ElmyianNewsNow - Football League Updates

by **Elmyia** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 9:28 am

The Beaucester Gazette
Season Preview: Mid-Table Battle
Twilight of the Middleweight?

For the last few seasons, these teams have found a way to punch above their weight. But as players and manager have been snatched away from them, is time being called on Transvers, Samita and Scolastico?

Starting with Scolastico, they have frequently been the one team in the league who can challenge the dominance of the Mosfleet two. Odd for a club with a small stadium, historically the team of the Beaucester university sides, years of hard work from Benni Massi brought them 2 league titles and several triumphs in the cups. Their transfer policy has seen them focus on signing young players, hungry to learn, and molding them into something greater than the sum of its parts. Some have argued that a big part of this success has been the patience and lack of expectations among the fan base. Historically a small club, they've tolerated down swings in form, losing key players to bigger fish and having to work in cycles to challenge.

Leila Whelk then finds herself at the wrong end of the cycle. Superstars Jane Beresford and Quarto Bevilacqua, and midfield stalwart Estelle Melde, see themselves out of the door, all have been key to what has been so good at this club over the last couple of years. Whelk has created a fluid team, where players seem happy to pop up in any position, fans will miss the sight of Beresford in both boxes. She managed a league leading 12 assists last season and made team of the year. Bevilacqua was arguably a less consistent performer than the other two, but his ability to dazzle and produce moments that could turn a game leaves another major hole in their lineup.

One argument Whelk has faced, however, is a failure to make hay whilst the sun shines. Two consecutive Island Trophy finals have ended in defeat for her side, whilst their league form has been incredibly up and down. Further, the IFCF has failed to provide any further comforts with no real run put together in the competition. She now faces the prospect of a league campaign less three of her most important performers. With Yianna Moss coming in as the most important signing, in from relegated Chipping Sersbrek, her ability to hit the ground running in midfield might dictate whether they can push for fourth.

AS Samita are a team that had very rapidly acclimatized to being one of the best in the league. The signing of Erin Marshlily for a league record was supposed to set them in motion to a first league title and dominance domestically. Her first 12 games seemed to bare this out, Samita dominated games and at top of the league, with 10 wins and 2 draws. Vesper Benedetti's horror tackle on the young midfielder put her out for the rest of the season, and AS Samita fell way behind Italia. Now, the massive risk of putting their eggs in Marshlily's basket is coming back to bite them.

With the finances crunched, AS Samita have been forced to engage in some major retrenchment. Elmyian internationals Lara Beaugemont and Antonio Silva both depart for Tumbra, for a combined $8 million. Beaugemont was truly the glue for their deadly front three, she had a happy knack of keeping the ball moving, excellent decision making and a almost telepathic understanding with Byng and Malykhin. Silva, meanwhile, partnered Cheynar at the back, with his excellent recovery pace being an excellent bow in their defensive quiver. All the replacements brought in have been unproven free agents, Samita were not looking forward to the season.

This was before the Hellenic takeover, an event that has completely upended them. The one superstar left at the club was manager, Xanthi Kostis, an outstanding coach and tactician, there remained hope they could still do something with Marshlily in midfield. Then Kostis was gone, Hellenic swooping in to grab a manager they'd hope could fire them to glory. After 4 years at the club, Samita were caught cold. A scramble ensued, but it ended in maximum banter and trouble down the road...

Sporting Transvers had been somewhat confident going into the season. Sure, Nico Colca had gone, but he's often been a bit of an up and down player, the move also financed a move for Zsuzsanna Szomogyi, who it was hoped would sure them up at the back after the retirement of club stalwart Metaxas. Then, Hellenic bagged Kostis. Then, Samita came knocking for Andre Verto. The genius who'd taken them up, who picked up players like Xaver Bruckner and Giorgio Mezzini and had made them local legends. A man loved and adored in Transvers made the one stop journey on the metro to their fiercest rivals.

Whilst the psychological blow will hit them hard, Transvers have passed the pain on, bagging Estdalle Carmen Marchini. After the struggles of last season, they might at least have the tools to keep themselves safely mid-table. Marchini is a pragmatist, but not a dour one. Estdalle made themselves incredibly hard to beat, whilst simultaneously providing the platform for their front three to thrive. Maddy Best hit the form of her life coming off the left, 21 goals and 8 assists saw her deservedly make team of the year and earned her a move to nouveau riche Hellenic. Bruckner could benefit from similar management, a livewire himself Marchini has the skillset to get the very best out of the controversial wideman.

For these teams then, aspirations seem to have been significantly dampened against those of the last couple of seasons. The arrival of mass foreign investment in Hellenic, coupled with the continued commercial dominance of Albion and Italia, has seemingly shut the door on a shock league champion. Fans of these clubs may well have to adjust to a new reality, where they will struggle to challenge the very biggest fish and may have to get used to having key players and their managers seen as fair gain.

Pos.	Name				Age
Starting XI
GK	Allison Nash 			24
LB	Marta Oak			25
CB	Liberatore Nanni		22
CB	Mary Romero 			22
CB	Perry Chambers 			31
RB	Erika Salvaggi			16
CM	Yianna Moss			23
CM/AM	Tricia Cray			32
LW	Misha Surnin 			18
CAM	Max Lonsdale 			28
CF	Gavriil Shurygin		24

Bench
GK	Sophia Masson			35
LB	Kyrie Antonis			26
CB	Abigayle Pilgrim		36
CM	Nico Spalding			24
CM	Polina Zinchenka 		19
RW	Luca Blanc			32
ST	Sean Conley 			26
CB	Arnaldo Knaggs			35
RB	Mikki Colt			31
CM	Tamsin Rowe			18
CM	Brian Jomini 			17
LW	Trix Moon			23
CF	Anna Alfero			19
CF	Maddox Noel			24

Pos.	Name				Age
Starting XI
GK	Eirini Knight			22
LB	Dzeljana Balog 			26
CB	Ranj Cheynar 			25
CB	Jacque Villenieveux		25
RB	Roberto Palm			24
CDM	Erin Marshlily 			22
AM/LW	Camilo Galán Muñoz 		30
CM	Ambrosios Catalano		30
LM	Alan Yedemsky 			19
CF	George Byng			22
RM	Sasha Malykhin 			19

Bench
GK	Fernanda Carter			34
LB	Kolby Trapani			31
CB	Aleksandr Garipov		19
CM	Lucetta Nieddu			30
AM	Jolie Stacks			24
LW	Branden Eady			20
CF	William Nicholas		25
CB	Cedric Morin			24
CB	Nola Cuoco			29
CM	Devin Traverso			25
CM	Apostolis Cook			17
CM	Danilo Brandon			36
LW	Griffin Breda			23
RW	Stephanie Watson		21
CF	Brendan Stokes			25

Pos.	Name			Age
Starting XI
GK	Alicia Sparaterro		28
LB	Effimia Bonaventura		25
CB/LB	Zsuzsanna Szomogyi  	/	26
CB	Sotiria Ronchi			21
RB	Pilar Coppola 			35
CM	Antonio Robustelli		33
DM	Baily Oppenheimer 		25
CM	Giorgio Mezzini 		33
LW	Xaver Bruckner 			27
CF	Greta Moretti			37
RW	Stefanos Pittaluga		35

Bench
GK	Martha Ball			18
RB	Grazia Levi			31
CB	Maurizia Fiore			17
CB	Rodrigo Brioschi		30
CM	Pinelopi Ruzzier		20
LW	Angiolo Ferrari			21
CF	Derrick Sharps			35
GK	Gary Porter			20
CB	Chariklia Albini		25

by **Elmyia** » Thu Oct 26, 2023 10:52 am

The Beaucester Gazette
Season Preview: Relegation Battle
Who's doomed this time?

When last season came to an end, these four teams had all of about a day to celebrate their respective achievements. Then dreading next year could set in. For Sablegaard and Estdalle, they knew it would be an uphill struggle, nothing but another go on the merry-go-round secure. For Diepfleet, it was scarcely more exciting. An inspired season from midfield maestro Doug Reid giving them another shot at the big time shortly after their prior relegation, fans appear to have mixed opinions on returning to a league where most games appear to be a struggle. Breaking up the relegation dogfight are newcomers Indipendiente. The first club from Campeto to enter the top division, and coming off a remarkable back to back promotion, will they storm the division like AS Samita and Sporting Transvers, or will they go the way of plucky newcomers Chipping Sersbrek and FC Campina?

Down the bottom and the story of the off season has been Estdalle losing everything near and dear to them. First, the expected. Anna Maria Headley retired at the age of 39. Having come joint second in the league for assists, it felt fitting she went out on a high, applauded off by fans on the final day after she bagged an equaliser against Chipping Sersbrek, they had closure. Then came the takeover at Hellenic and in they swooped. Maddy Best had just had the season of her lifetime, but at 30 they were confident of holding onto her, but Hellenic have little care for resale value. So off she goes to warm their bench. Their forward line depleted, they could console themselves that they had been well clear of the drop, they still had a manager who knew how to get the best out of their squad and they possessed a solid backline.

Then came disaster. Nanni had his head turned by Scolastico, Marchini by Transvers. With the threadbare squad who could blame her? In return Georgina Blight came in for cheap and Oleg Blok came in for free, not exactly enough to spark a promotion campaign. Compared to those around them, they look in real trouble.

Sablegaard also have significant reason for concern. They only narrowly missed the trap last time out, and much of what went well for them last year had been spearheaded by Jane Albrook, lead leader for assists, she cemented herself a place in the team of the year. It was inevitable that she’d need to be moved on, and squeezing Hellenic fro $2.75 million represents decent business. Their season really now hinges on whether her replacement Ramone Deschalles can hit the ground running for her new club after arriving from Lorent Cardinaux. Neil Carrick still has questions swirling over whether he has the tactical nous to cut it at this level. Rebecca Dalla might be the answer, with 10 league goals and 8 assists last season she will certainly provide a target for the crossing of the full-backs.

Of the two promoted clubs, Indipendiente will certainly arrive with the greater enthusiasm. But, Diepfleet are worth assessing. Deemed to be performing below their level in relegation, they laboured at times last season, but the sheer force of will of Doug Reid seemed to spur them towards promotion. The former Elmyian international had looked cast aside, not only by Pau Porras, but also by modern football. A player who seemed too slow, too unathletic and too unable to press to be of any real use. As his side were relegated, he set out for a transfer back to the top tier. No one wanted him. Certainly not for the price.

Reid proceeded to return to Diepfleet several kilos lighter, faster and with better stamina. Facing somewhat more obliging defences in the second tier, he nonetheless tore it up. 24 goals for a midfielder were beyond impressive, let alone an addition 9 assists. He single handedly glided through defences and allowed the rest of a highly defensive Diepfleet side to sit back comfortably, even against other sides that sought to pack the box. This may prepare them for the rigours of the top division again, with an ability to defend and one genuinely elite attacker they might just shade it. Celia Purcell adds some additional quality to their midfield and might aid them to provide something other than stodge.

