at the club and in Mareibat itself. Arthur Clark is probably the best goalie in the Mareibatian side of the league, although young Thorgen Lillehammer on the bench has the potential to surpass even Clark. Young striker Ashrav Dev is very, very quick and he'll be quite a handful this season, although the player he replaced; Olgina Harrison won't be particularly content and will probably push for a move next season. Finally, we come to the biggest signing the league has made, with Erik Abbracciabene coming across from Uxminster Athletic in Apox, lured by the temptation of playing regular UICA football. He has great vision and is able to make defense splitting passes with alarming regularity, and at just 23 he is still improving. He has National Team potential.

PREDICTION
Easily the best side of Mareibat. Not quite at the level of Union or Kingsgrove on paper, but might well be able to compete with them in practice. 3rd.

by **A-League** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 2:25 am

The first matchday of the newly merged A-League starts with, well, Mareibat dominance everywhere except for where you’d expect, with Halholzer United undone by a brutally efficient North Hall, who get two decent chances and manage to convert both. But it is in Bellight that the first goal of the new league is scored, Somni Adelardi stroking the ball past Roy Buckingham after just two minutes of the FC-Westpike clash, while across town the Wanderers pulverise an allegedly new-look South Rathia. “It’s not the debut I’d been hoping for,” marquee signing Cheney Keller admitted quietly to the press, “but we’ll just have to kick on, I guess.”

Gentlemen’s Club had gotten off to a good start by not losing to powerful Brenecian side Rozelle. They are not so lucky against Union, perhaps overwhelmed by the 36,000 capacity venue (huge by Mareibat standards) and certainly overwhelmed by the opposition. An own goal from goalkeeper Walker starts the show after Erin Camden’s strike unluckily careened off a post, onto Walker’s trailing thigh and into the net, but things don’t get any easier, with Bellerose netting a hattrick, Hadley scoring, and Camden this time getting on a scoresheet by herself. By the time Bror Helmensun has gotten a consolation goal, one of the disgruntled travelling supporters hurls a water bottle at him. Fortunately, Mareibatian honour is kept alive by Bellight Wanderers and Pilgrimage - they’ve won both matches by this point, and by this stage both having played an away game, quashing accusations that Mareibatian sides would struggle in the Brenecian crowds.

Finally, some of the Mareibat teams are drawn against each other, and there’s a hell of a match to be found in Bellight as Sciongrad Rovers manage a sensational 4-3 win after coming from 3-1 behind at half-time. King Trevarren is the hero, scoring two and assisting one, but Bellight midfielder Roy Tobin - 37 years of age - gets headlines of his own when he shoots past Hatty Vernon from twenty yards to become the oldest A-League goalscorer to date, and probably to stay that way for the forseeable future.

The first Halholzer derby of the merged league, and it does not end well for the Spitfires. Maxwell von Maelstrom scores from a free kick, forcing the Spitfires to open up and try and chase the game. While they force United goalkeeper Clark into some fine saves, they leave themselves too open, and Dev and Abbriacciabene both get on the scoresheet to leave the Spitfires buried. Gentlemen’s Club somehow beat Kingsgrove. Away. The home team lead for 66 minutes, but with ten minutes to go Helmensun shoots, Knight spills and Kiltroy hurdles Fisher’s challenge to bundle the ball into the net, and then Kiltroy puts the ball on a plate for 34-year old captain Colin Harper to head past Knight from point-blank range. Easily the scalp of the season so far.

Bellight FC have had a slow start to the season with three consecutive defeats following a home win over the weakest Brenecian side, Westpike. With mighty Rozelle visiting, that doesn’t seem like it’ll get much better. But it does. Chris Farlane nearly spills a Birikaitis shot into his own net with nine minutes played, and the home team smell blood and go in for the kill, Brenecian international Rook Asquith firing a peach of a long strike past Farlane and Stephens heading home Asquith’s corner under immense physical pressure. It could easily have been three or four, as well, while Rozelle were toothless throughout. A signal of intent, perhaps? Things get better still for Bellight, who realise upon coming home that crosstown rivals the Wanderers have been pulverised 3-0 by visiting Lotus Park.

The normally defensive Guilder evidently felt inspired by Northern Union’s victory over Gentlemen’s Club, and manage a 4-0 win of their own. It’s a depressingly simple pattern - the Club overcommit forwards, Guilder defend it and hoof it forwards, it’s knocked up to the front three who then streak forward and score. “Our tactics might need some work,” young manager Polly Cattle admitted after the match. Meanwhile, Lotus Park establish themselves as one of the form sides of the competition - a 3-0 victory over an abject South Rathia marks four consecutive clean sheets.

“It was just kind of a blur,” Marque goalkeeper Catherine Ralston muttered to the cameras after a game which saw Rozelle beat the Privateers 8-3, centreforward Malta Keohane alone scoring five. Not that it was really Ralston’s fault, since she was constantly left exposed by a simply hopeless defensive performance all around the pitch. Marque striker Rachel Byrne, who notched a brace herself, was livid. “You expect to win matches like that! You score three, you should have points on the board.” And Rainer Claude completed the trifecta of ‘blaming other people’ by insisting “my tactics were perfect - it’s just a matter of execution, which wasn’t there on the day.” He’s already favourite for the sack race.

In the big Rozelle derby, it’s the purple of Kingsgrove that triumph after a match high in muscle, pace and intent but low in final product. It takes just that little bit of quality, and it’s provided off the bench by veteran Audioslav striker Guillermo Sanchez-Dysos, volleying Rowe’s low cross over Walsh and past Farlane with a perfectly-weighted strike. A fine goal to end a decent match.

South Rathia, who have been consistently appalling all season, find the perfect panacea in Gentlemen’s Club away. The scoreline? 5-0. Two red cards for Club don’t help their case, but beyond that its the first match where Cheney Keller has really clicked on his return back to his home club, the engine of midfield, a good passer and scoring the fourth goal of the night. Northern Union versus Kingsgrove, meanwhile, is traditionally the battle between first and second of the league, and it’s Kingsgrove who manage to win. Maybe it’ll put them back on track for the title? Union defend stoutly for the first half, but can’t score, and when they open up a little in the second half Gardot manages to find the gaps to score from Gardella’s pass.

Marque, who have been frankly utter shit all season, find their first win of the season. Against Kingsgrove. Away. When Sylvia Fisher’s left for dead by the languid Luciana Camargo for the opening goal, the expression on Sasha Bale’s face can be best described as ‘thunder’. When Camargo’s flicked header careens off the bar for Chilton to cross the box for Byrne to stab it into the net, Rainer Claude’s expression can be best described as ‘I might keep my job.’

Kingsgrove are already out of the Cup, bundled out in extra time by C-League outfit Pryde Wanderers. Okay, so their first goal - 19-year old Sabine Sutcliff, in the sights of a few A-League clubs - was blatantly offside. But they defended staunchly to keep Kingsgrove to just the equaliser, goalkeeper Page Stockard making a series of outstanding saves, before Sutcliff notched up her second goal in extra time, curling a shot past Jade Pallister. Nobody could question that one. Marque managed an impressive victory over Saint Alexander, their second in two matches as second-last in the A-League beat the first-placed team in the B-League 3-0, but at least North Rathia can reclaim some of the old top flight glories, Gillard and Brand taking the game to 2-2 before substitute Ruby Raine ghosted into the box out of nowhere to find Brand’s cross and head it past Greig Larsson. Defending champions Guilder round out the scalps, beaten by C-League Saint Wessex.

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                     P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 North Hall              10  6  4  0  17   8   +9  22
  2 Northern Union          10  6  2  2  16   7   +9  20
  3 Bellight Wanderers      10  6  2  2  13   8   +5  20
  4 Halholzer United        10  5  2  3  12   9   +3  17
  5 Falkner United          10  4  5  1  13  11   +2  17
  6 Halholzer Spitfires     10  5  2  3  11  10   +1  17
  7 Lotus Park              10  4  3  3  11   7   +4  15
  8 Kingsgrove              10  4  3  3  15  15   +0  15
  9 Rozelle                 10  3  4  3  16  12   +4  13
 10 Rozelle United          10  3  4  3  13  11   +2  13
 11 Bellight FC             10  3  4  3  12  11   +1  13
 12 Guilder                 10  2  5  3  10   8   +2  11
 13 Francisca Orient        10  2  5  3   9   9   +0  11
 14 Pilgrimage              10  3  2  5   8  10   -2  11
 15 Gentlemen's Club        10  3  2  5   8  20  -12  11
 16 South Rathia            10  2  4  4  11  16   -5  10
 17 Harmonica Tundra        10  0  8  2  10  14   -4   8
 18 Sciongrad Rovers        10  2  2  6  11  16   -5   8
 19 Marque                  10  1  4  5  12  19   -7   7
 20 Westpike                10  1  3  6   7  14   -7   6

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                   P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Saint Alexander       10  7  1  2  14   4  +10  22
  2 Cape of Hope FC       10  7  0  3  20  12   +8  21
  3 SWU FC                10  6  3  1  13   5   +8  21
  4 Halholzer Sundays     10  6  1  3  16  15   +1  19
  5 Sutbyrne              10  5  3  2  15  10   +5  18
  6 Teol United           10  5  3  2  27  24   +3  18
  7 Snowden River         10  5  2  3  11   8   +3  17
  8 Union FK              10  5  2  3   9   7   +2  17
  9 Rosbank Town          10  5  2  3  16  15   +1  17
 10 Gallant Cross         10  4  3  3   7   5   +2  15
 11 Mount Roland          10  4  3  3  11  10   +1  15
 12 Pikemouth             10  3  5  2  11   8   +3  14
 13 North Rathia          10  2  6  2  12   7   +5  12
 14 Newtown               10  3  3  4  10   9   +1  12
 15 Westpike United       10  2  5  3  10  11   -1  11
 16 Arbour Lights FC      10  2  3  5  11  12   -1   9
 17 Chafford              10  2  2  6   8  13   -5   8
 18 Hooker Ridge          10  1  2  7   8  18  -10   5
 19 Platwood              10  0  2  8   8  19  -11   2
 20 Scraglet Rovers       10  0  1  9   4  29  -25   1

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                     P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Crest                   10  9  0  1  17   4  +13  27
  2 Sharrow                 10  8  1  1  22   7  +15  25
  3 Saint Wessex            10  7  1  2  15   6   +9  22
  4 Southside Wanderers     10  6  3  1  16   9   +7  21
  5 Thrush                  10  6  2  2  19  13   +6  20
  6 Glassfields             10  5  1  4  19  12   +7  16
  7 Ridgeway United         10  4  4  2  16   9   +7  16
  8 Swayback                10  3  6  1  16  13   +3  15
  9 Region                  10  3  5  2  15  11   +4  14
 10 Fort Keller             10  4  2  4  12  12   +0  14
 11 Arkwood                 10  4  2  4   8  10   -2  14
 12 Norbyrne                10  3  2  5  10  17   -7  11
 13 Thriss Valley           10  3  1  6  11  14   -3  10
 14 Scaffield               10  2  3  5  12  15   -3   9
 15 Garfield                10  2  2  6   9  11   -2   8
 16 Dalgallen               10  2  2  6   8  13   -5   8
 17 Pryde Wanderers         10  1  5  4   6  14   -8   8
 18 Greater Snowden         10  2  2  6  10  21  -11   8
 19 Gallow Park             10  0  5  5   8  21  -13   5
 20 Saint Essex             10  0  3  7   5  22  -17   3

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                       P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Highden                   10  9  0  1  17   2  +15  27
  2 Hammerton                 10  6  3  1  33  15  +18  21
  3 Pikemouth United          10  6  3  1  15   7   +8  21
  4 Jackdaw River             10  5  4  1  15   8   +7  19
  5 Proudcastle               10  6  1  3  13   8   +5  19
  6 Rathia Wanderers          10  5  3  2  14  10   +4  18
  7 Caybrooke                 10  5  3  2   8   4   +4  18
  8 South Ridgeway            10  5  1  4  15  12   +3  16
  9 Shenworth                 10  5  0  5  10   6   +4  15
 10 Rooke and Knightstone     10  4  1  5  11  17   -6  13
 11 Fentonbridge              10  4  1  5   9  15   -6  13
 12 Marque Rovers             10  3  2  5  12  15   -3  11
 13 Brookden                  10  3  2  5  10  14   -4  11
 14 Falkner Wanderers         10  3  2  5  14  23   -9  11
 15 Reave City                10  3  1  6  16  17   -1  10
 16 Rushden                   10  1  6  3  11  14   -3   9
 17 Monastery Park            10  2  3  5   5  12   -7   9
 18 Corder Town               10  3  0  7   8  18  -10   9
 19 Myhill                    10  2  0  8   4  15  -11   6
 20 Goldrush Wanderers        10  1  2  7   3  11   -8   5

by **A-League** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 3:53 am

Marque win their third in a row! A looping header from Camargo arcs past Arthur Clark in the Halholzer United goal, at which point Marque turtles the fuck up and battens down the hatches. Against a team playing 5-4-1. With a sweeper and a dedicated defensive midfielder. Even then, Catherine Ralston is called upon for three great saves - she really is better than her current club. Rozelle, who lose 2-1 to Francisca Orient thanks in part to yet another error from Chris Farlane (but mostly because Orient were simply better) would be forgiven for having their eye on her. Meanwhile Harmonica Tundra get their first win after eight draws and two defeats in their first ten matches, Bauer and McNaughton accounting for Lotus Park. “It feels good to finally get that off our backs,” said captain Jack Morriston with a distinct sense of relief after the match.

“When they aren’t infighting, there’s a decent team in that lot,” concedes Jon Slatesaver, who will be unhappy to have seen his North Hall side fall to second with defeat to Gentlemen’s Club. With a combined age of 125, the Club front four really had no business to be more canny and quick than a Hall back line largely in its prime, but a 4-2 win for the Club is a major help in clawing themselves away from the relegation battle. Tundra, meanwhile, have evidently decided they like this whole ‘winning’ thing, and beat Bellight FC 2-1. Marque, however, regress to the mean as Guilder pull out a gutsy 3-2 win at home after falling 1-0 down by half-time, with substitute Ulrich Cross the unlikely hero with a brace from the right wing in 40 minutes.

Kingsgrove have had a pretty wretched season to date and it gets worse as they’re beaten at home by Guilder. Normally a cautious, conservative team, the pink and black are forced into action when goals from Stamper and Gardella put them 2-0 down within 25 minutes. Kingsgrove might think they’re cruising, but Guilder threaten a couple of times on the break and get their act together in defence before putting four goals past the Royals’ flaky defence.

The other Rozelle derby, and given that United have been flaky as hell all season - defeat to Westpike here, a victory over Falkner there - even the bookies aren’t willing to predict the outcome too confidently. In the end, however, Rozelle takes it - an abnormally resolute performance from Chris Farlane, a typically dynamic one from Malta Keohane who really does seem a little too good for the A-League, and with the scores level in the 86th minute, Clint Gallagher rising beautifully for Parrish’s cross, all muscle and no guile, to head past Kelpie Burnley for the winner. Meanwhile, North Hall can pull away from most of the other title challengers, as their victory over Guilder coincides with defeat for Union and Bellight Wanderers, a stalemate for Kingsgrove and an opportunistic smash-and-grab 1-0 win for Halholzer United.

Probably the best night of any Bellight FC fan’s life. Witnessing a 7-1 annihilation of Guilder in which they were already cruising 3-1 before Fran Chaplain decided to scythe through Rook Asquith’s legs to pave way for a second half in which Bellight simply pummelled their opponents for four more was pretty sweet already, and as they’re sitting down reclining at home, they’re just in time to watch highlights of Kingsgrove dismantling the Wanderers 6-1, with six different goalscorers. Proper entertainment in a season that hasn’t really been great to either Bellight team.

Marque seem to be timing their good runs to coincide with the Cup, as B-League side North Rathia is beaten 1-0 at home for the Privateers’ third straight win and the club almost looks not in line for relegation. Even more amazingly, they did it without Catherine Ralston in goal - rested for the cup match, leaving the ropey-looking Rook Kimber in goal. Scaffield, a top flight team as recently as three seasons ago, score a ninth-minute goal through Michael Cannon and it takes until the 77th for Lotus Park to finally get one back. But once the floodgates open, fortunately for Park, they do not close, and while Titania Whitman bundles in an extra time goal in the 106th minute and rushes back to the centre circle, they’re 3-2 down by that stage and while Zoe Besler in goal does need to make one more great save from Bastian Sparrow, the top-tier team escape. Northern Union are shocked by second-tier strugglers Hooker Ridge, but they’re the only scalp, and all other top flight teams progress after Rozelle United breaks Dalgallen down with an extra time brace from Malakai Sheridan.

Bellight Wanderers have had a pretty torrid run of form after being one of the strongest teams out of the gate, but they’ve billed a home fixture against Halholzer United as a must-win. “It’d be a real symbol of intent,” says a bullish Allen Hunter, “and would really put us back in the mix.” But perhaps unsurprisingly, the match between two teams playing solid, defensive 5-4-1s with mediocre lone strikers out of their prime age is not a classic, and the Wanderers eventually lose 1-0 to a defensive error and Ashran Dev capitalising it before knocking the ball past Ferdinand Forney.

Northern Brenecia seems to hold the key to the title race, with both North Hall and Northern Union the top two - and playing against each other. It’s a bruising, physical affair, and a minor injury that forces Candace Rivers off the pitch (the less inspiring Rook Matthews coming on for her) interrupts Union’s fluency. But the guilty party, North Hall’s own captain Rachel Prowse, is sent off sixteen minutes later for a second yellow card - though not before Hall have pulled ahead, Montague’s cross finding the Valhallan left winger Mikkelsen as he drifts onto the far post and scores a powerful header. Union press, and Camden skims over a post, but Hall hold on (thanks also to Sara Fairhall in goal, player of the match and seemingly the one genuinely good goalkeeper in the entire league) and look comfortable in first place.

A misty night in North Hall with a cold drift in the air. The atmosphere in Union Park is as frosty as the actual temperature, as a crowd of 32,761 watch Lotus Park scrape a 3-2 victory over the title favourites through the flourishing foreign strike partnership of Campbell and Nilssen. But across the city, North Hall can cheer as they pull further ahead in the title race with a thumping victory over Marque, who look like a disorganised, disinterested rabble. At 4-1 down, fiery striker Rachael Byrne (the consolation goalscorer) decks Hall centreback Olenna Hart in the jaw to earn a sending off, and there’s still room for a fifth through Bridget Sturrock. Marque manager Rainer Claude is axed just two hours after the match, with assistant Linda Finnan to take charge next match.

Things are not looking good for the debut season of the Mareibatian clubs, and after Pilgrimage pull out a gutsy victory over Halholzer United, the entire top five is Brenecian. Sciongrad Rovers beat Gentlemen’s Club in an entertaining fixture, however, to pull five clear of Westpike at the bottom and just one away from Marque, who draw at Lotus Park in interim manager Linda Finnan’s first match - her tactics seeming to revolve around ‘defend with nine men and hope for lucky counterattacks’, helped by yet more great work from Catherine Ralston in goal. It works well enough. Meanwhile, the Bellight derby ends in a 1-1 draw that really fails to give either side the boost they need - FC are 17th, while the Wanderers have just two points from a possible twenty-one, a run of form that has utterly broken their early title challenge.

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 North Hall               19  12  6   1  35  16  +19  42
  2 Northern Union           19  11  3   5  30  13  +17  36
  3 Falkner United           19   7  9   3  24  17   +7  30
  4 Lotus Park               19   8  5   6  27  19   +8  29
  5 Kingsgrove               19   8  5   6  30  25   +5  29
  6 Halholzer United         19   9  2   8  18  16   +2  29
  7 South Rathia             19   8  5   6  23  23   +0  29
  8 Rozelle                  19   7  6   6  27  21   +6  27
  9 Pilgrimage               19   7  5   7  17  16   +1  26
 10 Rozelle United           19   7  5   7  23  23   +0  26
 11 Bellight Wanderers       19   7  5   7  20  24   -4  26
 12 Gentlemen's Club         19   8  2   9  23  38  -15  26
 13 Halholzer Spitfires      19   7  4   8  18  27   -9  25
 14 Guilder                  19   6  6   7  22  26   -4  24
 15 Francisca Orient         19   5  7   7  16  17   -1  22
 16 Harmonica Tundra         19   4 10   5  22  26   -4  22
 17 Bellight FC              19   4  8   7  29  27   +2  20
 18 Marque                   19   4  6   9  23  32   -9  18
 19 Sciongrad Rovers         19   4  5  10  22  29   -7  17
 20 Westpike                 19   2  6  11  15  29  -14  12

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                    P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Teol United            19  10   7   2  44  34  +10  37
  2 Cape of Hope FC        19  11   3   5  30  18  +12  36
  3 SWU FC                 19   9   7   3  22  11  +11  34
  4 Rosbank Town           19  10   4   5  32  22  +10  34
  5 Halholzer Sundays      19   9   6   4  33  26   +7  33
  6 Saint Alexander        19   9   5   5  22  12  +10  32
  7 Gallant Cross          19   9   5   5  19  11   +8  32
  8 Snowden River          19   9   5   5  23  21   +2  32
  9 Union FK               19   9   2   8  20  21   -1  29
 10 Pikemouth              19   5  11   3  22  16   +6  26
 11 Sutbyrne               19   7   5   7  30  28   +2  26
 12 North Rathia           19   6   7   6  23  17   +6  25
 13 Newtown                19   6   6   7  21  20   +1  24
 14 Westpike United        19   5   8   6  18  20   -2  23
 15 Mount Roland           19   6   5   8  19  27   -8  23
 16 Arbour Lights FC       19   5   6   8  20  24   -4  21
 17 Chafford               19   4   5  10  12  20   -8  17
 18 Hooker Ridge           19   2   6  11  14  30  -16  12
 19 Platwood               19   1   7  11  16  30  -14  10
 20 Scraglet Rovers        19   2   2  15  14  46  -32   8

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Crest                    19  13  4   2  35  15  +20  43
  2 Southside Wanderers      19  12  4   3  28  14  +14  40
  3 Sharrow                  19  12  3   4  37  20  +17  39
  4 Region                   19   9  7   3  26  17   +9  34
  5 Saint Wessex             19  10  4   5  23  16   +7  34
  6 Ridgeway United          19   9  5   5  29  16  +13  32
  7 Fort Keller              19   9  3   7  30  23   +7  30
  8 Glassfields              19   9  3   7  29  24   +5  30
  9 Thrush                   19   8  5   6  33  30   +3  29
 10 Scaffield                19   6  6   7  23  22   +1  24
 11 Swayback                 19   5  7   7  28  29   -1  22
 12 Garfield                 19   6  4   9  18  19   -1  22
 13 Arkwood                  19   6  4   9  13  19   -6  22
 14 Gallow Park              19   4  8   7  19  30  -11  20
 15 Norbyrne                 19   5  5   9  16  30  -14  20
 16 Thriss Valley            19   5  4  10  20  27   -7  19
 17 Dalgallen                19   3  8   8  17  24   -7  17
 18 Greater Snowden          19   4  3  12  16  31  -15  15
 19 Saint Essex              19   3  6  10  17  35  -18  15
 20 Pryde Wanderers          19   2  7  10  16  32  -16  13

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                        P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Highden                    19  14  1   4  33  11  +22  43
  2 Proudcastle                19  11  5   3  23  13  +10  38
  3 Hammerton                  19  10  5   4  43  24  +19  35
  4 Jackdaw River              19  10  5   4  27  14  +13  35
  5 Pikemouth United           19   9  6   4  29  19  +10  33
  6 Rathia Wanderers           19   9  5   5  30  27   +3  32
  7 Marque Rovers              19   9  2   8  29  25   +4  29
  8 Reave City                 19   9  2   8  35  32   +3  29
  9 Caybrooke                  19   8  5   6  16  15   +1  29
 10 Fentonbridge               19   9  2   8  20  23   -3  29
 11 Shenworth                  19   9  0  10  16  13   +3  27
 12 South Ridgeway             19   8  1  10  25  27   -2  25
 13 Rooke and Knightstone      19   7  3   9  17  22   -5  24
 14 Rushden                    19   5  8   6  21  23   -2  23
 15 Goldrush Wanderers         19   5  5   9  15  18   -3  20
 16 Brookden                   19   5  4  10  18  26   -8  19
 17 Monastery Park             19   4  7   8  13  22   -9  19
 18 Falkner Wanderers          19   5  4  10  19  35  -16  19
 19 Myhill                     19   4  2  13   9  26  -17  14
 20 Corder Town                19   3  2  14  11  34  -23  11

by **A-League** » Sun Feb 22, 2015 4:17 am

Westpike remain rooted to the bottom of the table, Guru Birikaitis ending a dry run of form with a hattrick as the dominant Reds put the struggling Brenecians to the sword. Linda Finnan, meanwhile, gets a first win in charge as Marque show genuine threat to dispatch Harmonica Tundra. While Bauer does get the opening goal in the tenth minute, Finnan’s applause whenever Marque broke forwards, her thumbs up whenever 22-year old Laura Galloway (the playmaker rarely getting a game under Claude) attempted an optimistic forward pass even when it failed, and ultimately it was a hooked Strachan cross that Searle headed into the net before Galloway’s optimistic long shot smashed into the underside of the crossbar and then in for the winner.

Hooker Ridge might be able to beat Northern Union, but they’re toppled by C-League side Saint Essex; 34-year old veteran striker Barry Merrett the hat-trick hero for the Saints in a 4-2 away win. As Rozelle United annihilate Southside Wanderers 6-0 - Southside having been a top-flight club just three years ago, third-tier now - the only tie not resolved in ninety minutes is a battle between North Hall and Falkner United, a true cut-and-thrust battle between two evenly matched opponents. Connolly, as she so often does, opened the scoring in the 63rd minute, but just five minutes later Finn Glenn replied with a stylish arcing shot. Ultimately, it went to penalties - and with all of the ten on target, 28-year old Helen Vickers (whose career hasn’t quite panned out as it had been meant to since a high-profile move to then-Premiership Brookford Otters at a young age) is the hero with two great saves to lend credence to her claim to be Falkner United’s number 1.

It might seem like strange timing, but after a 2-0 defeat to Halholzer Spitfires in which both sides showed the intent but only Ježek and Cergennan showed a finishing touch, Marque interim manager Linda Finnan was appointed permanently. Finnan might not seem like much of one for tactics (“Hit it forwards,” she summarised her strategy as to the press with a grin), but Marque have played without fear and extracted results from the firebrand centreforward Byrne and the young, underutilised playmaker Galloway. Kingsgrove can’t string together results for love nor money - aside from their dominant performances in the continent and in UICA broadly - and when big Finbar O’Hara of Harmonica Tundra heads home a corner to take home a victory, the title seems well and truly out of reach. Meanwhile, a relegation six-pointer sees Westpike scramble two goals past Sciongrad Rovers, thanks largely to Catheline Kell on the left wing, while Gentlemen’s Club continue not being in the relegation battle with a battling 2-2 draw against Union - not pretty, but quick and muscular, and that’ll get you a long way in the A-League.

Bellight FC score for the ninth consecutive match, but more importantly they mark a third consecurive victory, utterly thumping Sciongrad 6-0 after a 3-0 away win over Westpike and 3-1 at home over South Rathia. Halholzer United manage a dull, grindng, interminable victory over Harmonica Tundra to halt a run of five straight defeats and four without scoring. Just in time, too - the Halholzer derby is next match, and with the Spitfires having just beaten Kingsgrove 2-1 away thanks to substitute Chris Magnusson’s bicycle kick in the last ten minutes (and a man-of-the-match performance from William Jasper in holding midfield) it’s set to be a hell of a match.

Well, Gentlemen’s Club had a good thing going. Three draws in a row, the first two against strong UICA teams and the most recent against a resurgent Marque, is ended in brutal and decisive fashion. Kingsgrove put them under massive pressure and when it broke in the 52nd minute, Gardella finding a gap for Gardot to break through and roll past Tregatta Walker, leftback Mitchell Clyde decided that he felt it was offside. He felt so strongly about it being offside that he calmly took off his shoe and hurled it at hapless lineswoman Sylvia Marriott, and when this escalated into a full-on brawl Clyde was, to nobody’s surprise, sent off. Club imploded, Kingsgrove put four more past them, and things suddenly look a little less rozy. The Halholzer derby is riveting, Spitfires hammering on United before finally scoring through Cergennan. United are forced to go direct down the wings, and when Jasper is sent off for a second yellow card press forward, finally managing an equaliser in the 76th minute from von Maelstrom’s thunderous free kick. Bravely, the ten-man Spitfires press for a winner, young Zeke forcing a brilliant double save when one-on-one with Clark, before a volley from the substitute Olgina Harrison is palmed away by Colbeck onto a post. O’Connor slips inside to stab home the rebound… but is ruled offside in the penultimate kick of the match. When the final whistle blows, both sides collapse exhausted - but a draw is the right result.

Pilgrimage have perhaps not receieved enough of the spotlight - a truly classy performance at home sees them dissemble Rozelle United 4-0, talismanic captain Townsend yet again the star. Pilgrimage are probably the smallest club in the entire top flight, but a combination of fearlessness, chemistry and simply doing the basics right have lead them to a genuine Globe Cup push. Meanwhile, as Kingsgrove and Falkner - both likely out of the title race by this stage - play out an uncharacteristic stalemate, Larissa Connolly seeming off the pace and, worse, exhausted. But with Halholzer United coming up, they’ll need her more than ever.

A stalwart performance from Rosbank Town sees them get the better of Westpike in a physical, bruising affair. 35-year old backup goalkeeper Jack Tanner keeps them in the game through some smart saves. Sutbyrne manages a draw of its own against Rozelle United thanks to a late Eve Kennedy equaliser, while Falkner United - giving Connolly a much-needed rest - are shocked at home by Marque. C-League Saint Essex park the bus against Lotus Park, who can only get a single goal against them away, but you’d think it’d be enough given that Essex didn’t even get a shot on target at home.

With time running out for Westpike, it’s a well-known fact that Stern Lochhead is on a match-by-match basis as manager. But he does his prospects no harm with a grinding 1-0 victory over Kingsgrove, playing even more of a cautious defensive game than usual and only attacking in the last five minutes with Marcia Danmark’s layoff for Catheline Kell to strike cleanly and crisply past Knight breaking the hearts of the away fans. Both title challengers head to Rozelle, and while Union can’t beat Rozelle, North Hall destroy Rozelle United 4-1 with Achilles Mikkelsen the man of the match, chalking up a hattrick of assists. Falkner, meanwhile, rely on a moment of magic from Larissa Connolly to glide through the Halholzer United defence, fire high past Clark before being clattered, late, by Vimala Uidhir. She’s forced off, clutching her knee, but at least the result stands and Falkner reinforce their claim to third place. Scant consolation for a team now missing its talisman for five weeks.

Sciongrad are another weak side ratchetting up a good run of form. Yet again it comes at Kingsgrove’s expense, as they’re simply outdone in terms of firepower - uncharacteristically poor finishing from Gardot doesn’t help, the teenager brought off for Sanchez-Dysos. The veteran Audioslav pegs 3-1 back to 3-2, but it isn’t enough - as thanks largely to King Trevarren, the Rovers have three crucial points. But Westpike also grab an entirely surprising away point against Halholzer United, which had seemed impossible when Dev sashayed through Colback and Delaney to smash past Buckingham. How could the league’s worst attack penetrate its best defence? Through Catheline Kell, apparently - cutting inside and arcing a strike over Clark, into the underside of the bar and in.

Westpike get the goal they need to dispatch a spirited Rosbank Town, Danmark sent tumbling by Mark Kenna before Kell slots the penalty past Grisholm. Rozelle United also progress thanks to a brace from Gallagher, while Marque improbably hold on through some desperate defending to defy Falkner. To absolutely nobody’s surprise, C-League Saint Essex can’t beat Lotus Park away, though 1-0 is closer than anyone really expected, and so all the top-tier teams make it through to the semifinals.

Westpike win another crucial three points, this time over Guilder thanks to a single goal from Theodora Norcliff, while in the major Rozelle derby Kingsgrove, evidently tired of utterly faltering domestically despite dominance in international competitions, kick the shit out of Rozelle in a performance both uncharacteristically violent and refreshingly effective, and Clint Gallagher’s attempts to give as good as he gets lead to a red card. 3-0 is the final score, and it’s arguably Rozelle’s worst performance of the season. In what has already been a dismal season. Blake Lawless, as a result, takes his marching orders.

For a while, Gentlemen’s Club looked just about secure in the top flight. But they’ve had seven straight defeats following a fair unbeaten run, the 5-0 home defeat to Kingsgrove seemingly breaking their spirits, and now South Rathia - two for Bowman and Keller, Rath, Rhodes from the penalty spot, Ruskin and Sunderland - put eight unanswered goals past them. It’s painful to watch. North Hall are held by Lotus Park, but Union lose their chance to make up some ground on them as Kingsgrove come back from 2-0 down to draw an exhilarating game. Fiacre Bellerose might have established himself as the new top dog of the league’s strikers (thanks also in part to a loss of form from Malta Keohane) but Guillermo Sanchez-Dysos is still a force of nature coming off that bench 45 minutes into a match, and while he doesn’t score today he lays on assists for two of the attacking midfielders behind him, Gardella and Stamper.

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 North Hall               28  17   8   3  51  24  +27  59
  2 Northern Union           28  17   6   5  50  21  +29  57
  3 Falkner United           28  12  12   4  33  21  +12  48
  4 South Rathia             28  12   8   8  39  31   +8  44
  5 Halholzer United         28  13   4  11  26  22   +4  43
  6 Kingsgrove               28  11   7  10  46  36  +10  40
  7 Lotus Park               28  11   7  10  37  31   +6  40
  8 Pilgrimage               28  11   6  11  29  26   +3  39
  9 Guilder                  28  10   8  10  29  31   -2  38
 10 Bellight Wanderers       28  10   8  10  29  34   -5  38
 11 Bellight FC              28   9   9  10  47  35  +12  36
 12 Rozelle                  28   9   9  10  35  34   +1  36
 13 Harmonica Tundra         28   8  11   9  31  32   -1  35
 14 Halholzer Spitfires      28  10   5  13  25  38  -13  35
 15 Francisca Orient         28   9   7  12  29  30   -1  34
 16 Rozelle United           28   9   7  12  32  40   -8  34
 17 Marque                   28   8   7  13  34  45  -11  31
 18 Gentlemen's Club         28   8   5  15  30  65  -35  29
 19 Westpike                 28   6   8  14  23  40  -17  26
 20 Sciongrad Rovers         28   6   6  16  31  50  -19  24

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                    P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Cape of Hope FC        28  16   6   6  45  25  +20  54
  2 SWU FC                 28  14   9   5  31  15  +16  51
  3 Halholzer Sundays      28  14   9   5  49  34  +15  51
  4 Gallant Cross          28  14   9   5  31  17  +14  51
  5 Saint Alexander        28  14   8   6  35  17  +18  50
  6 Teol United            28  13   9   6  53  44   +9  48
  7 Pikemouth              28  10  13   5  33  21  +12  43
  8 Rosbank Town           28  11  10   7  42  34   +8  43
  9 Snowden River          28  11  10   7  34  32   +2  43
 10 Union FK               28  12   5  11  32  34   -2  41
 11 North Rathia           28   9  11   8  33  23  +10  38
 12 Westpike United        28   9  11   8  35  29   +6  38
 13 Sutbyrne               28   9   8  11  40  41   -1  35
 14 Arbour Lights FC       28   7   9  12  30  39   -9  30
 15 Newtown                28   7   9  12  26  36  -10  30
 16 Mount Roland           28   7   6  15  23  39  -16  27
 17 Platwood               28   6   8  14  27  43  -16  26
 18 Chafford               28   4   9  15  14  30  -16  21
 19 Hooker Ridge           28   2  11  15  19  41  -22  17
 20 Scraglet Rovers        28   4   4  20  27  65  -38  16

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Sharrow                  28  18   5   5  60  31  +29  59
  2 Crest                    28  17   8   3  46  20  +26  59
  3 Southside Wanderers      28  17   6   5  40  21  +19  57
  4 Ridgeway United          28  15   7   6  47  24  +23  52
  5 Region                   28  13   9   6  34  24  +10  48
  6 Thrush                   28  12   9   7  50  41   +9  45
  7 Fort Keller              28  13   6   9  39  31   +8  45
  8 Saint Wessex             28  12   7   9  28  23   +5  43
  9 Glassfields              28  12   6  10  46  40   +6  42
 10 Swayback                 28   9   9  10  37  37   +0  36
 11 Norbyrne                 28  10   5  13  29  42  -13  35
 12 Garfield                 28   9   7  12  27  29   -2  34
 13 Scaffield                28   8   8  12  30  31   -1  32
 14 Dalgallen                28   5  13  10  27  35   -8  28
 15 Pryde Wanderers          28   6  10  12  28  45  -17  28
 16 Gallow Park              28   6  10  12  26  43  -17  28
 17 Thriss Valley            28   7   5  16  27  41  -14  26
 18 Greater Snowden          28   7   4  17  31  46  -15  25
 19 Arkwood                  28   6   7  15  19  38  -19  25
 20 Saint Essex              28   4   7  17  23  52  -29  19

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                        P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Hammerton                  28  18   6   4  76  30  +46  60
  2 Highden                    28  18   1   9  48  25  +23  55
  3 Rathia Wanderers           28  16   5   7  49  38  +11  53
  4 Proudcastle                28  15   6   7  34  24  +10  51
  5 Caybrooke                  28  14   6   8  29  23   +6  48
  6 Marque Rovers              28  14   4  10  42  32  +10  46
  7 Reave City                 28  13   5  10  54  40  +14  44
  8 Jackdaw River              28  11   9   8  34  25   +9  42
  9 Shenworth                  28  13   3  12  29  22   +7  42
 10 Pikemouth United           28  11   8   9  39  38   +1  41
 11 Fentonbridge               28  12   4  12  28  36   -8  40
 12 South Ridgeway             28  12   2  14  39  44   -5  38
 13 Rushden                    28   8  11   9  28  31   -3  35
 14 Monastery Park             28   8   8  12  20  30  -10  32
 15 Falkner Wanderers          28   9   5  14  36  53  -17  32
 16 Goldrush Wanderers         28   8   7  13  22  31   -9  31
 17 Rooke and Knightstone      28   8   6  14  20  35  -15  30
 18 Brookden                   28   6   8  14  26  40  -14  26
 19 Myhill                     28   5   5  18  12  37  -25  20
 20 Corder Town                28   5   3  20  18  49  -31  18

by **A-League** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 8:40 pm

Bellight FC have recovered from a truly abysmal start to the season to genuinely start a challenge for the Mareibatian Globe Cup places. They clamber into pole position (barring Halholzer United, obviously) thanks to their fantastic goal difference after a 5-0 annihilation of Lotus Park, themselves challenging for the same competition and lucky for a lack of serious competitors. The small, plucky Pilgrimage hang onto the second despite a 4-0 thumping by the Spitfires, while FC’s rivals in the Wanderers slump to a 0-0 draw against a suddenly rock-solid Westpike. Union, meanwhile, keep up the heat on Hall with an efficient 2-0 win over Halholzer United, but Hall don’t miss a step by beating the same formation from the same nation by the same scoreline. Time is decidedly against the Union.

Westpike suffer defeat after five league matches unbeaten (plus two in the Cup). It’s a streak that has, in combination with Gentlemen’s Club’s dramatic collapse, brought them to within three points of safety until this match pegs it back to six after Club manage a victory over Pilgrimage with just ten men on the pitch for 40 minutes. Certainly the explosive, entertaining Club are the neutral’s pick over the dour western Brenecians, but this match aside, momentum’s been swinging for Stern Lochhead’s squad.

Westpike are on the back foot throughout against Rozelle United in a match that is a mirror of the upcoming league fixture, Anna Lineker stroking past Tanner from 28 yards despite United missing far easier chances throughout the match. But characteristically, Westpike hit back on the counter, Danmark’s sheer pace taking her through Drummond, hurdling Stockinger’s challenge before chipping an awkwardly out-of-place Hood. Park, meanwhile, stick the lumbering Hugh Lennon in at centreback to help the equally towering Gateshead deal with Marque’s early floated crosses. Cup goalkeeper Monica Clifton, similarly, is stronger than Bullard and easily deals with the ones that defy her defence. Unsurprisingly Marque are left toothless, although
Ash Chilton hits a post late on, and Diandra Kilbane’s long strike is the only goal of the game.

Total inertia in the relegation fight, with Sciongrad, Westpike and Club all beaten by three clear goals. Rozelle United, as the side administering the 4-1 to Westpike after the draw in the Cup, pull further away from the relegation dogfight, while even despite two defeats in two games Marque have been doing a decent impression of a good team recently and should pull clear.

Reverses all around, as Falkner United and North Hall play out an exhilarating draw while Kingsgrove are held by Guilder, South Rathia lose to Rozelle, Halholzer United hold Bellight FC to a dull stalemate and Northern Union lose to an impressive Bellight Wanderers. In fact, seemingly the only non-midtable side to win is Westpike, who beat an unlucky and arguably superior Pilgrimage 2-0 thanks to a Danmark brace and an uncharacteristically good performance from Roy Buckingham in goal. It’s Pilgrimage’s fourth straight defeat, and the young club has a lot of work to do to catch up in the Globe Cup race. Rozelle United, meanwhile, pull further away from the relegation battle and push Sciongrad deeper into it with a battling 3-2 win. McEachern heads in a corner for the opener, but after that United just dominate, and it’s a vital win for Danielle Granger’s squad.

Despite a recent 4-1 defeat to United and only drawing in the first leg, Westpike switch things up and play more assertively, switching to a 4-2-3-1 with captain Tristram and the combative Rachael Thistle in holding midfield, winning the midfield battle before smashing it forwards along the wings. Danmark scores first, streaking past Drummond to put the ball past Hood, before a 76th minute free kick is put dangerously into the area by Kell and put into his own net by the horribly unlucky Sebastian Buchan. Meanwhile, after being shut down completely in the first leg, do Marque change their tactics? Well. No. They don’t. Aside from playing through Galloway a little more, the former Mount Roland playmaker having really come into her own with Finnan’s faith in her but not having a great match today. Park can’t score either, Rook Kimber making some good saves, but they still progress.

Coming straight off a demoralising defeat to Westpike, Rozelle United probably are not looking forward to a derby. But that’s exactly what they get, and in a solid, direct but uninspired performance from both teams it’s a moment of magic from Adelaide Swain on the right wing that gifts Keohane with a tap-in. While North Hall unsurprisingly eat Westpike without even conceding a shot on target, Union’s draw against South Rathia puts them even further back. Bellight FC, for their part, put out an outstanding performance to destroy the Spitfires 3-0, Domhnaill, Adelardi and Birikaitis getting the goals but O’Hara getting the plaudits for a complete performance with two assists and clamping down the midfield.

