Commonwealth of Baker Park Sports News

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

FAC Academy League Review

Broadview AFC Academy won the 4th FAC Premier League, another close competition proving that youth development in the Commonwealth is strong and well balanced. Monmouth Park's Boys won the 2nd Division 'A' League, once again with a chasing pack close in tow.

PL                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Broadview AFC Coed          26   12   7   7    39   32   +7    43  IFCF Rising Stars Cup
 2 Southend AC Coed            26   12   6   8    45   39   +6    42
 3 East Endborough Coed        26   11   7   8    34   31   +3    40
 4 Shirley Metros Coed         26   12   3  11    55   42  +13    39
 5 Middletown City Coed        26   10   9   7    41   40   +1    39
 6 Newmarket Coed              26   10   9   7    38   33   +5    39
 7 Westwood Sprites Coed       26   10   8   8    44   38   +6    38
 8 Jamestown City Coed         26   10   6  10    39   39    0    36
 9 Clayton City Coed           26    8   9   9    42   35   +7    33
10 Bergholz Caledonian Coed    26    8   8  10    32   33   −1    32
11 Lima City United Coed       26    7  11   8    35   41   −6    32
12 Brentford Coed              26    6  10  10    31   45  −14    28
13 Forest Park Coed            26    4  14   8    29   35   −6    26
14 Leiderkranz Coed            26    6   5  15    26   47  −21    23

2A                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Monmouth Park Men           26   15   4   7    45   25  +20    49
 2 Asbury Park Men             26   15   3   8    45   35  +10    48
 3 Hillsborough Men            26   14   3   9    41   38   +3    45
 4 Victoria & Albert Men       26   13   5   8    39   31   +8    44
 5 Nor-Dale Men                26   12   4  10    44   47   −3    40
 6 North Lima Men              26   11   5  10    52   38  +14    38
 7 Dalton Town Men             26   10   8   8    44   39   +5    38
 8 Salisbury City Men          26   10   6  10    32   32    0    36
 9 St Warren City Men          26   10   4  12    41   48   −7    34
10 New Bremen Men              26   10   3  13    36   39   −3    33
11 St Pats Athletic Men        26    9   3  14    26   42  −16    30
12 Learfield FC Men            26    7   8  11    41   46   −5    29
13 Newport City Men            26    7   4  15    32   52  −20    25
14 Midtown Athletic Club Men   26    6   6  14    31   37   −6    24

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Mark Tolbert: "It seems a bit presumptuous to say, if you're a neutral observer..."
Craig Snyder: "Which no one has ever accused us of being..."

MT: "True, although I hope we've been given credit for being fair minded in good & bad times in the past. But I'll go out on a limb to say you'd be hard pressed to go back through the over 1650 matches played in this tournament to find one played at the same level of technical ability, athletic skill, and intensity of competition than this has turned out to be."

CS: "Regardless of what they do from here, Banija have to be considered at the very top of the sport since World Cup 85. It's taken the contributions of Trevor Richmond, Pam Scott, Ichi Tuzzio and now Jen Prescott to equal what Marcus Waters has done in the same time frame."

MT: "The final whistle here in Alnio, and Prescott & Waters exchange respectful congratulations and commiserations, as do the rest of the staffs. Pryna Rasanamira & Derion Hutchins embrace one another, Kelly O'Connell on a knee next to Zack Johnston, a few players from both sides saying a few words to Annabeth Westmoreland. Her record 121st cap ends in a bitter defeat, but she will go down as the greatest woman to have ever played soccer in Baker Park."

CS: "Her influence, her impact on the sport is unrivaled Mark. It's hard to say that Jamari Bozeman doesn't deserve the title of Baker Park's Greatest Player, but AB is maybe the only other person who should even be considered in a conversation about that."

MT: "Gentleman, sorry we couldn't deliver another amazing national team moment, sometimes the clock strikes midnight in the mid-afternoon. For Craig Snyder, I'm Mark Tolbert. The final from the RCK Field in Alnio, Chromatika was Baker Park 1, Banija 2. David Blake, back to you."

David Blake: "Mark, Craig...thank you for the call of the match and your always excellent analysis. Gary Kostka and Aiden Donnan here with me in the studio. On balance, a fair result?"

Gary Kostka: "Oh yeah, and it would've been the same if the score was reversed. As Mark said, this was more than just a hard fought 90 minutes for a spot in the World Cup Semi Final. These were two sides that had confidence in their systems, knew what to expect from the other, had world class players throughout the lineup, and managers who had the team prepared. They should put this in an archive as an example of how world class soccer is played."

Aiden Donnan: "And not just technique and skill, but aggressive while not being reckless or dirty; total fouls, BP 5, Banija 5. I'd bet that none of the rest of the matches today have fewer fouls over 90 minutes. But there's still that final hurdle needs to be conquered when we get to this stage. "

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

National Conference Season in Review

Great Northern RR FC, one of the charter members of the FAC, took the National Conference crown for the second season in a row and the third time in the last five years. The State University based club have been, along with Crusaders FC, one of the division's most consistent sides throughout the seven seasons.

Although it has not yet been announced, there will be another revamp of the Conference for next season, meaning GNRR, Crus and Haskins will have won all the titles under the current configuration.

Several clubs have made it known that there will be a clearout of players on their books, especially from other nations, as it's expected that a yet to be decided number of mixed gender entities will revert back to single gender play.

With the changes on the horizon, the Conference has given up their allocated place in the IFCF Liga B Champions Cup, which will now go to the third place WNL side.

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Great Northern         	42   30   7   5    88   42  +46    97
 2 Jacksonville City      	42   29   7   6    87   45  +42    94
 3 Castleford             	42   27   9   6   107   60  +47    90
 4 Haskins Blues          	42   27   7   8    94   55  +39    88
 5 Ellesmere Woods        	42   24   8  10    89   63  +26    80
 6 Crusaders FC           	42   21  14   7    91   55  +36    77
 7 Forest Park            	42   21  11  10    93   63  +30    74
 8 Broadview AFC          	42   21   6  15    96   77  +19    69
 9 Bergholz Caledonian    	42   20   8  14    70   52  +18    68
10 Far Hills              	42   19   9  14    96   74  +22    66
11 Sorenberg Park         	42   17  12  13    84   67  +17    63
12 Lima City United       	42   16   9  17    90   85   +5    57
13 Hannover United        	42   15   9  18    61   69   −8    54
14 Dalton United          	42   15   8  19    49   64  −15    53
15 Hardun AC              	42   16   5  21    71   71    0    53
16 Liberty FC             	42   11   8  23    44   80  −36    41
17 Greenville Twp         	42    9   9  24    33   69  −36    36
18 Paintersville FC       	42   10   5  27    47  102  −55    35
19 Pembroke St David's    	42    9   7  26    45   91  −46    34
20 Lower Valley Lions     	42    6  10  26    32   73  −41    28
21 Jennings Borough       	42    7   4  31    49   98  −49    25
22 Mooresville Celtic     	42    3   6  33    30   91  −61    15

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Women's National League Season Preview

The Women's National League begins it's second half century much as it did the during the 50th season, with a strong group of title contenders, and another group of bottom of the table clubs struggling to find the combination of luck & talent to move up the ladder. In between are the sides who are seemingly just a player or break away from crashing the top of the table party, only to find they've not made much progress at all.

16-20
It's hard to sort this pack out into positions, because they have been pretty close to one another for the past few years in terms of points; Linden Ladies and Llewellyn Turnpike are both going into their 3rd season of rebuilding under Holly Vandenberg and Ellen Cowan respectively; Riverside City will be under 2nd years boss Stefan Holmes, while Westwood Sprites will have a new manager in Cyndi Jordan, leaving Ridge Raiders with the only 'veteran' gaffer of the group, Nancy Shazier.

11-15
These clubs still have more questions than answers, but they are farther along in building process or are at least seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Shiloh and Southend Ladies are probably at a crossroads and the future of both Randi Champman and Tom Maloney at the respective clubs may depend on better finish than 15th; Jamestown City could use a bit more midfield support for Chandra Mack in front; Meadowdale are in their third season under Katie Halloran and it wouldn't be a complete shock if they snuck into the upper half of the table, and Hamilton Wanderers Ladies have been in the top 10 for the past few seasons, but they slip back only because a few others have made more progress.

6-10
The most intriguing group, these clubs are the dark horses if everything falls into place. East Endborough Ladies are hoping to build on last season's finish and reduce their goals against by another 8-10 just on having a year's experience with Danielle Gaines in net; Leiderkranz Ladies dropped off last term from their surprise runner-up finish in Donna Brown's first year, so what direction will they take in year 3? Shirley Metros Ladies are hoping to make a big leap towards the contenders, while Middletown City Women and Greenlea United should not to be taken lightly.

top 5
Alone among the title contenders, only Clayton City have not won the Championship in the last 10 seasons—their only 1st Division crown coming over 40 years ago—but they have a belief that they can jump past Newmarket Ladies or Brentford Ladies with an attack that is second only to Sherwood Forest Ladies. The two-time defending champions Ravens Ladies have the most balanced squad in the WNL, and now with the experience of sustaining a long IFCF campaign along with domestic fixtures, they will be expecting success on all fronts.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

FAC Youth Academy League Season Review

Now in it's fifth season, the Academy League has become an important tool for clubs to judge their prospects, as well as having more opportunities to scout out the competition.
Prior to its establishment, academy competition was handled very informally between clubs in close proximity to one another; only for the FAC Boys & Girls Youth Cups did academy sides travel more than an hour or so away from their facility.

Presently, 108 of the 128 Full Member clubs have a side in the competition--the Academy Premier League is made up of mixed-sex teams from clubs that have both men's and women's sides, or those in the National Conference that are fully integrated.
Division 2-A is for clubs that have only male enrollment, while below those "top tier" groups, there are 3 more 2nd Division competitions that attempt to be more regionally oriented. Promotion & relegation is a two track system--the three coed sides from the B,C,& D sections are promoted to the PL, while the top three all male sides advance to 2-A. There is also a 3rd division for smaller academies also regionally contained, with eight clubs moving up to replace eight at the bottom of the 'lower' 2nd Division leagues.

Westwood Sprites Coed took the Premier League title, adding their first hardware from league play to their trophy case which holds 10 FAC Youth Cups won in their history (7 boys, 3 girls). North Royalton Town ended the three year reign of Monmouth Park in 2-A, adding another trophy to go along with the 4 Boys Youth Cups they've won.

