Drehda Domestic SportsWire

[Drehda]

Drehda - Season 2 - Cricket Final Round Up

The curtain has once again fallen on the Drehdan cricket season and the inaugural Akram Cup is in the books - let's take a look at the last two rounds of fixtures and assess the final standings for the country's premier first class competition:

MD9

Comets 419a.o (108 ovrs) 671/5d (189 ovrs) Hawks
233/3 (54.4 ovrs) -
Match Drawn

Magic 233a.o (50.4 ovrs) 332a.o (91.1 ovrs) Sharks
155a.o (41.1 ovrs) 59/1 (19.5 ovrs)
Sharks win by 9 wickets

Stars 231a.o (80.1 ovrs) 191a.o (56.2 ovrs) Lions
84 a.o (29.1 ovrs) 43a.o (11.2 ovrs)
Stars win by 81 runs

MD10
Sharks 577/6d (200 ovrs) 312a.o (87.2 ovrs) Comets
- 189/7 (55 ovrs)
Match Drawn

Lions 272a.o (95.2 ovrs) 356a.o (94 ovrs) Hawks
259/5 (77 ovrs) 251a.o (70 ovrs)
Match Drawn

Stars 313a.o (86.3 ovrs) 379a.o (100.3 ovrs) Magic
188a.o (44.3 ovrs) 152a.o (46 ovrs)
Magic win by 30 runs

Position	Team	Played	Won	Draws	Losses	Tie	1st inngs BP	Win BP	Points
1	Sharks	10	6	3	1	0	8	3	145
2	Hawks	10	5	3	2	0	7	1	112
3	Magic	10	5	1	3	0	4	1	96
4	Stars	10	3	2	5	0	4	1	71
5	Lions	10	2	4	4	0	4	0	58
6	Comets	10	2	2	6	0	3	0	46

The Northern Sharks took the title at a canter, sowing things up with a typically emphatic MD9 9 wicket victory away to the Central Magic. After a slow start to the campaign, the Sharks went unbeaten through the last eight rounds of matches, winning six and having two end in draws. Three of their victories were by an innings which is an undeniable underlining of their quality and dominance. Languid lefty Ross Fletcher led the Sharks batting unit from the #4 position and ended up as the competitions top run scorer, while left arm seamer Ollie Watson and off-spinner Alexander Duffy forged a fearsome bowling combination. An oft-overlooked contributor to the Sharks' success was all-rounder Craig McEwan. Averaging only 28 with the bat and 36 with the ball McEwan was hardly prolific in either discipline but the contributions he did make were of tremendous value. Fans will think back to a crucial 73* while shepherding the tail to chase down 309 in the 4th innings of the MD5 game away to the Eastern Comets and a double-wicket maiden in MD8 which triggered a rapid final day collapse of the Fort Hope Lions batting line up. McEwan was also a lethal operator in the field, snagging a total 14 catches and 6 direct-hit run outs while patrolling the backward point region.

Away from the lofty centre stage of the Elite Performance Model franchises, we've also had the traditional National T20 Cup and 3 Shield Day for the club sides. Hennerton Unicorns beat Wilhelmsbrook Warriors in the T20 Cup final however the Warriors took home the red ball trophy.

3 Day Shield

Position Team Played Won Draws Losses Points
1 Wilhelmsbrook CC 16 13 3 2 210
2 Cadderick CC 16 11 3 4 180
3 National Defence Board XI 16 10 2 6 160
4 Combined Services XI 16 8 4 6 140
5 Metlock CC 16 7 3 8 120
6 Hollenwaard CC 16 6 4 8 110
7 Drehda U19s 16 5 4 9 95
8 Hennerton CC 16 3 2 13 55

[Drehda]

Drehda - Season 2 - Winter Games Catch Up

With the summer's sporting excitement over and the early nights rolling in, we turn our attention to the country's most popular winter games - primarily Association Football & Rugby League.

Rugby League

As with last season, the Rugby Football League Board of Drehda rules award 4 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. A bonus point is awarded for winning a match by eight points or more or by losing a match by seven points or fewer.

Men's - MD 1 -5

MD 1
Lions 30:12 Hawks
Comets 19:24 Sharks
Magic 16:28 Stars

MD 2
Hawks 44:6 Stars
Sharks 22:24 Magic
Lions 42:12 Comets

MD 3
Comets 24:23 Hawks
Magic 14:24 Lions
Stars 24:18 Sharks

MD 4
Hawks 24:13 Sharks
Lions 24:22 Stars
Comets 28:12 Magic

MD 5
Magic 31:16 Hawks
Stars 24:28 Comets
Sharks 6:34 Lions

Position	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Result Pts	WB	LB	Total Points
1	Lions	5	4	0	1	136	103	33	16	3	0	19
2	Sharks	5	3	0	2	118	106	12	12	1	1	14
3	Comets	5	3	0	2	104	114	-10	12	2	0	14
4	Magic	5	2	0	3	118	102	16	8	2	3	13
5	Stars	5	2	0	3	122	110	12	8	2	1	11
6	Hawks	5	1	0	4	79	142	-63	4	0	1	5

Women's - MD 1 -5

MD 1
Lions 30:12 Hawks
Comets 19:24 Sharks
Magic 16:28 Stars

MD 2
Hawks 44:6 Stars
Sharks 22:24 Magic
Lions 42:12 Comets

MD 3
Comets 24:23 Hawks
Magic 14:24 Lions
Stars 24:18 Sharks

MD 4
Hawks 24:13 Sharks
Lions 24:22 Stars
Comets 28:12 Magic

MD 5
Magic 31:16 Hawks
Stars 24:28 Comets
Sharks 6:34 Lions

Position	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Result Pts	WB	LB	Total Points
1	Lions	5	5	0	0	154	66	88	20	4	0	24
2	Comets	5	3	0	2	111	125	-14	12	1	2	15
3	Hawks	5	2	0	3	119	104	15	8	2	1	11
4	Stars	5	2	0	3	104	130	-26	8	1	1	10
5	Magic	5	2	0	3	97	118	-21	8	1	0	9
6	Sharks	5	1	0	4	83	125	-42	4	0	2	6

The Fort Hope Lions are leading the charge across both competitions, going a perfect 5-0 through the first half of the women's game and maintaining 80% win rate in the men's. Their 9 point lead at the top of the women's division looks utterly unassailable at the half way stage however the men's comp is tighter with second placed Northern Sharks clutching onto the Lion's coattails just five points adrift.