Of those likely to swirl around the relegation zone, the only ones who are likely to be relishing this season are Indipendiente. First season in a new league, even if they lost every game it would still hold an element of excitement and pride for the fans. The core of this side tore up not only Division 2, but also Division 3, and they’ve truly earned their seat at the top table. Wingers Blair and Ioannis have been excellent coming up through the divisions, and with Crespo they form a formidable attacking trident. For the first time in their history, the club have also reached out and purchased from abroad. Kosomov comes in to sure up the defence, replacing the excellent in possession (but flaky out of it) Bartolomeo. Ashafeu also comes into the CAM position, leaving Piazza somewhat harshly benched after a strong RTC World Championships.

Indipendiente will stand out from the other struggling clubs in another aspect, being far more possession orientated in their play style. It remains to be seen if Mosconi and Fontana can dictate from the base of midfield as they did in the second and third tiers, but they’ve certainly shown flashes of quality required. They make an interesting pairing, neither particularly has the ability to cover defensively in the way that the elite defensive midfielders do, but they move in tandem and press up to deny the opposition space. Both are also excellent at setting a tempo. Caro and Noschese both enjoy flying forward from full-back, it remains to be seen if they’ll have adequate cover.

Pos.	Name				Age
Starting XI
GK	Jonas Thomasson 		18
LB	Franklyn Agli			29
CB	Dawn Mead			23
CB	Konstantin-Roy Thomas 		20
CB	Floyd Ayton			36
RB	Erin Guarneri			33
CM	Warren Neil			23
CDM	Peter Monday			30
CM	Celia Purcell			22
AM	Doug Reid			26
CF	Artur Rollo			22

Bench
GK	Sherman Cassidy			20
LB	Deena Cocks			37
CB	Irini Ronchi			27
CM	Vanni Jamison			34
AM	Venetia Mathers			23
CF	Ines Laguardia			25
CF	Enya Miller			21
LB	Karl Leonardson			36
CB	Sydney Harrison			28
CB	Flanagan Beake			40
AM	Brice Teel			26

Pos.	Name				Age
Starting XI
GK	Tristin Woodward			32
LB	Liz Karanski				20
CB	Grady Moores				28
CB	Gabriella Fuller			29
RB	Antonia Papadimitriou			20
LM	Oleg Blok 				18
CM	Christopher Elvis			34
CM	Steph Hayes				35
RM	Sela Kendall				18
LW	Georgina Blight				26
CF	Rossa Capello				36

Bench
GK	Ness Gates				18
LB	Lucia Crewe				26
CB	Nicostrato Alagona			29
CM	Toria De Filippis			34
LW	Minnie Huxtable				29
RW	Mary Jo Capitani			35
CF	Rodney Baggi				31
RB	Iris Gibson				26
CB	Hope Cook				38
CF	Caryl Newman				29

Pos.	Name				Age
Starting XI
GK	Giancarlo Franzese			31
LB	Nicodemo Caro				15
CB	Vasil Kosomov 				18
CB	Domitilla Albini			30
RB	Nora Noschese				24
CDM	Elisa Fontana				22
CDM	Marco Mosconi				25
LW	Jesca Blair				20
CAM	Mourastaire Ashafeu 			24
RW	Milton Ioannis				21
CF	Ivano Crespo				26

Bench
GK	Savino Busto				18
RB	Remo Testa				23
CB	Imma Bartolomeo				18
CM	Evaristo Mosconi			19
CAM/CM	Silvino Piazza				16
LW	Liboria Dimitriou			26
CF	Lucia Roma				27
LB	Angelo Calabresi			22
CB	Mirella Colombo				16
CDM	Claudia Montesorri			26
RW	Vanna Siena				18
CF	Costanza Rizzo				31

Pos.	Name				Age
Starting XI
GK	Jeanette Rey				31
LWB	Ramone Deschalles 			21
CB	Nevio Faulkner				25
CB	Albertina Savage			35
CB	Aurelian Niehaus 			36
RB	Kallie Marlowe				24
CM	Genesio Chapman				30
CM	Clara Aloisi				33
LW	Wendy Spruce				28
ST	Rebecca Dalla 				21
RW	Carlo Beluigi				35

Bench
LB	Benni Musco				32
CB	Freddie Segreti				27
RB	Sadie Clark				17
CM	Agapios Derrickson			34
AM	Maximilian Stevens			25
LW	Massimiliano Baldini			21
CF	Ferruccio De Vito			36
CB	Flossie Martelli			35
CB	Easter Herbertson			25
CB	Earline Nanni				36
LW	Nelle Rose				27
CF	Roberta Bray				35

by **Elmyia** » Mon Oct 30, 2023 2:56 am

Matchday 1
Mosfleet Albion 0 - 0 Sporting Transvers
Italia Mosfleet 2 - 1 Sablegaard
Hellenic SC 1 - 2 Indipendiente
Estdalle 2 - 4 Scolastico
AS Samita 4 - 0 Diepfleet

As the first matchday zoomed into focus and attention swiveled to Saturday's matchup between Hellenic and Indipendiente. Easily the most plot threads going on, the new ownership, manager and players at Hellenic, and a debut in the top flight for any side from Campeto. In the end, despite the biggest splash ever made in the transfer market, it was Indipendiente who looked as if they'd been smarter with their money. Ashafeu was involved in both goals, wrestling the ball off a dawdling Morientes to start a lightening counter, and a bolt from outside the box with what proved to be the winner on the hour mark. Hellenic looked confused, players delivering odd moments of individual inspiration, Hertel's pinpoint cross to Vasiliauskas the one that led to a goals. But their overall lack of cohesion was concerning for Kostis.

Elsewhere and the other promoted side had a much more difficult time of it to theortically weaker opposition. AS Samita quickly shook off their pre-season blues in front of a raucous home crowd. Byng made a mockery of concerns over Beaugemont's exit, bagging himself a hattrick, whilst Yedemsky ensured an uneven debut would be forgotten as he applied the gloss with the fourth.

Matchday 2
Sablegaard 1 - 3 Mosfleet Albion
Indipendiente 1 - 2 Italia Mosfleet
Scolastico 0 - 3 Hellenic SC
Diepfleet 0 - 1 Estdalle
Sporting Transvers 0 - 2 AS Samita

One weekend, two big derbies. Both the Beaucester and North Mosfleet derbies saw high stakes once again, with all clubs having something to prove. Ultimately it was the away sides that would triumph in two intriguing contests.

Hellenic and Scolastico faced off at an unusually loud Estadio Gioventu. A tiny ground, the arrival of 1,000 feisty Hellenic fans usually jazzes things up. This time the stakes were raised, Scolastico's handful of ultras had hung up a massive banner - 'you can't buy the league with blood money' - time will tell if this is true or not (it's probably not, they surely will eventually). Either way, Hellenic seemed fired up to succeed, despite once again looking less than the sum of their parts. The performance lacked a level of polish, but Hertel and Stavik both made hay in the areas behind Oak and Salvaggi. Salvaggi had a particularly torrid time of it, the youthful full-back was pushed around by Stavik. Either way, their continued endeavor in behind paid off in the end, a goal for Hertel and assist from Stavik taking them two up before de Beignheus headed home from a corner to seal the win.

Elsewhere and Samita and Transvers decamped to Subla Bridge. Both seemed aware that, with league or cup glory likely beyond them, derby glory remains the one thing to aim for this year. Verto's betrayal of Transvers certainly added some extra mirth to an occasion that threatened to boil over. A far more ill-tempered affair than the Beaucester derby, multiple players were lucky to not see red, chief among them Transvers Robustelli. A one club man he appeared too fired up, eventually giving up two penalties through a clumsy hand ball and some blatant man-handling of Malykhin. Byng dispatched both, for a scarcely believable 5 goals in 2. AS Samita will not come across easier points than this this season.

Matchday 3
Mosfleet Albion 3 - 1 Indipendiente
Italia Mosfleet 1 - 0 Scolastico
Hellenic SC 0 - 1 Diepfleet
Estdalle 0 - 2 AS Samita
Sablegaard 1 - 2 Sporting Transvers

Sablegaard's horrendous start to the season persisted as they welcomed Transvers to La Cauchie. Carrick must have been hoping things were finally turning their way as Dalla took the lead. But as the late summer sun went, the opposition wrestled their way back into the game. For all Genesio Chapman continues to plug away manfully in the middle of the park, having Aliosi sat alongside her really leaves a gaping hole for teams to attack through. Mezzini repeatedly drove through the gap, and whilst it took until the 80th minute to lead to anything concrete, Sablegaard were left empty handed. Ferrari, on as a substitute for Pittaluga, bagged the equiliser as Mezzini setup, with Ronchi bundling a corner in to hand them the victory.

Super Cup Round 1
Beaucester Rovers (2) 1 - 2 Mosfleet Albion (1)
Munster AFC (2) 0 - 1 Campeto Victoria (2)
Diepfleet (1) 3 - 0 Torbrek (2)
Sporting Transvers (1) 2 - 0 Estdalle (1)
Diepfleet Marine (2) 1 - 0 Hellenic Sports Club (1)
AS Samita (1) 2 - 3 Sablegaard (1)
FC Campina (2) 2 - 1 AS Catamouge (2)
Chipping Sersbrek (2) 1 - 0 Villemont (2)

Hellenic came into the Super Cup in up and down form from the league. The chastening opening day defeat, assuaged by the derby win, had given way to a 1-0 smash and grab defeat to Diepfleet. The cup, with a fixture against a far inferior Diepfleet Marine side, would surely be the balm they needed? Kostis sent out her second eleven, who surely possessed the quality to get the job done. 82% possession, 25 shots and they failed to break through. Only 3 went on target. Maddy Best was kicked out the game. Willard on upfront seemed to have two left feet and Baldur Márusson appears more of a dud by the day. Marine picked up a series of set pieces late on, a long throw eventually delivering them a shocking victory.

Elsewhere and Neil Carrick bagged his first win of the season, he might regret that it doesn't come in the league. A heavily rotated AS Samita side underwhelmed their home fans, a brace for the promising Eady being the only bright spot in this first round defeat.

Matchday 4
Scolastico 0 - 1 Mosfleet Albion
Diepfleet 1 - 3 Italia Mosfleet
AS Samita 0 - 1 Hellenic SC
Sporting Transvers 0 - 0 Estdalle
Indipendiente 1 - 0 Sablegaard

In comes the first midweek fixture, after the Super Cup hijacked the weekend, and in a weekend that lacked a big derby, or clash between the big three, attention then turned to an intriguing fixture between Scolastico and Albion. Whelk and Kidd remain two very interesting managers, ones who've maybe lacked the resources to fully realise their visions. But with Scolastico a weaker outfit than before and Albion continuing their upward trajectory, Kidd was to return to Mosfleet with all three points.

For all the noise about having lost Jane Beresford and Quarto Bevilacqua over the summer, the absence of Estelle Melde was more keenly felt for Whellk here. Where previously she would act as ball winner, the first line of defence and attack for the side, Yianna Moss instead struggles to hold the team together. With those ahead of her endlessly rotating, gaps frequently need plugging, and for a player used to an all action box to box role the demands were high. As they often have, Albion looked more comfortable against a side that tried to hog possession, Juups, Grankvist and Benoit are players who love running at scattered defences. With Marinos still trying to dictate tempo from the middle, however, the ball wasn't quite finding its way forward fast enough, subbing on Josephine Sellers to spray forwards made all the difference as she initiated a move for Juups to bag the winner.