Premier League                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Westwood Sprites Coed       26   15   6   5    45   31  +14    51   IFCF Rising Stars Cup
 2 Middletown City Coed        26   14   7   5    42   29  +13    49
 3 Shirley Metros Coed         26   14   2  10    38   33   +5    44
 4 Broadview AFC Coed          26   11   7   8    37   35   +2    40
 5 Newmarket Coed              26   12   3  11    46   43   +3    39
 6 Clayton City Coed           26    9   7  10    37   34   +3    34
 7 Bergholz Caledonian Coed    26    9   7  10    33   34   −1    34
 8 Jamestown City Coed         26    9   7  10    35   37   −2    34
 9 East Endborough Coed        26    9   6  11    35   34   +1    33
10 Riverside City Coed         26    9   6  11    30   37   −7    33
11 Llewellyn Turnpike Coed     26    9   5  12    35   36   −1    32
12 Southend AC Coed            26    9   5  12    29   33   −4    32
13 Lima City United Coed       26    7   7  12    22   35  −13    28
14 Sorenberg Park Coed         26    6   5  15    26   39  −13    23

2A                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 North Royalton Town Men     26   16   2   8    48   36  +12    50
 2 Asbury Park Men             26   11   8   7    39   30   +9    41
 3 New Bremen Men              26   11   6   9    34   37   −3    39
 4 Victoria & Albert Men       26   11   6   9    42   37   +5    39
 5 St Pats Athletic Men        26   11   6   9    35   33   +2    39
 6 Sanborn Borough Men         26   10   8   8    33   32   +1    38
 7 Nor-Dale Men                26   10   8   8    33   25   +8    38
 8 Monmouth Park Men           26   11   4  11    40   37   +3    37
 9 Salisbury City Men          26    9   6  11    40   44   −4    33
10 Hillsborough Men            26    9   6  11    31   35   −4    33
11 Dalton Town Men             26    8   7  11    35   43   −8    31
12 Coolville United Men        26    8   6  12    34   36   −2    30
13 North Lima Men              26    6  12   8    36   34   +2    30
14 St Warren City Men          26    4   9  13    30   51  −21    21

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

National League Third Division Season Review

The Third Division has gotten the nickname "Guinea Pig League" as the format has changed several times since the separation of the National Conference from the League pyramid. Currently, there are two levels, with three clubs promoted to the 2nd Division from the upper level, and four clubs relegated to the FAC Shield from the lower level, in addition to 3 up/3 down movement between the halves.

There's a decided competitive imbalance that is centered on the division, although not reflective of the quality of play among the clubs through the season; there are a handful of clubs that have been promoted from the Shield, only to be relegated within a season or two, and then return again after a brief spell in the lowest tier. There is a similar problem with the 2nd/3rd division up & down circumstances, evidenced by the top four sides, all of which have been promoted then relegated within the last 4 seasons (Maineville have been up and back on three different occasions in the last decade.)

The Double E's held off a final day free for all to earn their spot in the Second Division, and Brentwood continues to search for a league to call home, having played in three different divisions in the last 6 seasons. St Pat's left Marauders looking at another year of clawing their way upwards, while bouncing straight back up, making it clean sweep of the top 3 returning after a single season away.

Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
 1 East Endborough AFC        	37   21  6 10  56  38  +18 69  Promoted to Second Division
 2 Brentwood Borough FC	        37   19 11  7  56  32  +24 68  Promoted to Second Division
 3 St Pats AC                	37   20  7 10  85  50  +35 67  Promoted to Second Division
 4 Maineville Marauders FC	37   18 13  6  80  57  +23 67
 5 Andover Borough SC           37   17  8 12  44  41   +3 59
 6 SK Leiderkranz-Turner      	37   18  4 15  65  61   +4 58
 7 Bridgend Metros FC         	37   14 10 13  65  64   +1 52
 8 Trinity FC                 	37   14  8 15  52  53   −1 50
 9 Kellerville AFC            	37   12 12 13  48  51   -3 48
10 Carlisle FC        		37   12  9 16  55  62   -7 45
11 Lewistown Town FC   	        37   13  5 19  77  86   -9 44
12 Forresters FC              	37   13  5 19  44  51   -7 44 
13 Fairport Harbor FC         	37   11 11 15  77  82   -5 44
14 Jamestown Rovers FC 	        37    8 13 16  59  80  -21 37  Relegated to Division 3-B
15 Sherwood Forest FC         	37    9  7 21  63  90  -27 34  Relegated to Division 3-B
16 Springfield City FC        	37    8  9 20  51  77  -26 33  Relegated to Division 3-B

Promotion Playoff (@ Salisbury Stadium)
St Pats AC 3–2 Maineville Marauders FC

Collinsville United are the poster children for promotion/relegation, and West Chester has joined them in the elevator.

Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts
 1 Maritime Athletic SC    	37  24  6  7   83  36  +47   78   Promoted to Division 3-A
 2 Greenlea United FC        	37  21 12  4   91  44  +47   75   Promoted to Division 3-A
 3 Principia SC               	37  23  4 10   85  56  +29   73   Promoted to Division 3-A
 4 Eastview SC                	37  19 11  7   67  43  +24   68
 5 Lynchana Borderers AC     	37  18 11  8   47  35  +12   65
 6 ROCK Utd FC                	37  15 11 11   53  48   +5   56
 7 Patterson Park FC          	37  16  3 18   77  81   −4   51
 8 Dragons FC                 	37  14  7 16   65  67   −2   49
 9 Westphalia County FC     	37  14 10 14   52  49   +3   49
10 Valley View SC           	37  13  9 15   47  53   -6   48
11 Engineers Club             	37  13  5 19   39  51  -12   44
12 Union Miners FC          	37  11  7 19   57  72  -15   40 
13 Western & Southern RR FC     37   9  9 19   28  58  -30   36 Relegated to FAC Shield
14 Collinsville United FC   	37   9  9 19   27  51  -24   36 Relegated to FAC Shield
15 West Chester FC          	37   9  5 23   37  83  -46   32 Relegated to FAC Shield
16 Charter Twp FC           	37   7  5 25   45  73  -28   26 Relegated to FAC Shield

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

National League Championship Preview

The question that is on everyone's mind heading into this season in the National League Championship is whether New Bremen can come up with another season like they had last year.

The champs cruised to their second title in five seasons by 10 points, extending their record of leading the division in goals against to eight straight, while Zach Johnston broke his own mark by allowing just 19 in the 34 match campaign. The offense has continued to excel with Tim Cassell up front and Idi Mboge bossing the middle of the park.

Among the holdover clubs, only one managerial change took place in the offseason, and it was a big one—Will Riordan called time on his 15 year tenure at Dalton Town after the club finished second for the fifth time in the last eight years. Eric Dunbar moves over from Kellerville AFC, whom he guided to the NL Trophy and just missed out on promotion to the 2nd Division.
That change might open the door for a few other sides to take up the lead of the chasing pack; Asbury Park look like the strongest of the bunch, which includes Shirley Metros, Southend AC and Ezriquay United.
The rest of the top half of the standings will probably be a battle of several other veteran bosses; Clayton City, Learfield and Midtown AC with Westwood Sprites and Llewellyn Turnpike all have the depth of talent and necessary experience to make a run at the top 5.

The capital and the Second City share the same problem with their marquee sides—Hillsborough and Victoria & Albert seem stagnant, which is troubling especially for the Coburgs as they head into their third season back in the top flight. In Endborough, Monmouth Park can't shake off the up & down cyclic course they've been on for most of the decade; they went from 5th two seasons ago to 16 last time out.

Marshallton bounced straight back after just one year in the second tier, but Rashad Damann will probably need to push the club away from relegation possibilities early if he expects to be back after his 7th season; Nor-Dale are back after 10 seasons away with confidence that they can grind out enough results to stabilize themselves for a second Championship season.

St Warren and Middlebourne AFC are the final two clubs in our preview, pitting two managers who are well know to one another; Steven Fleming has given several hints that this might be his final campaign at Mids, while his good friend James Martinelli begins his third year of rebuilding the Saints with more turnover on the roster in favor of academy products.

The basic info on all 18 clubs competing in the Commonwealth's top flight

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

FAC Shield Season Review

To the outsider, the Shield competition may seem to be a bit anachronistic and quaint; there are at least a dozen clubs who have never played in any other league in the National League pyramid, or have spent fewer than 5 seasons in a higher division in their history.

But within the Commonwealth, it remains a relatively popular draw at the box office; there are certainly very few fifth tier leagues in the multiverse can claim to have average attendances of 2-4,000 on a regular basis, but nostalgia runs strong in Baker Park. A survey conducted five years ago by the FAC of members of the official National Team Supporters Club showed that 60% of respondents said that their first in-person exposure to the sport was at an FAC Shield (or original Conference) match.

The season just concluded was a tale of two halves (of the leagues)--East Liverpool edged out Jeromesville, and fended off the other four clubs battling over two playoff berths, while Ridge Raiders built up comfortable gap and were threatened only by State University FC for the West title--leading to an intriguing matchup in the semis.

The clubs that formed as the result of the breakup of Hamilton Borough SC in 1957--Jeromesville and Ridge Raiders--squared off in a spirited West County derby, although the emotions were tempered by the knowledge that they would be facing each other in the Third Division.

East                      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 East Liverpool             34   23   4   7    66   42  +24    73
 2 Jeromesville FC            34   22   6   6    80   46  +34    72
 3 West Liberty Rovers FC     34   20   9   5    60   34  +26    69
 4 Center Point FC & RFC      34   21   6   7    80   52  +28    69
 5 McIlroy Station FC         34   20   8   6    71   43  +28    68
 6 Mansfield County SC        34   20   7   7    78   46  +32    67
 7 Maplewood AFC              34   14   9  11    57   55   +2    51
 8 Meadowlarks SC             34   14   6  14    48   42   +6    48
 9 St John's SC               34   13   7  14    42   50   −8    46
10 New Harmony                34   11  13  10    49   42   +7    46
11 Mel-Wood FC                34   12   8  14    43   50   −7    44
12 Blacksburg Area FC         34   11   7  16    48   56   −8    40
13 Milton AFC                 34   11   6  17    59   73  −14    39
14 Riverdale United FC        34    9   5  20    49   73  −24    32
15 Red Wing FC                34    9   4  21    44   67  −23    31
16 Tri-Village United FC      34    6  10  18    31   51  −20    28
17 New Richmond FC            34    3   8  23    40   80  −40    17
18 Spring Valley FC           34    2   7  25    13   56  −43    13

      West                   Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Ridge Raiders SC           34   25   5   4    98   53  +45    80
 2 State Univ                 34   23   6   5    71   33  +38    75
 3 Shiloh FC                  34   20   7   7    88   60  +28    67
 4 Berwick Rangers FC         34   20   6   8    72   42  +30    66
 5 Brecon Borough             34   16  10   8    46   38   +8    58
 6 Blue Aces SC               34   16   8  10    57   47  +10    56
 7 Linden Lions FC            34   14   8  12    62   54   +8    50
 8 Georgetown Athletic Club   34   13   9  12    43   50   −7    48
 9 RFCP AC                    34   13   7  14    43   49   −6    46
10 Independent Laborers AC    34   11   9  14    39   51  −12    42
11 Edgewood Eagles SC         34   12   4  18    56   60   −4    40
12 West Alden United FC       34   11   5  18    42   58  −16    38
13 Hampton SC                 34   10   7  17    46   67  −21    37
14 FC Monroe Central          34    8  11  15    37   50  −13    35
15 Battenberg Bruins SC       34    7  11  16    30   49  −19    32
16 East Linden SC             34    7   9  18    37   53  −16    30
17 Jaynesville SC             34    5  10  19    36   57  −21    25
18 Wagnerfield Kickers SC     34    6   6  22    50   82  −32    24

Playoff Semi-Final (all teams promoted to the 3rd Division)
1st Leg
State Univ 5–3 East Liverpool
Jeromesville FC 3–2 Ridge Raiders SC

2nd Leg
East Liverpool 2–2 State Univ (State University win 7-5 on agg)
Ridge Raiders SC 1–1 Jeromesville FC (Jeromesville win 4-3 on agg)

Final (@BBP Stadium, Belle Haven, att--60,654)
Jeromesville FC 5–3 State Univ

Jeromesville win the 74th FAC Shield competition, their second victory in five seasons as both finalists sought to take the crown for the second time in the decade.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

FAC Trophy Review

The FAC Shield and the 14 non-league clubs battled for the second oldest knockout trophy.