Rozelle are finally putting the results together, and since Raven Cullen took charge (poached from overachieving-but-relegated Sutbyrne) have taken 16 points from a possible 18, putting them right back in the hunt. Even more crucially, Malta Keohane has regained some of last season’s form, and her brace here to put down Pilgrimage gives her seven goals in those six games.

Pilgrimage’s form might have cooled recently, but they’re still resilient as hell and can trip any team up. Northern Union are the latest victims, Candace Rivers giving them an early lead but the defence simply doesn’t buckle again, aided by a magnificent performance from Maegan Ventura in goal, before a stoppage-time equaliser from Patenaude, stroking home Cossack’s flick-on from a Haeding cross, breaks Union hearts. With North Hall beating Rozelle comfortably, it leaves Union with a mountain to climb… starting when the two table-toppers face each other next match.

A veritable bucketload of goals and drama today. Union keep the title within theoretical reach with a desperate performance against North Hall at home, and you can tell that Reader told her squad to get stuck in and cause a few injuries - they do, after all, need not only to win this match, but for Hall to lose away to Marque and at home to Kingsgrove. It’s a long shot, but thanks to a single goal, Camden’s long pass smashed off the post by Bellerose and the rebound sidefooted in by Hadley, it’s still possible. Falkner United put a significant dent in Gentlemen’s Club’s survival hopes, rolling over them 6-4 in what was admittedly a poor defensive performances marred by two bad mistakes from Titania Pratchett in goal - the goalkeeper has never been United’s greatest strength - but lit up by four goals from a rejuvenated Larissa Connolly. There’s another six goals on display in Rozelle, as United get thumped 6-1 by Kingsgrove.

Union do their part - a tense match, but Bellerose’s touch of class puts them past Lotus Park. And with the scoreline at Marque deadlocked at 1-1, they seem like they might have a chance - but in the last twenty minutes, Slatesaver makes a triple substitution, Beck for the exhausted target man Ravenhorst, Glenn for Sturrock, regular starter Montague - who’d looked tired of late - brought on for Boeck. Montague is fairly ineffectual, but Beck breaks through the Marque line to smash a forward pass on goal. Ralston does excellently to come out and beat it down, but only into the path of Finn Glenn, who throws himself forwards and bundles the ball in with his right foot. Killenhall dashes back and nearly clears it off the line, but can’t get clean contact and just airswings. North Hall win the title with a matchday to spare, carried over the line by a scrappy goal from a 30-year old squad player.

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 North Hall               37  24   9   4  69  31  +38  81  CC
  2 Northern Union           37  23   8   6  61  26  +35  77  CC
  3 Falkner United           37  16  14   7  52  36  +16  62  GC
  4 Halholzer United         37  18   7  12  33  24   +9  61  CC
  5 South Rathia             37  16  10  11  53  42  +11  58
  6 Rozelle                  37  16  10  11  50  40  +10  58
  7 Kingsgrove               37  15  12  10  62  44  +18  57
  8 Lotus Park               37  16   8  13  48  42   +6  56
  9 Bellight FC              37  13  12  12  62  41  +21  51  GC
 10 Guilder                  37  13  10  14  35  40   -5  49
 11 Halholzer Spitfires      37  14   6  17  40  50  -10  48
 12 Pilgrimage               37  13   7  17  37  43   -6  46
 13 Bellight Wanderers       37  12  10  15  35  41   -6  46
 14 Francisca Orient         37  12   9  16  39  40   -1  45
 15 Harmonica Tundra         37  10  15  12  41  44   -3  45
 16 Rozelle United           37  11   8  18  41  60  -19  41
 17 Marque                   37  10   8  19  41  56  -15  38
 18 Gentlemen's Club         37  10   6  21  40  86  -46  36
 19 Westpike                 37   8   9  20  30  55  -25  33
 20 Sciongrad Rovers         37   8   6  23  45  73  -28  30  R

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                    P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Saint Alexander        37  22   9   6  45  19  +26  75  P
  2 SWU FC                 37  20   9   8  45  27  +18  69
  3 Cape of Hope FC        37  20   7  10  64  37  +27  67
  4 Gallant Cross          37  16  13   8  36  24  +12  61
  5 Halholzer Sundays      37  16  11  10  58  46  +12  59
  6 Rosbank Town           37  15  13   9  56  43  +13  58
  7 Teol United            37  15  12  10  64  58   +6  57
  8 Snowden River          37  15  11  11  40  39   +1  56
  9 Pikemouth              37  13  15   9  42  30  +12  54
 10 Union FK               37  15   7  15  37  40   -3  52
 11 Westpike United        37  12  15  10  47  38   +9  51
 12 North Rathia           37  11  12  14  47  40   +7  45
 13 Mount Roland           37  12   8  17  32  45  -13  44
 14 Sutbyrne               37  11  10  16  51  54   -3  43
 15 Newtown                37  10  11  16  32  43  -11  41
 16 Arbour Lights FC       37   9  12  16  40  54  -14  39
 17 Chafford               37   9  11  17  22  36  -14  38
 18 Hooker Ridge           37   6  14  17  28  48  -20  32  R
 19 Platwood               37   8   8  21  33  56  -23  32  R
 20 Scraglet Rovers        37   8   6  23  38  80  -42  30

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Sharrow                  37  23   8   6  85  45  +40  77
  2 Crest                    37  21  10   6  57  34  +23  73
  3 Ridgeway United          37  20  10   7  60  29  +31  70
  4 Southside Wanderers      37  19  10   8  52  33  +19  67
  5 Region                   37  16  14   7  45  33  +12  62
  6 Saint Wessex             37  16  12   9  46  32  +14  60
  7 Thrush                   37  15  14   8  64  54  +10  59
  8 Glassfields              37  16   8  13  62  52  +10  56
  9 Fort Keller              37  15   8  14  50  46   +4  53
 10 Norbyrne                 37  14   7  16  41  58  -17  49
 11 Scaffield                37  11  14  12  39  36   +3  47
 12 Swayback                 37  12  10  15  49  52   -3  46
 13 Garfield                 37  12   7  18  34  42   -8  43
 14 Dalgallen                37   6  19  12  36  44   -8  37
 15 Gallow Park              37   7  15  15  34  53  -19  36
 16 Pryde Wanderers          37   7  15  15  40  61  -21  36
 17 Arkwood                  37   9   8  20  26  46  -20  35
 18 Thriss Valley            37   9   7  21  38  52  -14  34
 19 Greater Snowden          37   8  10  19  45  61  -16  34
 20 Saint Essex              37   7   8  22  37  77  -40  29

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                        P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Hammerton                  37  23   8   6  95  45  +50  77
  2 Highden                    37  22   4  11  61  32  +29  70
  3 Proudcastle                37  21   7   9  45  29  +16  70
  4 Rathia Wanderers           37  18  10   9  63  52  +11  64
  5 Jackdaw River              37  17  12   8  48  29  +19  63
  6 Caybrooke                  37  18   8  11  37  31   +6  62
  7 Marque Rovers              37  18   6  13  56  45  +11  60
  8 Pikemouth United           37  15  11  11  49  45   +4  56
  9 South Ridgeway             37  17   5  15  49  50   -1  56
 10 Shenworth                  37  16   6  15  37  29   +8  54
 11 Reave City                 37  15   7  15  65  54  +11  52
 12 Fentonbridge               37  15   4  18  39  50  -11  49
 13 Goldrush Wanderers         37  12   9  16  27  36   -9  45
 14 Falkner Wanderers          37  12   8  17  45  63  -18  44
 15 Rooke and Knightstone      37  12   7  18  28  42  -14  43
 16 Rushden                    37  10  12  15  35  47  -12  42
 17 Monastery Park             37   9  12  16  24  39  -15  39
 18 Brookden                   37   8  10  19  34  50  -16  34
 19 Corder Town                37   7   5  25  23  59  -36  26
 20 Myhill                     37   6   7  24  17  50  -33  25

by **A-League** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 10:00 pm

FINAL MATCHDAY
Bellight Wanderers vs. Bellight FC
A tasty Bellight derby to finish the season in Mareibat. Barring a 31-goal reverse between an FC defeat and a Spitfire victory, the away side will finish as the second-best Mareibatian team, and they’ve secured a Globe Cup place regardless. Wanderers need to win to preserve their hopes of Cup football, and rely on neither the Spitfires nor Pilgrimage accomplishing the same.

Westpike vs. Falkner United
Third or fourth, it makes no difference for Falkner - they’re the highest-ranked Globe Cup team in the league next term. Westpike will be hoping they take an apathetic performance to West Point as a win here and a Gentlemen’s Club defeat to Sciongrad will just be enough to save Westpike thanks to Club’s spectacularly appalling goal difference.

South Rathia vs. Francisca Orient
Francisca Orient have barely warranted a mention all season, just sort of skimming along happily in midtable. They should make easy enough prey for South Rathia, up in 5th and needing any kind of result to keep a Globe Cup place.

Sciongrad Rovers vs. Gentlemen's Club
The Rovers are already relegated despite some spirited performances and 45 goals over the course of the season, and this represents their chance to drag Club down with them. Club need any kind of result to be safe, but thanks to a sickeningly bad goal difference, if they lose and Westpike win they’re relegated. They should be safe, but they really do need to stick together and fight, just for once.

Rozelle United vs. Guilder
Neither side has anything to play for, though Guilder’s had by far the better season to draw upon. The next challenge for Guilder is keeping ahold of Sepp Hohenzollern, who’s been attracting glances back home in Nephara.

Rozelle vs. Halholzer Spitfires
One of just two cross-association matches on the last day, Rozelle have somehow fought back to 6th under Raven Cullen’s leadership. A draw will probably be enough to keep them in the Globe Cup places provided Lotus Park don’t smash Marque 4-0 or better - and Kingsgrove would also need at least a draw away against the champions. Still, those things are very possible, and they’ll hope to win. The Spitfires need a win to be safe, with inferior goal difference to their close rivals Pilgrimage or Bellight - a draw and either of them winning, and they’ll lose the place.

Pilgrimage vs. Halholzer United
The Gold and White - or the Gilded Cage, as Kingsgrove manager Sasha Bale acerbically called them, sick to death of their defensive nature - have, to nobody’s surprise, clinched Mareibat’s Champions’ Cup place. Pilgrimage have managed some shocks this season, and if they can get one last scalp in, and Spitfire lose or draw, the last Globe Cup place is theirs.

Northern Union vs. Harmonica Tundra
Union will finish second no matter what after a long, gruelling title race. Tundra’s season has been desperately poor, and to get anywhere near salvaging it they need to win while Pilgrimage and Bellight Wanderers fail to, and Halholzer Spitfires need to lose. It would take a miracle.

North Hall vs. Kingsgrove
North Hall are champions, and just waiting to claim the trophy in front of their own fans. Kingsgrove have also had a great season. Just… not domestically. They reached a semi-final finish in the Globe Cup, beaten 2-1 both home and away by East Franz Athletic in what was still an impressive performance, and they soon have a CEDC final against Nepharim giants AFC Treason to attend to. But they still need a win here (or to equal Lotus Park’s result, either way) to confirm a Globe Cup place, so Hall will need to be on their toes if they want to claim the trophy in style.

Marque vs. Lotus Park
Safe, barely. The Privateers improved markedly under Linda Finnan, the promoted assistant who genuinely motivated her players, but a team of limited triers aren’t exactly favourites against Lotus Park. If Park win, and Rathia/Rozelle lose or Kingsgrove draw, they’ve reached a Globe Cup place. Those aren’t bad odds.

KICK-OFF
Westpike aren’t really optimistic, and it almost immediately gets worse. While most games go off to a fairly slow start, news echoes around West Point that Harper flicked onto the far post for Helmensun to tap in. An early disaster, and Falkner have already forced a decent save from John Tanner. Westpike lacked fluency, going direct as possible. Meanwhile, Rozelle took just nine minutes to take the lead over Halholzer Spitfires, Keohane heading against the crossbar but Parrish dashing into the box and scoring with an unlikely diving header. And just one minute later, Pilgrimage take an early lead against Halholzer United, Townsend finding the gap in the defence to release Richardson on the right, who crossed straight into Cossack. Miraculously, the number 9 found the space past the three centrebacks to head past Clark, and now it’s time for the hilarious and rare sight of United chasing a game.

Club’s respite is short-lived; Sciongrad get a goal back through Bolcar Surious, taking advantage of the space to latch onto a McEachern layoff and striking beautifully past Tregatta Walker. But Club get right back on the front foot, only a few couple saves from Hatty Vernon keeping the score down. Falkner get the ball in the net against Westpike… but Kellow’s adjudged offside. Correctly. Sighs of relief all around West Point, but they still need a goal. And Club get back in front soon afterwards, Helmensun arcing a shot past Vernon from 26 yards. It’s a score that persists until half-time. Westpike, for their part, manage to keep the stalemate. The only late drama in the first half is Lukas Scannell rising for a corner in stoppage time, glancing a header past Anna Byrne (a good shot-stopper but notoriously weak in the air) for Francisca to take the lead against South Rathia. Suddenly, it’s all open for Lotus Park, deadlocked 1-1 with a brave Marque.

In the second half, someone’s put something in Westpike’s bloodstream, as they surge forwards from the getgo and nearly catch Pratchett off her line with a long strike from Blackslate. She tips over, but Catheline Kell dashes over to take the corner, and there’s just a hint of something… Westpike don’t have the biggest front line, or really, squad in general, but they’re disciplined in set pieces, enough to be a threat. It’s big unit Finnan Delaney on the near post that slips his marker and smashes the ball into the net. Falkner, to everyone’s surprise, are down.

Happily for Westpike, the Rovers soon equalise. Surious with the cross, half-time substitute Sweeney Beckett slipping his marker on the near post to volley past Walker. 2-2 in Mareibat, and if Sciongrad take a lead, Westpike are safe… but as Connolly lets rip a vicious strike from 20 yards, they’re fortunate it goes an inch high and wide. Marque, meanwhile, have taken a lead against Lotus Park - 2-1 when Strachan’s low cross with the outside of her left boot finds Byrne, 3-1 when Strachan’s diagonal run is found with an inside pass from Chainworth, the overlapping fullback, and she makes no mistake just inside the box. Suddenly, it’s starting to look like results elsewhere - Hall currently drawing Kingsgrove, Rathia losing to Francisca - aren’t going to matter.

65th minute, and Kingsgrove pull ahead through June Gardot, sashaying through Hall’s line and stabbing past Fairhall. And for their part, Sciongrad also manage to pull ahead, Trevarren with a thunderbastard that smashes the underside of the bar before going in, and Westpike are, as it stands, safe! Though it’s suddenly looking dicier when Luther Tristram poleaxes Portia Knight and is sent off with a straight red. Westpike retract their wingers, even withdrawing Rowling for 32-year old Curtis who moves into rightback while Tyson, who favours rightback herself, is pushed forward into right midfield. The more defensive Thistle is brought on for Blackslate at the same time. It’s a 4-4-1 that leaves Marcia Danmark very isolated up top, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Sciongrad soon pull further ahead, Beckett’s shot parried by Walker but that can only put it into place for Hicanan striker Castelliho to bundle home.

Lotus Park pull one back through Spencer Campbell, Club soon manage to through Matthew Kiltroy, and Falkner chase the game in vain but can’t get anything by a squad that simply doesn’t care about the legality of professional fouls. And, when called upon, 35-year old John Tanner - position in the first-team reclaimed a few weeks prior thanks to his Cup form - is equal to the challenge. Club are desperate to get their fourth goal, and as if to spite them, goals are raining in during every other match - O’Connor scores an equaliser against Pilgrimage, Union finally equalises against a resilient Harmonica Tundra, Park substitute Scout Leicester gets Lotus’ third goal and Bellight Wanderers striker Alasdair Herodes volleys past FC goalkeeper James Zelah. But finally, finally, there is a goal in the fight between the league’s bottom teams!

Problem is, King Trevarren scores it.

The captain swoops forward on the counterattack, and while a bad cross from Surious is pounced on by Stcyr, the young 16-year old, bluntly, fucks up his first touch. It’s swept away from him by Trevarren, who cuts inside and smashes past Walker.

It sends Club’s players sinking to the ground. It sends Westpike rapturous, and with Falkner looking disinterested and dispirited at the prospect of going forward only to have the living shit kicked out of them it’s no surprise that, yes, Westpike have scraped out of the relegation zone, with the Rovers and Gentlemen’s Club sinking down together in the last match of the A-League...

A-League Final Matchday Results
Bellight Wanderers 1-0 Bellight FC
Westpike 1-0 Falkner United
South Rathia 1-1 Francisca Orient
Sciongrad Rovers 5-3 Gentlemen's Club
Rozelle United 1-1 Guilder
Rozelle 2-1 Halholzer Spitfires
Pilgrimage 1-1 Halholzer United
Northern Union 1-1 Harmonica Tundra
North Hall 1-2 Kingsgrove
Marque 3-3 Lotus Park

B-League Final Matchday Results
Cape of Hope FC 0-0 Saint Alexander
Newtown 0-2 Pikemouth
Hooker Ridge 1-0 SWU FC
Scraglet Rovers 1-2 Gallant Cross
Platwood 1-2 Halholzer Sundays
Arbour Lights FC 3-1 Rosbank Town
Chafford 0-7 North Rathia
Mount Roland 1-2 Teol United
Sutbyrne 4-3 Snowden River
Westpike United 1-1 Union FK

C-League Final Matchday Results
Ridgeway United 0-1 Southside Wanderers
Thriss Valley 0-1 Sharrow
Saint Essex 0-1 Scaffield
Pryde Wanderers 0-4 Crest
Gallow Park 2-1 Saint Wessex
Arkwood 3-2 Thrush
Norbyrne 0-3 Dalgallen
Garfield 1-1 Glassfields
Region 2-1 Greater Snowden
Fort Keller 0-1 Swayback

D-League Final Matchday Results
Jackdaw River 1-3 Hammerton
Fentonbridge 5-2 Highden
Corder Town 0-2 Proudcastle
Myhill 0-2 Caybrooke
Goldrush Wanderers 1-0 Monastery Park
Falkner Wanderers 1-0 Reave City
Rooke and Knightstone 0-1 Brookden
Pikemouth United 0-0 Marque Rovers
Rushden 0-2 Shenworth
South Ridgeway 4-2 Rathia Wanderers

CUP FINAL
Westpike vs. Lotus Park

Westpike (4-3-3) 1 - Tanner (c); 12 - Tyson, 6 - Reilly, 13 - Colback, 3 - Delaney; 19 - Blackslate, 4 - Thistle, 18 - Norcliff; 7 - Rowling, 14 - Danmark, 8 - Kell
Bench 20 - Buckingham; 2 - Curtis, 5 - Moxey, 9 - Finchan, 11 - Binder, 15 - Petrin, 17 - Leijer
They’ve just secured safety by a thread - goal difference. Now the Cup run that’s kept them going this whole time reaches an end. John Tanner’s Cup form and Roy Buckingham’s frankly dismal form put Tanner back on the starting sheet in both league and Cup near the end, and when counting that it’s a full strength team - minus captain Luther Tristram, sent off against Falkner United. That means Tanner gets the armband as they prepare to take on an undoubtedly tough opponent.

Lotus Park (4-4-2) 1 - Clifton; 2 - Harrington (c), 6 - Chilton, 22 - Gateshead, 16 - Sorrell; 7 - Cleto, 4 - Lundgren, 8 - Kilbane, 11 - Aubrey; 10 - Nilssen, 18 - Campbell
Bench 13 - Bullard; 5 - Lennon, 9 - Steele, 15 - Byrne, 17 - Ormond, 20 - Leicester, 21 - Freeman
The favourites, only narrowly missing out on the Globe Cup but still with a chance of a CEDC place, as well as the very physical trophy. Monica Clifton, a fine goalkeeper and penalty specialist, has started every Cup game and filled in for the two games total Sapphire Bullard was suspended, and she’s given the nod here too. First-choice leftback Remy Sutton broke his leg two months ago, but aside from a weary-looking Sorrell at leftback it’s a full-strength squad.

KICKOFF
It’s something of a festival atmosphere with the black shirts in the crowd - after all, Westpike just survived! They hadn’t expected that! But Park are in a somewhat more spiteful, vicious mood after a 3-3 draw with Marque meant they failed to capitalise on their slim hopes of a Globe Cup spot. This is all they have left. And, well, they are the resounding favourites…

Westpike are dire early on, hit hard all over the pitch while the green and black pass assertively around and through them. Nilssen smashes straight at Tanner from ten yards within three minutes, a chance he really should’ve capitalised on, while an error from Reilly gives Campbell possession cheaply. The Darvalian really should’ve gone for goal, but he passed across to Nilssen and it was swept away by Colback. Passes aren’t hitting their mark for Westpike, and all they have to lean on is a solid defence. But it doesn’t help enough… Colback sweeps Nilssen’s legs out from under him in the box, and Fernando Cleto’s given his usual penalty duties. He makes no mistake, tucking it low and to the right.

The game already looks dead and buried when Park score again in the 31st minute, Diandra Kilbane flicking a shot over the top that Tanner can’t get to. She’s easily been one of the leading lights of the league this season. But Westpike are forced into action, direct, physical and powerful. Kell sends the first warning signs with a dipping shot that Clifton does well to pluck out of the air, and Danmark’s pace is always going to be a threat. That said, there’s nothing more in the first half - Lotus press for a third, Westpike occasionally looking to break.

It takes until the 61st minute of the match for that to backfire, by which point Tanner has made four good second-half saves. But Cathy Blackslate somehow manages to take out Lundgren with a sliding challenge, gets up quickly enough to get to the ball ahead of Lundgren or Kilbane before hitting a pass over the top of the Lotus Park back four to Kell. But Harrington’s on Kell like lightning - so she has to hit it back to the unheralded rightback, Marion Tyson. Free, unmarked, and able to pick her angle to find Danmark slipping past Gateshead…

It doesn’t get any better than that, though. For all the talk of an underdog story, Park simply sat deeper back while keeping the pressure up, and while Tanner, the post and the offside rule all contribute to keep the score down. At the end of the day, it’s the 30-year old rightback Rook Harrington who holds the trophy aloft - and despite Westpike’s plucky resistance, nobody could say that Lotus Park didn’t deserve it.

Westpike 1 - 2 Lotus Park

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 North Hall               38  24   9   5  70  33  +37  81
  2 Northern Union           38  23   9   6  62  27  +35  78
  3 Falkner United           38  16  14   8  52  37  +15  62
  4 Halholzer United         38  18   8  12  34  25   +9  62
  5 Rozelle                  38  17  10  11  52  41  +11  61
  6 Kingsgrove               38  16  12  10  64  45  +19  60
  7 South Rathia             38  16  11  11  54  43  +11  59
  8 Lotus Park               38  16   9  13  51  45   +6  57
  9 Bellight FC              38  13  12  13  62  42  +20  51
 10 Guilder                  38  13  11  14  36  41   -5  50
 11 Bellight Wanderers       38  13  10  15  36  41   -5  49
 12 Halholzer Spitfires      38  14   6  18  41  52  -11  48
 13 Pilgrimage               38  13   8  17  38  44   -6  47
 14 Francisca Orient         38  12  10  16  40  41   -1  46
 15 Harmonica Tundra         38  10  16  12  42  45   -3  46
 16 Rozelle United           38  11   9  18  42  61  -19  42
 17 Marque                   38  10   9  19  44  59  -15  39
 18 Westpike                 38   9   9  20  31  55  -24  36
 19 Gentlemen's Club         38  10   6  22  43  91  -48  36
 20 Sciongrad Rovers         38   9   6  23  50  76  -26  33

TOP SCORERS
23 - C. Ravenhorst (NTH)
21 - F. Bellerose (NTU)
19 - M. Keohane (ROZ)
18 - G. Birikaitis (BFC)
17 - J. Gardot (KNG), S. Adelardi (BFC)

AWARDS
Golden Boot (Goals Scored): Chris Ravenhorst (NTH)
Golden Ball (Player of the Year): Martyn Wyght (NTH)
Team of the Year: Fairhall (NTH); Rhodes (SRA), Baars (HHU), Monroe (NTU), Portadown (KNG); Lund (FAL), Wyght (NTH), O’Hara (BFC); Swain (ROZ), Bellerose (NTU), O’Connor (HHU)
Manager of the Year: Jon Slatesaver (NTH)

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                    P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Saint Alexander        38  22  10   6  45  19  +26  76
  2 SWU FC                 38  20   9   9  45  28  +17  69
  3 Cape of Hope FC        38  20   8  10  64  37  +27  68
  4 Gallant Cross          38  17  13   8  38  25  +13  64
  5 Halholzer Sundays      38  17  11  10  60  47  +13  62
  6 Teol United            38  16  12  10  66  59   +7  60
  7 Rosbank Town           38  15  13  10  57  46  +11  58
  8 Pikemouth              38  14  15   9  44  30  +14  57
  9 Snowden River          38  15  11  12  43  43   +0  56
 10 Union FK               38  15   8  15  38  41   -3  53
 11 Westpike United        38  12  16  10  48  39   +9  52
 12 North Rathia           38  12  12  14  54  40  +14  48
 13 Sutbyrne               38  12  10  16  55  57   -2  46
 14 Mount Roland           38  12   8  18  33  47  -14  44
 15 Arbour Lights FC       38  10  12  16  43  55  -12  42
 16 Newtown                38  10  11  17  32  45  -13  41
 17 Chafford               38   9  11  18  22  43  -21  38
 18 Hooker Ridge           38   7  14  17  29  48  -19  35
 19 Platwood               38   8   8  22  34  58  -24  32
 20 Scraglet Rovers        38   8   6  24  39  82  -43  30

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Sharrow                  38  24   8   6  86  45  +41  80
  2 Crest                    38  22  10   6  61  34  +27  76
  3 Ridgeway United          38  20  10   8  60  30  +30  70
  4 Southside Wanderers      38  20  10   8  53  33  +20  70
  5 Region                   38  17  14   7  47  34  +13  65
  6 Saint Wessex             38  16  12  10  47  34  +13  60
  7 Thrush                   38  15  14   9  66  57   +9  59
  8 Glassfields              38  16   9  13  63  53  +10  57
  9 Fort Keller              38  15   8  15  50  47   +3  53
 10 Scaffield                38  12  14  12  40  36   +4  50
 11 Swayback                 38  13  10  15  50  52   -2  49
 12 Norbyrne                 38  14   7  17  41  61  -20  49
 13 Garfield                 38  12   8  18  35  43   -8  44
 14 Dalgallen                38   7  19  12  39  44   -5  40
 15 Gallow Park              38   8  15  15  36  54  -18  39
 16 Arkwood                  38  10   8  20  29  48  -19  38
 17 Pryde Wanderers          38   7  15  16  40  65  -25  36
 18 Thriss Valley            38   9   7  22  38  53  -15  34
 19 Greater Snowden          38   8  10  20  46  63  -17  34
 20 Saint Essex              38   7   8  23  37  78  -41  29

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                        P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Hammerton                  38  24   8   6  98  46  +52  80
  2 Proudcastle                38  22   7   9  47  29  +18  73
  3 Highden                    38  22   4  12  63  37  +26  70
  4 Caybrooke                  38  19   8  11  39  31   +8  65
  5 Rathia Wanderers           38  18  10  10  65  56   +9  64
  6 Jackdaw River              38  17  12   9  49  32  +17  63
  7 Marque Rovers              38  18   7  13  56  45  +11  61
  8 South Ridgeway             38  18   5  15  53  52   +1  59
  9 Shenworth                  38  17   6  15  39  29  +10  57
 10 Pikemouth United           38  15  12  11  49  45   +4  57
 11 Reave City                 38  15   7  16  65  55  +10  52
 12 Fentonbridge               38  16   4  18  44  52   -8  52
 13 Goldrush Wanderers         38  13   9  16  28  36   -8  48
 14 Falkner Wanderers          38  13   8  17  46  63  -17  47
 15 Rooke and Knightstone      38  12   7  19  28  43  -15  43
 16 Rushden                    38  10  12  16  35  49  -14  42
 17 Monastery Park             38   9  12  17  24  40  -16  39
 18 Brookden                   38   9  10  19  35  50  -15  37
 19 Corder Town                38   7   5  26  23  61  -38  26
 20 Myhill                     38   6   7  25  17  52  -35  25

by **A-League** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 1:16 am

A-LEAGUE - SEASON 2 PREVIEW

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 North Hall               38  24   9   5  70  33  +37  81
  2 Northern Union           38  23   9   6  62  27  +35  78
  3 Falkner United           38  16  14   8  52  37  +15  62
  4 Halholzer United         38  18   8  12  34  25   +9  62
  5 Rozelle                  38  17  10  11  52  41  +11  61
  6 Kingsgrove               38  16  12  10  64  45  +19  60
  7 South Rathia             38  16  11  11  54  43  +11  59
  8 Lotus Park               38  16   9  13  51  45   +6  57
  9 Bellight FC              38  13  12  13  62  42  +20  51
 10 Guilder                  38  13  11  14  36  41   -5  50
 11 Bellight Wanderers       38  13  10  15  36  41   -5  49
 12 Halholzer Spitfires      38  14   6  18  41  52  -11  48
 13 Pilgrimage               38  13   8  17  38  44   -6  47
 14 Francisca Orient         38  12  10  16  40  41   -1  46
 15 Harmonica Tundra         38  10  16  12  42  45   -3  46
 16 Rozelle United           38  11   9  18  42  61  -19  42
 17 Marque                   38  10   9  19  44  59  -15  39
 18 Westpike                 38   9   9  20  31  55  -24  36
 19 Gentlemen's Club         38  10   6  22  43  91  -48  36
 20 Sciongrad Rovers         38   9   6  23  50  76  -26  33

Pos Team                    P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Saint Alexander        38  22  10   6  45  19  +26  76
  2 SWU FC                 38  20   9   9  45  28  +17  69
  3 Cape of Hope FC        38  20   8  10  64  37  +27  68
  4 Gallant Cross          38  17  13   8  38  25  +13  64
  5 Halholzer Sundays      38  17  11  10  60  47  +13  62
  6 Teol United            38  16  12  10  66  59   +7  60

TOP SCORERS
23 - C. Ravenhorst (NTH)
21 - F. Bellerose (NTU)
19 - M. Keohane (ROZ)
18 - G. Birikaitis (BFC)
17 - J. Gardot (KNG), S. Adelardi (BFC)

AWARDS
Golden Boot (Goals Scored): Chris Ravenhorst (NTH)
Golden Ball (Player of the Year): Martyn Wyght (NTH)
Team of the Year: Fairhall (NTH); Rhodes (SRA), Baars (HHU), Monroe (NTU), Portadown (KNG); Lund (FAL), Wyght (NTH), O’Hara (BFC); Swain (ROZ), Bellerose (NTU), O’Connor (HHU)
Manager of the Year: Jon Slatesaver (NTH)

League Run: 12th
Stadium: Stadium of Noise (5,000)
Manager: Judith Coleman
Captain: Jim Brown
Top Scorer: Tom Cergennan (13)
Likely Starting XI: (4-1-3-2) 12 - Fitzmarten; 2 - Folkeland, 6 - Kelly, 16 - Teague, 3 - Brown (c); 4 - Jasper; 7 - Pecora, 8 - Ježek, 11 - Cornwall; 18 - Magnusson, 10 - Cergennan

The most active team over the window, but it’s hard to say if it’ll have any effect. But the Spitfires have a solid enough foundation, and look the part of an A-League club. Four million pounds were given to a confused but grateful Goodfeather FC for Brenecia international Emma Kelly, who hopes to revive a slightly flagging career, while twice-capped Nepharim veteran Kurtis Fitzmarten will stay between the posts. But just as much came out as went in, and who can say if the effects will work or not?

STRENGTHS
It’s trite, but the Spitfires’ strength is… well, their strength. The red-headed stepchild of Halholzer bashed, bruised and beasted their way out of trouble, with Tom Cergennan’s ANL experience taking back seat to his killer biceps, and captain Jim Brown proving remarkably violent for a 36-year old leftback, not with much going forward but plenty to offer at the back.

WEAKNESSES
The Spitfire defence wasn’t particularly good last season, but after shaking up the pot by getting a new goalkeeper and centreback it’s hard to say if it’ll be any better. Teague’s 16 squad number matches her age, Kelly is a decent ball-playing defender apart from the five minutes every match where she forgets what she’s doing, and while Kurtis Fitzmarten was good enough to secure a place in Nephara’s Baptism of Fire squad, he’s now 36 years old, and while he’s still been reliable you never quite know when the decline sets in. It could come fast and ugly for him. And a fun bit of trivia - Teague’s twenty years his junior, with Kelly eleven above Teague and nine short of Fitzmarten.

PREDICTION
They look a little desperate, and it was not a good window for them. There could be trouble in the future. 15th.

by **A-League** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 1:18 am

League Run: 17th
Cup Run: Semifinals
Stadium: Privateer Arena (28,000)
Manager: Linda Finnan
Captain: John Arrowsmith
Top Scorer: Rachel Byrne (16)
Likely Starting XI: (4-4-2) 1 - Ralston; 23 - Orizaga, 5 - Killenhall, 6 - Arrowsmith (c), 3 - Malone; 13 - Portsman, 4 - Levy, 17 - Galloway, 11 - Chilton; 10 - Byrne, 9 - Camargo

A side used to success recently, the Privateers had an exciting flirtation with being rubbish last season. With Rainer Claude nearly getting them relegated before Linda Finnan, his energetic assistant, galvanised the team with little more than vague but effective feel-good vibes, Marque aren’t going to be subtle, but if all you have is a sledgehammer… still, it’s a sad sight for a club that won the league five years ago.

STRENGTHS
Good orthodox wingers in Chilton and Portsman are good at getting the ball into the final third, and running very quickly. Laura Galloway, similarly, is the kind of playmaker who settles for trying to hit ten killer balls through the defence a match and hoping one sticks. They’re exciting to watch going forward, if not exactly clinical - and when a chance does reach the target, Rachel Byrne’s a seasoned finisher if a temperamental player.

WEAKNESSES
When you’re in a relegation battle, as Marque seem to be now, you want level-headed veterans and loyal youths. Marque has cobbled together a squad consisting of Byrne (who hospitalised a man in a bar fight over the off-season), Malone (led the league in yellow cards last season), Ralston (who repeatedly and somewhat desperately courted foreign clubs during the transfer window before quickly announcing her “undying love for the club” and signing a new contract with a 500k relegation release clause three days after it ended) and a new Audioslavian rightback from the second division literally called ‘Rascal’, commanded by a manager whose career to date has consisted of ‘half of one season’.

PREDICTION
18th. If anyone’s going to slip into the B-League, it’ll be Marque - Linda Finnan Effect or not.

League Run: 5th
Cup Run: First Round
Stadium: Rosary Stadium (38,000)
Manager: Raven Cullen
Captain: Justin Vauxhall
Top Scorer: Malta Keohane (19)
Likely Starting XI: (4-3-3) 1 - Bender; 2 - Milligan, 20 - Rosseau, 6 - Gallagher, 23 - Henry; 7 - Parrish, 13 - Vauxhall (c), 19 - Charing; 21 - Swain, 9 - Danmark, 10 - Volker

Not the season Rozelle were hoping for, but the future looks bright under Raven Cullen who revitalised their awful season and kicked them back up into the Globe Cup places. The effect of Cullen’s leadership was clear as they took 25 points from her 11 games - had they kept up that rate of points-per-game all season they would have reached 86 points. North Hall won with 81. If they can keep that form up, that stat really is food for thought...

STRENGTHS
Rozelle have a properly good front three, certainly the league’s quickest. They lost Malta Keohane, who had been looking for a new challenge and found one in the Sunrise Islands, but bought Marcia Danmark as an acceptable Keohane-lite (somewhat less reliable a finisher and with an even dodgier first touch, but even faster) while also finding the money in the pocket to buy Kurtis Volker from Southfell United, a lethal and cutting winger in the prime of his career.

WEAKNESSES
Errors crept into the defence last season, which was in no way helped by the fact that in Chris Farlane they had arguably the league’s worst goalkeeper, who’d always seemed solid enough as a backup but when given the number 1 shirt turned out to be a flappy, unreliable stopper awkward with his feet, an inclination to simply drop the ball at random and an awkward relationship with his near post. The glacial combination of Walsh and Gallagher cost them, too - and it’s hoped that Cullen’s changes of personnel will revitalise it. If not, they’re in trouble. That said, they conceded just 8 from Cullen’s 11 games in charge, so things are looking up even on that front.

PREDICTION
It depends heavily on how well the offensive retool works for them, but at least 5th should be fine in a more congested top five this season.

League Run: 16th
Cup Run: Semifinals
Stadium: Violet Park (22,000)
Manager: Danielle Granger
Captain: Julia Stockinger
Top Scorer: Wren Gallagher (13)
Likely Starting XI: (4-3-3) 1 - Najdorf; 13 - Keller, 6 - Drummond, 5 - Stockinger, 3 - Hemingway; 8 - Calypso, 4 - Neilson, 15 - Lineker; 12 - Ingolfsson, 10 - Gallagher, 23 - Tariff

Clever, plucky survivors down near the foot of the table. The other capital sides in Rozelle red or Kingsgrove purple might have the money and glamour, but United have gold writing, damn it, and they aren’t going down without a fight. The only worry is that Danielle Granger’s beginning to catch eyes, but with several daring moves over the transfer window they shouldn’t be troubled by the relegation zone.

STRENGTHS
Besides Atarus Calypso’s name, the best aspect of Rozelle United this year is their propensity to hit teams on the break. Never averse to leaving players forward to lie in wait, United risk a slightly exposed defence (which, to be fair, they have) in order to create better opportunities going forward. Even prior goalkeeper Kelpie Burnley (now in the First Division of her homeland) was chosen more for her distribution than her (weak) shot-stopping, and hopefully Najdorf will offer one without sacrificing the other. The addition of players like Calypso and Ingolfsson finishes the chance of pace between the patient, midfield-dominant side of the past and the quick, ruthless hitters of the present, but make no mistake, they’re tactically versatile enough to pick the right approach for a given situation.

WEAKNESSES
Slightly dodgy at the back last season, though the purchase of a new goalkeeper in Cillian Najdorf should help this. Clara Drummond was the lone consistent performer in the back five last season, but she was, well, 32 years old - Julia Stockinger wears the armband but is a B-League player just through technique, and there’s a legitimate worry that, at 23, Portia Neilson’s gradually transitioned from ‘hot prospect’ to ‘middling squad player’.

PREDICTION
17th. United are always going to be looking over their shoulder, but should have enough about them to stay up.

League Run: Champions (B-League)
Cup Run: First Round
Stadium: Saint’s Row (16,000)
Manager: Andrew Clydesdale
Captain: Mark Taylor
Top Scorer: Mark Galloway (16)
Likely Starting XI: (5-3-2) 1 - Searle; 23 - Storrin, 13 - Plymouth, 6 - Taylor (c), 18 - Cannon, 16 - Collingwood; 15 - Church, 19 - Shorten, 3 - Chartreuse; 9 - Carver, 10 - Galloway

Saint Alexander make their return to the top flight. Lessons learned? Well, if anything, grim Nepharim manager Andrew Clydesdale has doubled down on his defensive leanings, with a switch in formation to 5-3-2. It's proven effective - the Saints won the B-League at a canter, and in a top flight where so many Mareibat clubs have succeeded with three centrebacks, it'll be interesting to see the Brenecian take on that formation.

STRENGTHS
Clydesdale's last job with AFC Shale saw him favour a grinding, attritional style (it suited the tiny wage bill, though he did bring Tosca Marlowe to the national attention), and his switches to 4-3-3 over the years have ended with both them and now the Saints relegated. Sticking to his strengths, he's marshalled Plymouth, Cannon and 35-year old captain Mark Taylor into a formidable unit in defence, near-impregnable in the second tier. A strong midfield, too - Church is a solid A-League standard midfielder, Russ Shorten's been bought from Chenoworth Harriers and 33-year old attack-minded leftback Magda Chartreuse, a capped Brenecian international, has had a new lease of life as a central playmaker now that her pace is shot. That's a significant boost to the career of someone people were writing off at the age of thirty, and she credits her re-invention to the manager.

WEAKNESSES
Alexander never scored too many, and they can now be expected to score even fewer. Carver - formerly of Northern Union - and Max Galloway are decent forwards, but if a tiny playmaker can't get the supply through the centre they're relying on two young, distinctly average wingbacks to do the job.

PREDICTION
14th. The Saints have done well to keep more or less their entire squad through the relegation, and should be rewarded for it.

by **A-League** » Thu May 14, 2015 2:19 pm

A-League Season 2

Right, so 37 matchdays of the Brenecian/Mareibatian A-League have happened now, and before we munch on the facts and tribulations in detail, let's have a look-see at a little table showing how the season has gone...

Ahem. Yes, I feel a little more explanation will be required for us to truly understand all of that mess. On with it then.

Title Contenders

Northern Union

Top Scorer: Fiacre Bellerose, 21 goals
Best Player: Shaheer Shazib

Cup Run: Second Round (lost to Southside Wanderers)
UICA Run: Qualifying Round, Globe Cup (lost to Halholzer United)

Crikey - they've really smashed the league this season, romping easily to the title and they currently sit in first place with 81 points, 14 ahead of second place. By any comparisons, it's been a relatively low scoring season, but they've outscored all of the top 5 by at least 13 goals, they've got the second highest number of goals scored and their goal difference and goals conceded record is unrivalled, with Patistani keeper Shaheer Shazib having an extraordinary season between the sticks.

Their powerful strikeforce has scored 45 goals between them this season, with Felixian international Fiacre Bellerose being in the thick of the Golden Boot race all season. All this and we haven't even mentioned the engine room of the club yet in Erin Camden and Candace Rivers, with both players being near constant presences in the team this season, and boy, has it shown, both players looking likely to cruise into the team of the season at this rate.

MD10: Kingsgrove 1–3 Northern Union Bellerose 14'; Camden 18'; Stamper 36'; Lund 80'
The biggest and most dramatic rivalry in Brenecia returns with Northern Union looking as powerful as they ever have. Kingsgrove, on the other hand, have been struggling in the early stages of the season, and will view a win here as a way to rekindle their title hopes. Not to be, as Fiacre Bellerose slips past Brandon Duguid in the 14th minute to open up Kingsgrove, before Erin Camden powers in a goal 4 minutes later. Kingsgrove regroup, and eventually the momentum turns their way, with Rowenna Stamper lowering the deficit in the 36th minute, with Union eventually grateful for half time and a chacne to re-group. They are the team with the momentum after the break though, and substitute Otto Lund puts it beyond doubt in the 80th minute to consign Kingsgrove to defeat.