In midfield Scolastico have undoubted talent, but the desire to interchange positions often left them outnumbered. Summer arrival Dawson was imperious for Albion as they continue their strong start to the season.

Matchday 5
Mosfleet Albion 2 - 0 Diepfleet
Italia Mosfleet 4 - 0 AS Samita
Hellenic SC 0 - 0 Estdalle
Sablegaard 0 - 0 Scolastico
Indipendiente 1 - 1 Sporting Transvers

Giving Italia-Samita billing as a derby day already feels like a relic of the past. For the last two seasons they were the noisy neighbors, and main challengers to Italia's dominance. But, after a summer of being plundered by those with deeper pockets, this Samita side looked to be travelling more in hope than expectation.

Truly though, Servetto has quietly built his side up to withstand another title campaign. Faced with the need to recoup funds over summer, he engaged in some smart business, selling off Benedetti for a substantial fee and using what funds he could commit to bring in Kuhl and Beresford. With the options of Elise Rivera up top, or stalwart Garonz, they've hardly skipped a beat here. Up against their supposed rivals they dominated. Servetto might not draw plaudits as a tactician, but his decision to player Rivera, Beresford and Chichikov at the same time paid big dividends here. The ploy of stacking players down the right seemed to suck Samita's back 4 to the side, suddenly the ever threatening Hightower found herself with only Malykhin tracking back.

Italia took full advantage. Hightower scoring once and assisting an onrushing Kuhl for another. Beresford was also able to bag her first goal for her new club, whilst late substitute Tommy Day proved his continued value as a squad player by applying a flourish for the fourth. Verto looked ashen faced after, but had to give full credit to a side who seem to have added spells of elegant passing football to their usual grit.

Matchday 6
AS Samita 0 - 3 Mosfleet Albion
Estdalle 0 - 3 Italia Mosfleet
Sporting Transvers 2 - 4 Hellenic SC
Diepfleet 1 - 0 Sablegaard
Scolastico 2 - 1 Indipendiente

Down at the bottom, and matchday 6 is not too early for a six pointer. Redvers Johnson and Neil Carrick, both journeymen, now both managers of clubs they had dedicated the best part of their adult lives to. Stadio Breve felt somewhat airless coming into this clash, Diepfleet currently sitting on just 3 points, with Sablegaard on merely one. Two seasons back, Carrick had masterminded a 4-2 victory to keep him in a job, and have Arrigo Moss heading for the sack. Sadly for him there was no reprise here.

Sablegaard look truly concerning for this point in the season. Up against a fellow relegation battler they had a clear game plan away from home - sit back and hit on the counter. Trying to stay in games isn't a terrible idea, but fans won't tolerate against strong opponents if it fails to deliver results, let alone against teams they should be hoping to beat. As it was, only by clogging things up did they ever look competitive. Carrick had sacrificed winger Wendy Spruce to line up with wing-back Deschalles playing as an effective winger, with veteran full-back Benni Musco tasked with simply marking the space at the back. Whilst they could clog things up for Diepfleet, it left them with little going forward, Deschalles attempting three crosses that were tamely headed away from the head of Dalla and Beluigi.

Diepfleet themselves don't go too attacking, playing without wingers they're incredibly narrow, offering an obvious area for full-backs to dominate, but Sablegaard had no way to take advantage. Pot shots for Reid were ineffective in troubling the goal, but the corners they won Diepfleet gave them several chances at breaking the deadlock. Shortly after half-time they did, Peter Monday getting on the end of Rollo's flick on to give them all three points.

Matchday 7
Mosfleet Albion 3 - 0 Estdalle
Italia Mosfleet 2 - 0 Hellenic SC
Sablegaard 1 - 5 AS Samita
Indipendiente 2 - 2 Diepfleet
Scolastico 0 - 2 Sporting Transvers

Another set of midweek fixtures, and this one provided plenty for the highlight reel. Xaver Bruckner deployed some star power in their fixture with Scolastico, giving reserve full-back Mikki Colt an evening to forget and he shrugged past twice before rifling home to bag his side three points. Elsewhere and Jesca Blair shot from 30 yards out to salvage a home draw for Indipendiente. AS Samita also bucked recent form, ending a run of three straight defeats with a 5-1 win over struggling Sablegaard, a brace of poachers goals for Jolie Stack's the highlight.

But for all the excitement elsewhere, all eyes swiveled to Stadio Luca Spaletti for the 10 pm kickoff. Italia vs. Hellenic. Mosfleet vs. Beaucester. Old money vs. New. Champions vs. Pretenders. Servetto sprung a surprise as he made three changes to his usual starting eleven, Rivera coming out for Garonz, Kuhl out for Speight and Scoular for Beresford. It looked a clear more for experience over youth, title fighting grit over beauty. In the game itself it seemed more of an effort to exploit weaknesses in Hellenic's setup. Kostis seems to be aiming for a 4-3-3 to dominate possession, but with the emphasis on technical, forward thinking players, its games like this that can make them look somewhat callow. Speight did what she always does on the big occasions, ruins someone else's day. Here it was Morientes, he was marked out of the game. Springing for a beefcake at centre-forward also pinned Grosso and Cleja, who don't yet look like a title winning pair, leaving the gaps that Albrook and Rodriguez vacate at full-back exploitable by Chichikov and Hightower.

For all the hype, Italia dominated this with a minimum of effort. It's far too early for Kostis to face questions about her job, but the level of naivety against the side who's crown they long for was certainly worrying.

Matchday 8
Hellenic SC 4 - 1 Mosfleet Albion
Sporting Transvers 0 - 1 Italia Mosfleet
Estdalle 1 - 1 Sablegaard
AS Samita 1 - 2 Indipendiente
Diepfleet 2 - 2 Scolastico

Two fixtures where it felt as if teams with opposite trajectories matched up. Albion and Hellenic, both on differing paths between perennial underachievers and pretenders to the crown, faced at Stadio Delphi. Indipendiente faced AS Samita, the original lower league to top division insurgents.

Hellenic looked reinvigorated compared with their meek display against the champions. Albion set up as usual, but Kostis decided to shake things up. Len Phillips came in for Morientes, Mac Salt in for Jane Albrook. Hellenic remained a side looking to dominate possession and attack, but they had much better cover in defence. Their 3-2 shape at the back saw Salt form a back three with the centre-halves, whilst Phillips and Willow screened. This allowed Rodriguez the freedom to fly forward and join the attack, as well as De Baignheus who's positioning was almost level with Vasiliauskas. Last seasons top scorer tormented Ferrier and Koury, faster than the former, stronger than the latter, Hellenic fans will hope his hattrick marks the moment their season takes off.

Indipendiente's trip to Sallust Park also provided an entertaining afternoon of football. Two sides who want the ball and to do something with it, they were remarkably well balanced, with fans treated to a helter-skelter 90 minutes of high pressing, one touch passing and three goals of extreme beauty. As he often has this season, Ashafeu provided the match winning moment, holding off Marshlily before curling the ball from just inside the box past Eirini Knight. Stewards had a job pulling Indipendiente's fans off him as they showed some real enthusiasm for his efforts.

Super Cup Round 2
Campeto Victoria (2) 2 - 2 Diepfleet (1)
Sablegaard (1) 0 - 1 FC Campina (2)
Sporting Transvers (1) 1 - 2 Mosfleet Albion (1)
Chipping Sersbrek (2) 0 - 1 Diepfleet Marine (2)

Round 2 of the Super Cup often lacks an exciting matchup, with the best 4 sides keeping their powder dry still, but there was real jeopardy as Albion seek to end their trophy drought and faced a motivated Sporting Transvers side away.

Transvers had taken an early lead through who else but Bruckner, but as he looked to tweak something he was shuffled off the pitch. Albion were already growing into the game, but things really tipped as Li Zheng's tackle clattered Robustelli into the advertising hoardings. He sustained both a concussion and an injury to his ankle that will sideline him into the new year, on the evidence his replacement, Ruzzier, might struggle to do the job. Transvers were picked off, Marinos putting through some excellent passes for Elly-Fant and Kuznetsov to put their side through.

Neil Carrick, meanwhile, moved one more defeat away from the sack as a rotated side went down to Division 2's stragglers FC Campina. As poor as their first string look, subs De Vito and Baldini looked well and truly lost. Unable to build any momentum at home, an already thin crowd trickled out of the ground as it became increasingly clear their side wouldn't regain party.

Matchday 9
Mosfleet Albion 1 - 2 Italia Mosfleet
Sablegaard 2 - 1 Hellenic SC
Indipendiente 6 - 0 Estdalle
Scolastico 3 - 2 AS Samita
Diepfleet 1 - 0 Sporting Transvers

It's funny how one result can seemingly ease all the tension on a manger. Neil Carrick looked certain to be for the sack, with the board making it very clear that a defeat to star quality of Hellenic would likely see him out of a job. Once again we were forced to ponder the wisdom of boards. His side produced a thrilling one off, a backs to the walls display in which some magic from Rebecca Dalla and Wendy Spruce dug out a 2-1 win over Elmyia's own Galacticos. They won't get to play a side so attacking, yet with such a soft underbelly, every week. A remarkable afternoon that surely only delays the inevitable.

Bigger fixtures were available as a thrilling edition of the Mosfleet derby was played out at a packed Tollington Park. Albion were hoping they could finally end Italia's 100% record, and in doing so enhance their title credentials. Youthful striker Luise Elly-Fant had gained a start after her exploits in the cup and repaid the faith via some excellent positioning for a Juups cutback to take the lead. Italia's mentality, however, is unmatched. Speight, in for another big game, not only stopped Marinos from impacting the game, she also did herself, haring across to keep a ball live and crossing for Strvrnik to convert. A draw would've been agreeable for both sides, but academy winger Parcheggiatore disagreed, weaving past Marinos and the usually reliable Dawson, before sitting down Peter Bracknell and slamming the ball past Wilton in goal. 2-1, 9 wins on the bounce and Italia look set to retain the title again.

by **Elmyia** » Fri Jan 05, 2024 10:00 am

Matchday 10
Sporting Transvers 1 - 2 Mosfleet Albion
Sablegaard 4 - 2 Italia Mosfleet
Indipendiente 0 - 1 Hellenic SC
Scolastico 2 - 0 Estdalle
Diepfleet 1 - 1 AS Samita

For two weeks in a row, Neil Carrick has somehow become the slayer of giants. Sabelgaard have looked weak this season, genuinely bereft of quality. Here they might well have shown that (a) they do have enough quality and (b) they've found a unity that could propel them to safety.

It helped, of course, that Italia faced several issues - some forced on them, some of their own making. With Freschi and Hightower joining the injury list, and Etherings and Speight already ruled out for a few weeks, their lineup had a somewhat makeshift quality. Servetto's decisions in replacing them caused them several problems. Kuhl came into midfield, Scoular as the replacement right centre back, Pozzo in the middle of the back three and Rotolo at left-wing. All of them struggled, Kuhl and Rotolo were certainly guilty of failing to track back as Sablegaard scored the same goal 4 times. The workman midfield were given the simply task of sitting tight and hitting long balls out to the wings. Spruce and Dalla obliged in chasing them down, both had a lot of luck pulling Scoular out of position and allowing the other plus Beluigi to have joy in the box. It was devastatingly simple, and they were 3-0 up before Italia could quite figure out their 100% record was surely over.

