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Season 1

Shady talks between the FFA and the IFA have gone on for years, but ramped up recently after their respective nations both hosted the 66th World Cup. The Syndicate’s league had hit a period of stagnation in recent times - anyone transferring was often transferring out, and the teams had little success in UICA competitions. The FFA had several amateur teams that were itching to go out into the wide world as professionals, and offered a partnership with the Syndicate’s Premier League. When the IFA accepted this fantastic offer, some weren’t too pleased. Ian Clayton, of Claycomms, was furious that the Audioslavs were ‘getting in the way’ of a venture that he had big plans for, and quickly axed support for the league, moving on to other ventures in different nations. This left the league without a sponsor, and Batiob, a Syndicatian brewery, stepped in to fill the void. The league was born with 16 teams in it’s premier division as LigAnaia, and contains an eclectic mix of the best Syndicatian and Audioslavian teams.

The Teams

In no particular order…

Burgess FC (Burgess, The Inevitable Syndicate)
Burgess FC are a stalwart of Syndicatian Football, and were one of the first clubs formed in the country by the Starblaydi migrants that bought the game to the Syndicate’s shores. They’re here in the LigAnaia to show both Audioslavian teams and Syndicatian teams alike how to play football. Operating out of Sunrise Park, and managed by Gerald Montier, the team operates in an efficient 3-5-2 manner that has inspired the national team to adopt the formation themselves. The team used to have some of the Syndicate’s key players in, but most of them have moved on to more lucrative offers overseas. Jeff Westblox is one to watch out for, as his accuracy is something to be marvelled at. He’ll only need a second to score for the Burgess side, so can score for fun against a breadth of opponents.

Fligsive FC (Fligsive, The Inevitable Syndicate)
The Syndicate’s capital team are here with one goal in mind - beat 1830 Cathair at all costs, to finally settle the age old question of Which capital team is actually better at football?. The Flynn Arena, a place you all know and love, is their home ground, and manager Farell Kiter claims this is going to be a season to remember. Whether it will be or not is up to the likes of Bruce Fries and Petr Cervinka, two Syndicatians (the latter being born Mytanar) who balance the field in attack and defence respectively. Fligsive are a team that are looking to reclaim the victories of old, but it;s not certain that they’ll get there this season.

Nostromo Meteorites (Nostromo, The Inevitable Syndicate)
A team that always goes out with a bang, this club from Webster are serious contenders for the title this year, and anyone that goes down to Point Impact should be wary of the team’s attacking style of play. Aaron Allen and Ethan Sinclair are two midfielders hand picked by manager Jeffery Parker for their all out attack, and should be treated like a second pair of strikers when on the pitch. Their main rivals this season look to be Burgess FC, who have been an obstacle to their first place finishes for too many years.

Crystal Mertagne (Pinehearth, The Inevitable Syndicate)
Crystal Mertagne, the reincarnation of club Pinehearth United, that went into administration some time last year, retain most of the previous staff from the old squad. Kurt Wright is still the manager, Pinehearth City Stadium is still the ground, and defender Jason De Vale is still one to watch out for. Crystal Mertagne haven’t been shaken that much then by everything that’s going on, it seems. That doesn’t mean they should be looked at like their old counterparts, as they do contain some new talent that looks to be just what the team needs to be in with a fighting chance at the top of the league.

Magnaeus City (Magnaeus, The Inevitable Syndicate)
Francois Cardeau. The stern manager from Black Peak is looking to put an end to Magnaeus’s run of poor performances elsewhere and start afresh in the LigAnaia. The club were once famous for being the best in the Syndicate - a title they held onto for a long time before being beaten by clubs like Hyford FC. While Hyford have fallen into the woodwork, Magnaeus City still moves on, watching with a keen eye from the Bird Cage for the weaknesses of other teams and plotting how to exploit them. The pawn in his plan? Felix Kaestner, a young Mytanar transfer who is quick on the ball, and keen to get down the other end of the pitch. He’ll definitely be selected in any matches against rivals Fligsive, that’s for sure.

Westonbirt City (Westonbirt, The Inevitable Syndicate)
Westonbirt was a city that was hit hard in the Ahlenfi War, but has managed to rebuild and has suprisingly come out better than it was when it went in. Billions of ducats went into repairing the city, and some of this budget went to repairing Whittle’s Field, which was the site of a large firefight between Ahlenfi Rebel forces and the Syndicatian Defense Army. It’s once again a fully functional football stadium, and once again a fully functioning club, with Al Tucnoo taking charge of the team in the absence of Stacey Vaughn, who lasted for just two seasons before meeting an untimely end - literally. Karl Cotrell doesn’t have time to mourn, however, as the Westonbirt Midfielder has received call ups for the National Team, and is looking to show his skills on the domestic field.

FC Southern Ninestar (Hyford, The Inevitable Syndicate)
Always Hyford’s ‘other’ team, Southern Ninestar is home to some of the most patriotic fans in the league. When the team heard that they could have the opportunity to play against foreigners, Stuart Parhoe lept at the chance, buying some of Hyford’s best players and also buying a spot in the league. With this new talent, they look to be amongst the best, and are looking to make some noise - but whether they will do so or fall into the history books like most teams from Hyford is yet to be seen. Joseph Lloyd current national goalkeeper, plays here and is looking to keep a clean record against both Syndicate and Audioslavia teams, while entertaining at their home ground, Ninestar Arch.

Lesko Pavillion (Pavillion, The Inevitable Syndicate)
I’m sure you’ve all heard the stories of the disaster that threatened the Syndicate three years ago - the tsunami that drowned a whole partition of the country. Here’s where the survivors ended up - Pavillion, the temporary town that outstayed its welcome, and within lies The Big Top, the home ground of the team. We’re glad it did, as it made a football team, and that team has done well enough to earn a spot in the LigAnaia. Managed by ex-national team player Tomas Hill, who had his football career cut short by a sword blow to the head and was placed in a coma for six months, the team looks to his guidance for tips on the field. When he can remember, he’s rather good, but when his mind is clouded it’s often up to captain Owen Stanley to provide direction. Pavillion aren’t looking for a win, because they know they’re not getting it, but anywhere apart from last is a victory to them. If they can cause some upsets along the way, that’d be even better.

Baudelaire Tulips (Baudelaire, The Inevitable Syndicate)
The ‘good old boys’ from Baudelaire are here to play some good clean football, preferably at the Klaus Memorial Stadium so they don’t get too tired. Managed by Samuel Recket, a man that plays to his namesake, the team can often be a lot for the poor man to handle when they refuse to play offensively, lest they receive any cards. Maybe his managing strategy will finally rub off on the team after three seasons, and they can make some waves in the LigAnaia. Oliver Baker looks to be the one to watch, as his defending skills are sure to keep the ball from the back of the net. That is unless some smelly Audioslavian tries to push him over!

Wozinitz Wonderers (Wozinitz, The Inevitable Syndicate)
Many have wondered why exactly the team from Wozinitz is called what they are called. They play in Patches Park, and a ground like that doesn’t take much thought to navigate. Truth is, the name simply stemmed from the fact the amateur club couldn’t decide on a name, and in their first season, manager at the time Gordon Bathe claimed: “The team name? We can only wonder, er…”. This got taken out of context, the name stuck, and it’s been like that ever since. Still, they’re here to make you think, and Kai Jeskins is just the man to take the wheel of the team. Neil Harris is by far the strongest link of the team, but if he were to break, the result could be messy.

AC Izotz Zubia (Izotzazubia, Audioslavia)
'Zozi' are a grand old club from Audioslavia's Sierra Herradura region, and have produced more Audioslavian World Cup winners than any other domestic club. Their name was first on the list of those wanting to turn professional and travel to the greener pastures. The side play at the Soldaduak Eremuan, a stadium of modest size yet somehow manages to look twice as large to visiting teams. The side have had a caretaker manager in recent times, but will be taken over by former Audioslavia, Saugeais and Astograth national team manager Powell Pieran after World Cup 67. Izotz Zubia consider their main rivals to be 1830 Cathair - Audioslavia's other 'big' club - but traditionally the side need look no further than the nearby cities of Moreazerua and Ferramendiak to find their true rivals...

1830 Cathair (Cathair, Audioslavia)
1830 Cathair were one of Audioslavia's first clubs - they pre-date not only all other teams in the LigAnaia, but the Audioslavian national team too and even the World Cup itself. 1830 Cathair have produced a fair number of players and managers for Audioslavia's national team in recent years, and are expected to trouble the top three in the new league. The team moved to the new '66' stadium last year, in time for their finally turning professional after over three-hundred years of amateurism. Their main rivals are the plethora of smaller Cathair teams - of which Shamrock Cathair are the only ones joining them in the LigAnaia - and fans are salivating over the thought of beating fellow capital-city team Fligsive FC. 1830 Cathair are managed by two-time AOCAF Cup winning manager Andre-Luis Partico, who joined the club after his previous job - manager of Pacitalia's national team - ceased to exist.

KT Itzalovalle (Ferramendiak, Audioslavia)
Txo Morea didn't arrive at Itzalovalle to a particularly warm reception. The manager was reviled for his disastrous tenure as national team managers for both Audioslavia and Free South Califas, and the fact that he made his name at Izotz Zubia didn't help. Itzalovalle consider the team from Izotzazubia to be their main rivals, and although they haven't reached the point where they can call themselves equal to the men in salmon and silver, the side has come on leaps and bounds since Morea took over. The side play their football at the Antzerkia, at can be found playing heated derby matches with fellow Sierra Herradura side Moreazerua.

Oljestaden IF (Oljestaden, Audioslavia)
Oljestaden are Audioslavia's newest club, formed by a merger of a number of provincial teams and backed by energy giants Hygolje. The side are probably the third or fourth biggest in Audioslavia right now, and manager Weverton Sporadic - son of World Cup winning Eura boss Kelly - has his sights set on usurping the big guns in the future. The side play their home games at the Hygolje Arena and are a little too new to have any serious rivals, although Syndicatian outfit Westonbirt City might fit the bill.

KT Moreazerua (Moreazerua, Audioslavia)
The 'other' Sierra Herradura side are managed by another former national team manager in Alvaro Mozo. The side, famed for their purple colours, consider Izotz Zubia and Itzalovalle as their main rivals. During the side's amateur years, the only time their modestly-sized Ibarretako Estadioa stadium was properly full was for the visit of these two teams, but the locals are hopeful of increased support now that the team have joined the LigAnaia. Moreazerua are also famous for having their entire first team bought by Falcus outfit Reedring F.C. a few years ago - a loss of talent that the side are only just recovering from.

Shamrock Cathair (Cathair, Audioslavia)
Cathair's 'celtic' team are famed for their green and gold colours, but not a great deal else. They play their brand of defensive, cautious football at the Glass Bridge Stadium and are managed by Diarmid Reilly - the only manager in the league not to have some kind of international experience. The side see 1830 Cathair as their main rivals, but the feeling isn't reciprocated, and a more accurate assessment would be that Shamrock Cathair's biggest rivals are the other, smaller Cathair clubs - none of which are big enough to turn professional - and the two main teams of Ceilerden - Ceily Harp and Ceily Rovers - both of whom will look to join the league were it to expand.

With the teams introduced, now all that's left is to get the season underway!

Season 1 - Matchdays 1-10

MATCHDAY 1
Burgess FC 2-0 Shamrock Cathair
Nostromo Meteorites 2-0 KT Moreazerua
Magnaeus City 3-0 Oljestaden IF
FC Southern Ninestar 1-2 KT Itzalovalle
Fligsive FC 0-1 1830 Cathair FC
Westonbirt City 2-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Crystal Mertagne 1-0 Wozinitz Wonderers
Lesko Pavillion 0-2 Baudelaire Tulips

The first match of the Liga kicked off in the Syndicate’s home of football, as Burgess FC took on Shamrock Cathair at Sunrise Park. They got off to a good start, too, clinching an important 2-0 victory that looked to set them up for future games. The Meteorites also hit the ground running in their game against KT Moreazerua, grabbing two goals at home and three points, proving that they are on par with the Syndicate’s best team. Not a team that likes to be trumped by anyone, Magnaeus City put three goals past Oljestaden IF in the highest scoring game of the weekend, and showed the Audioslavian team who’s boss. It wasn’t a whitewash for the Syndicate though, as 1830 Cathair’s David McAlexander shocked the Fligsive home crowd with a last-gasp goal that D’Sauviterre didn’t see coming. Westonbirt also pulled off a victory versus Zubia, and Pavillion got off to a bad start with a 0-2 loss to the reborn Baudelaire Tulips.

MATCHDAY 2
KT Moreazerua 0-1 Burgess FC
Oljestaden IF 1-1 Shamrock Cathair
KT Itzalovalle 2-0 Nostromo Meteorites
1830 Cathair FC 0-1 Magnaeus City
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 FC Southern Ninestar
Wozinitz Wonderers 2-1 Fligsive FC
Baudelaire Tulips 1-2 Westonbirt City
Lesko Pavillion 3-0 Crystal Mertagne

Matchday 2 saw Burgess hop across the pond to play Moreazerua, and it seems they weren't jetlagged, as they pulled off an impressive 1-0 victory with an early goal from Astograthian Artzeiz Kuartango. Oljestaden and Shamrock just couldn’t seem to gain the upper hand over each other, and left Hygolje Arena with a single point apiece, which could hinder them in future matchdays. Nostromo couldn’t emulate Burgess’s success while away, and suffered a 2-0 loss at the feet of Itzalovalle. FC Southern Ninestar continued their string of defeats with a 2-0 loss to the second Audioslavian team they faced, Izotz Zubia. Westonbirt picked up a second win versus Baudealire Tulips, denying the home crowd of the win they wanted. Pavillion managed to pick up their game, showing Crystal Mertagne they’ve got some skill in a 3-0 game that was over by the first half, with two goals in the early minutes of the match from Jaques Beadeu, and a third from Joel Hurst.

MATCHDAY 3
Burgess FC 3-0 Oljestaden IF
KT Moreazerua 1-2 KT Itzalovalle
Shamrock Cathair 1-2 1830 Cathair FC
Nostromo Meteorites 3-0 AC Izotz Zubia
Magnaeus City 5-0 Wozinitz Wonderers
FC Southern Ninestar 2-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Fligsive FC 3-1 Lesko Pavillion
Westonbirt City 1-2 Crystal Mertagne

The KT’s fought at Ibarretako Estadioa, with away players Itzalovalle ending up the victor, as they managed to score from a corner given shortly after half time. The Cathair Derby came and went, with 90 minutes of action packed play from Shamrock and 1830. 1830 Cathair dazzled the crowds, and went away clutching three points and laughing maniacally. Burgess FC went three for three on Audioslavian teams, beating Oljestaden IF 3-0 at home, The biggest win of the weekend went to Magnaeus City, who put five goals past the likes of Alfred Normand and the rest of Wozinitz Wonderers. Fligsive were finally victorious against a team, Lesko Pavillion, but only by two goals. This was surprising as punters leading up to the game were tipping it to be a whitewash.

MATCHDAY 4
KT Itzalovalle 1-1 Burgess FC
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Oljestaden IF
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 KT Moreazerua
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-3 Shamrock Cathair
Baudelaire Tulips 2-2 Nostromo Meteorites
Lesko Pavillion 0-2 Magnaeus City
Crystal Mertagne 0-2 FC Southern Ninestar
Westonbirt City 1-1 Fligsive FC

Shamrock Cathair gained their first win of the season here, with a 3-1 victory against the Wonderers while playing away. Patches Park was in uproar during the game, and the Wonderers seemed deflated coming out of the stadium afterwards. The picture was like this across the Syndicate, as not a single Syndicatian team managed a win at home. Tulips tied the Meteorites, Crystal Mertagne lost 0-2 at home against Southern Ninestar, and Pavillion were stepped on by Magnaeus in the form of a 0-2 loss. Even Burgess didn’t see the success they’d had in previous weeks, as over in Itzalovalle, they played a tough 90 minutes and came out of it with a 1-1 tie. 1830 Cathair and AC Izotz Zubia cemented success for the Audoslavians, however it was against other Audioslavian teams.

MATCHDAY 5
Burgess FC 3-3 1830 Cathair FC
KT Itzalovalle 0-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Oljestaden IF 1-1 Wozinitz Wonderers
KT Moreazerua 1-5 Baudelaire Tulips
Shamrock Cathair 1-1 Lesko Pavillion
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Crystal Mertagne
Magnaeus City 5-1 Westonbirt City
FC Southern Ninestar 3-1 Fligsive FC

The two teams tipped as the favourites in the LigAnaia clashed in Sunrise Park on Matchday 5, and while the game was full of goals from national superstars, it ended in the two teams being evenly matched and finishing with three goals apiece. Baudelaire Tulips wowed both nations in an away clash against Moreazerua. The brighter shade of purple won out, with a four goal lead that Baudelaire managed to keep going from the second half. Magnaeus emulated this at home, also with a 5-1 win against Westonbirt City. Lesko Pavillion had their first game over in Cathair, and managed to bring a single point pack home after scoring a single goal against Shamrock. Fligsive continued their run of bad luck against FC Southern Ninestar.

MATCHDAY 6
AC Izotz Zubia 3-1 Burgess FC
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-2 1830 Cathair FC
Baudelaire Tulips 2-0 KT Itzalovalle
Lesko Pavillion 1-3 Oljestaden IF
Crystal Mertagne 1-0 KT Moreazerua
Westonbirt City 2-0 Shamrock Cathair
Fligsive FC 0-2 Nostromo Meteorites
FC Southern Ninestar 1-1 Magnaeus City

AC Izotz Zubia was the team to finally break Burgess’s back, as they won 3-1 against them at the Soldaduak Eremuan, after Xurxo Zubiondo scored a great equaliser that opened the floodgates for two more goals that Burgess couldn’t come back from. Back in the Syndicate, Nostromo pulled off an easy win over Fligsive, and Oljestaden gained some points in their game against Lesko Pavillion. The most surprising result of the weekend was Baudelaire Tulips’s, who had obviously found their winning formula on the last matchday, and continued to employ these tactics against Itzalovalle in their 2-0 win.

MATCHDAY 7
Burgess FC 1-0 Wozinitz Wonderers
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 Baudelaire Tulips
1830 Cathair FC 3-1 Lesko Pavillion
KT Itzalovalle 0-1 Crystal Mertagne
Oljestaden IF 2-3 Westonbirt City
KT Moreazerua 1-1 Fligsive FC
Shamrock Cathair 1-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Nostromo Meteorites 3-0 Magnaeus City

Pavillion has become the new ‘Slav punching bag, as 1830 Cathair only let a single goal roll into their net on Matchday 7. Izotz Zubia did one better, though, and shut down Tulips’s streak with a 2-0 victory at home. Moreazerua drew Fligsive 1-1, after Phil Gulliver put the final touch on a fantastic shot from a corner just before the end of the first half. Nostromo, after beating Fligsive, took on the Second City and beat them, albeit at home. Magnaeus City couldn’t even get a goal in thanks to Archer’s deft hands, trained from years of experience in the Syndicate’s national team. Burgess managed to get over their defeat on the last matchday by gaining three points thanks to Wozinitz, who were shown which ground is more deserving of the suffix “Park”.

MATCHDAY 8
Baudelaire Tulips 1-3 Burgess FC
Lesko Pavillion 2-1 Wozinitz Wonderers
Crystal Mertagne 0-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Westonbirt City 0-1 1830 Cathair FC
Fligsive FC 1-1 KT Itzalovalle
FC Southern Ninestar 1-3 Oljestaden IF
Magnaeus City 0-1 KT Moreazerua
Nostromo Meteorites 2-0 Shamrock Cathair

They came, they saw, they conquered. This story goes for multiple teams on this matchday, as Burgess, Oljestaden, and Nostromo showed dominance on the pitch during their games. Nostromo’s was expected, as they were playing with a friendly home crowd against Shamrock, but Oljestaden held out against an angry Southern Ninestar, and continued to capitalise on their mistakes, finishing the game with three goals to Ninestar’s 1. The most surprising result of this matchday came in the form of Lesko Pavillion’s win against Wozinitz, who had been suffering from a drop in performance all season.

MATCHDAY 9
Burgess FC 0-0 Lesko Pavillion
Baudelaire Tulips 0-1 Crystal Mertagne
Wozinitz Wonderers 0-2 Westonbirt City
AC Izotz Zubia 2-1 Fligsive FC
1830 Cathair FC 0-0 FC Southern Ninestar
KT Itzalovalle 0-2 Magnaeus City
Oljestaden IF 0-1 Nostromo Meteorites
KT Moreazerua 3-0 Shamrock Cathair

If Pavillion are the Audioslav punching bag, and they’re pulling off ties against the best Syndicatian team in the league at home, what exactly does that say about Syndicatian football? Yes, Lesko managed to shock the world in their game against Burgess, blocking any and all shots that the home team tried against them. However, they just didn’t have the attacking prowess, and couldn’t sneak a shock goal past Luca Jones to claim the three points. 1830 Cathair had a similar problem against FC Southern Ninestar, and that game also resulted in a 0-0 draw. Izotz Zubia managed to take three points at home against Fligsive, as Robert Hampson’s goal wasn’t enough to keep the lead, as Kerman Azarola put an end to Fligsive’s lead just three minutes after they gained it.

MATCHDAY 10
Crystal Mertagne 0-1 Burgess FC
Westonbirt City 2-0 Lesko Pavillion
Fligsive FC 2-0 Baudelaire Tulips
FC Southern Ninestar 2-2 Wozinitz Wonderers
Magnaeus City 2-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 1830 Cathair FC
Shamrock Cathair 1-2 KT Itzalovalle
KT Moreazerua 2-3 Oljestaden IF

Matchday 10 saw Fligsive pick up their second win, this time against Baudelaire, who have had a rollercoaster of a season so far. The 2-0 victory was a hollow one, as defender Thomas Decker was badly injured, putting him out of action for 12 weeks. Olijestaden managed to edge a win from Moreazerua by a single goal, which was scored in extra time by Maati Jarvinen. FC Southern Ninestar continued to upset teams, this time tying with Wozinitz, and Lesko Pavillion suffered an unfortunate loss against Westonbirt City. The Meteorites faced 1830 Cathair at home, and only came away with a single goal, after Farf player Vrotaoa Wii-Tzaara intercepted a ball from Paul Blackwood and passed it over to Davies, who put away a goal to seal victory.

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And after ten Matchdays, Nostromo is just sitting on the top spot, with Magnaeus trailing just a single point behind. Izotz Zubia leads the charge for the Audiolsavian teams, drawing level with Burgess but edging ahead on wins with 21 points. 1830 Cathair is a single point behind them and it’s not until 7th were we see a clear cut in the standings, with Crystal Mertagne a whole three points off Westonbirt. Fligsive are struggling with just two wins, and nine points, and Wozinitz Wonderers are stuck right at the bottom of the table with the likes of Shamrock Cathair.

With a whole 20 Matchdays to go, it’s still all to play for, but already we can see which teams have more skill than others.

Premier Division Standings
			Team		P	W	D	L	For	Ag	+/-	Pts
	1   Nostromo Meteorites	10	7	2	1	17	5	+12	23
	2   Magnaeus City		10	7	1	2	21	7	+14	22
	3   AC Izotz Zubia		10	7	0	3	16	9	+7	21
	4   Burgess FC			10	6	3	1	16	8	+8	21
	5   1830 Cathair FC		10	6	2	2	13	8	+5	20
	6   Westonbirt City		10	6	1	3	16	13	+3	19
	7   Crystal Mertagne		10	5	1	4	7	9	-2	16
	8   KT Itzalovalle		10	4	2	4	10	12	-2	14
	9   FC Southern Ninestar	10	3	4	3	13	12	+1	13
	10  Oljestaden	IF		10	3	2	5	13	17	-4	11
	11  Baudelaire Tulips		10	3	1	6	13	15	-2	10
	12  Fligsive FC		10	2	3	5	11	14	-3	9
	13  Lesko Pavillion		10	2	2	6	9	17	-8	8
	14  KT Moreazerua		10	2	1	7	9	17	-8	7
	15  Shamrock Cathair		10	1	3	6	8	17	-9	6
	16  Wozinitz Wonderers		10	1	2	7	8	20	-12	5

[COCANEFA]

Season 1 - Matchdays 11-20

MATCHDAY 11
Burgess FC 3-0 Westonbirt City
Crystal Mertagne 0-2 Fligsive FC
Lesko Pavillion 0-3 FC Southern Ninestar
Baudelaire Tulips 1-2 Magnaeus City
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-4 Nostromo Meteorites
AC Izotz Zubia 2-2 Shamrock Cathair
1830 Cathair FC 1-2 KT Moreazerua
KT Itzalovalle 1-3 Oljestaden IF

Matchday 11 kicked off with a 3-0 win to Burgess, against a Westonbirt side that were reduced to 9 men by the end of the game, after a bad tackle from Colin Noc sent Karl Cotrell out of the game in the first half, and after Chris Hoove took a tumble in the second. Both Cathair teams had a bad weekend, as 1830’s game in torrential rain ended with a win for KT Moreazerua, by a single goal from Matxin Michel, and Shamrock just managed to scrape a draw with Izotz Zubia. Fligsive took a vital win against their polar opposites Crystal Mertagne, winning 2-0 after a crucial penalty turned the tide of the game in Fligsive’s favour. Southern Ninestar racked up a win, with a 3-0 victory against Lesko Pavillion, who were playing at home.

MATCHDAY 12
Fligsive FC 0-1 Burgess FC
FC Southern Ninestar 1-1 Westonbirt City
Magnaeus City 1-1 Crystal Mertagne
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 Lesko Pavillion
Shamrock Cathair 2-1 Baudelaire Tulips
KT Moreazerua 1-3 Wozinitz Wonderers
Oljestaden IF 2-2 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Itzalovalle 1-0 1830 Cathair FC

The atmosphere in the Flynn Arena was buzzing as Burgess came over to play Fligsive, and ran off after the game with three points in hand, after a goal managed to find it’s way past D’Sauviterre thanks to Trevor Abnett, the Burgess defender. The Meteorites only managed a single goal against Pavillion, who managed to hold on at Point Impact for an hour before their opponents managed to score. Wozinitz grabbed themselves a shock victory against KT Moreazerua, winning 3-1 at Ibarretako Estadioa. KT Itzallovalle also managed an impressive victory against 1830 Cathair, playing a very Kylxian match in which the only goal was scored just two minutes into the game.

MATCHDAY 13
Burgess FC 2-0 FC Southern Ninestar
Fligsive FC 1-2 Magnaeus City
Westonbirt City 1-0 Nostromo Meteorites
Crystal Mertagne 1-0 Shamrock Cathair
Lesko Pavillion 0-1 KT Moreazerua
Baudelaire Tulips 0-0 Oljestaden IF
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-2 KT Itzalovalle
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 1830 Cathair FC

Fligsive played rivals Magnaeus at home on Matchday 13, bringing another fantastic game to the Flynn Arena. Maganeus managed to clinch a win, leaving many Fligsive fams devastated and ranting on Blatter about how the result was ‘unfair’ and that Felix Kaestner was a ‘Mytanar Cheat’. The anger subsided a little once Fligsive found that the capital team from Audioslavia suffered a worse loss against AC Izotz Zubia, though. KT Moreazerua managed to knock the stuffing out of a deflated Lesko Pavillion, but only by a single goal, which came from Andoni Ibarra. Westonbirt City pulled off an impressive win against the Meteorites, who were on the hunt for any points they could get to put them above Burgess in the standings. The game left them dry of any points, though when Chris Hoove scored a goal roughly halfway through the second half, picking a hole in the Meteorites already bitty defence and capitalising on it with haste.

MATCHDAY 14
Magnaeus City 2-1 Burgess FC
Nostromo Meteorites 4-2 FC Southern Ninestar
Shamrock Cathair 1-3 Fligsive FC
KT Moreazerua 1-0 Westonbirt City
Oljestaden IF 2-0 Crystal Mertagne
KT Itzalovalle 0-1 Lesko Pavillion
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Baudelaire Tulips
AC Izotz Zubia 4-4 Wozinitz Wonderers

Magnaeus, empowered by their win against rivals Fligsive, arrived back home and played host to Burgess on Matchday 14, and edged ahead to victory by a single goal. Fligsive managed a win in Cathair, this time against Shamrock, when Bruce Fries scored a beautiful goal when Shamrock’s backs were turned following a messy shot from Oleg Evseev of Mytannion. Fans of AC Izotz Zubia got themselves an action packed treat versus a desperate Wozinitz Wonderers side, who were just as relentless in their goal scoring as the home side. The scoreline was a rare one for the typically defensive style of play exhibited in the two nations, but it seemed that Zubia were looking to put as many goals past the opposition as they could, in order to try and push up a couple of places in the league table. Oljestaden IF played a great game at Hygolje Arena against Crystal Mertagne, scoring two goals against both goalkeepers from the Mertagne side after Kurt Wright made a controversial decision to swap out David Parish just after the first goal was scored.

MATCHDAY 15
Burgess FC 2-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Magnaeus City 0-1 Shamrock Cathair
FC Southern Ninestar 0-2 KT Moreazerua
Fligsive FC 1-2 Oljestaden IF
Westonbirt City 1-0 KT Itzalovalle
Crystal Mertagne 0-0 1830 Cathair FC
Lesko Pavillion 1-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Baudelaire Tulips 0-0 Wozinitz Wonderers

Burgess finally clashed against Nostromo, in a game that both sides had been waiting for for weeks. The result was a 2-1 win to Burgess, but seeing as they had the home advantage, it was what the pundits were expecting. What they weren’t expecting was Shamrock Cathair upsetting Magnaeus in the Bird Cage, showing the home side who really rules the roost with a 1-0 win and a steely defence that Magnaeus just couldn’t claw through. Crystal Mertagne played a game that went down to the wire against 1830 Cathair, who looked dominant throughout most of the match, but just couldn’t get the ball into the goal. It seems that Parish might have been making up for his mistake in the last game, but it still wasn’t enough for Mertagne to clinch victory. KT Moreazerua were dominant in their game against FC Southern Ninestar, and Hyford City Stadium was packed with Audioslavian fans that went mad once Joseph Lloyd failed to stop a second goal from the opponents.

MATCHDAY 16
Shamrock Cathair 2-3 Burgess FC
KT Moreazerua 0-3 Nostromo Meteorites
Oljestaden IF 1-1 Magnaeus City
KT Itzalovalle 2-1 FC Southern Ninestar
1830 Cathair FC 1-2 Fligsive FC
AC Izotz Zubia 3-2 Westonbirt City
Wozinitz Wonderers 2-4 Crystal Mertagne
Baudelaire Tulips 1-2 Lesko Pavillion

Matchday 16 marked the point in the season where we go around again, and it started off in an explosive manner much like the first day of the Liga. A floundering Shamrock Cathair side managed to put two goals into the back of Burgess’s net, but it wasn’t enough to counteract the three goals that had been scored by Burgess, all before the second half began. Nostromo wowed KT Moreazerua once again, this time at their ground, by winning 3-0. Fligsive took revenge for their Matchday 1 defeat against 1830 Cathair by winning 2-1 on the flipside, at The 66 Stadium. It seems D’Sauviterre managed to learn from his mistakes, but didn’t have the clean sheet he wanted, conceding a goal to Joseph Kennedy about an hour into the game. Lesko picked up an important victory on the Road versus Baudelaire Tulips, who have really suffered in recent matchdays with goalless draws and losses all over the place. KT Itzallovalle also managed to put one over FC Southern Ninestar, who seemed to lose all morale after a spate of losses against many high level teams.

MATCHDAY 17
Burgess FC 4-0 KT Moreazerua
Shamrock Cathair 2-1 Oljestaden IF
Nostromo Meteorites 1-4 KT Itzalovalle
Magnaeus City 1-1 1830 Cathair FC
FC Southern Ninestar 0-0 AC Izotz Zubia
Fligsive FC 2-1 Wozinitz Wonderers
Westonbirt City 1-1 Baudelaire Tulips
Crystal Mertagne 1-0 Lesko Pavillion

KT Moreazerua were wiped by Burgess at Sunrise Park, but in some good news for Audioslavians, KT Izalovalle were dominant at Point Impact versus the Meteorites, winning 4-1 after some superb skills from Txai Rodriguez and Ari Palsson. FC Southern Ninestar were back at home, this time facing up-and-comers AC Izotz Zubia, but luckily managed to hold the team to a scoreless draw that tested the mettle and sanity of both the teams and their fans. Crystal Mertagne pulled off an easy win against Lesko Pavillion, deciding that only one goal would be enough for the side to pull to victory. Fligsive played Wozinitz, and luckily scored a goal right at the end of the match thanks to a corner that gave them three points, and denied a suffering Wozinitz side of any. Oljestaden IF were tipped to take their away game versus Shamrock Cathair, but Shamrock surprised everyone when Brogan Farrell was called up to take a free kick, and scored it, putting them 2-1 up with just twenty minutes left in the match. Oljestaden seemed so shocked that they couldn’t recover from it, and a pleased home side left Glass Bridge Stadium with a win.

MATCHDAY 18
Oljestaden IF 1-1 Burgess FC
KT Itzalovalle 1-0 KT Moreazerua
1830 Cathair FC 0-1 Shamrock Cathair
AC Izotz Zubia 0-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Wozinitz Wonderers 0-0 Magnaeus City
Baudelaire Tulips 0-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Lesko Pavillion 0-1 Fligsive FC
Crystal Mertagne 2-0 Westonbirt City

The KT’s faced off again, with Itzalovalle taking the match once again, again by a single goal. Nostromo tackled Izotz Zubia and came out of the game with a 1-0 win, after Aaron Allen weaved his way past Peio Loyola and put a goal in between the posts. Oljestaden managed to tie against a Burgess side on the warpath, who were looking for more Audioslavian teams to take on after two consecutive victories in previous matchdays. The Cathair Derby ended with upset for 1830 supporters, as Shamrock took revenge for their earlier defeat by tying the aggregate scores up and winning 1-0. Wozinitz and Magnaeus fans were treated to a scoreless draw, and anyone that ventured into Pavillion from Fligsive would have found themselves laughing after Ron Carter scored an own goal in the 17th minute.

MATCHDAY 19
Burgess FC 2-0 KT Itzalovalle
Oljestaden IF 2-1 1830 Cathair FC
KT Moreazerua 1-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Shamrock Cathair 0-2 Wozinitz Wonderers
Nostromo Meteorites 2-2 Baudelaire Tulips
Magnaeus City 2-0 Lesko Pavillion
FC Southern Ninestar 1-1 Crystal Mertagne
Fligsive FC 3-2 Westonbirt City

Matchday 19 bought rain to Burgess, and in this awful weather they managed to pull away with two goals against KT Itzallovalle, securing another win and making them the bane of any and all Audioslavian teams. Rain was also present in Oljestaden, however this didn’t have much of an impact on the match, as the home side danced to victory against 1830 Cathair. Shamrock lost against Wozinitz, who were pleased to finally get another win, and it was Magnaeus’s turn to beat Lesko Pavillion, doing it better than Fligsive did, winning 2-0. Fligsive were busy at home, however, in a goal-fest against Westonbirt City that ended once Thomas Decker threw the scales off the pitch in the second half.

MATCHDAY 20
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Burgess FC
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 KT Itzalovalle
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-0 Oljestaden IF
Baudelaire Tulips 1-2 KT Moreazerua
Lesko Pavillion 0-1 Shamrock Cathair
Crystal Mertagne 1-3 Nostromo Meteorites
Westonbirt City 1-1 Magnaeus City
Fligsive FC 0-1 FC Southern Ninestar

1830 Cathair were comfortable in their home game on Matchday 20, and pulled of a victory for Audioslavians everywhere in the form of a 1-0 win against Burgess FC. The only Audioslavian team to not win against a Syndicatian counterpart was Oljestaden IF, as their visit to Patches Park was dampened not only by the weather, but by Neil Harris’s goal in the early end of the second half. Shamrock managed an away win versus Pavillion, who just didn’t seem to have the confidence against a team that had tied them once before. FC Southern Ninestar, proud ruiners of peoples day, managed to do the very same to Fligsive at the Flynn Arena, winning after an odd decision by the referee to offer a penalty to Phil Gulliver after he took a tumble after being tackled by Petr Cervinka. Reports flooded in across the DataLink that he took a bit of a dive, but the penalty resulted in a goal for Southern Ninestar, and ultimately, won them the game.

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So after 20 matchdays, Burgess not sits at the top of the table by a single point, pushing Nostromo down to second, remaining three points clear of Magnaeus. AC Izotz Zubia continues to be the top Audioslavian team, with capital wonders 1830 Cathair struggling down in 7th. Still, they’re not doing as badly as Fligsive FC, who are sat down in 10th with the likes of Oljestaden IF. Lesko Pavillion hold the bottom of the table in place, along with Baudelaire Tulips, with just 14 points.

Premier Division Standings
		Team		P	W	D	L	For	Ag	+/-	Pts
1   Burgess FC			20	13	4	3	35	15	+20	43
2   Nostromo Meteorites	20	13	3	4	37	18	+19	42
3   Magnaeus City		20	11	6	3	33	15	+18	39
4   AC Izotz Zubia		20	11	5	4	34	22	+12	38
5   Crystal Mertagne		20	9	4	7	18	20	-2	31
6   KT Itzalovalle		20	9	2	9	21	24	-3	29
7   1830 Cathair FC		20	8	4	8	19	19	0	28
8   Westonbirt City		20	8	4	8	25	28	-3	28
9   Oljestaden IF		20	7	6	7	27	27	0	27
10  Fligsive FC		20	8	3	9	26	25	+1	27
11  FC Southern Ninestar	20	6	7	7	23	24	-1	25
12  KT Moreazerua		20	7	2	11	19	31	-12	23
13  Shamrock Cathair		20	6	4	10	20	30	-10	22
14  Wozinitz Wonderers		20	4	5	11	23	37	-14	17
15  Baudelaire Tulips		20	3	5	12	20	28	-8	14
16  Lesko Pavillion		20	4	2	14	13	30	-17	14

Season 1 - Matchdays 21-30

MATCHDAY 21
Burgess FC 0-2 AC Izotz Zubia
1830 Cathair FC 2-1 Wozinitz Wonderers
KT Itzalovalle 0-1 Baudelaire Tulips
Oljestaden IF 1-0 Lesko Pavillion
KT Moreazerua 1-2 Crystal Mertagne
Shamrock Cathair 0-2 Westonbirt City
Nostromo Meteorites 2-2 Fligsive FC
Magnaeus City 1-0 FC Southern Ninestar

They might not have known it yet, but the match between Burgess and AC Izotz Zubia was going to be a very important one indeed. Unfortunately for Burgess, they were outpaced by the Zubia squad on the day and failed to score a single goal at Sunrise Park, while Izotz Zubia managed two in the 90 minutes of the match. Elsewhere, Nostromo and Fligsive tied it up at Point Impact, with Fligsive improving on their performance from the last time the two teams met. KT Itzalovalle suffered an unfortunate loss to an invigorated Baudelaire Tulips side at The Antzerkia, with Jonathan Pike scoring Baudelaire’s goal in an unbelievable shot from past the halfway line. The video is certainly one to watch on the DataLink if you have the time!

MATCHDAY 22
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-1 Burgess FC
Baudelaire Tulips 0-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Lesko Pavillion 2-0 1830 Cathair FC
Crystal Mertagne 0-3 KT Itzalovalle
Westonbirt City 1-0 Oljestaden IF
Fligsive FC 0-0 KT Moreazerua
FC Southern Ninestar 2-0 Shamrock Cathair
Magnaeus City 1-1 Nostromo Meteorites

The Woz held it together in Patches Park to tie against Burgess, and Fligsive did the same against KT Moreazerua. Itzalovalle cleaned up against Crystal Mertagne, making the side look sluggish by scoring three goals in the space of seven minutes. Lesko managed to take a victory at the Big Top against 1830 Cathair, who were certainly embarrassed that their trip to Pavillion resulted in no goals, and no points. Powell Pieran claimed that there must have been something in the water prior to the game.

MATCHDAY 23
Burgess FC 2-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Wozinitz Wonderers 0-1 Lesko Pavillion
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 Crystal Mertagne
1830 Cathair FC 1-1 Westonbirt City
KT Itzalovalle 1-0 Fligsive FC
Oljestaden IF 0-1 FC Southern Ninestar
KT Moreazerua 0-3 Magnaeus City
Shamrock Cathair 1-2 Nostromo Meteorites

Lesko battled against a team that was finally on their level, and came out of it with another win at Patches Park. Shamrock Cathair had the upper hand in their home game against the Meteorites for the entire first half, but it all came crashing down in the second when Ethan Sinclair and Henry Davies knocked in a goal each, with the latter goal coming in just twenty seconds before the end of the match. FC Southern Ninestar racked up another away win, this time against Oljestaden, who put up a great fight to stop any more goals being scored after the first one. Felix Kaestner scored himself a hat-trick in Magnaeus City’s game against KT Moreazerua, showing an Audioslavian home crowd that outsourcing your talent can really pay off. But they probably knew that already.

MATCHDAY 24
Lesko Pavillion 1-1 Burgess FC
Crystal Mertagne 0-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Westonbirt City 2-2 Wozinitz Wonderers
Fligsive FC 2-2 AC Izotz Zubia
FC Southern Ninestar 1-1 1830 Cathair FC
Magnaeus City 0-2 KT Itzalovalle
Nostromo Meteorites 0-1 Oljestaden IF
Shamrock Cathair 1-0 KT Moreazerua

Lesko, set out to grab any points they could with just six weeks left in the league, played a fantastic game of football against Burgess at the Big Top. They came out of it with a point, which was incredibly important as it annoyed the Burgess side immensely, as they were struggling to stay on top of the league. They soon found out that it’d been a bit of a wet weekend for many of their rivals, with AC Izotz Zubia tieing at the Flynn Arena, and Nostromo failing to score against a hyped Oljestaden side. Only two teams won their games, Shamrock Cathair and Oljestaden, as the rest of the weekend was home to some disappointing draws.


MATCHDAY 25
Burgess FC 2-0 Crystal Mertagne
Lesko Pavillion 3-0 Westonbirt City
Baudelaire Tulips 0-1 Fligsive FC
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-1 FC Southern Ninestar
AC Izotz Zubia 0-2 Magnaeus City
1830 Cathair FC 2-0 Nostromo Meteorites
KT Itzalovalle 5-1 Shamrock Cathair
Oljestaden IF 1-0 KT Moreazerua

Wins! Wins everywhere! For half the teams, anyway, and KT Itzalovalle did it in style with a 5-1 victory over Shamrock Cathair, with Peio Zabala on top form scoring two of the five goals. 1830 Cathair outpaced the Meteorites, bringing Dominic Archer to his knees after the second goal was scored at The 66 Stadium. Lesko Pavillion played host to Westonbirt, and many Westonbirt fans wished they hadn’t make the trek down south, as the home side took the three points in a 3-0 game that left one side ecstatic, and the other rather upset. Magnaeus took on Zubia, and came out the better side by two goals, one of which was scored from a corner by defender Josh Rogers.


MATCHDAY 26
Westonbirt City 2-2 Burgess FC
Fligsive FC 3-0 Crystal Mertagne
FC Southern Ninestar 4-1 Lesko Pavillion
Magnaeus City 1-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 Wozinitz Wonderers
Shamrock Cathair 1-4 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Moreazerua 0-1 1830 Cathair FC
Oljestaden IF 1-0 KT Itzalovalle

Fligsive continued to wind up the wins machine with a 3-0 victory over Crystal Mertagne, which saw goals from Oleg Evseev, Gregory Martin, and Bruce Freis. Oljestaden scored a single goal against KT Itzalovalle, but it was enough for a win as Jan Holgarsson managed to keep on his toes and put a stop to any of Itzalovalle’s shots on target, of which there were several! Izotz Zubia racked up some important points where Burgess didn’t, scoring 4 goals against Shamrock Cathair, with Mintxo Ybarra holding no punches against the Cathair team. FC Southern Ninestar managed to score four times against Lesko Pavillion, as Pavillion’s defence seemed to fall apart after Owen Stanley was sent off the pitch for arguing with the referee over a tackle that was made to one of his teammates. Magnaeus’s game against Baudelaire Tulips was rescheduled for a later date after a structural weakness was identified in the Bird Cage. During the time the match was supposed to take place, one of the artistic supports came crashing down onto the pitch, ruining it. Thankfully, nobody was hurt, but the Magnaeus team didn’t have their home ground for the rest of the season, choosing instead to play in the Stadii di Plattini, home of FC Oberyn’s Shield.

MATCHDAY 27
Burgess FC 0-0 Fligsive FC
Westonbirt City 1-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Crystal Mertagne 2-0 Magnaeus City
Lesko Pavillion 2-0 Nostromo Meteorites
Baudelaire Tulips 2-0 Shamrock Cathair
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-3 KT Moreazerua
AC Izotz Zubia 4-0 Oljestaden IF
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 KT Itzalovalle

Izotz Zubia dominated Oljestaden at home, scoring 4 goals, which propelled them further up the league tables and put them in a position to take the title with just two more matchdays left to play. It did help that Fligsive blocked Burgess’s chances of a win at Sunrise Park, as the game was a 90 minute ebb and flow of the ball, which resulted in neither side scoring any goals. KT Moreazerua beat the Wonderers in a 3-1 game, the most shocking part of which was Neil Harris’s goal just ten minutes in. Lesko Pavillion also shocked us all once again, winning 2-0 against Nostromo Meteorites. It seems the home advantage is something that had a profound effect on the Pavillion team. Maybe it’s the comfort and the homely feeling of The Big Top, a football stadium that has the unique ability of being completely collapsible if an empty field is needed. Sure, it may take six weeks, but how many other stadiums can do that?

MATCHDAY 28
FC Southern Ninestar 2-1 Burgess FC
Magnaeus City 0-1 Fligsive FC
Nostromo Meteorites 0-1 Westonbirt City
Shamrock Cathair 1-1 Crystal Mertagne
KT Moreazerua 0-1 Lesko Pavillion
Oljestaden IF 0-0 Baudelaire Tulips
KT Itzalovalle 0-2 Wozinitz Wonderers
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 AC Izotz Zubia

Burgess, who hadn’t won a single game in two match days, continued this streak in matchday 28, where they lost to - you might have guessed it - FC Southern Ninestar. The Ninestar fans were very pleased with this, as it meant that Burgess were finally in with a shot of not taking the top spot. Being based in Hyford, FC Southern Ninestar saw Hyford FC go for the title twice against Burgess, but never seemed to take it once Burgess had established dominance. The Dual Kingdom Derby continued, and it was Fligsive that won this leg at the Stadii di Plattini, which may have been the reason that they pulled off a victory so easy. Magnaeus still hadn’t quite adjusted to the glaring purple of the Stadii’s architecture - it was a very alien environment from their roost up in The Bird Cage. Across the pond, 1830 Cathair clawed three points from Izotz Zubia, in a grudge match that saw the referee hand out no less than six yellow cards. Lesko Pavillion breathed a sigh of relief in Ibarretako Estadioa as Jaques Beadeu scored a goal that propelled them to victory.

MATCHDAY 29
Burgess FC 1-0 Magnaeus City
FC Southern Ninestar 2-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Fligsive FC 4-0 Shamrock Cathair
Westonbirt City 2-0 KT Moreazerua
Crystal Mertagne 1-2 Oljestaden IF
Lesko Pavillion 0-0 KT Itzalovalle
Baudelaire Tulips 1-1 1830 Cathair FC
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-1 AC Izotz Zubia

It was all to play for on the penultimate matchday, and Fligsive FC decided to take out their anger on Shamrock Cathair, in response to many disappointments throughout the season. The four goals that were scored were all scored with power, and Decker sullied his reputation with a rude gesture after he was tackled by Dylan O`Hara. FC Southern Ninestar topple Nostromo at home, and the Ninestar Arch seems to have developed a reputation to be a ground of giant slayers. Burgess, those giants themselves, grabbed their last three points against Magnaeus city, and by the end of the weekend they realised they needed a win, and needed Izotz Zubia to lose to take the league title. the only problem? Burgess was playing Nostromo. Away. Zubia was playing Pavillion. At home. Pavillion tied against KT Itzalovalle, and Burgess’s chances didn’t look very good on paper.

MATCHDAY 30
Nostromo Meteorites 3-0 Burgess FC
Shamrock Cathair 1-1 Magnaeus City
KT Moreazerua 1-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Oljestaden IF 2-2 Fligsive FC
KT Itzalovalle 3-2 Westonbirt City
1830 Cathair FC 0-0 Crystal Mertagne
AC Izotz Zubia 0-0 Lesko Pavillion
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-1 Baudelaire Tulips

The results reflected predictions, but not to the degree that they could have done. Burgess lost against the Meteorites, as they had an enthusiastic team that was itching to take third place from Magnaeus, but Izotz Zubia could only manage a tie against a Pavillion side that looked determined to prevent an Audioslav team from winning the league. Shamrock Cathair looked to do the same, as they played Magnaeus and knocked them down a peg or two by scoring a goal to equalise just before the end of the first half. Nostromo and KT Itzalovalle were the only two teams to pick up a win, and it helped them both immensely, with Nostromo taking third from Magnaeus (just), and Itzalovalle edging ahead of FC Southern Ninestar by 1 point. Just goes to show that the smallest teams can often have the biggest impact.

Premier Division Standings
	Team			P	W	D	L	For	Ag	+/-	Pts
1   AC Izotz Zubia		30	16	8	6	51	29	+22	56 -Champions, Champions Cup, AOCL (AUD)
2   Burgess FC			30	16	8	6	45	26	+19	56 -Champions, Champions Cup, AOCL (TIS)
3   Nostromo	Meteorites	30	16	5	9	47	30	+17	53 - Globe Cup (TIS)
4   Magnaeus	City		30	15	8	7	42	23	+19	53 - Globe Cup (TIS)
5    1830 Cathair FC		30	13	8	9	29	25	+4	47 - Globe Cup (AUD)
6   KT Itzalovalle		30	14	3	13	35	32	+3	45 - Globe Cup (AUD)
7   FC Southern Ninestar	30	11	11	8	38	32	+6	44 - Globe Cup (TIS)
8   Westonbirt City		30	12	8	10	39	40	-1	44
9   Oljestaden IF		30	12	8	10	35	36	-1	44
10  Fligsive FC		30	12	8	10	41	32	+9	44
11  Crystal Mertagne		30	11	7	12	24	34	-10	40
12  Lesko Pavillion		30	9	5	16	24	36	-12	32
13  KT Moreazerua		30	8	4	18	24	44	-20	28
14  Shamrock Cathair		30	7	6	17	26	53	-27	27
15  Wozinitz Wonderers		30	5	10	15	33	50	-17	25
16  Baudelaire Tulips		30	5	9	16	25	36	-11	24

And there we have it. With a close race down to the final matchday, AC Izotz Zubia wins the first season of the LigAnaia. Their 2-0 victory over Burgess in Matchday 21, coupled with their 3-1 win on Matchday 6, gave them the head-to-head result they needed to take first place. Burgess slot into second, just three points away from Nostromo and Magnaeus. 1830 Cathair rounds off the top 5, with 47 points in what was a season full of promise, but just didn’t live up to expectations.

KT Itzalovalle should be pleased with their sixth place spot, stolen from FC Southern Ninestar on the final matchday. Westonbirt City and Oljestaden IF were two teams that are incredibly alike - but Westonbirt proved to be slightly better when they faced each other. This meant that Oljestaden IF missed out on Globe Cup qualification by the smallest of margins, as only teams within the top half of the league can qualify.

Fligsive are surely disappointed with their tenth place position, but are looking to improve next season with some rumoured high-wealth transfers on the way. Sitting in 12th is an incredibly happy Lesko Pavillion, who really went into the league as underdogs, and came out of it as a fairly respectable team, finishing higher than both KT Moreazerua and Shamrock Cathair, two teams that they struggled playing against.

Wozinitz and Baudelaire should be hanging their heads in shame, scraping a mere 25 and 24 points respectively, and finishing in the bottom two. Someone has to finish last, but I doubt Samuel Recket was expecting that it would be his team.

[COCANEFA]

Season 2

We're back, and we're just about as good as ever, it's LigAnaia's second season! After the great success of the first of the first one, which saw AC Izotz Zubia win the league and make it all the way to the group stages of the Globe Cup, a feat also accomplished by Maganeus City. The same 16 teams are back again, this time with some minor modifications (some of which are more interesting than others), and all of them are out to win the league in style. Except for Lesko Pavillion, they'd just be happy with an improvement over last season.

So, without further ado, let's get started!

Matchdays 1-10

MATCHDAY 1
AC Izotz Zubia 0-0 Wozinitz Wonderers
Burgess FC 1-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Nostromo Meteorites 2-3 Shamrock Cathair
Magnaeus City 2-1 KT Moreazerua
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Lesko Pavillion
Fligsive FC 5-3 FC Southern Ninestar
KT Itzalovalle 1-3 Oljestaden IF
Crystal Mertagne 1-0 Westonbirt City

The newly seeded teams took each other on in a different order this time around, and this season kicked off at the Soldaduak Eremuan where AC Izotz Zubia faced Wozinitz Wonderers. This game was predicted to be a complete whitewash from Zozi, but it seems that the Wonderers held on for ninety minutes to grab a vital point to get them started. Burgess, meanwhile, took on the Tulips at Sunrise Park, and a single goal was all they needed to beat them with ease, even with the recently acquired powerhouse that is Karsten Eiger on the team. Fligsive, however, needed five whole goals in order to edge ahead of FC Southern Ninestar at the Flynn Arena, in a final 5-3 result that Farell Kiter was sure to be pleased with. Nostromo suffered a defeat against Shamrock Cathair, as new midfielder Bikendi Arkaitz put a goal past Archer’s eyes in a flash after Nostromo’s second goal was scored. This sparked rumours that the 31 year old was getting a bit too old for football, rumours that may impact his performance on future matchdays. Oljestaden IF also managed a 3-1 victory against KT Itzalovalle, and many Itzalovalle fans left The Antzerkia disappointed.

MATCHDAY 2
Baudelaire Tulips 0-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Shamrock Cathair 2-1 Wozinitz Wonderers
KT Moreazerua 1-0 Burgess FC
Lesko Pavillion 0-4 Nostromo Meteorites
FC Southern Ninestar 0-0 Magnaeus City
Oljestaden IF 1-2 1830 Cathair FC
Westonbirt City 1-2 Fligsive FC
Crystal Mertagne 1-0 KT Itzalovalle

Matchday 2 saw things look up for Izotz Zubia, as they took on Baudelaire Tulips and came out of the game with a single goal. It seems that the recent transfers undertaken by the team, which include the signing of two young Barangayan players (goalkeeper Kenneth Apolinario and midfielder Romeo Lagman) haven’t quite paid off in their games against more formidable opponents. The team blamed Lagman’s teammate, Fluffles the Sentient Chicken, for their weak midfield against Izotz Zubia, but Samuel Recket claimed that it was “a choice that is sure to help the club in future matchdays”. Whether this is true is yet to be seen. Shamrock continued their run of luck, this time clocking two goals against the Wonderers to their one, clutching three points and putting them in a good position on the league tables. Lesko Pavillion suffered a defeat at the hands of the Meteorites, as Archer didn’t put a foot wrong in all seven shots on target Pavillion took, as if he was compensating for previous mistakes. 1830 Cathair grabbed an away win against Oljestaden IF at the Hygolje Arena, as Ion Itzal scored both goals before Oljestaden had a chance to retaliate in the second half.

MATCHDAY 3
AC Izotz Zubia 3-1 Shamrock Cathair
Baudelaire Tulips 1-1 KT Moreazerua
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-1 Lesko Pavillion
Burgess FC 2-0 FC Southern Ninestar
Nostromo Meteorites 0-0 Oljestaden IF
Magnaeus City 4-1 Westonbirt City
1830 Cathair FC 3-2 Crystal Mertagne
Fligsive FC 3-1 KT Itzalovalle

A weekend of draws for six teams on Matchday 3, as three games ended in disappointing draws. Perhaps the worst of them all was the Wozinitz - Pavillion game, in which Pavillion Manager Tomas Hill collapsed halfway through the first half. He was rushed to hospital, and it seems that his old head injury from his days in the national team had come back to haunt him. The team fought hard, however, and gained a goal in his honour in the second half, bringing the score to 1-1 for the remainder of the match. Magnaeus City, under the watchful eyes of Francois Cardeau, dominated Westonbirt City 4-1, ripping the team apart with some aggressive maneuvers that saw three players from each side leaving the pitch by the end of game, with the Westonbirt players injured and the Magnaeans carded. 1830 Cathair turned their game around against Crystal Mertagne, as during the first half it looked as if their fate was sealed as Martin Mo, Guyabalese defender, looked unstoppable in his control of the back of the field. Dooles also scored both goals before the half hour mark, but it seemed that Crystal Mertgane shattered early after Cathair midfielder Beltza Gaineratzaile snaked his way past Mo to score their first goal of the match. Fligsive FC also found success at home, with a 3-1 win over Itzalovalle that was played in the pouring rain.

MATCHDAY 4
KT Moreazerua 0-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Lesko Pavillion 2-2 Shamrock Cathair
FC Southern Ninestar 1-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Oljestaden IF 2-0 Wozinitz Wonderers
Westonbirt City 1-1 Burgess FC
Crystal Mertagne 2-0 Nostromo Meteorites
KT Itzalovalle 2-0 Magnaeus City
Fligsive FC 0-2 1830 Cathair FC

Matchday 4 began with a win for AC Izotz Zubia, as they played at a packed Ibarretako Estadioa against KT Moreazerua. It ended in tears for Mozo after Zubia striker Sendoa Diomede racked one past the Moreazerua defence shortly after the second half began. The Big Top played host to Shamrock Cathair, and Shamrock managed to gain a point in a match that looked a little too even for Pavillion’s taste. FC Southern Ninestar faced off against Baudelaire Tulips, and managed to pull a goal thanks to Hugo Lewin’s last gasp goal in the final minutes of the match. When asked what took him so long, he claimed that it was due to being distracted by a chicken on the pitch. Fluffles pecked at the ground in response, with Samuel Recket cheering at the news. Crystal Mertagne also showed Nostromo how to play in the cold, as over in Pinehearth City Stadium they won 2-0. The first of the two Clash of Capitals games happened at the Flynn Arena on this matchday, and 1830 Cathair were the winners this time, taking two goals and three points from the game, much to the joy of the Audioslavians that made the journey to watch.


MATCHDAY 5
AC Izotz Zubia 1-0 Lesko Pavillion
KT Moreazerua 1-0 FC Southern Ninestar
Shamrock Cathair 2-2 Oljestaden IF
Baudelaire Tulips 0-1 Westonbirt City
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-2 Crystal Mertagne
Burgess FC 6-0 KT Itzalovalle
Nostromo Meteorites 0-1 Fligsive FC
Magnaeus City 2-0 1830 Cathair FC

Lesko Pavillion fans cried out in anger after Owen Stanley missed a vital shot in their game against AC Izotz Zubia on Matchday 5, and this set the scene for the game as Lesko trailed behind and lost 1-0 to a much more capable team. KT Moreazerua scored a clean goal to win against a fuming FC Southern Ninestar side, and after the game a huge Nine Star Arch was sprayed onto the side of the stadium, that took three days for the authorities to scrub off. Those responsible were never caught. Shamrock Cathair had the home crowd on their side against Oljestaden IF, but unfortunately they could only manage a draw. Burgess, however, put no less than six goals past KT Itzalovalle, a result that they’ll probably never forget. The central men in it all? The central men, Astograth’s Artzeiz Kuartango and the Syndicate’s very own Colin Noc, who were vital in flipping the direction of play, and even managed to snag a few goals themselves. Fligsive were responsible for continuing Nostromo’s spate of losses, and gained the upper hand at Point Impact, winning by a single goal. Magnaeus managed to snatch some pride back from Cathair after Fligsive’s embarrassing loss the previous week, picking at them from the Bird Cage. Two goals were scored from two shots on target, one by Aaron Allen, and the other by new transfer Antonio Rosado, from San Jose Guayabal.

MATCHDAY 6
FC Southern Ninestar 0-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Oljestaden IF 2-2 Lesko Pavillion
Westonbirt City 0-1 KT Moreazerua
Crystal Mertagne 1-0 Shamrock Cathair
KT Itzalovalle 2-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Fligsive FC 1-0 Wozinitz Wonderers
1830 Cathair FC 1-1 Burgess FC
Magnaeus City 0-0 Nostromo Meteorites

Matchday 6 saw AC Izotz Zubia trump FC Southern Ninestar at the Nine Star Arch, winning two goals to none in a game that saw FC Southern Ninestar get a little desperate towards the end, as manager Stuart Parhoe called Thomas Koudela onto the pitch, even though he was still a little bit shaky after an injury during the off season. The move didn’t pay off, as it was put into place far too late, and FC Southern Ninestar left the game goalless and worse off than they started. This didn’t happen to KT Moreazeura, who beat home side Westonbirt 1-0 with a great goal from a corner at the start of the second half. The ‘66’ Stadium was the home of a great game between Burgess and 1830 Cathair, with neither team having the edge to push the score of the game in their favour. The same was true for Nostromo, as their game against Magnaeus ended in a 0-0 draw that Jeffery Parker called ‘a complete snoozefest’ and that ‘it was the most boring game of football [he’d] seen in years’.

MATCHDAY 7
AC Izotz Zubia 1-1 Oljestaden IF
FC Southern Ninestar 1-4 Westonbirt City
Lesko Pavillion 1-2 Crystal Mertagne
KT Moreazerua 2-3 KT Itzalovalle
Shamrock Cathair 0-2 Fligsive FC
Baudelaire Tulips 2-1 1830 Cathair FC
Wozinitz Wonderers 0-2 Magnaeus City
Burgess FC 2-2 Nostromo Meteorites

Westonbirt City showed FC Southern Ninestar what’s what in a match of epic proportions on Matchday 7, when Westonbirt managed to score three goals within twenty minutes. FC Southern Ninestar bit back with a single goal before half time, but it wasn't enough as Westonbirt took revenge with another goal that embarrassed the home team. Only a single home team managed to win a game this matchday, and that was Baudelaire Tulips, who wowed 1830 Cathair by choosing not to play Fluffles the Chicken, and instead let Eiger work his magic against his capital team. It paid off, as he shot a goal past Cathair’s reserve goalkeeper, Bitor Aingeru. Bitor, indeed. Fligsive hopped over to the Glass Bridge for an easy game against Shamrock Cathair, that had the added surprise of a celebrity referee - Kansu Corona - SCB:Sports broadcaster. The game was a fun one to watch, but it seemed as if Corona was a bit lacking in his duties...

MATCHDAY 8
Westonbirt City 2-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Crystal Mertagne 3-3 Oljestaden IF
KT Itzalovalle 0-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Fligsive FC 2-1 Lesko Pavillion
1830 Cathair FC 0-3 KT Moreazerua
Magnaeus City 0-0 Shamrock Cathair
Nostromo Meteorites 2-1 Baudelaire Tulips
Burgess FC 4-0 Wozinitz Wonderers

KT Moreazerua wew the catch of Matchday 8, as their 3-0 victory over 1830 Cathair at The ‘66’ Stadium was a spectacle to behold. Cowell Diakforen was on top form, stopping an incredibly powerful shot from 1830 Cathair at the start of the match that looked like it was going to cause a massive upset. Diakforen was heralded as the hero of the day, but across the pond in the Syndicate, nobody really managed to stand out. Even Burgess’s 4-0 win against the Wonderers lacked a buzz, as torrential rain flooded the main road into Patches Park before the game began.

MATCHDAY 9
AC Izotz Zubia 1-0 Crystal Mertagne
Westonbirt City 2-0 KT Itzalovalle
Oljestaden IF 1-0 Fligsive FC
FC Southern Ninestar 0-2 1830 Cathair FC
Lesko Pavillion 1-0 Magnaeus City
KT Moreazerua 1-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Shamrock Cathair 1-2 Burgess FC
Baudelaire Tulips 4-0 Wozinitz Wonderers

Westonbirt racked up another point against an Audioslavian opponent, this time KT Itzalovalle, by scoring two goals. One of which was scored in the final seconds of extra time, with Westonbirt fans breathing a collective sigh of relief that Itzalovalle wouldn’t be able to catch up. FC Southern Ninestar were shamed in their game against an objectively better Cathair side, which manages to put them in their place with two goals, all from midfielder Mintzo Harkaitz. Lesko celebrated a win at The Big Top against Magnaeus City, as Tomas hill made a tactical substitution in the second half that saw Ron Carter take to the pitch and clock in a brilliant goal. The Tulips continued to send the Wonderers deeper down in the tables, with four goals against them (two of which scored by Eiger) whistling past Rich Guyman’s face.

MATCHDAY 10
KT Itzalovalle 1-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Fligsive FC 2-0 Crystal Mertagne
1830 Cathair FC 3-1 Westonbirt City
Magnaeus City 0-1 Oljestaden IF
Nostromo Meteorites 0-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Burgess FC 2-1 Lesko Pavillion
Wozinitz Wonderers 3-3 KT Moreazerua
Baudelaire Tulips 1-2 Shamrock Cathair

The Flynn Arena hosted a very controversial game on Matchday 10, as Crystal Mertagne came down to play Fligsive FC. Fligsive, being the team that didn’t get abused by the Corvidae Crowd, put two goals into Mertagne’s net before the game was ended due to reports of a bomb threat within the stadium. The IFA claimed that as there were less than 15 minutes remaining in the match, the result would still stand, and the teams wouldn’t have to play each other again until Fligsive’s game against Mertagne in Pinehearth. Many called this a bad move, and the DataLink was filled with angry comments towards Jasper Hewitt, with the general opinion that he should be sacked from the position of IFA Chairman due to his political opinions having too much of an impact on the league. He declined to comment. Elsewhere, Lesko Pavillion managed to start their game against Burgess in a fantastic fashion, with Alan Bishop scoring from a great distance in the first half. It wasn’t enough to win, as Burgess fans would probably tell you, but it was incredibly exciting to watch. Many fans travelled up from Hyford to watch FC Southern Ninestar take on the Meteorites, and most of them were glad they did, when Jake Ashencote smashed a winning goal into the net after narrowly missing a tackle from both Vrotaoa Wii-Tzaara and Lambert Jarvis. The two players injured each other, to the surprise of everyone, however this was overshadowed by the events the day before in Fligsive.


So after ten matchdays of play, Fligsive FC are standing tall, with their three point lead of the rest of the table inching them above the giants of last season. Those giants, AC Izotz Zubia and Burgess FC, sit 2nd and 3rd respectively. The dark horses, 1830 Cathair and Crystal Mertagne, are in 4th and 5th with 19 points apiece, and will be looking to grab some places in future matchdays. At the other end of the table, the Meteorites are struggling to make a dent in the table, sitting 13th with just 10 points. Lesko Pavillion won’t be pleased with 15th, behind the Tulips. The Wonderers complete the table, having failed to win a single game in the first ten matchdays, which is sure to be upsetting. It’s still all to play for with two thirds left of the season, however!

LigAnaia Standings
		Team				P	W	D	L	For	Ag	+/-	Pts
	1   Fligsive FC			10	8	0	2	18	9	+9	24
	2   AC Izotz Zubia			10	6	3	1	12	5	+7	21
	3   Burgess FC				10	6	3	1	21	7	+14	21
	4   1830 Cathair FC			10	6	1	3	15	12	+3	19
	5   Crystal Mertagne			10	6	1	3	14	11	+3	19
	6   Oljestaden IF			10	4	5	1	16	11	+5	17
	7   Magnaeus City			10	4	3	3	10	6	+4	15
	8   KT Moreazerua			10	4	3	3	14	11	+3	15
	9   Westonbirt City			10	4	1	5	13	14	-1	13
	10  Shamrock Cathair			10	3	3	4	13	16	-3	12
	11  FC Southern Ninestar		10	3	1	6	7	16	-9	10
	12  KT Itzalovalle			10	3	1	6	10	19	-9	10
	13  Nostromo Meteorites		10	2	4	4	11	11	+0	10
	14  Baudelaire Tulips			10	2	1	7	9	12	-3	7
	15  Lesko Pavillion			10	1	3	6	9	17	-8	6
	16  Wozinitz Wonderers			10	0	3	7	6	21	-15	3

Season 2 - Matchdays 11-20

MATCHDAY 11
AC Izotz Zubia 1-0 Fligsive FC
KT Itzalovalle 0-1 1830 Cathair FC
Crystal Mertagne 3-0 Magnaeus City
Westonbirt City 1-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Oljestaden IF 1-0 Burgess FC
FC Southern Ninestar 1-2 Wozinitz Wonderers
Lesko Pavillion 2-0 Baudelaire Tulips
KT Moreazerua 2-3 Shamrock Cathair

Burgess FC were disappointed with their 1-0 loss against Oljestaden IF on Matchday 11, as Burgess found themselves down to nine men within the first twenty minutes of the game. This put them at a major disadvantage, with Oljestaden managing to weave their way through the holes in the Burgess midfield. 1830 Cathair managed to win their away game against Itzalovalle with ease, deciding one goal would be enough to take three points back home to Cathair and close their gap against Fligsive. AC Izotz Zubia had a helping hand in this, taking Fligsive on at the Soldaduak Eremuan and winning 1-0. Lesko Pavillion fans enjoyed watching Karsten Eiger get frustrated with a chicken in Pavillion’s game against Baudelaire Tulips, when Eiger nearly kicked Fluffles for getting in his way during an important tackle opportunity. The Wonderers also managed to grab their first win of the season, much to the dismay of FC Southern Ninestar. Neil Harris was vital in breaking Wozinitz’s curse, as his goal at the start in the second half was enough to push them ahead to victory.

MATCHDAY 12
1830 Cathair FC 1-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Magnaeus City 0-1 Fligsive FC
Nostromo Meteorites 2-1 KT Itzalovalle
Burgess FC 1-1 Crystal Mertagne
Wozinitz Wonderers 0-2 Westonbirt City
Baudelaire Tulips 1-0 Oljestaden IF
Shamrock Cathair 2-1 FC Southern Ninestar
KT Moreazerua 1-1 Lesko Pavillion

The first half of the Magnaeus - Fligsive Derby for this season saw Fligsive edge ahead in the first leg, scoring from a corner towards the end of the match after Bruce Fries was tackled by Miroslaw Kerz. FC Southern Ninestar continued to stutter against more teams, this time losing at the Glass Bridge Stadium against Shamrock Cathair. Jaurtiketa Buruz scored both goals for Shamrock, and had a great time celebrating after his second goal was scored, successfully doing a backflip! 1830 Cathair and AC Izotz Zubia played a tense game, in which neither team could shake the other off their backs. The ball changed sides in the blink of an eye, and it seemed that the two teams were locked in a stalemate for much of the first half, before 1830 Cathair managed to take the lead. This lead lasted a mere seven minutes, however, as Zubia managed to equalise.

MATCHDAY 13
AC Izotz Zubia 1-2 Magnaeus City
1830 Cathair FC 3-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Fligsive FC 0-0 Burgess FC
KT Itzalovalle 1-0 Wozinitz Wonderers
Crystal Mertagne 0-1 Baudelaire Tulips
Westonbirt City 0-1 Shamrock Cathair
Oljestaden IF 2-0 KT Moreazerua
FC Southern Ninestar 3-3 Lesko Pavillion

Possibly disheartened by their result on the previous Matchday, Zubia failed to get any points against a Magnaeus side on the warpath after their loss to Fligsive. Francois Cardeu had a look in his eyes throughout the match that spoke volumes - anger, jealousy, a willingness to seek revenge - and all of his plans were executed perfectly after Felix Kaestner sealed the deal towards the end of the first half, with a great goal from a header. 1830 Cathair took a leaf out of this book, and played a hyper defensive game against Nostromo in order to gain control of the ball. Their shots on target held true in the end, and three goals were put past Archer before the game ended. In a similar vein, three goals were put past both teams in the Ninestar - Pavillion game, with neither side claiming victory. Oljestaden IF grabbed an easy win from a tired Moreazerua side, who just didn’t seem to be on form on the day.

MATCHDAY 14
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 AC Izotz Zubia
Burgess FC 2-0 Magnaeus City
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-0 1830 Cathair FC
Baudelaire Tulips 0-4 Fligsive FC
Shamrock Cathair 2-0 KT Itzalovalle
KT Moreazerua 0-2 Crystal Mertagne
Lesko Pavillion 0-0 Westonbirt City
FC Southern Ninestar 2-1 Oljestaden IF

Moreazerua continued to suffer, this time against Crystal Mertagne, who exploited the mistakes that the Moreazerua defence was making on a regular basis. Nostromo bounced back in a big way, facing Zubia at Point Impact, and winning 1-0, much to the pleasure of the home crowd. A home crowd in Wozinitz was suprised to claw a win against 1830 Cathair, who must have been shocked when Ezin Gorde failed to save Foe Fletch’s shot at goal. Sunrise Park was treated to great game between Burgess and Magnaeus, where Burgess managed to win 2-0 after battering the Magnaeus defence over and over again. Shamrock Cathair surprised everyone with a win against Itzalovalle, as many predicted that the game would all be in Itzalovalle’s favour due to Shamrock defender Lortzen Zauritu’s injury the week prior.

MATCHDAY 15
AC Izotz Zubia 1-1 Burgess FC
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Wozinitz Wonderers
Magnaeus City 1-1 Baudelaire Tulips
1830 Cathair FC 2-0 Shamrock Cathair
Fligsive FC 1-0 KT Moreazerua
KT Itzalovalle 1-2 Lesko Pavillion
Crystal Mertagne 2-0 FC Southern Ninestar
Westonbirt City 1-4 Oljestaden IF

Halfway through the season, the giants finally clashed, but only a single goal was scored by both sides, resulting in just one point for each side. It was a result that many teams didn’t want to emulate, least of all Maganeus City in their game against the Tulips, but unfortunately Romeo Lagman put a stop to Magnaeus’s lead in the game around the hour mark. Nostromo also had a nightmare at Point Impact, and those few dedicated Wozinitz fans that hopped over to Nostromo were treated with a game that was full of tackles, cards, and the occasional goal. Westonbirt fans experience a lot more goals in their game against Oljestaden IF, where the Audioslavian side managed to take a three goal lead by the end of the game, leaving Andrew Jones very upset with his performance.

MATCHDAY 16
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Baudelaire Tulips 0-2 Burgess FC
Shamrock Cathair 2-0 Nostromo Meteorites
KT Moreazerua 0-4 Magnaeus City
Lesko Pavillion 1-2 1830 Cathair FC
FC Southern Ninestar 1-0 Fligsive FC
Oljestaden IF 2-0 KT Itzalovalle
Westonbirt City 1-0 Crystal Mertagne

Wozinitz played host to AC Izotz Zubia this time, and this time Zubia got their act together and took three points home. For half the match, it looked like it’d be a repeat of the last leg, as neither team had scored at all in the first half. Neil Harris then chucked a goal into Zubia’s net, but they retaliated with two goals to win it. Shamrock Cathair played a decaying Nostromo side, which seemed to be lagging behind the competition on the pitch. Jeffery Parker, in an interview after the match, claimed the side needed “major reforms” if it was to remain competitive. The side will be looking at the rest of the season to see where they stand. Magnaeus City battered KT Moreazerua, which left not only Mozo baffled, but goalkeeper Pilotak Hegan-Iragana as well. Burgess swanned over to the Klaus Memorial Stadium, shining brightly against the red bricks of the building and taking three points from Baudelaire Tulips, who seemed strangely confident they were going to win in the first half, but after it fell apart in the second, they seemed to admit defeat. Lesko Pavillion were gutted that 1830 Cathair managed to score just one goal more than them at the BIg Top, and a few of the more extreme fans were found burning their brand new half-and-half scarves outside the stadium after the match.

MATCHDAY 17
AC Izotz Zubia 4-1 Baudelaire Tulips
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-0 Shamrock Cathair
Burgess FC 3-0 KT Moreazerua
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 Lesko Pavillion
Magnaeus City 2-1 FC Southern Ninestar
1830 Cathair FC 1-1 Oljestaden IF
Fligsive FC 2-3 Westonbirt City
KT Itzalovalle 3-3 Crystal Mertagne

AC Izotz Zubia compensated for their measly 1-0 win on Matchday 2 with a 4-1 win against Baudelaire Tulips the second time round. Karsten Eiger was of course the only one to score a goal for the Tulips Side. Owen Stanley did take a shot towards Zozi’s goal, but asked to be substituted to the bench after the ball bounced off the post and hit him in the face. Nostromo only managed a single goal against Pavillion, in a game that saw both teams struggle to find their feet at Point Impact. Fligsive played Westonbirt at home, and while they managed to get two goals in in the early minutes of the match, nobody was expecting three more goals from Westonbirt, one of which from an aging Chris Hoove, to take control of the game and deny Fligsive of a victory they needed. Itzalovalle tied it up at The Antzerkia against Crystal Mertagne, with both teams taking many back and forth shots at each other without any regards to defence.

MATCHDAY 18
Shamrock Cathair 0-2 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Moreazerua 1-1 Baudelaire Tulips
Lesko Pavillion 1-0 Wozinitz Wonderers
FC Southern Ninestar 1-1 Burgess FC
Oljestaden IF 1-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Westonbirt City 2-0 Magnaeus City
Crystal Mertagne 3-3 1830 Cathair FC
KT Itzalovalle 0-0 Fligsive FC

Ties and disappointment mostly all round on Matchday 18, as no less than five games ended in a stalemate. AC Izotz Zubia broke this trend, scoring two goals against Shamrock, which was expected given the gulf of talent between the teams. Westonbirt managed to put two between the eyes of Magnaeus while at home, and many chalked this up to the overwhelming support of the home fans. Magnaeus may play intimidation tactics at The Bird Cage, but it seems that those very same tactics are just as effective against them. Lesko also celebrated a small victory versus the Wonderers, who really have left the world wondering if they’ll ever be any good at top flight football.

MATCHDAY 19
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 KT Moreazerua
Shamrock Cathair 0-2 Lesko Pavillion
Baudelaire Tulips 1-0 FC Southern Ninestar
Wozinitz Wonderers 0-2 Oljestaden IF
Burgess FC 1-0 Westonbirt City
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Crystal Mertagne
Magnaeus City 2-0 KT Itzalovalle
1830 Cathair FC 2-1 Fligsive FC

The second half of The Clash of Capitals was played on the Sunday night of Matchday 19, as The ‘66’ Stadium saw a close match played by 1830 Cathair and Fligsive. 1830 Cathair emerged the victors, thanks in part to a chance goal by Partiturak Sarritan shortly after the start of the second half, in which Cathair were awarded a corner. Lesko, feeling a little out of their depth in the Glass Bridge Stadium, did manage to play to a very high standard, and won against Shamrock Cathair by two goals! Magnaeus City were plagued by problems leading up to their match against KT Itzalovalle, as the power grid in the area of the city that The Bird Cage is located was cut off by Mertians, meaning the match had to be delayed. When the game started, the bird cage seemed to play to its namesake, as a group of owls that had accidentally been released from a nearby aviary flew into the stadium, perching onto the rafters. After a particularly stupid group of youths began throwing their shoes up to the owls, the colony attacked the pitch, pecking at fans and players alike. Ryan Booker managed to sucessfully dodge an attack, and slam an owl into the ground, and he was later arrested for animal cruelty. They did manage to finish the game, and Magnaeus managed to win. The Tulips had similar bird problems, as Fluffles refused to go out and play against FC Southern Ninestar, calling the team “speciesist”. Whether this was actually a thing is debateable, but the game went underway anyway and Baudelaire managed to take a win.