Football

Women's Premier

MD1
Comets 2:0 Sharks
Hawks 4:0 Stars
Lions 1:0 Magic

MD2
Sharks 3:4 Magic
Stars 2:3 Lions
Comets 1:0 Hawks

MD3
Hawks 1:0 Sharks
Lions 1:1 Comets
Magic 1:2 Stars

MD4
Sharks 1:2 Stars
Comets 1:0 Magic
Hawks 1:2 Lions

MD5
Lions 3:1 Sharks
Magic 0:0 Hawks
Stars 2:0 Comets

MD5 League Standings

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Lions 5 4 1 0 10 5 +5 13
2 Comets 5 3 1 1 5 3 +2 10
3 Stars 5 3 0 2 8 9 −1 9
4 Hawks 5 2 1 2 6 3 +3 7
5 Magic 5 1 1 3 5 7 −2 4
6 Sharks 5 0 0 5 5 12 −7 0

Fort Hope Lion(nesses?) are again pulling away from the rest of the pack (pride?) in the Women's Football, undefeated through the first half of the season and looking great value for the table-topping charge after five games. Northern Sharks have looked utterly off the pace as they're yet to even register a single point.

Men's Premier

MD1
Lions 1:2 Sharks
Comets 2:2 Hawks
Magic 0:0 Stars

MD2
Sharks 1:2 Stars
Hawks 1:3 Magic
Lions 3:1 Comets

MD3
Comets 4:0 Sharks
Magic 2:2 Lions
Stars 0:0 Hawks

MD4
Sharks 1:1 Hawks
Lions 0:0 Stars
Comets 1:1 Magic

MD5
Magic 2:1 Sharks
Stars 2:3 Comets
Hawks 2:1 Lions

Week 5 Standings

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Magic 5 2 3 0 8 5 +3 9
2 Comets 5 2 2 1 11 8 +3 8
3 Lions 5 1 3 1 8 7 +1 6
4 Stars 5 1 3 1 4 4 0 6
5 Hawks 5 0 4 1 6 8 −2 4
6 Sharks 5 1 1 3 5 10 −5 4

Once again we see a much tighter table in the Men's division. The Central Magic top the division and are unbeaten after five matches, but have hardly set the league on fire and instead opting for hard-nosed, gritty performances to eek out positive results. The Eastern Comets are the much more exciting side as they lead the division in terms of goals scored, but need to ensure their flair and creativity translates into wins in the second half of the season.

Men's First Division

MD1
Cadderick Rovers F.C 2:1 Tillerbury F.C
Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers F.C 1:2 Metlock Town F.C
Currilow F.C 2:1 Hennerton F.C
F.C Victoria Shankwell 1:1 Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C
Fort Hope S.C 1:1 Fort Hope United F.C

MD2
Tillerbury F.C 3:1 Fort Hope United F.C
Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C 1:1 Fort Hope S.C
Hennerton F.C 0:2 F.C Victoria Shankwell
Metlock Town F.C 0:1 Currilow F.C
Cadderick Rovers F.C 2:1 Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers F.C

MD3
Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers F.C 2:0 Tillerbury F.C
Currilow F.C 0:0 Cadderick Rovers F.C
F.C Victoria Shankwell 0:2 Metlock Town F.C
Fort Hope S.C 2:0 Hennerton F.C
Fort Hope United F.C 1:2 Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C

MD4
Tillerbury F.C 2:1 Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C
Hennerton F.C 1:2 Fort Hope United F.C
Metlock Town F.C 1:1 Fort Hope S.C
Cadderick Rovers F.C 3:1 F.C Victoria Shankwell
Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers F.C 0:0 Currilow F.C

MD5
Currilow F.C 1:2 Tillerbury F.C
F.C Victoria Shankwell 1:2 Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers F.C
Fort Hope S.C 2:1 Cadderick Rovers F.C
Fort Hope United F.C 2:1 Metlock Town F.C
Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C 1:1 Hennerton F.C

MD6
Tillerbury F.C 1:1 Hennerton F.C
Metlock Town F.C 2:1 Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C
Cadderick Rovers F.C 0:0 Fort Hope United F.C
Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers F.C 3:0 Fort Hope S.C
Currilow F.C 1:0 F.C Victoria Shankwell

MD7
F.C Victoria Shankwell 2:0 Tillerbury F.C
Fort Hope S.C 0:2 Currilow F.C
Fort Hope United F.C 2:1 Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers F.C
Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C 1:1 Cadderick Rovers F.C
Hennerton F.C 2:1 Metlock Town F.C

MD8
Tillerbury F.C 1:0 Metlock Town F.C
Cadderick Rovers F.C 1:2 Hennerton F.C
Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers F.C 2:2 Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C
Currilow F.C 0:1 Fort Hope United F.C
F.C Victoria Shankwell 1:1 Fort Hope S.C

MD9
Fort Hope S.C 3:0 Tillerbury F.C
Fort Hope United F.C 0:1 F.C Victoria Shankwell
Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C 1:0 Currilow F.C
Hennerton F.C 2:1 Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers F.C
Metlock Town F.C 4:1 Cadderick Rovers F.C

MD9 Standings

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Currilow 9 4 2 3 7 5 +2 14
2 Fort Hope United 9 4 2 3 10 10 0 14
3 Metlock Town 9 4 1 4 13 10 +3 13
4 Fort Hope S.C 9 3 4 2 11 10 +1 13
5 Tillerbury 9 4 1 4 10 13 −3 13
6 Cadderick 9 3 3 3 11 12 −1 12
7 Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers 9 3 2 4 13 11 +2 11
8 Fortuna Hollenwaard 9 2 5 2 11 11 0 11
9 Victoria Shankwell 9 3 2 4 9 10 −1 11
10 Hennerton 9 3 2 4 10 13 −3 11

Currilow F.C, who last season only managed to come second in both the regular season league table and the post-season play offs, have stepped their performances up a gear for this second season as they top the charts at the half way mark. It's a tight run race though as they only lead on goal difference and every team in the division will hold onto belief that a good run of form can see their fortunes turned around in a hurry. Promoted new boys Tillerbury have acquit themselves admirably so far with a daring all-or-nothing style of play which has seen them pick up crucial wins to sit in midtable.

