Tumbran Domestic Football Newswire

by **Tumbra** » Thu Jul 22, 2021 7:34 am

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 3
MATCHDAYS 36 AND 37

When we last left off...

The growing sense of inevitability showed in Lakewood City, who seemed to have nearly given up on the title. With three matches left, the gap of six points was nigh insurmountable — and Serrapince could conceivably clinch the title at the next opportunity, when they played the ever-surprising Ridgewell Rovers. Lakewood City, meanwhile, faced a resurgent Kingsbury, who themselves had won four of their last five games. With the season heading to its close, and most of what could be determined already determined, there was a sense that some footballers already had their minds set on summer vacation in places as far-flung as Graintfjall (for those who enjoyed the cold) or Sylestone (for those who rather more enjoyed the heat).

Oh, well. Footballers will be footballers. With that said, however, for the penultimate time...

Welcome back to the Premier Division.

MATCHDAY 36
Straton FC 2–1 West Couno United
Sturrey Athletic 0–1 Clark City
Kingsbury United 1–1 Lakewood City
Dorival FC 0–3 Lakewood United
Hesham FC 1–1 Macarthur City
Glenmont AFC 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich
AFC Cayalon 0–2 Clyde Park
Couno Rangers 4–0 Columbia City
Delphi Lions 0–1 Fraser Valley FC
Serrapince FC 2–0 Ridgewell Rovers

The weekend started well, with Clark clawing back yet another three points against fifteenth-placed Sturrey to go to within three places of now seventeenth-placed West Couno United. Yes, their season had gotten that bad, and with the club lingering in seventeenth position, the board decided to axe Martin Costello. What had begun as an optimistic first half of the season soon gave way to a massive loss in form — injuries hadn't helped, but neither had the tactical stubbornness of Costello, who stuck with his formation throughout. He'd lost the dressing room a long time ago, but it spoke to the relatively conservative nature of the boards of Tumbran football clubs that it took this long to sack their manager.

The last two matches of the season would be overseen by assistant manager Jonathan Beardsley, while the club embarked on a search for a new manager. This squad had the quality to reach the top half of the table, and perhaps further. Hancy, Charron-Becker, Hussein, Morgan, Remont Thomas, Scott McIntyre, Bill Allison, Miles Brent, Dei Kaparros, Nicola Rinaldi; all were players capable of pushing the team to tenth and above. Quite why they were in seventeenth was a mystery — and the next manager had to unlock this squad's potential. Seventeenth was not where this club should be.

Elsewhere in the lower bits of the division, Fraser Valley stole a crucial win against Delphi, while Macarthur held Hesham to a one-all draw. Cayalon and Dorival, predictably, lost their matches; Clyde Park's much-needed victory catapulted them to seventh, aided by their superior goal difference; but there was still much to play for. Lakewood United's victory essentially confirmed their return to the IFCF rounds; where they'd hope to do better than their previous foray in the competition.

But all that was overshadowed by Lakewood City's draw with Kingsbury; coupled with Serrapince's victory at home against the Ridgewell Rovers, the gap was now eight points with two matches left to play. Heartbreak in Ridgewell; Robin Vaughn missed the crucial penalty that would've put Lakewood City back ahead, sending it sailing over the bar. For the first time in seven years, Serrapince had themselves a title; the title itself would be leaving Lakewood for the first time in six years. An era of domination had drawn to a close; the entire team was jubilant as they could. It was a masterstroke, aided by big-name signings; Key, Sayer, Hrvatin, Mora, Horvat, Ritchie, Knežević; and home-grown talent; Hilton, Riordan, McGrath, Lewis, Giblin.

The era of global football had truly arrived, heralded by this title win.

Now the task was to repeat that success on the global stage.

MATCHDAY 37
Serrapince FC 0–0 Straton FC
Ridgewell Rovers 0–2 Delphi Lions
Fraser Valley FC 0–0 Couno Rangers
Columbia City 2–0 AFC Cayalon
Clyde Park 2–1 Glenmont AFC
FC Inter Nantwich 4–1 Hesham FC
Macarthur City 3–0 Dorival FC
Lakewood United 4–1 Kingsbury United
Lakewood City 3–0 Sturrey Athletic
Clark City 0–3 West Couno United

Title secured, Serrapince played notably less well; but the defence held strong to deny Straton any goals and add to the one defeat they'd suffered all season. Delphi pulled out a win that wasn't 1-0, with Thesselborg and Holt — herself becoming an extremely promising player in her own right — scoring the goals to put Ridgewell to the sword.

Lakewood City returned to form, beating Sturrey 3-0; but they looked notably off the pace despite the three-goal win. Vaughn didn't play; the right-winger evidently still shaken by his penalty miss the week prior. In his absence, James Anderson martialed the offence; but it was still a muted win as the team came to terms with losing the title to Serrapince. Lakewood United smashed Kingsbury 4-1 to confirm their fourth spot; a return to the IFCF was their reward. Only one position above their final spot last season, but progress was progress; and quite a lot of it was being made. Now the next step was to consolidate it.

Couno's goalless draw with Macarthur, and Clyde's victory against Glenmont, meant that they'd be in prime position to snap up sixth; but Columbia were still hot on their heels. Anything less than sixth for Couno would be a travesty; Clyde at least had their cup run to be proud of, though if they came up empty-handed there would almost certainly be a mass exodus from the club.

Elsewhere, Clark City effectively ran out of chances to stay in the league; with WCU finally pulling out a win, the gap to safety was three points. Technically they could do it, but the goal difference swing required was twelve to stay up. The escape artists had run out of chances; they'd sink to the purgatory that was the Second Division next season.

A sad way for the three-time champions to go out; but all things considered, they'd been living on borrowed time for the longest time. Surviving against most odds for several seasons, it was only a matter of time before the inevitable happened. Ensio Kedar confirmed he'd leave at the end of the season, the wily manager unfortunate to be given the reins of this historic-yet-shambolically run club.

An end of an era, for sure.

The final round of matches, not for the first time, would mean almost nothing; but there was still a sense of gravitas around it. After all, it was the last league football for three months; nobody wanted to miss out on that.

But before that final matchday, there were the semis of the cup to figure out.

Standings After Matchday Thirty-Seven

   Tumbran Premier Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 	Chg	Form 	Status
 1 Serrapince FC              37   28   8   1    84   27  +57    92	-0	WDWWD	Champions; CL; CEdC
 2 Lakewood City              37   26   8   3    91   32  +59    86	-0	DWWDW	CC
 3 Straton FC                 37   27   3   7    72   23  +49    84	-0	WWWWD	CC
 4 Lakewood United            37   21   6  10    65   43  +22    69	-0	WWWWW	CC
 5 FC Inter Nantwich          37   18   9  10    54   37  +17    63	-0	WDDWW
 6 Couno Rangers              37   15  13   9    54   51   +3    58	-0	DDLWD
 7 Clyde Park                 37   16   9  12    57   38  +19    57	▲3	LWWWW
 8 Columbia City              37   15  11  11    47   41   +6    56	▼1	WDLLW
 9 Kingsbury United           37   15   9  13    46   45   +1    54	▼1	WWWDL
10 Hesham FC                  37   15   9  13    37   39   −2    54	▼1	WLLDL
11 Ridgewell Rovers           37   13  10  14    29   38   −9    49	-0	LDLLL
12 Delphi Lions               37   14   6  17    21   24   −3    48	-0	LLWLW
13 Macarthur City             37   10  12  15    33   51  −18    42	▲1	DWLDW
14 West Couno United          37   11   6  20    32   46  −14    39	▲2	LLLLW
15 Glenmont AFC               37   10   9  18    30   46  −16    39	▼2	DLWLL
16 Fraser Valley FC           37    8  13  16    19   33  −14    37	▲1	LDLWD
17 Sturrey Athletic           37   12   1  24    18   41  −23    37	▼2	LLWLL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Clark City                 37    9   7  21    36   70  −34    34	-0	LDLWL	R*
19 Dorival FC                 37    4   7  26    13   63  −50    19	-0	WDLLL	R
20 AFC Cayalon                37    3   4  30     9   59  −50    13	-0	LLDLL	R

* - Not formally confirmed, but would require a thirteen-point goal difference swing to change the result.

All changes are from previous table posted; which is to say, MD35. Form takes into account the last five matches; which is to say, MD33-37.

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by **Tumbra** » Thu Jul 22, 2021 10:54 pm

The Tumbran Football Federation Presents

The 121^st RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP - THE SEMI FINAL

The Republic Cup, first contested in 1903, is Tumbra's longest running domestic competition and is open to all professional teams in Tumbra. Non-professional teams may compete in the TFF Vase instead, though that will not be covered here. It is a single-elimination knockout tournament, with the final played in the Tumbran National Stadium. Matches occur every so often, as determined by the League schedule of the Premier Division. This year, matches will occur after the 5th, 10th, 15th, 27th, 35nd and 37th Premier Division matchday. The Final will be held after the 38th Matchday.

The competition is renowned for its brutality - all 128 teams, regardless of whether they are in the Premier Division or the Fourth Division, are unseeded and all have an equal chance to meet each other. The team drawn first is always put at home, leading to a true test of footballing equality. This year, the Cup will again be contested by every single team in the league structure, with the defending champions being FC Inter Nantwich.

The first round of the competition, surprisingly, saw no major surprises — most big clubs made it through, and there were remarkably little upsets as the field of 128 was sliced in half to just 64.

Surprisingly for the Republic Cup, once again, there were no big losses during the second round, either. Though a few Premier Division clubs did end up getting knocked out — Kingsbury and Fraser Valley being the two victims — most of the top teams made it through to the third round, along with minnows like the Algoma Wanderers and the Maxwell Arsenal, the former of whom had the distinct misfortune of drawing Serrapince. The football equivalent of running into the path of a speeding train.

The third round, once again, saw few surprises — that just five of the last sixteen remaining after the fact were from the lower divisions only served to highlight the ever-growing disparity between the top division and the lower ones. The valiant five — Colney Thorns, Washington City FC, Ashton Rovers, Prinsip Street and Maxwell Arsenal — would all face choice matches in their (presumably last) round, with all of them going up against Big Six clubs, to add insult to injury. And all of them bar Maxwell would play at home.

The fourth round saw every single lower division team remaining eliminated; the quarter-finals would be contested exclusively by Premier Division sides. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, all of the Big Six and Clyde made it through, with Hesham being lucky enough to avoid the minefields to reach the quarter-finals for the second season running.

The quarter finals saw Hesham eliminated, but juggernauts such as Lakewood City and United were eliminated, too; meaning that the four teams heading into the semifinals wouldn't all be from the Big Six. Though debates were still had over whether Clyde had done enough to earn themselves that spot in the Big Six (thereby expanding their numbers to the Big Seven), their semifinal run gave them a bit of hope in a season where their league performance hadn't exactly been stellar.

Nantwich, the defending champions, would go up against Serrapince; in a rematch of last year's final, and the Supercup; while Straton would face off against Clyde Park.

Semi-Finals
FC Inter Nantwich (D1) 1-1 Serrapince FC (D1) (1-2 AET)
Clyde Park (D1) 2-0 Straton FC (D1)

Nantwich put in another defensively solid performance, with Devon Daniels turning up in his old form last season; but in extra time, Nick Riordan would pounce on a longball sent in by Hermaeus Mora, splitting the defence; with his pace, speed and dribbling ability, the Tumbran from Serrapince would neatly finish past Nick Barker to send the Bees through to their second straight final.

In the other match, Michael Toussaint was injured; which meant that Straton had to fall back on their second-choice defensive lineup...
...
...
...

"Ted, a very disappointing defeat for your team out there."

"I'll say. We simply weren't good enough out there, we simply couldn't do anything about Clyde Park today. They were on a different level to us, and the team knows what I think."

"What do you think led to the defeat?"

"Well, as a whole, I think there were problems on all levels of the pitch. They had our gameplan figured, for one, despite us going for a different formation. Midfield was full of bodies from their side, the heavy press...you know, the works. A thousand and one reasons why we lost that football game; the first reason might be as simple as Pierre-Louis Laishram's second goal in the eightieth minute, to Jim's unfortunate incident when trying to chase down Kwak Hyeong-Joon. I don't think it's as simple that any one reason could lead to the defeat, you know? A lot of things contribute to it, and if I were to go over each and every one of them, not only would we be here for hours, but I'd also be giving away my tactics."

"Most commentators blame both goals on the defensive organisation of the side, something that your team seems to have struggled with last season."

"Well, the defense...has always been a problem. We have Michael, who's grown into a promising player for us, but he wasn't available today."

"Do you think this could've been avoided if Stephen Kerr were still at the club?"

"Stephen, Stephen. You lot will always find a way to question me about this."

"It's the story that captured the country's imagination last summer, after all."

"He's in our past now. He no longer plays for Straton Football Club."

"You can't deny that he was influential on the defence in the half season of senior football he played with the side. At the tender age of nineteen..."

"Yes, I know what Stephen Kerr could do. After all, you're looking at the man who introduced him to the senior squad."

"Do you have any thoughts, then? If Stephen were out there on the pitch, today, perhaps you and not Clyde would be in the final, like last season?"

"Football's full of what-ifs, and to spend too much time lingering on those details...it doesn't do too well to dwell on those. It's a bit like that old story of Narcissus and the pool. You spend too much time looking at an ideal situation that you ignore what's going on around you. Yes, it's sad Stephen's gone. But this took place over a year ago, and we've moved on by then. Sure, if you want a soundbite out of context, maybe Stephen Kerr could or couldn't have made the difference today. But that's not the point. My job is to manage the twenty-five players of my squad. Not think about potentials. For now, we'll accept that we're going to finish third in the league, and we made a semi-final run in the Republic Cup. No trophies, but we move on. And that's exactly what I recommend you do, too. Good day."

"Thank you for your time."

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by **Tumbra** » Thu Jul 22, 2021 11:22 pm

SECOND DIVISION
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Thirty-Eight

   Second Division           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Ricci Ironworkers          38   22   9   7    70   41  +29    75	Champions; Promoted
 2 Newton Warriors AFC        38   21  11   6    56   34  +22    74	Promoted
 3 New Timbourne Knights      38   22   7   9    66   36  +30    73	Promoted
 4 Ridgewell United           38   21   7  10    55   33  +22    70
 5 Kirkby Railwaymen          38   20   7  11    56   39  +17    67
 6 Port Marray FC             38   19   7  12    55   41  +14    64
 7 Ashton Rovers              38   18   9  11    71   41  +30    63
 8 Fontwell Rovers            38   18   8  12    56   48   +8    62
 9 Cobham United              38   17  10  11    59   44  +15    61
10 Readale Wanderers          38   18   7  13    66   52  +14    61
11 Carter United              38   17   7  14    46   35  +11    58
12 Bencoolen City FC          38   16   5  17    43   42   +1    53
13 Colbrook City              38   14   9  15    56   64   −8    51
14 AFC Gillman                38   14   6  18    50   56   −6    48
15 Washington City FC         38   11   9  18    40   51  −11    42
16 Carrington Town            38    9   9  20    25   51  −26    36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Killiney SC                38    6  11  21    39   62  −23    29	R [D3E]
18 Grange United FC           38    5  10  23    29   75  −46    25	R [D3E]
19 Mackay Robins              38    6   7  25    26   72  −46    25	R [D3W]*
20 Falmouth AFC               38    4   9  25    35   82  −47    21	R [D3W]*

*Despite playing in states covered by the Third Division East, the two teams were relegated to the Third Division West to maintain parity in divisions.

THIRD DIVISION EAST
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Forty-Two

   Third Division East      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Guillemard Town           42   26  10   6    65   34  +31    88	Champions; Promoted
 2 Dieren City Admirals      42   26   9   7    63   37  +26    87	Promoted
 3 Windsor FC                42   24  10   8    65   35  +30    82
 4 Kelder Phoenixes          42   24   7  11    76   42  +34    79
 5 Brades United FC          42   22   9  11    70   54  +16    75
 6 Tavistock Athletic        42   21  11  10    65   40  +25    74
 7 Caldecott 93              42   22   6  14    49   44   +5    72
 8 Heath Bay Mariners        42   19  12  11    46   37   +9    69
 9 Readale City Blues        42   19  11  12    67   42  +25    68
10 Tavistock Park FC         42   17  12  13    57   40  +17    63
11 Rosenberg City            42   17   6  19    61   51  +10    57
12 Knapford United FC        42   16   9  17    61   64   −3    57
13 Hesham Wanderers FC       42   15  11  16    51   51    0    56
14 Hendon Cardinals          42   15   8  19    44   55  −11    53
15 Straton Typhoons          42   13  13  16    47   43   +4    52
16 Lambeth Leopards          42   15   6  21    53   59   −6    51
17 Harren Armada             42   12  13  17    41   53  −12    49
18 Staplewood Sparrows       42   13   6  23    45   55  −10    45
19 Collett Park United       42    7  11  24    28   77  −49    32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Wabash United FC          42    7   6  29    28   71  −43    27	R
21 Pinhal Athletic           42    6   7  29    32   81  −49    25	R
22 Melwood Rangers           42    4  11  27    30   79  −49    23	R

THIRD DIVISION WEST
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Forty-Two

   Third Division West            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Trelmont Rangers                42   25  12   5    71   32  +39    87	Champions; Promoted
 2 Millsburgh Steelers             42   26   6  10    64   30  +34    84	Promoted
 3 Nottingham City                 42   24   7  11    62   39  +23    79
 4 Hoxford United                  42   24   6  12    57   37  +20    78
 5 Enfield Celtic                  42   23   8  11    52   37  +15    77
 6 Gelder Creek FC                 42   24   2  16    48   35  +13    74
 7 Caldwell City                   42   22   7  13    53   33  +20    73
 8 West Thornton United            42   20   9  13    48   40   +8    69
 9 Teignford Academical            42   19  11  12    57   43  +14    68
10 Fort Heatherton FC              42   19   8  15    52   44   +8    65
11 Dunsford Auroras                42   18   8  16    52   52    0    62
12 Oakton Stars                    42   15  12  15    47   45   +2    57
13 Shepperton Ravens               42   15  12  15    49   49    0    57
14 Colney Thorns                   42   14   9  19    46   57  −11    51
15 Locomotive Harper               42   12  10  20    31   45  −14    46
16 Millsburgh Revolutionaries      42   13   7  22    34   51  −17    46
17 Harchester United               42   14   4  24    32   50  −18    46
18 Delano Wanderers                42   11  12  19    34   42   −8    45
19 Pomeroy Mountaineers            42   13   6  23    33   49  −16    45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Prinsip Street                  42    7   9  26    35   68  −33    30	R
21 Orpington Owls                  42    8   6  28    27   66  −39    30	R
22 Haversham City                  42    7   7  28    28   68  −40    28	R

FOURTH DIVISION EAST
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Forty-Two

   Fourth Division East     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Rosyth Warriors           42   25   9   8    58   27  +31    84	Champions; Promoted
 2 Gisbourne Lynxes          42   27   3  12    58   35  +23    84	Promoted
 3 Newark Argyle             42   24   9   9    53   31  +22    81	Promoted
 4 Wilmington Town           42   18  17   7    48   28  +20    71
 5 Richmond Swans            42   21   7  14    59   35  +24    70
 6 Burlington FC             42   19  13  10    53   32  +21    70
 7 Knapford City FC          42   19  11  12    48   32  +16    68
 8 Hindhede Hawks            42   19  11  12    46   43   +3    68
 9 Algoma Wanderers          42   16  16  10    46   32  +14    64
10 Chester FC                42   16  12  14    51   41  +10    60
11 Rookworth Ospreys         42   16  11  15    50   38  +12    59
12 Mayfield Black Bears      42   16  10  16    36   41   −5    58
13 Thomson Admirals          42   15   9  18    32   37   −5    54
14 Sherwood Town FC          42   13  13  16    40   46   −6    52
15 Maxwell Arsenal           42   12  13  17    38   51  −13    49
16 Havelock Harriers         42   11  15  16    37   45   −8    48
17 Farleigh Tigers           42   12  12  18    38   58  −20    48
18 Arlington Athletic        42   12  11  19    36   58  −22    47
19 Coburg Hornets            42   10  12  20    30   54  −24    42
20 Taranga FC                42    8  16  18    36   42   −6    40
21 Cortlandt United          42    5  10  27    16   52  −36    25
22 Wolskel FC                42    3  10  29    20   71  −51    19

FOURTH DIVISION WEST
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Forty-Two

   Fourth Division West       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Heffron City Miners         42   24  12   6    64   36  +28    84	Champions, Promoted
 2 Tevandale AFC               42   24   9   9    79   47  +32    81	Promoted
 3 Southport Thunder           42   24   6  12    70   52  +18    78	Promoted
 4 Blenheim FC                 42   21  11  10    72   50  +22    74
 5 Denhelm Terriers            42   21  10  11    74   53  +21    73
 6 Franport Blizzards          42   21   9  12    80   62  +18    72
 7 Langley Guardians           42   17  15  10    74   55  +19    66
 8 FC Montrose                 42   16  14  12    76   60  +16    62
 9 Ruislip and Ipswich FC      42   16  12  14    64   54  +10    60
10 Johnstone Athletic          42   17   8  17    76   71   +5    59
11 Cheltenham FC               42   15  14  13    55   52   +3    59
12 Brensley Falcons            42   14  13  15    68   59   +9    55
13 Dynamo Denhelm              42   13  16  13    54   57   −3    55
14 Clifton Fury                42   13  13  16    58   69  −11    52
15 Dover Defenders             42   13  10  19    49   52   −3    49
16 Kellsthorpe Bluebirds       42   13   8  21    61   72  −11    47
17 Moresby United              42   12  11  19    50   61  −11    47
18 Monroe Quakes               42   13   6  23    51   72  −21    45
19 Dunman Bay FC               42   13   5  24    50   75  −25    44
20 Othaven Wolves              42   12   8  22    60   90  −30    44
21 Ilstead Wanderers           42    9  11  22    48   81  −33    38
22 Eisenhower City             42    7   7  28    30   83  −53    28

by **Tumbra** » Fri Jul 23, 2021 1:24 am

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 3
MATCHDAY 38: THE FINALE

Table pre-matchday

Standings After Matchday Thirty-Seven

   Tumbran Premier Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 	Chg	Form 	Status
 1 Serrapince FC              37   28   8   1    84   27  +57    92	-0	WDWWD	Champions; CL; CEdC
 2 Lakewood City              37   26   8   3    91   32  +59    86	-0	DWWDW	CC
 3 Straton FC                 37   27   3   7    72   23  +49    84	-0	WWWWD	CC
 4 Lakewood United            37   21   6  10    65   43  +22    69	-0	WWWWW	CC
 5 FC Inter Nantwich          37   18   9  10    54   37  +17    63	-0	WDDWW
 6 Couno Rangers              37   15  13   9    54   51   +3    58	-0	DDLWD
 7 Clyde Park                 37   16   9  12    57   38  +19    57	▲3	LWWWW
 8 Columbia City              37   15  11  11    47   41   +6    56	▼1	WDLLW
 9 Kingsbury United           37   15   9  13    46   45   +1    54	▼1	WWWDL
10 Hesham FC                  37   15   9  13    37   39   −2    54	▼1	WLLDL
11 Ridgewell Rovers           37   13  10  14    29   38   −9    49	-0	LDLLL
12 Delphi Lions               37   14   6  17    21   24   −3    48	-0	LLWLW
13 Macarthur City             37   10  12  15    33   51  −18    42	▲1	DWLDW
14 West Couno United          37   11   6  20    32   46  −14    39	▲2	LLLLW
15 Glenmont AFC               37   10   9  18    30   46  −16    39	▼2	DLWLL
16 Fraser Valley FC           37    8  13  16    19   33  −14    37	▲1	LDLWD
17 Sturrey Athletic           37   12   1  24    18   41  −23    37	▼2	LLWLL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Clark City                 37    9   7  21    36   70  −34    34	-0	LDLWL	R*
19 Dorival FC                 37    4   7  26    13   63  −50    19	-0	WDLLL	R
20 AFC Cayalon                37    3   4  30     9   59  −50    13	-0	LLDLL	R

* - Not formally confirmed, but would require a thirteen-point goal difference swing to change the result.

Here's what we're faced with, then. Thirty-seven matchdays past, and for the first time, absolutely nothing to fight for in terms of in terms of the title, the IFCF spots or relegation. Bit of a downer, if we're being honest — even though the last two seasons had Lakewood City waltz away with the title, at least the fights at the bottom were exciting. Another season of football nearly past, yet another year gone. Some would be rueing their performances, others looking to strike back. Emotions were running high; tensions much more so, too. When the league would return in three months, they'd be joined by new teams — Ricci, battling back from the Second Division on the first time of asking; Newton, those minnows who'd gone down in the first season but had now fought their way back; and Timbourne, regular yo-yo visitors to the Premier Division who hadn't made it up in a while. All three capable sides; all three capable of giving the stragglers a run for their money. But as the gap between the Premier Division and second tier widened, it was perhaps getting harder and harder to stay up in the league.

Well, they'd always try.

Back to the present, then; not much to play for, but there was always league positions and prize money. All matches, as was tradition, started at the same time on the final day.

MATCHDAY 38

AFC Cayalon 1–0 Fraser Valley FC

Where else to begin, then, than at the team rooted to the bottom of the table? AFC Cayalon had battled hard, but perhaps they weren't meant for this division. They hadn't spent much, but then again money was always tight. As things had gone, four wins from thirty-eight wasn't such a good record; but it was one to be somewhat proud of, in retrospect. They'd duelled with some of the brightest and best in Tumbra; and while they never really came off on top, they sure did give it all they had.

And where to for Fraser Valley from here? The Qusmi experiment hadn't worked out; Fraser had slipped from sixth to eighth to twelfth...to sixteenth. Vulav-Wanar Tia looked increasingly dissatisfied, yet disconnected with his team after the game; there were the usual hugs and words of encouragement, but it was the end of an era. A broken team, with a few stars whose names had increasingly faded over the last few seasons. Would they, now managerless, become the next Clark City, or would someone rescue them from the brink?

Right midfielder Timothy Griffiths would break the deadlock with the only goal of the game in the seventieth minute; while the result wouldn't change Cayalon's league position, they'd go down with their heads held high. Fraser Valley would remain in sixteenth position, with thirty-seven points; a disappointing result, all things considered.

Dorival FC 0–2 FC Inter Nantwich

Nineteenth for Dorival; the Musicians would go down as quickly as they came. Similarly to Cayalon, they weren't much for this world, even if they had brought in a few more names than Cayalon. Cordwood and Andrande would understandably be let go; while others like Lambert and Renshaw would probably head to the benches of Premier Division sides, having impressed in their first season in the Premier Division. Not much was expected of them; but they, too, fought to keep their heads up.

Fifth for Nantwich and a semi-final berth in the Republic Cup might've been disappointing for them; but this was a team that was still slowly rebuilding. Less impressive than last year, for sure; but there were definite bright sparks in there. Most of this team was just about to enter its prime; and questions persisted over whether Conan Estelline would stay for a few more years. He confirmed he would stay until the end of his three-year contract, but was coy beyond that; the suspicion was that the wily seventy-one year-old already had his sights set on a beach back home in Super Llama-land. Nevertheless, a season of consolidation; but critics would call it a rude awakening.

Josep Ros and the Ko-orenite Vilovalu Wakajama would score both of Nantwich's goals; the first a clean shot on the edge of the box, the second a diving header from a corner. Dorival, as ever, had no response; former striker Jonathan Ford was notably out for the game, injured; without him, Dorival was deprived of both their main creative and goalscoring outlet. Not that they did much of both, mind.

Straton FC 1–0 Clark City

Third for Straton. But could it have been more? Allegedly still cash-strapped, the team had brief flashes of promise, but were still rather far away from the battling top two. Well. Far away for the most part, but they'd clawed back to prove a capable stalking horse for the team in second, to the extent that they were nearly level on points. Much had to be done; the team couldn't solely rely on Vázsony Sallay to paper up the very noticeable cracks in their squad for much longer. Perhaps next season was the time to start, with making Michael Toussaint a starter...

Those problems must've felt like worlds away for Clark, however, who faced a season or more in the Second Division. Already the vultures were circling; already some of their high-target assets were being looked upon with hungry eyes, eager for the taking. It would be a long season for them to try and recapture their identity; though for many, they were already preparing for a long stint in the second tier, with how mediocrely the squad had been playing this season. Ensio Kedar would leave, of course, with fans wishing him nothing but the best; he'd gotten them out of trouble once, but a magician could only do so many tricks at once.

Vázsony Sallay, ever-present for Straton this season, scored to confirm Clark City's relegation; but the mood after the game was relatively hollow for both teams.

Sturrey Athletic 0–1 Lakewood United

Sturrey were never really in danger of relegation the entire season — speaking volumes of both the faith placed in their manager, Tom Watson, and their players. But they'd never really felt like they were about to punch above their weight, either. And seventeenth, ominously, was the lowest they'd placed in the three seasons they'd now spent in the Premier Division. That wasn't saying much either, since they'd just finished sixteenth the two seasons prior. Would Sturrey press on, or would they continue surviving in the Premier Division, frustrating opponents by being extremely defensively solid?

Fourth for Lakewood United marked a welcome return to IFCF football for them; even if it was just a berth in the Challengers' Cup. They'd proven most of their doubters wrong; and their signings had worked out. Spencer Jepson proved to be a diamond in the rough; Ophelia Haywood was exactly what was needed on the left of defence, and Wilton Ramos had begun showing signs of becoming a better human being in general. But there was still more to be done — at 35, Johnny Brown couldn't be a starter forever, and at 33 Adam Herlinger too, was looking to slow down. The midfield was the biggest question mark, but the signs overall were positive.

Cameron Keyes would score Lakewood United's final goal of the season to put them ahead of Sturrey; capping off a season of recovery for Lakewood United. They were, once again, on the way up.

