Commonwealth of Baker Park Sports News

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Women's FAC Cup Review

1st Round
Westwood Sprites Ladies FC 4–1 Newport Ladies FC
Jamestown City Ladies FC 0–2 Clayton City Ladies FC
Mansfield Ladies SC 0–3 Greenlea United Ladies SC
Brentford Ladies FC 1–0 Meadowdale Ladies FC
Triad Rovers SC 1–0 Riverside City Ladies FC
Middletown City FC Women 1–0 Newmarket Ladies SC
White River Women FC 0–1 Salisbury County FC Ladies
Shiloh FC Ladies 3–1 New Richmond FC Ladies
Linden Ladies FC 5–3 Ravens FC Ladies
Hamiliton Wanderers Ladies SC 0–0 Ridge Raiders Ladies FC
Leiderkranz Ladies SC 2–2 Suburban Ladies SC
Mel-Wood FC Ladies 0–1 Georgetown Athletic Club Ladies
Nor-Dale Ladies AFC 1–2 Queens Park SC Women
Llewellyn Turnpike Ladies FC 4–3 Sherwood Forest Ladies FC
St Warren FC Women 1–0 E Endborough Ladies FC
Shirley Metros Ladies FC 1–1 Southend AC Ladies

Replays
Ridge Raiders Ladies FC 1–0 Hamiliton Wanderers Ladies SC
Suburban Ladies SC 0–5 Leiderkranz Ladies SC
Southend AC Ladies 2–2 Shirley Metros Ladies FC (2–3 AET)

2nd Round
Leiderkranz Ladies SC 2–0 Ridge Raiders Ladies FC
Brentford Ladies FC 2–0 Salisbury County FC Ladies
Westwood Sprites Ladies FC 2–2 Greenlea United Ladies SC
Georgetown Athletic Club Ladies 3–4 Linden Ladies FC
Triad Rovers SC 1–0 St Warren FC Women
Shiloh FC Ladies 1–1 Queens Park SC Women
Middletown City FC Women 2–1 Llewellyn Turnpike Ladies FC
Clayton City Ladies FC 2–1 Shirley Metros Ladies FC

Replays
Greenlea United Ladies SC 0–0 Westwood Sprites Ladies FC (0–1 AET)
Queens Park SC Women 2–2 Shiloh FC Ladies (2–2 AET) (2–3 pen)

Quarterfinals
Shiloh FC Ladies 6–3 Westwood Sprites Ladies FC
Triad Rovers SC 0–1 Middletown City FC Women
Linden Ladies FC 0–2 Clayton City Ladies FC
Leiderkranz Ladies SC 1–0 Brentford Ladies FC

Semi-Finals (both matches at BBP Stadium, Belle Haven)
Shiloh FC Ladies 2–2 Middletown City FC Women (3–2 AET)
Leiderkranz Ladies SC 1–3 Clayton City Ladies FC

Final
Clayton City Ladies FC 3–1 Shiloh FC Ladies

Clayton City win the 47th FAC Women's Cup in front of 68,470 at the BBP Stadium in Belle Haven. It's their second win in 9 years, and their march towards the silverware was kicked off by eliminating the holders, Jamestown City in the 1st Round.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

National League Trophy Review

First Round
1st Leg
Springfield City 1–0 East Endborough AFC
Kellerville AFC 2–1 Greenlea United FC
ROCK Utd 2–3 Jamestown Rovers FC
Fairport City FC 1–0 Lewistown Town
Andover Borough SC 3–4 Principia SC
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 5–3 Alton Athletic
Dragons FC 1–2 West Chester FC
Trinity FC 1–1 Carlisle FC
Forresters FC 2–0 Salisbury City FC
Blacksburg Area FC 1–3 Sherwood Forest FC
Maineville Marauders 2–0 Westphalia County FC
Valley View SC 1–0 Eastview SC
St Pats AC 1–3 Coolville United FC
West Liberty Rovers FC 3–1 Maritime Athletic SC
Ravens FC 1–1 Shiloh FC
Fairport Harbor FC 0–0 Brentwood Borough FC

2nd Leg
East Endborough AFC 2–0 Springfield City (E Endborough win 2-1)
Greenlea United FC 2–1 Kellerville AFC (3-3 on agg, Greenlea win 3–1 on pen.)
Jamestown Rovers FC 7–3 ROCK Utd (Jamestown Rovers win 10-5)
Lewistown Town 0–0 Fairport City FC (Fairport City win 1–0)
Principia SC 2–2 Andover Borough SC (Principia win 6-5)
Alton Athletic 6–4 SK Leiderkranz-Turner (9-9 on agg, SK Leiderkranz win on away goals)
West Chester FC 5–5 Dragons FC (West Chester win 7-6)
Carlisle FC 0–2 Trinity FC (Trinity win 3-1)
Salisbury City FC 0–0 Forresters FC (Forresters win 2-0)
Sherwood Forest FC 2–2 Blacksburg Area FC (Sherwood Forest win 5-3)
Westphalia County FC 0–1 Maineville Marauders (Maineville win 3-0)
Eastview SC 3–2 Valley View SC (3-3 on agg, Valley View win on away goals)
Coolville United FC 1–0 St Pats AC (Coolville United win 4-1)
Maritime Athletic SC 3–1 West Liberty Rovers FC (4-4 on agg, Maritime win 5-3 on pen)
Shiloh FC 2–3 Ravens FC (Ravens win 4-3)
Brentwood Borough FC 1–0 Fairport Harbor FC (Brentwood win 1-0)

Second Round
1st Leg
East Endinborough AFC 4–2 Principia SC
Valley View SC 3–3 Middletown City FC
North Royalton Town FC 1–3 Brentford FC
Corinthians 1–0 Brentwood Borough FC
Richmond Station FC 4–0 Forresters FC
Jamestown Rovers FC 2–3 Bridgend Metros FC
Meadowdale FC 2–1 Greenlea United FC
Middlebourne City AFC 3–1 Nor-Dale AFC
Mansfield C&W FC 0–1 Victoria & Albert SC
Maineville Marauders 4–3 Maritime Athletic SC
Trinity FC 2–4 Coolville United FC
Monmouth Park FC 1–0 Fairport City FC
Linden Woods FC 3–2 West Chester FC
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 2–0 Jamestown City FC
Newmarket Saxons FC 4–0 Sherwood Forest FC
Ravens FC 1–0 Westwood Sprites

2nd Leg
Principia SC 5–2 East Endinborough AFC (Principia win 7-6)
Middletown City FC 7–3 Valley View SC (Middletown City win 10-6)
Brentford FC 2–3 North Royalton Town FC (Brentford win 5-4)
Brentwood Borough FC 1–1 Corinthians (Corinthians win 2-1)
Forresters FC 0–0 Richmond Station FC (Richmond Station win 4-0)
Bridgend Metros FC 2–1 Jamestown Rovers FC (Bridgend win 5-3)
Greenlea United FC 1–3 Meadowdale FC (Meadowdale win 5-2)
Nor-Dale AFC 2–2 Middlebourne City AFC (Middlebourne win 5-3)
Victoria & Albert SC 0–2 Mansfield C&W FC (Mansfield win 2-1)
Maritime Athletic SC 2–2 Maineville Marauders (Maineville win 6-5)
Coolville United FC 3–1 Trinity FC (Coolville United win 7-3)
Fairport City FC 0–2 Monmouth Park FC (Monmouth Park win 3-0)
West Chester FC 1–0 Linden Woods FC (3-3 on agg, West Chester wins on away goals)
Jamestown City FC 2–2 SK Leiderkranz-Turner (SK Leiderkranz win 4-2)
Sherwood Forest FC 2–4 Newmarket Saxons FC (Newmarkets wins 8-2)
Westwood Sprites 3–3 Ravens FC (Ravens win 4–3)

Third Round
1st Leg
Ravens FC 3–3 Coolville United FC
Richmond Station FC 3–0 Brentford FC
Newmarket Saxons FC 5–2 Maineville Marauders
Mansfield C&W FC 4–2 SK Leiderkranz-Turner
Principia SC 1–3 Bridgend Metros FC
Middletown City FC 2–3 Monmouth Park FC
Middlebourne City AFC 5–1 West Chester FC
Corinthians 4–2 Meadowdale FC

2nd Leg
Coolville United FC 2–2 Ravens FC (5-5 on agg, Coolville win on away goals)
Brentford FC 2–1 Richmond Station FC (Richmond Station win 4-2)
Maineville Marauders 2–2 Newmarket Saxons FC (Newmarket win 7-4)
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 2–4 Mansfield C&W FC (Mansfield win 8-4)
Bridgend Metros FC 3–1 Principia SC (Bridgend win 6-2)
Monmouth Park FC 2–3 Middletown City FC (5-5 on agg, Monmouth Park win 4-2 on pen)
West Chester FC 1–2 Middlebourne City AFC (Middlebourne win 7-2)
Meadowdale FC 2–1 Corinthians (Corinthians win 5-4)

Quarterfinals
1st Leg
Bridgend Metros FC 4–3 Mansfield C&W FC
Monmouth Park FC 7–3 Newmarket Saxons FC
Richmond Station FC 1–2 Coolville United FC
Middlebourne City AFC 2–1 Corinthians

2nd Leg
Mansfield C&W FC 2–0 Bridgend Metros FC (Mansfield win 5-4)
Newmarket Saxons FC 0–2 Monmouth Park FC (Monmouth Park win 9-3)
Coolville United FC 2–1 Richmond Station FC (Coolville win 4-2)
Corinthians 4–3 Middlebourne City AFC (5-5 on agg, Middlebourne win on away goals)

Semi-Finals
1st Leg
Mansfield C&W FC 3–4 Coolville United FC
Monmouth Park FC 3–1 Middlebourne City AFC

2nd Leg
Coolville United FC 1–0 Mansfield C&W FC (Coolville win 5-3)
Middlebourne City AFC 1–3 Monmouth Park FC (Monmouth Park win 6-2)

Final at BBP Stadium, Belle Haven
Coolville United FC 1–0 Monmouth Park FC

Coolville United win the 51st National League Trophy, their first time winning after two previous losses in the final.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Better with Commonwealth? BP often key to success
Scott McCrae
The Daily Mail National Soccer Writer

In the afterglow of hosting the 11th Under-18 World Cup--a third major tournament executed flawlessly by the FAC--the bean counters at State Street are hard at work to determine how much of a return on investment the tournament will bring in considering the decision to use smaller venues and geographically limited groups; one preliminary number indicates that attendance was 108% of capacity (mainly due the fact that the doubleheaders at the BBP Stadium required the opening of the upper seating areas, when it had been planned only to use the 35,000 capacity configuration; the extra 22,000 spectators represent pure profit) over the entire fixture list.