Men's Second Division

MD1
Bay Of Mercy F.C 0:2 Russford Blues F.C
Shankwell Swifts F.C 2:1 NDB F.C
Sporting Piraz F.C 2:2 Medikau Glory F.C
Yennet Valley F.C 3:1 Jexton Rangers F.C
Combined Services F.C 1:1 F.C Phemway Phoenix
Cullibrigg F.C 4:3 Dennellbridge F.C

MD2
Russford Blues F.C 1:0 Dennellbridge F.C
F.C Phemway Phoenix 1:2 Cullibrigg F.C
Jexton Rangers F.C 0:1 Combined Services F.C
Medikau Glory F.C 4:2 Yennet Valley F.C
NDB F.C 0:5 Sporting Piraz F.C
Bay Of Mercy F.C 2:0 Shankwell Swifts F.C

MD3
Shankwell Swifts F.C 1:3 Russford Blues F.C
Sporting Piraz F.C 2:1 Bay Of Mercy F.C
Yennet Valley F.C 2:2 NDB F.C
Combined Services F.C 2:0 Medikau Glory F.C
Cullibrigg F.C 2:2 Jexton Rangers F.C
Dennellbridge F.C 2:1 F.C Phemway Phoenix

MD4
Russford Blues F.C 1:0 F.C Phemway Phoenix
Jexton Rangers F.C 3:1 Dennellbridge F.C
Medikau Glory F.C 0:4 Cullibrigg F.C
NDB F.C 1:0 Combined Services F.C
Bay Of Mercy F.C 3:1 Yennet Valley F.C
Shankwell Swifts F.C 2:1 Sporting Piraz F.C

MD5
Sporting Piraz F.C 0:1 Russford Blues F.C
Yennet Valley F.C 2:0 Shankwell Swifts F.C
Combined Services F.C 2:1 Bay Of Mercy F.C
Cullibrigg F.C 2:0 NDB F.C
Dennellbridge F.C 1:0 Medikau Glory F.C
F.C Phemway Phoenix 2:0 Jexton Rangers F.C

MD6
Russford Blues F.C 0:1 Jexton Rangers F.C
Medikau Glory F.C 0:2 F.C Phemway Phoenix
NDB F.C 2:1 Dennellbridge F.C
Bay Of Mercy F.C 2:1 Cullibrigg F.C
Shankwell Swifts F.C 2:0 Combined Services F.C
Sporting Piraz F.C 1:0 Yennet Valley F.C

MD7
Yennet Valley F.C 2:0 Russford Blues F.C
Combined Services F.C 2:1 Sporting Piraz F.C
Cullibrigg F.C 1:0 Shankwell Swifts F.C
Dennellbridge F.C 0:1 Bay Of Mercy F.C
F.C Phemway Phoenix 1:0 NDB F.C
Jexton Rangers F.C 1:0 Medikau Glory F.C

MD8
Russford Blues F.C 2:1 Medikau Glory F.C
NDB F.C 3:1 Jexton Rangers F.C
Bay Of Mercy F.C 1:0 F.C Phemway Phoenix
Shankwell Swifts F.C 2:0 Dennellbridge F.C
Sporting Piraz F.C 1:2 Cullibrigg F.C
Yennet Valley F.C 2:1 Combined Services F.C

MD9
Combined Services F.C 2:0 Russford Blues F.C
Cullibrigg F.C 2:1 Yennet Valley F.C
Dennellbridge F.C 0:0 Sporting Piraz F.C
F.C Phemway Phoenix 1:2 Shankwell Swifts F.C
Jexton Rangers F.C 0:4 Bay Of Mercy F.C
Medikau Glory F.C 0:0 NDB F.C

MD10
Russford Blues F.C 2:2 NDB F.C
Bay Of Mercy F.C 1:0 Medikau Glory F.C
Shankwell Swifts F.C 3:1 Jexton Rangers F.C
Sporting Piraz F.C 0:1 F.C Phemway Phoenix
Yennet Valley F.C 1:0 Dennellbridge F.C
Combined Services F.C 4:1 Cullibrigg F.C

MD11
Cullibrigg F.C 4:1 Russford Blues F.C
Dennellbridge F.C 1:1 Combined Services F.C
F.C Phemway Phoenix 1:1 Yennet Valley F.C
Jexton Rangers F.C 2:1 Sporting Piraz F.C
Medikau Glory F.C 1:4 Shankwell Swifts F.C
NDB F.C 1:2 Bay Of Mercy F.C

Week 11 League

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Cullibrigg F.C 11 8 1 2 25 15 +10 25
2 Bay Of Mercy F.C 11 8 0 3 18 9 +9 24
3 Shankwell Swifts F.C 11 7 0 4 18 13 +5 21
4 Combined Services F.C 11 6 2 3 16 10 +6 20
5 Russford Blues 11 6 1 4 13 13 0 19
6 Yennet Valley F.C 11 5 2 4 17 15 +2 17
7 F.C Phemway Phoenix 11 4 2 5 11 10 +1 14
8 Jexton Rangers F.C 11 4 1 6 12 20 −8 13
9 NDB F.C 11 3 3 5 12 18 −6 12
10 Sporting Piraz F.C 11 3 2 6 14 13 +1 11
11 Dennellbridge F.C 11 2 2 7 9 16 −7 8
12 Medikau Glory F.C 11 1 2 8 8 21 −13 5

Last season's beaten cup finalists Bay Of Mercy have carried that momentum forward into season two, maintaining a fierce promotion push after 11 games played. Cullibrigg made several off-season changes to both their squad and coaching line up and these seem to be proving shrewd moves as they have their noses out in front by just a solitary point. Medikau Glory were a bootlace away from being promoted as champions last season but they've shown none of that quality so far with a series of disjointed performances meaning they are rooted to the bottom, threatened with relegation to the newly establish Third Division if they can't buck up their ideas.

Men's Third Division

MD1
1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz 3:1 Hyperion F.C
National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C 1:1 Gold Star F.C
National Steelworks Union F.C 0:1 Excalibur F.C
Polaris F.C 0:0 Eintract Scorpius F.C
Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club 2:2 Brune Spitfires S.C
Shankwell Reds F.C 0:0 Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C
St Jasper's Catholics F.C 0:1 Aurelius A.F.C
Wishelbury Athletic F.C 3:1 Ardswych F.C

MD2
Hyperion F.C 3:1 Ardswych F.C
Aurelius A.F.C 1:0 Wishelbury Athletic F.C
Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C 3:4 St Jasper's Catholics F.C
Brune Spitfires S.C 4:1 Shankwell Reds F.C
Eintract Scorpius F.C 2:2 Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club
Excalibur F.C 1:0 Polaris F.C
Gold Star F.C 4:2 National Steelworks Union F.C
1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz 1:0 National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C

MD3
National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C 3:1 Hyperion F.C
National Steelworks Union F.C 1:1 1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz
Polaris F.C 3:0 Gold Star F.C
Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club 2:0 Excalibur F.C
Shankwell Reds F.C 1:0 Eintract Scorpius F.C
St Jasper's Catholics F.C 1:0 Brune Spitfires S.C
Wishelbury Athletic F.C 0:1 Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C
Ardswych F.C 1:1 Aurelius A.F.C