Glenmont AFC 0–0 Columbia City

After finishing in seventeenth in their debut season, making a great escape of their own, Glenmont had been more successful this season. Fifteenth was a respectable position; Paul Cramner's shrewdness in the transfer market had brought dividends. Lee Byong-Jun, Bullova Reyson, Lyn Musgrave and Grimson Hoskins; those were exactly the players needed to toughen up the squad for another fight against relegation. And they'd come off surprisingly well, as well. Now that they knew they were able to stay up, the next task was to keep improving.

Once again best of the rest, Columbia had proven they had a what it takes to possibly become the next Clyde Park. The back line of MacPierce, Perry, Lee and Hall had done well; and on the bench, one Hercule-McKinley was developing well as a long-term successor for Lee. Eli Apt, too, shined; there were rumours a Big Six club would be interested in the Chromatik. And up top, too; Ally McColl provided a wealth of experience to Frank Wilson and Tom Burrows. Certainly a promising squad, too; Dave Griffiths' rejuvenation of the club's squad was well underway, and there were rumours that if Yuan Zilai's tenure at the national team was cut short, Griffiths would be first choice to take over.

A goalless draw was a fitting end to Gerald Scicluna's career; both sets of supporters paid apt tribute to the retiring goalkeeper. He'd be going into punditry, but had every chance of reappearing in management; now the world was his oyster. On the pitch, the football was physical and end-to-end; both sides probably agreed that a draw was the fairest result.

West Couno United 2–2 Lakewood City

Fourteenth was not where West Couno expected, wanted, nor were happy ending up; but now they were looking for a fresh start. This squad had the chops to go far — Hancy, Charron-Becker, Morgan, Hussein, Kaparros, Rinaldi, McIntyre, Brent — but now they needed someone who could bring them to the next level. Achieving what they'd gotten last season — tenth — would probably be the baseline; anything that brought them closer to their hated rivals and red-clad neighbours would probably be a bonus, too. The search for the next manager had begun — who knew what it would bring them?

And for the other team in blue, Lakewood City had fallen short on this occasion. Was it a lack of motivation? Complacency? The post-mortem had to, would need to take place, but a few things were clear. A long-term successor for Robert Powell was needed, and possibly new starters on the left of attack and up top, too. Coonan and Anderson were serviceable, good; but they weren't world-class. Rumours that Fraser and Laishram were available, too, didn't exactly help the incumbents' cause. But for now, second; they'd be heading directly into the Challengers' Cup this time, and hopefully they'd make it back to the group stage.

A two-all draw meant that Lakewood City ended the season level on points with Straton; but goal difference would pull them ahead. There was a long road ahead for both sides; one to get back to where they were last season, and the other, well, to get back to where they were last season as well. Eighty-seven points for Lakewood City wasn't shabby either; last season this would've won them the title.

But it just wasn't good enough.

Kingsbury United 1–2 Macarthur City

Kingsbury survived an early season scare, mainly, to recover and finish ninth; it was where they'd finished in Season Two, but it definitely felt like they'd taken one step back. The rumours, of course, that Harry Henderson would depart for Lakewood United were always circling; and with Henderson having been passed over for the CE squad last season, they felt even more solid than normal. Mark Pryor's future was also on the balance; yes, he'd brought them back to finish ninth, but not many had forgotten the early-season blip. Add the fact that he only had one season left on his contract, and there were rumours the board would push him to look overseas; but that moment was still a while away.

Macarthur had done it again. Fourteenth last season, thirteenth this one. Graham Lloyd, at 31, was experiencing something of a career renessiance; Lester O'Reagan, too, had shed much of the reputation he'd gained in Carter, though questions remained over his match fitness. Kilarul Dhaundhen, as ever, was solid; but the real star of the show was Linnie Huxley, the striker from Bollonich; she'd more than told her doubters off, being inspiring up front just as she was entering her prime. A solid season for the Blackbirds; and one that looked to entrench them in the midfield for seasons to come.

In a match that could've gone either way, Linnie Huxley's early goal was cancelled out by Antti Perkkanen's long-shot; but Stephen Read would cut in from the left and deliver the final blow in the eighty-sixth minute. One of the best matches in the midfield; and one that gave much food for thought, even at the tail-end of the season.

Delphi Lions 1–5 Serrapince FC

Delphi had done it; they'd come through and secured a spot for themselves in next season's Premier Division. Twelfth was certainly impressive; though if they'd gone down with the quality this squad had, there'd probably be riots in Bexley. The only question, now, was on manager Michael Hardwick's future; the defensively pragmatic manager hadn't gone down well with the fans, who wanted him to actually utilise the squad they had and play attacking football. And who could blame him? Sweeney, Thesselborg, Holt; those three had always looked dangerous, but held back by Hardwick's tactics. With the name change to the Lionesses confirmed next season, Hardwick's future looked more in doubt — as they seeked to kick on next season.

There's not much more to say about Serrapince's title triumph. Key, Haywood, Hrvatin, McGrath, Mora, Hilton, Horvat, Riordan, et al; there was practically nothing that could've stopped this squad. Before the season began there were jeers about the amount of money they'd spent; they'd all shut up, now. And with a cup final incoming, Serrapince could conceivably do the double; the only shame was that they'd missed out on going invincible by losing that crucial match to Lakewood City, 4-1. But none of that mattered in the moment, as they'd secured their title; their first in seven years.

Delphi's previously resolute defence broke as Serrapince ran riot on the final day Riordan, Hilton and Horvat all scored, with the former two getting braces; and while they'd end the season with (only) the second best offence and defence, it was still enough to secure them the title. And in the end, wasn't that the most important bit?

Couno Rangers 1–0 Ridgewell Rovers

The news soon filtered through that Kiggwe Siakam's contract wouldn't be renewed. On the face of it, the board had been way too kind with him; any other board would've sacked their manager if he brought a squad capable of finishing third to seventh in the league. But they persisted; but he wasn't enough. Couno had a promising squad; Seren Thomson and Luca Cambiaso were excellent fullbacks, as were the front three of Evers, Anderson and Sheldon; but in the end, they'd still come short. Of the Big Six, they had the most catching up to do; and their twenty-two year long title drought would soon extend to twenty-three. Disappointing was probably the word used to describe Siakam's tenure, but that would soon be in the past; and looking to the future, building around Thomson and Cambiaso, was the important task now.

The Rovers had flown under the radar of many for most of the season, but they'd produced a quietly impressive season. Eleventh wasn't where most pundits predicted them to end up; but then again this was a very hard squad to place. Aurélie Dior was the standout; but then again, she was basically the only signing they'd made, and she'd be on her way back to Le Choix next season. Finding someone in her vein would be the difficult bit; but if they managed to secure someone, then they were on the road to surviving in this league, which was quickly becoming a reward in and of itself.

Couno put Ridgewell away, 1-0; a Alex Anderson goal was what did it. It would also turn out to be Kiggwe Siakam's last match in charge of the Rangers; the club announced he would be leaving at the end of his contract.

Hesham FC 0–1 Clyde Park

Hesham had done brilliantly. Ukrop turned out to be exactly what was needed to replace Hicks; him and Min Song-Hwan, who traded spots throughout the season, managed to prove more than a capable replacement for the departed 23 year-old. The other star was Lucas Russell; the young Licentian had proved his chops outside the Islands with Hesham, and was looking to a successful second season with the team. Things were, surprisingly, looking up for the Ploughmen; not many would have predicted them to finish tenth, but here they were.

Seventh for Clyde seemed like a good place to end, given that they'd spent most of the season figuring about in the midfield; but in the end, they pulled through. Laishram, looking unsettled, might be on the move again; but all that was speculation. More important for them was the Cup final; and the promise of this squad, the best in Clyde's long history, winning its first ever piece of top division silverware was tantalising enough.

Neil Fraser scored the only goal in this match; but Hesham did have several opportunities to pull through, as the team from Clyde looked somewhat distracted, even for a Clearmont Derby.

And so went the season; it had been an entertaining one, with a new winner at last. Attention was quickly focused, however, on the season-ender; the final of the Republic Cup, where Serrapince had the chance to come away with the legendary double; and Clyde had the chance to win silverware for the first time in a long, long time.

Final Standings, Season Three (IFCF Era)

   Tumbran Premier Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Serrapince FC              38   29   8   1    89   28  +61    95	Champions; Champions' League; CEdC
 2 Lakewood City              38   26   9   3    93   34  +59    87	Challengers' Cup; CEdC
 3 Straton FC                 38   28   3   7    73   23  +50    87	Challengers' Cup
 4 Lakewood United            38   22   6  10    66   43  +23    72	Challengers' Cup
 5 FC Inter Nantwich          38   19   9  10    56   37  +19    66
 6 Couno Rangers              38   16  13   9    55   51   +4    61
 7 Clyde Park                 38   17   9  12    58   38  +20    60
 8 Columbia City              38   15  12  11    47   41   +6    57
 9 Kingsbury United           38   15   9  14    47   47    0    54
10 Hesham FC                  38   15   9  14    37   40   −3    54
11 Ridgewell Rovers           38   13  10  15    29   39  −10    49
12 Delphi Lions               38   14   6  18    22   29   −7    48
13 Macarthur City             38   11  12  15    35   52  −17    45
14 West Couno United          38   11   7  20    34   48  −14    40
15 Glenmont AFC               38   10  10  18    30   46  −16    40
16 Fraser Valley FC           38    8  13  17    19   34  −15    37
17 Sturrey Athletic           38   12   1  25    18   42  −24    37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Clark City                 38    9   7  22    36   71  −35    34	Relegation
19 Dorival FC                 38    4   7  27    13   65  −52    19	Relegation
20 AFC Cayalon                38    4   4  30    10   59  −49    16	Relegation

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by **Tumbra** » Fri Jul 23, 2021 8:34 am

The Tumbran Football Federation Presents

The 121^st RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP - THE FINAL

"Brian, how does it feel to have led your team — this team — to its first ever Cup final?"

"Well...it's...it feels great. Excellent, whatever you call it. It's just surreal to be on the cusp of winning what could be this club's first trophy in a very long time."

"Your opponents, Serrapince; they're just coming off winning their first title in seven years. How difficult will it be to stop them?"

"Well. We've gone up against them twice already this season — we know what they're like, we know they're strong."

"Do you have a plan to stop them?"

"I'd be giving away too much of it if I answered."

"And a few more words...what does this cup final mean to you, personally? As most of us know, you were born in Clyde..."

"Yes. I was. Grew up supporting them, watching their games. One of my fondest memories as a boy was when my dad took me down to watch their games. Stadium capacity was over 50,000 back in the day; of course, this was before they put proper stands in. One of the first matches I watched? Clyde versus Serrapince, back when the Premier Division was still called the First Division and we still had twenty-four teams in the league. Of course, I don't remember the results now; but I think it was sometime in 1967. Anyways, this...this means a lot to me, personally. I was never able to play for Clyde itself — played for the Hesham Wanderers, Washington City for a bit, but never Clyde Park; but that's all changed now. So I think this does mean a lot to me, personally, as a lifelong Clyde Park supporter; I feel as many nerves as each of the fifty thousand or so Clyde fans who've made their way up here, today, to Straton, to watch this team, and I imagine this final means a lot to them, too. Not every day old Clyde makes it to a cup final, eh."

"And of the fifty thousand or so fans gathered in the stadium right now, do you have anything to say to them?"

"Yes. Watch it, drink it in. This kind of thing...it comes very rarely. Good times like these, you never know when they'll suddenly leave you — and any supporter of Clyde Park should know these are some of the best times we've been having. But enjoy them while they last. You never know in Tumbran football."

The 121st Republic Cup Final was an association football match played between Clyde Park and Serrapince FC in the Tumbran National Stadium in Straton, Tumbra. Organised by the Tumbran Football Federation, it was the 121st final of the Republic Cup and the showpiece match of Tumbra's primary football competition. It was Clyde Park's first appearance in the final; while Serrapince had reached the final on multiple occasions, most recently during the 119th running of the cup, when they won the title against second-division side Ashton Rovers.

"So, the starting eleven. Laine, goalie, obviously. Jacob, Trevor, McShane, Russell. Robinson, Martin. Fraser, Pierre, Dean, Hyeong-Joon. Our most...used...eleven, obviously."

"It's not been an easy season for us. But we can still turn that on its head. You are all ninety minutes away from lifting that trophy. Don't give me that look, Michael, I know it could easily go to a hundred and twenty, but I'm not counting on it. Because I know we have what it takes to beat, well, them."

"Don't believe me? It's a cup final. Not a stage a lot of us have made it to, I'll be honest, me included. But we all know what we need to do. We all know who we are."

"So get out there, give them hell. We know what we can do. We can do it once more."

Both teams had made their way through the crowded field from the first round of the competition; Clyde Park beat third division side Kelder Phoenixes, Tavistock Athletic, before beating second division side AFC Gillman, third division side Prinsip Street; before knocking out defending Premier Division champions Lakewood City and 120th Republic Cup finalists Straton FC in the semi-final. Serrapince beat the third division side Hesham Wanderers, second division side Cobham United, fourth division side Algoma Wanderers, fellow Premier Division side Ridgewell Rovers, Lakewood United in the quarter-final and 120th Republic Cup finalists FC Inter Nantwich in the semi-final. Serrapince was heavily favoured for the match; they had just won the Premier Division, losing just one of their thirty-eight matches.

"So you think they can do it, then? Go out there, win it all? Tad optimistic against a team who's lost just one domestic match all season, no?"

"I have to, Peter. I have to believe. I've been waiting for this moment."

"You're letting your emotions blind you."

"You've known me for twenty years now, served as my assistant manager for the last nine. I think you're being a bit of a spoilsport."

"...Aye, maybe I am."

Serrapince FC Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mick Key; Kandice Sayer, Keith Giblin, Gary Lewis, Andrija Hrvatin; Craig McGrath, Frank Thornton (c); George Hilton, Hermaeus Mora, Josip Horvat; Nick Riordan

Serrapince would approach the match with the lineup which had won them the title, effectively. Hermaeus Mora and Nick Riordan were the two names especially to look out for; but the entire team as a whole was favoured in the lead-up to the match.

Clyde Park Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1): Michael Laine (c); Jacob Keene, Trevor Marshall, Michael McShane, Russell White; Neil Robinson, Martin Humphreys; Neil Fraser, Pierre-Louis Laishram, Dean Cresswood; Kwak Hyeong-Joon

Clyde would look to rely on their front four which had brought them success in the previous few seasons; the tactic mainly relied on Kwak dropping deeper, drawing a defender with him; while leaving Pierre-Louis Laishram, the main creative outlet of the team, free to create or shoot. Him and Neil Fraser on the left wing were the players to look out for; the latter being a regular starter for the Tumbran national team on the wing.

The game started slowly, but with Serrapince holding most of the possession. After Michael Laine was forced to make a fingertip save in the seventh minute, however, Clyde Park got back into the game; and Kwak Hyeong-Joon delivered a shot on target of his own just two minutes later, which was expertly denied by Mick Key.

The game warmed up considerably after this; both teams became more evenly matched, with attacks forming as soon as the other team's attacks broke down. The first half, however, ended scoreless; but tensions would rise as many predicted the deadlock would end soon.

"Apart from the first few minutes, you've done really well. There's not much more to say, to be honest. We're slowly wearing them down. Keep at it. Hyeong-Joon, great positioning and linkup play; Fraser, you're being marked out of the game by Hrvatin. Try to drift inwards; they don't like playing too narrow, lest Jacob starts a run and catches her unaware. That's how they lost to Lakewood; that's what they're trying to prevent."

"I know you have this in you. I have faith that we'll come out on top."

The second half began; so did the rain, which began as a slight drizzle, but eventually got heavier. And after ten minutes after the second half started, the inevitable happened.

Josip Horvat deftly cut in from the right; the twenty-three year old nearly losing his balance as he darted inwards, balancing the ball as he slotted past Jacob Keene; he took the shot on the edge of the box, which was saved by Laine; but the ball fell to the ground. A short goalmouth scrabble ensued; but thirty seconds later, the ball was in the back of the Clyde Park net.

It was ugly; but it was a goal, and the Bees were ahead. Substitutions were made on the hour mark for Clyde; Chris Tipple came on for Neil Robinson; Ricardo Wyatt for the bushed Michael McShane. It left the Park with a technically gifted yet heavily inexperienced back four; but they at least had Laine and Russell White on the right to guide them.

Serrapince followed suit; Bob Trimble would come on for Giblin and Vince Cahill would come on for Craig McGrath, marking a shift in the tone of Serrapince's game; they'd be looking to go defensive. Clyde pounced on this; Kwak Hyeong-Joon stopped dropping back as much, while Laishram advanced; the team were now effectively playing a 4-2-4.

"You sure you want to go all out against them?"

"It's the only way. Else they'll sit back and walk all over us. We pile on the pressure, they make mistakes."

In the eighty-seventh minute, Russell White dispossessed George Hilton; he then made a quick pass to Tipple, who'd come deep to receive the ball. Dean Cresswood would subsequently receive the ball; his run against Kandice Sayer, Gary Lewis and Vince Cahill would later become the key moment of the game, as it turned out; his cross to Neil Fraser, sitting in the middle of the box, would gratefully hit its target.

Fraser took the ball down to feet, took one step; and finished past Mick Key, who seemed oddly unprepared for the fox-in-the-box tendency Fraser suddenly showed.

So it was 1-1, then, as the game went to extra time.

"Well, Michael Laine, I'm blaming you for laughing when I said we could wrap this up in ninety, because we could've. I'm only joking. You have done excellently. Thirty more minutes. They've worked themselves into a corner; we're right up there to pounce. 4-2-4, but don't forget, Dean, drop back a bit; we can't have that midfield outnumbered by theirs."

"We're very close. I know this. I believe in each and every single one of you."

Extra time began, then; and the game's pace slowed considerably. An extra sub was made available; Haverhead substituted on Maxim Knežević for Nick Riordan, the young goalscorer having been kicked about the entire match. He would keep the last, of course, for David Gough. It wasn't a possibility he wanted to entertain; but Gough was 36, had been playing football for half his life, and definitely knew a thing or two about saving penalties.

Devzies, on the other hand, had no such reservations, and brought on Daryl Ferguson for Dean Cresswood and Dave Mason for Kwak Hyeong-Joon, both of whom had also been kicked around the entire match. The two would provide energy on the field; Mason was also excellent in the air and on penalties. Neither manager wished to admit it, but penalties were a real possibility. Even as Neil Fraser ran up the wing in the hundred and tenth minute for what felt like another cross which would land nowhere, penalties were both manager's nightmare; having to pick five of their players to go out there, kick a ball twelve yards —

There were cries of protests as Neil Fraser was brutally brought down to the floor. Referee Richard Braddock blew for a stoppage in play; the entire stadium held its collective breath as he consulted the video assistant referee. Eventually, it was given; Laishram would take the penalty.

The box was cleared, the ball was set. The whistle blew.

The ball was struck.

And Clyde Park had won their first ever Republic Cup.

"Was the win lucky? At the end of the day, all football matches involve an element of luck. But I think that they'd slipped up, tried to secure their 1-0 lead. Very much unlike Haverhead to sit back and defend, like that...but at the end of the day, we'll take whatever we can get. We'll enjoy this win, of course. Very much so."

Serrapince FC 1–1 Clyde Park (1–2 AET)
Horvat 56'/Fraser 87', Laishram 110' (pen.)

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Tumbra (TMB) Qualifiers:
IFCF Champions' League: Serrapince FC
IFCF Challengers' Cup: Lakewood City, Straton FC, Lakewood United
IFCF Cup Winners' Cup: Clyde Park
Campionato Esportivano di Campeones: Serrapince FC, Lakewood City

by **Tumbra** » Sat Jul 24, 2021 12:57 am

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 3
POST-SEASON AWARDS

With the dust settling on the Premier Division season and the priorities of the clubs — IFCF football, another season in midtable, straggling for survival, or gearing up for an entry into the Premier Division — it was only fair to look back upon the season that had just passed, and hand due recognition to those who had just gone that little bit more than the rest of the pack.

Player of the Year

This award is open to every player from every club who have made at least one appearance, though it's fairly evident that the player must have contributed to the team and done some individual business to separate themselves from the rest of the pack to be worthy of this award.

Bronze Ball: Vázsony Sallay (PAS, Straton FC)
A less notable season for the Pasargan player, his 25 goals and 6 assists throughout the season might not have won Straton the coveted title they've been dreaming o for the past thirteen years now; but individually, the striker was every bit as good as last season, slowing down just a little bit. Individually, still head and shoulders above the rest of his contemporaries; that's why he earns the Bronze Ball.

Silver Ball: Nick Riordan (TMB, Serrapince FC)
Riordan burst onto the stage in dramatic fashion last season, scoring 11 goals in the Di Bradini Cup; the season after that he began chomping at the bit to be given the chance. Now fully integrated into the Serrapince first team as first-choice striker, his 26 goals and 2 assists through the season sees him take home the Silver Ball. He might've taken the Golden Ball home, too, if not for his teammate and gamechanger...

Golden Ball: Hermaeus Mora (CMT, Serrapince FC)
When Mora was first purchased for ten million, most ridiculed the signing. Yes, he had 97 caps and 15 goals for Chromatika; yes, he was a creative influence on the pitch, and a leader both on and off it; but he was thirty; and Serrapince had spent ten million dollars on him. In the end, with 7 goals and 18 assists credited; Mora more than repaid his fee; more than his on-pitch contributions, too, he also raised the profile of the league, and transformed Serrapince's attack into one that was deadly and focused; using his vision, set-pieces and creativity. Something which rightfully earned him this season's Golden Ball for the best player in the league this season.

Young Player of the Year

This award is open to players below 23 years of age who haven't already won an award for Player of the Year, or else Nick Riordan would be here again. Not that the rule was meant to specifically exclude him, mind, it's just an old tradition. Traditionally, too, breakout seasons are recognised a bit more than playing brilliantly at a consistent level from a young age, to recognise the effort needed to even break through into the first teams of these clubs in the first place.

Bronze Award: Lucas Russell (TLI, Hesham FC)
Hesham were originally slated for a long season in the wilderness following the departure of Vincent Hicks to Siovanija & Teusland; but the smart introductions of replacement signings such as Matthew Ukrop, Min Song-Hwan and Lucas Russell changed all that. Russell proved a formidable striker up top; with his partner Markus Strand, the two combined to fire Hesham into the top half of the table, and properly display their chops. The team might not have scored too many goals; only 37 across the course of the season; but Russell was definitely one of the bright sparks in Hesham's campaign, earning him the Bronze Award.

Silver Award: Michael Toussaint (SVG, Straton FC)
Originally derided as a bargain bin buy for Straton, arriving on a free, Toussaint had to step in quickly when it was revealed that the Forrest-Buchanan partnership simply hadn't improved from last season. And step up he did. Over the course of the season, the 21 year-old quickly became one of Straton's key players; the defender quickly establishing himself as Wayne Forrest's defensive partner. He may not be Stephen Kerr; but the defender still broke through this season and performed admirably, contributing to Straton's low number of goals conceded. For this, he earns the Silver Award.

Golden Award: Karina Holt (SVJ, Delphi Lions)
Holt was perhaps the left-field choice for the Golden Award, but the Delphi right winger more than separated herself from the rest of the pack this season. In an offence that didn't score too many, perhaps because of the fixation with defensive football Hardwick held; Holt scored seven of Delphi's 22 goals in the league. The right midfielder, at just age 23, is proving to be quite the player; not just for her ability to score goals, but for her dribbling ability, passing play and general attacking prowess. That is why she becomes the first woman to win the Golden Award.

Golden Glove

The Golden Glove is measured by the number of clean sheets kept, with the overall number of goals conceded as a tiebreaker. This award serves to recognise goalkeepers, who traditionally have been under-represented in awards ceremonies; this award seeks to rectify that. This season, the Bronze Glove was awarded to Nick Barker of FC Inter Nantwich; he held 19 clean sheets and conceded 37 goals across the season. The Silver Glove went to Mick Key of Serrapince, who had 20 clean sheets, and conceded just 28 goals.

The Golden Glove this term went to Graham Dodds of Straton FC; with 21 clean sheets and just 23 goals conceded. A well deserved award, given how shambolic Straton's defence could be at times; but Dodds' safe hands have bailed Straton out as many times as Sallay throughout the season.

Golden Boot

The Golden Boot is measured by the number of goals scored, with tiebreakers being decided by minutes played. The player with the lesser amount of minutes played takes precedence, but this season there hasn't been any need for that. With 847 goals being scored over 380 matches (an average of 2.29 per match), it wasn't as good as last season; but the league as a whole got a bit more defensive.

The Bronze Boot went to Vázsony Sallay; scoring an impressive 25 of Straton's 73 goals. Over a third of Straton's goals came through him; and while it was a slight decrease from last season, the mercurial Pasargan once again carried the team on his back, bailing them out in impossible situations and scoring goals from impossible angles. One of Pasarga's finest, to be sure, and 2.5 million dollars well spent.

This season, the Silver Boot went to Nick Riordan with 26 goals, the twenty year-old already staking his claim for the long-term custodianship of the Tumbran n.9 jersey; his partnership with Hermaeus Mora right behind him, too, proving vital to the striker's development on and off the pitch.

The Golden Boot went to Robin Vaughn; the winger scoring 28 of Lakewood City's 93 goals. Once again prolific; the winger once again proving why he's Tumbra's main man on the right of the field. Despite scoring 28, there is one goal he wishes he'd scored; the penalty against Ridgewell that gave Serrapince the league title. A still impressive season from him, nonetheless.

Manager of the Year

Of course, the brains behind the entire footballing operation must be recognised, too. Three managers were the obvious choices for this award; the only question was what was the order in which the three would finish. Unusually, this award takes into account performances in both the Republic Cup and the League proper; unlike the awards for players, who are judged based solely on performances in the league.

Third - Michael Hardwick (TMB, Delphi Lions)
Hardwick is perhaps a surprising choice for third place; but the curt Delphi Lions manager, whose future is up in the air, managed to guide his squad of rookies to the league to an impressive twelfth placed finish, conceding just 29 goals in the process. The team also managed to stay in the top half of the league for most of it, hitting a peak of sixth place, before a late run of bad form let them down. Of course, it wasn't attractive football; but for Hardwick, whose main motto and job in the league was to survive, this third placed award goes deservingly to him.

Second - Brian Devzies (TMB, Clyde Park)
Seventh in the league would not typically qualify one for the second place award; but when we look at Devzies' run in the Republic Cup — securing them IFCF football for the first time ever through winning the thing for the first time in the club's history — then it makes more sense. Perhaps the most controversial of the three recipients of the award; but this second place award is still well deserved nonetheless, both for his achievements this season and throughout the years with Clyde Park.

First - Danny Haverhead (TKT, Serrapince)
The moment the curtains closed on the season, most knew that there could only be one recipient of the first place award. Despite failing to pick up the domestic double, Danny Haverhead of Serrapince managed to come within ninety minutes of winning it; and, it must be said, only lost one match all season. Other accolades picked up by the victorious team: Most points scored in a title-winning season, least games lost, longest unbeaten run...they run on, and on, and on. For guiding his team to its first title in seven years, Danny Haverhead of Serrapince wins the first place award.

Team of the Season

Two teams of the season were named; with one being the first XI and the second XI. The concept of a twelfth man was trashed; the TFF cited the general standard of play as the reason why two sets of elevens were needed. Both elevens were in a 4-3-3 shape.

First XI

Position	Player
Goalkeeper	Graham Dodds (TMB, Straton)
Defender	Kandice Sayer (CMT, Serrapince)
Defender	Wayne Forrest (TMB, Straton)
Defender	Ian Ashburn (TMB, Lakewood City)
Defender	Andrija Hrvatin (PAS, Serrapince)
Midfielder	Alan Morgan (TMB, Lakewood City)
Midfielder	Pierre-Louis Laishram (KSK, Clyde Park)
Midfielder	Hermaeus Mora (CMT, Serrapince)
Attacker	Robin Vaughn (TMB, Lakewood City)
Attacker	Nick Riordan (TMB, Serrapince)
Attacker	Vázsony Sallay (PAS, Straton)

Second XI

Position	Player
Goalkeeper	Mick Key (EUR, Serrapince)
Defender	Ryan Hughes (TMB, Lakewood City)
Defender	Michael Toussaint (SVG, Straton)
Defender	Raymond Perry (TMB, Columbia City)
Defender	Chris Carter (TMB, Lakewood City)
Midfielder	Craig McGrath (TMB, Serrapince)
Midfielder	Karina Holt (SVJ, Delphi Lions)
Midfielder	Phil Cole (TMB, Lakewood City)
Attacker	Neil Fraser (TMB, Clyde Park)
Attacker	Josip Horvat (SVG, Serrapince)
Attacker	Marcus Sheldon (TMB, Couno Rangers)

If you enjoyed (or didn't enjoy) this part, click here and let Tumbra know why!

by **Tumbra** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 2:17 am

Matchday presents...

Sensible Transfers: Lakewood United

It's been a season of consolidation for Lakewood United. Fourth was a welcome return to the IFCF berths after a season in the wilderness; and defensive signings such as Ophelia Haywood and Spencer Jepson performed brilliantly alongside established stars Johnny Brown and Nigel Harris, ever dependable in the middle of the field and on the flanks. The offensive side performed well, too; the dynamic duo of Philip Cohen and Cameron Keyes continued performing at a high level, and the summer marquee signing of Wilton Ramos on a free, performed excellently, ignoring his off-field problems. Freed up by left midfielder Alex Kristensen drifting inwards to act as a third centre midfielder, Ramos acted as both a winger and a third forward, providing crosses, drifting into the box, and finishing when necessary. The 20 year-old Quebecois certainly proved why his old Taeshani club signed him at the age of 17; but he still has a lot to work on.