First Round
Deptford AC 0–0 Lake County FC (1–1 AET) (3–4 pen.)
Queens Park FC 4–2 RFCP AC
Linden Lions FC 1–0 Mel-Wood FC
Maplewood AFC 1–2 Center Point FC & RFC
Wagnerfield Kickers SC 0–0 Griffith Borough Amateurs FC (0–0 AET) (2–3 pen.)
Georgetown Athletic Club 0–0 Riverdale United FC (1–0 AET)
Tri-Village United FC 1–0 Alexandria Borough AFC
Hampton SC 6–0 Spring Valley FC
Ralston United FC 0–1 Blacksburg Area FC
Brecon Borough 0–1 West Oceana Athletic FC
Berwick Rangers FC 0–0 White River Twp FC (0–0 AET) (2–0 pen.)
Cloppenburg Township SC 0–1 FC Monroe Central
St John's SC 4–0 Hartley Community Club
New Richmond FC 3–2 Frankenburg AC
Milton AFC 4–1 Battenberg Bruins SC
Salisbury County FC 1–1 Albion Borough SC (2–2 AET) (4–2 pen.)
East Linden SC 0–1 Red Wing FC
Independent Laborers AC 3–4 Bowling Green FC

Second Round
New Harmony 2–2 West Liberty Rovers FC (4–3 AET)
Red Wing FC 0–1 St John's SC
Queens Park FC 1–1 Jaynesville SC (1–1 AET) (1–2 pen.)
McIlroy Station FC 1–2 Linden Lions FC
Salisbury County FC 0–2 Mansfield County SC
Berwick Rangers FC 2–0 Lake County FC
Jeromesville FC 5–2 New Richmond FC
Griffith Borough Amateurs FC 1–0 Edgewood Eagles SC
Blacksburg Area FC 3–1 Blue Aces SC
Hampton SC 1–1 Center Point FC & RFC (1–3 AET)
Ridge Raiders SC 1–1 Shiloh FC (1–3 AET)
Meadowlarks SC 1–0 Tri-Village United FC
West Alden United FC 2–1 East Liverpool
Bowling Green FC 2–2 FC Monroe Central (3–2 AET)
Georgetown Athletic Club 2–2 Milton AFC (3–3 AET) (3–4 pen.)
West Oceana Athletic FC 1–0 State Univ

Third Round
Meadowlarks SC 0–1 Linden Lions FC
Milton AFC 1–1 St John's SC (1–1 AET) (4–2 pen.)
Bowling Green FC 1–4 New Harmony
Mansfield County SC 3–1 West Oceana Athletic FC
Berwick Rangers FC 0–1 West Alden United FC
Griffith Borough Amateurs FC 0–1 Blacksburg Area FC
Jeromesville FC 1–2 Shiloh FC
Jaynesville SC 1–2 Center Point FC & RFC

Quarterfinal
West Alden United FC 0–0 Milton AFC (0–1 AET)
New Harmony 0–2 Linden Lions FC
Shiloh FC 1–2 Center Point FC & RFC
Mansfield County SC 1–3 Blacksburg Area FC

Semi-Final
Linden Lions FC 2–1 Blacksburg Area FC (@ Hamilton City Stadium)
Center Point FC & RFC 2–2 Milton AFC (2–2 AET) (3–2 pen.) (@ Riverside City Stadium)

Final (@BBP Stadium, Belle Haven--att 60,506)
Linden Lions FC 1–3 Center Point FC & RFC

Center Point win the 103rd FAC Trophy, their second win in five years. Lions were appearing in their first ever Cup Final, having only allowed 2 goals in their five matches.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

National League Trophy Review

Two-legged competition open to the 2nd & 3rd Division sides.

First Round, 1st Leg
Trinity FC 1–0 Riverside City FC
Kellerville AFC 3–0 Dragons FC
West Chester FC 0–1 Sherwood Forest FC
Brentwood Borough FC 1–0 Sanborn Borough SC
Western & Southern RR FC 0–1 Alton Athletic Club
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 2–0 Maritime Athletic SC
Andover Borough SC 0–1 East Endborough AFC
Springfield City FC 0–1 Carlisle FC
Ravens FC 3–1 Lewistown Town FC
Eastview SC 0–1 Valley View SC
Principia SC 2–4 North Royalton Town FC
Westphalia County FC 1–0 Collinsville United FC
Charter Twp FC 2–1 Meadowdale FC
Coolville United 2–0 Lynchana Borderers AC
Bridgend Metros FC 2–2 Fairport Harbor FC
Patterson Park FC 3–3 Union Miners FC
Maineville Marauders FC 3–3 Forresters FC
Engineers Club 2–2 St Pats AC
Jamestown Rovers FC 2–1 Greenlea United FC
Fairport City FC 1–0 ROCK Utd FC

2nd Leg
Riverside City FC 1–1 Trinity FC (Trinity win 2-1)
Dragons FC 0–2 Kellerville AFC (Kellerville win 5-0)
Sherwood Forest FC 1–1 West Chester FC (Sherwood Forest win 2-1)
Sanborn Borough SC 6–2 Brentwood Borough FC (Sanborn win 6-3)
Alton Athletic Club 3–1 Western & Southern RR FC (Alton win 4-1)
Maritime Athletic SC 2–2 SK Leiderkranz-Turner (Leiderkranz win 4-2)
East Endborough AFC 0–0 Andover Borough SC (E Endborough win 1–0)
Carlisle FC 1–1 Springfield City FC (Carlisle win 2-1)
Lewistown Town FC 0–0 Ravens FC (Ravens win 3-1)
Valley View SC 1–2 Eastview SC (drawn 2-2 on agg., Eastview win on away goals)
North Royalton Town FC 2–2 Principia SC (N Royalton win 6-4)
Collinsville United FC 0–0 Westphalia County FC (Westphalia win 1-0)
Meadowdale FC 3–1 Charter Twp FC (Meadowdale win 4-3)
Lynchana Borderers AC 1–3 Coolville United (Coolville Utd win 5-1)
Fairport Harbor FC 2–3 Bridgend Metros FC (Bridgend win 5-4)
Union Miners FC 4-2 Patterson Park FC (Union Miners win 7-5)
Forresters FC 5–5 Maineville Marauders FC (drawn 8-8 on agg., Maineville win on away goals)
St Pats AC 1–0 Engineers Club (St Pat's win 3-2)
Greenlea United FC 2–3 Jamestown Rovers FC (Greenlea United win 5-3)
ROCK Utd FC 4–1 Fairport City FC (ROCK Utd win 4-2)

Second Round, 1st Leg
North Royalton Town FC 2–1 Bridgend Metros FC
Maineville Marauders FC 4–1 St Pats AC
Linden Woods FC 4–5 Ravens FC
Carlisle FC 0–0 Greenlea United FC
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 0–0 Middletown City FC
Brentford FC 5–0 Eastview SC
North Lima SC 3–0 Sherwood Forest FC
Jamestown City FC 0–2 Meadowdale FC
Trinity FC 4–1 Alton Athletic Club
ROCK Utd FC 1–1 Salisbury City FC
Newmarket Saxons FC 4–1 East Endborough AFC
Coolville United 2–3 Richmond Station FC
Corinthians 2–3 Mansfield C&W FC
Kellerville AFC 1–0 Newport City FC
Hamilton Wanderers FC 3–3 Sanborn Borough SC
Westphalia County FC 1–0 Union Miners FC

2nd Leg
Bridgend Metros FC 3–4 North Royalton Town FC (N Royalton win 6-4)
St Pats AC 2–4 Maineville Marauders FC (Maineville win 8-3)
Ravens FC 0–1 Linden Woods FC (drawn 5-5 on agg., Ravens win on away goals)
Greenlea United FC 2–3 Carlisle FC (Carlisle win 3-2)
Middletown City FC 2–2 SK Leiderkranz-Turner (drawn 2-2 on agg., Leiderkranz win on away goals)
Eastview SC 1–2 Brentford FC (Brentford win 7-1)
Sherwood Forest FC 0–0 North Lima SC (N Lima win 3-0)
Meadowdale FC 1–3 Jamestown City FC (drawn 3-3 on agg., Jamestown City win on away goals)
Alton Athletic Club 2–2 Trinity FC (Trinity win 6-3)
Salisbury City FC 3–1 ROCK Utd FC (Salisbury City win 3-2)
East Endborough AFC 0–1 Newmarket Saxons FC (Newmarket win 5-1)
Richmond Station FC 1–0 Coolville United (Richmond Station win 4-2)
Mansfield C&W FC 3–4 Corinthians (drawn 6-6 on agg., Corinthians win on away goals)
Newport City FC 1–0 Kellerville AFC (drawn 1-1 on agg., Newport win 4-2 on pen)
Sanborn Borough SC 2–1 Hamilton Wanderers FC (Sanborn win 5-4)
Union Miners FC 3–1 Westphalia County FC (Union Miners win 3-2)

Third Round, 1st Leg
Ravens FC 4–0 Union Miners FC
Jamestown City FC 4–2 Richmond Station FC
Newport City FC 2–0 Salisbury City FC
Carlisle FC 0–1 SK Leiderkranz-Turner
Corinthians 1–2 North Lima SC
Brentford FC 0–0 Trinity FC
Newmarket Saxons FC 6–0 North Royalton Town FC
Sanborn Borough SC 3–1 Maineville Marauders FC

2nd Leg
Union Miners FC 2–2 Ravens FC (Ravens win 6-2)
Richmond Station FC 1–3 Jamestown City FC (Jamestown City win 7-3)
Salisbury City FC 3–1 Newport City FC (drawn 3-3 on agg., Newport win on away goals)
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 0–0 Carlisle FC (Leiderkranz win 1-0)
North Lima SC 0–1 Corinthians (drawn 2-2 on agg., N Lima win on away goals)
Trinity FC 1–4 Brentford FC (Brentford win 4-1)
North Royalton Town FC 1–0 Newmarket Saxons FC (Newmarket win 6-1)
Maineville Marauders FC 3–4 Sanborn Borough SC (Sanborn win 7-4)

Quarterfinal, 1st Leg
Newmarket Saxons FC 2–1 Sanborn Borough SC
Brentford FC 4–2 Ravens FC
Newport City FC 5–3 Jamestown City FC
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 0–0 North Lima SC

2nd Leg
Sanborn Borough SC 3–1 Newmarket Saxons FC (Sanborn win 4-3)
Ravens FC 3–5 Brentford FC (Brentford win 9-5)
Jamestown City FC 3–2 Newport City FC (Newport win 7-6)
North Lima SC 0–0 SK Leiderkranz-Turner (drawn 0–0 on agg., N Lima win on 4–3 pen.)

Semi-Final, 1st Leg
Brentford FC 2–5 Newport City FC
North Lima SC 0–1 Sanborn Borough SC

2nd Leg
Newport City FC 0–0 Brentford FC (Newport win 5-2)
Sanborn Borough SC 0–2 North Lima SC (N Lima win 2-1)

Final (@BBP Stadium, Belle Haven--att 61,951)
North Lima SC 0–1 Newport City FC

Newport City win the 55th National League Trophy, their second victory in the competition. Both finalists needed the luck of an away goal win and penalties on their runs.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Second Division Season Review

Middletown City bounce straight back to the Championship after holding off Newport City, North Lima and Brentford to take the title. At the bottom of the table, Coolville United, Ravens and Alton head back to the 3rd Division to start the climb once more.