MD4
Hyperion F.C 2:1 Aurelius A.F.C
Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C 1:1 Ardswych F.C
Brune Spitfires S.C 0:2 Wishelbury Athletic F.C
Eintract Scorpius F.C 2:2 St Jasper's Catholics F.C
Excalibur F.C 4:0 Shankwell Reds F.C
Gold Star F.C 2:1 Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club
1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz 3:1 Polaris F.C
National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C 0:1 National Steelworks Union F.C

MD5
National Steelworks Union F.C 1:2 Hyperion F.C
Polaris F.C 2:2 National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C
Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club 2:0 1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz
Shankwell Reds F.C 2:2 Gold Star F.C
St Jasper's Catholics F.C 0:0 Excalibur F.C
Wishelbury Athletic F.C 1:2 Eintract Scorpius F.C
Ardswych F.C 0:2 Brune Spitfires S.C
Aurelius A.F.C 1:3 Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C

MD6
Hyperion F.C 3:1 Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C
Brune Spitfires S.C 3:2 Aurelius A.F.C
Eintract Scorpius F.C 5:1 Ardswych F.C
Excalibur F.C 0:2 Wishelbury Athletic F.C
Gold Star F.C 0:2 St Jasper's Catholics F.C
1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz 0:2 Shankwell Reds F.C
National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C 3:1 Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club
National Steelworks Union F.C 3:1 Polaris F.C

MD7
Polaris F.C 2:0 Hyperion F.C
Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club 2:1 National Steelworks Union F.C
Shankwell Reds F.C 2:0 National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C
St Jasper's Catholics F.C 0:3 1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz
Wishelbury Athletic F.C 0:1 Gold Star F.C
Ardswych F.C 2:0 Excalibur F.C
Aurelius A.F.C 2:1 Eintract Scorpius F.C
Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C 3:2 Brune Spitfires S.C

MD8
Hyperion F.C 2:1 Brune Spitfires S.C
Eintract Scorpius F.C 2:1 Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C
Excalibur F.C 2:3 Aurelius A.F.C
Gold Star F.C 3:2 Ardswych F.C
1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz 2:0 Wishelbury Athletic F.C
National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C 1:0 St Jasper's Catholics F.C
National Steelworks Union F.C 1:0 Shankwell Reds F.C
Polaris F.C 3:1 Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club

MD9
Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club 1:1 Hyperion F.C
Shankwell Reds F.C 2:1 Polaris F.C
St Jasper's Catholics F.C 0:1 National Steelworks Union F.C
Wishelbury Athletic F.C 4:5 National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C
Ardswych F.C 1:1 1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz
Aurelius A.F.C 1:0 Gold Star F.C
Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C 1:1 Excalibur F.C
Brune Spitfires S.C 1:0 Eintract Scorpius F.C

MD10
Hyperion F.C 3:1 Eintract Scorpius F.C
Excalibur F.C 2:1 Brune Spitfires S.C
Gold Star F.C 1:1 Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C
1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz 2:0 Aurelius A.F.C
National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C 2:0 Ardswych F.C
National Steelworks Union F.C 1:0 Wishelbury Athletic F.C
Polaris F.C 3:2 St Jasper's Catholics F.C
Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club 3:3 Shankwell Reds F.C

MD11
Shankwell Reds F.C 3:2 Hyperion F.C
St Jasper's Catholics F.C 1:1 Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club
Wishelbury Athletic F.C 2:1 Polaris F.C
Ardswych F.C 2:1 National Steelworks Union F.C
Aurelius A.F.C 3:0 National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C
Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C 1:0 1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz
Brune Spitfires S.C 2:2 Gold Star F.C
Eintract Scorpius F.C 2:4 Excalibur F.C

MD12
Hyperion F.C 2:0 Excalibur F.C
Gold Star F.C 1:0 Eintract Scorpius F.C
1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz 2:2 Brune Spitfires S.C
National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C 0:0 Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C
National Steelworks Union F.C 1:0 Aurelius A.F.C
Polaris F.C 2:2 Ardswych F.C
Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club 2:2 Wishelbury Athletic F.C
Shankwell Reds F.C 1:1 St Jasper's Catholics F.C

MD13
St Jasper's Catholics F.C 1:1 Hyperion F.C
Wishelbury Athletic F.C 1:0 Shankwell Reds F.C
Ardswych F.C 1:3 Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club
Aurelius A.F.C 2:1 Polaris F.C
Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C 4:3 National Steelworks Union F.C
Brune Spitfires S.C 2:2 National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C
Eintract Scorpius F.C 2:0 1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz
Excalibur F.C 0:0 Gold Star F.C

MD14
Hyperion F.C 1:1 Gold Star F.C
1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz 1:1 Excalibur F.C
National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C 1:1 Eintract Scorpius F.C
National Steelworks Union F.C 1:0 Brune Spitfires S.C
Polaris F.C 1:3 Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C
Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club 0:0 Aurelius A.F.C
Shankwell Reds F.C 3:1 Ardswych F.C
St Jasper's Catholics F.C 2:1 Wishelbury Athletic F.C

MD15
Wishelbury Athletic F.C 3:0 Hyperion F.C
Ardswych F.C 2:1 St Jasper's Catholics F.C
Aurelius A.F.C 0:1 Shankwell Reds F.C
Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C 2:2 Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club
Brune Spitfires S.C 3:1 Polaris F.C
Eintract Scorpius F.C 1:3 National Steelworks Union F.C
Excalibur F.C 1:3 National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C
Gold Star F.C 0 1:1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts	
1 1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz15 7 4 4 20 14 +6 25	
2 National Steelworks Union F.C 15 8 1 6 21 18 +3 25	
3 Shankwell Reds F.C 15 7 4 4 21 20 +1 25	
4 Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C 15 6 6 3 25 21 +4 24	
5 Hyperion F.C 15 7 3 5 24 23 +1 24	
6 National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C 15 6 5 4 23 20 +3 23	
7 Aurelius A.F.C 15 7 2 6 18 17 +1 23	
8 Gold Star F.C 15 5 6 4 18 19 −1 21	
9 Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club 15 4 8 3 25 23 +2 20	
10 Brune Spitfires S.C 15 5 4 6 25 23 +2 19	
11 Wishelbury Athletic F.C 15 6 1 8 21 19 +2 19	
12 Excalibur F.C 15 5 4 6 17 19 −2 19	
13 St Jasper's Catholics F.C 15 4 5 6 17 20 −3 17	
14 Eintract Scorpius F.C 15 4 4 7 21 23 −2 16	
15 Polaris F.C 15 4 3 8 22 26 −4 15	
16 Ardswych F.C 15 3 4 8 18 31 −13 13

We move now to the first of the three new divisions of Drehda football. It's another leading pack which you could separate with a hair's breadth, the top seven teams all separated by just two points and with reasonably close goal differences. All these divisions operate a one up, one down policy so each club will have to grit and battle hard down the back half of the season. Every point, every goal could prove crucial come crunch time at both ends of the table.