But the side still has weaknesses. Established midfield duo Adam Herlinger and Sean Cushing are both above 30; and Johnny Brown, national team captain (though after the team's untimely elimination from the Campionato Esportiva, he announced his retirement from that side) is now thirty-five. These three, while certainly not done on any level, need to be conserved for big matches; Herlinger and Brown especially.

So who can replace those three giants of the red side of Lakewood? Let's take a look at both midfield positions and the centre of defence in order, and see who they should sign — if anyone — to strengthen their squad, if they are to begin moving towards re-entering any title conversation right now.

All potential signings come from within the Premier Division.

Centre Midfield

Sean Cushing is an underrated part of Lakewood United's midfield. With Herlinger constantly advancing forwards, Cushing often has to pick up the slack with Kristensen, dashing around, recycling possession. Despite this, he still manages to prove useful to the offence and defence; of Lakewood United's 66 league goals, he had a hand in helping create about 20 of them — 4 assists, and 16 pre-assists or otherwise. It's a term bandied about more than most today, and one that threatens to lose meaning; but Cushing fulfills both the dynamo and pacesetter role in the Lakewood United midfield; and excels at both of them.

So why is he on this list? For starters, he's approaching 30 — which in itself isn't worrying, since midfielders aged 30 and above can still produce regularly for their sides. Just look at Hermaeus Mora. But his physicality, despite it not being overly worrying, has leant itself to some doubts over the past few years; multiple ankle injuries in his early career have come back to haunt him. Therefore it is imperative that a backup is brought in, and one day will be able to succeed him.

Martin Humphreys - Clyde Park

Humphreys, in a 4-2-3-1, occupies most of the same roles as Cushing does in Lakewood United's midfield, but with a bit more defensive responsibility. He specialises, too, in progressive passes; but his wingers, Neil Fraser and Dean Cresswood, often come deep to retrieve the ball from him; something that Wilton Ramos, United's main attacker on the wings, typically doesn't do. With over 1,500 passes last season, most of them forward, United could use someone like him to advance play.

Eden Wright - Delphi

In her debut season in Tumbra, the Tikariotian centre midfielder impressed in Michael Hardwick's defensively-oriented system. Freed up by Kimberly Doyle, who herself played as a specialised defensive midfielder, Wright often played balls forward to the Savojar Karina Holt or the two strikers up front — Thesselborg and Asanta. She averaged 0.29 assists per 90; which may seem low, but when looking at Delphi's overall lackluster attacking statistics (mainly due to Hardwick's defensive approach) she stands out from the pack. Also full of energy on the pitch, she could be useful for Lakewood United's planning ahead; especially since she's only 22.

Nicky Atkinson - Lakewood United

One of Lakewood United's academy graduates, Atkinson grew up idolising players like Roland Veach and Zachary Poulsen; but grew up playing in midfield for Lakewood United's academy. Now 24, Atkinson could prove to have something of a breakout season. His talent is immense — and already he typically is substituted on for Cushing in matches. They play similarly, too; but Atkinson prefers to advance a bit further than Cushing, sometimes even advancing further than Herlinger on the attack. Thankfully, Atkinson is fast; and similar to Wright, averages a high distance run per 90. Lakewood might search far and wide; but the easy solution, if not a headline-grabbing one; might already be in their squad.

Attacking Midfield

At 33, Adam Herlinger still plays extremely well; one of the two main creative outlets, he's been allowed to play further back with the arrival of Cameron Keyes in the space behind Philip Cohen. But time is running out on his career at the Reds — with one season left on his Lakewood United contract, it's likely this will be his last. And unlike Atkinson, United don't have any ready-made substitutes for him — most of their midfield subs are defensively oriented. Therefore it is more likely than not that United will venture into the transfer market to line up a long-term replacement for Herlinger; and one that will couple well with Nicky Atkinson, too.

Richard Driver - Hesham

Driver never played as an out-and-out attacking midfielder for Hesham; but of Hesham's three-man midfield, he certainly advanced the furthest. That is what Lakewood United should be looking for — instead of an attacking midfielder shoehorned into a deeper midfield position, as some might say Herlinger fits into right now, they should instead be looking for a centre midfielder willing to venture forward. And Driver fits that bill; the 24 year-old helped link the midfield of Ukrop or Song and Grace to the front two of Lucas Russell and Markus Strand.

James Hunter - Kingsbury

If United do deign to look for a more traditional 10 and seek to mould them into a deep-lying attacking midfielder, then Hunter could be a prominent choice. Kingsbury finished ninth in the league last cycle, and are preparing themselves to overhaul their midfield, bleeding in new talent which was mostly consigned to their bench last season, like the Audioslavian Den Uyl or the Farf Valeriano Loustaunau. United may therefore strike if Hunter turns out to be the unlucky one to miss out on the new-look Kingsbury midfield. Playing very much like Hermaeus Mora — the gold standard of attacking midfielder in Tumbra at present — as a distributer and someone who prefers to hang back in the hole behind the striker — Hunter could yet prove another intriguing option, and adapting him to play in the middle of the field would probably be rather easy — certainly easier than the time Herlinger himself had when he made the switch about four seasons ago.

Centre Back

Centreback always has been a problematic spot for Lakewood United. Last season they notably went for Dino Racic, the Mytanar of 1923 Esca, and failed to get him. Similar pursuits for Hans Fricke of Wexax and Kevin Sherwood of Carsby similarly weren't successful, and talks of an eleventh-hour bid for Poafmersian defender Hollis Stpehenson went awry when they made the initial approach too late — the defender already having agreed a move to Quebec and Shingoryeo.

In a way, the club were lucky to have ended up with Spencer Jepson — the Tikariotian only too happy to move away from Murphtannia. Adapting well, the Tikariotian struck up a good partnership with Brown and covered for the veteran well. The question now, is less of who can prove a successor to Brown, and who can get along well with Jepson — a defender who prefers to pass than tackle.

Harry Henderson - Kingsbury

Every summer the rumours return. Harry Henderson to Lakewood United seems to be the natural next step for the defender — especially since the defender himself has a partnership with the veteran on the national team. The only problem for Lakewood, then, is that Henderson plays very similarly to Jepson — and while a switch to two ball-playing defenders might work, it might not be a risk that Mark van der Brumen wishes to take on. Still considered the first choice to succeed Brown; but the odds on him have lengthened substantially.

Raymond Perry - Columbia

Perry rose to prominence when Columbia finished 8th in the league, earning him a place on the national team. While the team underperformed at the Campionato, Perry performed reasonably well in the national team set-up; and crucially, played in the same role as Johnny Brown. At just 26, Columbia might be reluctant to let go of their star asset; but if Lakewood United pay the right price, then Perry and Jepson might be a role for the next half decade or more.

Douglas Moore - Nantwich

Signing someone from Nantwich may be unthinkable — a fellow Big Six team — but unlike Lakewood United's relationships with neighbours Lakewood City and historical rivals Couno, Nantwich is probably the team best placed to do business with Lakewood United. Moore has made national team appearances in the past — and has hinted at a desire to leave the club, with rumours that his position is under threat from the Ko-orenite Vilovalu Wakajama. With a ready-made successor, Nantwich may not be as reluctant to let the 27 year-old go; and Moore is certainly adaptable — playing as a ball-playing defender for his club, but a standard tackling centreback for the national team.

United have a long way to go — but if they can get these three spots on their roster sorted for the upcoming season, then they certainly will take a big step in closing the gap to the big three clubs right now, including their noisy neighbours, Lakewood City. The majority of this squad did win a title just four seasons ago — and while their time has now passed, it could be time for a new generation of players to step up.

by **Tumbra** » Wed Sep 29, 2021 10:30 pm

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4
TRANSFER WINDOW ROUND-UP

The transfer window for Tumbra closed at the stroke of midnight; here is a summary of the transfers that took place within Tumbra.

Transfers to Lower Leagues/Retirements

Name                Age     Pos     Nat     Former Club                 New Club            Fee 
Geoffrey Meecham    34      LW      TMB     Columbia City               Colbrook City       Free
Lewis Pearce        34      RW      TMB     Columbia City               Guillemard Town     Free
Charles Wright      32      RM      TMB     Delphi Lionesses            AFC Gillman         Free
Peter Gaffney       33      CAM     TMB     FC Inter Nantwich           Dorival FC          Free
Kai Sinclair        33      LW      TMB     FC Inter Nantwich           Bencoolen City      Free
Toby Sinclair       32      ST      TMB     FC Inter Nantwich           Bencoolen City      Free
Howard Lloyd        34      CM      TMB     Glenmont AFC                Ashton Rovers       Free
Paul McDonnell      34      ST      TMB     Glenmont AFC                Gisbourne Lynxes    Free
Ian Pemberton       34      CB      TMB     Macarthur City              Enfield Celtic      Free
James Forrest       33      RW      TMB     West Couno United           Tavistock Park      Free
Simon Hart          34      LB      TMB     Kingsbury United            Knapford United     Free
Sebastian McGriffin 33      RW      TMB     Newton Wanderers AFC        Sherwood Town FC    Free
David Gough         37      GK      TMB     Serrapince FC               Retired
Gerald Scicluna     38      GK      TMB     Columbia City               Retired
Peter Brown         35      RB      TMB     Columbia City               Retired
John Walker         36      GK      TMB     Delphi Lionesses            Retired
Aiofe Ruth          37      RB      CMT     Delphi Lionesses            Retired
Todd Symes          34      RW      TMB     Hesham FC                   Retired
Theodore Houghton   36      CDM     TMB     Macarthur City              Retired
Dennis Paterson     34      RB      TMB     Ridgewell Rovers            Retired
Matthias Bergander  36      ST      NPH     Ridgewell Rovers            Retired
Oliver Johnson      35      CM      TMB     Sturrey Athletic            Retired
Mark Clarke         34      CM      TMB     Sturrey Athletic            Retired
Jon French          34      CM      TMB     West Couno United           Retired
Richard Hall        35      CM      TMB     Newton Wanderers AFC        Retired
Dean Shepard        34      CM      TMB     Newton Wanderers AFC        Retired

Internal Transfers Within the League

Name                    Age     Pos     Nat     Former Club             New Club                Fee
Pierre-Louis Laishram   27      CAM     KSK     Clyde Park              Lakewood City           6.5m
Douglas Moore           27      CB      TMB     FC Inter Nantwich       Lakewood United         5.5m
Eli Apt                 25      CDM     CMT     Columbia City           Lakewood City           4.5m
Mike Coonan             25      LW      TMB     Lakewood City           Columbia City           3.5m
Alistair McGarry        20      LW      TMB     Glenmont AFC            Clyde Park              2.5m
James Anderson          28      ST      TMB     Lakewood City           Kingsbury United        2.5m
David Burnet            24      CM      TMB     Sturrey Athletic        Columbia City           2.0m
Graham Cooper           26      LW      TMB     Fraser Valley           Newton Wanderers AFC    2.0m
Richard Adams           25      ST      TMB     Delphi Lionesses        FC Inter Nantwich       1.6m
Sean Delap              27      LW      TMB     Columbia City           Fraser Valley           1.5m
Frank Stuart            23      CDM     SNL     Clark City              Macarthur City          1.4m
Tom Spencer             26      LW      TKT     Clark City              Glenmont AFC            1.2m
Ashley Hall             21      RM      TMB     AFC Cayalon             Delphi Lionesses        1.2m
Michael Brewster        34      CB      TMB     Hesham FC               Macarthur City          1.0m
Charles Allams          29      CB      TMB     Lakewood United         Kingsbury United        1.0m
John Byrne              30      LB      TMB     Lakewood United         New Timbourne Knights   0.9m
Maksimillian Trukhin    26      RB      PYA     Clark City              Straton FC              0.8m
Claire Marsden          19      ST      TMB     AFC Cayalon             Delphi Lionesses        0.8m
Nicholas Fischer        33      CM      TMB     Couno Rangers           Newton Wanderers AFC    0.8m
Asa Anderson            22      CM      TMB     Clark City              Sturrey Athletic        0.8m
Ivar Halgorsen          19      RB      GGU     Clark City              Sturrey Athletic        0.6m
Kevin Renshaw           23      CB      TMB     Dorival FC              Sturrey Athletic        0.6m
Jim Morris              30      ST      TMB     Delphi Lionesses        Glenmont AFC            0.5m
Sabine Kemp             21      LB      TMB     Clark City              Lakewood United         0.5m
Michael Sullivan        30      CB      TMB     Macarthur City          New Timbourne Knights   Free
John Bryant             33      RB      TMB     FC Inter Nantwich       Ridgewell Rovers        Free
Jim Hunter              32      ST      TMB     Kingsbury United        Newton Wanderers AFC    Free
Adam Piosek             33      RB      TMB     Sturrey Athletic        Newton Wanderers AFC    Free

Transfers out of the League

Name                Age     Pos     Nat     Former Club             New Club                Fee
Harry Henderson     28      CB      TMB     Kingsbury Utd.          Aleiusia Capital [ZRH]  4.25m
Mike Sheppard       26      RB      TMB     Straton FC              Kingston FC [QUE]       3.0m
Oscar Andrande      27      CM      TKT     Dorival                 [undisclosed]           1.5m
Cathal Maguire      18      CM      TMB     Sturrey Athletic        Wirr Tsi [CMT]          0.5m
James Larkin        18      RB      TMB     Ricci Ironworkers       Wirr Tsi [CMT]          0.5m
Stephanie Pearson   19      LB      TMB     Kingsbury United        Crossroads [CMT]        0.5m
Laurence Pearson    19      CB      TMB     Kingsbury United        Crossroads [CMT]        0.5m
Henry Woodhouse     18      GK      TMB     Straton FC              Myana [CMT]             0.5m
Jack Torrance       33      ST      TMB     Lakewood City           Colesham Athletic [TLI] Free
Robert Powell       34      CM      TMB     Lakewood City           Free Agency             Free
Brandon Cordwood    34      CDM     NPH     Dorival                 Free Agency             Free

Transfers Into the League

Name                Age     Pos     Nat     Former Club                     New Club                Fee
Flo Eschborn        27      CB      NPH     Brinemouth [NPH]                Serrapince FC           5.5m
Kirsten Desmond     21      CAM     NPH     Sabrefell Moths [NPH]           Lakewood Utd            5.0m
Malachite Riester   25      CM/AM   NPH     Leichhardt [NPH]                Ridgwell Rovers         4.0m
Vlart Hedberg       22      CDM     SRS     Golgafrincham [SRS]             Straton FC              4.0m
Julie Dufour        22      CM      KSK     CS Saint-Remy [KSK]             FC Inter Nantwich       3.0m
Arwen van As        21      CB      TLI     Garton Bay Pirates [QUE]        Couno Rangers           3.0m
Slavomir Malik      28      CM      STL     Energia Chernovets [STL]        West Couno United       2.5m
Edwin Markozy       22      CAM     ZRH     FKP Ottowić Okrug [ZRH]         Clyde Park              2.5m
J-P Vaillancourt    21      CM      QUE     Nunavut State University [QUE]  Couno Rangers           2.0m
Klara Verlaan       17      RB      QUE     Montreal Koreana [QUE]          FC Inter Nantwich       0.5m
Juul de Bruin       19      RB      TLI     Gaelic Club [TLI]               Delphi Lionesses        0.3m
Victor Mackay       31      CM      TLI     Blackheath [QUE]                Sturrey Athletic        0.2m
Claretta Lawlor     25      CB      NPH     Chenoworth Harriers [NPH]       Ricci Ironworkers       Free
Matrona Croxteth    25      CB      NPH     Parrhesia United [NPH]          New Timbourne Knights   Free
Erika Steinlein     26      CM      NPH     Chenoworth Rovers [NPH]         Lakewood City           Free
Tania Layton        23      CAM     NPH     Goodfeather FC [NPH]            Kingsbury United        Free
Joaquim Santo       20      CB      JUE     AC Serone PrimaCHvera [JUE]     FC Inter Nantwich       Free
Christian Borzoi    25      ST      NPH     Southfell United [NPH]          Ridgewell Rovers        Free
Ophelie Bernard     23      ST      SVG     AF Newcastle [MUR]              Lakewood City           Free
Zheng Haidong       22      CM      YZH     AFC Walsall United [MUR]        Glenmont AFC            Free
Luciano Bello       23      RW      SVG     AFC Newcastle United [MUR]      Columbia City           Free
Mu Weihai           24      CB      YZH     Derbyshire Counties [MUR]       Hesham FC               Free
Christophe Ghislain 25      RW      SVG     Nottingham Furest Utd [MUR]     Ridgewell Rovers        Free
Bertille Gavrill    23      RB      CMT     Eyrods Tech [CMT]               Clyde Park              Free
Eloisa Caldwell     28      ST      NPH     Nottingham Furest [NPH]         Columbia City           Free
Donald Craiglethy   32      CB      SCT     Hillsborough FC [CBP]           Columbia City           Free
Isla Kincorick      31      CB      SCT     Bergholz Caledonian [CBP]       Hesham FC               Free
Anna Napier         31      CM      SCT     Ellesmere Woods [CBP]           Couno Rangers           Free
Choi Kyung-Soo      25      CAM     HIN     Aleiusia Riverside [ZRH]        FC Inter Nantwich       Free
Ákos Trouvé         18      CM      FFD     Undisclosed [FFD]               Sturrey Athletic        Free
Amélie Vivienne     23      RB      CMT     University of the Islands [CMT] Ricci Ironworkers       Free
Desimir Gavrilovic  20      CB      FFD     Undisclosed [FFD]               Kingsbury United        Free
Wei Haifeng         21      LB      YZH     AFC Brentford United [MUR]      Kingsbury United        Free

Transfer Records and Stats

Highest fee paid by a Tumbran club: 10m for Hermaeus Mora [CMT], Lhor [CMT] to Serrapince FC, TW32
Highest domestic fee paid for a Tumbran player: 7.0m for Neil Fraser, Clyde Park to Lakewood City, TW33
Highest outgoing fee: 4.25m for Harry Henderson, Kingsbury United to Aleiusia Capital [ZRH], TW33

Total Amount Spent by Tumbran Clubs
TW31: 21.9m
TW32: 54.754m
TW33: 47.354m

by **Tumbra** » Thu Sep 30, 2021 10:27 pm

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4
PREVIEW, PART ONE

Serrapince FC

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Mick Key		25	M	Eura
2	LB	Kandice Sayer		28	F	Chromatika
20	CB	Flo Eschborn		27	F	Nephara
5	CB	Gary Lewis		27	M	Tumbra
3	RB	Andrija Hrvatin		25	F	Pasarga
8	CM	Craig McGrath		27	M	Tumbra
23	CDM	Vince Cahill		20	M	Tumbra
7	LW	George Hilton		25	M	Tumbra
10	CAM	Hermaeus Mora		31	M	Chromatika
11	RW	Josip Horvat		24	M	Savigliane
9	ST	Nick Riordan		21	M	Tumbra

Bench
12	GK	Keith Bormann		20	M	Kotzellach
13	LB	Wang Qishan		22	M	Xinhua
14	CB	Bob Trimble		23	M	Tumbra
4	CB	Keith Giblin		30	M	Tumbra
19	RB	David Walliams		30	M	Tumbra
15	CM	John Cameron		30	M	Tumbra
6	CM	Frank Thornton		33	M	Tumbra
21	CDM	Brendan Rowling		17	M	Tumbra
18	CAM	Oliver Proctor		29	M	Tumbra
17	LW	Robert Goldstein	29	M	Tumbra
22	RW	Charlotte Ritchie	20	F	The Licentian Isles
16	ST	Maxim Knežević		26	M	Savigliane

Quick Facts

City and State: Serrapince, Bechor
Last season: Champions, Premier Division
Stadium: Serrapince Park (74,500)
Nickname: the Bees; the Black-And-Golds
Manager: Danny Haverhead, 52, Tikariot
Style of Play: Attack, attack and attack again
Prediction: Title challenge

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Flo Eschborn from Brinemouth, Nephara ($5,500,000)
Outgoing: David Gough, retirement

Overview: What now for the new champions? The only way now is to defend their title. Cruising to the league title, losing just one game all season, Danny Haverhead’s spending spree paid multiple dividends. The key players on this team have been waxed lyrical about multiple times last season — spindly goalkeeper Mick Key, Sayer and Hrvatin on the wings, McGrath in the middle, and that pacy front three of Horvat, Riordan and Hilton playing mayhem with other opposition. Not to mention Player of the Year winner Hermaeus Mora pulling the strings, a threat all on his own.

Another working class club founded as a factory team, Serrapince slowly grew in size to become the biggest club in Serrapince, therefore securing themselves entry into the Tumbran Football League when it was first organised. Success came soon after; the club won the fifth and sixth competitions, and slowly took over almost every other club in the region even as they went through a fallow period in the 60s. Four titles in the 2000s cemented their return to the limelight, and they’ve become established as one of the Big Six of Tumbran football since.

Losing one match all season might not be grounds for more spending — after all, why fix what isn’t broken? But Danny Haverhead wants to continue this dominance — and has therefore brought in one Flo Eschborn to shore up the defence. A technically competent, gifted defender, Eschborn was sought after by Clyde Park last season, and the signing could be said to be a coup — even despite Serrapince’s status as champions. Elsewhere, Vince Cahill, who was missed out on for a trip to Starblaydia and Valanora, looks set to start in the heart of midfield, as Frank Thornton grows ever older.

Only holding on to the title will be enough for Serrapince. They’ve got the pieces to do it; they’ve kept on to the key pieces from this year, and the defence is finally gelling together. This squad knows how to win; nothing but the best will be good enough for them. And expect more free-flowing, attacking football while you’re at it, too.

Lakewood City

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	John Lennon		32	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Ryan Hughes		29	M	Tumbra
4	CB	Ian Ashburn		24	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Louis Paterson		27	M	Tumbra
3	RB	Chris Carter		24	M	Tumbra
8	CDM	Eli Apt			25	M	Chromatika
16	CM	Alan Morgan		26	M	Tumbra
23	CAM	Phil Cole		24	M	Tumbra
7	LW	Neil Fraser		25	M	Tumbra
9	RW	Robin Vaughn		28	M	Tumbra
10	ST	Pierre-Louis Laishram	27	M	Kelssek

Bench
13	GK	David Ager		20	M	Tumbra
12	LB	Savatije Kralj		22	M	Farfadilis
17	CB	Tom Lawrence		23	M	Tumbra
14	CB	Maja Olsman		24	M	Ko-oren
19	RB	Lars Sandalwood		27	M	Nephara
6	CM	Erika Steinlein		26	F	Nephara
15	CM	Patrick Butler		31	M	Tumbra
20	CDM	Lewis McCabe		20	M	Tumbra
18	LW	Jack Reed		21	M	Tumbra
21	RW	Charlie Baker		20	M	Tumbra
11	ST	Ophelie Bernard		23	F	Savigliane
22	ST	Charlotte Henshaw	18	F	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Lakewood, Severn
Last season: 2nd, Premier Division
Stadium: Lakewood City Arena (58,000)
Nickname: The Skyblues
Manager: John Riedweld, 52
Style of Play: Possessive, Attacking
Prediction: Title Challenge

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Neil Fraser from Clyde Park, $7,000,000
	  Pierre-Louis Laishram from Clyde Park, $6,500,000
	  Erika Steinlein from Chenoworth Rovers, Nephara, free
	  Ophelie Bernard from AF Newcastle, Murphtannia, free	 	 
Outgoing: Mike Coonan to Columbia City, $3,500,000
	  James Anderson to Kingsbury United, $2,500,000
	  Jack Torrance to Colesham Athletic, The Licentian Isles, free
	  Robert Powell, released, free

Overview: Don’t mention last season to them. Whether it was complacency, dodgy lasagna served by the Clark City caterers which led to them completely losing all momentum as they approached the second half of the season, or something else entirely, Lakewood City finished eight points off the top of the league and only finished second by virtue of goal difference. This despite marking down Serrapince’s only defeat, a 4-1 barnstormer at home.

So they took the summer, re-analysed how they could catch up to the new champions, and arrived at the natural conclusion that the only way was to begin spending. This is a club with big pockets — owned by one of Tumbra’s richest men, John Ashburn, the scouting method became searching for talent within the league, instead of searching overseas like Straton did. The results, of course, landed squarely within the dominion of two teams which finished within the top ten this season.

Neil Fraser, Pierre-Louis Laishram and Eli Apt. Each of the three had proven their worth in the league in seasons prior, each had a prince’s ransom forked out for their services, each having high expectations tagged to them. Fraser, ever a threat on the left, keen to take on opponents to try and retake his starting spot in the Tumbran national team. Laishram, whose move away from Langlois was increasingly thought of as ill-thought out, getting another chance to win silverware in a club that would compete directly for the table. Apt, the Chromatik defensive midfielder, having proven his steadiness on the ball, an ideal replacement for the departing Robert Powell. Alongside them, the national team back five of John Lennon, Ryan Hughes, Ian Ashburn, Louis Paterson and Chris Carter, and you’ve got an iron-strong defense. On the right, Robin Vaughn. Even their bench is stacked, filled with what some would call luxury signings; the likes of Sandalwood, Kralj, Olsman, and the additions of the pacey Savigliana Ophelie Bernard, and creative force Erika Steinlein. Add the healthy dose of youth on the bench, and you’ve got yourself a title-winning team. Hopefully.

In terms of departures, veteran striker Jack Torrance has left, along with the aforementioned Powell; while James Anderson’s tenure at Lakewood was brought to perhaps ignominious end with him being shipped out to Kingsbury, who were in search of a decent striker. The same fate befell Mike Coonan, who left for Columbia; time will tell if these were mistakes, or not. Anything goes in search of the title.

Which is the expectation. Title, or bust. Failing that, at least making a decent attempt at winning the title.

Straton FC

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Graham Dodds		29	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Michael Campbell	29	M	Tumbra
3	CB	Michael Toussaint	22	M	Savigliane
4	CB	Wayne Forrest		26	M	Tumbra
13	RB	Casey Farag		23	F	Eastfield Lodge
6	CDM	Michael Aitken		32	M	Tumbra
8	CM	Leo Hooper		27	M	Tumbra
10	CM	Ryan Morgan		26	M	Tumbra
7	LM	Jon Eagleton		27	M	Tumbra
9	RM	Paul Collins		26	M	Tumbra
11	ST	Vázsony Sallay		24	M	Pasarga

Bench
23	GK	Joe Bonner		20	M	Tumbra
12	LB	Lei Xiaobo		29	M	Yuezhou
17	CB	Barry Hamilton		20	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Jim Buchanan		30	M	Tumbra
16	RB	Maksimilian Trukhin	26	M	Pyazhnaya
18	CDM	Vlart Hedberg		22	M	SRS
19	CM	John Lawrence		20	M	Tumbra
20	CAM	Tom Brauer		27	M	Kotzellach
22	CM	Kevin Dunstan		20	M	Tumbra
14	LW	Harvey Osbourne		20	M	Tumbra
21	RW	Felicity Woodhouse	17	F	Tumbra
15	ST	Ralf Vanstenkeeste	31	M	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Straton, Straton
Last season: 3rd
Stadium: Tumbran National Stadium (100,000)
Nickname: the Senators; the Capitals
Manager: Ted Bayh, 45
Style of Play: Attacking, Fast-paced
Prediction: Title Challenge

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Vlart Hedberg from Golgafrincham, Squornshelous Remnant States, $4,000,000
	  Maksimilian Trukhin from Clyde Park, $800,000
Outgoing: Mike Sheppard to Kingston FC, Quebec & Shingoryeo, $3,000,000

Overview: Last season was more a testament to Vazsony Sallay’s strength as a player and the team behind him more than anything, as Straton pulled themselves to a third place finish, level on points with Lakewood. There were bright spots; Michael Toussaint’s rise as Stephen Kerr’s replacement, and Sallay was brilliant as usual. But this club still has a-ways to go before it challenges for a title; and lest they fall into the same trap of using one player to pull a squad to any kind of success again, they need to change. And fast.

Unfortunately for them, their finances don’t exactly allow that. Mike Sheppard’s departure to Kingston in Quebec means that Casey Farag, the Eastfield Lodger, has to step up, while in the rightback’s stead Maxsimillian Trukhin, a Baptism of Fire winner from Clark City, has been brought in. There’s been little movement otherwise; though the signing of Vlart Hedberg, a Confederate midfielder from Golgafrincham, as Michael Aitken’s long-term successor at defensive midfielder is very promising. He’ll spend the season bleeding in, of course, before possibly taking Aitken’s spot next term.

The key players are Campbell, Toussaint and Aitken — the three Michaels — while Leo Hooper and Vazsony Sallay are the main creative opportunists. It must be said, however, that to improve, the wings would be the place to do it. Ted Bayh always prefers playmakers on the wings, but this has led to a little bit of tension amongst the fanbase, who are instinctively more drawn to fast, electric players on the wings. Eagleton and Collins are serviceable, sure, but not world-beaters. Yet, Felicity Woodhouse and Harvey Osbourne on the bench look set to be more traditional wingers in the Tumbran mould - so even their future seems secure. If they can hold on to it.