MATCHDAY 20
Lesko Pavillion 2-2 AC Izotz Zubia
FC Southern Ninestar 0-1 KT Moreazerua
Oljestaden IF 0-0 Shamrock Cathair
Westonbirt City 3-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Crystal Mertagne 2-0 Wozinitz Wonderers
KT Itzalovalle 1-1 Burgess FC
Fligsive FC 0-2 Nostromo Meteorites
1830 Cathair FC 0-2 Magnaeus City

KT Itzalovalle got over their owl attack and managed to tie Burgess on Matchday 20, with Colin Noc scoring Burgess’s only goal. KT Moreazerua met a very hostile FC Southern Ninestar side, and took three points back across the pond with ease, as the home team seemed to be playing the game as a set of lone wolves. Lesko Pavillion managed to hold it together back at The Big Top, scoring two goals and making Izotz Zubia feel very threatened indeed. Fligsive faced Nostromo at home, and Nostromo managed to get a moment of glory when Aaron Allen made off with the ball in a brilliant run that saw him score. They went on to win the match. Crystal Mertagne played against Wozinitz Wonderers in a freak snowstorm, as a cold snap passed over the Mountains during the game. While Wozinitz were freezing, Crystal Mertagne remained cool and Sean Lucas scored two fantastic goals, which clinched victory for the home side.


After 20 games played, it seems that history is repeating itself. AC Izotz Zubia currently sit atop the league, a single point ahead of Burgess. Oljestaden IF have moved on up to 4th, ahead of Fligsive FC and Crystal Mertagne. Shamrock Cathair are doing better than both Moreazerua and Itzalovalle, with 28 points and eight wins. Wozinitz Wonderers still trail at the bottom of the table, with just three wins and 13 points. Not much to write home about, eh? There’s still ten matchdays to go, and the top of table is close enough that the order could completely change by the end of the season. Will someone topple the hegemony that Izotz Zubia and Burgess have created? We’ll find out, after the break...

LigAnaia Standings
		Team				P	W	D	L	For	Ag	+/-	Pts
	1  AC Izotz Zubia			20	11	6	3	28	14	+14	39
	2  Burgess FC				20	10	8	2	33	12	+21	38
	3  1830 Cathair FC			20	11	4	5	30	23	+7	37
	4  Oljestaden IF			20	9	8	3	30	17	+13	35
	5  Fligsive FC				20	11	2	7	27	18	+9	35
	6  Crystal Mertagne			20	10	5	5	31	21	+10	35
	7  Magnaeus City			20	9	4	7	23	17	+6	31
	8  Westonbirt City			20	9	3	8	26	23	+3	30
	9  Shamrock Cathair			20	8	4	8	23	26	-3	28
	10  Nostromo Meteorites		20	6	8	6	22	21	+1	26
	11  Lesko Pavillion			20	5	7	8	23	27	-4	22
	12  KT Moreazerua			20	5	5	10	19	30	-11	20
	13  FC Southern Ninestar		20	5	3	12	17	31	-14	18
	14  Baudelaire Tulips			20	5	3	12	15	29	-14	18
	15  KT Itzalovalle			20	4	4	12	17	34	-17	16
	16  Wozinitz Wonderers			20	3	4	13	12	33	-21	13

Season 2 - Matchdays 21-30

MATCHDAY 21
AC Izotz Zubia 3-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Lesko Pavillion 0-1 Oljestaden IF
KT Moreazerua 0-2 Westonbirt City
Shamrock Cathair 1-0 Crystal Mertagne
Baudelaire Tulips 0-0 KT Itzalovalle
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-2 Fligsive FC
Burgess FC 1-0 1830 Cathair FC
Nostromo Meteorites 1-2 Magnaeus City

AC Izotz Zubia continued to dominate on Matchday 21, winning 3-1 against FC Southern Ninestar. This result, coupled with a spate of losses to other teams, caused Stuart Parhoe to let slip that he’d be leaving at the end of the season. Rumours flew concerning who was to replace him, but within a week he’d apparently selected his own usurper, claiming “he’s got more patience than me - he’ll put up with the team”! Burgess made their game against 1830 Cathair look like a piece of the park, as Ulf Strange put away a simple goal, and harrufed in celebration. Shamrock Cathair were pleased to take a victory against Crystal Mertagne at the Glass Bridge Stadium, as the Mertian side seemed confident that they were going to win. Fligsive went down to Patches Park, looking for some easy points against Wozinitz, and they got them after a shaky point in the game where Wozinitz scored a second goal, but it was disallowed. Nostromo also had trouble at Point Impact, where Magnaeus City’s Felix Kaestner found the back of the net twice, putting an end to any chances Nostromo had of winning.

MATCHDAY 22
Oljestaden IF 0-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Westonbirt City 1-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Crystal Mertagne 2-2 Lesko Pavillion
KT Itzalovalle 1-1 KT Moreazerua
Fligsive FC 0-0 Shamrock Cathair
1830 Cathair FC 2-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Magnaeus City 2-0 Wozinitz Wonderers
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 Burgess FC

Ties, ties everywhere… While not at the scale of Matchday 18, Matchday 22 saw four games ending on a neutral note. A point for everyone, sure, but AC Izotz Zubia managed to grab three against Oljestaden IF, and Magnaeus continued their climb to the top with a 2-0 win at home against the Wonderers. Ryan Booker had received word that he was to do community service, and the man took his anger out by pelting a goal against the faltering opposing team. Kai Jeskins continued to put on a smile, however, claiming that with a bt of luck, they’ll avoid the very bottom of the table by the end of the season. The Meteorites also managed a much needed victory against Burgess FC, with the goal scored by Lambert Jarvis in an amazing dive for the ball that saw it bounce off of his head.

MATCHDAY 23
AC Izotz Zubia 1-1 Westonbirt City
Oljestaden IF 2-1 Crystal Mertagne
FC Southern Ninestar 2-1 KT Itzalovalle
Lesko Pavillion 1-3 Fligsive FC
KT Moreazerua 1-4 1830 Cathair FC
Shamrock Cathair 0-0 Magnaeus City
Baudelaire Tulips 0-5 Nostromo Meteorites
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-5 Burgess FC

It seems FC Southern Ninestar took Parhoe’s words to heart, as the next week they were back better than ever, winning 2-1 against KT Itzalovalle. The weekend was full of big scorelines, that started when Fligsive won 3-1 against Lesko Pavillion. Not ones to be outdone by the Syndicatians, 1830 Cathair beat KT Moreazeura 4-1 the next day. It seems that other teams followed suit, as Nostromo managed a 5-0 win versus the Tulips. Burgess tried to make it six, but their plan backfired when Alfred Normand flipped control of the ball in the final minutes of the match and passed it down to Burgess end of the pitch, for Geoff Stately to take it and turn it into a goal, leaving the final scoreline at 5-1 to Burgess.

MATCHDAY 24
Crystal Mertagne 3-1 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Itzalovalle 0-2 Westonbirt City
Fligsive FC 3-0 Oljestaden IF
1830 Cathair FC 3-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Magnaeus City 1-0 Lesko Pavillion
Nostromo Meteorites 0-0 KT Moreazerua
Burgess FC 0-0 Shamrock Cathair
Wozinitz Wonderers 0-0 Baudelaire Tulips

Crystal Mertagne managed an impressive win against AC Izotz Zubia at Pinehearth City Stadium, giving Zubia their first loss in ten games. Burgess and Nostromo managed to play some weak games against teams they thought they were readily capable of beating, with Nostromo failing to make any shots on target against KT Moreazeura. Wozinitz and Baudelaire also played a scoreless draw, in a game in which neither team seemed to be really trying to go for the goal. You would have thought they would, in order to try and trump each other for a spot that isn’t last, but maybe Recket felt a bit sorry for Jeskins’s team, as Karsten Eiger wasn’t even at Patches Park. Maybe he’d taken a holiday. Magnaeus City also took a win from Lesko Pavillion, who tried to bite back after the first goal was scored, but just couldn’t make their way into a scoring position. Many claim that this was the work of Antionio Rosado, the young Guyabalese player who showed great control of the midfield during the game.

MATCHDAY 25
AC Izotz Zubia 2-1 KT Itzalovalle
Crystal Mertagne 1-0 Fligsive FC
Westonbirt City 0-1 1830 Cathair FC
Oljestaden IF 1-1 Magnaeus City
FC Southern Ninestar 2-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Lesko Pavillion 1-0 Burgess FC
KT Moreazerua 1-2 Wozinitz Wonderers
Shamrock Cathair 0-3 Baudelaire Tulips

Crystal Mertagne got their own back against Fligsive on Matchday 25, beating them 1-0 in a very aggressive game that saw casualties from both players and fans, as a group of Fligsive Fans took to storming the pitch with a large Syndicate flag on a pole and placing it in the middle of the pitch, screaming “This land is ours!”. He was escorted off the premises by Mertian Authorities, but this led to fans from both sides jumping the barrier to the pitch and having a fight. The game was called off, once again, but the result still stood, as the IFA didn’t want to seem as if they favoured Fligsive. There’s an iconic picture on the DataLink taken after the game, showing the Syndicate flag waving in the wind amidst scarves, other clothes, and various objects taken onto the pitch by the brawling players. The rest of the weekend was a far nicer affair, with wins from 1830 Cathair against Westonbirt, and with Lesko Pavillion managing to score a very lucky goal at the Big Top against Burgess. FC Southern Ninestar also found their feet again, scoring two against a very lacking Nostromo Meteorites side.

MATCHDAY 26
Fligsive FC 2-0 AC Izotz Zubia
1830 Cathair FC 1-3 KT Itzalovalle
Magnaeus City 3-2 Crystal Mertagne
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Westonbirt City
Burgess FC 2-1 Oljestaden IF
Wozinitz Wonderers 3-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Baudelaire Tulips 3-1 Lesko Pavillion
Shamrock Cathair 2-3 KT Moreazerua

Fligsive took revenge against AC Izotz Zubia, winning 2-0 after a critical goal was scored in extra time after the first half. Zubia didn’t seem to impressed, but didn’t kick up much of a fuss. KT Itzalovalle asserted dominance over 1830 Cathair, as Tiro Zehatzena, one of Itzalovalle’s ‘power three’ - scored two goals that stunned the crowd and the opposing players. Wozinitz Wonderers managed another victory over FC Southern Ninestar, leaving critics to believe if Parhoe simply couldn’t work out a way to get past the Wozinitz side. On the pitch, the Wonderers looked like superstars against FC Southern Ninestar, with a lot more possession of the ball, and many more shots on target. The fans that went town to watch the game at the Nine Star Arch from Wozinitz must have had a brilliant time, in what was probably Wozinitz’s best ever game.

MATCHDAY 27
[size=80]AC Izotz Zubia 0-2 1830 Cathair FC
Fligsive FC 1-1 Magnaeus City
KT Itzalovalle 2-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Crystal Mertagne 1-1 Burgess FC
Westonbirt City 1-2 Wozinitz Wonderers
Oljestaden IF 2-0 Baudelaire Tulips
FC Southern Ninestar 0-1 Shamrock Cathair
Lesko Pavillion 1-0 KT Moreazerua

This leg of the Fligsive - Magnaeus derby looked very tame compared to some of Fligsive’s more recent matches, and the side that’s been making a lot of enemies recently only managed a tie with their oldest. Terry Scott had his work cut out for him with Magnaean shots coming in from all sides, but only one from his DBC team-mate Alisdair Green managed to make it in. 1830 Cathair shot two goals past Zubia to take three much needed points, and also forced the head-to-head result in their favour, giving them the upper hand in any possible tie-break situations. Wozinitz also continued their recent lucky turn of events with a win against Westonbirt City.

MATCHDAY 28
Magnaeus City 3-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 1830 Cathair FC
Burgess FC 0-1 Fligsive FC
Wozinitz Wonderers 0-1 KT Itzalovalle
Baudelaire Tulips 2-2 Crystal Mertagne
Shamrock Cathair 1-2 Westonbirt City
KT Moreazerua 1-1 Oljestaden IF
Lesko Pavillion 2-1 FC Southern Ninestar

It’s getting closer and closer to the end of the season, and it seems that Zubia are running out of steam, losing their game against Magnaeus 3-2. Fligsive grabbed an important win against Burgess at Sunrise Park edging ahead by a single goal scored by Robert Hampson. KT Moreazerua managed a tie against Oljestaden IF, which was a result they were pleased with, but Lesko Pavillion were even more pleased with their result against FC Southern Ninestar. It seems that the team that was all about upsetting last season has had their comeuppance, with nothing but disappointment all through the season.

MATCHDAY 29
AC Izotz Zubia 3-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Magnaeus City 0-2 Burgess FC
1830 Cathair FC 4-3 Wozinitz Wonderers
Fligsive FC 0-1 Baudelaire Tulips
KT Itzalovalle 3-0 Shamrock Cathair
Crystal Mertagne 2-1 KT Moreazerua
Westonbirt City 1-1 Lesko Pavillion
Oljestaden IF 1-1 FC Southern Ninestar

Burgess racked up another win in an effort to try and finish at the top of the table by the end of the season, but 1830 Cathair, who were also in with a shot at winning, managed to further their lead in a 4-3 win against the Wonderers. Fligsive suffered a loss after Karsten Eiger found himself in a tense situation, being piled on by Fligsive’s defenders after someone finally recognised that he was the strongest link in the team. Owen Stanley stepped up to the plate, however, scoring a goal in a very fancy maneuver in which Eiger flicked him the ball, to the surprise of the Fligsive defence. They hadn’t seen it coming, and Stanley managed to pelt the ball into the top corner of the goal, right past Terry Scott’s hands. FC Southern Ninesatr also finally managed to hold a tie, this time against Oljestaden IF.

MATCHDAY 30
Burgess FC 2-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Wozinitz Wonderers 1-0 Nostromo Meteorites
Baudelaire Tulips 3-1 Magnaeus City
Shamrock Cathair 2-0 1830 Cathair FC
KT Moreazerua 1-1 Fligsive FC
Lesko Pavillion 2-2 KT Itzalovalle
FC Southern Ninestar 0-1 Crystal Mertagne
Oljestaden IF 2-0 Westonbirt City

The season was once again decided on the final matchday, however not in the way you would expect. Burgess and AC Izotz Zubia battled in a game that was sure to decide who the winners of the league would be, providing both 1830 Cathair and Fligsive lost. Unfortunately, neither team managed to take the three points they desperately needed, with two goals scored by both teams, each being the others downfall. Fligsive and 1830 didn’t do too well either, with Shamrock Cathair coming out on top against their capital counterparts. Fligsive fought hard against KT Moreazerua for a single goal that would give them the league, but unfortunately it didn’t arrive at all. Baudelaire sullied Magnaeus’s chances of a decent spot in the tables, winning 3-1 at the Klaus Memorial stadium. Crystal Mertagne also managed to etch out a win against FC Southern Ninestar, allowing them to leapfrog Magnaeus for sixth.

LigAnaia Standings
	Team				P	W	D	L	For	Ag	+/-	Pts
	1   1830 Cathair FC		30	17	4	9	47	35	+12	55 -Champions, Champions Cup, AOCL (AUD)
	2   Fligsive FC		30	16	5	9	40	24	+16	53 -Champions, Champions Cup, AOCL (TIS)
	3   Burgess FC			30	14	11	5	46	20	+26	53 - Globe Cup (TIS)
	4   AC Izotz Zubia		30	15	8	7	43	30	+13	53 - Globe Cup (AUD)
	5   Oljestaden IF		30	13	11	6	41	27	+14	50 - Globe Cup (AUD)
	6   Crystal Mertagne		30	14	8	8	46	34	+12	50 - Globe Cup (TIS)
	7   Magnaeus City		30	14	7	9	37	29	+8	49 - Globe Cup (TIS)
	8   Westonbirt City		30	12	7	11	37	33	+4	43
	9   Shamrock Cathair		30	11	7	12	30	37	-7	40
	10  Nostromo Meteorites	30	9	10	11	34	32	+2	37
	11  Lesko Pavillion		30	8	10	12	34	41	-7	34
	12  Baudelaire Tulips		30	9	6	15	27	42	-15	33
	13  KT Itzalovalle		30	8	7	15	31	45	-14	31
	14  KT Moreazerua		30	6	9	15	28	46	-18	27
	15  Wozinitz Wonderers		30	7	5	18	25	50	-25	26
	16  FC Southern Ninestar	30	7	5	18	27	48	-21	26

This season looks very different from the last one, doesn’t it? By surprise, 1830 Cathair FC have taken the top spot, being the second Audioslavian club to do so in just as many seasons. Fligsive FC fought exceptionally hard in a season plagued with bad luck, and managed to come second over powerhouses Burgess FC and AC Izotz Zubia, who came 3rd and 4th respectively, with their tiebreaker being resolved by Burgess’s superior goal difference, as both teams managed to tie each other in their respective games.
Oljestaden IF had a great season, finishing 5th over Crystal Mertagne who both did better than they did last season. Nostromo Meteorites had a small disaster with the loss of David Tavel to Astograth University, and they ended up finishing 10th behind Shamrock Cathair. Lesko Pavillion improved, if only by a single place, and KT Itzalovalle experienced a crash as bad as Nostromo’s. FC Southern Ninestar, now without a manager, must be fuming with their result, stone dead last in the table, behind even the Wonderers with only 26 points. Hopefully their chances may change, but who knows what will happen in the next season of... The LigAnaia!

[COCANEFA]

LigAnaia III: Revelations
Now with 50% more nations! 100% more Divisions! 900% more effort! Graphics are 70% off!

The navy and gold confetti had barely settled on the Cathair turf before football fans across the north-east starting whispering again. Something purple this way comes... By the time the Starblaydi FA had booked the press conferences, the official party line had been decided upon; the Starblaydi Football Association had marvelled at how Syndicatia and Audioslavia had made an unmitigated success out of the first two seasons of their combined league, and wanted the opportunity to add Starblaydi expertise to the boardrooms and porphyric audacity to the football pitch. What went unsaid, of course, was the fact that the Liga Starblaydia had suffered in recent years, along with other Starblaydi sports, largely due to the nationalistic downturn occasionally mentioned in reports eminating from Jhanna.

Whatever the reason, the footballing authorities of both Audioslavia and the Syndicate welcomed their purple cousins with open arms. As competitive and exciting as the first two seasons of the LigAnaia had been, the actual standard of football was far lower than could be seen elsewhere in Atlantian Oceania and the world, and the idea of having the likes of Iskara Daii playing the best teams that Cathair, Fligsive, Herradurra and Magnaeus had to offer? As one pundit put it, phwoaaar.

It was evident that, to accommodate the Starblaydi talent, the sixteen-team LigAnaia would have to expanded. The decision was reached fairly quickly to expand to twenty teams, not only to allow for half a dozen of Starblaydia’s best teams to join but also to create twelve more revenue-generating fixtures for each club. First, however, came the question of what to do with FC Southern Ninestar, the team who finished bottom in season two. After much consternation, the decision was made to evict them from the keague and elect compatriots Nostromo Meteorites to the LigAnaia in their place. Ninestar complained (as Ninestar so often do), as did a number of other teams not named Nostromo Meteorites who argued they were more deserving of a spot in the big league. Before long, plans for an eight-team ‘LigAnaia 2’ had been developed. Those eight teams became ten, then twelve, and finally eighteen, but there was another twist to come before season three could begin.

Sunrisian company Project +90, they of the plethora of youth development teams throughout the world, pitched the idea of a LigAnaia franchise to join the second division, and before long the idea included two teams - one from Fligsive, the other in the Kjeligstedi capital of Kjelstad. LigAnaia 2 had expanded to 20 teams in no time at all, and all of a sudden the LigAnaia group had forty members, rather than fourteen.

The league’s rules are as straightforward as possible, while also making concessions to each of the three football associations involved. The rules state that each association must be represented by a minimum of six teams in each division. What this means is that if the bottom two sides (two teams will be promoted between divisions one and two at the end of the season) are from the same country, then only the bottom side will be relegated if the two top teams of the second division are not from that same nation. Confusing? More so than a regular domestic league, yes, but manageable for those involved.

The twenty division two sides include six Audioslavian teams, new and old. Ceilerde Harp are one of the older ones, having been around long before Syndicatian football was even a ‘thing’, but Cazadores Cathair are perhaps the most interesting (and strongest) of the new sides, and will relish the chance to face city rivals 1830 Cathair in the LigAnaia should they get promoted. CF Ferramendiak and KT Koroatuz hail from the mountainous Sierra Herradura region of Audioslavia, and will have a healthy rivalry not only with one another but also, if they achieve promotion, the top-tier sides of Izotz Zubia, Itzalovalle and Moreazerua.

Perhaps the most bizarre of Audioslavia’s entrants into the second tier are Kjeligsted and Silexhera - two teams more commonly associated with international football. Kjeligsted took part in the qualifiers for World CUp 66, and Silexhera have even qualified for a world cup before now. Neither side has been part of the world stage in recent years, however, and both are the result of mergers between rival clubs in each region.

Syndicatian football fans will be aware of the return of a few familiar faces in division two: Dysenside Duellers, a team caught up in the League of Stars, has finally managed to break out of their shell and clawed their way up to the LigAnaia B. The Beaconsby Flames also return, in an effort to try and burn out the opposition with force. Cardertower, following their bankrupcy five years ago, has managed to reform as 1902 Cardertower through the power of ByteCoin - their new name referencing the original founding date of the team. Finally, FC Oberyn’s Shield, the team founded by Starblaydi Expats all those years ago - raised the fund to buy themselves a place in the new division, in an effort to recapture some of their initial Starblaydi spirit from the new teams.

Also introduced into LigAnaia 2 are two Project +90 teams, hailing from Fligisve and Kjelstad. These two teams are part of the Sunrisian youth football initiative, in which the best footballing teenagers play across the multiverse in various different outfits. While it may appear that these two teams are going to get battered on the intranational stage, they may pull off some surprise results.

Starblaydia’s entries into the second tier are names commonly associated with the Liga Starblaydia and Liga Calania of yesteryear. Beverington Hawks and Penningworth United represent the Starblaydi north, Hecia will be fighting for promotion and capital’s Jhanna City will be looking to take their place among the ‘elite’ come next season. Most enticing, however, is Cedrus Soundgardenia, the team from Starblaydia’s Cedrus isle and one many Audioslavians hold close to their hearts, having been founded by Audioslavian immigrants long ago and, for years, being the only ‘Audioslavian’ professional football team in existence. The Audioslavian FA even lobbied for the ‘New Bulls’ to be put into the top flight, but were argued out of the idea by a couple of videos of the current, post-heydey, Cedrus team in action.

In the top flight, Iskara Daii need no introduction. They are the former team of one Simeone di Bradini after all. Daii are expected to do well and are many bookies pre-season favourites to win the league outright, but their four former Liga Starblaydia compatriots are not looking quite so sexy. Hallad in the west and Foxchester in the north are expected to struggle, while even the name ‘Corinthian Spirits’ hints at an amateurism that Audioslavian football especially is attempting to leave behind. Telecontare should probably be strong enough for a mid-table place. One team that may well throw up a few surprises, though, is Hippion Overdrive. The Overdrive hail not from the Liga Starblaydia but from the now defunct Nationstates Premier League. Overdrive will be looking to follow in Tropicorp’s footsteps and make an impression in their own national league after being formed as a franchise for an experimental intercontinental league.

The rest of the LigAnaia are the same fourteen clubs that finished last season - sans Ninestar and plus Nostromo, of course. The main change in the top flight will most likely be the status of the ‘big five’ - Fligsive, Magnaeus, Burgess, 1830 Cathair and Izotz Zubia. Any one of those teams could find themselves crowned champions in ten months time, but Iskara Daii’s appearance will throw the cat among the pigeons - or, rather, the eagles among the the crows and bulls - to an extent, and that’s without even mentioning the upwardly mobile Oljestaden IF, Crystal Mertagne and Westonbirt City, each of which are planning an offensive on the Globe Cup spots come May.
Finally, the three-pronged league now has a three-pronged cup competition to go with it, imaginitely titled the ‘CopAnaia’. The cup will also see some non-LigAnaia teams take part from the qualifying stage, and the champion will be given a spot in next season’s Globe Cup.

The Teams:
Shamrock Cathair, CF Itzalovalle, KT Moreazerua, Oljestaden IF, Baudelaire Tulips, AC Izotz Zubia, 1830 Cathair, Lesko Pavillion, Crystal Mertage, Burgess FC, Fligsive FC, Magnaeus City, Westonbirt City, Iskara Daii, Hippion Overdrive, Nostromo Meteorites, Hallad Reavers, Corinthian Spirits, Telecontare, Foxchester Raiders

Week 1

CopAnaia, Pre-qualifying

Excelsior Zijweg  1 - 0 Nightwatch FC
Ceilerden Rovers 2 -   3 KT Laranjauzia
Burdoc Ridge 1 - 2 Reina Del Sud
DDM Dunas Secas 5 - 2 Voltores Sobrevolante
Ashgrove Town 1 - 2 Gatesby Athletic
Bicycle Dynamo 1 - 0 Hyford City Challengers
Burgess Mariners 3 - 0 Slavia Fligsivia
DDR Fighting Disco 3 - 2 Vale Conglomerate

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 1-1 KT Moreazerua
Burgess FC 1-3 Baudelaire Tulips
1830 Cathair FC 2-0 Hippion Overdrive
Fligsive FC 2-0 Shamrock Cathair
Magnaeus City 1-1 Hallad Reavers
Crystal Mertagne 2-0 Lesko Pavillion
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Corinthian Spirits
Iskara Daii 0-1 Telecontarë
Oljestaden IF 2-0 KT Itzalovalle
Westonbirt City 2-1 Foxchester Raiders

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 0-0 Project +90 Fligsive
Wozinitz Wanderers 2-1 Project +90 Kjelstad
Cazadores Cathair 4-0 Ceilderden Harp
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 0-0 Silexhera FC
Penningworth United 2-1 Beaconsby Flames
Beverington Hawks 1-1 Dysenside Duellers
Jhanna City 2-0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Cedrus Soundgardenia 1-0 1902 Cardertower
Hecia 0-1 CF Ferremendiak
FC Oberyn's Shield 2-2 KT Koroatuz

As defending champions, Audioslavian side 1830 Cathair had the honour of kicking off the new season of Audiosyndiblaydi (as no-one is calling it) football, and did so in style with a 2-0 win over Hippion Overdrive. Starblaydia’s Iskaria Daii and the Syndicate’s Burgess FC were both hotly tipped for a maiden LigAnaia title before the season began, but both would find themselves on the wrong end of upsets in their home stadium. Burgess were undone by the erratic Baudelaire while Iskara Daii were beaten 1-0 by compatriots Telecontare. AC Izotz Zubia, champions of the first LigAnaia, couldn’t quite overcome Moreazerua in a fiercely contested derby, and Magnaeus were held 1-1 by Starblaydi side Hallad Reavers in a tough day in all for the league’s ‘big’ teams. Elsewhere, Crystal Mertagne and Westonbirt City, two sides with pretentions of being ‘elite’ clubs, both registered impressive wins, and fans of the two Syndicate clubs will be rubbing their hands together at the thought of qualifying for UICA football by the end of the season. Fligsive FC, last season’s runners-up, were comfortable in beating Shamrock Cathair 2-0 at home to start off their season on the right foot.

Week one also saw qualifiers begin for the CopAnaia, a new cup competition open not only to the forty competing LigAnaia teams, but a select few wildcard entrants from the league’s constituent nations. This time around, no Starblaydi sides put their names forward, so it was down to eight Audioslavian and eight Syndicatian hopefuls to fight it out for the four qualifying spots for the first round. Voltores Sobrevolante vs Dunas Secas was possibly the tie of the round - both sides were high flyers in the amateur Audioslavian leagues a few decades ago, but the match was a one-sided blow-out for the devils of the dry dunes, who progressed onto the final qualifying round.

Week 2

LigAnaia 1

Baudelaire Tulips 3-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Hippion Overdrive 1-2 KT Moreazerua
Shamrock Cathair 0-1 Burgess FC
Hallad Reavers 1-2 1830 Cathair FC
Lesko Pavillion 1-1 Fligsive FC
Corinthian Spirits 1-1 Magnaeus City
Telecontarë 1-1 Crystal Mertagne
KT Itzalovalle 2-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Foxchester Raiders 1-2 Iskara Daii
Westonbirt City 1-2 Oljestaden IF

LigAnaia 2

Project +90 Kjelstad 0-0 FC Southern Ninestar
Ceilderden Harp 0-2 Project +90 Fligsive
Silexhera FC 2-3 Wozinitz Wanderers
Beaconsby Flames 0-1 Cazadores Cathair
Dysenside Duellers 0-0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 1-0 Penningworth United
1902 Cardertower 0-1 Beverington Hawks
CF Ferremendiak 0-1 Jhanna City
KT Koroatuz 2-1 Cedrus Soundgardenia
FC Oberyn's Shield 0-2 Hecia

Week two saw Fligsive FC slip up, only managing a draw against Lesko Pavillion. Manager Farell Kiter blamed some poor refereeing decision, but the more likely culprit for the stumble was the side’s midweek Champions Cup match. Last season’s LigAnaia runners-up were thrown together with LigAnaia champions 1830 Cathair in the first pre-qualifying stage of the CC and were dispatched 4-0 in the first leg in humiliating fashion. Cathair, buoyed by the win, registered a 2-1 away win over Hallad Reavers on Week two to make it two out of two for the capital club. Elsewhere, Oljestaden celebrated their midweek Globe Cup win with a ding-dong 2-1 win away to Westonbirt. Westonbirt and Oljestaden are two sides with pretentions of being champions in the future, so the away win filled the side from northern Audioslavia with confidence. Magnaeus, also victorious in midweek Globe Cup football, couldn’t quite translate the form to league football and could only manage a draw with Starblaydi outfit Corinthian Spirits.
In other news regarding the North-Western clubs, Iskara Daii registered their first win of the season by defeating Foxchester and, down in division two Cedrus Soundgardenia played their first ever game on Audioslavian soil. The Cedrus side were, for years, the only ‘Audioslavian’ professional club, having been founded by ‘slavian immigrants around a hundred years ago, and are the second club of most Audioslavian football fans. The ‘New Bulls’ couldn’t quite manage to pick up a point away to Koroatuz, but the match was the only one in the second division to be sold out.

Week 3

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 1-0 Hippion Overdrive
Baudelaire Tulips 0-1 Shamrock Cathair
KT Moreazerua 0-1 Hallad Reavers
Burgess FC 2-0 Lesko Pavillion
1830 Cathair FC 1-1 Corinthian Spirits
Fligsive FC 2-0 Telecontarë
Magnaeus City 2-2 KT Itzalovalle
Crystal Mertagne 2-1 Foxchester Raiders
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Westonbirt City
Iskara Daii 1-2 Oljestaden IF

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 3-1 Ceilderden Harp
Project +90 Kjelstad 2-0 Silexhera FC
Project +90 Fligsive 3-1 Beaconsby Flames
Wozinitz Wanderers 4-0 Dysenside Duellers
Cazadores Cathair 0-1 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 3-2 1902 Cardertower
Penningworth United 0-1 CF Ferremendiak
Beverington Hawks 1-0 KT Koroatuz
Jhanna City 0-0 FC Oberyn's Shield
Cedrus Soundgardenia 0-0 Hecia

The Wednesday before Week three saw the return leg of Fligsive and 1830 Cathair’s CC encounter, and though Fligsive would record an away victory, it wouldn’t be enough to send the side through. The defeat did, however, appear to spur the side on and they responded by comfortably squashing Telecontare 2-0 at home. Tie of the round on Week three was Iskara Daii’s match against Oljestaden IF - the first time the famous Daii had played foreign opposition in their domestic league since the days of the Liga Calania. The reds couldn’t manage to mark the occasion with a result, however, and their stuttering form continued with a disappointing 2-1 reversal. The result kept Oljestaden on top of the league as the early frontrunners, and with the side victorious in midweek UICA football too, the northerners were in high spirits indeed. Srong prospects Magnaeus City were still struggling in the ealy going, only managing a draw with lightly regarded KT Itzalovalle.

Week 4

CopAnaia qualifying round.

Excelsior Zijweg  0 - 1 Gatesby Athletic
KT Laranjauzia 2 - 0 Bicycle Dynamo
Reina Del Sud 0 - 2 Burgess Mariners
DDM Dunas Secas 0 - 3 DDR Fighting Disco

LigAnaia 1

Shamrock Cathair 1-4 AC Izotz Zubia
Hallad Reavers 3-2 Hippion Overdrive
Lesko Pavillion 3-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Corinthian Spirits 2-0 KT Moreazerua
Telecontarë 2-0 Burgess FC
KT Itzalovalle 1-1 1830 Cathair FC
Foxchester Raiders 1-1 Fligsive FC
Westonbirt City 0-0 Magnaeus City
Oljestaden IF 2-1 Crystal Mertagne
Iskara Daii 3-1 Nostromo Meteorites

LigAnaia 2

Silexhera FC 0-4 FC Southern Ninestar
Beaconsby Flames 3-0 Ceilderden Harp
Dysenside Duellers 0-2 Project +90 Kjelstad
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 3-1 Project +90 Fligsive
1902 Cardertower 1-1 Wozinitz Wanderers
CF Ferremendiak 1-3 Cazadores Cathair
KT Koroatuz 1-0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
FC Oberyn's Shield 0-1 Penningworth United
Hecia 0-0 Beverington Hawks
Cedrus Soundgardenia 1-0 Jhanna City

Week 5

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 0-0 Hallad Reavers
Shamrock Cathair 2-1 Lesko Pavillion
Hippion Overdrive 0-1 Corinthian Spirits
Baudelaire Tulips 0-2 Telecontarë
KT Moreazerua 0-1 KT Itzalovalle
Burgess FC 2-0 Foxchester Raiders
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Westonbirt City
Fligsive FC 1-0 Oljestaden IF
Magnaeus City 4-1 Iskara Daii
Crystal Mertagne 2-0 Nostromo Meteorites
FC Southern Ninestar 0-1 Beaconsby Flames

LigAnaia 2

Silexhera FC 3-0 Dysenside Duellers
Ceilderden Harp 0-0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Project +90 Kjelstad 0-3 1902 Cardertower
Project +90 Fligsive 0-2 CF Ferremendiak
Wozinitz Wanderers 1-0 KT Koroatuz
Cazadores Cathair 4-0 FC Oberyn's Shield
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 2-0 Hecia
Penningworth United 1-0 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Beverington Hawks 0-1 Jhanna City

After four wins, the wheels came off the Oljestaden juggernaut in spectacular fashion on Week five. Not only were they very definitely outclassed in losing to a resurgent Fligsive but, in a second all-Anaia UICA clash, Oljestaden were beaten 3-2 at home in the midweek match against Magnaeus, who responded to their upset victory by going on to run over Iskara Daii 4-1 in a vicious display of intent. The big Derby of the Sierra went down in Moreazerua, with the home side losing 1-0 to rivals Itzalovalle, while the pretenders from Westonbirt found themselves wanting against the actuallers of Cathair, losing 1-0 to the reigning champions. Elsewhere, the non-Daii clubs of Starblaydia were making quiet progress. Hallad Reavers managed a commendable point away to an Izotz Zubia side struggling to find their form, while Corinthian Spirits won the all-purple encounter away against Hippion.

Week 6

LigAnaia 1

Lesko Pavillion 2-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Corinthian Spirits 2-0 Hallad Reavers
Telecontarë 1-2 Shamrock Cathair
KT Itzalovalle 1-2 Hippion Overdrive
Foxchester Raiders 2-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Westonbirt City 2-0 KT Moreazerua
Oljestaden IF 0-1 Burgess FC
Iskara Daii 0-0 1830 Cathair FC
Nostromo Meteorites 0-0 Fligsive FC
Crystal Mertagne 0-1 Magnaeus City

LigAnaia 2

Dysenside Duellers 0-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 1-0 Beaconsby Flames
1902 Cardertower 0-1 Silexhera FC
CF Ferremendiak 0-3 Ceilderden Harp
KT Koroatuz 0-2 Project +90 Kjelstad
FC Oberyn's Shield 1-1 Project +90 Fligsive
Hecia 1-1 Wozinitz Wanderers
Cedrus Soundgardenia 0-1 Cazadores Cathair
Jhanna City 2-1 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Beverington Hawks 2-1 Penningworth United

Things were going from good to bad to worse for Oljestaden, who punched a large ‘full-stop’ on the end of a torrid fortnight by losing 1-0 at home to Burgess FC. Magnaeus, who had completed the task against Oljestaden in the Globe Cup by forcing a draw to go through on aggregate, continued their winning ways by overcoming Crystal Mertagne, while the battle of the big guns of Audioslavia and Starblaydia ended goal-less. Fligsive, already ousted from the Champions Cup, had been eliminated from the Globe Cup in humiliating fashion, succumbing to one of the Towers of Thaulandi over two legs, and compounded their misery with a 0-0 draw away to Nostromo Meteorites on a miserable night in the Syndicate.

Week 7
CopAnaia, First Round

Cedrus Soundgardenia 1 - 0 1902 Cardertower
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 4 - 0 DDR Fighting Disco
FC Southern Ninestar 2 - 1 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
FC Oberyn's Shield 2 - 3 CF Ferramendiak
Gatesby Athletic 0 - 2 Beverington Hawks
KT Laranjauzia 0 - 1 Silexhera FC
Becaonsby Flames 1 - 2 Wozinitz Wanderers
Cazadores Cathair 2 - 0 Ceilderden Harp
Hecia 0 - 2 Penningworth United
Dysenside Duellers 1 - 0 Project +90 Fligsive
Jhanna City 2 - 0 Burgess Mariners
KT Koroatuz 1 - 3 Project +90 Kjelstad

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 0-0 Corinthian Spirits
Lesko Pavillion 1-0 Telecontarë
Hallad Reavers 1-2 KT Itzalovalle
Shamrock Cathair 2-1 Foxchester Raiders
Hippion Overdrive 0-2 Westonbirt City
Baudelaire Tulips 2-2 Oljestaden IF
KT Moreazerua 1-4 Iskara Daii
Burgess FC 5-2 Nostromo Meteorites
1830 Cathair FC 1-2 Crystal Mertagne
Fligsive FC 0-2 Magnaeus City

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 3-0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Dysenside Duellers 2-1 1902 Cardertower
Beaconsby Flames 2-1 CF Ferremendiak
Silexhera FC 1-1 KT Koroatuz
Ceilderden Harp 1-1 FC Oberyn's Shield
Project +90 Kjelstad 1-0 Hecia
Project +90 Fligsive 1-0 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Wozinitz Wanderers 3-0 Jhanna City
Cazadores Cathair 0-1 Beverington Hawks
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 2-1 Penningworth United

Week seven saw the first round of the CopAnaia, into which the second division LigAnaia teams were entered. Those four amateur clubs that had survived the qualifiers didn’t fare too well, with Laranjauzia’s 1-0 loss to Silexhera the best of the four results on a humbling night for amateur football. Promotion hopefuls Southern Ninestar and Tout-Puissant Hasiera had an energetic match which finished 2-1 to the Syndicatians, while Cazadores Cathair recorded a dominant 2-0 win over Ceilerden Harp.
In the league, the Fligsive-Magnaeus derby ended with bragging rights staying in the northern city, with Magnaeus winning out by two goals to one. Izotz Zubia and Oljestaden continued to drop points while, in the match of the round, Burgess routed promoted Nostromo Meteorites by five goals to two, raising questions as to whether the meteorites were possibly overmatched in their new division.

Week 8

LigAnaia 1

Telecontarë 1-1 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Itzalovalle 1-1 Corinthian Spirits
Foxchester Raiders 0-0 Lesko Pavillion
Westonbirt City 1-1 Hallad Reavers
Oljestaden IF 1-1 Shamrock Cathair
Iskara Daii 0-0 Hippion Overdrive
Nostromo Meteorites 2-2 Baudelaire Tulips
Crystal Mertagne 0-2 KT Moreazerua
Magnaeus City 1-0 Burgess FC
Fligsive FC 1-1 1830 Cathair FC

LigAnaia 2

1902 Cardertower 1-2 FC Southern Ninestar
CF Ferremendiak 3-0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
KT Koroatuz 0-0 Dysenside Duellers
FC Oberyn's Shield 2-0 Beaconsby Flames
Hecia 2-0 Silexhera FC
Cedrus Soundgardenia 1-1 Ceilderden Harp
Jhanna City 1-1 Project +90 Kjelstad
Beverington Hawks 1-2 Project +90 Fligsive
Penningworth United 1-3 Wozinitz Wanderers
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 0-1 Cazadores Cathair

Eight of Week eight’s games finished in uninspired draws in a busy week for club football. 1830 Cathair, long since dumped out of the Champions Cup in emphatic style, had endured a gruelling midweek clash with FC Kjin of United Gordonopia, while Izotz Zubia, Magnaeus City and Crystal Mertagne were also in UICA action. Zozi’s UICA form was, apparently, much better than their league form, and the high of their midweek win was countered by a disappointing draw against struggling Telecontate. Magnaeus suffered no such hangover as they beat Burgess FC 1-0 at home in a rousing encounter, but the same couldn’t be said for Crystal Mertagne. The side had triumphed against opposition from Dainer in midweek, but found themselves thrashed 2-0 by bottom-feeders KT Moreazerua on the Saturday, and in their home town to boot. The Crystals, anxious to cement their place in the upper echelons of LigAnaia football, will want to forget about this one in a hurry.

Week 9

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 1-0 KT Itzalovalle
Telecontarë 4-1 Foxchester Raiders
Corinthian Spirits 0-0 Westonbirt City
Lesko Pavillion 2-2 Oljestaden IF
Hallad Reavers 1-3 Iskara Daii
Shamrock Cathair 2-2 Nostromo Meteorites
Hippion Overdrive 0-3 Crystal Mertagne
Baudelaire Tulips 0-1 Magnaeus City
KT Moreazerua 1-2 Fligsive FC
Burgess FC 2-2 1830 Cathair FC

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 2-0 CF Ferremendiak
1902 Cardertower 0-1 KT Koroatuz
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 0-2 FC Oberyn's Shield
Dysenside Duellers 1-3 Hecia
Beaconsby Flames 0-0 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Silexhera FC 2-2 Jhanna City
Ceilderden Harp 0-2 Beverington Hawks
Project +90 Kjelstad 1-1 Penningworth United
Project +90 Fligsive 0-0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Wozinitz Wanderers 0-4 Cazadores Cathair

Moreazerua, having picked up only their second win of the season the week before, wanted to continue their winning ways on Week nine but found themselves up against a Fligsive side searching for form. They evidently found it in Herradura, and dispatched the Audioslavian side 2-1. Mertagne, Magnaeus and Iskara Daii all won impressive games away from home, while Zozi made hard work of local rivals Itzalovalle.

Week 10

CopAnaia Round One

Nostromo Meteorites 2 - 0 Corinthian Sprits
Shamrock Cathair 3 - 1 1830 Cathair FC
CF Ferramendiak  2 - 1 Magnaeus City
Cazadores Cathair 0 - 2 Westonbirt City
AC Izotz Zubia 1 - 3 Oljestaden IF
Silexhera FC 0 - 1 Iskara Daii
Wozinitz Wanderers 4 - 2 Beverington Hawks
Jhanna City 1 - 2 KT Moreazerua
Cedrus Soundgardenia 0 - 2 Telecontarë
Project +90 Kjelstad 0 - 1 Lesko Pavillion
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 4 - 2 Crystal Mertagne
Fligsive FC 1 - 2 KT Itzalovalle
Hallad Reavers 1 - 2 FC Southern Ninestar
Foxchester Raiders 6 - 0 Penningworth United
Dysenside Duellers 0 - 1 Hippion Overdrive
Burgess FC 2 - 1 Baudelaire Tulips

LigAnaia 1

Foxchester Raiders 2-3 AC Izotz Zubia
Westonbirt City 0-0 KT Itzalovalle
Oljestaden IF 0-1 Telecontarë
Iskara Daii 2-0 Corinthian Spirits
Nostromo Meteorites 3-3 Lesko Pavillion
Crystal Mertagne 1-1 Hallad Reavers
Magnaeus City 2-1 Shamrock Cathair
Fligsive FC 2-0 Hippion Overdrive
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Burgess FC 4-0 KT Moreazerua

LigAnaia 2

KT Koroatuz 1-3 FC Southern Ninestar
FC Oberyn's Shield 1-0 CF Ferremendiak
Hecia 2-0 1902 Cardertower
Cedrus Soundgardenia 2-0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Jhanna City 3-1 Dysenside Duellers
Beverington Hawks 1-1 Beaconsby Flames
Penningworth United 0-1 Silexhera FC
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 1-1 Ceilderden Harp
Cazadores Cathair 3-1 Project +90 Kjelstad
Wozinitz Wanderers 1-0 Project +90 Fligsive

While Oljestaden’s initial push in the league looked to be completely over after a horrible 1-0 defeat to Telecontare, their fortunes in the cup appeared to be brighter, with a 3-1 away win over favourites AC Izotz Zubia. The first round of the cup threw up few real upsets, with lower league opposition generally coming up second best against their top-flight equivalents, but the ‘big’ teams weren’t faring too well. 1830 Cathair were ousted from the cup in a city derby against Shamrock Cathair, Fligsive found themselves second best against Itzalovalle while, in the biggest upset of the round, second division Kjeligsted - one of two members of the LigAnaia to have previously been an international football team, albeit a poor one, thrashed Crystal Mertagne by four goals to two. Elsewhere, in the ‘other’ upset, a below-strength Magnaeus City were upended by Sierran promotion hopefuls CF Ferramendiak. Ten matches in, it appeared the supposed ‘big name’ signing of Ivan Harsted from Surtsey Island Gulls might not have been the shrewd bit of business Oljestaden had hoped for. Vanor striker Dûrdur Celetholtinu, Polarian midfielder Tomas Kristofics and teenage sensation Jody Rijshaart’s early season form appears to have petered out, and though Oljestaden will feel that there’s plenty left to play for, their failure to play as a cohesive unit raises some important questions. Iskara Daii continued to blow hot and cold, and were lukewarm in overcoming a poor Corinthian Spirits side. Elsehwere, Burgess and Fligsive’s demolition of KTMZ and HOFC respectively wereimpressive, and continued the season’s theme of Syndicatian outfits being the stronger.

Week 11

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 1-1 Westonbirt City
Foxchester Raiders 1-0 Oljestaden IF
KT Itzalovalle 2-1 Iskara Daii
Telecontarë 1-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Corinthian Spirits 0-1 Crystal Mertagne
Lesko Pavillion 0-1 Magnaeus City
Hallad Reavers 1-2 Fligsive FC
Shamrock Cathair 3-0 1830 Cathair FC
Hippion Overdrive 3-1 Burgess FC
Baudelaire Tulips 0-0 KT Moreazerua

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 1-0 FC Oberyn's Shield
KT Koroatuz 1-0 Hecia
CF Ferremendiak 2-1 Cedrus Soundgardenia
1902 Cardertower 0-3 Jhanna City
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 0-2 Beverington Hawks
Dysenside Duellers 0-3 Penningworth United
Beaconsby Flames 1-2 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Silexhera FC 0-1 Cazadores Cathair
Ceilderden Harp 0-0 Wozinitz Wanderers
Project +90 Kjelstad 1-0 Project +90 Fligsive

The lead-up to Week eleven was a veritable ‘red wedding’ with regards to LigAnaia clubs in UICA football, with all but Izotz Zubia crashing out of the final qualifying stage. Again, Zozi’s intercontinental form can’t quite translate to domestic football, and the side couldn’t get past Westonbirt City at home. The upset of the round is lowly Itzalovalle’s victory over Iskara Daii, while Oljestaden’s poor run has continued. The northerners had won each of their first four games, but haven’t managed a league win to their name since, and were uninspiring in defeat to Starblaydi outfit Foxchester Raiders.

Week 12
CopAnaia Third Round

CF Ferramendiak  2 - 3 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Telecontarë 1 - 0 KT Itzalovalle
Iskara Daii 2 - 0 Lesko Pavillion
FC Southern Ninestar 4 - 2 Wozinitz Wanderers
Foxchester Raiders 3 - 0 Shamrock Cathair
Nostromo Meteorites 2 - 3 Oljestaden IF
KT Moreazerua 1 - 0 Burgess FC
Westonbirt City 1 - 2 Hippion Overdrive

LigAnaia 1

Oljestaden IF 0-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Iskara Daii 2-1 Westonbirt City
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Foxchester Raiders
Crystal Mertagne 2-1 KT Itzalovalle
Magnaeus City 1-0 Telecontarë
Fligsive FC 0-1 Corinthian Spirits
1830 Cathair FC 5-0 Lesko Pavillion
Burgess FC 1-3 Hallad Reavers
KT Moreazerua 0-0 Shamrock Cathair
Baudelaire Tulips 1-0 Hippion Overdrive

LigAnaia 2

Hecia 1-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Cedrus Soundgardenia 0-2 FC Oberyn's Shield
Jhanna City 2-1 KT Koroatuz
Beverington Hawks 1-0 CF Ferremendiak
Penningworth United 3-0 1902 Cardertower
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 0-1 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Cazadores Cathair 1-0 Dysenside Duellers
Wozinitz Wanderers 1-1 Beaconsby Flames
Project +90 Fligsive 2-1 Silexhera FC
Project +90 Kjelstad 2-1 Ceilderden Harp

Round two of the cup sees Oljestaden win again, this time in a barnstorming encounter with Nostromo Meteorites, while Isle of Kjeligsted win the only all-second-tier clash against fellow giantkillers Ferramendiak. Izotz Zubia are perhaps grateful for having already been dumped out of the cup as they find themselves in GC group-play in midweek, and are finding it tough going after defeat to Ponyville United, but bounced back to win their league game and keep in touch with the top six.
The early leaders are Magnaeus City, who continue their winning ways with a 1-0 win over Telecontare. Crystal Mertagne, humiliated in both domestic and international cup competitions, are sitting pretty in second at this early stage, with the capital clubs Fligsive and 1830 Cathair just behind them. Iskara Daii and Izotz Zubia, two pre-season favourites, are fifth and sixth respectively and, with Burgess seventh, it appears only Crystal Mertagne's appearance in the top six is going agains the 'natural order' of the LigAnaia.
At the bottom, Moreazerua are struggling, as are recently promoted Nostromo Meteorites, while Starblaydi outfit Hoppion Overdrive are last for now, despite having registered two more wins than Nostromo. The Syndicatian strugglers are actually yet to win a game thus far in the season but with eight draws in twelve games will argue that they've hardly been outclassed thus far.

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Magnaeus City          12    8   4   0    17    6  +11    28
 2 Crystal Mertagne       12    7   2   3    17   10   +7    23
 3 Fligsive FC            12    6   4   2    14    8   +6    22
 4 1830 Cathair FC        12    5   5   2    17   11   +6    20
 5 Iskara Daii            12    6   2   4    19   14   +5    20
 6 AC Izotz Zubia         12    5   5   2    16   11   +5    20
 7 Burgess FC             12    6   1   5    20   16   +4    19
 8 Telecontarë            12    5   3   4    14   10   +4    18
 9 Corinthian Spirits     12    4   6   2    10    7   +3    18
10 Shamrock Cathair       12    5   3   4    15   15    0    18
11 KT Itzalovalle         12    4   4   4    13   14   -1    16
12 Westonbirt City        12    3   6   3    11    9   +2    15
13 Oljestaden IF          12    4   3   5    13   13    0    15
14 Hallad Reavers         12    3   4   5    14   17   -3    13
15 Lesko Pavillion        12    3   4   5    13   19   -6    13
16 Baudelaire Tulips      12    3   3   6    11   17   -6    12
17 Foxchester Raiders     12    2   3   7    12   19   -7     9
18 KT Moreazerua          12    2   3   7     7   18  -11     9
19 Nostromo Meteorites    12    0   8   4    15   23   -8     8
20 Hippion Overdrive      12    2   1   9     8   19  -11     7

to be continued. Part two coming in around 24 hours.

19923222"]

Season Three: Matchdays 12 to 24

Week 13

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 0-2 Iskara Daii
Oljestaden IF 1-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Westonbirt City 0-2 Crystal Mertagne
Foxchester Raiders 3-0 Magnaeus City
KT Itzalovalle 1-1 Fligsive FC
Telecontarë 1-3 1830 Cathair FC
Corinthian Spirits 1-0 Burgess FC
Lesko Pavillion 0-0 KT Moreazerua
Hallad Reavers 2-3 Baudelaire Tulips
Shamrock Cathair 0-1 Hippion Overdrive

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 0-1 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Hecia 1-0 Jhanna City
FC Oberyn's Shield 0-1 Beverington Hawks
KT Koroatuz 0-2 Penningworth United
CF Ferremendiak 2-2 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
1902 Cardertower 1-3 Cazadores Cathair
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 1-0 Wozinitz Wanderers
Dysenside Duellers 1-0 Project +90 Fligsive
Beaconsby Flames 2-1 Project +90 Kjelstad
Silexhera FC 0-2 Ceilderden Harp

Week thirteen sees draw-happy Oljestaden face draw-happy Nostromo Meteorites in a match that, to the surprise of absolutely no-one, ends in a draw, while Izotz Zubia’s Globe Cup hangover is evident again with the side’s capitulation at home to Iskara Daii. Leaders Magnaeus City are, in the upset of the round, roundly thrashed by Foxchester Raiders, which allows Crystal Mertagne to gain ground with victory over a Westonbirt side who’s season really hasn’t got going yet. Burgess FC, the lowest of the ‘big six’, were also upset with a 1-0 defeat to Starblaydia’s Corinthian Spirits

Week 14

LigAnaia 1

Nostromo Meteorites 2-0 AC Izotz Zubia
Crystal Mertagne 0-1 Iskara Daii
Magnaeus City 2-1 Oljestaden IF
Fligsive FC 2-1 Westonbirt City
1830 Cathair FC 2-0 Foxchester Raiders
Burgess FC 0-1 KT Itzalovalle
KT Moreazerua 0-1 Telecontarë
Baudelaire Tulips 1-1 Corinthian Spirits
Hippion Overdrive 1-0 Lesko Pavillion
Shamrock Cathair 1-0 Hallad Reavers

LigAnaia 2

Jhanna City 0-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Beverington Hawks 1-2 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Penningworth United 1-0 Hecia
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 2-0 FC Oberyn's Shield
Cazadores Cathair 0-1 KT Koroatuz
Wozinitz Wanderers 2-0 CF Ferremendiak
Project +90 Fligsive 2-1 1902 Cardertower
Project +90 Kjelstad 0-1 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Ceilderden Harp 2-2 Dysenside Duellers
Silexhera FC 0-1 Beaconsby Flames

Things are going from bad to worse for Izotz Zubia. Beaten yet again in the Globe Cup and, now, facing the ignomony of being the first side to lose to Nostromo Meteorites. Westonbirt, too, drop further away from the leaders with defeat to Fligsive, while Burgess, supposed candidates for the title itself, are in an absolute rut and are beaten at home by lowly Itzalovalle. A team in an even bigger rut are Oljestaden, but few could blame them too much for their 2-1 defeat by league leaders Magnaeus who, with Crystal Mertagne defeated by Iskara Daii, are opening up an impressive gap at the top.

Week 15

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 2-2 Crystal Mertagne
Nostromo Meteorites 0-0 Magnaeus City
Iskara Daii 1-1 Fligsive FC
Oljestaden IF 2-2 1830 Cathair FC
Westonbirt City 2-3 Burgess FC
Foxchester Raiders 1-0 KT Moreazerua
KT Itzalovalle 0-2 Baudelaire Tulips
Telecontarë 0-0 Hippion Overdrive
Corinthian Spirits 0-1 Shamrock Cathair
Lesko Pavillion 0-1 Hallad Reavers

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 1-0 Beverington Hawks
Jhanna City 1-0 Penningworth United
Cedrus Soundgardenia 1-2 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Hecia 0-1 Cazadores Cathair
FC Oberyn's Shield 0-1 Wozinitz Wanderers
KT Koroatuz 0-1 Project +90 Fligsive
CF Ferremendiak 4-1 Project +90 Kjelstad
1902 Cardertower 0-0 Ceilderden Harp
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 2-0 Silexhera FC
Dysenside Duellers 1-0 Beaconsby Flames

The fifteenth matchday of the season sees a small upturn in the fortunes of Izotz Zubia, who follow their first Globe Cup group stage victory with a hard-fought draw against Crystal Mertagne. Fligsive, Iskara Daii and 1830 Cathair all drop points, but league leaders Magnaeus City can’t take advantage and are held 0-0 by draw specialists Nostromo Meteorites. At the bottom, KT Moreazerua are still stuck on just two wins for the season with defeat to Foxchester

Week 16

LigAnaia 1

Magnaeus City 2-0 AC Izotz Zubia
Fligsive FC 1-2 Crystal Mertagne
1830 Cathair FC 4-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Burgess FC 0-1 Iskara Daii
KT Moreazerua 0-0 Oljestaden IF
Baudelaire Tulips 1-1 Westonbirt City
Hippion Overdrive 0-1 Foxchester Raiders
Shamrock Cathair 1-0 KT Itzalovalle
Hallad Reavers 1-0 Telecontarë
Lesko Pavillion 2-0 Corinthian Spirits

LigAnaia 2

Penningworth United 0-0 FC Southern Ninestar
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 0-1 Beverington Hawks
Cazadores Cathair 1-1 Jhanna City
Wozinitz Wanderers 3-1 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Project +90 Fligsive 1-2 Hecia
Project +90 Kjelstad 1-1 FC Oberyn's Shield
Ceilderden Harp 0-2 KT Koroatuz
Silexhera FC 2-0 CF Ferremendiak
Beaconsby Flames 0-1 1902 Cardertower
Dysenside Duellers 0-1 Isle of Kjeligsted FC

In a ding-dong battle in Magnaeus, the leaders swat aside Izotz Zubia by two goals to nil, but Crystal Mertagne keep the pressure up with victory over Fligsive. Burgess are again frustrated, and though none of their fans would admit it. their defeat to Iskara Daii appears to confirm that the side are, currently at least, the weakest of the ‘big six’. Oljestaden make it twelve games without a league win and put themselves into the category of ‘teams that can’t even beat Moreazerua’ with a nil-nil draw in the Sierra. One feels that the northern side have all but written off the league season in favour of concentrating on the cup when it restarts in January.

Week 17

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 2-1 Fligsive FC
Magnaeus City 0-0 1830 Cathair FC
Crystal Mertagne 2-1 Burgess FC
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 KT Moreazerua
Iskara Daii 1-2 Baudelaire Tulips
Oljestaden IF 3-3 Hippion Overdrive
Westonbirt City 3-1 Shamrock Cathair
Foxchester Raiders 2-1 Hallad Reavers
KT Itzalovalle 2-1 Lesko Pavillion
Telecontarë 1-2 Corinthian Spirits

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 4-0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Penningworth United 2-3 Cazadores Cathair
Beverington Hawks 2-4 Wozinitz Wanderers
Jhanna City 2-2 Project +90 Fligsive
Cedrus Soundgardenia 3-0 Project +90 Kjelstad
Hecia 3-0 Ceilderden Harp
FC Oberyn's Shield 1-1 Silexhera FC
KT Koroatuz 2-0 Beaconsby Flames
CF Ferremendiak 1-0 Dysenside Duellers
1902 Cardertower 0-0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC

Izotz Zubia are, by now, mathematically eliminated from the season's Globe Cup, but cheer themselves up with a home win over Syndicatian rivals Fligsive. The 2-1 win keeps the side in the hunt for a spot in next season's Globe Cup. 1830 Cathair hold Magnaeus City to a point, while Crystal Mertagne keep the pressure on the leaders with a 2-1 win over an increasingly frustrated Burgess FC. In the bottom of the table clash, Moreazerua lose to Nostromo Meteorites, who are now a good couple of points clear of the drop zone.

Week 18

LigAnaia 1

1830 Cathair FC 0-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Burgess FC 1-0 Fligsive FC
KT Moreazerua 2-2 Magnaeus City
Baudelaire Tulips 0-0 Crystal Mertagne
Hippion Overdrive 1-3 Nostromo Meteorites
Shamrock Cathair 1-3 Iskara Daii
Hallad Reavers 0-0 Oljestaden IF
Lesko Pavillion 1-1 Westonbirt City
Corinthian Spirits 0-1 Foxchester Raiders
Telecontarë 0-3 KT Itzalovalle

LigAnaia 2

Cazadores Cathair 3-0 FC Southern Ninestar
Wozinitz Wanderers 3-0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Project +90 Fligsive 0-1 Penningworth United
Project +90 Kjelstad 1-1 Beverington Hawks
Ceilderden Harp 2-0 Jhanna City
Silexhera FC 0-0 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Beaconsby Flames 0-2 Hecia
Dysenside Duellers 0-1 FC Oberyn's Shield
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 2-1 KT Koroatuz
1902 Cardertower 1-1 CF Ferremendiak

1830 vs Zozi and Burgess/Fligsive are two of the traditional ‘big games’ in the LigAnaia, and though it appears, from a glance at the league standings, more like a matchup of two mid-table clubs against two high-flying ones, its the supposed mid-tablers that escape with the victories, with Izotz Zubia overcoming 1830 Cathair away and Fligsive losing out to Burgess in a catharctic win for the men in sky blue and yellow. Oljestaden still can’t win. Nostromo have it figured out, though...

Week 19

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 2-2 Burgess FC
1830 Cathair FC 5-3 KT Moreazerua
Fligsive FC 1-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Magnaeus City 1-1 Hippion Overdrive
Crystal Mertagne 1-1 Shamrock Cathair
Nostromo Meteorites 7-1 Hallad Reavers
Iskara Daii 2-0 Lesko Pavillion
Oljestaden IF 2-0 Corinthian Spirits
Westonbirt City 2-1 Telecontarë
Foxchester Raiders 2-0 KT Itzalovalle

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 2-0 Wozinitz Wanderers
Cazadores Cathair 1-1 Project +90 Fligsive
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 1-0 Project +90 Kjelstad
Penningworth United 2-0 Ceilderden Harp
Beverington Hawks 4-0 Silexhera FC
Jhanna City 2-0 Beaconsby Flames
Cedrus Soundgardenia 2-0 Dysenside Duellers
Hecia 0-0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
FC Oberyn's Shield 1-2 1902 Cardertower
KT Koroatuz 1-0 CF Ferremendiak

..and how. Week nineteen, the last of the first half of the season, sees Nostromo Meteorites demolish Hallad Reavers by seven goals to one, and the Starblaydi outfit look in real danger of going down at this rate. The game doesn’t even take the record as the Week’s highest scoring, as 1830 Cathair go over Moreazerua in a bizarre contest that saw the champions go down 3-1 to the relegation favourites before mounting a comeback. Oljestaden, finally, register a fifth win of the season at the fifteenth attempt in defeating Starblaydi side Corinthian Spirits, while the matchup between Zozi and Burgess, the two ‘big’ teams who have found the going toughest so far, ends in a stalemate.

Week 20

LigAnaia 1

KT Moreazerua 2-0 AC Izotz Zubia
Baudelaire Tulips 0-3 Burgess FC
Hippion Overdrive 0-3 1830 Cathair FC
Shamrock Cathair 0-0 Fligsive FC
Hallad Reavers 0-1 Magnaeus City
Lesko Pavillion 0-3 Crystal Mertagne
Corinthian Spirits 1-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Telecontarë 0-0 Iskara Daii
KT Itzalovalle 0-3 Oljestaden IF
Foxchester Raiders 1-1 Westonbirt City

LigAnaia 2

Project +90 Fligsive 1-0 FC Southern Ninestar
Project +90 Kjelstad 0-2 Wozinitz Wanderers
Ceilderden Harp 0-1 Cazadores Cathair
Silexhera FC 5-2 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Beaconsby Flames 0-2 Penningworth United
Dysenside Duellers 1-1 Beverington Hawks
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 0-2 Jhanna City
1902 Cardertower 3-2 Cedrus Soundgardenia
CF Ferremendiak 0-2 Hecia
KT Koroatuz 0-1 FC Oberyn's Shield

“No excuses now” was Zozi manager Powell Pieran’s mantra in interviews leading up to Week twenty, the first game after the mid-season break. Izotz Zubia were out of UICA competition and supposedly ready to take on the league properly, so quite how they managed to be stuffed 2-0 by strugglers and fierce rivals KT Moreazerrua is anyone’s guess. Either way, Telmo Terrazasade was delighted to capitalise on the former champions’ terrible form with a goal and an assist, while young Sicoutimont goalie Zebjan Istanjovich kept a rare clean sheet in what has been a difficult debut season.

Week 21

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 3-1 Baudelaire Tulips
KT Moreazerua 0-2 Hippion Overdrive
Burgess FC 2-1 Shamrock Cathair
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Hallad Reavers
Fligsive FC 1-0 Lesko Pavillion
Magnaeus City 2-0 Corinthian Spirits
Crystal Mertagne 2-1 Telecontarë
Nostromo Meteorites 3-0 KT Itzalovalle
Iskara Daii 3-0 Foxchester Raiders
Oljestaden IF 0-1 Westonbirt City

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 0-3 Project +90 Kjelstad
Project +90 Fligsive 2-1 Ceilderden Harp
Wozinitz Wanderers 5-2 Silexhera FC
Cazadores Cathair 2-0 Beaconsby Flames
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 0-0 Dysenside Duellers
Penningworth United 0-0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Beverington Hawks 1-0 1902 Cardertower
Jhanna City 2-1 CF Ferremendiak
Cedrus Soundgardenia 0-0 KT Koroatuz
Hecia 4-0 FC Oberyn's Shield

Izotz Zubia bounce back from their embarassing derby defeat by thrashing three goals past struggling Baudelaire, with Onésime Rios the architecht behind the win. Fligsive, 1830 Cathair, Iskara Daii, Magnaeus and Burgess all win on a day that sees the ‘established’ teams prove their strength against the bottom clubs. Crystal Mertagne aren’t quite a ‘big’ club, but are still flying high and their 2-1 over Telecontare, both goals coming from Syndicatian striker Scott Dookes, keeps the side in second place. Westonbirt’s game against Oljestaden is a battle between two teams who would rather like to be associated with the big six, but Oljestaden’s claim is damaged only further by Westonbirt’s 1-0 away win.

Week 22

CopAnaia

Iskara Daii 3 - 0 Hippion Overdrive
Oljestaden IF 4 - 3 Foxchester Raiders
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 1 - 2 KT Moreazerua
FC Southern Ninestar 1 - 0 Telecontarë

LigAnaia 1

Hippion Overdrive 0-0 AC Izotz Zubia
Shamrock Cathair 2-1 Baudelaire Tulips
Hallad Reavers 0-1 KT Moreazerua
Lesko Pavillion 1-2 Burgess FC
Corinthian Spirits 2-1 1830 Cathair FC
Telecontarë 1-3 Fligsive FC
KT Itzalovalle 1-2 Magnaeus City
Foxchester Raiders 0-1 Crystal Mertagne
Westonbirt City 2-0 Nostromo Meteorites
Oljestaden IF 2-0 Iskara Daii

LigAnaia 2

Ceilderden Harp 0-2 FC Southern Ninestar
Silexhera FC 2-1 Project +90 Kjelstad
Beaconsby Flames 0-0 Project +90 Fligsive
Dysenside Duellers 0-0 Wozinitz Wanderers
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 0-2 Cazadores Cathair
1902 Cardertower 1-1 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
CF Ferremendiak 3-0 Penningworth United
KT Koroatuz 0-1 Beverington Hawks
FC Oberyn's Shield 2-2 Jhanna City
Hecia 0-0 Cedrus Soundgardenia

Iskara Daii are impressive in midweek with a 3-0 CopAnaia win over compatriots Hippion Overdrive, but the Starblaydi powerhouse is shocked by a 2-0 defeat to Oljestaden in the televised game on Sunday afternoon. Oljestaden themselves were victorious over Foxchester in midweek in a seven-goal thriller, and manager Weverton Sporadic is suddenly upbeat about the side’s chances of landing silverware this season. Elsewhere in the cup, FC Southern Ninestar, relegated from the LigAnaia last season, overcome top-flight opposition in the form of Telecontare. Ninestar fans have been increasingly anxious about their failure to dominate the second tier, and a successful run in the cup might be the only thing to placate the traditionally staunchly nationalist Ninestar fans.
In the league, Crystal Mertagne and Magnaeus City are still finding wins and still out in front. Fligsive are impressive in beating Telecontare 3-1 thanks to two goals by Mytanar forward Oleg Eyseev, while 1830 Cathair travel to Starblaydia and are turned over 2-1 by Corinthian Spirits in a rather violent encounter. Hot-headed midfielder Rohan Cammers’ run of fine form appears to have come to an end for certain, now, and the midfielder’s conduct in getting sent off will see him receive a five-match suspension by the league. Compatriot Wilfred Lidgeley, however, goes from strength to strength, and his form is the only positive the men from the capital can take from adisappointing away fixture.

Week 23

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 2-2 Shamrock Cathair
Hippion Overdrive 0-2 Hallad Reavers
Baudelaire Tulips 2-0 Lesko Pavillion
KT Moreazerua 0-2 Corinthian Spirits
Burgess FC 3-1 Telecontarë
1830 Cathair FC 2-0 KT Itzalovalle
Fligsive FC 1-2 Foxchester Raiders
Magnaeus City 1-1 Westonbirt City
Crystal Mertagne 2-0 Oljestaden IF
Nostromo Meteorites 0-0 Iskara Daii

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 5-0 Silexhera FC
Ceilderden Harp 0-1 Beaconsby Flames
Project +90 Kjelstad 2-2 Dysenside Duellers
Project +90 Fligsive 0-2 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Wozinitz Wanderers 0-2 1902 Cardertower
Cazadores Cathair 1-1 CF Ferremendiak
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 1-0 KT Koroatuz
Penningworth United 2-1 FC Oberyn's Shield
Beverington Hawks 0-0 Hecia
Jhanna City 1-0 Cedrus Soundgardenia

Oljestaden can’t make their form stick as they are turned over by in-form Crystal Mertagne, whos manager Kurt Wright is caught on record, for the first time, stating that his team will be league champions by the end of the season. When asked to account for his overconfidence, Wright explains that he has been saying the same thing for three seasons, but no-one had taken him seriously before. Magnaeus City and Iskara Daii both drop points, and the Crystals find themselves just apoint behind top spot with a comfortable gap between themselves in 1830 Cathair, who beat Itzalovalle at home, and Fligsive FC, who managed to lose 2-1 at Foxchester Raiders and seemingly slip out of the title hunt altogether.

Week 24

LigAnaia 1

Hallad Reavers 0-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Lesko Pavillion 2-0 Shamrock Cathair
Corinthian Spirits 2-0 Hippion Overdrive
Telecontarë 2-1 Baudelaire Tulips
KT Itzalovalle 2-0 KT Moreazerua
Foxchester Raiders 1-1 Burgess FC
Westonbirt City 2-1 1830 Cathair FC
Oljestaden IF 0-1 Fligsive FC
Iskara Daii 2-2 Magnaeus City
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Crystal Mertagne

LigAnaia 2

Beaconsby Flames 0-3 FC Southern Ninestar
Dysenside Duellers 1-0 Silexhera FC
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 1-0 Ceilderden Harp
1902 Cardertower 2-1 Project +90 Kjelstad
CF Ferremendiak 2-1 Project +90 Fligsive
KT Koroatuz 0-1 Wozinitz Wanderers
FC Oberyn's Shield 0-1 Cazadores Cathair
Hecia 1-0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Cedrus Soundgardenia 1-1 Penningworth United
Jhanna City 1-1 Beverington Hawks

Saturday’s mid-day kickoff sees Magnaeus City and Iskara Daii play out a barnstorming game that finishes two-two, opening the door for Crystal Mertagne to put themselves atop the LigAnaia for a week at least, and for 1830 Cathair to make up ground on the leaders. Neither can quite manage it. Mertagne snatch a draw, while Cathair are comprehensively outplayed in Westonbirt and beaten by two goals to one. Westonbirt are only a couple of points away from the Globe Cup spots, and manager Al Tuncoo expresses his belief that the side are more than capable of getting some UICA football under their belts next season. Most pundits remain skeptical.

LigAnaia 1 table after twenty-four games.

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Magnaeus City          24   13  10   1    32   17  +15    49 *
 2 Crystal Mertagne       24   14   6   4    35   18  +17    48 **
 3 1830 Cathair FC        24   12   7   5    41   24  +17    43 *
 4 Iskara Daii            24   12   6   6    35   22  +13    42 **
 5 Fligsive FC            24   11   7   6    27   19   +8    40 **
 6 Burgess FC             24   12   3   9    38   29   +9    39 **
 7 AC Izotz Zubia         24    9   9   6    31   27   +4    36 **
 8 Corinthian Spirits     24    9   8   7    21   19   +2    35
 9 Westonbirt City        24    8  10   6    28   23   +5    34
10 Shamrock Cathair       24    9   6   9    26   30   -4    33
11 Foxchester Raiders     24    9   5  10    26   29   -3    32
12 Oljestaden IF          24    7   8   9    27   25   +2    29
13 KT Itzalovalle         24    8   5  11    23   31   -8    29
14 Nostromo Meteorites    24    5  13   6    35   34   +1    28
15 Baudelaire Tulips      24    7   6  11    25   33   -8    27
16 Telecontarë            24    7   5  12    23   30   -7    26
17 Hallad Reavers         24    6   5  13    22   35  -13    23
18 Lesko Pavillion        24    5   6  13    20   34  -14    21
19 Hippion Overdrive      24    5   5  14    17   34  -17    20
20 KT Moreazerua          24    4   6  14    15   34  -19    18

* team would qualify for Champions Cup if season finished today.
** team would qualify for Globe Cup if season finished today.

[COCANEFA]

Season Three: Matchdays 25 to 32

Week 25

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 1-1 Lesko Pavillion
Hallad Reavers 1-0 Corinthian Spirits
Shamrock Cathair 2-0 Telecontarë
Hippion Overdrive 1-1 KT Itzalovalle
Baudelaire Tulips 1-3 Foxchester Raiders
KT Moreazerua 0-6 Westonbirt City
Burgess FC 0-1 Oljestaden IF
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Iskara Daii
Fligsive FC 0-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Magnaeus City 2-2 Crystal Mertagne

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 3-1 Dysenside Duellers
Beaconsby Flames 1-2 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Silexhera FC 0-2 1902 Cardertower
Ceilderden Harp 2-1 CF Ferremendiak
Project +90 Kjelstad 0-2 KT Koroatuz
Project +90 Fligsive 2-0 FC Oberyn's Shield
Wozinitz Wanderers 2-0 Hecia
Cazadores Cathair 2-0 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 0-0 Jhanna City
Penningworth United 1-1 Beverington Hawks

Week twenty-five sees the top-of-the-table clash between Magnaeus and Mertagne end two-all. The result is perhaps a little flattering to Magnaeus, who were two goals down for the majority of the game before Guayabalese midfielder Rosaldo snatched the draw in the space of five second half minutes, scoring a beautiful curling shot from the outside of the area on seventy-seven minutes and setting up Mytanar striker Felix Kaestner to score on eight-two. The result opens the door for one of 1830 Cathair or Iskara Daii to close the gap. The two powerhouses clash in Cathair, and its the home side who come good via a single Wilfred Lidgeley goal to nil.
If anyone was unsure as to whether Westonbirt were the real deal and/or Moreazerua were truly as poor as the media were making out, they should have been convinced by the match at Ibarretako Estadioa, which saw the men in purple thrashed 6-0 by the improving Syndicatians. Elsewhere, the Burgess faithful are angered by their side’s late capitulation to Oljestaden IF, causing them to lag even further behind the title race.

Week 26

CopAnaia, Semi-final

FC Southern Ninestar  1  -  3  Iskara Daii
KT Moreazerua  1  -  2  Oljestaden IF

LigAnaia 1

Corinthian Spirits 0-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Telecontarë 0-1 Lesko Pavillion
KT Itzalovalle 2-2 Hallad Reavers
Foxchester Raiders 1-1 Shamrock Cathair
Westonbirt City 1-1 Hippion Overdrive
Oljestaden IF 0-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Iskara Daii 4-2 KT Moreazerua
Nostromo Meteorites 2-0 Burgess FC
Crystal Mertagne 0-0 1830 Cathair FC
Magnaeus City 0-1 Fligsive FC

LigAnaia 2

Isle of Kjeligsted FC 1-1 FC Southern Ninestar
1902 Cardertower 0-1 Dysenside Duellers
CF Ferremendiak 3-1 Beaconsby Flames
KT Koroatuz 0-2 Silexhera FC
FC Oberyn's Shield 0-0 Ceilderden Harp
Hecia 1-0 Project +90 Kjelstad
Cedrus Soundgardenia 1-1 Project +90 Fligsive
Jhanna City 0-5 Wozinitz Wanderers
Beverington Hawks 1-2 Cazadores Cathair
Penningworth United 3-0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera

Young Zwangzug midfielder Dennis Horkawer-Rippe is on form, picking up the man-of-the-match award and setting up Robert Hampson for the only goal of the gamee for Fligsive against Magnaeus City, while 1830 Cathair and Crystal Mertagne stalemate one another in Syndicatia. Things go from bad to worse for Moreazerua, thrashed 4-2 by Iskara Daii, but not before the side are unceremoniously dumped out of the CopAnaia by Oljestaden IF. Oljestaden are joined in the first evern CopAnaia final by Iskara Daii, who eliminate the last second division side from the competition in the form of Southern Ninestar.

Week 27

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 1-0 Telecontarë
Corinthian Spirits 1-0 KT Itzalovalle
Lesko Pavillion 0-0 Foxchester Raiders
Hallad Reavers 0-2 Westonbirt City
Shamrock Cathair 2-2 Oljestaden IF
Hippion Overdrive 0-1 Iskara Daii
Baudelaire Tulips 0-1 Nostromo Meteorites
KT Moreazerua 1-1 Crystal Mertagne
Burgess FC 0-2 Magnaeus City
1830 Cathair FC 4-0 Fligsive FC

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 3-1 1902 Cardertower
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 0-2 CF Ferremendiak
Dysenside Duellers 1-1 KT Koroatuz
Beaconsby Flames 2-4 FC Oberyn's Shield
Silexhera FC 1-2 Hecia
Ceilderden Harp 1-1 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Project +90 Kjelstad 2-1 Jhanna City
Project +90 Fligsive 2-0 Beverington Hawks
Wozinitz Wanderers 0-1 Penningworth United
Cazadores Cathair 1-1 Tout-Puissant Hasiera

1830 Cathair FC four, Fligsive FC nil. The result tells the story. The Audioslavian high-flyers utterly dominated their opponents and ipened up a healthy gap at the top of the league. For the casual observer, Fligsive’s push for a maiden league title has finished here. Cathair are dominant. Magnaeus, two goal winners at Burgess, are surely too far ahead for Fligsive to catch them. Crystal Mertagne lose ground with a tame draw away to KT Moreazerua, while Izotz Zubia and Westonbirt City keep up the pressure with wins of their own. Elsewhere, Corinthian Spirits, the second most impressive Starblaydi club so far (albiet by quite a long way behind Iskara Daii), take a win of their own and are keeping up the pressure on the top seven.