Both AOCAF 58 and World Cup 84 produced higher revenue & a larger net profit than had been expected, mainly as a result of security costs & transportation expenses for the 15 nations based in the Commonwealth coming in lower than what was budgeted for.

In both scenarios, the co-host (Banija & Cassadaigua, respectively) shared certain costs and split the profits equally; the regional tournament saw both Host Committees pool approximately 20% of the combined budget and reap the rewards of sharing 20% of the net, while WCC event was closer to 25% in both cases.

All of that being said, the immediate topic concerns a different type of advantage nations having encounters with the Commonwealth soccer establishment benefit from; let's call it the "Cocoa-bo" Theory, to compare it hypothetically to the commercial success of the chocolaty delectable.

The U18 WC marked the 25th major competition that the FAC have participated in during the NSS era, a list that includes the World Cup, Baptism of Fire, AOCAF, and the DBC/Under 21 championships, in addition to formerly mentioned tournament for teenage oriented squads.

Baker Park have proven their mettle, and generally acquitted themselves well in the overwhelming majority of the various events; their relative competitive success can actually be quantified in terms of the subsequent results of the nations that have eliminated BP sides in knockout rounds or were drawn into the same group and also progressed to single elimination matches.

Vdara survived extra time and a penalty shootout to claim the Under-18 crown over Oberour Ar Moro at the BBP Stadium; in doing so they extended a record unique to the FAC.

Having won the Under-18 title on two previous occasions, they can say that in 16 of the other 23 championships awarded, they were eliminated by the eventual winner (6 times), the losing finalist (6 times) or one of the losing semi-finalists (4 times); in addition,they were group opponents of two other sides that finished runner-up in the respective competition (The Holy Empire in World Cup 80; and Mytanija in DBC44, who eliminated Qusmo in the semi-final after the Qusmi'i defeated Beepee--the side that knocked out Baker Park in the round of 16--in the quarterfinals).

It's not outside of the bounds of reason and propriety to say that earning a win over the Commonwealth is a good step towards the possibility of earning a medal.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

BP Women Affirm Hoop Supremecy
by Kerri Harper, Reporting from Tropicoast
for The Times

Throughout the lengthy history of sports in the Commonwealth, there's always been a topic that is guaranteed to involve much discussion and debate among fans: old vs young, casual vs intense, men vs women. In short, the question has always centered around the basic premise--is women's basketball more popular and of better quality than the men's game?

Audrey Snider--Head Coach of the University of Baker Park's women's BB Team in addition to serving as the current Head Coach of the Baker Park Women's National Basketball team--presented that question to the board of directors of BP Basketball when the decision was made to send both male & female teams to the Olympics; BPB had already committed to sending a team to the revival of the Atlantian Oceania Basketball Championship in Tropicorp, so Snider made the case that the women's team should be given the spot representing the country at the regional championship.

This was based upon the fact that only men's teams had been entered into the NSCAA event during the participation of the UAC in that competition; Snider made the point that women were at a disadvantage in international play if there were no opportunities to gauge the talent/skill level prior to entering the Olympics.

The program of parallel development of basketball along gender lines began to diverge far ahead of the expectations of the governing body during the 1930's & 40's; the emphasis on heightened competitive opportunities for girls & young women resulted in the 1949 decision that the Baker Park State Fair in Springfield would host an All-Commonwealth Championship Basketball Tournament for teams consisting of young women under the age of 17.

Snider's advocacy--which will probably be overlooked years from now--and her genius on the bench. under circumstances similar to experiences she's faced many times in her career as a coach. were rewarded in the Championship Game of the 5th AOBC at the Tropicoast Civic Center, as Baker Park won going away against Delaclava 97-80, after having defeated the defending Champions from 95X in the Semi-Final.

"We've always believed that our women were the real basketball players in this country", said Caren Hunter, Head Coach at Endborough College and an assistant to Snider.
"Audie & I are bitter rivals, and best of friends--simultaneously--in the same way her mom & my mentor have been for most of their lives. This is a victory for the sport and the legendary history in our country."

Snider spoke to the media, and touched upon a few of the same themes.
"First of all, thanks to the parents of all the players, the coaching & support staff...(laughs) we wouldn't be here today without you. My mom & dad taught me and my siblings the same life lessons from totally different perspectives...how could you not appreciate that?"

Eliminating the defending champions from 95X in the semi-final, the BPWBBT faced a Delaclava team that is slowly re-establishing a presence in international sport; it didn't require extraordinary investigative skill to establish a belief that the crowd would be predominantly pro-BP given the transport and time frame involved.

Neveah Jackson was named tourney MVP, averaging 22.0 ppg & Tara Mackenzie's 37 point, 13 rebound performance in the final secured the Commonwealth's first Regional title in any sport; nine of the twelve members of the BP Men's National Team made their presence known as an unofficial support squad, encouraging the 19,000 in attendance in cheers during stoppages in play.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

© Sporting Times Daily 2020
NSL Season Preview--Overview
by James Pettiford, Senior NSL Writer

The FAC will celebrate its 125th Anniversary with a celebration of the 10 remaining Founding Member Clubs on the opening weekend of the National League campaign, which will mark the 109th year of professionally organized soccer.

One of the league's major stories is the return of Victoria & Albert SC from a five season exile in the 2nd Division; the club's promotion--only the second in it's history--will see them return to the top flight to resume long time rivalries that had been missing from the fixture list.
It will also mark the end of their 124 year tenure at the Rosenau, the club's home ground located in the West End of Belle Haven; the 99 year lease agreed to with the FAC to occupy the the lower level of the BBP Stadium was contingent upon their return to the Championship, and will see the 17,000 seats closest to the pitch called BP Telecom Field in a naming rights deal with the club valued at $3 million annually over 20 years.

The other club returning to the Championship, Monmouth Park, will be seeking to resume their place among the elite, following a four season odyssey that has consisted of alternating relegation and promotion between the two top tiers of Baker Park soccer.

In the 2nd Division, Sanborn Borough & Riverside City replace the promoted sides, while Ravens FC along with Leiderkranz-Turner come up from the 3rd Division to fill the spots formerly occupied by Alton Athletic and Carlisle FC; both promoted sides took advantage of the expansion of the divisional playoff to advance ahead of East Endborough AFC & Maineville Marauders FC, who finished on top of the final table.

Western & Southern RR FC return for the second time in three seasons to the 3rd Division, along with Patterson Park, while FAC Shield winners Jeromesville FC along with Lynchana Borderers, earned promotion following two seasons in the regional leagues.

Dragons FC & West Chester FC had brief stays in the 3rd Division before being sent back to the Shield, along with West Liberty Rovers after three seasons which followed their nine year run in the Conference prior to mixed gender, and Blacksburg are once again in the regionals after 2 seasons of struggle.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

© Sporting Times Daily 2020
NSL Season Preview--Offseason Issues
by James Pettiford, Senior NSL Writer

The 121st General Conference of the Football Association of the Commonwealth had fewer of the newsworthy moments that have become a staple of the meeting in recent times, yet still confronted several important topics that have arisen over the past few years.

At the top of the list was the concern that the gap between the 3rd Division and the FAC Shield was too much for promoted sides to overcome in one leap; the Conference had originally been established as a league where semi-professional sides promoted for the first time could survive while the club established itself financially and competitively prior to advancement to the National League.

The removal of the Conference from the pyramid has opened up a chasm that is creating an imbalance many clubs in the Shield are struggling to overcome. In the three season since the National Conference was formed, only 2 clubs promoted from the Shield (Valley View & Shiloh) are still in the 3rd Division; Western & Southern RR have been promoted for the second time in 4 years and Collinsville United & Patterson Park have also bounced between the divisions in recent years.

The composition of the 3rd Division was meant to alleviate the problem in the short term, as a pair of 14 team sections were imagined as a buffer against the chronic yo-yo effect; obviously this has not been the case so far.

A proposal to examine a realignment of the 3rd Division into 16 team "upper" & "lower" tiers, reducing the Shield to 36 clubs, was assigned to the Competition Committee for study.

Another area of discussion concerned the state of the Women's National League. With only 20 fully professional clubs, and 12 associate members, there is discussion as to whether expansion or consolidation is on the horizon; the introduction of women's teams at several established clubs in the wake of the founding of the National Conference has raised the possibility that another division of mixed gender sides is going to be a priority over the 3-5 years.

If full gender integration of the National League is phased in over several seasons, it's possible that a contraction of full member clubs could take place; several smaller clubs without resources to commit to academy or non-professional women's sides as an entry level could be forced to seek mergers with neighbors.

The trajectory of reorganization of the National League, and the FAC as a whole will certainly track closely with the fortunes of the National Team going forward; Baker Park will need to develop a stronger domestic league consisting of fully mixed gender clubs in order to keep talent at home, draw foreign talent in, and provide high level regular competition, especially in IFCF tournaments.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

'Late Game' stamps her authority in Red League
by Oliver Stanley
The Post Soccer Correspondent

Chromatika's re-emergence in domestic soccer has seen their Rainbow League attract talent from across Atlantian Oceania and beyond; the top tier Red League includes such well-known clubs as Tihon Tide, Chromatik, Felswyr, and Anomalies.

The latter side have been boosted by the addition of future Baker Park NT star Lainey Wadsworth, who moved from Ridge Raider Ladies to Chromia two seasons ago; her play in the second half of her debut campaign helped the club to the Red League title, securing a berth in both the IFCF Champions League and the AO Champions League.

The former Under-21 striker who earned the nickname "Late Game Lainey" for her goal scoring exploits as a substitute proved her first season in the Chromatik league was no fluke, with a performance that was recognized for it's brilliance by her fellow players and the media.

Wadsworth was edged out on the final day of the season for the Golden Boot by Enrico Hanson-Conavacio, but the Myana striker's brace was cancelled out by the Hamilton native's two tallies that clinched a second consecutive title for Anomalies.

She was voted as the Foreign Player of the Year ahead of her teammate Kamu Jacobs, who won the award the previous year, and for the ultimate honor, supplanted the Busogan midfielder for Player of the Year for the league, in addition to joining him and Mithya Hashemi as the champion's representatives on the All-Pro First Team.

There is a strong current of excitement at the prospect of the continuation of the head to head matchup between the Baker Park and the dual Quebec-Schottian nationals in the coming years, provided neither are lured away to stronger leagues. For her part, Wadsworth has been quick to point out the importance of Jacobs' leadership and passing in her success, comparing it to the play of national team standouts Lorenzo Taborn, Jamari Bozeman and Antonio Sotolongo.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Dalton Town finally overcame their bridesmaid status--having finished 2nd or 3rd in the table five of the last seven seasons--to take the Championship, outlasting the previous two champions by holding onto the top spot for all but one week after matchday 15.