Men's Forth Division

MD1
AFC Great Colmes 1:2 Hendrix AFC
Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C 3:1 Green Jackets F.C
Mercury AFC 1:1 F.C Octavia Hollenwaard
Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C 1:1 Drehda U18s
Old Rippons F.C 1:1 Covelli Olympic F.C
Radcott Park F.C 1:3 Combined Universities F.C
Ravens F.C 2:1 Barnlow Rangers F.C
Unity F.C 0:4 Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C

MD2
Hendrix AFC 1:4 Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C
Barnlow Rangers F.C 1:3 Unity F.C
Combined Universities F.C 1:2 Ravens F.C
Covelli Olympic F.C 3:0 Radcott Park F.C
Drehda U18s 1:2 Old Rippons F.C
F.C Octavia Hollenwaard 1:3 Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C
Green Jackets F.C 2:0 Mercury AFC
AFC Great Colmes 4:0 Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C

MD3
Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C 2:2 Hendrix AFC
Mercury AFC 1:1 AFC Great Colmes
Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C 3:1 Green Jackets F.C
Old Rippons F.C 1:2 F.C Octavia Hollenwaard
Radcott Park F.C 1:3 Drehda U18s
Ravens F.C 1:0 Covelli Olympic F.C
Unity F.C 1:0 Combined Universities F.C
Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C 2:1 Barnlow Rangers F.C

MD4
Hendrix AFC 1:2 Barnlow Rangers F.C
Combined Universities F.C 2:2 Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C
Covelli Olympic F.C 2:0 Unity F.C
Drehda U18s 2:0 Ravens F.C
F.C Octavia Hollenwaard 2:1 Radcott Park F.C
Green Jackets F.C 1:2 Old Rippons F.C
AFC Great Colmes 1:2 Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C
Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C 1:1 Mercury AFC

MD5
Mercury AFC 2:3 Hendrix AFC
Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C 0:1 Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C
Old Rippons F.C 1:1 AFC Great Colmes
Radcott Park F.C 1:1 Green Jackets F.C
Ravens F.C 1:0 F.C Octavia Hollenwaard
Unity F.C 2:1 Drehda U18s
Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C 1:1 Covelli Olympic F.C
Barnlow Rangers F.C 4 0 Combined Universities F.C

MD6
Hendrix AFC 1:2 Combined Universities F.C
Covelli Olympic F.C 0:1 Barnlow Rangers F.C
Drehda U18s 3:1 Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C
F.C Octavia Hollenwaard 4:1 Unity F.C
Green Jackets F.C 1:1 Ravens F.C
AFC Great Colmes 10 Radcott Park F.C
Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C 43 Old Rippons F.C
Mercury AFC 1:2 Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C

MD7
Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C 1:1 Hendrix AFC
Old Rippons F.C 0:2 Mercury AFC
Radcott Park F.C 0:1 Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C
Ravens F.C 1:2 AFC Great Colmes
Unity F.C 4:2 Green Jackets F.C
Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C 2:3 F.C Octavia Hollenwaard
Barnlow Rangers F.C 3:2 Drehda U18s
Combined Universities F.C 2:1 Covelli Olympic F.C

MD8
Hendrix AFC 0:0 Covelli Olympic F.C
Drehda U18s 3:3 Combined Universities F.C
F.C Octavia Hollenwaard 1:4 Barnlow Rangers F.C
Green Jackets F.C 2:2 Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C
AFC Great Colmes 1 1 Unity F.C
Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C 2 1 Ravens F.C
Mercury AFC 1 0 Radcott Park F.C
Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C 1 1 Old Rippons F.C

MD9
Old Rippons F.C 1:1 Hendrix AFC
Radcott Park F.C 1:3 Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C
Ravens F.C 2:0 Mercury AFC
Unity F.C 3:1 Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C
Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C 0:1 AFC Great Colmes
Barnlow Rangers F.C 1:0 Green Jackets F.C
Combined Universities F.C 1:2 F.C Octavia Hollenwaard
Covelli Olympic F.C 2:1 Drehda U18s

MD10
Hendrix AFC 0:1 Drehda U18s
F.C Octavia Hollenwaard 2:0 Covelli Olympic F.C
Green Jackets F.C 2:0 Combined Universities F.C
AFC Great Colmes 2:1 Barnlow Rangers F.C
Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C 0:1 Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C
Mercury AFC 0:1 Unity F.C
Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C 1:1 Ravens F.C
Old Rippons F.C 0:1 Radcott Park F.C

MD11
Radcott Park F.C 1;1 Hendrix AFC
Ravens F.C 3:1 Old Rippons F.C
Unity F.C 0:2 Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C
Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C 1:4 Mercury AFC
Barnlow Rangers F.C 1:1 Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C
Combined Universities F.C 1:2 AFC Great Colmes
Covelli Olympic F.C 1:2 Green Jackets F.C
Drehda U18s 2:0 F.C Octavia Hollenwaard

MD12
Hendrix AFC 1:1 F.C Octavia Hollenwaard
Green Jackets F.C 2:0 Drehda U18s
AFC Great Colmes 1:3 Covelli Olympic F.C
Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C 2:1 Combined Universities F.C
Mercury AFC 1:2 Barnlow Rangers F.C
Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C 1:1 Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C
Old Rippons F.C 0:4 Unity F.C
Radcott Park F.C 1:1 Ravens F.C

MD13
Ravens F.C 2:3 Hendrix AFC
Unity F.C 0:1 Radcott Park F.C
Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C 1:0 Old Rippons F.C
Barnlow Rangers F.C 1:2 Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C
Combined Universities F.C 2:0 Mercury AFC
Covelli Olympic F.C 2:1 Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C
Drehda U18s 1:2 AFC Great Colmes
F.C Octavia Hollenwaard 2:1 Green Jackets F.C

MD14
Hendrix AFC 1:1 Green Jackets F.C
AFC Great Colmes 1:2 F.C Octavia Hollenwaard
Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C 0:1 Drehda U18s
Mercury AFC 0:2 Covelli Olympic F.C
Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C 2:4 Combined Universities F.C
Old Rippons F.C 1:1 Barnlow Rangers F.C
Radcott Park F.C 3:1 Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C
Ravens F.C 0:1 Unity F.C