Week 28

LigAnaia 1

KT Itzalovalle 1-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Foxchester Raiders 1-0 Telecontarë
Westonbirt City 1-0 Corinthian Spirits
Oljestaden IF 4-1 Lesko Pavillion
Iskara Daii 3-0 Hallad Reavers
Nostromo Meteorites 5-1 Shamrock Cathair
Crystal Mertagne 2-2 Hippion Overdrive
Magnaeus City 0-1 Baudelaire Tulips
Fligsive FC 2-0 KT Moreazerua
1830 Cathair FC 1-1 Burgess FC

LigAnaia 2

CF Ferremendiak 2-2 FC Southern Ninestar
KT Koroatuz 1-0 1902 Cardertower
FC Oberyn's Shield 2-0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Hecia 3-0 Dysenside Duellers
Cedrus Soundgardenia 4-0 Beaconsby Flames
Jhanna City 3-1 Silexhera FC
Beverington Hawks 1-1 Ceilderden Harp
Penningworth United 1-0 Project +90 Kjelstad
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 2-0 Project +90 Fligsive
Cazadores Cathair 0-1 Wozinitz Wanderers

Baudelaire Tulips’ 1-0 win away to league leaders Magnaeus City is possibly the upset of the season, and fans of the struggling Tulips can take hope from a strong performance. It is their first win since Week twenty-three, and an interview with manager Samuel Reckett ends with the boss asserting that it is ‘extremely unlikely’ that his side will go the rest of the season without winning a game. Elsewhere, Oljestaden IF continue to confuse. Terrible one week, seemingly brilliant the next, they stuff Leso Pavillion by four goals to one. Celetholtinu is on form, finding two goals and setting up another for under-pressure striker Ivan Harsted. Rijshart grabs the other after a brilliant solo run. It is the first time the side have played like a ‘team’ since the mid-season break. 1830 Cathair are held to a draw by Burgess FC, and Corinthian Spirtis’ attempt to reach the outer rungs of the GC qualification zone are set back by a failure to take anything from a trip to Westonbirt.

Week 29

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 Foxchester Raiders
KT Itzalovalle 1-1 Westonbirt City
Telecontarë 0-0 Oljestaden IF
Corinthian Spirits 2-2 Iskara Daii
Lesko Pavillion 1-0 Nostromo Meteorites
Hallad Reavers 0-1 Crystal Mertagne
Shamrock Cathair 0-3 Magnaeus City
Hippion Overdrive 2-2 Fligsive FC
Baudelaire Tulips 2-2 1830 Cathair FC
KT Moreazerua 0-0 Burgess FC

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 2-0 KT Koroatuz
CF Ferremendiak 2-1 FC Oberyn's Shield
1902 Cardertower 3-1 Hecia
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 1-0 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Dysenside Duellers 1-0 Jhanna City
Beaconsby Flames 1-1 Beverington Hawks
Silexhera FC 0-3 Penningworth United
Ceilderden Harp 0-2 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Project +90 Kjelstad 0-2 Cazadores Cathair
Project +90 Fligsive 1-4 Wozinitz Wanderers

Burgess’s failure to beat bottom-feeders KT Moreazerua is a particularly bitter pill for the Syndicatian fans to swallow, and with the side still well off the pace of the leaders, questions are being thrown around the media about the safety of Gregorz van der Riise’s job, and whether his appointment was indeed the correct one. Magnaeus bounce back from last week’s upset by stuffing Shamrock Cathair by three goals to nil, and create a small gap between themselves and the chasing pack. 1830 Cathair, Fligsive FC and Iskara Daii can only take draws on their travels.

Week 30

LigAnaia 1

Westonbirt City 1-0 AC Izotz Zubia
Oljestaden IF 1-0 Foxchester Raiders
Iskara Daii 1-0 KT Itzalovalle
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Telecontarë
Crystal Mertagne 0-0 Corinthian Spirits
Magnaeus City 0-2 Lesko Pavillion
Fligsive FC 1-0 Hallad Reavers
1830 Cathair FC 2-0 Shamrock Cathair
Burgess FC 3-2 Hippion Overdrive
KT Moreazerua 1-1 Baudelaire Tulips

FC Oberyn's Shield 2-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Hecia 0-0 KT Koroatuz
Cedrus Soundgardenia 0-1 CF Ferremendiak
Jhanna City 2-0 1902 Cardertower
Beverington Hawks 2-2 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Penningworth United 2-0 Dysenside Duellers
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 1-1 Beaconsby Flames
Cazadores Cathair 0-1 Silexhera FC
Wozinitz Wanderers 2-1 Ceilderden Harp
Project +90 Fligsive 1-0 Project +90 Kjelstad

Magnaeus City have lead the league for weeks now, but despite their heavy win over Shamrock last week there are signs that the wheels are coming off, and a hugely disappointing 2-0 loss to Lesko Pavillion has the rest of the league questioning whether or not the title race isn’t over yet. Burgess FC are resurgent with a 3-2 win over Hippion Overdrive, while Fligsive, 1830 Cathair and Iskara Daii all pick up results. Crystal Mertagne drop points yet again, and things are really begining to open up. A little way below, Westonbirt are having a simply inspired season, and victory over former champs AC Izotz Zubia (down to a Noah Kuehm finish early in the second half) propels them up into the GC spots.

Down in division two, its the second derby between the two Project +90 teams, and this one sees Fligsive win out again by a goal to nil. The P+90 teams are doing better than anyone had predicted, especially as both franchises are making occasional trips abroad to play in the Sunrisian Project +90 cup.

Week 31

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 2-1 Oljestaden IF
Westonbirt City 2-0 Iskara Daii
Foxchester Raiders 0-3 Nostromo Meteorites
KT Itzalovalle 1-1 Crystal Mertagne
Telecontarë 1-0 Magnaeus City
Corinthian Spirits 1-1 Fligsive FC
Lesko Pavillion 0-2 1830 Cathair FC
Hallad Reavers 0-2 Burgess FC
Shamrock Cathair 3-1 KT Moreazerua
Hippion Overdrive 1-0 Baudelaire Tulips

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 2-1 Hecia
FC Oberyn's Shield 0-1 Cedrus Soundgardenia
KT Koroatuz 0-3 Jhanna City
CF Ferremendiak 1-3 Beverington Hawks
1902 Cardertower 0-2 Penningworth United
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 1-2 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Dysenside Duellers 0-1 Cazadores Cathair
Beaconsby Flames 1-1 Wozinitz Wanderers
Silexhera FC 3-2 Project +90 Fligsive
Ceilderden Harp 2-1 Project +90 Kjelstad

KT Moreazerua were now in deep trouble with defeat to a Shamrock Cathair that had confounded pre-season predictions that tipped the Cathair club for the drop. At the top of the league, Fligsive’s 1-1 draw away to Corinthian Spirits on Saturday lunchtime meant that a win for 1830 Cathair in the five o-clock kickoff would give the Audioslavian club a seemingly insurmountable seven point advantage over their rivals from the ‘other’ capital. Goals from Wilfred Lidgely - the Apoxian who looks dead set on being named 1830 Cathair’s player of the season, if not the league’s - and Audioslavia U21 international Lortzen Crossport saw the odds of 1830 retaining their title slashed to evens across the market, not least due to another capitulation by Magnaeus City, who have now let their grip on number one spot slip for the first time in months. Fligsive and Mertagne continue to drop points too, while Iskara Daii are hammered 2-0 by the resurgent Westonbirt, who are now firmly entrenched in the top eight.

Week 32

CopAnaia Final.
Iskara Daii  0  -  1  Oljestaden IF

LigAnaia 1

Iskara Daii 3-3 AC Izotz Zubia
Nostromo Meteorites 2-0 Oljestaden IF
Crystal Mertagne 1-2 Westonbirt City
Magnaeus City 0-1 Foxchester Raiders
Fligsive FC 4-1 KT Itzalovalle
1830 Cathair FC 1-1 Telecontarë
Burgess FC 1-0 Corinthian Spirits
KT Moreazerua 1-2 Lesko Pavillion
Baudelaire Tulips 1-2 Hallad Reavers
Hippion Overdrive 2-1 Shamrock Cathair

LigAnaia 2

Cedrus Soundgardenia 1-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Jhanna City 1-1 Hecia
Beverington Hawks 1-0 FC Oberyn's Shield
Penningworth United 1-0 KT Koroatuz
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 1-0 CF Ferremendiak
Cazadores Cathair 1-1 1902 Cardertower
Wozinitz Wanderers 0-1 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Project +90 Fligsive 1-1 Dysenside Duellers
Project +90 Kjelstad 1-1 Beaconsby Flames
Ceilderden Harp 2-0 Silexhera FC

This weekend sees the CopAnaia final, played in the Flynn Arena in Fligsive. The match itself doesn’t quite live up to expectations, but no-one in the north of Audioslavia will care, as Oljestaden secure a famous 1-0 victory over the legendary Starblaydis to lift the cup.

Oljestaden’s victory puts the side into the Globe Cup again, and means there are now only two GC spots available for Audioslavian clubs wanting to qualify via the league - not that either Itzalovalle, Moreazerua or Shamrock Cathair are looking in any fit state to even make the top half, let alone the top seven.
Oljestaden’s cup hangover is in evidence with a defeat to a Nostromo Meteorites side who are now ninth, their nighmare start to the season now long behind them. Going the other way are Baudelaire Tulips, who are now winless in five and spiralling slowly down to the lower reaches of the table and are under threat of joining the relegation dogfight - . a position Moreazerua are neatly avoiding by being so far below the rest of the league as to have been written off by pundits already. Cathair drop two points with a draw to struggling Telecontare, while Magnaeus drop all three, and have now lost three games on the bounce.

1830 Cathair are still atop the league, and Crystal Mertagne are still second despite having suffered yet another defeat. Fligsive are closing the gap back down to five points with victory over KT Itzalovalle. Iskara Daii and AC Izotz Zubia play out an exciting three-all draw that sees Daii move up to third, just three points behind the leaders. Zozi are still struggling to keep the pace, but the vagaries of inter-nation league play mean all the side have to do is finish ahead of the nearest Starblaydi team and keep their place in the top half of the table to qualify for the Globe Cup, thanks to Syndicatian teams largely dominating the top ten, and the fact that only three of those six teams can make it through to the GC.

Only nine points separate the top eight, and with form accross the top eight so unpredictable, it appears the league was going to go right down to the wire..

LigAnaia 1 after thirty-two games. Six games to go...

                       Pld  W  D  L GF GA  GD Pts
1 1830 Cathair FC 	32 16 11  5 54 28 +26 59 *
2 Crystal Mertagne 	32 15 12  5 43 26 +17 57 *
3 Iskara Daii 		32 16  8  8 49 32 +17 56 **
4 Magnaeus City 	32 15 11  6 39 25 +14 56 **
5 Westonbirt City	32 14 12  6 44 26 +18 54 **
6 Fligsive FC 		32 15  9  8 38 28 +10 54 **
7 AC Izotz Zubia 	32 13 12  7 43 34 +09 51 **
8 Burgess FC 		32 15  5 12 45 37 +08 50
9 Nostromo Meteorites 	32 11 14  7 50 37 +13 47
10 Foxchester Raiders 	32 12  7 13 32 37 -05 43
11 Oljestaden IF 	32 10 11 11 36 32 +04 41 ***
12 Corinthian Spirits 	32 10 11 11 25 27 -02 41
13 Shamrock Cathair 	32 11  8 13 36 46 -10 41
14 Lesko Pavillion 	32  9  8 15 28 42 -14 35
15 KT Itzalovalle 	32  8 10 14 30 43 -13 34
16 Baudelaire Tulips 	32  8  9 15 31 43 -12 33
17 Telecontarë 		32  8  8 16 26 37 -11 32
18 Hippion Overdrive 	32  7  9 16 28 45 -17 30
19 Hallad Reavers 	32  8  6 18 27 47 -20 30
20 KT Moreazerua 	32  4  9 19 21 53 -32 21

* would qualify for Champions Cup if league finished today
** would qualify for Globe Cup if league finished today
*** Qualified for next season's Globe Cup via CopAnaia.

19924356"]

LigAnaia Season Three: Matchdays 33-38
The Race for the Title

Week 33

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 1-0 Nostromo Meteorites
Iskara Daii 1-1 Crystal Mertagne
Oljestaden IF 0-0 Magnaeus City
Westonbirt City 0-3 Fligsive FC
Foxchester Raiders 2-1 1830 Cathair FC
KT Itzalovalle 0-0 Burgess FC
Telecontarë 3-0 KT Moreazerua
Corinthian Spirits 0-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Lesko Pavillion 2-5 Hippion Overdrive
Hallad Reavers 0-1 Shamrock Cathair

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 0-1 Jhanna City
Cedrus Soundgardenia 0-3 Beverington Hawks
Hecia 2-1 Penningworth United
FC Oberyn's Shield 3-0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
KT Koroatuz 3-3 Cazadores Cathair
CF Ferremendiak 0-1 Wozinitz Wanderers
1902 Cardertower 1-2 Project +90 Fligsive
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 2-3 Project +90 Kjelstad
Dysenside Duellers 2-0 Ceilderden Harp
Beaconsby Flames 2-2 Silexhera FC

Foxchester Raiders 2, 1830 Cathair 1 is the result that truly blows the league wide open, but neither Crystal Mertagne nor Iskara Daii can capitalise. The two sides share a point each in their encounter in Starblaydia, and its left to Fligsive to close the gap, overcoming Westonbirt City with an impressive three-nil away win that saw Mytanar midfielder Oleg Evseev score one and create two goals in an imperious display. Cathair boss Andre-Luis Partico bemoaned what he dubbed ‘very Syndicatian refereeing’ as the stars aligned to again favour the Corvidae half of the championship battle. At the bottom, Huge wins for Telecontare and Hippion Overdrive further increased the pressure on bottom-side KT Moreazerua and a Baudelaire Tulips side that found themselves increasingly mired in a relegation battle.

Week 34

LigAnaia 1

Crystal Mertagne 0-0 AC Izotz Zubia
Magnaeus City 2-0 Nostromo Meteorites
Fligsive FC 2-1 Iskara Daii
1830 Cathair FC 3-0 Oljestaden IF
Burgess FC 0-1 Westonbirt City
KT Moreazerua 1-0 Foxchester Raiders
Baudelaire Tulips 1-1 KT Itzalovalle
Hippion Overdrive 1-1 Telecontarë
Shamrock Cathair 0-0 Corinthian Spirits
Hallad Reavers 2-0 Lesko Pavillion

LigAnaia 2

Beverington Hawks 0-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Penningworth United 4-0 Jhanna City
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 1-2 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Cazadores Cathair 3-0 Hecia
Wozinitz Wanderers 1-0 FC Oberyn's Shield
Project +90 Fligsive 1-1 KT Koroatuz
Project +90 Kjelstad 0-2 CF Ferremendiak
Ceilderden Harp 1-1 1902 Cardertower
Silexhera FC 2-0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Beaconsby Flames 0-1 Dysenside Duellers

                       Pld  W  D  L GF GA  GD Pts
1 1830 Cathair FC 	34 17 11  6 58 30 +28 62
2 Magnaeus City 	34 16 12  6 41 25 +16 60
3 Fligsive FC	 	34 17  9  8 43 29 +14 60
4 Crystal Mertagne	34 15 14  5 44 27 +17 59
5 Iskara Daii 		34 16  9  9 51 35 +16 57
6 Westonbirt City 	34 15 12  7 45 29 +16 57
7 AC Izotz Zubia 	34 14 13  7 44 34 +10 55
8 Burgess FC 		34 15  6 13 45 38 +07 51
…
14 Telecontarë 		34  9  9 16 30 38 -08 36
15 KT Itzalovalle 	34  8 12 14 31 44 -13 36
16 Baudelaire Tulips 	34  8 11 15 32 44 -12 35
17 Lesko Pavillion 	34  9  8 17 30 49 -19 35
18 Hippion Overdrive 	34  8 10 16 34 48 -14 34
19 Hallad Reavers 	34  9  6 19 29 48 -19 33
20 KT Moreazerua 	34  5  9 20 22 56 -34 24

Fligsive and 1830 Cathair continued their winning ways on Week thirty-four, while Westonbirt City’s impressive away win over Burgess FC confirmed them as genuine outsiders for the championship. Magnaeus have found their winning ways again, but the same cannot be said for Crystal Mertagne. The side, second in the league for so long, have now not won since matchday 28 are in real danger of dropping out of the title race altogether. At the bottom, Hallad Reavers’ 2-0 win over Lesko Pavillion moved them further towards safety.

Week 35

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 2-1 Magnaeus City
Crystal Mertagne 0-2 Fligsive FC
Nostromo Meteorites 1-2 1830 Cathair FC
Iskara Daii 1-0 Burgess FC
Oljestaden IF 0-1 KT Moreazerua
Westonbirt City 1-0 Baudelaire Tulips
Foxchester Raiders 2-0 Hippion Overdrive
KT Itzalovalle 0-1 Shamrock Cathair
Telecontarë 2-3 Hallad Reavers
Corinthian Spirits 0-1 Lesko Pavillion

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 1-1 Penningworth United
Beverington Hawks 1-0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Jhanna City 1-1 Cazadores Cathair
Cedrus Soundgardenia 1-0 Wozinitz Wanderers
Hecia 0-1 Project +90 Fligsive
FC Oberyn's Shield 2-0 Project +90 Kjelstad
KT Koroatuz 3-1 Ceilderden Harp
CF Ferremendiak 5-2 Silexhera FC
1902 Cardertower 1-1 Beaconsby Flames
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 0-1 Dysenside Duellers
   
                        Pld  W  D  L GF GA  GD Pts
1 1830 Cathair FC	 35 18 11  6 60 31 +29 65
2 Fligsive FC		 35 18  9  8 45 29 +16 63
3 Iskara Daii		 35 17  9  9 52 35 +17 60
4 Westonbirt City	 35 16 12  7 46 29 +17 60
5 Magnaeus City		 35 16 12  7 42 27 +15 60
6 Crystal Mertagne	 35 15 14  6 44 29 +15 59
7 AC Izotz Zubia	 35 15 13  7 46 35 +11 58
…	
14 Lesko Pavillion	 35 10  8 17 31 49 -18 38
15 Telecontarë		 35  9  9 17 32 41 -09 36
16 KT Itzalovalle	 35  8 12 15 31 45 -14 36
17 Hallad Reavers	 35 10  6 19 32 50 -18 36
18 Baudelaire Tulips	 35  8 11 16 32 45 -13 35
19 Hippion Overdrive	 35  8 10 17 34 50 -16 34
20 KT Moreazerua	 35  6  9 20 23 56 -33 27

Three matches now to go, and things are hotting up at the top. 1830 Cathair are nervy away to Nostromo Meteorites and look to be heading towards a draw before Rohan Cammers, now back from suspension, pops up in midfield late on in a seemingly optionless situation and, rather than launching the ball into the area, drives forward, rounds two players and rifles a shot into the bottom left hand corner from thirty yards. It is one of ‘those’ moments, and it preserves 1830 Cathair’s cushion at the top of the league. Fligsive FC, now recovered from their 4-0 spanking by 1830 earlier, beat Crystal Mertagne by two goals to nil in a game that effectively ends Mertagne’s title hopes. Iskara Daii’s win officially ends Burgess’ hopes of a league title, but then the Syndicatians had given up on that a long time ago. Westonbirt are motoring in these final stages, and a win over Baudelaire Tulips puts them in fourth, just five points off the top but with only nine points left to play for.

Week 36

LigAnaia 1

Fligsive FC 1-0 AC Izotz Zubia
1830 Cathair FC 1-1 Magnaeus City
Burgess FC 2-0 Crystal Mertagne
KT Moreazerua 0-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Baudelaire Tulips 0-0 Iskara Daii
Hippion Overdrive 3-1 Oljestaden IF
Shamrock Cathair 1-0 Westonbirt City
Hallad Reavers 3-1 Foxchester Raiders
Lesko Pavillion 2-0 KT Itzalovalle
Corinthian Spirits 1-1 Telecontarë

LigAnaia 2

Tout-Puissant Hasiera 1-1 FC Southern Ninestar
Cazadores Cathair 2-2 Penningworth United
Wozinitz Wanderers 1-1 Beverington Hawks
Project +90 Fligsive 1-2 Jhanna City
Project +90 Kjelstad 1-4 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Ceilderden Harp 1-2 Hecia
Silexhera FC 0-2 FC Oberyn's Shield
Beaconsby Flames 0-0 KT Koroatuz
Dysenside Duellers 0-2 CF Ferremendiak
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 0-0 1902 Cardertower

                       Pld  W  D  L GF GA  GD Pts
1 1830 Cathair FC 	36 18 12  6 61 32 +29 66 
2 Fligsive FC 		36 19  9  8 46 29 +17 66
3 Iskara Daii 		36 17 10  9 52 35 +17 61 
4 Magnaeus City 	36 16 13  7 43 28 +15 61
5 Westonbirt City 	36 16 12  8 46 30 +16 60
6 Crystal Mertagne	36 15 14  7 44 31 +13 59
7 AC Izotz Zubia	36 15 13  8 46 36 +10 58 Qualified for the Globe Cup
..
15 Hallad Reavers 	36 11  6 19 35 51 -16 39
16 Telecontarë 		36  9 10 17 33 42 -09 37
17 Hippion Overdrive 	36  9 10 17 37 51 -14 37
18 Baudelaire Tulips 	36  8 12 16 32 45 -13 36
19 KT Itzalovalle 	36  8 12 16 31 47 -16 36
20 KT Moreazerua 	36  6  9 21 23 57 -34 27 Relegated

Week thirty-six sees KT Moreazerua ‘earn’ the dubious title of being the first Audioslavian club to be relegated from the LigAnaia, sparking celebrations over on the south side of Cathair with second tier Cazadores Cathair, as KTMZ’s relegation confirmed that an Audioslavian outfit would be moving up from the lower league, and Cazadores were confirmed as at least a top-two team by this point. The supporters in northern Cathair were not quite so happy, as a score draw with Magnaeus City saw their two-point lead at the top cut to zero with Fligsive’s all-important win over AC Izotz Zubia. Mertagne lose again, and are enduring a torrid end to the season.

The complexities of the multi-nation domestic system mean that Audioslavia's UICA entrants are confirmed with two matches to go. If 1830 Cathair finish ahead of Iskara Daii, they will qualify for the Champions Cup. If Iskara Daii finish ahead, Cathair will drop into the Globe Cup as the highest finishing Audioslavian side. Izotz Zubia are far ahead of their nearest Audioslavian and Starblaydi rivals, and are guaranteed a Globe Cup spot regardless of what happens in the coming weeks.

Week 37

LigAnaia 1

AC Izotz Zubia 1-0 1830 Cathair FC
Fligsive FC 2-0 Burgess FC
Magnaeus City 2-3 KT Moreazerua
Crystal Mertagne 2-1 Baudelaire Tulips
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Hippion Overdrive
Iskara Daii 2-0 Shamrock Cathair
Oljestaden IF 1-0 Hallad Reavers
Westonbirt City 3-1 Lesko Pavillion
Foxchester Raiders 0-0 Corinthian Spirits
KT Itzalovalle 1-1 Telecontarë

LigAnaia 2

FC Southern Ninestar 2-0 Cazadores Cathair
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 1-0 Wozinitz Wanderers
Penningworth United 1-1 Project +90 Fligsive
Beverington Hawks 1-2 Project +90 Kjelstad
Jhanna City 2-0 Ceilderden Harp
Cedrus Soundgardenia 2-1 Silexhera FC
Hecia 2-1 Beaconsby Flames
FC Oberyn's Shield 1-0 Dysenside Duellers
KT Koroatuz 2-0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
CF Ferremendiak 1-1 1902 Cardertower

                       Pld  W  D  L GF GA  GD Pts
1 Fligsive FC 		37 20  9  8 48 29 +19 69 Qualified for the Champions Cup
2 1830 Cathair FC	37 18 12  7 61 33 +28 66
3 Iskara Daii 		37 18 10  9 54 35 +19 64
4 Westonbirt City 	37 17 12  8 49 31 +18 63
…
15 Hallad Reavers	37 11  6 20 35 52 -17 39
16 Telecontarë 		37  9 11 17 34 43 -09 38
17 Hippion Overdrive 	37  9 11 17 38 52 -14 38
18 KT Itzalovalle 	37  8 13 16 32 48 -16 37
19 Baudelaire Tulips 	37  8 12 17 33 47 -14 36
20 KT Moreazerua 	37  7  9 21 26 59 -33 30 Relegated

It was dubbed ‘Super Sunday’. Two epic derby clashes that would dictate the direction the league championship would take on the penultimate day of the season. Dead level on sixty-six points, 1830 Cathair and Fligsive FC faced tough derby opponents in the form of former LigAnaia champions 1830 Cathair and former Syndicatian League winners Burgess FC respectively. Neither side could afford to lose, but the lions of Cathair did just that, going down 1-0 due to a late strike from young striker Mixu Kohelmainnen. Fligsive’s two-nothing victory over Burgess was the final slap in the face to a Burgess side that had, all in all, endured a miserable season, and also confirmed that Fligsive would be champions if they avoided defeat the following week. Either way, the side from Syndicatia's capital would be representing the Syndicate in the Champions Cup next UICA season.

Week 38

LigAnaia 1

Burgess FC 1-0 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Moreazerua 0-1 1830 Cathair FC
Baudelaire Tulips 0-1 Fligsive FC
Hippion Overdrive 1-1 Magnaeus City
Shamrock Cathair 0-2 Crystal Mertagne
Hallad Reavers 0-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Lesko Pavillion 1-1 Iskara Daii
Corinthian Spirits 0-1 Oljestaden IF
Telecontarë 0-1 Westonbirt City
KT Itzalovalle 1-1 Foxchester Raiders

LigAnaia 2

Wozinitz Wanderers 2-2 FC Southern Ninestar
Project +90 Fligsive 0-3 Cazadores Cathair
Project +90 Kjelstad 1-2 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Ceilderden Harp 2-0 Penningworth United
Silexhera FC 3-1 Beverington Hawks
Beaconsby Flames 3-0 Jhanna City
Dysenside Duellers 0-1 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 3-0 Hecia
1902 Cardertower 0-1 FC Oberyn's Shield
CF Ferremendiak 1-0 KT Koroatuz

Moreazerua might have known their fate going into the final Week, but the relegation battle above them was still wide open, with Starblaydis Telecontare and Syndicatians Baudelaire Tulips battling to avoid becoming the second of the two relegated teams. As fate would have it, all three of the bottom sides would find themselves pitted against the top three in a bizarre double-headliner of relegation and championship face-offs. The maths was simple. Fligsive FC would be champions if they could hold Baudelaire Tulips to a draw - a result that would relegate their opponents. Baudelaire, of course, would be relegated anyway if Telecontare managed to get a win, and if any of the botom sides were capable of such a feat it was the Starblaydi outfit, who found themselves up against a Westonbirt City side already guaranteed UICA football next term, and without hope of catching either of the top two. The other hollywood clash saw 1830 Cathair travel to the Sierra to face relegated KT Moreazerua, requiring a win and a Fligsive loss to secure the title.

The Cathair side would take the lead in the early going against their stricken opponents through a speculative effort by Rohan Cammers, and before long Westonbirt were a goal to the good against Telecontare with little evidence of a comeback by the Starblaydis. The door, then, was open for Baudelaire to save themselves, and a goal would have not only dragged themselves out of the relegation zone for the first time since Week thirty-three, but would also keep the LigAnaia title in Cathair for the second consecutive season. The Tulips, however, just couldn’t shake off the demons of a bad run of form that had seen the side go winless in eight games and career down the table, and Pasha Yakolev’s sixty-fifth minute strike would all but relegate the side.

The final whistle blew to joyous scenes in the Syndicatian capital. A helicopter carrying the league trophy, stationed in Tiberia for most of the final Week, had taken off and flown to Fligsive after their winning goal, and the vision of it homing into view over the horizon will be one that no Fligsive fan will forget in a hurry.

Down in division two, Cazadores Cathair confirmed their being promoted as champions with a convincing victory over Project +90 Fligsive. The battle for which side would join them went down to the wire. Wozinitz Wanderers and FC Southern Ninestar had been neck-and-neck for most of the season and, in a rather hollywood turn of events, were due to play one another on the final matchday. Southern Ninestar made the trip to Wozinitz knowing that only a win would do if they wanted to propel themselves back up to division one, but despite taking the lead twice, the Wanderers held their nerve, levelled the scores and finished the game at 2-2, prompting raucous celebrations among the infamously wild fans.

LigAnaia 1, Final Standings
    Team                      P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Fligsive FC              38  21   9   8  49  29  +20  72 Champions, Champions Cup, AOCL (TIS)
  2 1830 Cathair FC          38  19  12   7  62  33  +29  69 'Champions', Champions Cup, AOCL (AUD)
  3 Westonbirt City          38  18  12   8  50  31  +19  66 Globe Cup (TIS)
  4 Iskara Daii              38  18  11   9  55  36  +19  65 Globe Cup, AOCL (STB)
  5 Crystal Mertagne         38  17  14   7  48  32  +16  65 Globe Cup (TIS)
  6 Magnaeus City            38  16  14   8  46  32  +14  62 Globe Cup (TIS)
  7 AC Izotz Zubia           38  16  13   9  47  37  +10  61 Globe Cup (AUD)
  8 Burgess FC               38  17   6  15  48  41   +7  57
  9 Nostromo Meteorites      38  13  15  10  54  43  +11  54
 10 Shamrock Cathair         38  14   9  15  39  50  -11  51
 11 Foxchester Raiders       38  14   9  15  38  43   -5  51
 12 Oljestaden IF            38  12  12  14  39  39   +0  48 Globe Cup (AUD)
 13 Corinthian Spirits       38  10  15  13  26  30   -4  45
 14 Lesko Pavillion          38  11   9  18  35  53  -18  42
 15 Hallad Reavers           38  11   6  21  35  53  -18  39
 16 Hippion Overdrive        38   9  12  17  39  53  -14  39
 17 KT Itzalovalle           38   8  14  16  33  49  -16  38
 18 Telecontarë              38   9  11  18  34  44  -10  38
 19 Baudelaire Tulips        38   8  12  18  33  48  -15  36 Relegated to LigAnaia 2
 20 KT Moreazerua            38   7   9  22  26  60  -34  30 Relegated to LigAnaia 2

LigAnaia 2, Final Standings

    Team                        P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Cazadores Cathair          38  24   8   6  63  24  +39  80 SBCC (AUD), Promoted to LigAnaia 1
  2 Wozinitz Wanderers         38  22   8   8  61  31  +30  74 SBCC (TIS), Promoted to LigAnaia 1
  3 FC Southern Ninestar       38  21  10   7  60  27  +33  73 SBCC (TIS)
  4 Penningworth United        38  19   8  11  50  30  +20  65 SBCC (STB)
  5 Jhanna City                38  18  10  10  47  40   +7  64 SBCC (STB)
  6 Hecia                      38  17   9  12  41  30  +11  60 SBCC (STB)
  7 Beverington Hawks          38  16  12  10  44  33  +11  60 SBCC (STB)
  8 CF Ferremendiak            38  17   5  16  49  43   +6  56 SBCC (AUD)
  9 Isle of Kjeligsted FC      38  16   7  15  30  38   -8  55
 10 Tout-Puissant Hasiera      38  14  11  13  36  42   -6  53
 11 Project +90 Fligsive       38  14  10  14  39  43   -4  52
 12 Cedrus Soundgardenia       38  14  10  14  38  34   +4  52
 13 FC Oberyn's Shield         38  14   8  16  37  39   -2  50
 14 KT Koroatuz                38  12   9  17  30  37   -7  45
 15 Silexhera FC               38  11   6  21  41  67  -26  39
 16 Project +90 Kjelstad       38  10   7  21  36  56  -20  37
 17 Dysenside Duellers         38   9  10  19  22  47  -25  37
 18 1902 Cardertower           38   8  10  20  33  49  -16  34
 19 Beaconsby Flames           38   7  11  20  30  53  -23  32
 20 Ceilderden Harp            38   7  11  20  29  53  -24  32 Relegated (pending suitable replacement from national league)

LigAnaia season three, then, has been a little difficult for the Starblaydi newcomers. Iskara Daii are exactly where most pundits expected them to be - at the top, challenging for the league - but the side will be annoyed to have missed out on Champions Cup football next season. That, unfortunately, is how the UICA system works, and will work until teams from this league can begin to properly compete on the international stage. That five of the six Starblaydi teams finished in the bottom half of the table is a worry for those in the north west, but despite the difficulty the likes of Hallad Reavers and Hippion Overdrive suffered, none of the Starblaydi teams were relegated.

The Syndicatian outfits, on the other hand, provided six of the league's top ten sides, and the south-westerners finally have their first LigAnaia champion in Fligsive FC. The next stop from here, surely, is to match Audioslavia's progression at UICA level and reach at least the knockouts of the Globe Cup, though one imagines the Fligsivians will want a good crack at the Champions Cup first.

For the bigger of Audioslavia's domestic teams it was very much more of the same. 1830 Cathair didn't quite reach their goal of a second league title, but qualification for the Champions Cup is a welcome consolation prize. Izotz Zubia struggled to keep up with the big guns, and were lucky to reach the last Globe Cup slot, but Zozi are the league's best-performing UICA team and will believe they can at least continue their run of back-to-back appearances in the group stages of the GC. Oljestaden IF had an odd season. It all looked to be going horribly, spectacularly wrong for the northerners until they put the cup run together, and an unexpected second foray into the Globe Cup will provide them with some much needed experience.

[COCANEFA]

Season Four
Preview

With World Cup 68 barely over, it’s time for the fourth season of the LigAnaia, the combined league for the footballing nations of north-east Atlantian Oceania.

Last season saw a number of ‘firsts’ for the league. Most notably, Starblaydi clubs joined those of The Inevitable Syndicate and the Audioslavian states to add extra spice to an already seriously competitive league. The sixteen member clubs were expanded to forty, with the main league, re-dubbed LigAnaia One, expanding from sixteen to twenty teams and a LigAnaia Two being created beneath, with full promotion/relegation between the two. The CopAnaia was founded, and ran concurrently with the regular season and, finally, a team outwith Audioslavia won the league for the first time, with Fligsive FC embarking on a remarkable come-back from sixth place with five games to go to pip rivals 1830 Cathair to first place and bring the LigAnaia trophy to Syndicatian shores.

The new season sees the league expand again, with AO old-boys Legalese joining the fray, entering five teams into an expanded top flight of twenty-four. This season will see five clubs relegated from the top flight, with just one team replacing them, and the slimming-down process is expected to create a great deal of tension as the ‘lesser’ teams struggle to avoid the vast hole at the bottom of the league.

The CopAnaia, too, is changing. Last season’s experiment with all forty teams (plus representatives from the three nations’ national leagues, considered the third tier of the combined league) has been replaced with four seperate national cup competitions, with the winners of each playing off to decide which of the four associations receives the coveted final Globe Cup spot.

The Teams

Champions Cup Representatives

Fligsive FC qualified for the Champions Cup through winning the LigAnaia last season, and will be joined in UICA’s premier tournament by fierce rivals 1830 Cathair, who finished as runners-up the previous season.

The two capital clubs’ rivalry has been the dominant story over the last two seasons, with Cathair taking the season two championship ahead of second place Fligsive, and the Syndicatians returning the favour last year. Fligsive didn’t have it all their own way, though. Fate dictated at the start of last season that the two teams should be drawn together in the qualifying rounds of the Champions Cup. A memorable LigAnai derby, dubbed the Battle for the North East’, ended with the Cathair club taking the spoils, and 1830 would go undefeated against Fligsive for the rest of the season, taking a win and a draw from their two league games. Fligsive may have won the league, but for many the jury is still out over which is the better team.

1830 Cathair’s squad is certainly deeper, and has more in the way of foreign talent, but the side have shown none of the cohesion of Fligsive’s premier club, who themselves have the experienced Syndicatian strike-force of Bruce Fries and Robert Hampson firing in plenty of goals each season.

Comunas Cougars are also represented in the Champions Cup, having qualified through winning the final National Championship, before the National League reverts to the third flight of LigAnaia football, albeit with a catchy name - The Leaguealese. Cougars, despite their status as one of the smaller-market clubs at the top level, boast one of the strongest defences in the league, complete with Legalese international pairing Shoobridge and Masters, and a dangerous attacking force is spearheaded by national team striker Jake Detzler, and will be looking for at least a top three finish in their maiden LigAnaia season. One setback is the loss of Manager Ben Gammel to the National Team, leaving his assistant Marcus Mendoza at the helm with a monumental task ahead.

Globe Cup Representatives

Iskara Daii are Starblaydia’s sole representative in UICA football this season. The side cantered to the title of ‘Starblaydi Champions’ in season three through finishing fourth, well ahead of a Starblaydi pack that largely finished in the bottom half.

‘The Daii’, as they’re known to most, are a famous old club, named after the warrior class of Starblaydia’s sabre-weilding ancient past. Their best days however, are most certainly behind them. Daii’s last major inter-nation trophy came in the days before UICA was founded - a Nationstates Champions League - and the days of world-class players - the likes of Simeone di Bradini, Didi Mussorgsky, Antonis Ratuva, et al - have been largely a distant memory in recent decades. The purchase of Equestrian States star striker Stardust, however, among a slew of other foreign recruits, has given the old club hope of improving on last season’s fourth place, although any sort of UICA success seems quite far off for now.

Joining The Daii in the Globe Cup are the Syndicatian trio of Magnaeus City, Westonbirt and Crystal Mertagne. Magnaeus, capital of the Syndicatian north, are no strangers to Globe Cup football, having represented The Inevitable Syndicate and The LigAnaia in each of the last three editions of the tournament, but the men in dark blue have aspirations far beyond that, and a place in next season’s Champions Cup is the minimum target for the side this season.

Mertagne and Westonbirt, on the other hand, are two teams outwith the traditional powerhouse triumverate of Magnaeus, Burgess and Fligsive who worked hard last season to make it into the second tier of UICA football, with Westonbirt especially impressive in reaching the dizzy heights of third place with a startling late-season run of form. Both sides will go into the new season with hopes of cementing their rightful place among the elite of the league, and will look to knock off all of the supposed ‘big three’ of Syndicatian football, among others, to prove themselves to be as strong as any of the big guns.

Representing Audioslavia in the Globe Cup are AC Izotz Zubia and CopAnaia winners Oljestaden. Zubia, or ‘Zozi’ as they’re affectionately called, were the winners of the inaugural LigAnaia but have fallen away since, finishing fourth in season two and way down in seventh last season, only narrowly scraping into the last of the league’s five allocated GC places. Their form in UICA tournaments, however, is the most impressive of the LigAnaia clubs; they’re the only team to have reached the group stage of the Globe Cup, and have done so on both their previous forays into the tournament. Such a feat will be their minimum target in UICA football this season. Their league target will, as ever, be to win the championship, and although the team is as strong as its ever been, they are by no means better, or worse, than their rivals at the minute.

Oljestaden looked to be a real force for the first month of last season, winning four out of four and revelling in the fine form of experienced midfielder-turned-defender James Courier as well as the strike partnership of prodigious Jody Rijshaart and Polarian striker Ivan Harsted. A loss of the former will hurt the northerners, though, and their chaces of progressing to the group stage of the Globe Cup may well suffer as a result.

The Legalites sent three to the Globe Cup from their final season in the old system, with National League winners Draig Goch FC technically headlining the trio. The Red Dragons, hailing from the old port city of Numalia, fell just short of claiming the National Championship, falling to the Cougars in the final, and may welcome the end of the playoff system as a result. Their consolation prize, however, is a place in the Playoff Round.

Joining the Red Dragons, however, are the real prizes - the Tyrellian twins. While no longer the mighty capital that it was long ago, the beer-soaked jewel in the Casari crown, it has been, as a Legalite city, the capital of one thing: football dominance. The Tyrellia Titans, for example, claim two National League titles, two National Championships, and a cup in their short history. The slightly-less illustrious International of Tyrellia, or Inter to the Audioslavian media, can claim the honor of having earned a UICA spot in all four seasons of active play for the national domestic program; they also boast the fact that they feature, in their eleven, the National Team captian, Cyrus Damhan. At times, it has seemed that he has single-handedly willed Inter to success.

Challengers

Burgess FC are emphatically ‘not’ the sort of team who would consider themselves candidates for a mid-table finish. The Eastport club were runners up in the inaugural LigAnaia season, and finished third the season after, but a miserable season three saw the side miss out on the available UICA spots, finishing a lowly eighth. Burgess fans will feel that, without the distraction of inter-national football, they will be free to pursue the league title once again, and a top three finish will be the minimum the fans expect.

Elsewhere from the Syndicate, Nostromo Meteorites will be hoping to continue their late season form from last season, where they went from being a relegation-threatened side to comfortably settling into mid-table. The UICA spots might be a long way away, but Nostromo are a side with ambition, and hope to emulate the success of the other supposedly ‘middling’ teams, Westonbirt and Crystal Mertagne, who have both over-achieved in recent years.

KT Itzalovalle are the ‘second’ team from Sierra Herradura, the mountainous region to the south-east that harbours almost half of Audioslavia’s representatives in the top two divisions. The side have long since been poor relations of nearby AC Izotz Zubia, but their fervent support would deny ever being in any way ‘lesser’ than the side from Izotzazubia. The side qualified for the Globe Cup after their first season in the LigAnaia, finishing sixth, just two points behind 1830 Cathair, but have been poor in the two seasons since, finishing just above the relegation zone on both occasions. The side, however, have made some signings over the summer, including Dylan Wells and Adam Cooper from the Gloriax league, as well as experienced striker Ion Itzal on a free transfer from 1830 Cathair. The reds will hope Pasarga national team playmaker Mezei Orbán can continue to create from midfield if they’re to avoid any kind of relegation scares in the coming season.

Starblaydi powerhouses Telecontare have welcomed an influx of money and Vanoran talent over the summer after a disastrous start to life in the LigAnaia; the elves were only two points better than relegation in season three. Last season was tough for all the Starblaydi clubs bar the Daii, though northerners Foxchester Raiders and the lakeside’s Corinthian Spirits at least managed to salvage mid-table finishes from the purple mess, and will look to improve on that this season. Foxchester in particular are hoping to kick on. The Nova Britannicus side are former UICA Champions Cup finalists and, though the CC is probably outwith their grasp for now, their fans feel the club shoult at least be capable of challenging in the top half of the table.

Relegation Threatened

The LigAnaia’s imminent downsizing from twenty-four teams to twenty means that five (and possibly more, depending on end-of-season UICA coefficients.. more on that later) teams will be relegated from the top flight come May. Of those five, Shamrock Cathair are perhaps favourites for the drop. The side, poor relations to crosstown rivals 1830 Cathair, have been in dire financial trouble. The side finished a reasonable tenth last season, largely due to the goals of star striker Jaurtiketa Buruz, but the striker’s move to Izotz Zubia has decapitated a team already suffering through retirements, and the only replacements the side have found have come in the form of free transfers.

Shamrock will be in real danger of dropping from Cathair’s second team to the third, as newcomers Cazadores Cathair join them in the top flight. Cazadores can boast a younger, fitter and more exciting first team, complete with Audioslavia’s first ever female footballer RJ Styrn, and an influx of readily available cash for signings should see the side finish above their celtic rivals, but whether they can keep themselves out of the bottom five is another matter.

Hallad Reavers and Hippion Overdrive are two sides with contrasting histories. Hallad participated in the first ever Liga Starblaydia, finishing third, but have never been able to recreate that kind of success. The Reavers were poor last season, and without the kind of economic might of a Telecontare or Cazadores Cathair, the side are expected to struggle. Hippion have none of Hallad Reavers’ history, being formed recently for the quickly-disbanded Nationstates Premier League. Two seasons without any kind of football have weakened the side, who barely avoided relegation last season, and the Overdrive are expected to struggle to stay afloat.

Bob’s Towing are perhaps the most bizarrely named of the LigAnaia’s Legalite representatives, but the side are one with the most interesting story behind them. Back in Legal Year 258 (2135 for the Audioslavians reading), the outfit sprung up as a youth team, when the Darland brothers, Jimmy and Vincent, convinced their father, Robert, to have his service station sponsor their youth team. As such, the name emblazoned on their shirt read Bob’s Towing. Jimmy turned out to be good enough to keep his friends in the game, as the club moved up from recreational youth play, to local pub leagues, to becoming a semi-professional force, enough to earn an invite into the national championship program, as well as full sponsorship from Gamma Apparel, also based in Plainsview. Despite winning the first National Championship, the fortunes of Towing have sagged of late, with the Darlands now relegated to the front office. It is up to second-year manager Casnar Golt to turn their fortunes around, before their story remains just an old memory.

Finally, Syndicatian outfit Lesko Pavillion, the ‘other’ team in Fligsive, are expected to struggle. The side, very much also-rans in Syndicatian football, have been permanently stuck in the bottom half of the table since the LigAnaia started, and should be in or around the relegation zone come the end of the season.

Cygnus Cup Preliminary Round
First Leg
Olljestaden IF 2-1 Marylebone Invicta (TFI)

Globe Cup First Preliminary Round
First Leg
Magnaeus City 1-0 Rack City Rangers (JEC)
Albaiie Rangers (ABA) 2-2 Knights of Tiberia

Cygnus Cup Preliminary Round
Second Leg Leg
Marylebone Invicta 1-0 Oljestaden IF (Marylebone win on away goals)

Globe Cup First Preliminary Round
Second Leg
Rack City Rangers 0-1 Magnaeus City
Knights of Tiberia 3-3 Albaie Rangers (Albaie win on away goals)

Champions Cup Second Preliminary Round
First Leg
Comunas Cougars 2-0 Salvador FC (TSA)
FK Keltischdorf (GAS) 1-3 Fligsive FC
1830 Cathair 0-1 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag (BLK)

Globe Cup Second Preliminary Round
First Leg
Magnaeus City 4-1 Deline Athletic (ZEN)
Sydney Swans (MAQ) 0-4 Oljestaden IF
International of Tyrellia 2-0 Whilliumiborough Swagger (PDT)

Cygnus Cup First Round
First Leg
Dubrack’s Town Celtic (ABA) 1-1 Comunas Cougars

Champions Cup Second Preliminary Round
Second Leg
Salvador FC 3-0 Comunas Cougars
Fligsive FC 3-1 FK Keltischdorf
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 0-1 1830 Cathair FC (0-0 AET, HK win 5-4 on penalties)

Globe Cup Second Preliminary Round
Second Leg
Deline Athletic 1-6 Magnaeus City
Oljestaden IF 1-0 Sydney Swans
Whilliumiborough Swagger 4-1 International of Tyrellia

Cygnus Cup First Round
Second Leg
Comunas Cougars 3-0 Dubrack’s Town Celtic

Champions Cup Third Prelinary Round
First Leg
Fligsive FC 0-1 Guingamp (KRN)

Globe Cup Third Preliminary Round
First Leg
Reichton (ZEN) 0-1 Comunas Cougars
SK Aasiaat Harbour (PIS) 2-1 Oljestaden IF
AC Izotz Zubia 2-2 Maalindog United (ATB)
Trinity Saints (BAU) 0-2 1830 Cathair
Urbizania Wanderers (ASG) 2-0 Iskara Daii
Magnaeus City 3-1 Pulaski (KER)
Zinkak United (DSF) 1-2 Crystal Mertagne

The ‘Ashes of the Aces’ Match
Fligsive FC 2–0 Oljestaden IF

Kicking off the season is the first annual ‘Ashes of the Aces’ match, held between the LigAnaia and CopAnaia champions. The name refers to the burning of Krytenian football memorabilia (mainly a bunch of Kirola-made kits, but also the wooden goalposts and nets from the Isserton Stadium) after Krytenia’s eventual withdrawal from domestic and international football. Efforts to entice what remains of the Krytenian football league remain fruitless, but either way the Krytenian ‘Aces’ national team are remembered through this pre-season super-cup, which sees two sides compete for the large-ish bronze urn that contains the ‘ashes of Krytenian football’.
Oljestaden, beaten in midweek Globe Cup action, are second favourites behind the reigning LigAnaia champions Fligsive FC, themselves losers in the first leg of their Champions Cup tie. Fligsive shrug off the loss to post a two-nil victory over a lacklustre Oljestaden. It isn’t a fantastic advertisement for LigAnaia football, but then, the season is only just beginning…

Season Four
July - September 2018 (Syndicatian Time)

Champions Cup Third Preliminary Round
Second Leg
Guingamp 0-2 Fligsive FC

Globe Cup Third Preliminary Round
Second Leg
Comunas Cougars 1-0 Reichton
Oljestaden IF 1-1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
Maalindog United 0-2 AC Izotz Zubia
1830 Cathair 1-0 Trinity Saints
Iskara Daii 1-0 Urbizania Wanderers
Pulaski 1-0 Magnaeus City
Crystal Mertagne 1-0 Zinkak United

LigAnaia Matchday One
Fligsive FC 1–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Burgess FC 2–0 Telecontarë
Nostromo Meteorites 1–0 Iskara Daii
KT Itzalovalle 1–0 Corinthian Spirits
Hallad Reavers 0–1 International of Tyrellia
Foxchester Raiders 4–2 Oljestaden IF
1830 Cathair FC 1–0 Shamrock Cathair
Magnaeus City 1–1 Westonbirt City
Comunas Cougars 2–1 Draig Goch FC
Hippion Overdrive 3–5 Cazadores Cathair
Bob's Towing 1–3 Crystal Mertagne
Tyrellia Titans 1–1 Lesko Pavillion

Despite the temporal divide between the four LigAnaia nations, all twelve opening games of the new season kick off simultaneously: Three o'clock in the Syndicate, four o'clock in Audioslavia, Rawcrush Time in Starblaydia and the late industrial era in Legalese.

Fligsive versus AC Izotz Zubia is the marquee tie of matchday one, and number ten Mixu Kohelmainnen becomes the first scorer of the new season with an emphatic second-minute strike to silence the home fans. Zozi have the better of the first half, coming close through Kohelmainnen again as well as new signing Jaurtiketa Buruz, and their four-man midfield of Luminez, Prudentzio, Rios and sixteen year-old teenage sensation Aitor Jovellanos - the product of a recent raid on youth academy of second tier KT Koroatuz - is enough to make the Fligsivians look very ordinary. The boys in green, however, are in no mood to roll over in front of their home fans and centre half Petr Cervinka is on hand to head home the side's fifth corner of a second half that sees the Fligsive side bounce back. Mytanar midfieler Oleg Eyseev, scorer of the two goals that wrested a supposedly lost Champions Cup tie from Guingamp in midweek, should probably win the game for Fligsive with a near-post effort that he somehow manages to fire over the bar, but on the whole a 1-1 draw is a fair result from this battle of former league champions.

A short ferry ride away in Sunrise Park, Burgess FC play host to Starblaydia's elvish outfit Telecontare in a battle between two sides who see themselves as Champions Cup contenders, but have little in the way of positive recent results to back that assertation up. Burgess, eighth last season, take the lead in the first half through new signing Peto Kartal, but have to weather a heavy storm of a new-look Tele side who's plethora of new signings, all from Valanora and all with a markedly higher pedigree than those Tele players who narrowly avoided relegation last season. Tele look like equalising on countless occasions before Pasha Yakolev of Zwangzug capitalises on a defensive mis-step to intercept a pass, control it, and lay it off to Colin Noc to score the second goal of the game. 2-0 the score would remain, further frustrating the elves.

The Cathair derby ends with 1830 overcoming Shamrock by a goal to nil at the 66 stadium, and this sentence most likely ends with a phone call from an irate hispanic demanding I not dub the game 'the' capital derby. There are, of course, some new boys in town in the guise of Cazadores Cathair, who have travelled to Starblaydia to face former NSPL side Hippion Overdrive. 'Boys', of course, isn't exactly the right word to use, as the Cazadores boast the talents of one Ronda Jude Styrn - the first female Audioslavian footballer in history. The nineteen year old is a revelation in the 'false nine' position, causing havoc in the gap between defence and attack. Hippion had taken an early lead, but Andro Mendez's reply and Aitor Zavala's deft turn-and-shot turn the tables on the Starblaydis, who quickly find themselves three and four one down through Mendoza and veteran winger Zigor Jorda. Styrn, with her harrying of the Overdrive back eight while in their own half, has had a hand in all four goals, and its fitting that she claims the fifth one for herself, darting accross the box to flick the outside of a boot at a low cross from Jorda and tuck it neatly into the near post. Overdrive recover a little to render the scoreline a little less embarassing at 'only' three goals to five.

Elsewhere, Legalite side Bob's Towing, they of the rather hollywood backstory, play host to a Crystal Mertagne team that plays the dastardly, moneyed baddie to a t, thrashing the newcomers all over the park in the first scene and winning out three-one in Plainsview. Elsewhere in Legalese, Tyrellia Titans are held to a draw by Lesko Pavillion and, in an all-Legalite tie, Comunas Cougars make a statement of intent regarding their chances of winning the league with victory over Draig Goch; the 2-1 result sees Detzler’s first tally, along with a 73rd minute free kick by midfielder Julian Crowther to lock up the three points. KT Itzalovalle don't seem to be missing relegated local rivals Moreazerua and overcome Corinthian Spirits by a single Mezei Orbán goal to nil, Magnaeus and Westonbirt stalemate in The Bird Cage and Starblaydia's Hallad Reavers, favourites for the drop this season, are defeated at home to an impressive looking, and sounding, International of Tyrellia.

The upsets of matchday one are the respective defeats of Iskara Daii - overcome by Nostromo Meteorites - and reigning CopAnaia champions Oljestaden who travel to northern Starblaydia and are sent back at the wrong end of a four-two hiding by a Foxchester Raiders side that look, for a game at least, very much capable of recapturing their former glories.

Champions Cup Playoff Round
First Leg
Fligsive FC 2-2 Granger Dragonites

Globe Cup Playoff Round
First Leg
Empilot United (BRP) 1-0 Westonbirt City
Magnaeus City 3-2 Bishops (HFC)
Para Wanderer’s FC (WFH) 0-1 Crystal Mertagne
1830 Cathair 2-1 North Island FC (CAT)
FK Keltischdorf 1-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Kthosl (KOR) 2-2 Draig Goch FC
FC Pierre Beach (SIC) 1-2 Comunas Cougars

Matchday Two
AC Izotz Zubia 0–0 Lesko Pavillion
Crystal Mertagne 2–2 Tyrellia Titans
Cazadores Cathair 0–1 Bob's Towing
Draig Goch FC 2–1 Hippion Overdrive
Westonbirt City 1–1 Comunas Cougars
Shamrock Cathair 1–0 Magnaeus City
Oljestaden IF 2–3 1830 Cathair FC
International of Tyrellia 1–5 Foxchester Raiders
Corinthian Spirits 4–1 Hallad Reavers
Iskara Daii 0–2 KT Itzalovalle
Telecontarë 1–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Fligsive FC 2–0 Burgess FC

Things go from bad to worse for Iskara Daii as they are beaten 2-0 by Itzalovalle in front of their own supporters. Fans of the reds are not at all happy, and the theme of a demonstration outside the offices of the club seems to be distaste at the lack of signings made over the summer by the Daii. More on that later..

Cazadores Cathair are brought back down to earth by the indeed very earthy Bob's Towing, who defeat the capital club by a goal to nil. It's good news also for Telecontare, Draig Goch and Shamrock Cathair who all bounce back from opening day defeats to win game two, with the latter particularly impressive in overcoming title hopefuls Magnaeus FC. Title favourites Fligsive host Burgess in a hotly contested east-coast (or, as the Syndicatians call it, 'coast') showdown that ends with the champions taking all three points. It’s bad news for the rest of Legalese's teams. Comunas Cougars are held to a draw by Westonbirt and Internationals of Tyrellia, supposedly one of Legalese's top three sides, are spanked five-one on the international pitch by early leaders Foxhester Raiders. Tyrellia Titans battle to a 2-2 draw with Crystal Mertagne while, elsewhere, Lesko Pavillion hold Zozi to a goal-less draw.

There’s a big result in the all-Starblaydi clash as Corinthian Spirits take a four-one win over a Hallad Reavers side that look favourites for the drop after just two games, but game of the day is Oljestaden versus 1830 Cathair. The northerners push 1830 early and take the lead twice, first through new signing Jonathan Faña, then through Ivan Haarsted either side of a Wilfred Lidgley reply. Oljestaden start stronger, too, after the break, but can't contain veteran Vilitan striker Viji-mara Lawaai who, in the seventieth minute, makes space on the edge of the area and cracks a low shot straight into the bottom corner. Lawaai is on target again five minutes later with an improvised close-range finish - diverting a waist-height Mark Lewis cross into the roof of the net with a swing of his knee - and 1830 Cathair hold on for the win.

Champions Cup Playoff Round
Second Leg
Grainger Dragonites 1-1 Fligsive FC (1-1 AET, Fligsive win 3-2 on penalties)

Globe Cup Playoff Round
Second Leg
Westonbirt City 1-0 Empilot United FC (2-0 AET)
Bishops 2-3 Magnaeus City
Crystal Mertagne 3-1 Para Wanderer’s FC
North Island FC 1-1 1830 Cathair
AC Izotz Zubia 3-2 FK Keltischdorf
Draig Goch FC 1-0 Kthosl
Comunas Cougars 3-1 Pierre Beach

Matchday Three
Burgess FC 0–3 AC Izotz Zubia
Nostromo Meteorites 1–1 Fligsive FC
KT Itzalovalle 1–2 Telecontarë
Hallad Reavers 0–4 Iskara Daii
Foxchester Raiders 2–2 Corinthian Spirits
1830 Cathair FC 1–1 International of Tyrellia
Magnaeus City 2–0 Oljestaden IF
Comunas Cougars 7–1 Shamrock Cathair
Hippion Overdrive 2–3 Westonbirt City
Bob's Towing 1–1 Draig Goch FC
Tyrellia Titans 3–0 Cazadores Cathair
Lesko Pavillion 1–1 Crystal Mertagne

Izotz Zubia travel to Burgess on matchday three in a battle between the two 'big' clubs who were the most disappointed with their efforts the previous season. Burgess, the home side, are the bookies' favourites against a Zozi team who are yet to taste victory in the league and who looked sluggish in sneaking past GAS side FK Keltschdorf in midweek. Not only that, but the side are without key midfield players Prudentzio and Luminez, both of whom jumped at the chance to ply their trade abroad with Sicoutimont's Lac-Drouin City and Valanora's Tanrisal respectively. In their place is the comparitively untested Ytrribian Aaron Aiza, who arrives from AC Gaillard in time to take Luminez's place on the right of midfield. Burgess's own new signing Peto Kartal goes close early on, but the men in sky blue and yellow are stunned by two strikes late in the first half - Jovellanos and Buruz the scorers - which rocks their confidence at a vital time. Burgess never look like getting back into the match and are put to bed by a Onesime Rios strike on sixty-five minutes. Zozi are rampant 3-0 winners, and Burgess have now gone two games in a row against their supposed peers and been thrashed both times.

"Back in my day.." say Shamrock Cathair, "a 3-0 thrashing was a compliment! the highlight of our week! We were glad of it, so we were". Shamrock do, indeed, resemble a collection of Monty Python's elderly Yorkshiremen as they are resoundingly crushed 7-1 by top Legalites Comunas Cougars. Shamrock aren't the only Cathair side to suffer at the hands of Legalite opposition, as Cazadores are swept aside 3-0 by Tyrellia Titans. Even 1830 aren't safe; held to a draw by Inter in a game that peters out quickly after both sides notch early goals. It's business as usual for the Syndicatian sides, none of who's results are in any way surprising other than possibly Fligsive's inability to beat a strong Nostromo away from home.

The Starblaydi comedy double-act of Hallad Reavers and Hippion Overdrive still seem a long way off the pace. Hippion's best efforts to overcome Westonbirt at home are thwarted by the Syndicatians' constant insistence on taking the lead soon after the Starblaydi's muster up enough strength to force an equaliser, and are duly beaten 2-3, while Hallad are hit for four on their own turf by a Daii side that just looks light years ahead of their opposition.

The big news of the weekend comes after the twelve games are played, with 1830 Cathair's announcement that they have solved their defensive problems with two big name signings. The Elders had been forced to persist with two teenage centre-halves in recent weeks and have looked shaky as a result, so it's no surprise that they've lined up some replacements. What is surprising is the fact that both replacements are female - the second and third female players ever to represent Audioslavian clubs. Of the two, Andrea Molovi, who arrives from Stalliongrad for a whopping fifteen million dollars, is the biggest name. Ulrika Kinlasson, a $4m signing from relegated Apoxians Wrexton, is a little more of an unknown quantity, but the nineteen year-old has age on her side. RJ Styrn, Audioslavia's first female footballer, over at city rivals Cazadores Cathair, is said to be bemused but welcoming of the change of the nation's attitudes regarding female footballers. The nineteen year old Audioslavian appears increasingly annoyed by constant questions about her fellow female footballers in the city, and at one point lambasts a journalist who enquires as to whether she'll be meeting up with Molovi and Kinlasson to go 'shoe shopping or something'. Styrn's agent is quick to point out that her client is understandably frustrated at her team's second loss of the season, as well as the media's insistence on turning her and her fellow bevagina'd peers into a comedy sideshow. Styrn herself insists she will be 'firmly shutting the traps' of the media's more traditionalist journos in next week's game against Lesko Pavillion.

Globe Cup Qualifying Round
First Leg
Westonbirt City 0-1 Bengtsmark IF (BYN)
Jeknolr (KOR) 3-0 Comunas Cougars
Draig Goch 0-1 Nestingham FC (FAC)
Crystal Mertagne 1-0 Kingsgrove (BRE)
Madruguinha Buneco Clube (CPV) 0-1 Magnaeus City
Makosile (VIL) 2-1 1830 Cathair
Marque (BRE) 2-0 AC izotz Zubia

Matchday Four
AC Izotz Zubia 2–1 Crystal Mertagne
Cazadores Cathair 2–1 Lesko Pavillion
Draig Goch FC 0–0 Tyrellia Titans
Westonbirt City 1–1 Bob's Towing
Shamrock Cathair 1–3 Hippion Overdrive
Oljestaden IF 1–3 Comunas Cougars
International of Tyrellia 0–2 Magnaeus City
Corinthian Spirits 1–0 1830 Cathair FC
Iskara Daii 2–1 Foxchester Raiders
Telecontarë 1–0 Hallad Reavers
Fligsive FC 1–2 KT Itzalovalle
Burgess FC 4–1 Nostromo Meteorites

Styrn makes good on her promise, scoring one goal, making another, and altogether being the difference between an occasionally inspired, and occasionally insipid, Cazadores side and their capable yet unimaginitive opponents Lesko Pavillion, who are ferried back to south Fligsive with their tails between their legs. It is a good day for Cazadores fans who, one imagines, were able to bask in their victory while also being able to mock fans of Shamrock Cathair as they leave the Glass Bridge stadium having watched their side capitulate 3-1 to Hippion Overdrive. Fans of 1830 Cathair are just as annoyed, but are at least a whole ocean away as they lose their road-game to Corinthian Spirits by a goal to nil.

Another Audioslavian side on the rocks are northerners Oljestaden IF, who's 3-1 home defeat to Comunas Cougars is their fifth loss on the trot, going back to the Ashes match against Fligsive. Their last win was against minnows Sydney Swans in the globe cup, and the side are stuck fast at the bottom of the table alongside Hallad Reavers, who lose away to a Telecontare side who's season appears to have started properly after their opening day disappointment. The other all-Starblaydi match is won by an Iskari Daii side who's plethora of recent transfers - a whole nineteen players were signed before the transfer deadline, at the behest of a chairman rather annoyed with the constant protests outside his mansion - appears to have strengthened them, while beaten opponents Foxchester Raiders' sojourn to the top of the LigAnaia is ended, perhaps for the rest of the season or even for the rest of time.

Globe Cup Qualifying Round
Second Leg
Bengtsmark IF 1-3 Westonbirt City
Comunas Cougars 1-0 Jeknolr
Nestingham FC 0-0 Draig Goch FC
Kingsgrove 1-0 Crystal Mertagne (1-2 AET)
Magnaeus City 1-1 Madruguinha Buneco Clube 1-1
1830 Cathair 3-1 Makosile
AC Izotz Zubia 3-0 Marque

Matchday Five
Nostromo Meteorites 0–1 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Itzalovalle 1–2 Burgess FC
Hallad Reavers 0–4 Fligsive FC
Foxchester Raiders 0–0 Telecontarë
1830 Cathair FC 1–1 Iskara Daii
Magnaeus City 4–0 Corinthian Spirits
Comunas Cougars 1–0 International of Tyrellia
Hippion Overdrive 1–1 Oljestaden IF
Bob's Towing 1–0 Shamrock Cathair
Tyrellia Titans 1–3 Westonbirt City
Lesko Pavillion 1–0 Draig Goch FC
Crystal Mertagne 0–2 Cazadores Cathair

The most eagerly awaited game on matchday five is Iskara Daii's visit to 1830 Cathair. The Audioslavian capital club look a lot better than they did in defeat the previous week, but are still suffering the midweek hangover from their rollercoaster upset over Makosile in midweek and are lucky to escape with a point. Magnaeus are dominant in victory over Corinthian Spirits, with two goals coming from in-form Barangayan striker Vince Urrea, with Ryan Booker and Felix Kaestner netting the other two. The real story of the day, however, is Comunas Cougars' continued insistence that they, too, are a top LigAnaia side, and their one-nothing win over local rivals International of Tyrellia keeps them on top of the LigAnaia for another week. Zozi, Fligsive and Burgess are all chasing, all registering important away wins, but Tele can't manage the same and are held to a frustrating draw by Foxchester.

One side not too annoyed with an away draw are Oljestaden IF, who register their first point of the season against Hippion Overdrive. Oljestaden, bizarrely, have been in better form since the loss of talismanic young winger Jody Rijshaart to the sunnier climes of Apoxian football. Oljestaden have spent frugally in the transfer market, bringing in Harry Xafagoulis from Barbury Town's reserves and signing Guayabalese striker Johnathon Fanya from Equestria's Fillydelphia HC, as well as raiding relegated Moreazerua's teenage goalie Zebjan Istanjovich and Project +90 Kjelstad's Apollinaris Tretyakova. It is the unweildily named teenager who scores the equaliser for Oljestaden, rising at the back post in the eighty-fifth minute to secure the point.

Matchday Six
AC Izotz Zubia 1–1 Cazadores Cathair
Draig Goch FC 0–2 Crystal Mertagne
Westonbirt City 3–1 Lesko Pavillion
Shamrock Cathair 0–1 Tyrellia Titans
Oljestaden IF 0–1 Bob's Towing
International of Tyrellia 1–1 Hippion Overdrive
Corinthian Spirits 2–0 Comunas Cougars
Iskara Daii 2–2 Magnaeus City
Telecontarë 2–4 1830 Cathair FC
Fligsive FC 2–0 Foxchester Raiders
Burgess FC 2–0 Hallad Reavers
Nostromo Meteorites 1–2 KT Itzalovalle

Matchday six is the first domestic midweek encounter, and the Tuesday evening fixtures feature a mouthwatering all-Audioslavian clash between high-flying Izotz Zubia and the young guns of Cazadores Cathair. Zozi have the better of a fast-paced match, taking a first-half lead through a Jovellanos finish, and should possibly put the game to bed early in the second half as both Buruz and Kulkkiia miss golden opportunities, but that girl again RJ Styrn is there to upset the hosts in the seventieth minute, bullying defensive midfielder Onesime Rios off the ball and setting up Andro Mendez to score past Abraham Terrazas. Westonbirt continue to impress, beating Lesko by three goals to one, while Bob's Towings Tuesday-night visit to Oljestaden ends with the northern club's supposed change in fortunes being clamped and towed back to a Legalese-bound ferry. The Wednesday evening games see Iskara Daii host Magnaeus and share the spoils in a gripping two-all draw. New signing Stardust, the LigAnaia's first pony player, is a revelations, scoring one and making another of her side's goals, while Magnaeus's replies come from set-pieces, first via a Fred Higgs free-kick and secondly via Antonio Rosaldo's conversion of a high corner into an equaliser by means of an uncontested back-post header.

In other news, Hallad Reavers can't even buy a point, let alone a win, and are rooted to the bottom of the LigAnaia by virtue of a two-nil defeat to a Burgess side that never need to progress from second gear.

Matchday Seven
KT Itzalovalle 2–2 AC Izotz Zubia
Hallad Reavers 3–1 Nostromo Meteorites
Foxchester Raiders 0–3 Burgess FC
1830 Cathair FC 2–1 Fligsive FC
Magnaeus City 2–0 Telecontarë
Comunas Cougars 0–1 Iskara Daii
Hippion Overdrive 0–1 Corinthian Spirits
Bob's Towing 1–3 International of Tyrellia
Tyrellia Titans 0–0 Oljestaden IF
Lesko Pavillion 1–0 Shamrock Cathair
Crystal Mertagne 2–0 Westonbirt City
Cazadores Cathair 1–2 Draig Goch FC

There are two hotly anticipated ties on matchday seven, starting with Saturday's lunchtime encounter between Iskara Daii and league leaders Comunas Cougars. A tense, tactical game is decided by a sublime piece of skill from Stardust, who collects a pass from young Sunrisian midfielder Marquinhos Carnavalense, jinks past two defenders and curls a delectable shot into the far corner from eighteen yards. Comunas drop from top spot to be replaced by a Burgess FC side who's transfer market activity appears to be bearing fruit, as the side sweep aside their hosts Foxchester Raiders with three goals made entirely in Pasarga - full back Neustadt crosses twice for Kartal to finish for goals one and three, either side of a header by centre-half Zdenek Moravec.

The tea-time kick-off sees the last two champions, Fligsive and 1830 Cathair, butt heads at the 66 Stadium, and once again it is the Audioslavians who come out on top against a Fligsive side they seem to have a hex over, with goals coming from Wilfred Lidgley and Viji-mara Lawaai for Cathair and Dennis Horkawer-Rippel for the visitors. Cazadores' strong run comes to an end as they are beaten at home by a Draig Goch side registering just their second win of the campaign. It is Oljestaden's second point of the season as they hold Tyrellia Titans to a goal-less draw, but it isn't enough to stop the northerners dropping down to the foot of the table thanks to Hallad Reavers finally getting their first win of the season. The reavers barely resemble the side that have rolled over so meekly in recent weeks as they destroy Nostromo Meteorites with a first-half frenzy, going three-nil up after the half hour and only conceding the one consolation goal via Audioslavian striker Xavi Mulloy late in the second half.

Sunday's games see Magnaeus City overcome Telecontare via goals from Alisdair Green and Vince Urrea, before a firecracker of a Sierra derby ends with KT Itzalovalle failing to hang on to their 2-1 lead over clear favourites AC Izotz Zubia, with Zozi's number ten Etamara Kulkkiia salvaging a point in injury time to the dismay of the home crowd.

Cygnus Cup Second Round
First Leg
Comunas Cougars 2-1 Bayern Phoenix (TAE)

Matchday Eight
AC Izotz Zubia 4–1 Draig Goch FC
Westonbirt City 2–1 Cazadores Cathair
Shamrock Cathair 0–2 Crystal Mertagne
Oljestaden IF 0–2 Lesko Pavillion
International of Tyrellia 2–0 Tyrellia Titans
Corinthian Spirits 3–2 Bob's Towing
Iskara Daii 0–0 Hippion Overdrive
Telecontarë 4–2 Comunas Cougars
Fligsive FC 1–4 Magnaeus City
Burgess FC 0–2 1830 Cathair FC
Nostromo Meteorites 4–2 Foxchester Raiders
KT Itzalovalle 0–0 Hallad Reavers

"Fligsive aren't in crisis" were the exact words used by Farell Kiter, who must have known that he was confirming the exact opposite of his assertation by entering the phrase into a conversation apropos of nothing, in response to the seemingly innocuous question "how are you?". Nevertheless, the reigning champions go into the famous Syndicatian derby with Magnaeus City loitering in tenth place, and leave the stadium down in thirteenth, nursing a very tender behind. Fligsive are, it has to be said, absolutely godawful in their 1-4 demolition by their inland rivals. Even after Bruce Freis halves the home side's deficit in the opening minutes of the second half, the boys in black and green never look like getting even on level terms with the Dreaded Hexagon (note, the Magnaeus team's nickname is probably not 'Dreaded Hexagon', but it should be). Terry Scott is beaten for a third and fourth time before the hour, first by Urrea, then by Antonio Rosado, and the match ends in front of a nearly deserted Flynn Arena but for the eight thousand travelling Magnaean (note, probably not Magnaeus demonym) fanatics.

Fligsive are joined in apparent mid-table obscurity by a Comunas Cougars side struggling to prove that their early lead was anything other than a fluke. The Cougars travel to Telecontare and are sent back home on the wrong end of a four-two scoreline, with Airaaias Cromvathar imperious in the home side's midfield.

The other big-gun shoot-out sees league leaders Burgess host 1830 Cathair and, like Fligsive before them, are rudely spanked in front of their own fans. Andrea Molovi grabs her first goal of the campaign, taking advantage of the home side's complete inability to properly defend a corner and sweeps a loose ball into the roof the net for a second goal shortly after Viji-mara Lawaai's thirty-yard screamer of an opener. The Equestrian States international celebrates her goal - and her first clean sheet of the season - by diving into the stands to group-hug with a bunch of jubilant travelling fans. 1830 Cathair, it appears, have been as quick to accept their female contingent as city rivals Cazadores have, but the two rivals' have contrasting fortunes. Cazadores are struggling, losing 2-1 to a Westonbirt side that, despite having lost a number of first-team players to rival clubs and having the distraction of the Globe Cup to put them off their league play, are in an unlikely fifth place at this early stage in the season with just one defeat in eight games.

The league's only unbeaten side are Zozi, on three wins and four draws going into matchday eight, but that record is quickly made 4-4-0 with a commanding victory over Draig Goch, with teenage winger Jovellanos the architect of the opening two goals and Turori playmaker Etamara Kulkkiia the scorer of a hat-trick. Zozi's lossless streak is only good enough for third behind 1830 Cathair and leaders Magnaeus, with Corinthian Spirits surprisingly making their way to fourth place. The Starblaydi team are winners of an epic battle with Bob's Towing by three goals to two, dragging Bob's side down to fifteenth in the table.

The weekend also sees the first Tyrellia derby, which ends with Inter defeating fashionable rivals Titans by two goals to nil. Both Tyrellia sides find themselves in mid-table obscurity thus far, with the relegations spots and Globe Cup qualification both equal distances away.

Cygnus Cup Second Round
Second Leg
Bayern Phoenix 1-1 Comunas Cougars

Matchday Nine
Hallad Reavers 0–0 AC Izotz Zubia
Foxchester Raiders 3–1 KT Itzalovalle
1830 Cathair FC 2–1 Nostromo Meteorites
Magnaeus City 1–3 Burgess FC
Comunas Cougars 2–1 Fligsive FC
Hippion Overdrive 0–1 Telecontarë
Bob's Towing 1–1 Iskara Daii
Tyrellia Titans 1–3 Corinthian Spirits
Lesko Pavillion 1–2 International of Tyrellia
Crystal Mertagne 4–0 Oljestaden IF
Cazadores Cathair 2–2 Shamrock Cathair
Draig Goch FC 1–0 Westonbirt City

A new week, a new leader, as Magnaeus are forced unceremoniously from top-spot by virtue of a 3-1 home defeat by Burgess. 1830 Cathair claim top spot with a narrow victory over Nostromo Meteorites that the casual observer would deem underserved were it not for the form of Lawaai, who sets up Rohan Cammers for goal number one before rendering Lambert Jarvis's equaliser moot with a sublime turn-and-shot from the edge of the area that has Syndicatian international keeper Dominic Archer beaten all ends up.

Across the city, Cazadores and Shamrock play out an entertaining two-all draw, with RJ Styrn again on the scoresheet for the home side. Shamrock's goals, just their fourth and fifth of the season, are scored by Eoghan Solos and Edan Fyfe - both midfielders-turned-makeshift strikers as Shamrock struggle without a recognised target-man. Shamrock, on four points, are second from bottom behind a Hallad Reavers side who have now gone three games without defeat after their inauspicious start. The draw with Zozi maintains the salmon-and-silver's unbeaten record, keeps Hallad above Shamrock and leaves Oljestaden rooted to the bottom of the table on just two points. Oljestaden manager Weverton Sporadic is under fire, and one feels a winning streak is needed, and sharpish, if the young Silexheran/Audioslavian/Cafunduese is to keep his job. Farell Kiter is another manager on the lookout for precariously dangling axes as the champions lose again, away to Legalite champions Comunas Cougars, and drop down to fifteenth ahead of their - and, indeed, the LigAnaia as a whole's - first ever game in the group stages of the Champions Cup.

Champions Cup, Group Stage
Fligsive FC 0-3 AS Bezieres (VLD)

Globe Cup, Group Stage
Magnaeus FC 2-2 Nestingham FC (FAC)
AFC Izotz Zubia 1-2 Cednia Beach AFC (TUR)
1830 Cathair 1-1 Griffin Zebras (JSY)
Westonbirt City 3-3 Dí Maozöxê (FFD)
Crystal Mertagne 1-1 Racing Xinghua Baoyam (TRB)

Matchday Ten
AC Izotz Zubia 3–2 Westonbirt City
Shamrock Cathair 2–0 Draig Goch FC
Oljestaden IF 1–2 Cazadores Cathair
International of Tyrellia 1–3 Crystal Mertagne
Corinthian Spirits 2–1 Lesko Pavillion
Iskara Daii 0–2 Tyrellia Titans
Telecontarë 3–0 Bob's Towing
Fligsive FC 3–2 Hippion Overdrive
Burgess FC 0–1 Comunas Cougars
Nostromo Meteorites 3–2 Magnaeus City
KT Itzalovalle 1–4 1830 Cathair FC
Hallad Reavers 1–2 Foxchester Raiders

Fligsive, devoid of domestic form, are scunnered three-nil on their own turf in their Tuesday night showdown with Valladar high-fliers AS Bezieres, but a home fixture against struggling Hippion Overdrive awaits them on the Sunday afternoon and, in a scrappy encounter, the green and blacks finally register another win by virtue of veteran striker Robert Hampson's late strike. AC Izotz Zubia are another team with contrasting fortunes on the continent to at home, and though they come up short on Thursday evening against a superior Cednia Beach side, they are able to maintain their unbeaten record in a tired, scrappy encounter with Westonbirt City, another team suffering a Globe Cup hangover. Magnaeus City, 1830 Cathair and Crystal Mertagne are all in action on Thursday night and each take home creditable draws, and while Cathair's elders and Pinehearth's new clothes can each register wide away wins, Magnaeus come up short away to Nostromo Meteorites. Manager Francois Cardeau blames the fixture list, and has a right to be aggrieved.
"You look at ze uzzer Globe Cup teams, ze Westonbirt, Zubia, Cazair, zey all 'ave ze games on ze Sunday to 'ave ze three day rest but, uuuhhhhhrrrhhhhhhhrrrrhhhhhrrrr we 'ave to play ze Saturday, we play away, is difficile, you know?" said Francois. When asked why he had adopted the accent of a ludicrous Ariddian stereotype, Cardeau replies, simply, 'hon hon hon ze baguette oui?' and re-attaches his string of onions to his hooped sweater as he sachay away, spilling overpriced wine and decapitating a passing royal as he goes.