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Middletown City FC       	38   24   6   8    97   63  +34    78
 2 Newport City FC          	38   21  12   5    65   41  +24    75
 3 North Lima SC            	38   21  10   7    41   24  +17    73
 4 Brentford FC             	38   21  10   7    94   68  +26    73
 5 Salisbury City FC        	38   19  12   7    86   66  +20    69
 6 Corinthians              	38   20   6  12    88   75  +13    66
 7 Jamestown City FC        	38   17   8  13    82   73   +9    59
 8 Newmarket Saxons FC          38   18   5  15    86   72  +14    59
 9 Linden Woods FC          	38   18   5  15    92   89   +3    59
10 North Royalton Town FC       38   15  13  10    79   65  +14    58
11 Richmond Station FC      	38   15  11  12    78   74   +4    56
12 Hamilton Wanderers FC  	38   15   9  14    77   67  +10    54
13 Sanborn Borough SC       	38   15   9  14   109  102   +7    54
14 Riverside City FC        	38   12  11  15    64   69   −5    47
15 Mansfield C&W FC         	38   12  10  16    60   67   −7    46
16 Meadowdale FC            	38   10  10  18    66   81  −15    40
17 Fairport City FC         	38    9   8  21    49   65  −16    35
18 Ravens FC                	38    5  10  23    40   85  −45    25
19 Coolville United         	38    5   6  27    59   89  −30    21
20 Alton Athletic Club      	38    2   1  35    26  103  −77     7

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

FAC Women's Cup Review

First Round
Westwood Sprites Ladies FC 1–0 Middletown City FC Women
Greenlea United Ladies SC 2–0 Sherwood Forest Ladies FC
Riverside City Ladies FC 5–5 Mel-Wood FC Ladies
Llewellyn Turnpike Ladies FC 3–1 New Richmond FC Ladies
White River Women FC 1–0 Salisbury County FC Ladies
Triad Rovers SC 0–2 Linden Ladies FC
Georgetown Athletic Club Ladies 5–6 Shiloh FC Ladies
Leiderkranz Ladies SC 3–0 Mansfield Ladies SC
Nor-Dale Ladies AFC 1–2 Suburban Ladies SC
St Warren FC Women 3–2 Queens Park SC Women
Newmarket Ladies SC 3–0 Meadowdale Ladies FC
Newport Ladies FC 0–1 Brentford Ladies FC
E Endborough Ladies FC 2–0 Southend AC Ladies
Ravens FC Ladies 2–3 Clayton City Ladies FC
Shirley Metros Ladies FC 2–2 Hamiliton Wanderers Ladies SC
Ridge Raiders Ladies FC 6–4 Jamestown City Ladies FC

Replays
Mel-Wood FC Ladies 1–4 Riverside City Ladies FC
Hamiliton Wanderers Ladies SC 3–2 Shirley Metros Ladies FC

Second Round
Brentford Ladies FC 3–2 Newmarket Ladies SC
Leiderkranz Ladies SC 2–1 Llewellyn Turnpike Ladies FC
Linden Ladies FC 3–0 Suburban Ladies SC
Shiloh FC Ladies 0–0 Hamiliton Wanderers Ladies SC
Greenlea United Ladies SC 0–1 Ridge Raiders Ladies FC
Westwood Sprites Ladies FC 2–2 E Endborough Ladies FC
White River Women FC 1–1 Riverside City Ladies FC
St Warren FC Women 1–2 Clayton City Ladies FC

Replays
Hamiliton Wanderers Ladies SC 1–2 Shiloh FC Ladies
E Endborough Ladies FC 0–1 Westwood Sprites Ladies FC
Riverside City Ladies FC 3–2 White River Women FC

Quarterfinal
Shiloh FC Ladies 2–1 Linden Ladies FC
Leiderkranz Ladies SC 4–1 Ridge Raiders Ladies FC
Brentford Ladies FC 2-4 Riverside City Ladies FC
Clayton City Ladies FC 1–1 Westwood Sprites Ladies FC

Replay
Westwood Sprites Ladies FC 3–1 Clayton City Ladies FC

Semi-Final (@BBP Stadium, Belle Haven)
Leiderkranz Ladies SC 1–2 Shiloh FC Ladies
Westwood Sprites Ladies FC 1–3 Riverside City Ladies FC

Final (@BBP Stadium, Belle Haven att-60,391)
Riverside City Ladies FC 1–1 Shiloh FC Ladies (1–1 AET) (7–6 pen.)

Riverside City Ladies win the 51st FAC Women's Cup, defeating Shiloh after a penalty shootout. It's the third time RivCity have taken the trophy, their first in 15 years; for Shiloh, it's their second runner-up finish in the last five seasons.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Women's National League Season Review

It was deja vu again, as Ravens Ladies edged out Sherwood Forest and Brentford to claim their 3rd consecutive title--the first club in history to achieve a trifecta--and fourth in eight seasons.
They will lead a trio into the IFCF Liga B Champions Cup, as Brentford Ladies will take the third sport formerly reserved for the National Conference winner.

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Ravens FC Ladies                38   26   5   7    87   46  +41    83  Liga B CC
 2 Sherwood Forest Ladies FC       38   24   8   6    94   48  +46    80  Liga B CC
 3 Brentford Ladies FC             38   24   7   7    83   54  +29    79  Liga B CC
 4 Clayton City Ladies FC          38   24   6   8    92   60  +32    78
 5 Middletown City FC Women        38   24   5   9    87   56  +31    77
 6 Greenlea United Ladies SC       38   22   6  10    82   50  +32    72
 7 Newmarket Ladies SC             38   18  10  10    78   55  +23    64
 8 Hamiliton Wanderers Ladies SC   38   17   8  13    79   65  +14    59
 9 Leiderkranz Ladies SC           38   18   5  15    79   77   +2    59
10 Shirley Metros Ladies FC        38   17   5  16    69   69    0    56
11 Meadowdale Ladies FC            38   13   9  16    65   75  −10    48
12 Jamestown City Ladies FC        38   11  12  15    76   82   −6    45
13 E Endborough Ladies FC          38   12   8  18    35   55  −20    44
14 Ridge Raiders Ladies FC         38   12   7  19    57   75  −18    43
15 Shiloh FC Ladies                38   11   7  20    57   70  −13    40
16 Westwood Sprites Ladies FC      38    7   9  22    61   93  −32    30
17 Southend AC Ladies              38    6  10  22    53   84  −31    28
18 Riverside City Ladies FC        38    6  10  22    52   89  −37    28
19 Linden Ladies FC                38    5  10  23    25   59  −34    25
20 Llewellyn Turnpike Ladies FC    38    5   9  24    39   88  −49    24

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

FAC Cup Review

1st Preliminary Round
Lynchana Borderers AC 4–3 Edgewood Eagles SC
White River Twp FC 1–2 Shiloh FC
Brecon Borough 1–0 Berwick Rangers FC
Griffith Borough Amateurs FC 1–2 Queens Park FC
Charter Twp FC 1–2 Union Miners FC
RFCP AC 1–0 Red Wing FC
St John's SC 1–0 Frankenburg AC
Greenlea United FC 1–0 Battenberg Bruins SC
West Alden United FC 1–0 West Liberty Rovers FC
Maritime Athletic SC 1–1 Dragons FC
Valley View SC 4–2 Maplewood AFC
Riverdale United FC 2–1 Blacksburg Area FC
FC Monroe Central 1–1 New Harmony
Engineers Club 1–1 East Linden SC
Bowling Green FC 6–1 Tri-Village United FC
Jeromesville FC 3–1 Ridge Raiders SC
Spring Valley FC 0–1 East Liverpool
State Univ 0–0 ROCK Utd FC
Independent Laborers AC 0–0 Mel-Wood FC
Hampton SC 3–2 Jaynesville SC
Carlisle FC 5–1 Lake County FC
Western & Southern RR FC 1–1 Mansfield County SC
Linden Lions FC 1–1 McIlroy Station FC
Blue Aces SC 1–1 Ralston United FC
Eastview SC 4–0 Salisbury County FC
Cloppenburg Township SC 2–2 Wagnerfield Kickers SC
Center Point FC & RFC 1–2 West Chester FC
Albion Borough SC 0–0 Collinsville United FC
New Richmond FC 2–0 Georgetown Athletic Club
Meadowlarks SC 1–0 Alexandria Borough AFC
Hartley Community Club 0–1 Deptford AC
Milton AFC 4–3 West Oceana Athletic FC

Replays
Dragons FC 0–0 Maritime Athletic SC (2–1 AET)
New Harmony 2–0 FC Monroe Central
East Linden SC 0–1 Engineers Club
ROCK Utd FC 3–1 State Univ
Mel-Wood FC 0–0 Independent Laborers AC (0–0 AET) (1–3 pen.)
Mansfield County SC 3–1 Western & Southern RR FC
McIlroy Station FC 2–4 Linden Lions FC
Ralston United FC 0–0 Blue Aces SC (0–0 AET) (4–5 pen.)
Wagnerfield Kickers SC 1–3 Cloppenburg Township SC
Collinsville United FC 1–1 Albion Borough SC (3–2 AET)


2nd Preliminary Round
Collinsville United FC 1–0 Maineville Marauders FC
New Harmony 2–2 Greenlea United FC
Union Miners FC 1–1 Fairport Harbor FC
Lynchana Borderers AC 2–0 Springfield City FC
Valley View SC 3–1 Eastview SC
Brecon Borough 3–0 Cloppenburg Township SC
Dragons FC 1–1 St John's SC
West Alden United FC 1–0 Principia SC
Deptford AC 2–1 Meadowlarks SC
Bridgend Metros FC 2–1 West Chester FC
Hampton SC 2–1 Carlisle FC
Shiloh FC 1–2 SK Leiderkranz-Turner
Blue Aces SC 1–0 Bowling Green FC
Trinity FC 1–0 Queens Park FC
Andover Borough SC 4–0 RFCP AC
Sherwood Forest FC 2–0 Linden Lions FC
Riverdale United FC 4–2 East Liverpool
Westphalia County FC 5–2 New Richmond FC
Lewiston Town FC 1–1 Jamestown Rovers FC
Engineers Club 2–1 ROCK Utd FC
Jeromesville FC 3–1 Forresters FC
Independent Laborers AC 1–3 Milton AFC
Mansfield County SC 1–6 Patterson Park FC

Replays
Fairport Harbor FC 2–1 Union Miners FC
St John's SC 1–1 Dragons FC (1–1 AET) (2–3 pen.)
Jamestown Rovers FC 1–1 Lewiston Town FC (4–2 AET)
Greenlea United FC 2–1 New Harmony

Qualifying Round
Liberty FC 4–0 Brecon Borough FC
Greenlea United FC 2–0 Sherwood Forest FC
Deptford FC 0–2 Paintersville FC
St Pats AC 4–1 Far Hills
Hardun AC 1–1 North Royalton Town FC
Dalton United 1–2 Bergholz Caledonian
Fairport Harbor FC 1–1 West Alden United
Sorenberg Park 3–0 Pembroke St David's
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 1–0 Lynchana Borderers AC
Castleford 1–1 Hannover United
Greenville Twp 1–0 Collinsville United FC
Mooresville Celtic 1–0 Jamestown Rovers FC
Lower Valley Lions 0–1 Dragons FC
East Endborough AFC 1–1 Ravens FC
Trinity FC 3–0 Blue Aces FC
Broadview AFC 2–2 Engineers Club
Westphalia County FC 2–2 Haskins Blues
Patterson Park FC 3–2 Riverdale United
Alton Athletic Club 0–1 Bridgend Metros FC
Jeromesville FC 0–2 Forest Park
Crusaders FC 4–2 Milton AFC
Ellesmere Woods 0–0 Valley View SC
Great Northern 2–2 Jacksonville City
Kellerville AFC 0–0 Jennings Borough
Hampton FC 0–2 Brentwood Borough
Lima City United 1–2 Andover Borough SC