Lakewood United

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Louis Addison		33	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Ophelia Haywood		26	F	Brenecia	
16	CB	Douglas Moore		27	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Spencer Jepson		24	M	Tikariot	
3	RB	Nigel Harris		27	M	Tumbra
14	LM	Alex Kristensen		26	M	Tumbra
15	CAM	Kirsten Desmond		21	F	Nephara	
13	CM	Nicky Atkinson		24	M	Tumbra	
7	RM	Wilton Ramos		21	M	Quebec	
9	ST	Philip Cohen		28	M	Tumbra
22	ST	Cameron Keyes		24	M	Sylestone

Bench
12	GK	Richard Russell		20	M	Tumbra
6	LB	Sabine Kemp		21	F	Tumbra
4	CB	Johnny Brown		35	M	Tumbra
17	CB	Belinda Proudfoot	18	F	Tumbra
20	RB	Neil Crozier		21	M	Tumbra
8	CM	Sean Cushing		30	M	Tumbra
23	CDM	Michael Browne		21	M	Tumbra
19	CDM	Adrian Hewitt		22	M	Tumbra
10	CAM	Adam Herlinger		33	M	Tumbra
11	LW	Ian McDermott		20	M	Tumbra
18	RW	Shoaib Saeed		30	M	Tumbra
17	ST	Bernard Brown		26	M	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Lakewood, Severn
Last season: 4th
Stadium: Trenton Park (74,000)
Nickname: the Reds
Manager: Mark van der Brumen, 57
Style of Play: Attacking, physical
Prediction: Title Challenge

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Douglas Moore from FC Inter Nantwich, $5,500,000
	  Kirsten Desmond from Sabrefell Moths, Nephara, $5,000,000
	  Sabine Kemp from Clark City, $500,000 
Outgoing: Charles Allams to Kingsbury United, $1,000,000
	  John Byrne to New Timbourne Knights, $900,000

Overview: Perhaps one of the most intriguing sides in the league these days, Lakewood United are an enigma. Second in the first IFCF season, fifth the season after, and clawing their way back up to fourth, with shrewd signings such as Ophelia Haywood and Wilton Ramos, have led to some pundits betting that this is a team that could challenge for the title. Maybe not last season, with a 35 year-old Johnny Brown lumbering about and an increasingly out-of-breath Adam Herlinger in midfield, but off-season Lakewood United have hit. And hit hard.

Add Douglas Moore from Nantwich as Spencer Jepson’s defensive partner and a bit of Kirsten Desmond in the middle of the pitch pulling strings at just 21, and, well, this is certainly a team with a lot of potential. There’s no doubting it —this defensive lineup gives Lakewood City’s a run for its money. Add Wilton Ramos on the right — a Quebecois outcast who’s certainly quality — and a tried-and-tested striker partnership of Philip Cohen and Cameron Keyes up front, and there’s a recipe for success.

The only possibly worrying thing is the lack of depth at striker — Bernard Brown was infamously a panic buy from Newton Wanderers on deadline day after the club tried so hard to sign someone and failed. But apart from that, this team is set. They could realistically win the league, or they could finish 4th. But, of course, the fans expect the former.

Most pundits would put them 3rd. Maybe this squad needs time to gel. Maybe this squad could, under the leadership of John Riedweld, challenge for the title. Lakewood United are perfectly poised to be the league’s surprise package — if Riedweld can get Wilton Ramos under control.

FC Inter Nantwich

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Nick Barker		26	M	Tumbra
14	LB	Aimée Laurent		24	F	Savigliane
4	CB	Devon Daniels		29	M	Cassadaigua
23	CB	Vilovalu Wakajama	22	M	Ko-oren
3	RB	Don Blather		22	M	Tumbra
8	CM	Andrew Fisher		24	M	Tumbra
16	CM	Julie Dufour		22	F	Kelssek
6	CDM	Tom Stansfield		29	M	Tumbra
9	LW	Gordon Jennings		28	M	Tumbra
7	RW	Atlas Baxter		28	M	Tikariot
11	ST	Josep Ros		30	M	Audioslavia

Bench
12	GK	Jan Murray		19	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Tony Baldwin		27	M	Tumbra
13	CB	Philip Gonzalez		24	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Joaquin Santo		20	M	Juvencus
22	RB	Klara Verlan		17	F	Quebec
20	CM	Ian Robertson		20	M	Tumbra
19	CM	John Bush		28	M	Tumbra
10	CAM	Choi Kyung-Soo		25	M	Kita-Hinode
21	CDM	Robert Anselm		19	M	Tumbra
15	LW	Rebecca Haines		17	F	Tumbra
18	RW	Richard Baker		22	M	Tumbra
17	ST	Richard Adams		25	M	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Nantwich, Finnley
Last season: 5th
Stadium: Nantwich Stadium (64,000)
Nickname: the Black-and-Blues
Manager: Conan Estelline, Super-Llamaland, 71
Style of Play: Counterattacking, Relies on set-pieces
Prediction: In the Hunt

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Julie Dufour from CS Saint-Remy, Kelssek, $3,000,000
	  Richard Adams from Delphi Lionesses, $1,500,000
	  Klara Verlaan from Montreal Koreana, Quebec, $500,000
	  Joaquim Santo from AC Serone PrimaCHvera, Juvencus, free
	  Choi Kyung-Soo from Aleiusia Riverside, Zeta Reka & Hugeltaldom, free
Outgoing: Doughas Moore to Lakewood United, $5,500,000
	  Peter Gaffney to Dorival FC, free
	  Kai Sinclair to Bencoolen City, free
	  Toby Sinclair to Bencoolen City, free
	  John Bryant to Ridgewell Rovers, free

Overview: Nantwich were scintillating in the first half of last season. They were less so in the second half of it; and Conan Estelline’s project continues as he approaches the final season of his contract, with no indication of whether he’s intending to extend it or head back up north into retirement. The enigmatic, abrasive manager let Douglas Moore go to Lakewood United; but has made the Ko-orenite Vilovalu Wakajama a starter alongside stalwart Devon Daniels. Elsewhere, Julie Dufour from Kelssek comes in; a set-piece specialist, she fits in perfectly with the playing philosophy that Estelline likes to promote.

Other incomings include a young right-back, Klara Verlaan, from Montreal Koreana; the highly-rated right-back coming into the team means Don Blather doesn’t really have much of a backup on the right side of defence, but he’s been growing into his starter role rather nicely. Moore’s replacement is Joaquin Santo, who becomes the first Juven player in the league; also very highly-rated. It seems like the main focus this season is to build a team for the future; bringing in Choi Kyung-soo from Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom also fits in this plan, should Estelline choose to shake things up tactically.

They join an established cast including Nick Barker, Tumbra’s Nearly Man; so called because the fight between the top two goalkeepers of the age seems to have come at a bad time for him; Devon Daniels, defensive maestro; Andrew Fisher and Tom Stansfield, midfield generals both. The front three are arguably the least impressive of this batch, but still provide plenty of goals and attacking output respectively. Ros, a combative Audioslavian willing to fight for the shirt, backed up by Tikariotian winger Atlas Baxter and home star Gordon Jennings, are three heavy bruisers who fit Estelline’s style perfectly.

Where can Finnley’s premier team end up then, this season? Realistically, they should be up there, fighting for the right to enter IFCF competitions; though with six (and more!) clubs fighting for just four spots, there’s a real chance they’ll miss out. Estelline is crafty, though, and he might just have the ability to pull this squad to places some might not expect.

Couno Rangers

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Andrew Taylor		26	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Seren Thomson		23	F	The Licentian Isles
14	CB	Arwen van As		21	F	The Licentian Isles
4	CB	Joel Tyler		26	M	Tumbra
3	RB	Luca Cambiaso		22	M	Savigliane
5	CM	J-P Vaillancourt	21	M	Quebec
21	CM	Pertz-Evela Vet		20	M	Qusmo
15	CAM	Bill Bowen		26	M	Tumbra
9	LW	Francis Evers		26	M	Tumbra
11	RW	Alexander Anderson	27	M	Tumbra
10	ST	Marcus Sheldon		32	M	Tumbra

Bench
13	GK	Mike Hahn		19	M	Tumbra
16	LB	Bryan Parker		24	M	Tumbra
17	CB	Welar-Ovolk Gep		20	M	Qusmo
6	CB	Tom Wilson		28	M	Tumbra
20	RB	James Green		19	M	Tumbra
18	CM	Alan Curran		30	M	Tumbra
21	CAM	Brian Anderson		28	M	Tumbra
8	CM	Anna Napier		31	F	Schottia
19	CM	Colin Kearney		20	M	Tumbra
7	LW	Simon Cole		26	M	Tumbra
12	RW	Bruno Powell		25	M	Tumbra
22	ST	Bruce Nolan		22	M	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Couno, Napier
Last season: 6th
Stadium: Couno Port Stadium (54,500)
Nickname: the Rams; the Reds
Manager: Marco Giuliani, 50, Savigliane
Style of Play: Offense; Short, quick-passing play
Prediction: In the Hunt

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Arwen van As from Garton Bay Pirates, The Licentian Isles, $3,000,000
	  Jean-Phillipe Vaillancourt from Nunavut State University, Quebec, $2,000,000
	  Anna Napier from Ellesmere Woods, Commonwealth of Baker Park, free
Outgoing: Nicholas Fischer to Newton Wanderers AFC, $800,000

Overview: It’s become ever more obvious that the Kiggwe Siakam years were more and more of a sad time that didn’t really work out; though whether this is due to Siakam himself being unfamiliar with managing outside Banija or the top brass not fully backing him is, and will probably continue to be, a matter of debate. Regardless, more promises have been made, contracts have been signed; and Marco Giuliani is now in the hot seat of Couno.

Home to two of the best foreign wingbacks in the league, the Couno squad is strong; it does just need someone who can tie it all together. It’s young, has a lot of potential, and now just needs a few more additions to it. The signings over the summer have gone a long way to try and assuage that — Arwen van As comes highly rated as a defender, playing alongside compatriot Seren Thomson; while Jean-Phillipe Vaillancourt looks set to excite in midfield alongside Pertz-Evela Vet. And if experience is always required, Schottic midfielder Anna Napier arrives from the Commonwealth of Baker Park to shore up the midfield.

The front trio are still good at what they do, even if Marcus Sheldon steadily grows older and older, while Alexander Anderson’s ankles continue to look as if they’re made out of drywall. Bruce Nolan looks to be a competent long-time successor to Sheldon, but Bruno Powell’s not as convincing as someone who can take Anderson’s place; so there’s some food for thought there.

The much-maligned Nicholas Fischer has left for pastures new; but the focus has to be what’s on the pitch. Giuliani’s attack-minded style looks a tad more conservative than Siakam’s; something that should provide the faithful with peace of mind when it comes to the matter of conceding stupid goals.

The aim will be to re-enter IFCF competitions, of course; but it won’t be held against Giuliani if he doesn’t make it. After all, it is his first season.

Clyde Park

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Michael Laine		34	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Jacob Keene		25	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Trevor Marshall		24	M	Tikariot
4	CB	Michael McShane		33	M	Tumbra
3	RB	Russell White		30	M	Tumbra
20	CM	Chris Tipple		22	M	Tumbra
8	CM	Martin Humphreys	24	M	Tumbra
10	CAM	Edwin Markozy		22	M	Zeta Reka & Hugeltaldom
7	LW	Alistair McGarry	20	M	Tumbra
11	RW	Dean Cresswood		30	M	Tumbra
9	ST	Hyeong-Joon Kwak	28	M	Quebec

Bench
12	GK	Raphael Brennan		20	M	Tumbra
15	LB	Holly Willoughby	19	F	Tumbra
19	CB	Stuart Murdoch		23	M	Tumbra
14	CB	Ricardo Wyatt		19	M	Tumbra
6	RB	Bertille Gavrill	23	F	Chromatika
22	CM	Sam Cooper		30	M	Tumbra
13	CM	Neil Robinson		30	M	Tumbra
16	CDM	Lucas McCormick		19	M	Tumbra
23	CAM	Natalie Coleman		18	F	Tumbra
18	LW	Brendan May		21	M	Tumbra
21	RW	Daryl Ferguson		20	M	Tumbra
17	ST	Dave Mason		29	M	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Clyde, Hesham
Last season: 7th
Stadium: Clyde Park (38,500)
Nickname: the Clarets; the Lions
Manager: Brian Devzies, 60
Style of Play: Attacking, Wide
Prediction: In the Hunt

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Edwin Markozy from FKP Ottowić Okrug, Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom, $2,500,000
	  Alistair McGarry from Glenmont AFC, $2,500,000
	  Bertille Gavrill from Eyrods Tech, Chromatika, free
Outgoing: Neil Fraser to Lakewood City, $7,000,000
	  Pierre-Louis Laishram to Lakewood City, $6,500,000

Overview: "Yes. Watch it, drink it in. This kind of thing...it comes very rarely. Good times like these, you never know when they'll suddenly leave you — and any supporter of Clyde Park should know these are some of the best times we've been having. But enjoy them while they last. You never know in Tumbran football."

How prescient.

In the span of one window, Clyde Park lost two of the vaunted Fab Four that had brought the club to sixth place and seventh the next. To make things worse, they were the two of the team widely considered to be the highest-rated of the squad; and to make things even worse, they went to the same club.

Pierre-Louis Laishram, then Neil Fraser, both got up and left the club that had given the chance to restart their career outside Kelssek; and the club that had brought him into football, respectively. To describe it as “heartbreaking” might possibly be a misnomer; but seeing those two in the sky-blue shirts of the Skylarks might have brought on a whole new level of pain for Clyde Park fans.

The rebuild had to happen, however; and to facilitate this, the left-winger-merry-go-round saw Alistair McGarry end up at the club from Glenmont. Highly-rated and oozing potential, the left winger excelled with Glenmont; he’s now being asked to repeat those performances on a bigger stage by Clyde Park. A veritable baptism of fire for the left-winger; but signs in pre-season suggested that he’s mixing in just fine.

Laishram’s successor will be Edwin Markozy, a 22 year-old and the first Rekan to enter the league. Renowned for his long ranged shots and passing range, Markozy will become the new creative outlet for the Clarets; a role that he seems perfectly suited to. And on the bench, Bertille Gavrill, a CCFA graduate which unfortunately went under the radar. She’ll be on the bench, looking to come in for Russell White as time progresses and the veteran right-back grows older.

This is arguably a squad on the downswing, though that’s ignoring the strength of those still left at the club. Keene and White are both national-team level defenders, while Tipple and Humphreys are young, bursting with energy, and eager to prove Clyde Park’s more than just Neil Fraser and Pierre-Louis Laishram.

The aim will be to finish in the top six; and while Brian Devzies’ cup victory might have brought him a lifetime achievement award, he’s still hungry. He’s not bitter about the loss of two of the squad’s best players to the same club in one window; but instead taking it in as a new challenge. This will be one of the most intriguing clubs to follow this term; to see if they can fight their way back into the top echelons of Tumbran football, just as they were about to be accepted into it; and just as some of their challengers are gearing up to give them a run for their money.

by **Tumbra** » Fri Oct 01, 2021 1:45 am

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4
PREVIEW, PART TWO

Columbia City

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
13	GK	George Danvers		20	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Jolanda MacPierce	24	F	Zwangzug
4	CB	Raymond Perry		26	M	Tumbra
15	CB	Noel-Hercule McKinley	18	M	Quebec
3	RB	Finlay Hall		22	M	Tikariot
7	LW	Mike Coonan		25	M	Tumbra
18	CDM	Sasha Pfaelzisch	26	F	Nephara
6	CM	David Burnet		24	M	Tumbra
17	RW	Ally McColl		31	M	Tumbra
9	ST	Frank Wilson		23	M	Tumbra
11	ST	Thomas Burrows		26	M	Flavovespia

Bench
1	GK	Farzana Patel		17	F	Tumbra
16	LB	William Herron		30	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Harrison Lee		32	M	Tumbra
19	CB	Donald Craiglethy	32	M	Schottia
20	RB	Ashley Crittenden	18	F	Tumbra
8	CDM	Keenan Pollard		34	M	Tumbra
23	CM	Drew Morton		29	M	Tumbra
14	CM	Mickey Lynch		24	M	Tumbra
21	LW	Peter Hurst		17	M	Tumbra
10	RW	Luciano Bello		23	M	Savigliane
22	ST	Tim Rowland		29	M	Tumbra
12	ST	Eloisa Caldwell		28	F	Nephara
Bench

Quick Facts

City and State: Columbia, Alexandria
Last season: 8th
Stadium: Columbus Field (48,000)
Nickname: the Southerners; the Fishermen
Manager: David Griffiths, 50
Style of Play: Moderately attacking; heavy on passing.
Prediction: In the Hunt

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Mike Coonan from Lakewood City, $3,500,000
	  David Burnet from Sturrey Athletic, $2,000,000
	  Luciano Bello from AFC Newcastle United, Murphtannia, free
	  Eloisa Caldwell from Nottingham Furest, Murphtannia, free
	  Donald Craiglethy from Hillsborough FC, C'wealth of Baker Park, free
Outgoing: Eli Apt to Lakewood City, $4,500,000
	  Sean Delap to Fraser Valley, $1,500,000
	  Gerald Scicluna, retired
	  Peter Brown, retired
	  Geoffrey Meecham, to Colbrook City, free
	  Lewis Pearce, to Guillemard Town, free

Overview: It’s rare to say that a club “won” the transfer window, but Columbia are up there for a club with the strongest transfer window to date. Add a determined manager and an already-strong squad, and this squad may just supersede Clyde Park as best of the rest this season.

Eighth last season — a mere three points off seventh — was a testament to how strong this squad is. And they’ve held on to most of it; while Gerald Scicluna has retired, George Danvers is more than a capable replacement, stepping up to replace him; the backline of MacPierce-Perry-McKinley-Hall is one of the strongest outside the top six; and up top, Frank Wilson and Thomas Burrows are a unit that have got to know each other very well, playing off each other’s strengths and weaknesses to form a cohesive striking unit.

After sitting on the bench for a majority of last season, Sasha Pfaelzich steps up into a main role; alongside new boy David Burnet, plucked from Sturrey to replace the departed Eli Apt. Other departures include three older players, nearly completing a squad revamp that was so sorely needed for Columbia; Peter Brown has hung up his boots, while Geoffrey Meecham and Lewis Pearce have moved to the lower divisions in a bid to extend their careers.
In their places, then, a couple of new faces on the bench; Schottic defender Donald Craiglethy, who’s here to provide numbers more than anything else. Savigliano right winger Luciano Bello looks set to be Ally McColl’s long term replacement once the winger drops off; and Eloisa Caldwell, a selfless striker, arrives from Nephara, too, to play as backup to the capable front two.

The real coup, though, was Mike Coonan, signed after the Southerners let Sean Delap go to Fraser Valley for a token fee. Coonan, out of favour and of form at Lakewood City, is a good fit for Columbia; both looking to start their ascendancy into the top six, and both trying to restart their careers.

This is one of the most exciting squads to look out for this season, and seeing whether Columbia can break into the top six after a ninth and two eighth-placed finishes is going to be one of the stories of the season. Yuan Zilai may be flying high with the Tumbran national team, but David Griffiths is always keen to strengthen his shout for the national team job; and if he does what Marco Hemmings did — pull a once midtable side to 6th and above — he’ll be in pole position once that seat opens.

Kingsbury United

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Tom Sterling		30	M	Tumbra
3	LB	Gethin Stewart		22	M	Tikariot
15	CB	Nathan Quinn		22	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Thomas Krabb		23	M	Tumbra
2	RB	Bernard Martin		25	M	Savigliane
14	CM	Philothy Den Uyl	23	M	Audioslavia
16	CM	Valeriano Loustaunau	22	M	Farfadilis
10	CAM	James Hunter		26	M	Tumbra
7	LW	Max Mycroft		22	M	Tumbra
9	RW	Antti Perkkanen		24	M	Tikariot
11	ST	James Anderson		28	M	Tumbra

Bench
12	GK	Kurt Schilling		20	M	Kotzellach
13	LB	Wei Haifeng		21	M	Yuezhou
4	CB	Charles Allams		29	M	Tumbra
19	CB	Desimir Gavrilovic	20	M	Farfadilis
18	RB	Tristan Hale		33	M	Tumbra
6	CM	George Kramer		30	M	Tumbra
8	CM	Mekhi Overton		29	M	Tumbra
20	CM	Matthew Noble		26	M	Tumbra
21	CAM	Tania Layton		23	F	Nephara
22	LW	Martin Gallagher	32	M	Tumbra
23	RW	Tom Kinzinger		20	M	Tumbra
17	ST	James Herbert		31	M	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Kingsbury, Georgia
Last season: 9th
Stadium: Fletcher Park (39,500)
Nickname: the Royals; the Princelings
Manager: Mark Pryor, 62
Style of Play: Slightly attacking; possessive and direct; hard tackling.
Prediction: Midtable

Transfer Activity

Incoming: James Anderson from Lakewood City, $2,500,000
	  Charles Allams from Lakewood United, $1,000,000
	  Tania Layton from Goodfeather FC, Nephara, free
	  Desimir Gavrilovic from [Farf club], Farfadilis, free
	  Wei Haifeng from AFC Brentford United, Murphtannia, free
Outgoing: Harry Henderson to Aleiusia Capital, Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom, $4,250,000
	  Stephanie Pearson to Crossroads, Chromatika, $500,000
	  Laurence Pearson to Crossroads, Chromatika, $500,000
	  Simon Hart to Knapford United, free
	  Jim Hunter to Newton Wanderers AFC, free

Overview: Ninth may not have looked like anything extraordinary for Kingsbury, but it marks the third straight season where they’ve finished in the top ten — an extraordinary feat by any means, punctuated with one of the more consistent squads that this league’s seen. The end result does come as a sigh of relief for manager Mark Pryor, who was one loss away from losing his job as Kingsbury suffered a drop in form early in the season. With his contract running out at the end of the season, he’ll need to avoid that again to have any chance of it being renewed, what with foreign managers being all the rage at the moment and what not.

The only big departure was club captain Harry Henderson, to Zeta Reka for a sum of 4.25 million. With his going — a move that was surprisingly calm in retrospect, with little to no emotions involved and a surprising amount of professionalism on the club’s side letting their best player go (in stark contrast to a certain team when letting their golden boy go) — this means that their defensive lineup is now one of the youngest in the league.

In fact, this squad is one of the youngest in the league — with an average age of just 23.9, and the oldest player in the starting lineup being 30. But this is a squad with a lot of promise, just as every other squad in the mid-table has lots of promise as well. The Audioslavian Philothy den Uyl, as well as Farf Valeriano Loustaunau, create a solid base for attacking midfielder James Hunter to create; while up top, James Anderson joined from Lakewood City as the team sought a more clinical replacement to help them reclaim their title.

Anderson was the only real big move made over the summer; the rest of the moves Mark Pryor made were on frees. Wei Haifeng, Desimir Gavrilovic and Tania Layton all made the journey to Tumbra over the summer, mainly to shore up the bench; the former two were notably signed just as the Pearson siblings decided to not begin their careers with the Princelings.

Kingsbury are looking to progress up to the top six, similarly to Clyde and Columbia; but the fact that the top six will most likely remain where they are for quite a while makes their task quite hard. Finishing seventh will most likely be a success; anything outside the top half would be considered a disappointment and would likely cost Pryor his job.

Hesham FC

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Dean Rowden		32	M	Tumbra
14	CB	Mu Weihai		24	M	Yuezhou
6	CB	Roger Baker		27	M	Tumbra
3	CB	Lomar Wellingsley	21	M	Tikariot
15	LM	Neville Marriott	26	M	Tumbra
8	CM	Matthew Ukrop		26	M	Tikariot
16	CM	Song-Hwan Min		24	M	Chromatika
10	CM	Richard Driver		24	M	Tumbra
7	RM	Harvard Popov		30	M	SRS
9	ST	Markus Strand		33	M	Nephara
11	ST	Lucas Russell		23	M	The Licentian Isles

Bench
12	GK	Alan McDermott		19	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Carl Norton		21	M	Tumbra
17	CB	Will Collins		31	M	Tumbra
4	CB	Isla Kincorick		31	F	Schottia
5	RB	Vic Nelson		27	M	Tumbra
18	CM	Tony Leonard		31	M	Tumbra
13	CDM	Mark Finnemore		20	M	Tumbra
19	CM	Mal Grace		30	M	Tumbra
20	LW	Joe Bonner		24	M	Tumbra
21	RW	Harriet Bevins		18	F	Tumbra
22	ST	Harry Frist		24	M	Tumbra
23	ST	Gerard Deighton		17	M	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Hesham, Clearmont
Last season: 10th
Stadium: George Bowen Stadium (40,000)
Nickname: the Greens; the Ploughmen
Manager: William McKenzie, 65
Style of Play: Balanced; Wide; Unorthodox
Prediction: Midtable

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Mu Weihai from Derbyshire Counties, Murphtannia, Free
	  Isla Kincorick from Bergholz Caledonian, C'wealth of Baker Park, Free
Outgoing: Michael Brewster to Macarthur City, $1,000,000
	  Todd Symes, retired

Overview: Tenth last season was a respectable result by all means, considering the team had just lost its best player and future star, Vincent Hicks. Somehow, though, William McKenzie, one-time winner of the “Most Boring Manager In The League” award (don’t ask), came through — signing Matthew Ukrop, Min Song-Hwan to cover for him brilliantly. Lucas Russell, too, was a bright spark last season, thriving in McKenzie’s unorthodox formation.

Now the pressure’s on to repeat all of that again.

To that end, McKenzie’s brought in Mu Weihai to replace the departing Michael Brewster, while Schottic defender Isla Kincorick — the only other addition — looks set to be used as a rotation option, too. It’s a tad disappointing for the Ploughmen to only have made two signings this season, both without paying any fees; but McKenzie is convinced he’s got a set-up that’s working. An unorthodox 3-5-2 is still one of the more intriguing tactical puzzles that Tumbran football has to offer; and the fact that McKenzie’s dragged worse squads to survival is a testament to the soft-spoken, private man’s managerial ability.

The bench, too, has some young talent that should bleed in over the next few years. Carl Norton, Mark Finnemore, a newly-promoted Harriet Bevins, and Gerard Deighton all look set to be Hesham’s next youth revolution for the only club to play in green this season. Add them to an already decent squad, plus one national teamer (Harvard Popov for the Squornshelous Remnant States) and an exciting Licentian (Lucas Russell), and you’ve got a recipe for a surprise package. They might not be the most exciting side to watch, or follow; but that’s exactly how McKenzie enjoys it.

Ridgewell Rovers

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Nigel Philips		30	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Sean McDonald		27	M	Tumbra
3	CB	Peter Bassett		24	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Henry Butler		29	M	Tumbra
4	RB	Isabel Aberdeen		29	F	Sylestone
7	LW	Richard Allen		29	M	Tumbra
10	CM	Malachite Riester	25	F	Nephara
6	CM	Ian McConnell		29	M	Tumbra
9	RW	Christophe Ghislane	25	M	Savigliane
14	ST	Christian Borzoi	25	M	Nephara
23	ST	Gianluca Cardini	25	M	Tumbra

Bench
13	GK	Mark McDonald		19	M	Tumbra
19	LB	Chris Finney		20	M	Tumbra
15	CB	John Rouse		21	M	Tumbra
18	CB	Frank Carter		29	M	Tumbra
20	RB	John Bryant		33	M	Tumbra
8	CAM	Andrew Walsh		25	M	Tumbra
21	CM	Aaron Mortensen		27	M	Tumbra
22	CM	Peter Johnson		33	M	Tumbra
17	LW	David Weir		29	M	Tumbra
11	RW	Scott Mason		30	M	Tumbra
12	ST	Geoff Smith		30	M	Tumbra
16	ST	Heidi Canavan		18	F	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Ridgewell, Westmond
Last season: 11th
Stadium: Kensington Stadium (46,000)
Nickname: the Blues; the Rovers
Manager: Desmond Clarke, 59
Style of Play: Defensively solid; direct and uncompromising.
Prediction: Midtable

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Malachite Riester from Leichhardt, Nephara, $4,000,000
	  John Bryant from FC Inter Nantwich, free
	  Christian Borzoi from Southfell United, Nephara, free
	  Christophe Ghislain from Nottingham Furest, Murphtannia, free
Outgoing: Aurelie Dior, to Brillante, Le Choix, loan end
	  Dennis Paterson, retired
	  Matthias Bergander, retired

Overview: The Club o’the North’s side was largely pulled to their eleventh placed finish last season through the combined efforts of Aurelie Dior, the Chosen playmaker, and Matthias Bregander, the veteran, grizzled Nepharim striker. Both of them are gone now — Dior back to her mysterious homeland, Bregander into the fabled world of retirement. In their place, though, manager Des Clarke has shown some guile, at least; securing the signature of three quite highly rated players, one of them they even scraped enough money to pay for.

Ridgewell is an industrial, working class city located in the most northern state of Tumbra. The city’s big enough to support two clubs (though long-time followers of this league will know that the other club’s managed even worse than this one), and the Rovers have long been second fiddle to United. Recent fortunes have changed, though; able, stable (if a bit cautious) management by Des Clarke steadily anchored them to the midfield while their neighbours went through a period of...less than stellar results.

Who are the new signings, anyway? There are two frees — Christophe Ghislane, signed as part of an anti-human trafficking initiative looking at relocating foreign players in the former Murphtannian state — and Christian Borzoi, looking to bring some physicality that Bregander brought to the front of the attack back. The real coup, though, is Malachite Riester, Aurelie Dior’s replacement and a creative force all by herself. A perfect dressing room fit and an instant fan favourite (that name! hasn’t been one as good in the league since Grimson fucking Hoskins), the Nepharim will be looked to to create goals, add to Des Clarke’s physically strong, uncompromising squad, and overall add to the atmosphere in Ridgewell. Which isn’t bad, in and of itself.

Other key players include goalkeeper Nigel Philips, who won the Golden Glove once — no, seriously — right back Isabel Aberdeen from Sylestone, and Borzoi’s strike partner Gianluca Cardini, who’s somehow already 25.

This, however, is one of the older squads in the league, with an average age of 26.6 — so that’s a worry for the future. For now, though, the focus will be trying to match last season’s finish, though it’ll be tough — considering that the club beneath them are looking to achieve the exact same thing, with a much stronger squad.