Llewellyn Turnpike secured the final IFCF Challengers Cup place in just their second season back in the top flight after leapfrogging Clayton City and Shirley Metros on the final day.

At the bottom, 7 clubs battled over the final six weeks to avoid relegation, yet Newport City went down despite earning the most points over the final five fixtures, while North Lima and St. Warren City combined for only 3 between themselves, which was just enough to see the Vikings go back to the Second Division, and Saints stay up, although the campaign cost Grant Featherstone his job after 15 seasons at the helm.

Championship

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Dalton Town FC            34   19   9   6    68   46  +22    66
 2 Asbury Park FC            34   19   6   9    74   59  +15    63
 3 New Bremen FC             34   17   8   9    47   24  +23    59
 4 Llewellyn Turnpike SC     34   16   9   9    73   56  +17    57
 5 Clayton City SC           34   16   8  10    75   60  +15    56
 6 Hillsborough FC           34   16   8  10    68   57  +11    56
 7 Shirley Metros FC         34   16   7  11    57   46  +11    55
 8 Midtown Athletic Club     34   15   6  13    60   60    0    51
 9 Southend AC               34   14   9  11    63   52  +11    51
10 Eqriquay United FC        34   12   8  14    63   58   +5    44
11 Victoria & Albert SC      34   11   7  16    65   71   −6    40
12 Learfield FC              34    9  12  13    50   58   −8    39
13 Monmouth Park FC          34   10   8  16    53   64  −11    38
14 Marshallton Athletic SC   34    9   9  16    54   74  −20    36
15 Hamilton Wanderers FC     34    8  11  15    44   65  −21    35
16 St Warren City FC         34    9   7  18    54   75  −21    34
17 North Lima SC             34    8   8  18    45   66  −21    32
18 Newport City FC           34    8   8  18    56   78  −22    32

Champions League
Challengers Cup

relegated

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Crusaders FC regained their title after a one year hiatus, marking their third Conference trophy in the the four seasons of mixed gender league play. Castleford, Jacksonville, Lima City United and defending champions Great Northern RR all pushed Cru's through the campaign, which was only decided on the final day as league's highest scoring side jumped from third to first with a victory.

Conference

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Crusaders FC        42   23  11   8   100   64  +36    80
 2 Castleford             42   22  13   7    75   48  +27    79
 3 Jacksonville City      42   22  12   8    97   65  +32    78
 4 Lima City United       42   22  10  10    95   81  +14    76
 5 Great Northern         42   21  11  10    98   68  +30    74
 6 Broadview AFC          42   22   7  13    75   55  +20    73
 7 Haskins Blues          42   19  14   9    85   67  +18    71
 8 Sorenberg Park         42   19  12  11    76   67   +9    69
 9 Hannover United        42   19   9  14    93   78  +15    66
10 Forest Park            42   19   6  17    89   84   +5    63
11 Ellesmere Woods        42   18   9  15    93   81  +12    63
12 Far Hills              42   18   8  16    87   78   +9    62
13 Bergholz Caledonian    42   16  11  15    79   71   +8    59
14 Hardun AC              42   13  12  17    65   76  −11    51
15 Pembroke St David's    42   12  11  19    67   88  −21    47
16 Paintersville FC       42   11  11  20    56   86  −30    44
17 Greenville Twp         42   11  10  21    54   80  −26    43
18 Mooresville Celtic     42    9  13  20    60   87  −27    40
19 Jennings Borough       42    9  10  23    40   68  −28    37
20 Liberty FC             42    8  11  23    40   65  −25    35
21 Dalton United          42    8  10  24    33   62  −29    34
22 Lower Valley Lions     42    6   9  27    40   78  −38    27

Liga B Champions Cup

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Women's National League

Sherwood Forest captured their third Women's National League crown, holding off the five clubs that have captured the last 6 league titles by maintaining the top spot of the table for 22 of the final 24 weeks of the campaign; they also made history as the fourth club to win the League/Cup double--the first in 24 years--winning their third FAC Women's Cup.

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Sherwood Forest Ladies FC       38   25   6   7   101   66  +35    81
 2 Brentford Ladies FC             38   22   9   7    98   66  +32    75
 3 Ravens FC Ladies                38   21   7  10    77   59  +18    70
 4 Greenlea United Ladies SC       38   20  10   8    77   57  +20    70
 5 Hamiliton Wanderers Ladies SC   38   20   4  14    62   43  +19    64
 6 Newmarket Ladies SC             38   18   8  12   104   71  +33    62
 7 Clayton City Ladies FC          38   18   7  13    77   70   +7    61
 8 Southend AC Ladies              38   16  10  12    72   72    0    58
 9 Middletown City FC Women        38   16   9  13    77   66  +11    57
10 Ridge Raiders Ladies FC         38   17   5  16    58   65   −7    56
11 Westwood Sprites Ladies FC      38   16   6  16    75   64  +11    54
12 Shirley Metros Ladies FC        38   13  12  13    61   62   −1    51
13 Jamestown City Ladies FC        38   12  11  15    65   66   −1    47
14 Riverside City Ladies FC        38   11  10  17    62   76  −14    43
15 E Endborough Ladies FC          38   11   8  19    59   73  −14    41
16 Leiderkranz Ladies SC           38    9  10  19    72   89  −17    37
17 Linden Ladies FC                38    8  13  17    56   83  −27    37
18 Shiloh FC Ladies                38    9   9  20    55   88  −33    36
19 Meadowdale Ladies FC            38   10   5  23    65   91  −26    35
20 Llewellyn Turnpike Ladies FC    38    6   5  27    51   97  −46    23

Liga B Champions Cup

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

National League Cup

Salisbury City captured the National League Cup for the second time in three seasons (and third win overall), defeating 3rd Division Alton Athletic in front of 66,583 at the BBP Stadium.

First Round 1st Leg
Fairport City FC 3–0 Sherwood Forest FC
Ravens FC 3–1 Eastview SC
Westphalia County FC 1–1 Maritime Athletic SC
Valley View SC 0–1 Western & Southern RR FC
Maineville Marauders FC 0–1 Lynchana Borderers AC
Brentwood Borough FC 1–0 Jamestown Rovers FC
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 5–4 Andover Borough SC
East Endborough AFC 3–2 Lewistown Town FC
Kellerville AFC 4–1 Forresters FC
Alton Athletic Club 3–1 Shiloh FC
Coolville United 4–2 Jeromeville FC
Fairport Harbor FC 2–2 Carlisle FC
Patterson Park FC 0–6 Greenlea United FC
St Pats AC 2–1 Springfield City FC
Linden Woods FC 1–1 Trinity FC
ROCK Utd FC 3–2 Principia SC

2nd Leg
Sherwood Forest FC 1–1 Fairport City FC (Fairport City win 4-1)
Eastview SC 1–1 Ravens FC (Ravens win 4-2)
Maritime Athletic SC 1–1 Westphalia County FC(tied 2-2, Maritime win 4–3 pen)
Western & Southern RR FC 3–2 Valley View SC (Western & Southern win 4-2)
Lynchana Borderers AC 0–2 Maineville Marauders FC (Maineville win 2-1)
Jamestown Rovers FC 1–1 Brentwood Borough FC (Brentwood win 2-1)
Andover Borough SC 2–0 SK Leiderkranz-Turner (Andover win 6-5)
Lewistown Town FC 0–0 East Endborough AFC (E Endborough win 3-2)
Forresters FC 0–1 Kellerville AFC (Kellerville win 5-1)
Shiloh FC 2–3 Alton Athletic Club (Alton win 6-3)
Jeromeville FC 1–2 Coolville United (Coolville win 6-3)
Carlisle FC 1–2 Fairport Harbor FC (Fairport Harbor win 4-3)
Greenlea United FC 4–2 Patterson Park FC (Greenlea win 10-2)
Springfield City FC 0–2 St Pats AC (St Pats win 4-1)
Trinity FC 3–2 Linden Woods FC (Trinity win 4-3)
Principia SC 3–1 ROCK Utd FC (Principia win 5-4)

Second Round 1st Leg
Maineville Marauders FC 0–1 Richmond Station FC
Alton Athletic Club 5–2 Principia SC
Western & Southern RR FC 0–5 Fairport City FC
Brentford FC 4–2 Trinity FC
Corinthians 2–2 Maritime Athletic SC
St Pats AC 1–3 Middlebourne City AFC
Jamestown City FC 2–2 Bridgend Metros FC
Riverside City FC 2–2 Newmarket Saxons FC
Kellerville AFC 3–1 Middletown City FC
Salisbury City FC 4–0 Westwood Sprites
Meadowdale FC 0–1 Nor-Dale AFC
North Royalton Town FC 1–1 Sanborn Borough SC
Ravens FC 2–3 Coolville United
Greenlea United FC 2–3 East Endborough AFC
Andover Borough SC 5–2 Brentwood Borough FC
Mansfield C&W FC 1–0 Fairport Harbor FC

2nd Leg
Richmond Station FC 3–5 Maineville Marauders FC (Maineville win 5-4)
Principia SC 2–2 Alton Athletic Club (Alton win 7-4)
Fairport City FC 2–0 Western & Southern RR FC (Fairport City win 7-0)
Trinity FC 0–0 Brentford FC (Brentford win 4–2)
Maritime Athletic SC 3–2 Corinthians (Maritime win 5-4)
Middlebourne City AFC 1–0 St Pats AC (Middlebourne win 4-1)
Bridgend Metros FC 3–5 Jamestown City FC (Jamestown City win 7-5)
Newmarket Saxons FC 1–0 Riverside City FC (Newmarket win 3-2)
Middletown City FC 1–0 Kellerville AFC (Kellerville win 3-2)
Westwood Sprites 1–1 Salisbury City FC (Salisbury City win 5-1)
Nor-Dale AFC 0–0 Meadowdale FC (Nor-Dale win 1–0)
Sanborn Borough SC 5–5 North Royalton Town FC (tied 6-6, Sanborn win 6–5 pens)
Coolville United 2–1 Ravens FC (Coolville win 5-3)
East Endborough AFC 1–0 Greenlea United FC (E Endborough win 4-2)
Brentwood Borough FC 3–5 Andover Borough SC (Andover win 10-5)
Fairport Harbor FC 0–1 Mansfield C&W FC (Mansfield win 2-0)