Replays
North Royalton Town FC 3–2 Hardun AC
West Alden United 1–1 Fairport Harbor FC (1–3 AET)
Hannover United 1–0 Castleford
Ravens FC 1–0 East Endborough AFC
Engineers Club 2–0 Broadview AFC
Haskins Blues 3–1 Westphalia County FC
Valley View SC 0–2 Ellesmere Woods
Jacksonville City 1–1 Great Northern (1–2 AET)
Jennings Borough 2–0 Kellerville AFC

First Round
Mooresville Celtic 0–0 Fairport Harbor FC
Bridgend Metros FC 0–0 SK Leiderkranz-Turner
Sorenberg Park 1–2 Ravens FC
Great Northern 4–2 Hannover United
Engineers Club 1–0 Ellesmere Woods
Jennings Borough 0–2 Haskins Blues
Bergholz Caledonian 3–4 North Royalton Town FC
Forest Park 4–2 Trinity FC
Patterson Park FC 2–2 Greenlea United FC
St Pats AC 2–1 Brentwood Borough
Andover Borough SC 1–0 Greenville Twp
Paintersville FC 1–3 Crusaders FC
Liberty FC 2–3 Dragons FC

Replays
Fairport Harbor FC 2–1 Mooresville Celtic
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 0–0 Bridgend Metros FC (0–1 AET)
Greenlea United FC 2–1 Patterson Park FC

Second Round
Brentford FC 4–3 Dragons FC
Greenlea United FC 3–0 Fairport Harbor FC
Jamestown City FC 4–3 Hamilton Wanderers FC
Forest Park 3–1 Haskins Blues
Mansfield C&W FC 1–2 Marshallton Athletic
Coolville United 1–0 Alton Athletic Club
Ravens FC 0–1 North Royalton Town FC
Engineers Club 0–1 Richmond Station FC
Salisbury City FC 5–3 Middletown City FC
Andover Borough SC 1–2 Bridgend Metros FC
Riverside City FC 3–1 Sanborn Borough SC
Fairport City FC 1–0 Crusaders FC
Meadowdale FC 0–0 St Pats AC
Corinthians 4–2 Newport City FC
Newmarket Saxons FC 1–2 Great Northern
Nor-Dale AFC 0–2 North Lima SC

Replay
St Pats AC 4–2 Meadowdale FC

Third Round
Llewellyn Turnpike SC 2–1 Victoria & Albert SC
Dalton Town FC 2–4 Westwood Sprites
Corinthians FC 3–1 Clayton City SC
Middlebourne City AFC 2–1 North Royalton Town
Jamestown City FC 2–1 Learfield FC
Brentford FC 2–1 North Lima
Salisbury City FC 2–1 St Pats AC
Midtown Athletic Club 1–0 Great Northern RR
New Bremen FC 0–1 Southend AC
Marshallton Athletic SC 1–2 Richmond Station
Monmouth Park FC 4–2 Shirley Metros FC
St Warren City FC 5–3 Hillsborough FC
Coolville United 1–2 Eqriquay United FC
Riverside City FC 2–3 Asbury Park FC
Bridgend Metros 4–4 Greenlea United
Fairport City 2–1 Forest Park SC

Replay
Greenlea United 1–4 Bridgend Metros

Fourth Round
Southend AC 3–3 Midtown Athletic Club
St Warren City FC 2–1 Salisbury City FC
Corinthians FC 0–0 Fairport City
Asbury Park FC 4–3 Westwood Sprites
Eqriquay United FC 5–2 Bridgend Metros
Richmond Station 2–2 Jamestown City FC
Middlebourne City AFC 1–2 Llewellyn Turnpike SC
Monmouth Park FC 3–2 Brentford FC

Replays
Midtown Athletic Club 4–6 Southend AC
Fairport City 1–0 Corinthians FC
Jamestown City FC 1–0 Richmond Station

Quarterfinal
Southend AC 0–1 Llewellyn Turnpike SC
Jamestown City FC 3–3 Eqriquay United FC
Asbury Park FC 5–2 Monmouth Park FC
St Warren City FC 1–3 Fairport City

Replay
Eqriquay United FC 0–1 Jamestown City FC

Semi-Final (@BBP Stadium, Belle Haven)
Jamestown City FC 1–2 Llewellyn Turnpike SC
Fairport City 1–0 Monmouth Park FC

Final (@BBP Stadium--att 70,467)
Llewellyn Turnpike SC 2–2 Fairport City (2–2 AET) (5–4 pen.)

Llewellyn Turnpike win the 120th FAC Cup after a thrilling match against first time Finalists Fairport City. It was the third victory for Pike, and fittingly came on the 70th Anniversary--to the day!-- of their first triumph over Westwood Sprites in 1958 at Sportsmen's Park, and 7 years after their last win, the year they did the National League Trophy/FAC Cup double.

They eliminated the holders V&A in their first outing, the first of fourth straight one-goal wins prior to the Final.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

National League Championship Season Review

Learfield FC took their third title in seven seasons, in an uncharacteristic dominating performance where they led the table from wire to wire; they didn't lose a match in the second half of the season (15W, 2D) to set a record for the largest gap at the top for an 18 team league.
New Bremen, Southend AC and Dalton Town will represent the NL in the Challengers Cup while Learfield tackles the IFCF Champions League and the AO Champions League.

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Learfield FC              	34   28   2  4    87   40  +47    86  Champions League
 2 New Bremen FC            	34   22   6  6    41   14  +27    72  Challengers Cup
 3 Southend AC               	34   21   5  8    69   42  +27    68  Challengers Cup
 4 Dalton Town FC          	34   19   6  9    79   54  +25    63  Challengers Cup
 5 Asbury Park FC            	34   19   5 10    73   58  +15    62
 6 Clayton City SC           	34   16  10  8    53   38  +15    58
 7 Shirley Metros FC         	34   17   5 12    61   42  +19    56
 8 Midtown Athletic Club     	34   14  10 10    71   62   +9    52
 9 Eqriquay United FC        	34   16   3 15    68   57  +11    51
10 Monmouth Park FC          	34   12   6 16    63   77  −14    42
11 Hillsborough FC           	34   10  11 13    54   60   −6    41
12 Llewellyn Turnpike SC     	34   10  11 13    63   71   −8    41  Cup Winners Cup
13 St Warren City FC         	34   10   7 17    49   60  −11    37
14 Victoria & Albert SC      	34    9   9 16    56   67  −11    36
15 Nor-Dale AFC              	34    8   7 19    29   57  −28    31
16 Westwood Sprites          	34    8   5 21    29   58  −29    29
17 Marshallton Athletic SC   	34    4   7 23    37   84  −47    19
18 Middlebourne City AFC        34    1   9 24    28   69  −41    12

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

© Sporting Times Weekend 2021
General Conference completes another full agenda
by Fiona Devlin, National Soccer Writer

The Football Association of the Commonwealth's 123rd General Conference at the Jacksonville Expo Center didn't disappoint observers with the amount of business that was transacted over the 3 1/2 day meeting, ranging in interest with topics from the critical to the mundane.

General Secretary Allison LeFleur opened the proceedings with a review of the financial health of the association, reporting another year of record setting revenues across the board with domestic income up 3.5% and internationally a rise of 6.3%; the expected return to clubs ahead of the upcoming season increasing by around 4% on average across the National League, Conference and FAC Shield.

As a comparison, for the period ending post World Cup 81, a total of $106.3 million was distributed on revenues of $156 million, with the FAC receiving approximately $10.8 million from the NS World Cup Committee; following World Cup 88, the amount allocated from the NSWC was $74.7 million and the total club payment fund is in excess of $200 million on $311 million in total FAC revenue.

The reorganization of the National Conference and the adjustments made to the rest of the National League pyramid was unveiled, which will see nine clubs return to single gender play, with New Richmond FC combining their men & women to shift to the mixed gender league to make up a 14 club division. Four clubs--Lower Valley Lions, Hardun AC, Paintersville FC and Pembroke St David's--will return to the Third Division, while Dalton United, Greenville Twp, Liberty United, Jennings Borough and Mooresville Celtic will be assigned to the Shield. PSD will spin off their women's department into a non-league club to replace New Richmond and the future of various co-ed academies will be decided on a club by club basis.

The Conference also approved the permanent change to the official FAC crest to incorporate the orange & blue star signifying the AOCAF 62 Championship, in addition to approving new primary sponsorships for the FAC Cup, FAC Women's Cup and the FAC Trophy.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Coaches still a FAC export commodity
Oliver Stanley
The Post Soccer Correspondent

In the leadup to the beginning of qualification for World Cup 89, and the approach of another National League season coinciding with international club competition for several domestic clubs, plenty of words will be written about the players who will play important roles for club and country; probably fewer words will be composed to discuss another group of men & women who also loom large in the sport across national and organizational lines.

While much attention was focused here in the Commonwealth on the AOCAF Championships in Equestria as well as the AOlympic Games featuring regional championships in several sports, there were other regional tourneys taking place, with connections to Baker Park that might have fallen under the radar.

The Copa Rushmori in Mytanjia has always been seen as the second toughest regional, although that will be up for debate now with the CAFA Cup featuring the Foxchester nations in the discussion; Cassadaigua and Valladares were drawn into Group B, with both advancing to the knockout rounds and the Fillies--with former BPNT captain Matt Villareal continuing his loan at CASE as an assistant--all the way to the Final, where they fell to Sargossa 1-0. Valladares continue to have the former Cassadaigan defender Jessica Curran in charge following her tenure at Birkenfeld where she was part of the staff for the AOCAF 60 bronze medalists.

In Poafmersia, the Independent Associations Championship completed it's 13th edition, crowning a first time champion from Indusse, who were led by the manager hired prior to the last Cup of Harmony, former BPNT assistant manager Shane Newman. It was a deserved rehabilitation of his reputation following his stint in Hayvnwilde and the circumstances of his dismissal, with the nation's first major championship providing momentum heading into the WC89 cycle.

The only other national team gaffer from BP is Kate DiMarini in Zwangzug, which hasn't hasn't competed since the end of the last World Cup cycle.

On the club scene, four Parkers continue to produce sides that will participate in IFCF competition in the new season; former NT assistant manager Will Barnard at Gunzlach in Graintfjell, Zoe Montgomery at Bakersmout in the Euran Ocenaia Territories, ex-Monmouth Park skipper Larry Bryson at Megabrantid in the Squornshelan Remnant States, and former Marshallton and North Royalton Town boss Rob Alexander at St John's Arsenal, the legendary Quebec club that was relegated from the top flight for the first time in their history in Alexander's debut campaign, but bounced straight back up and will be entered in the Liga B Champions Cup.