They couldn't have it all their own way. Viola came off the bench for Rotolo and Trespense came on for Melhus. The academy graduates shone by comparison, Viola bagging a brace through sheer invention. Sadly, a late goal gave Aloisi her first of the season and ended the contest.

Matchday 11
Mosfleet Albion 3 - 2 Sablegaard
Italia Mosfleet 1 - 2 Indipendiente
Hellenic SC 1 - 1 Scolastico
Estdalle 0 - 2 Diepfleet
AS Samita 0 - 0 Sporting Transvers

Whisper it quietly, but has Redvers Johnson made Diepfleet good? Quite possibly. Going away to Estdalle it was a classic relegation 6 pointer, yet they set down a marker with a comfortable 2 goal victory. The three in midfield behind Reid have made a virtue of holding possession in their own half. Doing so seemed to eventually pull Estdalle's own lines forward, giving Reid a vast area to attack. Increasingly looking the elite player people hoped he would be, no one else has scored a higher share of his team's goals, with 6 out of their 11 coming from him.

Elsewhere and Italia's issues extended for a second week. An early lead courtesy of some good interplay between Beresford, Melhus and Chichikov set them up well, but another makeshift lineup struggled once again. Trespense, a rock in the prior game, had an unfortunate slip on a damp pitch. Ioannis stole in and converted to level things. Another error gave them the winner, the arm of Pozzo unfortunate in a ball careening about striking his arm. Crespo duly converted from the spot to give Indipendiente their most exciting victory yet.

Elsewhere and the second Samita-Transvers derby of the year produced another ill-tempered affair that failed to deliver on the pitch. Scuffles erupted in Latin Square, as well as throughout both neighborhoods, as the evening kick off resulted in a bore draw between two sides seemingly playing within themselves. Marshlily continues to look a yard short pace-wise.

Matchday 12
Indipendiente 2 - 1 Mosfleet Albion
Scolastico 2 - 6 Italia Mosfleet
Diepfleet 1 - 3 Hellenic SC
AS Samita 3 - 0 Estdalle
Sporting Transvers 2 - 1 Sablegaard

It was looking really concerning for Servetto for a moment there. Two defeats on the bounce, injury list not looking very promising and the somewhat diminished, but nevertheless tricky, force of Scolastico to go away to. It look especially bad on the 30 minute mark when Shurygin danced past Betania and slotted home to put them 2-1 up.

Servetto reached for his bench when it came to half-time, it wasn't just a change in personnel, but a change in approach. Scolastico's rather attacking 3-box-3 with its rotations seemed to be picking its way through their rearguard, Italia would usually try to shut up shop. But two down already it was unlikely Italia would comeback through that route. Instead, Servetto made a very bold call to matchup. Speight was, as ever, tasked with kicking Cray, Trespense and Kuhl made up a very progressive base to midfield and Hightower looked a natural in the other advanced position. Stvrnik dropped to the bench to allow Tommy Day onto the wing, Rivera moved to the right whilst Garonz came into the middle.

Long story short, it worked. Speight and Hightower alternated pushing into the front three, Scolastico's back 3 looked exposed against 4, Kuhl happy to support behind. Scolastico still looked functional 3-2 down, but Rivera then bagged a hattrick in 5 minutes to put the game far beyond them. The question is, will Servetto persist with this more thrilling approach? One can only hope so.

Matchday 13
Mosfleet Albion 1 - 1 Scolastico
Italia Mosfleet 3 - 0 Diepfleet
Hellenic SC 1 - 0 AS Samita
Estdalle 2 - 1 Sporting Transvers
Sablegaard 0 - 0 Indipendiente

Xanthi Kostis has only gone and made Hellenic boring again! When you bring in four exciting wingers for substantial fees, and a coach known for drilling an attacking style, you'd expect a bit more pizzazz. Yet, welcoming her old club to the Delphi she found herself playing in Hellenic's old style.

As the young, talented and erratic Julian Stavik dropped to the bench, Jennings and Hertel instead found themselves deployed to stop Samita's Palm and Balog. De Baingneus, previously 'unshackled' as an attacking threat now spent an afternoon chasing Marshlily about, occasionally kicking her in the ankles. In a match where the referee was willing to let a lot go, they got away with it. Unsupported from behind, Samita's frontline was removed from the game. An incredibly scrappy affair was settled as Vasiliauskas bundled in from a penalty box scrap. The more things change...

A word now for Estdalle. They started last season as favourites for relegation, a series of spirited displays saw them cling on. When they lost their superstar manager, and team of the year making Maddy Best their goods surely looked cooked. Yet, in a game where they scored what were only their 4th and 5th goals of the season, they somehow look like they could fight back and cling on. Hosting their old manager, a resolute display was capped by centre-backs Moores and Fuller scoring headers from a free kick and corner respectively. Miraculously, they moved 3 points nearer to safety.

Matchday 14
Diepfleet 0 - 1 Mosfleet Albion
AS Samita 1 - 0 Italia Mosfleet
Estdalle 1 - 1 Hellenic SC
Scolastico 3 - 0 Sablegaard
Sporting Transvers 1 - 1 Indipendiente

On paper, a deeply boring week for the league. No derby fixtures, no relegation or top of the table 6 pointers. These fixtures needed a bit of something else to boast any real entertainment.

The Gods seemed to answer our prayers. Albion wished to come away from Stadio Breve with 3 points and minimal drama. They got half of these. A one nil lead established early by Benoit, this game could well have petered out without much incident. But at 60 minutes, young substitute Gina Wharton made a slightly rash tackle on Doug Reid. Infuriated,
Celia Purcell shoved her to the ground. A skirmish broke out, both of those players were sent off and several more were carded. The remaining thirty minutes were a testy affair. Albion dominated the ball, but Diepfleet went into some tasty tackles, whilst Albion were pretty elbow happy. With minutes left on the clock it flared up again, some time wasting by Dickinson at a throw in saw a churlish shove from Warren Neil, Dickinson reacted and both were sent off, leaving 18 left on the pitch to see it to a finish.

Another, on the face of it dull, fixture also threw a surprise, albeit for very different reasons. As Scolastico welcomed Sablegaard, what could've been a run of the mill victory by the unlikely source of Nico Spalding. The usually perfunctory midfielder bagged an audacious hat trick, scoring one from outside the box, one with a back heel and a final one by rounding the keeper and chipping a defender on the line. Asked about it he seemed as confused as anyone 'I just think I was feeling confident today.'

Matchday 15
Mosfleet Albion 0 - 2 AS Samita
Italia Mosfleet 2 - 0 Estdalle
Hellenic SC 0 - 0 Sporting Transvers
Sablegaard 0 - 3 Diepfleet
Indipendiente 0 - 2 Scolastico

Finally, Neil Carrick reached the end of the line. In his seventh season at Sablegaard, the thankless task of trying to haul the seasiders to safety will now fall to someone else. Facing the promoted Diepfleet at home, this really was the sort of game where must win applies. In prior years, Redvers Johnson's side would've been reliant on Doug Reid turning in another ambling performance, lighting things up with moments of genius. This was different.

Diepfleet have got their shit together this time. Organised and aggressive, Reid is now part of a slick, functional, midfield. Purcell has shown herself to be a real asset, the young Scolastico cast off bringing a zeal that they have lacked in previous years. Reid, once the talent in the side now happily rotates position with those around him. Sablegaard could hardly get on the ball. For the first 30 minutes they at least could demonstrate some robustness, but Genesio Chapman was forced off at this point. The midfield pairing of Aloisi and backup full-back Benni Musco looked totally overawed in a 3 vs. 2 contest. The assists and goals were shared out, and Carrick's time at the club comes to an end. Many will feel sorry for a manager who has seen the board sell off the club's best talent, including Jane Albrook, Elisa Gabbiadini and Anastasia Kastrinakis.

Elsewhere and Paula Kidd's Albion continue to frustrate. Andre Verto continues to prove that he may not be a downgrade on Xanthi Kostis, although his style of play might be termed more pragmatic. Ceding possession, he made some significant changes to focus on pressing the opposition full-backs to force turnovers. 17 year old Apostolis Cook was excellent, coming in for the creative Munoz he coupled up with Malykhin to force Jimmy Dickinson to cough the ball up in build up. One of these led to the opener, as it forced a 4 on 3 break, with Byng playing in Yedemsky for the goal. The second game on the break, Cook sprinting up to seal victory.

Matchday 16
Estdalle 1 - 2 Mosfleet Albion
Hellenic SC 2 - 1 Italia Mosfleet
AS Samita 1 - 1 Sablegaard
Diepfleet 2 - 0 Indipendiente
Sporting Transvers 0 - 2 Scolastico

The build up to Hellenic vs. Italia had been borderline hysterical. Top of the table, a title clash. But before the game it wasn't really. Hellenic were third, and couldn't finish the day any higher. Italia had an 11 point lead over them. What this match really represents is Hellenic's last chance to force their way back into the title race. Boy did they take it.

The Delphi was as raucous as it had been in a long time. As much as this team feels somewhat transplanted, fans seem patient enough with Kostis and her rebuild. This game showed how she's maturing. The attacking abandon has been out the window for a while, but now she seems determined to introduce the personnel to carry this out. Albrook was forced to watch from the bench, veteran Mac Salt came in. The young, exciting but occasionally callow Morientes made way for the street smarts of Len Phillips. Livvy Jennings came on the right wing. This lineup was much heavier on league experience and players who can defend.

Italia, of course, have set the blueprint for such a setup. Servetto has kept his squad consistent, with a couple of changes a year, and likes plenty of grit in among the stars of the side. Where Italia have put sparkly, possession based sides away before they were unable to here. Hellenic held possession cautiously, eventually though it was the pairing on the right of Rodriguez and Jennings on the right that split the game open. Twice the wing-back made raids forward, with the two together it dragged Stvrtnik and Betania across, leaving room for the evergreen Vasiliauskas, and later Hertel, for the two key goals. A late piledriver from Speight injected tension, but it was too late. Servetto appeared relaxed 'we might not be the invincibles this year, but winning titles is what we do.'

Matchday 17
Mosfleet Albion 0 - 1 Hellenic SC
Italia Mosfleet 2 - 0 Sporting Transvers
Sablegaard 2 - 0 Estdalle
Indipendiente 0 - 1 AS Samita
Scolastico 1 - 2 Diepfleet

Another big weekend at the top, with Kidd and Kostis going head to head. Both seemed to decide to go cagey was the best, Kidd looking increasingly burned from experience in trying to hog the ball. Having the best penalty box striker in the league continues to be Hellenic's best asset, another goal for Vasiliauskas the difference. Italia, however, negated a lot of the excitement around this. Servetto's side bounced back to swat aside the struggling Transvers. Marchini cut a frustrated figure at the end, with several niggling injuries she stated her hope that they could pick someone up in January.

Looking down the bottom and the bottom two faced off. Sablegaard had announced their new manager just 48 hours prior. In came Isabella Quince, long time manager of punchy second division outfit Villemont. With her club looking unlikely to come back to Division 1 anytime soon, the young manager represents something of a long term project, an interesting move for a team fighting fires. Against Estdalle, however, they executed what looked a decent game plan. Centre-back Nevio Faulkner showed a hitherto unseen technical side, sliding into midfield in some situations to help his side build up. Sablegaard held over 50% of possession for the first time this season, carving out a season high 15 shots. Rebecca Dalla seemed to come alive, bagging a brace and looking better than she has all season.