Cazadores Cathair are another team in action in UICA football, albiet in the lightly regarded Series B Champions Cup, which they had qualified for by virtue of their winning of LigAnaia Two the previous season. Cazadores are in fact the only LigAnaia team to win their UICA encounter, with an impressive home victory over New Haverford Albion, and they have none of Magnaeus problems as they overcome crisis club Oljestaden away from home. Oljestaden, now, are in trouble, and although there are still thirty-six matches to play, they are already nine points short of the 'safety' zone of eighteenth place.

Were the league to finish today, the bottom five of Oljestaden, Hallad, Hippion, Shamrock and Nostromo would all be relegated to the second flight, with just one team to replace them in the new twenty-team league. At the top, Cathair would be crowned champions for the second time, but most surprising is Corinthian Spirits' appearance in the top two. The Corinthians had threatened, last season, to break into the GC places but fell away at the final stretch. With so many of the top teams embroiled in UICA action from week to week, could a quiet challenge from the unassuming Starblaydis (if such a thing could possibly exist) be the one to take the title?

[COCANEFA]

Season Four
September - December, 2018 (Syndicatian Time)

Cygnus Cup Third Round
First Leg
Urbizania Wanderers (ASG) 1-1 Comunas Cougars

Matchday Eleven
Foxchester Raiders 3–0 AC Izotz Zubia
1830 Cathair FC 1–1 Hallad Reavers
Magnaeus City 6–2 KT Itzalovalle
Comunas Cougars 4–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Hippion Overdrive 0–2 Burgess FC
Bob's Towing 1–2 Fligsive FC
Tyrellia Titans 0–1 Telecontarë
Lesko Pavillion 0–0 Iskara Daii
Crystal Mertagne 1–1 Corinthian Spirits
Cazadores Cathair 1–2 International of Tyrellia
Draig Goch FC 0–1 Oljestaden IF
Westonbirt City 3–0 Shamrock Cathair

"I think it goes without saying, at this point, that the board are concerned with Oljestaden's performance on the pitch. We have full faith in Weverton to turn Oljestaden's fortunes around" was the quote repeated across the newspapers of the north east, as Oljestaden IF's chairman stressed his support for his manager while implying the opposite. Either way, Oljestaden are finally victorious on matchday eleven with a scrappy one-nothing win over Draig Goch, with Ivan Haarsted netting the only goal of the game. The result isn't quite enough to lift them from the foot of the table, though, as Hallad Reavers scrape a surprise draw away to 1830 Cathair. The other Cathair teams fare little better, with Shamrock on the end of another hiding and Cazadores coming off second best in their home incounter with Inter Tyrellia.

It is, in all, not a great day for most of Audioslavia's teams, and AC Izotz Zubia are the most upset after losing their lossless record away to a Foxchester Raiders team who so utterly outplay the Sierrans that it would be difficult to convince a casual observer that the men in silver and pink are supposed to be the favourites. The weekend of Audioslavian incompetence is rounded off by Sunday's dismantling of the hitherto quiet and functional Itzalovalle machine. Magnaeus run riot with a six-two victory in which Vincre Urrea gets on the scoresheet four times, accompanied by Alisdair Green and Syndicatian international Fred Higgs.

Fligsive and Burgess both pick up important away wins, and Comunas Cougars appear to have re-found their form: four-nil winners at home to a Nostromo Meteorites side that are increasingly nervy about their position in the relegation pile.

Champions Cup, Group Stage
Spartangrad (EUR) 2-1 Fligsive FC

Globe Cup, Group Stage
Cangrias FC (BLM) 3-2 Magnaeus FC
Eclipse (DAI) 1-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Jlinal Cove (TUR) 2-3 1830 Cathair
SK Aasiaat Harbour (PIS) 1-0 Westonbirt City
SC Oceanside (NFX) 0-0 Crystal Mertagne

Matchday Twelve
AC Izotz Zubia 1–1 Shamrock Cathair
Oljestaden IF 2–1 Westonbirt City
International of Tyrellia 3–0 Draig Goch FC
Corinthian Spirits 3–0 Cazadores Cathair
Iskara Daii 4–0 Crystal Mertagne
Telecontarë 2–0 Lesko Pavillion
Fligsive FC 1–0 Tyrellia Titans
Burgess FC 5–2 Bob's Towing
Nostromo Meteorites 1–0 Hippion Overdrive
KT Itzalovalle 1–2 Comunas Cougars
Hallad Reavers 1–2 Magnaeus City
Foxchester Raiders 0–2 1830 Cathair FC

Cathair bounce back from their Saturday slip-up with two important away wins, first a wonderful win over Jlinal Cove in the Globe Cup, then an imperious display in Starblaydia as they overcome Foxchester by two goals to nil. Iskara Daii host Crystal Mertagne on the Sunday and score four past the Globe Cup hopefuls. Stan Saraut, Marquinhos Carnavalense, Astara Daili and Orson Faulkner score the goals. Magnaeus City, in action in midweek, have their game on the Sunday after last week's bleating to the league organizers, and the extra day's rest possibly makes the difference as they narrowly overcome relegation favourites Hallad Reavers by two goals to one. Reavers are back on the bottom of the table within the hour as Westonbirt, beaten away from home by Aasiaat Harbour in the Globe Cup, lose on the road again, this time by an Oljestaden side who finally appear to have found some semblance of form. Shamrock, who themselves were once in the Globe Cup just two seasons ago, snatch a point from Izotz Zubia to the disgust of the Sierran fans.

In the Syndicate, Burgess and Fligsive both win, the former by five goals to two over Bob's Towing, to propel the big Syndicatians up the table.

The big story of the weekend, though, is Corinthian Spirits who, again, look impressive in victory and remain in second place, a point behind leaders Cathair and one ahead of Tele and Comunas. There is little coming from the club in terms of media output, however, as they try to maintain their low profile and the lack of pressure that comes with it.

Cygnus Cup Third Round
Second Leg
Comunas Cougars 0-1 Urbizania Wanderers (ASG)

Matchday Thirteen
1830 Cathair FC 1–0 AC Izotz Zubia
Magnaeus City 4–1 Foxchester Raiders
Comunas Cougars 7–0 Hallad Reavers
Hippion Overdrive 2–1 KT Itzalovalle
Bob's Towing 2–1 Nostromo Meteorites
Tyrellia Titans 0–3 Burgess FC
Lesko Pavillion 2–1 Fligsive FC
Crystal Mertagne 3–0 Telecontarë
Cazadores Cathair 2–2 Iskara Daii
Draig Goch FC 2–1 Corinthian Spirits
Westonbirt City 4–3 International of Tyrellia
Shamrock Cathair 0–1 Oljestaden IF

The 'expected' slip-up for the Spirits, as they fail to take anything from their trip to Draig Goch. Centre-half Xavi Nunez is frustrated and vocalizes his opinion of the condescending Audioslavian media in the post-game interview where, ears covered in headphones, he points an angry finger at Jeremy Jaffacake and shouts 'I would love it if we beat you up and put you in a bag and throw you into a river and drain the river and throw it into outer space, love it."

Equally frustrated are Fligsive, beaten away to a Lesko Pavillion side that, according to Fligsive forward Oleg Evseev, "have no business even being in the same league as [Fligsive]". The outburst comes after the game in which Lesko imposed their physicality on the Fligsivians and scored both goals through set pieces launched into the danger-area, with Jaques Beadeu and Alan Bishop scoring in the two-one win.

Shamrock are bad-tempered too, but mainly with themselves as they fall 1-0 to a rejuvenated Oljestaden in Saturday's early kick-off. Oljestaden, winless in their first ten games, are now three for three in a run that brings to mind their record last season, where they had lead the league after three early wins before failing to win again for three months.

By contrast, bottom-of-the-table Hallad Reavers are less angry, more resigned, after a trip to Comunas Cougars which sees the bottom-feeders ship seven goals and stay rooted to the foot of the table. Comunas, with their win, go top for at least a day.

Sunday's big game is 1830 Cathair FC versus AC Izotz Zubia in a clash between the big guns of Audioslavian football. Cathair are narrow favourites, and secure an even narrower win through a scrappy, deflected goal which sees the unfortunate Lortzen Zauritu on the scoresheet for the opposing side - an 'own goal' by virtue of a firmly hit Lawaai effort rebounding off the post, off the back of his shoulder and into the net.

CC Group Stage
Fligsive 2-2 1896 Ebor (MYT)

GC Group Stage
Magnaeus City 2-2 East Franz Athletic (PIS)
AC Izotz Zubia 1-2 Indepedent Garitzeta (ITB)
1830 Cathair 2-1 FC Endeavour (APX)
Westonbirt City 4-2 Munnerport TU (EAR)
Crystal Mertagne 4-2 X Island Marauders (TAE)

Matchday Fourteen

AC Izotz Zubia 5–0 Oljestaden IF
International of Tyrellia 1–1 Shamrock Cathair
Corinthian Spirits 0–1 Westonbirt City
Iskara Daii 2–2 Draig Goch FC
Telecontarë 2–0 Cazadores Cathair
Fligsive FC 2–2 Crystal Mertagne
Burgess FC 0–0 Lesko Pavillion
Nostromo Meteorites 1–2 Tyrellia Titans
KT Itzalovalle 3–0 Bob's Towing
Hallad Reavers 1–1 Hippion Overdrive
Foxchester Raiders 0–1 Comunas Cougars
1830 Cathair FC 0–0 Magnaeus City

It's a fantastic week for LigAnaia sides in UICA competitions as most of the six representative clubs win or draw, with the exception of AC Izotz Zubia's 2-1 defeat to Independent Garitzeta. Zozi's frustration at struggling once again in the group stages of the Globe Cup - the side have qualified for each of the previous two without getting even close to progressing - is taken out on Oljestaden in what looked to be a close matchup going into the game, but ends in a five-zero blowout that rudely halts the northerners' resurgence. 1830 Cathair and Magnaeus City are also in action on the Sunday, but neither side are in top form after tough midweek Globe Cup ties, and a nil-nil draw means Comunas Cougars top the league on week fourteen on goal difference, having usurped Foxchester Raiders on the Saturday.

Corinthian Spirits make it two losses out of two with a disappointing home defeat to Westonbirt, who score through Curtis Théberge, a transfer deadline-day signing from CA Paulinthal. Westonbirt are tied with Zozi in eighth, but are seven points adrift from the leaders as the league slowly begins to open up. Burgess FC drop three points behind the dual leaders of Comunas and Cathair as they draw a slow, tired game with Lesko Pavillion.

At the bottom, Hallad Reavers' hard earned point at home to Hippion Overdrive is cancelled out by Shamrock Cathair's spirited draw with Inter Tyrellia, although Nostromo Meteorites slip a little closer to the Starblaydis with defeat to the other Tyrellia side, the Titans. Tyrellia's two major football clubs are both, currently, mired in mid-table obscurity, but can be consoled by the fact that a flailing Fligsive and a draw-happy Daii, first and fourth last season, are stuck with in the centre of the pack

Matchday Fifteen
Magnaeus City 1–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Comunas Cougars 2–3 1830 Cathair FC
Hippion Overdrive 2–2 Foxchester Raiders
Bob's Towing 3–0 Hallad Reavers
Tyrellia Titans 1–1 KT Itzalovalle
Lesko Pavillion 1–1 Nostromo Meteorites
Crystal Mertagne 1–1 Burgess FC
Cazadores Cathair 0–0 Fligsive FC
Draig Goch FC 1–1 Telecontarë
Westonbirt City 1–2 Iskara Daii
Shamrock Cathair 1–0 Corinthian Spirits
Oljestaden IF 1–3 International of Tyrellia

The 'big one' on matchday fifteen is undoubtedly the top-of-the-table clash between Comunas Cougars and 1830 Cathair.The Community Stadium is full to capacity on an overcast autumn afternoon that nevertheless can't dull the atmosphere or, indeed, the football on show, as the two sides spend the first half tearing chunks out of one another to the rapturous applause of a crowd seemingly unaware that they're witnessing more of a gladiatorial fight to the death than a football match.

Half-time comes and goes with the score at nil-all, before Comunas finally break the deadlock with their first attack of the half as Jake Detzler gets the hosts on the scoreboard. 1830 have to dig deep if they are to avoid slipping three points behind the leaders, and equalise before the hour via an audacious, speculative effort by Rohan Cammers that dips and curls into the top corner from twenty-five yards out. From nowhere, a football match breaks out amidst the melee. An artfully executed Comunas attack on sixty-five minutes ends with Detzler improvising a backheeled shot at goal which bamboozles keeper Ezin Gorde but bounces off the foot of the post before being cleared by Beltza Gaineratzaile. Within twenty seconds, the hosts are 2-1 down. Cammers again is involved, jinking past a midfielder before laying the ball off to Peter Masters to take forward. Masters runs into trouble, finds Lewis, who lays the ball off for Oliver Abrego who delays just in time for Viji-mara Lawaai to drag his thirty-five year-old legs into the penalty area and divert Abrego's short pass into the bottom corner.

Comunas, roared on by their home fans, work to wrest the game from the Catharans clutches but find themselves usurped, time and time again, but a back four of Molovi, Kinlasson, Gaineratzaile and Okboah. It appears Comunas will need some kind of miracle, and such a thing comes on eighty minutes as Legalite international Jake Detzler controls a high pass on his chest, takes a touch, and strikes a fierce, looping effort that drops into the top corner screaming 'beat that Cammers'.

Notorious hot-head Rohan Cammers apparently takes umbrage at the football's goading and attempts to return the game to its more savage beginnings by throwing an elbow in the face of Gruffudd Masters as he contests a header with the centre-half who has given him so much trouble throughout the game. Masters falls to the ground, clutching his eye, but springs up quickly and has to be restrained by team-mates as he looks to pound Cammers into a fine paste. Cammers is already walking to the tunnel by the time the referee finds his red card, and 1830 Cathair are down to ten men with five minutes to go.

"There's only one team gonna win this now" says retired Legalese NT manager Stan Thate, working for Legalite television, showing the magical foresight that landed him the international job in the first place. To be fair to Stan, he isn't wrong. Comunas press for the winner, but are undone in injury time by the swiftest of counter-attacks, with Peter Masters taking the final two touches of the move, using the first to sidestep a challenge from namesake Gruffudd, and the second to sweep the ball past the keeper with his left foot for two-three.

The final whistle blows to an eerily silent Community Stadium, where it has been pouring with rain for the last ten minutes. People are only beginning to notice.

Elsewhere on matchday fifteen, everyone else draws. Well, Daii win, and Shamrock finally get another victory, beating an increasingly poor Corinthian Spirits, and Bob's Towing deliver unto Hallad Reavers their traditional weekly thashing, oh, and Oljestaden lose to Inter, but that's it.

CC Group Stage
Bezieres 2-0 Fligsive

GC Group Stage
Nestingham FC 3-2 Magnaeus City
Raxing Xinghua Baoyan 2-0 Crystal Mertagne
Cednia Beach AFC 2-2 Izotz Zubia
Dí Maozöxê 0-3 Westonbirt City
Griffin Zebras 1-0 1830 Cathair

Matchday Sixteen
AC Izotz Zubia 1–1 International of Tyrellia
Corinthian Spirits 0–1 Oljestaden IF
Iskara Daii 0–0 Shamrock Cathair
Telecontarë 1–2 Westonbirt City
Fligsive FC 4–3 Draig Goch FC
Burgess FC 1–0 Cazadores Cathair
Nostromo Meteorites 3–1 Crystal Mertagne
KT Itzalovalle 2–1 Lesko Pavillion
Hallad Reavers 1–2 Tyrellia Titans
Foxchester Raiders 1–3 Bob's Towing
1830 Cathair FC 1–0 Hippion Overdrive
Magnaeus City 4–0 Comunas Cougars

Comunas Cougars, rattled by their last-minute defeat to rivals Cathair, are visibly off-form on their Sunday outing to Magnaeus City who, despite having themselves played a barnstorming midweek game away to Nestingham, don't look duly tired as they run out four-nil winners at the Bird Cage in a result that moves them above their beaten opponents on, oddly enough, goal difference. Magnaeus now sit third, a point behind Burgess (1-0 winners against a Cazadores side drifting uncomfortably close to the relegation places) and six behind leaders 1830 Cathair, themselves one-nothing winners at home to Hippion Overdrive. Syndicatian Globe Cup representativess Westonbirt are showing signs of the sort of form that took them to third in the league last season by beating Telecontare 2-1 away from home, though fellow GC combatants Crystal Mertagne are soundly beaten 3-1 in Nostromo.

Izotz Zubia sit level on points with Mertagne, and have drawn half of their sixteen games, winning just six. Star man Etamara Kulkkiia is reportedly frustrated at his experience so far in the Sierra. The Turorian has been promised Champions Cup football in the next two seasons - an achievement that would trigger an extension to the midfielder's two-season contract - but the side are looking a long way off that right now.

Another side with too man draws to their name are Starblaydi powerhouses Iskara Daii, who's 0-0 draw at home to Shamrock Cathair ends with boos ringing out throughout the throngs of scarlet-clad supporters. The same sound can be heard accross the country at Corinthian Spirits, who's poor run continues with defeat to Oljestaden IF.

It is, in all, not a great day for Starblaydi football. Hallad Reavers stay bottom, rolled over again, this time by Tyrellia Titans, while just a few points above, still well into the relegation zone, are Hippion Overdrive.

The most exciting match of the weekend is Fligsive versus Draig Goch. The Legalite visitors have been treading water so far in the league, with four wins and four draws from sixteen games, and for long periods look like snatching a famous result away to the league champions, but despite going 3-1 up on sixty minutes, DGFC can't stop the Fligsive fightback, and a Horkawawer-Rippel goal five minutes from time seals a 4-3 win and three much-needed points for Syndicatia's capital club.

AOCL Group Stage
Fligsive FC 0-0 AC Abscon E Bouy (MST)
1830 Cathair FC 3-1 Hemel Hempstead FC (GWA)
Kericia City (KER) 2-0 Iskara Daii
Comunas Cougars 1-0 Nacional (WSI)

Matchday Seventeen
Comunas Cougars 4–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Hippion Overdrive 2–1 Magnaeus City
Bob's Towing 0–1 1830 Cathair FC
Tyrellia Titans 1–0 Foxchester Raiders
Lesko Pavillion 2–0 Hallad Reavers
Crystal Mertagne 1–1 KT Itzalovalle
Cazadores Cathair 1–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Draig Goch FC 3–1 Burgess FC
Westonbirt City 1–2 Fligsive FC
Shamrock Cathair 2–1 Telecontarë
Oljestaden IF 3–3 Iskara Daii
International of Tyrellia 2–1 Corinthian Spirits

There's no respite for any of the top teams as the Atlantian Oceania Champions League kicks off on Wednesday night. The congested fixture list necessitates a depth to each of the squads fortunate enough to be playing UICA-standard football each midweek and, in a shock turn, the traditionally stingy Comunas Cougars are first to open their wallets. Morrissey Beaudine, the young keeper lingering between the posts for Oker United in The Leaguese, is announced as the newest Cougar, in a loan-swap with the mainland lower-division side. Terms of the deal, in terms of currency exchanged, were unknown, other than the sending of Comunas reserve keeper Hunter McCary, where he is expected to pick up some playing time over the course of the season. If any money changed hands, Beaudine would be the first player formally purchased from another professional club in Comunas history.

Whether this was the key to keep them in contention, we don’t know; what we do know is that if Cougars were in crisis, it doesn’t show during a rampant 4-1 victory over a young Zozi team who have often looked like deer in the headlights when it comes to the big games. Magnaeus fall away from the leaders with a bitterly disappointing defeat to Hippion Overdrive, but the Starblaydis stay twenty-third as Cazadores and Shamrock both win, the latter a hugely impressive home victory over fifth placed Telecontare. Fligsive chalk another three points onto the board in a hard-fought away win over Westonbirt, with Freis and Hampson getting the goals, but Burgess can’t move up the table with them as they are scunnered 3-1 by relegation-threatened Draig Goch.

Oljestaden’s rejuvenation continues, but then their 3-3 draw with Iskara Daii might just be down to the fact that the Daii can’t seem to do anything but draw - this is their ninth in seventeen games, and the famous old Starblaydi club are languishing in twelfth, a whole sixteen points behind leaders 1830 Cathair. The Cathair club maintain their healthy six-point lead at the top of the table with yet another one-nothing win, this time with Wilfred Lidgley getting yet another goal from midfield to cap off the sort of display that throws question marks over his lack of involvement with the Apoxian national team.

CC Group Stage
Fligsive 0-4 Spartangrad

GC Group Stage
Crystal Mertagne 2-2 SC Oceanside
Westonbirt City 1-1 Aasiaat Harbour
Jlinal Cove 1-2 1830 Cathair
AC Izotz Zubia 1-3 Eclipse
Magnaeus City 0-1 Cangrias FC

Matchday Eighteen
AC Izotz Zubia 2–0 Corinthian Spirits
Iskara Daii 4–1 International of Tyrellia
Telecontarë 0–0 Oljestaden IF
Fligsive FC 1–1 Shamrock Cathair
Burgess FC 1–0 Westonbirt City
Nostromo Meteorites 1–0 Draig Goch FC
KT Itzalovalle 2–3 Cazadores Cathair
Hallad Reavers 2–4 Crystal Mertagne
Foxchester Raiders 2–0 Lesko Pavillion
1830 Cathair FC 1–0 Tyrellia Titans
Magnaeus City 2–1 Bob's Towing
Comunas Cougars 4–1 Hippion Overdrive

Cathair’s one-nothing victory over Tyrellia Titans is the capital club’s third one-nil win on the trot, and the plaudits must go to the all-female centre-half pairing of the experienced Andrea Molovi and teenager Ulrika Kinlasson, who have been increasingly effective and dependable as protection for keeper Ezin Gorde, - a capable goalie but with no international credentials whatsoever. Even Beltza Gaineratzaile is looking the part, having previously been a ‘weak link’ in the Cathair defence, while the side’s $400k signing of GAS international full-back Shaka Okboah, questioned at the time, appears to have been a master-stroke with the full-back quietly effective at stopping any and all attacks down the right flank.

Cathair cannot extend their lead at the top, though, with Comunas Cougar’s thrashing of Hippion Overdrive. The Overdrive are saved from being dragged three points closer to the drop zone by a Crystal Mertagne fightback away to Hallad Reavers, who are 2-1 up with twenty minutes to go before Zajzon, Dookes and Lucas all strike to ensure Mertagne stay put in the top six. Tele and Fligsive’s failure to overcome lowly Audioslavian opposition in the form of Shamrock Cathair and Oljestaden IF means just three points now separate Crystal Mertagne, in fourth, and Westonbirt City in eleventh, with Iskara Daii, Inter Tyrellia, Fligsive, Zubia and Telecontare in between.

At the bottom, a rare goal from Farf international full-back Vrotaoa Wii-Tzaara is the difference between Nostromo Meteorites and Draig Goch as the Syndicatians leapfrog their opponents out of the relegation zone.

AOCL Group Stage
Yuba United (COM) 3-1 Fligsive FC
Cednia Beach (TUR) 0-1 1830 Cathair
Iskara Daii 0-4 Raynor City United (VAL)
La Nueva Avenida (FFD) 1-0 Comunas Cougars

Matchday Nineteen
Hippion Overdrive 1–2 AC Izotz Zubia
Bob's Towing 2–2 Comunas Cougars
Tyrellia Titans 0–0 Magnaeus City
Lesko Pavillion 2–2 1830 Cathair FC
Crystal Mertagne 2–1 Foxchester Raiders
Cazadores Cathair 2–2 Hallad Reavers
Draig Goch FC 0–1 KT Itzalovalle
Westonbirt City 1–1 Nostromo Meteorites
Shamrock Cathair 1–2 Burgess FC
Oljestaden IF 4–2 Fligsive FC
International of Tyrellia 2–0 Telecontarë
Corinthian Spirits 1–1 Iskara Daii

Even though Lesko Pavillion are trundling along to what will in all likelihood be yet another nondescript mid-table finish, there are few teams who will attempt to argue that a trip to the Big Top is anything other than difficult, and 1830 Cathair find that out to their cost as they struggle to a two-all draw. The onus is on Comunas Cougars to overtake them with a tea-time Saturday trip to Bob’s Towing, but they, too, have to make do with a two-all draw as the top two of the LigAnaia stays exactly where it is. Burgess and Zozi both take advantage, winning away to Shamrock and Hippion respectively to edge closer to the top - Burgess are now level on points in second place - but Fligsive can’t make any headway whatsoever as they travel to Oljestaden and get crushed 4-2 - a result that heaps yet more pressure on Farell Kiter and relieves at least a little from the shoulders of Weveton Sporadic, who sees his side get to within just two points of safety.

Cazadores continue to huff and puff, but despite bashing on the door of Hallad Reavers’ straw house they can’t quite blow the Starblaydis in and have to settle for a two-two draw that, nevertheless, solidifies them in fifteenth position in the table. The draw keeps them above the league’s early leaders Foxchester Raiders, who now lie in eighteenth place having won just six of their nineteen games.

CC Group Stage, Final Matchday
1896 Ebor 1-1 Fligsive FC

GC Group Stage, Final Matchday
East Franz Athletic 2-2 Magnaeus City
Independent Garitzeta 1-0 AC Izotz Zubia
FC Endeavour 1-1 1830 Cathair
Munnerput TU 1-2 Westonbirt City
X Island Marauders 1-1 Crystal Mertagne

Matchday Twenty
AC Izotz Zubia 1–0 Iskara Daii
Telecontarë 3–1 Corinthian Spirits
Fligsive FC 3–2 International of Tyrellia
Burgess FC 1–1 Oljestaden IF
Nostromo Meteorites 1–1 Shamrock Cathair
KT Itzalovalle 2–1 Westonbirt City
Hallad Reavers 1–0 Draig Goch FC
Foxchester Raiders 2–0 Cazadores Cathair
1830 Cathair FC 1–1 Crystal Mertagne
Magnaeus City 3–1 Lesko Pavillion
Comunas Cougars 2–1 Tyrellia Titans
Hippion Overdrive 1–2 Bob's Towing

Fligsive are already out of contention for their Champions Cup group by the time of their visit to reigning champions 1896 Ebor, but a 1-1 draw is a good result for the Syndicatian champions as they bow out of the competition and drop down to the Globe Cup knockout phase, where they join 1830 Cathair and, surprisingly, Westonbirt as the LigAnaia's three Globe Cup representatives. Fligsive celebrate with a home victory over Inter which, though not a pretty match, at least nudges the side closer to the top six and the chance to play in UICA next season too. Westonbirt are not so lucky, losing away to Itzalovalle, and 1830 Cathair manage to slip up for the first time in months as they draw at home to Crystal Mertagne, their second draw on the bounce. This time, Comunas Cougars, who haven't had the distraction of the Globe Cup since their early elimination, can take advantage as they defeat rivals Tyrellia Titans at Community Stadium, and the Cathair giants' lead at the top is duly reduced to four from six points. Burgess, level on points with Comunas going into the weekend, can't follow their rivals as they draw at home to Ojestaden who continue their march back up to safety.

Oljestaden are now just two points away from the safety of nineteenth place, while Hallad Reavers cut their gap down from thirteen to eleven points with a rare victory over fellow relegation fodder Draig Goch.

Were the season to finish now, Cathair and Comunas would be the LigAnaia's entrants into the UICA Champions Cup, but the good news for the rest of the league is that Syndicatia's form in this year's competition may well open up the door to another team to compete in the CC. Right now, that team would be Burgess FC, and their promotion to the CC would open up the door to an extra Starblaydi team to enter, in this case Iskara Daii.

For most of the league, the distraction of UICA football is no longer an hinderance, but the league is about to go into a run of eight games in just four and a half weeks, taking in the festive period, ending with the first round of the CopAnaia.

Season Four
December 2018 - March 2019 (Syndicatian Time)

AOCL Group Stage
AC Abscon E Bouy (MST) 0-1 Fligsive FC
Hemel Hempstead 0-2 1830 Cathair
Iskara Daii 1-2 Kericia City (KER)
Nacional (WSI) 0-1 Comunas Cougars

Matchday Twenty-one
Bob's Towing 3–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Tyrellia Titans 3–0 Hippion Overdrive
Lesko Pavillion 1–3 Comunas Cougars
Crystal Mertagne 1–3 Magnaeus City
Cazadores Cathair 3–1 1830 Cathair FC
Draig Goch FC 3–2 Foxchester Raiders
Westonbirt City 3–0 Hallad Reavers
Shamrock Cathair 2–2 KT Itzalovalle
Oljestaden IF 0–2 Nostromo Meteorites
International of Tyrellia 2–2 Burgess FC
Corinthian Spirits 1–1 Fligsive FC
Iskara Daii 1–0 Telecontarë

Matchday twenty-one kicks off with a rip-roaring Cathair derby between leaders 1830 and struggling Cazadores. 1830 are by far the favourite and so its a surprise to everyone when, in front of millions of online viewers, they are scunnered three-one by their city rivals. RJ Styrn is the key once again, forcing mistakes from the 1830 Cathair defence time and time again in what must have been a bizarre spectacle for older Audioslavians - a small, fleet-footed female footballer in the colours of one of the nation's famous old sides, harrying and hustling two tall, broad shouldered and equally female centre-halves. Styrn scores one, makes another for Gaizka Omaexevarria and, finally, diverts an expertly placed cross by Zigor Jorda into the path of Andro Mendez to make it three-one.

Comunas Cougars know they have an opportunity to close the gap from four points to one, and there's no chance of them wasting it as they race into a three-goal lead against Lesko Pavillion, who can only reply late-on through Jaques Beadeu.

Oljestaden don't grab their own chance quite so well, and miss out on the opportunity to rise out of the relegation zone with a disappointing two-nil home defeat by Nostromo Meteorites.

Syndicatia's 'big' three are all now in the top seven, but only Magnaeus can close the gap with a 3-1 away win over Crystal Mertagne, who stay sixtth, as Burgess and Fligsive both succumb to draws away from home.

Zozi, in fifth, fare worse, losing 3-1 to the unpredictable Bob's Towing.

The other big teams, Iskara Daii and Telecontare, are in action with one another on the Sunday afternoon, and the famous old derby is won by the Daii through a single Stardust goal to nil as Tele's poor run of form continues.

Daii’s victory means that the ‘big eight’ of Magnaeus, Daii, Fligsive, Zozi, 1830, Burgess, Comunas and Tele are all stationed in the top ten, with the Syndicate’s Crystal Mertagne in sixth and Legalite challengers Inter Tyrellia in ninth. Westonbirt, who last season were a hair away from winning the league, sit down in eleventh.

AOCL Group Stage
Fligsive 1-2 Yuba United (COM)
1830 Cathair 1-2 Cednia Beach (TUR)
Raynor City United (VAL) 0-2 Iskara Daii
Comunas Cougars 3-2 La Nueva Avenida (FFD)

Matchday Twenty-Two
AC Izotz Zubia 2–0 Telecontarë
Fligsive FC 1–0 Iskara Daii
Burgess FC 3–0 Corinthian Spirits
Nostromo Meteorites 1–0 International of Tyrellia
KT Itzalovalle 2–1 Oljestaden IF
Hallad Reavers 2–1 Shamrock Cathair
Foxchester Raiders 1–2 Westonbirt City
1830 Cathair FC 1–1 Draig Goch FC
Magnaeus City 4–0 Cazadores Cathair
Comunas Cougars 1–1 Crystal Mertagne
Hippion Overdrive 1–2 Lesko Pavillion
Bob's Towing 2–3 Tyrellia Titans

Where once it looked like they were running away with the league, 1830 Cathair hadn’t won in three games going into saturday afternoon’s showdown with strugglers Draig Goch, and though Andrea Molovi - acting captain for the game in the absense of Ezin Gorde - breaks through with a goal on thirty minutes, a clumsy challenge by Rohan Cammers in the second half earns the midfielder his second red card of the season, and Draig promptly score from the free-kick. Though manager Andre-Luis Partico is obviously frustrated in the post-match interview, he does praise his team for hanging on with ten men and piles the pressure on Comunas Cougars, citing their inability to beat Crystal Mertagne and top the league is a testament to their lack of perceived ‘bottle’. Whether Comunas will shove Partico’s words down his throat remains to be seen, though Magnaeus aren’t duly worried by either side as they bring Cathair’s city rivals Cazadores over to Black Peak and, in front of a televised audience of millions, brutalises the smaller, frailer Cazadores team by four goals to nil, in doing so decreasing the gap between themselves and 1830 to just two points. Burgess beat Corinthian Spirits - now fourteenth and a shadow of the side who looked like dark horses for the title earlier on - by three goals to nil to move to just three points behind the leaders.

The big game comes on Sunday, with Fligsive FC taking on Iskara Daii in a battle between the two mid-table sides most unhappy with their position. In a tense encounter, Fligsive prevail through a solitary Hampson goal to nil. Fligsive, now sixth, move to within ten points of leaders 1830 Cathair, and all off a sudden the narrative of the nations' media outlets shifts from talk of a confidence-hit team being stuck in a rut to a repeat of the sort of late charge that saw the Fligsivians take the championship last season after having at one point been a dozen points behind the leaders...

Matchday Twenty-Three
Tyrellia Titans 0–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Lesko Pavillion 0–2 Bob's Towing
Crystal Mertagne 1–3 Hippion Overdrive
Cazadores Cathair 0–4 Comunas Cougars
Draig Goch FC 1–2 Magnaeus City
Westonbirt City 1–2 1830 Cathair FC
Shamrock Cathair 2–2 Foxchester Raiders
Oljestaden IF 2–0 Hallad Reavers
International of Tyrellia 3–2 KT Itzalovalle
Corinthian Spirits 0–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Iskara Daii 0–2 Burgess FC
Telecontarë 1–3 Fligsive FC

Three days on from their royal spanking by Magnaeus, Cazadores Cathair return home to find Comunas Cougars standing over their bed holding a paddle. The Cathair club put up a fight, but can’t quite wriggle from the Cougars’ claws as they are given their second four-nil beating in seventy-two hours. Comunas sit in a nearby pub, wipe the blood from their array of fetching leather torture implements and watch the Cazadores’ city rivals 1830 Cathair come from behind to beat Westonbirt City 2-1, at which point Comunas most likely curses and hails a cab back home to Legalese.

Back in slightly less scary territory, Iskara Daii lose at home to Burgess in a frankly piss-poor performance that ends with seats being thrown onto the turf and general 'rabble rabble rabble'ness from the incensed home fans. The sky-blue clad Burgess supporters sneak out of the stadium quietly and look up the updated league tables on their smartphones, which show the side still in fourth place, just three points behind the leaders.

Magnaeus keep up the pace with a 2-1 win over Draig Goch, in which Vince Urrea grabs a brace, before Thursday evening’s matches feature a relegation encounter between Oljestaden and Hallad Reavers that the former wins comfortably and a ‘big eight’ battle between Telecontare and Fligsive FC. Bookies are hard pressed to come up with a pre-match favourite but finally settle on Telecontare, who duly do them no favours by going two nil down within ten minutes - Freis and Eyseev for Fligsive - and ending up being beaten 3-1.

Bob’s Towing - they of the cinderella backstory - register an impressive two-nothing away win over struggling Lesko Pavillion, and it appears the team with the amusing name have no plans to become relegation fodder just yet.

Matchday Twenty Four
AC Izotz Zubia 2–2 Fligsive FC
Telecontarë 1–0 Burgess FC
Iskara Daii 2–1 Nostromo Meteorites
Corinthian Spirits 1–4 KT Itzalovalle
International of Tyrellia 1–1 Hallad Reavers
Oljestaden IF 0–1 Foxchester Raiders
Shamrock Cathair 0–3 1830 Cathair FC
Westonbirt City 0–1 Magnaeus City
Draig Goch FC 0–2 Comunas Cougars
Cazadores Cathair 1–0 Hippion Overdrive
Crystal Mertagne 0–0 Bob's Towing
Lesko Pavillion 0–0 Tyrellia Titans

The second half of the LigAnaia season kicks off slap-bang in the middle of the busy festive period and features a reverse of the opening day fixtures. The weekendd begins with a Saturday lunchtime encounter between AC Izotz Zubia and Fligsive FC - the outsiders for the LigAnaia championship and the LigAnaia champions themselves. The competing sides find themselves in fifth and sixth places respectively, with Zubia's early form giving way to a shaky run and Fligsive's early wobbles replaced by a steady drive from mid-table to the Globe Cup places, yet still with a large gap between themselves and title rivals 1830 Cathair.

Zozi have the better of the play on the cut-up surface and seem to deal better than their opponents with regards to the strong mountain wind, yet still somehow find themselves at 0-1 and 1-2 in the first half, as Bruce Freis and Dennis Horkawer-Rippel both pop up with scrambled finishess either side of a Jovellanos strike. Zozi spend much of the second half banging on the Fligsive door, finally breaking it down through Aaron Aiza's slick through-ball to Etamara Kulkkiia, who slots a finish under Scott for 2-2, at which score the match stayed.

The result does no favours for either team as, in a three o'clock kick-off, 1830 Cathair hit three past city rivals Shamrock for a comfortable win. Comunas and Magnaeus also win, but Burgess are turned over by Telecontare through a wonderful Toralasyr strike - a curling, dipping effort from the corner of the area that Bruce Millar can only watch drop into the top corner - in a result that sees the Syndicatian club drop six points behind the leaders, down into fourth place.

Matchday Twenty Five
Lesko Pavillion 0–3 AC Izotz Zubia
Tyrellia Titans 1–2 Crystal Mertagne
Bob's Towing 2–2 Cazadores Cathair
Hippion Overdrive 1–1 Draig Goch FC
Comunas Cougars 2–2 Westonbirt City
Magnaeus City 5–1 Shamrock Cathair
1830 Cathair FC 6–0 Oljestaden IF
Foxchester Raiders 3–2 International of Tyrellia
Hallad Reavers 1–0 Corinthian Spirits
KT Itzalovalle 0–1 Iskara Daii
Nostromo Meteorites 2–0 Telecontarë
Burgess FC 0–3 Fligsive FC

Matchday twenty-five is a string of mid-week fixtures ranging from the Tuesday afternoon to the Thursday evening, and each one seems as important as the last.

Tuesday's game sees Izotz Zubia travel to Lesko Pavillion and hit three past the sorry Syndicatians, who remain in peril in nineteenth position. Zozi close to within a point of Burgess, and hope the side slip up in the derby with Fligsive. Slip up they do, and in emphatic style. Burgess are slaughtered 3-0 on their own turf by a steadily improving Fligsive, who themselves close the gap between the two sides from six points to three.

Also in action on the Tuesday night are the best three Starblaydi teams, who all enjoy or endure contrasting fortunes. Iskara Daii take an important away win over Itzalovalle, leapfrogging their opponents in the process, while Telecontare suffer a disappointing two-nil defeat away to Nostromo, who now lie fourteenth and have seemingly dealt with their earlier relegation worries. Foxchester Raiders win 3-2 over Inter Tyrellia to round off the Tuesday.

Wednesday evening's games see both Comunas Cougars and Magnaeus City in action, with the second and third placed teams desperate to close the gap between themselves and leaders Cathair. For Comunas, a home win over Westonbirt is a must, but their visitors are one of three LigAnaia clubs in the Globe Cup knockouts for a reason, and never look second best in an entertaining 2-2 draw that sees Detzler twice on target for the home team, with replies coming from Curtis Théberge and Noah Kuehm.

Magnaeus take advantage of the Cougars' slip by utterly destroying Shamrock Cathair at Black Peak, rattling five goals past the beleaguered Audioslavians to just one reply. Hippion and Draig Goch draw 1-1 to round off the Wednesday, which ends with Magnaeus on top of the league and hoping 1830 slip up in Thursday's home encounter with Oljestaden.

If the Magnaeans had their fingers crossed, they could probably un-cross them after fourteen minutes of the Cathair game. Lawaai, Masters and Abrego all get on the scoresheet in the early going as Cathair race into a three goal lead, and the capital club rarely look back as they demolish an exceptionally hapless Oljestaden by six goals to nil, with Rohan Cammers coming on as a second half substitute to grab a late brace. Cammers celebrates his second goal by jogging up to the referee, delving a hand in his pocket and retrieving a red card, which he them proceeds to show to the ref. The referee, to his credit, shows good humour, pats Cammers on the back, and duly sends him off, ensuring the occasionally wonderful, occasionally sodding stupid Apoxian spends another three weeks on the side-lines.

Matchday Twenty Six
AC Izotz Zubia 0–3 Burgess FC
Fligsive FC 5–2 Nostromo Meteorites
Telecontarë 0–1 KT Itzalovalle
Iskara Daii 2–1 Hallad Reavers
Corinthan Spirits 0–1 Foxchester Raiders
International of Tyrellia 3–5 1830 Cathair FC
Oljestaden IF 2–0 Magnaeus City
Shamrock Cathair 0–0 Comunas Cougars
Westonbirt City 3–1 Hippion Overdrive
Draig Goch FC 1–1 Bob's Towing
Cazadores Cathair 2–1 Tyrellia Titans
Crystal Mertagne 3–1 Lesko Pavillion

The christmas fixture-pileup always throws up some unpredictable results, and few are quite as mindboggling as Saturday's game between Oljestaden - thrashed 6-0 in midweek - and Magnaeus - they of the 5-1 win in midweek. Onlookers are puzzled at just how much better the unpredictable Audioslavians are than their title-chasing rivals, and the full time whistle blows to a 2-0 scoreline and the sound of scratching heads from both sides of the support.

Shamrock Cathair, too, are in spoiling mood as they hold Comunas Cougars to a tired 0-0 draw at the Glass Bridge stadium, while Tele suffer another setback in defeat to KT Itzalovalle.

Fligsive and Burgess both win big, 5-2 and 3-0 respectively, with Izotz Zubia the embarassed recipients of the latter thrashing, to move closer to the stricken Comunas and Magneaus, but 1830 Cathair aren't hanging around. They may have been 3-1 down to Inter Tyrellia halfway through their trip to Legalese, but the team now being heralded as 'by far the best in Audioslavia' hit back to win 5-3 and pull five points clear at the top.

Cazadores win 3-1 over Tyrellia to cap off a double of Catharan wins over Tyrellian opposition while, in The Syndicate, Crystal Mertagne keep quietly keeping up with the top six in defeating Lesko Pavillion by three goals to two.

National Cups, Round One

Audioslavian Cup
Tenth Star Hasiera 2–0 Nightwatch FC
Voltores Sobrevolante 0–1 Ceilderden Harp
Shamrock Cathair 2–1 Maccabi Hasiera
AC Izotz Zubia 2–0 CdF Celtade
CF Ferramendiak 1–4 1830 Cathair FC
Clockwork FC 2–0 Burdoc Ridge
Valderantia United 0–0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera (1–1 AET) (1–2 pen.)
Lemmitania State FC 1–0 Ceilerden Rovers
Eorkzhr Blaydes 3–1 Excelsior Zijweg
The Oran 3–0 Eorkzhr Owls
KT Itzalovalle 3–0 Reina Del Sud
KT Moreazerua 2–1 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
DDM Dunas Secas 0–5 Silexhera FC
KT Koroatuz 3–1 KT Laranjauzia
Project +90 Kjelstad 0–1 Oljestaden IF
Cazadores Cathair 5–0 Sparta Zijweg

Syndicate Cup
Westonbirt City 5–0 Zap! Zap! Shinra!
CF 16 September 2–0 1902 Cardertower
Burgess Mariners 0–0 FC Oberyn's Shield (0–2 AET)
Hyford City Challengers 2–2 Ashgrove Town (3–3 AET) (2–4 pen.)
Pont De Montfer 1–1 Vale Conglomerate (1–1 AET) (4–3 pen.)
Wozinitz Wanderers 1–0 CF St. Alfred's
Lowlands United 0–2 Magnaeus City
Becaonsby Flames 4–1 Slavia Fligsivia
Lesko Pavillion 2–0 Gatesby Athletic
Worterallarund 2–1 Bicycle Dynamo
Nostromo Meteorites 1–0 Dysenside Duellers
FC Southern Ninestar 3–1 DDR Fighting Disco
Burgess FC 2–0 Fligsive FC
Baudelaire Tulips 0–1 Crystal Mertagne
Spectres De La Sebald 0–2 Project +90 Fligsive
The Circle's Eleven 1–0 Fligsive Gunners YFC

Tiberius Cup (Starblaydia)
Corinthian Sprits 5–0 Iskara Daii 'B'
Internashionale 0–1 Tournetas
Vecchio Victors 1–5 Codexus Fraxcinus
Athletico Sciuntis 2–0 Jhanna United
Penningworth United 3–0 Telecontarë 'B'
Cedrus Soundgardenia 2–1 Tabeck Cefn Druids
Montepool Waves 0–1 Iskara Daii
Karak Ungor Chiefs 1–0 Telecontarë
Beverington Hawks 7–1 Malta Lines
Nidola United 0–3 Port Cythera
Hippion Overdrive 2–0 Hecia
Foxchester Raiders 2–1 Lavingrad Wanderers
Hallad Reavers 2–2 Phraen Palace (2–2 AET) (4–2 pen.)
Paricone Athletic 3–1 Tabeck FC
Viculus Miners 0–1 Tribe Urjali
Jhanna City 5–1 FC Farça

Cup of Legalese
Myre Town 0–2 Comunas Cougars
Gavelton Rhinos 2–1 Francis City
Bekknia FC 1–1 LC Capitals (1–2 AET)
Brecorn City 2–0 AFC Mokfein
Yellowjacket FC 0–0 Wreath City (1–0 AET)
Portsmouth United 0–0 Minto Wombats (2–0 AET)
Oker United 0–1 Coastal United
Plainsview Panthers 3–0 Binchensburg Athletic
Rye's Landing FC 4–0 Stratton FC
Straitside FC 0–2 Tyrellia Titans
SBLS 1–0 International of Tyrellia
Morven Monday 1–3 The Knights of Tiberia
Draig Goch FC 2–0 Argyle Warriors Francopolis
Tiberian City 2–1 Norrisland United
Colville Athletic 1–2 Sien Bay Pirates
Bob's Towing 5–0 Cape Athletic

The first round of each association’s national cups sees just two real upsets across the board, but they’re both ‘biggies’. Telecontarë’s 1-0 defeat to Karak Ungor Chief’s is by far the shock of the round. Top flight Tele never looked in any real danger against neighbouring Chiefs, but a persistent failure to score made for some rather nervous football in the final minutes, and a last-ditch corner for the home side resulted in an 89th minute goal for the underdogs.

Tele, who have been in indifferent form in the league, were embarassed, but so were Inter Tyrellia, knocked out by SBLS by one goal to nil.

Elsewhere, Fligsive’s first round elimination is also about five rounds too early for the league champions, but the fact that their opponents are a strong Burgess side means Fligsive’s faces are markedly less red than the aforementioned upsetees.

Matchday Twenty-seven
Crystal Mertagne 1–2 AC Izotz Zubia
Lesko Pavillion 2–0 Cazadores Cathair
Tyrellia Titans 2–2 Draig Goch FC
Bob's Towing 1–1 Westonbirt City
Hippion Overdrive 1–2 Shamrock Cathair
Comunas Cougars 1–2 Oljestaden IF
Magnaeus City 1–0 International of Tyrellia
1830 Cathair FC 1–0 Corinthian Spirits
Foxchester Raiders 1–2 Iskara Daii
Hallad Reavers 1–0 Telecontarë
KT Itzalovalle 2–2 Fligsive FC
Nostromo Meteorites 3–2 Burgess FC

Wilfred Lidgley's last-gasp winner for 1830 Cathair against Corinthian Spirits in Saturday's lunchtime kickoff ensures the capital club will retain their points gap for another week, but even the most hardened optimisits couldn't have predicted how many of their opponents would fail to keep up.

Zubia, in beating Crystal Mertagne away from home, technically did, but the sixth-placed side are almost out of contention for the title already, so far behind are they from the leaders. Comunas Cougars lose at home to Oljestaden, Telecontare slip up against lowly Hallad Reavers - now off the bottom of the table - Burgess lose to Nostromo and Fligsive fail to beat mid-table Itzalovalle as Cathair's lead over last season's champions extends to fourteen points with nineteen games to play.

Matchday Twenty-Eight
AC Izotz Zubia 3–1 Nostromo Meteorites
Burgess FC 1–2 KT Itzalovalle
Fligsive FC 1–1 Hallad Reavers
Telecontarë 2–1 Foxchester Raiders
Iskara Daii 1–1 1830 Cathair FC
Corinthian Spirits 1–0 Magnaeus City
International of Tyrellia 0–1 Comunas Cougars
Oljestaden IF 0–1 Hippion Overdrive
Shamrock Cathair 3–1 Bob's Towing
Westonbirt City 3–0 Tyrellia Titans
Draig Goch FC 0–2 Lesko Pavillion
Cazadores Cathair 1–2 Crystal Mertagne

Is there no-one who can put a solid run together? Magnaeus, perhaps, have the best argument for being on a ‘run’ as they lose their second match on the hop, this time away to Corinthian Spirits. Oljestaden’s push to a first glimpse of safety is halted by a bitterly disappointing home defeat to Hippion Overdrive, who nevertheless can’t leave the foot of the table due to Hallad Reavers and their holding on champions Fligsive to a 1-1 draw.

At the top, 1830 Cathair slip with a 1-1 draw away to Iskara Daii - not a bad result, but one that opens the door for Comunas Cougars to close the gap from eight points to six, and the Legalite giants do just that with a hard-fought victory away to Inter Tyrellia.

Matchday Twenty-Nine

Cazadores Cathair 0–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Crystal Mertagne 2–2 Draig Goch FC
Lesko Pavillion 0–1 Westonbirt City
Tyrellia Titans 1–0 Shamrock Cathair
Bob's Towing 2–3 Oljestaden IF
Hippion Overdrive 3–2 International of Tyrellia
Comunas Cougars 2–1 Corinthian Spirits
Magnaeus City 3–0 Iskara Daii
1830 Cathair FC 1–0 Telecontarë
Foxchester Raiders 2–1 Fligsive FC
Hallad Reavers 2–2 Burgess FC
KT Itzalovalle 0–2 Nostromo Meteorites

A half-strength 1830 Cathair are stuffed in the AOCL in midweek, meaning the full side can turn their full attentions to Telecontare and the act of narrowly scraping past them at the 66 Arena, which they do to consolidate their lead at the top. Fligsive, still floundering in sixth, would love to at least pretend to keep pace with their Audioslavian rivals but, once again, find they can’t put together a run of matches when it counts, and the side are turned over by Foxchester on their visit to northern Starblaydia. Burgess, too, are frustrated as they can only manage a draw away to Hallad Reavers, with Peto Kartal rescuing that point with a late effort. The embattled Reavers’ reward for an impressively won point is to be dumped back on the bottom of the division once again as Hippion Overdrive win out three-two against an Inter side looking less and less the Globe Cup hopefuls they set out this season to be.

The big match of the weekend is Iskara Daii’s visit to Magnaeus City in Sunday’s tea-time kickoff. Daii are desperate to properly kickstart their season, but find themselves easily second best against a marauding Magnaeus who run in three goals to leave the reds to confront their own outraged supporters after the game.

National Cups

Audioslavia
Tenth Star Hasiera 2–0 Eorkzhr Blaydes
Ceilderden Harp 3–0 The Oran
Shamrock Cathair 2–3 KT Itzalovalle
AC Izotz Zubia 2–1 KT Moreazerua
1830 Cathair FC 0–2 Silexhera FC
Clockwork FC 0–0 KT Koroatuz (0–0 AET) (3–1 pen.)
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 1–1 Oljestaden IF (1–1 AET) (4–5 pen.)
Lemmitania State FC 0–1 Cazadores Cathair

Syndicatia
Lesko Pavillion 2–0 Westonbirt City
Worterallarund 3–1 CF 16 September
Nostromo Meteorites 2–0 FC Oberyn's Shield
FC Southern Ninestar 3–0 Ashgrove Town
Burgess FC 4–0 Pont De Montfer
Crystal Mertagne 1–0 Wozinitz Wanderers
Project +90 Fligsive 1–1 Magnaeus City (1–1 AET) (4–3 pen.)
The Circle's Eleven 0–2 Becaonsby Flames

Starblaydia
Corinthian Sprits 3–0 Beverington Hawks
Tournetas 2–2 Port Cythera (3–3 AET) (4–2 pen.)
Codexus Fraxcinus 1–1 Hippion Overdrive (1–1 AET) (3–4 pen.)
Athletico Sciuntis 0–2 Foxchester Raiders
Penningworth United 0–0 Hallad Reavers (1–0 AET)
Cedrus Soundgardenia 1–0 Paricone Athletic
Iskara Daii 2–1 Tribe Urjali
Karak Ungor Chiefs 2–4 Jhanna City

Legalese
Rye's Landing FC 0–0 Comunas Cougars (0–1 AET)
Tyrellia Titans 1–1 Gavelton Rhinos (3–1 AET)
SBLS 1–2 LC Capitals
The Knights of Tiberia 2–0 Brecorn City
Draig Goch FC 1–1 Yellowjacket FC (1–1 AET) (3–4 pen.)
Tiberian City 2–1 Portsmouth United
Sien Bay Pirates 0–0 Coastal United (1–2 AET)
Bob's Towing 2–1 Plainsview Panthers

Whereas the first round of the national cups had been largely uneventful, there are a number of scalps in round two. 1830 Cathair are at the arse-end of the biggest surprise as a weakened side capitulates 2-0 at home to second division Silexhera. Hallad Reavers are barely favourites away to Penningworth in a battle between the top of division two and the botom of division one, and Penningworth come away with a 1-0 home win.

Draig Goch are more annoyed than embarassed to be held to extra-time and penalties by Yellowjacket, especially as the visitos have the temerity to win on penalties in front of the DG supporters. Any embarassment the side feel in defeat is dwarfed by Magnaeus City’s humiliation. The high-flying LigAnaia side are more used to epic battles with rivals Fligsive than they are with low-key affairs against the likes of youth team P90 Fligsive. Magnaeus, however, struggle against the teenagers, who’s youthful exuberance wins out in extra-time as they young guns race to a shock 2-1 win.

Matchday Thirty

AC Izotz Zubia 5–1 KT Itzalovalle
Nostromo Meteorites 2–1 Hallad Reavers
Burgess FC 3–2 Foxchester Raiders
Fligsive FC 2–1 1830 Cathair FC
Telecontarë 0–1 Magnaeus City
Iskara Daii 2–0 Comunas Cougars
Corinthian Spirits 3–3 Hippion Overdrive
International of Tyrellia 2–0 Bob's Towing
Oljestaden IF 3–2 Tyrellia Titans
Shamrock Cathair 3–1 Lesko Pavillion
Westonbirt City 5–1 Crystal Mertagne
Draig Goch FC 0–2 Cazadores Cathair

A number of big games on matchday thirty: Magnaeus recover from their midweek nighmare to frustrate Starblaydi opposition for the second week in a row, winning out 1-0 against Telecontare (who are admittedly only tangientialy Starblaydi) while, elsewhere, Iskara Daii bounce back from last week’s bitter defeat to ram another spoke in the wheels of Comunas Cougars’ title chase, taking a two-nil victory and propelling themselves back up to eighth. Comunas remain third despite Izotz Zubia’s best efforts in putting five past local rivals KT Itzalovallee in a one-sided derby.

The big derby of the week, though, is as big a match as LigAnaia football gets: Fligsive versus 1830 Cathair. Cathair have had the better of recent meetings, winning the last two league games as well as a bitterly contested UICA Champions Cup fixture early the previous season, but the league leaders can’t quite repeat the feat as Fries and Taylor seal the win with goals either side of a solitary Cammers reply. Rohan Cammers is, again, sent-off late into an increasingly tense and occasionally violent affair, landing the winger another three week ban and bringing into question his useability in the 1830 Cathair squad. Cammers may well be able to turn two draws into wins over the course of a season, but his tendency to miss around eight games of it due to suspension are beginning to wear on the club and fans’ patience, not least after such a defeat to their rival capital side.

Fligsive’s win keeps them in sixth as Burgess beat Foxchester, but the champions remain a whole fourteen points behind the leaders, with less and less time and matches to close the gap.

Matchday Thirty-One
Draig Goch FC 1–2 AC Izotz Zubia
Cazadores Cathair 1–3 Westonbirt City
Crystal Mertagne 3–1 Shamrock Cathair
Lesko Pavillion 0–1 Oljestaden IF
Tyrellia Titans 0–2 International of Tyrellia
Bob's Towing 1–1 Corinthian Spirits
Hippion Overdrive 1–0 Iskara Daii
Comunas Cougars 0–3 Telecontarë
Magnaeus City 1–1 Fligsive FC
1830 Cathair FC 2–0 Burgess FC
Foxchester Raiders 3–2 Nostromo Meteorites
Hallad Reavers 0–1 KT Itzalovalle

After spoiling 1830’s attempt to extend their LigAnaia lead, Fligsive turn their attentions to second placed Magnaeus in Saturday’s tea-time fixture. Magnaeus can smell the opportunity to draw level with 1830, if only for a day, but Taylor’s fifty-fourth minute reply to Urrea’s opening goal, and Fligsive’s subsquent stubborn-ness in defence, restricts Magnaeus to a solitary point in a result that does neither side any favours.

1830, then, set out on Sunday to play a Burgess FC side who are by no means out of the title race just yet, despite the gap forming between themselves and fourth place. A tense first half generates little in the way of entertainment, but Lidgley’s well-taken opener brings the game to life, and Cathair find themselves under the kosh for most of the second half before a tiring Burgess fall prety to a quick Cathair counter-attack, which ends in Lawaai’s crisp finish for 2-0.

The weekend sees Comunas Cougars drop out of the top three for the first time since week eleven as they capitulate to Tele and lose by three. AC Izotz Zubia, on a quietly competent run, move into the final CC spot. Zozi, it appears, haven’t quite given up just yet, and the eight point gap between themselves and Cathair is not looking quite so insurmountable with less teams in the way.

There’s change, too, at the bottom, as Draig Goch - who’s defeat to Zozi enabled the Sierra club to move into the top three - fall below Hippion Overdrive who are victorious in an upset over Iskara Daii.

The biggest movers, however, are Oljestaden. Before matchday thirty they literally hadn’t been out of the relegation places all season, but Saturday’s 1-0 away win over Lesko Pavillion sees the side move up to a dizzy fifteenth in the table

Matchday Thirty-Two
AC Izotz Zubia 0–0 Hallad Reavers
KT Itzalovalle 3–1 Foxchester Raiders
Nostromo Meteorites 0–2 1830 Cathair FC
Burgess FC 2–1 Magnaeus City
Fligsive FC 1–0 Comunas Cougars
Telecontarë 3–0 Hippion Overdrive
Iskara Daii 1–2 Bob's Towing
Corinthian Spirits 0–1 Tyrellia Titans
International of Tyrellia 3–1 Lesko Pavillion
Oljestaden IF 1–1 Crystal Mertagne
Shamrock Cathair 0–0 Cazadores Cathair
Westonbirt City 4–1 Draig Goch FC

Zozi’s push is halted by Hallad Reavers, who defend resolutely during their 0-0 draw, but Comunas can’t capitalise as they, too, have their title aspirations spoiled by Fligsive FC. Magnaeus, too, are beaten as they travel to Burgess and leave with another loss on their scorecard.

The true victors on matchday thirty-two are 1830 Cathair. The struggles of the teams in second, third and fourh mean a win in Sunday’s trip to Nostromo would open up an eight point gap at the top of the table, and win they do with goals coming from Abrego and that man Lawaai once more.

[COCANEFA]

Season Four
March - May 2019 (Syndicatian Time)

Globe Cup Second Round, First Leg
Gwinevra Barbarians 2-1 1830 Cathair
Fligsive 1-2 Cednia Beach AFC
Royal Rumiatzi 3-1 Westonbirt City

Matchday Thirty-three
Westonbirt City 1–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Draig Goch FC 2–0 Shamrock Cathair
Cazadores Cathair 1–1 Oljestaden IF
Crystal Mertagne 0–1 International of Tyrellia
Lesko Pavillion 3–1 Corinthian Spirits
Tyrellia Titans 0–0 Iskara Daii
Bob's Towing 0–1 Telecontarë
Hippion Overdrive 0–1 Fligsive FC
Comunas Cougars 2–0 Burgess FC
Magnaeus City 2–2 Nostromo Meteorites
1830 Cathair FC 2–1 KT Itzalovalle
Foxchester Raiders 1–0 Hallad Reavers

It’s a tough midweek for the league’s UICA representatives as Cathair, Westonbirt and Fligsive all lose the first legs of the Globe Cup ties, but its better news for those sides in the league as Westonbirt secure a commendable draw with Izotz Zubia, who lose their third place back to Comunas Cougars (two-nil winners over Burgess FC), while Cathair and Fligsive both win. Cathair’s lead is now ten points, and surely there’s no stopping the big Audioslavians?

Globe Cup Second Round, Second Leg

1830 Cathair 1-2 Gwinevra Barbarians (1-2 AET, 1-3 Pens)
Cednia Beach 2-2 Fligsive
Westonbirt City 1-2 Royal Rumiatzi

Matchday Thirty-four
AC Izotz Zubia 0–1 Foxchester Raiders
Hallad Reavers 0–1 1830 Cathair FC
KT Itzalovalle 0–2 Magnaeus City
Nostromo Meteorites 1–0 Comunas Cougars
Burgess FC 2–0 Hippion Overdrive
Fligsive FC 5–2 Bob's Towing
Telecontarë 3–2 Tyrellia Titans
Iskara Daii 2–2 Lesko Pavillion
Corinthian Spirits 0–0 Crystal Mertagne
International of Tyrellia 2–0 Cazadores Cathair
Oljestaden IF 3–2 Draig Goch FC
Shamrock Cathair 0–0 Westonbirt City

Does anyone want third place? Magnaeus are doing their best to steer clear of it by beating Itzalovalle away from home to stay second, but Comunas Cougars and Izotz Zubia both make a hash of games against Foxchester and Nostromo respectively to blow open the race for that final CC spot. Only six points now separate Comunas and Zozi from seventh placed Westonbirt, with Burgess and Fligsive now breathing down their necks, both sides possibly just a win away from third.

Cathair win away to Hallad Reavers, with Cammers scoring the goal in his return to quell the boos that rang out whenever he got the ball.

If the top seven are uncatchable (they probably aren’t) then the final GC spot is up for grabs, and as of matchday thirty-four three sides are tied for eighth place. Crystal, Inter and Tele, with an Iskara Daii side in torrid form just behind them on forty-nine points.

National Cups: Quarter Finals

Audioslavian Cup
Tenth Star Hasiera 0–0 Silexhera FC (0–0 AET) (2–4 pen.)
Ceilderden Harp 4–1 Clockwork FC
KT Itzalovalle 2–0 Oljestaden IF
AC Izotz Zubia 5–1 Cazadores Cathair

Syndicatian Cup
Burgess FC 3–0 Lesko Pavillion
Crystal Mertagne 2–0 Worterallarund
Project +90 Fligsive 1–2 Nostromo Meteorites
Becaonsby Flames 2–3 FC Southern Ninestar

Starblaydi Cup
Corinthian Sprits 2–0 Penningworth United
Tournetas 1–0 Cedrus Soundgardenia
Hippion Overdrive 0–2 Iskara Daii
Foxchester Raiders 2–0 Jhanna City

Legalite Cup
Yellowjacket FC 0–4 Comunas Cougars
Tiberian City 0–3 Tyrellia Titans
Coastal United 3–0 LC Capitals
Bob's Towing 1–0 The Knights of Tiberia

There are arguably nine Syndicatian clubs in action in midweek as Tenth Star Hasiera - a team from the south of Audioslavia, founded by Syndicatian immigrants disenfranchised by Crowley’s regime - host Silexhera. A 1-0 loss for the third tier club over the LigAnaia Two outfit, however, ensures this is the last time such an event happens for this season. An all third-flight affair between Ceilerden Harp - relegated from LigAnaia Two last season - and Clockwork FC ends with the former romping home to a 4-1 win, while the first of two all-LigAnaia clashes finishes with Oljestaden bowing out of the tournament and failing at the defensive of their crown. Zozi are the other winners of the Audioslavian quarter-finals, thrashing struggling Cazadores by five goals to one.

Though Audioslavia might have had a Syndicatian club in their quarter-finals, the quota of Audioslavian outfits remains at eight as Cedrus Soundgardia - formed by Audioslavian immigrants - travel to Tournetas in the Starblaydi quarter-final, losing one-nil. Corinthian Spirits overcome second division Penningworth and Foxchester traverse a tricky tie against Jhanna City, while Jhanna’s crosstown rivals Iskara Daii easily overcome Hippion Overdrive, 2-0 away from home.

Burgess continue their winning ways with a 3-0 win over Lesko Pavillion as Nostromo and Crystal Mertagne both traverse fixtures against lower-league opposition. The all L2 clash between Southern Ninestar and Beaconsby Flames goes to the former Globe Cup quaifiers Ninestar, who win 3-2.

Giantkillers Yellowjacket are destroyed 4-0 by Comunas Cougars in the quarter-finals of the Legalite Cup. The quarters see top flight teams winning across the board as Titans and Bob’s Towing win against Tiberian opposition. The only all-division-two clash sees the two best second-tier Legalite sides go at it, with Coastal United overcoming LC Capitals.

Matchday Thirty-five
Shamrock Cathair 0–2 AC Izotz Zubia
Westonbirt City 2–2 Oljestaden IF
Draig Goch FC 1–1 International of Tyrellia
Cazadores Cathair 3–2 Corinthian Spirits
Crystal Mertagne 1–2 Iskara Daii
Lesko Pavillion 3–1 Telecontarë
Tyrellia Titans 2–2 Fligsive FC
Bob's Towing 4–1 Burgess FC
Hippion Overdrive 2–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Comunas Cougars 0–1 KT Itzalovalle
Magnaeus City 3–0 Hallad Reavers
1830 Cathair FC 1–0 Foxchester Raiders

Oljestaden’s defence of their CopAnaia crown may be over, but the side refuse to let the disappointment get them down as they come from two goals behind to share a draw with Westonbirt City, with goals arriving from Ivan Haarsted and Jonathan Faña for the visitors after Theberge’s first-half brace. At the league’s summit, 1830 Cathair have no intention of letting their ten point lead slip as they defeat Foxchester Raiders in Saturday lunchtime’s kick off, scoring through Lawaii. The win puts pressure on the chasers, most of whom kick off their games at three o’clock knowing that its win or bust, and while Magnaeus City have little trouble in defeating Hallad Reavers through the goal-scoring prowess of Alisdair Green and Vince Urrea, Burgess FC “blow it out of [their] collective arses” (in the words of a particularly erudite Gregorz van der Riise) by contriving to get hammered 4-1 by Bob’s Towing. Legalite high-flyers Comunas, too, stutter as they go down 1-0 to an Adam Cooper strike as Itzalovalle upset the team now three points adrift of the Champions Cup spots.

Fligsive, sixteen points back in the title race, are in desperate need of points if they’re to even make the Champions Cup, but a scrappy and artless game with Tyrellia Titans ends with their Legalite hosts thrashing home a late equaliser through Quintus Oxboro, sparking jeers in the away end and, no doubt, celebrations throughout most of Cathair.

One part of the Audioslavian capital that won’t be celebrating is the Grassmarket region, who’s home team, Shamrock, are beaten again and look in real danger of relegation, now seven points adrift of the safety zone. Their conquerors, Zozi, move up to third.

Matchday Thirty-six

AC Izotz Zubia 2–0 1830 Cathair FC
Foxchester Raiders 2–0 Magnaeus City
Hallad Reavers 0–2 Comunas Cougars
KT Itzalovalle 1–3 Hippion Overdrive
Nostromo Meteorites 2–0 Bob's Towing
Burgess FC 1–1 Tyrellia Titans
Fligsive FC 1–2 Lesko Pavillion
Telecontarë 1–2 Crystal Mertagne
Iskara Daii 2–0 Cazadores Cathair
Corinthian Spirits 4–1 Draig Goch FC
International of Tyrellia 5–1 Westonbirt City
Oljestaden IF 3–2 Shamrock Cathair

As with last week, leaders 1830 Cathair kick off the weekend’s action. This time, however, a trip to Sierran rivals Izotz Zubia beckons, and the Audioslavian champions can do nothing to stop their challengers taking the spoils with a two-nil victory largely orchestrated by Turorian signing Etamara Kulkkiia, who scores the first and sets the second up for Jaurtiketa Buruz to blast home. Cathair are beaten but unbowed, and though their lead over third has slipped from fifteen points to ‘just’ twelve, Magnaeus can close the gap to seven if the second-placed team can overcome Foxchester Raiders in Starblaydia. It’s a miserable, freezing cold Sunday afternoon by the time Magnaeus take the field in the north of the mauve lands, and what little encouragement Magnaeus can get by the fact that Comunas and Crystal Mertagne have both, just the day before, gone to Starblaydi stadiums and won, is in little evidence as Foxchester run out two-nil winners, robbing Magnaeus of the chance to close the gap on the leaders.

Ten games now remain for Magnaeus to make up that ten point gap, but their task is not quite as arduous as that of Fligsive, who’s bitterly disappointing home defeat to lowly Lesko Pavillion means the gap between themselves and the Audioslavians stays at a whopping eighteen points.

Matchday Thirty-Seven
Oljestaden IF 0–0 AC Izotz Zubia
Shamrock Cathair 1–3 International of Tyrellia
Westonbirt City 4–1 Corinthian Spirits
Draig Goch FC 1–5 Iskara Daii
Cazadores Cathair 2–1 Telecontarë
Crystal Mertagne 0–2 Fligsive FC
Lesko Pavillion 2–4 Burgess FC
Tyrellia Titans 0–1 Nostromo Meteorites
Bob's Towing 1–2 KT Itzalovalle
Hippion Overdrive 1–1 Hallad Reavers
Comunas Cougars 1–1 Foxchester Raiders
Magnaeus City 3–3 1830 Cathair FC

Inter stuff Shamrock on Saturday morning, Iskara Daii ram five goals past Draig Goch in the afternoon while Westonbirt run roughshod over a sorry looking Corinthian Spirits team who are now well into the relegation zone. The three wins allow the teams to pull away from Crystal Mertagne in the race for the last two Globe Cup spots, as the Crystals lose two-nil at home to Fligsive, who are motoring and pulling ever closer to Zozi and Comunas, who both drop points to mid-table opposition.

The big game of the weekend, though, is Sunday’s meeting of the top two teams. Magnaeus City, in second place, host 1830 Cathair, ten points clear in the first, in a match billed as the final opportunity for anyone to open up the title race and stop the Audioslavian capital club from waltzing to a second title in three seasons.

It’s the first day of spring in Magnaeus and a packed home crowd - some of them in shorts and tee-shirts in the ‘sweltering’ fourteen degrees celsius - roar on an inspired first half performance for Magnaeus. The club of the black peak lay siege onto a Cathair goal in a lightning-paced opening ten minutes, and its just after the quarter-hour that the first goal is inevitably scored. To the surprise of the casual observer, however, its the side in blue and white stripes that opens the scoring, and not the side who’s navy blue hexagonal-patterned shirts have been dancing all over one side of the pitch. Wilfred Lidgley intercepts an errant pass by Ryan Booker. skips forward a few paces with his head up, searching for a long ball over the top to kick-start a quick counter-attack, and though striker Viji-mara Lawaai is a little slow on his thirty-five year-old legs in making up the ground, the fast and furious Guayabalese winger Oliver Abrego is sprinting down the opposite wing, and Lidgley’s pass - low, hard, no curl, just straight through what little gaps there were in the high line of Magnaeus’s defence - is expertly weighted to roll closer to Abrego than Archie Thorpe, the Magnaeus goalie, who has sprinted from his area to deal with the through-ball. It’s apparent as Abrego comes to meet the ball that he has four yards on the goalie, but Thorpe refuses to look completely stupid and banks on Abrego trying to shoot first-time from fully thirty yards, out on the right flank. Thorpe spreads himself, making sure t keep his arms behind is back so far out of his area, and manages to get a head to Abrego’s attempted lofted shot. The ball ricochets away wildly and looks to be falling to the safety of Barangayan defender Ian Angeles, but Angeles’ chest control is stiff and awkward, and the bouncing ball is met by Lawaai, by now a part of the attack, who meets the ball first time and sweeps it high, into the low Magnaean sun, and down underneath the bar for 0-1.

Magnaeus’s players are obviously shaken by the goal, having dominated so far, and though the crowd take the setback in their side and attempt to roar on the home side, Cathair can bring themselves back into the game and, by forty minutes, are two nil ahead as Rohan Cammers - this time earning a free kick rather than needlessly giving one away - curls a beautifully weighted effort over the wall and into the corner for 0-2.

Francois Cardeau has his work cut out for him for Magnaeus City’s half-time team-talk. but whatever the manager said appears to work as Magnaeus commence the second half in much the same vein as they started the first, only this time with a little more in the way of controlled aggression. Cathair still look dangerous, but the lead-reducing goal comes on fifty-five minutes courtesy of that man again Vince Urrea. Urrea, like his opponent Lawaai, is in with a shout of finishing as the league’s top scorer by the end of the season, and Urrea helps his cause with a second goal on sixty-eight minutes, a low, driven shot from Higgs’s clever flicked pass, that brings a huge roar from the home support.

Magnaeus, now, are in complete control, and a memorable comeback appears to be sealed as Antonio Rosado breaks into the box to race onto a Higgs through ball, takes a touch, and finishes cheekily through the legs of Ezin Gorde.

The home fans are ecstatic, and for ten minutes the Magnaean faitfhful are the only thing audible for two-hundred yards in any direction for those not stood four planck lengths away from an ambulance siren fed through an arena PA system in a thunder-storm on independence day during a nuclear test.

Compare and contrast with the silence that came on eighty-eight minutes. A silence that could make a earmuff convention for mute cloth puppets held in the heliopause sound like a forty elephants tumbling down a spiral staircase made of cymbals.

1830 Cathair’s equaliser comes against the run of play (again), with the side temporarily down to ten men as Lawaai sits on the half-way line nursing a bout of leg-cramp. A rare foray into the Magnaeus half seems to end with Ryan Booker’s interception of a casual square ball by Cammers, but Booker himself is caught in possession while assessing the myriad options open to him with regards to possible forward passes, and the ball breaks for Andrea Molovi who saunters forward, head up, looking for a possible pass before the centre-half suffers a nose-bleed from being too far up the pitch. With nothing on, and with Booker racing to regain possession, Molovi suffers a rush of blood to the head and starts to believe that she can score a goal from around forty-five yards away. Molovi, head down, sprints towards the ball and swings a right foot at it - through it - and sends it hurtling and spinning towards the Magnaeus goal. Keeper Archie Thorpe has quick enough feet to get behind the ball but, in a fatal lapse of concentration, lets it squirm through his hands and off the top of his shoulder. The ball loops up into the air and drops under the bar, beyond the desperate, flailing grasp of the stricken goalkeeper, and 1830 Cathair have somehow wrested a draw from a game they could have lost five-nil and not had cause to complain.

Their lead remains at ten points. Cathair are looking nigh-on uncatchable. Magnaeus look, as they leave the field, like they’ve just photographed a bigfoot-unicorn alien with the cap still on their camera.

National Cups: Semi-finals

Audioslavian Cup
Silexhera FC 2–2 KT Itzalovalle (2–2 AET) (2–4 pen.)
Ceilderden Harp 0–0 AC Izotz Zubia (0–1 AET)

Syndicatian Cup
Burgess FC 4–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Crystal Mertagne 1–1 FC Southern Ninestar (2–1 AET)

Starblaydi Cup
Iskara Daii 1–1 Corinthian Sprits (1–2 AET)
Foxchester Raiders 5–0 Tournetas

Legalite Cup
Comunas Cougars 1–1 Coastal United (1–1 AET) (4–3 pen.)
Tyrellia Titans 2–1 Bob's Towing

It’s semi-final time in each of the national cups, and the big story is Starblaydi favourites Iskara Daii falling 2-1 to Corinthian Spirits. Foxchester beat Tournetas 5-0 to ensure an all LigAnaia One final in the purple region.

The other favourites have more joy. Zozi beat Ceilerden Harp and go into an Audioslavian final against local rivals Itzalovalle who are victorious 3-2 over Silexhera. Burgess crush Nostromo 4-0, and though Southern Ninestar have a strong history in the cup competitions they can’t quite beat Crystal Mertagne.

In Legalese, Comunas are victorious over Coastal United, while struggling Tyrellia Titans pick up a win over Bob’s Towing to set up an all-islander final.

Matchday Thirty-eight
AC Izotz Zubia 1–0 Magnaeus City
1830 Cathair FC 1–1 Comunas Cougars
Foxchester Raiders 2–1 Hippion Overdrive
Hallad Reavers 0–2 Bob's Towing
KT Itzalovalle 2–1 Tyrellia Titans
Nostromo Meteorites 1–2 Lesko Pavillion
Burgess FC 2–0 Crystal Mertagne
Fligsive FC 2–1 Cazadores Cathair
Telecontarë 2–3 Draig Goch FC
Iskara Daii 3–1 Westonbirt City
Corinthian Spirits 1–1 Shamrock Cathair
International of Tyrellia 1–1 Oljestaden IF

Not content with giving us a clash between first and second the previous week, the LigAnaia fixture list decides on first versus fourth and second versus third for matchday thirty-eight. 1830 Cathair are clear favourites to win out over a struggling Comunas Cougars, but Lawaai’s first half strike isn’t enough to put away the Legalite champions as Masters rises at the far post to nod home the equaliser and ensure the points are shared. Magnaeus, then, have their upteenth opportunity to close the gap. Magnaeus, for the umpteenth time, blow it out their arses and succumb to defeat to Izotz Zubia, who leapfrog their opponents and ensure that the weekend ends with two Audioslavian clubs atop the division.

Fligsive, Burgess and the Daii all win, and the struggles of Comunas Cougars and Magnaeus in putting wins together appears to be properly opening up the race to the two Champions Cup spots below the leaders. The gap between second and sixth, previously a yawning, gaping chasm, is now down to just six points.

Matchday Thirty-nine
International of Tyrellia 2–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Oljestaden IF 3–0 Corinthian Spirits
Shamrock Cathair 1–3 Iskara Daii
Westonbirt City 3–1 Telecontarë
Draig Goch FC 0–1 Fligsive FC
Cazadores Cathair 0–3 Burgess FC
Crystal Mertagne 0–2 Nostromo Meteorites
Lesko Pavillion 0–1 KT Itzalovalle
Tyrellia Titans 1–2 Hallad Reavers
Bob's Towing 1–0 Foxchester Raiders
Hippion Overdrive 1–1 1830 Cathair FC
Comunas Cougars 0–0 Magnaeus City

Comunas Cougars nil, Magnaeus City nil. The fourth “absolutely sodding huge” game in three weeks is the third to end in a draw, and the result helps neither party in any way whatsoever. AC Izotz Zubia’s loss to Inter, however, ensures the Legalites continue to knock on the Globe Cup door while Zozi lose ground in the title race. Cathair, again, can’t manage a win as they’re held by lowly Hippion Overdrive, but the fact that whichever team occupies the second and third places in the league sporadically combust at the mere sight of a football helps ensure that their supposed two dropped points actually translates as an increase in their lead at the top of the table from ten points to eleven.

Cathair, surely, have won the league by now. Surely?