Missing from this list is the most glaring omission of all, as Pam Scott has left the Farfadillis National Team by mutual consent with the FFFF; the decision was taken after the elimination of the Farfs from the World Cup, but she stayed on through the recent AO tournament, where the side were knocked out in the Round of 16 after a perfect record in the group stage.
Scott amassed a record of 76 wins, 19 draws and 25 defeats in 120 matches in charge of La Vherderoja, with a runner-up finish in Eagles Cup VIII and 4th Place in World Cup 86 along with quarterfinal appearances in World Cup 87 and AOCAF 62.

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Prescott chasing century, Scott
Scott McCrae
The Daily Mail National Soccer Writer

We've been invited to Riverside City for an early evening "light dinner" at Paulie's Public House, just a block from the river itself, for the first sit down interview Baker Park National Team manager Jen Prescott has granted since before World Cup 88 qualifying.

It's just 5pm when I walk in after making my way the few blocks from the Riverside Central Metro station, and Prescott is holding forth at the far end of the bar with several employees and patrons; once the introductions are made, we are shown to a booth that definitely gives off the vibe of being a VIP privacy area.

SM: "Thank you for the invite. Apparently I'm the only first-timer here?"
JP: "It's my pleasure Scott. I worked here as a waitress after I was let go by Riv City Ladies, and then after I started at (University of) Belle Haven I came back the first summer to work, and they let me learn to bartend as well."

There is less known about Jennifer Prescott's biography prior to her hiring as a youth development coach than every other major figure at Birkenfeld; she's never really talked about her life before beginning as a part time age group instructor while Penny Kingsley was the Women's NT manager.

SM: "A useful skill, so I've been told."
JP: (laughs) "I made a few dollars at it through the rest of my uni days. But David (Gomes, the owner who took over the business from his father and the namesake of the bar, Paolo) remembered me once I started getting coverage in the papers, especially after the 18's (SWC 5, the first mixed gender squad that also won the FAC's first international silverware), and has always welcomed me like an old family friend here."

To understand Jennifer Prescott deeper than the persona she displays as the Commonwealth's 27th National Team boss, you have to go on a journey back to where she came from.
Northwood is a community of around 11,000 that is about 30 miles west northwest of Lima, that grew from a stop on the Northern Line, then boomed in the 1960's after the A-92 was completed just to the south; Victoria County North High School is located here, where the other three Prescott daughters graduated from--Deborah, the oldest; Monica, who is three years younger than Jennifer; and Sandra, the youngest by two more years. The family patriarch, Nick, was an insurance claims adjuster and wife Rachel worked at a bank branch.

SM: "I've heard you say that you were a terrible player, but you were an academy graduate and signed a pro contract afterwards."
JP: "That's when I figured out how bad I really was! (laughs) Obviously leaving home and going to Crus was not a smart move on my part; I worked hard but I didn't have as much athletic ability as I thought I did in high school. The fact they didn't offer a pro deal should've been my clue, but Riv City's academy wasn't much better and they needed depth which is why they signed me. I wasn't cut out to be a fullback in the women's league."

SM: "Do you think if you'd gone the college route instead it would've been better?"
JP: "Obviously since no one recruited me, it's a moot point. Another girl who was my age at Crus got an offer to play at St Warren, who were pretty bad at time, so it was easy for me to see that I wasn't on anyone's radar."

SM: "Did your family ever say, 'come back home, you still have your life ahead of you?' or was that not something you were prepared to do?"
JP: "Once I told my parents that I'd applied to (UBH), they were fine with me staying but I'm sure they worried that I hadn't learned anything in three years about making better decisions than when I was Hardhead Jenny."
SM: "You don't seem like a 'Jenny' to me, I imagined you were always Jennifer or Jen."
JP: "No one outside of my family ever called me that, but we hardly ever called one another by our proper names. It was always Debbie, Jenny, Monnie and Sandy among us and Mom & Dad."

Prescott took her degree in Economics and went back to Northwood to figure out her next step.

(continued in part 2)

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Prescott speaks (again!), Part 2
Scott McCrae
The Daily Mail National Soccer Writer

SM: "So you're back in Northwood, and you got the itch to play again?"
JP: "My youngest sister was waiting out the summer to head off to Ezra State and she was playing in this kickaround league with some of her ex-teammates and other girls killing time, so she invited me along. There were a few other girls I knew from VCN, it was good to get back into the local scene. But it was a fairly transient group, girls came and left. I only played about 5 or 6 matches before I got a job."

Prescott interviewed for two different positions on a week long trip to Springfield & Endborough, receiving an offer for the latter job within a day after she'd returned home. It was the beginning of her journey towards a return to the sport, although it wasn't apparent at the time.

SM: "Talk a bit about the six years in Endborough, because it seems that's where your normal, orderly career track public servant job took a detour."
JP: (laughs) "That's a very interesting way of describing it. I started at the White River Economic Development Council, which was a state agency for promoting, obviously, economic opportunities throughout central Endover. It was interesting work, and I had plenty of free time, so I decided to find a way to continue the kickaround league lark. (laughs) I even bartended for a bit, just because I missed it, not because I needed the money. Three really great years in my mid-20's that anyone would probably love to have."

SM: "You are pretty private when it comes to talking about your family, but I've been fortunate to have had informal discussions with you where your pride comes through. If you want to share a bit of that with the readers, or if you'd rather not that's fine too."
JP: "Scott, I knew you were going to be a little shit at some point.(She smiles broadly) As you know--and are forcing me to say on the record (laughs)--they are my everything, and in this narrative that you're constructing, they have been the most enjoyable part of the detour that's led from the WREDC to the FAC. When I'm able to look at things with the benefit of hindsight, there is almost a causation that can be drawn from the most important times of my life."

Prescott met her future husband as a result of her 'kickaround hobby; he was a referee in the Endborough Civil Service League (she'd been invited to play with one of the State Government clubs after her "three great years" mentioned earlier) where the competition was bit more serious, but 'fraternization' was more common as well.

SM: "You moved over to a women's club in the Endborough Civil Service League. where they didn't--and don't--play for funsies; they have FAC Senior Cup winners."
JP: "Oh my god, yes. I'm thinking 'we didn't care this much at RivCity'.(laughs) Just Kidding!" (she shouts over her shoulder to the others who have no idea what's she's referring to.) "You'd go and kick each other around for 80 minutes then everyone would sit around and drink and laugh telling stories for another 3 hours. But Eric comes over to talk to 3 or 4 of us, and I've forgotten that he was the assistant ref in the match we just played. (laughs) Long story short, he asks if we could go for a drink sometime and I accept."

They were married 15 months later and welcomed their first child, Nick the year after that.

SM: "By the time your oldest son was born, you were just several months away from beginning down the path to where we sit right now. He's only had memories of his mom as a soccer coach."
JP: "I can't quite come to grips with the fact that he's a grown man now and I'm still 29 (laughs). It's been strange for him to have his mom so involved in a sport that he had very little interest in after the age of 6; a few years later he wouldn't believe that his mom was actually a professional player until I pulled up the National League database (which has the details of every man and woman who've appeared in a match going back to 1910) and pointed to my name. I got a bit cooler in his eyes that day." (laughs)

(conclusion in Part 3)

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

JP allows Scottie a clean escape! (conclusion)
Scott McCrae
The Daily Mail National Soccer Writer

SM: "Let's talk about Pam (Scott) for a bit."
JP: "Really?" (laughs)

Prescott responded to listing for a part-time instructor for girls 14-18s on a whim while still on maternity leave; Andy Morehouse was the Technical Director for the Women's NT at the time and strangely remembered Prescott from watching her as a potential age group NT prospect on more than a few occasions. She took on a role as a part-time youth instructor for the Endborough area which led to an offer of a full-time job, then moved up to a youth team staff job after Doug Childers became the NT boss, who also prevailed upon her to work with the senior team as well. Dave Carlson began his tenure as Executive Director by naming Scott to manage the women, and Prescott was unsure about her future as these developments played out.

SM: "You'd earned a good reputation working with the youth set-up, so were you concerned that Pam and Dave might decide to clean out the entire women's department and start from scratch?"
JP: "Yeah, because I was an easily replaceable piece, they had no need to have any loyalty to me. I'd had an interview with Dave right after he took over and told him that I was prepared to stay on in any capacity if he wanted to keep me, and later I told Pam the same thing. A few years on they both said that they had no doubts about me staying, but then I was pregnant again and I wondered if that might be a good excuse to cut me loose."

SM: "You continued to work with the 15's and 17's before you went on leave, but when you came back they moved you over to the 21's."
JP: "At that point, the women's 21's were in complete disarray, because clubs wouldn't release girls and the top college players didn't think it was worth the risk of getting hurt. I said to Pam, Kate, and Lena (Schreuder, then women's U-21 manager) that we should just start off with 19 & 20 year olds who weren't pro prospects and work from there. I thought about the girls I played with with my sister back in Northwood and how some of them had raw talent, so there had to be a lot of others just like them."

Schreuder would go on to become head coach at University of Ezra after two years in charge of the 21's and Prescott was elevated to take over (declining an offer to follow along as Schreuder's #1 assistant). At this point she began to work more closely with Scott & Di Marini in the overall direction of the entire NT structure.

SM: "That period prior to mixed gender, how much did Pam influence your thinking and perspective?"
JP: "Immeasurably. Even when Lena was there, the four of us began to really work in concert with one another; Kate & I really developed a great relationship and Pam began to delegate some of her TD role to me which led to being officially named Assistant Tech Director. There's no way I'm manager today without having learned a lot from her."

SM: "And you'll soon be moving past her in the history books, and probably Tuzzio as well."
JP: "I've never been about the numbers, the wins and losses. Longevity and luck doesn't mean I'm a better manager than either of them, and of course I owe so much to both of them, and Trevor as well. I'm the beneficiary of what they built, along with Shane, Zoe, Willie, Darren, Tony and all the others who have worked here in my time. It seems like just a short time ago when I worked here, and everything that's come about since then has been a blessing."

SM: "Jen, thank you for your time and for letting us get to know more about your remarkable life and career. Of course we hope there's more to come.
JP: "You've not been so bad after all, Scott. (laughs) I've enjoyed talking to you."

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

National League Championship Review

New Bremen captured their third National League title in the past seven seasons with their trademark stifling defense leading them back to IFCF Champions League.

Championship           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 New Bremen FC           34   19   7   8    46   21  +25    64  Champions League
 2 Midtown Athletic Club   34   19   6   9    71   48  +23    63  Challengers Cup
 3 Southend AC             34   18   7   9    70   55  +15    61  Challengers Cup
 4 Dalton Town FC          34   17   8   9    74   61  +13    59  Challengers Cup
 5 Westwood Sprites        34   16   5  13    70   62   +8    53
 6 St Warren City FC       34   13  13   8    58   57   +1    52
 7 Victoria & Albert SC    34   15   5  14    58   67   −9    50
 8 Shirley Metros FC       34   13  11  10    54   46   +8    50
 9 Hillsborough FC         34   14   7  13    64   59   +5    49
10 Asbury Park FC          34   12   9  13    59   55   +4    45  Cup Winners Cup
11 Eqriquay United FC      34   10  13  11    65   71   −6    43
12 Learfield FC            34   11  10  13    58   54   +4    43
13 Monmouth Park FC        34   11   7  16    68   76   −8    40
14 Nor-Dale AFC            34   11   7  16    41   52  −11    40
15 Llewellyn Turnpike SC   34    7  14  13    57   75  −18    35
16 Newport City FC         34    8  10  16    51   68  −17    34
17 Clayton City SC         34    7  11  16    45   59  −14    32  relegated
18 Middletown City FC      34    5  10  19    49   72  −23    25  relegated

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

Women's National League Review

Sherwood Forest Ladies broke Ravens Ladies stranglehold on the title, running away from the three times defending champs and Greenlea Ladies to earn their fourth title, the second in the last five seasons.