Finally, Indipendiente's stretch without a win stretches to 5. Having burst out of the gates, taking 20 points in 12, they've struggled to score since with the previously electric quartet of Ioannis, Ashafeu, Blair and Crespo silenced. Blair and Crespo have been rumoured to be carrying injuries, and their lack of pace up against Samita seemed to bear this out. Substitue William Nicholas bagged the only goal of the game. For the first time in roughly 5 years, Il Magazzino was ominously quiet.

Matchday 18
Italia Mosfleet 3 - 1 Mosfleet Albion
Hellenic SC 1 - 0 Sablegaard
Estdalle 1 - 3 Indipendiente
AS Samita 1 - 2 Scolastico
Sporting Transvers 2 - 2 Diepfleet

As half way came, one of the biggest clashes of the season came at the top. Looking increasingly settled in first, Italia 'welcomed' rivals Albion to Estadia Luca Spaletti. Kidd really needed a result here, she was meant to be competing for the title this time, and a win here was necessary to make this realistic.

It didn't start well for Albion. A brain fart from Liam Dawson in midfield turned the ball over to Alexei Garonz. Some decent hold up play, a pass back to Chichikov, a lofted through ball to Hightower and they were one-nil down. Albion came back with a fury, however, and 20 minutes of solid pressure paid off. Marinos, Juups and Elly-Fant combined well on the edge of the box, with Elly-Fant finally deliver a cross from short-range to be picked up by Addison Gray and converted. Level heading into half-time.

Servetto had to change things at half time. Often painted as more of a man manager and successful squad builder, his tactical tweaking swung the game here. Spotting that, with al Bakri going forward, the gap lay down Albion's left side, he brought on Stvrtnik and Scoular on for Rossellini and Beresford. Stvrtnik, and Hightower found themselves against just Koury. An assist for both came, as Garonz and Newell found themselves bagging the goals to put them in the driving seat for the title fight.

Super Cup Quarter-Finals

FC Campina (2) 0 - 4 Mosfleet Albion (1)
Diepfleet Marine (2) 0 - 1 Meridionale Sports Club (2)
Victoria Sports Club (2) 0 - 0 Indipendiente (1)
Scolastico (1) 1 - 2 Italia Mosfleet (1)

In come the big swingers, Campina, Albion, Marine and Victoria were joined by Italia, the treble winners, Indipendiente, second tier winners, and cup runners up from last year.

Campina hosted Albion, who have had to get here the hard way. Kidd's second stringers easily swatted the semi-retired Varisco's outfit aside. Campina look truly flat, a return to the first tier seems a long way off. Meridionale made the most of an easy draw, burgling a late win against Marine in a dreary clash in dreary weather. Finally, it was a Campeto derby, as Victoria tried to upset their now massive neighbour Indipendiente. Victoria's side still includes some Semi-Pros, but they played out of their skins to deny a weakened Indipendiente's side passage to the Semi-Finals for now. A rare misstep for Viola Seneca.

The biggest clash came at Estadio Gioventu, Leila Whelk offered a major opportunity to avenge her side's defeat in the Island Trophy final. They didn't take it. Servetto's squad depth showed, 6 players rotated out following their massive derby win over Albion, yet it still felt like a first choice 11. Scolastico, meanwhile, played the same first eleven they usually do. Despite going one-nil down they didn't start badly, eventually a goal was to come as some neat work down the right evaded the ever-present Speight and Lonsdale was able to bag a goal. Then, young right back Erica Salvaggi picked up an injury. In her first season in the league she's been overworked, and the lack of a suitable replacement showed. Nico Spalding filled in at right-back, he struggled manfully but his lack of delivery from wide areas showed. Italia squeaked it, Lauretta Hightower scoring once again.

Pos. Team		Pld   W	 D  L	F   A	GD   PTS
1    Italia Mosfleet	18   14	 0  4	40 16	24    42
2    Hellenic SC	18   10	 4  4	25 14	11    34
3    Mosfleet Albion	18   10	 2  6	28 21	 7    32
4    Scolastico		18    8	 4  6	27 25	 2    28
5    AS Samita		18    8	 3  7	26 19	 7    27
6    Indipendiente	18    7	 4  7	25 22	 3    25
7    Diepfleet		18    7	 4  7	21 25   -4    25
8    Sporting Transvers	18    3	 7  8	14 22   -8    16
--------------------------------------------------------
9    Sablegaard		18    3	 4 11	17 31  -14    13
10   Estdalle		18    2  4 12	9  37  -28    10

by **Elmyia** » Sun Jan 28, 2024 10:50 am

Matchday 19
Mosfleet Albion 2 - 1 Sporting Transvers
Italia Mosfleet 3 - 1 Sablegaard
Hellenic SC 3 - 0 Indipendiente
Estdalle 0 - 3 Scolastico
AS Samita 2 - 0 Diepfleet

Estdalle's Albert Raff had demanded his side show fight in the second half of the season, 6 points off safety they still have plenty to play for. Against a Scolastico side suffering from some big absences they did not show any. Three-nil down by the 50th minute, the fans streamed out, too apathetic to even boo. Scolastico also seemed to lose interest, 5 subs came on and played keep ball until they could get off the pitch and start the journey home.

Elsewhere and, in terms of two decent sides going head to head, Indipendiente's trip to the capital drew the most attention. With Blair, Ashafeu and Crespo out of the side, the first due to injury and the second two fatigued, it was perhaps predictable this might turn into one way traffic. After struggling earlier in the season, young winger Julian Stavik came back into Hellenic's first XI to get effect, a goal and an assist in the second half getting them off the mark for the calendar year.

Super Cup QF Replay
Indipendiente (1) 3 - 0 Victoria Sports Club (2)

No faffing about this time. Seneca's side put Victoria to the sword here at home. With various injuries and players struggling with fatigue, it was a real opportunity for some fringe players to show their value in the back half of the season. Silvino Piazza got a full 90 minutes for only the third time this season, and showed just why he was so valuable for the under 18s. An assist capped a display where he pulled the strings, always in position to receive the ball, dropping behind the lines to ping long passes and cause chaos for Victoria's defence.

Matchday 20
Sablegaard 0 - 1 Mosfleet Albion
Indipendiente 3 - 1 Italia Mosfleet
Scolastico 0 - 3 Hellenic SC
Diepfleet 1 - 0 Estdalle
Sporting Transvers 2 - 2 AS Samita

Matchday 21
Mosfleet Albion 1 - 1 Indipendiente
Italia Mosfleet 1 - 0 Scolastico
Hellenic SC 2 - 0 Diepfleet
Estdalle 0 - 2 AS Samita
Sablegaard 1 - 1 Sporting Transvers

Super Cup Semi-Final

Matchday 22
Scolastico 0 - 2 Mosfleet Albion
Diepfleet 0 - 5 Italia Mosfleet
AS Samita 0 - 3 Hellenic SC
Sporting Transvers 2 - 0 Estdalle
Indipendiente 1 - 0 Sablegaard

Matchday 23
Mosfleet Albion 1 - 0 Diepfleet
Italia Mosfleet 2 - 3 AS Samita
Hellenic SC 4 - 0 Estdalle
Sablegaard 0 - 4 Scolastico
Indipendiente 3 - 0 Sporting Transvers

Matchday 24
AS Samita 0 - 0 Mosfleet Albion
Estdalle 1 - 2 Italia Mosfleet
Sporting Transvers 2 - 1 Hellenic SC
Diepfleet 3 - 1 Sablegaard
Scolastico 2 - 1 Indipendiente

Matchday 25
Mosfleet Albion 2 - 1 Estdalle
Italia Mosfleet 3 - 2 Hellenic SC
Sablegaard 1 - 2 AS Samita
Indipendiente 2 - 0 Diepfleet
Scolastico 0 - 0 Sporting Transvers

Matchday 26
Hellenic SC 1 - 0 Mosfleet Albion
Sporting Transvers 1 - 6 Italia Mosfleet
Estdalle 3 - 0 Sablegaard
AS Samita 2 - 0 Indipendiente
Diepfleet 1 - 0 Scolastico

Matchday 27
Mosfleet Albion 3 - 1 Italia Mosfleet
Sablegaard 1 - 2 Hellenic SC
Indipendiente 1 - 0 Estdalle
Scolastico 1 - 0 AS Samita
Diepfleet 1 - 2 Sporting Transvers

Matchday 28
Sporting Transvers 1 - 2 Mosfleet Albion
Sablegaard 0 - 1 Italia Mosfleet
Indipendiente 0 - 2 Hellenic SC
Scolastico 2 - 3 Estdalle
Diepfleet 1 - 3 AS Samita

Matchday 29
Mosfleet Albion 5 - 0 Sablegaard
Italia Mosfleet 2 - 1 Indipendiente
Hellenic SC 1 - 0 Scolastico
Estdalle 1 - 3 Diepfleet
AS Samita 2 - 3 Sporting Transvers

Matchday 30
Indipendiente 1 - 4 Mosfleet Albion
Scolastico 2 - 2 Italia Mosfleet
Diepfleet 0 - 2 Hellenic SC
AS Samita 2 - 0 Estdalle
Sporting Transvers 1 - 1 Sablegaard

Matchday 31
Mosfleet Albion 1 - 1 Scolastico
Italia Mosfleet 3 - 0 Diepfleet
Hellenic SC 2 - 0 AS Samita
Estdalle 1 - 0 Sporting Transvers
Sablegaard 0 - 1 Indipendiente

Matchday 32
Diepfleet 2 - 4 Mosfleet Albion
AS Samita 2 - 2 Italia Mosfleet
Estdalle 0 - 2 Hellenic SC
Scolastico 6 - 1 Sablegaard
Sporting Transvers 2 - 3 Indipendiente

Matchday 33
Mosfleet Albion 3 - 0 AS Samita
Italia Mosfleet 1 - 0 Estdalle
Hellenic SC 2 - 0 Sporting Transvers
Sablegaard 1 - 4 Diepfleet
Indipendiente 2 - 2 Scolastico

Matchday 34
Estdalle 1 - 1 Mosfleet Albion
Hellenic SC 4 - 0 Italia Mosfleet
AS Samita 2 - 0 Sablegaard
Diepfleet 1 - 1 Indipendiente
Sporting Transvers 0 - 4 Scolastico

Matchday 35
Mosfleet Albion 1 - 2 Hellenic SC
Italia Mosfleet 4 - 3 Sporting Transvers
Sablegaard 1 - 0 Estdalle
Indipendiente 1 - 1 AS Samita
Scolastico 1 - 2 Diepfleet

Matchday 36
Italia Mosfleet 3 - 1 Mosfleet Albion
Hellenic SC 3 - 0 Sablegaard
Estdalle 1 - 2 Indipendiente
AS Samita 2 - 0 Scolastico
Sporting Transvers 3 - 2 Diepfleet

Pos. Team		Pld	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1    Hellenic SC	36	26	4	6	66	21	45	82
2    Italia Mosfleet	36	26	2	8	82	43	39	80
3    Mosfleet Albion	36	21	6	9	62	37	25	69
4    AS Samita		36	17	7	12	53	40	13	58
5    Indipendiente	36	15	8	13	49	46	3	53
6    Scolastico		36	14	8	14	55	47	8	50
7    Diepfleet		36	13	5	18	42	59	-17	44
8    Sporting Transvers	36	8	11	17	38	59	-21	35
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9    Estdalle		36	5	5	26	21	68	-47	20 
10   Sablegaard		36	4	6	26	26	74	-48	18

(OOC: Apologies, this was rushed, the rest will get updated in due course!)

by **Elmyia** » Wed Apr 24, 2024 11:51 am

The Beaucester Gazette
Hellenic Prepare for Domination
Foreign transfers dry up as Hellenic load up on talent

A great sucking sound can be heard in Elmyian football. Whilst smaller sides have always had their talent poached, this transfer window has made for grim reading for most as Hellenic's vast financial resources have distorted the market.