MD17: Northern Union 0–1 Pilgrimage Townsend 77'
This game is important, because it showed to teams that Northern Union weren't unbreakable this season, having been unbeaten in their previous 16 games, it would finally fall to Pilgrimage to topple them for the first time. It was as you'd expect, Pilgrimage set up ultra-defensive, waiting for Union to eventually crack and pounce on the counter attack. Tregatta Walker pulled out a player of the match performance, saving shot after shot as Union peppered her goal, before inspirational captain Faruk Asim Townsend unleashed a mighty through ball to Swag Vilhajalmsson up front, who held it up long enough for Townsend to arrive and slot it past a stranded Shazib.

MD28:Northern Union 6–0 Kingsgrove Rivers 3'; Bellerose 14', 27', 66'; Pendragon 36'; Monroe 82'
It's probably bad form to include the other derby with Kingsgrove in Northern Union's highlights, but how could you not? Kingsgrove didn't have a good day at the office, with captain Candace Rivers pumping the ball past Olenna Knight in the 3rd minute, before Bellerose scored the first goal of his hat-trick, with Dani Pendragon and Brady Monroe also scoring in a 6-0 rout - which was coincidentally Union's biggest win of the season. Kingsgrove's defense just didn't seem to bother turning up at all, and it showed, the generally gulf in class between the two teams and the directions they're both headed being emphasised and firmly underlined in this game.

Bellight FC

Top Scorer: Guru Birikaitis, 15 goals
Best Player: Rook Asquith

UICA Run: Third Preliminary Round (lost to Paraguay SC)

Without doubt the surprise of the entire season, Bellight FC have been brilliant since they recovered from a poor start to their season to contend for Champion's Cup spots. While second isn't guaranteed with only one matchday to go, they have guaranteed a Champion's Cup spot for themselves this season, which no one would have expected.

It's hard to see why they've done so well truth be told, 49 goals scored, 36 conceded, it's not a great record, the team showing the usual inconsistencies of a team doing exceptionally well when not expected to. Guru Birikaitis and Somni Adelardi continued to improve their understanding of each other and it has showed in the later parts of the season, while Rook Asquith has really been the player of the season for the club, the experienced Nepharim midfielder having the correct skills to drag his team over the line at the end of games.

MD19: Bellight FC 1–0 Bellight Wanderers O'Hara 40'
The Bellight derby is arguably bigger than the Halholzer one when it comes to Mareibatian football, with both sets of players and fans having an intense dislike for each other. As a result, the derbies are usually fairly messy, open affairs, which was surprising considering that the first derby this season was a cagey affair, with both sides near the top of the table, and both choosing to play it safe. That is until, Doris McClelland wiped out Ludo Mulberry deep in the Wanderer's half in the 39th minute, with Vina O'Hara taking the free-kick and expertly putting it away, much to the chagrin of the Wanderer's supporters and McClelland who was walking solemnly down the tunnel at this point, knowing her mistake had cost her team dearly in the match

MD33: Bellight FC 1–0 Halholzer United Birkaitis 14'
Another Mareibatian derby, with Bellight FC swiftly crushing the remaining hopes of Halholzer United fans in climbing back into their perch as the top Mareibatian team in the league. Guru Birikaitis struck quickly against United, Bellight FC having seemed to have worked United out this season, like many teams in the league. They then seemed content to sit on their lead, and with United's relative lack of attacking player, it wasn't that hard a feat to achieve, with Ashrav Dev looking pretty abandoned up front on his own. Roger O'Connor's shot in the 51st minute was the closest United got to equalising, but in short, it was a pretty depressing afternoon for the Alpha males of Marebatian football.

Rozelle

Top Scorer: Marcia Danmark, 15 goals
Best Player: Justin Vauxhall

UICA Run: First Knock-out Round (lost to Blau-Weiss Pallstadt)
Cup Run: Finalists (yet to play Rozelle United)

Rozelle are another team who've had a stunning season so far - holding a position of strength in the league and now guaranteed a place in the Champion's Cup next season. They also performed impressively in UICA competition this season, progressing through a tough Globe Cup group containing the likes of Burgess FC and Spartangrad to reach the knock-out rounds of the Globe Cup, not to mention reaching the final of the Crown Cup, where they are set to face local rivals Rozelle United in what looks like it will be a thrilling encounter.

They've generally had tight games this season, as shown by their relatively close goal difference of +9, usually only one goal separating them and their opposition, with Marcia Danmark being the leading scorer of the side, ably supported by Adelaide Swain and Kurtis Volker, who have been instrumental in most of the goals set up by Rozelle, not to mention Justin Vauxhall, the captain of the team has had a fantastic season thus far, really holding the team down and being a calming and reassuring presence in front of the defense.

MD9: Rozelle 0–1 Kingsgrove Gardot 39'
A pivotal time in the league as the first Rozelle derby takes place in the league, Rozelle determined to show their early title credentials by showing Kingsgrove up. Unfortunately it's not to be as while the game is a fairly close, tight affair, Rozelle can't keep possession in Kingsgrove's half. Eventually, Kingsgrove take the lead through June Gardot, handing them an advantage. The second half is even more in the way of Kingsgrove and the story is one of Rozelle defending. Clearly more work required by Rozelle here.

MD17: North Hall 1–0 Rozelle Glenn 70'
This game is one of the ones which went to show just how open the league looks set to be this season, with the champions North Hall looking in contention for the title but not on the same level as Northern Union, and with Rozelle looking so strong this season, it was going to be likely that one of these teams would be picking up the other Brenecian Champion's Cup spot. Rozelle started the game strongly, Marcia Danmark lookign as potent in front of goal as usual, testing internationally capped Sara Fairhall in goal on a number of occasions. However, Jon Slatesaver's side were disciplined and held out in defence for the first half and beginning of the second, with Rozelle looking for all the world like they'd be the team scoring first. It was therefore something of a surprise when substitute Finn Glenn blasted a peach of a ball into the Rozelle net, handing North Hall a great, and important, win.

North Hall

Top Scorer: Chris Ravenhorst, 21 goals
Key Player: Chris Ravenhorst

UICA Run: First Knock-out Round, Champion's Cup (lost to AS Bezieres)
Cup Run: Third Round (lost to Guilder)

The champion's find themselves in a position where they have little to play for except Globe Cup seeding with one match left. Last season was an outstanding one for them, and it was always unlikely for Jon Slatesaver's side to compete for the title whilst making a successful Champion's Cup run.

And make a successful Champion's Cup run they did, topping Group F over more experienced sides such as Carter FC, Sokojiwa Dosi CK and SC Oceanside before meeting their match against Valladar powerhouses AS Bezieres in the last 16 of the Cup. However, it is still an outstanding effort and one they can be rightly proud of - with two teams advancing to the knock-outs in UICA competition, it shows that Brenecian teams really are a rising force internationally.

The key behind their success is their man up front, Chris Ravenhorst, who has been lethal both domestically and internationally this season, ably supplied by the attacking trio of Theodora Strachan, Bridget Sturrock and Seth Montague behind him, while the team ethic has continued strongly on from last season, allowing them to maintain their success and become another team firmly entrenched in the upper echelons of this new, very open, multinational A-League.

MD1: Kingsgrove 1–0 North Hall Gardella 3'
A pretty smash and grab opener from Kingsgrove against the champion's to kick off the new season, with defensive midfielder Lilith Fife splitting open the North Hall defence with surprising ease and passing the ball through to Noccolo Gardella up front, who had no trouble in slotting it past Sara Fairhall for the opening goal of the season. North Hall stepped up their pace, desperate not to start their season off poorly agaisnt such esteemed opposition, but the Kingsgrove defence held firm, leaving Hall to head off licking their wounds and preparing for another tough campaign.

MD37: North Hall 0–3 Northern Union Hadley 24'; Oakley 55'; Camden 79'
The final North Hall derby of the season, and with Rozelle having beaten Lotus Park earlier on in the day, North Hall knew they would be unlikely to take the final Champion's Cup spot for next season. It must have affected their game a little going into the match, as they weren't quite their ebullient selves, Northern Union (already champions) pouncing on their "smaller" neighbours and ripping them apart, the score could have easily been 4 or 5 nil, the way Fiacre Bellerose was peppering Sara Fairhall's goal all game. Jon Slatesaver, tired after the stresses of the season, still remained upbeat in the post match interview. "The lads have done bloody well over this season. Last season we proved we could mix it with the best of the league. This season we've proved it wasn't a fluke."

Halholzer United

Top Scorer: Ashrav Dev, 12 goals
Key Player: Chris Baars

UICA Run: 4th in Group K, Globe Cup

Halholzer, well they've been a little overstretched and found out at times this season. 27 of their 37 domestic games have ended either 0-0, 1-0 (to either side) or 1-1, showing that, while their defence is as good as it usually is, they've really struggled offensively in the league so far this season, at least to make a real impact. They've also developed a habit of conceding and then not being able to get back into a game, with many teams patiently holding them off (with their limited number of offensive players) before launching a surprise counter attack, scoring and sitting back, knowing that conceding again is likely to be unlikely.

While they may well have been found out domestically, internationally they're still a new force, and reaching the Group Stages of the Globe Cup (even if they finished bottom) is still an incredible achievement for a fairly new club to the scene (even if they are the best Mareibat has to offer domestically).

Ashrav Dev is their top scorer this season, unsurprisingly, but he has looked fairly isolated up front at times this season, despite Roger O'Connor and Erik Abbracciabene putting in good shifts on the wings. Brian Ashgrove has attempted to move to a more attacking formation from their neo-karelan roots at times, but it's looked rushed and not thought through, perhaps that should be an aim for next season. Their best player though has been the rugged Chris Baars at the back, the veteran sweeper at times appearing to be omni-present and really being the glue holding the defence together.

MD5: Halholzer Spitfires 0–3 Halholzer United Dev 27', 33'; O'Connor 59'
The first Halholzer derby of the season and boy, do United pull out the stops for this one. The Spitfires look shaky at the back all game, thanks to a dodgy transfer policy of selling lots of players on the cheap and buying frankly overrated names for big money, and it shows, Ashrav Dev bursting through on goal with ease twice in the first half to notch up a quickfire brace, before the experienced captain, Roger O'Connor, is on hand to head home the rebound from Maxwell von Maelstrom's earlier shot.

MD20: Pilgrimage 1–0 Halholzer United Vilhajalmsson 88'
Pilgrimage have been very much the surprise package of the season, their signings astute and bold and their manager young and energetic; and, as a result, they've really surprised a few of the big names this season. Halholzer United were to find this out on Matchday 20, with Pilgrimage deploying the hit and run tactic, sitting back on the ball and soaking up United attacks for most of the game. This resulted in 88 minutes of depressingly, earthshakingly boring football, before Erik Abbracciabene made a rare slip up in giving the ball away to Faruk Asim Townsend, who was charging up the pitch instantly, using his excellent vision to pick up Swag Vilhajalmsson streaking in towards goal, stunning the United defence and snatching a victory from the jaws of mind numbing boredom. Cor.

UICA Contenders

Kingsgrove are the team currently in 6th, having fallen from grace somewhat over the course of this season. Like Halholzer United, they've had a disappointing season and haven't ever really been in the title race having hovered around the midtable for much of the season before creeping up into 6th with one game left to play. Their manager, Sasha Bale, has been skating on thin ice for much of the season, having seen the club down as low as 17th on Matchday 8, only dragging the team back into the top 10 on Matchday 18. There's no denying their ability to score goals in a season where most of the goalscoring rates have plummeted, with Kingsgrove's Noccolo Gardella the prime candidate for the Golden Boot this season with 24 of his team's 68 goals to his name, with Rowenna Stamper and June Gardot both putting in good shifts. If only their defence had been as strong as some of the other team's around them, the story of their season might have been very different...

Below them, the last team who are safely ensconced in a Globe Cup spot is Pilgrimage, who've had an excellent season. It was almost meant to be a promising campaign for a team who've burst into the A-League with a bang, but the thought that they are guaranteed Globe Cup football next season with a game left to play, and with the possibility of finishing as high as 5th with other results going their way, their small (but growing) fanbase has been in boisterous mood for much of the season. Swag Vilhajalmsson has been a solid player this season, but their stand-out players definitely lie in midfield, with their captain Faruk Asim Townsend and the young Skye Mackinolty being the driving forces behind the team's success.

Currently loitering in 8th place are Lotus Park, who are perhaps surprised to find themselves as the better team from Falkner this season, although they will perhaps be sad to see a current placing of only eighth, having had an excellent start to their season, although a leaky back line this season has really let them down, lack of rock solid defensive cover letting them down in a second half of the season where injuries have hit them hard.

Francisca Orient below them have the worst defensive record in the entire division thus far this season, and can count themselves incredibly lucky to be in a good position for UICA at all, having spent much of the middle of the season deep in the UICA battle before wrenching themselves away at the end, courtesy of some battling performances by their wingers, Paul Ulster and their brilliant captain Daniel Snowden, who has been a pillar of strength for them this season. Their defense, well, it still needs work.

South Rathia have had a fairly good season so far, having spent nearly all of it in the UICA places. However, they're currently 10th, and with the league allowed 9 UICA spots, they'll need to ensure they finish above Francisca Orient currently above them to ensure more UICA football for them next season. They've played largely compact football this season, with new signing Zeke taking some time to settle in at the club, before hitting his prime later on in the season and having a key part in crucial results in the latter stages, as has Brenecian international Cheney Keller. Their defence has fared pretty well, better than expected, but it certainly hasn't been anything special, and without captain Tamara Lynn Fletcher and an Anna Byrne in her prime, they certainly wouldn't be sitting on a positive goal differential, that's for sure.

The last of the teams still in with a chance of UICA football are Bellight Wanderers. It's been a pretty similar season for them as the last one was, with a disastrous opening few games, before a largely inexplicable run where they were challenging for the title for a while and comfortably in second, before collapsing explosively with sending offs, training ground bust ups and managerial rants from the 21st matchday, seeing them slide back down the table to be in a position where they could end up with no UICA football next season at all. Their veteren manager, Allen Hunter was sacked on the 25th matchday, with the team having slipped from 2nd to 10th in 5 games, to be replaced by managerial newcomer Hans Jelico, who managed to stop the rot but didn't manage to bring about an improvement in results. The team were fragmented upon his arrival, leading to the starting XI undergoing large changes throughout the remainder of the season, their goalscoring troubles from last season not being fully resolved, Donna Vixen scoring an unspectacular amount of goals, before her replacement in the first team, sub Sam Holden proceeded to score even fewer. Expect a bit of a clear out at the club over the off season.

Nothing Teams

Nothing teams is perhaps a slightly harsh term to be using, but it's realistically justified as they've had no sufficient impact on the league at all this season. The top of this group is Harmonica Tundra, who had an awful start to the their season, bottom for the third and fourth matchday's before slowly pulling themselves out of the relegation dogfight and towards and position of drab, midtable boredom, which is where they currently sit, in 12th place. They've been incredibly tepid this scoring, both in offensive and defensive terms, and their star player, Corentin Jack St. John looks like he'll be off after the season is over.

The team below them, Falkner United, have also been incredibly average, but in a much more spectacular way. Having finished 3rd last season, their star player, Larissa Connolly, left the club for Brinemouth and they were expected to struggle, just perhaps not this much. After a hilariously poor start to the season, which saw the team dead bottom after 9 matches had been played, Kieron Storrin was fired in brutal fashion and Blake Lawless brought in, the experienced manager trusted to bring some stability to the club, which he achieved to an extent, leading the club rapidly back up the table to 9th, before a very average-to-poor end to the season, where they're now going to end up either 13th or 14th depending on the final day's football.

Rozelle United have down well enough to keep their heads above the relegation battle and have even managed to bag themselves a cup final against cross town rivals Rozelle, which will give the fans something to cheer for after a league campaign which, while could always have been better, will have been enough to convince the fans that, for the moment at least, they're safe in this league. Their strategy so far this season seems to have been to attempt to outscore their opposition and pray their defenders don't fuck it up for the strikers. And to be fair, for 12 games of the season it's worked, Fiano Tariff and Wren Gallagher looking like this is very much the maximum level of talent they can achieve.

Relegation Battlers

The relegation battle this season has been absolutely cracking, and of the six teams dragged into it, it is incredibly surprising to find that newcomers to the league, SWU FC, are the current leaders and safest looking team. Only just, mind. Their strikers, Eino Green and Alisander Bailey, both players with A-League experience though largely from the bench, proved why it had been mainly on the bench from that point, and it was left to captain Richard Barker and the brilliantly named Zachary O'Tuathail to take up much of the goalscoring responsibilities. They need a point on the final matchday to avoid relegation.

Below them are the once mighty Marque, who spent the majority of this season being incredibly non mighty and generally rather shit. They started the season terribly and, well, it didn't really great any better from them throughout, although pulling themselves out of the relegation zone in time for the season to end is surely a good thing, right? With a team attempting to be this season's Gentlemen's Club - that is, one attempting to rip itself apart from within in order to make life as difficult as possible for themselves, it seems a bit of a miracle they're doing as well as 16th, to be honest.

Halholzer Spitfires definitely had the poorest advising staff in the transfer window, with Emma Kelly being a player who was most definitely worth 4 million pounds for in hindsight, and their captain Jim Brown being perhaps a touch too violent this season, spending a total of 10 games on the touchline in various levels of bans, having picked up 3 red cards this season - perhaps not the best player to have as a role model and captain, eh? Tom Cergennan's form seems to have largely deserted him this season, while Chris Magnusson was originally thought to be a fairly astute transfer from Bellight. Turns out, he wasn't.

Guilder, along with Marque, are probably the club in with the best shout of "most consistently shit team of the season award". having spent well over 50% of the season in 18th place or lower. It's not been a good season for them, and goals have been bloody hard to come by, Adrienne Crowther scorign a grand total of 4 goals in 20 games, before being dropped, indefinitely, for substitute Andreas Lekas, who has done marginally better since, scoring 7 in 15.

It is a shock to see Saint Alexander in the relegation zone, if I'm honest. At the halfway point they looked safe and their return to the A-League looked to be a happy one. Haha. No. Having appeared to have overcome their inability to score goals in any reasonable number in the first half of the season, they appear to have completely forgotten what the goal is, let alone how to put the ball in it, during the second half of the season, leading to a brilliant, slow, crumble into 19th place where they now find themselves, and staring a return to the B-League right in the face.

Westpike. Oh, Westpike. They'd actually appeared to have forgotten that they didn't really have the talent for this level at the beginning of the season, doing well. Then the rot set in. Their entire front three, comprising of Elsa Rowling, Jack Tariff and Catheline Kell decided that scoring was for the weak, and the board, attempting to act early, sacked manager Stern Lochhead for Alexander Remington, hoping the new manager would be able to inspire a change in their fortunes. It didn't happen, regardless of how many offensive partnerships he tried, even starting 18 year old Soren Brisley for frankly too long, had no effect, and they were pretty easily relegated with several games to go. It had been fun, watching them desperately attempt to cling on to top flight status for the last two seasons, but alas, their time would now be up.

This leads us to the final matchday, where there would still be much to decide. However, first, let's have the full table after 37 matchdays of football:

    Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Northern Union           37  24   9   4  62  19  +43  81 - CHAMPIONS
  2 Bellight FC              37  20   7  10  49  36  +13  67 - CC
  3 Rozelle                  37  19   7  11  45  36   +9  64 - CC
  4 North Hall               37  17   7  13  42  34   +8  58 - GC
  5 Halholzer United         37  15  11  11  29  21   +8  56 - GC
  6 Kingsgrove               37  15  10  12  68  47  +21  55 - GC
  7 Pilgrimage               37  15  10  12  35  29   +6  55 - GC
  8 Lotus Park               37  14  12  11  57  57   +0  54
  9 Francisca Orient         37  15   8  14  50  61  -11  53
 10 South Rathia             37  14   9  14  44  42   +2  51
 11 Bellight Wanderers       37  15   6  16  36  38   -2  51
 12 Harmonica Tundra         37  13  11  13  42  37   +5  50
 13 Falkner United           37  10  16  11  41  41   +0  46
 14 Rozelle United           37  12   9  16  53  58   -5  45
 15 SWU FC                   37  11   8  18  33  46  -13  41
 16 Marque                   37  10  11  16  40  58  -18  41
 17 Halholzer Spitfires      37  10  10  17  28  43  -15  40
 18 Guilder                  37  10  10  17  26  48  -22  40
 19 Saint Alexander          37   8  14  15  35  38   -3  38
 20 Westpike                 37   7   7  23  20  46  -26  28 - RELEGATED

by **A-League** » Sat May 16, 2015 2:36 pm

FINAL MATCHDAY

Bellight Wanderers vs Bellight FC

A derby match for the final day of the season adds that little bit of extra spice to proceedings. Bellight FC are guaranteed Champion's Cup football, but they'll need a point to hang onto second place. Bellight Wanderers need a win and both of Francisca Orient and South Rathia to lose to creep into the Globe Cup spots (which due to this being a multinational league, they may get anyway. Either way, neither team will want to lose to the other.

SWU FC vs Falkner United

SWU need a win to guarantee safety, although they need the 4 teams below them to all win and then lose fairly spectacularly to be knocked out of the division. Falkner have had a poor season, they don't really have anything to play for.

Saint Alexander vs Francisca Orient

Saint Alexander need a win to ensure they stay up, and it should be good enough considering the team's above them. Francisca Orient need a win as well in order to stay in those Globe Cup spots. Two teams who, based off their form for much of the season, you wouldn't be much surprised to see their places reversed.

Westpike vs Guilder

Westpike are down, this match makes no difference to them. They'll probably want to look their season better here and beat Guilder, as well as perhaps dragging Guilder down with them. Guilder are yet another team in the closely hinged relegation fight, but they do have the advantage of the most winnable fixture on the final day of matches.

South Rathia vs Halholzer Spitfires

This matchday has a lot of stuff hingeing on it, eh? Yet another "important match", as a win for South Rathia coupled with a Francisca Orient loss propels them into 9th and the Globe Cup spots. The Spitfires also ideally need a win to stay in the A-League, but a point could well be enough for them.

Rozelle United vs Halholzer United

Rozelle have nothing to play for. They're just above the relegation scrap and too far away from the Globe Cup to reach it, and, in fact, will probably rest a fair few players in preparation for the Crown Cup final in a week's time. Haholzer United have secured a Globe Cup spot and can't reach the Champion's Cup, so they've only seeding to play for, with the matchday's results determining whether they finish 4th or 8th (or anywhere in between)

Pilgrimage vs Kingsgrove

Pilgrimage are in 7th and Kingsgrove in 6th, so the winner of this match is basically going to finish above the other. And maybe above or below some other team's depending on other results on the day. Both have Globe Cup football secured though.

Northern Union vs Lotus Park

Northern Union won the title ages ago, making their remaining fixtures little more than formality. Lotus Park however, could still conceivably drop out of the Globe Cup spots if both of Francisca Orient and South Rathia/Bellight Wanderers win, so will need to pick up at least a point to make Globe Cup football next season guaranteed.

North Hall vs Marque

North Hall win want a win against Marque to ensure they stay 4th and get the top seed in the Globe Cup next season. Marque are 16th, and a point will secure them safety and A-League status for next year.

On with the games!

0 minutes: We've kicked off across all the grounds in the A-League, with a lovely sunny May afternoon in the Brenecian games, while in Mareibat the situation is an overcast one, with a chance of rain later on in the day.
2 minutes: GOAL: South Rathia strike first today, Anna Bowman punting the ball past a hapless Kurtis Fitzmartin in the Spitfires goal, to putting them currently 8th and into the Globe Cup spots. The fans react accordingly, turning Southfield into a maelstrom of noise.
5 minutes: GOAL: North Hall contrive to make Marque's life hard as well, with Chris Ravenhorst netting the opening goal of the game, and giving Hall extra impetus, with Marque looking way off the pace at the moment.
7 minutes: GOAL: North Hall double their advantage, Harriet Killenhall's dreadful attempt at a clearance basically putting the ball on a plate for Bridget Sturrock to thunder home. She celebrates by giving the travelling fans a two fingered salute, and is duly booked for her troubles.
10 minutes: 10 minutes in and the Northern Union vs Lotus Park game very nearly sees Lotus Park breach the nigh on impregnable fortress of Union's defence, Spencer Campbell's shot requiring an excellent save from Shaheer Shazib to prevent a goal being scored.
11 minutes: GOAL: Ashrav Dev manages to finally have a ball supplied to him by Roger O'Connor and he flickers his way through Rozelle United's B team, smashing the ball home past Russ Shale as Halholzer United take up chase of North Hall ahead of them.
15 minutes: Another GOAL: This time, it's in the Westpike-Guilder game, where Jack Tariff is on hand to head home Elsa Rowling's corner, the fans going wild and furiously cheered, cries of "We're taking you with us" echoing around the ground as Guilder move just one point ahead of Saint Alexander below them.
18 minutes: GOAL: Hearing the news from Westpike, Saint Alexander reply with great gusto, and Ninian Church's goal means that, improbably, they move above Guilder and Halholzer Spitfires into 17th place.
24 minutes: A bit of a lull the various games, with the most notable thing occurring being Halholzer's Emma Kelly going on a bit of a mad one, attempting to become a striker, and, to be fair to her, actually doing quite well against South Rathia's defence before being dispossessed near their box.
29 minutes: GOAL: It's a third goal for North Hall, as Chris Ravenhorst nets his second of the match, with Marque now knowing they're not going to get a win out of the game, and praying furiously that at least one of the teams below them fuck up enough to be relegated.
31 minutes: SENDING OFF: Gotthold Arena sees red after a fairly innocuous challenge on him by Westpike's Luther Tristram, and he promptly flattens Tristam the next time he's anywhere near the ball - his tackle is horrendously late and as such, he's shown a red, his team, now in the relegation zone, is forced to spend the remainder of the match with 10 players - all this against the "easiest" match of the relegation candidates.
35 minutes: GOAL: Halholzer Spitfires have got one back! Jim Brown forces his way through a bunch of players, barely legally, before supplying the ball to the excellently skilled Patrick Ježek, who chips the ball over Anna Byrne's head.
39 minutes: Any goals forthcoming?
42 minutes: GOAL: South Rathia have pulled ahead again against the Spitfires, a fairly immediate reaction with their Mareibatian striker Zeke, formerly of the Spitfires, scoring the goal to put them behind - and he doesn't give a shit, he's celebrating, much to the chagrin of the home fans.

So at half-time, the scores are as follows:

Bellight Wanderers 0-0 Bellight FC
SWU FC 0-0 Falkner United
Saint Alexander 1-0 Francisca Orient
Westpike 1-0 Guilder
South Rathia 2-1 Halholzer Spitfires
Rozelle United 0-1 Halholzer United
Rozelle 0-0 Harmonica Tundra
Pilgrimage 0-0 Kingsgrove
Northern Union 0-0 Lotus Park
North Hall 3-0 Marque

A fairly quiet first half then, especially in the Bellight derby, with only North Hall being particularly rampant. Based off these results, Guilder are relegated and South Rathia overtake Francisca Orient, moving into the final Globe Cup spot. Let's be having the second half!

46 minutes: The Bellight derby was incredibly dull in the first half, but clearly both coaches have got their team's fired up in the second half, with the ref giving three yellows within the first minute of play, after a clash between Vina O'Hara and Sarah Tremorebridge, with Moki Nguyen getting into the mix as well.
47 minutes: GOAL: Rozelle have opened the scoring against Harmonica Tundra, with Finn Ralaanen being blocked subtly by Adelaide Swain without the ref noticing, allowing Marcia Danmark to sweep the ball over the line. Messy goal.
50 minutes: PENALTY: Rozelle continue to be naughty, only it's down the other end of the pitch this time, and Janja Rosseau brings down Chris Zelley in the box, and a penalty is given, one which Allen Bauer promptly converts to make things all equal again.
53 minutes: GOAL: Pilgrimage have a crucial goal against Kingsgrove, with the most aggressive team in the league being suppressed very well by the Pilgrims defence, before Jenna Akekunde squares the ball for Swag Vilhajalmsson to slot it home, meaning Pilgrimage are up to 6th now.
56 minutes: GOAL: Falkner United quietly take the lead against SWU FC, Portia Knight scoring to muted applause by a crowd underwhelmed by their poor season.
60 minutes: GOAL: The Bellight derby flares up with Bellight Wanderers taking the lead against their cross town rivals, Jack Hughes jinking around the outstretched leg of Bill Ride and slotting the ball past James Zelah to take his side in front. The officials wave away protests of offside.
62 minutes: PENALTY SHOUT: Over at Westpike, Guilder have a penalty turned down, the ref deeming that Samantha Reilly's tackle on Nikita Clohessy was just outside the box.
63 minutes: GOAL: Straight on the break from that penalty shout, Westpike break up field and after a messy struggle in the, the ball is somehow put into the back of the net, the goal eventually being given to keeper, Geneva Urquhart, after a strong deflection.
67 minutes: GOAL: Rozelle move back ahead of Harmonica Tundra after Kurtis Volker's header.
69 minutes: SENDING OFF: The Bellight derby gets just that bit more spicy with Sarah Tremorebridge bringing down Jay Nielsen very late and receiving her second yellow of the match, to the sound of booing by the travelling fans, who must be blind to have any argument against the tackle.
73 minutes: GOAL: Rozelle grab another, putting them at 3-1 up, surely the match is their's now? Marcia Danmark has another!
75 mintues: GOAL: Maybe Guilder aren't sunk yet? Francisca Orient score against Saint Alexander via a Joan Docherty free-kick, an entire stadium suddenly being plunged into worry with that result.
78 minutes: SENDING OFF: James Zelah is sent off for bringing down Donna Vixen in the box as the last player between her and goal. 17 year old Declan Costa is brought on for Somni Adelardi up front, and then he only bloody saves the penalty! The second half of this match is definitely making up for the first half.
79 minutes: GOAL: Is Rozelle vs Harmonica Tundra decided yet? Not if Jack Morriston has anything to say about it, the dual Apoxian/Mareibatian player scoring to bring the scores back up to 3-2 Rozelle.
80 minutes: GOAL: Falkner United score again against SWU FC, but SWU can feel fairly safe with most of the results of team's below them ensuring they'll be safe.
81 minutes: GOAL: North Hall get another to ensure they tay in 4th, Marque never really looked like breaking through them or really challenging at any point in the game, to be honest.
85 minutes: GOAL: Halholzer United leave it until late, but they score a second against Rozelle United to ensure they stay 5th in the table and get Mareibat's other CEdC spot, Arthur Jakkar pelting the ball in from far away.
90 minutes: GOAL: Francisca Orient are back into the Globe Cup spaces and they take their time about it, scoring against Saint Alexander twenty seconds into injury time, meaning they move above even Kingsgrove into 7th place, and in doing so condemn Saint Alexander to relegation with the last goal of the season.

Full time results:

Bellight Wanderers 1-0 Bellight FC
SWU FC 0-2 Falkner United
Saint Alexander 1-2 Francisca Orient
Westpike 2-0 Guilder
South Rathia 2-2 Halholzer Spitfires
Rozelle United 0-2 Halholzer United
Rozelle 3-2 Harmonica Tundra
Pilgrimage 1-0 Kingsgrove
Northern Union 0-0 Lotus Park
North Hall 4-0 Marque

Which means the tables look like the following:

    Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Northern Union           38  24  10   4  62  19  +43  82
  2 Bellight FC              38  20   7  11  49  37  +12  67
  3 Rozelle                  38  20   7  11  48  38  +10  67
  4 North Hall               38  18   7  13  46  34  +12  61
  5 Halholzer United         38  16  11  11  31  21  +10  59
  6 Pilgrimage               38  16  10  12  36  29   +7  58
  7 Francisca Orient         38  16   8  14  52  62  -10  56
  8 Kingsgrove               38  15  10  13  68  48  +20  55
  9 Lotus Park               38  14  13  11  57  57   +0  55
 10 Bellight Wanderers       38  16   6  16  37  38   -1  54
 11 South Rathia             38  14  10  14  46  44   +2  52
 12 Harmonica Tundra         38  13  11  14  44  40   +4  50
 13 Falkner United           38  11  16  11  43  41   +2  49
 14 Rozelle United           38  12   9  17  53  60   -7  45
 15 SWU FC                   38  11   8  19  33  48  -15  41
 16 Halholzer Spitfires      38  10  11  17  30  45  -15  41
 17 Marque                   38  10  11  17  40  62  -22  41
 18 Guilder                  38  10  10  18  26  50  -24  40
 19 Saint Alexander          38   8  14  16  36  40   -4  38
 20 Westpike                 38   8   7  23  22  46  -24  31

TOP SCORERS
24 - N. Gardella (KNG)
23 - C. Ravenhorst (NTH)
21 - F. Bellerose (NTU)
18 - I. Xenophon (FRO)
17 - M. Danmark (ROZ), S. Campbell (LOT)

AWARDS
Golden Boot (Goals Scored): Noccolo Gardella (KNG)
Golden Ball (Player of the Year): Shaheer Shazib (NTU)
Team of the Year: Shazib (NTU); Milligan (ROZ), Baars (HHU), Monroe (NTU), Branagh (NTU); Abbracciabene (HHU), Prowse (NTH), Rivers NTU), O'Hara (BFC); Gardella (KNG), Ravenhorst (NTH)
Manager of the Year: Althea Reader (NTU)

B-LEAGUE

    Team                    P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Gallant Cross          38  23   8   7  60  29  +31  77
  2 Rosbank Town           38  22   9   7  75  36  +39  75
  3 Cape of Hope FC        38  22   8   8  88  45  +43  74
  4 Gentlemen's Club       38  23   4  11  70  48  +22  73
  5 Halholzer Sundays      38  19  11   8  63  40  +23  68
  6 Sciongrad Rovers       38  19  10   9  66  49  +17  67
  7 Pikemouth              38  19   9  10  59  39  +20  66
  8 Teol United            38  15   9  14  74  61  +13  54
  9 Sutbyrne               38  13  10  15  56  79  -23  49
 10 Union FK               38  12  12  14  54  51   +3  48
 11 Westpike United        38  11  13  14  48  56   -8  46
 12 Snowden River          38  11  12  15  43  52   -9  45
 13 Chafford               38  12   9  17  40  57  -17  45
 14 North Rathia           38  10  13  15  45  58  -13  43
 15 Sharrow                38  12   7  19  51  66  -15  43
 16 Crest                  38  11   7  20  37  61  -24  40
 17 Arbour Lights FC       38  10   9  19  44  68  -24  39
 18 Mount Roland           38   6  16  16  31  42  -11  34
 19 Newtown                38   9   4  25  29  52  -23  31
 20 Scraglet Rovers        38   6  10  22  39  83  -44  28

C-LEAGUE

    Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Ridgeway United          38  19  13   6  44  23  +21  70
  2 Swayback                 38  18  14   6  56  36  +20  68
  3 Hooker Ridge             38  18  12   8  44  29  +15  66
  4 Southside Wanderers      38  16  15   7  44  27  +17  63
  5 Platwood                 38  18   8  12  51  31  +20  62
  6 Scaffield                38  16  13   9  45  34  +11  61
  7 Garfield                 38  16  12  10  34  26   +8  60
  8 Dalgallen                38  16  11  11  45  35  +10  59
  9 Glassfields              38  15   9  14  51  49   +2  54
 10 Proudcastle              38  15   8  15  36  31   +5  53
 11 Gallow Park              38  14  10  14  32  34   -2  52
 12 Highden                  38  14   8  16  36  49  -13  50
 13 Saint Wessex             38  12  12  14  42  43   -1  48
 14 Fort Keller              38  12   9  17  39  41   -2  45
 15 Thrush                   38  11  11  16  41  44   -3  44
 16 Arkwood                  38  12   7  19  28  38  -10  43
 17 Region                   38   9  14  15  24  33   -9  41
 18 Norbyrne                 38   9  11  18  33  57  -24  38
 19 Pryde Wanderers          38   8   7  23  36  71  -35  31
 20 Hammerton                38   4  12  22  31  61  -30  24

D-LEAGUE

    Team                        P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Jackdaw River              38  24   9   5  64  25  +39  81
  2 Greater Snowden            38  20   9   9  72  41  +31  69
  3 Marque Rovers              38  19  10   9  54  40  +14  67
  4 Monastery Park             38  19   6  13  37  27  +10  63
  5 Pikemouth United           38  18   9  11  47  38   +9  63
  6 Caybrooke                  38  17   8  13  41  34   +7  59
  7 Reave City                 38  16  10  12  65  56   +9  58
  8 Saint Essex                38  14  15   9  41  33   +8  57
  9 Brookden                   38  15  10  13  49  45   +4  55
 10 Rushden                    38  15   7  16  39  40   -1  52
 11 Shenworth                  38  12  12  14  34  36   -2  48
 12 Rooke and Knightstone      38  12  12  14  29  32   -3  48
 13 Thriss Valley              38  13   8  17  39  48   -9  47
 14 South Ridgeway             38  11  12  15  44  50   -6  45
 15 Falkner Wanderers          38  12   9  17  39  55  -16  45
 16 Rathia Wanderers           38  11  10  17  44  46   -2  43
 17 Corder Town                38   8  14  16  35  45  -10  38
 18 Myhill                     38  11   5  22  23  38  -15  38
 19 Goldrush Wanderers         38   7  15  16  22  40  -18  36
 20 Fentonbridge               38   7   8  23  49  98  -49  29

CUP FINAL
Rozelle vs Rozelle United

Rozelle 0-2 Rozelle United

(RP Coming once I have time to do it justice.)

by **A-League** » Sat Aug 08, 2015 2:51 am

A-LEAGUE - SEASON 3 PREVIEW

    Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Northern Union           38  24  10   4  62  19  +43  82
  2 Bellight FC              38  20   7  11  49  37  +12  67
  3 Rozelle                  38  20   7  11  48  38  +10  67
  4 North Hall               38  18   7  13  46  34  +12  61
  5 Halholzer United         38  16  11  11  31  21  +10  59
  6 Pilgrimage               38  16  10  12  36  29   +7  58
  7 Francisca Orient         38  16   8  14  52  62  -10  56
  8 Kingsgrove               38  15  10  13  68  48  +20  55
  9 Lotus Park               38  14  13  11  57  57   +0  55
 10 Bellight Wanderers       38  16   6  16  37  38   -1  54
 11 South Rathia             38  14  10  14  46  44   +2  52
 12 Harmonica Tundra         38  13  11  14  44  40   +4  50
 13 Falkner United           38  11  16  11  43  41   +2  49
 14 Rozelle United           38  12   9  17  53  60   -7  45
 15 SWU FC                   38  11   8  19  33  48  -15  41
 16 Halholzer Spitfires      38  10  11  17  30  45  -15  41
 17 Marque                   38  10  11  17  40  62  -22  41
 18 Guilder                  38  10  10  18  26  50  -24  40
 19 Saint Alexander          38   8  14  16  36  40   -4  38
 20 Westpike                 38   8   7  23  22  46  -24  31

    Team                    P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Gallant Cross          38  23   8   7  60  29  +31  77
  2 Rosbank Town           38  22   9   7  75  36  +39  75
  3 Cape of Hope FC        38  22   8   8  88  45  +43  74
  4 Gentlemen's Club       38  23   4  11  70  48  +22  73
  5 Halholzer Sundays      38  19  11   8  63  40  +23  68
  6 Sciongrad Rovers       38  19  10   9  66  49  +17  67

TOP SCORERS
24 - N. Gardella (KNG)
23 - C. Ravenhorst (NTH)
21 - F. Bellerose (NTU)
18 - I. Xenophon (FRO)
17 - M. Danmark (ROZ), S. Campbell (LOT)

AWARDS
Golden Boot (Goals Scored): Niccolo Gardella (KNG)
Golden Ball (Player of the Year): Shaheer Shazib (NTU)
Team of the Year: Shazib (NTU); Milligan (ROZ), Baars (HHU), Monroe (NTU), Branagh (NTU); Abbracciabene (HHU), Prowse (NTH), Rivers NTU), O'Hara (BFC); Gardella (KNG), Ravenhorst (NTH)
Manager of the Year: Althea Reader (NTU)

League Finish: 2nd
Stadium: Crop of Rock Stadium (7,500)
Nickname: The Reds
Manager: Jack Bolton
Captain: Vina O’Hara
Top Scorer: Guru Birikaitis (16)
Likely Starting XI: (4-4-2) 1 - Lillehammer; 2 - Park, 6 - Ride, 5 - Benbow, 18 - Duffy; 7 - Nielsen, 15 - Mulberry, 4 - O’Hara (c), 18 - St. John; 9 - Adelardi, 10 - Birikaitis

A fantastic season for the Reds - after a shaky first 6 months in the A-League, they've been flying ever since. Finding themselves firmly at the business end of the table, they played an attractive pass-and-move playing style and impressively managed to come second, and while they (like the entire rest of the league) was firmly left in Northern Union's wake, they finished eight points clear of the next-best Mareibat side, Halholzer United. They've only gotten stronger since, too - taking prodigal young goalkeeper Thorgen Lillehammer off United and offloading James Zelah, an aging liability. Sam Benbow, a sturdy veteran, also joins the heart of defence to replace Stephens. Leftback Gerry Duffy is bought from relegated Nepharim Premiership side Coret Hawks while an impressive coup sees St. John redirected from what seemed like a done deal to Buyan. Blackbourne and Daineri journeyman midfielder Fraamir also reinforce the squad's depth, ready to fight on all fronts this term.

That said, all this has to be kept in perspective. Are Bellight FC serious title challengers? Probably not. The side is still relatively weak defensively, and while Adelardi and Birikaitis remain likely to be solid 1-in-3 men for years to come, the standout players in the side last time are both aging. O'Hara is 32, and Asquith, at 34, has already been displaced by St. John after a fantastic season last time out - though the muscular Brenecia international's ability to play both at left wing and centre-forward will add to the impressive depth. They should at least comfortably reach the UICA spots, however, and if they were to upset the apple cart a second time in a row? Nobody would complain.