Delphi Lionesses

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Simone Parker		23	F	Tumbra
2	LB	Maryam Rowbury		24	F	Nephara
4	CB	Ashley Asanta		23	F	Tikariot
5	CB	Sandra Illaoi		24	F	Chromatika
3	RB	Sophie Randall		27	F	Sylestone
7	LM	Maryanna Casavant	34	F	Chromatika
8	CM	Eden Wright		22	F	Tikariot
6	CDM	Kimberly Doyle		28	F	Chromatika
9	RM	Karina Holt		24	F	Savorjana
10	ST	Ashleigh Sweeney	26	F	Tikariot
11	ST	Victoria Thesselborg	20	F	Tikariot

Bench
12	GK	Laura Fisher		17	F	Tumbra
18	LB	Will Tompkins		20	M	Tumbra
14	CB	Hugh Gilmour		26	M	Tumbra
20	CB	Mary McGrath		17	F	Gatchingerrak Union
13	RB	Juul de Bruin		19	F	Licentian Isles
21	CM	Valerie Morris		19	F	Tumbra
15	CM	Paul Fletcher		24	M	Tumbra
23	CAM	Susie Knight		17	F	Tumbra
16	LM	Joyce Hughes		20	F	Tumbra
17	RM	Ashley Hall		21	F	Tumbra
19	ST	Joanna Bradford		19	F	Tumbra
22	ST	Michelle Broadhurst	19	F	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Delphi, Napier
Last season: 12th
Stadium: Bexley Park (46,000)
Nickname: the Lionesses
Manager: Louise Halldorson, 47, Zwangzug
Style of Play: Quick-passing, balanced, in general a very easy-on-the-eyes style of play
Prediction: Midtable

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Ashley Hall from AFC Cayalon, $1,200,000
	  Claire Marsden from AFC Cayalon, $800,000
	  Juul de Bruin from Gaelic Club, The Licentian Isles, $354,000
Outgoing: Richard Adams to FC Inter Nantwich, $1,600,000
	  Jim Morris to Glenmont AFC, $500,000
	  John Walker, retired
	  Aiofe Ruth, retired
	  Charles Wright to AFC Gillman, free

Overview: Delphi burst onto the scene last season, finishing twelfth in part due to a resolutely strong defence that held strong thanks to Michael Hardwick’s defense-first, attack-later approach which he defended by saying that Delphi were a newly-promoted team. Then again, Delphi weren’t just any newly-promoted team; they were in the midst of becoming Tumbra’s equivalent of Guerrilla Cathair; which was mainly predicated on their entire playing squad being turfed out and replaced with brand-new players. Mainly - if not all - women. This was the new Delphi, one that aimed to become the leading distributor of female footballing talent in Tumbra. After all; the other nineteen clubs had focused on men for the past hundred years - so why couldn’t they give it a shot?

Indeed, their quality was such that after their promotion announcement, the odds that Clark City would be relegated shortened considerably; Clark being the season’s defined straggler. And that prediction came to pass; signing ten players en route and releasing half their squad. But it worked — marshaled by the veteran Aiofe Ruth, the defense never gave way until the last matchday, rarely conceding more than two goals. Karina Holt, the mercurial Savojar, even won the Young Player of the Year Award.

But defensive football wasn’t really what Julie Smith (the chairman) wanted. She wanted fast-paced, attacking football, and Hardwick was evidently the wrong choice for the job. A week after Hardwick was awarded the third-placed award in Manager of the Year voting, in no small part due to what he did with an entirely-new squad in the country’s top league, Smith announced that the club would be parting ways with Hardwick.

Hardwick, on his part, took it on the chin remarkably well; merely thanking the supporters for their support and expressing gratefulness for being a part of history. He then went to Fraser Valley, hardly the sign of a man who was happy with his lot in life. In came Louise Halldorsen from Zwangzug; intrepid, she maintained that this season would see less transfer activity as compared to the last one.

And that prediction has mostly come to pass; with Ruth retiring, Juul de Bruin was brought in from the Licentian Isles, while the team now boasts only three male first-team players. It’s a very young squad in here, with the average age of the squad being just 22.3 years. Look to Maryanna Casavant to be the main leader of the team, while Eden Wright and Karina Holt try to pull strings in the middle of the park and on the right, respectively. Up top, Victoria Thesselborg is always the exciting one; while on the bench, Valerie Morris is the player to watch out for.

How far Louise will take this squad is important, because her performance in the job will be compared directly to her predecessor. Delphi’s story is also interesting, and that’ll garner her a fair bit of attention, too. Second season syndrome shouldn’t be a problem here, but the question is how far up this team will go.

Macarthur City

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Andrew Wordsworth	31	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Graham Lloyd		32	M	Tumbra
19	CB	Brian Marsden		22	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Lester O'Reagan		32	M	Quebec
3	RB	Kilarul Dhaundhen	27	M	Ko-oren
6	CDM	Frank Stuart		23	M	South Newlandia
12	CDM	Tony Fernandes		24	M	Tumbra
8	CM	Matt Reddington		28	M	Tikariot
7	LW	Stephen Read		27	M	Tumbra
9	RW	David Thorburn		29	M	Tumbra
11	ST	Linnie Huxley		28	F	Bollonich

Bench
13	GK	James Kent		22	M	Tumbra
16	LB	Paul Marlin		21	M	Tumbra
4	CB	Michael Brewster	34	M	Tumbra
14	CB	Carole Bond		18	F	Tumbra
15	RB	Tom Jones		23	M	Tumbra
18	CM	Susie Knight		17	F	Tumbra
22	CM	Paul Alberici		30	M	Tumbra
23	CM	Robert Heppell		31	M	Tumbra
20	LW	Louis Newton		27	M	Tumbra
21	RW	Shaun Healey		25	M	Tumbra
10	ST	Jason Pearce		21	M	Tumbra
17	ST	Vivienne Anderson	18	F	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Macarthur, Georgia
Last season: 13th
Stadium: FisherArena (40,000)
Nickname: the Blackbirds
Manager: Vince McCarthy, 43
Style of Play: Run, pass, run, pass. Press when the ball is lost.
Prediction: Midtable

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Frank Stuart from Clark City, $1,400,000
	  Michael Brewster from Hesham FC, $1,000,000
Outgoing: Theodore Houghton, retired
	  Ian Pemberton to Enfield Celtic, free

Overview: Macarthur successfully avoided second season syndrome, finishing thirteenth in part due to the efforts of Linnie Huxley up front, and Graham Lloyd in defence. Apart from that, the squad was relatively anonymous. No real stars of the show - hell, this team showed up in their debut season with Malcolm Pocklington, the punchline of a joke in Tumbran football all by himself - but effective enough to stay in the Premiership.

No foreign signings this season; just Frank Stuart from the relegated Clark City, the South Newlandian taking his place in the heart of midfield - but most fans aren’t worrying about the signings. This is a squad that’s, more or less, got itself locked together, playing as a cohesive unit; and to them, that’s more than enough to stay up. Key to this has been manager Vince McCarthy - thrown into the deep end after he retired, taking up the job at the age of 36. His brand of football and his energetic personality have led to people putting his name in the ever-present “Next Tumbran Manager” sweepstakes; but he’s publicly stated that he wouldn’t leave Macarthur for the Tumbran job if the offer ever came.

Apart from Huxley, Lloyd and Stuart, the injury-prone Lester O’Reagan from Quebec will also be relied on to be crucial in defence when/if he’s fit. Khilarul Dhaunden is a mighty fine right back, too. There’s plenty of talent on the bench, too; Paul Marlin, Carole Bond, Susie Knight, Jason Pearce, Vivienne Anderson; all stars of the future.

Thirteenth is probably a bit of an overstatement for where the team will finish, given that they haven’t strengthened as much as the team around them; but they should survive easily, given that they’re not one of the bottom three in terms of strength. As ever, the key for McCarthy is to survive in the league; some may call this a lack of ambition, while others call it a realistic aim for a squad who is still mostly a holdover from the Second Division.

McCarthy doesn’t really care what they say, though. He’s got a team that works; and he’ll keep at it for as long as the club wants him.

West Couno United

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Mike Hancy		26	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Alexis Charron-Becker	24	F	Quebec
5	CB	Ben Morgan		25	M	Tumbra
4	CB	Almar Hussein		23	M	Tumbra
13	RB	Nicola Rinaldi		27	F	Savigliane
7	LW	Bill Allison		25	M	Tumbra
14	CM	Remont Thomas		21	M	Gouvanarch
18	CM	Slavomir Malik		28	M	Siovanija & Teusland
15	CM	Jon Holness		27	M	Tumbra
10	RW	Scott McIntyre		28	M	The Licentian Isles
11	ST	Miles Brent		28	M	Chromatika
Bench
12	GK	Darcy Lewis		20	M	Tumbra
23	GK	Adam Stanton		20	M	Tumbra
19	LB	Martin Hawthorn		18	M	Tumbra
17	CB	George Steel		21	M	Tumbra
16	CB	Dei Kaparros		25	M	Astograth
3	RB	Terence Gardiner	34	M	Tumbra
20	CDM	Stephen Goodman		18	M	Tumbra
6	CM	Charlie Kennedy		33	M	Tumbra
8	CM	Bobby Boyle		30	M	Tumbra
9	LW	Joe Anderson		28	M	Tumbra
21	RW	Emmanuel Appleby	18	M	Tumbra
22	ST	Dominic Clyne		26	M	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Couno, Napier
Last season: 14th
Stadium: Wrenchwelt Stadium (42,000)
Nickname: the Pilots, the Chocolatiers
Manager: Bill Thompson, 67
Style of Play: Direct, attacking, versatile
Prediction: Midtable

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Slavomir Malik from Energia Chernovets, Siovanija & Teusland, $2,500,000
Outgoing: Jon French, retired
	  James Forrest to Tavistock Park, free

Overview: Fourteenth last season was an abject disappointment; though the silver lining for Chocolatier fans was that they didn’t need to deal with Martin Costello anymore. His replacement? Bill Thompson, almost as large as he is tall, out of a job for a few years and legendary amongst Tumbran Premier Division fans for his direct style of football and his direct style of talking. And while it’s not the much-vaunted foreign manager that has been all the rage recently, Thompson’s familiar with the league, and can at least try to guide this squad to where it should be. Better a Bill McKenzie than a Vulav-Wanar Tla; at least Thompson’s a steady hand.

Speaking of the squad, this squad collectively underachieved last season. How much of it was up to Costello, and how much of it was due to the players, isn’t clear; after all, WCU were third at one point. This squad has the quality to crack the top half of the league; then again, almost every other team in this general region looks like it’s got the chops to ascend that far up, too.

And where should we begin? Hancy’s solid in goal; he won a Golden Glove once. Charron-Becker has talent, undoubtedly, along with the back-line of Ben Morgan and Almar Hussein, and Nicola Rinaldi’s a solid presence, too; and then of course you’ve got Dei Kaparros as a capable backup to the two of them. Scott McIntyre on the right is still the team’s best player; though, of course, he has competition from the first Siovanijan to make the leap into the Tumbran Premier Division — Slavomir Malik, the latest in a series of coups for the side Couno Rangers’ oft-unfancied neighbours.

This is a squad who, on paper, could crack the top ten — and they’ve done it before, in season 2. Bill will be looking to heave this squad up; but how far can he take them, and will he be able to cope with the expectations of eager WCU fans?

by **Tumbra** » Fri Oct 01, 2021 3:47 am

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4
PREVIEW, PART THREE

Glenmont AFC

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
12	GK	Malcolm Murphy		27	M	Tumbra
13	LB	Lee Byong-Jun		24	M	Chromatika
18	CB	Lyn Musgrave		30	F	Nephara
4	CB	Philip Meller		25	M	Tumbra
3	RB	Bullova Reyson		29	F	Nephara
16	CM	Zheng Haidong		22	M	Yuezhou
17	CDM	Grimson Hoskins		27	M	Tikariot
20	LW	Tom Spencer		26	M	Tikariot
22	RW	Trevor Austin		20	M	Tumbra
10	ST	Matt Haskell		25	M	Tumbra
11	ST	Chris Cowen		27	M	Tumbra

Bench
1	GK	Paul Foster		35	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Matthew Cape		32	M	Tumbra
15	CB	Ivor Harris		29	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Shaun Healey		30	F	Tumbra
6	RB	Paul Fenwick		24	M	Tumbra
19	CDM	Serena Philips		18	M	Tumbra
21	CM	John Pepper		26	M	Tumbra
8	CM	Mark Lavender		24	M	Tumbra
7	LW	Brian Isaacs		24	M	Tumbra
9	RW	Sam Watson		32	M	Tumbra
14	ST	Faith Williams		18	F	Tumbra
23	ST	Jim Morris		30	M	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Glenmont, Hamilton
Last season: 15th
Stadium: Paykel Lane (35,000)
Nickname: the Lynxes
Manager: Paul Cramner, 48
Style of Play: Bog-standard 4-4-2. Soak up attacks, play long balls.
Prediction: Midtable

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Tom Spencer from Clark City, $1,200,000
	  Jim Morris from Delphi Lionesses, $500,000
	  Zheng Haidong from AFC Wallsall United, Murphtannia, free
Outgoing: Alistair McGarry to Clyde Park, $2,500,000
	  Howard Lloyd to Ashton Rovers, free
	  Paul McDonnell to Gisbourne Lynxes, free

Overview: Hard-hitting and aggressive in equal measure, yet still serving up doses of exciting play at points, Glenmont survived second-season syndrome to finish fifteenth, in part due to shrewd transfer business like Grimson Hoskins, Lyn Musgrave and Bullova Reyson. Credit has to go to Cramner for making a half-successful team on a budget, of course, and he’s only shored up that team this season.

The big players are the above three — Hoskins in particular a club favourite for his attitude and hard tackling — but the big signing this season is Zheng Haidong, a Yuezhou player freed from Murphtannia. Quite a number of those have joined the league this summer (and previous), all of whom refused to talk about their time in Murphtannia. Other important players include Lee Byong-Jun, a Chromatik left back who’s been put through his paces last season, and Trevor Austin, the twenty-year old winger who’s an electric presence on the right, fitting into the “pacy inside forward” that Tumbra’s been generating a lot of lately. Maybe it’s Robin Vaughn’s influence.

The team did, however, lose Alistair McGarry to Clyde Park, but gained Tom Spencer from Clark City in return; the winger will be important if they are to continue their stay in the Premier Division. Gone are the days, however, where the main aim was to stay up; now, having had two seasons under their belt, the aim is to move forwards. While this season hasn’t seen much on the transfer front, there still is time for that next season. This squad has undoubted potential; the time is ripe to capitalise on it.

Cranmer’s straight-talking style has also led to how he leads his teams; 4-4-2 is how he prefers to set up, and while it’s a blase tactic, it’s blindingly effective. The thing about these lower midfield sides is that they tend to pull out surprises from behind their backs every so often; look for this team to spring a couple of surprises themselves.

Fraser Valley FC

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Stuart Langford		32	M	Tumbra
3	LB	Alasdair Dunlap		30	M	Tikariot
22	CB	Nexev-Kresp Val		21	NB	Qusmo
14	CB	Mark Kristoff		24	M	Chromatika
2	RB	Julie Phehlukwayo	22	F	Quebec
15	LM	Sean Delap		27	M	Tumbra
6	CM	Lucas Courtney		27	M	Tumbra
21	CM	Pilta-Blonz Yol		21	NB	Qusmo
7	RM	Nicholas Kinsella	27	M	Tumbra
10	ST	Reinhard Geist		34	M	Nephara
16	ST	Xilix-Oxolt Mal		20	NB	Qusmo
Bench
12	GK	Azeld-Kresp Tia		21	NB	Qusmo
17	LB	Xu Xuanliang		26	M	Yuezhou
4	CB	Carlos Wolfe		28	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Frances Sinclair	18	F	Tumbra
18	RB	Mark Ryton		27	M	Tumbra
8	CM	Jake Wilson		28	M	Tumbra
19	CAM	John Batten		20	M	Tumbra
9	LM	David Gunter		30	M	Tumbra
13	LW	John Mann		26	M	Tumbra
20	RW	Daniel Newman		29	M	Tumbra
11	ST	Gareth Roberts		26	M	Tumbra
23	ST	Tricia Barker		18	F	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: The Outskirts of Serrapince, Bechor (Don't actually tell them it's in Serrapince, or they'll throw a fit)
Last season: 16th
Stadium: Valley Park (45,000)
Nickname: the Denizens; the Stallions
Manager: Michael Hardwick, 53
Style of Play: Defend, strict positioning, transition through the wings.
Prediction: Relegation candidates

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Sean Delap from Columbia City, $1,500,000
Outgoing: Graham Cooper to Newton Wanderers AFC, $2,000,000

Overview: Slide after slide after slide saw Vulav-Wanar Tla’s contract not renewed, and Michael Hardwick, after his sacking by Delphi, step in; the hard-nosed, defensive midfielder’s priority, first and foremost, is to keep this team in the league. Sixteenth was exceptionally disappointing last season, and may have revealed cracks in the squad that may not be able to be fixed. An exceptionally quiet transfer window, too, does not bode well for the long-term future of this club. Just what is happening here?

Regardless, Serrapince’s other club (that doesn’t actually play in Serrapince, which is something they’re proud of) looks set to continue their stay in the Premier Division by virtue of the fact that the three clubs that are promoted each year just seem fairly shit in the first place. On paper, this squad should be strong; Nexev-Kresp Val and Mark Kristoff’s partnership has shown encouraging signs, while Julie Phehlukwayo’s games were one of the few highlights of the season. There’s little much else to show for it, though, and requiring a thirty-four year old Reinhard Geist to bail the club out at least twice a month isn’t a good look on the club. Gareth Roberts, however, cannot find form to save his life; that swap move two seasons ago seems to be one of the worst pieces of business conducted in the Premier Division so far.

Hardwick’s got a game and a half on his hands; to keep Fraser from imploding is the first step, and evidently the top brass hope his defensive style (which isn’t actually all that different from Tla’s, but doing something about the club’s slide in fortunes said something about their desire to keep them in the league) will rub off on the players. Delphi did, after all, concede remarkably few goals last season; and if the Fraser attack can’t score, they can at least help their case by not conceding. The defence, after all, is the best part of this team that has underwhelmed in successive years. Can they stay up?

Sturrey Athletic

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Dan Crosby		36	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Marcus Ganley		22	M	Tumbra
3	CB	Pat Philips		27	M	Tumbra
4	CB	Ian Coleman		24	M	Tumbra
5	RB	Roger Turnbull		24	M	Tikariot
14	CDM	Yuri Ghislane		27	M	Nephara
8	LW	Marc Evans-Jones	24	M	Tumbra
16	CM	Richter Moranis		28	M	Nephara
6	CM	Victor Mackay		31	M	The Licentian Isles
9	RW	Thore Grönholm		23	M	Norrhem
7	ST	Joe Mercer		24	M	Tumbra

Bench
23	GK	Joseph Cranston		20	M	Tumbra
12	LB	Frankie Valentino	24	M	Tumbra
21	CB	John Turnbull		21	M	Tumbra
15	CB	Chris Vowles		19	M	Tumbra
18	CB	Kevin Renshaw		23	M	Tumbra
13	RB	Ivar Halgorsen		19	M	Gatchingerrak Union
19	CM	Ákos Trouvé		18	M	Farfadilis
10	CM	Asa Anderson		22	M	Tumbra
20	CM	Adam Miles		30	M	Tumbra
22	LW	Tom Maguire		29	M	Tumbra
17	RW	Adam Langley		27	M	Tumbra
11	ST	Wayne Long		33	M	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Sturrey, Thornton
Last season: 17th
Stadium: Coldfield Lane (35,000)
Nickname: the Lactics; the Maroons
Manager: Tom Watson, 70
Style of Play: Defense, defense, defense. Hoof it up when possible.
Prediction: Relegation candidates

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Asa Anderson from Clark City, $800,000
	  Ivar Halgorsen from Clark City, $600,000
	  Kevin Renshaw from Dorival FC, $600,000
	  Victor Mackay from Blackheath, The Licentian Isles, $200,000
	  Ákos Trouvé from [Farf club], Farfadilis
Outgoing: David Burnet to Columbia City, $2,000,000
	  Cathal Maguire to Wirr Tsi, Chromatika, $500,000
	  Adam Piosek to Newton Wanderers AFC, free
	  Oliver Johnson, retired
	  Mark Clarke, retired

Overview: Seventeenth might have been disappointing for Sturrey, considering it was their lowest finish in the three seasons they’ve been in the league; but considering that the other two seasons they finished sixteenth, perhaps it was a matter of still holding on. Regardless, this season’s about survival once more, but they’re in danger, what with a wholesale squad revitalisation on the cards. Mark Clarke and Oliver Johnson have retired, while Adam Piosek’s off to Newton. The main thing, however, is the loss of their main man in the middle of the pitch. David Burnet is off to Columbia, himself replacing Eli Apt; and the best Watson could do, to bring some experience to the pitch, was Victor Mackay, a midfielder forced out of the Licentian Isles by age.

It’ll be a tough season, and they’ll once again be looking to their relatively young defense to hold the line, while in the middle of the park Yuri Ghislane, Richter Moranis and Mackay will be extended to make things work in their favour. This, however, is a squad which is well-bonded, and knows how to play with each other. Coldfield Lane is anything but on matchdays, with a strong, working-class support base rooting for the Lactics. This is a squad that is hard to break down, and knows it.

Expect a strong defensive long-ball style game from Watson, whose midfield mainly exist to wrest back control of the ball from opposing teams and press. Burnet was something of a box-to-box midfielder, but the trio of Mackay-Ghislane-Moranis will more likely focus on defensive duties. Marc Evans-Jones, then, becomes the main creative outlet on the right; while Thore Gronholm and Joe Mercer on the right and up front look to pounce on the rare opportunities that come by.

Ricci Ironworkers

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Andrew Wilson		28	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Paul Brown		26	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Claretta Lawlor		25	F	Nephara
15	CB	Ben Wilson		21	M	Tumbra
18	RB	Amélie Vivienne		23	F	Chromatika
16	CDM	George Pearson		25	M	Tumbra
6	CDM	Geoff Sharp		30	M	Tumbra
8	CAM	Callum Latham		25	M	Tumbra
7	LW	George McEwen		29	M	Tumbra
9	RW	Michael Holt		24	M	Tumbra
10	ST	Trevor Williams		25	M	Tumbra

Bench
12	GK	Charlie Levy		22	M	Tumbra
13	LB	Hugh Thomas		24	M	Tumbra
4	CB	Mohammad Hassan		31	M	Tumbra
17	CB	Kenneth Hewitt		33	M	Tumbra
3	RB	Alan Mildenhall		29	M	Tumbra
22	CM	Tim Pearson		33	M	Tumbra
21	CM	Gwilyn Thomas		27	M	Tumbra
23	CAM	Desmond Sartain		17	M	Tumbra
14	LW	Lee Bancroft		31	M	Tumbra
11	RW	James Shriver		25	M	Tumbra
20	ST	Jennifer Burham		18	F	Tumbra
19	ST	Robert Walsh		26	M	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Ricci, Marcato
Last season: 1st, Second Division
Stadium: The Foundry (28,500)
Nickname: the Ironworkers; the Hammers
Manager: Tom Potter, 65
Style of Play: Overwhelm the opponent. Heavy pressing, Quick in attack, slow in defence.
Prediction: Relegation candidate

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Amélie Vivienne from the University of the Islands, Chromatika, free
	  Claretta Lawlor from Chenoworth Harriers, Nephara, free
Outgoing: James Larkin to Wirr Tsi, Chromatika, $500,000
	  Name, from Club, Country (if foreign), Price

Overview: The Ironworkers are back, sans Grimson Hoskins; playing for the other team in orange this term. No matter; they’ve got Claretta Lawlor on this occasion. Somehow some might feel that they’ve got the worse Nepharim defender as compared to Timbourne; but no matter. The die has been cast, the transfer window closed; and they’ll be looking at another long season in the Premier Division.

Founded, funnily enough, as a team from the local ironworks, they’ve kept their left-wing political sympathies up till this day. Their sense of spectacle exists, too; they play in the smallest stadium this term, but more than make up for it with acoustics, flares and a giant cauldron of orange liquid (which has been conclusively proven to not be molten iron) poured every time they score. Away days to Ricci would not be intimidating, if their squad was half decent.

Tom Potter returns, steeled from his brief skirmish with top-flight football, ready to lead his charges into another bruising season. Heavy pressing is his game; the ex-Couno manager seems set on making them run, run and run. And he’s got a few good runners in here, too; Ben Wilson is always eager to impress, as are George Pearson and Callum Latham in midfield.

Apart from that, however, the perpetually cash-strapped team hasn’t made many moves. They’re in the fight to go straight back down, something which...wouldn’t be entirely unfair, given the circumstances. But they will, as they did last time, give it their all.

Which can only make for good football.

Newton Wanderers AFC

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Will Chapman		32	M	Tumbra
2	LB	Ron Townsend		22	M	Tumbra
5	CB	Daniel Garrick		29	M	Tumbra
14	CB	Charlie Matthews	23	M	Tumbra
15	RB	Hugh Miller		22	M	Tumbra
6	CM	Dan Jackson		28	M	Tumbra
12	CM	Nicholas Fischer	33	M	Tumbra
17	CM	Nathan Windemere	20	M	Tumbra
7	LW	Graham Cooper		26	M	Tumbra
8	RW	Anne Beckett		19	F	Tumbra
9	ST	Brian Watkins		25	M	Tumbra

Bench
13	GK	Kathryn Foster		20	F	Tumbra
16	LB	Mike Jones		31	M	Tumbra
4	CB	Yu Dawei		30	M	Xinhua
18	CB	Jane Palmer		17	F	Tumbra
3	RB	Adam Piosek		33	M	Tumbra
19	CM	Stephen McCormack	20	M	Tumbra
23	CM	Adrian Huston		24	M	Tumbra
10	CAM	Louis Donaldson		28	M	Tumbra
11	LW	Daryl Golding		31	M	Tumbra
22	RW	Dawn Holloway		20	F	Tumbra
20	ST	Hazel Garlick		19	F	Tumbra
21	ST	Jim Hunter		32	M	Tumbra

Newton Wanderers AFC

City and State: Newton, Alexandria
Last season: 2nd, Second Division
Stadium: Novena Park (32,000)
Nickname: the Warriors
Manager: Jim Heath, 41
Style of Play: Keep it relatively defensive and look patiently to break the opponent down.
Prediction: Relegation candidates

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Graham Cooper from Fraser Valley, $2,000,000
	  Nicholas Fischer from Couno Rangers, $800,000
	  Adam Piosek from Sturrey Athletic, $600,000
	  Jim Hunter from Kingsbury United, free
Outgoing: Richard Hall, retired
	  Dean Shepard, retired
	  Sebastian McGriffin, retired

Overview: Newton are back; the Alexandria-based side with their banana-yellow kits and apple-green stripes, all with a dogged style of play. Some of the team that went down with them three seasons ago are still here; otherwise the three seasons have seen something of a rebuild on their side. Jim Heath was plucked from Carter midway through their promotion season; he’ll be hoping to avoid leading them back down, like he did with his previous employers.

On paper, however, this is a very weak squad as well. The few improvements they have made are mostly academy graduates; they spent a lot of money on getting promoted, and have nothing to show for it. The relatively young defence, however, look to make things at least a bit interesting on the south coast; whether they’ll be able to hold things together is another question. Of note, too, is their young right winger Anne Beckett, who’s electric, eclectic and expressionless all in one; zooming up the right wing, proving that the move to a gender-equal sporting system wasn’t misguided after all. She’s got one shot at proving herself for a big move; should they go down again, she’ll most likely be looking for a one-way ticket out of the club.

It remains to be seen, however, if Heath’s relatively patient and defensive style of football will let her flourish. The rest of the squad isn’t too much to write home about; though Nicholas Fischer’s arrival from Couno, after being scapegoated a couple of times for not putting in enough effort on the field, should provide a sense of stability to it, if he can muster up enough shits to do so near the end of a wholly-average career.

New Timbourne Knights

Roster

No.	Pos.	Name			Age	Gender	Nationality
Starters
1	GK	Timothy Franklin	30	M	Tumbra
2	LWB	John Byrne		30	M	Tumbra
3	CB	Michael Sullivan	30	M	Tumbra
4	CB	Matrona Croxteth	25	F	Nephara
5	CB	Stephen Brosnan		27	M	Tumbra
6	RWB	Jeffrey Fletcher	29	M	Tumbra
7	CM	Andrew Holmes		31	M	Tumbra
8	CM	Richard Halliday	21	M	Tumbra
9	CM	Alex Brown		34	M	Tumbra
10	CM	Anthony Cooper		25	M	Tumbra
11	ST	Richard Duff		28	M	Tumbra

Bench
13	GK	Robert Gillepsie	24	M	Tumbra
13	LB	Graham Green		26	M	Tumbra
14	CB	Colin McKenna		23	M	Tumbra
15	CB	Linda Marshall		18	F	Tumbra
18	CB	Alexander Reid		32	M	Tumbra
12	RB	Tina Williams		21	F	Tumbra
23	RB	Paul Morgan		24	M	Tumbra
21	CM	David Liddell		18	M	Tumbra
17	CM	Peter Sinclair		30	M	Tumbra
20	CM	Paul Twyford		22	M	Tumbra
16	LW	Cheryl Blakeway		22	F	Tumbra
19	RW	Geoffrey Webb		23	M	Tumbra
22	ST	John Williams		28	M	Tumbra

Quick Facts

City and State: Timbourne, Napier
Last season: 3rd, Second Division
Stadium: The Bastion (25,000)
Nickname: the Knights
Manager: Michael Mitchell, 58
Style of Play: Defensive wing-play involving liberal use of a sweeper.
Prediction: Relegation candidates

Transfer Activity

Incoming: John Byrne from Lakewood United, $900,000
	  Matrona Croxteth from Parrhesia United, free
	  Michael Sullivan from Macarthur City, free
Outgoing:-nil-

Overview: Timbourne scraped into the Premier Division, and are now favourites to go down again. A hard-working squad, sure, boosted majorly by the arrival of Nepharim Zenith defender Matrona Croxteth, and a defense-first approach should see the team try their very hardest to not finish bottom. But if we’re being honest, they’re odds-on to finish bottom, anyway. The gap between the top of the Second Division and lower midfield of the Premier Division is growing each season, and every semi-decent team in the Premier Division doesn’t really look in danger of getting relegated. Glenmont go from strength to strength, Sturrey continually hold on, Fraser don’t look like they’re about to get relegated any time soon, either, despite their massive slide. Why? Money, probably.