Matchday Forty
AC Izotz Zubia 0–1 Comunas Cougars
Magnaeus City 4–1 Hippion Overdrive
1830 Cathair FC 1–0 Bob's Towing
Foxchester Raiders 2–0 Tyrellia Titans
Hallad Reavers 2–1 Lesko Pavillion
KT Itzalovalle 1–0 Crystal Mertagne
Nostromo Meteorites 2–3 Cazadores Cathair
Burgess FC 3–0 Draig Goch FC
Fligsive FC 1–0 Westonbirt City
Telecontarë 4–1 Shamrock Cathair
Iskara Daii 4–1 Oljestaden IF
Corinthian Spirits 1–3 International of Tyrellia

Though neither Magnaeus, Zozi or the Cougars can close the gap, its worth noting that, had International of Tyrellia been in second place instead, they’d have almost certainly dragged 1830 back into second by now. The Legalite club, in thrashing Corinthian Spirits and adding to the Starblaydi’s misery, move up into eighth and, with Westonbirt, Itzalovalle and Crystal Mertagne all fading in the final stretch, look to be the favourites for that final Globe Cup place.

Iskara Daii, just ahead of them, have bigger fish to fry, and the famous old club’s four-one demolition of Oljestaden (who by now are pretty much safe from relegation and are just eager for a disappointing season to end) pushes them to within seven points of the Champions Cup places. The Daii, desperately poor for most of the season, have been given a glimmer of hope to go with their late season form. Fligsive, too, have grabbed the bull by the horns and, after having spent much of the season in mid-table, confusing and frustrating their own fans who have found it difficult to believe how the side could go from league champions to also-rans in just eight months, have now broken into the CC places themselves. and are pushing Magnaeus for second place. City keep their noses in front by rattling four goals past Hippion Overdrive, Cathair keep their lead at the top with victory over Bob’s Towing by a single Olver Abrego goal to nil, but the biggest game of the weekend is a huge showdown between Comunas and Izotz Zubia. In a tense, tactical affair at the Soldaduak Eremuan, Comunas edge through with a Detzler goal that keeps the Legalites within three points of third place, and puts them level with their defeated opposition.

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 1830 Cathair FC                  40       25  11   4    69   35  +34    86
 2 Magnaeus City                    40       22   9   9    79   38  +41    75
 3 Fligsive FC                      40       21  11   8    73   50  +23    74
 4 Burgess FC                       40       22   6  12    69   46  +23    72
 5 AC Izotz Zubia                   40       20  12   8    60   37  +23    72
 6 Comunas Cougars                  40       21   8  11    70   42  +28    71
 7 Iskara Daii                      40       18  13   9    62   41  +21    67
 8 International of Tyrellia        40       19   8  13    70   57  +13    65
 9 Westonbirt City                  40       18   9  13    71   53  +18    63
10 KT Itzalovalle                   40       19   6  15    58   60   -2    6

National Cup Finals
Audioslavian Cup Final
KT Itzalovalle 1–3 AC Izotz Zubia

Syndicatian Cup Final
Burgess FC 3–1 Crystal Mertagne

Starblaydi Cup Final
Corinthian Sprits 1–0 Foxchester Raiders

Legalite Cup Final
Comunas Cougars 0–1 Tyrellia Titans

Each nation’s Cygnus Cup representatives are decided over four matches between Tuesday and Thursday.

Tuesday’s match sees Itzalovalle play Izotz Zubia, and the ‘other’ Sierra club are desperate to get one over their regional rivals. AC Izotz Zubia, however, are in no mood to capitulate, and a 3-1 win secures the side in pink and silver their first Audioslavian Cup.

In Syndicatia, Burgess thrash Crystal Mertagne in a one-sided final at the Flynn Arena, while Wednesday’s final in the purple section ends with Corinthian Spirits taking a deserved victory - only their second item of silverware since the seventh season of the Liga Starblaydia.

There is a shock in store for Comunas in the Legalite final on Thursday as a determined Tyrellia Titans team take the spoils, hoisting the Federation Open Cup once again at National Stadium, ensuring their participation in next season’s Cygnus Cup.

The national cup winners now go into a playoff to decide which of the four associations gets to send their cup winner to the Globe Cup.

Matchday Forty-one
Corinthian Spirits 0–1 AC Izotz Zubia
International of Tyrellia 0–3 Iskara Daii
Oljestaden IF 2–3 Telecontarë
Shamrock Cathair 0–2 Fligsive FC
Westonbirt City 1–2 Burgess FC
Draig Goch FC 3–1 Nostromo Meteorites
Cazadores Cathair 2–0 KT Itzalovalle
Crystal Mertagne 1–2 Hallad Reavers
Lesko Pavillion 3–3 Foxchester Raiders
Tyrellia Titans 1–2 1830 Cathair FC
Bob's Towing 4–1 Magnaeus City
Hippion Overdrive 0–1 Comunas Cougars

Tearing ourselves away from the title race for one second, Hallad Reavers’ form has been, frankly, stupifying. The club, tethered to the bottom of the league for so long, have strung some wins together - the latest at the expense of a Crystal Mertagne side suffering a complete loss of form - and have not only overtaken Shamrock Cathair to wrest themselves from twenty-fourth, despite having been eight points adrift of the Cathair club only weeks ago, but also find themselves potentially three wins from safety. Tyrellia Titans, the club in the spot above the drop zone, can’t wrench themselves away from the precipice as they suffer a defeat to 1830 Cathair that all but decides the title race.

1 1830 Cathair FC 41 26 11 4 71 36 +35 89
2 Fligsive FC     41 22 11 8 75 50 +25 77
3 Magnaeus City     41 22 9 10 80 42 +38 75
4 Burgess FC     41 23 6 12 71 47 +24 75
5 AC Izotz Zubia     41 21 12 8 61 37 +24 75
6 Comunas Cougars 41 22 8 11 71 42 +29 74
7 Iskara Daii     41 19 13 9 65 41 +24 70

Magnaeus City’s rather pathetic capitulation in their four-one shellacking by the relatively ordinary Bob’s Towing might not have completely derailed their season, but the side are looking absolutely nothing like the team that, for ninety minutes against 1830 Cathair, looked to be dragging the leaders down into the mix for a thrilling finale. Zozi and the Cougars both win, but so do Fligsive who, in defeating now-bottom Shamrock away from home, go into second place, two points ahead of the trio of Magnaeus, Burgess and Zozi and three clear of Comunas. Iskara Daii victorious over Inter by a wide margin, aren’t even out of the Champions Cup running themselves. The title race may be all but over, but the question of which teams will be going into UICA competition on the orange side is far from answered with just five games to go and fifteen points to play for.

Matchday Forty-two
AC Izotz Zubia 3–0 Hippion Overdrive
Comunas Cougars 0–3 Bob's Towing
Magnaeus City 1–1 Tyrellia Titans
1830 Cathair FC 4–2 Lesko Pavillion
Foxchester Raiders 2–0 Crystal Mertagne
Hallad Reavers 3–2 Cazadores Cathair
KT Itzalovalle 2–1 Draig Goch FC
Nostromo Meteorites 2–2 Westonbirt City
Burgess FC 2–2 Shamrock Cathair
Fligsive FC 2–0 Oljestaden IF
Telecontarë 0–2 International of Tyrellia
Iskara Daii 2–0 Corinthian Spirits

Hallad Reavers grab three of those fifteen points as they stun Cazadores, leap from Hippion and drag themselves ever closer to the most unlikely study in escapology since Houdini himself was booked into a gig forty years after having died. Only Tyrellia Titans’ scraped 1-1 draw away to Magnaeus City keeps the gap between Hallad and themselves at five points, rather than four, and that brings us rather neatly back to the title hunt.

1 1830 Cathair FC     42 27 11 4 75 38 +37 92
2 Fligsive FC         42 23 11 8 77 50 +27 80
3 AC Izotz Zubia         42 22 12 8 64 37 +27 78
4 Magnaeus City         42 22 10 10 81 43 +38 76
5 Burgess FC         42 23 7 12 73 49 +24 76
6 Comunas Cougars     42 22 8 12 71 45 +26 74
7 Iskara Daii         42 20 13 9 67 41 +26 73

Comunas Cougars have the chance to pull themselves up to fourth on Sunday afternooon., but they are instead rather unceremoniously thrashed three-nil on their own pitch, their executioners being Bob’s Towing, who have rather found a niche for themselves in beheading the supposed big guns. The result leaves the gap open for Magnaeus and Burgess, but the former’s 1-1 draw with the Titans is matched in ineptitude only by Burgess’s inabiity to put away bottom side Shamrock Cathair, and their proliferation allows Zozi to march into third place with a commanding win over Overdrive.

Fligsive are dominant in defeating Oljestaden, but the win isn’t enough as 1830 Cathair, on a jubilant occasion at the sixty-six stadium, put four past Lesko Pavillion and move so close to the LigAnaia title they can almost touch it. One draw in the next four games, and the league trophy heads back to Audioslavian capital.

Matchday Forty-three
Iskara Daii 1–0 AC Izotz Zubia
Corinthian Spirits 2–1 Telecontarë
International of Tyrellia 3–1 Fligsive FC
Oljestaden IF 3–0 Burgess FC
Shamrock Cathair 1–3 Nostromo Meteorites
Westonbirt City 2–2 KT Itzalovalle
Draig Goch FC 3–0 Hallad Reavers
Cazadores Cathair 2–4 Foxchester Raiders
Crystal Mertagne 3–2 1830 Cathair FC
Lesko Pavillion 0–1 Magnaeus City
Tyrellia Titans 0–3 Comunas Cougars
Bob's Towing 0–2 Hippion Overdrive

1 1830 Cathair FC 43 27 11 5  77 41 +36 92 Champions
2 Fligsive FC     43 23 11 9  78 53 +25 80
3 Magnaeus City     43 23 10 10 82 43 +39 79
4 AC Izotz Zubia     43 22 12 9  64 38 +26 78
5 Comunas Cougars 43 23 8  12 74 45 +29 77
6 Iskara Daii     43 21 13 9  68 41 +27 76
7 Burgess FC     43 23 7  13 73 52 +21 76

It’s an odd weekend at the top as Burgess suffer a 3-0 scunnering by Oljestaden in a result that would have completely dashed the easterners hopes had Fligsive also not contrived to lose, stuffed 3-1 by an Inter side desperate to keep ahead of Itzalovalle and Westonbirt and grab that final Globe Cup place.

Fligsive’s defeat means that Cathair are champions no matter what happens between them and Crystal Mertagne, which is handy as the Crystals beat a distracted Cathair by three goals to two.

Cathair, as expected, are champions, but the fat lady is yet to sing the names of most of the other teams. Burgess’s slip allows Iskara Daii to overtake them with victory over AC Izotz Zubia, who drop out of the top three as Magnaeus scrape past Lesko Pavillion. Comunas Cougars beat Tyrellia Titans, but the only team that can take advantage of the Titans’ slip at the bottom of the table are Draig Goch who, in abrubtly halting Hallad Reavers’s fightback with a three nil victory in Legalese, bring themselves to within two points of safety.

With three games left to play, no side is yet completely without hope when it comes to the relegation battle, but Shamrock are favourites for the drop, needing to win all three games to stand a chance of finishing nineteenth.

CopAnaia: Semi-final

Corinthian Sprits 2-1 Burgess FC
AC Izotz Zubia 0-1 Tyrellia Titans

Matchday Forty-four
AC Izotz Zubia 2–2 Bob's Towing
Hippion Overdrive 0–1 Tyrellia Titans
Comunas Cougars 1–0 Lesko Pavillion
Magnaeus City 0–1 Crystal Mertagne
1830 Cathair FC 2–0 Cazadores Cathair
Foxchester Raiders 2–2 Draig Goch FC
Hallad Reavers 0–0 Westonbirt City
KT Itzalovalle 1–1 Shamrock Cathair
Nostromo Meteorites 2–3 Oljestaden IF
Burgess FC 2–0 International of Tyrellia
Fligsive FC 0–1 Corinthian Spirits
Telecontarë 1–1 Iskara Daii

Pld  W  D L  GF GA  GD Pts
1 1830 Cathair FC 44 28 11  5 79 41 +38 95 Champions
2 Comunas Cougars 44 24 8  12 75 45 +30 80
3 Fligsive FC     44 23 11 10 78 54 +24 80
4 Magnaeus City     44 23 10 11 82 44 +38 79
5 AC Izotz Zubia     44 22 13  9 66 40 +26 79
6 Burgess FC     44 24 7  13 75 52 +23 79
7 Iskara Daii     44 21 14  9 69 42 +27 77

It’s all change among chasing pack as Comunas jump from fifth to second with victory over Lesko Pavillion as Fligsive somehow contrive to lose to Corinthian Spirits. The Starblaydi club, level on points with nineteenth placed Titans but with a goal difference that keeps them in the relegation zone, if only by three goals, are desperate for the Titans to lose, but a barnstorming relegation six-pointer with Hippion sees the Legalites victorious. The win means that Shamrock Cathair and Hallad Reavers, who both emerge with credible draws on this fateful day, are now mathematically relegated, with Hippion Overdrive teetering over the precipice. Draig Goch, who’s season has crumbled since christmas, really need a win over Foxchester Raiders, but the Starblaydis are simply too strong and escape with a draw, meaning the Legalites have to make up four points in two games to survive.

Matchday Forty-five
Telecontarë 2–2 AC Izotz Zubia
Iskara Daii 0–3 Fligsive FC
Corinthian Spirits 1–1 Burgess FC
International of Tyrellia 0–2 Nostromo Meteorites
Oljestaden IF 1–0 KT Itzalovalle
Shamrock Cathair 2–1 Hallad Reavers
Westonbirt City 1–1 Foxchester Raiders
Draig Goch FC 0–3 1830 Cathair FC
Cazadores Cathair 0–0 Magnaeus City
Crystal Mertagne 0–0 Comunas Cougars
Lesko Pavillion 1–0 Hippion Overdrive
Tyrellia Titans 0–0 Bob's Towing

Draig Goch are in desperate need of all three points if they’re to stay up, and go into their home encounter with 1830 Cathair hopeful that the champions elect have filled up on champagne before the game. No such luck. Draig Goch lose by three goals, and are the fourth team relegated from the LigAnaia after Hippion, one nil losers against Lesko Pavillion, fall before them. Corinthian Spirits have a brief, fleeting flirtation with safety as they earn a commendable draw with high-flyers Burgess, but Tyrellia Titans’ draw with Bob’s Towing on the Sunday ensures that the battle to avoid that final relegation spot will go down to the last day of the season.

1 1830 Cathair FC 45 29 11  5 82 41 +41 98 Champions
2 Fligsive FC     45 24 11 10 81 54 +27 83
3 Comunas Cougars 45 24  9 12 75 45 +30 81
4 Magnaeus City     45 23 11 11 82 44 +38 80
5 AC Izotz Zubia     45 22 14  9 68 42 +26 80
6 Burgess FC     45 24  8 13 76 53 +23 80
7 Iskara Daii     45 21 14 10 69 45 +24 77

And at the top? It’s almost as if none of these sides want to be in the Champions Cup next season. Not including Cathair, of course, and, to be fair, not including Fligsive either. The Syndiatian capital club are the only top side to win, and emphatically so, three nil over Iskara Daii, to ensure a final day draw will see them not only enter the CC, but also crowned champions of The Inevitable Syndicate for the third time running. Magnaeus, Zozi, the Cougars and Burgess, all within a point of one another, somehow contrive to all draw on what has to be the chokingest weekend of the season. Daii’s loss to Fligsive puts the Starblaydi champions out of contention for the Champions Cup, but the side can console themselves with the fact that they have run away with the Starblaydi championship.

Final Matchday
AC Izotz Zubia 2–0 Tyrellia Titans
Bob's Towing 3–2 Lesko Pavillion
Hippion Overdrive 0–1 Crystal Mertagne
Comunas Cougars 1–0 Cazadores Cathair
Magnaeus City 1–1 Draig Goch FC
1830 Cathair FC 5–1 Westonbirt City
Foxchester Raiders 1–1 Shamrock Cathair
Hallad Reavers 3–2 Oljestaden IF
KT Itzalovalle 0–0 International of Tyrellia
Nostromo Meteorites 2–1 Corinthian Spirits
Burgess FC 1–0 Iskara Daii
Fligsive FC 2–1 Telecontarë

1830 Cathair’s 5-1 humiliation of Westonbirt is a fitting finish for the capital club, who ensure that they win the title by an emphatic fifteen points - thirteen more than their previous winning distance. Fligsive and Comunas knew, going into the weekend, that victories would see both sides secure Champions Cup football next season, and both manage to do just enough to win, with Fligsive overcoming Tele and Comunas beating Cazadores 1-0 at home, to the chagrin of Burgess and Izotz Zubia, who both pick up wins. that would have propelled them into the top three otherwise.

Magnaeus, in being held by relegated Draig Goch, end the season with only the Globe Cup to look forward to come July - a bitterly disappointing consolation prize after spending so long in the top three. Lower down, Inter secure the final Globe Cup spot with a draw against an Itzalovalle side who needed an eight goal win against the Legalites to leapfrog them into eighth, and never looked close to the feat at all, with the match ending nil-all.

At the bottom, the other Tyrellia club need to win, and hope fellow relegation candidates Corinthian Spirits don’t better their win by three goals. The Titans are a goal down early against Zozi, and a fervent away support at Corinthian Spirits tries to will their side on, but to no avail as Nostromo run out 2-1 winners and condemn a third Starblaydi club to the ignomy of relegation.

Hallad Reavers, they of the ill-advised love-affair with the bottom of the table, win on the final day over an Oljestaden team probably more concerned with their upcoming holidays to ensure they finish just five points shy of safety - a remarkable achievement given their form for most of the season.

CopAnaia Final
Corinthian Spirits 1-3 Tyrellia Titans

Outwith the three relegated Starblaydis, the one side most upset at Starblaydi capitulation in the top flight are Bauelaire Tulips - LigAnaia Two champions by five points - who are denied promotion by the ‘minimum four per association’ rule of the top flight, which demands a Starblaydi club be promoted in their stead. The honour falls to Hecia, down in fifth, to join the big boys in the reduced twenty-team league next season.

The bottom half of the LigAnaia Two are all given the dreaded ‘R’ in post-season, as the LigAnaia announce the formation of two leagues in the third tier - the 'North and Islands' league for Audioslavian and Starblaydi teams, along with representatives from Western Sunrise Islands and Perlasilangan, and a 'Calanian' league for teams representing Legalese, the Syndicate and newcomers Ibex, who will bring a hoofball feel to the lower leagues next season. The new leagues are referred to as 'North' and 'South' for short.

The big news comes in the weeks following the season, as Lesko Pavillion, apparently safe in eighteenth place, discover that they are actually staring relegation full in the face due to Legalese’s flirtation with the top thirty-two in the UICA coefficients. The LigAnaia rules state that the two primary associations must have as many teams in the top flight as they have UICA places, and Draig Goch’s relegation mean Legalese are one shy. Lesko must wait anxiously for the new rankings to be published by UICA, but with the Legalites sitting currently in 33rd in the table, no one in Pavillion is particularly optimistic about their chances of top-tier football next season.

The team who may well be coming up are LC Capitals, but even they must keep the champagne on ice. Legalese may well jump into UICA’s top thirty-two, but should Audioslavia overtake them in the coefficients, then it will be an Audioslavian club, and not a Legalite club, that gets promoted instead, meaning Moreazerua are in for a return to the top flight despite finishing just sixth in the LigAnaia Two.

Suffice to say, the LigAnaia has come under heavy flak for rendering a competitive division two almost meaningless, and changes in the rules of who gets promoted are expected next season.

The bottom line, of course, has to be 1830 Cathair's dominance in winning the title by a ridiculous fifteen points. One can expect plenty of movement in the transfer market in the coming months. Aside from likely transfer activity from Vanor-owned Telecontare and the richer Syndicatian teams, one team most likely looking to strengthen are Tyrellia Titans. The side will be representing the LigAnaia in next season's Globe Cup next season after their victory in the Legalite Cup (given the honour of supplying the LigAnaia's sixth Globe Cup spot by virtue of the late-season supercup, which Titans won), and will want not only to succeed in at least reaching the group stage, but also to improve on their lowly league position this season

[COCANEFA]

With another AOCAF Cup in the books, it’s time to switch our attention to domestic football, and the fifth season of the LigAnaia.

Last season was expected to be a close one, so it was to the surprise of most fans that 1830 Cathair, the powerhouses from Audioslavia’s capital, galloped to the title by a whopping fifteen points - a gap never seen before and never expected to be seen again.

Last season was also one of controversy with regards to promotion and relegation to and from the LigAnaia one. Due to an overemphasis on association quotas in the top flight being fulfilled, the two teams promoted from division two were those finishing fifth and sixth in the league, making a mockery of the entire idea of a second flight in the process. This season, the bottom club of L1 will definitely be going down, the top team of L2 will definitely be going up, and depending on circumstances we’ll either have one more auto-promotion/relegation or two playoffs instead. A team won’t be truly safe from relegation as long as they are the lowest finishing of their association.

The new season sees the league shrink from one perspective, with twenty-two teams battling it out for the fifth LigAnaia championship rather than twenty-four, but from all other points of view the COCANEFA LigAnaia has grown to become something of a monster in world football.

In what many fancy as a record, teams from nine different associations will make up the LigAnaia pyramid this season - up from four last season - in a move that has seen the COCANEFA add a third tier to the Anaia pyramid.

Teams from the majority of Calania will make up the LigAnaia Three: Calania, with clubs from the very northern tip of the continent joining those from AO’s north-eastern islands as part of the LigAnaia Three: North and Islands. Furthermore, clubs from the Atlantian Oceanian parts of United Sunrise will compete amongst themselves for the chance to move into either the LigAnaia Two or the second flight of the United Sunrise pyramid.

The LigAnaia pyramid (or, to be more accurate, the LigAnaia Sort-of-Sierpinsky-Trapezoid thing) looks like this:

LigAnaia two comprises of at least two clubs from each of nine footballing associations (only Mertagne, who’s two newcomers have been put into L3C, have no representatives in the second tier), with between one and three clubs promoting to the top flight at the end of the season.

The Teams

The Favourites

Audioslavian heavyweights 1830 Cathair are most pundits pick to retain the title they won last season. The capital club have been quiet during the transfer window, their only notable transfers being the sale of talented-yet-troublesome Rohan Cammers to Wrexton F.C. of Apox and the release of goalkeeper Ezin Gorde, replacing them with Felix international goalie Kiki Nuremberg and a big-money swoop for Dandra Harris from Earent’s Ungalb Parkatsee. The addition of national team defender Alex Koskinen is a shrewd move, and shores up the defence in anticipation of Apoxian starlet Ulrika Kinlasson’s move from the centre of defence to defensive midfield.
Of those hoping to dethrone Cathair, perennial challengers Fligsive FC are perhaps the best placed. Manager Farrell Kiter has kept a largely unchanged squad for the new season, assuming along with the rest of us that the teething problems of early last season won’t happen again, and that the side can carry on where they left off, ideally with the type of run that took them from mid-table to second in a run of twenty games last year, despite being so far adrift. Fligsive will try to balance the league push with a repeat of last season’s Champions Cup heroics, where they became the first LigAnaia team to reach the group stage of the tournament.
Iskara Daii finished last season in a disappointing 7th place after initially challenging for a Champions Cup place. The side have trimmed their flabby squad in pre-season, but will again pin their hopes on the form of the midfield triumverate of Carnavalense, Daili and the flamboyant Stardust. The Champions Cup is a minimum requirement for this former powerhouse of world football, and a marked improvement on last season’s early exit from the Globe Cup is demanded from their frustrated supporters.
One thing that the top teams will be wary of is the bright orange shirts of newcomers Hastmead Diamante, who arrive as one of two representatives of the annexed Osarian league system. The Diamonds come into LigAnaia as Osarian champions, with a supremely creative midfield and a well-organised, if a little lightweight, defence. Having failed yet again to secure a genuine top class forward in the past transfer window, however, Hastmead may struggle to convert enough of the chances their talented midfield creates.
Finally, Legalite highflyers Comunas Cougars will be confident of balancing a successful Champions Cup run with a run to the league title. Cougars broke the habit of a lifetime last season when they actually paid hard currency for the services of a professional footballer - an action typically frowned upon by the club’s rather bolshy owners - and the rejuvenated side were desperately unlucky to finish down in third place. The boys in light blue should be in the mix at the end-of-season shake-down, but where they finish may well depend on the form of star striker Jake Detzler and the discipline of a physically strong but mentally questionable back four.

The Contenders

Burgess FC’s runners-up place in the inaugural LigAnaia season was supposed to be a statement of intent, according to their fans. To be fair, it more or less was: they haven’t won the league in any other season either. The men in sky-blue and yellow will be looking to improve on their fifth place finish last season, and have bought in some foreign talent to help them achieve that goal. Names such as Angelo Gelinas and Krystal, the club’s first non-human player, look to strengthen the side and hopefully guide them to victory this season.
International of Tyrellia are one of the powerhouses of Legalite football, but have thus far failed to truly impress in the LigAnaia. Fans were sated last season with the side’s capture of the last of the LigAnaia’s Globe Cup places, but will be disappointed with anything other than a strong showing in both UICA and domestic football this time out. In reality, victory over their cross-town rivals Tyrellia Titans may be the closest an occasionally error-prone team get to true satisfaction this season. Inter remain a team looking to build for the future.
Magnaeus City are looking towards one man to see them through this season - not a player, but long time manager, Farell Kiter. Kiter may come off as cold and downright evil by some, but to those within the club he's seen as a fair and wise man that genuinely has the team's best interests at heart. Of course, Kiter has a single objective in mind this season; to finish higher than long-time rivals Fligsive at any cost. He's seen their aging squad isn't getting any younger, and feels that while his isn't either, City have more experience on the field in the areas he deems most important - the midfield, and on the last line of defence, the goal line.
Starblaydia has a very large immigrant population, and each and every one of them would be up in arms if we didn’t include Telecontare in the list of contenders. The Tabeck outfit are former winners of the Liga Calania - one of the LigAnaia’s spiritual ancestors - and the richness of their support is matched only by that of their bank accounts, but the team have endured a torrid first two seasons in the LigAnaia, almost being relegated after their first season and falling away drastically in the second half of last season. There are some who suggest the side are a shadow of their former glories, but as any of the team’s elven contingent (ie pretty much all of them) will tell you, i takes more than a little rain to dull elvish steel.
Firewood City will be coming to terms with the loss of captain Roque Acosta this season, most likely by focusing heavily on wing play, due to the Fourgian club’s perpetual abundance of talented wingers and fullbacks. The central column of the team is by no means weak, but without the dynamic running of the Osarius captain in midfield, they will likely find it harder to link attack and defence, which could be a major problem when facing the stronger sides in the league.
Lastly in this section, but certainly not least, are AC Izotz Zubia, the inaugural champions of the LigAnaia. ‘Zozi’, a they’re affectionately nicknamed, are distinctive for their salmon-and-silver coloured shirts and a brand of football too often focusing on style over results. This season, however, has seen manager Powell Pieran focus on defence. Young Audioslavian internationals Bustos and Jovellanos, Lame and Zauritu have been sold, and the cash has been spent on breaking the Audioslavian record to bring in Valladar centre-half Paddy Courtois to the team to marshall a defence that has been bolstered with the signings of Brenecian Orson Faulkner from Iskara Daii and Dwile Warriors’ Susan Endicott, who becomes just the fourth female footballer in Audioslavian club football. Up front, the strike partnership of Roga and Buruz, supplied by Turorian talisman Etamara Kukkiia, should be enough to trouble even the staunchest of LigAnaia defences.

The Outsiders

Crystal Mertagne are a team that nowadays have little to do with the nation that shares their name. While an amazing, table topping finish isn’t exactly on the cards for the northern Syndicatian team, Crystal Mertagne are looking to avoid both a lawsuit with the new nation and relegation from the top flight. They may not look like the men to do it, but sometimes the underdogs can end up surprising us all.
Back when the LigAnaia was just a glint in the eyes of the north-east’s governing bodies, Foxchester Raiders were busy cutting swathes through world football. The Starblaydi powers, resplendent in their traditional blue and orange, reached the final of the Champions Cup in UICA season 33, and were one of the Liga Calania’s top sides before the league eventually disbanded. Today’s Foxchester are a rather different beast, and have spent the majority of their LigAnaia existence cowering in the shadows of the likes of Magnaeus, Zozi and the Daii. Their best days may well be behind them, and money may well be scarce, but a side as big as this cannot be discounted in future seasons.
KT Itzalovalle[.b], the Tzierra region’s ‘second’ team, are one of just a handful to have played in every LigAnaia season so far, and have been building slowly with the target of becoming more than just a mainstay in the league. Last season’s 9th place was a marked improvement on two preceding years which had seen them struggle to avoid relegation, and a strong run this year could see the side playing UICA football next season - a feat they’ve only managed once in their history.
[b]Oljestaden IF are a team that consistently defies logic and expectation, whether for good reasons or bad. The side were COCANEFA’s first CopAnaia champions in season three - a year which saw the side win their first four games before going on a rather epic losing streak - and spent much of last season rooted to the bottom of the LigAnaia before embarking on a desperate late-season scramble to safety. Oljestaden have, in recent seasons, managed to take journeymen like Ivan Haarsted and Vitor Belmonte and present them as superstars, while also blending youthful exuberance (their goalkeeper Zebjan Istanjovich, is just nineteen years old) and veteran knowhow (James Courier retains a place in the starting line-up despite now being the wrong side of 40). This unpredictable team from the northern shores of Audioslavia are a tricky opponent for anyone on their day.
Westonbirt City’s best LigAnaia season so far was season three, whereby they bit their collective thumbs at the established order and fought their way to third place. The next season they went one better, and managed to claw their way even past the group stages of the Globe Cup. That performance, however, came at the cost of league form, and the green-clad side from western Syndicatia finished well out of the Globe Cup places. This season, without the disraction of UICA football, a confident Westonbirt will have pretentious of another top-six finish, but in reality much of their team has been picked apart by the stronger sides in terms of players, and Westonbirt may have to satisfy themselves with mid-table for another year.

The Stragglers

Bob’s Towing, while a household name in Legalese, may seem to be - in the eyes of the rest of the league - a team seriously in need of their namesake’s product. The Casnar Golt-helmed side has not seen a top finish since leading midfielder Chance Cloman was a teenager; at age 24, he’s the team’s best hope of survival, something that has the punters at Gamma Arena nervous.
Cazadores Cathair are a side most Audioslavian neutrals - ie, those Audioslavians not living in Cathair, Oljestaden or Tzierra, who’s constituent football clubs dominate the Audioslavian footballing landscape - can get behind. Cazadores, based on the eastern outskirts of the capital city, have long played a brand of exciting, attacking football, and despite their lack of resources have been more than capable of mixing it with the big boys since their first season in the top flight. The Cazadores fans expect much of Ronda-Judith Styrn this season, especially since Audioslavia’s first female footballer has recently been included in the national team for the very first time...
KT Moreazerua, the poor relations of the big Tzierran clubs, were promoted last season for bureaucratic reasons rather than footballing ones, thanks to the LigAnaia’s rather complicated rules regarding quotas in the top flight. ‘Mozi’ were relegated in season three after finishing bottom of the LigAnaia, and barely scraped into the top eight of L2 last season, albeit as the best of Audioslavia’s second-tier contingent. They can thank Audioslavia’s leapfrogging of Legalese into the second of the COCANEFA’s two ‘primary associations’ for their promotion, and have been active in the free transfer market in pre-season, most notably bringing in former Polar Islandstates international Eyvindur Sudesval from disbanded Baudelaire and snagging Cameron Rivor from Iskara Daii, but it would be a brave man to bet on them attaining anything other than last place this season.
Nostromo Meteorites are a side who tend to grow into seasons. The Syndicatians have a tendency to spend christmas in the relegation zone before fighting back during the second half of the season, and have two mid-table finishes in two seasons in which the side were tipped for relegation to show for it. A repeat of the type of form that saw the side finish third in the inaugural LigAnaia season is unlikely, however, and the side may well be fighting for their status as a LigAnaia ever-present come May.
Tyrellia Titans find themselves in a unique spot: for all the stories of Towing as the club with the glory of old, and the Cougars as the club of now, it was the Titans that truly lived up to their name during the pre-COCANEFA days. After a disappointing debut in Liganaia One last year - mildly tempered by winning the Legalite Federation Open Cup and the Copanaia - the club just hopes that the mitts of NT keeper Evan Swales are strong enough to keep them up one more time - though with few offseason moves, that looks easier hoped than granted.
Finally, Hecia are, like Moreazerua, one of the favourites to go down. The side may well be able to boast that they once finished as runners-up in the first edition of the old Liga Starblaydia, but being that that was around a century ago some might say that fact is pretty irrelevant. If one thing can save Hecia it’s the fact that there may be only one auto-relegation spot this season, and with KT Moreazerua also expected to struggle, Hecia may yet find themselves with the opportunity to build a solid foundation in the LigAnaia.

UICA Champions Cup Second Preliminary Round
First Leg
Cyrene Bay (OAM) 0-3 1830 Cathair

UICA Globe Cup Second Preliminary Round
First Leg
Hearthfort United (WIN) 0-2 Magnaeus City
Tyrellia Titans 3-1 Lionsgate City (VYK)

UICA Champions Cup Second Preliminary Round
Second Leg
1830 Cathair 2-0 Cyrene Bay (OAM)

UICA Globe Cup Second Preliminary Round
Second Leg
Magnaeus City 2-1 Hearthfort United (WIN)
Lionsgate City (VYK) 2-0 Tyrellia Titans

Anaiatecer Charity Shield
Granger Dragonites 2–1 1830 Cathair
The Ultimate Stadium of Ultimate Destrucity, Parts Unknown, Southern Sunrise
Capacity: 109,150

1830 Cathair:
Kiki Nuremberg [FEL]; Andreij Tal, Alex Koskinen, Andrea Molovi [EQS], Shaka Okboah [GAS]; Oliver Abrego [SJG] (Rickard Lund, ‘77), Ulrika Kinlasson [APX] (Janos Hufschmied, ‘72), Wilfred Lidgley [APX] (41’), Dandra Harris [EAR]; Peter Masters [SLL], Viji-mara Lawaai [VIL]. Coach: Andre-Luis Partico
Granger Dragonites:
Jean Alvién [KDE]; Lorelen, Tainara Arroz (Helena Rosa. ‘80), Izak Roskí [FFD], Uspa Pauritanoeca; Elaine Everdeen [EQS], Blazing Fire, Milly Trakat, Kitty Trakat (60’); Santí Ibra (Ruccio Roche, ‘65), Juan Pedro Alemán Viera (23’) | Coach: Grande Pinto

The Anaiatecer Charity Shield is the first annual pre-season matchup between the champions of the Sun League and the LigAnaia title-holders. This inaugural match, held in Southern Sunrise, results in a win for North Sunrisian champs Granger Dragonites, who overcome 1830 Cathair 2-1 with goals from Viera and Trakat either side of a Lidgley equaliser for the Audioslavians.

UICA Champions Cup Third Preliminary Round
First Leg
Fligsive FC 2-1 Sporting Volker (FEL)
1830 Cathair 4-1 Crystopolis City (CRY)
Comunas Cougars 3-2 Republica FC (ACD)

UICA Globe Cup Third Preliminary Round
First Leg
Iskara Daii 1-1 Maximum City (NPH)
Magnaeus City 1-0 Luanda East (WAN)
Isula ge Ru (ISR) 6-2 AC Izotz Zubia

[COCANEFA]

LigAnaia Matchday 1
Bobs Towing 2–3 Magnaeus City
Westonbirt City 1–0 1830 Cathair
KT Itzalovalle 0–1 Comunas Cougars
KT Moreazerua 2–1 Hecia
Foxchester Raiders 4–3 Cazadores Cathair
International of Tyrellia 1–1 Oljestaden IF
Telecontare 2–2 Firewood City
Nostromo Meteorites 1–3 Burgess FC
Crystal Mertagne 3–2 AC Izotz Zubia
Hastmead Diamante 1–0 Fligsive FC
Tyrellia Titans 3–4 Iskara Daii

Live coverage of the build-up to the opening day of the LigAnaia is broadcast to over forty countries around the world, most of whom are given the opportunity to watch one of the showdowns live. Those fortunate enough to live in one of the nine competing COCANEFA nations have to travel to the stadium to see the opening day's fixtures, which results in mostly sell-out crowds around the region.

The one exception is Tyrellia Titans, who can't quite fill the city's 45,000 seater Coliseum despite the travelling support of their Daii opponents. In an end-to-end game, Iskara Daii emerge victorious by four goals to three, surviving a late scare as Tyrellia score in injury time and push hard for an equalizer.

The game's goal-count is matched by a Foxchester/Cazadores encounter that again ends in favour of the Starblaydis, who have to fight back from 3-2 down to overcome Cathair's second club at the death, scoring a late winner through one Paco Robles, the former Cazadores and Audioslavia midfielder newly recruited from imploded Tropicorp outfit Tropicorp FC.

Cazadores aren't the only Cathair-based club to suffer at the hands of a former employee. Champions 1830 Cathair travel to Westonbirt only to concede an early goal by aptly-named eighteen year-old Kevin Galling, released from the capital club back in June and back to haunt them with August barely over. Westonbirt's 1-0 victory over 1830 Cathair is the league's first upset of the season for many, though Westonbirt fans will protest that, despite a lack-lustre finish to the previous season, they are every bit the side that finished 3rd in season 3 and have every chance of repeating that feat despite the large exodus of players in the intervening time.

1830's game was not, on paper, the most difficult opening-day encounter for the league's title favourites. Top Syndicatian club Fligsive FC were forced to travel to Hastmead Diamante's Black Patch Park and Benni Watson's boys in orange. Fligsive put up a fight, and look to be controlling the game for long periods, but are powerless to prevent the home side taking the lead and never really look in contention after that as Hastmead cruise to a confidence-boosting win over the title hopefuls.

Over in Tabeck, the other Osarian newcomers Firewood FC are in action against Telecontare in a match between the perceived 'second' clubs of Osarius and Starblaydia. Both the former Champions Cup winners and former Liga Calania champions have points to prove, and their points appear to be equally valid as they play out an entertaining 2-2 draw.

KT Itzalovalle 0-1 Comunas Cougars looks like an expected and unremarkable scoreline at a glance, but to be present at the Antzerkia for the game is to gain a rather different view of proceedings. Itzalovalle have been pipped to struggle, as they do most seasons, while Cougars harbour ambitions of a maiden LigAnaia title, but it was the Tzierrans who had by far the better of the play in what appeared to be a one-sided game. Time and time again the team in red and black would find inroads into the Comunas defence and set chances up for new strikers Kenzo Temporuin and Anderson Sandro, only to see chance after chance go begging. Sandro, a 12m signing from FC Alser, looked full of condfidence and running on the day, but showed almost zero composure in front of goal and wasted a slew of chances. Temporuin came close three times, grazing the post twice and drawing an acrobatic save from Morrissey Beaudine in the Cougars goal for the third chance, and Merzei Orban probably should have scored with a back-post header on seventy-five minutes as Cougars desperately held on.

Just as it appeared Comunas would nick a point, they go one better and score through star man Jake Detzler, robbing the home side of a deserved point and starting Comunas on the right foot for the season. Itzi manager Txo Morea cuts an annoyed figure on the sidelines.

Fellow Tzierrans AC Izotz Zubia travel to Crystal Mertagne. Zozi have made many a pre-season statement about their credentials and ability to take the league by storm this season, but an utterly disastrous 6-2 shellacking by the lightly regarded Isula ge Ru in their first Globe Cup matchup rocks Zozi’s confidence at a vital time, and Crystal Mertagne take advantage to dispatch them 3-2.

The only winning Tzierran side on the opening day is, surprisingly, KT Moreazerua, though their opponents Hecia are perhaps the only team in the LigAnaia with more pundits tipping them for the drop than Mozi.

Elsewhere, Legalite outfit Bob's Towing are defeated 3-2 at home to Magnaeus City, and Burgess FC come away from Nostromo with all three points thanks to a goal from Legalite striker Austin Bigg either side of a double-strike by $17m Crystopolis signing Krystal.


LigAnaia Two
Filipéia () 2–1 Atletico Gonzales ()
Jhanna City () 5–0 Corinthian Spirits ()
Penningworth United () 1–0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Shamrock Cathair () 1–1 Lesko Pavillion ()
Hippion Overdrive () 2–2 Greeningham City ()
Porto Velho () 0–2 LC Capitals ()
Nacional () 3–1 Shanak FC ()
Batal () 1–0 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Beverington Hawks () 0–2 UD Lopez ()
Coastal United () 4–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Utica United () 1–1 Draig Goch ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 3–1 Hallad Reavers ()




UICA Champions Cup Third Preliminary Round
Second Leg
Sporting Volker (FEL) 3-1 Fligsive FC
Crystopolis City (CRY) 1-4 1830 Cathair
Republica FC (ACD) 2-3 Comunas Cougars

UICA Globe Cup Third Preliminary Round
Second Leg
Maximum City (NPH) 2-1 Iskara Daii
AC Izotz Zubia 1-1 Isula ge Ru (ISR)
Luanda East (WAN) 2-1 Magnaeus City

LigAnaia Matchday 2
Magnaeus City 1–0 Iskara Daii
Fligsive FC 3–1 Tyrellia Titans
AC Izotz Zubia 2–0 Hastmead Diamante
Burgess FC 4–4 Crystal Mertagne
Firewood City 4–2 Nostromo Meteorites
Oljestaden IF 3–1 Telecontare
Cazadores Cathair 0–2 International of Tyrellia
Hecia 1–2 Foxchester Raiders
Comunas Cougars 4–2 KT Moreazerua
1830 Cathair 4–0 KT Itzalovalle
Bobs Towing 1–1 Westonbirt City

A disappointing 1-1 draw in the second leg of the Globe Cup dumps Zozi out of UICA competition even before the half-time pies are cold from matchday one, and its with great trepidation that their fans welcome Osarian newcomers Hastmead Diamante to Audioslavian shores for matchday two, especially after having seen the lunch-time kick-off between Osarius’s supposed ‘second’ team and Nostromo Meteorites of The Inevitable Syndicate, with the result finishing an emphatic 4-2 in the newcomers’ favour.

Zozi struggle through a fast-paced first-half that sees wave after wave of orange attacks crash against their defensive line, but somehow find themselves taking the lead on fifty minutes through a Buruz finish so instinctive that’s its likely the striker didn’t know he’d even touched the ball until Kulkkiia jumped on him in celebration. Kulkkiia’s own finish on the hour mark doubles Zozi’s advantage, and a shocked Hastmead are unable to avoid their first defeat of the season despite some relentless late pressure.

The game of the day is most certainly Burgess’s 4-4 draw with Syndicatian rivals Crystal Mertagne. Burgess, losing 2-1 with ten minutes to go, fire home two goals in rapid succession and are seemingly home and dry with Krystal’s third goal in two games to make it 4-2 on 90 minutes, but a bizarre injury time period sees Mertagne scramble home a goal before thirty year-old goalkeeper David Parish arrives for a corner and heads home the equalizer. Mertagne’s fans will feel they should have won the game from 2-1 up, but will be sent home happy and fully entertained regardless, especially after having forced so-called title hopefuls Burgess to drop points.

One of the biggest ties is Iskara Daii’s trip to Magnaeus City. The game is treated as a yardstick for both teams to gauge their chances of reaching the Champions Cup places, if not challenging for the title themselves, and the spoils fall to the Syndicatians who take an early lead through Vince Urrea and close out the game comfortably, raising questions about just how strong the famous Daii are this season.

Title favourites Fligsive, Comunas and Cathair all win comfortably, while relegation-favourites Hecia are beaten at home by fellow Starblaydis Foxchester Raiders.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 2–0 Hallad Reavers ()
Draig Goch () 1–3 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 1–3 Utica United ()
UD Lopez () 1–2 Coastal United ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 2–1 Beverington Hawks ()
Shanak FC () 2–0 Batal ()
LC Capitals () 4–2 Nacional ()
Greeningham City () 1–2 Porto Velho ()
Lesko Pavillion () 1–0 Hippion Overdrive ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 1–0 Shamrock Cathair ()
Corinthian Spirits () 5–0 Penningworth United ()
Filipéia () 1–2 Jhanna City ()




UICA Champions Cup Playoff Round
First Leg
Comunas Cougars 1-0 Karela Lines (RJS)
1830 Cathair 2-0 Laurentia FC (LYM)

UICA Globe Cup Playoff Round
First Leg
Marque (BRE) 1-1 Magnaeus City
Fligsive FC 3-1 Coastal Soccer Club (GGS)
Narglatch (SLR) 2-1 International of Tyrellia
Gamba Vanersholm (VAN) 1-1 Burgess FC

LigAnaia Matchday 3
Westonbirt City 0–3 Magnaeus City
KT Itzalovalle 1–3 Bobs Towing
KT Moreazerua 0–1 1830 Cathair
Foxchester Raiders 4–2 Comunas Cougars
International of Tyrellia 2–2 Hecia
Telecontare 2–3 Cazadores Cathair
Nostromo Meteorites 0–2 Oljestaden IF
Crystal Mertagne 1–2 Firewood City
Hastmead Diamante 1–0 Burgess FC
Tyrellia Titans 2–3 AC Izotz Zubia
Iskara Daii 1–1 Fligsive FC

Cathair and Comunas are busy clubs, having to balance Champions Cup play with maintaining league form, and while Cathair manage to scrape past Mozi just four days after their CC win over Laurentia, Comunas’s much thinner squad are stretched to breaking point after several players pick up niggling injuries and strains during the 1-0 win over Rejistanians Karela Lines, and it shows on Sunday as they are unceremoniously booted out of Foxchester with a large footprint on their collective behinds.

Fligsive, in action in the Globe Cup after a disappointing early exit from the big tournament, travel to a Daii side that had dropped out of UICA football with a whimper three weeks previously, but cannot force their will on their Starblaydi opponents as they are held to a draw.

Oljestaden are in fine fettle so far, unbeaten after two games, and they stretch that run to three with an impressive away win over Nostromo Meteorites. A few miles north, another unbeaten record is kept in tact. Westonbirt and Magnaeus play out a Syndicatian derby that was supposed to be a close, tactical affair between two fairly evenly matched teams, but Magnaeus make a mockery of the entire idea with a crushing 3-0 away win to bring their record to played three, won three.

Starblaydi’s underachieving elven eleven Telecontare are having a miserable start to the season. A home match with lowly Cazadores Cathair is supposed to be the match in which they find their feet, but instead they find R.J. Styrn is busy kicking them out from underneath them as she scores one and makes two in the away side’s 3-2 victory.

In Osarius, Hastmead Diamante are up against Burgess FC in the big televised game on Saturday evening. Neither side come away looking particularly exciting during a dour, error-ridden game, but its the home team who come away with the three points as Benni Watson vows his side will continue to grow into life in the LigAnaia.

LigAnaia Two
Jhanna City () 3–1 Atletico Gonzales ()
Penningworth United () 2–1 Filipéia ()
Shamrock Cathair () 1–2 Corinthian Spirits ()
Hippion Overdrive () 1–0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Porto Velho () 1–4 Lesko Pavillion ()
Nacional () 2–1 Greeningham City ()
Batal () 1–1 LC Capitals ()
Beverington Hawks () 1–3 Shanak FC ()
Coastal United () 0–2 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Utica United () 2–1 UD Lopez ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 5–0 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Hallad Reavers () 2–4 Draig Goch ()



UICA Champions Cup Playoff Round
Second Leg
Karela Lines (RJS) 1-2 Comunas Cougars
Laurentia FC (LYM) 1-2 1830 Cathair

UICA Globe Cup Playoff Round
Second Leg
International of Tyrellia 3-1 (AET) Narglatch (SLR)
Burgess FC 1-0 Gamba Vanersholm (VAN)
Magnaeus City 2-1 Marque (BRE)
Coastal Soccer Club (GGS) 1-1 Fligsive FC

LigAnaia Matchday 4
Magnaeus City 3–0 Fligsive FC
AC Izotz Zubia 3–1 Iskara Daii
Burgess FC 3–2 Tyrellia Titans
Firewood City 1–2 Hastmead Diamante
Oljestaden IF 3–3 Crystal Mertagne
Cazadores Cathair 0–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Hecia 1–2 Telecontare
Comunas Cougars 3–0 International of Tyrellia
1830 Cathair 2–0 Foxchester Raiders
Bobs Towing 4–1 KT Moreazerua
Westonbirt City 1–2 KT Itzalovalle

“The smaller teams need exposure too” is the league’s excuse when fans and the media question why Cazadores versus Nostromo - a battle between two teams expected to finish around 20th - is the televised game on Saturday night. They do have a point, but the drab 0-0 draw is a shocking advertisement for LigAnaia football, especially when compared to the slew of eyecatching attacking football on offer elsewhere in the league. The Magnaeus-Fligsive derby ends with the home side crushing their rivals 3-0 in an encounter so one-sided that pundits begin to reevaluate whether or not Fligsive are, truly, a few steps above the rest of their Syndicatian rivals as they claim. Osarius is home to a derby, too, as the two Fourge heavyweights play out an entertaining match that Hastmead steal with a late strike, furthering their claim to being a team capable of hanging with the best the league has to offer.

Zozi and Daii play out an entertaining match in Tziera that is finely balanced for much of its life, but Daii run out of steam in the latter stages and allow the home side to rattle in two goals through Buruz and Kulkkiia as Zozi take the spoils.

Oljestaden are still unbeaten after holding Crystal Mertagne in a lively encounter that ends 3-3, while the all-Starblaydi affair between Hecia and Tele ends with Telecontare grabbing all three points, and the all Legalite affair between the association’s two biggest teams ends with an expected win for heavyweights Comunas, who cruise to a 3-0 win over Inter, boosted by the surprise sending-off of Inter captain Cyrus Damhan for a hard tackle from behind on Dominic Morgenthaler. After the match, Damhan declined to speak about the official’s decision, though Appius Rutter, Inter’s manager, speculated that the match official plied his trade in The Icemark before coming to the Liganaia.

Elsewhere in Legalese, Bob’s Towing complete their second annihilation of Tzierran opposition in a row with a 4-1 hammering of KT Moreazerua. Last week’s defeated opponents, KT Itzalovalle, travel to Westonbirt City and pick up a vital away win, but $12m signing Anderson Sandro is absent from the travelling party. The club tweets that the striker suffered a foot injury in training, but photographs from a local nightclub appear to show the Kytleran striker dancing barefeet with a rather inebriated blonde wearing six inch heels, and the public are left to piece together the story themselves.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 1–0 Draig Goch ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 0–2 Hallad Reavers ()
UD Lopez () 2–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 2–0 Utica United ()
Shanak FC () 0–2 Coastal United ()
LC Capitals () 1–1 Beverington Hawks ()
Greeningham City () 2–1 Batal ()
Lesko Pavillion () 3–1 Nacional ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 1–0 Porto Velho ()
Corinthian Spirits () 2–1 Hippion Overdrive ()
Filipéia () 1–1 Shamrock Cathair ()
Jhanna City () 3–1 Penningworth United ()



UICA Globe Cup Qualifying Round
First Leg
International of Tyrellia 1-2 Baskita FC (PAS)
Adyshar Agkademykes (PDT) 1-1 Fligsive FC
Magnaeus City 1-1 Nagelti Rovers (JEC)
Ford Prefect FC (PRA) 0-3 Burgess FC


LigAnaia Matchday 5
KT Itzalovalle 1–1 Magnaeus City
KT Moreazerua 1–2 Westonbirt City
Foxchester Raiders 1–0 Bobs Towing
International of Tyrellia 3–3 1830 Cathair
Telecontare 2–1 Comunas Cougars
Nostromo Meteorites 0–1 Hecia
Crystal Mertagne 2–2 Cazadores Cathair
Hastmead Diamante 1–0 Oljestaden IF
Tyrellia Titans 2–5 Firewood City
Iskara Daii 2–1 Burgess FC
Fligsive FC 2–3 AC Izotz Zubia

Sandro is back for Itzalovalle’s 1-1 draw at home to Magnaeus, but contributes very little to a shaky first half performance from the hosts that is pulled out of the fire with Adam Cooper’s late strike. It is the first match of the season that Magnaeus have failed to win, and though manager Francois Cardeau blames a tight fixture list, what with the side’s progression to the qualifying round of the Globe Cup, the supporters are confident and unworried as Magnaeus remain top of the league.

Cathair and Comunas, the two sides left in the Champions Cup, are still struggling. Cathair are held to a 3-3 draw away to a Damhan-less Inter that, while hardly a huge upset, is certainly a match they would have won the previous season, while Comunas lose again, this time on the road to Telecontare.

It’s a good week for Starblaydi clubs as Iskara Daii take victory over Burgess FC while Hecia finally pick up a win, shocking Nostromo in The Syndicate. Foxchester Raiders complete the ‘purple’ day with victory over Bob’s Towing.

The Osarians, too, take a 100% record from matchday five as both Firewood and Hastmead take wins, the former with a 5-2 destruction of the Titans in Tyrellia. Tyrellia’s record is now played six, lost six, and when you factor in a dispiriting loss to Globe Cup minnows Lionsgate City it becomes apparent that Legalese’s apparent third strongest club are in a dire situation.

LigAnaia Two
Penningworth United () 1–3 Atletico Gonzales ()
Shamrock Cathair () 1–0 Jhanna City ()
Hippion Overdrive () 2–0 Filipéia ()
Porto Velho () 3–0 Corinthian Spirits ()
Nacional () 1–1 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Batal () 2–1 Lesko Pavillion ()
Beverington Hawks () 1–0 Greeningham City ()
Coastal United () 1–2 LC Capitals ()
Utica United () 2–1 Shanak FC ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 0–1 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Hallad Reavers () 1–1 UD Lopez ()
Draig Goch () 2–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()

[COCANEFA]

UICA Globe Cup Qualifying Round
Second Leg
Baskita (PAS) 2-0 International of Tyrellia
Fligsive FC 2-1 Adyshar Agkademykes (PDT)
Nagelti Rovers (JEC) 0-0 Magnaeus City
Burgess FC 0-0 Ford Prefect FC (PRA)

LigAnaia Matchday 6
Magnaeus City 1–2 AC Izotz Zubia
Burgess FC 1–0 Fligsive FC
Firewood City 2–1 Iskara Daii
Oljestaden IF 1–1 Tyrellia Titans
Cazadores Cathair 1–1 Hastmead Diamante
Hecia 2–2 Crystal Mertagne
Comunas Cougars 2–0 Nostromo Meteorites
1830 Cathair 1–2 Telecontare
Bobs Towing 2–1 International of Tyrellia
Westonbirt City 4–1 Foxchester Raiders
KT Itzalovalle 3–1 KT Moreazerua

Magnaeus supporters are angered by the side’s exit from the Globe Cup at the hands of Jeckish lightweight opponents Nagelti Rovers, despite having drawn both ties, and the players are visibly under pressure in the televised game against AC Izotz Zubia as they try to maintain their unbeaten record. Zozi score first, a fine strike from Viji-mara Lawaai on twenty minutes, a second-half equaliser from Alisdair Green appears to put the blues on course for a 1-1 draw. Substitute Janos Hufschmied, however, has other ideas, and the midfielder’s eighty-fifth minute goal seals a win for Izotz Zubia to the dismay of the home fans.

Cardeau is philosophical in defeat, praising his opponents for a well taken win, while Zozi boss Powell Pieran is confident and visibly excited by the prospect of the season, claiming his side’s early exit from the Globe Cup may well work out to the team’s benefit, with a much lighter fixture list than their rivals.

Burgess and Fligsive play out another Syndicatian derby, and its Fligsive who again come out on the losing side with a 1-0 defeat as Burgess finally get back to winning ways. Title rivals 1830 Cathar fare even worse, losing at home to a Telecontare side who may well finally be turning the corner, while Comunas Cougars recover from earlier slip-ups to beat Nostromo Meteorites 2-0.

The ‘other’ Tzierran derby ends with KT Itzalovalle thrashing KT Moreazerua by three goals to one. Anderson Sandro is absent once again, with no news from either player or club as to whether he is injured or as merely been dropped, but Kenzo Temporuin is more than capable of picking up the slack as he scores two goals in the win.

In other Legalite news, the Gamma Arena crowd saw more joy, taking a 2-1 result as the surprising slide of International continued for another week. Another questionable performance for Inter’s Damhan ensued, leading to another unwanted early exit for him - only this time at his manager’s hands.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 1–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
UD Lopez () 1–3 Draig Goch ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 2–1 Hallad Reavers ()
Shanak FC () 2–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
LC Capitals () 0–1 Utica United ()
Greeningham City () 2–2 Coastal United ()
Lesko Pavillion () 2–0 Beverington Hawks ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 0–2 Batal ()
Corinthian Spirits () 1–3 Nacional ()
Filipéia () 4–0 Porto Velho ()
Jhanna City () 0–2 Hippion Overdrive ()
Penningworth United () 1–2 Shamrock Cathair ()


LigAnaia Matchday 7
KT Moreazerua 1–0 Magnaeus City
Foxchester Raiders 2–2 KT Itzalovalle
International of Tyrellia 1–0 Westonbirt City
Telecontare 3–0 Bobs Towing
Nostromo Meteorites 4–0 1830 Cathair
Crystal Mertagne 1–2 Comunas Cougars
Hastmead Diamante 2–0 Hecia
Tyrellia Titans 2–0 Cazadores Cathair
Iskara Daii 5–2 Oljestaden IF
Fligsive FC 4–1 Firewood City
AC Izotz Zubia 1–0 Burgess FC

“If last week was a hiccup..” says one prominent Syndicatian pundit, “..then today was Magnaeus being sick all over their khakis.” Their trip to Tzierra to play relegation-favourites Moreazerua is disastrous as the side lose 1-0 on a day where the other top clubs mostly win. Fligsive win out 4-1 versus Osarians Firewood, Iskara Daii thrash Oljestaden by five goals to two while Comunas Cougars are perhaps a little uninspiring in their visit to Crystal Mertagne, but manage to snatch a late victory with Jake Detzler’s late strike.

Osarian heavyweights Hastmead cruise past Hecia, Zozi pick up another win as they scrape past Burgess FC, while Telecontare’s 3-0 win over Bob’s Towing cements their place in the top six at this early stage.

The stage is set for Sunday, and 1830 Cathair’s trip to Nostromo Meteorites. Cathair are expected to continue the trend of the big teams sweeping aside their smaller leaguemates, and so its with considerable shock that they concede an early goal from Xabi Mulloy, who then further bemuses the Catharans, and everyone watching on television, by adding a second and crossing for Henry Davies to score the third.

Cathair are 3-0 down at half-time, and make a succession of changes in time for a second half that, really, goes no differently from the first. Nostromo complete the rout with a Douglas Swire goal that makes it four-nil, and the champions are sent scampering from southern Syndicatia with their collective tails between their legs.


LigAnaia Two
Shamrock Cathair () 4–1 Atletico Gonzales ()
Hippion Overdrive () 3–0 Penningworth United ()
Porto Velho () 2–2 Jhanna City ()
Nacional () 1–1 Filipéia ()
Batal () 2–0 Corinthian Spirits ()
Beverington Hawks () 3–1 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Coastal United () 2–2 Lesko Pavillion ()
Utica United () 2–1 Greeningham City ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 2–1 LC Capitals ()
Hallad Reavers () 3–1 Shanak FC ()
Draig Goch () 3–1 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 1–3 UD Lopez ()


UICA Champions Cup Group Stage
1830 Cathair FC 2-1 SK Franz Josef City (PIS)
Comunas Cougars 2-3 Yuba United (COM)

UICA Globe Cup Group Stage
Gwinevra Barbarians (APX) 1-1 Fligsive FC
Kagoshima Phoenix (COM) 2-1 Burgess FC

LigAnaia Matchday 8
Magnaeus City 0–5 Burgess FC
Firewood City 1–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Oljestaden IF 3–1 Fligsive FC
Cazadores Cathair 3–3 Iskara Daii
Hecia 3–2 Tyrellia Titans
Comunas Cougars 0–1 Hastmead Diamante
1830 Cathair 0–0 Crystal Mertagne
Bobs Towing 0–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Westonbirt City 1–4 Telecontare
KT Itzalovalle 3–2 International of Tyrellia
KT Moreazerua 2–0 Foxchester Raiders

“Okay, so if last week was Magnaeus being sick all over their trousers, they definitely shat themselves yesterday. And puked on their trousers. And fell into a ditch. And accidentally set their shoes on fire. Ridiculous. Just ridiculous”
Magnaeus City 0-5 Burgess FC is a bamboozling result. Burgess, hot one week, cold the next, are narrowly beaten on Thursday’s trip to Paripana and come into Sunday lunchtime’s kickoff missing two key players, but even then are dominant against a full-strength Magnaeus side who play as if they’ve never met one another before.

The result leaves the door open for other top sides to capitalise, but Comunas and Cathair are both visibly tired as the former are beaten at home by Hastmead Diamante and the latter are held in Cathair by Crystal Mertagne. Cathair, at least, have an excuse; the side overcame SK Franz Josef City in Cathair on a memorable night for Audioslavian club football.

Fligsive are hardly spared on a weekend that sees the smaller sides take revenge on last week’s hammering from the established order, and the side are thrashed 3-1 by Oljestaden, forced to suffer the ignominy of having Ivan Haarsted score a hat-trick against them.

Even lowly Hecia manage to pick up a win, though their victory is against a Tyrellia Titans team stuck on just four points after eight games. Inter fare little better, losing away to KT Itzalovalle, while fellow Tzierrans KT Moreazerua defeat Foxchester Raiders by two goals to nil.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 1–0 UD Lopez ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 1–0 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Shanak FC () 5–1 Draig Goch ()
LC Capitals () 2–1 Hallad Reavers ()
Greeningham City () 1–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Lesko Pavillion () 1–0 Utica United ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 1–1 Coastal United ()
Corinthian Spirits () 3–1 Beverington Hawks ()
Filipéia () 2–3 Batal ()
Jhanna City () 1–2 Nacional ()
Penningworth United () 1–1 Porto Velho ()
Shamrock Cathair () 3–1 Hippion Overdrive ()



UICA Champions Cup Group Stage
Stivarnel GU (EAR) 3-1 1830 Cathair
Tannenberg FC (VLD) 0-0 Comunas Cougars

UICA Globe Cup Group Stage
Fligsive FC 3-0 Mangolana City (MNG)
Burgess FC 1-3 FC Delare Minon (YTT)


LigAnaia Matchday 9
Foxchester Raiders 0–1 Magnaeus City
International of Tyrellia 2–1 KT Moreazerua
Telecontare 3–1 KT Itzalovalle
Nostromo Meteorites 4–0 Westonbirt City
Crystal Mertagne 4–1 Bobs Towing
Hastmead Diamante 2–2 1830 Cathair
Tyrellia Titans 1–0 Comunas Cougars
Iskara Daii 2–3 Hecia
Fligsive FC 3–0 Cazadores Cathair
AC Izotz Zubia 2–1 Oljestaden IF
Burgess FC 3–0 Firewood City

Cathair are ensconced in the ‘group of death’ in the Champions Cup, and while they managed to somehow defeat Franz Josef on matchday one, they are put back in their place by Stivarnel GU of Earent. They face a tough encounter in Fourge on Saturday, and the subsequent 2-2 draw is generally seen as a good result for the champions.

Comunas Cougars hold Tannenberg FC in an impressive defensive performance in midweek, but again find themselves having to field a weakened team in the league and suffer a humiliating defeat to lowly Legalite rivals Tyrellia Titans. Inter complete a rare good weekend for Tyrellian clubs as they defeat Moreazerua 2-1; the success barely dampens rumors of a midweek training spat between the captain and the coaching staff. Mozi are the only bottom side not to find a win as Hecia overcome Iskara Daii with a 3-2 away win that annoys fans of the Daii.

Elsewhere in the league. Magnaeus look to finish their crisis with a tricky away fixture at Foxchester that they narrowly traverse thanks to veteran Felix Kaestner and his deft second-half flick past Foxchester’s former 1830 Cathair goalkeeper Ezin Gorde.

LigAnaia Two
Hippion Overdrive () 1–1 Atletico Gonzales ()
Porto Velho () 3–1 Shamrock Cathair ()
Nacional () 4–1 Penningworth United ()
Batal () 1–1 Jhanna City ()
Beverington Hawks () 2–1 Filipéia ()
Coastal United () 2–2 Corinthian Spirits ()
Utica United () 1–1 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 1–1 Lesko Pavillion ()
Hallad Reavers () 2–0 Greeningham City ()
Draig Goch () 2–2 LC Capitals ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 0–1 Shanak FC ()
UD Lopez () 4–2 The Knights of Tiberia ()


Cygnus Cup Round of 16

LigAnaia Matchday 10
Magnaeus City 3–1 Firewood City
Oljestaden IF 0–1 Burgess FC
Cazadores Cathair 1–0 AC Izotz Zubia
Hecia 0–2 Fligsive FC
Comunas Cougars 0–1 Iskara Daii
1830 Cathair 2–1 Tyrellia Titans
Bobs Towing 1–3 Hastmead Diamante
Westonbirt City 3–0 Crystal Mertagne
KT Itzalovalle 4–2 Nostromo Meteorites
KT Moreazerua 2–2 Telecontare
Foxchester Raiders 1–2 International of Tyrellia

Another week, another shocking performance from the supposed title-favourites in Comunas, who are toothless in losing at home to Iskara Daii in Saturday evening’s televised games. Title-chasing Zozi come unstuck too, losing a tight game in Cathair against the Cazadores, while Syndicatian high-flyers Burgess and a resurgent Magneaus make light work of their opposition to stave off the critics for another week at least.

Telecontare’s progression from underachievers to rightful contenders for the top spots appears to be almost complete, as the reaction to their draw with KT Moreazerua is overwhelmingly negative, where in previous seasons no-one would really have been surprised, or even cared.

Westonbirt and Crystal Mertagne play out the ‘derby of occasionally dangerous Syndicatian teams’, with Westonbirt taking the spoils in a 3-0 victory.

KT Itzalovalle are still playing without Anderson Sandro, who appears to have gone completely AWOL, but the side are not missing their young striker as they put four goals past struggling Nostromo.


LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 0–0 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Shanak FC () 0–1 UD Lopez ()
LC Capitals () 1–4 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Greeningham City () 2–2 Draig Goch ()
Lesko Pavillion () 1–0 Hallad Reavers ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 1–2 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Corinthian Spirits () 3–0 Utica United ()
Filipéia () 2–1 Coastal United ()
Jhanna City () 0–1 Beverington Hawks ()
Penningworth United () 1–0 Batal ()
Shamrock Cathair () 1–0 Nacional ()
Hippion Overdrive () 0–1 Porto Velho ()


LigAnaia Two (Midweek fixtures)
Porto Velho () 1–2 Atletico Gonzales ()
Nacional () 3–0 Hippion Overdrive ()
Batal () 2–1 Shamrock Cathair ()
Beverington Hawks () 1–2 Penningworth United ()
Coastal United () 2–2 Jhanna City ()
Utica United () 0–0 Filipéia ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 1–3 Corinthian Spirits ()
Hallad Reavers () 0–0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Draig Goch () 3–2 Lesko Pavillion ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 2–2 Greeningham City ()
UD Lopez () 2–0 LC Capitals ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 3–1 Shanak FC ()



LigAnaia One Table

LigAnaia 	       Pld  W D L GF GA  GD Pts
1 Hastmead Diamante 		10  7 2 1 14  7 +7   23
2 AC Izotz Zubia 		10  7 1 2 19 12 +7   22
3 Telecontare 			10  6 2 2 23 15 +8   20
4 Burgess FC			10  6 1 3 21 11 +10  19
5 Magnaeus City 		10  6 1 3 16 12 +4   19
6 Comunas Cougars		10  5 0 5 15 12 +3   15
7 1830 Cathair 			10  4 3 3 15 13 +2   15
8 International of Tyrellia 	10  4 3 3 16 16  0   15
9 Iskara Daii 			10  4 2 4 20 19 +1   14
10 Firewood City 		10  4 2 4 19 21 −2   14
11 KT Itzalovalle 		10  4 2 4 17 20 −3   14
12 Fligsive FC 			10  4 1 5 16 14 +2   13
13 Foxchester Raiders 		10  4 1 5 15 19 −4   13
14 Westonbirt City 		10  4 1 5 13 17 −4   13
15 Oljestaden IF 		10  3 3 4 16 16  0   12
16 Crystal Mertagne 		10  2 5 3 20 21 −1   11
17 Bobs Towing 			10  3 2 5 14 18 −4   11
18 Hecia 			10  3 2 5 14 18 −4   11
19 Cazadores Cathair 		10  2 4 4 13 19 −6   10
20 KT Moreazerua		10  3 1 6 13 19 −6   10
21 Nostromo Meteorites 		10  2 2 6 13 16 −3    8
22 Tyrellia Titans 		10  2 1 7 17 24 −7    7

Were the season to end today. Hastmead would be crowned champions in their debut season while Fligsive, stuck down in twelfth after another inauspicious start to the season, would be out of the UICA places completely. Aside from Fligsive’s struggles, the league has taken on a familiar form, though Hecia and Moreazerua, both by far favourites for the drop, have managed to scrape themselves into 17th and 19th places respectively.

The most notable gap comes between fifth and sixth, which sees four points between Magnaeus and Comunas and Cathair.

That a further four points seperate sixth from eighteenth is a testament to how close the mid-table places are expectedto be this season. That bottom club Tyrellia Titans have scored more goals than league leaders Hastmead Diamante is... just... a bit weird.

LigAnaia Two Table

LigAnaia Two                               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 The Knights of Tiberia                            11    7   1   3    16   11   +5    22
 2 Lesko Pavillion                                   11    6   3   2    19   11   +8    21
 3 Nacional                                          11    6   2   3    22   15   +7    20
 4 Batal                                             11    6   2   3    15   11   +4    20
 5 UD Lopez                                          11    6   1   4    18   13   +5    19
 6 Corinthian Spirits                                11    6   1   4    21   19   +2    19
 7 Draig Goch                                        11    5   3   3    22   21   +1    18
 8 Atletico Gonzales                                 11    5   3   3    14   13   +1    18
 9 Utica United                                      11    5   3   3    12   12    0    18
10 FC Southern Ninestar                              11    5   2   4    20   14   +6    17
11 Shamrock Cathair                                  11    5   2   4    16   13   +3    17
12 Jhanna City                                       11    4   3   4    19   14   +5    15
13 Shanak FC                                         11    5   0   6    17   17    0    15
14 LC Capitals                                       11    4   3   4    16   17   −1    15
15 Coastal United                                    11    3   5   3    19   17   +2    14
16 Hippion Overdrive                                 11    4   2   5    13   13    0    14
17 Porto Velho                                       11    4   2   5    14   18   −4    14
18 Beverington Hawks                                 11    4   1   6    12   17   −5    13
19 Penningworth United                               11    4   1   6    11   23  −12    13
20 Filipéia                                          11    3   3   5    15   15    0    12
21 Hallad Reavers                                    11    3   2   6    13   16   −3    11
22 Tout-Puissant Hasiera                             11    2   4   5     7   12   −5    10
23 Greeningham City                                  11    1   5   5    14   19   −5     8
24 Mahraqat al-Juthathi                              11    1   2   8    11   25  −14     5

[COCANEFA]

UICA Champions Cup Group Stage
Directus (EUR) 1-1 1830 Cathair
Menomonie United (DAR) 1-0 Comunas Cougars

UICA Globe Cup Group Stage
Fligsive FC 2-1 Jamaica Giants (JSY)
Burgess FC 2-1 Viztouzys Kolektyvinis (BYN)

LigAnaia Matchday 11
International of Tyrellia 1–0 Magnaeus City
Telecontare 1–1 Foxchester Raiders
Nostromo Meteorites 2–0 KT Moreazerua
Crystal Mertagne 3–0 KT Itzalovalle
Hastmead Diamante 0–2 Westonbirt City
Tyrellia Titans 2–2 Bobs Towing
Iskara Daii 2–0 1830 Cathair
Fligsive FC 1–1 Comunas Cougars
AC Izotz Zubia 3–0 Hecia
Burgess FC 2–1 Cazadores Cathair
Firewood City 0–1 Oljestaden IF

That Inter and Magnaeus are almost right next to one another in the league table isn’t enough to disabuse most pundits of the notion that Magnaeus are heavy favourites for their match on matchday eleven, so it’s a surprise when the Legalites sneak a seventieth-minute goal to further frustrate Magnaeus’s supporters. Rivals Fligsive are also annoyed with themselves after a 1-1 draw against Comunas Cougars - a match that might have seemed a daunting one at first glance but, given the Cougars’ form of late as well as Fligsive’s position in the bottom half of the table, was a game Fligsive felt they desperately needed to win.

Champions 1830 Cathair fare little better, and are rolled over by Iskara Daii in Jhan to fall further behind the leaders, but top of the table Hastmead can’t take any advantage whatsoever in their defeat at home to Westonbirt City, and so AC Izotz Zubia take first place with a comfrtable win against Hecia.

Zozi’s fellow Tzierrans Mozi and Itzi (as they’re known throughout the region, to the mirth of most foreigners who think the nicknames make those clubs sound like teletubbies) are less fortunate. Moreazerua are taken apart by a poor Nostromo team while KT Itzalovalle’s fans are left dismayed by their 3-0 defeat to Crystal Mertagne. It had been the weekend of Anderson Sandro’s comeback after his ‘long term injury’ (according to the club), and if indeed the player was injured then it appears he’s been rushed back too early, as Sandro once again did very little.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 1–2 Shanak FC ()
LC Capitals () 3–3 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Greeningham City () 1–1 UD Lopez ()
Lesko Pavillion () 3–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 0–3 Draig Goch ()
Corinthian Spirits () 2–2 Hallad Reavers ()
Filipéia () 3–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Jhanna City () 3–0 Utica United ()
Penningworth United () 1–0 Coastal United ()
Shamrock Cathair () 1–1 Beverington Hawks ()
Hippion Overdrive () 0–1 Batal ()
Porto Velho () 0–3 Nacional ()

Cygnus Cup Round of 16

LigAnaia Matchday 12
Magnaeus City 1–0 Oljestaden IF
Cazadores Cathair 0–2 Firewood City
Hecia 1–2 Burgess FC
Comunas Cougars 2–2 AC Izotz Zubia
1830 Cathair 1–1 Fligsive FC
Bobs Towing 0–2 Iskara Daii
Westonbirt City 0–0 Tyrellia Titans
KT Itzalovalle 0–1 Hastmead Diamante
KT Moreazerua 1–3 Crystal Mertagne
Foxchester Raiders 2–2 Nostromo Meteorites
International of Tyrellia 1–1 Telecontare

Sandro appears to be at it again. Despite being named by his manager as destined to start Saturday’s game, the Kytlerian striker is again nowhere to be seen as Itzalovalle take to the field to lose meekly to Hastmead Diamante. Eyewitness reports tell of a middle-aged Kjeligstedi woman, described diplomatically as ‘possibly a freelance worker in local industry’, arriving late on Friday evening with a heavy-looking briefcase and leaving early that morning with the same briefcase. The club’s official report, later that evening, explains that Anderson had ‘developed a number of small back injuries’ during an ‘extracurricular training session’, but would be available to face Tyrellia the following week.

Leaving Bizarro-world for a minute, AC Izotz Zubia and Comunas Cougars play out an entertaining two-all draw that nevertheless does no favours for either club. Iskara Daii continue to impress, traveling to Legalese and defeating Bob’s Towing, but compatriors Telecontare aren’t quite so lucky, being held by Inter Tyrellia.

The biggest game of the weekend is 1830 Cathair versus Fligsive FC; the champions against the runners-up. Neither side is enjoying a vintage season so far,with both struggling to balance league form with UICA responsibilities, and that is echoed in the football on show as both sides play a cautious, defensive game which ends in a one-all draw.

LigAnaia Two
Nacional () 0–1 Atletico Gonzales ()
Batal () 0–1 Porto Velho ()
Beverington Hawks () 2–0 Hippion Overdrive ()
Coastal United () 2–3 Shamrock Cathair ()
Utica United () 2–0 Penningworth United ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 4–1 Jhanna City ()
Hallad Reavers () 1–1 Filipéia ()
Draig Goch () 1–3 Corinthian Spirits ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 1–1 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
UD Lopez () 0–2 Lesko Pavillion ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 2–1 Greeningham City ()
Shanak FC () 1–1 LC Capitals ()


UICA Champions Cup Group Stage
1830 Cathair 2-1 Directus (EUR)
Comunas Cougars 1-1 Menomonie United (DAR)

UICA Globe Cup Group Stage
Jamaica Giants (JSY) 2-1 Fligsive FC
Viztouzys Kolektyvinis (BYN) 5-1 Burgess FC

LigAnaia Matchday 13
Telecontare 1–2 Magnaeus City
Nostromo Meteorites 0–1 International of Tyrellia
Crystal Mertagne 0–0 Foxchester Raiders
Hastmead Diamante 2–1 KT Moreazerua
Tyrellia Titans 1–2 KT Itzalovalle
Iskara Daii 0–0 Westonbirt City
Fligsive FC 3–1 Bobs Towing
AC Izotz Zubia 2–0 1830 Cathair
Burgess FC 3–0 Comunas Cougars
Firewood City 2–4 Hecia
Oljestaden IF 1–2 Cazadores Cathair

Cathair are back in action in the Champions Cup and pick up another memorable win, this time accounting for Euran heavyweights Directus in a great scalp for LigAnaia football, but the side can’t translate their UICA form to the league as they are comprehensively out-played by AC Izotz Zubia in the ‘classico’ match. Comunas, yet to see victory in the CC group-stage, are again unable to shake off the UICA hangover and a largely second-string side are easily dismantled by high-flyers Burgess FC.

Saturday’s televised game sees Telecontare face Magnaeus and struggle to a 2-1 defeat as the Syndicatians continue to refind their form. Fligsive, too, are victorious as they continue to try to catch the leaders.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 0–3 LC Capitals ()
Greeningham City () 3–3 Shanak FC ()
Lesko Pavillion () 3–2 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 3–1 UD Lopez ()
Corinthian Spirits () 0–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Filipéia () 2–0 Draig Goch ()
Jhanna City () 3–0 Hallad Reavers ()
Penningworth United () 2–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Shamrock Cathair () 1–1 Utica United ()
Hippion Overdrive () 2–2 Coastal United ()
Porto Velho () 2–2 Beverington Hawks ()
Nacional () 1–2 Batal ()



Cygnus Cup Quarter-Final

LigAnaia Matchday 14
Magnaeus City 3–1 Cazadores Cathair
Hecia 0–0 Oljestaden IF
Comunas Cougars 1–0 Firewood City
1830 Cathair 0–0 Burgess FC
Bobs Towing 1–3 AC Izotz Zubia
Westonbirt City 2–1 Fligsive FC
KT Itzalovalle 1–1 Iskara Daii
KT Moreazerua 0–5 Tyrellia Titans
Foxchester Raiders 2–0 Hastmead Diamante
International of Tyrellia 1–3 Crystal Mertagne
Telecontare 2–1 Nostromo Meteorites

Tyrellia Titans are still struggling at the foot of the table, but somehow find the strength to travel for a relegation dogfight against Moreazerua and scunner the Audioslavians by five goals to nil. That neither Hecia, Cazadores, Oljestaden or Nostromo can win means they’re back in the fight.

Also back in a fight are Telecontare, who’s 3-1 win pulls them closer to the leaders, though Zozi’s 3-1 away win over Bob’s Towing ensures they stay top. Hastmead Diamante aren’t so fortunate, and leave their travelling support frustrated as they travel to Foxchester Raiders and lose by two goals to nil.