Prediction: 5th

by **A-League** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 9:45 pm

UICA PRESEASON ROUNDS
Bellight FC scrapes past St. Albans City FC before a titanic clash with Northern Union - 2-2 in Brenecia, but on a windy, rainy day in Mareibat, Union can’t hack it and Adelardi hacks a corner over the line to send the Reds through. They meet their match in SC Oceanside, however, cruelly knocked out on away goals by someone who, remarkably, wasn’t Xi Foureleven. Through to the Globe Cup qualifying round, they’ll fancy themselves to edge a tough fight against Navel Sharks of the Whirl Islands. Union recovered from their defeat to beat Llera Llera of San Llera, rallying at home after being held to an away draw. They’ve been matched up against Sporting Esper of Zwangzug.
Rozelle pulled off a decent shock by crushing Ibini FC 2-0 away and 5-2 at home before immediately crashing out to Burgess FC. They’ll play another Whirl Islands outfit, Portland Greencaps.
Lotus Park soundly beat Pinefields of the Star United Stats 2-0 each home and away before being edged by Samebus, of, well, Sameba.
Kingsgrove fought past Ramusok United of Cosumar powering to a 3-0 home win and holding them to a draw away, while Superfluous, one of the strangest teams in the multiverse pulled together through foreign, chiefly Nepharim journeymen signed on free transfers, gave them a shock with a 3-1 home win. But Kingsgrove thrashed them 3-0 in Rozelle to progress. All for nought - Telecontare of Starblaydia breezed past them.
Pilgrimage were seen off by their first opponent, 31 Cudmundopolis.
Halholzer United have hinted at something other than their trademark conservatism - scoring 9 and conceding 6 in victories over Fiva Foresters and Sparta Praha. Urrunaga has been flexing his considerable muscles, scoring 5 from the 4. The suspicion is that Brigham will prove far fiercer opposition.
North Hall also cast off their defensive shackles in 3-2 and 2-2 thrillers against Pixe City, but while it was messy, they just about got over the line. They should be able to beat an impossible-to-spell Stovo Lav… St… SVL team.

The opening matchday! And it’s one short of real headline fixtures, in all honesty - on paper, at least. North Hall visiting Kingsgrove? That would have been massive… two or three years ago. As it stands it’s a game short on quality, bar an incredible goal from Naphtali Thatcher hooked over the head of Gallagher and the hand of Fairhall from 28 diagonal yards out. And yet, it takes nothing more complicated than Kirill’s long ball and Ravenhorst chesting the ball down and scuffing it past Knight to equalise six minutes later. Rozelle United have some regrets - they’ve sold Guilder a decent striker in Wren Gallagher. Gallagher immediately endears herself to her new employers by scoring a brace against her old club. There’s even room for a comeback goal for the legendary Miriam Spitfire, the first of the match. All right to script. Rosbank Town cause a hell of a stir, supposedly nailed-on for relegation and yet with great, quick passing and high pressing they outdo Bellight FC at their own game and their own ground, Prowse putting the finishing touch on two well-worked goals and Chris Farlane (!) having a good game in goal. Try telling Rozelle fans that - they wouldn’t believe you. On the subject of Rozelle, they’re the subject of some headlines themselves, though largely it’s Halholzer Spitfires who steal the show. 2-1 up in the 71st minute, Allen Cornwall annihilates Rook Milligan with a terrible challenge and is sent off. He’s immediately joined by Chris Magnusson, who decides to shout at the referee until he’s given a second yellow card. Three goals in fifteen minutes against the nine men later and Rozelle have completed a remarkable comeback - and Spitfires have completed a remarkable meltdown. Strap yourselves in - it’s time for yet another season of the A-League, and this one promises to be just as mental as the ones that have come before it...

Halholzer United valiantly hold out thanks to a strong rearguard action against heavily-fancied Brigham. North Hall are pressed back in similar fashion by Stvoto Latolian side Lobyuseistvooshu, Ravenhorst not exactly having the game of his life up front. But at least nobody loses, with comfortable victories for the other three sides and Northern Union, surprisingly, conceding the only goal against any A-League side through the round en route to a 2-1 away win over Esper.

Rosbank follow up their remarkable first-day victory with a damp loss to SWU FC, who don’t leave gaps open and score off a 76th-minute counter in a game that looked to be sighing its way to a bore draw. Bellight FC elecrify Cruxhall, but it didn’t look that way at first. Trailing 2-0 after 23 minutes, they genuinely looked like losing to both newly-promoted sides until pulling it back to 2-2 at half-time and then overhauling them in the second half, winning 5-2 at the end.

Shock for North Hall, as they succumb to a 3-1 defeat away. No shocks in Eura, as Pasarga international Dominik Mauer tears the new-look Halholzer back four apart with a first-half hattrick. Urrunaga and a fantastic O’Connor free kick brings hope to the travelling faithful, but Brecon takes the wind from their sails. Rozelle hold out away and Bellight win at home for two aggregate wins over the Whirl Island sides, while Northern Union annihilate Sporting Esper 5-0 at home. Three teams to the group stages, then - not bad going.

Halholzer Spitfires versus Marque… oh, yes, that was definitely first on people’s viewing lists. 1-1 after 31 minutes until an off-the-ball incident provoked an all-in fistfight. Referee Marion Scarner took a deep breath, waded in and sent off three Spitfires (Folkeland, Jasper, Magnusson) and two Privateers (Arrowsmith, Graves). It later emerged that Rascal Orizaga had headbutted Pecora out of the referee’s sight, too. Either way, Marque weathered the changes far better, and ended up smashing them 6-2. Fitzmarten in the Spitfires’ goal looked about ready to die. Phwoar. Rosbank Town, meanwhile, chalk up another good win, beating Rozelle United soundly 3-0. Felix Prowse in particular is showing a lethal edge from seemingly nowhere, while Chris Farlane is one of the most solid goalkeepers in the league.

Rozelle United take their frustrations out on SWU FC. They’ve already been soundly thrashed 4-0 by the time Bailey almost sheepishly rounds Najdorf and rolls the ball past him. Still, at least personally, the former Kingsgrove striker’s 2-in-4 is far better going than last season’s 6-in-35. Rosbank get another good win over a Pilgrimage side who are seemingly missing Townsend and opened their campaign with three straight draws. Once again, Prowse is the man, a lanky, raw-boned 28-year old currently leading the goalscoring charts at the moment.

Two Euran sides, proper giants of the domestic game, come to the A-League and they do not like what they see. In Brigham’s case, it’s an immediate return - having just seen off Halholzer United, they’re now presented with their bigger, harder cousin in Union. A massive, massive scalp for Bellight FC, big Sam Benbow heading home a scrappy corner in the 65th minute as both sides struggle to get their final ball on target. It’s the same story in a windy, rainy day in northern Brenecia, Bellerose slipping and skidding on the verge of taking a point-blank shot but a draw probably the right result. No such dramas in Rozelle, who meet Aturra SC and proceed to annihilate their Yttribian visitors. A hattrick for Kurtis Volker who just keeps cutting inside from the left and it just keeps working, but there’s glory for Charing and Danmark, too.

Halholzer derby! And while United are looking forward to smash their neighbours up after their last shambolic performance, the Spitfires remain solid and sturdy at the back even if they are totally ineffective up front. United get ten shots on target, the Spitfires manage a scuffed Pecora cross that caught in the wind and whipped into Clark’s chest. One finally gets past Kurtis Fitzmarten, Urrunaga stabbing it home from O’Connor’s inch-perfect cross, and the Spitfires are left to wait for their first point. Francisca Orient’s hopes of looking more solid at the back in the new season are washed away as Gardella nets a hattrick, Thatcher gets two and Stamper strikes home a penalty to hand them a 6-1 thumping. Rosbank, meanwhile, continue defying their critics with a solid 1-0 win over North Hall. Farlane saves a penalty in the 22nd minute, and Hall don’t look right throughout the rest of the match, and when Lysander lashes in a shot from just outside the box it’s a fair reflection of the game.

The nature of the Crown Cup always gives way to an interesting start, as all 64 teams are thrown unceremoniously in to duke it out in the First Round. And yet, it somehow manages to shake up a derby between top-tier Marque and fourth-tier Marque Rovers, and to their credit the part-timers hold out for 57 minutes until Rachel Byrne, who seems to have been ousted from the first-team this season, bursts through the centre and smashes a ball past librarian-goalkeeper Max Thrushell, once on the books of Marque’s academy until failing to make the cut. Lotus Park similarly squeak past their lower-league opposition, Snowden River rack up a resounding 9-0 victory over Hammerton to give their promotion push a little momentum and D-League’s Corder Town, looking likely for promotion, are smashed 4-0 by a team in their own division. Meanwhile, pride may well be a sin (though Pryde isn’t, the Wanderers managing a 2-1 away win over Saint Essex) as Northern Union rest many players en route to defeat on penalties to Mount Roland. Hardly the first start highly-rated 18-year olds Karena Foran (right wing) and Mathis Woodgate (goalkeeper) were hoping for.

Marque are brought crashing down to earth by a Gallant Cross side who look assured at the back and lethal up front. Steed Arrowsmith easily got the better of his unrelated namesake, the Marque captain, for the first, but it was Elsa Ashworth who showed her quality at this level - a very good A-League striker rather than a mediocre Premiership one. “It’s nice to be back,” she told the media after her brace. Another Rosbank win - is that even news anymore? Lotus Park just looked shellshocked after conceding two goals in the last 10 minutes.

A goalfest in Turori that sees Northern Union desperately cling onto a 4-1 lead at half-time to win 4-3 in front of a fearsome home crowd. Little-fancied Bellight FC also triumph over Galactica of mighty Pasarga, goals from Adelardi and Mulberry capped off by a sensational curling strike from Corentin Jack St. John to make the Reds the hipster’s darlings of the multiverse. No such joy in the River Exe Ground. Faruk Asim Townsend has made his career being too good for the A-League, and makes no exception now, a goal and an assist for Aviram giving the hosts a breezy-enough 2-0 win.

The Spitfires finally get on the board after six straight defeats. They probably don’t deserve the win, in all honesty, but a senseless handball from Ramiro Espinosa hands them a chance to win it on the plate in the 84th minute, the scores locked at 1-1. Even then, Pence saves from Cergennan the first time around before Lucas Hikari gets to the ball first and sweeps the ball home. Meanwhile, it’s a bad day to be a Northerner visiting the capital. A decisive top-of-the-table clash sees goals from Volker and Galloway put down Union as Rozelle just look faster, smarter and better all across the pitch, while Rozelle United, just as sensationally, manage three second-half goals to thump North Hall. Kirum Ingolfsson has always been quick, clever and promising, just missing the finishing or composure. Now after a brace it seems like the Cosumarite has those, too - and it should be a properly terrifying prospect for anyone facing United.

You can literally never tell with Marque. Two wins in a row, this one against Rozelle, somehow keeping a clean sheet. Much of this, admittedly, is due to woman of the match Catherine Ralston and her catlike reflexes, but the unlikely figure of Audioslav rightback Rascal Orizaga finds the decisive goal with a bombing diagonal run down the wings to find Luciana Camargo’s flick-on and sweeping the ball past DaMarcus Bender.

Resounding victories for Northern Union and the increasingly-popular Bellight FC. Rozelle make somewhat heavier weather of it, forced to come from behind to beat Vezhidrupa, but ultimately look good value for their win.

A matchday for finely-poised fixtures, with five 1-0 wins. Notably, another comfortable Rosbank win over an on-paper superior opponent. Even more notably, South Rathia get thumped 3-0 at home by a Halholzer United side that have looked very much the complete package at times this season. Maybe the breakthrough really is coming this season… two good goals for Urrunaga, one admittedly enabled by Sheila Cannon’s dreadful miscue of an easy shot.

The process of clearing out the dross continues, but there’s yet another inter-league derby! South and North Rathia haven’t played in three years, since before the merger. After a finely-poised game marked by great goalkeeping from 24-year old Jess Waterdown, she becomes a penalty hero with two saves to send the A-League side crashing out. Lotus Park and Guilder crash out to other A-League sides, while North Hall are given a scare by Greater Snowden before an 86th-minute winner from Stein Foxstone.

Bellight Wanderers vs. Rosbank Town is… well. Somehow it’s a top-of-the-table clash. Rosbank actually have a chance to go top, and get the first goal through the familiar source of Prowse, but the Wanderers get their defence together after the early wobbles, start to clamp down the midfield and secure a win through Vixen and the veteran midfielder Harper. In two somewhat more traditionally high-profile clashes, Kingsgrove (who have scored more than anyone else to date) can’t get anything past Union’s Shazib, and it’s set for a finely-poised draw until the floodgates open in the 78th minute, Union overpower the midfield and the Royals crumble. 2-0 to Union when the dust settles. Halholzer United play their usual game of sitting back and holding firm, while a free-flowing Rozelle side (a true joy to watch) crashes against the gates time and time again. United tires, and the counterattacks don’t stick, and finally a fresh-legged substitute in the unheralded Merry Crane comes on in the 68th minute and lashes home a winner in the 70th, finding Swain’s low outswinging cross that had missed everyone else. Union remain top, but it’s tight as hell behind them, with Rosbank Town somehow second… precisely eighteen places above most estimates.

Union and Bellight both bounce back from 3-0 wins into mere 1-1 draws, while Rozelle are pegged back 2-0 early on. Swain and Volker mount the comeback, but they’re pegged back to 3-2 with twenty minutes to go. Pressing forward confidently for an equaliser, they’re sunk by… one of the most absurd own goals in recent history, Swain dynamically backheeling a corner

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                     P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Northern Union          10  8  1  1  19   7  +12  25
  2 Rosbank Town            10  7  0  3  15   7   +8  21
  3 Rozelle                 10  6  2  2  15   8   +7  20
  4 Bellight Wanderers      10  6  1  3  13   9   +4  19
  5 Kingsgrove              10  5  3  2  24  15   +9  18
  6 Halholzer United        10  5  3  2  11   4   +7  18
  7 Harmonica Tundra        10  5  3  2  11   8   +3  18
  8 Pilgrimage              10  4  4  2  10   8   +2  16
  9 Guilder                 10  4  4  2  10   9   +1  16
 10 Lotus Park              10  4  2  4  12  12   +0  14
 11 South Rathia            10  4  2  4  17  18   -1  14
 12 North Hall              10  4  2  4  11  12   -1  14
 13 Bellight FC             10  4  0  6  15  17   -2  12
 14 Rozelle United          10  3  2  5  17  18   -1  11
 15 Marque                  10  3  1  6  16  19   -3  10
 16 Francisca Orient        10  2  3  5  12  22  -10   9
 17 Falkner United          10  1  4  5   9  14   -5   7
 18 SWU FC                  10  1  4  5   7  15   -8   7
 19 Gallant Cross           10  1  2  7  10  18   -8   5
 20 Halholzer Spitfires     10  1  1  8  11  25  -14   4

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                   P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Pikemouth             10  7  3  0  21   2  +19  24
  2 Westpike              10  7  2  1  14   5   +9  23
  3 North Rathia          10  7  1  2  18  10   +8  22
  4 Saint Alexander       10  6  2  2  16   8   +8  20
  5 Cape of Hope FC       10  6  1  3  21   9  +12  19
  6 Snowden River         10  6  1  3  16  10   +6  19
  7 Union FK              10  5  1  4  17  14   +3  16
  8 Sciongrad Rovers      10  4  2  4  24  19   +5  14
  9 Halholzer Sundays     10  4  2  4  14   9   +5  14
 10 Gentlemen's Club      10  4  1  5  12   9   +3  13
 11 Ridgeway United       10  3  4  3  10  10   +0  13
 12 Westpike United       10  3  3  4   8   8   +0  12
 13 Sharrow               10  3  3  4  10  14   -4  12
 14 Sutbyrne              10  3  2  5   8  12   -4  11
 15 Newtown               10  3  2  5   5  11   -6  11
 16 Chafford              10  3  2  5  10  18   -8  11
 17 Scraglet Rovers       10  2  4  4  14  22   -8  10
 18 Teol United           10  2  1  7   8  20  -12   7
 19 Arbour Lights FC      10  2  1  7   6  19  -13   7
 20 Swayback              10  0  2  8   6  29  -23   2

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                     P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Scaffield               10  8  0  2  16   6  +10  24
  2 Southside Wanderers     10  8  0  2  13   4   +9  24
  3 Platwood                10  7  0  3  22  10  +12  21
  4 Mount Roland            10  6  1  3  16   7   +9  19
  5 Dalgallen               10  5  2  3  15  10   +5  17
  6 Fort Keller             10  5  2  3  13  12   +1  17
  7 Crest                   10  5  1  4  14   9   +5  16
  8 Hooker Ridge            10  5  0  5  13  10   +3  15
  9 Garfield                10  4  3  3   9   7   +2  15
 10 Thrush                  10  4  2  4  13  14   -1  14
 11 Arkwood                 10  4  1  5   8  15   -7  13
 12 Glassfields             10  3  3  4  15  13   +2  12
 13 Proudcastle             10  3  3  4   8  10   -2  12
 14 Region                  10  3  3  4   9  12   -3  12
 15 Highden                 10  3  1  6   7  10   -3  10
 16 Saint Wessex            10  3  1  6   9  13   -4  10
 17 Jackdaw River           10  3  1  6  16  25   -9  10
 18 Gallow Park             10  3  0  7   7  17  -10   9
 19 Norbyrne                10  2  2  6  10  19   -9   8
 20 Greater Snowden         10  2  2  6   8  18  -10   8

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                       P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Caybrooke                 10  7  2  1  19   4  +15  23
  2 Corder Town               10  6  2  2  13   5   +8  20
  3 Saint Essex               10  5  3  2  12   8   +4  18
  4 Pryde Wanderers           10  5  2  3  13   8   +5  17
  5 Brookden                  10  5  2  3  17  14   +3  17
  6 Pikemouth United          10  5  2  3  17  15   +2  17
  7 Marque Rovers             10  4  4  2  14   8   +6  16
  8 Hammerton                 10  5  0  5  12  13   -1  15
  9 Falkner Wanderers         10  3  4  3  13  10   +3  13
 10 Rushden                   10  4  1  5   9  14   -5  13
 11 Fentonbridge              10  4  1  5  13  23  -10  13
 12 Reave City                10  3  3  4  16  12   +4  12
 13 Thriss Valley             10  3  3  4  12  12   +0  12
 14 Monastery Park            10  3  3  4   7  11   -4  12
 15 South Ridgeway            10  3  2  5   7   9   -2  11
 16 Rooke and Knightstone     10  2  5  3   9  14   -5  11
 17 Myhill                    10  2  4  4   7  13   -6  10
 18 Rathia Wanderers          10  2  3  5  10  15   -5   9
 19 Shenworth                 10  1  5  4   6  11   -5   8
 20 Goldrush Wanderers        10  1  3  6   3  10   -7   6

by **A-League** » Fri Aug 14, 2015 9:38 pm

The two newly-promoted sides finally fight it out, and things couldn’t look more different for them. Rosbank are somehow on track for a Champions’ Cup place, while Gallant Cross are second-last after looking promising but not quite good enough throughout the campaign. It’s a dull draw in the end, lots of bustle but no end product and solid work from both goalkeepers - Rosbank’s first draw of the campaign, and putting Cross on… still just six points. Falkner United have also had a chastening season to date, but they vent their frustrations on a hapless South Rathia side missing Cheney Keller through suspension and seemingly having had the heart ripped out of the team. 5-1 the final score, but there’s much more work to be done.

Braylon Forests stun Halholzer United with a deserved 2-0 victory in front of their home fans. It’s somewhat less of a shock that sees Rozelle taken down a peg by experienced Barangayan side Racing Xinhua Baoyam, and after Cillian Najdorf saves keep Dani Granger’s squad in the game in a torrid first half, Brenecian international striker Cheney Belconnen scores a brace in the second to give the hosts the win they deserve.

Low on morale after the pasting they took in the CEdC, Rozelle United’s glass jaw is well and truly exposed to Bellight Wanderers. They woozily go out and fail to do lasting damage on their hosts, who settle for smashing them repeatedly on the counter. Gallant Cross succumb to another home draw against a team they needed to beat, Alisander Bailey’s 80th-minute equaliser getting him halfway to matching his goal tally from last season.

Brigham nearly take out Union thanks to Cotrell’s goal and stout defending as Dominik Mauer is a looming, constant presence up front, but slick work from Mick Hadley on the right wing sees him get past Brigham’s defence to find Rivers’ pass before clipping the ball past Mason Blake in goal. A draw is probably a fair result, though Brigham fans will be aggrieved. Aturra’s fans can have no such complaints, as despite a great performance from their international goalkeeper, Irvin, Rozelle triumph rightfully due to the work of Swain and Danmark. No wonder the former Westpike striker fielded an offer from Alianza in the offseason, though she decided to stay put. Ulsa, meanwhile, take care of the Reds. An early goal by Adelardi sets the hosts’ hearts racing but first Sinclair then Ashtree sets the squad from Mareibat to flight. Still, it’s the Reds’ first defeat so far, and they’re still on track to go through.

Halholzer United slink to a weak and disappointing home defeat to Braylon. Rozelle United show them how it’s done, bouncing back from their gutless defeat to Bellight over the weekend to smash three goals past Racing Xinhua Baoyam. The defence holds firm, the midfield takes control and the forwards apply the finishing touch - one each from Griffin, Tariff and Ingolfsson.

Bellight and Halholzer United bounce back from their defeats internationally - Kingsgrove (at home) with all the drive in the world but not showing the necessary nous to beat the Golds, while Harmonica Tundra, for all that they’ve looked tidy throughout the season, get pumped 5-1. Gallant Cross draw against another similarly-placed side on paper. They’re making a habit of this.

Guilder look sunk as Kingsgrove pulp them in the first half, and they mostly have their defensive solidity to thank for ‘only’ being 2-0 down. And yet, cometh the hour, cometh Miriam Spitfire. She might not be winning any races these days, but she’s still got a silky touch and a mind that’s more clever than ever - a fantastic goal from 30 yards starts things up until her dangerous pass for Gallagher sees the striker smashed to the ground. She steps up for the penalty and converts calmly. Pure class on a quiet matchday.

Magnificent. Northern Union thoroughly get the better of Mliona-Lpaka thanks to rock-solid defending and a lethal counterattack - and maybe there just might be something to the talk from Camden, Rivers and Bellerose that Union are ready to compete for silverware? Rozelle succumb to Exton, valiantly hurling themselves forward but Exton are too good at the back and too incisive up front, goals from Zerzubar and Reenburg (Faruk Asim Townsend providing an assist) putting the Saints down.

Not to worry - Rozelle can vent their frustrations in the derby. The lesser-heralded of the two in the city (Kingsgrove vs. United isn’t even a rivalry) and, well, the Saints get this one well in the bag. Swain, Volker and Galloway put them 3-0 up within twenty minutes, and while United claw one back just before the break (from Calypso), Rozelle renew hostilities with further goals from Danmark and, coming off the bench, the unheralded winger Robin Audrey. The Spitfires may be imploding, but there’s still enough in the tank to claw back some dignity with a 2-2 draw away to Bellight - or have they? Emma ‘four million pounds’ Kelly’s handball off the line was missed by the assistant referee, as it happens. Another dysfunctional club, Marque, seem to have an uphill struggle against Rosbank, and yet courtesy of Pamala Croft’s hattrick and Cory Henry’s unfortunate own goal they run out 4-1 winners. While a draw including Rozelle and Union hasn’t helped the Black Swans, they just look to be tiring after their early run, and Marque utterly rout them. Pilgrimage, for their part, appear to have rallied from their loss of Townsend and have quietly set off on a good run of form marked by a rock-solid defence. South Rathia are the latest victims, the Lions thoroughly defanged in a 2-0 defeat.

It’s starting to tighten up. Arkwood, the once-great Ridgeway and Garfield are cleaned up by top-flight clubs despite plucky home performances (and Gallant Cross need a 76th-minute direct free kick, a thunderbolt from squad player Sofia Dailly to beat Garfield, while Arkwood do at least score against Rosbank). It comes to penalties between Marque and Kingsgrove after a goalless 120 minutes - Camargo, Levy and Croft all put theirs inch-perfect into the corners of the goal before Liam Graves puts his into the sky. Jade Pallister can only look on, too distracted by the monumental cock-up to even remember to celebrate.

Union are shocked by a determined Rozelle United side who hold out in large part due to Cillian Najdorf in goal, who has taken on a cult hero status in his season and a half with the club. And the goal, as the narrative dictates, at least partially comes at the hands of former Union winger Laura Griffin - it’s her assist that is laid in the path of Ingolfsson, who streaks past Monroe and Greig (rock-solid but both incredibly slow centrebacks) and the Cosumarite makes no mistake from ten yards, slotting past Shazib. Gallant Cross finally catch a break in a 2-1 win over a disappointing Lotus Park side - Kyron Everdale was lured by promises of UICA football but is the only player on the team who seems to be playing like a UICA-standard player. It’s his assist for Campbell, but the Foresters are caught badly on the counterattack twice, and Elsa Ashworth, even if she isn’t getting the service she needs, still makes the best of the scraps she’s fed.

Rosbank Town have definitely entered a rough patch - six straight league defeats, in a run including Rozelle, Union, Kingsgrove and now Halholzer United, who smash them 5-2. Credit to Felix Prowse, who scores his only goal of the losing streak with an opportunistic flick past Clark, but Halholzer look hungry for more blood. Alisander Bailey scores (remarkable enough in itself - that’s four for the season) against his old club, Kingsgrove, who have been dominant in attack since managing to fit Gardella and Thatcher in the same team but rubbish in defence since losing Brandon Duguid. Rozelle, meanwhile, prove they can win it dirty, too - a rainy pitch and a determined North Hall side looked ready to put the title aspirants in their place, but the Saints held firm at the back and settled it when Charing’s corner was found by the massive, rock-hard skull of Clint Gallagher, celebrating his 36th birthday in style.

Espeleta’s late 86th-minute goal sinks a Bellight side with plenty of heart but no end product. United and Union fare better, both keeping clean sheets en route to victory - even if Union needed a late goal of their own.

A finely-poised week in general. One 2-1 win, two scoreless draws, three 1-0 wins and four 1-1 draws. The Northern Brenecian derby falls into the penultimate category, a battle of two strong midfields and defences settled by the narrowest of margins, as Montague slips into the gaps, finds Mikkelsen’s pass and thumps the ball past Shazib with his first touch. Spectacular stuff in a tedious game. Or ‘one for the purists, a real tactical game, more of a chess match than anything’ if you want to be pretentious.

Espeleta (again) and Jaervinen put down Bellight - Alianza’s home ground, Estadio Cuscatlan, is a terrifying place to go filled with 120,000 screaming fans, and Bellight are visibly affected by the occasion. They go down rather tamely in the end. It’s a close-run thing in Vesper, Tariff’s goal on the counterattack putting a comfortable touch on the aggregate scoreline that rather flatters United in the end, while Union look fairly comfortable at home with a heavily-rotated squad.

The Bellight derby reminds everyone that it is the Reds whose star is rising. The Wanderers can’t cope with Bellight’s sharp, optimistic forward play and their lethal strike partnership which always seems to find new ways to get past their markers. The final score? 3-0. Which is also the scoreline in Falkner, who have been dreadfully inconsistent ever since Larissa Connolly left. Rosbank Town go some way towards clawing their early momentum back with a result like that, and it’s somewhat like a bootleg version of Bellight FC, really. Same 4-4-2, same energetic forward movement, approximately 10% worse passing accuracy and shaky defending.

Rozelle United surprise pretty much everyone as they triumph over cashed-up Alianza. Ingolfsson scores the first, clipping it beyond Cromwell’s reach from just outside the box. While Xavier Hertel equalises with a well-placed shot, the hosts take the lead again when Drummond heads home Griffin’s perfect free kick, and hold out for the rest of the match. Atletico dominate at home for the first twenty-five minutes, Tamayo hits a post and Sierra puts them ahead with a half-volley. But Union get a grip, hold on grimly for the rest of the first half, arrest Nacional’s momentum and then put them to the sword in a dominant comeback performance.

First match after the halfway point sees Northern Union hold onto the summit with Rozelle grimly holding firm behind. Halholzer United slip to third after a 0-0 draw with Pilgrimage - but credit where it’s worth, the Golds have conceded just eight goals over twenty matches. Marque and SWU are in trouble as Gallant Cross clambers back up the table with a tight 1-0 win over Bellight Wanderers, Elsa Ashworth continuing to show her worth when she actually gets the ball, and the Spitfires? Well, after almost-but-not-quite getting something against Rozelle, they’re probably screwed. Still, the Spitfires should chin up and take some perspective - after a 8-1 hammering at home by Cape of Hope, Swayback sit rooted to the floor of the B-League with a slightly concussed expression and two points to their name.

United hold their nerve and calmly put Alianza down, resolute in defence and striking once on the counter, Ingolfsson converting their only shot on target by clipping it over an onrushing Daniel Cromwell. No need for defensive tactics from Union, however - they take the front foot against Nacional, sinking them with goals from Rivers, Camden and Hadley.

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Northern Union           20  13  3   4  30  12  +18  42
  2 Rozelle                  20  11  7   2  34  16  +18  40
  3 Halholzer United         20  11  6   3  25   8  +17  39
  4 Harmonica Tundra         20  10  6   4  20  18   +2  36
  5 North Hall               20  11  2   7  24  19   +5  35
  6 Pilgrimage               20   9  7   4  21  14   +7  34
  7 Kingsgrove               20   9  6   5  40  30  +10  33
  8 South Rathia             20   9  3   8  35  35   +0  30
  9 Bellight FC              20   9  2   9  32  26   +6  29
 10 Guilder                  20   7  8   5  20  20   +0  29
 11 Bellight Wanderers       20   8  4   8  22  21   +1  28
 12 Lotus Park               20   7  6   7  25  25   +0  27
 13 Falkner United           20   7  5   8  27  27   +0  26
 14 Rosbank Town             20   8  2  10  24  27   -3  26
 15 Rozelle United           20   5  7   8  27  34   -7  22
 16 Francisca Orient         20   5  5  10  22  36  -14  20
 17 Marque                   20   5  2  13  28  38  -10  17
 18 Gallant Cross            20   3  6  11  14  28  -14  15
 19 SWU FC                   20   3  6  11  14  29  -15  15
 20 Halholzer Spitfires      20   1  5  14  20  41  -21   8

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                    P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Pikemouth              20  13  4   3  38  10  +28  43
  2 Saint Alexander        20  12  6   2  30  14  +16  42
  3 Sciongrad Rovers       20  11  3   6  45  30  +15  36
  4 Westpike               20  11  3   6  22  13   +9  36
  5 Halholzer Sundays      20  10  5   5  39  17  +22  35
  6 Snowden River          20  11  2   7  33  25   +8  35
  7 Cape of Hope FC        20  11  1   8  44  27  +17  34
  8 Gentlemen's Club       20  10  2   8  36  24  +12  32
  9 Union FK               20   9  3   8  28  28   +0  30
 10 Westpike United        20   8  5   7  24  19   +5  29
 11 North Rathia           20   9  2   9  30  32   -2  29
 12 Ridgeway United        20   8  4   8  22  22   +0  28
 13 Sharrow                20   8  3   9  26  31   -5  27
 14 Newtown                20   7  5   8  17  22   -5  26
 15 Scraglet Rovers        20   6  6   8  31  43  -12  24
 16 Chafford               20   6  3  11  17  28  -11  21
 17 Sutbyrne               20   6  3  11  22  34  -12  21
 18 Arbour Lights FC       20   6  2  12  19  32  -13  20
 19 Teol United            20   5  2  13  19  37  -18  17
 20 Swayback               20   0  2  18  10  64  -54   2

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Southside Wanderers      20  15  2   3  28   8  +20  47
  2 Platwood                 20  13  3   4  36  20  +16  42
  3 Scaffield                20  12  4   4  25  12  +13  40
  4 Hooker Ridge             20  13  0   7  30  15  +15  39
  5 Dalgallen                20  12  3   5  30  17  +13  39
  6 Mount Roland             20  11  3   6  27  14  +13  36
  7 Proudcastle              20   8  6   6  17  15   +2  30
  8 Crest                    20   9  2   9  31  21  +10  29
  9 Thrush                   20   8  4   8  27  27   +0  28
 10 Highden                  20   8  2  10  17  20   -3  26
 11 Glassfields              20   7  4   9  29  33   -4  25
 12 Fort Keller              20   7  4   9  19  23   -4  25
 13 Garfield                 20   6  6   8  15  16   -1  24
 14 Gallow Park              20   7  3  10  14  25  -11  24
 15 Region                   20   6  3  11  14  25  -11  21
 16 Jackdaw River            20   6  3  11  27  39  -12  21
 17 Arkwood                  20   6  3  11  18  33  -15  21
 18 Saint Wessex             20   5  4  11  19  27   -8  19
 19 Greater Snowden          20   5  4  11  18  34  -16  19
 20 Norbyrne                 20   3  3  14  19  36  -17  12

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                        P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Corder Town                20  12  5   3  32  13  +19  41
  2 Pikemouth United           20  12  4   4  36  23  +13  40
  3 Caybrooke                  20  10  6   4  27  14  +13  36
  4 Saint Essex                20  10  5   5  33  21  +12  35
  5 Marque Rovers              20  10  5   5  27  16  +11  35
  6 Hammerton                  20  11  2   7  28  24   +4  35
  7 Pryde Wanderers            20   8  7   5  22  16   +6  31
  8 Falkner Wanderers          20   7  7   6  25  22   +3  28
  9 Brookden                   20   8  4   8  26  27   -1  28
 10 Rooke and Knightstone      20   7  7   6  18  23   -5  28
 11 Monastery Park             20   7  6   7  17  18   -1  27
 12 Reave City                 20   6  8   6  28  25   +3  26
 13 Rushden                    20   6  5   9  20  28   -8  23
 14 Thriss Valley              20   5  6   9  19  25   -6  21
 15 Fentonbridge               20   6  2  12  24  39  -15  20
 16 Rathia Wanderers           20   4  7   9  20  29   -9  19
 17 Myhill                     20   4  7   9  13  26  -13  19
 18 South Ridgeway             20   4  6  10  17  25   -8  18
 19 Goldrush Wanderers         20   4  5  11  11  20   -9  17
 20 Shenworth                  20   2 10   8  15  24   -9  16

by **A-League** » Sun Aug 16, 2015 2:52 am

Okay, what. The Spitfires, seemingly out of nowhere, topple mighty Northern Union as Tom Cergennan scuffs home Pecora’s low cross. “Unbelievable,” cameras catch Althea Reader’s lips moving as the full-time whistle blows. “The Spitfires. Un-fucking-believable.” Rozelle go top after a resilient performance against Francisca Orient.

Union slip again! This time it’s Francisca Orient, who just slipped to Rozelle. Isadora Xenophon’s a player who can find goals anywhere, and Union Park is no exception, neatly clipping a shot past Shazib. Rozelle increase their lead at the top with a thrashing of Bellight Wanderers, 4-0 including a brace from Kurtis Volker on the left wing. The Spitfires don’t bounce back in any way, though - Marque beat them 2-0 with relative ease.

The Spitfires… win a match, again? Only their third of the season, but they look the better side against a poor Kingsgrove and ultimately thump two past Olenna Knight, Cergennan and Hikari with the goals. Pilgrimage flare up suddenly to inflict a fourth straight defeat on Rosbank Town with a 4-0 scoreline, Town yet again seeming to be in freefall. After such a good start to the season, Rosbank have five points to show from their last thirteen matches. Pilgrimage, meanwhile, remain steadfastly locked inside the UICA places.

Nothing special in Rozelle, as Telino simply have the better time of it. Velasquez’s goal is a thing of beauty, but while there’s a touch of good fortune about it - it was probably going to hit the post until hitting Drummond’s thigh and wrongfooting Najdorf - it simply reflects the flow of the game as a whole. Grim viewing for Union, too, as Gruelmakers snatch a late equaliser and they’re faced with an unenviable trip to dictatorial hellhole Gregoryisgodistan. One they need a result in.

Halholzer derby and - no, what is this sudden burst of competence from the Spitfires? A great performance, spirited and courageous, sees them take a point from their bigger, harder local rivals. No quarter offered in Kingsgrove, however, as Francisca Orient is defenestrated 4-0. Gallant Cross have reason to feel hard done-by, however, as they’re stiffed of a result away at Northern Union by a penalty they probably shouldn’t’ve been given against them and another that probably should at the other end. “It’s rare the result at the end of the game doesn’t reflect its contents,” said Althea Reader with her usual blase charm, and given that Cross didn’t actually manage a shot on target, she probably has a point.

Remarkable work from Rozelle United, as they manage a come-from-behind victory against Telino. Zenic international Ayaode put the hosts ahead within seven minutes and the visitors looked sunk, but rallied and pressed on to earn a deserved victory and progression on away goals. Union hold their ground in a tight atmosphere, but it takes a real instance of Plan B to win the game in extra time. For all their quick, decisive movement, the breakthrough comes when big Valhallan striker Otto Lund comes off the bench, Dani Pendragon belts the ball at his head and it glances in. Not pretty, but adequate.

The Spitfires seem to have picked up the habit of overachieving against good teams and getting annihilated by bad ones. Guilder, for instance, brutally hack them to pieces on the counter time and time again, Gallagher getting two goals and frankly should probably have three or four but for shaky finishing. 3-0 the final score, as it is for Rosbank Town - disembowelling Lotus Park to hopefully halt yet another awful run of form. The same scoreline in Mareibat - and for all the good feelings of Bellight FC these days, they can’t stand up to a rampant Rozelle, determined to crush them and move on - hopefully, to the title. Kurtis Volker (who scores one and assists another) appears to be hell-bent on taking a Player of the Year award, and nobody seems ready to stop him, let alone A-League-quality rightbacks.

Union are narrowly outfoxed and outfought by a very powerful Medoria side, while Dí Maozöxê give Bellight, well, a very Farfish experience. The hosts found themselves 2-0 up, then 2-3 down, fought their way back with a beautiful Cianflone goal until a flying header from the fresh legs of Jerry Blackbourne gives Bellight a lead after the away fixture. Can the fairytale run continue?

Catching all the headlines on a quiet day, North Hall and Rozelle United share a frantic 90 minutes of pure football. Montague strikes first, knocking the ball past Drummond and slipping it under Najdorf, but good work on the counterattack sees Ingolfsson snatch a first-half brace with his pace and precision. But North Hall fight back yet again, with the home crowd at their back and booing Laura Griffin’s every touch - spent most of her career at Northern Union, of course. A rare slip from Najdorf lets Ravenhorst smash home the equaliser before heading in a goal to put them ahead, and while Ingolfsson takes home the matchball after a powerful scissor kick, North Hall retake the lead two minutes later when Mikkelsen comes off the bench to power a half-volley past Najdorf. Brilliant stuff. Pure A-League.

“Oh, yeah, Bellight FC, I have their shirt and everything, real fan of,” checking the smudged writing in their palm, “Ludo Mulberry?” So say football hipsters from Eura through the Free Republics to the Sarian, all over the world, sipping their lattes and craft beers. Bellight are taken down a peg early on by Cianflone and Ohfana, and suddenly have it all to do again. But when Adelardi pulls one back, they’re set to be through on away goals… and a peach of a free-kick from Vina O’Hara puts the Reds’ through. Slightly less dramatic, but even more impressive, Northern Union overcomes the deficit by thumping Medoria 3-0 at home. Both progress.

And the two sides who just progressed internationally are immediately set against one another. Perhaps unsurprisingly it’s a rather weary affair between two tired-looking teams, settled by a flamboyant volley from Mulberry. The Spitfires’ recent trends continue with a capitulation to Rosbank Town, as Gallant Cross impressively hold Halholzer United with a well-worked set piece headed home by big 34-year old centreback Julian Neill. It’s a good thing Neill can do a job scoring goals, as his utter lack of pace has cost Cross enough at the back this season.

The defiant spirit of Gallant Cross carries into the Cup with a valiant come-from-behind victory at Hunter Hall, Ashworth yet again proving her… Ash… worth. Rosbank settle Francisca Orient by a narrow 1-0 thanks to Redruth’s powerful drive from distance, but with the away leg still to come, they may well rue their poor finishing in a game they dominated. One suspects that North Rathia have an easy ride against C-League Saint Wessex, and they prove it with the quick movement and passing they used to full effect in the A-League. Veterans Robyn Gillard and Erica Lawless are enough to put their opponents down, while Kingsgrove treat a weak Chafford side with contempt and heavy squad rotation - Gardot scoring a brace to try and get back into regular starts.

Still hope for an all-Brenecian final, but it’s dented in a rough day for Rozelle United. Last season’s Cup winners have reason to feel hard done-by, but the result’s probably the right one. Griffin puts the ball in the net fifteen minutes in but is marginally offside, though Kirum Ingolfsson goes one better twenty minutes later. But Athletic dominate the second half, going ahead thanks to goals from Oehman and Bray, and though Fiona Tariff hits a post in the 88th minute Athletic run out deserved victors. Union grind to a halt against Mardi, unable to break through but too stout in defence to concede.

In a week of tough, tight matches, low turnout, competent refereeing and rain, it makes sense to just go straight to the fun part. And that’s in Rozelle, the Brenecian capital. Kingsgrove tends sometimes to think of itself as ‘too good’ for Rozelle derbies, preferring to devote its ire towards Northern Union. It shows. Rozelle are not only a far better, faster and more incisive team but far more up for it in the emotional stakes, too - the pressing is high and nobody is skimping on blood, sweat or tears. While the first half ends 1-1, the Royals look tired and a lunging challenge from Vauxhall has swept Stamper off her feet, and then off the field. It’s no surprise that the Saints quickly chalk up three second-half goals to down their weary opponents and continue striding purposefully towards the title. Union and North Hall both drop points, which helps.

Chafford, Saint Wessex and indeed Falkner United all roll over and let their opponents scratch their bellies freely. All three are decisively thumped and crash out. Rosbank, however, was never going to lack spirit in a tough away fixture that a draw would be enough for, but good, solid defending and lethality on the counterattack is enough to help Francisca to a decisive 2-0 win.

A tight affair in Apox, settled with a peach of a goal from the hammer of the A-League, Faruk Asim Townsend. He was never quite this good for Pilgrimage, right? The International side facing Bellight is very old with a core largely in their mid-thirties, but if the Reds were hoping for an easy time of it, Tremaine’s hattrick disabuses them of that notion. They eventually fight to a 5-3 win, a manageable deficit to overturn at home… but it’s going to be rough.

Rozelle United concede almost immediately thanks to nice interplay from Athletic, and it’s all uphill from there. They manage a creditable draw thanks to Griffin’s strike on the counter, but ultimately it’s not enough. Athletic, then, will face Northern Union in the final - Union having beaten the Lopunnies at home thanks to goals from Hadley and Branagh.