Both Meadowdale and Ridge Raiders made significant moves up the table from their previous finish, and Leiderkranz continue to thrive under Donna Brown.

Women                          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Sherwood Forest Ladies FC    38   25   6   7    97   59  +38    81  Liga B Champions Trophy
 2 Greenlea United Ladies SC    38   21   8   9    96   63  +33    71  Liga B Champions Trophy
 3 Ravens FC Ladies             38   18  14   6    93   60  +33    68  Liga B Champions Trophy
 4 Brentford Ladies FC          38   20   7  11    88   70  +18    67
 5 Meadowdale Ladies FC         38   19   7  12    83   69  +14    64
 6 Hamiliton Wanderers Ladies SC38   16  15   7    76   59  +17    63
 7 Leiderkranz Ladies SC        38   18   8  12    74   62  +12    62
 8 Newmarket Ladies SC          38   14  13  11    63   58   +5    55
 9 Ridge Raiders Ladies FC      38   14  11  13    61   70   −9    53
10 Llewellyn Turnpike Ladies FC 38   14   9  15    66   68   −2    51
11 Jamestown City Ladies FC     38   13  12  13    70   75   −5    51
12 Shiloh FC Ladies             38   12   9  17    51   65  −14    45
13 Shirley Metros Ladies FC     38   12   8  18    69   75   −6    44
14 E Endborough Ladies FC       38   12   7  19    65   79  −14    43
15 Linden Ladies FC             38   11   9  18    73   87  −14    42
16 Riverside City Ladies FC     38   11   9  18    67   80  −13    42
17 Middletown City FC Women     38   11   8  19    39   57  −18    41
18 Clayton City Ladies FC       38   11   7  20    58   75  −17    40
19 Southend AC Ladies           38   10   6  22    31   57  −26    36
20 Westwood Sprites Ladies FC   38    8   7  23    56   88  −32    31

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

FAC Cup Review

Due to the changes in alignment of the National Conference, 3rd Division and FAC Shield, the format of the Cup underwent a major revision as the qualifying rounds were eliminated and the preliminary round was expanded to 68 teams, and the fourteen Conference sides joining in at the 3rd Round rather than the 2nd as they'd done previously.

While the main benefit was opening up early season dates for league fixtures in the lower divisions, the added bonus was exciting local derbies that hadn't been seen for several years; Lower Valley Lions' return to single gender provided the first flashpoint in the 1st Round when they hosted longtime nemesis West Liberty Rovers, followed in the next round by cross-river rivals Principia and Berwick Rangers; the 3rd Round gave us tasty matchups between Maritime Athletic hosting Newport City, Greenlea United facing Marshallton, Brentwood Borough against Forest Park. In the 4th Round, Borough faced off against another Metro area club in Clayton City, while St Warren & Crusaders and longtime adversaries Corinthians & Westwood Sprites both went to replays; Jacksonville City and North Lima met for the first time in 47 years in Round 5, Brentwood continued their run defeating the closest neighbors Hillsborough while St Warren City knocked out their downriver foes Riverside City in the quarterfinals.

One semi-final pitted the two Championship clubs, Asbury Park & St Warren, while the other saw Borough against Maritime, guaranteeing that for the second year in a row there would be a lower division side playing for 121st FAC Cup; it ended up as an all-Belle Haven affair for the Final as Brentwood looked to knockoff their other closest neighbors in only the second ever attempt at silverware in the 116 year history of the club.
In the end, Asbury's Championship pedigree showed through as the Townies took their sixth trophy and second in the last five years,

Preliminary Round
Hampton SC 0–1 West Liberty Rovers FC
Lake County FC 1–0 Frankenburg AC
Griffith Borough Amateurs FC 0–2 Lynchana Borderers AC
Independent Laborers AC 1–2 Shiloh FC
State Univ 0–3 Greenville Twp
West Chester FC 3–0 Hartley Community Club
Riverdale United FC 0–1 Queens Park FC
Edgewood Eagles SC 1–0 RFCP AC
East Linden SC 4–1 Linden Lions FC
White River Twp FC 0–4 Patterson Park FC
Wagnerfield Kickers SC 2–2 McIlroy Station FC
Deptford AC 4–0 Albion Borough SC
Union Miners FC 1–2 Paintersville FC
Engineers Club 0–1 Center Point FC & RFC
Meadowlarks SC 3–2 Jaynesville SC
Mansfield County SC 1–3 Valley View SC
Milton AFC 2–2 Western & Southern RR FC
Tri-Village United FC 2–2 Collinsville United FC
Charter Twp FC 1–2 Mooresville Celtic
Berwick Rangers FC 1–0 West Oceana Athletic FC
FC Monroe Central 1–0 Brecon Borough
Battenberg Bruins SC 1–0 Mel-Wood FC
ROCK Utd FC 1–0 Dragons FC
Westphalia County FC 3–1 Dalton United
Spring Valley FC 1–4 New Harmony FC
Ridge Raiders SC 2–0 Maplewood AFC
Ralston United FC 2–2 Bowling Green FC
Blacksburg Area FC 2–3 West Alden United FC
St John's SC 0–0 Georgetown Athletic Club
Hardun AC 2–0 Cloppenburg Township SC
East Liverpool FC 3–0 Salisbury County FC
Liberty FC 2–3 Blue Aces SC
Alexandria Borough AFC 0–2 Jeromesville FC
Red Wing FC 0–1 Jennings Borough

replays
McIlroy Station FC 2–1 Wagnerfield Kickers SC
Western & Southern RR FC 4–0 Milton AFC
Collinsville United FC 0–1 Tri-Village United FC
Bowling Green FC 3–1 Ralston United FC
Georgetown Athletic Club 0–0 St John's SC (0–1 AET)

1st Round
Andover Borough SC 2–0 Edgewood Eagles SC
Deptford AC 1–3 Shiloh FC
Jeromesville FC 1–1 Lynchana Borderers AC
Meadowlarks SC 1–1 West Chester FC
Hardun AC 3–0 Forresters FC
Lake County FC 1–1 Ravens FC
Coolville United 1–1 Pembroke St David's
FC Monroe Central 0–3 ROCK Utd FC
Bowling Green FC 0–2 Maritime Athletic SC
Queens Park FC 0–2 Carlisle FC
Kellerville AFC 2–0 Bridgend Metros FC
Greenlea United FC 3–1 Fairport Harbor FC
Trinity FC 4–0 Paintersville FC
New Harmony FC 0–2 Alton Athletic Club
Center Point FC & RFC 2–2 SK Leiderkranz-Turner
East Liverpool FC 2–1 Sherwood Forest FC
Patterson Park FC 0–3 Principia SC
Springfield City FC 3–0 Westphalia County FC
Western & Southern RR FC 1–1 Blue Aces SC
Greenville Twp 1–1 Jamestown Rovers FC
Ridge Raiders SC 1–0 Battenberg Bruins SC
Valley View SC 3–0 East Linden SC
Jennings Borough 1–1 Tri-Village United FC
Berwick Rangers FC 3–2 Lewiston Town FC
McIlroy Station FC 1–3 Eastview SC
West Alden United FC 4–2 St John's SC
Maineville Marauders FC 3–1 Mooresville Celtic
Lower Valley Lions 1–0 West Liberty Rovers FC

replays
Lynchana Borderers AC 1–0 Jeromesville FC
West Chester FC 4–0 Meadowlarks SC
Ravens FC 4–1 Lake County FC
Pembroke St David's 1–1 Coolville United (3–2 AET)
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 3–1 Center Point FC & RFC
Blue Aces SC 2–3 Western & Southern RR FC
Jamestown Rovers FC 2–1 Greenville Twp
Tri-Village United FC 1–2 Jennings Borough

2nd Round
Jamestown Rovers FC 3–1 ROCK Utd FC
Andover Borough SC 4–2 Valley View SC
West Chester FC 1–2 Ravens FC
Trinity FC 2–1 Carlisle FC
Hardun AC 0–1 Maineville Marauders FC
Kellerville AFC 2–4 Eastview SC
Principia SC 2–1 Berwick Rangers FC
Lower Valley Lions 1–1 Shiloh FC
Maritime Athletic SC 4–0 Lynchana Borderers AC
Springfield City FC 0–1 Alton Athletic Club
Pembroke St David's 0–1 Greenlea United FC
Western & Southern RR FC 0–3 SK Leiderkranz-Turner
Ridge Raiders SC 4–1 West Alden United FC
East Liverpool FC 2–0 Jennings Borough

replay
Shiloh FC 0–3 Lower Valley Lions

3rd Round
Eqriquay United FC 1–1 Corinthians
Learfield FC 1–1 North Royalton Town FC
Sorenberg Park 1–1 Jacksonville City
Llewellyn Turnpike SC 2–1 Hannover United
Mansfield C&W FC 0–1 Great Northern
Maritime Athletic SC 3–0 Newport City FC
Maineville Marauders FC 0–2 Riverside City FC
Greenlea United FC 2–0 Marshallton Athletic SC
North Lima SC 2–1 Victoria & Albert SC
Crusaders FC 1–1 Shirley Metros FC
Sanborn Borough SC 4–0 Lower Valley Lions
St Pats AC 1–0 Salisbury City FC
Jamestown Rovers FC 1–2 Newmarket Saxons FC
Hamilton Wanderers FC 0–4 East Endborough AFC
Brentwood Borough 2–0 Forest Park
Hillsborough FC 2–1 Middletown City FC
Jamestown City FC 2–0 Far Hills
Clayton City SC 3–2 Brentford FC
Midtown Athletic Club 1–2 Asbury Park FC
Richmond Station FC 4–0 Ridge Raiders SC
Middlebourne City AFC 1–1 Trinity FC
Castleford 3–2 Dalton Town FC
Westwood Sprites 3–1 Andover Borough SC
Meadowdale FC 4–1 Fairport City FC
Alton Athletic Club 1–2 Ellesmere Woods
St Warren City FC 2–0 Eastview SC
New Bremen FC 2–2 Southend AC
Bergholz Caledonian 1–1 SK Leiderkranz-Turner
Ravens FC 1–3 Linden Woods FC
Monmouth Park FC 4–1 Broadview AFC
Principia SC 2–1 Haskins Blues
Nor-Dale AFC 2–1 Lima City United

replays
Corinthians 3–0 Eqriquay United FC
North Royalton Town FC 1–1 Learfield FC (2–1 AET)
Shirley Metros FC 0–1 Crusaders FC
Trinity FC 3–2 Middlebourne City AFC
Southend AC 1–1 New Bremen FC (1–1 AET) (5–6 pen.)
SK Leiderkranz-Turner 1–1 Bergholz Caledonian (1–1 AET) (8–9 pen.)
Jacksonville City 3–1 Sorenberg Park