Also disappointed are Fligsive, who lose to fellow Syndicatians Westonbirt City. Fligsive are, to their fans chagrin, doing exactly what they did last year in having an absolute shocker of a first half of the season. That the side have pulled it out of the fire in both of the last two seasons and finished first and second respectively is little consolation to the support, who are beginning to point the finger of blame at Farell Kiter who, despite garnering silverware for the club, has been accused of denying them one or two more league titles simply for his inability to make his side play together for the first three months of every season.

LigAnaia Two
Batal () 2–0 Atletico Gonzales ()
Beverington Hawks () 1–5 Nacional ()
Coastal United () 1–1 Porto Velho ()
Utica United () 0–2 Hippion Overdrive ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 1–1 Shamrock Cathair ()
Hallad Reavers () 1–1 Penningworth United ()
Draig Goch () 1–1 Jhanna City ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 1–1 Filipéia ()
UD Lopez () 2–1 Corinthian Spirits ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 0–2 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Shanak FC () 0–1 Lesko Pavillion ()
LC Capitals () 4–1 Greeningham City ()


UICA Champions Cup Group Stage
SK Franz Josef City (PIS) 0-0 1830 Cathair
Yuba United 1-3 Comunas Cougars

UICA Globe Cup Group Stage
Fligsive FC 2-0 Gwinevra Barbarians (APX)
Burgess FC 2-0 Kagoshima Phoenix (COM)

LigAnaia Matchday 15
Nostromo Meteorites 0–1 Magnaeus City
Crystal Mertagne 2–2 Telecontare
Hastmead Diamante 2–0 International of Tyrellia
Tyrellia Titans 0–1 Foxchester Raiders
Iskara Daii 2–1 KT Moreazerua
Fligsive FC 1–3 KT Itzalovalle
AC Izotz Zubia 3–1 Westonbirt City
Burgess FC 1–0 Bobs Towing
Firewood City 0–1 1830 Cathair
Oljestaden IF 0–0 Comunas Cougars
Cazadores Cathair 1–1 Hecia

Comunas and Fligsive have what are most likely the most schizophrenic fans on the planet, and not through any fault of their own. One minute, Comunas are travelling to the legendary Yuba United and, on a famous night for the club, slaughtering them 3-1. The next minute they’re in northern Audioslavia against Oljestaden and being held to the most drab 0-0 draw one can imagine. Fligsive, one minute, are taking apart Apoxian heavyweights Gwinevra Barbarians in the Globe Cup while, the next, they are being beaten three-one by the likes of KT Itzalovalle. That Andrson Sandro managed to bag only his second goal of the season against the supposed title favourites is testament to just how far Fligsive’s league form has fallen.

Cathair, too, are struggling in the league, but still have the wherewithall to defeat Firewood City by a goal to nil, while the other Osarians Hastmead Diamante are finding their winning ways again with a 2-0 win over Inter.

The Legalite teams are definitely struggling. Not only are Comunas freefalling in the league, but Bob’s Towing, Tyrellia Titans and even Inter are really struggling for form so far.

Of the contenders, Telecontare are still putting points together, but are all too often failing to win, as seen on Saturday with their 2-2 draw to Crystal Mertagne. Zozi, Daii and Magnaeus on the other hand are all victorious.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 2–2 Greeningham City ()
Lesko Pavillion () 0–1 LC Capitals ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 2–1 Shanak FC ()
Corinthian Spirits () 2–0 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Filipéia () 1–0 UD Lopez ()
Jhanna City () 2–0 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Penningworth United () 2–1 Draig Goch ()
Shamrock Cathair () 3–1 Hallad Reavers ()
Hippion Overdrive () 2–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Porto Velho () 3–2 Utica United ()
Nacional () 1–0 Coastal United ()
Batal () 2–0 Beverington Hawks ()

[COCANEFA]

LigAnaia Matchday 16
Magnaeus City 4–1 Hecia
Comunas Cougars 1–0 Cazadores Cathair
1830 Cathair 1–2 Oljestaden IF
Bobs Towing 0–2 Firewood City
Westonbirt City 1–0 Burgess FC
KT Itzalovalle 1–0 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Moreazerua 1–2 Fligsive FC
Foxchester Raiders 1–1 Iskara Daii
International of Tyrellia 0–0 Tyrellia Titans
Telecontare 0–0 Hastmead Diamante
Nostromo Meteorites 1–2 Crystal Mertagne

A week off from UICA football means some much-needed rest for Comunas, Fligsive and 1830 Cathair, though while the Syndicatians and Legalites can draw the strength for important wins over admittedly meagre opposition, Cathair are stunned at home to northerners Oljestaden IF, who score two early goals through Haarsted and Durdur Celetholtinu and hold their advantage despite heavy pressure from the home side.

Magnaeus maintain their winning form with an easy victory over Hecia, but Zozi take to the Antzerkia for a local derby against KT Itzalovalle and are beaten by a single Merzei Orban goal to nil. Hastmead can’t quite take fll advantage as they are held by a Telecontare side who perhaps should have taken all three points, but such an activity does not seem to be in fashion in Tabeck right now.

LigAnaia Two
Beverington Hawks () 0–1 Atletico Gonzales ()
Coastal United () 2–0 Batal ()
Utica United () 1–1 Nacional ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 2–2 Porto Velho ()
Hallad Reavers () 2–1 Hippion Overdrive ()
Draig Goch () 1–3 Shamrock Cathair ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 2–1 Penningworth United ()
UD Lopez () 4–2 Jhanna City ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 2–1 Filipéia ()
Shanak FC () 2–2 Corinthian Spirits ()
LC Capitals () 1–2 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Greeningham City () 1–4 Lesko Pavillion ()


UICA Champions Cup Group Stage
1830 Cathair 0-1 Stivarnel GU (EAR)
Comunas Cougars 1-0 Tannenberg FC

UICA Globe Cup Group Stage
Mangolana City (MNG) 1-0 Fligsive FC
FC Delare Minon (YTT) 3-0 Burgess FC

LigAnaia Matchday 17
Crystal Mertagne 1–2 Magnaeus City
Hastmead Diamante 3–2 Nostromo Meteorites
Tyrellia Titans 1–2 Telecontare
Iskara Daii 4–0 International of Tyrellia
Fligsive FC 2–1 Foxchester Raiders
AC Izotz Zubia 4–2 KT Moreazerua
Burgess FC 3–1 KT Itzalovalle
Firewood City 0–0 Westonbirt City
Oljestaden IF 2–1 Bobs Towing
Cazadores Cathair 4–0 1830 Cathair
Hecia 1–3 Comunas Cougars

It’s amazing what a bit of good fortune can do for a team’s form. Just three weeks ago, Comunas Cougars were without a win in the Champions Cup group stage and dropping points left and right in the league. Wednesday’s final group stage encounter of the Champions Cup, however, sees the side not only overcome Tannenberg for their second CC victory in two games but also qualify for the second round of the competition, despite having looked down and out so recently.

Comunas, for once, can translate their UICA form to the league, and a trip to Hecia sees the side secure all three points despite long periods of appearing second best against the Starblaydis.

Fligsive and Burgess both manage wins, with the latter thrashing Itzi by three goals to one, and Hastmead Diamante’s comeback victory over lowly Nostromo Meteorites caps off a day where the ‘big’ teams put the boot in to their smaller brethren.

Would Sunday see more of the same? Would it balls.

The televised derby between 1830 Cathair and Cazadores Cathair sees record viewers from Audioslavia who want to see how the champions put up with R.J. Styrn, who has been a revelation in recent games for the national team. The fans are duly entertained as Styrn expertly translates her international form to that of her club and sets up Andro Mendez and John Beckett for the first two goals, before scoring herself in the second half.

The true star of the show, however, is Cazadores’s creative midfielder Sterling Rose, a new signing from Euran outfit Marketville, and one who has given struggling Cazadores something to shout about so far. It is Rose who bags the final goal of the game as Cazadores run roughshod over 1830 Cathair, who’s supporters nevertheless try to jibe the home fans about Cathair’s status as ‘the big team’, their UICA credentials, and the fact that when a person says ‘Cathair’, people think of 1830 Cathair rather than anyone else.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 2–4 Lesko Pavillion ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 3–0 Greeningham City ()
Corinthian Spirits () 2–2 LC Capitals ()
Filipéia () 2–1 Shanak FC ()
Jhanna City () 1–2 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Penningworth United () 0–2 UD Lopez ()
Shamrock Cathair () 3–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Hippion Overdrive () 3–0 Draig Goch ()
Porto Velho () 3–0 Hallad Reavers ()
Nacional () 2–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Batal () 4–1 Utica United ()
Beverington Hawks () 2–4 Coastal United ()


Cygnus Cup Semi-Final

LigAnaia Matchday 18
Magnaeus City 3–0 Comunas Cougars
1830 Cathair 2–0 Hecia
Bobs Towing 1–0 Cazadores Cathair
Westonbirt City 0–0 Oljestaden IF
KT Itzalovalle 2–1 Firewood City
KT Moreazerua 0–0 Burgess FC
Foxchester Raiders 1–3 AC Izotz Zubia
International of Tyrellia 1–2 Fligsive FC
Telecontare 0–1 Iskara Daii
Nostromo Meteorites 1–1 Tyrellia Titans
Crystal Mertagne 2–0 Hastmead Diamante

Anderson Sandro’s form appears to have bottomed out completely amidst talk of unrest in his home life, his massive price-tag and the idea, purported by those who have scanned various YouTube videos of his play for evidence of green-screen CGI, that he might not actually have been very good in the first place. Sandro is substituted at half-time during what appears to be a routine defeat by Firewood, but replacement striker Temporuin pulls it out of the fire for the Audioslavians as he scores one and creates another.

Fellow Audioslavian ‘also-ranks’ Oljestaden IF are usually good for some entertainment, but a rather drab and idealess team have failed to impress so far, and a 0-0 draw with the equally yawn-worthy Westonbirt City has people turning off their TVs in droves.

Telecontare and Iskara Daii play out an entertaining derby that ends one-nil for the visitors, while Fligsive and AC Izoz Zubia both win and 1830 Cathair bounce back to beat Hecia, a team who’s role so far in the league is to give bigger sides more confidence as they roll over to inevitable defeat after inevitable defeat.

The big match is between Magnaeus and Comunas Cougars. Comunas are desperate to maintain form, keep their fans happy and make a proper push to the top half of the league, but are again by far second best as Magnaeus City crush them by three goals to nil.

LigAnaia Two
Coastal United () 3–0 Atletico Gonzales ()
Utica United () 4–3 Beverington Hawks ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 3–3 Batal ()
Hallad Reavers () 0–2 Nacional ()
Draig Goch () 3–1 Porto Velho ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 0–0 Hippion Overdrive ()
UD Lopez () 0–1 Shamrock Cathair ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 0–3 Penningworth United ()
Shanak FC () 2–2 Jhanna City ()
LC Capitals () 5–1 Filipéia ()
Greeningham City () 1–2 Corinthian Spirits ()
Lesko Pavillion () 5–1 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()


Cygnus Cup Semi-Final

LigAnaia Matchday 19
Hastmead Diamante 0–2 Magnaeus City
Tyrellia Titans 3–2 Crystal Mertagne
Iskara Daii 1–2 Nostromo Meteorites
Fligsive FC 2–1 Telecontare
AC Izotz Zubia 1–2 International of Tyrellia
Burgess FC 4–1 Foxchester Raiders
Firewood City 1–0 KT Moreazerua
Oljestaden IF 1–2 KT Itzalovalle
Cazadores Cathair 2–0 Westonbirt City
Hecia 0–2 Bobs Towing
Comunas Cougars 3–3 1830 Cathair

It’s Christmas, and that means large swathes of north-eastern football fans have the week off work, and that means four games in eight days for the clubs of the LigAnaia.

The first ninety minutes of this marathon happens on Saturday, with many teams fielding slightly sub-strength line-ups in anticipation of fatigue setting in later in the week. Comunas and Cathair, however, aren’t among them, and both sides field their ‘A’ teams for their six-goal thriller in Comunas that sees Wilfred Lidgley recreate some of the playmaking form that saw his side through the CC first round, scoring the first goal of the game and making the other two in the second half after Morgenthaler and Detzler put the Cougars ahead. Gruffud Masters is on hand in the eighty-fourth minute to direct a far-post header past Nuremberg for 3-3 and complete an entertaining match-up between two struggling giants.

Magnaeus City aren’t quite in such generous Christmas spirit as they travel to Fourge to play highflying Hastmead Diamante, giving up zero goals and leaving with all three points and a lot of disappointed Osarian children in their wake. Fligsive and Burgess are equally inhospitable, taking Starblaydi opposition to their homes and sending them away with nothing but a sore arse and a lump of coal.

Mertagne, however, prove that the north-west of old Syndicatia has much more christmas spirit as they travel to Tyrellia bearing gifts of soft goals and three points. The centre half-pairing of Vale and De Mole are particularly generous, standing aside and waving a finger at the linesman every time Tyrellia got forward, despite being far too slow to actually set any kind of offside trap.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 0–0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Corinthian Spirits () 1–1 Lesko Pavillion ()
Filipéia () 1–2 Greeningham City ()
Jhanna City () 3–1 LC Capitals ()
Penningworth United () 0–4 Shanak FC ()
Shamrock Cathair () 1–1 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Hippion Overdrive () 1–1 UD Lopez ()
Porto Velho () 1–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Nacional () 2–2 Draig Goch ()
Batal () 4–1 Hallad Reavers ()
Beverington Hawks () 0–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Coastal United () 2–2 Utica United ()


LigAnaia Matchday 20
Magnaeus City 0–0 1830 Cathair
Bobs Towing 0–2 Comunas Cougars
Westonbirt City 1–1 Hecia
KT Itzalovalle 2–1 Cazadores Cathair
KT Moreazerua 1–1 Oljestaden IF
Foxchester Raiders 0–1 Firewood City
International of Tyrellia 1–0 Burgess FC
Telecontare 2–3 AC Izotz Zubia
Nostromo Meteorites 2–2 Fligsive FC
Crystal Mertagne 0–2 Iskara Daii
Hastmead Diamante 3–1 Tyrellia Titans

It’s just fhree days later and all through the house, not a creature is stirring, except an enormous scary Cougar who mauls Bob’s Towing to death effortlessly in one of eleven evening Christmas-Eve kick-offs. The roating line-ups mean there are some upsets on the cards for this slew of christmas fixtures, but Burgess’s away defeat to Inter is the only real upset on christmas eve, unless one counds Fligsive’s 2-2 away draw with Nostromo Meteorites which, given Fligsive’s form, not many people do.

LigAnaia Two
Utica United () 1–1 Atletico Gonzales ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 0–3 Coastal United ()
Hallad Reavers () 2–0 Beverington Hawks ()
Draig Goch () 1–1 Batal ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 3–1 Nacional ()
UD Lopez () 2–1 Porto Velho ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 1–2 Hippion Overdrive ()
Shanak FC () 3–0 Shamrock Cathair ()
LC Capitals () 4–4 Penningworth United ()
Greeningham City () 4–3 Jhanna City ()
Lesko Pavillion () 2–1 Filipéia ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 2–0 Corinthian Spirits ()


LigAnaia Two (Midweek fixtures)
Atletico Gonzales () 1–1 Corinthian Spirits ()
Filipéia () 3–2 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Jhanna City () 1–0 Lesko Pavillion ()
Penningworth United () 0–1 Greeningham City ()
Shamrock Cathair () 0–2 LC Capitals ()
Hippion Overdrive () 0–1 Shanak FC ()
Porto Velho () 1–0 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Nacional () 4–1 UD Lopez ()
Batal () 3–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Beverington Hawks () 1–0 Draig Goch ()
Coastal United () 3–1 Hallad Reavers ()
Utica United () 1–0 FC Southern Ninestar ()

LigAnaia One Table

b]LigAnaia[/b] 	              Pld W  D  L GF GA  GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 		20  14 2  4 43 24 +19  44
2 Magnaeus City 		20  14 2  4 34 17 +17  44
3 Burgess FC 			20  12 3  5 36 17 +19  39
4 Hastmead Diamante 		20  12 3  5 25 19  +6  39
5 Iskara Daii 			20  10 5  5 36 24 +12  35
6 KT Itzalovalle 		20  10 3  7 31 33  −2  33
7 Fligsive FC 			20  9  4  7 33 28  +5  31
8 Comunas Cougars 		20  9  4  7 28 25  +3  31
9 Telecontare 			20  8  6  6 35 29  +6  30
10 International of Tyrellia	20  8  5  7 24 29  −5  29
11 Crystal Mertagne 		20  7  7  6 38 33  +5  28
12 Firewood City 		20  8  3  9 28 30  −2  27
13 Westonbirt City 		20  7  6  7 20 24  −4  27
14 Oljestaden IF 		20  6  7  7 24 24   0  25
15 1830 Cathair 		20  6  7  7 23 27  −4  25
16 Foxchester Raiders 		20  6  5  9 25 33  −8  23
17 Cazadores Cathair 		20  5  5 10 25 32  −7  20
18 Bobs Towing 			20  5  3 12 22 35 −13  18
19 Nostromo Meteorites 		20  4  5 11 26 31  −5  17
20 Tyrellia Titans 		20  4  5 11 31 37  −6  17
21 Hecia 			20  4  5 11 23 38 −15  17
22 KT Moreazerua 		20  3  3 14 20 41 −21  12

Just before the half-way point of the season, the league table looks like this, with Izotz Zubia and Magnaeus at the top and five points seperating them from the pack. Third and fourth laced Burgess and Hastmead Diamante occupy the last two UICA Champions Cup spots, and with a four point cushion over Iskara Daii. KT Itzalovalle’s position in sixth is surprising, especially given that they’ve lost as many games as fourteenth-placed Oljestaden, but the biggest shock is that champions 1830 Cathair are down in fifteenth on just twenty-five points, having won just six of their twenty league matches so far. Comunas, in eighth, just six points ahead of Cathair, are another team struggling to balance UICA football with LigAnaia form.

At the foot of the table, Hecia and Moreazerua are exactly where they’re expected to be, with Tyrellia Titans and Nostromo Meteorites just above them, and Bob’s Towing only just treading water in eighteenth.

LigAnaia Two                                           Pld    W   D   L        GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Lesko Pavillion                                         22   14   4   4        44   22  +22    46
 2 Batal                                                   22   13   4   5        37   22  +15    43
 3 Nacional                                                22   12   4   6        44   27  +17    40
 4 Shamrock Cathair                                        22   10   6   6        33   27   +6    36
 5 LC Capitals                                             22    9   7   6        43   34   +9    34
 6 Corinthian Spirits                                      22    9   6   7        37   34   +3    33
 7 UD Lopez                                                22   10   3   9        32   30   +2    33
 8 The Knights of Tiberia                                  22   10   3   9        29   31   −2    33
 9 Coastal United                                          22    8   8   6        41   30  +11    32
10 Jhanna City                                             22    9   5   8        41   32   +9    32
11 Shanak FC                                               22    9   4   9        37   31   +6    31
12 Utica United                                            22    8   7   7        27   32   −5    31
13 Tout-Puissant Hasiera                                   22    8   6   8        25   27   −2    30
14 Porto Velho                                             22    8   6   8        30   34   −4    30
15 Hippion Overdrive                                       22    8   5   9        26   24   +2    29
16 Filipéia                                                22    8   5   9        32   32    0    29
17 Atletico Gonzales                                       22    7   7   8        23   31   −8    28
18 Draig Goch                                              22    7   6   9        35   40   −5    27
19 Penningworth United                                     22    8   3  11        25   41  −16    27
20 FC Southern Ninestar                                    22    7   5  10        35   34   +1    26
21 Beverington Hawks                                       22    6   3  13        24   39  −15    21
22 Greeningham City                                        22    4   8  10        31   44  −13    20
23 Hallad Reavers                                          22    5   5  12        24   39  −15    20
24 Mahraqat al-Juthathi                                    22    4   6  12        23   41  −18    18

[COCANEFA]

LigAnaia Matchday 21
Tyrellia Titans 1–0 Magnaeus City
Iskara Daii 0–0 Hastmead Diamante
Fligsive FC 1–0 Crystal Mertagne
AC Izotz Zubia 2–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Burgess FC 3–4 Telecontare
Firewood City 2–1 International of Tyrellia
Oljestaden IF 4–1 Foxchester Raiders
Cazadores Cathair 4–0 KT Moreazerua
Hecia 0–1 KT Itzalovalle
Comunas Cougars 1–1 Westonbirt City
1830 Cathair 2–1 Bobs Towing

The boxing-day fixture list sees Izotz Zubia comfortably overcome Nostromo Meteorites, but Hastmead lose ground as they succumb to a tired goal-less draw with Iskara Daii. Burgess, then, have the opportunity to move within three points of second place, but the Syndicatian highflyers are playing Telecontare and, in the match of the day, if not the season, play out an extraordinary game at Sunrise Park. Burgess, ahead through early strikes from Pasha Yakolev and Angelo Gelinas, are pegged back by half-time as Tele score through Kevatanian and Cromvathar. Tele take the lead through another strike by Cromvathar - this time a sweet curled shot from the corner of the area, but Burgess restore the status quo with a crisp finish from Krystal that brings the match to a frantic close with both teams troubling each other’s goalkeepers. At the end it’s down to Edenien Galadel to snatch the three points with a close-range finish, and Telecontare enter the halfway stage of the season in third positiion - a marked improvement on previous seasons.

Pre-season favourites Cathair, Fligsive and Comunas have their work cut out for them if they are to enter the Champions Cup next season, and while the former two manage to scrape wins together against Bob’s Towing and Crystal Mertagne, Comunas are again frustrated, this time by Westonbirt City, as they drop two points again.

Cazadores fans have the least stressful boxing day encounter as Styrn and Rose run riot, slaughtering Audioslavian rivals KT Moreazerua by four goals to nil.

LigAnaia Two
FC Southern Ninestar () 0–1 Atletico Gonzales ()
Hallad Reavers () 1–2 Utica United ()
Draig Goch () 1–0 Coastal United ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 0–1 Beverington Hawks ()
UD Lopez () 3–2 Batal ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 0–3 Nacional ()
Shanak FC () 4–0 Porto Velho ()
LC Capitals () 1–1 Hippion Overdrive ()
Greeningham City () 2–2 Shamrock Cathair ()
Lesko Pavillion () 2–1 Penningworth United ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 3–0 Jhanna City ()
Corinthian Spirits () 3–0 Filipéia ()


LigAnaia Matchday 22
Magnaeus City 2–1 Bobs Towing
1830 Cathair 1–1 Westonbirt City
Comunas Cougars 4–0 KT Itzalovalle
Hecia 1–0 KT Moreazerua
Cazadores Cathair 2–1 Foxchester Raiders
Oljestaden IF 2–1 International of Tyrellia
Firewood City 4–0 Telecontare
Burgess FC 5–2 Nostromo Meteorites
AC Izotz Zubia 1–1 Crystal Mertagne
Fligsive FC 2–2 Hastmead Diamante
Iskara Daii 4–0 Tyrellia Titans

The final installment of the christmas-period fixture-bonanza sees Fligsive and Cathair undo the fine work they’d done on Thursday to drop points at home on the Saturday. Fligsive’s excuse is that their opponents, Hastmead, are second in the league and have been in a much richer vein of form, but Cathair are simply abysmal in failing to overcome a tired Westonbirt City team. Magnaeus keep up the pressure at the top with a 2-1 win over Bob’s Towing, and the victory sees them draw level with leaders AC Izotz Zubia who can only draw with Crystal Mertagne.



LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 1–0 Filipéia ()
Corinthian Spirits () 0–1 Jhanna City ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 2–0 Penningworth United ()
Lesko Pavillion () 2–1 Shamrock Cathair ()
Greeningham City () 4–0 Hippion Overdrive ()
LC Capitals () 0–4 Porto Velho ()
Shanak FC () 4–2 Nacional ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 3–0 Batal ()
UD Lopez () 0–3 Beverington Hawks ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 0–3 Coastal United ()
Draig Goch () 1–3 Utica United ()
Hallad Reavers () 3–0 FC Southern Ninestar ()

LigAnaia Matchday 23
Iskara Daii 2–0 Magnaeus City
Tyrellia Titans 0–1 Fligsive FC
Hastmead Diamante 3–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Crystal Mertagne 2–1 Burgess FC
Nostromo Meteorites 3–2 Firewood City
Telecontare 2–0 Oljestaden IF
International of Tyrellia 3–1 Cazadores Cathair
Foxchester Raiders 1–1 Hecia
KT Moreazerua 1–0 Comunas Cougars
KT Itzalovalle 1–0 1830 Cathair
Westonbirt City 1–2 Bobs Towing

At the start of the season, Hastmead versus AC Izotz Zubia was an eye-opening match between two sides looking to prove themselves in the league. Now, it was a showdown between two of the most prominent title-chasers and, with Magnaeus having been dispatched 2-0 by Iskara Daii and Burgess poor in losing to Crystal Mertagne, it was a chance for both sides to stake a claim to the title.

Zozi are confident going into the game, and have the majority of posession in a tense first-half, but Fabio Cabrera’s comical own-goal in twenty-five minutes destroys their composure at a vital time, and by half-time Hastmead are 3-0 up and cruising. A consolation goal late in the second half for Izotz Zubia is hardly a consolation.

1830 Cathair, too, are inconsolable after travelling to KT Itzalovalle and suffering another humiliating defeat. The Cathair side are completely devoid of form and, with the Champiosn Cup knockout stages starting up soon, fans are starting to get a little tetchy. Most, by now, have written off a third league title - despite some gallant comeback-wins throughout the years in the LigAnaia, and so the Audioslavian Cup and Champions Cup tournaments are the sides’ only realistic shots at silverware this season.

For Comunas Cougars, see the above paragraph but replace ‘Cathair’ with ‘Comunas’ and ‘Itzalovalle’ with ‘Moreazerua’. Cougars are enduring a horrible domestic season so far and, with the Tyrellia clubs also struggling, it isn’t turning out to be a vintage year for Legalite football.

LigAnaia Two
Hallad Reavers () 2–3 Atletico Gonzales ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 0–1 Draig Goch ()
Utica United () 3–2 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Coastal United () 1–1 UD Lopez ()
Beverington Hawks () 1–1 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Batal () 1–1 Shanak FC ()
Nacional () 2–1 LC Capitals ()
Porto Velho () 2–1 Greeningham City ()
Hippion Overdrive () 1–2 Lesko Pavillion ()
Shamrock Cathair () 0–3 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Penningworth United () 0–1 Corinthian Spirits ()
Jhanna City () 1–1 Filipéia ()


Cygnus Cup Final



LigAnaia Matchday 24
Magnaeus City 2–0 Westonbirt City
Bobs Towing 2–1 KT Itzalovalle
1830 Cathair 6–0 KT Moreazerua
Comunas Cougars 3–0 Foxchester Raiders
Hecia 1–2 International of Tyrellia
Cazadores Cathair 0–1 Telecontare
Oljestaden IF 1–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Firewood City 2–1 Crystal Mertagne
Burgess FC 3–3 Hastmead Diamante
AC Izotz Zubia 4–0 Tyrellia Titans
Fligsive FC 2–1 Iskara Daii

“What crisis?” is the daub on the banner at the Kirola Arena as 1830 Cathair take to the field against Moreazerua and utterly destroy their opponents by six goals to nil, with Wilfred Lidgley grabbing four goals from midfield as he runs roughshod over all in his path. Title rivals Zozi and Hastmead are also in a goalscoring mood but while the former can rattle four unanswered goals past a frankly shambolic Tyrellia Titans, Hastmead’s three goals are countered by three from Burgess as the Syndicatians keep themselves in the hunt for the title.

Magnaeus City keep the pressure on by swatting aside lowly Westonbirt, and even Fligsive manage to pick up a win, and look good doing so, as they outplay dangerous Starblaydis Iskara Daii

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 1–0 Jhanna City ()
Filipéia () 3–2 Penningworth United ()
Corinthian Spirits () 2–0 Shamrock Cathair ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 2–0 Hippion Overdrive ()
Lesko Pavillion () 2–1 Porto Velho ()
Greeningham City () 0–3 Nacional ()
LC Capitals () 2–2 Batal ()
Shanak FC () 1–0 Beverington Hawks ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 3–1 Coastal United ()
UD Lopez () 0–0 Utica United ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 2–0 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Draig Goch () 2–0 Hallad Reavers ()


LigAnaia Matchday 25
Fligsive FC 3–1 Magnaeus City
Iskara Daii 1–2 AC Izotz Zubia
Tyrellia Titans 1–3 Burgess FC
Hastmead Diamante 0–0 Firewood City
Crystal Mertagne 0–2 Oljestaden IF
Nostromo Meteorites 4–0 Cazadores Cathair
Telecontare 3–2 Hecia
International of Tyrellia 0–1 Comunas Cougars
Foxchester Raiders 1–1 1830 Cathair
KT Moreazerua 1–3 Bobs Towing
KT Itzalovalle 1–5 Westonbirt City

Fligsive host Magnaus City in the most anticipated tie of the weekend, and its Fligsive who get to avenge their early-season defeat, beating Magnaeus by three goals to one and drawing themselves closer to the top four in the process. Fellow underperformers 1830 Cathair aren’t so lucky, however, and their 1-1 draw with Foxchester Raiders has pundits questioning just how well the team is being managed by Andre-Luis Partiico. Comunas grab a narrow win against struggling compatriots Inter while Hastmead drop points in a drab nil-nil local derby with Firewood City. Zozi keep up the pressure with a well-earned 2-1 win over Iskara-Daii, while fellow top-four-chasing Telecontare manage to overcome Hecia by means of a late Cromvathar goal to keep the pressure up.

KT Itzalovalle still harbour ambition of troubling the top four, having overachieved for the first half of the season, but a home match against Westonbirt City turns to disaster as they have two men sent off the fieldd - firstly from Terrazasade’s reckless foul on Sviatoslav Pokrovski, and soon after with Anderson Sandro’s odd decision to remove his shoe and throw it at the referee. “I was throwing it ‘to’him” protests Sandro as he leaves the field, which just raises more questions about the player’s temperament.


LigAnaia Two
Draig Goch () 2–0 Atletico Gonzales ()
Hallad Reavers () 2–0 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 4–2 UD Lopez ()
Utica United () 1–2 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Coastal United () 4–2 Shanak FC ()
Beverington Hawks () 4–2 LC Capitals ()
Batal () 1–0 Greeningham City ()
Nacional () 1–1 Lesko Pavillion ()
Porto Velho () 0–1 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Hippion Overdrive () 1–0 Corinthian Spirits ()
Shamrock Cathair () 2–0 Filipéia ()
Penningworth United () 3–3 Jhanna City ()

[COCANEFA]

LigAnaia Matchday 26
Magnaeus City 2–1 KT Itzalovalle
Westonbirt City 2–0 KT Moreazerua
Bobs Towing 0–0 Foxchester Raiders
1830 Cathair 3–0 International of Tyrellia
Comunas Cougars 0–2 Telecontare
Hecia 1–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Cazadores Cathair 2–0 Crystal Mertagne
Oljestaden IF 2–2 Hastmead Diamante
Firewood City 2–0 Tyrellia Titans
Burgess FC 3–2 Iskara Daii
AC Izotz Zubia 2–4 Fligsive FC

Itzi lose again on matchday twenty-six, though in their defence their sub-strength side put up a fight against highflyers Magnaeus before succumbing to inevitable defeat.

Saturday’s fixtures see Cathair crush Inter and Fligsive dismantle title-chasing Zozi as the two most recent LigAnaia champions begin their fightback to the upper echelons of the table, but Comunas can’t follow suit as they lose in appalling fashion at home to Telecontare. Hastmead Diamante again can’t seem to turn advantages into goals, and drop points away to Oljestaden who hold them to a two-all draw.

With Zozi and H.D. both struggling. Burgess have the chance to close the gap and they do so in fine fashion, defeating Iskara Daii by three goals to two at Sunrise Park.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 0–2 Penningworth United ()
Jhanna City () 2–0 Shamrock Cathair ()
Filipéia () 1–1 Hippion Overdrive ()
Corinthian Spirits () 2–0 Porto Velho ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 1–0 Nacional ()
Lesko Pavillion () 1–1 Batal ()
Greeningham City () 0–2 Beverington Hawks ()
LC Capitals () 1–0 Coastal United ()
Shanak FC () 1–1 Utica United ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 2–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
UD Lopez () 1–2 Hallad Reavers ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 3–0 Draig Goch ()


AOCL Group Stage

LigAnaia Matchday 27
AC Izotz Zubia 1–1 Magnaeus City
Fligsive FC 1–0 Burgess FC
Iskara Daii 4–0 Firewood City
Tyrellia Titans 2–1 Oljestaden IF
Hastmead Diamante 2–0 Cazadores Cathair
Crystal Mertagne 2–1 Hecia
Nostromo Meteorites 1–0 Comunas Cougars
Telecontare 1–1 1830 Cathair
International of Tyrellia 2–2 Bobs Towing
Foxchester Raiders 0–1 Westonbirt City
KT Moreazerua 2–1 KT Itzalovalle

Itzi’s form has tailed off completely. The side are beaten by local rivals Moreazerua and that, it would appear, is that for the team’s Champions Cup qualification hopes.

Fligsive again spoil the party as title-chasing Burgess visit, and lose 1-0 to the former champions. Hastmead, this time, can find the strength to take advantage of the situation as they take to the field against Cazadores Cathair in Saturday evening’s televised game and win out in convincing fashion by two goals to nil.

The big game of the weekend is Sunday’s top-of-the-table mega-ultra-super-clash between AC Izotz Zubia and Magnaeus City. Zozi rather arrogantly call themselves clear favourites for the tie and, while the match does tend to go their way more often than not, and they lead for much of it, Vince Urrea’s seventy-seventh minute equaliser is as much as the Magnaeus side deserve, and the two top teams are forced to share the spoils.

LigAnaia Two
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 0–3 Atletico Gonzales ()
Draig Goch () 3–3 UD Lopez ()
Hallad Reavers () 3–0 The Knights of Tiberia ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 2–1 Shanak FC ()
Utica United () 2–1 LC Capitals ()
Coastal United () 1–3 Greeningham City ()
Beverington Hawks () 2–4 Lesko Pavillion ()
Batal () 1–0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Nacional () 0–1 Corinthian Spirits ()
Porto Velho () 2–0 Filipéia ()
Hippion Overdrive () 1–1 Jhanna City ()
Shamrock Cathair () 1–0 Penningworth United ()


AOCL Group Stage

UICA Globe Cup Second Round
First Leg
Dí Maozöxê (FFD) 0-1 Fligsive FC

LigAnaia Matchday 28
Magnaeus City 0–0 KT Moreazerua
KT Itzalovalle 3–1 Foxchester Raiders
Westonbirt City 2–0 International of Tyrellia
Bobs Towing 1–2 Telecontare
1830 Cathair 2–1 Nostromo Meteorites
Comunas Cougars 1–2 Crystal Mertagne
Hecia 2–2 Hastmead Diamante
Cazadores Cathair 1–0 Tyrellia Titans
Oljestaden IF 2–2 Iskara Daii
Firewood City 2–0 Fligsive FC
Burgess FC 1–1 AC Izotz Zubia

It’s another top-of-the-table encounter on matchday twenty-eight with Zozi’s tip to Burgess FC. This time the Tzierrans aren’t nearly so confident, but an early mistake from the Burgess defence allows Kulkkiia in to make in one-nil and, as the game progresses, it appears more and more as if the Tzierrans are about to take all three points, Krystal turns up eight minutes on time to nod in the equalizer and ensure the spoils are shared.

Zozi and Burgess dropping points means Hastmead and Magnaeus can both take advantage. Both sides are playing bottom-of-the-league opposition, but neither bottom-feeders are willing to go down without a fight, and Moreazerua and Hecia manage to grab a point each against Hastmead and Magnaeus respectively.

Elsewhere, Itzi stop their losing run with victory over Foxchester, while Tele win again over Bob’s Towing.

Comunas Cougars lose. Again. The pressure on under-fire boss Marcus Mendoza is mounting, and one gets the feeling that, if it wasn’t for his team’s heroics in the UICA Champions Cup, he might well have already been out of a job.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 1–1 Shamrock Cathair ()
Penningworth United () 1–4 Hippion Overdrive ()
Jhanna City () 1–0 Porto Velho ()
Filipéia () 1–2 Nacional ()
Corinthian Spirits () 1–1 Batal ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 2–0 Beverington Hawks ()
Lesko Pavillion () 1–0 Coastal United ()
Greeningham City () 0–2 Utica United ()
LC Capitals () 0–3 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Shanak FC () 0–1 Hallad Reavers ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 1–2 Draig Goch ()
UD Lopez () 2–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()


UICA Champions Cup Round of 16
First Leg
1830 Cathair 0-1 New Haverford Albion (JSY)
Comunas Cougars 0-2 Northbrook Diamonds (PIS)

UICA Globe Cup Second Round
Second Leg
Fligsive FC 1-2 Dí Maozöxê (FFD)

LigAnaia Matchday 29
Burgess FC 3–1 Magnaeus City
AC Izotz Zubia 4–1 Firewood City
Fligsive FC 1–0 Oljestaden IF
Iskara Daii 1–1 Cazadores Cathair
Tyrellia Titans 0–1 Hecia
Hastmead Diamante 2–0 Comunas Cougars
Crystal Mertagne 1–3 1830 Cathair
Nostromo Meteorites 3–1 Bobs Towing
Telecontare 2–1 Westonbirt City
International of Tyrellia 2–0 KT Itzalovalle
Foxchester Raiders 3–0 KT Moreazerua

UICA football is back underway, but it’s bad news for the LigAnaia teams as both Cathair and Comunas lose the home legs of their second round ties, before Thursday’s game sees Fligsive - a goal ahead of Farves Di Maozoxe going into the second leg of their GC clash, lose out 2-1 and are eliminated on away goals.

The UICA hangover is all to evident for Comunas Cougars, who are easily swatted aside by Hastmead Diamante, but Cathair’s much larger squad copes well with the strain of two games a week and the side comfortably overcome Crystal Mertagne.

Zozi and Firewood play out an entertaining match that results in the Audioslavians winning out four-one, Fligsive maintain their fightback with victory, abiet a narrow one, over Oljestaden, but the match of the weekend is undoubtedly the all-Syndicatian clash between Burgess FC and Magnaeus City. Magnaeus had taken the spoils in the first encounter, but Burgess are also in the title chase and they showed it with a commanding performance, scoring three goals to Magnaeus’s one.

LigAnaia Two
UD Lopez () 1–1 Atletico Gonzales ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 2–2 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Draig Goch () 1–2 Shanak FC ()
Hallad Reavers () 2–1 LC Capitals ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 2–4 Greeningham City ()
Utica United () 1–1 Lesko Pavillion ()
Coastal United () 2–0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Beverington Hawks () 3–2 Corinthian Spirits ()
Batal () 2–1 Filipéia ()
Nacional () 1–0 Jhanna City ()
Porto Velho () 3–0 Penningworth United ()
Hippion Overdrive () 2–2 Shamrock Cathair ()


LigAnaia Matchday 30
Magnaeus City 1–1 Foxchester Raiders
KT Moreazerua 2–2 International of Tyrellia
KT Itzalovalle 1–3 Telecontare
Westonbirt City 1–1 Nostromo Meteorites
Bobs Towing 4–0 Crystal Mertagne
1830 Cathair 3–0 Hastmead Diamante
Comunas Cougars 2–3 Tyrellia Titans
Hecia 0–2 Iskara Daii
Cazadores Cathair 0–0 Fligsive FC
Oljestaden IF 0–0 AC Izotz Zubia
Firewood City 0–1 Burgess FC

Comunas kick off their derby with Tyrellia Titans without manager Marcus Mendoza in the dugout amidst allegations and rumours that he’s been sacked from the club. Comunas issue a statement saying the manager has ‘fallen ill’ and will be taking a few days break, but most people are sceptical as to whether he’d ever return in a Comunas dugout.

1830 Cahair play spoilers again, dealing Hastmead’s title chances a huge blow with a commanding display at the Kirola Arena. Tele, Burgess and Daii all win, but Magnaeus are held to a frustrating draw by lowly Foxchester and, one feels, are beginning to lose their grip on the title race.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 3–1 Hippion Overdrive ()
Shamrock Cathair () 3–0 Porto Velho ()
Penningworth United () 0–1 Nacional ()
Jhanna City () 3–0 Batal ()
Filipéia () 1–3 Beverington Hawks ()
Corinthian Spirits () 3–2 Coastal United ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 2–1 Utica United ()
Lesko Pavillion () 0–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Greeningham City () 0–2 Hallad Reavers ()
LC Capitals () 1–2 Draig Goch ()
Shanak FC () 3–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 2–1 UD Lopez ()


UICA Champions Cup Round of 16
Second Leg
New Haverford Albion (JSY) 1-0 1830 Cathair
Northbrook Diamonds (PIS) 4-0 Comunas Cougars

LigAnaia Matchday 31
Firewood City 1–2 Magnaeus City
Burgess FC 1–1 Oljestaden IF
AC Izotz Zubia 4–0 Cazadores Cathair
Fligsive FC 4–2 Hecia
Iskara Daii 4–1 Comunas Cougars
Tyrellia Titans 0–1 1830 Cathair
Hastmead Diamante 1–0 Bobs Towing
Crystal Mertagne 4–0 Westonbirt City
Nostromo Meteorites 0–1 KT Itzalovalle
Telecontare 0–0 KT Moreazerua
International of Tyrellia 2–0 Foxchester Raiders

Fligsive’s recent run has put them on the cusp of the top four, and so its with great satisfaction for their fans that they tear Hecia apart to close the gap even further. Telecontare can’t match them as they succumb to a nil-nil draw with lowly KT Moreazerua, while Burgess drop points at home to Oljestaden.

Comunas Cougars lose yet again. Now fourteenth in the league and with a real fight on their hands just to get into the Globe Cup, the fans are rallying in front of the team’s offices to demand the resignation of not the manager, who has been reinstated and has gained the backing of the fans, but the entire board. Cougars’ fans, while proud of their team’s aversion to spending big money on players, demand something be done about the thin, injury-hit squad and a team that has looked lost without Jake Detzler, who has been suffering with joint problems in his ankle and has been forced to play through the pain due to most other strikers also being sidelined. Their conquerors, Iskara Daii, at least look the sort of team that could beat a title contender. The Starblaydis are buckling in for an exciting finish to the league and, hopefully, a domestic cup run.

LigAnaia Two
The Knights of Tiberia () 3–2 Atletico Gonzales ()
UD Lopez () 2–1 Shanak FC ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 1–0 LC Capitals ()
Draig Goch () 3–1 Greeningham City ()
Hallad Reavers () 1–0 Lesko Pavillion ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 1–1 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Utica United () 3–1 Corinthian Spirits ()
Coastal United () 0–2 Filipéia ()
Beverington Hawks () 1–3 Jhanna City ()
Batal () 2–2 Penningworth United ()
Nacional () 2–1 Shamrock Cathair ()
Porto Velho () 3–1 Hippion Overdrive ()

LigAnaia Two (Midweek Fixtures)
Atletico Gonzales () 2–0 Porto Velho ()
Hippion Overdrive () 1–1 Nacional ()
Shamrock Cathair () 3–0 Batal ()
Penningworth United () 2–3 Beverington Hawks ()
Jhanna City () 1–0 Coastal United ()
Filipéia () 0–1 Utica United ()
Corinthian Spirits () 0–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 1–0 Hallad Reavers ()
Lesko Pavillion () 1–0 Draig Goch ()
Greeningham City () 3–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
LC Capitals () 2–0 UD Lopez ()
Shanak FC () 1–0 The Knights of Tiberia ()


LigAnaia One Table

Pld  W  D  L GF GA  GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 		31  19  6  6 65 36 +29 63
2 Magnaeus City 		31  18  5  8 46 31 +15 59
3 Burgess FC 			31  17  6  8 60 35 +25 57
4 Fligsive FC 			31  17  6  8 52 38 +14 57
5 Hastmead Diamante 		31  16  9  6 42 32 +10 57
6 Telecontare 			31  16  8  7 55 42 +13 56
7 Iskara Daii 			31  15  8  8 59 35 +24 53
8 1830 Cathair 			31  13 10  8 46 34 +12 49
9 KT Itzalovalle 		31  14  3 14 42 54 −12 45
10 Firewood City 		31  13  4 14 44 46  −2 43
11 International of Tyrellia 	31  12  7 12 39 45  −6 43
12 Westonbirt City 		31  11  9 11 35 38  −3 42
13 Oljestaden IF 		31  10 11 10 39 36  +3 41
14 Crystal Mertagne 		31  11  8 12 51 51   0 41
15 Comunas Cougars 		31  12  5 14 41 41   0 41
16 Cazadores Cathair 		31   9  7 15 36 48 −12 34
17 Bobs Towing 			31   9  5 17 39 50 −11 32
18 Nostromo Meteorites 		31   8  6 17 41 47  −6 30
19 Foxchester Raiders 		31   7  9 15 34 51 −17 30
20 Hecia 			31   7  7 17 35 55 −20 28
21 Tyrellia Titans 		31   7  5 19 38 57 −19 26
22 KT Moreazerua 		31   5  6 20 26 63 −37 21

LigAnaia Two

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Lesko Pavillion                                   	34   21   7   6    61   33  +28    70
 2 Nacional                              		34   19   6   9    62   38  +24    63
 3 Tout-Puissant Hasiera                         	34   17   7  10    43   32  +11    58
 4 Batal                                 		34   16   9   9    50   42   +8    57
 5 Utica United                                      	34   15  10   9    47   44   +3    55
 6 Jhanna City                                       	34   15   8  11    57   43  +14    53
 7 The Knights of Tiberia                        	34   16   5  13    48   49   −1    53
 8 Corinthian Spirits                                	34   15   7  12    53   46   +7    52
 9 Shanak FC                             		34   15   6  13    58   46  +12    51
10 Shamrock Cathair                              	34   14   9  11    49   43   +6    51
11 Atletico Gonzales                             	34   14   9  11    41   43   −2    51
12 Draig Goch                            		34   14   7  13    53   55   −2    49
13 UD Lopez                              		34   13   7  14    48   52   −4    46
14 Porto Velho                                       	34   13   6  15    45   51   −6    45
15 Hallad Reavers                                	34   13   5  16    43   49   −6    44
16 Beverington Hawks                             	34   13   4  17    47   57  −10    43
17 Coastal United                                	34   11   9  14    55   48   +7    42
18 FC Southern Ninestar                          	34   12   6  16    50   51   −1    42
19 LC Capitals                                       	34   11   9  14    55   57   −2    42
20 Hippion Overdrive                             	34   10  10  14    40   45   −5    40
21 Filipéia                              		34   10   7  17    42   52  −10    37
22 Greeningham City                              	34    8   9  17    49   65  −16    33
23 Penningworth United                           	34    9   5  20    38   66  −28    32
24 Mahraqat al-Juthathi                          	34    7   7  20    36   63  −27    28

[COCANEFA]

National Cups
Round of 32

The Inevitable Syndicate and Mertagne

Zap! Zap! Shinra! 0–1 Fligsive FC
Burgess Mariners 0–3 FC Southern Ninestar
Bicycle Dynamo 0–5 Dysenside Duellers
CF 16 September 2–0 CF St. Alfred's
Fligsive Gunners YFC 2–0 Hyford City Challengers
Westonbirt City 2–2 FC Oberyn's Shield (4–2 AET)
Lesko Pavillion 2–1 Ashgrove Town
Nostromo Meteorites 0–1 DDR Fighting Disco
Burgess FC 3–0 Worterallarund
Project +90 Fligsive 7–0 Lowlands United
Crystal Mertagne 3–1 1902 Cardertower
Magnaeus City 3–0 Touchpoint Keepers
Gatesby Athletic 1–2 Lehen Neorudo
Vale Conglomerate 3–1 Slavia Fligsivia
Pont De Montfer 2–4 Spectres De La Sebald
Becaonsby Flames 3–1 The Circle's Eleven

Audioslavia

AC Izotz Zubia 0–0 Shamrock Cathair (0–1 AET)
Oljestaden IF 1–0 Excelsior Zijweg
The Oran 0–1 Tenth Star Hasiera
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 2–0 Ceilerden Harp
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 0–0 Cazadores Cathair (0–1 AET)
CF Ferramendiak 1–1 KT Koroatuz (2–1 AET)
Valderantia United 2–2 1830 Cathair (2–3 AET)
Clockwork FC 0–0 Nightwatch FC (0–0 AET) (1–4 pen.)
KT Moreazerua 3–0 KT Laranjauzia
Eorkzhr Owls 1–0 Voltores Sobrevolante
Lemmitania State FC 5–0 Ceilerden Rovers
Project +90 Kjelstad 4–3 Silexhera FC
DDM Dunas Secas 0–2 Maccabi Hasiera
Sparta Zijweg 0–0 Burdoc Ridge (1–0 AET)
CdF Celtade 2–1 Eorkzhr Blaydes
Reina Del Sud 1–1 KT Itzalovalle (1–2 AET)

Starblaydia

Tournetas 0–5 Hallad Reavers
Viculus Miners 0–0 Internashionale (2–1 AET)
Phraen Palace 3–1 Lavingrad Wanderers
Beverington Hawks 2–2 Vecchio Victors (3–3 AET) (1–3 pen.)
Jhanna United 2–0 FC Farça
Codexus Fraxcinus 1–1 Tabeck Cefn Druids (1–1 AET) (9–8 pen.)
Malta Lines 0–2 Telecontare
Tabeck FC 1–3 Penningworth United
Foxchester Raiders 0–1 Hecia
Montepool Waves 0–1 Hippion Overdrive
Hernsworth Cubs 1–1 Veles (2–1 AET)
Port Cythera 1–0 Paricone Athletic
Jhanna City 4–1 Karak Ungor Chiefs
Cedrus Soundgardenia 0–0 Corinthian Spirits (0–0 AET) (3–4 pen.)
Tribe Urjali 1–2 Iskara Daii
Athletico Sciuntis 2–1 Nidola United

Legalese

Tiberian City 1–4 Bobs Towing
Argyle Warriors Francopolis 1–2 LC Capitals
Gavelton Rhinos 5–1 Oker United
Tyrellia Titans 2–2 Colville Athletic (3–2 AET)
Coastal United 3–2 International of Tyrellia
Binchensburg Athletic 6–0 Wreath City
Norrisland United 2–0 Plainsview Panthers
The Knights of Tiberia 1–1 Yellowjacket FC (3–1 AET)
Straitside FC 3–0 Myre Town
SBLS 1–1 Morven Monday (1–2 AET)
Brecorn City 0–2 Stratton FC
Bekknia FC 3–1 AFC Mokfein
Draig Goch 1–0 Cape Athletic
Rye's Landing FC 2–0 Francis City
Comunas Cougars 5–0 Portsmouth United
Minto Wombats 0–0 Sien Bay Pirates (0–3 AET)

Osarius

Trothwands Evolution 0–1 Grasshoppers Turic
Renneville United 2–0 Trelagstad FC
FC Barciddia 2–1 Rapid Hearthlands
Firewood City 4–1 Utica United
Arcaea County 1–1 Bowsston United (4–1 AET)
Priesthood of Baal 0–3 Hastmead Diamante
Littleshaw Village 0–1 Shanak FC
Cymrwell FC 3–2 AFC Hollybrent
Warton Villa 0–1 Violia FC
Parania Albion 1–0 FC United of Dynapolis
Maharia United 1–0 Muirford Athletic
Junipa Athletic 2–1 FC Masaka
Burningham City 3–1 Iton Valley FC
Real Jraxville 3–0 Kyoshiku Island FC
Paper Tree Town 3–0 Callisto City
Kart Hago FC 2–2 Greeningham City (2–3 AET)

Izotz Zubia manager Powell Pieran made a point of proclaiming that the Audioslavian Cup was very much a secondary priority for his team, and so it was no surprise that a vastly weaker side was chosen for the first round match against L2 promotion hopefuls Shamrock Cathair, nor that it was the LigAnaia 2 side that won out in the end in extra-time. There are very few other upsets in the first rounds of the cups, although struggling Inter are dispatched by LC Capitals of LigAnaia 2 in a close game.

LigAnaia Matchday 32
Magnaeus City 1–1 International of Tyrellia
Foxchester Raiders 0–2 Telecontare
KT Moreazerua 0–1 Nostromo Meteorites
KT Itzalovalle 3–1 Crystal Mertagne
Westonbirt City 1–2 Hastmead Diamante
Bobs Towing 4–0 Tyrellia Titans
1830 Cathair 2–0 Iskara Daii
Comunas Cougars 2–2 Fligsive FC
Hecia 1–3 AC Izotz Zubia
Cazadores Cathair 1–0 Burgess FC
Oljestaden IF 2–0 Firewood City

It has gotten to the point where a point, any point, will do for Comunas, though holding Fligsive to a 2-2 draw is a feat in and of itself. Izotz Zubia, well rested and now with no distractions other than the league, breeze past Hecia in Starblaydia and turn round to see that, wonderfully, Magnaeus have dropped points in a home encounter against Inter. Second place is up for grabs, and Burgess go to take it with both hands and then trip, falling on their faces and awaking to find RJ Styrn of Cazadores Cathair standing over them with an amused smile on her face, as Cazadores win one-nil.

Hastmead Diamante are the team that can take advantage, and they do with a 2-1 win over Westonbirt City that puts them second, yet six points behind leaders Zozi.

LigAnaia Two
Shanak FC () 3–3 Atletico Gonzales ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 3–3 LC Capitals ()
UD Lopez () 2–1 Greeningham City ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 0–1 Lesko Pavillion ()
Draig Goch () 3–0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Hallad Reavers () 1–2 Corinthian Spirits ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 1–1 Filipéia ()
Utica United () 0–0 Jhanna City ()
Coastal United () 3–1 Penningworth United ()
Beverington Hawks () 2–0 Shamrock Cathair ()
Batal () 4–1 Hippion Overdrive ()
Nacional () 3–1 Porto Velho ()


LigAnaia Matchday 33
Oljestaden IF 1–2 Magnaeus City
Firewood City 2–0 Cazadores Cathair
Burgess FC 0–0 Hecia
AC Izotz Zubia 2–1 Comunas Cougars
Fligsive FC 2–1 1830 Cathair
Iskara Daii 1–0 Bobs Towing
Tyrellia Titans 1–0 Westonbirt City
Hastmead Diamante 1–2 KT Itzalovalle
Crystal Mertagne 3–0 KT Moreazerua
Nostromo Meteorites 0–1 Foxchester Raiders
Telecontare 2–0 International of Tyrellia

There are two huge matches today that pit title challengers against those who were gunning for the title last season, as leaders AC Izotz Zubia host Comunas Cougars while, in Fligsive, Fligsive FC take on 1830 Cathair in a derby so big it’s traditionally simply called ‘The LigAnaia derby’. That the game this season is more of a showdown between two upper-league table sides is either a testament to how difficult it is to maintain a league run when one’s club is trying to go far in UICA competitions, or a sign that the rest of the league is catching up with the big two.

Either way, the pair play out an entertaining tie in Fligsive, with Wilfred Lidgley putting Cathair ahead before Gareth Croley out-jumps Andrea Molivi for the equaliser. The second half appears to be degenerating into a scrappy stalemate before a sublime through-ball from veteran super-sub Thomas Decker finds, of all people, Petr Cervinka, and the full-back continues his habit of only scoring goals in the closing stages of big games by slotting a finish past Nuremberg for 2-1. The result catapults Fligsive, finally, into the top four, largely thanks to Burgess’s frustrating 0-0 home draw against lowly Hecia.

The Zozi/Cougars match goes as you’d expect at this point in the season; Comunas Cougars lose. Zozi, knowing they have to win to keep their six point cushion, assuming Hastmead get their expected three points in Sunday’s game against Itzalovalle, put on a fine display that sees Nazeau Roga score twice in the first half, and though Jake Detzler tries to pull the Legalites out of the fire, it’s business as usual for the Comunas club.

If Zozi fans were happy at their win, they’d be exuberant the next day as their closest rivals for the title, Hastmead Diamante, are taken down 2-1 at home to Itzi.

Zozi are starting to believe.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 0–4 Nacional ()
Porto Velho () 2–2 Batal ()
Hippion Overdrive () 2–1 Beverington Hawks ()
Shamrock Cathair () 1–0 Coastal United ()
Penningworth United () 1–0 Utica United ()
Jhanna City () 1–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Filipéia () 1–0 Hallad Reavers ()
Corinthian Spirits () 4–1 Draig Goch ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 0–2 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Lesko Pavillion () 2–2 UD Lopez ()
Greeningham City () 1–2 The Knights of Tiberia ()
LC Capitals () 1–1 Shanak FC ()


LigAnaia Matchday 34
Magnaeus City 1–0 Telecontare
International of Tyrellia 1–3 Nostromo Meteorites
Foxchester Raiders 0–2 Crystal Mertagne
KT Moreazerua 1–0 Hastmead Diamante
KT Itzalovalle 2–1 Tyrellia Titans
Westonbirt City 1–1 Iskara Daii
Bobs Towing 2–2 Fligsive FC
1830 Cathair 3–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Comunas Cougars 2–1 Burgess FC
Hecia 0–2 Firewood City
Cazadores Cathair 0–1 Oljestaden IF

Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off is the Audioslavian ‘Classico’ between champions 1830 Cathair and champions elect AC Izotz Zubia in a match both are desperate to win. Wilfred Lidgley leads a make-shift Cathair midfield of himself, Lund, Hufschmeid and Lewis - the latter three replace the usual preferred line-up of Abrego-Harris-Kinlasson, all of whom are injured or otherwise unfit for the game - against the quartet of Rios-Aiza-Kulkkiia-Zerubeltzak that have controlled Zozi’s games so far, and surpringly its struggling Cathair who draw first blood as Lidgley engineers a move that ends with Peter Masters blasting home from close range.

Zozi go on the offensive for the rest of the first half as both Roga and Buruz draw excelent close-range reaction stops from Kiki Nuremberg, but soon enough Cathair’s lead is doubled via Viji-Mara Lawaai, who finds acres of space on the edge of the box after a counter-attack and feeds a delightful passed shot into the bottom corner for 2-0.

Zozi fans look anxious during the break, and Cathair all but put them out of their misery early in the second half with Wilfred Lidgley deservedly getting on the scoresheet, curling in a delightful long-range effort for three-nil.

Nazeau Roga will get onto the scoresheet for Zozi at the end, but it’s too little too late. Can the other title-challengers take advantage?

Burgess FC can’t. They visit Comunas and become one of the few sides not to take a point from the Legalite city, as Comunas Cougars run out 2-1 winners.

Neither, it appears, can Hastmead Diamante. One of Zozi’s closest rivals, they stutter and spurt throughout a drab encounter with KT Moreazerua and somehow contrive to lose to the LigAnaia bottom-feeders, who break through with a rare goal from Sundesval to win out 1-0.

Can Fligsive FC, the ‘big’ team of Syndicatian football, take advantage? The side play away to Bob’s Towing, and despite taking the lead twice are pegged back both times as the Legalite strugglers gain a much needed point.

How about Iskara Daii? Can the Starblaydi legends close the gap? Technically yes, but their draw away to Westonbirt City is hardly the sort of result you’d expect for a title challenger.

It’s left to Magnaeus to keep up the pressure, and the central-Syndicatians become the only top-of-the-table side to take all three points from their match, scraping past the elven eleven of Telecontare by one goal to nil.

LigAnaia Two
LC Capitals () 4–1 Atletico Gonzales ()
Shanak FC () 0–0 Greeningham City ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 2–1 Lesko Pavillion ()
UD Lopez () 3–2 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 1–1 Corinthian Spirits ()
Draig Goch () 1–1 Filipéia ()
Hallad Reavers () 1–0 Jhanna City ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 2–1 Penningworth United ()
Utica United () 0–1 Shamrock Cathair ()
Coastal United () 3–0 Hippion Overdrive ()
Beverington Hawks () 1–1 Porto Velho ()
Batal () 1–4 Nacional ()


AOCL Quarter Final

LigAnaia Matchday 35
Cazadores Cathair 1–2 Magnaeus City
Oljestaden IF 1–0 Hecia
Firewood City 2–0 Comunas Cougars
Burgess FC 1–3 1830 Cathair
AC Izotz Zubia 4–0 Bobs Towing
Fligsive FC 3–1 Westonbirt City
Iskara Daii 3–0 KT Itzalovalle
Tyrellia Titans 1–1 KT Moreazerua
Hastmead Diamante 1–0 Foxchester Raiders
Crystal Mertagne 2–3 International of Tyrellia
Nostromo Meteorites 2–1 Telecontare

The teams enter matchday thirty-five knowing there’s only eight games left to accomplish what they’ve set out to do, and Zozi come out with the most urgency, hosting Bob’s Towing and sending them back to Legalese on the wrong end of a 4-0 hiding. Fligsive, too, are victorious in an all-Syndicatia clash with Westonbirt City, while Iskara Daii, Hastmead Diamante and Magnaeus City all win to keep the pressure on the leaders.

1830 Cathair, fresh from their 3-1 mauling of rivals Izotz Zubia, dish out another 3-1 battering, this time at the expense of title-chasing Burgess who’s season is beginning to come apart at the seams.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 1–2 Batal ()
Nacional () 2–2 Beverington Hawks ()
Porto Velho () 0–0 Coastal United ()
Hippion Overdrive () 0–1 Utica United ()
Shamrock Cathair () 2–0 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Penningworth United () 1–1 Hallad Reavers ()
Jhanna City () 3–2 Draig Goch ()
Filipéia () 1–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Corinthian Spirits () 3–2 UD Lopez ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 2–0 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Lesko Pavillion () 1–2 Shanak FC ()
Greeningham City () 2–2 LC Capitals ()


LigAnaia One Table

LigAnaia 			Pld  W  D  L GF GA  GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 		35  22  6  7 75 41 +34  72
2 Magnaeus City 		35  21  6  8 52 34 +18  69
3 Fligsive FC 			35  19  8  8 61 44 +17  65
4 Hastmead Diamante 		35  18  9  8 46 36 +10  63
5 Telecontare 			35  18  8  9 60 45 +15  62
6 Iskara Daii 			35  17  9  9 64 38 +26  60
7 Burgess FC 			35  17  7 11 62 41 +21  58
8 1830 Cathair 			35  16 10  9 55 38 +17  58
9 KT Itzalovalle 		35  17  3 15 49 60 −11  54
10 Firewood City 		35  16  4 15 50 48  +2  52
11 Oljestaden IF 		35  13 11 11 44 38  +6  50
12 Crystal Mertagne 		35  13  8 14 59 57  +2  47
13 International of Tyrellia 	35  13  8 14 44 53  −9  47
14 Comunas Cougars 		35  13  6 16 46 48  −2  45
15 Westonbirt City 		35  11 10 14 38 45  −7  43
16 Nostromo Meteorites 		35  11  6 18 47 50  −3  39
17 Cazadores Cathair 		35  10  7 18 38 53 −15  37
18 Bobs Towing 			35  10  6 19 45 57 −12  36
19 Foxchester Raiders 		35   8  9 18 35 56 −21  33
20 Tyrellia Titans 		35   8  6 21 41 64 −23  30
21 Hecia 			35   7  8 20 36 61 −25  29
22 KT Moreazerua 		35   6  7 22 28 68 −40  25

National Cups
Round of 16

The Inevitable Syndicate and Mertagne

Fligsive FC 0–1 FC Southern Ninestar
Dysenside Duellers 4–1 CF 16 September
Fligsive Gunners YFC 1–0 Westonbirt City
Lesko Pavillion 0–1 DDR Fighting Disco
Burgess FC 2–0 Project +90 Fligsive
Crystal Mertagne 1–2 Magnaeus City
Lehen Neorudo 0–0 Vale Conglomerate (1–1 AET) (4–3 pen.)
Spectres De La Sebald 1–2 Becaonsby Flames

Audioslavia

Shamrock Cathair 0–1 Oljestaden IF
Tenth Star Hasiera 1–1 Isle of Kjeligsted FC (1–1 AET) (7–6 pen.)
Cazadores Cathair 2–4 CF Ferramendiak
1830 Cathair 3–1 Nightwatch FC
KT Moreazerua 2–1 Eorkzhr Owls
Lemmitania State FC 2–0 Project +90 Kjelstad
Maccabi Hasiera 1–2 Sparta Zijweg
CdF Celtade 0–5 KT Itzalovalle

Starblaydia

Hallad Reavers 0–0 Viculus Miners (2–0 AET)
Phraen Palace 1–1 Vecchio Victors (1–1 AET) (4–5 pen.)
Jhanna United 1–2 Codexus Fraxcinus
Telecontare 2–0 Penningworth United
Hecia 1–3 Hippion Overdrive
Hernsworth Cubs 0–2 Port Cythera
Jhanna City 2–0 Corinthian Spirits
Iskara Daii 2–0 Athletico Sciuntis

Legalese

Bobs Towing 0–0 LC Capitals (1–0 AET)
Gavelton Rhinos 1–1 Tyrellia Titans (2–1 AET)
Coastal United 0–1 Binchensburg Athletic
Norrisland United 0–6 The Knights of Tiberia
Straitside FC 2–0 Morven Monday
Stratton FC 3–1 Bekknia FC
Draig Goch 3–0 Rye's Landing FC
Comunas Cougars 2–1 Sien Bay Pirates

Osarius

Grasshoppers Turic 3–0 Renneville United
FC Barciddia 0–1 Firewood City
Arcaea County 1–2 Hastmead Diamante
Shanak FC 3–0 Cymrwell FC
Violia FC 2–0 Parania Albion
Maharia United 0–1 Junipa Athletic
Burningham City 0–2 Real Jraxville
Paper Tree Town 0–1 Greeningham City

Ibex

Hayl Tawalh 0–0 Sayyaf (1–1 AET) (8–7 pen.)
Karh al-Andyh 2–2 Tall (2–2 AET) (2–3 pen.)
al-Maraq 0–3 Ba?al
Khinjar 0–0 Gha'med (0–0 AET) (3–4 pen.)
Karh al-Aqdem 2–2 Khebz al-Tazej (3–2 AET)
Les 0–0 Alamebratewr Arew'e (0–2 AET)
Ma?raqat al-Juthathi 3–1 Nady Ryady
Jwehr Alhodar 1–2 Zal al-Aqmer Adey

Perlasilangan

Atletico Gonzales 2–3 Unido Mendoza
Real Santos-Garcia 2–4 Mulawin FC
Atletico Hernandez 2–1 Santiago Deportivo
UD Lopez 4–0 Real Mariano
Legazpi CF 1–0 Real Molina
Deportivo La Coruno 0–4 Real Natividad
Real Trinidad 3–0 Deportivo Toledo
CF Fernandez 1–2 CF Santos-Garcia

Some have criticised the national cups for coming too close to the denouement of the LigAnaia season. Indeed, some of the top clubs field weakened sides, and it shows with a number of upsets. Fligsive are beaten at home by FC Southern Ninestar, who are a number of years past their peak and down in division two. Westonbirt City, too, are upset by lower-league opposition in the guise of fourth-tier Fligsive Gunners.

In Audioslavia, top-flight Cazadores are beaten 4-2 by Tzierran lightweights CF Ferramendiak while, over in Starblaydia, top flight strugglers Hecia lose out to second tier Hippion Overdrive, while Tyrellia Titan's woes continue with an extra-time defeat to third-tier Gavelton Rhinos.

The national cups of Ibex and Perlasilangan also commence at this point.

[COCANEFA]

LigAnaia Matchday 36
Magnaeus City 2–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Telecontare 2–2 Crystal Mertagne
International of Tyrellia 5–1 Hastmead Diamante
Foxchester Raiders 3–2 Tyrellia Titans
KT Moreazerua 2–0 Iskara Daii
KT Itzalovalle 1–0 Fligsive FC
Westonbirt City 2–1 AC Izotz Zubia
Bobs Towing 4–2 Burgess FC
1830 Cathair 2–1 Firewood City
Comunas Cougars 0–1 Oljestaden IF
Hecia 0–2 Cazadores Cathair

Seven games to go, and all eyes are on Izotz Zubia and whether they can maintain their form until the end of the season. The answer is an emphatiic ‘no’ as Westonbirt give them absolutely nothing at Whittle’s Field and win out 2-1 in a horrifying result for the league leaders. All eyes turn to Magnaeus City, who close the gap from three points to none with a commanding victory over Nostromo Meteorites.

Of the chasing pack, Burgess slip up once again, being comfortably defeated by Bob’s Towing, and appear to be ending the season with a whimper.

Burgess’s result isn’t the most mind-boggling. Neither is Cougars’ somehow managing to find a way to lose at home to Oljestaden IF. Nor is it the sudden and inexplicable failure of big sides like Fligsive and Iskara Daii to defeat the more lightweight Tzierran clubs of Moreazerua and Itzalovalle.

The biggest upset is Hastmead Diamante. The side are within shouting distance of a league title in their debut season, and go into their match against Inter full of confidence. It’s rather a shock, then, that they find themselves on the arse-end of a 5-1 battering by a decidedly average Inter side. Hastmead come away knowing that their chances of a league title have probably just vanished in a puff of green and yellow smoke, but the Osarians are still well within striking range of a place in next season’s Champions Cup.

LigAnaia Two
Greeningham City () 0–2 Atletico Gonzales ()
LC Capitals () 1–2 Lesko Pavillion ()
Shanak FC () 4–1 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 2–2 Corinthian Spirits ()
UD Lopez () 0–2 Filipéia ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 1–0 Jhanna City ()
Draig Goch () 0–0 Penningworth United ()
Hallad Reavers () 0–2 Shamrock Cathair ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 1–1 Hippion Overdrive ()
Utica United () 3–0 Porto Velho ()
Coastal United () 2–2 Nacional ()
Beverington Hawks () 0–1 Batal ()


LigAnaia Matchday 37
Hecia 1–0 Magnaeus City
Cazadores Cathair 0–1 Comunas Cougars
Oljestaden IF 0–3 1830 Cathair
Firewood City 0–4 Bobs Towing
Burgess FC 2–3 Westonbirt City
AC Izotz Zubia 2–1 KT Itzalovalle
Fligsive FC 3–1 KT Moreazerua
Iskara Daii 1–2 Foxchester Raiders
Tyrellia Titans 1–1 International of Tyrellia
Hastmead Diamante 2–2 Telecontare
Crystal Mertagne 1–1 Nostromo Meteorites

Diamante can’t quite bounce back on matchday thirty-seven as Telecontare come back from 2-0 down to snatch a draw right at the death, with Cromvathar again the saviour of the elven eleven. Itzi and Mozi’s sudden appetite for giant-killing fades almost as quickly as it had arrived, as they both conspire to lose to local rivals AC Izotz Zubia and Syndicatian champs Fligsive FC respectively.

Zozi’s win on Saturday means Sunday’s meeting between second-placed Magnaeus and second-bottom Hecia is all important. An audience of millions watche on television as, somehow, some way, Magnaeus City contrive to lose to the weakest team in the league, despite having the lion’s share of possession, shots on targer, corners, and all other means of measuring a team’s dominance other than goals scored. The Magnaeus players finish the game by slumping onto the knees or their backs in dismay and exhaustion as they drop three points behind the leaders again. The league isn’t over, but Magnaeus may just have been dealt a killer blow to their title hopes.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 2–2 Beverington Hawks ()
Batal () 2–1 Coastal United ()
Nacional () 1–2 Utica United ()
Porto Velho () 0–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Hippion Overdrive () 4–0 Hallad Reavers ()
Shamrock Cathair () 4–0 Draig Goch ()
Penningworth United () 4–0 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Jhanna City () 1–0 UD Lopez ()
Filipéia () 0–2 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Corinthian Spirits () 2–0 Shanak FC ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 4–0 LC Capitals ()
Lesko Pavillion () 2–1 Greeningham City ()

LigAnaia Matchday 38
Magnaeus City 0–1 Crystal Mertagne
Nostromo Meteorites 0–2 Hastmead Diamante
Telecontare 2–0 Tyrellia Titans
International of Tyrellia 3–3 Iskara Daii
Foxchester Raiders 0–5 Fligsive FC
KT Moreazerua 1–3 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Itzalovalle 1–1 Burgess FC
Westonbirt City 2–1 Firewood City
Bobs Towing 3–2 Oljestaden IF
1830 Cathair 1–0 Cazadores Cathair
Comunas Cougars 2–1 Hecia

Magnaeus City 0-1 Crystal Mertagne is surely they nail in the coffin for Magnaeus’s hopes, especially as AC Izotz Zubia take the spoils in a local derby against Moreazerua. Fligsive are victorious too, winning out five-nil against a very tired looking Foxchester side, while Hastmead win again and 1830 Cathair scrape through the capital derby against struggling Cazadores.

Hecia, who have already ruined one team’s season, stop short of frustrating the Legalites as Comunas come through 2-1 in a scrappy game. A goalfest ensued in Tyrellia, as International kept Iskara Daii from taking all three points from them at home.

LigAnaia Two
Lesko Pavillion () 1–2 Atletico Gonzales ()
Greeningham City () 4–0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
LC Capitals () 2–1 Corinthian Spirits ()
Shanak FC () 3–0 Filipéia ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 1–0 Jhanna City ()
UD Lopez () 0–1 Penningworth United ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 0–1 Shamrock Cathair ()
Draig Goch () 0–3 Hippion Overdrive ()
Hallad Reavers () 2–1 Porto Velho ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 2–0 Nacional ()
Utica United () 1–0 Batal ()
Coastal United () 1–1 Beverington Hawks ()

Going into another round of cup games. AC Izotz Zubia hold a commanding six-point lead at the top of the table with just four games left to play. Two wins, it seems, will win the Tzierran club their second LigAnaia title, given their very strong goal-difference ratio. Cathair, after a season in mid-table, are looking to finish strongly and are, for the first time, in the Champions Cup places, though they are sharing 67 points with Telecontare and Hastmead Diamante, both of which have ambitions of CC football next year.

Comunas are still way down in fifteenth. Fifteenth. A frankly ridiculous position for a team supposed to be the second or third strongest in the league. The good news for the Cougars is that they sit just two poihnts behind 10th, the final Globe Cup spot, and qualification for UICA football as possibly Legalese’s one and only representative is not out of the question.

National Cups
Quarter Finals

The Inevitable Syndicate and Mertagne

FC Southern Ninestar 6–1 Dysenside Duellers
Fligsive Gunners YFC 1–1 DDR Fighting Disco (1–2 AET)
Burgess FC 1–1 Magnaeus City (1–1 AET) (4–3 pen.)
Lehen Neorudo 1–2 Becaonsby Flames

Audioslavia

Oljestaden IF 5–0 Tenth Star Hasiera
CF Ferramendiak 2–1 1830 Cathair
KT Moreazerua 2–0 Lemmitania State FC
Sparta Zijweg 1–1 KT Itzalovalle (1–2 AET)

Starblaydia

Hallad Reavers 2–1 Vecchio Victors
Codexus Fraxcinus 0–3 Telecontare
Hippion Overdrive 4–1 Port Cythera
Jhanna City 1–3 Iskara Daii

Legalese

Bobs Towing 1–0 Gavelton Rhinos
Binchensburg Athletic 0–5 The Knights of Tiberia
Straitside FC 0–2 Stratton FC
Draig Goch 2–2 Comunas Cougars (2–2 AET) (4–3 pen.)

Osarius

Grasshoppers Turic 2–4 Firewood City
Hastmead Diamante 2–0 Shanak FC
Violia FC 0–1 Junipa Athletic
Real Jraxville 0–1 Greeningham City

Ibex

Hayl Tawalh 1–3 Tall
Ba?al 1–0 Gha'med
Karh al-Aqdem 0–1 Alamebratewr Arew'e
Ma?raqat al-Juthathi 7–0 Zal al-Aqmer Adey

Perlasilangan

Unido Mendoza 5–0 Mulawin FC
Atletico Hernandez 1–4 UD Lopez
Legazpi CF 1–3 Real Natividad
Real Trinidad 1–2 CF Santos-Garcia

Magnaeus's poor league form carries on into the cup as they lose to rivals Burgess FC in the quarter-finals. The two sides are somehow the only L1 teas left in the Syndicatian cup. Burgess go through to the semi-final against Beaconsby Flames, with Southern Ninestar and DDR Fighting Disco in the other semi-final. Burgess are, unsurprisingly, heavy favourites for the title.

In Audioslavia, four LigAnaia 1 clubs look to oust lower-league opposition in the quarter-finals, and while Moreazerua, Itzalovale and cup-specialists Oljestaden all win, reigning LigAnaia champions 1830 Cathair lose out 2-1 to second tier CF Ferramendiak in the upset of the round, further putting pressure on the capital club to reach Champions Cup football with no other silverware on the line.

There are no upsets in Starblaydia as both Iskara Daii and Telecontare progress to seperate halves of semi-finals both are expected to win, but in the Legalite section Comunas Cougars's misery is compounded as they lose on penalties to second-tier Draig Goch.


LigAnaia Matchday 39
Comunas Cougars 3–2 Magnaeus City
Hecia 1–1 1830 Cathair
Cazadores Cathair 1–0 Bobs Towing
Oljestaden IF 2–1 Westonbirt City
Firewood City 0–0 KT Itzalovalle
Burgess FC 3–0 KT Moreazerua
AC Izotz Zubia 5–1 Foxchester Raiders
Fligsive FC 3–0 International of Tyrellia
Iskara Daii 1–0 Telecontare
Tyrellia Titans 1–3 Nostromo Meteorites
Hastmead Diamante 1–3 Crystal Mertagne

Kulkkiia, Aiza, Buruz, Roga and Courois are all on target for AC Izotz Zubia as they thrash Foxchester Raiders 5-1 and, in doing so, move another step closer to the LigAnaia title. Magnaeus City lose their fourth match on the trot in losing 3-2 to Comunas Cougars, who move closer to the top ten in doing so.

Fligsive FC, after a terrible start to the season, have done it again in making a late charge to the top two but, like last season, it appears they’ve left it far too late to catch the leaders. They thrash a poor Inter at the Flynn arena while, up the road, Burgess arrest a run of bad league results with victory over struggling Moreazerua.

In Starblaydia, Iskara Daii overcome Telecontare by a goal to nil to move a little closer to their rivals.

1830 Cathair are desperate to salvage a terrible domestic season and travel to Hecia in the hope of adding a number of goals to their goal-difference ratio. Cathair take the lead early on through Lidgley, but fail to put away the bottom-feeders and are shocked when, late on, Hecia salvage an equaliser and rob the reigning champs of two points.