So soon after being humbled home and away by Gallant Cross, Falkner face yet another trip to Cruxhall. It’s not 3-0 this time, at least - number 1 Jayce Pence has a good performance in goal, but Ashworth (again) and Salinger still tuck two goals away to Neil Musni’s one. Union and Kingsgrove lock swords in a typically-fiery match and the game finishes level, and Union can only look on as Rozelle calmly puts Halholzer United to the sword (just as Halholzer Spitfires are losing across town to Rozelle United). It’s starting to look like the Saints’ season - though it’s not over yet by any means.

Union press for the win at home but without overextending themselves - an away goal would be unthinkable. It’s Pendragon who scores the opener and they hold on to take it to penalties. Union’s cooler heads prevail despite a valiant attempt from Wynterfyll, who saves twice - but Exton’s captain Marius Ognevski smashes the decisive penalty into Row Z. Bellight FC manage to hold onto a 2-0 half-time lead to finish 3-1 winners, and that’s enough to have them scrape through on away goals. Narrowest of margins for 180 minutes of football, but it all counts.

One of the least exciting matchdays in recent memory, with seven 1-0 wins. Among them - North Hall, Union (over Halholzer United away, a real crunch-time fixture but as usual not the most exciting match on paper), the Spitfires over Pilgrimage (completing what has been a revival of their survival hopes), Rozelle, Francisca Orient, Bellight Wanderers and, in the match which pins Gallant Cross to the foot of the table, Rosbank Town through the unlikely source of Orson Varney. Rosbank are now surely safe - SWU three points above the drop zone, Marque in turn six points above them despite a crushing 3-0 defeat to Kingsgrove.

Two easy favourites. Francisca Orient against B-League North Rathia, Kingsgrove against 20th-placed Gallant Cross, both at home… and yet they both win just by the single goal. An own goal, in fact, sinks Cross - one of those tricky low crosses whipped in by Thatcher and unfortunately thumped home by Keith Taylor. Still everything to play for in the second leg.

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Rozelle                  30  19   9   2  54  20  +34  66
  2 North Hall               30  18   3   9  44  28  +16  57
  3 Northern Union           30  16   7   7  36  18  +18  55
  4 Harmonica Tundra         30  16   6   8  32  27   +5  54
  5 Pilgrimage               30  14  10   6  33  19  +14  52
  6 Halholzer United         30  14   9   7  34  19  +15  51
  7 Kingsgrove               30  14   8   8  58  42  +16  50
  8 Bellight FC              30  15   3  12  47  38   +9  48
  9 Falkner United           30  11   9  10  39  34   +5  42
 10 South Rathia             30  12   6  12  43  47   -4  42
 11 Guilder                  30  10  10  10  32  31   +1  40
 12 Bellight Wanderers       30  10   7  13  28  33   -5  37
 13 Rosbank Town             30  11   4  15  32  40   -8  37
 14 Lotus Park               30   9   9  12  32  41   -9  36
 15 Francisca Orient         30  10   6  14  35  49  -14  36
 16 Rozelle United           30   7  11  12  38  47   -9  32
 17 Marque                   30   9   3  18  38  53  -15  30
 18 SWU FC                   30   6   6  18  22  45  -23  24
 19 Halholzer Spitfires      30   5   6  19  26  50  -24  21
 20 Gallant Cross            30   4   8  18  20  42  -22  20

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                    P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Saint Alexander        30  16 10   4  44  24  +20  58
  2 Cape of Hope FC        30  18  2  10  65  35  +30  56
  3 Pikemouth              30  16  8   6  49  19  +30  56
  4 Westpike               30  16  6   8  33  20  +13  54
  5 Sciongrad Rovers       30  16  4  10  61  44  +17  52
  6 Gentlemen's Club       30  16  3  11  54  34  +20  51
  7 Westpike United        30  15  5  10  43  29  +14  50
  8 Snowden River          30  15  5  10  46  39   +7  50
  9 Halholzer Sundays      30  13  8   9  50  25  +25  47
 10 North Rathia           30  14  4  12  48  48   +0  46
 11 Union FK               30  12  7  11  44  38   +6  43
 12 Ridgeway United        30  10  8  12  35  36   -1  38
 13 Sharrow                30  11  4  15  37  50  -13  37
 14 Teol United            30  11  3  16  44  51   -7  36
 15 Chafford               30  10  6  14  25  36  -11  36
 16 Arbour Lights FC       30  10  3  17  31  51  -20  33
 17 Scraglet Rovers        30   9  6  15  46  72  -26  33
 18 Newtown                30   8  8  14  20  37  -17  32
 19 Sutbyrne               30   9  4  17  37  52  -15  31
 20 Swayback               30   0  6  24  20  92  -72   6  R

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Southside Wanderers      30  20  6   4  40  16  +24  66
  2 Platwood                 30  16  6   8  45  30  +15  54
  3 Scaffield                30  16  6   8  35  21  +14  54
  4 Hooker Ridge             30  16  5   9  38  21  +17  53
  5 Mount Roland             30  15  6   9  40  22  +18  51
  6 Dalgallen                30  15  6   9  41  28  +13  51
  7 Thrush                   30  14  6  10  42  35   +7  48
  8 Crest                    30  13  7  10  45  30  +15  46
  9 Glassfields              30  11  8  11  53  46   +7  41
 10 Gallow Park              30  12  5  13  24  35  -11  41
 11 Proudcastle              30  10 10  10  23  25   -2  40
 12 Fort Keller              30  11  6  13  31  34   -3  39
 13 Region                   30  11  5  14  29  32   -3  38
 14 Highden                  30  10  7  13  28  34   -6  37
 15 Garfield                 30   9  8  13  23  26   -3  35
 16 Arkwood                  30   9  7  14  27  46  -19  34
 17 Jackdaw River            30   9  5  16  36  61  -25  32
 18 Saint Wessex             30   8  6  16  25  38  -13  30
 19 Greater Snowden          30   7  6  17  26  47  -21  27
 20 Norbyrne                 30   5  5  20  25  49  -24  20

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                        P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Pikemouth United           30  17   6   7  55  36  +19  57
  2 Corder Town                30  14  10   6  45  26  +19  52
  3 Marque Rovers              30  14   9   7  45  33  +12  51
  4 Caybrooke                  30  13  10   7  34  20  +14  49
  5 Pryde Wanderers            30  13  10   7  36  26  +10  49
  6 Rushden                    30  14   7   9  38  34   +4  49
  7 Saint Essex                30  14   6  10  42  28  +14  48
  8 Brookden                   30  13   8   9  44  35   +9  47
  9 Hammerton                  30  13   8   9  42  33   +9  47
 10 Reave City                 30  11  12   7  45  37   +8  45
 11 Monastery Park             30  11  11   8  26  22   +4  44
 12 Falkner Wanderers          30   9  12   9  38  38   +0  39
 13 Rooke and Knightstone      30  10   8  12  25  37  -12  38
 14 Thriss Valley              30   7   9  14  27  40  -13  30
 15 Shenworth                  30   6  11  13  26  35   -9  29
 16 Rathia Wanderers           30   6  11  13  29  42  -13  29
 17 South Ridgeway             30   7   8  15  28  41  -13  29
 18 Myhill                     30   6  11  13  20  39  -19  29
 19 Fentonbridge               30   8   4  18  30  53  -23  28
 20 Goldrush Wanderers         30   5   7  18  15  35  -20  22

by **A-League** » Sun Aug 16, 2015 8:34 pm

Rozelle take another step towards the trophy as they roll over an accommodating Falkner, who seem almost to be having regrets about qualifying for the Globe Cup. Hall, Union and, unusually, Harmonica Tundra - set to take a CC place after a quietly outstanding season - all win. The race is on, but time’s running out. SWU FC faces Gallant Cross in a crucial six-pointer, and while the Brenecians lead for most of the game and defend their league frantically, Alisander Bailey ends a long goal drought in the 79th minute as he volleys home Ó Tuathail’s low cross. The Spitfires hardly trouble North Hall away, and slip back to the bottom. Marque, after beating Halholzer United in a nervy but uncharacteristically-tight 1-0 win, are probably safe.

Union’s engine room is their three-man midfield, but Crisisbless’ engine room is their four-man diamond midfield with better players in it. The solution is to rely on their wingers, who don’t disappoint - Hadley ghosts past his markers to score the first, and Pendragon’s vicious low cross is turned in by Bellerose to give Union a convincing home win. Meanwhile, an atypically dreary scoreless draw is on the cards for Bellight FC. A good result against a powerful opponent.

No dramas for either of the favourites. North Rathia get an early lead thanks to Gillard but can’t sustain it under pressure, faltering in the second half and ultimately falling 3-1, 4-1 on aggregate. Kingsgrove edge Gallant Cross 1-0 at Cruxhall. The hosts are tight at the back, but they need a goal and, well, they don’t get one.

Holy hell. 6-2 away wins galore. Rozelle, of course, picks up one of them in what is increasingly looking like a victory lap. Rosbank aren’t as obliging a set of opponents as Falkner are but they’re still not very good, and they get pulped by the fluid attacking unit of Rozelle. Hall remain in the hunt, but it’s a narrow thing - Schrader beaten at his near post, the 35-year old journeyman’s reflexes perhaps not what they used to be, by a fiendishly powerful drive from Strachan. But Union lose to Falkner, and Harmonica Tundra are torpedoed 6-2 by a Bellight FC who finally don’t have any other commitments - a hattrick for Adelardi in the mix, and two for Birikaitis in a match where they simply can’t handle the Reds’ lethal strikers. And at the bottom, there’s daylight between SWU FC and the bottom two - a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Lions thanks to another goal from the woefully-inconsistent but occasionally crucial Alisander Bailey (number 6 for the season), a sensational 4-4 draw for the Spitfires lifting them over Gallant Cross who slink to a tame 1-0 defeat at the hands of Rozelle United.

Crisisbless, bookies favourites to ‘win, but not by enough’, take an early lead in the 15th minute by passing the ball quickly and with dizzying skill through the Union defence with Arora given the finishing touch. But Union hold firm and strike decisively on the counterattack - Crisisbless will feel aggrieved, but it was a spectacular goal from Bellerose, turning and shooting from 28 yards to beat Marciak. Bellight fight valiantly, but a late equaliser from Aeropaga finally sends them out on away goals. The fairytale is over.

North Hall win 2-0 without really being troubled by the Wanderers, but the best viewing’s in the capital. Not in the dull 0-0 between United and South Rathia, not really in the 2-2 draw between Kingsgrove and Guilder (though Spitfire scores a goal of the season contender in the process). But Alisander Bailey makes it three-for-three with a peach of a strike from twenty yards and when he hits a post later, Eino Green poaches the rebound. Rozelle realise they have a fight on their hands here, and go for broke. The Shipwrights defend for their lives but the floodgates open soon enough, James Zelah making an utter howler as a weak shot from Galloway slips through his fingers before Danmark smashes home a low cross from Swain. The second half sees Charing convert a penalty as Swain is felled in the box, but SWU fight back with Richard Barker’s twenty-five yard thunderbolt that leaves Bender motionless. Bender is then directly at fault for the next goal, scuffing a backpass into Eino Green’s face and, on instinct, the Mareibatian centreforward scuffs the ball into the net. 3-4. But the veteran Clint Gallagher, 36 years of age by now, clambers over everyone to head home Charing’s corner, and finally, with player-of-the-match Swain dealing the final blow, SWU are put down. Rozelle are on 72 points - Hall, 63.

No team fails to score. No less than five 1-1 draws, two 2-1s, two 3-1s and a 4-1 in an exhilarating time to be alive. Harmonica Tundra are determined to clamber over their rivals for the Mareibat Champions’ Cup place and destroy a Francisca Orient side that already seems on leave four goals to one. But as Rozelle slips and fades in the Rozelle derby to a 1-1 draw, North Hall are held by a Gallant Cross side that scores once and then desperately parks the bus, and while Ravenhorst forces an equaliser home, Hall remain nine points behind. Gallant’s effort is matched by SWU FC, who remarkably hold Union to a 1-1 draw themselves, and both sides are bettered by Halholzer Spitfires - 2-1 winners against Bellight FC.

A quiet day on paper, with three goalless draws. In practice, Pilgrimage thump Rosbank Town by a scarely credible 9-0, Gardella scoring five and forcing his way back into contention for the top scorer’s medal. Rosbank, for their part, don’t even test Olenna Knight. Rozelle slip again, Pilgrimage the better and more incisive team en route to a 1-0 victory, but North Hall can only get a single point against South Rathia in a drab scoreless draw. It’s still mathematically possible, but it’s at the point at which things are being described as ‘mathematically possible’. Cross and SWU both play out terrible scoreless draws, and while the Spitfires are more entertaining, they lose 2-1 at home.

Union press early, but Athletic hold on thanks to solid goalkeeping from Seward and some last-ditch work from Hamilton. Athletic settle, start to build momentum, but the breakthrough comes thanks to some real training-ground stuff from the set piece - quickly taken, and cheekily put through the defensive line, Reiter runs onto it and slots it home. Six minutes later, as the home crowd is merrily chanting death threats to the referee and his family, Gawain smashes a shot against the woodwork and Bray is in the right place to head it home. Union get a lifeline as Pendragon turns provider for Bellerose yet again, but they’re in for a rough away leg.

Of course the schedule had to happen this way. To get the other results out of the way, Rosbank Town somehow recover from losing 9-0 to beating Halholzer United in a real show of the team’s guts and spirit - though admittedly a 39th-minute red card for Arthur Jakkar helps. Kingsgrove put down SWU and the Spitfires lose to the Wanderers, so Cross take advantage with a 1-0 win over Harmonica Tundra. But it’s crunch time in Rozelle. A match directly against the only players who can catch them - North Hall. The trophy is wheeled out, 22 players staring hungrily at it as they exit the tunnel, and the passion matches the stakes. Rozelle captain Justin Vauxhall, a man of limited ability but limitless passion, scores the first (and his first of the season) by finding the ball in space and thumping it as hard as he possibly goddamn can past Sara Fairhall. Fairhall’s forced into action more and more, but Hall strike on the counterattack, Hart thumping it to Sturrock who chipped the stranded, lonely figure of DaMarcus Bender. But Hall need the win. Rozelle sense the cracks, smell blood, and scoring the decisive goal is Laura Galloway, the former Marque midfielder bursting through the middle to find Volker’s diagonal ball and stretching out a leg to glance it past Fairhall and into the net. It’s confirmed; Rozelle are the new champions of the A-League.

Camden scores a beautiful free kick to set the Union on the right course. It’s pretty much the only thing that goes their way all night, however, as they are comprehensively outplayed en route to a decisive defeat. Hadley’s goal gives Union some hope, 3-2 down, but a spectacular diving header from Bray puts the Brenecians out. Out of the Globe Cup, anyway… there’s still chance for revenge in the CEDC final.

Hall at least can vent their frustrations on their local rivals, beating them back thanks to Sturrock and consolidating their hold on the Champions’ Cup places. It’s a hollow victory. Less hollow is Rozelle’s victory lap over a Lotus Park side that have, well, been gently collapsing for most of the season. Guilder also manage to pump Rosbank 4-0, but frankly, Rosbank don’t care. Even if they have won 7 from their first 10 and 5 in the 20 games since, they’re safe! Easily safe! All that matters. And nobody can begrudge them that. Gallant Cross give themselves a lifeline against Spitfires, but they really, really needed an actual win - SWU FC also manage a well-fought draw against Halholzer United. The Spitfires themselves, after a trainwreck of a season, are finally down - but credit to them all, they’ve managed something close to competence in the final day of the season. It doesn’t quite ‘all’ come down to that, but enough to be interesting.

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Rozelle                  37  24  10   3  73  31  +42  82  Champions
  2 North Hall               37  22   5  10  51  31  +20  71  CC
  3 Harmonica Tundra         37  21   6  10  44  36   +8  69  GC
  4 Northern Union           37  19   9   9  47  24  +23  66  GC
  5 Halholzer United         37  18  10   9  43  25  +18  64  GC
  6 Kingsgrove               37  18   9  10  76  49  +27  63  GC
  7 Pilgrimage               37  16  13   8  38  25  +13  61  GC
  8 Bellight FC              37  18   4  15  61  47  +14  58  GC
  9 Francisca Orient         37  15   6  16  47  58  -11  51
 10 South Rathia             37  13  10  14  49  52   -3  49
 11 Guilder                  37  12  12  13  42  41   +1  48
 12 Falkner United           37  12  12  13  48  48   +0  48
 13 Bellight Wanderers       37  13   7  17  34  39   -5  46
 14 Rosbank Town             37  12   6  19  40  67  -27  42
 15 Rozelle United           37   9  13  15  44  58  -14  40
 16 Lotus Park               37   9  12  16  41  56  -15  39
 17 Marque                   37  10   7  20  43  59  -16  37
 18 SWU FC                   37   7  10  20  30  55  -25  31
 19 Gallant Cross            37   5  13  19  23  45  -22  28
 20 Halholzer Spitfires      37   6   8  23  33  61  -28  26  R

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                    P   W   D   L For   Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Saint Alexander        37  21  10   6  56   27  +29  73  P
  2 Cape of Hope FC        37  23   3  11  75   39  +36  72  P
  3 Pikemouth              37  19  10   8  57   25  +32  67
  4 Westpike               37  20   7  10  39   22  +17  67
  5 Gentlemen's Club       37  20   5  12  72   43  +29  65
  6 Sciongrad Rovers       37  20   5  12  72   50  +22  65
  7 Halholzer Sundays      37  18   9  10  68   33  +35  63
  8 Westpike United        37  19   6  12  53   34  +19  63
  9 Snowden River          37  18   7  12  54   47   +7  61
 10 Union FK               37  15   7  15  53   50   +3  52
 11 North Rathia           37  15   6  16  54   61   -7  51
 12 Sharrow                37  14   6  17  47   54   -7  48
 13 Chafford               37  12   9  16  30   43  -13  45
 14 Teol United            37  13   5  19  54   63   -9  44
 15 Scraglet Rovers        37  11   8  18  53   80  -27  41
 16 Arbour Lights FC       37  12   4  21  38   63  -25  40
 17 Ridgeway United        37  10   9  18  36   50  -14  39
 18 Sutbyrne               37  11   5  21  45   63  -18  38
 19 Newtown                37   9  11  17  24   45  -21  38
 20 Swayback               37   1   6  30  30  118  -88   9  R

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Southside Wanderers      37  26  6   5  57  22  +35  84  P
  2 Platwood                 37  21  7   9  61  37  +24  70
  3 Scaffield                37  21  7   9  46  26  +20  70
  4 Dalgallen                37  20  6  11  53  34  +19  66
  5 Mount Roland             37  19  8  10  51  24  +27  65
  6 Hooker Ridge             37  20  5  12  45  29  +16  65
  7 Thrush                   37  16  9  12  54  47   +7  57
  8 Crest                    37  16  7  14  53  40  +13  55
  9 Proudcastle              37  14 10  13  34  36   -2  52
 10 Region                   37  14  7  16  38  38   +0  49
 11 Glassfields              37  13  9  15  64  58   +6  48
 12 Gallow Park              37  14  6  17  29  44  -15  48
 13 Fort Keller              37  12  8  17  35  43   -8  44
 14 Garfield                 37  11 10  16  34  33   +1  43
 15 Arkwood                  37  11  9  17  30  53  -23  42
 16 Highden                  37  11  8  18  36  49  -13  41
 17 Jackdaw River            37  11  6  20  44  75  -31  39
 18 Saint Wessex             37  10  8  19  31  48  -17  38
 19 Greater Snowden          37  10  7  20  35  58  -23  37
 20 Norbyrne                 37   6  5  26  29  65  -36  23  R

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                        P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Marque Rovers              37  21   9   7  63  38  +25  72  P
  2 Pikemouth United           37  21   7   9  68  42  +26  70
  3 Corder Town                37  19  10   8  54  33  +21  67
  4 Saint Essex                37  19   8  10  54  31  +23  65
  5 Caybrooke                  37  18  10   9  41  22  +19  64
  6 Pryde Wanderers            37  16  11  10  48  31  +17  59
  7 Hammerton                  37  17   8  12  60  49  +11  59
  8 Rushden                    37  16   8  13  45  45   +0  56
  9 Reave City                 37  14  13  10  56  44  +12  55
 10 Falkner Wanderers          37  14  13  10  49  42   +7  55
 11 Monastery Park             37  13  15   9  32  26   +6  54
 12 Brookden                   37  13   9  15  47  46   +1  48
 13 Rooke and Knightstone      37  11  10  16  30  49  -19  43
 14 Myhill                     37  10  11  16  28  46  -18  41
 15 Shenworth                  37   8  14  15  31  41  -10  38
 16 South Ridgeway             37   9  10  18  31  54  -23  37
 17 Thriss Valley              37   8  11  18  31  48  -17  35
 18 Rathia Wanderers           37   7  12  18  34  59  -25  33
 19 Fentonbridge               37   9   6  22  38  65  -27  33
 20 Goldrush Wanderers         37   5   9  23  18  47  -29  24  R

by **A-League** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:23 am

FINAL MATCHDAY
THE SIX-POINTERS
SWU FC vs. Guilder - The Shipwrights need a result to be sure of staying up. Guilder can scrape into the Globe Cup with a win, but probably won’t.
Gallant Cross vs. Francisca Orient - Cross need a win to have any chance of staying up. Francisca Orient want a result as well, to hold onto the last Globe Cup place… but they’ve rested a couple of veterans for the Cup final.

SIGNIFICANT FIXTURES
Bellight Wanderers vs. Bellight FC - Meaningless in terms of the table, sure, but it’s a Bellight derby. That’s always tasty.
South Rathia vs. Halholzer Spitfires - Rathia can overtake Orient with a victory over already-relegated Spitfires and make it into the Globe Cup - if Orient lose to second-bottom Gallant Cross.
Rosbank Town vs. Falkner United - Falkner need to win while hoping South Rathia and Guilder don’t, also Francisca Orient losing. Their reward will be… ninth. Rosbank don’t even have that.

DEAD RUBBERS
Pilgrimage vs. Kingsgrove - Both are assured Globe Cup places, and neither can do better.
Rozelle vs. Harmonica Tundra - Rozelle are the best A-League team, Tundra are the best Mareibatian team, both are in the Champions’ Cup.
Rozelle United vs. Halholzer United - Nothing at stake for either of the Uniteds. Halholzer are guaranteed the Globe Cup, Rozelle are drifting in midtable.
North Hall vs. Marque - Hall are guaranteed second or third, Marque can’t go down.
Northern Union vs. Lotus Park - Union can snatch third… but only at the expense of Harmonica Tundra, and given that a Mareibat side needs to take one of the CC places, it won’t do a thing for them. Park have been terrible since the halfway mark but still can’t be relegated.

KICK-OFF
All eyes, then, on the two sides jostling just to survive. No Snowden or Xenophon for Francisca, both being rested for the Cup final, while Scannell broke a leg a couple of months ago. Cross, at least, have their full team for this. They open solidly, hard at the back - it’s been their Plan A all season. A draw might be enough for Orient, so they’re happy to sit back and ping long balls in during the early stages. It’s a similar stalemate at SWU FC, with two dour, defensive sides and neither willing to commit. Thank christ Guilder can benefit from a win, or there’d be the genuine possibility of both sides just playing out the draw.

It’s… God, no, there’s nothing anyone can do. It’s terrible, alright? The standard of quality is fucking dismal, it’s the two lowest-scoring teams in the league and SWU are parking the bus on top of that. Ashworth has literally scored 10 out of 23 goals for Gallant Cross and smashes number 11/24 past Kieran Schrader from fifteen yards, and that’s basically all that happens all game, because Gallant Cross just want to hold the hell out besides some weak, ineffective counterattacks, which goes to put the onus on SWU FC not to lose either. Falkner beats Rosbank Town but both sides are basically on their holidays already, to say nothing of the victory laps of Rozelle and Harmonica Tundra. Francisca have rested their best players and as a result can’t really score against Gallant Cross, Guilder have basically never been on the front foot against any team before and their plan is to kick it to Spitfire and hope she does something but frankly she’s 35 years old and can’t exactly do everything these days. Tanith Bryson streaks past the Spitfires’ terrible defence in the 82nd minute and pokes the ball past Fitzmarten, Lotus Park implode against Union but it’s not like that match matters a damn thing. At least there’s some passion in the Bellight derby, but the Wanderers just aren’t that good, and lose fairly tamely. Cross win but SWU FC against Guilder has seen literally two shots on target all game, neither inside the box. Daniel Salinger has a meltdown about it in the post-match interview. Elsa Ashworth is straight down the tunnel, presumably to fire her agent and demand the first cab out of the club, and on the whole if you were actually watching a game that mattered on the last match? Sincerest condolences. Christ. Cross are relegated, South Rathia squeeze past Francisca into the earliest rounds of the Globe Cup.

CROWN CUP FINAL
FRANCISCA ORIENT vs KINGSGROVE

Francisca Orient (4-4-2): 1 - Schrader; 2 - Burgundy, 21 - Woodgate, 6 - Bondfield, 3 - Morvan; 7 - Snowden (c), 8 - Bolton, 4 - Docherty, 11 - Ulster; 15 - Whitehouse, 9 - Xenophon
Bench: 16 - Cleves; 12 - Palos, 13 - Sutcliff, 14 - Pearce, 17 - Corner, 18 - Keohane, 25 - Garrard

Kingsgrove (4-2-3-1): 1 - Knight; 18 - Molina, 5 - Bologna, 21 - Hemingway, 12 - Portadown; 6 - Fife, 4 - Crowley; 7 - Rowe, 10 - Stamper, 15 - Thatcher; 11 - Gardella
Bench: 20 - Pallister; 3 - Bail, 8 - Sullivan, 9 - Gardot, 16 - Hendrickson, 22 - Plymouth, 23 - Bolingbroke

So it falls to Francisca and Kingsgrove to make something… relevant and watchable at the end of the season. Please. For the love of God.

It opens in typical style, Francisca’s canny veterans matched up against the Royals’ young guns, and naturally Kingsgrove finds ways to cut into Orient deeply by just attacking at pace. Woodgate, who isn’t normally a starter, has to put her body on the line well to block a goalbound strike from Rowe with her face. But the cool, seasoned heads prevail, and Kingsgrove eventually struggle to find leverage. Particularly when Orient’s passing totally ignores the packed midfield to go straight up the wings.

The first goal is ugly, no two ways about it. Ulster is hacked down by Molina just as he was about to make a genuinely threatening run, Snowden whips the ball in low and Isadora Xenophon, as she so often does, snaps out a leg amidst the scramble and scuffs the ball home. She’s been linked with a move abroad after the season, and you have to imagine the Jacks will miss her. But Kingsgrove press hard for an equaliser, and twice in seven minutes it’s the young wunderkind from the Styx Naphtali Thatcher who contributes. First, beating the former Treason defender Kurtis Burgundy with ease, twice, before rolling an easy pass into Gardella’s path. The Ossadiacquan who has taken to the striker’s role like a duck to water strokes it home with ease. And he skins Burgundy again soon after to smash it past Schrader, just as the sky blues are starting to think they’ve held out to the break.

Orient are indebted to Schrader in the second half, as the Nepharim journeyman is called into action time and again. Good thing that they stopped their Cup keeper policy in time for this - Cleves isn’t considered particularly good even by A-League goalkeeping standards. Good stops to deny Gardella and Rowe, spectacular work to tip a free kick from Stamper over the bar and flattening Hemingway during a dangerous corner, and all this means that Kingsgrove feel somewhat hard done-by when they were nailed dead-to-rights on the counterattack. Yet again, Xenophon in the right place at the right time with the right shot in the right net. 2-2. Game on.

Extra time came and went - Francisca more defiant, Kingsgrove starting to tire, and there was something of a midfield stalemate. Burgundy’s kicks and cheap trips on Thatcher had clearly worn the winger down, as well - and he’d been a key source of energy for Kingsgrove, then as for the whole season. And so to penalties.

Isadora Xenophon first, the Pravennan poacher making no mistake in possibly her last match for the club. Rowena Stamper’s was high, and almost perfect… but Schrader had read her perfectly, and clawed it away. Palos, who had come on as a substitute in the 83rd minute and been a key source of stability in the midfield, was perhaps lucky that Knight went the wrong way, but the penalty was solid enough regardless. Gardella went low into the bottom corner, Schrader stood no chance. Whitehouse put it cleanly past Knight and Crowley… put it cleanly past the post. 3-1 up, chance to make it 4-1. Crunch time, but Daniel Snowden is the right man for the job. Tucked right into the top-left. And from there, of course, he has the chance to lift the Cup as Francisca win their first trophy.

Francisca Orient 2 - 2 Kingsgrove (2-2 AET, 4-1 PKs)
Xenophon 16’, 78’
Gardella 35’
Thatcher 42’

Penalties
1-0: Xenophon scores, Stamper saved
2-1: Palos scores, Gardella scores
3-1: Whitehouse scores, Crowley misses
4-1: Snowden scores

CEDC FINAL
SABREFELL ATHLETIC vs. NORTHERN UNION
OOC Note: This is a repost from the Nepharim thread.

Sabrefell Athletic (4-2-3-1): 1 - Seward; 2 - Bergman (c), 13 - Hamilton, 5 - Breen, 3 - Laxenburg; 14 - Quillisi, 4 - Sarracena; 15 - Reiter, 17 - Gawain, 11 - Oehman; 9 - Bray
Bench: 16 - Pressinger; 6 - Reagan, 7 - Montreal, 8 - Cilic, 10 - Dorne, 12 - Eastway, 21 - Hargreave

Northern Union (4-3-3): 1 - Shazib; 2 - Fastolf, 23 - Monroe, 5 - Greig, 3 - Branagh; 13 - Rivers (c), 4 - Rourke, 7 - Camden; 21 - Hadley, 10 - Bellerose, 11 - Pendragon
Bench: 20 - Merochite; 6 - Oakley, 8 - Kilroy, 9 - Lund, 12 - Searle, 14 - Barragan, 18 - Halloran

Athletic are favourites, and they know it. The pressure is on to beat a very strong Northern Union side for the third time in two months. Not to take Union lightly, as they remain a powerful side in their own right. Athletic have seven internationals in their squad - Union have eight, including a powerful Brenecian core. Shazib is an acrobatic presence in goal, but their strong suit is the engine room of a midfield, Camden and Rivers with the quietly workmanlike Rourke behind them.

Also, well, it’s a clash between Nepharim and Brenecians. That’s always going to end interestingly.

It’s a good match early on. Both sides play their games, both sides look assured in defence. Union might fancy themselves as the big-spenders of the A-League but Brix Hamilton in the Reds’ defence is the most expensive signing in Premiership history, and plays well enough to live up to the label. She looks assured and prepared along with the entirety of the Athletic back four.

Until, very suddenly, they aren’t.

Camden’s pass is scuffed away by Breen, but only gets as far as Rivers. It’s the Equestrian who threads the pass to the incisive Pendragon, who cuts inside and shoots low past Seward. Disaster, and the fans aren’t happy about it - there’s calls for offside despite an immediate replay that proves the goal was perfectly valid. Seward looked furious at himself for letting in the shot, probably justifiably, but he’d been a rock up until then.

Athletic fought back valiantly, taking the front foot in proceedings, but Union looked dangerous on the break - only a last-ditch tackle from Breen saved an almost certain goal from Bellerose, and Seward had to keep alert, too. Ultimately, the equaliser was coming, and it was more than warranted - Gawain passed straight to Bray who fought his way past the two centrebacks to slip it across to Oehman, who smashed the ball low and hard. Shazib got down well to save it, but Bray once again fought his way to the fray, stuck out a boot and flicked the ball into the net. 1-1 after ninety minutes.

Extra time was frantic, but both sides were tiring and had cleared out their benches - and the Reds’ momentum was firmly checked in the 98th minute as a weary late challenge by Rourke sent Sarracena to the ground, clutching his hamstring. Second yellow for the Union midfielder, but nobody left to replace Sarracena, leaving the match finely poised at 10 vs. 10. Both sides, now down a defensive midfielder, transitioned into 4-4-1 formations and the game bogged down. A late last strike from Bergman nearly snatched it, but the rightback’s shot after a long run went high and wide. By inches. Score that, and he would’ve assured his enduring place in Athletic folklore.

And so to penalties.

Armando Quillisi - of course - is first to step up, and fires clinically past Shazib. Seward goes out to intimidate Erin Camden, but the Brenecian captain isn’t fazed, and smashes it high and to the left. Rowan Gawain goes for power over placement, and although Shazib goes the wrong way, it hits a post. Once again, Seward attempts psychological warfare, but Greig also places it perfectly. Both Brenecians are penalty specialists (who have played the bulk of their career in Nephara, for that matter), so perhaps it’s no surprise. The Reds’ hopes teeter as Bray scuffs a shot that Shazib easily palms away...

… but hope is restored as Bellerose, who doesn’t look intimidated at all, fires basically at the centre and Seward’s trailing legs to enough to block it. Game on. Rhys Bergman steps up, the captain who has already decided to move abroad at the end of the season (stating that while his side has outgrown his abilities, he couldn’t think of being at any other Nepharim side) and smashes it confidently past Shazib. Seward gets right up in Hadley’s face, and the visibly-affected Calanian blazes over. Step forward, Ole Oehman… and the Cosumar international dispatches it calmly. Only Candace Rivers left. A standout in the match to that point… she goes right.

So does Seward, denying her with a fingertip save. Jubilation amongst the red shirts in the crowd as this totally redeems a dismal domestic season, and yet the fun’s not over yet...

Sabrefell Athletic 1 -1 Northern Union (1-1 aet, 3-2 pens)
Pendragon 33’
Oehman 68’

Penalties
1-1: Quillisi scores, Camden scores
1-2: Gawain misses, Greig scores
1-2: Bray saved, Bellerose saved
2-2: Bergman scores, Hadley misses
3-2: Oehman scores, Rivers saved

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Rozelle                  38  24  11   3  74  32  +42  83  CC
  2 North Hall               38  22   5  11  52  33  +19  71  CC
  3 Harmonica Tundra         38  21   7  10  45  37   +8  70  CC
  4 Northern Union           38  20   9   9  51  25  +26  69  GC
  5 Halholzer United         38  19  10   9  45  25  +20  67  GC
  6 Kingsgrove               38  18  10  10  78  51  +27  64  GC
  7 Pilgrimage               38  16  14   8  40  27  +13  62  GC
  8 Bellight FC              38  19   4  15  63  47  +16  61  GC
  9 South Rathia             38  14  10  14  50  52   -2  52  GC
 10 Falkner United           38  13  12  13  49  48   +1  51
 11 Francisca Orient         38  15   6  17  47  59  -12  51  CWC
 12 Guilder                  38  12  13  13  42  41   +1  49
 13 Bellight Wanderers       38  13   7  18  34  41   -7  46
 14 Rosbank Town             38  12   6  20  40  68  -28  42
 15 Marque                   38  11   7  20  45  60  -15  40
 16 Rozelle United           38   9  13  16  44  60  -16  40
 17 Lotus Park               38   9  12  17  42  60  -18  39
 18 SWU FC                   38   7  11  20  30  55  -25  32
 19 Gallant Cross            38   6  13  19  24  45  -21  31  R
 20 Halholzer Spitfires      38   6   8  24  33  62  -29  26  R

TOP SCORERS
24 - M. Danmark (ROZ)
20 - N. Gardella (KNG)
18 - S. Adelardi (BFC), G. Urrunaga (HHU)
17 - G. Birikaitis (BFC), F. Bellerose (NTU)
16 - C. Ravenhorst (NTH), K. Volker (ROZ), T. Bryson (STR)

AWARDS
Golden Boot (Goals Scored): Marcia Danmark (ROZ)
Golden Ball (Player of the Year): Kurtis Volker (ROZ)
Golden Fist (New Player of the Year): Miriam Spitfire (GUI)
Golden Heart (U-21 Player of the Year): Naphtali Thatcher (KNG)
Team of the Year: Ralaanen (HMT); Haeding (PIL), O’Hara (HHU), Monroe (NTU), Bowyer (NTH); Blackslate (HMT), Rivers (NTU), Galloway (ROZ); Volker (ROZ), Danmark (ROZ), Thatcher (KNG)
Manager of the Year: Daniel Pickeed (HMT)

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                    P   W   D   L For   Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Cape of Hope FC        38  24   3  11  77   40  +37  75
  2 Saint Alexander        38  21  11   6  56   27  +29  74
  3 Westpike               38  21   7  10  40   22  +18  70
  4 Pikemouth              38  19  10   9  58   27  +31  67
  5 Halholzer Sundays      38  19   9  10  69   33  +36  66
  6 Sciongrad Rovers       38  20   6  12  74   52  +22  66
  7 Westpike United        38  20   6  12  56   35  +21  66
  8 Gentlemen's Club       38  20   5  13  73   46  +27  65
  9 Snowden River          38  18   8  12  54   47   +7  62
 10 Union FK               38  15   7  16  53   51   +2  52
 11 North Rathia           38  15   7  16  56   63   -7  52
 12 Sharrow                38  15   6  17  48   54   -6  51
 13 Chafford               38  12   9  17  30   45  -15  45
 14 Teol United            38  13   5  20  54   64  -10  44
 15 Scraglet Rovers        38  12   8  18  56   81  -25  44
 16 Newtown                38  10  11  17  26   45  -19  41
 17 Ridgeway United        38  10  10  18  38   52  -14  40
 18 Arbour Lights FC       38  12   4  22  39   66  -27  40
 19 Sutbyrne               38  11   6  21  47   65  -18  39  R
 20 Swayback               38   1   6  31  30  119  -89   9  R

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Southside Wanderers      38  26   7   5  57  22  +35  85
  2 Platwood                 38  21   8   9  63  39  +24  71
  3 Scaffield                38  21   8   9  46  26  +20  71
  4 Mount Roland             38  20   8  10  52  24  +28  68
  5 Dalgallen                38  20   6  12  53  35  +18  66
  6 Hooker Ridge             38  20   5  13  47  32  +15  65
  7 Thrush                   38  16   9  13  55  50   +5  57
  8 Crest                    38  16   7  15  54  42  +12  55
  9 Proudcastle              38  14  11  13  35  37   -2  53
 10 Glassfields              38  14   9  15  66  59   +7  51
 11 Gallow Park              38  15   6  17  30  44  -14  51
 12 Region                   38  14   7  17  38  39   -1  49
 13 Fort Keller              38  12   9  17  36  44   -8  45
 14 Garfield                 38  11  11  16  36  35   +1  44
 15 Highden                  38  12   8  18  37  49  -12  44
 16 Arkwood                  38  11   9  18  30  54  -24  42
 17 Saint Wessex             38  11   8  19  32  48  -16  41
 18 Greater Snowden          38  11   7  20  38  59  -21  40
 19 Jackdaw River            38  11   6  21  44  76  -32  39  R
 20 Norbyrne                 38   7   5  26  32  67  -35  26  R

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                        P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Pikemouth United           38  22   7   9  71  42  +29  73
  2 Marque Rovers              38  21   9   8  63  40  +23  72
  3 Corder Town                38  20  10   8  59  36  +23  70
  4 Saint Essex                38  20   8  10  56  31  +25  68
  5 Caybrooke                  38  18  10  10  41  23  +18  64
  6 Pryde Wanderers            38  16  12  10  49  32  +17  60
  7 Hammerton                  38  17   9  12  63  52  +11  60
  8 Falkner Wanderers          38  15  13  10  51  42   +9  58
  9 Monastery Park             38  14  15   9  33  26   +7  57
 10 Reave City                 38  14  14  10  57  45  +12  56
 11 Rushden                    38  16   8  14  45  47   -2  56
 12 Brookden                   38  13  10  15  50  49   +1  49
 13 Myhill                     38  11  11  16  30  46  -16  44
 14 Rooke and Knightstone      38  11  10  17  30  51  -21  43
 15 Shenworth                  38   8  14  16  31  42  -11  38
 16 Thriss Valley              38   9  11  18  32  48  -16  38
 17 South Ridgeway             38   9  10  19  34  59  -25  37
 18 Rathia Wanderers           38   7  13  18  35  60  -25  34
 19 Fentonbridge               38   9   7  22  39  66  -27  34
 20 Goldrush Wanderers         38   5   9  24  18  50  -32  24  R

by **A-League** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 12:58 am

A-LEAGUE - SEASON 4 PREVIEW

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Rozelle                  38  24  11   3  74  32  +42  83  CC
  2 North Hall               38  22   5  11  52  33  +19  71  CC
  3 Harmonica Tundra         38  21   7  10  45  37   +8  70  CC
  4 Northern Union           38  20   9   9  51  25  +26  69  GC
  5 Halholzer United         38  19  10   9  45  25  +20  67  GC
  6 Kingsgrove               38  18  10  10  78  51  +27  64  GC
  7 Pilgrimage               38  16  14   8  40  27  +13  62  GC
  8 Bellight FC              38  19   4  15  63  47  +16  61  GC
  9 South Rathia             38  14  10  14  50  52   -2  52  GC
 10 Falkner United           38  13  12  13  49  48   +1  51
 11 Francisca Orient         38  15   6  17  47  59  -12  51  CWC
 12 Guilder                  38  12  13  13  42  41   +1  49
 13 Bellight Wanderers       38  13   7  18  34  41   -7  46
 14 Rosbank Town             38  12   6  20  40  68  -28  42
 15 Marque                   38  11   7  20  45  60  -15  40
 16 Rozelle United           38   9  13  16  44  60  -16  40
 17 Lotus Park               38   9  12  17  42  60  -18  39
 18 SWU FC                   38   7  11  20  30  55  -25  32
 19 Gallant Cross            38   6  13  19  24  45  -21  31  R
 20 Halholzer Spitfires      38   6   8  24  33  62  -29  26  R

Pos Team                    P   W   D   L For   Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Cape of Hope FC        38  24   3  11  77   40  +37  75  P
  2 Saint Alexander        38  21  11   6  56   27  +29  74  P
  3 Westpike               38  21   7  10  40   22  +18  70
  4 Pikemouth              38  19  10   9  58   27  +31  67
  5 Halholzer Sundays      38  19   9  10  69   33  +36  66
  6 Sciongrad Rovers       38  20   6  12  74   52  +22  66

TOP SCORERS
24 - M. Danmark (ROZ)
20 - N. Gardella (KNG)
18 - S. Adelardi (BFC), G. Urrunaga (HHU)
17 - G. Birikaitis (BFC), F. Bellerose (NTU)
16 - C. Ravenhorst (NTH), K. Volker (ROZ), T. Bryson (STR)

AWARDS
Golden Boot (Goals Scored): Marcia Danmark (ROZ)
Golden Ball (Player of the Year): Kurtis Volker (ROZ)
Golden Fist (New Player of the Year): Miriam Spitfire (GUI)
Golden Heart (U-21 Player of the Year): Naphtali Thatcher (KNG)
Team of the Year: Ralaanen (HMT); Haeding (PIL), O’Hara (HHU), Monroe (NTU), Bowyer (NTH); Blackslate (HMT), Rivers (NTU), Galloway (ROZ); Volker (ROZ), Danmark (ROZ), Thatcher (KNG)
Manager of the Year: Daniel Pickeed (HMT)

League Finish: 8th
UICA Run: Champions Cup Playoff Round; Globe Cup Quarterfinals
CEdC Run: Second Round
Stadium: Crop of Rock Stadium (7,500)
Nickname: The Reds
Manager: Jack Bolton
Captain: Vina O’Hara
Top Scorer: Somni Adelardi (18)
Likely Starting XI: (4-4-2) 1 - Lillehammer; 2 - Park, 6 - Ride, 5 - Benbow, 18 - Duffy; 13 - Camero, 15 - Mulberry, 4 - O’Hara (c), 18 - St. John; 9 - Adelardi, 10 - Birikaitis

The Reds may have faltered in the league but it will be more than made up for by a stunning run in the Globe Cup that took them to the Globe Cup quarterfinals. That said, slipping back to 8th in the league is only just enough to reprise their position, though to their credit it was their run that probably pushed the A-League over the edge into its fourth Champions’ Cup spot. As always, they did so with their customary vigour and pace, quick and assertive on the pitch to dominate their opponents in an eyecatching way. Time for them to get back to the top.