Third Round 1st Leg
Brentford FC 3–2 Maritime Athletic SC
Alton Athletic Club 3–2 Maineville Marauders FC
Coolville United 1–2 Fairport City FC
Mansfield C&W FC 1–2 Salisbury City FC
Newmarket Saxons FC 5–2 Middlebourne City AFC
Nor-Dale AFC 3–3 Kellerville AFC
East Endborough AFC 2–1 Andover Borough SC
Sanborn Borough SC 1–2 Jamestown City FC

2nd Leg
Maritime Athletic SC 1–3 Brentford FC (Brentford win 6-3)
Maineville Marauders FC 3–3 Alton Athletic Club (Alton win 6-5)
Fairport City FC 4–3 Coolville United (Fairport City win 6-4)
Salisbury City FC 1–2 Mansfield C&W FC (tied 3-3, Salisbury win 4-2 on pen)
Middlebourne City AFC 4–4 Newmarket Saxons FC (Newmarket win 9-6)
Kellerville AFC 1–1 Nor-Dale AFC (tied 4-4, Kellerville win on away goals)
Andover Borough SC 1–4 East Endborough AFC (E Endborough win 6-2)
Jamestown City FC 3–5 Sanborn Borough SC (Sanborn win 6-5)

Fourth Round 1st Leg
Brentford FC 3–0 Sanborn Borough SC
Kellerville AFC 0–2 Fairport City FC
Newmarket Saxons FC 0–2 Salisbury City FC
Alton Athletic Club 3–1 East Endborough AFC

2nd Leg
Sanborn Borough SC 2–5 Brentford FC (Brentford win 8-2)
Fairport City FC 4–1 Kellerville AFC (Fairport City win 6-1)
Salisbury City FC 1–2 Newmarket Saxons FC (Salisbury win 3-2)
Alton Athletic Club 4–3 East Endborough AFC (Alton win 7-4)


Semi Final 1st Leg
Brentford FC 1–2 Salisbury City FC
Alton Athletic Club 3–2 Fairport City FC

2nd Leg
Salisbury City FC 3–2 Brentford FC (Salisbury win 5-3)
Fairport City FC 0–3 Alton Athletic Club (Alton win 6-2)

Final (at BBP Stadium, Belle Haven)
Salisbury City FC 2–0 Alton Athletic Club

Villitan Coast Invitational

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Academy League

Clayton City Academy won the second Premier Academy League title, earning a spot in the IFCF Rising Stars Cup.

Premier League             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Clayton City Coed           26   15   4   7    41   34   +7    49
 2 Lima City United Coed       26   15   3   8    40   28  +12    48
 3 Broadview AFC Coed          26   13   5   8    48   44   +4    44
 4 Newmarket Coed              26   12   4  10    43   35   +8    40
 5 Bergholz Caledonian Coed    26   11   6   9    42   39   +3    39
 6 Middletown City Coed        26    9  10   7    41   28  +13    37
 7 Westwood Sprites Coed       26   10   6  10    34   38   −4    36
 8 Shirley Metros Coed         26    9   7  10    35   34   +1    34
 9 Riverside City Coed         26    9   7  10    35   40   −5    34
10 Forest Park Coed            26    7  13   6    38   32   +6    34
11 Southend AC Coed            26    8   9   9    33   39   −6    33
12 Jamestown City Coed         26    8   6  12    31   31    0    30
13 East Endborough Coed        26    6   9  11    38   42   −4    27
14 Leiderkranz Coed            26    3   5  18    22   57  −35    14

IFCF Rising Stars Cup

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

FAC Cup

Asbury Park made up for the disappointment of not defending their league title by winning the 117th FAC Cup, defeating Midtown AC--making their fourth final appearance in the last six years--on penalties after the sides drew 4-4 over 120 minutes; Park captured the trophy by converting on all four spot kicks, while MAC only were able to find the net once.


First Preliminary Round
Ralston United FC 1–0 West Oceana Athletic FC
Salisbury County FC 1–1 Brecon Borough
Blue Aces SC 1–1 New Harmony
Maplewood AFC 2–3 Riverdale United FC
Albion Borough SC 2–1 Ridge Raiders SC
Wagnerfield Kickers SC 4–3 Mel-Wood FC
McIlroy Station FC 2–3 Red Wing FC
Engineers Club 2–0 Bowling Green FC
Edgewood Eagles SC 2–2 Linden Lions FC
Alexandria Borough AFC 1–0 RFCP AC
Griffith Borough Amateurs FC 1–2 Meadowlarks SC
FC Monroe Central 1–1 Milton AFC
New Richmond FC 1–1 West Alden United FC
White River Twp FC 3–0 Hartley Community Club
Jaynesville SC 2–0 Lake County FC
Cloppenburg Township SC 2–1 East Linden SC
Frankenburg AC 2–5 Charter Twp FC
Spring Valley FC 0–2 Queens Park FC
St John's SC 4–3 Battenberg Bruins SC
Independent Laborers AC 3–3 Tri-Village United FC
Hampton SC 1–0 Deptford AC
Union Miners FC 2–4 Georgetown Athletic Club

Replays
Brecon Borough 6–2 Salisbury County FC
New Harmony 0–1 Blue Aces SC
Linden Lions FC 1–0 Edgewood Eagles SC
Milton AFC 5–1 FC Monroe Central
West Alden United FC 3–0 New Richmond FC
Tri-Village United FC 2–0 Independent Laborers AC

Second Preliminary Round
White River Twp FC 1–1 Lynchana Borderers AC
Berwick Rangers FC 3–1 Cloppenburg Township SC
Jamestown Rovers FC 2–0 Shiloh FC
Linden Lions FC 3–2 Milton AFC
Hampton SC 0–1 Blue Aces SC
Charter Twp FC 2–2 Ralston United FC
Maritime Athletic SC 1–0 Blacksburg Area FC
Wagnerfield Kickers SC 1–4 Springfield City FC
Dragons FC 1–2 Western & Southern RR FC
Center Point FC & RFC 2–0 West Alden United FC
Riverdale United FC 2–1 Valley View SC
Greenlea United FC 4–0 Alexandria Borough AFC
Queens Park FC 3–4 Collinsville United FC
Principia SC 1–0 Georgetown Athletic Club
Westphalia County FC 3–0 West Liberty Rovers FC
Lewistown Town FC 2–0 Sherwood Forest FC
Jaynesville SC 0–1 Tri-Village United FC
State Univ 0–0 Brecon Borough
Forresters FC 4–0 Jeromeville FC
Red Wing FC 0–0 Albion Borough SC
Meadowlarks SC 1–0 East Liverpool
Mansfield County SC 3–1 Patterson Park FC
Engineers Club 1–1 West Chester FC
Eastview SC 3–1 St John's SC

Replays
Lynchana Borderers AC 2–2 White River Twp FC (2–2 AET) (3–4 pen.)
Ralston United FC 1–1 Charter Twp FC (3–2 AET)
Brecon Borough 2–5 State Univ
Albion Borough SC 1–5 Red Wing FC
West Chester FC 1–4 Engineers Club

1st Qualifying Round
East Endborough AFC 2–0 Forresters FC
Linden Lions FC 2–5 Lewistown Town FC
Andover Borough SC 3–1 Greenlea United FC
Engineers Club 4–4 Westphalia County FC
Carlisle FC 0–1 Maineville Marauders FC
St Pats AC 1–2 Jamestown Rovers FC
Fairport City FC 1–0 Mansfield County SC
Alton Athletic Club 2–0 Springfield City FC
Western & Southern RR FC 0–1 Red Wing FC
White River Twp FC 1–1 Meadowlarks SC
Maritime Athletic SC 2–2 State Univ
Brentwood Borough FC 4–4 Collinsville United FC
Ralston United FC 0–2 Center Point FC & RFC
ROCK Utd FC 4–1 Berwick Rangers FC
Trinity FC 1–2 Kellerville AFC
Blue Aces SC 2–3 Fairport Harbor FC
Riverdale United FC 2–2 Tri-Village United FC
Eastview SC 1–2 Principia SC

Replays
Westphalia County FC 1–2 Engineers Club
Meadowlarks SC 0–1 White River Twp FC
State Univ 1–3 Maritime Athletic SC
Collinsville United FC 2–2 Brentwood Borough FC (2–3 AET)
Tri-Village United FC 0–1 Riverdale United FC

2nd Qualifying Round
Lewiston Town FC 1–1 Greenville Twp
ROCK Utd FC 3–4 East Endborough AFC
Castleford 0–0 Principia SC
Hardun AC 1–1 Maritime Athletic SC
Alton Athletic Club 4–1 Great Northern
Red Wing FC 0–1 Ellesmere Woods
Center Point FC & RFC 3–4 Fairport Harbor FC
Mooresville Celtic 1–0 Lower Valley Lions
Brentwood Borough FC 4–0 Forest Park
Riverdale United FC 3–4 Jamestown Rovers FC
Haskins Blues 4–2 Liberty FC
White River Twp FC 0–0 Andover Borough FC
Crusaders FC 3–0 Hannover United
Engineers Club 1–2 Bergholz Caledonian
Jacksonville City 0–1 Lima City United
Maineville Mauraders FC 1–0 Jennings Borough
Paintersville FC 2–2 Fairport City FC
Dalton United 0–1 Pembroke St David's
Broadview AFC 2–3 Far Hills
Sorenberg Park 1–0 Kellerville AFC

Replays
Greenville Twp 0–2 Lewiston Town FC
Principia SC 2–2 Castleford (2–2 AET) (4–5 pen.)
Maritime Athletic SC 2–0 Hardun AC
Andover Borough FC 2–3 White River Twp FC
Fairport City FC 2–1 Paintersville FC

1st Round
Fairport Harbor FC 1–0 Pembroke St David's
Brentford FC 1–1 Crusaders FC
Jamestown Rovers FC 1–3 Brentwood Borough FC
Mansfield C&W FC 0–1 Castleford
Maineville Mauraders FC 1–1 North Royalton Town FC
Linden Woods FC 7–5 Haskins Blues
Coolville United 1–3 Maritime Athletic SC
Ellesmere Woods 1–0 East Endborough AFC
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 2–0 Mooresville Celtic
Alton Athletic Club 0–1 Far Hills
White River Twp FC 1–2 Bridgend Metros FC
Fairport City FC 3–1 Sorenberg Park
Lewiston Town FC 2–5 Bergholz Caledonian
Lima City United 3–0 Ravens FC

Replays
Crusaders FC 1–3 Brentford FC
North Royalton Town FC 1–1 Maineville Mauraders FC (4–1 AET)