MD15
Unity F.C 1:1 Hendrix AFC
Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C 3:0 Ravens F.C
Barnlow Rangers F.C 0:2 Radcott Park F.C
Combined Universities F.C 1:3 Old Rippons F.C
Covelli Olympic F.C 1:2 Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C
Drehda U18s 0:1 Mercury AFC
F.C Octavia Hollenwaard 1:1 Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C
Green Jackets F.C 1:2 AFC Great Colmes

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Met Fort Hope 15 8 5 2 26 17 +9 29
2 AFC Great Colmes 15 8 3 4 23 17 +6 27 
3 Octavia Hollenwaard 15 8 3 4 24 21 +3 27 
4 Unity F.C 15 8 2 5 22 20 +2 26 
5 Barnlow Rangers F.C 15 7 2 6 24 20 +4 23
6 Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C 15 6 4 5 26 22 +4 22 
7 Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C 15 6 4 5 20 22 −2 22 
8 Covelli Olympic 15 6 3 6 19 15 +4 21 
9 Ravens F.C 15 6 3 6 18 19 −1 21 
10 Drehda U18s 15 6 2 7 22 20 +2 20 
11 Hendrix AFC 15 3 8 4 19 22 −3 17 
12 Combined Unis 15 5 2 8 23 28 −5 17 
13 Green Jackets F.C 15 4 4 7 20 23 −3 16 
14 Mercury AFC 15 4 3 8 15 20 −5 15 
15Radcott Park F.C 15 4 3 8 14 21 −7 15 
16 Old Rippons 15 3 5 7 17 25 −8 14

The Forth Division is showing a bit more of a divided pack, with Metropolitan Fort Hope leading a small group of four clubs who are just threatening to pull away from the rest. Drehda U18s, supposedly the pride and future of the country's National Team, have been pretty uninspiring so far. Their squad has shown flashes of talent and quality but have repeatedly looked under-strength and under-prepared for both the cerebral and physical nature of this lower division. Even readers who haven't spent much time watching the Dockworkers Union side will need little imagination to picture what sort of treatment to dished out to youngsters displaying rabonas and endless step overs.

With the football league systems now all at their half way mark, our attentions will turn to knock out cup football. The new FAD Cup format will see the Third & Forth Division clubs battle through three preliminary rounds, with 4 going forward to compete against Second Division clubs. These will whittle down further until 4 teams can be put forward to play teams from the First Division and the two currently highest ranked clubs from the franchise Men's Premier Division (Magic & Comets)

[Drehda]

Drehda - Season 2 - FAD Cup Preliminary Stages

With the league campaign at the half way stages, the footballing world turn to the cut-throat adventures of knock-out cup competition. With the major expansion in Season 2 and low rumbling tension between fans of local "legacy" clubs and top-tier franchise sides, the tournament has taken on an experimental new format looking to keep all supporters engaged and excited. The first few rounds will be the Preliminary Rounds will be comprised exclusively of teams from the lowest two tiers as they wrestle out for the right to move on to the next stage, where Second Division clubs will be introduced.

First Preliminary Round
Radcott Park F.C 2 (2ET)(p5) - 2(2ET)(p4) St Jasper's Catholics F.C
Ardswych F.C 2 - 1 F.C Octavia Hollenwaard
Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C 2 (3ET) - 2 (2ET) Aurelius A.F.C
Excalibur F.C 1 - 3 Shankwell Reds F.C
Unity F.C 2 - 3 Drehda U18s
Barnlow Rangers F.C 2 - 0 Gold Star F.C
Hyperion F.C 1 - 5 Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C
Covelli Olympic F.C 0 - 3 Green Jackets F.C
National Steelworks Union F.C 1(1)(p4) - 1(1)(p2) Mercury AFC
National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C 2(3) - 2(2) Brune Spitfires S.C
Wishelbury Athletic F.C 1(1) - 1(2) Eintract Scorpius F.C
Hendrix AFC 1 - 0 Polaris F.C
AFC Great Colmes 1 - 4 1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz
Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C 2(2ET)(p3) - 2(2ET)(p2) Combined Universities F.C
Ravens F.C 0 - 1 Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C
Rainbows Youth & Community Athletic Club 0(0ET)(p1) - 0(0ET)(p3) Old Rippons F.C

Second Preliminary Round
Barnlow Rangers F.C 2(2ET)(p4) - 2(2ET)(p5) Associated Drehdan Dockyard Workers Union F.C
Green Jackets F.C 1(1ET)(p0) - 1(1ET)(p3) Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C
Drehda U18s 2(3ET) - 2(2ET) National Alliance of Breweries & Distilleries F.C
Old Rippons F.C 2 - 0 Metropolitan Fort Hope F.C
Shankwell Reds F.C 1 - 3 Hendrix AFC
Ardswych F.C 1 - 2 Eintract Scorpius F.C
Radcott Park F.C 2 - 1 1. F.C Wilhelmsbrook Grün-Schwarz
Bothwick & Hallesdon S.C 1(1ET) - 1(3ET) National Steelworks Union F.C

Third Preliminary Round
Old Rippons F.C 2 - 0 Hendrix AFC
Barnlow Rangers F.C 0 - 1 Drehda U18s
Radcott Park F.C 3(3ET)(p3) - 3(3ET)(p2) Eintract Scorpius F.C
National Steelworks Union F.C 2 - 0 Merchant Navy & Road Hauliers Union F.C


Drehda U18s, National Steelworks Union F.C, Old Rippons F.C & Radcott Park F.C all progress to the First Qualifying Round

In a rather widespread surprising run of form, not only have three Forth Division sides emerged victorious from the Prelims but they are also three of the lowest performing sides in that league. Radcott Park & Old Rippons are the lowest two ranked teams in the entire Drehdan pyramid after 15 league games but have both shown up for the cup stuff with some gutsy and well rounded performances against more illustrious opposition. Drehda 18s have been inconsistent in their league form and been accused of lacking the mental fortitude to compete with senior players, but have dug deep to scratch their way through to the qualifying rounds.