The Knights are unique for their nickname — Timbourne is home to a large castle, and the jousting grounds are home to some of the most fascinating archaeological findings of the era. Yet why they chose to play in purple, when the lord of the castle used red, yellow and blue for his flag, is up to anyone’s guess. Royalty, maybe.

This squad is far from royalty, though — Croxteth’s the only half-decent player on this squad of mostly second-division journeymen (and journeywomen!), while Richard Halliday looks set to try his best to be a creative force. Richard Duff, who was highly regarded in his younger years due to his pace, is up front; unfortunately his ankles have been hacked to bits, really, by years spent in the lower division. He’ll be the main outlet up front; and Timbourne will be hoping he does better than some other strikers who’ve led the line for relegation candidates in the past.

Underdogs? Yes. Favourites to go straight back down? Yes. Long season for the fans? Undoubtedly so.

by **Tumbra** » Sat Oct 09, 2021 1:24 am

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4 - PART ONE
TUMBRAN SUPER CUP
MATCHDAYS 1-5

Feels like it's been an eternity, hasn't it? Twenty clubs go at it thirty-eight times, and at the end of it there will be one champion, three others heading into the Challengers' Cup, and three teams heading down. The packs, though, are relatively stable, as they were last cycle — people already have a vague idea of who's going to be challenging for what. At the top, it's Serrapince and Lakewood City; then Straton, United, Nantwich and Couno fighting for the two other IFCF spots. Anything else is scraps.

THE 74th RUNNING OF THE TUMBRAN SUPER CUP

SUPER CUP
Serrrapince FC 1–0 Clyde Park

A rematch from last season's Cup final — Serrapince the league representatives, while Clyde gained admission through their Cup victory — marks the 74th running of Tumbra's traditional curtain opener. The result, however, is never really in doubt; while Edwin Markozy impresses on his debut, with his constant running and creative threat on the pitch, the losses over the summer have weakened Clyde considerably. Serrapince, as usual, dominate proceedings; but are let down by wayward finishing. A symptom of pre-season yet to be shaken off, then.

Ultimately it's a McGrath goal that separates the two sides, sunk deep into the second half; but neither side will be very happy with their performance on this day. Then again, the Super Cup's a glorified friendly with a trophy on the line; and there's still a week to go before football starts again.

MATCHDAY 1
Straton FC 0–0 Kingsbury United
Macarthur City 2–0 Lakewood City
Hesham FC 2–1 Delphi Lionesses
Couno Rangers 3–0 Fraser Valley
Ricci Ironworkers 3–3 FC Inter Nantwich
Columbia City 2–2 Sturrey Athletic
Clyde Park 0–1 West Couno United
Newton Wanderers AFC 1–2 Lakewood United
New Timbourne Knights 0–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Serrapince FC 2–2 Glenmont AFC

The season finally starts, though it brings with it quite a few surprises of its own. A Harry Henderson-less Kingsbury United, sporting a defensive back four with an average age of 23, is able to hold off Straton's deluge of attacks for ninety minutes, as Vazsony Sallay simply cannot find away past Thomas Krabb and Bernard Martin. Particular criticism is heaped on the wide midfielders for not advancing enough; but the reality of the situation is that they were needed in midfield, where Kingsbury simply had the advantage. It's an eye-opening draw for Straton; and Kingsbury will take the one point away from it.

The Marco Giuliani era at Couno begins with a three-nil defeat of Fraser Valley, with new signing Jean-Phillipe Vaillancourt being thrown into the deep end. But the star of the day is, as ever, old reliable Marcus Sheldon; scoring a brace and being heavily involved in the build up of the third. He might not have made it to the World Cup, but he's not retired from the national team yet — and is hungry as ever to get right back in there.

Serrapince are held by Glenmont, despite Riordan finding the target once; Flo Eschborn, Serrapince's marquee signing (and only signing) of the summer is seen on the bench. Haverhead defends his choice to not play her yet as her needing a bit more time to blend in with the team; but if there's anything that will sink Serrapince's title chances, it's that defence. But the biggest shock of all was Macarthur coming out tops over Lakewood City; new signing Neil Fraser being marked completely out of the game by Ko-orenite defender Kilarul Dhaundhen, relegating the poor winger to a bit part in his first game for the club. Robin Vaughn looked somewhat out of the game as well; Riedweld blasted his team, appropriately so, too. Huxley, Macarthur's talisman at this point, runs rings around the Lakewood defence; while Graham Lloyd puts in a performance for the ages to put down Vaughn.

Elsewhere, WCU managed to excise their demons a bit by beating Clyde Park; Columbia and Sturrey played out a surprisingly entertaining 2-2 draw and Ricci shocked Nantwich by scoring three in the first half, only to be pegged back by the efforts of Jennings and Ros in the second.

MATCHDAY 2
Kingsbury United 3–0 Glenmont AFC
Ridgewell Rovers 0-2 Serrapince FC
Lakewood United 1–0 New Timbourne Knights
West Couno United 5–1 Newton Wanderers AFC
Sturrey Athletic 2–2 Clyde Park
FC Inter Nantwich 2–1 Columbia City
Fraser Valley 1–0 Ricci Ironworkers
Delphi Lionesses 0–2 Couno Rangers
Lakewood City 1–1 Hesham FC
Straton FC 3–0 Macarthur City

West Couno continue their form with a strong performance against Newton, involving Scott McIntyre scoring two and assisting another, with the Siovanijan mifielder Slavomir Malik making his debut for the Chocolatiers. He's a fine, silky midfielder; as expected of one from southwestern AO, and is a great help in helping WCU close down the victory. Whisper it quietly — very, very quietly, because West Couno have been in this exact situation two out of the last two seasons, and disappointed both times for some reason — but WCU might actually do something this season that doesn't entail finishing fourteenth.

Lakewood City can't catch a break, with their defeat last week at Macarthur being compounded by a draw to Hesham at home; Bill McKenzie's unorthodox 3-5-2 exposing the Lakewood midfield much of the game. Eli Apt tries his hardest to cover for Morgan and Cole, but he can't cover the entire length of the pitch. Is this perhaps a team that's undergone too much change? Three new starters is bound to throw a wrench into any situation. Either way, after two matches LCFC are sixteenth. Early days, still, but this isn't the start one would expect from a team that's challenged for the title in all three seasons of the IFCF era so far.

Fraser recover from their shellacking last week to beat Ricci at home; while Lakewood United squeak past the Knights, a goal from Cohen bailing them out. Straton, too, show Macarthur the top six are not to be messed with by beating them 3-0; Sallay back to his usual blistering best. Serrapince finally get their title defence underway with a solid victory over the Rovers, but the 2-0 scoreline arguably flattered Serrapince; they struggled to find opportunities for much of the first half.

MATCHDAY 3
Macarthur City 0-1 Kingsbury United
Hesham FC 0–1 Straton FC
Couno Rangers 6–5 Lakewood City
Ricci Ironworkers 1-4 Delphi Lionesses
Columbia City 1–0 Fraser Valley
Clyde Park 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich
Newton Wanderers AFC 0–2 Sturrey Athletic
New Timbourne Knights 0–1 West Couno United
Serrapince FC 1–1 Lakewood United
Glenmont AFC 1–2 Ridgewell Rovers

Three big matches today; Couno-City, Clyde-Nantwich, and Serrapince-United. The only side of last season's top seven to avoid a marquee match is Straton; and even then it's their turn to unlock Bill McKenzie's unorthodox style of play. They succeed, relegating the Ploughmen to their first defeat of the season; though they had to work for the one goal they eventually scored through a lucky header from Wayne Forrest.

Clyde-Nantwich ends similarly; a goalmouth scrabble sees Gordon Jenning's toe poke the ball fully over the line. Winless in three, Clyde are fifteenth, though arguably they've had a run of bad luck; while Markozy's settling in nicely, McGarry has been largely invisible — taken by nerves, some say. Devzies encourages patience, particularly with the twenty year-old; though McGarry's backup on the bench, Brendan May, looks increasingly unimpressed with the player he's meant to be fighting for a spot in the starting lineup. Kwak Hyeong-Joon, too, has become similarly unspectacular; though re-adjusting back to having to play as a regular striker must be jarring, after all the dropping back behind Laishram he's been doing for the past two years.

Are Clyde a club in crisis? Maybe.

Sturrey continue their run of good form, with Victor Mackay easing into his new role at a lower-midtable club easily; his experience is vital to the relegation fight Sturrey are probably going to find themselves in this season. But until then, three points against fellow relegation candidates Newton is very welcome; the loss of David Burnet not having as large an impact as previously thought.

The match of the round, however, is undoubtedly Couno versus City; a team with a new manager, trying to turn a sinking ship around, versus the established champions who are now seemingly struggling to kickstart their season. They'll try to kick-start it here; after all, they've beaten Couno by big margins before.

Both teams throw caution to the wind and begin attacking; it's an end-to-end game, with a goal on average every eight-and-a-half minutes. Vaughn strikes first, calm and collected, before Sheldon nets at the other end. Laishram's debut goal follows in short order, before his second; but Sheldon again, defying all expectations of his 32 year-old, injury-ravaged body, scores. The first half ends 2-3; but Sheldon's not done yet, finishing his hat-trick two minutes after the second half begins. City, of course, strike back, with Fraser now scoring his first goal for the club; and Cole follows up with Lakewood City's fifth.

There are still thirty minutes left in the game.

Couno begin playing much lower, deeper; trying to hold Lakewood City as they begin searching for the three goals they need to come back on top. Sheldon runs out of steam, and is replaced by Bruce Nolan; while Anna Napier comes on for Pertz-Evela Vet.

Then it happens.

A momentary lapse of concentration from Chris Carter allows Francis Evers to skirt by the defender, and he cuts inside; the winger typically doesn't finish, but the way Evers hits the ball, looping over John Lennon, puts Couno back in the game. Bowen takes advantage of a mistake from Ian Ashburn to draw level; and Nolan scores a brilliant volley in the dying seconds of the match to give Couno their sixth goal — and the win. Couno doesn't sleep that night.

Their neighbours, who've travelled to Timbourne, come back with another three points; meaning that the two Couno sides are level on points. WCU have conceded just one goal this season; They're equal on every single metric except for goals for — and this is what puts the Rangers ahead. A brilliant start to the season for them both, though; and the Couno-City match has to be the match of the season.

Yes, after just three matchdays.

Oh, and United and Serrapince played out a wholly boring 1-1 draw.

MATCHDAY 4
Kingsbury United 3–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Lakewood United 4–0 Glenmont AFC
West Couno United 0–2 Serrapince FC
Sturrey Athletic 0–1 New Timbourne Knights
FC Inter Nantwich 2–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
Fraser Valley 2–0 Clyde Park
Delphi Lionesses 0–1 Columbia City
Lakewood City 2–0 Ricci Ironworkers
Straton FC 5–3 Couno Rangers
Macarthur City 3–4 Hesham FC

The joke about the author's faux-astute observations about team form is long dead; yet it still haunts them, in some way or another. Sturrey lose in a close match to Timbourne, which sees them dropping right down the order, lifting Timbourne out of the gutter into fifteenth. Meanwhile, Glenmont's lack of form sees them in nineteenth having picked up one point from four games.

The culprit? Lakewood United, who look likely to launch an outside charge for the title. So far the pieces of their puzzle have been fitting in nicely; Kirsten Desmond seems to be the creative force Lakewood United needed to succeed Adam Herlinger, while Douglas Moore's partnership with Spencer Jepson is reaping dividends already. Add that Wilton Ramos hasn't gotten into any trouble (yet), and the Keyes-Cohen partnership up top is still going strong, and this could be a title-challenging squad.

Both Couno teams are pegged back by stronger opponents; WCU by Serrapince, and Couno by Straton, punishing Giuliani's defensive organisation by punting five past them. Couno, however, also become the first team to score against Straton this season; Sheldon continuing his red-hot spot of form, while Bill Bowen scores another and Bruce Nolan finishes up the third. It's Marco's first loss as Couno manager; but in three matchdays he's more than brought hope to the Rangers faithful. Is he the man to bring them back to the big-time, after three seasons of relative mediocrity under Kiggwe Siakam?

Lakewood City finally, belatedly, get their first win of the season — a calm, measured 2-0 win against Ricci, with Laishram and Vaughn on form. It's late; but it's a win, nonetheless. Still thirteenth in the league with four points, they'll need to make up six points just to get to the top of the table; but once the machine of Lakewood gets moving, it doesn't really stop.

One who simply can't get their machine going, however, is Clyde Park. May gets a start, replacing McGarry, but he can't get it going, either, the Lions crumpling to a weak defeat to leave them winless after four games. Kwak is still goal-less; but he's still Clyde's best option up front, with back-up striker Dave Mason being the very definition of "mediocre".

Two goals scored, six goals against, and one of four clubs stuck on zero wins. They've got to get themselves moving soon, or they're in for a nasty shock this season.

MATCHDAY 5
Hesham FC 1–1 Kingsbury United
Couno Rangers 1–0 Macarthur City
Ricci Ironworkers 1–1 Straton FC
Columbia City 1–2 Lakewood City
Clyde Park 2–0 Delphi Lionesses
Newton Wanderers AFC 0–1 Fraser Valley
New Timbourne Knights 0–4 FC Inter Nantwich
Serrapince FC 2–0 Sturrey Athletic
Glenmont AFC 0–2 West Couno United
Ridgewell Rovers 1–1 Lakewood United

Delphi's move over the offseason to ditch Hardwick and bring in a foreign manager was one of the story threads that promised to intrigue; even more so considering that five matches into the season last time out they were fifth.

Their loss to Clyde means they're now fifteenth. Perhaps Hardwick's defensive football, however unattractive, was the way to go; but Halldorsen dismissed any comparisons to her predecessor, saying that it would take time to get the squad up to scratch, and there had been promising signs of an uptick in form...soon.

They're in the same boat as Macarthur, though that might just be due to a terrible run of fixtures; after their opening day win at Lakewood, they've not won anything since. Couno put defence first today — evidently they knew they'd come through, eventually; and they did. Frustrating days for Macarthur fans, sure; but still better than Glenmont, who were...still winless, after WCU continued their run of form. Allison and McIntyre provided the goals, with Miles Brent up top dropping a bit deeper; but evidently it worked. Bill Thompson was being lauded as the second coming of the Messiah by some on Tumbran football twii.tur; and with good reason.

Lakewood City finally strung two wins together, with a narrow win over Columbia; who had so far been thoroughly mediocre despite their extremely strong transfer window. Serrapince put two past Sturrey, while Kingsbury and Hesham met — two of the unexpectedly strong sides of the season — and played out a rather entertaining 1-1 draw.

But the surprise leaders of the table after five games were Nantwich; who'd risen to the top after a four-nil destruction of Timbourne. Nantwich's ascension to the top of the table by a point meant that four teams had led the table after five matchdays — none of whom were Lakewood City or Serrapince, who were both figuring about in fifth and tenth, respectively.

Ending the first eighth of the season, then, WCU and Couno were neck and neck in second, separated by goal difference; while Straton were in fourth, having been held to a draw by Ricci. United, who'd drew with Ridgewell Rovers due to a marathon performance by Malachite Riester, who'd proven a sort-of decent successor to the departed Aurelie Dior so far. Kingsbury, funnily enough, were still undefeated; and were looking to turn this run of form into...something.

For Clyde, though, it was looking to be a very, very long season indeed.

Standings After Matchday Five

   Premier Division          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 	Form
 1 FC Inter Nantwich           5    4   1   0    12    4   +8    13	DWWWW
 2 West Couno United           5    4   0   1     9    3   +6    12	WWWLW
 3 Couno Rangers               5    4   0   1    15   10   +5    12	WWWLW
 4 Straton FC                  5    3   2   0    10    4   +6    11	DWWWD
 5 Lakewood United             5    3   2   0     9    3   +6    11	WWDWD
   Serrapince FC               5    3   2   0     9    3   +6    11	DWDWW
 7 Kingsbury United            5    3   2   0     8    2   +6    11	DWWWD
 8 Fraser Valley               5    3   0   2     4    4    0     9	LWLWW
 9 Hesham FC                   5    2   2   1     8    7   +1     8	WDLWD
10 Lakewood City               5    2   1   2    10   10    0     7	LDLWW
11 Columbia City               5    2   1   2     6    6    0     7	DLWWL
12 Ridgewell Rovers            5    2   1   2     5    7   −2     7	WLWLD
13 Sturrey Athletic            5    1   2   2     6    7   −1     5	DDWLL
14 Clyde Park                  5    1   1   3     4    6   −2     4	LDLLW
15 Delphi Lionesses            5    1   0   4     5    8   −3     3	LLWLL
16 Macarthur City              5    1   0   4     5    9   −4     3	WLLLL
17 New Timbourne Knights       5    1   0   4     1    7   −6     3	LLLWL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Ricci Ironworkers           5    0   2   3     5   11   −6     2	DLLLD
19 Glenmont AFC                5    0   1   4     3   13  −10     1	DLLLL
20 Newton Wanderers AFC        5    0   0   5     2   12  −10     0	LLLLL

If you enjoyed (or didn't enjoy) this part, click here and let Tumbra know why!

by **Tumbra** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:03 am

Thanks to the Grear for the logo.

THE 122^nd RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP - THE FIRST ROUND

The Republic Cup, first contested in 1903, is Tumbra's longest running domestic competition and is open to all professional teams in Tumbra. Non-professional teams may compete in the TFF Vase instead, though that will not be covered here. It is a single-elimination knockout tournament, with the final played in the Tumbran National Stadium. Matches occur every so often, as determined by the League schedule of the Premier Division. This year, matches will occur after the 5th, 10th, 15th, 27th, 35nd and 37th Premier Division matchday. The Final will be held after the 38th Matchday.

The competition is renowned for its brutality - all 128 teams, regardless of whether they are in the Premier Division or the Fourth Division, are unseeded and all have an equal chance to meet each other. The team drawn first is always put at home, leading to a true test of footballing equality. This year, the Cup will again be contested by every single team in the league structure, with the defending champions being Clyde Park.

First Round
Nottingham City (D3W) 1-1 Glenmont AFC (D1) (3-2 AET)
Carter United (D2) 3-1 Wabash United FC (D4E)
FC Inter Nantwich (D1) 2-0 Coburg Hornets (D4E)
Pinhal Athletic (D4E) 0-3 Couno Rangers (D1)
Maxwell Arsenal (D4E) 2-1 Chester FC (D4E)
Fontwell Rovers (D2) 0-1 Trelmont Rangers (D2)
Collett Park United (D3E) 1-0 Langley Guardians (D4W)
West Couno United (D1) 4-1 Tavistock Athletic (D3E)
Guillemard Town (D2) 2-0 Moresby United (D4W)
Hendon Cardinals (D3E) 1-1 Rookworth Ospreys (D4E) (2-1 AET)
Sturrey Athletic (D1) 1-0 Hoxford United (D3W)
Thomson Admirals (D4E) 2-0 Arlington Athletic (D4E)
Rosyth Warriors (D3E) 1-2 Fraser Valley FC (D1)
Clyde Park (D1) 1-0 Tavistock Park FC (D3E)
West Thornton United (D3W) 1-1 Kelder Phoenixes (D3E) (1-2 AET)
Delphi Lionesses (D1) 1-0 AFC Cayalon (D2)
Brensley Falcons (D4W) 1-2 Heffron City Miners (D3W)
Ruislip and Ipswich FC (D4W) 0-2 Columbia City (D1)
Hesham FC (D1) 5-2 Hindhede Hawks (D4E)
Ridgewell United (D2) 0-0 Ashton Rovers (D2) (0-0 AET, 5-3 PKs)
Prinsip Street (D4W) 0-0 Cheltenham FC (D4W) (0-0 AET, 5-4 PKs)
Bencoolen City FC (D2) 0-1 Pomeroy Mountaineers (D3W)
AFC Gillman (D2) 1-1 Washington City FC (D2) (1-1 AET, 2-4 PKs)
Heath Bay Mariners (D3E) 1-0 Ilstead Wanderers (D4W)
Wolskel FC (D4E) 0-5 Ricci Ironworkers (D1)
Othaven Wolves (D4W) 0-1 Locomotive Harper (D3W)
Caldwell City (D3W) 0-2 Dieren City Admirals (D2)
Fort Heatherton FC (D3W) 1-2 Straton Typhoons (D3E)
Kirkby Railwaymen (D2) 0-2 Shepperton Ravens (D3W)
Haversham City (D4W) 2-0 Dover Defenders (D4W)
Monroe Quakes (D4W) 0-1 Sherwood Town FC (D4E)
Straton FC (D1) 2-0 Cortlandt United (D4E)
Enfield Celtic (D3W) 0-1 Cobham United (D2)
Dunsford Auroras (D3W) 1-2 Gisbourne Lynxes (D3E)
Port Marray FC (D2) 2-0 Mayfield Black Bears (D4E)
Tevandale AFC (D3W) 0-1 Serrapince FC (D1)
Melwood Rangers (D4E) 1-1 Kellsthorpe Bluebirds (D4W) (1-3 AET)
Gelder Creek FC (D3W) 0-1 Burlington FC (D4E)
Mackay Robins (D3W) 1-2 Denhelm Terriers (D4W)
Teignford Academical (D3W) 0-2 Lakewood City (D1)
Algoma Wanderers (D4E) 1-1 New Timbourne Knights (D1) (1-1 AET, 4-3 PKs)
Dunman Bay FC (D4W) 0-2 Knapford United FC (D3E)
Macarthur City (D1) 8-0 Orpington Owls (D4W)
Caldecott 93 (D3E) 0-2 Windsor FC (D3E)
Taranga FC (D4E) 2-3 Staplewood Sparrows (D3E)
Falmouth AFC (D3W) 0-1 Havelock Harriers (D4E)
Readale Wanderers (D2) 0-1 Dynamo Denhelm (D4W)
Hesham Wanderers FC (D3E) 1-2 Rosenberg City (D3E)
Harchester United (D3W) 0-2 Richmond Swans (D4E)
Millsburgh Steelers (D2) 3-3 Carrington Town (D2) (3-3 AET, 4-3 PKs)
Dorival FC (D2) 1-2 Lakewood United (D1)
Killiney SC (D3E) 3-0 Clifton Fury (D4W)
Eisenhower City (D4W) 0-2 Colney Thorns (D3W)
Blenheim FC (D4W) 0-1 Lambeth Leopards (D3E)
Oakton Stars (D3W) 0-1 Delano Wanderers (D3W)
Readale City Blues (D3E) 0-1 Newark Argyle (D3E)
Farleigh Tigers (D4E) 0-3 Wilmington Town (D4E)
Newton Warriors AFC (D1) 2-2 Brades United FC (D3E) (3-2 AET)
Colbrook City (D2) 1-0 FC Montrose (D4W)
Grange United FC (D3E) 2-1 Knapford City FC (D4E)
Harren Armada (D3E) 3-1 Johnstone Athletic (D4W)
Kingsbury United FC (D1) 2-1 Clark City (D2)
Ridgewell Rovers (D1) 2-0 Southport Thunder (D3W)
Franport Blizzards (D4W) 1-1 Millsburgh Revolutionaries (D3W) (1-1 AET, 4-3 PKs)

Perhaps disappointingly for the Republic Cup, there were no shocks in the first round; though the manner of the draw did ensure that there was going to be a rather spicy clash between traditional Big Six members Couno Rangers and FC Inter Nantwich in the second round, meaning at least one of the established powers of football would not live to see the traditional quarter-final berth. Apart from that, there weren't any major shocks; though Ricci knocking 5 past Wolskel raised some eyebrows, as did the eye-watering scoreline of 8 goals to nil that Macarthur inflicted on the Orpington Owls, with some darkly muttering that they'd learned from all the times their defence had given up five in one game last season. Linnie Huxley was on form that night; scoring a hat-trick for the Blackbirds. The New Timbourne Knights, perhaps extremely disappointingly, were knocked out on the lottery of penalties to a team three divisions below them; perhaps setting a marker for how the remainder of their season in the Premier Division would go.

It's time, however, to return to the bread and butter of Tumbran football; the Premier Division.

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4 - PART TWO
MATCHDAYS 6-10

MATCHDAY 6
Kingsbury United 1–1 Lakewood United
West Couno United 3–3 Ridgewell Rovers
Sturrey Athletic 0–2 Glenmont AFC
FC Inter Nantwich 2–1 Serrapince FC
Fraser Valley 1–0 New Timbourne Knights
Delphi Lionesses 2–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
Lakewood City 3–0 Clyde Park
Straton FC 5–2 Columbia City
Macarthur City 4–0 Ricci Ironworkers
Hesham FC 0–0 Couno Rangers

Nantwich became the first team to draw proper blood from Serrapince this season, meaning that something which took Serrapince twenty-eight games to lose last season became lost in...merely six games this time. Nick Riordan scored the opener, but the defensive lineup of Daniels and Wakajama held strong to deny Riordan many more chances on goal, while at the same time holding possession.

Ros and Baxter would do the business at the other end, with an excellent performance from Nantwich's midfield trio - including a debut from Rebecca Haines late on in the game - controlling the midfield, giving Nantwich a crucial win to extend their lead at the top of the table to two points.

Yet it wouldn't be West Couno or even Couno in that runners' up spot; both teams fell to draws, WCU in a thoroughly thrilling 3-3 encounter with Ridgewell; while Hesham held strong defensively against a strong Couno offense to come out with a valuable point at home.

So the new runners-up in the division would be Straton, with Vazsony Sallay once again proving his worth to the Senators, scoring the first hattrick of a season against Columbia. It was more of an attacking masterclass from the Pasargan rather than a defensive nightmare; though the defeat did raise questions over whether the defense was too young. They did, however, do the business at the other end of the pitch too; Thomas Burrows did the business, linking up with Frank Wilson to score one of Columbia's two goals. Mike Coonan, exile from Lakewood City, scored the other.

The other team to score more than three goals ended up being Macarthur, who punted four past Ricci; evidently continuing from the excellent form they had shown in their 8-0 defeat of Orpington midweek. Kingsbury and Lakewood both drew blood from each other, but the score of 1-1 was generally agreed to be fair; and Clyde's poor form threatened to become a full-blown crisis, with a 3-0 defeat to Lakewood City. Then again, it was Lakewood City. Ophelie Bernard, making her debut for the club, hit the first goal; Jack Reed the second, filling in for the slightly injured Neil Fraser; and Pierre-Louis Laishram hit the third, a late substitution for Phil Cole; highlighting his versatility.

Yet Clyde manager Devzies still denied that it was a crisis at the Park.

MATCHDAY 7
Couno Rangers 2–3 Kingsbury United
Ricci Ironworkers 0–2 Hesham FC
Columbia City 0–0 Macarthur City
Clyde Park 1–3 Straton FC
Newton Wanderers AFC 1–4 Lakewood City
New Timbourne Knights 0–3 Delphi Lionesses
Serrapince FC 4–0 Fraser Valley
Glenmont AFC 0–3 FC Inter Nantwich
Ridgewell Rovers 3–1 Sturrey Athletic
Lakewood United 0–0 West Couno United

Still hovering in sixteenth, Clyde were, after a 3-1 defeat at home to Straton; Leo Hooper the hero today, along with Maksimilian Trukhin, whose header gave Straton the all-important third goal. For Clyde fans, the disappointment of losing was perhaps assuaged a bit with Kwak finally scoring his first goal of the season; the look of relief on his face after the victory was palpable.

Yet the club were still in sixteenth position, with just one win from seven games this season. It was sackable form; only Glenmont and the three newly promoted teams were behind them. If they finished in this position once again, it would represent an unhappy circle being completed. After all, the season before they defied all expectations to finish 6th in the table, they did finish sixteenth.

Elsewhere, Couno fell to a resurgent Kingsbury United, in an end-to-end battle which saw both sides really throw caution to the win. In the end, however, it was James Hunter's last-gasp goal which sailed past the fingers of Andrew Taylor that gave Kingsbury the win. Macarthur's goalscoring form suddenly dropped off; it seemed as if David Griffiths had managed to sort out whatever issues had been present in the defence last game, and the performance was relatively more solid this time. Luciano Bello would be the best player in an otherwise dull game; Linnie Huxley had been benched, seemingly tired from the previous two games; but without them Macarthur were suddenly bereft of a goalscoring option.

Elsewhere, normal service resumed for Serrapince, scoring four past Fraser Valley, while Ridgewell Rovers continued their good form, knocking three past Sturrey; Malachite Riester settling more and more into the team, bringing a physicality that Aurelie Dior perhaps lacked to the side.

WCU held off a dangerous looking Lakewood United team; now here was a Nepharim who wasn't settling in as well as Riester. Perhaps for Kirsten Desmond there was a bit of pressure involved; after all, she was 21, and being thrust straight into the starting eleven of one of Tumbra's top six sides and told to perform. Either way, van der Brumen urged patience and calm with the young midfielder, who'd shown flashes of her undoubted talent with her former clubs, the Moths.

Nantwich continued their streak at the top, being one of four teams to still remain undefeated at this stage of the game, while Kingsbury rose into the top three.

MATCHDAY 8
Kingsbury United 2–0 West Couno United
Sturrey Athletic 0–1 Lakewood United
FC Inter Nantwich 4–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Fraser Valley 1–0 Glenmont AFC
Delphi Lionesses 0–0 Serrapince FC
Lakewood City 5–1 New Timbourne Knights
Straton FC 1–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
Macarthur City 0–0 Clyde Park
Hesham FC 3–4 Columbia City
Couno Rangers 3–0 Ricci Ironworkers

It seemed as if WCU's annual slump of form had decided to begin early, with the team falling to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Kingsbury; either Bill Thompson's tactics had already been figured out, or WCU were just being WCU. Either way, Kingsbury were clearly in form; they only had five goals conceded so far. Would this be the season they finally broached the top seven?