2nd Round
Meadowdale FC 2–3 Middletown City FC
Far Hills 3–2 Corinthians
Fairport Harbor FC 1–0 Brentwood Borough FC
Bridgend Metros FC 0–1 Westwood Sprites
Castleford 2–1 Newmarket Saxons FC
Brentford FC 1–0 Lima City United
Ellesmere Woods 1–0 Linden Woods FC
Bergholz Caledonian 1–0 Maritime Athletic SC
Richmond Station FC 1–0 Fairport City FC
Salisbury City FC 2–1 Nor-Dale AFC
Jamestown City FC 3–1 North Royalton Town FC
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 1–3 Middlebourne City AFC

3rd Round
Marshallton Athletic SC 1–2 Clayton City SC
Hamilton Wanderers FC 1–0 Dalton Town FC
Bergholz Caledonian 3–1 St Warren City FC
Sanborn Borough SC 1–3 Midtown Athletic Club
Riverside City FC 2–2 Middlebourne City AFC
Ellesmere Woods 2–3 Shirley Metros FC
Eqriquay United FC 5–4 Middletown City FC
Asbury Park FC 2–0 Llewellyn Turnpike SC
Castleford 0–2 Monmouth Park FC
Far Hills 2–3 Southend AC
Newport City FC 0–1 Richmond Station FC
Victoria & Albert SC 5–3 Brentford FC
Salisbury City FC 2–2 Hillsborough FC
Fairport Harbor FC 0–0 New Bremen FC
Jamestown City FC 2–2 Learfield FC
Westwood Sprites 2–1 North Lima SC

Replays
Middlebourne City AFC 0–1 Riverside City FC
Hillsborough FC 2–2 Salisbury City FC (3–2 AET)
New Bremen FC 0–0 Fairport Harbor FC (0–0 AET) (5–3 pen.)
Learfield FC 2–3 Jamestown City FC

4th Round
Riverside City FC 0–1 Hillsborough FC
Bergholz Caledonian 2–4 Midtown Athletic Club
Eqriquay United FC 1–2 New Bremen FC
Shirley Metros FC 3–3 Monmouth Park FC
Asbury Park FC 4–1 Southend AC
Victoria & Albert SC 6–4 Clayton City SC
Hamilton Wanderers FC 3–0 Jamestown City FC
Richmond Station FC 0–1 Westwood Sprites

Replay
Monmouth Park FC 1–2 Shirley Metros FC

Quarterfinals
Victoria & Albert SC 3–0 Hamilton Wanderers FC
Asbury Park FC 3–0 New Bremen FC
Hillsborough FC 1–2 Westwood Sprites
Midtown Athletic Club 3–2 Shirley Metros FC

Semi Finals (both at BBP Stadium, Belle Haven)
Midtown Athletic Club 1–0 Victoria & Albert SC
Westwood Sprites 2–3 Asbury Park FC

Final
Asbury Park FC 4–4 Midtown Athletic Club (4–4 AET) (4–1 pen.)

Cup Winners Cup

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

FAC Shield

East                      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Engineers Club             38   27   7   4    97   49  +48    88
 2 Dragons FC                 38   23   9   6    95   48  +47    78
 3 McIlroy Station FC         38   20  12   6    47   29  +18    72
 4 West Liberty Rovers FC     38   21   8   9    67   47  +20    71
 5 Mansfield County SC        38   19   5  14    67   47  +20    62
 6 East Liverpool             38   17   9  12    44   34  +10    60
 7 Meadowlarks SC             38   17   7  14    41   34   +7    58
 8 New Harmony                38   16   8  14    46   52   −6    56
 9 Center Point FC & RFC      38   14  12  12    86   84   +2    54
10 Union Miners FC            38   14  11  13    82   88   −6    53
11 Blacksburg Area FC         38   15   7  16    52   49   +3    52
12 St John's SC               38   14   7  17    50   54   −4    49
13 Charter Twp FC             38   14   7  17    81   86   −5    49
14 Maplewood AFC              38   13   9  16    57   66   −9    48
15 Mel-Wood FC                38   13   8  17    76   83   −7    47
16 Red Wing FC                38   12  11  15    76   85   −9    47
17 Riverdale United FC        38   11   4  23    47   73  −26    37
18 Milton AFC                 38    9  10  19    42   56  −14    37
19 New Richmond FC            38    6   7  25    51   94  −43    25
20 Spring Valley FC           38    2   8  28    22   68  −46    14

   West                      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 West Chester FC            38   22   8   8    83   58  +25    74
 2 Collinsville United FC     38   19   8  11    72   55  +17    65
 3 Blue Aces SC               38   18  10  10    69   56  +13    64
 4 Brecon Borough             38   19   6  13    70   63   +7    63
 5 State Univ                 38   18   9  11    70   52  +18    63
 6 Battenberg Bruins SC       38   17   7  14    60   57   +3    58
 7 Independent Laborers AC    38   17   7  14    59   58   +1    58
 8 Edgewood Eagles SC         38   16  10  12    45   40   +5    58
 9 Berwick Rangers FC         38   15  11  12    58   51   +7    56
10 Georgetown Athletic Club   38   16   6  16    60   62   −2    54
11 Ridge Raiders SC           38   12  15  11    71   71    0    51
12 Linden Lions FC            38   14   8  16    75   75    0    50
13 Hampton SC                 38   13  11  14    34   37   −3    50
14 East Linden SC             38   13  10  15    45   50   −5    49
15 FC Monroe Central          38   12   8  18    38   40   −2    44
16 Jaynesville SC             38   12   8  18    62   76  −14    44
17 RFCP AC                    38   11  11  16    35   45  −10    44
18 Tri-Village United FC      38   12   6  20    61   73  −12    42
19 West Alden United FC       38    7  13  18    35   54  −19    34
20 Wagnerfield Kickers SC     38    7   8  23    37   66  −29    29

Playoffs 1st Leg (all four clubs promoted to 3rd Divison)
Collinsville United FC 1-1 Engineers Club
Dragons FC 1-0 West Chester FC

2nd Leg
Engineers Club 2-1 Collinsville United FC (Engineers Club win 3-2)
West Chester FC 1-3 Dragons FC (Dragons win 4-1)

Final
Engineers Club 2-0 Dragons FC

Engineers Club captured their second FAC Shield title after a dominant season, defeating their divisional rival Dragons FC in the 71st Final at the BBP Stadium.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

2nd Division

Middlebourne City cruised to the 2nd Division title to earn only their second promotion to the top flight in history, joined by Westwood Sprites after a four year stay in the second tier. Middlebourne earned just their third season in the Championship on the strength of the most prolific offense in the history of the division.

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Middlebourne City AFC    38   22  10   6   111   73  +38    76
 2 Westwood Sprites         38   21  10   7    90   62  +28    73
 3 Sanborn Borough SC       38   18  11   9    84   65  +19    65
 4 Nor-Dale AFC             38   17  11  10    84   72  +12    62
 5 Linden Woods FC          38   18   6  14    78   80   −2    60
 6 Salisbury City FC        38   17   9  12    86   72  +14    60
 7 Newmarket Saxons FC      38   16  10  12    76   73   +3    58
 8 Richmond Station FC      38   16   9  13    63   52  +11    57
 9 Middletown City FC       38   15  11  12    86   83   +3    56
10 Jamestown City FC        38   13  16   9    98   94   +4    55
11 Meadowdale FC            38   14  10  14    63   61   +2    52
12 Riverside City FC        38   14   6  18    66   78  −12    48
13 Mansfield C&W FC         38   13   8  17    73   77   −4    47
14 Corinthians              38   13   7  18    84   90   −6    46
15 Brentford FC             38   11  12  15    70   76   −6    45
16 Ravens FC                38   10  10  18    71   87  −16    40
17 Coolville United         38   10   9  19    79   96  −17    39
18 SK Leiderkranz-Turner    38    8  15  15    67   91  −24    39
19 North Royalton Town FC   38    9  11  18    71   81  −10    38
20 Bridgend Metros FC       38    5   9  24    48   85  −37    24

promoted
relegated

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

3rd Division

One season after the introduction of a four team playoff to the 3rd Division—which resulted in both of the regular season leaders failing to be promoted—a format change meant that the top finishers would play for the division crown and the runners-up would battle for a third spot in the 2nd Division. Maineville Marauders left nothing to chance as they ran away from their Western section rivals, while St Pat's and Fairport City turned the Eastern race into a two horse affair.

Trinity upset City to earn their first ever berth in the second tier, while St Pat's flexed its muscle to win the Division championship

East                      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 St Pats AC                 40   29   4   7   108   61  +47    91
 2 Fairport City FC           40   27   7   6    79   38  +41    88
 3 Fairport Harbor FC         40   20   9  11    62   49  +13    69
 4 Alton Athletic Club        40   18  10  12    83   60  +23    64
 5 East Endborough AFC        40   17  11  12    74   63   +9    62
 6 Jamestown Rovers FC        40   17  10  13    87   77  +10    61
 7 Kellerville AFC            40   17   8  15    70   70    0    59
 8 Eastview SC                40   15   8  17    64   73   −9    53
 9 Forresters FC              40   15   6  19    43   54  −11    51
10 Greenlea United FC         40   11   9  20    72   97  -27    42
11 Springfield City FC        40   10  12  18    47   50   −3    42
12 Sherwood Forest FC         40   12   5  23    58   79  −21    41
13 Valley View SC             40    9  10  21    57   78  −21    37
14 Lynchana Borderers AC      40    9   3  28    66  106  −40    30

   West                      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Maineville Marauders FC    40   25  10   5    81   39  +42    85
 2 Trinity FC                 40   20  13   7   105   77  +28    73
 3 Brentwood Borough FC       40   20  10  10    86   70  +16    70
 4 Carlisle FC                40   18  11  11    60   46  +14    65
 5 Andover Borough SC         40   15  17   8    77   63  +14    62
 6 Maritime Athletic SC       40   17  10  13    72   72    0    61
 7 Principia SC               40   14  11  15    69   65   +4    53
 8 Patterson Park FC          40   13  11  16    72   82  -10    50
 9 Lewistown Town FC          40   12  12  16    52   65  -13    48
10 Shiloh FC                  40   12  11  17    69   84  −15    47
11 Westphalia County FC       40   11   9  20    43   61  -18    42
12 ROCK Utd FC                40    8  15  17    76   91  −15    39
13 Western & Southern RR FC   40    9   6  25    53   84  −31    33
14 Jeromeville FC             40    6  10  24    58   89  −31    28

Promotion Playoff(winner promoted to 2nd Division)(at Sportsmen's Park Belle Haven)
Trinity FC 5-4(AET)Fairport City FC

Final (both teams promoted to 2nd Division)(at BBP Stadium, Belle Haven)
St Pats AC 4-2 Maineville Marauders FC

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

FAC Trophy

McIlroy Station captured the Centenary FAC Trophy, their first knockout tournament silverware in their 130 year history, in record style by not allowing a goal in six straight matches. It marks the third time in four years that the trophy will go back to St Leon, joining their neighbors Center Point and Dragons FC in capturing the title. A crowd of 30,176 witnessed just the second time each club has appeared in the Final, Station coming runners-up in 1967 and State U winning in 1979.