[Drehda]

Drehda - Season 2 - FAD Cup Qualifying Stages

First Qualifying Round
Drehda U18s 0 - 2 Shankwell Swifts F.C
Sporting Piraz F.C 1(2ET) - 1(1ET) Jexton Rangers F.C
National Steelworks Union F.C 1 - 2 Bay Of Mercy F.C
F.C Phemway Phoenix 2 - 3 Combined Services F.C
Old Rippons F.C 1 - 0 Russford Blues F.C
NDB F.C 1 - 0 Radcott Park F.C
Yennet Valley F.C 1 - 0 Medikau Glory F.C
Cullibrigg F.C 1 - 2 Dennelbridge F.C

Second Qualifying Round
NDB F.C 1 - 4 Dennelbridge F.C
Sporting Piraz F.C 4 - 1 Combined Services F.C
Yennet Valley F.C 4 - 0 Bay Of Mercy F.C
Old Rippons F.C 0 - 1 Shankwell Swifts F.C

Dennelbridge F.C, Sporting Piraz F.C, Yennet Valley F.C & Shankwell Swifts F.C all progress to the First Round

The qualifying stages of the national cup saw the introduction of the Second Division clubs and, for the footballing romantics, it unfortunately saw the death of the dreams of the lowest ranked teams.

Radcott Park F.C, National Steelworks Union F.C and Drehda U18s were all bounced out in the FQR by Second Division teams, which left Old Rippons to carry the flag into the Second Qualifying Round. Rooted to the absolute bottom position of the entire national footballing pyramid, Old Rippons were always up against an enormous challenge facing Shankwell Swifts. The Swifts almost secured promotion to the National First Division last season (only foiled by a total collapse of form in the final match day) and are sitting third in the table at the half way stage of the National Second Division season this term. Old Rippons battled valiantly against their vaunted opponents and had several half-chances which were either wiffed by their strikers or deftly denied by Swifts goalie Reuben Trevino. The deadlock was broken just before the 70 minute mark when Shankwell Swifts centre-half Roy Morton bullied past his marker to get on the end of a corner at the front post and deflect the ball home to give his side the lead .

Elsewhere, there were seasonal highlights for lower & mid table second divisioners as fans of Dennelbridge, Sporting Piraz & Yennet Valley all cheered their sides through to the First Round proper. All three of these sides have had little to celebrate in their league campaigns so far but cling on to hopes and dreams of cup glory. It must be noted that these clubs will have a long journey ahead of them before they can seriously envisage getting their hands on the silverware, as the FAD Cup now welcomes the ten National First Division clubs and the two best performing Premier Division sides.

[Drehda]

Drehda - Season 2 - FAD Cup First Round

First Round
Fort Hope S.C 3 - 2 Yennet Valley F.C
Hennerton F.C 3 - 1 Currilow F.C
Metlock Town F.C 2 - 0 Fort Hope United F.C
Shankwell Swifts F.C 1 - 3 Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C
Tillerbury F.C 2 - 1 Sporting Piraz F.C
Cadderick Rovers F.C 0(1ET) - 0(0ET) Central Magic
F.C Victoria Shankwell 2- 1 Dennelbridge F.C
Eastern Comets 2 - 0 Wilhelmsbrook Wanderers F.C

Eastern Comets, Metlock Town F.C, Cadderick Rovers F.C, Hennerton F.C, Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C, Fort Hope S.C,Tillerbury F.C & F.C Victoria Shankwell all progress to the Quarter Finals

The FAD Cup First Round came and went last night, with Premier & First Division clubs brought into play and pitted against the four surviving Second Division sides who fought their way through the previous qualifying stages.

This season's iteration of the competition has shown little by way of giant-killing or cup romance, with lower division sides by and large being soundly beaten when pitched up against most illustrious competition. The First Round progressed in a similar vein as all four of the surviving Second Divisioners were dismissed from the tournament inside 90 minute regulation time. Yennet Valley threatened to carry the magic of the cup forward when they took a 2-1 lead away to Fort Hope Sporting Club but they collapsed in the last half an hour to conceded two goals which sealed their fate.

A curious counter to this however is that there has been noticeable cup success for teams who have struggled so far in the league play. Old Rippons doubled their tally of victories for the season by making their way to the First Qualifying Round despite being sat at the bottom of the Forth Division with just 14 league points so far. Dennelbridge have only mustered eight points in their league campaign and looked to be locked into a season long relegation fight but displayed composure and assurance as they breezed through the Qualification stages before being felled. Despite the points separation in the First Division being absolutely razor thin, Hennerton and Victoria Shankwell currently hold the bottom two spots in the table and sauntered through to the QFs while the top two teams (Currilow & Fort Hope United) both crashed out admit suggestions that they had picked deliberately weakened XIs so as to avoid injuries to key starters.

Of particular note was the insta-K.O of Premier Division league leaders Central Magic, who were defeated by last seasons National First Division champions Cadderick Rovers in a rather poetic turn of events which will have brought a smile to the faces of many "legacy fans" who oppose the installation of the Franchise clubs at the top of the Drehdan pryamid. It was a gritty, hard-fought game which needed a goal in extra-time to separate the sides, with subsitute left wing-back D.K Mills hitting a speculative shot from outside the penalty area. The strike snaked through a forest of player's legs and found it's way into the bottom corner of the Magic goal.

[Drehda]

Drehda - Season 2 - FAD Cup QF & SFs

Quarter Finals
Metlock Town F.C 3 - 0 Fort Hope S.C
Cadderick Rovers F.C 1 - 2 Eastern Comets
Hennerton F.C 0 - 1 Tillerbury F.C
Fortuna Hollenwaard F.C 1(1ET)(p0) 0 - 1(1ET)(p2) F.C Victoria Shankwell

Semi Finals
Metlock Town F.C 2 - 3 F.C Victoria Shankwell
Tillerbury F.C 2(2ET)(p2) - 2(2ET)(p3) Eastern Comets

F.C Victoria Shankwell & Eastern Comets progress to the FAD Cup final

The second edition of the FAD Cup, the premier knock out football competition in Drehda, has drawn down to the last two surviving teams and we have travelled further down a path littered with broken dreams and extended hopes.

For the dreamers and optimists in Drehdan football, there is reason for cheer as F.C Victoria Shankwell have bucked their utterly torrid league form to scrape through to the final, albeit overcoming some stiff challenges and fine margins. Firstly, Victoria battled and clawed to take fellow league strugglers Fortuna Hollenwaard to penalties then held their nerve from 12 yards out to take advantage of some dreadful spot kicks from Fortuna's trio of Claudio Duran, Freddy Fernandez & Pat Schroeder.