Other teams on a recovery cycle seemed to be Fraser Valley, who found themselves in 8th; manager Michael Hardwick, though dislikable, clearly having his defensive tactics working here, eking out a 1-0 victory over Glenmont. He remarked after the match that his main focus was "keeping Fraser in the top division; anything else comes after," echoing his philosophy while at Delphi.

Speaking of Delphi, they held Serrapince to a goal-less draw, highlighting their defensive quality; and was aptly praised by Halldorsen after the match. "We've got the youngest average squad in the league," she said, "but that doesn't mean we can't put in a shift when we can. I'm proud of the girls for putting in hard work; Aiofe [Ruth] has been a great help to achieve this." Serrapince manager Haverhead was considerably less pleased at his squad's 4-3-1 record so far, noting that the team had been "slightly inconsistent"; but that "there will be better games ahead."

Clyde didn't lose, surprisingly; they looked the better team on the pitch for forty-five minutes, but were unable to break the 0-0 deadlock at Macarthur. The result meant they continued languishing in sixteenth; but at this point the question of whether Devzies should play Dave Mason instead of Kwak was a conundrum with no easy answers, considering Mason started this game and looked about as effective on the pitch as a bucket in a hailstorm. The fabled managerial axe began looming over Devzies; there were rumours he had to get four points in three games or he was going to be sacked.

Oh, and Lakewood City smashed five past the Knights, giving themselves apt preperation for next week's titanic clash between the two title contenders...who were sitting at fourth and seventh in the table.

MATCHDAY 9
Ricci Ironworkers 0–1 Kingsbury United
Columbia City 4–1 Couno Rangers
Clyde Park 1–0 Hesham FC
Newton Wanderers AFC 0–2 Macarthur City
New Timbourne Knights 0–2 Straton FC
Serrapince FC 2–1 Lakewood City
Glenmont AFC 3–5 Delphi Lionesses
Ridgewell Rovers 1–2 Fraser Valley
Lakewood United 1–0 FC Inter Nantwich
West Couno United 1–0 Sturrey Athletic

In four matchdays Couno had fallen from third in the league to ninth. Make of that what you will, but it didn't especially spell the most auspicious of starts to Marco Giuliani's tenure at the Port Stadium. Yet the fans that bothered to make the long journey to Columbia would come away extremely disappointed; they folded under intense pressure from Columbia, with David Burnet running rings around most of the Couno midfield. The match also raised questions over Marcus Sheldon's long-term future at the club; he was already 32, and was looking thoroughly tired at the end of the first half.

It would be Bruce Nolan, the half-time substitute, who would score Couno's only goal; but that paled in comparison to Luciano Bello, Don Craiglethy's headed goal, Tom Burrows' near post shot and Eloisa Caldwell's first time volley which rendered Couno defeated. It showed still just how much work there was to be done with Couno's squad; while the average age of Couno's squad was just 24.4, and the introduction of youth into the team had worked, there were still a few problems that had to be ironed out before the team could try and end their 24-season title drought.

There would be a new leader at the top of the table, as Lakewood ended Nantwich's unbeaten streak; a sole Philip Cohen goal separating the two sides at Trenton. That new leader would be Straton (but only by a point), who beat the Knights to send them top of the table. There were just three clubs left in the undefeated club; Straton waas one of them, and so was Lakewood; but that Kingsbury was still undefeated baffled quite a few. If one paid closer attention to them, however, Mark Pryor's job security was remarkably higher than this time last season, when the Princelings were undergoing a major crisis in form.

Quite like Clyde, but they'd picked up their second win of the season at last; though it did require a Edwin Markozy penalty to separate them from Hesham. Three points was three points; but in the grand scheme of things they'd moved up just one place, to fifteenth.

The main focus of the matchday, however, was Serrapince hosting Lakewood City; two title challengers stuck in not-very-title challenging places going up against each other in a match that would probably go a long way to determining who would win the title this season.

(If they managed to pull themselves out of their current inconsistent form, that is)

Josip Horvat scored the first, while Robin Vaughn pulled one back; but the deciding goal, late in the game, was knocked in by none other than Hermaeus Mora, whose free kick sailed over the wall and befuddled John Lennon, who dived too late to save the ball from going in. The goal was deemed an early contender for goal of the month; and indeed — it was an accolade which it would win, slightly later in the season.

MATCHDAY 10
Kingsbury United 3–2 Sturrey Athletic
FC Inter Nantwich 5–1 West Couno United
Fraser Valley 0–1 Lakewood United
Delphi Lionesses 4–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Lakewood City 3–0 Glenmont AFC
Straton FC 1–0 Serrapince FC
Macarthur City 1–0 New Timbourne Knights
Hesham FC 4–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
Couno Rangers 3–0 Clyde Park
Ricci Ironworkers 0–2 Columbia City

The Lionesses had hit a purple patch. They'd scored five past a below-average Glenmont; held Serrapince to a nil-nil draw, and three past the bottom-feeding Knights. Yet somehow this had come at the expense of their defensive solidity; conceding three to said below-average Glenmont was definitely not something to be cheered. Today they continued this recent trend, though the margin of victory - three goals - was something to be celebrated. Karina Holt, last season's Player of the Year, came into her own again, but the real star of the show was Tikariotian striker Victoria Thesselborg, scoring two past a hard-tackling, hard-playing Ridgewell Rovers side. They were still eleventh in the standings, and still below Fraser Valley; but there were definite signs of progress.

What wouldn't be seen as progress was the reveal of the three last male players on the squad - left-back Will Tomplins, centre-back Hugh Gilmour and centre midfielder Paul Fletcher - that they were unhappy with their playing time on the pitch. Manager Halldorsen addressed these concerns in public; ("what is revealed publicly must be settled publicly"), and said that she would work on addressing these problems with the three unhappy players. Chairman Julie Smith was less concillatory; in a statement released, she expressed disappointment at the three players for breaking the cordial atmosphere at the club that had been created over the last few seasons.

The off-pitch controversy didn't stop Delphi from netting four past Ridgewell, however, their momentum clearly having been stifled by the earlier loss to Nantwich. Christophe Ghislane netted Ridgewell's only goal, though it was slightly disappointing for the Rovers; who were now back down in fourteenth position.

Speaking of fourteenth, WCU's misery got compounded by Nantwich, who scored five past them; it was a domineering performance from the home team, running riot over the WCU defence. Bill Thompson looked absolutely clueless; memes calling him a "tactically inept pie face" circulated after the game. The only saving grace so far was perhaps that Thompson hadn't led the Chocolatiers back to WCU's fourteenth spot.

Yet.

Normal service resumed for Couno and both Lakewood clubs, all three picking up wins of various sizes against the smaller clubs in the league; City and United were now three points away from each other in the league. Yet their records were equally staggering; United had scored thirteen and conceded just four, while City had scored twenty-six and conceded fourteen. Yet the match of the round would turn out to be Straton hosting Serrapince; the burgeoning rivalry betwixt the two was growing ever more intense as the years went on.

Straton, surprisingly, would do what Lakewood City couldn't a week earlier - and consigned Serrapince to their second league defeat of the season, leaving them seventh and being the team with the worst record of the top six, surprisingly enough. If this was meant to be a title defence, it was shaping up to be a surprisingly limp one. Meanwhile Kingsbury were flying high, recording their seventh victory of the season at home against Sturrey; while Columbia put in a solid performance to run home winners away at Ricci.

But it was still early in the season, and there was still lots of time for surprises to be had in the Premier Division.

Standings After Matchday Ten

   Tumbran Premier Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 	Chg	Form 
 1 Straton FC                 10    8   2   0    22    7  +15    26	▲3	WWWWW
 2 FC Inter Nantwich          10    8   1   1    26    8  +18    25	▼1	WWWLW
 3 Kingsbury United           10    7   3   0    18    7  +11    24	▲4	DWWWW
 4 Lakewood United            10    6   4   0    13    4   +9    22	▲1	DDWWW
 5 Lakewood City              10    6   1   3    26   14  +12    19	▲5	WWWLW
 6 Couno Rangers              10    6   1   3    24   17   +7    19	▼3	DLWLW
 7 Serrapince FC              10    5   3   2    16    7   +9    18	▼2	LWDWL
 8 Fraser Valley              10    6   0   4     8   10   −2    18	-0	WLWWL
 9 Columbia City              10    5   2   3    18   15   +3    17	▲2	LDWWW	
10 West Couno United          10    5   2   3    14   13   +1    17	▼8	DDLWL
11 Delphi Lionesses           10    5   1   4    19   12   +7    16	▲4	WWDWW
12 Hesham FC                  10    4   3   3    17   12   +5    15	▼3	DWLLW
13 Macarthur City             10    4   2   4    12    9   +3    14	▲3	WDDWW
14 Ridgewell Rovers           10    3   2   5    14   21   −7    11	▼2	DWLLL
15 Clyde Park                 10    2   2   6     6   15   −9     8	▼1	LLDWL
16 Sturrey Athletic           10    1   2   7     9   17   −8     5	▼3	LLLLL
17 Glenmont AFC               10    1   1   8     8   25  −17     4	▲2	WLLLL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 New Timbourne Knights      10    1   0   9     2   19  −17     3	▼1	LLLLL
19 Ricci Ironworkers          10    0   2   8     5   23  −18     2	▼1	LLLLL
20 Newton Wanderers AFC       10    0   0  10     3   25  −22     0	-0	LLLLL

All changes are from previous table posted; which is to say, MD5. Form takes into account the last five matches; which is to say, MD5.

If you enjoyed (or didn't enjoy) this part, click here and let Tumbra know why!

by **Tumbra** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 7:29 am

THE 122^nd RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP - THE SECOND ROUND

The Republic Cup, first contested in 1903, is Tumbra's longest running domestic competition and is open to all professional teams in Tumbra. Non-professional teams may compete in the TFF Vase instead, though that will not be covered here. It is a single-elimination knockout tournament, with the final played in the Tumbran National Stadium. Matches occur every so often, as determined by the League schedule of the Premier Division. This year, matches will occur after the 5th, 10th, 15th, 27th, 35nd and 37th Premier Division matchday. The Final will be held after the 38th Matchday.

The competition is renowned for its brutality - all 128 teams, regardless of whether they are in the Premier Division or the Fourth Division, are unseeded and all have an equal chance to meet each other. The team drawn first is always put at home, leading to a true test of footballing equality. This year, the Cup will again be contested by every single team in the league structure, with the defending champions being Clyde Park.

The first round of the competition saw no major surprises; the only real surprises were Macarthur City knocking eight past a fourth division side and the New Timbourne Knights themselves getting knocked out by a fourth division side on penalties. This round promised to be more fruitful, though; with a clash between two Big Six clubs this early in the competition. Nantwich were flying high in form; they were second in the league. Couno, on the other hand, were still trying to find their footing with Marco Giuliani at the helm and a relatively young defensive backline; inconsistency was the name of the game. Regardless, a titanic clash was due to be set up here; with a match that could conceivably be the Final of the Republic Cup.

Second Round
Nottingham City (D3W) 2-1 Carter United (D2)
FC Inter Nantwich (D1) 3-1 Couno Rangers (D1)
Maxwell Arsenal (D4E) 0-2 Trelmont Rangers (D2)
Collett Park United (D3E) 0-5 West Couno United (D1)
Guillemard Town (D2) 1-0 Hendon Cardinals (D3E)
Sturrey Athletic (D1) 2-0 Thomson Admirals (D4E)
Fraser Valley FC (D1) 0-1 Clyde Park (D1)
Kelder Phoenixes (D3E) 0-4 Delphi Lionesses (D1)
Heffron City Miners (D3W) 0-4 Columbia City (D1)
Hesham FC (D1) 1-2 Ridgewell United (D2)
Prinsip Street (D4W) 2-1 Pomeroy Mountaineers (D3W)
Washington City FC (D2) 1-1 Heath Bay Mariners (D3E) (1-1 AET, 4-2 PKs)
Ricci Ironworkers (D1) 1-0 Locomotive Harper (D3W)
Dieren City Admirals (D2) 0-0 Straton Typhoons (D3E) (1-0 AET)
Shepperton Ravens (D3W) 4-2 Haversham City (D4W)
Sherwood Town FC (D4E) 0-1 Straton FC (D1)
Cobham United (D2) 1-0 Gisbourne Lynxes (D3E)
Port Marray FC (D2) 2-3 Serrapince FC (D1)
Kellsthorpe Bluebirds (D4W) 1-2 Burlington FC (D4E)
Denhelm Terriers (D4W) 1-3 Lakewood City (D1)
Algoma Wanderers (D4E) 0-0 Knapford United FC (D3E) (0-1 AET)
Macarthur City (D1) 2-1 Windsor FC (D3E)
Staplewood Sparrows (D3E) 3-1 Havelock Harriers (D4E)
Dynamo Denhelm (D4W) 2-1 Rosenberg City (D3E)
Richmond Swans (D4E) 0-1 Millsburgh Steelers (D2)
Lakewood United (D1) 1-1 Killiney SC (D3E) (3-1 AET)
Colney Thorns (D3W) 2-2 Lambeth Leopards (D3E) (2-2 AET, 4-3 PKs)
Delano Wanderers (D3W) 1-1 Newark Argyle (D3E) (1-1 AET, 3-1 PKs)
Wilmington Town (D4E) 0-4 Newton Warriors AFC (D1)
Colbrook City (D2) 0-3 Grange United FC (D3E)
Harren Armada (D3E) 0-1 Kingsbury United FC (D1)
Ridgewell Rovers (D1) 5-0 Franport Blizzards (D4W)

In the end, it was Estelline's men and women which would secure passage through to the third round; though it was a particularly nervy match from both sides. Klara Verlaan made her debut for the Black-and-blues, but was taken off after sixty minutes; replaced by Don Blather, Nantwich looked a consderably more dangerous side after the hour. The one-all deadlock was broken by, surprisingly, Joaquin Santo; the young Juven defender heading the ball past Andrew Taylor's hands. A late goal on a counterattack by Andrew Fisher sealed the deal for Nantwich; and Couno were relegated to their earliest exit from the Republic Cup from a while.

WCU somehow managed to shake off their recent woes in the Premier Division to score five past Collett Park, away from home; while Clyde Park managed to scrape together another win to finally put themselves in form, beating Fraser Valley away from home. The biggest team elimiated, however, ended up being Hesham; faced with Ridgewell United, who were still figuring about in the second division trying to find a way back up, they fell short and were eliminated, 2-1; with Lucas Russell's late miss causing him to completely lose confidence.

Marray, in another edition of the Bechor Derby, gave Serrapince a run for their money; going 2-0 down before Maxim Knežević, Charlotte Ritchie and George Hilton combined to score three goals in the last fifteen minutes of the game. Perhaps it hammered home how inconsistent Serrapince were at the moment; and from this moment it became evident that for the Bees to be able to keep winning long term, they would require more, better back-ups to keep their main team fresh. Lakewood City had a bench which would probably give Couno a run for its money; Serrapince's bench looked considerably less deep than their main title rivals.

They weren't pushed as hard as Lakewood United, however, who were seven minutes away from the lottery of penalties; Wilton Ramos coming through in clutch for the Reds with two goals in the second half of extra time, showing his remarkable skill on the ball. To round things off on the night, Grange United pulled off one of the few upsets of the night, while the Rovers, in a Westmond Derby, hit five past Franport.

Whether these results would have any bearing on the next five matchdays was always up for debate; though Serrapince's inconsistency was something that had probably carried on throughout the season so far. The title fight in the league was shaping up to be a truly extraordinary one; both usual title competitors down in fourth and seventh, a resurgent Kingsbury in third, Clyde all the way down in fourteenth...

League football was back.

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4 - PART THREE
MATCHDAYS 11-15

MATCHDAY 11
Columbia City 1–1 Kingsbury United
Clyde Park 3–1 Ricci Ironworkers
Newton Wanderers AFC 1–2 Couno Rangers
New Timbourne Knights 0–1 Hesham FC
Serrapince FC 1–0 Macarthur City
Glenmont AFC 0–0 Straton FC
Ridgewell Rovers 3–3 Lakewood City
Lakewood United 2–1 Delphi Lionesses
West Couno United 0–0 Fraser Valley
Sturrey Athletic 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich

Two matchdays after losing the lead of the league, Nantwich would snatch the crown back from Straton; though it was less of a crown and more of a marker for teams to chase down. Nantwich's victory over Sturrey, narrow as it was, was still better than Straton's boring, frustrating draw at Glenmont; and Estelline himself had to assuage the media that he was already thinking about the title challenge at this early point in the season. "We're taking things step by step, as always," he said after the game. "As long as the players follow how I want them to play, of course, the results will follow." Speculation remained over his long-term future with Nantwich; there were rumours he was contemplating retirement.

Kingsbury themselves were unable to find a way past Columbia in the Battle of the South Coast; an early Mike Coonan goal was cancelled out by James Anderson, the two ex-teammates proving their worth on a smaller stage. United were able to draw level on points with Kingsbury, having beat Delphi.

No such luck for their neighbours, however, who dropped to seventh in the league following a draw at Ridgewell; who themselves were getting a bit good at scoring goals this season. This had been a noted problem of theirs in the season prior; once again, most of the credit fell to Malachite Riester, though the addition of Christian Borzoi up top didn't do much harm to the Ridgewell side either. Plucky was beginning to be a name assigned to them; but they were still fourteenth in the league, just ahead of...

...Clyde, who'd finally managed to string two wins together. Sure, it was against Ricci, who were sitting nineteenth in the league on two points, but stringing these performances together was crucial if they were going to attempt to rescue their league season.

Couno and Serrapince both picked up wins, while WCU fans were forced to endure perhaps the worst ninety minutes of football this season at home as they were lulled to sleep by a 0-0 draw, and Newton extended their winless streak to eleven points. There were now bets on how long they would take to pick up their first point; though with a game against Ricci next, there was perhaps a reluctance to bet on that. What people were betting on, however, was whether Newton were going to get relegated; though there was a real chance the bookies would close the bets on that one sooner rather than later as well.

MATCHDAY 12
Kingsbury United 1–2 FC Inter Nantwich
Fraser Valley 0–1 Sturrey Athletic
Delphi Lionesses 1–1 West Couno United
Lakewood City 3–1 Lakewood United
Straton FC 5–2 Ridgewell Rovers
Macarthur City 2–2 Glenmont AFC
Hesham FC 4–4 Serrapince FC
Couno Rangers 5–1 New Timbourne Knights
Ricci Ironworkers 0–1 Newton Wanderers AFC
Columbia City 7–2 Clyde Park

Brian Devzies was sacked today.

Long-serving manager and veteran Brian Devzies, 62, was today sacked after Clyde's worst start to a season in the IFCF era; winning just three games, meaning the team were languishing in fifteenth in the league after twelve games. It is understood that Devzies was set a target of winning four points in his next two games, a target that Devzies achieved with back-to-back wins, but a 7-2 loss to Columbia City was deemed as a sign that the team had not majorly improved from the situation it was in when the ultimatum was given.

On the face of it, it was perhaps harsh on the veteran; Devzies' tenure, spanning nine years and two divisions, was ended a mere seventeen matches after winning Clyde Park's first piece of major silverware in a long time.¹ The challenge Devzies faced this season, too, was astronomical; faced with losing the team's best player and second-best player to Lakewood City, Devzies bravely decided to trust in youth, bringing in Alistair McGarry from Glenmont and Edwin Markozy from Zeta Reka to try and fill in the massive, massive gap left by Neil Fraser and Pierre-Louis Laishram. Yet it was not the signings but the established team members that let Devzies down; main striker Kwak Hyeong-Joon took seven games to find his first goal, while Dean Cresswood struggled to adapt to having to cover more ground.

In leaving Clyde Devzies leaves behind a legacy of progress; from a team that were figuring around in the lower half of the Second Division to a team that entered IFCF football; albeit their time in it lasted all of two matches, and there is little to no indication that they will return in at least the short term. Yet his time in Clyde saw a second Hesham club enter the Premier Division, and shock many a supporter as they went from 16th in their first season after promotion to 6th; and proving they were no fluke, either; by staying there for three seasons.

Yet, as is always in the harsh, unforgiving realities of Tumbran football, the team was relentlessly picked apart by the established big clubs of Tumbra; a cautionary tale for high-flyers such as Kingsbury and Columbia, two clubs who have shown promise in the past and have stacked their squad full of young, high-potential players.

Former Clyde Park striker Nigel Erskine penned a tribute on twii.tur to his old manager, thanking him for his service and for giving him the opportunity to spread his wings on the Premier Division stage; and hoped to see him in management again soon. For Devzies, however, a life-long Clyde Park supporter, there remains questions over whether he will re-enter management or enter retirement.

Clyde are now looking for a permanent successor; until the mid-season or until a new manager is hired, whichever is sooner, Devzies' assistant manager Peter Roberts will take over.

¹ One Supercup, two Cup Winners' Cup, two Republic Cup and twelve league games.

It was perhaps the highest-scoring weekend in the league so far; ignoring Columbia running riot over a clueless Clyde side, there was still Couno beating Timbourne 5-1, Marcus Sheldon back to his old, blistering best; lifting the side to third in the standings on goals scored. Straton beat the Ridgewell Rovers 5-2, the Ridgewell defence paralysed by Vazsony Sallay once again; and Hesham and Serrapince played out a 4-4 draw, once again raising questions over Danny Haverhead's tactical nous when it came to defensive organisation.

Two of the three as-of-yet undefeated teams today fell, leaving Straton as the last of the undefeated; Kingsbury fell to a well-drilled, elite Nantwich side 1-2, and Lakewood City won the Lakewood derby 3-1, with Laishram scoring the first, Vaughn the second and Erika Steinlein the third, in what was her first goal for the club.

Yet the day would probably be remembered most for the axe falling on Brian Devzies a mere twelve matches after the league began; sixteen after he won the Manager of the Year award for his constant achievement with Clyde and seventeen after bringing Clyde Park a Republic Cup trophy. Yet such was the cutthroat nature of football; Devzies wasn't delivering results, so Devzies had to go.

It was perhaps the starkest reminder that Tumbran football had entered a new era with its participation in the IFCF; the gap between the Premier and Second Divisions was growing larger, to the extent that all three newly promoted sides were odds-on favourites to go down, and had won a total of two matches between themselves; one of which, as was seen today, was Newton carving out a 1-0 win against Ricci to end their winless streak and finally put some points on the board. Whether the Premier Division would slowly evolve into an ensemble cast of seventeen clubs + three guest stars was yet to be seen, though considering that none of the newly promoted clubs had a goal difference of less than negative 20, this was indeed looking like a worrying trend.

MATCHDAY 13
Clyde Park 0–2 Kingsbury United
Newton Wanderers AFC 0–2 Columbia City
New Timbourne Knights 1–2 Ricci Ironworkers
Serrapince FC 1–0 Couno Rangers
Glenmont AFC 2–0 Hesham FC
Ridgewell Rovers 0–2 Macarthur City
Lakewood United 2–0 Straton FC
West Couno United 2–5 Lakewood City
Sturrey Athletic 1–0 Delphi Lionesses
FC Inter Nantwich 3–0 Fraser Valley

And the misery continues; though a defeat to Kingsbury, third in the table after thirteen games, can hardly be construed as a shame; though considering that Clyde and Kingsbury were meant to be duelling to make it into the top 6 or 7, perhaps the shame was compounded by the fact that Clyde was now sixteenth in the league. Peter Roberts looked visibly uninterested in the game; showing little emotion to going two-nil down after Antti Perkanen's exquisite goal; while standin centreback Desimir Gavrilovic from Farfadillis stood out for his amazing performance on the day itself, fending off what little attacking opportunities Clyde managed to create.

Ricci managed to chalk up a win on the board, meaning all twenty teams had now managed to get at least one win on the board; though this also unfortunately meant Newton was sent right back to the bottom of the table. Glenmont's win at home against Hesham, too, meant that they were now closer to safety, whatever that meant; though with three lambs to be sent back to the grinder of the Second Division now appearing every so often, safety was often guaranteed; lest the lamb turned out to have lots of money, like Delphi; or lots of luck, like Glenmont themselves two seasons prior.

Serrapince finally managed to keep a clean sheet, defeating Couno by a narrow scoreline of 1-0; Hermaeus Mora once again bailing out a team that looked about average so far. They were still in seventh, but there were four clubs in range of them who were able to be overtaken with a series of fortituous results. It was shaping up to be an exceptionally tight fight for the top of the league; if anyone could, of course, catch Nantwich, whose victory at Fraser Valley would give them a temporarily unassailable lead at the top of the table; four points.

The last team's undefeated's streak was ended today in a dominating victory by Lakewood United over Straton; Moore and Jepson hanging on strong to deny Straton an inch of attacking space. Quite surprisingly, it was Ophelia Haywood who headed in the first goal; a more classic Keyes-Cohen partnership put the second past Graham Dodds. Lakewood City put on a typical dominating performance away from home to beat WCU five goals to two. Yet this goal-line; which brought their total goals scored per game to just under 2.85, only saw them rise to fifth in the standings.

MATCHDAY 14
Kingsbury United 1–0 Fraser Valley
Delphi Lionesses 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich
Lakewood City 3–0 Sturrey Athletic
Straton FC 1–2 West Couno United
Macarthur City 3–2 Lakewood United
Hesham FC 3–2 Ridgewell Rovers
Couno Rangers 1–0 Glenmont AFC
Ricci Ironworkers 1–2 Serrapince FC
Columbia City 2–0 New Timbourne Knights
Clyde Park 1–0 Newton Wanderers AFC

For more recent fans of the Tumbran Premier Division (read: all ya'll), Kingsbury United are nine-time champions of Tumbra. That's one less than Serrapince and Straton, and two less than Lakewood City and Nantwich. Yet their last title was won...in 1992. It's a title drought that has gone relatively more un-noticed by the greater sporting world, because Couno's is slightly more romantic (or however romantic a title drought can be) — they're dueling against the most successful club in Tumbra to prove their supremacy, and their last title was only (only?) twenty-three years ago. They also won the first and second league titles, have history, lots of history, etc etc, as any self-respecting (or deluded) Couno fan will be eager to tell you.

Couno's main rivals are Lakewood United and West Couno. Lakewood United and West Couno have a grand total of twenty-one titles between them.

Kingsbury's main rivals are Columbia and Newton. Columbia and Newton have a grand total of zero league titles between them.

Their second-placing after this matchday, courtesy of a Tania Layton goal against the rapidly-slipping Fraser Valley, can therefore be interpreted in two ways:

1. They're back
2. This is an entirely new, unheard of challenge.

For fans above a certain age they will see it as 1; for fans below a certain age they will see it as 2. Yet Mark Pryor's work at Kingsbury to turn the ship around cannot go ignored; and to think that a year ago he was on the verge of being sacked. They have lost one game all season, joint top with Nantwich, and the signing of James Anderson has so far proven absolutely inspired. One can only hope they do not go the way of Clyde are, right now, who did manage to get a win against Newton, but whom are still stuck in fourteenth position with a -13 goal difference after fourteen matches.

Straton are not on that list of clubs that have only lost one game, because Bill Thompson's West Couno somehow managed to get a win against them; but this was Slavomir Malik's game, the midfielder pulling the strings from the heart of the pitch to set up Scott McIntyre and Dominic Clyne for the match winning goal; leaving Straton stunned. Yet they still hold on to third by one point; because Lakewood United lost to a Macarthur City squad in similar fashion, with long-ignored South Newlandian midfielder Frank Stuart pulling passes all over the pitch. For United's woes, however, it ignores that Kirsten Desmond played a key role in helping Lakewood stay in the game as long as they did; and her performance was singled out as one of United's few highlights in a generally disappointing matchweek.

Stepping up to bat to try and enter the top three, then, is Lakewood City; their cause helped by a standard three-goal winning margin over Sturrey. They now just sit one point apart; should Straton drop any points whatsoever Lakewood City would enter the top three.

MATCHDAY 15
Newton Wanderers AFC 0–2 Kingsbury United
New Timbourne Knights 0–0 Clyde Park
Serrapince FC 6–4 Columbia City
Glenmont AFC 4–1 Ricci Ironworkers
Ridgewell Rovers 2–1 Couno Rangers
Lakewood United 4–3 Hesham FC
West Couno United 1–0 Macarthur City
Sturrey Athletic 1–3 Straton FC
FC Inter Nantwich 2–2 Lakewood City
Fraser Valley 1–1 Delphi Lionesses

The concept of entering the top three seens to be allergic to just about everyone in the chasing pack right now; how else could you explain Straton holding onto third?

To be fair, a draw against league leaders Nantwich wasn't the worst of things that could possibly happen against the them; though this result did see them slipping straight down the order again, beneath Lakewood United, whose attack combined magnificently to see off Hesham; and Serrapince, who turned on the charm to defeat Columbia City. More criticism from more vocal sections of the Serrapince fanbase continued; but Haverhead pointed to the fact that Serrapince had conceded sixteen goals in fifteen matches, six less than Lakewood City; and the fact that they managed to secure the win.

Straton, for their part, visited Sturrey and beat them senseless to hold on to third; though Kingsbury's victory against Newton still put them solidly in second place. Glenmont pulled out the stops to secure a third win, lifting their points total above 10 and probably guaranteeing survival.

Couno crumpled against Ridgewell, Kensington Stadium seemingly having become some kind of bastion; the Cyans were playing well at home, their physical game upping and toppling Couno's players a few more times than thirty. The result left Couno in seventh, with shades of the Siakam era returning; 9-1-5 wasn't bad; but for a team seeking to return to IFCF football it was hardly ideal, either.