First Round
Engineers Club 2–1 West Oceana Athletic FC
Salisbury County FC 0–1 Tri-Village United FC
Battenberg Bruins SC 0–0 East Linden SC (0–1 AET)
Brecon Borough 2–3 Jaynesville SC
Lake County FC 0–1 New Harmony
Edgewood Eagles SC 3–2 Mel-Wood FC
Georgetown Athletic Club 2–4 Hampton SC
White River Twp FC 0–1 Bowling Green FC
Hartley Community Club 4–4 Queens Park FC (4–4 AET) (2–4 pen.)
Cloppenburg Township SC 1–3 Blue Aces SC
St John's SC 0–1 Ralston United FC
New Richmond FC 0–2 Albion Borough SC
Maplewood AFC 1–2 Red Wing FC
Frankenburg AC 4–3 Milton AFC
Spring Valley FC 0–1 Wagnerfield Kickers SC
Meadowlarks SC 0–1 Ridge Raiders SC
Linden Lions FC 1–0 Griffith Borough Amateurs FC
RFCP AC 1–1 Charter Twp FC (1–3 AET)
Alexandria Borough AFC 0–1 Union Miners FC
Deptford AC 2–8 Riverdale United FC
Independent Laborers AC 1–4 FC Monroe Central
McIlroy Station FC 1–0 West Alden United FC


Second Round
Ralston United FC 1–0 Wagnerfield Kickers SC
FC Monroe Central 0–1 Ridge Raiders SC
Union Miners FC 1–3 Blue Aces SC
East Liverpool 1–1 Charter Twp FC (2–1 AET)
East Linden SC 1–0 Tri-Village United FC
Hampton SC 2–0 New Harmony
Bowling Green FC 0–0 Jaynesville SC (1–0 AET)
Linden Lions FC 2–3 West Liberty Rovers FC
McIlroy Station FC 0–0 Frankenburg AC (1–0 AET)
Collinsville United FC 4–3 Queens Park FC
West Chester FC 3–2 Dragons FC
Mansfield County SC 1–0 Albion Borough SC
Red Wing FC 4–3 Center Point FC & RFC
State Univ 1–1 Engineers Club (2–1 AET)
Blacksburg Area FC 0–1 Berwick Rangers FC
Edgewood Eagles SC 2–1 Riverdale United FC

Third Round
West Liberty Rovers FC 2–2 Bowling Green FC (3–3 AET) (3–4 pen.)
East Liverpool 1–3 Berwick Rangers FC
Collinsville United FC 1–0 Blue Aces SC
Ridge Raiders SC 1–1 Edgewood Eagles SC (1–1 AET) (3–2 pen.)
State Univ 3–2 Mansfield County SC
Ralston United FC 0–0 East Linden SC (1–0 AET)
West Chester FC 2–1 Red Wing FC
Hampton SC 0–1 McIlroy Station FC


Quarterfinals
Ridge Raiders SC 2–1 Berwick Rangers FC
West Chester FC 2–0 Ralston United FC
State Univ 1–0 Collinsville United FC
McIlroy Station FC 1–0 Bowling Green FC

Semi Finals
State Univ 5–3 Ridge Raiders SC (at FSFB Stadium, New Bremen)
West Chester FC 0–1 McIlroy Station FC (at Fritz Schaefer Stadium, Hannover)

Final (at BBP Stadium, Belle Haven)
McIlroy Station FC 2–0 State Univ

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Banijan victory hits close to home
Ron Gosecki
The Daily Mail Staff Writer

reporting from Mansfield:

This time out, everyone went home happy.
In World Cup 85, the Baker Park National Team and their counterparts from the Kingdom of Banija faced off after both dropped their respective semifinal matches, meaning they would settle the third and fourth place finishers between themselves.

The Banijan side came through on that day, although the celebration by the expatriate community from Banija here was muted; they were also glad that their adopted home had advanced to the final four after five previous early exits.

Fast forward to last night, and the Final of World Cup 86, from Tundra Falls, Newmanistan, as Banija would look to join the ranks of World Cup Champions as they kicked off versus Nephara. There were crowds at every lounge, pub, restaurant and tavern throughout the city--and across the Commonwealth--ready to cheer on the Atlantian Oceania nation that has established itself as one of Baker Park's closest allies and trading partners.

"It's not like we don't know anything about them", said Brent Whittaker, who was out with his girlfriend and another couple to watch the match at Dolan's Ale House, on the Commercial Street 'Strip'. "We see their league on TV, we know the players, we know the country. I'd just as well be glad for them to win as anyone, if it can't be us." Another patron in the same establishment, Lance Preston, had a similar view. "I've got some friends who are ex-pats, and I know if the roles were reversed, they (the Banijan community) would be wanting us to win. Everything's always a little bit more fun when the Banjys are involved, right?"

Mansfield City Constabulary Major Fredrika Little, when asked about the preparations and what attitude the police would take, said that except for an overlap of the watches that will be on duty during the two halves of the match--because of the time difference, there would generally be a shift change at about the same time that the match was expected to reach halftime--no other extra measures had been planned; there would be a double presence for the hour prior to kickoff and an hour after the final whistle.
"We don't expect trouble or anything out of the ordinary. It seemed to the command that this would be a reasonable compromise, a couple of hours of overtime across the two watches."

In the end, the 3-2 victory by Kadongo Kamu brought about celebrations in the ex-pat community that were boisterous and enthusiastic, but no arrests were reported by MCC at midnight. At Dolan's, at least half of the patrons remained until after the presentation of the trophy, and cheers went up when Gitonga Kahara, the captain, raised it over his head.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

© Sporting Times Daily 2020
Manager merry-go-round means new opportunities
by James Pettiford, Senior NSL Writer

Ahead of the busy transfer period, there are several major clubs who will be starting fresh with new bosses, while there will certainly be an upheaval as clubs flush with cash from the international window will look to fill in the gaps left by the departures of no fewer than 20 players to overseas leagues.

Newport City parted ways with John Melvin after being relegated from the Championship, and turn to a known quantity up the A33, as Perry Longfellow comes in from Maineville Marauders after two straight 3rd Division section titles along with plenty of experience in the 2nd Division. The 44 year old has kept the M's competitive despite a five season yo-yo odyssey in the chasm between the second tier and the 3rd Division, and may have the prescription for what ails the Portmen; only Fairport City had a better overall defense in the 3rd over the last 2 season than Marauders, and the Sky Blues gave up more tallies in the Championship than anyone. Longfellow has bided his time in moving up the ladder, and may have landed in the right job for his particular talents.

Back in the National League Championship, St Warren City saw the Grant Featherstone Era crash to an ignominious finish although the club avoided the drop. In nearly similar circumstances as Monmouth Park's shock collapse several seasons ago just 2 years after winning the title, Saints have just seemed to have been trapped in amber for the past few campaigns; they have (for the moment) one of the league's very best strikers in Tyrek Jones, and they restocked their roster from the academy and through smart free transfer pickups, but they have slipped little by little down the table.

The rumor mill had a foreign replacement, or an up & coming assistant from another Championship rival, but instead it was James Montinelli from Dragons who was the clear favorite of the board. Another manager who has led his club twice to promotions recently (and the FAC Trophy) but has been unable to survive the financial and talent gap in the 3rd Division at the moment. The 48 year old native of South Middletown has become a legend in Shirley Heights, and quietly, there will be plenty of St Leonites pulling for him to succeed.

On the ladies side, there will be the largest turnover in managers in the league since 1995, as four clubs will start over; the 'L' clubs will make a move simultaneously, with Leiderkranz Ladies bringing a close to the Rachel Byrne experiment; it wasn't the fact that the Brenecian didn't fit in, or that the difference in methods and styles weren't going to mesh--she just couldn't fix the two problems that were endemic under her tenure: bad defense and inconsistent performances from the side.

There will certainly be more managers from abroad in the Women's National League in the future, but it will be a BP product who will be tasked with rebuilding the nation's most decorated club, and to almost everyone's surprise, it will be Donna Brown. The 48 year old architect of Crusaders FC's dominance in four National Conference seasons cast her CV into the unknown winds of international club management, had a couple of nibbles, but no interviews. Undeterred, she had her eye on the open Meadowdale Ladies seat, before Leider put the charm offensive on, and with a huge cash windfall from the transfer of Pryna Rasanamira to Nepharim Premiership side Aries Chariot, suddenly Gelberthaus Park didn't look like a long rebuild.

Linden Ladies were reluctant to make a change, but there appeared to be an opportunity to make a fresh start with several young coaches looking to make a name for themselves. Linden ended up choosing Holly Vandenberg, assistant manager at Newmarket Ladies and former Ellesmere Woods defender.

Further north, Llewellyn Turnpike Ladies hired Ravens Ladies coach Ellen Cowan as manager, and lured Lauren Quinn away from Brentford Ladies to be General Manager; while the Turnpike men are at the pinnacle of success, the ladies are at rock bottom, and the board have pledged a huge investment based on the windfall the club have found themselves with.

Finally, that job in Ezriquay that Brown was giving a great deal of thought to has gone to the most interesting story of the offseason. Katie Halloran will be starting her fourth job since she earned her FAC Pro License six years ago--Forest Park, Westwood Sprites Ladies, Greenlea Ladies--and brings along former national team standout Erica Shaw as her assistant. Halloran played at University of Oceana, earned her Master's at Osheana State and served as a graduate assistant, then went through the FAC Coaching program while teaching 8th grade Health at Southeastern Middle School in Birkenfeld. Taking over at Hickorydale seems like a gamble, or is it an inspired choice? Only time will tell.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

FAC overhaul on front burner after Barnard. Montgomery departures
Scott McCrae
The Daily Mail National Soccer Writer

The pipeline from the FAC Development Center in Charter Township to the dressing rooms of top multiverse clubs has opened once again, this time producing managerial products headed to take charge of established, successful clubs.