Victoria's semi final match up saw them drawn against reigning cup holders Metlock Town. Metlock were fresh off a three-zip flattening of Fort Hope Sporting Club in the quarters and were looking heavy favourites to go forward to retain their title. Victoria sprang out the traps and caught Town on the backfoot, snatching an early lead via a low left footed drive by national teamer Hector Berlioz. With Metlock Town reeling, Victoria scented the weakness and attempted to strike for the jugular with a flurry of efforts on goal which were expertly answered by the Town's veteran goalkeeper Alain dos Santos. The pressure broke dos Santos' seemingly lone resistance - a snap-shot from close range was blocked by dos Santos' left knee and deflected high in the air only for midfielder Abraham Hendricks to burst forward into the penalty area and win the header to double Victoria's lead.

As time began to draw down on the first half, Metlock seemed to wake up and grabbed themselves a life-line, with box-to-box midfielder dynamo Max Akinola nicking back possession before driving back at the Shankwell defensive line. Akinola faked a driven strike, dummied his way past the wrong footed defender then calmly brushed his shot low into the corner past gloveman Howard Andrade.

Coming back out from the break, there was a collective air of suspense around the ground as fans waited with baited breathe to see if Victoria Shankwell would push on to capitalise on their lead or if Metlock would complete the turn-around and sail through to defend their crown in a second back-to-back final. This general anxiety amongst the crowds seemed to have infected the playing squads as well as the first 10 minutes of the second half was a nervy, scratchy affair until young national team star Jamal Orozco decided to seize the moment with a splash of magic. Right midfielder Zac Goodwin was felled outside the penalty area and Orozco stepped up and gently lofted the resulting free kick up, around and over the defensive wall to settle into an unreachable spot of the Metlock Town goal to give Victoria an imposing 3-1 lead.

Despite facing their expulsion from the competition, cup specialists Metlock were determined to sustain themselves in the tournament and battled back to score their second goal in the 76th minute. Akinola was at it again for his team, this time receiving a pass in between Victoria's defensive lines before beating a marker to lash a powerful strike high into the top corner.

Ultimately, Victoria were able to hold themselves strong to defy any threat of a Metlock fight back and secure their place in the final. Metlock will be bitterly disappointed with this result as it offered an opportunity to mark themselves out as the real Cup Kings in Drehda however they will be able to take solace that they still have strong opportunities in the league. Victoria were rightly jubilant with their success and face a much different fork in their season's path. They will look to utilise this success to kick start their league form to surge up and away from the dogfight at the foot of the table, but also be mindful that this next game could mark the one lone light for their entire season. Time will tell how they rise to the challenge in the FAD Cup final.

On the other side of the semi final draw saw just as many spills and twists and offered, all the way through to penalties, the almost ultimate David-vs-Goliath victory for traditional legacy club football over the modern future. Season 1 Second Division champions Tillerbury, who are an enjoying an above-expectations league performance so far, faced off against newly established Eastern Comets franchise, who currently sit a single point off the top of the Premier Division table.

The Comets got off with a hot start, #9 Mark Hazlewood lashing home an early goal from inside the penalty area after some dithering amongst the Tillerbury defence allowed him half a yard of space. With the deadlock broken after just 13 minutes, the crowd appeared to be expecting the Comets to romp on and run up a cricket score but Tillerbury proved their backbone under the bright lights of a national cup semi final. Arguably the Comets lapsed under an assumed comfortable lead but Tillerbury showed their metal and seized on the opportunities that presented themselves. Aging, maverick attacking midfielder Angelino Diodato may not have much pace in his legs any more but time and time again he was allowed to go unmarked and popped in and out of pockets of space, forcing reacting defenders to be drawn out of position and opening up areas for wing backs Fabian Joyce and Gert Matts to plunder forward. This attacking movement, all pivoting around Diodato, finally bore fruit when the veteran trequartista dropped deep to receive the ball before swiftly sending a deft flick pass through his marker's legs for Joyce to run on to, unchained from the Comets back line. Joyce showed a calm head in a high pressure moment and measured himself before curling a shot from the corner of the 18 yard box past the despairing Comets goalkeeper.

The teams went into the half time break level at 1-1 but emerging for the second 45 minutes it became clear that the Comets had been given a major rocket by their manager they lead a reinvigorated charge, just as they had from the first opening whistle. Hazlewood lead the line admirable, acting as a central battering ram to bully and tormenting the Tillerbury defenders. Comets cleared the ball long over Hazlewood's head but no Tillerbury defender stepped forward to claim possession and the ball was allowed to bounce. Hazlewood sniffed out the opportunity and rushed forward to put Tillerbury centre-back Rasheed Enu under pressure, winning the second ball nod-on himself before chasing down his own flick on header inside the penalty area and rifling the shot low past goalkeeper Jean-Charles N'Dombele.

However the second half then fell into a similar pattern to that of the first. Comets take the lead, settle into a steady portion of comfortable possession and then defensively fell asleep. With Tillerbury watching their cup dreams tick away with each second, the brought on a raft of substitutes and redoubled their press off the ball and tempo when they did win possession. Striker Ville Oskars went close in the 84th minute with a right footed strike from outside the penalty area only to be denied by the foot of the post. Diodato launched a powerful free kick goalwards only for Comets shotstopper Eddie Blakeley to steer the ball around the post with his fingertips. As wing back Gert Matts lined up the resulting corner, the Tillerbury crowd stood to their feet as one and roared their side on, creating an irresistible wall of noise cascading down on the players. Matts whipped in a hard, flat cross and it was the experienced centre-back and captain Bas Květoslav who raced forward to the front post and got his head to the ball to glance home a late, late equaliser producing an enormous, unanimous cheer from the baying fans.

The 30 minute period of extra time that followed was a tense, tight affair. Tillerbury looked spent force, lacking the zip and energy they had mustered in the last 20 minutes of regular play however the Eastern Comets conversely looked to have taken on a once-bitten-twice-shy approach and unwilling to push too far ahead for fear of another fatal defensive lapse.

Finally, it all came down to a simple, merciless shoot-out from 12 yards. There is an objective, dispassionate cruelty to penalty shoot outs which stirs up much debate about their necessity in the modern game and the romantics in Drehdan football may take up this cause as they were forced to agonise through a torrid procession of Tillerbury players stepping up and being denied by the gloves of Blakeley. Diodato and Oskars were able to find the net however Chiumbo, Matts and Květoslav were all shut out, putting the fatal freeze on the dreams of an "all-legacy final".

And thus, we now look forward to the second FAD Cup final at Fort Hope Municipal Recreational Field. F.C Victoria Shankwell vs Eastern Comets. A struggling, relegation candidate traditional club versus a high-flying, brand new franchise. Much chattering will be precede the game and it will be riveting to see if the neutrals take up the cause of the under-dog or show their support for the modern vision of Drehdan football.