Prodigal goalkeeper Lillehammer was a legend for them last season at the tender age of 19 and will be expected to continue his fine run of form. Ride and Benbow are solid but slow and old centre-halves, but on the bright side Park on the right is a quick and decisive full-back while Gerry Duffy is an established Brenecian international on the left. A strong midfield holds Vina O’Hara, one of the league’s best midfielders even at 33 with a cool head, a hell of a way with beating playmakers into submission and a great passing range of her own, while Mulberry offers drive going forward down the centre. St. John is a quality winger, Camero pretty much an unknown to supplant the early-blooming Jay Nielsen. And, of course, up front - Adelardi and Birikaitis have between them managed a roughly 1-in-2 record throughout the entirety of the unified A-League’s history. The depth players are generally younger, with the likes of 24-year old Blackbourne impressing in his limited opportunities, while Nielsen has started regularly in the past and might still come good on his unfulfilled promise.

At the end of the day? The Reds are a good team, and they should do well even if a similar performance in UICA is unlikely. And even then; knowing them, they’ll go in hard for it anyway. As far as the league goes, they should reach 5th - on the edge of the Champions’ Cup places.

League Finish: Champions (B-League)
Stadium: Hope Stadium (4,000)
Nickname: the Seekers
Manager: Richard Babcock
Captain: Jasper Richmond
Top Scorer: Marion MacFarland (17)
Likely Starting XI: (4-4-2) 1 - Richmond; 2 - Readdie, 5 - Quirk, 4 - Lachlan, 3 - Haul; 6 - Reagan, 8 - MacFarland, 7 - Dark’oak, 11 - Asquith; 9 - Vixen, 10 - Itsasontzigintzantailerra

It's always exciting to see a new club on the horizon, and Cape of Hope are, well, one of them. Not that they'll be setting the world alight in terms of the way they play the game, of course, but... still, they have a couple of good buys and, on paper, a good chance to stay up. With a young, ambitious manager in charge and plenty of money behind them, the Cape might just be a fixture in the league for years to come. If, of course, it all goes to plan.

Babcock generally put out his side in an aggressive, assertive 4-4-2 eager to harry the opposition into weariness and then beat them into submission. It's unclear whether that'll work in the A-League, but they have the personnel to do a job. Richmond was the best goalkeeper in the second tier last term, and should do a good job as a reliable shot-stopper here. Readdie and Haul in the fullback positions are eager overlapping players but defensively less than sound - Quirk will compensate for that, while young Willard Lachlan is a genuinely promising youth. Reagan on the right mightn't be the most impressive winger, but MacFarland is another promising local who was blatantly too good for the second tier last season and netted 17, six from direct set pieces, while in the rest of the side the Cape has opted for experience. Dark'oak from SWU obviously has top-tier experience while former Brenecia international Asquith still backs himself to have what it takes at 35. Up front, the likes of Peacock and the ancient Harper have been shoved aside for the time being with others sold to make room for Audioslav journeyman striker Oblong Itsasontzig... for an Audioslav journeyman, and alongside him a player quick on her feet but short on composure in former Bellight Wanderers striker Donna Vixen. Most of Cape's reserves are academy lads and lasses, and Babcock himself is young at just 38. 'Building for the future' seems to be the motto.

It should take them far, but the first season's always the hardest. Still, Cape can take heart from the presence of three pretty dreadful sides to occupy just two relegation slots, and it's a battle at the bottom they should flirt with but not succumb to. 15th would suit them just fine.

League Run: 10th
Cup Run: Quarterfinals
Stadium: Hunter Hall (32,000)
Nickname: the Hunters
Manager: Blake Lawless
Captain: Sander Reucassel
Top Scorer: Aphrodite Whitesmith (13)
Likely Starting XI: (4-3-3) 1 - Pence; 2 - St. Mellion, 6 - Ramundo, 22 - Espinosa, 3 - Murtagh; 8 - Lund, 13 - the Dominant, 14 - Luevano; 23 - Whitesmith, 10 - Sandro, 11 - Musni

Falkner United's squad looks... interesting. Spoiled, unreliable striker Anderson Sandro, fresh off scoring two goals in forty-one Premiership games? Check. Victor Luevano, with a reputation for volatility in the dressing room? Check. Axe the Dominant, infamous for his violent approach to man-management? Check. Many of the club's older influences - Reucassel, Buchanan, and Brenecian international Knight most prominently - are shipped out, too, with the captain retiring. It's a new look side, but will it actually work?

There is some quality in the Hunters. Jayce Pence in goal might not be an international-quality goalkeeper, which was made painfully evident throughout her 59 caps, but she is a great shot-stopper by A-League standards. St. Mellion and Murtagh are excellent defensive fullbacks, Espinosa and Ramundo promisingly technical centre-halves. Axe the Dominant, now captain, is a proven quality even at 37 to shield the midfield, while the energetic box-to-box man Lund has been the team's best player for a while now. The volatile Luevano, in support, will add a technical touch in the good days. Whitesmith and Musni are very good wingers, and if Sandro is actually firing on all cylinders? He's probably the best striker in the league. Maybe, just maybe, Lawless - a manager with genuine achievement on his resume, even if his star has faded a little recently - can get the best out of this squad. On the bench, Vickers - once the next great hope for Brenecia, now 31 - and former Sabrefell Athletic striker Kellow, who never quite rediscovered her form from her first season in Falkner, will be looking to take their opportunities where they can find them, and the rest is solid.

In short, the Hunters have ramped up the quality while sacrificing… pretty much any element of stability, chemistry or sanity. They’ll win the league or sink to the bottom, but sadly you can’t budget for that in a prediction, so we’ll aim somewhere in the centre. 9th.

League Run: 11th
Cup Run: Champions
UICA Run: Globe Cup 3rd Preliminary Round
Stadium: Forharrow (21,000)
Nickname: the Jacks
Manager: Conrad Lauren
Captain: Kurtis Burgundy
Top Scorer: Isadora Xenophon (14)
Likely Starting XI: (4-4-2) 1 - Larsson; 2 - Burgundy (c), 5 - Scannell, 6 - Bondfield, 3 - Morvan; 7 - Snowden (c), 8 - Bolton, 4 - Docherty, 11 - Ulster; 15 - Whitehouse, 9 - Xenophon

Francisca Orient do the same thing every goddamn year, and it keeps working. They float around midtable one way or another and make a few quick bargains on the side before the new season. It's hard to see them going down, but are they really going to set the world alight? They're here because nobody else is taking up their valuable space, and that's about it. Still - with little to lose in the league, it's for the best they've gone all out in search of a Cup. They won last edition (on penalties), and will now aim to imprint themselves on international competition.

Francisca have overhauled their squad, and look... if not better, then at least younger for it. Sarian ex-pat Larsson is a good shot-stopper even if his opportunities in the A-League have been limited so far. Burgundy, once of Treason and now captain, is one of the league's best rightbacks defensively, and combines well with Scannell, Bondfield and Morvan to complete a rock-solid back four. Farkanhan from Cosumar is new, exciting and experimental out on the right, bolstering a weak midfield. It's not for nothing that Francisca favour attacking on the wings. Specifically, the right wing. Bolton and Docherty are just warm bodies who can place a pass or a tackle every now and then, while Ulster somehow lacks polish even at 28. It's redeemed by their strikers, Whitehouse and new signing Southwick, both internationals. That said, they've just sold Xenophon, among the most accomplished finishers in the league, to Cosumar. Schrader was a journeyman goalkeeper who happened to stick around for a while, but now moves to a second-tier Osarian side, and will be missed - and so, especially, will Brenecian international Daniel Snowden, who would run himself into the ground well into his thirties. Losing his pace, sadly, was fatal, and he knew when he had to go. By comparison, Wolven won't be especially missed.

They’re an okay side, in summary, going through a bit of transition during a Cup Winners’ Cup campaign that Lauren has openly told the press he intends to go far in. 13th looks right domestically, but they might turn up a few surprises abroad.

League Run: 12th
Cup Run: Second Round
Stadium: Riverside Stadium (13,000)
Nickname: the Phoenices
Manager: Judith Keller
Captain: Miriam Spitfire
Top Scorer: Miriam Spitfire (11)
Likely Starting XI: (4-3-3) 1 - Boston; 26 - Waters, 5 - Scrivener, 19 - Arena, 18 - Adnansen; 11 - Fallon, 4 - Bergman, 14 - Frost; 7 - Rieher, 16 - Gallagher, 15 - Spitfire

Guilder continue to be, well, a dour and tedious side enlivened with a single creative outlet; Miriam Spitfire. They are admittedly hampered by being more or less broke, not having the best catchment area for recruits and only recently having been in the lower tiers. And, it has to be said, last season was different. They won almost a third of their matches and finished in twelfth with a positive goal difference. They've recruited well, too... but can it last? And, entirely linked with that question, can 35-year old Spitfire's legs?

Marshalled by Judith Keller, Guilder benefit from her reputation as a great organiser whose sides play dour, but generally efficient, football. It's been a close-run thing recently, though, and Guilder have never been rich. Boston is a good goalkeeper who rarely stands out, which is generally a good trait for a goalkeeper. The defence, however, is outstanding. Waters and new signing Adnansen will add dimension to a mediocre attack while putting in the workrate at the back, while Arena has always looked good and Scrivener, another new signing, has been touted as an almost certain future Patriot. Bergman, their shield, does one thing - anchor - and does it very well. Fallon and Frost are both tidy technical players, while Reiher is a dynamic Varmellese international who always threatens a goal. Gallagher can run forever but her finishing is wayward, but it's Miriam Spitfire who is the great enigma of the side. 35 years old now, a Brenecia legend back at her home club... she's glacial these days out on the left, but there's no sweeter left boot in the league. Guilder's front three often has an asymmetrical look to it as a result, breaking with pace down the right but letting Spitfire dictate play when the tempo needs to slow down. The great miracle of the transfer window, of course, was extracting four million pounds from Llara Llera for Andreas Lekas, a merely okay striker. Sonnett was a quietly underrated leftback, Hamilton was technically adept but lacked physicality, and long-serving captain Gillen had always tried his best but never quite convinced in the top-tier. All will be missed, but Guilder have bought well.

16th looks right for a season that might be Spitfire’s last, as her technique up front and a solid back line set them ahead of calamities like Marque.

League Run: 5th
UICA Run: Globe Cup Qualifying Round
CEDC Run: First Round
Stadium: Hope Ground (20,000)
Nickname: the Golds
Manager: Brian Ashgrove
Captain: Roger O’Connor
Top Scorer: Gaizka Urrunaga (18)
Likely Starting XI: (4-4-2) 1 - Clark; 15 - Bergman, 5 - O’Hara, 2 - Baars, 20 - Mustard; 7 - Abbriacciabene, 16 - Grinish, 10 - von Maelstrom, 11 - O’Connor (c); 8 - Charlestown, 9 - Urrunaga

Is this the season where, at long last, a Mareibatian side can claim to be rightful favourites for the title? A rock-solid defence. A strong midfield. Two great centre-forwards. A major reconstruction effort at defending champions Rozelle. Halholzer United, the standout big club in the country, have timed their run to perfection, and after the disappointment of 5th last season it's now or never for Brian Ashgrove.

Ashgrove has steadily lessened his obsession with defence over the years, music to the ears of anyone who watched them in their awful early days. Arthur Clark remains the A-League's most reliable custodian, backed ably with a trustworthy stable of defenders. Hard-bitten veterans Finbar O'Hara and Chris Baars are the best centre-halves in the division, while rightback Rhys Bergman was a surprise buy from Sabrefell Athletic - a one-club man to that point, Bergman (31) had felt himself dropping in form and knew he had to go, but couldn't countenance playing for any other Nepharim side. He'll do well in Mareibat. Mustard on the left has proven her doubters wrong. Abbriacciabene is a full Apox international with an eye for the spectacular while O'Connor on the left remains their stalwart captain. Former Brinemouth midfielder Maxwell von Maelstrom remains a fantastic creative player whose career has been genuinely revitalised at Halholzer while 19-year old Jack Grinish has the weight of the world on his shoulders to pick up the defensive slack. Up front, poacher extraordinaire Urrunaga and new acquisition Charlestown are both proven at the highest level and, at 29, are well proven. The latter in particular was seen as a coup over the offseason as the 29-year old Mareibat international was coaxed from the ANL1, where he got 110 league goals in 207 matches. Is he going to rip the A-League apart? Arthur Jakkar is the main loss to the side, arguably the best holding midfielder in the league, picked up by Franz Josef City.

The stars have aligned for the Gold-and-Whites, and the time is now. They go into the season for the very first time expected to be champions.

League Run: 3rd
Stadium: The Old Shipyard (3,500)
Nickname: Tundra
Manager: Daniel Pickeed
Captain: Jack Morriston
Top Scorers: Jack Morriston (13)
Likely Starting XI: (5-4-1) 1 - Ralaanen; 2 - Moses, 6 - Latsft, 20 - Cornwall, 17 - Bentha, 3 - Mulgood; 22 - Barton, 8 - Morriston (c), 10 - Blackslate, 11 - Lionheart; 16 - Kolehmainen

Tundra did fantastic work last season with a fairly unheralded squad playing fairly dreary but efficient football, perhaps exemplified by their vigilant, hard-running midfield. They did brilliantly considering the resources available to them... and that was before going for a proper marquee name in the offseason. Okay, so some would say that their Champions Cup place was a little... fortunate. They only had a goal difference of +8. And those extra commitments won't help them for the coming season. But when you look past that, this side might just be capable of something special...

In goal, fringe Buyan international Ralaanen's safe hands win Tundra plenty of points a year in a league full of flaky stoppers. Wingbacks Moses and Mulgood are a couple of limited but diligent runners capable of putting out the hard yards for ninety minutes without anything special happening, while a young set of centre-backs in Latsft, Cornwall and new acquisition from Halholzer United Bentha are quick enough to defend the pacey forwards commonplace in the league. Barton and Lionheart are yet more technically-limited runners that love seeing their wingbacks overlap - they might not be finessed, but some of the most fluid attacks in the league last season came from those linkups on the wing - while Blackslate and Morriston form a fantastic foundation of two dedicated box-to-box midfielders, capable of shielding their defence, spraying passes and pulling triggers in equal measure. At 25 and 24, too, they're hardly about to stop soon. And up front, bizarrely... Gustaf Kolehmainen, now 36, is as capable of sticking the ball in the net as ever. Well, okay, he's practically immobile now, but Tundra can get him the service he'll need. Besides, a striker who thrived when the Valhallan league was at its peak should find this league relatively accommodating. He'll have capable relief in the workmanlike Bauer waiting on the bench.

They should do fine, come around 7th.

League Run: 6th
Cup Run: Semifinals
UICA Run: Globe Cup Playoff Round
Stadium: Royal Park (42,000)
Nickname: the Royals
Manager: Gabrielle Hourihane
Captain: Rowena Stamper
Top Scorer: Niccolo Gardella (24)
Likely Starting XI: (4-2-3-1) 1 - Knight; 2 - Molina, 5 - Bologna, 21 - Hemingway, 3 - Portadown; 6 - Fife, 4 - Crowley; 7 - Rowe, 10 - Stamper (c), 8 - Killanen; 11 - Gardella

An alright first season for Gabrielle Hourihane, but she'll fancy herself to do better now that she's had some money to splash about. And, God, has she splashed... it might not be The Kingsgrove Way as narrowly defined by its fans, but it's probably going to prove effective on the pitch. And Hourihane's promised that, at least on the field, it'll be the fare the fans from east Rozelle are used to seeing - fast-paced, aggressive and fluid.

More than most, Kingsgrove have been rebuilding, money flowing freely in and out. Thatcher's departure will be missed more than any other, but Killanen is expected to be every inch his equal. Lindegartner, Foxstone, Ansom and Kilroy boost the side's depth, while Kite, Guthrie, Sullivan and Bail depart from it. The result is a strong squad. Knight is an international goalkeeper, very good with her feet and comfortable distributing the ball. Molina is excellent on the right, Bologna an international center-half, with the more straightforward Hemingway the weakness in defence. Portadown is a skilful overlapping fullback, even if her international career, as it happened, precisely overlapped with Catherine Bardsley's. Fife hacks people down, Crowley picks the ball up and makes something out of it - the two are a powerful partnership, even if neither has quite seemed to cut it at international level. Rowe is an average winger having to fight for his place, captain Stamper is a decisive playmaker, while a Brenecian record signing in Eoin Killanen, at just 21, adds a dynamic, hard-hitting presence to the left wing. Evergreen Niccolo Gardella, a club legend, is 33. He'll need replacement at some stage, but a move from the left to centre-forward has revitalised what had seemed to be a stalling career. Young striker June Gardot, often called into work off the bench, is a hell of an impact substitute to have. This is all under the command of Gabrielle Hourihane, who fancies attacking football but is yet to set the league alight.

A team in transition? Maybe, and they aren't ready for a proper title push... but they might just get back to winning ways, and 4th.

League Run: 17th
Cup Run: Second Round
UICA Run: Globe Cup Second Preliminary Round
Stadium: Lotus Park (31,000)
Nickname: the Foresters
Manager: Maxine Saunders
Captain: Rook Harrington
Top Scorer: Kristopher Nilssen (12)
Likely Starting XI: (4-4-2) 12 - Breen; 19 - Bueskens, 6 - Chilton (c), 5 - Colback, 13 - Thames; 21 - Freeman, 8 - Bellamy, 22 - Shorten, 11 - Everdale; 10 - Nilssen, 9 - Guthrie

Lotus Park are a team in need of recovery. The optimism of last season evaporated into a pretty bloody terrible set of matches as Kyron Everdale must have been left wondering what he was doing here. There is definitely a good side lurking somewhere in this side, but a mixture of injuries, suspensions and bad luck were all blamed for what was, in short, a mostly-universal failure to perform. Unsurprisingly, it cost Vance Sterling his job.

New manager Maxine Saunders, a Brenecian who's spent a good chunk of her recent career in the rough-and-tumble of the Nepharim second and third tiers, has not been afraid to ring the changes in the off-season. Reliable 30-year old Cheney Breen in goal has finally been able to tie down a starting berth over the volatile Bullard, while the captain Harrington has been supplanted by Theodora Bueskens, a journeyman Nepharim rightback poached from relegated second-tier side Locksley. 20-year old Thames will play out on the left, with Merry Chilton and Colback a Globe Cup level partnership on paper; the former extremely intelligent, the latter a somewhat aimless but very fast and powerful defender. Freeman out on the right is perhaps not one of the side's strong suits, seeming to offer little in her showings last season, but on the left the Cosumar international Everdale is likely their best player. Bellamy and especially Shorten are proper, blue-collar midfielders who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty. Nilssen is a very tidy, technical striker but it has to be said that in his partner, 21-year old Guthrie, is a gamble - just bought from Kingsgrove, he boasts a world of pace and a remarkable work ethic, and... is arguably the least composed striker in the league. In summary, Guthrie is the most A-League player in the league. So that bodes well, then. Chilton's sister, Sandra, is a youth international recently brought up from the ranks, while there's plenty more experience on the bench, mostly guys like Harrington or Cleto who have been made an example of.

It won't be an easy season, but Lotus should recover and edge into the now, uh, ridiculous Globe Cup places on offer - Mareibat can get a second Champions' Cup place with a good performance. 10th.

by **A-League** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 12:59 am

League Run: 2nd
Cup Run: Third Round
UICA Run: Globe Cup Qualifying Round
Stadium: Fenbrook Stadium (26,500)
Nickname: the Northerners
Manager: Jon Slatesaver
Captain: Rachel Prowse
Top Scorer: Chris Ravenhorst (23)
Likely Starting XI: (4-2-3-1) 1 - Fairhall; 17 - Kirill, 5 - Melendez, 18 - Gillard, 15 - Bowyer; 4 - Prowse (c), 8 - Wyght; 21 - Strachan, 12 - Riel, 11 - Montague; 9 - Ravenhorst

Last season looks better in terms of position than in practice. Second place was good for North Hall, but when you look at the table? They were twelve points and twenty-three goals shy of winning the league, which is hardly inspiring for a side that hasn't really done anything in the transfer window. Kingsgrove have Killanen, Tundra found Kolehmainen, United bought Charlestown, and Union procured Fengouli. North Hall got Marko Gillard, a bench-warming defender for Chatswood.

It's a solid side but one without much spark, reflected in the goal tally. International goalkeeper Fairhall is a rock-solid 32-year old stopper who aims to end her career for the side, with the technique of Yttribia international Melendez complemented by the blood-curdling brutality of the Nepharim newcomer Gillard. Kirill and Bowyer (a long throw specialist) are eager to bomb forward and overlap, while Prowse and Wyght offer additional cover at the back. It's a reasonably intimidating front four, with Strachan and Montague offering plenty of sweat and muscle out wide and the bargain acquisition of Riel, who was dismally unhappy at Twentytwo in NFX95, will finally give Hall some technical presence. None of that up front. Chris Ravenhorst is a beast of a player, terribly slow at 32 but when he gets the ball he either holds it up better than any other player in the division or has a go himself. It's a shame that he'll probably never be capped. A similarly industrious centre-forward awaits on the bench in the new signing Svenningsen, while in general their backups are split half-and-half between veterans like Mikkelsen or Sturrock and promising young guns like Sixpence.

A good side, not a great one. 6th and a good couple of results against Union would be job done.

League Run: 4th
Cup Run: Second Round
UICA Run: Champions Cup Third Preliminary Round; Globe Cup Semifinals
CEDC Run: Runners-up
Stadium: Union Park (36,000)
Nickname: Union
Manager: Althea Reader
Captain: Candace Rivers
Top Scorer: Fiacre Bellerose (17)
Likely Starting XI: (4-3-3) 1 - Shazib; 2 - Fastolf, 23 - Monroe, 5 - Greig, 3 - Branagh; 8 - Rivers (c), 4 - Fengouli, 7 - Camden; 21 - Hadley, 10 - Bellerose, 11 - Pendragon

The league's marquee side... in theory. In practice, they haven't really splashed the cash on any real big names for a while, Althea Reader preferring to build, rather than buy. Well, okay, they bought Fengouli for eight million, but besides that... either way, they're ready to give the title a good shot. Even if, last time around, the title defence didn't really go to plan...

On the pitch, it's hard to find faults. Shazib is the league's most flamboyant, acrobatic goalkeeper, even if he showed an error-prone side to him last time around. Monroe and Greig are probably the slowest centre-halves in the league, the former's career curtailed by ACL injuries and the latter, well, is 35 years old. But with 103 caps between them, their class is unquestioned. The pace of Fastolf and Branagh on the flanks compensates, and the two form an important part of the Union attack with their overlapping play. Union's strongest asset, however, is their midfield - now anchored by fringe Kernansquillec international Fengouli, with Rivers and Camden offering international experience and leadership themselves. The Equestrian captain is one of the league's best players, while Camden is a lethal dead ball expert with a hell of a passing range even if, at 31, her pace isn't what it used to be. Mick Hadley, also 31, showed worrying signs of decline last season but will be expected to pick up his form, but when it comes to the lethal Bellerose and the lightning-quick Pendragon, no questions can be asked. Importantly for a side that always aims to fight on all fronts, Union are strong in depth, too - giant Valhallan striker Otto Lund offers a handy Plan B who has gotten them out of plenty of rough spots, veteran midfield anchor Christine Marr offers the more brutal approach, while Barragan, Foran, Murcutt and especially prodigal 19-year old goalkeeper give them plenty of hope for the future - every one of those could be internationals.

That said, they might be very strong... but this season, Halholzer United, their mirror image in Mareibat, finally look better. Union, on paper, will be runners-up.

League Run: 14th
Cup Run: Quarterfinals
Stadium: Rosary Stadium (38,000)
Nickname: the Black Swans
Manager: Magda Caitliff
Captain: Zoe Merochite
Top Scorer: Felix Prowse (13)
Likely Starting XI: (4-4-2) 12 - Farlane; 2 - Brace, 6 - Consort, 21 - Vanderton, 19 - Austin; 14 - Merochite (c), 4 - Kinsett, 8 - Parrish, 20 - Lysander; 9 - Prowse, 10 - Redruth

Rosbank Town were most people's pick to be shunted immediately back down to the B-League. And yet, despite a frankly appalling goal difference, they defied the odds. Comfortably. Largely this was due to a Jekyll-and-Hyde season, as they were somehow in the title race a quarter of the way into the season - they won 7 of their first 9 and then fit just 5 wins and 6 draws into the remaining 29. When fully half of your points come in the first quarter of the season, well... okay, so they're still tipped to go down by many, simply lacking the quality of a true A-League side (certainly in depth as they showed with their freefall), but they still have a lot to offer the A-League and pretty much everyone but their close rivals are hoping they beat the drop yet again.

Plenty of blood, sweat and tears went into keeping the Black Swans up, and it'll all be called upon again come the new season. They're not that good a side on paper, but christ, they fought hard to stay up and nobody can say the A-League is worse for their presence. Farlane's an increasingly solid presence in goal, while the muscular new signings Korotov, Melbourne and Sonnett supplement the surprisingly classy centre-half Holly Consort. Merochite and Lysander on the wings are aging internationals, Rourke and Parrish a solid core, and Prowse and Redruth are, well, people who put the ball in the net. Brough was hustled in as a replacement for Merochite when the captain (32) loses her legs, while a lot of players were hustled out the door. Henrick Vanderton, former Northern Union stalwart and international defender, retires. What the team does genuinely lack is a real creative spark. They get the ball forward and run after it, that's really about it. Still, while manager Magda Caitliff isn't exactly a tactical mastermind, she always gets them going and ready for a scrap.

They're still not great on paper, but they are solid and they have at least a few goals in them. They'll stay up in 18th, but it will be a hard fight for them.

League Run: Champions
Cup Run: Third Round
UICA Run: Champions Cup Playoff Round; Globe Cup Group Stage
Stadium: Rosary Stadium (38,000)
Nickname: the Saints
Manager: Raven Cullen
Captain: Justin Vauxhall
Top Scorer: Marcia Danmark (24)
Likely Starting XI: (4-3-3) 1 - Nkutu; 2 - Milligan, 5 - Rosseau, 6 - Kilcane, 3 - Henry; 8 - Galloway, 23 - Moss, 11 - Charing (c); 7 - Swain, 9 - Ashworth, 10 - Volker

Rozelle fans will be wondering about the timing of the transfer window. The Saints galloped to the title with just three defeats and a twelve-point gap between them and runners-up North Hall. Great stuff, right? And yet... five players were worth a cumulative 14.7 million brought in, six sold for 15.5 million including 24-goal striker Marcia Danmark (to the much more lucrative San Jose Guayabal league), Blacke released and Gallagher retired. Three teenagers were brought up to make up the difference, a couple of them pretty highly-rated. It's hard to predict how they will turn out, all things considered. Should Rozelle have gone for stability instead?

Still, right now, they have a very strong side. Very different, but very strong. Young Semarlandic goalkeeper Jonah Nkutu will be a major improvement on DaMarcus Bender, an aging liability, and he'll be ably supported in defence. Milligan's lost his bursts of pace but makes up for it in cleverness while Henry on the left is a strong international fullback for Nova Anglicana, while Rosseau is joined by Ash Kilcane, a Brenecia international who's spent a while in Yttribia, to form the most cultured central defensive partnership in the league. Niko Moss will be responsible for breaking up the play and getting it forward, while Galloway and Charing are both very good attack-minded midfielders who are always looking to thread that killer pass. Unsurprisingly, both are internationals. Swain on the right is, too - one of the fastest players in the league who loves to get past her marker and swing in a cross, but her final ball is often lacking. Kurtis Volker, the league's best player last season, is an incisive left winger who shreds defences while 29-year old Elsa Ashworth is a new signing from Gallant Cross. Ashworth has spent most of her career with Maximum Rovers in the Nepharim Premiership and scored 11 goals last season for relegated Gallant Cross while feeding off scraps - if she brings that conversion rate to a creative and fast side like this, A-League defences are going to be crushed. On the bench, club captain Justin Vauxhall is the man to come on either at centre-half or defensive midfielder and just break people apart, while the likes of Brassfellow and now Sophomore and Hearkener are some of the most highly-rated young guns of the league.

On the whole, it's really hard to say how Rozelle will do. They've upgraded in some areas - especially in goal - and they have a stronger and younger bench to call upon. But the loss of Danmark in particular will hurt. Those 24 goals will take some replacing. It will come together for them soon, and they should be set easily for the Champions Cup places, but it's hard to see them just clicking immediately. They're likely to finish third.

League Run: 16th
Cup Run: First Round
CEDC Run: Semifinals
Stadium: Violet Park (22,000)
Nickname: United
Manager: Danielle Granger
Captain: Julia Stockinger
Top Scorer: Kirum Ingolfsson (13)
Likely Starting XI: (4-3-3) 1 - Najdorf; 13 - Keller, 5 - Stockinger (c), 6 - Lajunen, 19 - Connelly; 8 - Calypso, 21 - Barker, 11 - Knight; 7 - Bowditch, 12 - Ingolfsson, 18 - Silvennsson

United continue to quietly stake out their position in South Rozelle, quietly ignored but secretly admired as Rozelle and Kingsgrove slug it out for dominance. 16th last season, but they were three wins ahead of the drop zone and never looked in serious danger. And, of course, that was fighting on three fronts with the Cup Winners’ Cup to handle. In all likelihood, that form will continue ... or maybe better, as they've finally made what looks to be a decent foray into the transfer market. With so many UICA spots on offer, is it possible for United to join the party?

They are, however, a side in transition - manager Danielle Granger has been pressed into duty for her country, the young and rated Arran Mensah bringing in no less than five players and cutting six adrift, it's a much-different United side this time to last. The beloved Audioslavian goalkeeper, Cillian Najdorf, is now 36 and will be expected to continue bailing out his side as he's done since his arrival. Stockinger and Lajunen isn't the most solid partnership on paper, but Connelly and the Premiership-hardened Keller are both good, solid defensive full-backs. Barker is a rock-solid anchor in midfield, Calypso a box-to-box type of questionable technical value but a fantastic name, while former international Portia Knight has a fantastic passing range and is the team's major creative spark. It's a side very clearly divided into that experienced spine - Najdorf is 36, Knight 33, Lajunen 32, the rest 30, 30, 30, 29 and 28 - and a lethal set of young guns up front. Bowditch (21) is a muscular winger with plenty of fans, centre-forward Ingolfsson (24) is already a cult hero known for his reliable finishing while the silky Silvennsson (27) completes a very quick and very capable front three as the record 3-million signing. Griffin's loss will be hard-felt, but the veteran winger simply didn't have the pace to fit in anymore, while Drummond's experience at centre-half will be missed as the former South Laithland defender and Brenecia international retires. The only one of the new signings who won't be expected to contribute right away is highly-rated 22-year old goalkeeper Andrea Rohan - sister of FC Endeavour academy player Esther.

They'd be happy with 14th. A finish they can build on.

League Run: 9th
Cup Run: Second Round
Stadium: Southfield (16,000)
Nickname: The Lions
Manager: Phoebe Osbourne
Captain: Tamara Lynn Rhodes
Top Scorer: Tanith Bryson (15)
Likely Starting XI: (4-4-2 diamond) 1 - Cannon; 13 - Rhodes (c), 4 - C Pascuale, 6 - P Pascuale, 3 - Fletcher; 17 - Halberdian; 8 - Keller, 7 - Curtin; 10 - Ruskin; 11 - Bryson, 9 - Zeke

The off-season has not been a kind one to South Rathia. Selling two good players for the cash and replacing them with... well, there's no real good way to put it, but a 25-year old guy from the Nepharim third tier. Oh, and some wages went briefly unpaid in the offseason, too. There are rumours that South Rathia are simply haemorrhaging money, even rumours that they might merge with North Rathia to make single side for the area of Brenecia generally generalised by their countrymen as a bunch of inbred sheep-shaggers. No mean feat considering that Brenecians as a whole are generalised as inbred sheep-shaggers.

The Lions have eleven good players, one standout youth candidate and the footballing equivalent of cellotape holding them together. Sheila Cannon is a great goalkeeper, a gangly, acrobatic spider between the posts, while the Pascuale brothers obviously provide a solid platform in central defence. Things aren't so hot on the flanks - Fletcher is alright, and while club stalwart Rhodes stood out as one of the best players in the early A-League, she's pretty average now. Halberdian has been favoured in preseason to the young but highly-tipped Gryphon. Keller and Curtin are a good couple of box-to-box midfielders, the former with a few caps to his name, while Ruskin's in the same boat as Rhodes and no longer stands out. Zeke's inconsistent, but at his best he's a beast up front; Bryson, another international, is quick and deadly but, at 32, her legs won't last forever. Fitting in with the cut-price atmosphere, nothing has been done to supplement a strong first team, while Bowman and Byrne have been cashed in while they still can be cashed in upon. Cromwell, at 22, is a feasible long-term replacement for Bryson but has no calm in front of goal - Fandrich, a 25-year old Nepharim midfielder from the third-tier East Laithland Harriers, was probably just cheap. The two of them cost barely over a million combined, while Bowman and Byrne alone raised three and a half.

They still have some good players, at least in the first XI, and they should get as far as 12th. But the Globe Cup might be too far for them, and they'll start to need to look behind themselves for the first time in a while...

League Run: 18th
Stadium: Ironclad Park (1,500)
Nickname: The Shipwrights
Manager: James Kinelly
Captain: Richard Barker
Top Scorer: Alisander Bailey (6)
Likely Starting XI: (4-1-3-2) 20 - Zelah; 2 - Green, 6 - Ibransson, 5 - Harding, 3 - Homestead; 4 - Donaghon; 8 - Barker (c), 16 - Broadband, 11 - Welque; 9 - Bailey, 10 - Green

Shipwright Workers Union Football Club survive again - this time by the skin of their teeth, eighteenth and with a less than sterling 32 points. They can thank the fact that both Gallant Cross and Halholzer Spitfires were utter garbage over the course of the season for their survival. They'll find themselves hard-pressed to survive again this time around as the odds continue to stack against them. Still - it won't be without a fight, and they have plenty of blue-collar steel to call upon.

In goal, former Bellight FC goalkeeper James Zelah's still going strong at 34, with the young Green and Ibransson on the right and veterans Harding and Homestead on the left forming a reasonably solid back four. Kalista Donaghon, a promising 23-year old and their best player last season, provided both muscle and the ability to simply pass the ball to someone who could do something with it. For the most part, that was captain Richard Barker, a 33-year old veteran who has shouldered most of the creative burden to date. Broadband looks to be a liability, and young newcomer Welque will have to do a lot of growing up in a short time. Alisander Bailey used to play for Kingsgrove but his record for SWU stands at a hardly impressive 12 goals in 72 matches. That's been at a highly inconsistent rate, since he scored his first two in four games and his last three in three. Either way you cut it he's still better than strike partner Eino Green. The twin losses of O'Tuathail (to Arkrau Klub in Semarland) and Dark'oak (to newly promoted Cape of Hope) will hurt their midfield, and are a large part of why they're tipped to go down this time around.

People have been saying that for years, haven't they? But this time around, SWU are tipped for 20th. They're brave. They're resilient. They're not very good.

by **A-League** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 11:49 pm

You know the A-League is back when the first goal of the season comes off new signing Kristian Adnansen’s face, ruining an otherwise solid game for Guilder. It’s a tight set of opening fixtures, no side scoring more than twice, but there’s already signs that SWU mightn’t go down as easily as they’re pegged to. Francisca Orient go up 2-0 easily, but a determined performance from James Zelah keeps them from adding to the lead before Alisander Bailey and, off a corner, Kim Ibransson steal a point in the last five minutes. The newly promoted sides acquit themselves reasonably well, both working their way to battling defeats away in Bellight. And yet, most bizarrely of all, the walking trainwreck that is this Falkner side gets not only five yellow cards but two goals and a Pence-inspired clean sheet en route to beating Rosbank Town into a pulp. Anderson Sandro didn’t trouble the scorers, but he did look uncharacteristically athletic and sharp… even if it did seem like there was some kind of tumour on his thigh. What’s up with that?

Things are looking good for all five sides remaining in the Globe Cup fight, with three comfortable home wins and two hard-fought away draws. North Hall deserves particular plaudits for keeping Bayern-Algaer from so much as a shot on target while Ravenhorst, Riel and Strachan hammer nails in their coffin. Pilgrimage product another hard-bitten rearguard performance with a single goal on the counterattack while Kingsgrove struggle for fluency, an early Ixato goal (which Knight, in truth, should have saved) only levelled in injury time with a curling shot from Stamper. Union comfortably deal with Hevnaje before the biggest scalp of the round sees Tundra eviscerate Galactica. Kolehmainen gets his first goal for Tundra, and follows it up with a second with Barton striking in-between. Keep sharp in Pasarga and they'll be fine.

Cape of Hope, this time hosting Bellight FC, take the lead within three minutes through former Bellight midfielder Asquith. But that’s about it for good things, as they’re subsequently stomped into a fine paste by the Reds’ rampaging forwards who each pick up a brace, Vina O’Hara hitting the post before a late consolation courtesy of Donna Vixen. Alisander Bailey is halfway towards equalling last season’s goal tally as the former Kingsgrove striker chalks up a header and an ugly-but-efficient half-volley to beat a toothless Bellight Wanderers.

By contrast, only one side wins this round - but it’s an emphatic one. Tia Drenas scores first against Pilgrimage, but that just makes them angry. Haggelund fires one back almost immediately and then sets Mackinolty up to put the Pilgrims ahead, but Quebecois international Kang returns the favour with a curling free kick that bent over the wall and under the bar, leaving Tregatta Walker stationary. Walker pulled off an incredible save to deny Drenas one-on-one which might just have clinched the game, but the wind just seemed to leave Athletic’s sails in the second half, while the Pilgrims fought harder. Akekunde put them back in front before a flicked header from Vilhajalmsson sealed the deal. No other A-League side won, and everyone who watched a dire scoreless draw in Rozelle lost, but all the A-League sides progress regardless!

A third straight 2-0 win for Falkner, against the reigning champions! And the mystery of Anderson Sandro’s thigh is revealed. Whitesmith’s great pass cuts open the Rozelle defence for Sandro to flick it past Nkutu, and the Kytler centre-forward’s celebration is to pull out from his shorts… a pair of shades, which he promptly lowers slowly onto his face in full dated internet meme style while staring the incredulous Nkutu point-blank in the eyes, before finally, as the shades fall to a rest upon his nose, shouting “DEAL WITH IT!” Oh dear.

Winless to date, the reigning champions finally sort themselves out as they thump Saint Alexander 5-0. Elsa Ashworth, isolated on paper in a sea of three centre-backs, gets two opportunistic goals from her only two shots of the match, but Galloway and Audrey also get good goals before a wonderful Hecate Charing free kick rises over the wall and dips barely into the net, Lehne left stationary. “The defence starts here,” Charing barked with real authority to a clearly intimidated journalist after the match. But there’s plenty of other performances worth noting. Halholzer United thump Lotus Park 4-0 away and Kingsgrove beat Harmonica Tundra 6-1 in flurries of attacking firepower, and even the third Rozelle side gets some attention as Silvennson’s cracking late free kick secures a 4-1 win over a hapless Cape of Hope. Sandro scores again against Northern Union in the thirteenth minute and does the meme celebration again. Impressively, the Hunters hold out - another great performance from Jayce Pence reminding a forgetful audience of how she was Brenecia’s number 1 for a while.

Rozelle fly the flag proudly for the A-League with two former Premiership players in Volker and Ashworth accounting for a Crisisbless side that can’t seem to get the ball anywhere dangerous, reduced to hitting long shots. Nkutu keeps them safe from that.

Tight all around, but for the most part the A-League clubs involved and feel relatively pleased with their contributions. Kingsgrove leave it late to beat Son Vasco thanks to Killanen’s driving run and shot (having earlier provided an assist on a platter for Gardella), while the reigning Calanian champions break North Hall’s hearts late on when a deflected Rolando strike leaves Fairhall floundering in the 91st minute.

Falkner are on four straight wins against tough opposition, so [i]of course[/b] the first goal they concede of the campaign comes when Luciana Camargo glances Kellard’s cross past Pence after a mix-up in the box. Somehow, they’re unable to break the Privateers and Sandro goes missing. Kingsgrove still have a taste for decisive wins, as Killanen scores one and assists three en route to a demolition job at Guilder. With some justification, the commentators called the Schottian international the best player in the league so far. Ezekiel Charlestown would have some quarrel with that, but his bullet header is overturned by a resilient Tundra, who score three in the second half.

It begins. And Rozelle are already out to third-tier Marque Rovers. What? Most top-tier sides win easily, though, but it takes a spectacular extra-time for Rozelle to break through lower-league Glassfields. 1-1 in extra time, Mensah throws on three normal first-team players… but not before a shot from Melody Speed slips through Andrea Rohan’s fingers. Oops. But United fight back, and goals from Tariff and Knight put them back on track for a 3-2 win. Guilder are out, but they played Rozelle away, which hardly counts, while Kellow reminds Falkner that there is a non-Sandro option available to them by scoring all four goals against hapless Proudcastle. The biggest thumping, however, sees Hammerton hammered 9-1 in front of their own fans. When Joseph Lakeling scores a 68th-minute consolation at 7-1 and goes to the effort of racing to his own fans at the other side of the stadium, it’s rewarded with a hearty chant of “We’re gonna win 8-7!” That’s the spirit, lads. That said; it is nowhere near actual reality.