Will Barnard, who has been assistant manager under Pam Scott for the National Team, and Jennifer Prescott's number 2 with the Women's Team, will be leaving to assume the top job at Gunzlach FC in Graintfjall, the Rushmori nation that made it's World Cup debut with a win in Baptism of Fire 73, then fell to Quebec in a playoff for qualification to the Finals. Gunzlach are the most successful & richest club in the the nation, so Barnard will under pressure to perform from the start.

Meanwhile, the FAC will be looking for a replacement for Technical Director and Under 15/U17/U18 boss Zoe Montgomery, who will be moving nearby to the Euran Oceania Territories to take charge of Bakermouth FC, looking to push them to the championship they've come short of during the first three seasons of the domestic league. Montgomery led the Commonwealth Under 18's to the title in SWC 9 in Siovanija & Teusland, plus has been in charge of squads throughout her tenure.

In both circumstances, the absence of previous club management experience isn't seen as a detriment; over the course of their time with the NT setup, Barnard & Montgomery have been involved in nearly every aspect of day to day decision making--player management, tactical and technical planning, scouting & evaluation--that relates to the responsibilities most managers at club level are judged upon.

Former National Team manager & current CommSport studio analyst Alan Lilly, who also had stints in charge of three clubs in the National League, points out how the modern game has seen an evolution in the role of the manager that plays to the strengths of both individuals.

"Thirty years ago, the main difference between being a club boss and running the national team was scouting and identifying talent. The club had scouts, and they reported to the GM or whoever was in charge of running the backroom. I'd have to imagine that Will and Zoe both probably will have people to handle the one thing they don't have experience in, which is contracts and dealing with agents. That has been the main element of the club bosses' portfolio that has been reassigned to the business side of the club over time, but I think otherwise they will both succeed because they are bright, know how to organize and are technically oriented. I wouldn't be surprised to see them back here in 10-15 years leading a top club."

Barnard discussed theoretical timelines for his career with The Daily Mail near the end of World Cup Qualifying, making clear that at 48 he still saw a future with the National Team, either on the senior staff or perhaps taking over Montgomery's role if it were to become open (there was no reason to think that either of them had any intentions at that that point; Barnard had been an Assistant Director when Pam Scott and Trevor Richmond shared the TD role).

Both clubs will be involved in international club action, having qualified for the IFCF Challengers Cup, as has another club side lead by a former BP National Team assistant manager--Zwangzug's Trebuchet Cham, where Kate DiMarini has been in charge for awhile.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Night Time the Right Time in NSCF?
Tony Ferguson, College Football Editor
for The Exponent

Asbury Park--Throughout the four editions that the University of the Commonwealth have competed in the NSCF, the school has sought to differentiate the games played against the multiverse's top college teams from the usual slate of opponents hosted in UAC action by shifting the start times outside of traditional windows that have been long established.

Outdoor sporting events were nearly exclusively played in the daytime before 1946; Sportsmen's Park was the only major stadium that had floodlights from 1935, and Coolville State's Laidley Field was the first on-campus stadium to have permanent lighting beginning in 1959. College games were universally scheduled for starting times at 1:00. 1:30, 2:00 or 2:30 pm until the early 1970's, with exceptions confined to neutral site matchups in Belle Haven, Endborough, Oceana and Ezriquay.

Even in the modern day, true night games are rare in the college version of the sport; in the last 20 years, only about one in seven regular season games begin at a time where the majority of the action would take place after sunset (approximately 24 out of 168 annually).

The University of the Commonwealth has adopted a different approach to the five or six regular season contests it hosts at Jacob F Gleason Field; weeknight games are set to kickoff at 7:20 or 7:45 pm, depending upon particular broadcasting requests, while Sunday games have usually been between 6 & 7 pm. There have been a few exceptions to this policy, based upon advice from Metro PD--the UC game against St Leon in NSCF 19 was a traditional 2 pm kickoff by agreement of the schools--but nighttime football has become a tradition on College Hill during Mineral Conference play.

UC Provost Dr Richard Swink commended all parties involved in making NSCF nights safe and enjoyable for everyone.

"We are extremely proud of our students, alumni and other fans for stepping up early on to ensure that we provide an environment that visiting fans can feel safe in and that projects a positive image to the multiverse of UC. We have meetings with MPD and the County when the schedules are arranged, so that we can ensure that each game day is handled appropriately. We have always been supportive of those time when temporary alcohol restrictions have been put in place, with our alumni association and our student organizations taking steps to abide by those rules."

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Mark Tolbert: "we're now just into the first of four minutes of added time, we see the black & gold clad supporters to out right in the Highfield Road End of the stadium doing the...uh, dance..."
Craig Snyder: "It's more like a chant with choreography if we want to classify it properly..."

MT: "Craig, as always with his finger on the pulse of the Commonwealth National Team supporter groups. But as we've discussed throughout the second half, a match with a lot of similarities to the one four years ago at the Ojo de la Tormenta in Azurena, Farfadillis against Equestria. A tactical masterclass from Jennifer Prescott here to put BP through. into the quarterfinals of the AOCAF for the fourth time in the last six tournaments."

CS: "Jen didn't put a lot of public emphasis on her opinion of the two matches in the League A Group 1 phase, but she certainly didn't think the team played anywhere close to their ability. especially the match at the BBP."

MT: "and now Altman has the ball at the corner flag, he's played his best match so far coming on as a sub for Marcus Nolan with 25 minutes left and capping off the scoring with his first international goal in the 83rd minute. And that's the whistle! Redemption for Baker Park against Chromatika in the AOCAF. Amy Reynolds opening the scoring with a free kick, Reggie Laing with a natural hat trick, and as mentioned, Freddie Altman getting his first national team goal to close out the BP scoreline. Back to the studio, David Blake it ends up Chromatika 1, Baker Park 5."

David Blake: Mark, Craig, thanks. Gary Kostka, Aiden Donnan...a dominating performance."

Gary Kostka: "The Anomalies had a young squad for this tourney, and they weren't really pushed to come through with a gritty effort coming in. Not to say they wouldn't have responded, but if you compare the way Baker Park worked and got results when they weren't at their best, you could see as the second half started out the difference in confidence, the body language between the sides."

Aiden Donnan: "Jen came here with a mix of players that tended towards the opposite ends of the experience curve, and she tried out different combos, found a core group she liked and has gotten results over the last few matches. The format has allowed her to find the pieces that fit together in a way that in a 3 or 4 match group stage wouldn't have been possible.

DB: "can we compare this to the Equestria match Mark mentioned, in terms of right place, right time, right decisions?"

(both commentators) "Yes"
AD: "the only other time they used this particular setup--with 5 across in midfield--was in the match they played at this stadium previously. I don't think the venue was important, but they did generate a lot of possession and scoring chances,"
GK: "And that is the subtle difference between the Equestria situation and today. They were looking to control space in the first match, where they looked to hold onto the ball and make Chromatika play defense for long stretches while gaining 5 yards or 10 yards territorially over 25 or 30 passes."

DB: "and with that we'll cut away for a break, come back here on CBC Soccer Night for more."

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

(lengthy silence from commentators as crowd noise accompanies various quick crowd reaction shots)

Mark Tolbert: "I don't know about anyone else, but I needed that 90 or so seconds. We've witnessed many fantastic scenes in injury time together, Craig Snyder. Is this maybe the best one yet?"

Craig Snyder: "Without question. It's not any one element of the importance of the match, it's all of them that pushes this one to the top. Let's continue to tip our caps to Banija, they have played like the champions they are. Even in defeat, their class comes through.

MT: "only 60 seconds left here in time added on. It's been a comprehensive win over 90 minutes, Craig?"
CS: "only a cynic like Aidy would argue otherwise I think. (laughter) You will certainly hear Marcus Walters in the post match put things in their proper perspective."

MT: "annnddd...There's the full time whistle. Thanks Mr Doebler, our referee from Siovanija & Teusland. It's onto to finals of AOCAF 62 for...the Commonwealth of Baker Park, who have defeated number one ranked Banija...goals from Desmond Garvey, Reggie Laing, who could be the Most Outstanding Player of the tourney when it's all said & done, and a bit of icing on the cake from Jerome Brooks. For Craig Snyder, I'm Mark Tolbert wrapping it up from Dave Wilson Stadium, where over 104,000 saw it finish Baker Park 3, Banija 1. David Blake"

David Blake: "Mark, Craig. Stellar work. I guess we could say that about the entire squad for BP, couldn't we Gary?"

Gary Kostka: "Jen joked around about all she did was fill out the lineups and watch from the bench, but I do believe Aidy needs to update his whiteboard where he has the greatest managers in the world written in."

Aiden Donnan: "Does she go ahead of Pam?"
GK: "not my call..." (laughter)

AD: "Here's the thing that 98% of people watching this match didn't see...but we were looking at all of the camera feeds, so it struck me as something incredible. From about the two thirds mark, Jen had Darren Flowers, who hasn't had the stellar tournament but has had spotty luck, sitting literally next to her. She would talk to him in the same way she might discuss things with Darren Kirby, then send him down to warm up, call him back to sit next to her. As soon as Banija got the score, she gave him the call to get ready."

GK: "She was giving him a lesson in tactics, what she wanted him concentrate on if he needed to go in. If they concede, I doubt he makes more than a cameo at the end. But she was also building him up, making him comfortable and showing that she had this particular role for him in her mind."

AD: "Precisely. Not Kirby, not one of the coaches. This is the gaffer bringing a player into the thinking of the big picture. It's not something you would see away from the training pitch."

DB: "We'll come back and break down the entire second half after these messages."

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

David Blake: "As we're getting through the last of the Qasden squad to receive their medals, the backroom staff, coaches, and manager Sylvia Zimari bringing up the rear. 36 years old and she has a seemingly bright future ahead of her Gary."

Gary Kostka: "Without a doubt. When all the federation wants you to do is take over with no previous experience, whip an entirely new squad of players into a cohesive unit, then sends you off to the toughest tournament in the multiverse and 'oh by the way it'd behoove you win a few matches if you know what's good for you', and she fulfills the brief completely, you can't see her not having a long career, whether it's in Qasden or somewhere else."

Aiden Donnan: "I was watching as she was going through the guard of honor, and the players all gave her a very subtle head nod, that sort of instinctive thing you do when you're paying respects. I think the BP squad understands what she accomplished. And you've nailed it Gary, she can go back and in few days, sit in front of the Association board or whoever runs the show there and say 'OK, now let's have some money, more support and build on this with this group of players'. There are far worse things in your career than coming up short in a major final your first time out."