Having won the title in the most dramatic of circumstances last time out, 11 wins in the row until the end of the season, Hellenic seem determined to turn this season into a procession. That run came with both much stronger performances, rescuing Xanthi Kostis' job, and also under a cloud of controversial refereeing calls and peerless luck with injuries. Kostis will not need her squad to be quite as sturdy this time, as Hellenic seem to have hoovered up all and any talent that could be reasonably acquired domestically.

In Athanasios Marinos, Ian Garavkos and Nancy Savalas they have snapped up three players to slot directly into their first eleven. Kostis managed to win the title last season in transitioning to a far more pragmatic style of play. Savalas coming in for Cleja at the back will facilitate a far more proactive backline, whilst Marinos replacing Willow in midfield should mean they improve their ability to recirculate the ball patiently and dominate teams across 90 minutes. Garavakos' distribution is much stronger than Sycamore's, again facilitating strengthened build-up. Such a style, Kostis believes, will facilitate a far calmer procession to the title.

Additionally, they've added a series of other squad options, Mia Benoit might not start every week but she offers versatility on the bench, able to play across the forward line and more direct than the usual statrting options. Pozzo also offers strong competition in the centre-back slots and Tamsin Rowe adds more promise for the future in the middle.

Hellenic's strategy also seems to be deliberately setup to weaken their rivals. Garavakos, taken on the end of his contract, Benoit and Marinos were all still wanted at Italia and Albion. Hellenic blew both out of the water with wages, unsettling the players and smoothing a deal. Both have attempted to replace this talent, but with their spend in recent seasons they've still had to use some of the funds to tighten their belts. Albion and Italia can expect to be somewhat weakened going into the new season.

Italia might be more confident of providing some opposition to the Hellenic juggernaut. Long-serving manager Servetto has made his name on possessing spectacular clutch. The players they've still got give some hope, Speight, Hightower and Melhus are all elite. The acquisition of George Byng from AS Samita adds some fire to the frontline. They may struggle as some previous stars age, particularly troublesome is the transition away from sweeper Mario Freschi, one of the greatest Elmyian defenders of all-time, and Betania, Dawn Mead and Harry Etherings will need to step up.

Albion remain somewhat of a doubt. The side has focused its spending on fixing up the stadium and academy, rather than the first team squad, in recent years. Doubts also remain over manager Paula Kidd, who was really only kept in a job by triumphing in the Island Trophy final last time out, her only pot in the last two seasons. Disappointing performances across IFCF and domestic cups has been coupled with slow progress in the league, no one doubts that this season is really her last chance, she needs another trophy and to run the title close. Whilst the loss of Marinos and Benoit will really string, getting in Liberatore Nanni and Nico Spalding represents smart business in getting more young, promising players in. She has indicated a shift to a 4-4-2 diamond in an attempt to get the best out of Jari Juups.

If it was bad enough for the two traditional Mosfleet giants, other clubs have felt the knock of this further, as their talent has been plundered. A tight financial situation has also led to no clubs dipping into foreign markets to plug gaps in the squad, seemingly to the detriment of squad quality.

Indipendiente might have the most hope. Simply holding onto the players that led to them performing so well last season is a major win, especially with the vultures circling on Jesca Blair. Adding Andrew Nova on loan might give them further grip in the middle of the park, aiding them to play in ways besides the incredibly direct style they have focused on so far. Promoted AS Catamouge have also done decent business, Michelakakis and Chapman add experience, style and grit to the midfield, they will hope that they can finally end their string of promotions and relegations.

Elsewhere and Sporting Transvers amd AS Samita might reflect that their brief golden ages seem to be on the wane. Both side's finances have dried up, Transvers struggling to cut their wage bill and Samita still suffering from the enormous outlay they made on Marshlily. Losing George Byng will surely see AS Samita sink away from their string of strong finishes, but both would consider themselves unfortunate to end up relegated.

Scolastico should also be safe, but again the exodus of talent might hit them. Leila Morgan continues to do interesting things, and picking up Papadimitrou at right-back Leonidas Ioannidis at right-wing gives her options to do things down that flank. A rumoured shift to a 4-3-3 should keep them unpredictable, but it remains difficult to see them doing any better than a Challengers' Cup spot.

Down the bottom and Diepfleet and Chipping Sersbrek should be seriously worried. Whilst both have some players that could aid them in dragging Transvers or Catamouge into a relegation dogfight, both squads are thin and both have lost talent in exchange for lesser players. Georgina Blight for Casimiro Bruno sees Sersbrek lose a younger, more talented and explosive winger in exchange for a slower, older and more experienced one. Diepfleet, meanwhile, exchanged the imperious Dawn Mead for Paolo Maple, Italia's solid, unspectacular backup option. In both cases, significant gaps in the squad remain.

AS Catamouge
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
LW	Gaspare Rotolo		Italia Mosfleet	$550,000
CM	Lazaros Michelakakis	Meridionale	$450,000
CM	Genesio Chapman		Sablegaard	$275,000
CF	Gus Stefanidis		Hellenic SC	$75,000
GK	Quirino Africani	Hellenic SC	LOAN
RW	Scogli Parcheggiatore	Italia Mosfleet	LOAN
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
RB	Leila Morgan		Scolastico	$100,000
AS Samita
NONE
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CF	George Byng		Italia Mosfleet	$2,500,000
Chipping Sersbrek
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
LW	Georgina Blight		Estdalle	$500,000
CDM	Venetia Easom		Hellenic SC	LOAN
CF	Teofilo Adamoli		Italia Mosfleet	LOAN
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
LW	Casimiro Bruno		Mosfleet Albion	$720,000
Diepfleet
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CB	Paolo Maple		Italia Mosfleet	$150,000
LB	Guglielmo Rocho		Italia Mosfleet	LOAN
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CB	Dawn Mead		Italia Mosfleet	$850,000
Hellenic SC
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CF	Mia Benoit		Mosfleet Albion	$2,500,000
CM	Athanasios Marinos	Mosfleet Albion	$2,250,000
CB	Luigi Pozzo		Italia Mosfleet	$2,000,000
GK	Ian Garavakos		Italia Mosfleet	$0
CM	Tamsin Rowe		Scolastico	$0
CB	Nancy Savalas		FREE AGENT	$0
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CF	Gus Stefanidis		AS Catamouge	$75,000
CB	Lemoine Farran		Victoria SC	$0
LB	Lorainne Bulgarelli	Corinthians	$0
LB	Orinda Henry		Diepfleet Mrn.	$0
GK	Kurtis Michelakis	Meridionale	$0
CB	Lee Abramson		Torbrek		$0
GK	Quirino Africani	AS Catamouge	LOAN
CDM	Venetia Easom		Chipping S'brek	LOAN
CM	Andrew Nova		Indipendiente	LOAN
CM	Baldur Márusson		Spt. Transvers	LOAN
RW	Frederikos Worral	Villemont	LOAN
Indipendiente
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CM	Andrew Nova		Hellenic SC	LOAN
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CM	Evaristo Mosconi	Meridionale	LOAN
Italia Mosfleet
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CF	George Byng		AS Samita	$2,500,000
CB	Dawn Mead		Diepfleet	$850,000
GK	Mario Belotti		FC Campina	$80,000
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CB	Luigi Pozzo		Hellenic SC	$2,000,000
LW	Gaspare Rotolo		AS Catamouge	$550,000
CB	Paolo Maple		Diepfleet	$150,000
GK	Ian Garavakos		Hellenic SC	$0
RW	Scogli Parcheggiatore	AS Catamouge	LOAN
CF	Teofilo Adamoli		Chipping S'brek	LOAN
LB	Guglielmo Rocho		Diepfleet	LOAN
Mosfleet Albion
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CB	Liberatore Nanni	Scolastico	$1,500,000
CM	Nico Spalding		Scolastico	$800,000
LW	Casimiro Bruno		Chipping S.brek	$720,000
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CF	Mia Benoit		Hellenic SC	$2,500,000
CM	Athanasios Marinos	Hellenic SC	$2,250,000
Scolastico
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
RW	Leonidas Ioannidis	Munster AFC	$1,300,000
RB	Antonia Papadimitriou	Estdalle	$900,000
RB	Leila Morgan		AS Catamouge	$100,000
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CB	Liberatore Nanni	Mosfleet Albion	$1,500,000
CM	Nico Spalding		Mosfleet Albion	$800,000
CM	Tamsin Rowe		Hellenic SC	$0
Sporting Transvers
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
CM	Baldur Márusson (GRF)	Hellenic SC	LOAN
Pos.	Name			From		Fee
None!

by **Elmyia** » Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:28 am

Pos. Team		Pld   W	 D  L   F   A	GD   PTS
1    Hellenic SC	36   31	 5  0  78  16	62    98 C, CL, CdC
2    Mosfleet Albion	36   20  9  7  66  35	31    69 CL
3    Scolastico		36   18	10  8  68  42	26    64 CC
4    Italia Mosfleet	36   15 13  8  54  42	12    58 CC
5    AS Samita		36   13	 9 14  52  55   -3    48 CC, CWC
6    Indipendiente	36   10  9 17  51  62  -11    39
7    Sporting Transvers	36   11	 6 19  44  55  -11    39
8    Chipping Sersbrek	36    5	13 18  23  61  -38    28
9    AS Catamouge	36    6	 9 21  34  65  -31    27 R
10   Diepfleet		36    6	 7 23  28  65  -37    25 R

Super Cup Final

Hellenic SC (1) 3 - 2 Mosfleet Albion (1)

Island Trophy Semi - Finals

Indipendiente (1) 2 - 2 AS Samita (1) (2 - 2 AET, 4 - 5 PKs)
Sporting Transvers (1) 1 - 4 Hellenic SC (1)

Island Trophy Final

AS Samita 2 - 2 Hellenic SC (3 - 2 AET)

Story of the season

A subdued title race this year as Hellenic cruised home to a second time title with a record points haul, no defeats and ultimately with 7 games and over a month of the season remaining. No one could get within touching distance, as Kostis transformed her rough counter attacking side into a cold blooded machine of destruction. Having already won the Super Cup they looked to all the league as if they could be on course for a historic quadruple as they remained in the running in the Copa De Campeones and the Island Trophy. To the joy of most of the league, they finally suffered a pair of rare reverses and the long Elmyian summer kicked into gear. First Parakleion Firebirds inflicted late extra time heartbreak to dump them out of the CdC. Still, a semi final remains the furthest an Elmyian side have ventured in any international competition, and it was widely felt that they would surely be the first side outside of Mosfleet to tie up a domestic treble.