4th Round
St Warren City FC 3–3 Crusaders FC
Corinthians 1–1 Westwood Sprites
Riverside City FC 2–0 Monmouth Park FC
Principia SC 2–1 Sanborn Borough SC
Brentwood Borough 3–1 Clayton City SC
Castleford 3–4 Bergholz Caledonian
Ellesmere Woods 1–1 Nor-Dale AFC
East Endborough AFC 2–3 North Royalton Town FC
North Lima SC 2–2 Jamestown City FC
Trinity FC 2–3 Llewellyn Turnpike SC
Asbury Park FC 4–1 Linden Woods FC
Meadowdale FC 1–0 Richmond Station FC
Maritime Athletic SC 3–1 New Bremen FC
Greenlea United FC 1–3 Newmarket Saxons FC
St Pats AC 1–4 Jacksonville City
Hillsborough FC 3–0 Great Northern

replays
Crusaders FC 0–1 St Warren City FC
Nor-Dale AFC 3–2 Ellesmere Woods
Westwood Sprites 3–2 Corinthians
Jamestown City FC 0–1 North Lima SC

5th Round
Newmarket Saxons FC 1–2 Brentwood Borough
Westwood Sprites 1–1 Hillsborough FC
Jacksonville City 1–0 North Lima SC
Nor-Dale AFC 0–1 St Warren City FC
Maritime Athletic SC 2–0 Bergholz Caledonian
Principia SC 0–2 North Royalton Town FC
Llewellyn Turnpike SC 3–3 Riverside City FC
Asbury Park FC 1–0 Meadowdale FC

replays
Hillsborough FC 0–0 Westwood Sprites (1–1 AET) (4–3 pen.)
Riverside City FC 2–1 Llewellyn Turnpike SC

Quarterfinal
Riverside City FC 0–1 St Warren City FC
Maritime Athletic SC 1–0 North Royalton Town FC
Brentwood Borough 2–1 Hillsborough FC
Asbury Park FC 4–0 Jacksonville City

Semi Final (both played @ BBP National Stadium, Belle Haven)
Maritime Athletic SC 1–2 Brentwood Borough
Asbury Park FC 4–1 St Warren City FC

Final (@ BBP National Stadium, Belle Haven att 73,548)
Asbury Park FC 5–1 Brentwood Borough

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

© Sporting Times Daily 2021
Weiss talks about NT future after WC89
by Fiona Devlin, National Soccer Writer

Tony Weiss swears he's not been ducking my calls when I finally reach him in the afternoon of a Wednesday a few weeks after the conclusion of the World Cup.

"Devlin, I promise I've not been avoiding you. Everytime I remember that I need to return your call is at some point when I'm in the middle of some meeting." Of course he still calls me Devlin once in awhile, a throwback to our college days when you referred to everyone by their last name; we ran in the same circles during our undergrad days, and I mentioned previously that he's the one who introduced me to my husband during that time in our lives.

On this afternoon, we're seated in a nearly empty Littlejohn House dining room in Ravenswood to catch up on things, which leads into the conversation we are ostensibly here for.

Fiona Devlin: "I'm going to dive right into the results in South Newlandia and what it means for the national team moving forward."

Tony Weiss: "It's easy to try & hide behind the idea that it was a brutal tournament for favorites and high ranked sides. We don't think that's a fair judgement of our own performance, because we were frankly not good enough. That's not a reflection on the players, the preparation or the coaches, but a realization that we probably fell victim to standing still in terms of overall progress of the NT setup."

FD: "This group of players are the most experienced core of the NT pool in history. Is that an advantage, or a hinderance?"
TW: "Both, because as a staff we are definitely overly reliant on the most senior players, while we have an entire group who are sort of being held back because of that, similar to the situation we faced back in the 82 and 83 cycles. I think there are 5-7 players right now who would not be upset or offended if they were told that their international careers are over."
FD: "Because they recognize they are holding back the next generation?"
TW: "Exactly. We saw in 82-83 that the vets, those who had made their names in single gender, were sad when they knew their time was up, but more than willing to stand aside for the younger group. You want to be loyal to the people who have been through the wars and suffered the disappointments, but at some point you need to keep moving forward. We're not the only national team that is in this situation at the moment."

FD: "Are we risking pushing out players who still have good years left--hardly anyone in the Finals squad was 30 or over--just to say 'we're rebuilding or reloading' or however it is presented?"
TW: "These next two events on the horizon--the regional and the Women's Cup (AOCAF 65 & the Jenna Raven Cup II/WWC 15) are going to be extremely vital from an evaluation standpoint for the player pool going forward. We'd hate to come out and say we'd be willing to sacrifice our quali streak in the name of rebuilding. BP have a level of respect, an unspoken...I don't want to say awe or reverence, but that thing we know, the nod."
FD: "Uh-huh. Something to be aspired to and quietly understood."
TW: "We recognized on the last matchday against Jeruselem that we were up against a nation that has its' own long history and reputation of making the Finals--47 if I remember correctly--but no nation had made it 10-0. Nikki (Stone) and DS (DeAngelo Simmons) were in the squad but Sam Harrison was going to captain the side, and he had the inner door to the dressing room locked before the staff could come in for the final team talk. He was shouting so loud we could hear him in the corridor. (laughs) When we finally walked in, Jen looked around for a minute and said 'I think Sam's covered everything. Let's Go.' (laughs)"

FD: "I never really suspected in Abanhfleft that he would be a senior team captain, although he was a hard worker and everyone liked and respected him."
TW: "I think I should preface my reply by saying we talked about this at the time (in the Under 18 World Cup) and I agreed with you. Kelly (O'Connell) always struck me as being that fiery, intense leader except she wasn't that kind of personality; when she texted me to say she'd been made club captain in Nephara (at South Laithland), I told her I wasn't surprised in the least. She's the ideal 'lead by example' captain who makes everyone perform to her level of commitment."

FD: "I heard that the U18's alums gathered for for a group photo upon arriving in South Newlandia?"
TW: "Yeah, that was Jen's idea. The fact that half of the squad were made up of that first mixed team meant a great deal to all of us, that we'd come from nowhere to the World Cup Finals. A couple people mentioned that you should've been in the pic with us, Fiona."

FD: "Oh, that's sweet. Thanks to them, but I wasn't part of the 'squad'. I was just there to feed your Dim Sum addiction. Why didn't we partake today for old times sake? "(laughter)
TW: "It didn't even cross my mind. Next time, on me. I'd bet Jen and Elaine (King, goalkeeping coach) would come along too."

FD: "Let's talk about the staff as it consists right now. You've always said Jen deserves shared credit for the the SWC, and now you are the senior 1st Team Coach, and Darren (Kirby), who was the U18 coach is now your boss as AM..."
TW: "He would say that we are equals. Darren has admitted on many occasions that he was not experienced enough--even if he'd had Jen assisting him--to deal with a mixed gender squad that really was an experiment as far as the FAC was concerned. Regardless of all past technicalities and assignments, that were Trevor & Pam's decision, we have a really exceptional group, who bring their particular strengths to make us a tight, solid unit. Darren & I handle the tactical side--him offensively, me defensively, together for set pieces; Elaine with the keepers, Hailey (Reinhart-Zavaros) the technical & skills training, and the youth and age group folks providing support where needed. I think we are one of, if not the best, NT staff in the multiverse."

FD: "Could you see yourself on your own, managing a national side overseas? There's a pretty good argument--from the results that others who have learned at Birkenfeld have produced--that you could be just as successful."
TW: "I don't know, Fi. I've always considered myself a teacher rather than a coach; as the coaching development director, I taught people how to transfer their knowledge to others. In my experience working under Tuzzio and now Jen, I still see my role as transferring knowledge to others, albeit the specific principles of the overall philosophy. Some people aren't cut out for management. I'd feel like I'd need some experience that wasn't under pressure of keeping or losing a job."

FD: "Tony, thanks so much for your time. We need to get together, the four of us, for some fun."
TW: "It's been great to catch up and talk shop Fi, and yes I'd look forward to a couples day. Thanks for finally cornering me. (laughs)

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

National League Championship

Ahead of the 114th season of the Commonwealth's top soccer division, many of the clubs went on a shopping spree in hopes of breaking through against the duopoly of Learfield FC and New Bremen FC, each of which have won three titles in the last 8 seasons, with Dalton Town and Asbury Park winning the other two.

Dalton Town added scoring punch by signing Squornshelan forward Ville Ulanov from Megabrantid, managed by former Monmouth Park boss Larry Bryson; Shirley Metros signed right back Sèitheach Luther from Licentian Isles side Waterfleet; Victoria & Albert went in for Nepharim keeper Christian Pisces from AFC Treason; St Warren City moved to acquire Simon Oliveira; and Llewellyn Turnpike snapped up Tikariot's Larry Crossfield from Euran club Asper to compete for the number 1 shirt, while also adding Radoš Delmirowić of Zeta Rika & Hugeltaldom in the hopes of improving the league's 2nd worst defense from a season ago. Asbury Park signed Uwu Lekoye from Qasden's National Academy to provide midfield cover, one of three Qads brought to Baker Park out of that youth training setup.

The opening two months of the campaign looked as though the two-horse race would carry on, with Brem and AP rising to the top of the table, joined by Westwood Sprites as a pace setter and chased closely by Hillsborough and Metros.

As the season moved into the second half in mid-January, Sprites and AP had opened up an 11 point gap to Bremen and Metros, with 'Borough hitting a rough patch of form; Southend AC and Nor-Dale were making a rise together through mid-table and into the top six by March.

Into the final month, New Bremen had closed to within 4 points of Park, and the Southend/Nor-Dale relay team had left Metros and most of the rest of the table in their wake, with Sprites still pushing the pace in the top spot.

At the end, Westwood Sprites captured their ninth National League Championship, pulling them into a tie for fourth on the all time list with Corinthians & Dalton, their last title coming 28 seasons prior. AP and New Bremen, Nor-Dale and Dalton rounded out the top 5, as a slump saw Southend drop back to eighth on the final day, although only 3 points out of fourth place.

Salisbury City drop back to the 2nd Division after just one year and Newport City could only muster 13 points over the final 2/3 of the season, ending their 16 season tenure in the top flight, the longest period in club history.

Overall, scoring was down considerably over the last few seasons with Asbury leading the way on 69, the only club to exceed 60; by comparison seven clubs scored more than 60 times last term.

The champions broke New Bremen's stranglehold on fewest goals allowed, a category Brem had led the Championship in for seven consecutive years.

Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Westwood Sprites          34   19   8   7    56   35  +21    65  Champions League
 2 Asbury Park FC            34   18   8   8    69   47  +22    62  Challengers Cup
 3 New Bremen FC             34   17   6  11    54   44  +10    57  Challengers Cup
 4 Nor-Dale AFC              34   15  10   9    51   42   +9    55  Challengers Cup
 5 Dalton Town FC            34   16   6  12    50   42   +8    54
 6 Midtown Athletic Club     34   15   9  10    41   34   +7    54
 7 Learfield FC              34   15   8  11    49   42   +7    53
 8 Southend AC               34   14  10  10    46   36  +10    52
 9 Eqriquay United FC        34   15   6  13    52   44   +8    51
10 St Warren City FC         34   13   7  14    45   57  −12    46
11 Marshallton Athletic SC   34   12  10  12    52   57   −5    46
12 Shirley Metros FC         34   12   9  13    44   44    0    45
13 Victoria & Albert SC      34   11   8  15    41   47   −6    41
14 Monmouth Park FC          34   10  10  14    39   46   −7    40
15 Hillsborough FC           34   10   8  16    46   58  −12    38
16 Llewellyn Turnpike SC     34    7  12  15    39   49  −10    33
17 Salisbury City FC         34    8   6  20    40   66  −26    30  relegated
18 Newport City FC           34    4   9  21    39   63  −24    21  relegated