DB: "Now the dignitaries will swap places, and it will be the presentations to the first time Atlantian Oceania Champions.
The Head, Mr Wentworth will assist Dave Carlson with the medals, and first up will be Spencer Brockhorst, who only got the one appearance, the match in Chromia; Rose McCormick, who saw action in the home fixture against the Anomalies and in the final Group match in the first phase in Valanora; Amy Freeman, who scored her maiden goal in that same match; Darren Flowers, Jen Prescott brought on as a sub in both the semis and tonight; Jerome Brooks, who wass the other defender to get on the scoresheet; Charlotte Bauer, another rising star; Hayley Gibson, who didn't get a goal, but created havoc against Banija, and performed admirably in her other starts; Freddie Altman started off slow, got confidence as the tourney went on; Marcus Garvey, who built a nice rapport with Laing and scored twice; Alicia Craig, a pair of scores for her and her understanding with West was a huge factor; Susana Aguilar played solidly, her only disappointing outing was in Chromia; Nicole D'Amico was solid in the center of the pitch; Christa Vuckovic will certainly have plenty more opportunities to show her talent; Amy Reynolds, was superb on the right side; Rey Guitierrez was another who brought steady play to the left side; we're into the starters now, Max Rizzo was sublime on the wing, we kept wondering how does Jen keep sending him out night after night; Marcus Nolan showed his versatility and why he continues to earn comparisons to Antonio Sotolongo; Daniel Pryor had 4 goals, won the header that led to the only goal of the Final; Victor Onikambe has been a rock, and this must be a special moment for him to earn this victory on the home soil of his ancestors; Tiffany Moss has a gold winners medal in what will probably her only stint with the national team, and her teammates could not be happier for her; Ayana West, second leading scorer on the team, and she will be forever remembered as the game winner in Busukuma; Zack Johnston will certainly win the Golden Glove as the most outstanding keeper, he's be nothing short of sensational; Reggie Laing, his seven goals won't quite be enough to win the Golden Boot, but he should be at least one of the contenders for Player of the Tournament; and last but not least, Gabby Jordan who was captain for the 9th time tonight, and certainly there will many more occasions in the future; we're into the backroom staff now, that's Bill Kwiatkowsi who has been with the FAC for 22 years as a dressing room manager; and Desiree Hotchkiss, who hasn't been around as long, but also works tirelessly; David Hulme, Chief Physio, another longtime presence at Birkenfeld; Matt Villareal, former national team player now on the coaching staff; Elaine King, who surely must be proud that another of her charges has shown what they are made of between the posts; Hailey Reinhart-Zavaros has become the super staffer of the FAC, as she moves from one spot to another easily, how long will it be before she's enticed away?; Darren Kirby, moved over from the 18's to replace Will Barnard, and has assisted Jen flawlessly; and lastly, the first championship winning manager in the history of the FAC, Jennifer Prescott. She's getting a lot congratulations from all of the people on the dais.

I'm also supposed to point out that this is the 179th victory for the National Team in the NS Sport Era, which equals the number of wins all time prior to the BOF. It was Banija & Qasden who were the co-hosts of the Baptism of Fire 67, the final played here at the Stadium of the Restoration. It has come full circle tonight, as trophy is presented to Gabby Jordan. The Champions of AOCAF 62 are the Commonwealth of Baker Park!"

(fireworks, confetti, the stadium electronic scoreboards displaying congratulatory messages, the players celebrating as the majority of the other bystanders make their way off the podium; scenes of supporters celebrating in the stadium, cut aways to scenes of celebrations in Baker Park)

[voice-over while various images continue]
DB: "Mark Tolbert & Craig Snyder have joined here on the studio set. Gentlemen you reckoned a few days ago that the scene at Dave Wilson Stadium was one of the very best you'd witnessed--"
CS: "that didn't last very long." (laughter)

DB: "we've sat around at the end of many tournaments and talked about where particular circumstances fit into the narrative of the FAC and the sport on an international level in Baker Park. There's no more 'someday' after tonight."

GK: "That is an excellent observation. We've survived the toughest tournament in the world that's not called the World Cup. There's no more room for excuses, no more plausible deniability, in a sense. We're going be at the grownups table from now on."

AD: "You guys are already making me nostalgic for 6 hours ago." (laughter) "It's almost like we've lost a tiny bit of our national innocence tonight."

DB: "While Aidy collects his feelings (laughter) we're going to cut away for a short break. Join us back here on CBC1 for more on a historic night in Busukuma."

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

© Sporting Times Daily 2020
Freikder Dandelleion speaks about state of CNT
by Fiona Devlin, National Soccer Writer

Running late to the meeting, thanks to slow traffic on BP Route 25 (naturally), I'm able to regain my sanity when the text message comes through--"15 min out,"--and I arrive at the agreed to destination, Berkeley's in Jamestown (recommended highly by Trevor Richmond, who still unofficially has a table at his disposal should he wish) with a couple of minutes to collect myself.

I've been entrusted with having a luncheon interview with the most mysterious gentleman in the country--National Team Assistant Manager Friekder Dandelleion, who has been Ichi Tuzzio's right hand man, confidante, and best friend going back to their days as teammates on the Farfadillis NT in that nation's 'Golden Age'.

When we meet face to face in the hostess area of the restaurant, he is apologetic about his tardiness--which leads me to explain my own travel problems--and effusive in his happiness to make my acquaintance; my friendship with NT Coach Tony Weiss was one of the important factors in his agreeing to give his first interview.

We're seated at the 'Trevor Richmond table'--the former Jamestown City Manager and now FAC Sporting Director is still held in high esteem in this establishment, given its proximity to J-City's Claymore Ground--and after we quickly decide on our own choices from the menu, the opening part of our conversation centers around the most recent developments at Birkenfeld.

Fiona Devlin: "You were a part of two AO Championship winning sides as a player, so did watching a squad that might play an important part in the next World Cup cycle bring up some feelings for you?"

Friekder Dandelleion: "Absolutely. We were part of the first team to win the (AOCAF) for Farfadillis, and that was an incredible experience. I recalled my own emotions as I saw the team receiving their medals. Under the circumstances, I feel it was an even better win than we had."

[we realized that both parties having the same initials would be a problem, so the questions will be attributed to us, rather than Fiona--Ed.}
ST: "There was a lot of idle chatter early on that maybe this time the experimental approach the FAC have always taken to the regional tourney might've been a mistake, especially with so many players lacking experience."

FD: "Much of the discussion about the squad was a collaborative effort--as it usually is here, and I want to touch upon that when I finish the answer--and we all felt good about the players we selected. One of the points made was that we have these players who have the talent, play at a high level, but the only way they are going to figure out how deal with the constant focus one must have in a tournament situation is by going out and doing it."

ST: "Which makes perfect sense, and there was a good balance with players who had the experience to lead although they weren't much older than the newer group. But please go on with your thoughts about the way decisions are handled."

Mister 'D' is one of the biggest legends of the game in Farfadillis, and was instrumental in their first World Cup appearances, as well as in their first AOCAF Cup win; he also won a second AOCAF Cup, scoring the winning goal in the final against Osarius before retiring from football altogether.
He discusses how the job here is different from the way things were handled in Farfadillis.

FD: "Of course now, there is some movement towards regaining normalcy in the country, but we didn't have the similar resources to work with back home. There was just us (he & Tuzzio) to handle all of the problems, plans, choices. The first few months, it took some getting used to hearing opinions from others, suggestions, having others ask us for our thoughts on a subject. But it is not...(he thinks for a moment)...bureaucratic. David (Carlson) and Trevor listen, and they work to form a consensus."

ST: "I don't think it's a secret to anyone that both yourself & Maestro Tuzzio are considered the final word on all things related to the full National Team, and he's on record as saying he considers Jen (Prescott) his equal, not a subordinate. In the wider picture, going back to the collaboration theme, how does make your job easier?"

FD: (smiles) "If you're on your own, and have to make a choice, and part of you is afraid because you'll have to face the consequences if you make the wrong choice, that will affect your decision making. If you have others to ask for help & advice, and they're giving information to you, but also are willing to stand by you no matter whether you make the right choice...whether the choice you make ends up being the right or wrong one, that's very important. Since I've been here, I am repeatedly amazed by Jenniver's qualities, her vision. And her total selflessness."

ST: "I want to make a detour for a second...winning the World Cup for your nation, especially under the circumstances of that particular squad, and I don't mean offense but it's said that Farves are not really the easiest players to instruct..."

FD: (laughter) "Is that what Pamela says? It is of course true. Farves will question perceived authority until they feel comfortable taking that person at their word. I'm sorry, I joke about the first part. Pamela is doing about as good a job as anyone could be doing right now. I know that she is still highly thought of at the FFFF."

ST: "I can't say I have a confidential relationship with Pam, so I didn't get that impression from her..."

FD: "You are good friends with Tony, I'm told? You were at University at the same time? He has been very important to myself and Tuzzio since we have been here."

ST: "He was a friend of a friend, and introduced me to my now-husband, who he is also close with."
FD: "Ah, that is a wonderful story. But I do tell a white lie, as Pamela herself said to me about dealing with Farf players."

ST: "How did that conversation come about? Who contacted whom first?"
FD: "We had a lengthy discussion in Puerto Farolero prior to the 3rd Place Match in the World Cup, at dinner with her husband, Trevor & his wife, Tuzzio, myself and several others. It was very strange being the guest in your own country, hosted by the previous manager of the squad that you were now in charge of. (laugh)"

ST: "I'm going to ask a most unusual question, so much so that I want you to write the answer on the napkin, and I give you my word I will not disclose what you write to anyone. In fact, the napkin won't leave these premises. But I want to lead into my next question based on your response."

In fact, I won't even disclose what the question was, which I informed Mr 'D' later via text while writing this article; his answer was both surprising and maybe what I expected. I stuffed the paper serviette into half full water glass when we parted approximately 30 minutes later.

ST: "Maestro likes living close to the city, yet you prefer to make residence when in Baker Park far enough away from Birkenfeld, but not completely isolated. What is it about where you live that appeals to you?"
FD: "Community. The pace of lifestyle. In Farfadillis, I am still famous face, if I'm in public people will come forward to say hello, shake hands. Not surround like a mob, but still take up time. Here, people who recognize me will either just nod and smile, come to ask if I am Mister D, then wish me well or just nod and wish me well. (laugh) I do think I will keep my home here even if I don't stay on with the National Team in the future."

ST: "The World Cup cycle coming up might be a crossroads for the Commonwealth, perhaps the biggest test of the depth of talent, the continuity of the National Team philosophy, and the last stand for the Golden Generation that has cemented their place in history. Whether in your logical mind or your emotional heart, do you believe this might be opportunity to win--or even make it to the Final--the biggest prize?

FD: "Fiona, we all feel that this is the right time & place to take the final leap into the history book. We will not spare anything in the quest for the title."