It turned out AS Samita had other ideas. A shadow of the team that challenged Italia for the title two seasons ago, and not even quite up to last season's Super Cup winning side, they went into the final at Mosse Park fully expecting to get turned over. Yet maybe the side that put Albion and Italia out of the cup in previous rounds had been underestimated. They faced a Hellenic squad that, whilst large, had played a total of 63 games across the season. Fatigue seemed to play a role, Kostis naming likely her strongest 11, they showed the wear and tear of a long season. Most pivotally, Kingsley-Roger Hertel (QUE) and Jane Albrook, so solid all season, found themselves taken apart by a Sasha Malykhin masterclass. Her first half goal, and a wonderous extra time assist, helping AS Samita to their third piece of silverware in as many seasons.

With the title secured well ahead of time, the real drama came in the relegation fight, and the melodrama around Italia and Albion's managerial musical chairs. With the first word down the bottom, AS Catamouge once again failed to stay up, despite massive investment and weak opponents in Diepfleet and Chipping Sersbrek, they failed to capitalise as minor injuries to Igor Arnuu and Lazaros Michelakakis in the run in derailed them. Sersbrek will feel they're living somewhat of a charmed life, surviving despite a lack of reinforcements and by far the lowest budget in the league. Having the lowest number of goals scored in the league by someway there's no doubt luck played a role, but the heroics of Guillame Barlow in the 10 role made a huge difference, and they're hopeful of getting one more season out of the promising young talent before he moves abroad.

Italia and Albion capped topsy-turvy seasons with 3 managerial changes between them. Long serving Servetto was reminded that Italia are far more trigger happy than they appear on the surface (the constancy of success having kept him in a job). An uncharacteristic run of 1 win in the first 9 games saw him turfed out on his ear as the job was handed to his assistant, Maurice Sarchetti on a caretaker basis. 3 wins in three across the Super Cup and league saw him appointed permenantely, but this was not to last. Italia struggled for form all season, limping in at 4th place. With the league gone a lot was left riding on the Cups. An extra time defeat in the quarter finals to Albion was poorly received and a quarter final elimination to AS Samita in the Island Trophy was fatal. The fanbase mutinous, a popular appointment was needed. Antonia Chizzo was reached out to, the former player currently in the national teams youth setup, she was reluctant to accept. Italia had further thoughts, Seneca, doing great work at Indipendiente was considered, but he was consdired likely too front footed in approach for this squad. Verto at AS Samita was briefly considered, but it was felt this was unlikely to enthuse the fanbase. Eventually Chizzo was talked round. 21 points from the last 11 games would, across the season, have seen them finish a distant second.

Albion, meanwhile, made just the one switch. Some may say it was harsh, but Paula Kidd was going into the season hanging by a thread as it was. Whilst the league was surely unobtainable give how Hellenic performed, poor performance in international tournaments, together with a lack of domestic silverware, did it for her. The Round 3 exit from the Island Trophy saw her sacked. No replacement was initially lined up, Albion made approaches for Seneca at Indipendiente and Marchini at Transvers, but neither went anywhere, and were rumoured to be in for a foreign coach. It's thought that they'll be seeking a foreign coach with experience in transitioning a team to a possession heavy approach and with a good track record of developing young players. After several seasons of crisis Albion believe they will gain the resources to challenge Hellenic at the top next season.

The 5... Best Matches this season

Important, memorable or batshit crazy, despite the lack of jeopardy at points this season it still came alive at points. Here are our top five in reverse order.

5. Hellenic SC 2-0 Scolastico, MD 29

Much of Hellenic's ride to the title was a dull procession. Frequently putting teams away early, and possessing the sort of game changing subs other sides can only dream of, it felt like after last season's close finish they had decided never to experience excitement again. This game was very similar on the pitch, Stavik taking an early goal and substitute Benoit confirming the result, and title, just after half time. This makes the list, instead, for the atmosphere. Credit must mostly go to the away fans. Scolastico were historically a placid lot, but with flares, flags and a banner reading "2 league titles purchased in blood, death to Hellenic" injecting a pleasingly fracticious vibe in the crowd. Hellenic fans took great pleasure in giving some stick back, whilst Scolastico's hissed all the way through, throwing plastic cups across the divide at Hellenic. Finally the capital derby seems to be stirring to life.

4. Scolastico 3-2 Indipendiente, MD 6

Most of this list hinged on games of enormous consequence. This game had few, short of long term. What it did involve was two midtable teams, playing an exciting style of football and with some fairly obvious flaws for the other to exploit. Leads were exchanged, from Scolastico taking a lead in the fifth minute, to Indipendiente up 2-1 at half time to substitute Ioannidis scoring as the clock hit 90 minutes, and Shurygin the winner 5 minutes later. Thrilling, end to end and wholly unpredictable. Indipendiente had a lot of joy pressing Marshlily, depriving Samita of any control and facilitating high turnovers for a Blair and Crespo goal. Samita, conversely, pumped balls behind Indipendiente's borderline suicidal high line, eventually picking up the reward. After years of horrendously stodgy football from most teams in Elmyia it was a #goodadvert for the league.

3. Hellenic 1-0 Olympia FC (2-1 agg. AET), CdC Quarter-Final 2nd Leg

Whilst their league campaign became increasingly dull as the season wore on, Hellenic's IFCF campaign and Copa de Campeones run were anything but. Tense games fought against less obliging opponents generated a buzz that domestic games seem to not always provide. Hellenic were already deeper than any Elmyian club before as they welcomed Olympia FC to the Studio Delphi. 1-0 down from the first leg, it was Anasthasios Marinos who provided one of his first standout performances in a big match. With Oberouran talent de Baigneus and young Elmyian starlet Tamsin Rowe alongside him they dominated possession, slowly wearing them down with a 76th minute goal for Vasiliauskas coming at the end of some bright combinations involving Marinos, Hertel and Albrook down the left. In extra time he truly made the game about him, striking the winner from 30 yards out in the first half of extra time and make Hellenic believe in a quadruple.

2. AS Catamouge 0-3 Indipendiente, MD 36

Catamouge really should've avoided relegation. A talented squad seemed to have put itself in position to survive having pasted the team immediately above them, Chipping Sersbrek, 4-1 away in the penultimate game of the season. With Sersbrek having to face Hellenic on the last day, it was likely that a draw against Indipendiente, who had little to play for, would deliver them a first campaign survived in the first division for years. Indeed Sersbrek went 3-0 down in the first 20 minutes, but no goal came for AS Catamouge. All they needed to do from half time though was simply keep a clean sheet, that would secure their survival. Then it all went wrong in the space of five minutes. Vanna Siena put Indipendiente ahead as the usually rock solid Oscar González slipped on the ball and gave it away. Genesio Chapman then compounded things, a frustrated late lunge on Andrew Nova saw her sent for an early bath. Finally, Gaspard Rotolo completed the comedy of errors as he tripped over his own foot, and somehow injured it. With their best players off the pitch, they collapsed. The Mosconi, Ashafeu and Nova midfield danced through Catamouge at will, Blair adding another goal in possibly her last game for them and a rare goal for full back Remo Testa. Will AS Catamouge learn?

1. AS Samita 3-2 Hellenic SC (AET), Island Trophy Final

The sheer narrative going into this game had made it sound like a procession. After having been knocked out of the Copa de Campeones, the chat had been that they would now end the season invincible domestically. Having tied up the league without a defeat, they were fully confident that securing a domestic treble would give them adequate consolation for the lack of Rushmore silverware. Perhaps they can now reflect just how smug and patronising this way. Sasha Malykhin tore them apart down the right in a blistering display, they found themselves 2-0 down before half time. Hellenic reached for the subs, the exhausted Hertel, Albrook and de Baigneus were hooked for Mac Salt, Zev Antley and Maddy Best. These helped them reassert some control, Antley, Morientes and Marinos circulating the ball beautifully and eventually setting up two set piece situations for goals. This is the sort of gear champions are expected to hit, coming back when they look flat, forcing results out of nothing using all the tools in their armoury. They managed to weather some late pressure to drag things into extra time. Hellenic looked to be playing for penalties, cautiously holding the ball. But as they did, Samita turned up the heat. Their fans, some of the finest in the country, backed them up. As the pressure cranked up, Malykhin again shimmied past Marinos and Salt, hit the byline and cut across the six yard box for substitute forward Alan Yedemsky to net a scarcely believable winner. Hellenic looked a boxer gone one round too many, punch drunk and holding on they mustered precious little precision in the dying embers of the campaign. The treble will have to wait.

by **Elmyia** » Mon Apr 29, 2024 1:04 pm

The Beaucester Gazette
Team of the season

GK Martha Ball [ELM] (Sporting Transvers)
LB Guglielmo Rocho [ELM] (Diepfleet)
CB Mary Romero [SNL] (Scolastico)
CB Nancy Savalas [ELM] (Hellenic SC)
RB Jane Beresford [ELM] (Italia Mosfleet)
CDM Athanasios Marinos [ELM] (Hellenic SC)
CM Lazaros Michelakakis [ELM] (AS Catamouge)
AM Guillame Barlow [ELM] (Chipping Sersbrek)
LW Jesca Blair [ELM] (Indipendiente)
CF Jari Juups [XAN] (Mosfleet Albion)
RW Sasha Malykhin [PYA] (AS Samita)

Team of the season and there's only one rule - one player minimum per team, otherwise pick the best available. We've gone for a 4-3-3 this year, reflecting the shifting tactical trends that have taken over the league (and recognising that picking 3 centre backs is a bit boring.)

Elmyians have predominated in some positions this year, albeit it this mostly reflects that smaller teams have not picked up any foreign talent.

At the back and we start with the youthful Martha Ball in goal for Sporting Transvers. For a side that faced plenty of time under severe pressure, she's excelled in not only shot stopping, but also in providing a commanding presence to her backline. Not the most sophisticated in the ball, it hasn't really mattered as Transvers haven't required this of her. With their attack and possession play on the wane this season she's a big part of how they've stayed clear of the relegation fight. Honourable mentions go to Oscar Wilton and Ian Garavakos at Albion and Hellenic, but given the strength of the defences ahead of them they understandably have been less totemic in their sides' seasons.

Across the 4 person backline it was difficult to call, with a surplus of talented full backs but a lack of strong contenders at centre back. Usually Italia's centre halves are by far the best in the league, but they endured a difficult season conceding 42 goals whilst their attack also floundered. Casper Betania still has a way to go in replacing Mario Freschi, whilst Etherings just might not be quite up to scratch for an elite side. Honourable mentions can go to Liberatore Nanni at Albion and Ranj Cheynar at Samita, both of whom proved solid at the back for their respective sides.

But we've opted for two defenders best known for their abilities with the ball, Savalas and Romero. Romero has adapted admirably as Scolastico shifted to a back 4, being bold with her range of passing and providing a stable base for a Scolastico side that over performed. Savalas meanwhile returned from Vilitia to the club that let her go. Xanthi Kostis did well to add elements to Savalas' game, already Elmyia's standout centre back for pace and distribution she added dribbling the ball out from the back to great effect. It often disrupted how opponents tried to press, and against teams that sat deep it pulled their structures around, opening up opportunities for others. Her ability to anticipate also works well alongside the more cavalier and physical Grosso for athe league's leading defence.