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 2–1 Coastal United ()
Beverington Hawks () 3–3 Utica United ()
Batal () 1–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Nacional () 1–1 Hallad Reavers ()
Porto Velho () 1–0 Draig Goch ()
Hippion Overdrive () 1–1 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Shamrock Cathair () 2–0 UD Lopez ()
Penningworth United () 3–1 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Jhanna City () 2–0 Shanak FC ()
Filipéia () 1–2 LC Capitals ()
Corinthian Spirits () 3–3 Greeningham City ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 3–2 Lesko Pavillion ()

LigAnaia Matchday 40
Magnaeus City 1–2 Hastmead Diamante
Crystal Mertagne 3–1 Tyrellia Titans
Nostromo Meteorites 1–0 Iskara Daii
Telecontare 0–3 Fligsive FC
International of Tyrellia 2–0 AC Izotz Zubia
Foxchester Raiders 2–1 Burgess FC
KT Moreazerua 3–1 Firewood City
KT Itzalovalle 1–1 Oljestaden IF
Westonbirt City 2–0 Cazadores Cathair
Bobs Towing 0–0 Hecia
1830 Cathair 1–2 Comunas Cougars

It’s nought from five for Magnaeus as they lose a six-pointer to Hastmead Diamante, who move within two points of the team from the black peak. 1830 Cathair, too, can close the gap, but a desperate capital club are defeated on home soil by an even more desperate Comunas Cougars in a match that, going by UICA ranks, is the biggest in the league but in reality takes place between teams in 5th and 15th respectively. Burgess continue their changeable form in losing to Foxchester Raiders. The only thing Burgess have to play for, now, is pride, and possibly their status as a Globe Cup qualifier unless they pull their act together.

Fligsive’s 3-0 thrashing of Telecontare in Tabeck sets the scene for Sunday’s game, where AC Izotz Zubia cam move seven points clear at the top with two games to play, and thus force 1830 Cathair to send the LigAnaia trophy from Cathair to Tzierra; a reverse trip to the one taken by the trophy at the end of LigAnaia season two.

The pressure on Zozi is evident, compounded by the fact that its a young team who take the field, with teenagers Gaizka Urrunaga and Txordin Etxebarria replacing the injured Roga and Zerubeltzak. On reflection, however, it is the unavailability of Valladar defender Patrick Courtois - a player Zozi have increasingly relied upon at the back - which is Zozi’s undoing as they lose meekly to Inter Tyrellia. Zozi still lead the league, but the giants over in Fligsive have watched their capitulation with mouths a-watering, knowing that now, with two wins, they may just steal the league title from under the Audioslavians’ noses.

All they have to do is win their next two games.

LigAnaia Two
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 0–1 Atletico Gonzales ()
Lesko Pavillion () 3–1 Corinthian Spirits ()
Greeningham City () 2–2 Filipéia ()
LC Capitals () 1–0 Jhanna City ()
Shanak FC () 5–2 Penningworth United ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 5–2 Shamrock Cathair ()
UD Lopez () 1–0 Hippion Overdrive ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 2–1 Porto Velho ()
Draig Goch () 2–1 Nacional ()
Hallad Reavers () 3–1 Batal ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 3–1 Beverington Hawks ()
Utica United () 2–4 Coastal United ()

LigAnaia One Table

Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 AC Izotz Zubia 		40 25 6 9 86 48 +38 81
2 Fligsive FC 			40 23 8 9 75 46 +29 77
3 Magnaeus City 		40 22 6 12 57 41 +16 72
4 Hastmead Diamante 		40 20 10 10 54 47 +7 70
5 1830 Cathair 			40 19 11 10 63 42 +21 68
6 Telecontare 			40 19 10 11 66 53 +13 67
7 Iskara Daii 			40 18 10 12 69 46 +23 64
8 Burgess FC 			40 18 8 14 71 51 +20 62
9 KT Itzalovalle 		40 18 6 16 53 64 −11 60
10 Crystal Mertagne 		40 16 10 14 69 62 +7 58
11 Oljestaden IF 		40 15 12 13 50 46 +4 57
12 Comunas Cougars 		40 17 6 17 54 53 +1 57
13 Westonbirt City 		40 15 10 15 48 51 −3 55
14 International of Tyrellia 	40 15 10 15 55 61 −6 55
15 Firewood City 		40 16 5 19 53 59 −6 53
16 Nostromo Meteorites 		40 13 7 20 52 56 −4 46
17 Bobs Towing 			40 13 7 20 56 62 −6 46
18 Cazadores Cathair 		40 12 7 21 41 57 −16 43
19 Foxchester Raiders		40 11 9 20 43 70 −27 42
20 Hecia 			40 8 10 22 39 66 −27 34
21 Tyrellia Titans 		40 8 7 25 46 76 −30 31
22 KT Moreazerua 		40 8 7 25 35 78 −43 31

LigAnaia Matchday 41
1830 Cathair 3–2 Magnaeus City
Comunas Cougars 3–0 Bobs Towing
Hecia 1–1 Westonbirt City
Cazadores Cathair 2–2 KT Itzalovalle
Oljestaden IF 1–0 KT Moreazerua
Firewood City 1–0 Foxchester Raiders
Burgess FC 1–1 International of Tyrellia
AC Izotz Zubia 2–0 Telecontare
Fligsive FC 2–0 Nostromo Meteorites
Iskara Daii 2–2 Crystal Mertagne
Tyrellia Titans 0–2 Hastmead Diamante

You can cut the atmosphere at the Soldaduak Eremuan with a knife. Two games left in the season, four points clear at the top, AC Izotz Zubia just need one solitary win from two games in order to clinch the league title for the second time in the club’s history. Their opponents, Telecontare, have no desire to make things easy for the Tzierran club, with aspirations of Champions Cup football themselves - a dream that requires six points from two games to turn into a possibility over an abstract wish.

Over in Calania, Fligsive host lowly Nostromo knowing that nothing less than victory will do. They are relying on a slipup by the Audioslavians, but that doesn’t mean they can relax as they take on a side who have taken the scalps of Cathair, Telecontare and Inter this season, not to mention their home and away defeats of Iskara Daii.

There are huge games in Cathair and Tyrellia, too, as 1830 take on third-placed Magnaeus in the hope of closing the gap between themselves and the third-placed Syndicatians, while Tyrellia Titans know they can be all but sure of avoiding automatic relegation with a home win, but find themselves having to take that win against Hastmead Diamante, who themselves are fighting to maintain their Champions Cup aspirations.

Titans, at least, don’t have to hang on to their dreams for long as Hastmead score early, hit a second on twenty minutes, and never look like giving up their lead. Fligsive, too, make life easy on theiir fans by scoring early, and Robert Hampson’s second-half strike gives the Syndicatians a much-needed cushion over their rivals.

In Cathair, 1830 and Magnaeus are playing out an entertaining free-for-all of a game that the Catharans will win by three goals to two to relegate Magnaeus down to fifth place in the league after months in the Champions Cup spots.

Zozi, on the other hand, are struggling in the face of elvish supremacy. Teenage Guayabalense goalkeeper Abraham Terrazas has to be relied upon to pull his side out of the fire on two occasions as Tele go close to taking a second half lead. With twenty minutes to go, fans are starting to do calculations with regards to what they need to accomplish on the final matchday - probably a win, maybe a draw if they can keep this game at nil-all. They’d be forgiven for forgetting that they were but a goal away from winning the title outright on that afternoon, and so can also be forgiven for meeting Nazeau Roga’s 81st minute header with a few seconds of dumbfounded silence that leave the Farf striker searching in vain for a raised linesman’s flag that isn’t there. The belated roar is huge, but short, as Tele kick off quickly and almost immediately beat the Zozi goalkeeper via a well-timed lob from Vanamelien Toralasyr, but can only draw a relieved gasp from the crowd as Susan Endicott tracks back to acrobatically clear the shot off the line.

Television footage of the crowd show rows of pained expressions and legions of Tzierrans somehow rediscovering god, hands clasped together, begging at the sky. Tele continue to press, but are ripped apart in the 88th minute by a quick counter-attack that ends with Nazeau Roga slipping a ball just behind Jaurtiketa Buruz, who has to check back and swipe a foot at it to help it on its way to Orson Faulkner. The Brenecian defender is further forward than he has any right to be, but takes his chance with the composure of a seasoned striker to blast the ball beyond Kevadthrinthor and into the top corner for 2-0.

AC Izotz Zubia were LigAnaia champions, and it was all down to a…. a Brenecian?

Meanwhile, Legalite powerhouses Comunas Cougars are in the throes of trying to win their own league. It’s been obvious to anyone with a pulse that the Cougars had written off this season as a bad dream, but even that hasn’t stopped the side from pushing and, with a comfortable 3-0 victory over compatriots Bob’s Towing, they now find themselves with a chance at finishing in tenth, and the final Globe Cup qualification spot.

At the bottom of the table, Hecia confirm that they will evade automatic relegation with a hard-earned draw against Westonbirt City. Moreazerua, however, will have to wait. Mozi fail to beat Oljestaden thanks to a late Ivan Haarsted winner and go into the final game of the season knowing that a Tyrellia Titans win will all but put them down.

Atletico Gonzales () 1–2 Utica United ()
Coastal United () 1–0 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Beverington Hawks () 1–0 Hallad Reavers ()
Batal () 0–1 Draig Goch ()
Nacional () 2–0 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Porto Velho () 1–0 UD Lopez ()
Hippion Overdrive () 3–3 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Shamrock Cathair () 0–0 Shanak FC ()
Penningworth United () 1–2 LC Capitals ()
Jhanna City () 4–1 Greeningham City ()
Filipéia () 0–1 Lesko Pavillion ()
Corinthian Spirits () 2–0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()

National Cups
Semi Finals

FC Southern Ninestar 2–0 DDR Fighting Disco
Burgess FC 2–1 Becaonsby Flames

Oljestaden IF 0–0 CF Ferramendiak (0–0 AET) (2–4 pen.)
KT Moreazerua 1–3 KT Itzalovalle

Hallad Reavers 2–1 Telecontare
Hippion Overdrive 1–2 Iskara Daii

Bobs Towing 1–3 The Knights of Tiberia
Stratton FC 2–1 Draig Goch

Firewood City 0–2 Hastmead Diamante
Junipa Athletic 0–2 Greeningham City

Tall 2–1 Ba?al
Alamebratewr Arew'e 1–0 Ma?raqat al-Juthathi

Unido Mendoza 1–2 UD Lopez
Real Natividad 0–3 CF Santos-Garcia

The national cup semi-finals are an unwelcome distraction for Burgess, who would rather concentrate on their final game of the season, but a largely makeshift first eleven nevertheless manage to squeeze by Beaconsby Flames on their way to a second national cup final in succession, and the chance for another appearance in the Cygnus Cup. Their opponents will be Southern Ninestar, who last represented the COCANEFA in intercontinental football back in UICA 51 and would relish the chance to do so again, even from the second tier.

In Audioslavia, Itzalovalle win the Tzierra derby-semi by three goals to one to ensure that Mozi have no consolation prize of a cup final after their coming relegation battles. Oljestaden are expected to join them in the final, but the former CopAnaia champions are shocked by third division CF Ferramendiak, who take them to penalties and win out by four goals to two.

There’s a surprise in store in Starblaydia, too, as the expected Tele/Daii final doesn’t materialise due to Telecontare’s defeat at the hands of former L1 side Hallad Reavers.

The Starblaydi upset is nothing compared to what happens in Legalise. Bob’s Towing, the only L1 side left in the competition, are comprehensively outplayed by the Knights of Tiberia who win 3-1 on their way to the final. They are expected to face Draig Goch, but even the second tier Legalites can’t overcome lowly Stratton FC, of the third tier, who win out 2-1 to ensure an L2 vs L3 final.

Hastmead vs Firewood is, one suspects, an Osarian Cup Final masquerading as a semi-final. Hastmead again overcome their opponents to reach a final in which they will play a Greeningham City side who are on the way to relegation from the second tier. Surely Hastmead can’t mess this up?

In Ibex and Perlasilangan, Tall book their place in the final with victory over favourites Batal. Alamebratewr join them, overcoming L2’s bottom side Mahraqat al Juthathi by a goal to nil. UD Lopez score their expected victory over Unido Mendoza in the PSL semi-final, with Santos Garcia joining them in the final after rallying three goals past Real Natividad.

LigAnaia Matchday 42
Magnaeus City 4–1 Tyrellia Titans
Hastmead Diamante 1–3 Iskara Daii
Crystal Mertagne 1–2 Fligsive FC
Nostromo Meteorites 2–2 AC Izotz Zubia
Telecontare 2–2 Burgess FC
International of Tyrellia 2–0 Firewood City
Foxchester Raiders 2–1 Oljestaden IF
KT Moreazerua 1–0 Cazadores Cathair
KT Itzalovalle 4–1 Hecia
Westonbirt City 2–2 Comunas Cougars
Bobs Towing 1–0 1830 Cathair

AC Izotz Zubia display the LigAnaia trophy proudly at Nostromo Meteorites, who’s fans are commended for their two minutes of polite applause before recommencing booing the everloving hell out of everything the Audioslavian club does. The sides play out an entertaining 2-2 draw to mark the end of a great season for the Audioslavians and a decidedly average one for the home team.

A little further north, Crystal Mertagne host Fligsive FC in what is a dead rubber for a visiting side already guaranteed second place in the league for the third time in five seasons, but is a match of utmost importance for the Crystals, for whom a win could guarantee Globe Cup football once again. Crystal Mertagne are hoping Comunas fail to beat Westonbirt City, and are possibly a little distracted by news of an eary Westonbirt goal and end up conceding two themselves. Mertagne fight back, but can only find one goal before the final whistle confirms nothing but a drab mid-table finish for the Syndicatians.

Comunas Cougars fight back to earn a 2-2 draw with Westonbirt, but are left sweating on a final whistle in Foxchester to confirm that the Starblaydis had, indeed, beaten Oljestaden IF and denied the Audioslavians the opportunity to leapfrog their Legalite foes into the final Globe Cup place.

The big fights in the LigAnaia are the relegation showdowns and the battle for the final two Champions Cup places. Mozi face Cazadores in the former, and win out one-nil in a result that means Titans require victory in their encounter with Magnaeus City to avoid relegation. Magnaeus, though, are not in a particularly charitablle mood, what with battling to rise themselves above fifth place in the league, and the men from central Syndicatia rally four goals past their beleaguered opposition to ensure Tyrellia Titans are relegated automatically from the top flight. Magnaeus’s overall success, however, depends on results elsewhere, and not many in the Syndicate are confident, with 1830 Cathair travelling to lowly Bob’s Towing and Hastmead Diamante given the luxury of a home encoutner to finish the season, albiet against Starblaydi legends Iskara Daii.

To the surprise and delight of the Magnaeus faithful, both their rivals lose, 0-1 and 1-3 respectively, in results that ensure Manaeus finish third in the league - deserved after their early season form, if not their later run, and means Hastmead Diamante limp into the fourth and final Champions Cup spot.

1830 Cathair, champions by fifteen points, are shocked to discover that they will compete in the Globe Cup after three successive seasons of Champions Cup football.

LigAnaia Two
Corinthian Spirits () 1–1 Atletico Gonzales ()
Tout-Puissant Hasiera () 2–1 Filipéia ()
Lesko Pavillion () 1–0 Jhanna City ()
Greeningham City () 0–1 Penningworth United ()
LC Capitals () 3–3 Shamrock Cathair ()
Shanak FC () 2–2 Hippion Overdrive ()
The Knights of Tiberia () 0–0 Porto Velho ()
UD Lopez () 1–1 Nacional ()
Mahraqat al-Juthathi () 2–2 Batal ()
Draig Goch () 3–0 Beverington Hawks ()
Hallad Reavers () 0–0 Coastal United ()
FC Southern Ninestar () 3–2 Utica United ()

LigAnaia Two
Atletico Gonzales () 2–1 FC Southern Ninestar ()
Utica United () 1–1 Hallad Reavers ()
Coastal United () 0–0 Draig Goch ()
Beverington Hawks () 4–2 Mahraqat al-Juthathi ()
Batal () 4–0 UD Lopez ()
Nacional () 2–0 The Knights of Tiberia ()
Porto Velho () 1–0 Shanak FC ()
Hippion Overdrive () 1–0 LC Capitals ()
Shamrock Cathair () 2–2 Greeningham City ()
Penningworth United () 2–1 Lesko Pavillion ()
Jhanna City () 1–0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera ()
Filipéia () 1–1 Corinthian Spirits ()

National Cups
Finals

CF Ferramendiak 0–0 KT Itzalovalle (0–1 AET)

FC Southern Ninestar 0–3 Burgess FC

Hallad Reavers 1–2 Iskara Daii

The Knights of Tiberia 1–1 Stratton FC (1–1 AET) (5–3 pen.)

Tall 1–1 Alamebratewr Arew'e (1–1 AET) (3–2 pen.)

UD Lopez 2–0 CF Santos-Garcia

Hastmead Diamante 1–1 Greeningham City (1–1 AET) (3–0 pen.)

After a topsy-turvy season, the national cup finals all go to form, albiet in a rather drab sort of way. Four of the ties need to be settled in extra time - a further three on penalty kicks - while Burgess deliver Ninestar’s expected thrashing and Iskara Daii limp to their second national cup win in successive seasons.

Promotion/Relegation Playoffs

Shamrock Cathair 3–0 KT Moreazerua
Hecia 1–0 Nacional

KT Moreazerua 0–1 Shamrock Cathair
Nacional 2–2 Hecia

Held over the last Friday and Sunday of the season, the LigAnaia playoffs offer the chance for two of the top-finishing L2 clubs - in this case second-placed Nacional and Shamrock Cathair (who qualified as the highest-finishing team of the same association of relegation-playoff candidates KT Moreazerua) - to join the big boys in LigAnaia one. The Shamrock / Mozi showdown is a crunch game between the side relegated the season before last and side who replaced them. A close, tense game is expected, but Shamrock blitz their purple-clad opponents at the Glass Bridge stadium by three goals to nil to all but book their place in the LigAnaia next season. Mozi fight back in the second leg, and have the majority of possession, but fall prey to a late strike by Kolbruk Keinensson, a young striker from Semarland, picked up on a free transfer in January, and who looks to be an inspired signing for Shamrock.

The other playoff final sees Hecia - one of the top flight’s newbie clubs, battle Nacional of Western Sunrise Islands - a newbie to the entire league system. Hecia have performed a little better than expected throughout the season - ie, they didn’t come bottom - and that theme continues through the first leg as they outplay their Sunrisian counterparts to take a vital lead going into the second leg. Nacional, despite the disadvantage, are narrow favourites to usurp the Starblaydis at the Lucas Rodrigues stadium, but despite taking an early lead, fall prey to two first-half goals in quick succession to go into the break 2-1 down. A Ze Guto goal on the hour mark sparks a late rally, and a third Nacional goal seems inevitable for long periods of the second half, but Hecia hold on to maintain their status as a LigAnaia 1 team for another season at least.

[COCANEFA]

The LigAnaia is back once again to showcase the best football the Glorious North East has to offer. Will the Audioslavian duo of AC Izotz Zubia and 1830 Cathair continue to dominate? Can the LigAnaia clubs go further in UICA competition? Will Hecia survive with their dignity in-tact? Will 1830 Cathair finally sign Laborious Hawk, or will they simply be content with signing every other footballer on the planet? Find out.... here.

The league keeps the same structure for two years running for the first time since the inaugural seasons, although there is a change at the very top as now, of the four UICA Champions Cup qualifiers, two have to be from The Calanian Union, which could lead to complications later. Around* two teams will be relegated from the LigAnaia One at the end of the season, with two coming up from LigAnaia Two. L2 itself will have four teams relegated out of the bottom of it, to be replaced by two each from LigAnaia Three: North and Islands and LigAnaia Three: Calania.

*It's complicated

LigAnaia One: The Teams

Heavyweights 1830 Cathair are two-time LigAnaia champions, and undoubtedly the richest of Audioslavia’s six LigAnaia One representatives. The side have made a few changes in pre-season, and if rumours are to be believed are expected to spend big in the opening weeks of the league campaign..
Last season’s fifth-placed finish was a major disappointment for a side that hasn’t finished outside the top two since season one. Fans expect that, without the distraction of Champions Cup football, another championship win is their minimum expectation.

AC Izotz Zubia’s second league championship title came as something of a shock; most pundits had tipped Fligsive, Cathair or Hastmead for the title in season five. The team affectionately nicknamed ‘Zozi’, however, overcame the odds and this season, with arguably a stronger line-up, will be confident of challenging for the title again.

Bob’s Towing had a horrid season last time out, barely finishing above the relegation places, and will look to kick on this season. The heady heights of the top ten are, however, a little too far away on the horizon. The Casnar Golt-helmed side has not seen a top finish since leading midfielder Chance Cloman was a teenager; at age 26, he’s the team’s best hope of survival, something that has the punters at Gamma Arena nervous.

Burgess FC’s runners-up place in the inaugural LigAnaia season was supposed to be a statement of intent, according to their fans. To be fair, it more or less was: they haven’t won the league in any other season either. The men in sky-blue and yellow have bounced around the top ten in recent seasons, never finishing lower than eighth, but for a side with aspirations of league and UICA silverware, merely ‘competing’ isn’t enough. For Burgess, qualification for the Champions Cup is their aim once again - one they’ve missed every season bar season one.

Cazadores Cathair are a side most Audioslavian neutrals - ie, those Audioslavians not living in Cathair, Oljestaden or Tzierra, who’s constituent football clubs dominate the Audioslavian footballing landscape - can get behind. Cazadores, based on the eastern outskirts of the capital city, have long played a brand of exciting, attacking football, and despite their lack of resources have been more than capable of mixing it with the big boys since their first season in the top flight. Another battle with relegation is probably on the horizon, but the talented young Cazadores side should have what it takes to maintain their L1 status for another year.

Comunas Cougars exploded onto the scene in season four - the freshmen year for Legalite clubs in the LigAnaia - and finished in third place, qualifying for the Champions Cup and being unlucky not to place higher. The next season, however, saw a rapid fall from grace. Cougars’ form deteriorated rapidly at the start of the year and the side never really clawed their way back, finishing down in tenth place - only just enough for a Globe Cup place. This season, then, is one for rebuilding, but the side are usually loathe to spend money in the transfer window, and one feels that, without an influx of money and players, the Legalite powerhouses may well struggle again.

Crystal Mertagne are a team that nowadays have little to do with the nation that shares their name. While an amazing, table topping finish isn’t exactly on the cards for the northern Syndicatian team, Crystal Mertagne are looking to avoid both a lawsuit with the new nation and relegation from the top flight. They may not look like the men to do it, but sometimes the underdogs can end up surprising us all.

Firewood City will most likely by focusing heavily on wing play, due to the Fourgian club’s perpetual abundance of talented wingers and fullbacks. The central column of the team is by no means weak, but have in recent history found it difficult to link attack and defence, which could be a major problem when facing the stronger sides in the league.

Of those hoping to dethrone AC Izotz Zubia, perennial challengers Fligsive FC are perhaps the best placed. Manager Farrell Kiter has kept a largely unchanged squad for the new season, and the club are hoping to avoid a ‘traditional’ Fligsivian start to the season, whereby the side usually find it difficult to get up to speed in the opening quarter of the year.

Back when the LigAnaia was just a glint in the eyes of the north-east’s governing bodies, Foxchester Raiders were busy cutting swathes through world football. The Starblaydi powers, resplendent in their traditional blue and orange, reached the final of the Champions Cup in UICA season 33, and were one of the Liga Calania’s top sides before the league eventually disbanded. Today’s Foxchester are a rather different beast, and have spent the majority of their LigAnaia existence cowering in the shadows of the likes of Magnaeus, Zozi and the Daii. Their best days may well be behind them, and money may well be scarce, but a side as big as this cannot be discounted in future seasons.

Hastmead Diamante had a good debut season, finishing fourth in the league, and will look to improve on that showing this season. The Diamonds have a supremely creative midfield and a well-organised, if a little lightweight, defence. Having failed yet again to secure a genuine top class forward in the past transfer window, however, Hastmead may struggle to convert enough of the chances their talented midfield creates.

Hecia will start this season as they started the last; one of the favourites to go down. The side may well be able to boast that they once finished as runners-up in the first edition of the old Liga Starblaydia, but being that that was around a century ago some might say that fact is pretty irrelevant. Hecia managed to avoid the drop last year, however, and may yet find themselves with the opportunity to build a solid foundation in the LigAnaia.

International of Tyrellia are one of the powerhouses of Legalite football, but have thus far failed to truly impress in the LigAnaia. Fans will be disappointed with anything other than a strong showing this time out, especially after last season’s disappointing thirteenth-place finish. A lot may depend on the form and temperament of captain Cyrus Damhan, the star of the Legalite national team, but recent rumblings from the training ground have hinted that all is not well with Damhan, and rumours are abound that the club captain may be looking at a move away from Inter in the near future.

Iskara Daii will again pin their hopes on the form of the midfield triumverate of Carnavalense, Daili and the flamboyant Stardust. The Champions Cup is always seen as a minimum requirement by fans of this former powerhouse of world football, but although the team have steadily improved in recent seasons, a top-four place may be a little out of the Starblaydis grasp.

KT Itzalovalle, the Tzierra region’s ‘second’ team, are one of just a handful to have played in every LigAnaia season so far, and have been building slowly with the target of becoming more than just a mainstay in the league. Last season’s ninth place finish was a big surprise for a team usually found lacking against the big guns, but it remains to be seen how strong this season’s team is in comparison to the league’s heavy hitters.

Lesko Pavillion are one of two promoted clubs, having won LigAnaia Two at a canter last year. The team are one of seven Calanian clubs in the LigAnaia - TCU have always had the biggest representation in the league - but the side will need to find an edge in order to maintain that level of Calanian dominance into next season.

Magnaeus City’s third-place finish last year was their highest in LigAnaia history. The side have long been one of the powerhouses of Calanian football, but as yet have no silverware to show for it in the LigAnaia era. Fans may well be looking to UICA football to change that this season...

Nostromo Meteorites are a side who tend to grow into seasons. The Calanians have a tendency to spend christmas in the relegation zone before fighting back during the second half of the season, and have two mid-table finishes in recent seasons in which the side were tipped for relegation to show for it. A repeat of the type of form that saw the side finish third in the inaugural LigAnaia season is unlikely, however, and the side may well be fighting for their status as a LigAnaia ever-present come May.

Oljestaden IF are a team that consistently defies logic and expectation, whether for good reasons or bad. The side were COCANEFA’s first CopAnaia champions in season three - a year which saw the side win their first four games before going on a rather epic losing streak - and spent much of last season rooted to the bottom of the LigAnaia before embarking on a desperate late-season scramble to safety. Oljestaden have, in recent seasons, managed to take journeymen like Ivan Haarsted and Vitor Belmonte and present them as superstars, while blending such unlikely heroes with established professionals like Jonathan Fana and Durdur Celetholtinu This unpredictable team from the northern shores of Audioslavia are a tricky opponent for anyone on their day.

Shamrock Cathair, now very much Cathair’s ‘third’ team after the rise of Cazadores, scraped promotion last season thanks to a playoff win over KT Moreazerua. The boys in green are most bookies’ favourite for the drop.

Starblaydia has a very large immigrant population, and each and every one of them would be up in arms if we didn’t include Telecontare in the list of contenders. The Tabeck outfit are former winners of the Liga Calania - one of the LigAnaia’s spiritual ancestors - and the richness of their support is matched only by that of their bank accounts, but the team endured a torrid first two seasons in the LigAnaia, almost being relegated after their first season and falling away drastically in the second half of season four. There are some who suggest the side are a shadow of their former glories, but as any of the team’s elven contingent (ie pretty much all of them) will tell you, i takes more than a little rain to dull elvish steel. Last year’s seventh place finish was a marked improvement, and there should be no reason why Tele can’t build on that.

Westonbirt City’s best LigAnaia season so far was season three, whereby they bit their collective thumbs at the established order and fought their way to third place. The next season they went one better, and managed to claw their way even past the group stages of the Globe Cup. That performance, however, came at the cost of league form, and the green-clad side from western Syndicatia finished well out of the Globe Cup places. This season, without the distraction of UICA football, a confident Westonbirt will have pretentious of another top-six finish, but in reality much of their team has been picked apart by the stronger sides in terms of players, and Westonbirt mayeven struggle to reach the safety of mid-table this season.

Suzuka Route 99ers (MZY) 0–0 AC Izotz Zubia (2–0 AET)

The Anaiatecer Charity Shield - the pre-season showdown between the SunLeague champions and those of the LigAnaia, is held at Sunrise Park in Burgess, The Calanian Union, on the weekend before the season starts. Both teams field slightly weakened sides, and it shows in the quality of the game which goals goalless into extra-time, before the 99ers win out with a goal each side of the interval to ensure the shield stays east of Atlantian Oceania for another year at least.

Prior to matchday one, all Audioslavian, Calanian and Legalite teams have made it through the initial pre-qualifying stages of the Champions and Globe Cups. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said for representatives from Starblaydia and Osarius. For the former, it's an unfortunate case of business as usual for Iskara Daii, who once again fall at the first hurdle, losing on penalties to Schemerdrecht Metro of Ko-oren. Telecontare, representing the LigAnaia for the first time in UICA competition, bow out a round earlier in the second preliminary round of the Globe Cup, being beaten home and away by Isula ge Ru's Arĝa CF.

The big pre-season match, arguably bigger than even the Anaiatecer, is the third preliminary round Champions Cup game between Hastmead Diamante and Fligsive FC - two of the LigAnaia's powerhouses. Hastmead had been more than impressive in sweeping aside Mangolana City 7-3 on aggregate in the preceding rounds, yet were still second-favourites against a Fligsive side that had been to the latter stages of UICA tournaments in the last two preceding seasons. The first game is a tense affair, with the two teams grinding out a 1-1 stalemate in Fligsive. The return leg, the Wednesday before the start of the season, sees Hastmead initially use their home advantage to go 2-0 and 3-1 ahead by the hour mark, but Fligisve fight back, hit a reply, and score the equalizer on seventy-eight minutes through Bruce Fries, drawing the match 3-3 and going through on away goals.

[COCANEFA]

MATCHDAY 1

Fligsive FC 3-0 Hecia
AC Izotz Zubia 1-0 Shamrock Cathair
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Lesko Pavillion
Magnaeus City 4-2 Cazadores Cathair
Hastmead Diamante 1-0 Foxchester Raiders
Iskara Daii 2-2 Nostromo Meteorites
Burgess FC 1-0 Firewood City
Comunas Cougars 3-0 KT Itzallovalle
International of Tyrellia 2-0 Oljestaden IF
Telecontarë 1-0 Westonbirt City
Bob's Towing 2-1 Crystal Mertagne

The sixth season of the LigAnaia kicks off with a bang on a sunny weekend in July at the Flynn Arena. Fligsive FC, keen to start as well as they finished last season, play host to Starblaydi team Hecia. It seems that the Starblaydi side are distracted by the hive of construction work going on around the stadium following the events that had finished just weeks prior. Fligsive FC manage to pull of an easy win after pushing ahead before halftime, with a fantastic goal from a corner that had the Starblaydi goalkeeper’s eyes rattling around his head.
Fligsive’s relaxing first day back at the office is utterly at odds with the scene at The Birdcage in Magnaeus, where kick-off is delayed forty minutes by pre-match protests outside the stadium by the travelling Cazadores Cathair supporters. It is a demonstration not entirely unexpected by the Calanian police - who deal with the Cazarans well - as the preceding two-week run-up to the LigAnaia’s opening day had been dominated by one particular news item.
“I don’t want to leave, and if I did, I certainly wouldn’t jump over to that lot” had been the quote given by Ronda Judit Styrn, repeated in newspapers and magazines around Atlantian Oceania and rendered entirely meaningless by the young striker’s subsequent transfer from Cazadores Cathair to 1830 Cathair for a whopping thirty-five million dollars. Cazadores fans were up in arms, burning an effigy of RJ Styrn by the docks in Puerto Comercio and starting the #rondajudas trend whereby each supporter photographed themselves desecrating all shirts with the striker’s name on the back. The demonstrations in Magnaeus before matchday one had seen more shirt-burnings and chants for various heads to roll in the offices at Cazadores, who had also let promising young striker Espiridon Caszely leave for 1830 at the same time.
The Cazadores team do their best on the field to placate their supporters, and twice lead against a strong Magnaeus side, but are pegged back to 2-2 by half-time and finally defeated by two goals from Alisdair Green as MCFC open their campaign with a victory.
Cazadores ‘other’ rivals, Shamrock Cathair, are defeated the Soldaduak Eremuan by a single Nazeau Roga goal to nil as champions Izotz Zubia get the defence of their title off to a winning start, while 1830 Cathair defeat Lesko Pavillion at home despite new signings Styrn and Caszely being left out of the starting line-up. Peter Masters - the Llamanean expected to have to make way for the two Cazador captures - makes his case for inclusion in the starting line-up by scoring the only goal of the game.
Legalites have a cause for celebration, with top team Comunas Cougars winning at home against KT Itzalovalle by three goals, and International of Tyrellia pulling off a win that looked easy against Oljestaden IF. Tyrellia score both goals within three minutes, but while Oljestaden managed to successfully counter both of them with goals of their own, both times the goals were disallowed for being offside.
Even Osarians can be pleased with the results of the week, as while Firewood City unfortunately lose to Burgess FC in a game at Sunrise Park that was anything but sunny, Hastmead Diamante find a win against Foxchester Raiders. The Raiders claim that a bad plane journey had knocked them off guard, but fans of the Raiders and Diamante alike were reluctant to believe the excuses.

Notable midweek UICA fixtures
CC Playoff, First leg
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 Beckwith City (TSA)
Falcus FC (FAL) 3-1 Fligsive FC

GC Playoff, First leg
KT Itzalovalle 2-2 Galactica (PAS)
Zill (DAI) 0-0 Burgess FC


MATCHDAY 2

Shamrock Cathair 1-2 Fligsive FC
Lesko Pavillion 2-1 Hecia
Cazadores Cathair 1-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Foxchester Raiders 0-2 1830 Cathair FC
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Magnaeus City
Firewood City 0-2 Hastmead Diamante
KT Itzallovalle 1-1 Iskara Daii
Oljestaden IF 1-1 Burgess FC
Westonbirt City 1-2 Comunas Cougars
Crystal Mertagne 2-2 International of Tyrellia
Bob's Towing 1-1 Telecontarë

Unlike the brightness of the opening day, a mix of cloud, rains, fog, and in the Legalite city of Plainview, a dust storm shortly before the lunchtime kick provides a decidedly unplain view across the North East. The football turns out to be similarly dreary, with the largest scoreline taking place in Pinehearth, where the visiting Internationals took a point home with them to Tyrellia in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Mertagne. The best results occur in Foxchester and Firewood, courtesy of the visitors, Cathair and Hastmead. The Raiders find themselves plundered, as new signing Ronda Styrn helps justify the $60m fee paid for her and Caszely with a pair of goals to call her own - a wonderful debut that will only fuel the anger over at Cazadores. Attempts on the Foxchester keeper, Ezin Gorde, to blame the concessions to his former club on sand getting in his eyes are laughed off by the visiting contingent.
The afternoon slate proves perfect for a nap, with 1-1 draws in Oljestaden, Ferramendiak, and Nostromo providing little for any side to write home about. A small contingent of Comunans does have something to cheer, however, as the Cougars pull out a 2-1 result on the road to Westonbirt City, a late goal by Dominic Morgenthaler making up the difference.
The evening match brings us to Osarius for an all-domestic battle, with Hastmead Diamante snatching their two goals late on in Firewood City, and bringing an end to a bit of a slump for the league. In Firewood, Reiss Ryerson is starting to really feel the pressure, though. The loss of Roque Acosta is still affecting the team, and Marco Puntoriero is not getting the goals the team needs. There is a real concern that the former club captain might see himself replaced before season’s end if the decline continues. The pundits in Legalese, the wig-donning Gentlemen wearing Robes, close their show with a plea to the teams in the Liganaia to start taking more risks and demonstrate some courage in the attacking stage.

Notable Midweek Fixtures;
CC Playoff, Second leg
Beckwith City 2-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Fligisve FC 4-2 Falcus FC

GC Playoff, Second leg
Galactica 1-0 KT Itzalovalle
Burgess FC 1-1 Zill

MATCHDAY 3

Fligsive FC 2-1 Lesko Pavillion
Shamrock Cathair 1-2 Cazadores Cathair
Hecia 0-1 Foxchester Raiders
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 Nostromo Meteorites
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Firewood City
Magnaeus City 1-1 KT Itzallovalle
Hastmead Diamante 2-1 Oljestaden IF
Iskara Daii 2-0 Westonbirt City
Burgess FC 3-0 Crystal Mertagne
Comunas Cougars 1-1 Bob's Towing
International of Tyrellia 2-1 Telecontarë

The ‘other’ Cathair derby, between Shamrock and Cazadores, is a tense and occasionally violent affair between two clubs who have done little but struggle for the last five years or so. Shamrock fans, usually relaxed in the face of imminent defeat, have always saved their bile for local derbies, and adorn the home stands with posters of Styrn and Caszely. There are a number of pitch invasions in the opening twenty minutes as Cazadores fans attempt to jump into the Shamrock crowd - all thankfully blocked by some eagle-eyed stewards - and the game is nearly called-off as Shamrock’s former 1830 defender Maxen Riordan shoves Andro Mendez in the back before a corner and almost gets a right hook to the back of the head by an incensed Cazador fan, who is tackled to the ground before he can touch the defender.
Cazadores’ opening goal - a crisp finish from Mendez - calms the Cazadores fans a little. The side go two-up after half-time and never look like letting go of their lead despite Ghani Yousuf’s eighty-third minute reply. There is little trouble at the end of the game, as Shamrock’s fans treat the away supporters to a good-humoured rendition of ‘we’re going down, we’re going, Shamrock’s going down’.
Elsewhere, Fligsive, Hastmead, Zozi, Burgess, Daii and 1830 all win as the ‘big’ teams largely dominate, though Magnaeus City are held to a 1-1 draw at home to KT Itzalovalle. Itzi, with two points from three games, are starting slowly, and some of the blame should possibly be put at the feet of Anderson Sandro, last season’s $12m flop of a signing, who’s touch appears to have gotten even worse in the off-season and who lasted just thirty minutes before being substituted against Magnaeus. That his replacement, Kenzo Temporuin, scored the goal that changed Itzi’s fortunes only strengthens the supporters’ resolve that the club should cut their losses with regards to the Kytleran Sandro.
Comunas are the other ‘big’ club to come up a little short as they are held by fellow Legalites Bob’s Towing. The Cougars, an embarrassing tenth last season, are desperate to make a mark this season, yet are again heavily reliant on Jake Detzler as a majority of the Comunas eleven fail once again to play to their full potential.

GC Qualifying First Leg
Serebii Arceus (KDE) 3-2 1830 Cathair
Beckwith City 2-0 Comunas Cougars

MATCHDAY 4
Cazadores Cathair 2-4 Fligsive FC
Foxchester Raiders 2-1 Lesko Pavillion
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 Shamrock Cathair
Firewood City 1-0 Hecia
KT Itzallovalle 0-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Oljestaden IF 0-3 1830 Cathair FC
Westonbirt City 1-1 Magnaeus City
Crystal Mertagne 0-1 Hastmead Diamante
Bob's Towing 0-0 Iskara Daii
Telecontarë 1-2 Burgess FC
International of Tyrellia 0-1 Comunas Cougars

The weekend opens in Tyrellia with the first half of the battle for Island supremacy, as Legalite sides Comunas Cougars and InterTyrellia face off. As the closest either side has to a derby at the top level of the league, the sell-out crowd expects a hard-fought battle; what ensues, however, is a lethargic effort by the hosts, as the Cougars duo of Christian Linman and Armondo Woernle outmatch and outclass the opposition by a mile; an early goal by Jake Detzler holds up for the visitors, and Inter Captain Cyrus Damhan storms off the pitch without a word to even his manager.

As TV sets across the North East tune in to see if unbeaten 1830 can remain so after a trip to Oljestaden, more details emerge from the earlier scene in Tyrellia: sources indicate that International manager Appius Rutter ended up in a shouting match with his captain, Damhan, punctuated by the throwing of a shoe, three footballs, two chairs, and a punch. The consensus on the coverage in Legalese is clear: the past locker-room troubles of Inter Tyrellia continue, and a move needs to be made with deadline day just around the corner.

GC Qualifying second leg.
1830 Cathair 2-1 Serebii Arceus
Comunas Cougars 1-0 Beckwith City

MATCHDAY 5
Fligsive FC 3-3 Foxchester Raiders
Cazadores Cathair 2-0 Nostromo Meteorites
Lesko Pavillion 2-4 Firewood City
Shamrock Cathair 1-0 KT Itzallovalle
Hecia 0-2 Oljestaden IF
AC Izotz Zubia 2-1 Westonbirt City
1830 Cathair FC 2-1 Crystal Mertagne
Magnaeus City 3-1 Bob's Towing
Hastmead Diamante 0-1 Telecontarë
Iskara Daii 0-1 International of Tyrellia
Burgess FC 0-1 Comunas Cougars

Cazadores fans have calmed a little after ‘Rondagate’, though there are apparently plans for one last, final demonstration before the club from the docklands of south-western Cathair face their rivals 1830 on matchday twelve. On the field, the hunters have had just one win in the opening four games, but this record is made a little more respectable with a narrow win over Nostromo Meteorites, and all without star midfielder Sterling Rose who, despite being critical in recent games, isn’t even on the bench. The club are quiet on the matter, but do confirm that rivals 1830 have not been allowed to talk to the player or lodge a bid to the club. 1830, of course, may well have run out of money. The side have already swooped in for Inter’s Cyrus Damhan for a whopping $25m - a gargantuan amount for a thirty-two year-old.
Fellow Cazarans Shamrock gain their first win of the season at home to struggling Itzalovalle, who have thus far looked capable in midfield but are struggling for goals, with Temporuin out with a niggling ankle injury, leaving only Anderson Sandro up front. Sandro is poor again, somehow managing to sky two far-post finishes well over the bar from inside six yards, and succumbing to a debilitating ‘injury’ on eighty-five minutes, after Itzi had used all their substitutions, that apparently forced him to leave the field, though there were little signs of any sort of limp.
1830 win out against Crystal Mertagne to ensure a clean sweep for Audioslavia’s capital clubs, while a Damhan-less Inter fight to victory away to Iskara Daii, while Foxchester Raiders hold Fligsive FC to a draw in a ding-dong three-all draw at the Flynn Arena.


MATCHDAY 6

Nostromo Meteorites 4-2 Fligsive FC
Firewood City 1-3 Foxchester Raiders
KT Itzallovalle 0-3 Cazadores Cathair
Oljestaden IF 1-1 Lesko Pavillion
Westonbirt City 1-1 Shamrock Cathair
Crystal Mertagne 2-0 Hecia
Bob's Towing 1-0 AC Izotz Zubia
Telecontarë 1-1 1830 Cathair FC
International of Tyrellia 1-1 Magnaeus City
Comunas Cougars 2-4 Hastmead Diamante
Burgess FC 2-1 Iskara Daii

Iskara Daii had been on an unbeaten streak at the start of the season before last matchday’s defeat to Inter, so fans of the Jhanna club are desperate for The Daii to get back to winning ways in a tricky away encounter against Burgess. Owen Knob’s twelfth minute goal puts Iskara Daii in the lead, but Peto Kartal scores an equaliser and sets the winner up for Angelo Gelinas and the Daii are defeated again.
Another side struggling for form are Comunas Cougars, and the Legalites fare little better than their Starblaydi counterparts as they are destroyed 4-2 at home to Hastmead Diamante. Signs that Comunas are kicking on from their tragic 10th place finish last season are few and far between, while Inter, with a strong showing in holding high-flying Magnaeus to a 1-1 draw, are staking a claim to being the number one Legalite team in the LigAnaia.
Bob’s Towing, not to be outdone, face champions Izotz Zubia at Gamma Arena and sneak away with a one-nothing win, with young striker Gus Tokkesdal grabbing the winner on fifty-four minutes.
Zozi’s defeat isn’t the only upset on matchday six, as Fligsive travel to Nostromo looking for a win to keep up their title ambitions yet find themselves 3-0 down after twenty minutes. The aging strikeforce of Hampson and Fries force a reply each, but Audioslavian midfielder Javier Robledo nods in for Nostromo’s fourth and to wrap up all three points for the Calanians.
International of Tyrellia appear to have filled their Damhan-sized gap in midfield by signing Cazadores’ Euran midfielder Sterling Rose in a move that sparks more fury from the Cazadores fans, by now utterly sick of being such a selling club.

MATCHDAY 7

Fligsive FC 3-1 Firewood City
Nostromo Meteorites 0-1 KT Itzallovalle
Foxchester Raiders 1-1 Oljestaden IF
Cazadores Cathair 3-2 Westonbirt City
Lesko Pavillion 1-1 Crystal Mertagne
Shamrock Cathair 1-1 Bob's Towing
Hecia 2-4 Telecontarë
AC Izotz Zubia 1-0 International of Tyrellia
1830 Cathair FC 2-1 Comunas Cougars
Magnaeus City 4-0 Burgess FC
Hastmead Diamante 2-0 Iskara Daii

Another defeat for the Daii, away to high-flying Hastmead Diamante, leaves their fans frustrated for another week at least, but they’re hardly the most aggrieved of Starblaydi football fans. The most fed-up are undoubtedly the supporters of Hecia - seven games, seven defeats so far, and such favourites for the drop that bookies have stopped accepting bets on their demise.

Of the other favourites for the drop, Lesko Pavillion have labroured in the early going, winning only once in seven outings (a home win over little Hecia), but have at least looked the part on occasion, and few at the big-top could argue they were in any way second best against opponents Crystal Mertagne on Saturday afternoon.

In Audioslavia, it’s generally accepted that any club outside of the 1830/Zozi rivalry could at any time find themselves in trouble. Itzalovalle, UICA-entrants at the end of last season, have struggled thus far, though both Oljestaden and Cazadores have fought valiantly, the latter overcoming numerous disappointments so far this season to string together a few wins, capped off by the three-two defeat of Westonbirt on Sunday.

Shamrock Cathair, however, are the team that most pip for the drop, yet the celtic cazarans battle to a worthy draw against resurgent Legalite outfit Bob’s Towing on Saturday.

MATCHDAY 8

KT Itzallovalle 0-2 Fligsive FC
Oljestaden IF 1-0 Firewood City
Westonbirt City 2-2 Nostromo Meteorites
Crystal Mertagne 2-1 Foxchester Raiders
Bob's Towing 1-1 Cazadores Cathair
Telecontarë 0-1 Lesko Pavillion
International of Tyrellia 3-0 Shamrock Cathair
Comunas Cougars 2-0 Hecia
Burgess FC 2-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Iskara Daii 0-4 1830 Cathair FC
Hastmead Diamante 2-0 Magnaeus City

Iskara Daii 0-4 1830 Cathair is not the kind of result the Daii fans needed, and Jhanna is awash with boos at ten-to-five on Saturday as eleven well-defeated footballers skulk back down the tunnel. The scoreline suggests the match had been as much of a formality for the visitors as Comunas 2-0 Hecia had been, and frankly the home side put up just as little of a fight as their doomed countrymen.
Defeats for Foxchester and Tele at the hands of two of the league’s more mediocre teams caps off a miserable day for Starblaydi football.



MATCHDAY 9

Fligsive FC 0-2 Oljestaden IF
KT Itzallovalle 1-0 Westonbirt City
Firewood City 1-0 Crystal Mertagne
Nostromo Meteorites 0-1 Bob's Towing
Foxchester Raiders 1-3 Telecontarë
Cazadores Cathair 1-0 International of Tyrellia
Lesko Pavillion 1-2 Comunas Cougars
Shamrock Cathair 0-0 Burgess FC
Hecia 0-0 Iskara Daii
AC Izotz Zubia 1-0 Hastmead Diamante
1830 Cathair FC 2-1 Magnaeus City

It’s Hecia’s first point of the season, and the ironic cheers ringing around central Starblaydia are matched in terms of irony only by the applause of the travelling fans - those of Iskara Daii who, in witnessing their team eke out a dull 0-0 draw with the relegation favourites, have seen what will hopefully be the low point of the year for the former powerhouses.
Elsewhere, there’s an even bigger shock in Fligsive as the former LigAnaia champions lose at home to lightly regarded Oljestaden, who take the lead through Polarian journeyman Ivan Haarstad before Celetholtinu wraps up the three points late in the second half, burying a far-post header after a quick counter-attack.
Defending champs 1830 fare better, defeating championship rivals Magnaeus City 2-1 at the Kirola Arena, with Cyrus Damhan scoring his first goal for the club and setting up Ronda Styrn for goal number two, either side of Alisdair Green’s reply. There’s another top-of-the-table clash over in Tzierra, and its the Audioslavian club who prevails again as Zozi overcome Hastmead Diamante by a single Jaurtiketa Buruz goal to nil.

MATCHDAY 10

Westonbirt City 0-0 Fligsive FC
Crystal Mertagne 1-1 Oljestaden IF
Bob's Towing 2-1 KT Itzallovalle
Telecontarë 1-1 Firewood City
International of Tyrellia 3-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Comunas Cougars 2-1 Foxchester Raiders
Burgess FC 1-0 Cazadores Cathair
Iskara Daii 3-0 Lesko Pavillion
Hastmead Diamante 1-1 Shamrock Cathair
Magnaeus City 3-1 Hecia
1830 Cathair FC 1-2 AC Izotz Zubia

The big match on matchday ten is unquestionably 1830 Cathair vs AC Izotz Zubia, the two Audioslavian powerhouses who shared the previous two LigAnaia championships between them, one apiece. Zozi are the defending champions, but playing away from home and against a resurgent, as-yet undefeated 1830 Cathair are expected to come up short. Cyrus Damhan’s thirty-second minute free-kick opens the scoring for the home side, and most expect the Cazarans to ease home to victory, but Jaurtiketa Buruz’s equalizer on seventy-five minutes throws the game wide open after a multitude of chances for the capital side to extend their lead, and its the men in salmon and silver who eventually take the spoils through a late header by super-sub Gaizka Urrunaga to bring Zozi up to the top of the league, level on points with their vanquished opposition.
Zozi are the only Audioslavian side to win, with the ‘lesser’ four all failing to take home more than a point each from their encounters, but relegation-threatened Shamrock aren’t too disappointed with their point away to Hastmead Diamante, who stay in third place after ten games.
The top of the league table holds few surprises even in this early stage of the competition, with Iskara Daii the only big side absent from the top ten. Daii’s slump appears to be over with a comfortable home win over Lesko Pavillion, who are struggling in the lower reaches of the table along with Shamrock, Hecia, Nostromo and most of the usual suspects. Westonbirt City, they of the miracle Globe Cup run a few seasons back, are shockingly down in twenty-first and are one of two sides yet to taste victory thus far in the season.

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 1830 Cathair FC              10    8   1   1    19    6  +13    25
 2 AC Izotz Zubia               10    8   1   1    15    6   +9    25
 3 Hastmead Diamante            10    7   1   2    15    6   +9    22
 4 Communas Cougars             10    7   1   2    17   10   +7    22
 5 Fligsive FC                  10    6   2   2    21   14   +7    20
 6 Burgess FC                   10    5   3   2    12   10   +2    18
 7 International of Tyrellia    10    5   2   3    14    8   +6    17
 8 Bob's Towing                 10    4   5   1    11    9   +2    17
 9 Magnaeus City                10    4   4   2    19   12   +7    16
10 Cazadores Cathair            10    5   1   4    17   15   +2    16
11 Telecontarë                  10    4   3   3    14   11   +3    15
12 Oljestaden IF                10    3   4   3    10   11   −1    13
13 Foxchester Raiders           10    3   2   5    13   16   −3    11
14 Iskara Daii                  10    2   4   4     9   12   −3    10
15 Firewood City                10    3   1   6     9   14   −5    10
16 Crystal Mertagne             10    2   3   5    10   14   −4     9
17 Nostromo Meteorites          10    2   3   5    11   16   −5     9
18 Lesko Pavillion              10    2   2   6    10   17   −7     8
19 KT Itzallovalle              10    2   2   6     5   15  −10     8
20 Shamrock Cathair             10    1   4   5     6   12   −6     7
21 Westonbirt City              10    0   4   6     8   15   −7     4
22  Hecia                       10    0   1   9     4   20  −16     1

[COCANEFA]

MATCHDAY 11

Fligsive FC 1-3 Crystal Mertagne
Westonbirt City 3-3 Bob's Towing
Oljestaden IF 1-3 Telecontarë
KT Itzallovalle 2-4 International of Tyrellia
Firewood City 2-0 Comunas Cougars
Nostromo Meteorites 0-1 Burgess FC
Foxchester Raiders 3-0 Iskara Daii
Cazadores Cathair 1-2 Hastmead Diamante
Lesko Pavillion 1-2 Magnaeus City
Shamrock Cathair 0-3 1830 Cathair FC
Hecia 1-2 AC Izotz Zubia

Westonbirt increase their winless streak to eleven with a 3-3 draw against a Bob’s Towing side that have kicked on from a poor run last season. Hecia, the other team without a win thus far, are turned over by AC Izotz Zubia at home.
There is one other match going on in Starblaydia over the weekend, and it comes in the guise of an all-purple derby between Foxchester Raiders and Iskara Daii, two teams who’s glory days are well behind them. The Daii are looking to continue where they left off the previous week but, on a rainy night in Foxchester, succumb to an early goal and collapse over the course of a first half in which they concede three goals without reply, eliciting some very angry chants from the travelling faithful.
At the top, 1830 with the Cathair derby with a 3-0 victory over lowly Shamrock, while wins for Hastmead, Burgess and Magnaeus keep the pressure on.
Fligsive FC, however, are not quite so lucky. The side host Crystal Mertagne and look to be holding on for a narrow 1-0 win before Mertian pressure becomes too much and they lose not only the equalising goal, but go down 2, then 3-1 via a combination of sucker-punches from counter-attacks. The loss, Fligsive’s third in eleven games, is enough to incite a sit-in protest from a home support that has grown weary of slow early-season campaigns and has been frustrated in recent years with a slew of second-place finishes in the league.

Notable mid-week fixture: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 1-2 Fligsive FC

Ess. See. Aye. Ell. Pee. Scalp.

MATCHDAY 12

Bob's Towing 0-1 Fligsive FC
Telecontarë 1-2 Crystal Mertagne
International of Tyrellia 0-1 Westonbirt City
Comunas Cougars 1-1 Oljestaden IF
Burgess FC 1-1 KT Itzallovalle
Iskara Daii 0-2 Firewood City
Hastmead Diamante 1-0 Nostromo Meteorites
Magnaeus City 1-0 Foxchester Raiders
1830 Cathair FC 3-0 Cazadores Cathair
AC Izotz Zubia 1-0 Lesko Pavillion
Hecia 0-1 Shamrock Cathair

Cathair’s 3-0 derby victory over Shamrock on matchday eleven was seen by many as a warm-up to what has, in recent years, become ‘the’ Cathair derby: 1830 vs Cazadores. The match is given an extra edge by virtue of Ronda Styrn’s appearance in her fifth Cazadores/1830 derby, but this time wearing the blue and white stripes of the former champions rather than the deep crimson and black of the Cazadores.
The match is hyped all week, with further needle added by virtue of Cazadores manager John Ryan’s insistence, in the Cathair Herald, that the Cazadores were the one true team in the capital, that 1830 were more a business venture for the wealthy coalition of tycoons that own the club, and that the Cazadores would ‘brutalise’ the former champions in Sunday’s marquee encounter.
‘Brutalise’ is one way of putting it. The first half was a tense and scrappy affair, with a number of bookings - including what could have been a straight red for Jonatan Mendoza upon his reckless challenge on former Cazador RJ Styrn - and little in the way of action. Cazadores, despite being the away side and with the least fancied of the two first elevens, look to be in control early in the second half, but have trouble converting chances into goals. It’s no real surprise then when, on seventy-two minutes, 1830 Cathair take the lead after Cyrus Damhan receives a pass on the edge of the box and rifles it into the bottom corner with his left foot. Peter Masters appears at the far post two minutes later to nod the home side into an even bigger lead, and all of a sudden the away supporters start to make their disgust heard. “All that needs to happen now” says one hapless commentator, “is for Ronda Styrn to score.
Cathair manager Andre-Luis Partico has already given the order for Styrn to be substitued, but he’s too late. A slick interchange of passes between Abrego and Damhan results in Styrn being let through on goal. Styrn, with a cool head and a striker’s instinct, finishes into the bottom corner before she realises the possible reprocussions of her actions, and wisely ‘celebrates’ with her hands by her sides, jogging back to the centre-circle with not so much as a smile.
The away fans, seemingly too upset to riot, simply start to empty out of the stadium.
For 1830 Cathair’s fans, they have once again secured bragging rights for the city, but will have to wait before the top of the league table is made their own, and their own alone, as Izotz Zubia win out over Lesko Pavillion and most of the top clubs also gain all three points during the weekend’s fixtures.


MATCHDAY 13

Fligsive FC 1-0 Telecontarë
Bob's Towing 1-2 International of Tyrellia
Crystal Mertagne 0-1 Comunas Cougars
Westonbirt City 0-1 Burgess FC
Oljestaden IF 1-3 Iskara Daii
KT Itzallovalle 1-1 Hastmead Diamante
Firewood City 1-0 Magnaeus City
Nostromo Meteorites 0-0 1830 Cathair FC
Foxchester Raiders 1-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Cazadores Cathair 3-1 Hecia
Lesko Pavillion 2-2 Shamrock Cathair

Things look to be going from bad to worse for Iskara Daii after an early Celetholtinu goal threatens to make it three losses on the trot for the Jhanna club, but replies from Daili and Stardust - who grabs a brace - rescue all three points from Oljestaden in Saturday’s lunchtime encounter.
The mid afternoon kick-offs see Hastmead Diamante drop two points on their visit to KT Itzalovalle, who are again without Anderson Sandro who is, officialy, suffering from a strained thigh but, if papparazzi photographs from the beaches of Silexhera are anything to go by, is probably suffering more from strained drinking-arm and probably strained groin.
Hastmead don’t need to worry about losing touch with the leaders, however, as Zozi and Cathair both draw tricky away encounters, though Fligsive scrape by a close match with Telecontare to close the gap.
There’s a much-needed three-point prize for Cazadores after their win over lowly Hecia, but Westonbirt City can’t build on last week’s first victory of the season and succumb to a disappointing defeat to Burgess.

MATCHDAY 14

International of Tyrellia 1-1 Fligsive FC
Comunas Cougars 1-1 Telecontarë
Burgess FC 1-1 Bob's Towing
Iskara Daii 0-0 Crystal Mertagne
Hastmead Diamante 1-0 Westonbirt City
Magnaeus City 1-1 Oljestaden IF
1830 Cathair FC 2-1 KT Itzallovalle
AC Izotz Zubia 2-1 Firewood City
Hecia 1-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Shamrock Cathair 2-2 Foxchester Raiders
Lesko Pavillion 0-0 Cazadores Cathair

Matchday fourteen sees a slew of draws - eight in all - as the league tries its damnedest to ensure the weekend’s has no bearing on the title race. Three clubs, however, see fit to buck the trend and, importantly, it’s the top three clubs of Cathair, Zozi and Hastmead who use the opportunity to increase their lead at the top of the LigAnaia by defeating Itzalovalle, Firewood City and struggling Westonbirt respectively.
Of the drawn games, the matches of the weekend both take place in Legalese as both Inter and Comunas play out entertaining stalemates, with Inter holding highfliers Fligsive to a 1-1 draw and the Cougars perhaps frustrated not to put away Telecontare.

MATCHDAY 15

Fligsive FC 3-2 Comunas Cougars
International of Tyrellia 0-2 Burgess FC
Telecontarë 1-1 Iskara Daii
Bob's Towing 2-0 Hastmead Diamante
Crystal Mertagne 0-5 Magnaeus City
Westonbirt City 1-6 1830 Cathair FC
Oljestaden IF 2-1 AC Izotz Zubia
KT Itzallovalle 2-0 Hecia
Firewood City 1-0 Shamrock Cathair
Nostromo Meteorites 2-4 Lesko Pavillion
Foxchester Raiders 0-0 Cazadores Cathair

Last week’s stalemates give way to a slew of goals on matchday fifteen, starting with Comunas Cougars’ visit to Fligsive. The visitors twice pull themselves back into contention after lead-taking goals from Oleg Eyseev, first through Detzler, then through Morgenthaler, but for all the Comunans bluster they can’t quite find the quality to take the game, and succumb to a Bruce Freis header on eighty-eight minutes that sends the Legalites home empty-handed.
The goal-fest continues through Saturday afternoon as Crystal Mertagne are given a bunch of fives by Magnaeus City, Lesko despatch fellow Calanians Nostromo Meteorites by four goals to two while, over in the west, Westonbirt City’s woes continue with a lop-sided 6-1 tonking by 1830 Cathair. Izotz Zubia, level with the capital club at the top of the lead for the preceding four weeks, travel north to Oljestaden on Sunday morning hoping to match the Cazarans. They take an early lead through Nazeau Roga and look to be bossing procedings throughout the first half, but a shock equalizer early in the second - Ivan Haarsted with a tap-in from two yards after Terrazas can only parry Schrijnemakers’s fierce shot - puts the game in the balance and its the panicky and frustrated Zozi who succumb, losing possession in their own half on seventy-five minutes and conceding the winning goal via Celetholtinu’s near-post header from a sublime Xafagoulis cross.
The pressure is on Hastmead Diamante to make ground on Cathair and keep up with Zozi, but the side are instead outplayed on Sunday afternoon by an impressive Bob’s Towing side who race into an early lead via goals from Tokkesdal and Polka and ease home to victory.

MATCHDAY 16

Burgess FC 0-1 Fligsive FC
Iskara Daii 2-0 Comunas Cougars
Hastmead Diamante 2-1 International of Tyrellia
Magnaeus City 2-1 Telecontarë
1830 Cathair FC 3-1 Bob's Towing
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 Crystal Mertagne
Hecia 3-2 Westonbirt City
Shamrock Cathair 0-3 Oljestaden IF
Lesko Pavillion 1-0 KT Itzallovalle
Cazadores Cathair 2-0 Firewood City
Foxchester Raiders 2-2 Nostromo Meteorites

If Westonbirt’s poor early-season form wasn’t seen as a full-blown crisis before matchday sixteen, it certainly is now. The side travel to Hecia in the hopes of turning over a side that has gone winless the entire campaign thus far, yet somehow contrive to lose a scrappily contested game by three goals to two, much to the chagrin of the travelling supporters. The western-Calanians will be relieved that Shamrock Cathair are having an equally bad time of it in being pumped 3-0 at home by Oljestaden IF, but Lesko Pavillion and Nostromo Meteorites - both struggling near the foot of the table - both pick up points. Shamrock, Westonbirt and Hecia are starting to be cut adrift.
At the top, Fligsive keep up the pressure with an important derby win over Burgess, as do Hastmead Diamante through victory over International of Tyrellia in a closely fought game. Zozi make up for last week’s disappointment by crushing Crystal Mertagne by two goals to nil, while Cathair keep their lead at the top with victory over Bob’s Towing in a 3-1 win that sees Ronda Judit Styrn score her first hat-trick for her new club.

MATCHDAY 17

Fligsive FC 1-1 Iskara Daii
Burgess FC 2-1 Hastmead Diamante
Comunas Cougars 0-1 Magnaeus City
International of Tyrellia 0-1 1830 Cathair FC
Telecontarë 0-3 AC Izotz Zubia
Bob's Towing 2-2 Hecia
Crystal Mertagne 5-1 Shamrock Cathair
Westonbirt City 0-0 Lesko Pavillion
Oljestaden IF 1-1 Cazadores Cathair
KT Itzallovalle 0-1 Foxchester Raiders
Firewood City 1-3 Nostromo Meteorites

There’s little doubt among observers that the form of the Legalite clubs has improved after a shocking Season Five, although fans of both the ‘big’ clubs, Comunas and Inter, still complain about ‘patchy’ form and the fact that neither are as high up the league as they believe they should be. Matchday seventeen sees a wonderful opportunity for both to announce, officially, their rearrival to the upper echelons of the LigAnaia by beating high-flying Magnaeus and 1830 Cathair respectively. The wins don’t happen. Both sides are beaten by a goal to nil, but neither can be particularly disappointed with the Legalite sides’ overall performances. Legalite football is out of the doldrums, probably, but there appears to be a few more steps to take before they can call themselves true contenders once more.
As for Bob’s Towing, the ‘other’ Legalite side in this season’s top flight have excelled themselves thus far, in comparison to previous showings, but are embarrassed in Saturday evening’s game by lowly Hecia, losing a two-goal advantage with five minutes to play and barely squeezing through with a 2-2 draw.
In other news from the foot of the league, Shamrock are tossed around Calania like rag-dolls in their 5-1 defeat to Crystal Mertagne in a performance that does little to arrest speculation that the Cathair club will be careening inexorably back down to LigAnaia Two


MATCHDAY 18

Hastmead Diamante 0-2 Fligsive FC
Magnaeus City 1-1 Iskara Daii
1830 Cathair FC 3-1 Burgess FC
AC Izotz Zubia 1-1 Comunas Cougars
Hecia 1-2 International of Tyrellia
Shamrock Cathair 0-4 Telecontarë
Lesko Pavillion 1-0 Bob's Towing
Cazadores Cathair 0-3 Crystal Mertagne
Foxchester Raiders 1-0 Westonbirt City
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Oljestaden IF
Firewood City 0-1 KT Itzallovalle

After a fairly run-of-the-mill Saturday that sees Hecia, Westonbirt and Shamrock do what they do best - lose - and a number of mid-table encounters wherein Cazadores lose to Crystal Mertagne, Itzi overcome Firewood and Lesko Pavillion eke out victory against the unpredictable Bob’s Towing, it’s time for ‘super Sunday’, a hotly-awaited run of four games on the Sunday afternoon that pits the biggest names against one another.
First up, the lunchtime kick-off sees a battle between fourth and third as Fligsive travel to Hastmead to play Osarius’s finest. An entertaining first half sees both sets of woodwork rattled before, early in the second half, a mistake by Dry Szanjey allows Gareth Crowley to steal in to open the scoring, to the dismay of the home support. Hastmead press for an equalizer, and look to all the world to have scored one when, on seventy-seven minutes, Artemis Hue bullets a close-range volley past the Fligsive goalkeeper and off the underside of the bar. The home support celebrates as the ball bounces on, near or over the line (depending who you ask) and ricochets back out of the goal. Replays prove inconclusive, but with television replays not a part of the referee’s decision, that doesn’t matter anyway, and the Audioslavian referee insists a goal has not been scored.
Fligsive’s second, three minutes later, kills the game off, but the debate over whether Fligsive should have been allowed all three points will continue for a while.
The 2pm kickoff sees Magnaeus City host Iskara Daii. Magnaeus have been in fine fettle in UICA football, but not so much in the league, which is something one could also say about Iskara Daii… apart from the bit about being good at UICA football. Nevertheless, the visiting Starblaydis are the better team on a windy afternoon in central Calania, with Stardust running things from the centre of midfield, and are unlucky only to come out with a point.
Four o’clock’s game sees league-leaders 1830 Cathair take on Burgess FC. Burgess, considered to be very much the ‘third’ of the big Calanian clubs, do little to prove otherwise after they capitulate early in the second half, leaking three goals - two for Styrn, one for Masters - before notching a consolation at the death.
Finally in Sunday’s fixtures, reigning champions AC Izotz Zubia try to keep the pressure on Cathair by overcoming Comunas Cougars, but such a feat is easier said than done, and neither side seem capable of taking the spoils in an even encounter that finishes one apiece.

MATCHDAY 19

Fligsive FC 3-1 Magnaeus City
Hastmead Diamante 1-0 1830 Cathair FC
Iskara Daii 0-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Burgess FC 3-0 Hecia
Comunas Cougars 1-1 Shamrock Cathair
International of Tyrellia 3-2 Lesko Pavillion
Telecontarë 1-0 Cazadores Cathair
Bob's Towing 1-0 Foxchester Raiders
Crystal Mertagne 2-0 Nostromo Meteorites
Westonbirt City 1-1 Firewood City
Oljestaden IF 0-1 KT Itzallovalle

Burgess are afforded an easy Saturday morning as they trounce a pitiful Hecia by three goals to nil, before Iskara Daii fail to salvage Starblaydi pride with a similarly woeful performance in losing at home to Izotz Zubia. Zozi’s 2-0 win sees them close the gap on Cathair before the capital club’s trip to Hastmead on the Sunday in a matchup that has excited fans since the fixture list was announced.
Hastmead, fourth in the LigAnaia, struggle to contain the league-leaders in a fast-paced first half that sees Styrn rattle the bar with a close-range volley and Cyrus Damhan twice go close from long range, the latter via a free-kick that grazes the top of the bar. The second half sees Diamante gain a foothold in the game, and Louis Porter tests Nuremberg’s reflexes with a header before setting up Vastano with a glorious cross that the striker pounces on, gleefully sweeping it into the bottom corner for 1-0 to the delight of the home fans. The visiting Cazarans press with captain Lidgley impressive in his central role, forcing his team-mates to keep going, to not let their heads drop, and although Cathair end the game firing on all cylinders, it’s too little too late, and Hastmead inflict upon the Audioslavians only their second defeat of the season.

MATCHDAY 20

1830 Cathair FC 1-1 Fligsive FC
AC Izotz Zubia 2-3 Magnaeus City
Hecia 0-3 Hastmead Diamante
Shamrock Cathair 0-3 Iskara Daii
Lesko Pavillion 0-3 Burgess FC
Cazadores Cathair 1-1 Comunas Cougars
Foxchester Raiders 0-3 International of Tyrellia
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 Telecontarë
Firewood City 0-3 Bob's Towing
KT Itzallovalle 2-1 Crystal Mertagne
Oljestaden IF 3-1 Westonbirt City

After last week’s heroics comes an easy game for Hastmead, who can’t help but spank little Hecia in front of their own fans. Shamrock, also well off the pace, are similarly dispatched 3-0 by Iskara Daii, while struggling mid-table outfits Foxchester, Firewood and Lesko succumb to similar 3-0 scorelines. Of the bottom clubs, only Westonbirt eschew the trend, losing 3-1.
At the top of the league, Audioslavians 1830 Cathair and Calanian capital club Fligsive FC get to play against the teams they consider their chief rivals: each other. Previous encounters have been played all over the region, including a home and away fixture in the Champions Cup a few years ago, though this game is a little less exciting. Styrn cancels out an early Fries goal and the teams play out a slightly tired 1-1 draw.
Elsewhere in Audioslavia, champions Zozi kick off their match with Magnaeus City hoping to keep up the pressure on leaders Cathair, and while they do take an early lead through Nazeau Roga, find themselves quickly 2-1 down as Antonio Rosado scores one and makes another for Fred Higgs to finish. An eightieth minute goal by Ian Angeles finishes the game off, despite a late Zozi rally that sees Roga get his name on the scoresheet for a second time that evening.

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 1830 Cathair FC              20   15   3   2    41   12  +29    48
 2 AC Izotz Zubia               20   14   3   3    32   15  +17    45
 3 Fligsive FC                  20   12   5   3    36   23  +13    41
 4 Hastmead Diamante            20   13   2   5    27   15  +12    41
 5 Burgess FC                   20   11   5   4    27   17  +10    38
 6 Magnaeus City                20   10   6   4    36   22  +14    36
 7 International of Tyrellia    20   10   3   7    30   21   +9    33
 8 Communas Cougars             20    8   6   6    25   23   +2    30
 9 Bob's Towing                 20    7   8   5    25   22   +3    29
10 Telecontarë                  20    7   5   8    26   23   +3    26
11 Oljestaden IF                20    6   8   6    24   24    0    26
12 Cazadores Cathair            20    7   5   8    25   27   −2    26
13 Crystal Mertagne             20    7   4   9    26   27   −1    25
14 Foxchester Raiders           20    6   6   8    23   26   −3    24
15 Iskara Daii                  20    5   8   7    20   23   −3    23
16 Firewood City                20    7   2  11    18   26   −8    23
17 KT Itzallovalle              20    6   4  10    16   26  −10    22
18 Lesko Pavillion              20    5   5  10    21   30   −9    20
19 Nostromo Meteorites          20    4   7   9    21   29   −8    19
20 Shamrock Cathair             20    2   7  11    13   36  −23    13
21 Westonbirt City              20    1   7  12    17   34  −17    10
22 Hecia                        20    1   3  16    13   41  −28     6

[COCANEFA]

MATCHDAY 21

Fligsive FC 4-1 AC Izotz Zubia
1830 Cathair FC 3-0 Hecia
Magnaeus City 2-0 Shamrock Cathair
Hastmead Diamante 1-2 Lesko Pavillion
Iskara Daii 1-0 Cazadores Cathair
Burgess FC 4-0 Foxchester Raiders
Comunas Cougars 2-1 Nostromo Meteorites
International of Tyrellia 2-0 Firewood City
Telecontarë 3-2 KT Itzallovalle
Bob's Towing 3-1 Oljestaden IF
Crystal Mertagne 2-1 Westonbirt City

It’s a strong weekend for Calanian Union teams as wins almost happen across the board for all of the Calanian games. Fligsive make a bleary-eyed Zozi pay for their mistakes on Saturday morning, as three rapid goals are scored within fifteen minutes before the Audioslavian team can retaliate. They do with a fantastic goal scored from a corner, but Fligsive put another nail in the coffin just before the hour mark to create a situation Zozi just couldn’t come back from.
1830 Cathair, keen to stretch their lead in the league tables, put on a great show against bottom ranked team Hecia, in a game that infuriates Hecia fans worldwide by making Starblaydi goalkeeper Julio Winnsby look like he was asleep.
Magnaeus also prove their worth against Shamrock Cathair, with two last minute goals from Urrea and Green that saved the day for the Black Peak side, and Burgess fought the Raiders and stole three points with ease.
Lesko Pavillion stop an Osarian battle charge from Hastmead Diamante by a single goal, and International also douse Firewood City. Bob’s Towing and Telecontarë also pick up wins against Audioslavian teams on the Sunday, and the weekend ends with an all Calanian showdown that Crystal Mertagne end up winning.

MATCHDAY 22
Hecia 2-1 Fligsive FC
Shamrock Cathair 0-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Lesko Pavillion 0-4 1830 Cathair FC
Cazadores Cathair 0-2 Magnaeus City
Foxchester Raiders 0-1 Hastmead Diamante
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Iskara Daii
Firewood City 0-1 Burgess FC
KT Itzallovalle 0-1 Comunas Cougars
Oljestaden IF 2-1 International of Tyrellia
Westonbirt City 0-2 Telecontarë
Crystal Mertagne 0-2 Bob's Towing

Hecia’s rather pathetic hobble through the first half of the season has garnered a fair bit of criticism and derision from the media, and most have already written off the Starblaydi outfit as destined for the second flight, so it was with little trepidation that title-chasing Fligsive travelled north to Ionia for their second league meeting of the season. Fligsive score early, and even though they’re pegged back by twenty-five minutes few travelling fans are particularly frightened by the prospect of an upset, even as the second half begins. Crowley comes to close to scoring with a long-range effort on fifty minutes, Fries and Hampson had both rattled the woodwork by sixty minutes, Fligsive are seemingly about to break down the door by seventy minutes when, against the run of play, Hecia explode up the other end of the field and score through Audioslavian striker Piers Flaumbert, putting the Hecians 2-1 up, and the Starblaydis hang on for one of the most shocking upsets of the season.
Rivals 1830 Cathair can barely control their mirth during a routine demolition of Lesko Pavillion, and away victories for Hastmead, Burgess, Zozi, Comunas and Magnaeus ensure Fligsive lose ground on the big clubs.


MATCHDAY 23

Fligsive FC 2-0 Shamrock Cathair
Hecia 1-2 Lesko Pavillion
AC Izotz Zubia 1-1 Cazadores Cathair
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Foxchester Raiders
Magnaeus City 0-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Hastmead Diamante 1-0 Firewood City
Iskara Daii 1-2 KT Itzallovalle
Burgess FC 2-0 Oljestaden IF
Comunas Cougars 0-1 Westonbirt City
International of Tyrellia 1-0 Crystal Mertagne
Telecontarë 0-2 Bob's Towing

Fligsive bounce back against another relegation-candidate by defeating Shamrock 2-0, while Zozi and Magnaeus slip up, the former being held to a draw at home to Cazadores while Magnaeus are shocked 1-0 at home by Nostromo Meteorites.
There is another shock in store, too, as struggling Westonbirt City travel to Legalese and scrape past Comunas Cougars by a single goal to nil.
Elsewhere, the second Osarian derby ends with Hastmead taking the spoils, with Artemis Hue scoring the winner.

MATCHDAY 24

Lesko Pavillion 3-5 Fligsive FC
Cazadores Cathair 1-1 Shamrock Cathair
Foxchester Raiders 2-1 Hecia
Nostromo Meteorites 2-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Firewood City 0-3 1830 Cathair FC
KT Itzallovalle 0-2 Magnaeus City
Oljestaden IF 5-0 Hastmead Diamante
Westonbirt City 0-2 Iskara Daii
Crystal Mertagne 2-2 Burgess FC
Bob's Towing 0-0 Comunas Cougars
Telecontarë 1-0 International of Tyrellia

There’s another shock on matchday twenty-four, but it’s more due to the bizarreness of the scoreline than anything else. Title-hunting Hastmead travel to Oljestaden - they of the perennial mid-table battle - with aspirations of three points, yet knowing a draw wouldn’t be too bad of a result against an occasionally adept side. The result: Five-nil to Oljestaden, who run riot with three goals from Fana and one each from Xafagoulis and Schrijnemakers. An almost full-strength Hastmead are absolutely stunned.
The five goals on display in Oljestaden are eclipsed in Pavillion, where home side Lesko are upended 5-3 by a visiting Fligsive side still smarting from their upset loss to Hecia two weeks previous.

MATCHDAY 25

Fligsive FC 2-1 Cazadores Cathair
Lesko Pavillion 2-0 Foxchester Raiders
Shamrock Cathair 1-2 Nostromo Meteorites
Hecia 1-3 Firewood City
AC Izotz Zubia 2-1 KT Itzallovalle
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Oljestaden IF
Magnaeus City 2-0 Westonbirt City
Hastmead Diamante 2-0 Crystal Mertagne
Iskara Daii 1-0 Bob's Towing
Burgess FC 2-0 Telecontarë
Comunas Cougars 2-0 International of Tyrellia

Hecia have, since defeating Fligsive FC, gone back to their old ways with consecutive defeats, and the game against misfiring Osarians Firewood City is no different as the side capitulate to a 3-1 home loss. Speaking of habits, 1830 Cathair seem utterly incapable of losing, and defeat Oljestaden by a goal to nil despite being the second best side on the night. Hastmead, Fligsive, Izotz Zubia, Magnaeus and Burgess all win to at least keep pace with the league leaders, the latter via victory over a Telecontare side still struggling to maintain their status as a top-ten side.
Over in Legalese, Comunas and Inter play out the big Legalite derby, with Cougars taking the spoils via goals from Goldrich and Shoobridge.


MATCHDAY 26

Foxchester Raiders 0-1 Fligsive FC
Nostromo Meteorites 4-1 Cazadores Cathair
Firewood City 1-1 Lesko Pavillion
KT Itzallovalle 4-0 Shamrock Cathair
Oljestaden IF 2-0 Hecia
Westonbirt City 0-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Crystal Mertagne 1-2 1830 Cathair FC
Bob's Towing 0-1 Magnaeus City
Telecontarë 0-4 Hastmead Diamante
International of Tyrellia 1-1 Iskara Daii
Comunas Cougars 0-1 Burgess FC

Cathair again scrape to victory, away to Crystal Mertagne, while Burgess take a valuable three points away to a frustrating Comunas Cougars side. Zozi and Magnaeus keep the pace, as do Hastmead who destroy Tele 4-0 away from home.