This time, when Charlestown scores, his side hold on. Admittedly, they’re at home against Guilder, and admittedly Reiher screws up a one-on-one with Clark to blaze over an open net in the 83rd minute. But a win’s a win. That goes double for Rosbank Town, who, uh, pick up their first win of the season in a thoroughly-deserved blood/sweat/tears performance against Northern Union. Shazib is directly culpable for one and flapped at the cross for another, but makes an excellent double save to keep the score from getting humiliating in injury time. Juliet Redruth’s first goals of the campaign come courtesy of those errors, proving that all you sometimes need is a bit of luck.

Lithvathar puts Raynor City up to a 18th-minute lead, but Rozelle strike back with power and feverish intensity and, ultimately, deserve their 2-1 win. Swain gets the first through her sheer pace before rounding the goalkeeper and rolling the ball into the net before, of all people, Janja Rosseau thumps a corner into the net. With a volley, no less, as the ball bounced clear of the middle of the box.

Faruk Asim Townsend’s back! And he scores a proper thunderbastard, too, threading Fastolf and Greig before thumping the ball into the back of the net. Exton need to go in for the kill - they don’t, Union hold firm, and Greig’s shockingly elegant diving header puts Camden’s corner past Cosumar international goalkeeper Winterfyll. Pilgrimage manage an upset victory over Lesko Pavilion with their trademark invulnerability away from home, while Tundra travel well considering they’re in an autocratic hellhole to beat Prune Farmers without any problems. Kingsgrove fight Cascadia to a standstill. North Hall, however, are comfortably second-best as Fontvielle Impact simply outplay them all over the pitch.

The Black Swans evidently quite like winning, and it’s a story of opposites as the Privateers they face infight, implode and hardly even track back as Rosbank simply go at them, at ramming speed, for 90 minutes. The reward? Prowse and Merochite propping them up to 7 points in as many games. Northern Union lose a second straight match, but it’s under farcical circumstances as pretty much everyone but the referee saw that Tanith Bryson was about five yards offside before taking a pass to feet and chipping Shazib.

Northern Union face Rozelle in a highly-anticipated clash that fully lives up to the billing. Union open the scoring when Hadley comes crashing out of nowhere in at the near post to find Fastolf’s cross, but less than two minutes later the Saints are level - Shazib is left motionless when Charing just hits it beautifully into the corner. It remains a hard, tight-fought game defined by solid defending and quick passing before the last ten minutes, which are manic. Rozelle go ahead through Volker’s mazy run and individual brilliance - he’s probably too good for the league, is Volker, but too old to really make a splash anywhere else - but Camden equalises from distance before the big man, Plan B himself Otto Lund, rumbles off the bench and heads home Pendragon’s cross with his only touch of the game. Falkner could do with taking lessons in such defiant displays, but concede four goals and, late on, two red cards (predictably, Luevano and Sandro) to leave them dazed and confused at the hands of Francisca.

A perhaps unsurprising defeat to a Rulandese side that was, after all, far superior on paper. Rozelle did all they could - sitting back and attempting to spring counterattacks - but Rook Milligan, a shade away from 32, is simply not good enough to deal with a rampant Risko Kai who scores twice. It could have been more - Nkutu does well to keep the scoreline down.

Maximum plaudits to Tundra, who this time face down a very strong opponent away… and win conclusively 3-0, Gustaf Kolehmainen recovering from a slow start to the season with a powerful low driving volley and then, inexplicably, the world’s slowest bicycle kick, a perfect examination of the technical skill required as Barton’s cross floats at him and he arcs his body and arches his back and cycles his legs before planting the ball into the back of the net. By comparison, Blackslate’s efficiently-taken third is a bit of a disappointment. Similarly disappointing; limp defeats for Kingsgrove and, uncharacteristically, Pilgrimage, while Hall will feel aggrieved not to have beaten a weak (on paper) Crossceaster side by more. Union, however, will be happy with a quick, efficient, three-and-done first half performance that let them rotate and sit back for the second, even with a consolation for the Garifunya side in the 76th minute.

Too easy for Orient, comfortably the better team on home soil and with Chandler Southwick ruthless in front of goal. It’s never easy to travel to Sameba, but this probably shouldn’t be too hard.

The Hunters are in freefall, as Gaston rips them apart in the first ten minutes to put them 2-0 down. Falkner fights back, hard - very hard, in the case of Axe’s tackling - but Nestor Rojas seems to have a special magnet on his chest to make Christine Kellow exclusively shoot straight at him, and the entrepreneurial (if a bit crap) Tremorebridge scuffs home the icing on the cake in the 89th minute. No such room for indecisiveness as Rozelle thump Marque. As it turns out, the quickest side in the league does pretty well against a team with midfielders aged 35 and 37 who both seem to wonder what they’ve gotten themselves into. That said, it’s somehow the Audioslav veteran MacEighan who opens the scoring with a beautiful shot to beat Nkutu… but Marque spend the following 72 minutes fleeing in terror as Rozilla comes stomping into their lives.

Northern Union needed extra time to beat Swayback? The team that won one game in 38 B-League matches last season? Well, yes. And Swayback could have won it, too - 19-year old Mathis Woodgate pulled off a couple of great saves against the third-tier side - before another teenager, Karena Foran, did her chances of a first-team berth no harm with a perfect long shot. Two heavyweights square up in Rozelle as Kingsgrove squeak by North Hall thanks to Rowena Stamper’s free kick, but no other top-tier sides face one another. But a goalfest sees promotion chasing Pikemouth win their way past Rozelle United, with Rebecca Milligan scoring a hattrick in the last twenty minutes as 2-2 becomes 5-3. Rosbank fall as well, undone in a spectacularly poor penalty shootout against Sutbyrne. Derek Kendrick won’t be best pleased, as his two saves were undone by three Town misses (and one straight at Sutbyrne goalkeeper Claudia Summers) before Logan Purver rolled his casually into the bottom corner.

Andres Silva scores within three minutes to make people wonder if this really will be so easy after all? But Francisca withstand a first-half onslaught, Larsson with a fantastic double save in the 41st minute, and when a tiring Samebus are forced to continue charging in the second half, Whitehouse hits on the break to put the result beyond doubt. A late strike by Nic Farkanhan probably puts some extra gloss on the match, but the winger will gladly take it as reward for his best performance of the season.

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                    P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Kingsgrove              9  6  3  0  22   8  +14  21
  2 Halholzer United        9  7  0  2  17   5  +12  21
  3 Bellight Wanderers      9  6  0  3  13   6   +7  18
  4 North Hall              9  4  3  2   9   5   +4  15
  5 Harmonica Tundra        9  5  0  4  14  17   -3  15
  6 Rozelle                 9  4  2  3  19  12   +7  14
  7 Bellight FC             9  4  2  3  18  14   +4  14
  8 South Rathia            9  4  2  3   9   8   +1  14
  9 Rozelle United          9  4  2  3  11  11   +0  14
 10 Northern Union          9  4  1  4  10  10   +0  13
 11 Falkner United          9  4  1  4   8  10   -2  13
 12 SWU FC                  9  3  3  3  10   8   +2  12
 13 Pilgrimage              9  3  3  3   7   7   +0  12
 14 Francisca Orient        9  3  2  4   9   9   +0  11
 15 Lotus Park              9  2  4  3   6  11   -5  10
 16 Guilder                 9  2  2  5   7  13   -6   8
 17 Marque                  9  2  2  5   8  16   -8   8
 18 Rosbank Town            9  2  1  6  11  18   -7   7
 19 Cape of Hope FC         9  2  1  6   9  18   -9   7
 20 Saint Alexander         9  1  2  6   6  17  -11   5

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                     P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Halholzer Sundays        9  8  1  0  16   6  +10  25
  2 North Rathia             9  6  1  2  18  11   +7  19
  3 Halholzer Spitfires      9  5  2  2  19  10   +9  17
  4 Westpike United          9  5  2  2  16  11   +5  17
  5 Gallant Cross            9  5  2  2  12   7   +5  17
  6 Pikemouth                9  4  3  2  16  12   +4  15
  7 Gentlemen's Club         9  4  3  2  16  13   +3  15
  8 Sciongrad Rovers         9  4  2  3  18  15   +3  14
  9 Chafford                 9  4  2  3   9   6   +3  14
 10 Westpike                 9  4  2  3  12  12   +0  14
 11 Snowden River            9  4  0  5  10  12   -2  12
 12 Union FK                 9  3  2  4  10  11   -1  11
 13 Arbour Lights FC         9  3  1  5  10  12   -2  10
 14 Southside Wanderers      9  3  1  5   8  12   -4  10
 15 Scraglet Rovers          9  3  1  5   7  13   -6  10
 16 Platwood                 9  2  2  5  11  13   -2   8
 17 Ridgeway United          9  2  2  5   9  14   -5   8
 18 Newtown                  9  2  1  6   5  10   -5   7
 19 Sharrow                  9  1  3  5   8  18  -10   6
 20 Teol United              9  1  1  7  10  22  -12   4

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                  P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Glassfields           9  6  3  0  20   8  +12  21
  2 Mount Roland          9  6  3  0  15   3  +12  21
  3 Scaffield             9  6  2  1  13   4   +9  20
  4 Crest                 9  6  1  2  15   7   +8  19
  5 Sutbyrne              9  5  2  2  19   8  +11  17
  6 Dalgallen             9  4  4  1  13   6   +7  16
  7 Pikemouth United      9  5  1  3  15  15   +0  16
  8 Fort Keller           9  3  4  2  14  11   +3  13
  9 Hooker Ridge          9  3  4  2  11  11   +0  13
 10 Thrush                9  3  3  3  15  15   +0  12
 11 Highden               9  4  0  5  14  16   -2  12
 12 Garfield              9  3  2  4   9   8   +1  11
 13 Swayback              9  2  4  3   8   9   -1  10
 14 Gallow Park           9  3  0  6  13  13   +0   9
 15 Greater Snowden       9  3  0  6   9  13   -4   9
 16 Saint Wessex          9  1  5  3   4   7   -3   8
 17 Proudcastle           9  2  2  5   4   9   -5   8
 18 Marque Rovers         9  2  2  5   8  14   -6   8
 19 Arkwood               9  1  1  7   6  15   -9   4
 20 Region                9  0  1  8   3  36  -33   1

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                       P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Hammerton                  9  6  2  1  13   4   +9  20
  2 Monastery Park             9  5  3  1  15   5  +10  18
  3 Caybrooke                  9  5  3  1  11   7   +4  18
  4 Norbyrne                   9  5  1  3  18  14   +4  16
  5 Falkner Wanderers          9  4  4  1  16  12   +4  16
  6 Brookden                   9  4  3  2  14  14   +0  15
  7 Rushden                    9  4  2  3  14   8   +6  14
  8 Saint Essex                9  3  5  1  12  10   +2  14
  9 Pryde Wanderers            9  4  2  3  10   8   +2  14
 10 Rooke and Knightstone      9  4  2  3   9   9   +0  14
 11 Reave City                 9  4  1  4  21  16   +5  13
 12 Shenworth                  9  3  4  2   7   5   +2  13
 13 Corder Town                9  3  1  5  11  12   -1  10
 14 Stourhead                  9  2  3  4   9  12   -3   9
 15 Thriss Valley              9  2  3  4  12  16   -4   9
 16 Myhill                     9  3  0  6  10  15   -5   9
 17 Fentonbridge               9  2  3  4  12  20   -8   9
 18 Jackdaw River              9  2  1  6  12  19   -7   7
 19 Rathia Wanderers           9  1  3  5   9  16   -7   6
 20 South Ridgeway             9  0  2  7   9  22  -13   2

by **A-League** » Thu Nov 19, 2015 3:53 am

Time for the big Rozelle derby (sorry United) and Rozelle look a little off the pace, pressing hard in the first half but not quite connecting final balls. Galloway scores the first, but there’s a blatant handball in the buildup as Swain, facing in deputising leftback Ophelia Lovelock one of the few defenders that can come close to her pace, flicks on a pass with her hand before running past Lovelock and cutting the ball back for the former Marque midfielder to strike it beyond Knight. But it all evens out in the end - Gardella is blatantly offside for the equaliser - before Lindegartner, coming off the bench, chips a stranded Nkutu for her first goal for her new club.

Rozelle don’t take the derby defeat to heart, and Rosary Park is a fortress just in time to meet powerful Farfish outfit Mâ Alâmëómë again. It goes better this time, and while Rozelle don’t exactly dominate proceedings the way their opponents did in the first leg, they clinch the midfield (Niko Moss was unsurprisingly man of the match just for keeping order down there), keep tight at the back and make the most of their chances, hitting them on the break time and time again. It’s a special occasion for 18-year old Ross Hearkener, who scores his first goal for his club coming off the bench - Volker having already buried a first.

A tight draw for Pilgrimage is a decent result against a Paraguay side that have won all their games to date, but Union will be disappointed in defeat to Garifunya. Kingsgrove score in the second minute through Gardella but can’t add to it, and a calamitous error by Knight almost goes over the line before she redeems herself by clawing it back away on the line for Bologna to clear. North Hall comfortably beat Crossceaster again while Harmonica, incredibly, crush South Coast 4-0! Gustaf Kolehmainen, showing that legs might be temporary but class is permanent, scores a legitimate perfect hat-trick - left boot, right boot, head - and when he’s brought off as an applause substitution in the 78th minute, the applause substitute - journeyman striker Allen Bauer - scores a fourth.

Plenty of big wins - the Bellight sides crushing Brenecian relegation material, Francisca Orient destroying 10-man South Rathia - and a couple of big fixtures, including a six-pointer by the newly-promoted sides won in injury time by Max Galloway and what used to be the biggest match of the calendar, Union vs. Kingsgrove. The Royals fight their way through into an early lead, goals through Killanen and Stamper, but Union hold their ground and eventually start to mount a comeback, Bellerose with a goal on the stroke of half-time seeming to revitalise his side and crush the Royals. Even so, Kingsgrove almost hold out - but Pendragon is felled in the box in the 87th minute by a clumsy boot from Hemingway and Seth Greig smashes it home. But what about a big win in a big fixture? Rozelle face Halholzer United in a match that could be a real statement for the Saints, maybe getting a faltering title defence back on track. Instead, United simply destroy them, 6-0. Away. Every single Rozelle player is having a nightmare by the second half as United search and destroy them all over the pitch, and it’s five goals in the last thirty-five minutes that hammer far too many nails into Rozelle’s coffin. The defence may be off for the time being - with Kingsgrove dropping points, United now top the table.

A fairly breezy opening for the A-League sides in the regional tournament, none having too much trouble except for Halholzer United, who might well regret not taking more of their chances (and, related, having rested Urrunaga in favour of Ericcson). Pity poor Tundra, who face their second trip to hostile Gregoryisgodistan of the season - but they’ve travelled excellently so far, and will back themselves to pull through.

Falkner break a bad run of form with a convincing win against Rozelle United. Whitesmith’s curving long shot leaves Najdorf flapping after an excellent game, but, well, somewhat inevitably it’s Anderson Sandro who breaks his dry spell when he smashes home after Rickard Lund does all the work and gives it to him on a platter. Out come the shades, lowering to face at the direct opposite of the speed of light, but Najdorf is having none of it, smacking the shades out of Sandro’s hand and stomping on them to leave them a mess of twisted plastic on the ground before storming off. Sandro looks stunned. Has his world come crashing down so soon? Marque, who started the Hunters’ bad run in the first place, have Levy - the glue holding their team together - sent off for an outrageous challenge within twenty minutes. Unsurprisingly, Kingsgrove wipe them off the face of the earth - Foxstone, Killanen (twice), Gardella and Crowley sticking the boot into them nice and hard.

Yet again, it’s Kurtis Volker who continues to be Rozelle’s X-Factor as the side struggles for fluency domestically but breezes through tough sides in the league. Volker dominates his fellow Brenecian rightback Berenger throughout and, when Ashworth misses from six yards out (and various long shots fail to seriously test Marciak), he goes for it himself, leaving Berenger for dead and smashing it into the net. Yet another emphatic win for the Saints, who go cruising into the next round!

Mick Hadley’s homecoming to Mertagne has a fairytale ending as the winger, very distinctly fighting Foran for his place, swoops in with a perfectly-timed run for a crucial equaliser. It’s a day for draws in general, and Harmonica go down fighting to Hondo FC in a day that will not live long in the memory - though Pilgrimage and North Hall will also be happy to get away draws against Elite League and LigAnaia sides respectively.

North Hall crash out to a pack of rejects from across the globe that have inexplicably come to dominate the United States’ league. Fixture congestion may have played a part, as they have been furiously rotating throughout the past few matches, but there’s no real excuse. Rozelle aren’t so complacent, breaking their bizarre opponents into tiny candy fragments, while Tundra continue to hold their nerve in far-flung autocracies. Halholzer United will be disappointed to just squeak through on away goals, and while Ericcson will feel a little more relevant after a spectacular header to clinch it, the fact is that the depth isn’t really there for them. Still - they’ll take it, and hope to do better against their next Chiatan opponents.

Marque, to nobody’s surprise, see the first managerial casualty of the season in Linda Finnan, axed after seven straight defeats during which Marque have been outscored 24 to 3. But installing their new choice, Eleanor Lingard, before the next match does … well, pretty much nothing for them. At least they’re spirited, and get a late consolation through Rachel Byrne off the bench, but Halholzer United could have smashed them for 4 or 5 with goalkeeper Ralston making the difference.

Rozelle aren’t fucking around anymore. After a weird stumble of three defeats in four games, the Saints travel to the Cape of Hope in a position of weakness, and the Seekers are optimistic of success. It’s a tight first half, Ashworth’s flicked header making the difference, but the Saints come out all guns blazing in the second half and destroy their hosts. The Cape’s defenders are ripped to shreds and, unhelpfully, Jasper Richmond lets a fifth goal in injury time trickle through his hands at his near post to complete a rout.

Rozelle breeze into first, six clear of their nearest rivals - impressive for a group they were likely the least-heralded side in, though Raynor City push them hard and seriously threaten to equalise in extra time. As it stands, they only hit a post, and while the Saints might be struggling domestically, they’re seemingly more than ready for the Champions’ Cup.

  Group D                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Roz  M l  Crb  RCU
1 Rozelle                   BRE    6    5   0   1    11    6   +5    15    —   3–1  2–0  3–2
2 Mâ Alâmëómë               FFD    6    3   0   3     7    7    0     9   2–0   —   2–1  2–0
3 Crisisbless               NPH    6    2   0   4     5    6   −1     6*  0–1  1–0   —   3–0
4 Raynor City United        VAL    6    2   0   4     6   10   −4     6*  1–2  2–0  1–0   — 
* Crisisbless ahead of Raynor City United on head-to-head goal difference

Pilgrimage were breezing through anyway in a group that clearly defined best and worst, with Pilgrimage breezing to second under the indomitable Paraguay anyway, but they’ll take a welcome display of firepower. Northern Union need a result against an equally desperate Exton FC. It’s Union who took Exton out of the last Globe Cup, and they repeat the feat here in a fantastic match. Theutrich plays the perfect through-ball for Zerzubar to put it past Shazib, and Townsend cheekily tries to chip him… but Shazib steps back, calm as you like, and clears it with a scorpion kick! There’s no losing after that. Camden’s corner is scuffed about a bit before Monroe thumps it in, and from there it’s about A-League grit and physicality agianst ANL skill and technique. Townsend hits a post, but Pendragon, cutting inside, is felled by a clumsy Shahzad. Greig makes no mistake from the spot - he never does. Exton press and press hard, but Union get the decisive third on the break, unheralded substitute Brooke Searle playing Karena Foran through on goal and the winger, who turns twenty in a week, smashes past Winterfyll. Great stuff. Kingsgrove squeeze through on head-to-head despite defeat to Cascadia and an inferior goal difference to Son Vasco CF - “We’re lucky to be through,” Lyn Crowley admitted after the match. It’s all in North Hall’s hands and they fumble it late to Fontvielle Impact - leaving them the A-League side not to progress despite a better record than Kingsgrove - while Tundra ease past the Prune Farmers with their qualification already assured. With no side earning less than eight points and all but one side progressing, it’s shaping up to be an exceptionally good cycle for the A-League, and Mareibat’s definitely in with a good shout of winning their second - and the league’s fourth - Champions’ Cup place in time for next season. And, of course, they took out Elite League, ANL and LigAnaia sides along the way....

  Group B                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Par  Pil  GrZ  LsP
1 Paraguay SC               CPV    6    5   1   0    17    3  +14    16    —   3–1  6–1  1–0
2 Pilgrimage                MBT    6    3   2   1     8    5   +3    11   0–0   —   1–0  4–2
3 Griffin Zebras            JSY    6    1   1   4     3   15  −12     4   0–2  0–0   —   1–0
4 Lesko Pavillion           TCU    6    1   0   5     9   14   −5     3   1–5  0–2  6–1   —

  Group E                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   EGa  NoU  CMe  Ext
1 Eendracht Garifunya       GAR    6    3   1   2     6    7   −1    10    —   2–1  0–3  2–0
2 Northern Union            BRE    6    2   2   2     7    6   +1     8*  0–1   —   1–0  3–1
3 Crystal Mertagne          TCU    6    2   2   2     6    4   +2     8*  1–1  1–1   —   1–0
4 Exton FC                  APX    6    2   1   3     5    7   −2     7   2–0  1–1  1–0   — 
* Northern Union ahead of Crystal Mertagne on head-to-head points

  Group I                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Csc  Kgr  SVa  Vzh
1 SC Cascadia               NFX    6    3   2   1    11    6   +5    11    —   2–0  0–0  4–1
2 Kingsgrove                BRE    6    2   2   2     6    7   −1     8*  1–1   —   1–1  1–0
3 Son Vasco CF              USI    6    2   2   2     8    7   +1     8*  3–1  1–2   —   1–2
4 Vezhidrupa                SVL    6    2   0   4     7   12   −5     6   1–3  2–1  1–2   — 
* Kingsgrove ahead of Son Vasco CF on head-to-head points

  Group J                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   CcU  FvI  NHa  MtK
1 Crossceaster United FC    LTN    6    3   1   2     7    8   −1    10*   —   1–0  0–3  3–2
2 Fontvielle Impact         VLD    6    3   1   2    13    7   +6    10*  2–2   —   3–1  5–0
3 North Hall                BRE    6    2   2   2    10    9   +1     8   1–0  1–2   —   2–2
4 Montreal Koreana          QUE    6    1   2   3     8   14   −6     5   0–1  2–1  2–2   — 
* Crossceaster United FC ahead of Fontvielle Impact on head-to-head points

  Group K                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Hon  HTu  PrF  SCU
1 Hondo FC                  VAL    6    4   2   0    12    4   +8    14    —   2–1  2–0  3–0
2 Harmonica Tundra          MBT    6    4   1   1    14    4  +10    13   2–2   —   1–0  4–0
3 Prune Farmers FC          GGS    6    1   1   4     5   10   −5     4   1–1  0–3   —   1–2
4 South Coast United        JSY    6    1   0   5     3   16  −13     3   0–2  0–3  1–3   —

And while all this is happening, Francisca Orient in their trademark quiet, efficient style sit back, hit on the counter and score in the 72nd minute through the fresh, young legs of Connie Garrard off the bench.

Ten straight defeats for a Marque side showing few signs of recovery - six goals, a staggering thirty-one conceded, the most recent an own goal at the hands of captain John Arrowsmith. Now there’s a player who was solid five years ago but is now utterly, utterly past it, degrading at about the same rate as the league has gotten better. Cape of Hope aren’t having a good time right now, first losing 5-0 at home to Rozelle and now being effortlessly crushed to the tune of 4-0 by Union. Marque host them next match, a clear case of the resistable force meeting the movable object.

Six top-flight sides and two from the second tier survive to the quarterfinals in a matchday that sees no real upsets - even a pretty much entirely-rotated Marque side beats lowly Chafford by a resounding 4-0. Falkner beat feeble Dalgallen with one goal and three scuffles, Rickard Lund flying the flag as pretty much the least dysfunctional player on the squad with the well-taken goal. North Rathia’s Ruby Raine manages an impressive overhead kick to beat Greater Snowden in an otherwise terrible match as Jess Waterdown in goal continues to advertise her services for the A-League with a number of impressive saves, while promotion hopefuls Westpike United conquer Mount Roland with ease, and neither will be an easy opponent in the next round.

Predictably, Marque take their chance to break their losing streak against the Seekers in a pretty dire match, through MacEughan’s penalty (which probably shouldn’t’ve been given - Croft was clearly looking for the contact). Halholzer United seem to have it made, in the meantime - all the midfield has to do is get it to either striker, and they are of sufficient class that they will get the ball in the net… except, it seems, that Greig Larsson has other ideas. Twelve saves later, and a bullet header by Southwick, and Francisca come away with an unlikely three points. The Rozelle Derby With United sees Larsson’s former club, Rozelle, succumb to an unrelenting United assault that sees them unable to get on the front foot as United’s strategy of defending from the front and attacking with pace more than makes up for any deficiencies in technique, deficiencies they no longer actually have thanks to the likes of Silvennsson and Knight, who each chalk up an assist as Ingolfsson grabs a brace.

On an otherwise quiet day, it is noticed that there has been a remarkable lack of traditional A-League goalkeeping this season. Reasonably reliable shot-stoppers, even sometimes good ones like Nkutu, Cannon, Najdorf, Fairhall and Clarke have infiltrated the league, and brave James Zelah of SWU FC takes it upon himself to redress the balance. First, conceding a penalty to Croft by smashing her to the floor. He takes the booking and, well… evidently commits which way he’s going to go as he goes flying out left moments before MacEighan actually takes the penalty. The Audioslavian stares before rolling it down the middle. Second, an innocent backpass from Ibransson sees him take a complete air-swing before trying to get his feet back on the ground, accidentally standing on the ball and falling over. Pamala Croft rolled it into the empty net. Confidence clearly shot, Zelah evidently just wanted to get off the pitch, the only possible explanation for misjudging a forward pass by Kellard spectacularly, imagining that he, 34-year old goalkeeper, can get to it faster than Croft, 22-year old striker known specifically for her pace, promptly doesn’t, sighs, and practically piledrives into Croft for the professional foul outside the box. Jenna Withers at least looks not terrible in the remaining 28 minutes, though Kellard does beat her at her near post for the third goal. So this week? We salute you, James Zelah.

Two A-League sides clash again - bizarrely, a rematch of a Champions Cup Playoff Round fixture, meaning Rozelle and Tundra are set to play one another six times in one season! And internationally Rozelle keep their trend of winning them all bar the opening-day defeat in the league - it’s settled by Swain’s rare display of a finishing touch. Halholzer, meanwhile, travel to Chiata again and this time get a professional job done of it, heading back home with a 1-0 lead they’ll fancy themselves to defend without too many worries.

Francisca know the Capivarans can’t go through if they don’t score, and a clean sheet is very evidently their first priority, though Larsson’s forced into some nice saves. The Sarian expat has had an exceptional season so far for Francisca, who ultimately finish Carmelitas off with a low, driving shot from Farkanhan. It’s off to face… oh, dear. Barbury Town.

Rozelle swamp North Hall - who haven’t really been firing on all cylinders at any season, but then neither have the Saints - to the tune of three goals, and had Fairhall come out more convincingly for Charing’s corner (which was ultimately turned in by Kilcane) Hall could have won a totally unearned point due to the brilliance of Sisann Riel, a player who has flickered in and mostly out of games so far this season but who turns on the spark to double her goal tally for her club in one game through two brilliant strikes. “Is Sisann the Riel deal?” asks the Northern Tribune, probably prematurely considering she was invisible only last match against South Rathia, last seen inside Halberdian’s pocket.

Rozelle finish off a plucky Tundra side at home despite Gaston - a player for whom the chants write themselves, copyright infringement notwithstanding - chalking up an early equaliser, while Halholzer United finish Jungleton thanks to Urrunaga’s brace. Rather defeating the point of international competition, the two will play in the next round. Why does this keep happening?

Do you believe in miracles? Marque are out of the relegation zone! It wasn’t pretty against Pilgrimage, but Portsman’s forward pass for Orizaga’s overlapping run and cross to the far post knocked down to Croft who stabbed it into the net proved so effective that Marque’s second goal was identical. Cape of Hope, well, remain on the bottom of the table, but there’s hope for them as Donna Vixen’s spectacular late scissor kick denies Francisca Orient any share of the points, leaving Larsson stationary. Halholzer United also succumb late on as Green is felled in the box and Barker smashes home the penalty in emphatic fashion for an unlikely but useful point for SWU (Zelah returns from suspension and has a solid game in goal), but their lead at the top extends to seven points as Kingsgrove are left exposed when David Rowe, already notorious for going down easily, somehow picks up two bookings for simulation in the first half. A Silvennsson brace sinks them. After a typically heated North Hall derby that ends 10v10, it’s Pendragon and a direct free kick from Camden in the last twenty minutes that breaks Hall’s resilience (not coincidentally coinciding with Gillard’s sending off for a brutal two-footed lunge on Bellerose, who limped off injured) - Hall, meanwhile, had fifteen minutes with a man advantage (Branagh, from two bookings) but simply didn’t take their chances. Union are eight points off the chase, while Tundra’s comfortable win over South Rathia puts them six points clear of Hall and secure in the last Champions Cup spot. Already, the gaps are starting to open up at the top.... but at the wrong end of the table, it’s anyone’s game as seven clubs have failed to get more a point for every game. That goes up to 14th-place Lotus Park, who are already staring at a seven-point gap to South Rathia directly above them.

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                     P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Halholzer United        19  15  1   3  40  12  +28  46
  2 Kingsgrove              19  11  6   2  43  21  +22  39
  3 Northern Union          19  12  2   5  33  16  +17  38
  4 Harmonica Tundra        19  12  1   6  27  21   +6  37
  5 North Hall              19   8  7   4  19  14   +5  31
  6 Bellight Wanderers      19   9  2   8  26  20   +6  29
  7 Rozelle                 19   9  2   8  36  31   +5  29
  8 Bellight FC             19   7  7   5  36  28   +8  28
  9 Pilgrimage              19   8  4   7  17  18   -1  28
 10 Falkner United          19   7  6   6  23  23   +0  27
 11 Rozelle United          19   7  5   7  21  23   -2  26
 12 Francisca Orient        19   8  2   9  20  23   -3  26
 13 South Rathia            19   7  5   7  18  22   -4  26
 14 Lotus Park              19   4  7   8  16  23   -7  19
 15 Guilder                 19   4  7   8  19  27   -8  19
 16 SWU FC                  19   3  9   7  18  23   -5  18
 17 Marque                  19   5  2  12  17  36  -19  17
 18 Saint Alexander         19   3  7   9  12  25  -13  16
 19 Rosbank Town            19   4  2  13  20  35  -15  14
 20 Cape of Hope FC         19   4  2  13  16  36  -20  14

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Halholzer Sundays        19  12  4   3  30  17  +13  40
  2 Gentlemen's Club         19  12  3   4  44  28  +16  39
  3 Sciongrad Rovers         19  12  3   4  35  20  +15  39
  4 Westpike United          19  11  5   3  37  20  +17  38
  5 Pikemouth                19  10  5   4  30  19  +11  35
  6 Gallant Cross            19  10  5   4  26  17   +9  35
  7 Halholzer Spitfires      19   8  7   4  29  22   +7  31
  8 Westpike                 19   8  7   4  26  22   +4  31
  9 North Rathia             19   8  2   9  30  33   -3  26
 10 Union FK                 19   7  4   8  21  20   +1  25
 11 Sharrow                  19   7  3   9  20  33  -13  24
 12 Snowden River            19   7  1  11  26  26   +0  22
 13 Arbour Lights FC         19   6  3  10  23  28   -5  21
 14 Southside Wanderers      19   6  2  11  15  21   -6  20
 15 Teol United              19   5  5   9  27  34   -7  20
 16 Newtown                  19   5  5   9  13  22   -9  20
 17 Chafford                 19   4  6   9  15  20   -5  18
 18 Platwood                 19   4  4  11  24  38  -14  16
 19 Scraglet Rovers          19   4  3  12  16  35  -19  15
 20 Ridgeway United          19   3  5  11  14  26  -12  14

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                   P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Scaffield             19  12   6   1  34  11  +23  42
  2 Mount Roland          19  11   6   2  32  11  +21  39
  3 Dalgallen             19  10   7   2  28  13  +15  37
  4 Glassfields           19  10   5   4  47  30  +17  35
  5 Crest                 19   9   4   6  27  18   +9  31
  6 Fort Keller           19   8   6   5  22  20   +2  30
  7 Hooker Ridge          19   7   8   4  27  24   +3  29
  8 Thrush                19   7   7   5  35  31   +4  28
  9 Pikemouth United      19   8   3   8  24  29   -5  27
 10 Sutbyrne              19   7   5   7  32  24   +8  26
 11 Swayback              19   6   7   6  26  20   +6  25
 12 Highden               19   7   3   9  27  30   -3  24
 13 Proudcastle           19   7   3   9  16  20   -4  24
 14 Greater Snowden       19   5   6   8  21  26   -5  21
 15 Marque Rovers         19   6   3  10  21  28   -7  21
 16 Saint Wessex          19   3  11   5  16  18   -2  20
 17 Garfield              19   5   5   9  15  17   -2  20
 18 Arkwood               19   4   6   9  17  25   -8  18
 19 Gallow Park           19   5   0  14  18  27   -9  15
 20 Region                19   1   3  15   6  69  -63   6

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                        P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Norbyrne                   19  13  2   4  35  18  +17  41
  2 Rushden                    19  12  3   4  41  20  +21  39
  3 Caybrooke                  19  12  3   4  28  17  +11  39
  4 Hammerton                  19   9  6   4  25  15  +10  33
  5 Monastery Park             19   9  5   5  24  12  +12  32
  6 Falkner Wanderers          19   8  7   4  26  21   +5  31
  7 Saint Essex                19   7  8   4  25  20   +5  29
  8 Shenworth                  19   7  7   5  15  13   +2  28
  9 Rooke and Knightstone      19   8  4   7  22  21   +1  28
 10 Pryde Wanderers            19   7  5   7  25  23   +2  26
 11 Brookden                   19   7  4   8  26  28   -2  25
 12 Rathia Wanderers           19   7  4   8  23  28   -5  25
 13 Fentonbridge               19   7  4   8  27  34   -7  25
 14 Corder Town                19   7  3   9  22  20   +2  24
 15 Stourhead                  19   6  5   8  20  22   -2  23
 16 Reave City                 19   5  6   8  36  34   +2  21
 17 Thriss Valley              19   4  5  10  19  35  -16  17
 18 South Ridgeway             19   4  4  11  26  40  -14  16
 19 Myhill                     19   3  2  14  12  33  -21  11
 20 Jackdaw River              19   2  5  12  20  43  -23  11

by **A-League** » Mon Nov 23, 2015 5:14 am

Mareibat’s smallest top-flight side, Pilgrimage, unwittingly does the country’s relative giants a favour as they score the most… well, the most Pilgrimage of goals to take a talented but flaky Kingsgrove down a notch, Haggelund smashing his way through Molina and Hemingway, ignoring a blatant foul on himself to keep going and put it on a platter for young Audioslav substitute Sid Apollo to thump it into the roof of the net. Halzholer United, meanwhile, scrape together a win in Rozelle but only in the last five minutes overturning a 2-1 deficit. Najdorf, now 37, was unsurprisingly unprepared for the quick dash out of his box that would have been required to deny his countryman Urrunaga, and he came incredibly close to denying O’Connor but could only palm the shot into the inside of the upright. Harmonica Tundra avenge themselves against Rozelle thanks to Gustaf Kolehmainen - slow start now thoroughly forgotten - and Samphis Bentha putting the Saints further and further away from the top four.

Francisca’s international Cup run is probably over as they get rolled by a vastly superior Barbury side, never really seriously testing Eustathios while Larsson’s goal was bombarded. He flapped at a cross to give McKenna an easy first but her brace came through pure brilliance, destroying Scannell’s career with a cheap nutmeg before stopping her run just in time to watch Bondfield slide away from her and placing the ball into the corner as Larsson rushed in, humiliating three seperate players in about three seconds. Larsson redeemed himself with a fantastic save to deny McKenna her hattrick and Francisca regained their shape over the break, but it only delayed the inevitable. Farkanhan’s long, hopeful shot was their only one on target of the match, and just eight minutes later Mo and Wittevrongel had put the fixture beyond doubt.

North Hall annihilate Kingsgrove seemingly out of nowhere. “We knew they had a glass jaw and knew how to punch through it,” Chris Ravenhorst boasts - celebrating his 33rd birthday in style, the big man might not be quite as good as he used to be, but he still chalked up a brace and an easy assist for Riel after Constantine Bowyer’s brilliant solo run and goal had already put Hall ahead. Francisca Orient, well… it’s a good thing that their CWC run is basically over, because Thijs Lajunen of Rozelle United comes up with the worst tackle of the season so far to absolutely clean top scorer Whitehouse out and rupture his ACL. “I felt I got the ball,” Lajunen told the press afterwards in an Oscar-winning performance. But the best match of the week sees Cape of Hope win their third straight match as they finally get firing. They didn’t do it the easy way - Adelardi opened the match with a brace within the first fifteen minutes and it seemed like a formality, but Reagen’s far-post cross finds the big man Asquith lurking. Asquith then thumps the ball past Lillehammer to level the scores before half-time and Donna Vixen’s neatly flicked half-volley puts them ahead. Jack St. John skins Readdie (not for the first time) before cutting inside and levelling the scores, but a second caution for Bellight captain Vina O’Hara opens some space in the 86th minute and the Seekers capitalise - young Odin Breckinridge chipping a stranded Lillehammer from twenty-six yards. Will Cape make it to safety after all?

A Whitehouseless Francisca acquitted themselves well but it was too little, too late against a heavily-rotated Barbury side. Kestrel Bolton scored her first ever goal in international competition thanks to a perfect ball by Burgundy onto her chest before she smashed it past Eustathios, but Isadora Cullen - who was well-received back in her home country - found Wittevrongel’s perfect forward pass without too much trouble and threaded it past Larsson to deny Francisca the consolation of a home win.

Tight matches, no side scoring more than twice and none winning by more than one. But at least some of the goals that do happen are spectacular - Anderson Sandro inexplicably chooses to backheel Musni’s cross into Nkutu’s net and it somehow works, but Rozelle win the game when Sandro, half-heartedly defending Galloway’s corner, deflects it into the goal with his face. Connie Garrard clearly aims to take Whitehouse’s place for good judging by a performance where she pretty much single-handedly conquers the famously resilient Pilgrimage, once with a silky nutmeg of Walker in goal and the second time simply running insanely fast before smashing it into the net in a game Pilgrimage should probably have won. Halholzer United stumble and fall against North Hall, simply unable to break down a defence that is built to defend first and ask questions later - Fairhall makes some good saves but Gillard is the real star, the niggly Nepharim defender playing plenty of mind games with superior strikers, leaving his studs in, and being booked for a blatant stamp on Charlestown’s thigh just two minutes before heading Riel’s corner past Clarke for the winner.

Five in a row for Cape of Hope, and secured in truly emphatic fashion! Lajunen returns from his horror challenge suspension, and it’s true that Vixen seems a little uneasy around him, but that isn’t going to stop an Audioslav as number 10 Oblong Itsasontzigintzantailerra gets a hattrick, with Dark’oak scoring the Seeker’s second with an elegant free kick that skims just under the crossbar. It’s an awkward situation for Wren Gallagher, meanwhile, as the 31-year old Guilder striker (whose season has, to be fair, been interrupted by injury) is now outscored not only by inspirational captain and set piece expert Spitfire but now even by centre-half Anaximander Scrivener, a terrifying prospect at corners. It’s one such bullet header that puts Marque away in a poor 1-0 game.

… What? So yet again it’s an A-League matchup (and, again, involving Rozelle) and a wholly unexpected result as United look off the pace throughout. It’s still within their hands sixty minutes in with Rozelle just leading through Charing’s direct free kick before Bergman is sent off for a professional foul to deny Volker a one-on-one and the Saints capitalise ruthlessly, Volker running Enevoldsen ragged while supplying three assists - Ashworth, the increasingly promising Hearkener and Galloway.

“No-one’s quick as Gaston, no-one’s sick as Gaston, no-one’s dick’s as incredibly thick as Gaston!” as the crowd lyric-bendingly sings as the Islander scores an injury-time winner to put North Hall away, a side that have been all over the place this season. Pilgrimage put an end to the Seekers’ remarkable run despite a late fightback that sees them pull two goals back. It’s a shame they needed three. But, naturally, all eyes are in Rozelle - no, not as Kingsgrove get a snore draw with Guilder. No, not Rozelle sleepwalking over nearby Rosbank Town of course, either! Jesus. No, it’s Rozelle United as they, well, contrive to find individual brilliance in the league’s most dour side. Bailey flicks in a near-post header, which is never a good sign as the former Kingsgrove forward tends to score in clumps, but Silvennsson forces a powerful shot through Zelah’s hands. But Najdorf can’t get to Homestead’s cross - Bailey can. And it’s followed by a mazy run by Kevin ‘a warm body’ Broadband before he plants the ball in the far corner! In the second half, United pepper Zelah’s goal with shots before finally getting some joy as Zelah parries Silvennsson’s shot straight into Ingolfsson’s kneecaps for a terribly scrappy goal, but Bailey secures a hat-trick with a toe-poke before Kalista Donaghon, a wonderfully talented holding midfielder with just one goal to her name in the A-League, doubles her account by simply smashing the ball with all the power at her disposal and scoring from inside the centre-circle! 5-2 the final score, and SWU are nobody’s fools.

Well, that was pretty inexplicable. Halholzer, dominating the league, are crushed home and away by a Rozelle side who’ve looked shaky at best in their title defence. And yet… Ashworth belts home a brace for herself before Cory Henry hits one at the speed of sound to leave Clarke motionless. Rozelle, seemingly unable to just play any opposition a single time, now face a rematch against Crisisbless of Nephara - who they beat home and away in the Champions Cup.

A day for the underdogs this time. First up, Rosbank Town hamstring Union through good old-fashioned hard work and charges down the wings, and they chose a good day for it with 20-year old Murcutt forced to deputise at leftback through Branagh’s hamstring injury. Two Merochite crosses, two Prowse headers, and though Union claw one back just punching through the middle and Rivers releasing Pendragon who smashes into the net, it’s not enough. But Halholzer United are hoist by the petard they had a couple of years ago when they get suckered on the counterattack to go a goal down, Reiher flying down the wing to find the most route one clearance by rightback Waters of the season before rounding Clarke and putting it into an open net. Anaximander Scrivener has a heroic day in the heart of defence, making several inch-perfect tackles as Malakai Boston also has a good day in the office, but while Charlestown’s equaliser has a hint of inevitability about it, Spitfire’s direct free kick puts the Phoenices back ahead just two minutes later.