Full backs in Elmyia have gone from centre backs sat wider to an attacking weapon in themselves. Jane Beresford remains the standout example of a full back who operates as an auxiliary winger. Italia endured a torid season at times, yet she still tops the charts for assists at 18 across the season. Esteban Rodríguez at Hellenic, Antonia Papadimitrou at Scolastico and Noursa Al Bakri were similarly productive, but Beresford retains an uncanny ability to slip in behind and provide pinpoint cutbacks for onrushing attackers. In one Italia's worst seasons in living memory she is a superstar, and Antonia Chizzo will be seeking to maximise her gifts next season.

Our pick for left back was somewhat tied by being forced to include a player from each team. Jimmy Dickinson at Albion, having endured many trials over the years, had a standout season on a personal level, taking over club captaincy of his team during a turbulent season. But due to the format, we have include Diepfleet's on ray of light Guglielmo Rocho. On loan from Italia, he has a balanced profile for a full back, and had an impressive season, winning a league leading 81.2% of his duels and providing a reasonable 5 assists. At just 18 years old he will go back to Italia a year more mature and prepared for either a higher profile loan spell, or perhaps to challenge Karlo Stvrtnik for his spot in the side.

Our picks in midfield once again show it was a year of the technician over the tenacious. The likes of Len Phillips and Vita Speight had nowhere near the same impact that they have in previous seasons, with the former out of favour and the latter out of form. Mentions should go to Nico Spalding and Andrew Nova, who adapted well to life at Albion and Indipendiente respectively. Our nods however went to Marinos, Michelakakis and Barlow, an all Elmyian trio. Marinos has endured several tricky seasons at Mosfleet Albion, having been picked up as a teenager starlet from cross town minows Sporting Transvers. Having made such an impact for his boyhood club it seemed his career had hit the skids. A transfer to Hellenic seems to have resurrected his natural talent. Kostis has truly shaped a team suited to him, patiently dominating possession. His metronomic presence a key part of their play.

Michelakakis might have felt that the chance of a first tier career might have passed him by. Coming through at Meridionale, he was a key reason for their asencion to the second tier. At 29 he looked set to spend the remainder of his career merely being a player the streets wouldn't forget, frequently nutmegging his opponents in a league he was likely miles above the standard for. Getting promoted, AS Catamouge made him and Genesio Chapman their big signings to keep them up. He was excellent, impish and improvisational in a league and a side that often lack these qualities. 4 goals, 7 assists and endless moments of brilliance we're not rewarded as the side ended up relegated after he suffered an injury towards the end of the season. Despite his age, I wouldn't doubt that someone will come in for him.

Guillame Barlow goes in as our number 10. It's a division with heavy competition for the spot. Indipendiente's Mourastaire Ashafeu deserves a mention here, a constant source of invention, whilst Max Lonsdale was excellent for Sscolastico (even if his role sees him coming off the wing more). Yet it's the 20 year old who seemingly hauled his side to safety single handedly. He was sadly not given a heroic moment of triumph to cap off the season, as his side secured safety despite suffering 4 defeats consecutively to the end of the season, suriving on the final day despite a 4-0 drubbing. He may get another next season however, in what will be his 5th senior season at the club, where he has been previously instrumental in two promotions.

Now to the front three. Again, not an area where talent is lacking. Hellenic's front three and substitutes could really have filled these spots without giving anyone else a look in, but having taken the hipsters route and praised a midfielder and defender for them we had to take a look at others.

On the left it was hard to look past Indipendiente's Jesca Blair. She stood out, both as the best left winger in the league and as a class above her very competent Indipendiente colleagues. Not much for an assist, not particularly a dribbler, her signature is getting in scoring positions coming off the left. She seems to have a knack of getting defenders to forget she's there, before you know it she's in the box getting off a shot. Perhaps what remains most impressive about her 26 goals in all competitions (across just 40 appearances) is that she underperformed her xG of 29.06. It helps playing in a system designed to get the best out of her end product, with buildup focusing down the right before quick one touch passing to get it into central areas and into her in the left channel.

Down the middle and Vasiliauskas must regret normalising his excellence. His haul of 24 league goals is unmatched, yet given Hellenic's dominance and others breakouts it just feels somehow less impressive. We instead picked Jari Juups, who was excellent in an uneven, but improved, season for Mosfleet Albion. 18 goals in all competitions and 10 assists contributed to an attack that seemed to be finding its feet. Even more impressive has been his increased willingness to press as demanded, shielding Albion's backlines and providing high turnovers to exploit. Whoever their new manager is, Albion can have hope that a functioning frontline will now surely take shape for them.

Finally, on the right we've given the nod to Sasha Malykhin. Sure Julian Stavik for Hellenic and Milton Ioannis were both rather good, but they didn't truly measure up to AS Samita's young superstar. This position had previously been the preserve of Lara Beaugemont, and it's taken a while for Malykhin to achieve the same levels of love that the home grown hero had. Yet this season has endeared her to this scruffy corner of Mosfleet. Other players might have managed better results in terms of output, yet her penchant for a crucial goal and relentless effort make her an obvious pick for the team of the season. AS Samita fans will never forget her performance in the Island Trophy final, killing Hellenic's treble to the joy of everyone else and marking her out as one to watch.

by **Elmyia** » Sun May 05, 2024 11:02 am

The Beaucester Gazette
How do Hellenic do it? Anyway here's the wage budgets
Trouble for some, as Hellenic streets ahead

Wage Bills:
Division 1
Hellenic SC $50.2m
Italia Mosfleet $21.5m
Mosfleet Albion $17.7m
AS Samita $12.4m
AS Catamouge $10.5m
Scolastico $8.1m
Sporting Transvers $7.5m
Diepfleet $7.0m
Indipendiente $6.4m
Chipping Sersbrek $4.5m

Division 2
Sablegaard $5.9m
Munster AFC $5.2m
Estdalle $3.8m
Villemont $3.1m
FC Campina $2.5m
Beaucester Rovers $1.9m
Meridionale $1.5m
Victoria SC $1.2m
Torbrek $0.9m
Aventi $0.4m

The bare facts revelead by teams published wage bills are as stark as they are unsurprising. As expected, with their vast financial backing, Hellenic have a wage bill well in excess of anything else in the league, a big part of how they've managed to tempt in quite so much talent. They're likely to expand this further in the off season, truly there is no cap for them and they'll take on anyone they can get as they seek to take on the Champions League and Copa De Campeones alongside their domestic commitments. Early indications are that they're looking to move beyond plundering their peers, they're likely to look abroad to further supplement a talented squad. Upgrades on Garavakos in goal and Grosso at centre back are likely to be up the list, and potentially some further quality in reserve. Jake Blackall of Capitol Athletic is thought to be of interest at the back and Ronan Pharlain at Traal Atheltics is a goalkeeper who's situation they're monitoring.

But we knew this, Hellenic will surely dominate again next season. So how are those below hoping to challenge? Albion and Italia both face first seasons for new coaches, Albion remaining on the hunt for theirs whilst Antonia Chizzo sets to make as much of mark at Italia as she did as a player. Albion's squad appear better set for this, last season saw them finish best of the rest, they also have the capacity to expand their wage bill, possibly by up to $6.5m. Any recruitment remains contingent on whoever they get in as manager, with Mosfleet Albion rumoured to be most interested in Hugo Beland, who has recently left Pesfield Trees of Sylestone following a difficult spell in charge.

Whoever takes over has a squad with some obvious holes at centre back and in the rotating cast of attackers. Josephine Sellers has been a reliable club servant in the 10 position but will likely be better as a backup, Koury has not always convinced at centre back and the club could do with another forward of the class of Jari Juups. There is some rumoured interest in Sersbrek's Guillame Barlow, although he would be one for the future. AS Samita's Sasha Malykhin is also rumoured to be an option, although they might struggle to shake off competition from abroad for her. Sajmir Eminic of Lok. Cassia at centre back is another player they've been linked to, although again the finances would be tight.

Italia, meanwhile, have much less in the way of room to spend, although they already have a manager in place and some players who know they're championship quality. The level of their drop off last season needs putting in the context of the levels they've achieved in prior seasons, having won 10 of the last 15 trophies available to them. They look likely to hold onto Lauretta Hightower and Jane Beresford, a move for Andreas Melhus or Vita Speight might facilitate incomings in the midfield. Italia have fewer links to names, but are rumoured to be seeking a more experienced midfielder to come in and provide either the tactical nous alongside Melhus and Kuhl, or the metronomic passing presence to complement Kuhl and Speight. Baily Oppenheimer of Sporting Transvers and Tricia Cray at Scolastico would fulfil either of these criteria.

Down the league and most clubs are way off the resources needed to challenge at the top. AS Catamouge and AS Samita have both expanded their wage bills in search of glory. For AS Catamouge, surgery will be required as they suffer the wrong end of the yo yo once again, big gambles on certain players haven't paid off and it's thought that Lazaros Michelakakis and Igor Arnuu at the very least will be heading out the door. AS Samita have won more from their gambling in theory, three trophies in four years represents a major deviation from their usual second tier status. But their main gamble came in taking on Erin Marshlily, a player who delivered the greatest 12 game run in the clubs history, before a horrendous injury. She has since not looked the same player, still an excellent striker of the ball, she's lost her previous confidence in tight spaces and the pace to cover in transition. Given her wages she's become a millstone for the club, one that they're unlikely to shift a year ahead of her contract expiring at the end of next season. They will likely have to sell one of their best players to be in a position to buy. Their luck in the free agents market might continue.

Further down and the remaining clubs have even more meagre resources. Indipendiente and Scolastico have managed their resources well, but both are likely to need to sell before they buy. Scolastico have a handful of players that could command a fee, but Leila Whelk may be left feeling her side is much like the ship of theseus if another major component of her system departs. A good run in the Challenger's Cup might boost their resources sufficiently for some more players, but Whelk may feel she deserved to be considered for one of the bigger jobs going given just how often they overachieve. Indipendiente will likely have to deal with the departure of Jesca Blair, their livewire goal scorer, who is thought to be of interest to clubs abroad. The money will need to be reinvested wisely by a club that has focused more on bringing academy talent through than it has making smart signings.

Down the bottom and promoted Sablegaard's budget remains ahead of Chipping Sersbrek's and surprise promotion package Villemont's. The latter two will have to get everything right in their recruitment, with Sersbrek determined to get one more season out of the talented Barlow. Villemont were a squad lacking a standout, a series of professional displays saw them sneak in ahead of the more vaunted Estdalle, Munster and Meridionale. Sterling Quickleyin the CAM spot was likely their best player last season, but he'd struggle to break into most other sides first eleven.

In the second tier Munster must surely make their long awaited return to the first tier, picking up the highly rated Aventi coach Elena Caraboni will, they hope, spur them back to the first tier after three years away. Estdalle and Diepfleet will also be hoping to challenge as AS Catamouge seek to once again bounce back from a relegation.

ElmyianNewsNow - Football League Updates

Who is online