MATCHDAY 27

Fligsive FC 2-2 Nostromo Meteorites
Foxchester Raiders 0-1 Firewood City
Cazadores Cathair 1-3 KT Itzallovalle
Lesko Pavillion 1-4 Oljestaden IF
Shamrock Cathair 1-4 Westonbirt City
Hecia 0-2 Crystal Mertagne
AC Izotz Zubia 2-2 Bob's Towing
1830 Cathair FC 1-1 Telecontarë
Magnaeus City 1-1 International of Tyrellia
Hastmead Diamante 2-0 Comunas Cougars
Iskara Daii 1-0 Burgess FC

There’s been no real upsets in recent weeks, but that duck gets partially broken on Saturday morning as Fligsive host lowly Nostromo and only succeed in gaining a point thanks to Bruce Fries’s last-minute equalizer. AC Izotz Zubia slip up too, being held 2-2 by Bob’s Towing, but even more surprising is 1830 Cathair’s inability to put away a Telecontare side that have rolled over to title-chasing opposition in recent weeks. Hastmead take advantage by delivering a second loss in two games to Comunas Cougars, but Burgess are undone by a single goal from Stardust to give Iskara Daii the spoils in their encounter.
Over in Magnaeus, City’s 1-1 home draw with Inter disappoints stay-at-home fans looking up the result on the internet, but those in attendance are relieved that the side can grab even a point against a superior Inter side.

MATCHDAY 28

Firewood City 0-1 Fligsive FC
KT Itzallovalle 2-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Oljestaden IF 0-2 Foxchester Raiders
Westonbirt City 0-1 Cazadores Cathair
Crystal Mertagne 0-0 Lesko Pavillion
Bob's Towing 0-1 Shamrock Cathair
Telecontarë 1-1 Hecia
International of Tyrellia 1-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Comunas Cougars 0-1 1830 Cathair FC
Burgess FC 0-2 Magnaeus City
Iskara Daii 0-0 Hastmead Diamante

Comunas Cougars are a side who, on paper, should be up in the top six in the league, but their inability to compete with the big boys in recent years has been a source of frustration for their fans. The side host 1830 Cathair on matchday 28 and seem to have the better of the play, but Ronda Styrn’s late strike steals all three points for the visitors, leaving Cougars fans annoyed for yet another weekend.
Cathair’s three points puts the pressure on the other big sides to perform, and though Fligsive scrape through their own match with Firewood, Hastmead, Zozi and Burgess all drop points, the latter in a bitterly contested derby against Magnaeus City.

MATCHDAY 29

Fligsive FC 2-3 KT Itzallovalle
Firewood City 0-0 Oljestaden IF
Nostromo Meteorites 0-2 Westonbirt City
Foxchester Raiders 2-1 Crystal Mertagne
Cazadores Cathair 2-5 Bob's Towing
Lesko Pavillion 1-3 Telecontarë
Shamrock Cathair 0-1 International of Tyrellia
Hecia 2-1 Comunas Cougars
AC Izotz Zubia 2-1 Burgess FC
1830 Cathair FC 1-0 Iskara Daii
Magnaeus City 1-1 Hastmead Diamante

Cathair do it again as they are outplayed by visiting Iskara Daii yet nevertheless come out with all the points, this time thanks to a wonderful dipping, curling free-kick from Cyrus Damhan. The pressure is on once again for the big teams to follow suit yet, once again, the likes of Hastmead and Burgess both drop points, the former in a 1-1 draw with Magnaeus City. Zozi manage to win to keep their title hopes alive, but Fligsive FC are upset at home by KT Itzalovalle who run out 3-2 winners in the second biggest upset of the weekend.
There’s no prizes for guessing what the biggest upset is. Hecia, destroyed week in week out since their bizarre victory over Fligsive two months ago, come out 2-1 winners at home to Comunas Cougars, who are now oh-for-four in recent weeks. The bitter Cougars fans return home to camp outside their home stadium, throwing tirades at the club’s headquarters. “The Lights are Off, but Someone’s Home” is the headline in the next day’s papers, as silhouettes are easily visible in said headquarters despite their being no lights on in the building, and it’s claimed that the club’s suits turned the lights off in a panic and pretended not to be home when the angry fans came-a-shouting.

MATCHDAY 30

Oljestaden IF 1-2 Fligsive FC
Westonbirt City 1-0 KT Itzallovalle
Crystal Mertagne 3-1 Firewood City
Bob's Towing 1-2 Nostromo Meteorites
Telecontarë 5-0 Foxchester Raiders
International of Tyrellia 2-1 Cazadores Cathair
Comunas Cougars 2-0 Lesko Pavillion
Burgess FC 2-0 Shamrock Cathair
Iskara Daii 0-1 Hecia
Hastmead Diamante 2-0 AC Izotz Zubia
Magnaeus City 1-1 1830 Cathair FC

Cougars’s 2-0 win over Lesko eases the pressure on the Legalite side a little, as does the news from Starblaydia, where Iskara Daii - another big club bouncing from one crisis to another - lose 1-0 at home to lowly Hecia, who have now dragged themselves from the foot of the league to within almost touching distance of second-bottom Shamrock, though still with an eight point gap between themselves and safety.
Magnaeus and 1830 Cathair play out an entertaining top-of-the-table six-pointer, though the spoils are shared in a 1-1 draw. Zozi, the only team really within touching distance of the leaders, have the chance to close the gap in Sunday’s game, but leave empty-handed from a trip to Hastmead, where Diamante defeat them by two goals to nil.
Elsewhere, there’s an eye-opening result as Telecontare host fellow Starblaydis Foxchester and thrash them by five goals to nil.

MATCHDAY 31

Fligsive FC 2-2 Westonbirt City
Oljestaden IF 1-0 Crystal Mertagne
KT Itzallovalle 0-0 Bob's Towing
Firewood City 2-1 Telecontarë
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 International of Tyrellia
Foxchester Raiders 0-2 Comunas Cougars
Cazadores Cathair 0-1 Burgess FC
Lesko Pavillion 0-1 Iskara Daii
Shamrock Cathair 0-1 Hastmead Diamante
Hecia 0-2 Magnaeus City
AC Izotz Zubia 1-2 1830 Cathair FC

The big derby on matchday thirty-one is the clash between Audioslavian heavyweights AC Izotz Zubia and 1830 Cathair. Cathair have built up a big lead in the league in recent weeks - ten poiints over the chasing pack - and a win for Zozi would at least give the illusion of competitiveness with regards to the fight for the LigAnaia championship.
In a close first half, both sides test the other’s goalkeepers before Cathair score through Ronda Styrn’s sublime blink-and-you-miss-it turn-and-finish inside the six yard-box. The goal is cancelled out almost immediately, as Nazeau Roga gets the better of Andrea Molovi on the edge of Cathair’s area and finds the angle to slot home the equalizer. The clubs are equally matched throughout the second half, but for all Zozi’s possession and commitment, they can’t match the millions of dollars 1830 Cathair have spent on their side in recent months, as $25m signing Cyrus Damhan floats a gorgeous cross over from £35m striker Ronda Styrn, who nods the ball back across the box for teenager Espiridon Caszely - a £25m signing from Cazadores, to finish for a 2-1 away win that increases their lead at the top of the table to a mighty thirteen points with just thirteen games to go.

National Cups: First Round

Calanian Cup
Slavia Fligsivia 1–1 Spectres De La Sebald (1–1 AET) (1–4 pen.)
Fligsive Gunners YFC 2–2 Vale Conglomerate (2–2 AET) (4–3 pen.)
Hyford City Challengers 0–2 Lowlands United
CF St. Alfred's 3–2 University of Diomede
1902 Cardertower 3–0 Burgess Mariners
Project +90 Fligsive 1–1 Fligsive FC (1–2 AET)
Bicycle Dynamo 3–2 CF 16 September
Ashgrove Town 0–2 Nostromo Meteorites
DDR Fighting Disco 1–0 Magnaeus City
Dysenside Duellers 1–0 Zap! Zap! Shinra!
Lesko Pavillion 1–1 Touchpoint Keepers (1–1 AET) (4–3 pen.)
Kurtz Herritik 5–1 The Circle's Eleven
Gatesby Athletic 2–3 Crystal Mertagne
Lehen Neorudo 1–1 Westonbirt City (1–2 AET)
FC Southern Ninestar 2–0 Centralis 90
FC Oberyn's Shield 2–3 Burgess FC

Audioslavian Cup
AC Izotz Zubia 5–3 KT Laranjauzia
KT Moreazerua 2–0 Excelsior Zijweg
Cazadores Cathair 3–0 DDM Dunas Secas
Clockwork FC 5–3 Nightwatch FC
Shamrock Cathair 5–3 Valderantia United
Eorkzhr Owls 0–3 KT Itzalovalle
Maccabi Hasiera 0–1 CdF Celtade
Sparta Zijweg 1–0 KT Koroatuz
Ceilerden Harp 0–2 1830 Cathair
Ceilerden Rovers 3–5 Oljestaden IF
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 1–0 Silexhera FC
The Oran 0–2 Project +90 Kjelstad
KT Ferramendiak 1–0 Tenth Star Hasiera
Eorkzhr Blaydes 0–1 Isle of Kjeligsted FC
Burdoc Ridge 1–0 Riddern Firebirds
Voltores Sobrevolante 0–1 Lemmitania State FC

Copa Starblaydia
Hallad Reavers 3–1 Tournetas
Hecia 3–2 Port Cythera
Montepool Waves 2–0 Tribe Urjali
Corinthian Spirits 2–1 Phraen Palace
Tabeck Cefn Druids 0–0 Tabeck FC (2–0 AET)
Hippion Heartland 0–3 Beverington Hawks
Internashionale 2–3 Nidola United
Penningworth United 1–2 Telecontare
Foxchester Raiders 1–1 Codexus Fraxcinus (1–1 AET) (5–4 pen.)
Malta Lines 1–6 Jhanna City
Athletico Sciuntis 3–4 Paricone Athletic
Hippion Overdrive 2–0 Jhanna United
Cedrus Soundgardenia 5–0 Lavingrad Wanderers
Karak Ungor Chiefs 0–1 FC Farça
Viculus Miners 0–1 Vecchio Victors
Veles 0–3 Iskara Daii

Legalese Cup
Morven Monday 2–0 Tiberian City
AFC Mokfein 0–1 Plainsview Panthers
SBLS 1–0 Bobs Towing
LC Capitals 2–1 Francis City
Sien Bay Pirates 2–1 Brecorn City
Stratton FC 4–0 Oker United
Minto Wombats 1–1 Portsmouth United (1–2 AET)
Bekknia FC 3–0 Straitside FC
Norrisland United 1–0 Cape Athletic
Coastal United 5–1 Colville Athletic
Rye's Landing FC 1–6 Comunas Cougars
Myre Town 1–0 The Knights of Tiberia
Tyrellia Titans 2–4 International of Tyrellia
Binchensburg Athletic 5–2 Yellowjacket FC
Wreath City 0–2 Gavelton Rhinos
Argyle Warriors Francopolis 1–0 Draig Goch

Osarian Cup
Grasshoppers Turic 5–0 Littleshaw Village
Arcaea County 2–0 AFC Hollybrent
Bowsston United 1–3 Iton Valley FC
Firewood City 3–0 Warton Villa
Trothwands Evolution 5–3 Trelagstad FC
Maharia United 1–1 Rapid Hearthlands (1–1 AET) (5–6 pen.)
Parania Albion 1–0 Kyoshiku Island FC
Cymrwell FC 2–1 Kart Hago FC
Shanak FC 1–0 Utica United
FC United of Dynapolis 1–5 Junipa Athletic
Muirford Athletic 2–5 Real Jraxville
FC Masaka 0–1 Priesthood of Baal
Callisto City 1–1 Burningham City (1–1 AET) (3–4 pen.)
Greeningham City 2–1 Hastmead Diamante
Violia FC 1–0 Renneville United
Paper Tree Town 4–4 FC Barciddia (4–4 AET) (2–3 pen.)

With the league pretty much won already in the eyes of many, attention is turned to the various national cups, which get underway this weekend. Those looking for their fix of cupsets aren't disappointed. High-flying Magnaeus travel to third-tier DDR Fighting Disco and lose by a goal to nil while, in Legalese, unfashionable fourth-tier also-rans SBLS find it in themselves to topple Bob's Towing. The biggest upset of the round, however, is undoubtedly Hastmead Diamante's trip to third-tier Greeningham City and their subsequent, humiliating, 2-1 defeat that ends their defence of the Osarian Cup before it has even began.

The biggest match of the first cup weekend of the season is undoubtedly the Tyrellia derby between Titans - fighting it out at the top of the LigAnaia Two - and top-tier, top-ten heavyweights Inter. In a lively and occasionally heated encounter, it is the top-tier side who prevail by four goals to two.

MATCHDAY 32

Crystal Mertagne 2-0 Fligsive FC
Bob's Towing 2-0 Westonbirt City
Telecontarë 3-2 Oljestaden IF
International of Tyrellia 1-0 KT Itzallovalle
Comunas Cougars 3-1 Firewood City
Burgess FC 3-1 Nostromo Meteorites
Iskara Daii 1-0 Foxchester Raiders
Hastmead Diamante 1-2 Cazadores Cathair
Magnaeus City 2-1 Lesko Pavillion
1830 Cathair FC 3-0 Shamrock Cathair
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 Hecia

Another Cathair derby yields another big win for 1830, who sweep aside Shamrock by three goals to nil on their inexorable march to a third LigAnaia championship. Iskara Daii win the all Starblaydi encounter with Foxchester, while Fligsive travel west to Crystal Mertagne with the intent of hanging onto the coat-tails of leaders Cathair, but are dispatched 2-0 in a result that ends their challenge in the eyes of many onlookers. Also hurting after the weekend’s matches are fans of Hastmead Diamante, who see the last vestiges of their title aspirations go up in smoke with a bitterly disappointing home defeat to lowly Cazadores Cathair, who themselves can hardly believe their luck and greet the final whistle more with bemusement than elation.

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 1830 Cathair FC              32   25   5   2    64   16  +48    80
 2 Fligsive FC                  32   19   7   6    60   40  +20    64
 3 Hastmead Diamante            32   20   4   8    43   25  +18    64
 4 Magnaeus City                32   18   9   5    54   27  +27    63
 5 Burgess FC                   32   19   6   7    46   25  +21    63
 6 AC Izotz Zubia               32   19   6   7    47   31  +16    63
 7 International of Tyrellia    32   15   6  11    41   31  +10    51
 8 Communas Cougars             32   14   7  11    38   32   +6    49
 9 Bob's Towing                 32   12  11   9    42   32  +10    47
10 Telecontarë                  32   13   7  12    46   40   +6    46
11 Iskara Daii                  32   11  11  10    30   29   +1    44
12 Oljestaden IF                32   11   9  12    42   39   +3    42
13 Crystal Mertagne             32   11   6  15    39   41   −2    39
14 Nostromo Meteorites          32   10   9  13    39   45   −6    39
15 KT Itzallovalle              32   11   5  16    33   41   −8    38
16 Cazadores Cathair            32    9   7  16    36   50  −14    34
17 Firewood City                32   10   4  18    27   43  −16    34
18 Foxchester Raiders           32    9   6  17    29   46  −17    33
19 Lesko Pavillion              32    8   7  17    34   54  −20    31
20 Westonbirt City              32    5   8  19    28   49  −21    23
21 Shamrock Cathair             32    3   8  21    17   59  −42    17
22 Hecia                        32    4   4  24    22   62  −40    16

Coming up next: LigAnaia teams in the knockout stages of UICA Competition. AC Izotz Zubia have somehow squeezed through to the knockouts of the Champions Cup, while the league is represented in the Globe Cup by Magnaeus City and Fligsive FC, both of The Calanian Union. Can the league break the habit of a life-time and somehow *not* explode like ratbags in the first knockout stage? We shall see..

[COCANEFA]

UICA Champions Cup
Second Round
First leg

AC Izotz Zubia 2-3 Yuba United

Zozi have a battle on their hands as they take on the might of the legendary Yuba United, and though Buruz takes the lead for the home side and Urrunaga puts them two-one up after half-time. Yuba are just too strong for the boys in salmon and silver, and the Bedistani legends power through to take the tie 3-2 away from home, giving Zozi a mountain to climb in the second leg. "We live in the mountains" says manager Powell Pieran, defiantly..

UICA Globe Cup
Second Round
First leg

Bengtsmark IF 2-2 Magnaeus City
AS Bezieres 0-2 Fligsive FC

It's a strong performance by Magnaeus on Thursday evening as they net two away goals on the way to a score draw with Bengtsmark of Buyan, but the Magnaeans are eclipsed by the wonderful performance of Fligsive in taking the scalp of Valladar powerhouses AS Bezieres, who's Audioslavian contingent of Fima Lame and Lortzen Zauritu are powerless to stop the Calanians taking a two-nothing lead back to Fligsive with them.

MATCHDAY 33

Fligsive FC 3-1 Bob's Towing
Crystal Mertagne 0-1 Telecontarë
Westonbirt City 0-3 International of Tyrellia
Oljestaden IF 0-5 Comunas Cougars
KT Itzallovalle 0-2 Burgess FC
Firewood City 0-2 Iskara Daii
Nostromo Meteorites 0-1 Hastmead Diamante
Foxchester Raiders 0-2 Magnaeus City
Cazadores Cathair 0-2 1830 Cathair FC
Lesko Pavillion 0-1 AC Izotz Zubia
Shamrock Cathair 2-3 Hecia

“A bit of a non-event” is a phrase used to describe 1830 Cathair’s derby match with Cazadores. In contrast to their early-season barnstormer, a slick, professional Cathair side slip past an almost disinterested Cazadores side who are by now so far away from the relegation zone - and far enough away from the last Globe Cup spots - to have given up on the league entirely.
At the bottom of the table, however, things are at least a little more interesting. Westonbirt’s defeat on Saturday opens up the door for the two bottom sides, Shamrock and Hecia, to close the gap from six or seven points to three or four, respectively, after their showdown on Sunday afternoon. Shamrock twice lead, but Hecia come back and nick the winner to take all three points and climb off the bottom rung for the first time since the early season.

UICA Champions Cup
Second Round
Second leg

Yuba United 2-2 AC Izotz Zubia

UICA Globe Cup
Second Round
Second leg

Magnaeus City 1-1 Bengtsmark IF
Fligsive FC 0-1 AS Bezieres

Zozi are out despite a spirited performance against Yuba. They never quite take the lead on aggregate, thanks to Yuba's away goals, but a Nazeau Roga goal to make the game 2-1 with fifteen minutes to go at least gives the travelling support something to shout about for the final minutes, up until Yuba's game-killing equalizer.

In the Globe Cup, both Syndicatian sides hold on to secure their places in the third round.

MATCHDAY 34

Telecontarë 1-4 Fligsive FC
International of Tyrellia 3-0 Bob's Towing
Comunas Cougars 1-2 Crystal Mertagne
Burgess FC 1-1 Westonbirt City
Iskara Daii 2-0 Oljestaden IF
Hastmead Diamante 4-0 KT Itzallovalle
Magnaeus City 2-0 Firewood City
1830 Cathair FC 2-2 Nostromo Meteorites
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 Foxchester Raiders
Hecia 1-0 Cazadores Cathair
Shamrock Cathair 1-2 Lesko Pavillion

Hecia 1-0 Cazadores is a result that shocks fans of both teams. Cazadores fans, supposedly bored of the league season, find themselves urging the side to put more effort in, while Hecia climb to within a point of safety and the Westonbirt City side that reside there, though that point becomes two with the men in green’s spirited away draw with Burgess.
Shamrock Cathair, dispatched easily by Lesko Pavillion, are now five points adrift an have overtaken Hecia as the bookies’ favourites to go down.

Globe Cup Third Round
First Leg

Fligsive FC 2-1 Sonoma Centre Panthers
Magnaeus City 4-0 Griffin Zebras

The LigAnaia has the chance for revenge on the Elite League for Yuba's victory over Zozi, and they do so in emphatic style, first with Fligsive's narrow home win over the Panthers - though a 2-1 home win is precarious at best in this sort of competition - and secondly with Magnaeus City's glorious decimation of Griffin Zebras in central Calania. Can the two sides hold on in the second leg?

MATCHDAY 35

Fligsive FC 4-0 International of Tyrellia
Telecontarë 2-0 Comunas Cougars
Bob's Towing 0-1 Burgess FC
Crystal Mertagne 1-3 Iskara Daii
Westonbirt City 0-3 Hastmead Diamante
Oljestaden IF 0-1 Magnaeus City
KT Itzallovalle 1-4 1830 Cathair FC
Firewood City 1-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 Hecia
Foxchester Raiders 2-1 Shamrock Cathair
Cazadores Cathair 0-1 Lesko Pavillion

In this kind of relegation battle, a defeat needn’t be the end of the world as long as one’s relegation rivals don’t win, and so while Hecia fans are frustrated at not converting plenty of chances to steal a point away to Nostromo, Westonbirt’s 3-0 capitulation against Hastmead Diamante mean they are, in fact, closer -if only by a smidgen - to safety than they were at the start of the weekend.

National Cups: Second Round

Calanian Cup
Fligsive Gunners YFC 1–1 Lowlands United (2–1 AET)
DDR Fighting Disco 4–2 1902 Cardertower
FC Southern Ninestar 2–1 CF St. Alfred's
Westonbirt City 1–0 Spectres De La Sebald
Dysenside Duellers 1–1 Bicycle Dynamo (3–1 AET)
Crystal Mertagne 1–0 Fligsive FC
Burgess FC 3–3 Lesko Pavillion (5–3 AET)
Kurtz Herritik 1–2 Nostromo Meteorites

Audioslavian Cup
1830 Cathair 2–3 Project +90 Kjelstad
Cazadores Cathair 2–2 KT Itzalovalle (2–2 AET) (3–4 pen.)
Lemmitania State FC 1–3 Oljestaden IF
CdF Celtade 1–0 Burdoc Ridge
KT Moreazerua 2–2 Isle of Kjeligsted FC (2–2 AET) (3–4 pen.)
Tout-Puissant Hasiera 4–2 Sparta Zijweg
AC Izotz Zubia 2–0 KT Ferramendiak
Clockwork FC 3–4 Shamrock Cathair

Copa Starblaydia
FC Farça 3–1 Paricone Athletic
Cedrus Soundgardenia 2–0 Jhanna City
Telecontare 4–2 Corinthian Spirits
Nidola United 2–3 Vecchio Victors
Hecia 0–1 Hippion Overdrive
Beverington Hawks 1–0 Foxchester Raiders
Tabeck Cefn Druids 1–1 Hallad Reavers (3–1 AET)
Montepool Waves 0–1 Iskara Daii

Legalese Cup
Norrisland United 0–1 Bekknia FC
Plainsview Panthers 1–2 Sien Bay Pirates
Binchensburg Athletic 1–0 Coastal United
Portsmouth United 2–0 SBLS
International of Tyrellia 1–0 LC Capitals
Morven Monday 0–0 Gavelton Rhinos (0–1 AET)
Myre Town 0–1 Comunas Cougars
Stratton FC 3–2 Argyle Warriors Francopolis

Osarian Cup
Grasshoppers Turic 4–0 Rapid Hearthlands
Arcaea County 2–2 Iton Valley FC (3–3 AET) (4–2 pen.)
Junipa Athletic 1–0 Cymrwell FC
Shanak FC 2–0 Violia FC
Priesthood of Baal 0–3 Real Jraxville
Trothwands Evolution 2–0 FC Barciddia
Parania Albion 1–0 Firewood City
Burningham City 1–2 Greeningham City

Ibex Cup
Karh al-Andyh 2–4 Tall
Mahraqat al-Juthathi 5–0 Les
Nady Ryady 1–3 Batal
Alamebratewr Arew'e 4–1 al-Maraq
Sayyaf 2–0 Gha'med
Karh al-Aqdem 1–1 Jwehr Alhodar (2–1 AET)
Khinjar 2–0 Hayl Tawalh
Zal al-Aqmer Adey 1–1 Khebz al-Tazej (2–3 AET)

Perlasilangani Cup
Deportivo Toledo 4–3 Real Santos-Garcia
Real Natividad 4–1 Legazpi CF
Mulawin FC 5–3 CF Fernandez
Real Trinidad 4–1 Atletico Hernandez
Atletico Gonzales 3–1 Deportivo La Coruno
Real Mariano 2–2 CF Santos-Garcia (2–2 AET) (4–5 pen.)
Unido Mendoza 2–2 UD Lopez (4–3 AET)
Santiago Deportivo 0–3 Real Molina

"That'll be the biggest upset of the round, that's for sure" is Farrel Kiter's self-effacing sign-off to the post match interview of his side's shock exit from the Calanian Cup at the hands of Crystal Mertagne. In reality, Kiter is shorn of even that 'accolade' on the Sunday as champions-elect 1830 Cathair play host to third-tier Project +90 Kjelstad and lose, 3-2, in a result that gives the clubs' haters something to laugh about during a season where the capital side have dominated thus far.
Elsewhere, there's another cupset in Osarius that sees the league's last remaining top-tier side go out of the competition at the hands of Parania Albion.

Globe Cup Third Round
Second Leg

Sonoma Centre Panthers 3-0 Fligsive FC
Griffin Zebras 1-0 Magnaeus City

The Elite League teams prove too strong for their LigAnaia peers in the second leg ties, but while Fligsive are destroyed in Sonoma and dumped out of a cup competition for the second time in a week, Magnaeus's first leg lead proves far too much for Griffin Zebras to overcome, and the Jasiyun club bow out despite their 1-0 victory. Magnaeus march on...

MATCHDAY 36

Comunas Cougars 1-1 Fligsive FC
Burgess FC 1-1 International of Tyrellia
Iskara Daii 1-1 Telecontarë
Hastmead Diamante 5-3 Bob's Towing
Magnaeus City 2-0 Crystal Mertagne
1830 Cathair FC 2-0 Westonbirt City
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 Oljestaden IF
Hecia 0-2 KT Itzallovalle
Shamrock Cathair 1-3 Firewood City
Lesko Pavillion 0-3 Nostromo Meteorites
Cazadores Cathair 1-1 Foxchester Raiders

No change at the bottom as Hecia and Westonbirt both lose by two goals to nil, the latter at the hands of an 1830 Cathair side making up for their cup upset. Elsewhere, the derby between the two big Starblaydi clubs ends in a 1-1 scoreline.

MATCHDAY 37

Fligsive FC 0-2 Burgess FC
Comunas Cougars 0-1 Iskara Daii
International of Tyrellia 0-1 Hastmead Diamante
Telecontarë 3-1 Magnaeus City
Bob's Towing 0-2 1830 Cathair FC
Crystal Mertagne 1-2 AC Izotz Zubia
Westonbirt City 3-0 Hecia
Oljestaden IF 3-1 Shamrock Cathair
KT Itzallovalle 3-0 Lesko Pavillion
Firewood City 0-1 Cazadores Cathair
Nostromo Meteorites 1-1 Foxchester Raiders

Matchday 37 sees a huge relegation six-pointer as Hecia travel to Westonbirt knowing that a win will move them out of the relegation zone. Westonbirt instead crush the Starblaydis 3-0, pretty much ending any slim hopes the men in white had of making a fight out of the relegation battle.

MATCHDAY 38

Iskara Daii 0-0 Fligsive FC
Hastmead Diamante 2-2 Burgess FC
Magnaeus City 1-0 Comunas Cougars
1830 Cathair FC 1-2 International of Tyrellia
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 Telecontarë
Hecia 0-3 Bob's Towing
Shamrock Cathair 0-1 Crystal Mertagne
Lesko Pavillion 2-1 Westonbirt City
Cazadores Cathair 1-0 Oljestaden IF
Foxchester Raiders 0-1 KT Itzallovalle
Nostromo Meteorites 1-0 Firewood City

“Annoying” is the one-word soundbite given by Cathair manager Andre-Luis Partico, as 1830 Cathair lose for the first time since matchday nineteen through a home defeat to Inter that that the Legalites thoroughly deserve to win. The shortness of the Audioslavian’s interview can be excused by the fact that victory would have made it mathematically impossible for any side to catch up, and would have physically delivered the LigAnaia title to the Kirola Arena once again.
Hastmead Diamante fail to take advantage of the slip-up by failing to beat Burgess FC, but Zozi win to ensure Cathair’s gap at the top of the league is cut down from fourteen to twelve points with exactly four games to go. Zozi are now the only side who can catch the champions elect, but even then they’ll need to recover a thirty-one goal swing in terms of goal differential to overtake their Audioslavian rivals. Nevertheless, the hashtags #gozozi and #youcandoit are in full force throughout the week in the run up to matchday thirty-nine.

Globe Cup Quarter Final
First Leg

Magnaeus City 3-1 Rovers United

"Unbelievable" is the simple quote from Francois Cardeau as Magnaeus overcome Rovers with a three-goal first-half blitz at The Bird Cage. The quarter-final is already far in advance of any other LigAnaia UICA venture. Can Magnaeus go even further?

MATCHDAY 39

Fligsive FC 1-0 Hastmead Diamante
Iskara Daii 5-1 Magnaeus City
Burgess FC 3-2 1830 Cathair FC
Comunas Cougars 2-0 AC Izotz Zubia
International of Tyrellia 3-0 Hecia
Telecontarë 1-1 Shamrock Cathair
Bob's Towing 0-3 Lesko Pavillion
Crystal Mertagne 4-2 Cazadores Cathair
Westonbirt City 0-3 Foxchester Raiders
Oljestaden IF 1-0 Nostromo Meteorites
KT Itzallovalle 1-0 Firewood City

Burgess FC 3-2 1830 Cathair is Saturday lunchtime’s shock result, as Cathair do indeed drop more points, succumbing to their first two-game losing streak for two years. Hastmead fail to take advantage in their defeat to a superior Fligsive side, but the Osarians have no mathematical hope of attaining the championship anyway. It’s down to AC Izotz Zubia to win against Legalites Comunas Cougars on Saturday afternoon, and to chop away a healthy portion of Cathair’s 30+ goal differential in the process. Nothing more than a nine-goal win will do for Zozi, so it’s with considerable disappointment that they come out on the end of a two-goal defeat and hand the title - their title - finally to Cathair in the least Hollywood way imaginable.
At the bottom of the table, Shamrock finally get around to attaining a point from a game, but it’s too little too late, and the side are mathematically relegated back down to LigAnaia Two. In Shamrock’s defence, they have recently become the first LigAnaia side to reach the final of a UICA competition (while in the LigAnaia system) by making the final of the SBCC, and fans of the celtic capital club are hoping against hope that they can rescue a bad season by attaining some silverware at the end of it.

Quarter-Finals

Nostromo Meteorites 0–0 Crystal Mertagne (2–1 AET)
Westonbirt City 1–0 DDR Fighting Disco
FC Southern Ninestar 2–0 Fligsive Gunners YFC
Dysenside Duellers 0–0 Burgess FC (0–0 AET) (7–6 pen.)

Audioslavian Cup
Project +90 Kjelstad 0–1 Oljestaden IF
AC Izotz Zubia 3–0 Tout-Puissant Hasiera
Isle of Kjeligsted FC 2–0 KT Itzalovalle
CdF Celtade 0–4 Shamrock Cathair

Copa Starblaydia
Tabeck Cefn Druids 0–1 Beverington Hawks
Vecchio Victors 1–3 Iskara Daii
Cedrus Soundgardenia 1–2 Telecontare
Hippion Overdrive 1–0 FC Farça

Legalese Cup
Stratton FC 1–0 Gavelton Rhinos
Portsmouth United 0–1 Bekknia FC
Sien Bay Pirates 0–1 International of Tyrellia
Binchensburg Athletic 2–2 Comunas Cougars (2–3 AET)

Osarian Cup
Trothwands Evolution 1–1 Real Jraxville (2–1 AET)
Parania Albion 0–3 Greeningham City
Shanak FC 1–0 Arcaea County
Junipa Athletic 2–4 Grasshoppers Turic

Perlasilangani Cup
Real Natividad 3–0 Deportivo Toledo
Real Molina 2–3 Unido Mendoza
Atletico Gonzales 5–0 CF Santos-Garcia
Mulawin FC 0–1 Real Trinidad

Globe Cup Quarter-Final
Second Leg

Rovers United 2-4 Magnaeus City

It's a memorable night in Zwangzug as Magnaeus march on to the semi-finals of the Globe Cup for the first time in the club's history. Magnaeus have actually never won any silverware since becoming a part of the LigAnaia, how ironic would it be if their first trophy was a major UICA one?

MATCHDAY 40

Magnaeus City 0-0 Fligsive FC
1830 Cathair FC 1-1 Hastmead Diamante
AC Izotz Zubia 2-0 Iskara Daii
Hecia 2-2 Burgess FC
Shamrock Cathair 1-1 Comunas Cougars
Lesko Pavillion 2-6 International of Tyrellia
Cazadores Cathair 3-1 Telecontarë
Foxchester Raiders 1-0 Bob's Towing
Nostromo Meteorites 2-1 Crystal Mertagne
Firewood City 0-0 Westonbirt City
KT Itzallovalle 2-1 Oljestaden IF

1830 Cathair are now, hilariously, without a win in three games as Hastmead come to the Audioslavian capital and have the better of a 1-1 draw. The result would ordinarily be treated as an acceptable one by the Osarians, but Diamante are in a somewhat precarious position right now. New UICA rules dictate that at least two Calanian Union clubs must play in next season’s Champions Cup. The best-placed Calanians right now are Fligsive and Magnaeus in fifth and fourth places respectively, and that means that Hastmead, in third, would actually be denied Champions Cup football if the league were to finish now. Staying ahead of AC Izotz Zubia is, therefore, a must, and the draw with Cathair, coupled with Zozi’s win, puts Izotz Zubia into second, three points clear of Hastmead with two games to play.
At the bottom, Hecia still aren’t mathematically relegated, but need six points from their last two games and need Westonbirt to get zero in order to stay up.

Globe Cup Semi-final
First Leg:

Magnaeus City 0-0 Umber Lumber

Magnaeus come out of the blocks very slowly in their semi-final tie and almost go behind a number of times, but a resolute defensive performance pays off with a nil-all scoreline, thankfully avoiding an away goal. The side, however, have it all to do next week...

MATCHDAY 41

Fligsive FC 0-2 1830 Cathair FC
Magnaeus City 0-0 AC Izotz Zubia
Hastmead Diamante 0-1 Hecia
Iskara Daii 1-0 Shamrock Cathair
Burgess FC 1-3 Lesko Pavillion
Comunas Cougars 3-0 Cazadores Cathair
International of Tyrellia 1-1 Foxchester Raiders
Telecontarë 1-0 Nostromo Meteorites
Bob's Towing 0-1 Firewood City
Crystal Mertagne 2-1 KT Itzallovalle
Westonbirt City 0-0 Oljestaden IF

Hastmead Diamante 0-1 Hecia is the sickener of sickeners for fans of the Osarian club, especially as AC Izotz Zubia had previously only managed a draw with Magnaeus City. That draw keeps Zozi in second place where they will remain until the end of the season, and means Hastmead, infuriatingly, miss out on Champions Cup football despite now being almost guaranteed third place in the league.
Hecia’s win means fans of the Starblaydi club are desperate for Westonbirt City to lose in order to prolong the relegation battle until the final matchday. Westonbirt, however, are in no mood to entertain that notion - or, indeed, to entertain - as they drably cancel out Oljestaden IF in a nil-nil draw to ensure that, barring a twenty-goal defeat on the final day - they are ensured top flight football for another season.
Elsewhere, tenth-placed Telecontare’s 1-0 win over eleventh-placed Nostromo Meteorites ensures the Starblaydis will go into next season’s Globe Cup at the expense of the Calanians. Itzalovalle, in failing to beat Crystal Mertagne, make this a mathematical certainty.

Globe Cup Semi-Final
Second Leg

Umber Lumber 0-2 Magnaeus City

It is one of the all-time great performances by a LigAnaia team in UICA football. Magnaeus may not have played fantastically, but the dangerous team from Falcus - runners up in their league - are despatched by two second-half goals from Antonio Rosado and Vince Urrea to set up a Globe Cup final match against Valladar high-flyers Fontvielle.

National Cup Semi-Finals

Calanian Cup
Westonbirt City 3–0 Nostromo Meteorites
FC Southern Ninestar 0–1 Dysenside Duellers

Audioslavian Cup
Shamrock Cathair 1–1 Oljestaden IF (1–1 AET) (3–4 pen.)
AC Izotz Zubia 0–0 Isle of Kjeligsted FC (0–0 AET) (6–5 pen.)

Copa Starblaydia
Beverington Hawks 1–3 Iskara Daii
Hippion Overdrive 3–1 Telecontare

Legalese Cup
Stratton FC 4–3 Comunas Cougars
International of Tyrellia 4–2 Bekknia FC

Osarian Cup
Grasshoppers Turic 2–6 Shanak FC
Greeningham City 0–1 Trothwands Evolution

Ibex Cup
Sayyaf 1–0 Tall
Khinjar 0–2 Batal

Perlasilangani Cup
Atletico Gonzales 0–0 Unido Mendoza (0–0 AET) (5–4 pen.)
Real Natividad 1–0 Real Trinidad

Westonbirt have already avoided relegation, and the icing on the cake is a cup semi-final win over Nostromo to book their place in the national cup final in two weeks time. Joining them in the final is the unlikely form of Dysenside Duellers.
Shamrock, however, aren’t so lucky in losing on penalties to perennial ‘cup side’ Oljestaden IF, who are joined in the final by AC Izotz Zubia who make more of a meal of their semi-final with lowly Kjeligsted than they’d originally planned.
In Starblaydia, Iskara Daii will defend their Copa Starblaydia against former L1 outfit Hippion, now struggling at the foot of L2, while the Legalite final will be contested not between Inter and Comunas, as predicted, but by Inter and lowly Stratton FC who upset the Cougars 4-3 in the semi-final.
In Osarius, Grasshoppers Turic are possibly the favourites of the teams left, but the side are unceremoniously thrashed 6-2 by Shanak in their semi-final, and Shanak will meet Trothwands in an all-lower-league Osarian Cup final.

MATCHDAY 42

AC Izotz Zubia 1-1 Fligsive FC
Hecia 1-2 1830 Cathair FC
Shamrock Cathair 0-2 Magnaeus City
Lesko Pavillion 2-4 Hastmead Diamante
Cazadores Cathair 0-1 Iskara Daii
Foxchester Raiders 0-1 Burgess FC
Nostromo Meteorites 0-3 Comunas Cougars
Firewood City 0-1 International of Tyrellia
KT Itzallovalle 1-1 Telecontarë
Oljestaden IF 1-3 Bob's Towing
Westonbirt City 1-0 Crystal Mertagne

The only thing up for grabs on the final match of the season is the final two Champions Cup places with regards to the Syndicatian clubs, and its Fligisve who are disappointed, losing out via a 1-1 draw with AC Izotz Zubia on a day where Burgess and Magnaeus both gain important away wins. Fligsive haven’t finished outside of the top two since the very first LigAnaia season, and so being forced down into the Globe Cup is a bitter pill for the proud side to swallow.
Comunas and Iskara Daii both end disappointing seasons on a high note with away victories, as do Westonbirt who defeat Crystal Mertagne by a goal to nil.
Hecia need to win the final game of their season by twenty goals to nil, and have to do it against 1830 Cathair. Suffice to say, it doesn’t happen, as Cathair cruise to a two-nil victory. Even if they had managed to score a number of hatfulls against the new champions, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway as Westonbirt end their league season with a 1-0 win over Crystal Mertagne.

National Cups: Final

Calanian Cup
Westonbirt City 2–1 Dysenside Duellers

Audioslavian Cup
Oljestaden IF 0–2 AC Izotz Zubia

Copa Starblaydia
Hippion Overdrive 1–4 Iskara Daii

Legalese Cup
International of Tyrellia 5–0 Stratton FC

Osarian Cup
Shanak FC 4–2 Trothwands Evolution

Ibex Cup
Sayyaf 2–2 Batal (2–3 AET)

Perlasilangani Cup
Atletico Gonzales 1–0 Real Natividad

Westonbirt may not have had anything to shout about during the season, but they end on a high nonetheless with a 2-1 win over Dysenside Duellers, a nice big silver trophy, and the prospect of Cygnus Cup football next season. Shanak become the first lower-league Osarian club to win the cup outwith the top flight since their inclusion into the LigAnaia, while Legalite football - who had the same thing happen to them the season before with Knights of Tiberia’s cup win - ensure the same doesn’t happen again in emphatic style with Inter’s 5-0 shellacking of Stratton FC.
In Starblaydia, Iskara Daii win the Copa Starblaydia yet again, while AC Izotz Zubia scrape past former CopAnaia champions Oljestaden IF to lift the Audioslavian cup.

UICA Finals

SBCC Final
Shamrock Cathair 0-1 Tillsamman Stensund

Globe Cup Final
Magnaeus City 1-1 Fontvielle Impact (1-1 AET ; 4-5 PK)

Buyanese side Tillsamman ensure Shamrock end their season empty-handed by winning the lightly-regarded SBCC. There is huge disappointment in store, however, for Magnaeus City. The Magnaeans have never won a trophy at all while as a LigAnaia side, so its to the surprise of some that they are the first LigAnaia club with the chance to win UICA silverware. It’s a warm, humid night at the Almintora National Stadium in Turori as Magnaeus take to the field against Fontvielle Impact of Valladares, and though they fall quickly behind, Vince Urrea’s second-half strike puts the game level at 1-1. The score stays as such throughout normal time and extra-time, and the game goes to a penalty shoot-out. The first four penalties each are scored, but veteran Fred Higgs can’t convert his spot-kick, his tired legs rolling the ball just wide of the left hand post, and the Valladar side capitalise to deny the LigAnaia its first UICA trophy.

[COCANEFA]

It's back, and it's badder than ever! The seventh season of the LigAnaia is here, so without further ado, let's get this show on the road!

MATCHDAY 1
Fligsive FC (TCU) 0-1 Corinthian Spirits (STB)
AC Izotz Zubia (AUD) 1-1 Tyrellia Titans (LGL)
1830 Cathair FC (AUD) 3-0 Draig Goch (LGL)
Magnaeus City (TCU) 1-1 Lesko Pavillion (TCU)
Hastmead Diamante (OSR) 2-0 Cazadores Cathair (AUD)
Iskara Daii (STB) 1-0 Foxchester Raiders (STB)
Burgess FC (TCU) 3-1 Firewood City (OSR)
Communas Cougars (LGL) 0-1 KT Itzallovalle (AUD)
International of Tyrellia (LGL) 0-1 Oljestaden IF (AUD)
Telecontarë (STB) 2-2 Westonbirt City (TCU)
Bob's Towing (LGL) 1-0 Crystal Mertagne (TCU)

Cathair start the new season as they ended the last, with another convincing victory, almost as if to underline their status to the rest of the league. Some will point out that Draig Goch are arguably the weakest team in the league, but a league this strong has no true pushover games. Not to be outdone, Diamante and Burgess City also recorded convincing wins. Zozi and Magnaeus, however, were frustrated with a point each at home, in matches both were favourites to win.

MATCHDAY 2
Tyrellia Titans (LGL) 1-2 Fligsive FC (TCU)
Draig Goch (LGL) 1-0 Corinthian Spirits (STB)
Lesko Pavillion (TCU) 0-4 AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
Cazadores Cathair (AUD) 2-1 1830 Cathair FC (AUD)
Foxchester Raiders (STB) 1-3 Magnaeus City (TCU)
Firewood City (OSR) 0-2 Hastmead Diamante (OSR)
KT Itzallovalle (AUD) 1-1 Iskara Daii (STB)
Oljestaden IF (AUD) 0-0 Burgess FC (TCU)
Westonbirt City (TCU) 2-0 Communas Cougars (LGL)
Crystal Mertagne (TCU) 2-4 International of Tyrellia (LGL)
Bob's Towing (LGL) 1-2 Telecontarë (STB)

Well. So much for predictions. Zozi remind everyone of their strength with a crushing 4-0 win at Lesko, while Cathair make a short trip to Cazadores and get turned over 2-1. Meanwhile Burgess can’t break through at Oljestaden, but Hastmead continue to assert their dominance over local rivals Firewood, as they make the short trip back to Carbonia with another three points, following a 2-0 win.

MATCHDAY 3
Fligsive FC (TCU) 1-0 Draig Goch (LGL)
Tyrellia Titans (LGL) 2-2 Lesko Pavillion (TCU)
Corinthian Spirits (STB) 0-1 Cazadores Cathair (AUD)
AC Izotz Zubia (AUD) 1-0 Foxchester Raiders (STB)
1830 Cathair FC (AUD) 3-2 Firewood City (OSR)
Magnaeus City (TCU) 1-1 KT Itzallovalle (AUD)
Hastmead Diamante (OSR) 3-0 Oljestaden IF (AUD)
Iskara Daii (STB) 1-0 Westonbirt City (TCU)
Burgess FC (TCU) 3-0 Crystal Mertagne (TCU)
Communas Cougars (LGL) 1-1 Bob's Towing (LGL)
International of Tyrellia (LGL) 1-1 Telecontarë (STB)

Hastmead continue to impress with another convincing win, while both Zozi and Cathair pick up important victories over Foxchester and a struggling Firewood City side respectively. Firewood’s defensive strengthening doesn’t seem to have paid off so far, and striker Marco Puntoriero’s continued failure to impress has landed the gaffer in some hot water with the fans.

Another two points dropped for Magnaeus will be encouraging for the rest of the title chasing pack, Burgess’ dominant showing? Not so much.

MATCHDAY 4
Lesko Pavillion (TCU) 0-2 Fligsive FC (TCU)
Cazadores Cathair (AUD) 3-1 Draig Goch (LGL)
Foxchester Raiders (STB) 4-0 Tyrellia Titans (LGL)
Firewood City (OSR) 0-0 Corinthian Spirits (STB)
KT Itzallovalle (AUD) 1-1 AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
Oljestaden IF (AUD) 1-5 1830 Cathair FC (AUD)
Westonbirt City (TCU) 1-1 Magnaeus City (TCU)
Crystal Mertagne (TCU) 1-0 Hastmead Diamante (OSR)
Bob's Towing (LGL) 2-2 Iskara Daii (STB)
Telecontarë (STB) 1-1 Burgess FC (TCU)
International of Tyrellia (LGL) 0-1 Communas Cougars (LGL)

It’s beginning to look a little like the title chasing pack are taking it in turns to be supremely effective. Where all the others faltered this week, Cathair travelled to Oljestaden and ruthlessly dismantled the home side in a five-goal rout. At the other end of the table, Reiss Ryerson’s Firewood City pick up their first point of the season in a drab, goalless affair at home to Corinthian Spirits. Boos echo through The Cauldron at the final whistle, but the board refuse to sack the struggling manager, backing him to turn things around.

MATCHDAY 5
Fligsive FC (TCU) 3-2 Cazadores Cathair (AUD)
Lesko Pavillion (TCU) 1-1 Foxchester Raiders (STB)
Draig Goch (LGL) 2-3 Firewood City (OSR)
Tyrellia Titans (LGL) 1-2 KT Itzallovalle (AUD)
Corinthian Spirits (STB) 1-1 Oljestaden IF (AUD)
AC Izotz Zubia (AUD) 3-0 Westonbirt City (TCU)
1830 Cathair FC (AUD) 0-1 Crystal Mertagne (TCU)
Magnaeus City (TCU) 3-2 Bob's Towing (LGL)
Hastmead Diamante (OSR) 0-1 Telecontarë (STB)
Iskara Daii (STB) 1-0 International of Tyrellia (LGL)
Burgess FC (TCU) 0-1 Communas Cougars (LGL)

Apparently getting the dreaded “backing of the board” can have positives. A spirited fight back from Firewood sees them claim all three points away at Draig Goch. Their first win of the season visibly lifting a weight from the manager and players. Their local rivals however, fall to Starblaydi visitors, and their title charge appears to be fading before it really gets started.

That said, of the six main title contenders, Hastmead are hardly the only team apparently flattering to deceive. Burgess’ failure to score at home against Communas Cougars will have been welcome news to bookmakers, ditto for Cathair against Crystal Mertagne. Easily the most convincing of the “big dogs” on the day, though, was Zozi. The Audioslavian side ruthlessly putting Westonbirt City to the sword in a three goal win that never looked like it might have ended differently.

MATCHDAY 6
Foxchester Raiders (STB) 2-0 Fligsive FC (TCU)
Firewood City (OSR) 2-0 Cazadores Cathair (AUD)
KT Itzallovalle (AUD) 0-1 Lesko Pavillion (TCU)
Oljestaden IF (AUD) 1-1 Draig Goch (LGL)
Westonbirt City (TCU) 1-0 Tyrellia Titans (LGL)
Crystal Mertagne (TCU) 2-0 Corinthian Spirits (STB)
Bob's Towing (LGL) 1-0 AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
Telecontarë (STB) 0-4 1830 Cathair FC (AUD)
International of Tyrellia (LGL) 0-2 Magnaeus City (TCU)
Communas Cougars (LGL) 2-1 Hastmead Diamante (OSR)
Burgess FC (TCU) 0-1 Iskara Daii (STB)

Oh dear. Reversal of fortunes indeed in Fourge. The Diamonds slip a little further behind in the title race while Firewood’s hype train ploughs on, seeing them emerge as deserved winners over Cazadores.

Things at the top are getting muddled again, though. Zozi drop one to Bob’s Towing and Fligsive can’t make the most of their trip to Foxchester, returning empty handed. Cathair, however, bounce back from last week’s surprise defeat to take a crushing win at Telecontarë. Given that the Starblaydi side had held Burgess to a draw last week, you’d be forgiven for wondering if this was the same team. The physicality of this Cathair side almost definitely played a part in this result, and could potentially be a decisive factor in ultimately determining this season’s champs.

MATCHDAY 7
Fligsive FC (TCU) 0-1 Firewood City (OSR)
Foxchester Raiders (STB) 0-3 KT Itzallovalle (AUD)
Cazadores Cathair (AUD) 0-0 Oljestaden IF (AUD)
Lesko Pavillion (TCU) 0-0 Westonbirt City (TCU)
Draig Goch (LGL) 1-4 Crystal Mertagne (TCU)
Tyrellia Titans (LGL) 0-2 Bob's Towing (LGL)
Corinthian Spirits (STB) 0-3 Telecontarë (STB)
AC Izotz Zubia (AUD) 1-4 International of Tyrellia (LGL)
1830 Cathair FC (AUD) 4-1 Communas Cougars (LGL)
Magnaeus City (TCU) 2-0 Burgess FC (TCU)
Hastmead Diamante (OSR) 2-0 Iskara Daii (STB)

“What’s in the water in Firewood?” Hastmead boss, Benni Watson joked after hearing his former club had done his Diamante side a favour, travelling to Fligsive and coming home with all three points. For their part, Hastmead had been efficient in their defeat of Iskara Daii, reminding the rest of the league that they could still “hang”. Cathair ruthlessly dispatch another opponent, while title rivals Zozi are thoroughly humiliated at home in a crushing defeat thanks to Inter. With Magnaeus beating Burgess, the top of the table has experienced a little shake. It’s still far too early to make anything resembling a reliable prediction, but it certainly looks like it’ll be a close one. And if the entertainment value stays, LigAnaia’s broadcasting revenue could skyrocket once word gets out.

MATCHDAY 8
KT Itzallovalle (AUD) 1-1 Fligsive FC (TCU)
Oljestaden IF (AUD) 0-2 Firewood City (OSR)
Westonbirt City (TCU) 2-0 Foxchester Raiders (STB)
Crystal Mertagne (TCU) 2-0 Cazadores Cathair (AUD)
Bob's Towing (LGL) 2-0 Lesko Pavillion (TCU)
Telecontarë (STB) 1-1 Draig Goch (LGL)
International of Tyrellia (LGL) 1-1 Tyrellia Titans (LGL)
Communas Cougars (LGL) 0-3 Corinthian Spirits (STB)
Burgess FC (TCU) 1-0 AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
Iskara Daii (STB) 0-0 1830 Cathair FC (AUD)
Hastmead Diamante (OSR) 1-0 Magnaeus City (TCU)

Iskara Daii continue to play spoiler at the top of the table, holding a formidable Cathair side to a goalless draw, denting the reigning champions’ title charge a little. Little dents however, might be all that is required to see the league championship trophy change hands, given the competition this season. Hastmead and Burgess’ narrow home wins over Magnaeus and Zozi, respectively will be blows to not only their opposition on the day, but also Cathair and Fligsive, neither of whom managed to pick up a full three points this week.

Elsewhere a spirited Tyrellia derby ended all-square, though questions might be asked of the refereeing, after disallowing Inter’s late would-be winner. Inter’s recent form has defied expectation, and there are more than a few whispers of “favouritism” within COCANEFA.

MATCHDAY 9
Fligsive FC (TCU) 1-1 Oljestaden IF (AUD)
KT Itzallovalle (AUD) 2-1 Westonbirt City (TCU)
Firewood City (OSR) 0-2 Crystal Mertagne (TCU)
Foxchester Raiders (STB) 0-2 Bob's Towing (LGL)
Cazadores Cathair (AUD) 1-1 Telecontarë (STB)
Lesko Pavillion (TCU) 1-2 International of Tyrellia (LGL)
Draig Goch (LGL) 0-1 Communas Cougars (LGL)
Tyrellia Titans (LGL) 1-1 Burgess FC (TCU)
Corinthian Spirits (STB) 1-1 Iskara Daii (STB)
AC Izotz Zubia (AUD) 0-2 Hastmead Diamante (OSR)
1830 Cathair FC (AUD) 1-0 Magnaeus City (TCU)

Zozi’s nightmare run continues, with another home defeat, this time at the hands of Hastmead Diamante, who seem to have recovered from their “slight hiccup” a few weeks ago. Cathair are another team in recovery, edging Magnaeus -- who, under slightly different circumstances, might be runaway league leaders right now; narrow margins, as they say -- to make sure Hastmead can’t overhaul them atop the pile.

For all the pre-season hype for Burgess, they are well off the pace. Another draw, and two extremely valuable points dropped. Fligsive are hardly doing much better either. Perhaps surprisingly -- depending on the strength of your Anaian football knowledge, one supposes -- Crystal Mertagne are the side leading the Calalian charge on the top. Their two-nil win in The Cauldron also ends a run of impressive results for Firewood City that may well have saved Reiss Ryerson’s bacon, so to speak.

MATCHDAY 10
Westonbirt City (TCU) 1-3 Fligsive FC (TCU)
Crystal Mertagne (TCU) 1-0 Oljestaden IF (AUD)
Bob's Towing (LGL) 3-2 KT Itzallovalle (AUD)
Telecontarë (STB) 1-0 Firewood City (OSR)
International of Tyrellia (LGL) 3-0 Foxchester Raiders (STB)
Communas Cougars (LGL) 4-0 Cazadores Cathair (AUD)
Burgess FC (TCU) 2-2 Lesko Pavillion (TCU)
Iskara Daii (STB) 1-0 Draig Goch (LGL)
Hastmead Diamante (OSR) 1-0 Tyrellia Titans (LGL)
Magnaeus City (TCU) 6-3 Corinthian Spirits (STB)
1830 Cathair FC (AUD) 2-1 AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)

Well. Magnaeus have awoken, it seems. It’s almost as if teams react strongly to negative press… Funny, that. The Calanian side’s six goals this week are one of a few surprises at the not-quite-a-quarter stage of the season, even if the very top of the table is… distinctly unsurprising.

Cathair lead the pack, as expected. Their devastating offensive capability sees them lead the league in goals scored, too. Only Magnaeus coming close, really… thanks to their glut of onion-bag-hitting this week. The reigning champions are still good value to repeat, though they do have some serious competition. Hastmead Diamante sit right behind them in second place -- again, fairly expected -- on the back of the league’s best defence. However, the Osarian side’s failure to significantly increase their goal output may turn out to be costly by season’s end, even the most karelan of coaches doesn’t expect to win games nil-nil.

The surprises begin here… Crystal Mertagne, Bob’s Towing and Iskara Daii occupy the next three spots, all within three points of Cathair. Pre-season favourites Zozi , Burgess and to a lesser extent, Fligsive are some way off the pace, however, and will need to start recovering ground quickly. Hastmead’s aversion to conceding, and Cathair’s apparent compulsion for scoring -- though poising the teams nicely for an entertaining showdown at some point -- do not correlate to many dropped points this season for either side..

#					Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	1830 Cathair FC (AUD)		10	7	1	2	23	8	+15	22
2	Hastmead Diamante (OSR)		10	7	0	3	14	4	+10	21
3	Crystal Mertagne (TCU)		10	7	0	3	15	9	+6	21
4	Bob's Towing (LGL)		10	6	2	2	17	10	+7	20
5	Iskara Daii (STB)		10	5	4	1	9	6	+3	19
6	Magnaeus City (TCU)		10	5	3	2	19	11	+8	18
7	Fligsive FC (TCU)		10	5	2	3	13	10	+3	17
8	Telecontarë (STB)		10	4	5	1	13	11	+2	17
9	KT Itzallovalle (AUD)		10	4	4	2	14	10	+4	16
10	Communas Cougars (LGL)		10	5	1	4	11	12	−1	16
11	International of Tyrellia (LGL)	10	4	2	4	15	11	+4	14
12	Burgess FC (TCU)		10	3	4	3	11	9	+2	13
13	Firewood City (OSR)		10	4	1	5	11	13	−2	13
14	Westonbirt City (TCU)		10	3	3	4	10	12	−2	12
15	AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)		10	3	2	5	12	12	0	11
16	Cazadores Cathair (AUD)		10	3	2	5	9	16	−7	11
17	Corinthian Spirits (STB)	10	2	3	5	9	15	−6	9
18	Lesko Pavillion (TCU)		10	1	5	4	8	16	−8	8
19	Oljestaden IF (AUD)		10	1	5	4	5	14	−9	8
20	Foxchester Raiders (STB)	10	2	1	7	8	16	−8	7
21	Draig Goch (LGL)		10	1	2	7	7	18	−11	5
22	Tyrellia Titans (LGL)		10	0	4	6	7	17	−10	4

Meanwhile, in LigAnaia Two - Tout-Puissant Hasiera are off to a flying start, topping the league tables with twenty-five points. It's looking good for the Audioslavian contingent of the second division, as Isle of Kjelisted FC and KT Ferremendiak are placed second and third respectively. New Mertian talent Kurtz Herritik are the first non-Audioslav team in the tables, placed in 4th with 17 points. Also with 17 points are Osarian band Grasshoppers Turic, and the Syndi-Slav love affair that is Tenth Star Hasiera. The minor LigAnaia associations are doing well at this stage, as both a Perlasilangan and and Ibexian team are within the top ten, too. Bringing up the rear are Shamrock Cathair, who have got off to a terrible start, and Sayyaf, who've claimed a measly five points from ten matchdays. Of course, this could all change by the next time you see the tables, and it's still all to play for...

#					Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Tout-Puissant Hasiera (AUD)	10	8	1	1	19	11	+8	25
2	Isle of Kjeligsted FC (AUD)	10	6	3	1	14	7	+7	21
3	KT Ferremendiak (AUD)		10	6	0	4	15	13	+2	18
4	Kurtz Herritik (TCU)		10	5	2	3	14	5	+9	17
5	Grashoppers Turic (OSR)		10	5	2	3	13	7	+6	17
6	Tenth Star Hasiera (AUD)	10	5	2	3	13	8	+5	17
7	UD Lopez (PSL)			10	5	1	4	8	11	−3	16
8	Batal (IBX)			10	4	4	2	12	10	+2	16
9	FC Southern Ninestar (TCU)	10	4	3	3	14	14	0	15
10	Bekknia FC (LGL)		10	4	3	3	10	9	+1	15
11	Nacional (WSI)			10	4	2	4	12	9	+3	14
12	Porto Vehlo (WSI)		10	4	2	4	11	10	+1	14
13	Hallad Reavers (STB)		10	3	5	2	10	8	+2	14
14	The Knights of Tiberia (LGL)	10	3	4	3	15	11	+4	13
15	Athletico Gonzales (PSL)	10	3	3	4	10	12	−2	12
	Coastal United (LGL)		10	3	3	4	9	11	−2	12
17	Utica United (OSR)		10	3	3	4	12	13	−1	12
18	Lehen Neorudo (TCU)		10	3	2	5	8	13	−5	11
19	KT Moreazerua(AUD)		10	3	2	5	8	17	−9	11
20	Montepool Waves (STB)		10	2	4	4	8	9	−1	10
21	Jhanna City (STB)		10	2	3	5	9	10	−1	9
22	Hecia (STB)			10	1	5	4	7	12	−5	8
23	Shamrock Cathair (AUD)		10	2	1	7	6	14	−8	7
24	Sayyaf (IBX)			10	1	2	7	6	19	−13	5

[COCANEFA]

MATCHDAY 11
Fligsive FC (TCU) 2-0 Crystal Mertagne (TCU)
Westonbirt City (TCU) 1-0 Bob's Towing (LGL)
Oljestaden IF (AUD) 2-2 Telecontarë (STB)
KT Itzallovalle (AUD) 1-2 International of Tyrellia (LGL)
Firewood City (OSR) 3-3 Communas Cougars (LGL)
Foxchester Raiders (STB) 0-0 Burgess FC (TCU)
Cazadores Cathair (AUD) 1-0 Iskara Daii (STB)
Lesko Pavillion (TCU) 0-2 Hastmead Diamante (OSR)
Draig Goch (LGL) 0-1 Magnaeus City (TCU)
Tyrellia Titans (LGL) 0-1 1830 Cathair FC (AUD)
Corinthian Spirits (STB) 2-0 AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)

AC Izotz Zubia's torrid season continues as they travel to Starblaydia only to be sent packing on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat. At the top, Crytal Mertagne and Bob's Towing's early season form looks to be on the fizzle as they are beaten by Calanian opposition, with the former looking meek and overmatched against Fligsive and the latter falling at the hands of Westonbirt City.

At the very top, Hastmead and 1830 Cathair set about proving why they are the teams to beat with convincing away victories at lower-table opposition.

Elsewhere, Firewood City's 3-3 draw with Comunas Cougars is the most entertaining match of the weekend, with the Legalites thrice coming from behind to clinch the draw.

MATCHDAY 12
Bob's Towing (LGL) 1-2 Fligsive FC (TCU)
Telecontarë (STB) 3-0 Crystal Mertagne (TCU)
International of Tyrellia (LGL) 2-0 Westonbirt City (TCU)
Communas Cougars (LGL) 4-0 Oljestaden IF (AUD)
Burgess FC (TCU) 1-2 KT Itzallovalle (AUD)
Iskara Daii (STB) 3-1 Firewood City (OSR)
Hastmead Diamante (OSR) 2-0 Foxchester Raiders (STB)
Magnaeus City (TCU) 0-0 Cazadores Cathair (AUD)
1830 Cathair FC (AUD) 2-0 Lesko Pavillion (TCU)
AC Izotz Zubia (AUD) 3-0 Draig Goch (LGL)
Corinthian Spirits (STB) 0-2 Tyrellia Titans (LGL)

Bob's Towing again fall short, this time at home to Fligsive, with Crystal Mertagne too making a meal of things in capitulating badly in a 3-0 defeat to Telecontare.

Both Hastmead and 1830 Cathair keep up winning ways, while Iskara Daii look especially impressive in defeating Firewood by three goals to one.

Over in Legalese, Inter win, but continue to look someway short of the team that some expected them to be this term. Comunas Cougars, generally perceived to be a 'sleeping giant' in COCANEFA football, are dominant in a 4-0 thrashing of Oljestaden IF.

MATCHDAY 13
Fligsive FC (TCU) 1-0 Telecontarë (STB)
Bob's Towing (LGL) 2-0 International of Tyrellia (LGL)
Crystal Mertagne (TCU) 0-1 Communas Cougars (LGL)
Westonbirt City (TCU) 1-1 Burgess FC (TCU)
Oljestaden IF (AUD) 0-1 Iskara Daii (STB)
KT Itzallovalle (AUD) 1-1 Hastmead Diamante (OSR)
Firewood City (OSR) 2-2 Magnaeus City (TCU)
Foxchester Raiders (STB) 0-2 1830 Cathair FC (AUD)
Cazadores Cathair (AUD) 0-2 AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
Lesko Pavillion (TCU) 0-0 Corinthian Spirits (STB)
Draig Goch (LGL) 1-1 Tyrellia Titans (LGL)

Saturday is business-as-usual for the big guns, as Daii, Cathair and Zozi all grab important away wins while Fligsive overcome a stern test in the form of Starblaydia's dwarf-side Telecontare. Burgess and Magnaeus, however, can't quite pick up all three points away from home, and Sunday is an entirely different story as highflying Hastmead Diamante barely scrape a draw against lowly Itzalovalle.

MATCHDAY 14
International of Tyrellia (LGL) 1-2 Fligsive FC (TCU)
Communas Cougars (LGL) 1-1 Telecontarë (STB)
Burgess FC (TCU) 1-1 Bob's Towing (LGL)
Iskara Daii (STB) 5-1 Crystal Mertagne (TCU)
Hastmead Diamante (OSR) 1-1 Westonbirt City (TCU)
Magnaeus City (TCU) 1-1 Oljestaden IF (AUD)
1830 Cathair FC (AUD) 3-0 KT Itzallovalle (AUD)
AC Izotz Zubia (AUD) 1-0 Firewood City (OSR)
Corinthian Spirits (STB) 1-1 Foxchester Raiders (STB)
Tyrellia Titans (LGL) 1-2 Cazadores Cathair (AUD)
Draig Goch (LGL) 3-1 Lesko Pavillion (TCU)

Daii’s dominant display against fellow high-flyers Crystal Mertagne was the highlight of the week, while Cathair’s win got them a further two point cushion over nearest rivals Hastmead, who couldn’t finish the job against Westonbirt City at Black Patch Park. Fligsive’s efforts are not in vain as they continue to close the gap on the league leaders with another win, this time at Inter.

MATCHDAY 15
Fligsive FC (TCU) 1-2 Communas Cougars (LGL)
International of Tyrellia (LGL) 5-2 Burgess FC (TCU)
Telecontarë (STB) 2-1 Iskara Daii (STB)
Bob's Towing (LGL) 0-2 Hastmead Diamante (OSR)
Crystal Mertagne (TCU) 0-2 Magnaeus City (TCU)
Westonbirt City (TCU) 0-2 1830 Cathair FC (AUD)
Oljestaden IF (AUD) 1-1 AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
KT Itzallovalle (AUD) 1-2 Corinthian Spirits (STB)
Firewood City (OSR) 1-0 Tyrellia Titans (LGL)
Foxchester Raiders (STB) 2-4 Draig Goch (LGL)
Cazadores Cathair (AUD) 1-0 Lesko Pavillion (TCU)

Cathair and Hastmead keep up the pace at the top, but Fligsive’s winning run comes to an end as Communas Cougars come to town and steal a win. Elsewhere, Daii’s impressive win last week is undone with a tough defeat at Telecontare. Zozi stumble yet again, unable to hold on to their one goal lead at Oljestaden. Burgess are on the wrong end of a five goal performance, as Inter again show why some expected them to be challenging nearer the top this season.

MATCHDAY 16
Burgess FC (TCU) 1-1 Fligsive FC (TCU)
Iskara Daii (STB) 0-2 Communas Cougars (LGL)
Hastmead Diamante (OSR) 3-1 International of Tyrellia (LGL)
Magnaeus City (TCU) 0-1 Telecontarë (STB)
1830 Cathair FC (AUD) 5-0 Bob's Towing (LGL)
AC Izotz Zubia (AUD) 0-0 Crystal Mertagne (TCU)
Corinthian Spirits (STB) 1-2 Westonbirt City (TCU)
Tyrellia Titans (LGL) 0-2 Oljestaden IF (AUD)
Draig Goch (LGL) 0-1 KT Itzallovalle (AUD)
Lesko Pavillion (TCU) 1-0 Firewood City (OSR)
Cazadores Cathair (AUD) 1-2 Foxchester Raiders (STB)

Inter’s inconsistency rears its head yet again, as they take the lead in Osarius but ultimately fall victim to Hastmead, who are battling to keep the pace with an imperious Cathair -- who thrashed Bob’s Towing this week in a five-goal rout. Communas claim another scalp in the form of Daii, while Telecontare do something similar, completing a smash-and-grab at Magnaeus.

MATCHDAY 17
Fligsive FC (TCU) 2-1 Iskara Daii (STB)
Burgess FC (TCU) 0-2 Hastmead Diamante (OSR)
Communas Cougars (LGL) 0-1 Magnaeus City (TCU)
International of Tyrellia (LGL) 0-1 1830 Cathair FC (AUD)
Telecontarë (STB) 1-2 AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
Bob's Towing (LGL) 3-1 Corinthian Spirits (STB)
Crystal Mertagne (TCU) 2-2 Tyrellia Titans (LGL)
Westonbirt City (TCU) 2-0 Draig Goch (LGL)
Oljestaden IF (AUD) 1-1 Lesko Pavillion (TCU)
KT Itzallovalle (AUD) 2-0 Cazadores Cathair (AUD)
Firewood City (OSR) 6-3 Foxchester Raiders (STB)

Another couple of wins for the league leaders sees the gap widening between them and the other pre-season favourites. Hastmead’s two-nil road win over Burgess underlining their title credentials. Most entertaining game of the week though, is Firewood’s nine-goal thriller with Foxchester. The Fourgian side emerged victorious after twice coming from behind, Osarius striker Marco Puntoriero netting four, taking him to double figures for the season.

MATCHDAY 18
Hastmead Diamante (OSR) 3-2 Fligsive FC (TCU)
Magnaeus City (TCU) 1-1 Iskara Daii (STB)
1830 Cathair FC (AUD) 3-3 Burgess FC (TCU)
AC Izotz Zubia (AUD) 2-0 Communas Cougars (LGL)
Corinthian Spirits (STB) 3-2 International of Tyrellia (LGL)
Tyrellia Titans (LGL) 0-0 Telecontarë (STB)
Draig Goch (LGL) 2-2 Bob's Towing (LGL)
Lesko Pavillion (TCU) 1-1 Crystal Mertagne (TCU)
Cazadores Cathair (AUD) 0-0 Westonbirt City (TCU)
Foxchester Raiders (STB) 1-0 Oljestaden IF (AUD)
Firewood City (OSR) 2-2 KT Itzallovalle (AUD)

And the gap is back down to three points ahead of next week’s top-of-the-table clash in Osarius. A hard-fought win over Fligsive puts Hastmead back within touching distance of the reigning champions, who dropped two points to a spirited Burgess side. The Calanian side recovered a two goal deficit in the latter half an hour to rescue the point. Elsewhere, Inter were outdone by the odd goal in five, while struggling Draig Goch put a dent in the hopes of Bob’s Towing with a well-earned point in a two-all draw.

MATCHDAY 19
Fligsive FC (TCU) 1-1 Magnaeus City (TCU)
Hastmead Diamante (OSR) 0-0 1830 Cathair FC (AUD)
Iskara Daii (STB) 3-1 AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
Burgess FC (TCU) 2-0 Corinthian Spirits (STB)
Communas Cougars (LGL) 0-0 Tyrellia Titans (LGL)
International of Tyrellia (LGL) 1-1 Draig Goch (LGL)
Telecontarë (STB) 0-1 Lesko Pavillion (TCU)
Bob's Towing (LGL) 2-0 Cazadores Cathair (AUD)
Crystal Mertagne (TCU) 2-0 Foxchester Raiders (STB)
Westonbirt City (TCU) 0-2 Firewood City (OSR)
Oljestaden IF (AUD) 1-0 KT Itzallovalle (AUD)

The top of the table clash flatters to deceive, as Cathair return with a single point -- and retain the lead in the league -- unable to breach the solid Hastmead defense. Unfortunately, none of the chasing pack are able to really capitalise, Magnaeus and Fligsive play out a one-all draw, and Communas Cougars have to settle for a point from a goalless draw. Daii narrowed the gap with a win over Zozi -- whose nightmare season isn’t even half over yet, sadly -- but they are still well off the pace.

MATCHDAY 20
1830 Cathair FC (AUD) 0-0 Fligsive FC (TCU)
AC Izotz Zubia (AUD) 1-0 Magnaeus City (TCU)
Corinthian Spirits (STB) 1-4 Hastmead Diamante (OSR)
Tyrellia Titans (LGL) 0-2 Iskara Daii (STB)
Draig Goch (LGL) 0-1 Burgess FC (TCU)
Lesko Pavillion (TCU) 0-0 Communas Cougars (LGL)
Cazadores Cathair (AUD) 2-0 International of Tyrellia (LGL)
Foxchester Raiders (STB) 1-4 Telecontarë (STB)
Firewood City (OSR) 1-0 Bob's Towing (LGL)
KT Itzallovalle (AUD) 4-2 Crystal Mertagne (TCU)
Oljestaden IF (AUD) 0-1 Westonbirt City (TCU)

Almost as if fuelled by the frustration of not being able to get one over on Cathair, Hastmead travel to Starblaydia and run rampant on Corinthian Spirits. As it turned out, Fligsive did them a solid, holding the league leaders to a second consecutive goalless draw. The gap at the top now reduced to a single point.

Elsewhere, Telecontare ran riot in Foxchester, while Itzallovalle got a surprise win over Crystal Mertagne and Firewood upset Bob’s Towing. Daii’s win keeps them the nearest rival to the top two, but they’re still a full ten points off the pace.

MATCHDAY 21
Fligsive FC (TCU) 2-2 AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
1830 Cathair FC (AUD) 2-1 Corinthian Spirits (STB)
Magnaeus City (TCU) 0-0 Tyrellia Titans (LGL)
Hastmead Diamante (OSR) 3-0 Draig Goch (LGL)
Iskara Daii (STB) 3-1 Lesko Pavillion (TCU)
Burgess FC (TCU) 1-1 Cazadores Cathair (AUD)
Communas Cougars (LGL) 3-0 Foxchester Raiders (STB)
International of Tyrellia (LGL) 2-2 Firewood City (OSR)
Telecontarë (STB) 2-3 KT Itzallovalle (AUD)
Bob's Towing (LGL) 1-0 Oljestaden IF (AUD)
Crystal Mertagne (TCU) 1-0 Westonbirt City (TCU)

Hastmead continue their goalscoring exploits with a three-nil defeata of Draig Goch, keeping them within one point of Cathair -- who also won, two-one against Corinthian Spirits -- at the top. Communas pick up another win, bringing them closer to one of the Champions Cup berths. Perhaps the sleeping giants have awoken.

Just ahead of them, Daii maintain their position of ten-points-off-the-top with another win, and Fligsive either drop two points or earn one depending on your perspective with a four-goal draw against Zozi. Given the latter’s form, it might be prudent to lean toward the former. At this juncture, it’s hard to say.

Tyrellia Titans, rooted to the foot of the table, hold Magnaeus to a goalless draw, but it’s not enough to move them up. Luckily for them, the teams nearby -- Draig Goch, Foxchester and Lesko -- all lost, so there is still a faint hope. Hope can do wonders, as Firewood City fans will tell you, now approaching midtable, despite their early season struggles.

#					Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	1830 Cathair FC (AUD)		21	15	4	2	44	12	+32	49
2	Hastmead Diamante (OSR)		21	15	3	3	37	10	+27	48
3	Iskara Daii (STB)		21	11	5	5	29	18	+11	38
4	Fligsive FC (TCU)		21	10	6	5	29	22	+7	36
5	Communas Cougars (LGL)		21	10	5	6	27	20	+7	35
6	Bob's Towing (LGL)		21	10	4	7	29	25	+4	34
7	Magnaeus City (TCU)		21	8	9	4	28	18	+10	33
8	KT Itzallovalle (AUD)		21	9	6	6	31	26	+5	33
9	Telecontarë (STB)		21	8	8	5	29	23	+6	32
10	AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)		21	9	5	7	27	21	+6	32
11	Crystal Mertagne (TCU)		21	9	3	9	24	29	−5	30
12	Firewood City (OSR)		21	8	5	8	31	30	+1	29
13	Westonbirt City (TCU)		21	7	6	8	18	22	−4	27
14	Cazadores Cathair (AUD)		21	7	5	9	17	26	−9	26
15	International of Tyrellia (LGL)	21	7	4	10	31	30	+1	25
16	Burgess FC (TCU)		21	5	10	6	24	25	−1	25
17	Corinthian Spirits (STB)	21	5	5	11	21	34	−13	20
18	Oljestaden IF (AUD)		21	3	9	9	13	27	−14	18
19	Lesko Pavillion (TCU)		21	3	9	9	14	29	−15	18
20	Foxchester Raiders (STB)	21	4	3	14	18	41	−23	15
21	Draig Goch (LGL)		21	3	5	13	18	36	−18	14
22	Tyrellia Titans (LGL)		21	1	9	11	13	28	−15	12

Meanwhile, in LigAnaia Two - Nacional have made the leap from eleventh to second in just ten matchdays, much to the delight of the Sunrisians. Tout-Puissant Hasiera cling on to their lead by a considerable margin, and by this point are the betting favourite to take to the top spot by the end of the season. UD Lopez has managed to hold well, beating back teams such as FC Southern Ninestar and Tenth Star Hasiera for the third place spot.

Further down the table, Kurtz Herritik's strong start seems not to have continued, as the team drops down to tenth, among faces such as Isle of Kjeligsted FC and Hallad Reavers. Shamrock continue their run of low-table nonsense, and at this stage are joined by a very dejected Lehen Neorudo. The Calanian Union capital team continue to disappoint, and are probably focused more on rebuilding the nation instead of sport, unlike Kurtz. While it's unlikely Lehen can move their way up the table, there are still many teams in with a shot at promotion.

#					Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Tout-Puissant Hasiera (AUD)	21	14	4	3	33	19	+14	46
2	Nacional (WSI)			21	11	4	6	24	15	+9	37
3	UD Lopez (PSL)			21	11	4	6	23	20	+3	37
4	FC Southern Ninestar (TCU)	21	10	6	5	31	21	+10	36
5	Grashoppers Turic (OSR)		21	9	8	4	24	16	+8	35
6	KT Ferremendiak (AUD)		21	10	5	6	29	23	+6	35
7	Tenth Star Hasiera (AUD)	21	9	6	6	26	20	+6	33
8	Batal (IBX)			21	8	8	5	29	25	+4	32
9	Isle of Kjeligsted FC (AUD)	21	8	7	6	24	22	+2	31
10	Kurtz Herritik (TCU)		21	7	9	5	22	13	+9	30
11	Hallad Reavers (STB)		21	7	9	5	23	18	+5	30
12	Coastal United (LGL)		21	8	6	7	19	19	+0	30
13	Utica United (OSR)		21	7	8	6	22	19	+3	29
14	KT Moreazerua (AUD)		21	8	5	8	23	26	−3	29
15	Bekknia FC (LGL)		21	7	6	8	18	21	−3	27
16	Montepool Waves (STB)		21	6	8	7	18	20	−2	26
17	Porto Vehlo (WSI)		21	7	4	10	21	24	−3	25
18	Hecia (STB)			21	5	7	9	16	25	−9	22
19	Athletico Gonzales (PSL)	21	4	9	8	18	25	−7	21
20	The Knights of Tiberia (LGL)	21	4	7	10	25	29	−4	19
21	Jhanna City (STB)		21	4	7	10	17	22	−5	19
22	Shamrock Cathair (AUD)		21	5	4	12	16	29	−13	19
23	Sayyaf (IBX)			21	4	6	11	18	34	−16	18
24	Lehen Neorudo (TCU)		21	3	5	13	13	27	−14	14