Rozelle go down swinging but a late goal from Galloway and a spectacular double save from Nkutu keep them in the fight when they arguably should have been buried. They’ve definitely been flying the A-League flag best of anyone internationally, and you swouldn’t bet against them finding a way back.

Namiri Independent, on the other hand, are probably gone for good - blown away in spectacular fashion by a Killanen-inspired Kingsgrove as the Schottian international chalks up three assists and two goals. Pilgrimage, up against the defending Globe Cup champions, let a 3-1 home lead slip to 3-4 late on to make qualifying a distinctly difficult task. Tundra breeze last Madruguinha but Union have problems against Bridgewall City FC, a late goal for the Anglicans making qualifying a dicey proposition - they and Pilgrimage will need good away wins, ideally by a couple of goals.

Marque are starting to look just a little like a football club but they’re undone by Rosbank Town in a match that can be straightforwardly described as a ceaseless tide of route one hoofball. Kellard’s cross to Camargo is flicked into the net for a first but Rosbank run faster, fight harder, commit more fouls and have, in Chris Farlane, a goalkeeper who deals with crosses better. Ralston is a fine shot-stopper but is found wanting when she flaps at Lysander’s cross for Prowse to stab into the net before a long ball over the top that entirely bypasses the centre of the pitch sees Prowse drive past Arrowsmith and lay an easy ball out to Redruth, who rolls it into an empty net. Ninety minutes and the four central midfielders were more or less just passengers throughout.

Rozelle retake the lead through Volker’s eighth minute goal, but when Lisda Lokado get back into the game, there’s no coming back as Nkutu’s goal is utterly bombarded while the Saints simply run out of quality on the pitch. Still, they have every reason to be proud of themselves.

Kingsgrove nearly throw away a 5-0 aggregate lead. Nearly. Pilgrimage almost manage a remarkable turnaround, Keller’s 11th-minute goal leaving them in need of three, but the marauding Haggelund gets a brace and Athletic goalkeeper Lind Pressinger suddenly looks shaky about crosses. Ultimately, however, they can’t cut it - knocked out on away goals, as are Union who only manage a single goal (through Pendragon) against a resilient Bridgewall. No such concerns for Harmonica Tundra, who breeze past Marduguinha.

Halholzer United seem to have it made as their nearest competitors seem determined to take points off each other in a heated battle for the top four. Rozelle takes a more measured approach than usual against Union and it pays dividends, Galloway ultimately providing the perfect pass to split the defence and Swain, well, being Swain, can’t finish, smashing her shot against the foot of the upright. Ashworth, racing onto the rebound, proves a more decisive finisher. United, meanwhile, hardly break a sweat cutting Saint Alexander down to size.

Saint Alexander sit back and, well, don’t seem to have a plan against a surely vulnerable Marque, and the 1-0 defeat costs Andrew Clydesdale his job. The Nepharim is, bluntly, a dinosaur, and was on track to relegate the same club from the top flight a third time. Francisca Orient withstand North Rathia’s pressure and rely on their poor finishing to come away with a 2-1 win they’ll be pleased to have, but Raine beat the dodgy Cup goalkeeper Cleves at her near post to leave the Northerners in with a chance. A moment of individual brilliance from Rowena Stamper breaks Westpike United’s resistance, while there’s not even a moment of anything in a dull Falkner-Union game - besides, it has to be said, a very good performance from young goalkeeper Mathis Woodgate the day before his 20th birthday.

Crisisbless again? Rozelle must be wondering whose wine they spat in at the group draw, but they’ll be happy with a score draw away against a tough opponent. Volker scores within seventeen seconds and the Saints commit to waiting to strike on the counterattack. Crisisbless never overcommit to attack and get an equaliser through Engstroem, but Nkutu makes a number of good saves to deny them further while Niko Moss is man of the match for his work breaking down the play.

New Saint Alexander manager Bertha Saline is quickly thrown into charge in a tough match against Saint Alexander and there’s an immediate shift in formation to 4-4-1-1 with a whole bevy of players playing slightly out of position (Sentereskoesima at left midfield, the centre-half Sharpe at rightback, Syrene Ramsey shoved forward in the hole). Impressively it works, and whether it’s a shift in tactics or just motivation Saline seems to get the best out of the talent she has (Sentereskoesima, Ramsey, Keohane and Rouphos) as they manage to outfight Francisca Orient, Keohane rifling in a 60th-minute goal.

Saint Alexander are still better in their new formation but Catherine Ralston is on a one-woman quest to deny them a goal and preserve the Privateers’ slender lead. Francisca beat North Rathia comfortably, Garrard (who has broken out remarkably through Whitehouse’s injury) with a brace. Westpike United are resilient and try to play a bit of football, but Kingsgrove defend well, hold down the midfield and it’s ultimately a spectacular bicycle kick from Gardot that earns them a deserved win. After a dull show last time around, Falkner light up Union Park with an exhilarating first-half display boasting a volleyed goal by Sandro and a dizzying run by Whitesmith culminating in her passing the ball into the net. Further humiliation is saved largely single-handedly through Woodgate, who makes a number of spectacular saves, but even then Lund hits a post. They run out of steam not long into the second half and Union throw on some fresh legs and turn the game around, Barragan smashing home a goal back and Searle finishing a beautiful passing move, but this time it’s Helen Vickers in the Falkner goal putting herself nicely in the shop window. And it’s Union, in the end, who are found wanting - needing a third, they can’t get one, and Falkner squeak through on away goals.

Four meetings with Crisisbless, five goals for Volker and three wins for Rozelle. The brace sees them to 3-2 by the 60th minute with the game on a knife-edge, Engstroem and Kilbane with a goal apiece and big guns like Keast threatening a third that would set Crisisbless through… and then a dreadful challenge by Nodtveit sees the international defender get his matching orders. Rozelle press their advantage and the hitherto invisible Ashworth secures a brace of her own for Rozelle to glide through to face Alianza FC in the final.

Fontvielle Impact don’t have too much trouble dealing with Kingsgrove on a night where even Killanen, who has arguably been the best player ever brought into the A-League, is deathly silent and the central defensive partnership of Hemingway and Bologna takes all the consistency of watery, badly-mixed gravy. The kind with inert, twitching lumps in an ocean of hideous, understocked meat water. Harmonica Tundra’s hopes of a well-won home victory are dashed by a late strike by Leadbetter cutting in from the right, and things are looking precarious.

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                     P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Halholzer United        28  21   2   5  53  19  +34  65
  2 Kingsgrove              28  15  10   3  56  33  +23  55
  3 Northern Union          28  16   4   8  46  25  +21  52
  4 Rozelle                 28  15   4   9  48  36  +12  49
  5 Harmonica Tundra        28  15   2  11  36  33   +3  47
  6 North Hall              28  12   9   7  31  20  +11  45
  7 Pilgrimage              28  12   6  10  29  28   +1  42
  8 Bellight Wanderers      28  13   2  13  35  28   +7  41
  9 Bellight FC             28  10  10   8  48  42   +6  40
 10 South Rathia            28  10   8  10  27  32   -5  38
 11 Falkner United          28   9  10   9  38  38   +0  37
 12 Francisca Orient        28  11   4  13  33  40   -7  37
 13 Rozelle United          28  10   6  12  31  40   -9  36
 14 Guilder                 28   8  10  10  28  37   -9  34
 15 Lotus Park              28   7   9  12  27  34   -7  30
 16 Cape of Hope FC         28   9   3  16  32  46  -14  30
 17 Marque                  28   7   5  16  29  51  -22  26
 18 SWU FC                  28   4  13  11  28  36   -8  25
 19 Saint Alexander         28   5   9  14  22  38  -16  24
 20 Rosbank Town            28   6   4  18  27  48  -21  22

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Westpike United          28  19  5   4  61  24  +37  62
  2 Pikemouth                28  17  6   5  52  28  +24  57
  3 Halholzer Sundays        28  16  6   6  44  31  +13  54
  4 Gentlemen's Club         28  15  5   8  57  47  +10  50
  5 Halholzer Spitfires      28  14  7   7  44  30  +14  49
  6 Gallant Cross            28  14  6   8  38  27  +11  48
  7 Sciongrad Rovers         28  15  3  10  47  39   +8  48
  8 Westpike                 28  12 10   6  39  28  +11  46
  9 Snowden River            28  15  1  12  38  29   +9  46
 10 North Rathia             28  12  3  13  43  43   +0  39
 11 Newtown                  28   8  9  11  21  29   -8  33
 12 Sharrow                  28  10  3  15  29  51  -22  33
 13 Union FK                 28   9  5  14  29  36   -7  32
 14 Platwood                 28   9  5  14  34  48  -14  32
 15 Arbour Lights FC         28   8  5  15  39  48   -9  29
 16 Teol United              28   7  7  14  34  47  -13  28
 17 Scraglet Rovers          28   8  3  17  29  52  -23  27
 18 Chafford                 28   6  8  14  21  30   -9  26
 19 Ridgeway United          28   6  6  16  23  40  -17  24
 20 Southside Wanderers      28   6  5  17  19  34  -15  23

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                   P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Mount Roland          28  16   8   4  42  15  +27  56
  2 Scaffield             28  16   7   5  49  20  +29  55
  3 Crest                 28  17   4   7  46  23  +23  55
  4 Glassfields           28  14   7   7  60  38  +22  49
  5 Hooker Ridge          28  12  12   4  38  27  +11  48
  6 Dalgallen             28  13   7   8  38  30   +8  46
  7 Swayback              28  12   8   8  40  29  +11  44
  8 Sutbyrne              28  12   6  10  49  40   +9  42
  9 Saint Wessex          28   9  13   6  32  26   +6  40
 10 Thrush                28  10   8  10  47  45   +2  38
 11 Fort Keller           28  10   7  11  32  30   +2  37
 12 Marque Rovers         28  11   3  14  32  38   -6  36
 13 Garfield              28   9   8  11  26  24   +2  35
 14 Highden               28  10   5  13  36  39   -3  35
 15 Proudcastle           28  10   5  13  21  27   -6  35
 16 Pikemouth United      28   9   6  13  33  47  -14  33
 17 Gallow Park           28   9   2  17  32  38   -6  29
 18 Greater Snowden       28   7   7  14  25  39  -14  28
 19 Arkwood               28   7   6  15  24  34  -10  27
 20 Region                28   1   3  24   7 100  -93   6

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                        P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Norbyrne                   28  18   4   6  51  26  +25  58
  2 Rushden                    28  16   4   8  53  31  +22  52
  3 Caybrooke                  28  15   7   6  36  24  +12  52
  4 Shenworth                  28  14   9   5  29  15  +14  51
  5 Hammerton                  28  13   8   7  34  23  +11  47
  6 Rooke and Knightstone      28  14   5   9  32  26   +6  47
  7 Monastery Park             28  13   7   8  32  18  +14  46
  8 Saint Essex                28  10  12   6  36  30   +6  42
  9 Falkner Wanderers          28  11   9   8  37  33   +4  42
 10 Stourhead                  28  11   7  10  31  29   +2  40
 11 Fentonbridge               28  11   4  13  37  47  -10  37
 12 Brookden                   28  10   6  12  35  44   -9  36
 13 Reave City                 28   9   8  11  62  50  +12  35
 14 Corder Town                28  10   5  13  31  27   +4  35
 15 Rathia Wanderers           28  10   5  13  33  46  -13  35
 16 Thriss Valley              28   9   5  14  29  44  -15  32
 17 Pryde Wanderers            28   7   9  12  32  42  -10  30
 18 South Ridgeway             28   8   6  14  39  53  -14  30
 19 Myhill                     28   3   6  19  16  45  -29  15
 20 Jackdaw River              28   2   6  20  23  55  -32  12

by **A-League** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:53 am

Francisca Orient definitely seem more interested in the Cup than the league as their second-string is hammered 4-1 by Rosbank Town for their third straight defeat. Felix Prowse continues to be weirdly effective for Rosbank, here winning a hat-trick while Lysander’s cross is horribly misjudged by Larsson who pretty much lets it float into the net. But it’s for naught, as a dull match between SWU and Guilder is won by Barker’s penalty when Green is smashed by an overenthusiastic Boston, and Saint Alexander manage a tight draw with Bellight Wanderers. An assured performance by 23-year old Bram Merchant, the most surprising addition to the matchday squad (he’d been third-choice throughout Clydesdale’s run of the club) lit up the match. A Rozelle derby brings a capacity crowd to Rosary Park but, well… it’s a dull affair, Crowley and Fife choking down the midfield, Volker shut down by Molina, Charing smashing in a 70th-minute winner from just outside the box.

Kingsgrove will be content with a draw, earned through Hemingway flicking home Killanen’s acute-angled free kick, but they were never seriously going to overturn Impact’s three-goal lead which was emphasised when former Nephara international Cheney Bittencourt lashed a late equaliser past Knight. Harmonica, too, go down swinging, but Oceanside’s two goals come early and it was always an uphill struggle..

The Shipwright Workers Union Football Club is a poor, honest club filled with diehard fans. Falkner, at least on the pitch (the city is affluent but genuinely backs its club) is its antithesis, and Anderson Sandro, a man whose net worth once roughly equaled the entire Union squad, comes up with the first goal despite being blatantly offside. But Barker’s expertly lofted far-post corner is headed in by Ibransson (even as Bailey is suplexed by Axe the Dominant at the near post) and SWU are starting to fight back… up until Luevano smashes Barker’s head in with a wayward elbow. The inspirational captain is stretchered off, Luevano is sent off… but the Shipwrights have used all of their substitutions, Barker was their best player regardless, and Christine Kellow (looking more dispirited as the season goes on and really starting to fill out her shirt) does all the work before putting the ball on a platter for young, promising winger Patrick Rafferty to smash in.

Francisca’s Cup goalkeeper policy takes a battering from the Privateers, as Cleves is beaten at her near post by Croft before drilling a goalkick into Harriet Killenhall’s back. Croft races onto it and fires, Cleves does well to save but can only push it towards Portsman, who rolls it in. Orient fight back through Southwick and Bolton but Cleves flaps at a header to present Arrowsmith with a free header off a set piece… which, admittedly, he misses, but Rascal Orizaga hammers home a winner five minutes from time. In another match balanced on a knife-edge, Kingsgrove choke down the midfield again (Fife seemingly taking a hit out on Rickard Lund) and Liam Locke, deputising for Luevano, doesn’t offer nearly as much of, well, anything. It’s Lyn Crowley, driving forward from midfield, who finds space to shoot and score to break the deadlock, but both defeated sides are only down by the one.

Union, getting further and further away from a rampaging Halholzer United, pretty much have to win this game at home to have a chance - for anyone else to have a chance. They can’t. United hold them at bay, O’Hara and Baars an ancient and powerful central defence, the veteran Bergman shutting down Pendragon and Clark impervious to shots from distance, and it’s inevitable that von Maelstrom’s forward pass splits open the league’s slowest central defence to let Abbriacciabene hurl himself forward onto it (handily ahead of Branagh) and slide the ball past a stranded Shazib. A tight, tense sort of match with a payoff, everything that SWU FC’s scoreless draw with Saint Alexander was not - that match was arguably the worst in A-League history.

It’s a tight fixture, Francisca scoring early through Farkanhan (Caroco should have done better) and the surprising choice in goal of 23-year old Tamsin Warne keeping a clean sheet on her debut. They scrape through on away goals. Falkner United go in all guns blazing, but when the dust clears following goals from Sandro, Gardot, Luevano and a first for young Ophelia Lovelock it is the Royals who go through, and will be firm favourites in the final.

Halholzer United are stymied by Marque, who show uncommon signs of life. Rachel Byrne, who has had an injury-blighted season, marks her return from injury by smashing in a late brace, but credit is due to Portsman out on the right wing for keeping the faith and firing in the low crosses. But there’s still no keeping Halholzer down, and Baars smashes home an injury time header to equalise. In a six-pointer at the bottom of the table, the two most blue-collar A-League sides face off, and Rosbank hurl themselves time and time again at SWU FC who stay compact while Kalista Donaghon is seemingly everywhere to close down the midfield. Finally, the tired Black Swans leave themselves open on the counterattack and Alisander Bailey races through their defence, rounds Farlane and passes the ball into the net. It’s precisely half their shots on target of the match, and they only had 41% possession. A misfiring and jaded Rozelle seem to have tired out and slump to a draw at Bellight Wanderers, leaving them winless in five. They really have saved their best work for international duty this season.

There’s still probably no catching Halholzer United but Kingsgrove punch through them to win 1-0 through a moment of individual brilliance from the sadly declining but still intermittently potent Niccolo Gardella, seeing him take the ball from a position drifting out to the left and then weave through Baars, Bergman and O’Hara before smashing into the net. Saint Alexander’s decent run of performances comes to a juddering halt as Pilgrimage smash them easily. Still safely nestled in the Globe Cup places, Swag Vilhajalmsson breaks a five-game drought with two goals before the unfortunate Augustine Rouphos turns a cross into his own net.

Nilssen kicks off to Guthrie. Guthrie passes back to some ill-defined space vaguely nearby Russ Shorten. Aphrodite Whitesmith latches onto it, bursts past a flat-footed Colback and sidefoots past Cheney Breen. Falkner lead within six seconds, the quickest goal in A-League history. Lotus Park aren’t about to be beaten so easily tho- oh, yes, they are, a terrible backpass by a clearly rattled Shorten going straight to Lund who curls the ball around Breen. Guthrie goes some way towards redemption by rifling in a goal back, but, no, finally it’s Anderson Sandro curling a rabona around the unfortunate Breen. Thames pulls a shot across Pence that is turned in by a stumbling Ramundo, unable to arrest his forward momentum, and it’s rather generously given as a goal to the leftback. Could a comeback be on the cards? Well… Whitesmith (again), Lund, Luevano and Rafferty disagree, sealing an emphatic 7-2 win for Falkner.

Probably not the news Hunters fans wanted to hear. Anderson Sandro has been in dazzling form this season, his terrible trademark meme celebration evidently giving him strength… so, inevitably, his Twitter account is updated with a picture of him poorly photoshopped into a pre-game lineup of Champions Cup finalists Mâ Alâmëómë. “Dreaming of better things….. #youonlyliveonce #comeandgteme”. Perhaps as a cautionary tale for future buyers, Sandro is invisible against Harmonica Tundra, substituted off at half-time as Tundra roll over Falkner 2-0. Rozelle United hamstring their bigger cousins, the Saints - an end-to-end first half sees both sides come into the tunnel at 2-all, but in the second half United’s mediocre, aging defensive line and 38-year old goalkeeper keep the home side at bay, Bowditch felled in the box for a penalty which Knight smashes into the net before Tariff, off the bench, kills off the match in injury time.

Halholzer United thump an obliging Bellight Wanderers, who might be trying to cling onto the Globe Cup places but sure aren’t fighting like it, to a 3-0 scoreline. Kingsgrove match the scoreline against Cape of Hope but it isn’t enough - when the Seekers come up to Halholzer next match, it will be party time in the capital of Mareibat as the Gold-and-Whites are, for the first time, champions! Nobody can say they aren’t deserving winners, despite inevitable accusations of ‘buying the league’ - which, to be fair, they haven’t been shy of buying marquee names, but they have finally balanced a stalwart defence, a great midfield and the best two strikers in the league. Nobody’s been able to catch up - that’s the simple fact.

While Halholzer celebrate in style in the capital after a routine win over the Cape, who will be looking over their shoulder next matchday, there’s misery just across the country as Harmonica Tundra’s late equaliser relegates Rosbank Town, who fought bravely to the end but simply didn’t have the quality. Guilder secure their safety and drag Saint Alexander into the mire as, in her penultimate match, Miriam Spitfire comes up with a direct free kick and a penalty at just the right time. SWU, who unsurprisingly lose to Kingsgrove, and Marque, following a brave and well-timed win over a very casual Rozelle United (the Islander striker Luciana Camargo with her first brace in four seasons), complete the four sides fighting to avoid the one open relegation slot.

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                     P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Halholzer United        37  26   5   6  68  26  +42  83
  2 Kingsgrove              37  22  12   3  71  36  +35  78
  3 Northern Union          37  21   6  10  57  30  +27  69
  4 Harmonica Tundra        37  20   3  14  49  42   +7  63
  5 Rozelle                 37  18   7  12  57  45  +12  61
  6 Pilgrimage              37  18   7  12  43  34   +9  61
  7 North Hall              37  14  13  10  39  31   +8  55
  8 Falkner United          37  15  10  12  60  54   +6  55
  9 Bellight FC             37  14  11  12  59  54   +5  53
 10 Bellight Wanderers      37  15   7  15  41  36   +5  52
 11 South Rathia            37  12  13  12  34  39   -5  49
 12 Rozelle United          37  13   9  15  43  51   -8  48
 13 Francisca Orient        37  13   6  18  41  53  -12  45
 14 Guilder                 37  10  11  16  34  49  -15  41
 15 Lotus Park              37   9  12  16  36  48  -12  39
 16 Cape of Hope FC         37  11   3  23  38  61  -23  36
 17 Marque                  37  10   6  21  42  66  -24  36
 18 SWU FC                  37   7  14  16  33  47  -14  35
 19 Saint Alexander         37   7  13  17  28  47  -19  34
 20 Rosbank Town            37   8   6  23  38  62  -24  30

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Westpike United          37  24   8   5  74  29  +45  80
  2 Halholzer Sundays        37  22   7   8  61  42  +19  73
  3 Pikemouth                37  21   9   7  66  33  +33  72
  4 Sciongrad Rovers         37  21   5  11  72  48  +24  68
  5 Gentlemen's Club         37  20   7  10  80  59  +21  67
  6 Gallant Cross            37  20   6  11  51  36  +15  66
  7 Halholzer Spitfires      37  18  11   8  58  37  +21  65
  8 Snowden River            37  20   2  15  51  37  +14  62
  9 Westpike                 37  15  12  10  46  37   +9  57
 10 North Rathia             37  15   4  18  52  59   -7  49
 11 Union FK                 37  13   8  16  43  47   -4  47
 12 Newtown                  37  11  11  15  26  40  -14  44
 13 Sharrow                  37  12   8  17  38  63  -25  44
 14 Arbour Lights FC         37  10   9  18  53  63  -10  39
 15 Teol United              37   9  10  18  46  60  -14  37
 16 Platwood                 37  10   5  22  43  72  -29  35
 17 Southside Wanderers      37   9   7  21  27  48  -21  34
 18 Scraglet Rovers          37   9   6  22  43  81  -38  33
 19 Ridgeway United          37   8   8  21  32  54  -22  32
 20 Chafford                 37   6  11  20  24  41  -17  29

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                   P   W   D   L For   Ag   +/- Pts
  1 Scaffield             37  21   9   7  63   24   +39  72
  2 Mount Roland          37  20  10   7  57   23   +34  70
  3 Crest                 37  22   4  11  57   33   +24  70
  4 Hooker Ridge          37  19  12   6  51   31   +20  69
  5 Glassfields           37  18   8  11  75   59   +16  62
  6 Sutbyrne              37  18   7  12  72   50   +22  61
  7 Swayback              37  17  10  10  59   40   +19  61
  8 Saint Wessex          37  15  15   7  43   30   +13  60
  9 Dalgallen             37  16  11  10  47   38    +9  59
 10 Thrush                37  14   9  14  65   58    +7  51
 11 Marque Rovers         37  15   3  19  42   49    -7  48
 12 Fort Keller           37  12  11  14  41   39    +2  47
 13 Pikemouth United      37  13   8  16  49   61   -12  47
 14 Proudcastle           37  13   7  17  29   40   -11  46
 15 Arkwood               37  11   8  18  35   42    -7  41
 16 Highden               37  11   8  18  42   54   -12  41
 17 Gallow Park           37  12   4  21  45   52    -7  40
 18 Garfield              37   9  10  18  32   43   -11  37
 19 Greater Snowden       37   8  11  18  29   49   -20  35
 20 Region                37   2   3  32  11  129  -118   9

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                        P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Norbyrne                   37  21   5  11  59  35  +24  68
  2 Caybrooke                  37  18  12   7  44  29  +15  66
  3 Rushden                    37  19   7  11  66  41  +25  64
  4 Hammerton                  37  18  10   9  52  33  +19  64
  5 Saint Essex                37  16  14   7  53  37  +16  62
  6 Shenworth                  37  17  11   9  35  24  +11  62
  7 Monastery Park             37  16  11  10  43  27  +16  59
  8 Rooke and Knightstone      37  17   7  13  41  37   +4  58
  9 Falkner Wanderers          37  15  11  11  51  42   +9  56
 10 Brookden                   37  16   7  14  45  50   -5  55
 11 Stourhead                  37  15   8  14  41  38   +3  53
 12 Corder Town                37  14   8  15  42  32  +10  50
 13 Reave City                 37  11  11  15  78  69   +9  44
 14 Thriss Valley              37  12   8  17  35  51  -16  44
 15 Fentonbridge               37  12   7  18  42  66  -24  43
 16 Rathia Wanderers           37  11   9  17  39  61  -22  42
 17 Pryde Wanderers            37  10  11  16  39  53  -14  41
 18 South Ridgeway             37   9  10  18  51  69  -18  37
 19 Myhill                     37   6   8  23  22  57  -35  26
 20 Jackdaw River              37   6   7  24  45  72  -27  25

by **A-League** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 3:43 am

Final Matchday
The dust has settled at the top - Halholzer United have won, Kingsgrove are second, Union are third, and if Tundra can beat a South Rathia side with nothing to play for they can secure the last Champions Cup place ahead of Rozelle and Pilgrimage. Nobody really cares about the Globe Cup places, they’re all but sealed barring a ridiculous turnaround for South Rathia’s goal difference, and Rosbank Town are already relegated.

The crunch matches are;
South Rathia vs. Harmonica Tundra
As mentioned before. Rathia have nothing to play for, Tundra need a win to be sure.

Rozelle vs. Lotus Park
If Tundra slips up, the Saints can catch up by beating Lotus Park - the worst team clear of relegation, with barely even pride to play for. They’ve pretty much been Kyron Everdale + 10 this season.

Bellight Wanderers vs. Bellight FC, Northern Union vs. North Hall
Okay, they’re 9th/10th and 3rd/7th, but come on. Everyone loves derbies.

Pilgrimage vs. Marque, Cape of Hope vs. Francisca Orient, SWU FC vs. Halholzer United
All the teams that might be going down but can secure themselves with a win, or if Saint Alexander can’t manage a result. They’ll all be looking over their shoulders - especially SWU FC, who have, well, not gotten the luck of the draw. “Batten down the hatches and pray” would be their most likely strategy.

Saint Alexander vs. Falkner United
It’s all irrelevant if Saint Alexander don’t win here, of course. A draw won’t be enough unless Halholzer obliterate SWU. Which, to be fair, is possible.

Halholzer Sundays vs. Pikemouth
And, glancing down to the second tier, the Sundays are a point ahead of Pikemouth in a direct battle for the second promotion slot (Westpike United have first sewn up). The stars, or at least the fixture list, has aligned perfectly.

Kick-off!
Falkner United’s early moves are quick and fast, their team strong (4-3-3: Pence; St. Mellion, Ramundo, Espinosa, Murtagh; Lund, the Dominant, Luevano; Whitesmith, Sandro, Rafferty) and seemingly determined to stick the knife into Saint Alexander. When it comes down to it, this is the fixture with everything riding on it, and it’s not ideal that Saline’s preferred formation (4-4-1-1: Merchant; Sharpe, Rouphos, Cannon, Senterekoesima; Storrin, Hinsch, Church, Keohane; Ramsey; Galloway) involves playing four different players out of their preferred position. But results have improved, and it’s the best they’ve got right now.

Merchant displays why he’s made his unlikely way to start for Saint Alexander with a good few saves, but Pence is displaying why she’s, well, a Brenecian international with a series of better saves, including a double save from Hinsch and, on the follow-up, Galloway that leaves the home fans’ heads in their hands. They could really do with the flaky liability that Brenecia somehow took to two World Cups, one as a starter. The first relevant goal comes in the Cape as Dark’oak drags a shot past Larsson - much to the other relegation battlers’ chagrin, Francisca Orient really don’t look bothered, and have rested almost all of their best players with the Cup final ahead. And, damaging Halholzer Sundays’ chances, Tori Leighertwood smashes in from an acute angle to give Pikemouth a narrow lead to protect.

Things start to heat up in the second half. Francisca find a spine and pull one back, while SWU finally concede - twice in the space of six minutes. Still, Saint Alexander press on, but they’re thinking with their hearts and not their heads, too many Hollywood passes and no actual Hollywood passer for it to be pulled off, Pence saves from eight yards… two people are sent off in North Hall and Ravenhorst scores in what could be his last game for that club. Pikemouth, this time through A-League veteran Rebecca Milligan, pull two ahead of the Sundays. Tundra get the better of South Rathia and Bellight FC finally break through their rival Wanderers.

And then.

It happens.

Luevano’s corner is scuffed around in the box a bit, and who smashes a boot into the mix? None other than Anderson Sandro… in the 89th minute, to doom Saint Alexander. Out come the shades as Alexandrites scream and berate the referee. They lower. Slowly. Merchant stares. The shades reach Sandro’s scalp. Still, Merchant stares, slowly taking off his right glove. They drop onto his ears, fall on his nose.

The microphone catches “DEAL WITH I-” before Merchant smashes him full in the face.

The referee blows his whistle furiously and practically hurls the red card at Merchant, but needs to go and retrieve it as Storrin and the substitute Consort - it’s his last day before retirement, why not? - both stick the boot into the fallen striker. Axe the Dominant gets stuck in, practically windmilling into the fray. The referee, hopelessly out of his depth, accidentally sends off Church instead of Consort and the former North Rathia midfielder figures, hell, in for a penny, in for a pound, and spits on Sandro. One cameraman zooms in poignantly on the forgotten shades. Fans of both sides start streaming onto the pitch.

And thus, the A-League season draws to a close. It’s been a hell of a ride, and at least it had the ending to match.

A-League Final Results
Bellight Wanderers 0-1 Bellight FC
Saint Alexander 0-1 Falkner United
Cape of Hope FC 1-1 Francisca Orient
Rosbank Town 1-1 Guilder
SWU FC 0-2 Halholzer United
South Rathia 1-2 Harmonica Tundra
Rozelle United 1-1 Kingsgrove
Rozelle 5-2 Lotus Park
Pilgrimage 1-1 Marque
Northern Union 0-1 North Hall

B-League Final Results
Halholzer Sundays 0-2 Pikemouth
Platwood 2-2 North Rathia
Southside Wanderers 3-1 Teol United
Halholzer Spitfires 0-1 Snowden River
Gallant Cross 2-0 Union FK
Ridgeway United 0-4 Westpike United
Westpike 2-0 Chafford
Sharrow 1-0 Arbour Lights FC
Gentlemen's Club 2-0 Scraglet Rovers
Sciongrad Rovers 2-0 Newtown

C-League Final Results
Saint Wessex 0-0 Scaffield
Marque Rovers 2-3 Thrush
Pikemouth United 2-1 Dalgallen
Swayback 2-1 Glassfields
Sutbyrne 4-1 Fort Keller
Greater Snowden 6-0 Region
Mount Roland 1-1 Garfield
Crest 0-1 Arkwood
Proudcastle 2-2 Gallow Park
Highden 2-1 Hooker Ridge

D-League Final Results
Monastery Park 0-0 Caybrooke
Norbyrne 1-1 Reave City
Jackdaw River 0-3 Brookden
Pryde Wanderers 1-4 Shenworth
Hammerton 4-0 Rathia Wanderers
Saint Essex 1-0 South Ridgeway
Thriss Valley 1-4 Rushden
Fentonbridge 1-0 Rooke and Knightstone
Corder Town 2-2 Falkner Wanderers
Myhill 1-1 Stourhead

CUP FINAL
Francisca Orient vs. Kingsgrove - Orient hoping to be the first side to retain the Crown Cup, Kingsgrove hoping to rectify the fact that they’ve never won the trophy. It has to be said that the national stadium, Kingsgarden, favours Kingsgrove pretty blatantly - it’s just a couple of blocks away from their own stadium, and they even rent it out to play the Rozelle derbies! But the small, provincial Francisca are ready for them.

The early stages are edgy, both sides trying to play around each other more than through and few shots piercing the defensive line. Slowly, the audience gets the sense that Kingsgrove (and their 58% possession) are picking Orient slowly apart, but there’s just one thing that isn’t quite right - Francisca’s captain, Kurtis Burgundy, is a former AFC Treason fullback and has a hit out on Kingsgrove’s - hell, the entire league’s - danger man, Eoin Killanen. When the Schottian drifts inside, Bolton or Scannell picks up the chase, and they’re even harder in the tackle. And, for all this, it’s Orient who hit on the break in injury time - Farkanhan hoofing the ball over the top, Connie Garrard (a breakthrough player without a doubt) making a heavy first touch and simply running incredibly fast to try and redeem it, practically crashing into Knight moments after chipping over her.

Kingsgrove, understandably, look a little shaken in the second half, and Francisca go in for the kill. When Southwick goes in smelling blood and leaves a leg trailing for Hemingway’s clumsy hack at his legs before collapsing, there’s a howl in disbelief of the blatantly partisan crowd… but, as undignified as Southwick’s crying is, it’s still a stonewall penalty. Burgundy, steely-eyed and determined to lead by example, thumps it past Knight.

For all Kingsgrove’s endeavour… there’s no way back from that, and even if there was Larsson (making his first Cup start of the season, because the Cup Goalkeeper Policy doesn’t really have a place when it involves either the terribly out of form Cleves or the woefully inexperienced Warne) isn’t about to let them. Francisca take off Southwick, throw Palos into the midfield, drop deep and compact and, hell, it totally kills off the game as Kingsgrove are reduced to helpless, empty possession without an end product. Francisca hold out for the win, and for all this? The crowd are graceful (mostly) losers, applauding them roundly for their spirit and drive in getting this far and defending their title, the biggest applause saved for the leader-by-example Kurtis Burgundy.

FRANCISCA ORIENT 2 - 0 KINGSGROVE

CEDC FINAL
Rozelle have come so far on, relatively speaking, a shoestring budget. But their opponents, Alianza FC, are swimming in money… and had opened the season by signing Rozelle’s star striker, Marcia Danmark, for seven and a half million dollars. The Brenecians have the best of the early stages, setting a sweeping advance across Alianza’s line, but a couple of times Elsa Ashworth is put clear and, well… ‘Danmark would have buried that’, is the grim thought of many of the Saints’ faithful. Volker hits a post, Cromwell is stalwart in goal and Alianza end the first half dominant, shaking themselves awake and finally starting to get ahold of the match.

The second half is more even - but again, Alianza have the edge and, well. More money. Nkutu’s forced into a scrambling save from Danmark and, disastrously, rightback Rook Milligan is stretchered off with a calf strain. It’s not the occasion they would have hoped to need young Bernard Sophomore to step in, but the 24-year old steps in admirably. Still, yet again… Rozelle play a very high line and a hard-pressing style. They’re starting to tire, and as an exhausted Swain finds some space and immediately hits the ball well wide, the danger signs are there. Extra time is not going to favour them.

And, sadly, it doesn’t. Rozelle hold back and try to hold the line through Niko Moss, their exemplary Valhallan holding midfielder, but he can’t hold the tide back and eventually it is, yes, Danmark who squeezes a shot past Jonah Nkutu. She’s just fine celebrating, too - originally from Westpike, she has few ties to the Brenecian capital. Rozelle hurl themselves forward, Charing and the substitute Frey Clare both coming close and Volker testing Cromwell severely, but they’re simply caught out on the break, no choice but to overextend. And, yes. It’s Danmark again who seals the victory, Beauchemin and company who lift the Cup, and Rozelle whose squad can do little but walk past it with their silver medals.

But they came close - they know that. And next time, they’ll be ready.

ROZELLE 0 - 0 ALIANZA FC (0-2 AET)

A-LEAGUE

Pos Team                     P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Halholzer United        38  27   5   6  70  26  +44  86
  2 Kingsgrove              38  22  13   3  72  37  +35  79
  3 Northern Union          38  21   6  11  57  31  +26  69
  4 Harmonica Tundra        38  21   3  14  51  43   +8  66
  5 Rozelle                 38  19   7  12  62  47  +15  64
  6 Pilgrimage              38  18   8  12  44  35   +9  62
  7 North Hall              38  15  13  10  40  31   +9  58
  8 Falkner United          38  16  10  12  61  54   +7  58
  9 Bellight FC             38  15  11  12  60  54   +6  56
 10 Bellight Wanderers      38  15   7  16  41  37   +4  52
 11 South Rathia            38  12  13  13  35  41   -6  49
 12 Rozelle United          38  13  10  15  44  52   -8  49
 13 Francisca Orient        38  13   7  18  42  54  -12  46
 14 Guilder                 38  10  12  16  35  50  -15  42
 15 Lotus Park              38   9  12  17  38  53  -15  39
 16 Cape of Hope FC         38  11   4  23  39  62  -23  37
 17 Marque                  38  10   7  21  43  67  -24  37
 18 SWU FC                  38   7  14  17  33  49  -16  35
 19 Saint Alexander         38   7  13  18  28  48  -20  34
 20 Rosbank Town            38   8   7  23  39  63  -24  31

TOP SCORERS
22 - E. Charlestown (HHU)
19 - G. Urrunaga (HHU)
18 - E. Killanen (KNG)
17 - S. Adelardi (BFC), A. Sandro (FLK)
16 - N. Gardella (KNG), E. Ashworth (ROZ)

AWARDS
Golden Boot (Goals Scored): Ezekiel Charlestown (HHU)
Golden Ball (Player of the Year): Eoin Killanen (KNG)
Golden Fist (New Player of the Year): Eoin Killanen (KNG)
Golden Heart (U-21 Player of the Year): Jakob Cornwall (HMT)
Team of the Year: Clarke (HHU); Molina (KNG), O’Hara (HHU), Gillard (NTH), Branagh (NTU); Blackslate (HMT), Moss (ROZ), Lund (FLK); Charlestown (HHU), Urrunaga (HHU), Killanen (KNG)
Manager of the Year: Maxine Saunders (MAR)

B-LEAGUE

Pos Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Westpike United          38  25   8   5  78  29  +49  83
  2 Pikemouth                38  22   9   7  68  33  +35  75
  3 Halholzer Sundays        38  22   7   9  61  44  +17  73
  4 Sciongrad Rovers         38  22   5  11  74  48  +26  71
  5 Gentlemen's Club         38  21   7  10  82  59  +23  70
  6 Gallant Cross            38  21   6  11  53  36  +17  69
  7 Halholzer Spitfires      38  18  11   9  58  38  +20  65
  8 Snowden River            38  21   2  15  52  37  +15  65
  9 Westpike                 38  16  12  10  48  37  +11  60
 10 North Rathia             38  15   5  18  54  61   -7  50
 11 Union FK                 38  13   8  17  43  49   -6  47
 12 Sharrow                  38  13   8  17  39  63  -24  47
 13 Newtown                  38  11  11  16  26  42  -16  44
 14 Arbour Lights FC         38  10   9  19  53  64  -11  39
 15 Teol United              38   9  10  19  47  63  -16  37
 16 Southside Wanderers      38  10   7  21  30  49  -19  37
 17 Platwood                 38  10   6  22  45  74  -29  36
 18 Scraglet Rovers          38   9   6  23  43  83  -40  33
 19 Ridgeway United          38   8   8  22  32  58  -26  32
 20 Chafford                 38   6  11  21  24  43  -19  29

C-LEAGUE

Pos Team                   P   W   D   L For   Ag   +/- Pts
  1 Scaffield             38  21  10   7  63   24   +39  73
  2 Mount Roland          38  20  11   7  58   24   +34  71
  3 Crest                 38  22   4  12  57   34   +23  70
  4 Hooker Ridge          38  19  12   7  52   33   +19  69
  5 Sutbyrne              38  19   7  12  76   51   +25  64
  6 Swayback              38  18  10  10  61   41   +20  64
  7 Glassfields           38  18   8  12  76   61   +15  62
  8 Saint Wessex          38  15  16   7  43   30   +13  61
  9 Dalgallen             38  16  11  11  48   40    +8  59
 10 Thrush                38  15   9  14  68   60    +8  54
 11 Pikemouth United      38  14   8  16  51   62   -11  50
 12 Marque Rovers         38  15   3  20  44   52    -8  48
 13 Fort Keller           38  12  11  15  42   43    -1  47
 14 Proudcastle           38  13   8  17  31   42   -11  47
 15 Arkwood               38  12   8  18  36   42    -6  44
 16 Highden               38  12   8  18  44   55   -11  44
 17 Gallow Park           38  12   5  21  47   54    -7  41
 18 Garfield              38   9  11  18  33   44   -11  38
 19 Greater Snowden       38   9  11  18  35   49   -14  38
 20 Region                38   2   3  33  11  135  -124   9

D-LEAGUE

Pos Team                        P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Norbyrne                   38  21   6  11  60  36  +24  69
  2 Rushden                    38  20   7  11  70  42  +28  67
  3 Hammerton                  38  19  10   9  56  33  +23  67
  4 Caybrooke                  38  18  13   7  44  29  +15  67
  5 Saint Essex                38  17  14   7  54  37  +17  65
  6 Shenworth                  38  18  11   9  39  25  +14  65
  7 Monastery Park             38  16  12  10  43  27  +16  60
  8 Rooke and Knightstone      38  17   7  14  41  38   +3  58
  9 Brookden                   38  17   7  14  48  50   -2  58
 10 Falkner Wanderers          38  15  12  11  53  44   +9  57
 11 Stourhead                  38  15   9  14  42  39   +3  54
 12 Corder Town                38  14   9  15  44  34  +10  51
 13 Fentonbridge               38  13   7  18  43  66  -23  46
 14 Reave City                 38  11  12  15  79  70   +9  45
 15 Thriss Valley              38  12   8  18  36  55  -19  44
 16 Rathia Wanderers           38  11   9  18  39  65  -26  42
 17 Pryde Wanderers            38  10  11  17  40  57  -17  41
 18 South Ridgeway             38   9  10  19  51  70  -19  37
 19 Myhill                     38   6   9  23  23  58  -35  27
 20 Jackdaw River              38   6   7  25  45  75  -30  25

by **A-League** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 9:58 pm

(Filler post)

A-League Newswires (Brenecia Domestic Football)

A-League Newswires (Brenecia Domestic Football)

FINAL MATCHDAY

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