Perhaps the most interesting match of the round, however, was Fraser v Delphi; the situation at Delphi had seemingly burnished over, but there were reports the three players were still looking for an exit. Yet the match would prove to be boring; such was the Hardwick way, whose players controlled the general flow of the game, only allowing Delphi a couple of fast breaks. They would end, all things equal; yet there was a sense that Hardwick's dark arts of defensive football had triumphed once more. The goal that Nicholas Kinsella scored, after all, was...Fraser's...9th...in fifteen games.

Clamours for the new permanent manager of Clyde to arrive quickly intensified after Clyde drew 0-0 with the Knights.

That's the story.

Clyde drew 0-0 with the Knights.

Standings After Matchday Fifteen

   Tumbran Premier Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 	Chg	Form 
 1 FC Inter Nantwich          15   12   2   1    35   11  +24    38	▲1	WWWWD
 2 Kingsbury United           15   10   4   1    25   10  +15    34	▲1	DLWWW
 3 Straton FC                 15   10   3   2    31   14  +17    33	▼2	DWLLW
 4 Serrapince FC              15    9   4   2    30   16  +14    31	▲3	WDWWW
 5 Lakewood United            15    9   4   2    24   14  +10    31	▼1	WLWLW
 6 Lakewood City              15    9   3   3    42   22  +20    30	▼1	DWWWD
 7 Couno Rangers              15    9   1   5    33   22  +11    28	▼1	WWLWL
 8 Columbia City              15    8   3   4    34   24  +10    27	▲1	DWWWL
 9 West Couno United          15    7   4   4    20   20    0    25	▲1	DDLWW
10 Hesham FC                  15    6   4   5    28   24   +4    22	▲3	WDLWL
11 Macarthur City             15    6   3   6    19   15   +4    21	▲2	LDWWL
12 Fraser Valley              15    6   2   7     9   16   −7    20	▼4	DLLLD
13 Delphi Lionesses           15    5   3   7    22   18   +4    18	▼2	LDLLD
14 Ridgewell Rovers           15    4   3   8    23   35  −12    15	-0	DLLLW
15 Clyde Park                 15    4   3   8    12   25  −13    15	-0	WLLWD
16 Glenmont AFC               15    3   3   9    16   29  −13    12	▲1	DDWLW
17 Sturrey Athletic           15    3   2  10    12   24  −12    11	▼1	LWWLL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Ricci Ironworkers          15    1   2  12    10   34  −24     5	▲1	LLWLL
19 New Timbourne Knights      15    1   1  13     4   29  −25     4	▼1	LLLLD
20 Newton Wanderers AFC       15    1   0  14     5   32  −27     3	-0	LWLLL

All changes are from previous table posted; which is to say, MD10. Form takes into account the last five matches; which is to say, MD10.

If you enjoyed (or didn't enjoy) this part, click here and let Tumbra know why!

by **Tumbra** » Sat Oct 23, 2021 12:53 pm

THE 122^nd RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP - THE THIRD ROUND

Quite a bit of the attention this round would be focused on the fresh-faced Licentian stepping into the managerial hot seat at Clyde Park; the 40 year-old Joep Martens was announced as manager merely 24 hours after Clyde's 0-0 draw with Timbourne on Matchday 15. The former assistant manager to Sienna Bruce, and part of a managerial team that brought St. Thomas to two league titles and an FALI cup, announced he was happy to be here to kick-start his managerial career; though with the degree of desperation that Clyde were having, any manager would probably have been better than none. Interim manager Peter Roberts, as expected, left Clyde Park the same day; and while Martens publicly announced he wouldn't seek to shake-up the current coaching staff, there were rumours that that was exactly what was going to happen.

A makeshift XI consisting of Clyde's supposed best eleven at the moment; though with goalkeeper Laine dropped for backup Brennan, Stuart Murdoch coming on for Michael McShane and Brendan May starting in place for marquee signing Alistair McGarry; and the faithful hoped that with a new manager there would at least be some turnaround.

Third Round
Nottingham City (D3W) 0-2 FC Inter Nantwich (D1)
Trelmont Rangers (D2) 1-1 West Couno United (D1) (1-1 AET, 2-4 PKs)
Guillemard Town (D2) 1-1 Sturrey Athletic (D1) (1-2 AET)
Clyde Park (D1) 4-1 Delphi Lionesses (D1)
Columbia City (D1) 2-0 Ridgewell United (D2)
Prinsip Street (D4W) 0-3 Washington City FC (D2)
Ricci Ironworkers (D1) 1-0 Dieren City Admirals (D2)
Shepperton Ravens (D3W) 1-4 Straton FC (D1)
Cobham United (D2) 1-3 Serrapince FC (D1)
Burlington FC (D4E) 0-4 Lakewood City (D1)
Knapford United FC (D3E) 1-2 Macarthur City (D1)
Staplewood Sparrows (D3E) 2-1 Dynamo Denhelm (D4W)
Millsburgh Steelers (D2) 0-1 Lakewood United (D1)
Colney Thorns (D3W) 3-0 Delano Wanderers (D3W)
Newton Warriors AFC (D1) 2-1 Grange United FC (D3E)
Kingsbury United FC (D1) 2-2 Ridgewell Rovers (D1) (2-2 AET, 3-2 PKs)

It fit that their opponents were Delphi; a team of a similar stature, perfect for the team to test themselves up against as the Martens era began. Not much, however, was expected; and the Lionesses were slight favourites to advance, given their recent run of good form. Yet Clyde ended up running riot around Halldorsen's women, knocking them out 4-1, with goals from May, Keene, Markozy and a late Daryl Ferguson screamer sending them through.

Were Clyde back? It was a bit too soon to tell; and there was always the question of whether one swallow signaled the start of summer. But the fact of the matter was that Clyde's players looked up for the fight again. They looked energised, happy, ready to fight for the shirt; something that had been missing from the late days of the Devzies tenure. It would be a long road to recovery, and this season would most likely be spent on picking up the pieces and setting something up for the future, bolstered by the huge kitty that was their transfer budget this season; but it was a good start.

Elsewhere in the Cup WCU were held to penalties by Div 2 side Trelmont Rangers, and the Ironworkers scraped past their state rivals in Dieren. The only real Premier Division-Premier Division match apart from Clyde and Delphi was the Kingsbury-Ridgewell match; and Ridgewell put up perhaps one of the strongest fights the entire season to force Kingsbury onto penalties. Yet, the atmosphere in Kingsbury would prove to be a bit too much for the Rovers; and Richard Allen would end up missing the decisive penalty to send Kingsbury through into the next round.

The fourth round of the competition would see the first true Prem-Prem matches; Nantwich-WCU, Sturrey-Clyde, Newton-Kingsbury, and perhaps the most tempting of the round, Serrapince-City. That would have to wait until after the midseason break, of course; but for now, focus would shift back to the league as the Premier Division began reaching its midway point, with perhaps the closest fight for all four IFCF spots since the league decided to affliate itself to the IFCF.

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4 - PART FOUR
MATCHDAYS 16-19

Welcome back to the Premier Division, then; where the gap from third to seventh is but three points, consisting of five of the six biggest teams in Tumbran football. Running away at the top, somehow, is Conan Estelline's FC Inter Nantwich; while in second is a completely unexpected Kingsbury United, who've been midfield battlers for the past few seasons. And just behind the chasing pack, too, is an equally dangerous looking Columbia side, who have impressed as much as the team in second.

The aim for these teams, now, then, are all different; Nantwich will be focused on stretching that lead up top as far as possible, Kingsbury will try their very hardest to hold on to second for as long as possible, and for Lakewood City and Serrapince, the aim will be to try and get to where they feel they should rightfully be. Half the season's nearly gone, and they're still in sixth and fourth; hardly positions they expected themselves to be in at the start of the season.

But that's football for you.

MATCHDAY 16
Kingsbury United 1–1 Delphi Lionesses
Lakewood City 3–1 Fraser Valley
Straton FC 0–2 FC Inter Nantwich
Macarthur City 2–0 Sturrey Athletic
Hesham FC 5–3 West Couno United
Couno Rangers 0–2 Lakewood United
Ricci Ironworkers 2–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Columbia City 3–0 Glenmont AFC
Clyde Park 2–3 Serrapince FC
Newton Wanderers AFC 1–0 New Timbourne Knights

The big match of the week, table-wise, was Straton versus Nantwich; and although Lakewood City had failed to make it into the top three, it was now Serrapince's turn to try and take on the third-placed team. For their part, Serrapince were playing a newly-revitalised Clyde, on the back of a 4-1 demolition in the Cup; there was every chance that Straton would take points off Nantwich.

An early Julie Dufour goal, however, and a classic Josep Ros strike from just before the half-time mark meant that none of that would matter, however; and Straton would try and claw their way back into the game, but to no avail. Vilovalu Wakajama would be proving the doubters wrong; those who thought that Nantwich shouldn't have sold Douglas Moore to try and fit him into the side were thoroughly shut up today. A last-gasp goal-line clearance just after the hour mark meant that Straton's momentum was dashed; and Nantwich would keep control of the game till the end, with Michael Aitken coming in for particular criticism for his play.

Serrapince themselves would be pushed hard by Clyde, who'd gained quite a bit of enthusiasm; Martens' energetic playing style seemed to be rubbing off on the players, and indeed the Bees did go down to an early May goal. Two goals in quick succession from that ever-reliable shot Nick Riordan would put the Bees in front, and a Charlotte Ritchie goal would settle the game for Serrapince, even as Clyde pulled one back late with Dave Mason.

Into third Serrapince went, then, and Straton went sliding all the way down to sixth; since United had beat Couno 2-0, a thoroughly lucky win in which Couno had two goals called off for offside and a likely penalty denied, and City did what they typically did - score three goals against weak opposition. It was telling that they'd scored 45 goals by this stage, eight more than Nantwich and Columbia with 37 apiece; but perhaps their defence was letting them down. Van der Brumen was experimenting with pretty much every defensive lineup possible at this point — what with their exceptionally deep squad depth and all — but the defence had definitely grown a bit shakier than in previous seasons.

At least the offence was still going strong; Ophelie Bernard had been nicknamed "L'Lapine" by fans for her characteristic hops as she came onto the field; but it was a more endearing nickname than anything — whenever she came on it almost felt as if she was guaranteed to score. She netted again today, coming on as a substitute for Laishram; scoring City's third goal.

Ricci somehow did the impossible and managed to defeat the Ridgewell Rovers.

The award for best game of the round, however, went to Hesham 5-3 WCU; Lucas Russell showing up in dominant form, aided by Harvard Popov to deliver the game-deciding fourth and fifth goals for the Ploughmen. It was an excellent performance from both sides; and it aptly fit that both teams were now ninth and tenth in the league.

Couno went up against United in this season's Tumbran Classic, which was meant to be the big match of the round, if we looked at history; and it was every bit as ill-tempered and rough as one expected it to be, with several fouls, injuries and controversial refereeing decisions resulting in a 2-0 victory for Lakewood United.

MATCHDAY 17
New Timbourne Knights 0–1 Kingsbury United
Serrapince FC 1–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
Glenmont AFC 0–1 Clyde Park
Ridgewell Rovers 0–1 Columbia City
Lakewood United 3–1 Ricci Ironworkers
West Couno United 0–0 Couno Rangers
Sturrey Athletic 0–3 Hesham FC
FC Inter Nantwich 1–0 Macarthur City
Fraser Valley 1–1 Straton FC
Delphi Lionesses 2–2 Lakewood City

Five matchdays after the highest-scoring league matchday, this was perhaps the lowest scoring one. Five matches were settled by a one goal margin, one by two, one by three and the other three matches were draws. Lakewood City's hopes of entering the top three were once again thwarted by a couple of defensive mistakes. Debates as to whether Lakewood City's defence were overrated or whether van der Brumen had ben "figured out" raged on the intellectual wilderness that was football twii.tur; and whether it was time to worry set in, considering that City were ten points off Nantwich after seventeen ganmes.

Nantwich for their part scraped past Macarthur; Kingsbury, too, held on to second thanks to a Tom Kinzinger goal versus Timbourne; and a Mora free-kick put Serrapince past Newton. Straton's charge to surge up the league table again hit a slight snag when they were matched up against the dark arts of Michael Hardwick; and he once again denied Straton through strong, defensive football. It wasn't the prettiest; but it was working at getting Fraser out of it's three-season long rut. Twelfth was where they had finished in Season 2, before the absolute nadir of their fortunes in Season 3; but now they'd scored points in nine of their twenty games, and had the sixth-best defensive record of any team.

The best game of the week ended up being Hesham vs Sturrey. Hesham continued their good form by beating Sturrey three goals to nil; a result which brought Sturrey dangerously close to the relegation zone, considering Ricci proved that they could actually win a game against a non-promoted side last time out. Yet against Lakewood United they were powerless to pull in points; falling three-one to a well-disciplined Lakewood United side.

Elsewhere, the Couno derby ended nil-nil; Columbia picked up a win at Ridgewell, piling the pressure on Des Clarke despite the relatively good atmosphere at the club still, and Clyde managed to beat Glenmont, showing signs of concrete progress under Martens.

MATCHDAY 18
Kingsbury United 1–3 Lakewood City
Straton FC 4–1 Delphi Lionesses
Macarthur City 0–1 Fraser Valley
Hesham FC 1–0 FC Inter Nantwich
Couno Rangers 2–0 Sturrey Athletic
Ricci Ironworkers 0–1 West Couno United
Columbia City 2–1 Lakewood United
Clyde Park 0–0 Ridgewell Rovers
Newton Wanderers AFC 1–4 Glenmont AFC
New Timbourne Knights 0–2 Serrapince FC

Kingsbury vs City; Nantwich vs Hesham, Columbia vs United were the big games today, and none of them would disappoint; Kingsbury versus City got off to an explosive start when Phil Cole scored the opener for City just ninety seconds into the game. Kingsbury would strike back ten minutes later with a Nathan Quinn headed goal; and then the game settled into a rhythm where either side would begin an attack but would be foiled by the other's defence. It was proper, exciting, end-to-end football; between the surprise team of the season so far and one of the league's established giants. The score at the half was 1-1; but that betrayed the sheer number of opportunities either side had.

Nantwich versus Hesham was a more interesting game than the name suggested; Hesham was in good form, and had scored eight goals in their last two matches. Nantwich were leading the league; a combination of strong, physical play and a strict counterattacking style from manager Conan Estelline. Yet the atmosphere around this match felt more charged than the others; Hesham were playing based on confidence, really, and they dominated the match from the off. The first half ended scoreless, but it was obvious who was in control; and it wasn't the Black-and-blues.

Columbia versus United would be a key test to see if United really were as good as some of their supporters had placed them; Columbia were in seventh, just three points behind United. Yet the side that John Riedweld put out was a more rotated side; captain and legend Johnny Brown was trotted out, alongside several older players; Wilton Ramos was notably benched. Columbia smelled an opportunity, and took it; the only goal of the half would be from them, as Tom Burrows finished off a neat near-post opportunity. 1-0 to the Fishermen, then, the scoreline would be; but the Reds were running scared.

The second half would see Philip Cohen pull one back eight minutes after the resumption of play, but United were still playing deeper than they normally would, forced by Columbia's pressing to cower. And Columbia took advantage of this space, forcing LUFC players out of position; backup striker Tim Rowland would put Columbia into the lead in the seventy-third minute, a lead that Columbia would hold till the end of the match.

Hesham, for their part, would see Lucas Russell score after the hour mark; and from then on it was all about letting Nantwich have as little of the ball as possible. The Schottic defender Isla Kincorick was key to this; her skills with the ball helped Hesham pass quickly, acting as a conductor for the tempo of the game even in midfield. Hesham would pull off a famous win over the league leaders, cutting their lead at the top down to four points.

Yet it wouldn't be Kingsbury who would be the beneficiaries of Nantwich's second loss of the season; Neil Fraser's cross to Robin Vaughn in the box would end up seeing the back of the net, while Pierre-Louis would follow up soon after with an simple goal. 1-3 to the visitors; City would remain patiently in fourth, now just one point behind Kingsbury.

Elsewhere, Serrapince jumped to second by winning against Timbourne, Straton leapfrogged United into fifth by beating Delphi, and Ridgewell forced a goalless draw from Clyde, with a particularly heartbreaking miss from Kwak Hyeong-Joon late in the game denying the home team all three points.

MATCHDAY 19
Serrapince FC 3–1 Kingsbury United
Glenmont AFC 1–0 New Timbourne Knights
Ridgewell Rovers 1–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
Lakewood United 2–0 Clyde Park
West Couno United 4–3 Columbia City
Sturrey Athletic 2–1 Ricci Ironworkers
FC Inter Nantwich 4–2 Couno Rangers
Fraser Valley 2–4 Hesham FC
Delphi Lionesses 1–0 Macarthur City
Lakewood City 2–1 Straton FC

Here it was, then. Matchday Nineteen. The midway point of the season had arrived, and with it the halfway point break; for 22 days there would be absolutely no football in Tumbra, bar the occasional midseason friendly against teams from far-flung countries. Before that, however, there was still quite a bit of football; ninety minutes of it, in fact.

This matchday would be a welcome change from the dreary atmosphere of the previous one; there were only three 1-0 wins this side of the day. Glenmont and Ridgewell would welcome the bottom two teams in the league, take their three points, say thank you very much, and push them gently out the door; solid performances, all things considered, from the midfield teams.

Sturrey would have a much harder time claiming their three points from Ricci, who actually knew how to fight back (despite losing fifteen games). They actually went 1-0 down to the Ironworkers before a second-half rally saw them reclaim their lead and their three points; but it was still cutting it mighty close. In the end, however, the usual gang of Mercer and Grönholm bailed Sturrey out; though without much fanfare.

WCU pulled off a brave win of their own in a 4-3 victory over Columbia; Bill Thompson's proclivity to dramatic overtures on the sidelines giving the tabloids many an image for the back pages the next day. It was still an impressive win for the Chocolatiers; and was one that would see them end the first half on a record of 9-5-5, with their goal difference perfectly balanced. They would also be on points with...

...their neighbours, Couno themselves, who'd endured a rough run of form to end their first half of the season with Nantwich. Of course Nantwich won; but Couno inflicted some damage on them as well. Despite Nolan scoring two goals (basically having replaced Marcus Sheldon as Couno's main goalscorer and striker at this point) there were still problems with the midfield and the wings. Giuliani called for patience; and patience was what he would receive, though he did accept that he would be looking to play a bit more defensively for the rest of the season.

Hesham continued their impressive form to beat Fraser by the exact same scoreline as the Couno-Nantwich game; the team had entered a free-scoring run of form which was very welcome down south. Fraser's loss, however, wasn't the end of the world; they were still twelfth despite a -10 goal difference and less-than-stellar record. Fans of the Stallions, however, were mostly willing to overlook these; especially since they'd endured worse in the previous seasons.

United would keep their solid run of form through a 2-0 victory over Clyde; Riedweld played a full strength team this time, and ran out easy victors. Clyde would enter the midseason approximately eight places lower than they'd wanted to be, but the aim for now was survival and trying to get as many points as possible after the winter break; the fans knew that Martens' runway was extremely short; and patience was awarded to him as he tried to turn a struggling ship around.

The two big matches of the week, then, would be Serrapince versus Kingsbury and City versus Straton; the two best teams in Tumbra attempting to overtake their interlopers. In each case the better team on paper won; Serrapince triumphed over Kingsbury and City over Straton, sending both teams down to fifth and sixth. Merely four matchdays ago they were at the head of the pack chasing Nantwich; now they were at the foot of it and were threatening to drop out of it entirely.

The halfway point, then, would see ten teams above thirty points; seven teams above ten points and three other teams. It was about as expected, though not many did expect Kingsbury to have flown so high for so long, or for Clyde to be fifteenth. The margins between teams, however, were proving to set up an exceptionally interesting second half of the season; as the league looked set to gear up for a second proper title fight in as many seasons.

Standings After Matchday Nineteen

   Tumbran Premier Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 	Chg	Form 
 1 FC Inter Nantwich          19   15   2   2    42   14  +28    47	-0	DWWLW
 2 Serrapince FC              19   13   4   2    39   19  +20    43	▲2	WWWWW
 3 Lakewood City              19   12   4   3    52   27  +25    40	▲3	DWDWW
 4 Lakewood United            19   12   4   3    32   17  +15    40	▲1	WWWLW
 5 Kingsbury United           19   11   5   3    29   17  +12    38	▼3	WDWLL
 6 Straton FC                 19   11   4   4    37   20  +17    37	▼3	WLDWL
 7 Columbia City              19   11   3   5    43   29  +14    36	▲1	LWWWL
 8 Hesham FC                  19   10   4   5    41   29  +12    34	▲2	LWWWW
 9 Couno Rangers              19   10   2   7    37   28   +9    32	▼2	LLDWL
10 West Couno United          19    9   5   5    28   28    0    32	▼1	WLDWW
11 Macarthur City             19    7   3   9    21   18   +3    24	-0	LWLLL
12 Fraser Valley              19    7   3   9    14   24  −10    24	-0	DLDWL
13 Delphi Lionesses           19    6   5   8    27   25   +2    23	-0	DDDLW
14 Ridgewell Rovers           19    5   4  10    25   38  −13    19	-0	WLLDW
15 Clyde Park                 19    5   4  10    15   30  −15    19	-0	DLWDL
16 Glenmont AFC               19    5   3  11    21   34  −13    18	-0	WLLWW
17 Sturrey Athletic           19    4   2  13    14   32  −18    14	-0	LLLLW
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Ricci Ironworkers          19    2   2  15    14   41  −27     8	-0	LWLLL
19 Newton Wanderers AFC       19    2   0  17     7   38  −31     6	▲1	LWLLL
20 New Timbourne Knights      19    1   1  17     4   34  −30     4	▼1	DLLLL

All changes are from previous table posted; which is to say, MD15. Form takes into account the last five matches; which is to say, MD15.

by **Tumbra** » Sat Oct 23, 2021 11:57 pm

SECOND DIVISION
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Nineteen

   Second Division          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Port Marray FC            19   12   4   3    26    6  +20    40
 2 Readale Wanderers         19   12   4   3    17    8   +9    40
 3 AFC Cayalon               19    9   7   3    28   16  +12    34
 4 Dorival FC                19    9   5   5    17   10   +7    32
 5 Kirkby Railwaymen         19   10   2   7    21   17   +4    32
 6 Ashton Rovers             19    8   6   5    16   14   +2    30
 7 Bencoolen City FC         19    8   5   6    26   22   +4    29
 8 Ridgewell United          19    7   7   5    17   17    0    28
 9 Colbrook City             19    8   3   8    24   21   +3    27
10 Cobham United             19    8   3   8    11   15   −4    27
11 Guillemard Town           19    8   3   8    23   28   −5    27
12 Washington City FC        19    7   4   8    12   15   −3    25
13 Dieren City Admirals      19    8   0  11    29   28   +1    24
14 Clark City                19    6   5   8    15   17   −2    23
15 AFC Gillman               19    6   4   9    22   22    0    22
16 Carter United             19    5   6   8    16   19   −3    21
------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Trelmont Rangers          19    5   6   8    12   17   −5    21
18 Fontwell Rovers           19    5   2  12    17   25   −8    17
19 Millsburgh Steelers       19    4   3  12    16   32  −16    15
20 Carrington Town           19    3   5  11    17   33  −16    14

THIRD DIVISION EAST
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Third Division East     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Kelder Phoenixes         21   15   1   5    31   16  +15    46
 2 Windsor FC               21   13   4   4    32   17  +15    43
 3 Grange United FC         21   11   6   4    31   17  +14    39
 4 Straton Typhoons         21   11   4   6    23   16   +7    37
 5 Heath Bay Mariners       21   10   6   5    25   17   +8    36
 6 Hesham Wanderers FC      21    9   7   5    23   16   +7    34
 7 Staplewood Sparrows      21   10   4   7    23   22   +1    34
 8 Brades United FC         21   10   3   8    28   21   +7    33
 9 Hendon Cardinals         21    9   6   6    21   16   +5    33
10 Knapford United FC       21    9   5   7    19   17   +2    32
11 Lambeth Leopards         21    8   7   6    21   19   +2    31
12 Tavistock Park FC        21    8   4   9    28   33   −5    28
13 Tavistock Athletic       21    6   9   6    21   20   +1    27
14 Rosenberg City           21    7   6   8    20   20    0    27
15 Collett Park United      21    6   6   9    28   31   −3    24
16 Rosyth Warriors          21    6   6   9    19   27   −8    24
17 Readale City Blues       21    6   5  10    21   26   −5    23
18 Caldecott 93             21    5   7   9    17   22   −5    22
19 Killiney SC              21    4   6  11    12   25  −13    18
-----------------------------------------------------------------
20 Gisbourne Lynxes         21    3   7  11    16   27  −11    16
21 Harren Armada            21    2   8  11    16   33  −17    14
22 Newark Argyle            21    2   5  14    10   27  −17    11

THIRD DIVISION WEST
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Third Division West            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Falmouth AFC                    21   12   6   3    24   13  +11    42
 2 Gelder Creek FC                 21   12   4   5    32   18  +14    40
 3 West Thornton United            21   11   6   4    34   21  +13    39
 4 Hoxford United                  21   11   4   6    28   18  +10    37
 5 Shepperton Ravens               21   11   4   6    19   13   +6    37
 6 Teignford Academical            21    9   7   5    18   14   +4    34
 7 Enfield FC                      21    9   6   6    20   13   +7    33
 8 Mackay Robins                   21   10   3   8    26   22   +4    33
 9 Dunsford Auroras                21    9   5   7    34   20  +14    32
10 Nottingham City                 21    8   7   6    30   20  +10    31
11 Oakton Stars                    21    8   6   7    21   19   +2    30
12 Colney Thorns                   21    9   3   9    17   17    0    30
13 Delano Wanderers                21    8   4   9    21   20   +1    28
14 Pomeroy Mountaineers            21    7   6   8    17   19   −2    27
15 Caldwell City                   21    6   9   6    15   18   −3    27
16 Locomotive Harper               21    6   7   8    18   20   −2    25
17 Fort Heatherton FC              21    6   7   8    17   24   −7    25
18 Southport Thunder               21    6   2  13    14   29  −15    20
19 Millsburgh Revolutionaries      21    5   4  12    17   32  −15    19
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Harchester United               21    4   7  10    14   29  −15    19
21 Heffron City Miners             21    4   4  13    23   38  −15    16
22 Tevandale AFC                   21    2   5  14     9   31  −22    11

FOURTH DIVISION EAST
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Fourth Division East     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Wilmington Town           21   13   6   2    40   22  +18    45
 2 Wabash United FC          21   13   4   4    41   20  +21    43
 3 Algoma Wanderers          21   11   6   4    29   18  +11    39
 4 Richmond Swans            21   11   4   6    41   23  +18    37
 5 Pinhal Athletic           21   10   6   5    35   21  +14    36
 6 Mayfield Black Bears      21   10   5   6    45   36   +9    35
 7 Melwood Rangers           21    8   8   5    36   34   +2    32
 8 Cortlandt United          21    8   6   7    31   28   +3    30
 9 Sherwood Town FC          21    9   3   9    31   34   −3    30
10 Taranga FC                21    9   2  10    30   31   −1    29
11 Hindhede Hawks            21    6   9   6    38   31   +7    27
12 Farleigh Tigers           21    8   3  10    28   28    0    27
13 Coburg Hornets            21    8   3  10    32   38   −6    27
14 Havelock Harriers         21    8   3  10    27   35   −8    27
15 Arlington Athletic        21    7   5   9    30   34   −4    26
16 Maxwell Arsenal           21    6   8   7    32   39   −7    26
17 Chester FC                21    5   7   9    22   28   −6    22
18 Thomson Admirals          21    6   4  11    24   33   −9    22
19 Knapford City FC          21    6   4  11    25   38  −13    22
20 Rookworth Ospreys         21    5   6  10    25   33   −8    21
21 Burlington FC             21    4   7  10    25   43  −18    19
22 Wolskel FC                21    2   7  12    26   46  −20    13

FOURTH DIVISION WEST
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Fourth Division West       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Cheltenham FC               21   14   4   3    38   26  +12    46
 2 Clifton Fury                21   13   6   2    38   20  +18    45
 3 Orpington Owls              21   13   5   3    35   19  +16    44
 4 Dover Defenders             21   14   2   5    31   17  +14    44
 5 FC Montrose                 21   12   5   4    38   26  +12    41
 6 Othaven Wolves              21   11   4   6    40   33   +7    37
 7 Franport Blizzards          21   10   4   7    39   25  +14    34
 8 Moresby United              21    9   7   5    22   13   +9    34
 9 Langley Guardians           21   10   3   8    27   27    0    33
10 Haversham City              21    8   5   8    34   34    0    29
11 Denhelm Terriers            21    9   1  11    26   30   −4    28
12 Dynamo Denhelm              21    7   6   8    35   32   +3    27
13 Ruislip and Ipswich FC      21    7   6   8    30   33   −3    27
14 Kellsthorpe Bluebirds       21    8   3  10    23   28   −5    27
15 Prinsip Street              21    7   5   9    27   25   +2    26
16 Brensley Falcons            21    8   1  12    24   29   −5    25
17 Ilstead Wanderers           21    6   3  12    26   36  −10    21
18 Blenheim FC                 21    4   7  10    29   40  −11    19
19 Monroe Quakes               21    3   6  12    16   29  −13    15
20 Johnstone Athletic          21    3   6  12    20   36  −16    15
21 Dunman Bay FC               21    2   8  11    21   37  −16    14
22 Eisenhower City             21    2   5  14    20   44  −24    11

by **Tumbra** » Thu Nov 04, 2021 4:30 am

TUMBRAN T20 TROPHY - SEASON ONE

LONG since seen as a sport of the southern coast, due to its mild winters and sunny summers, cricket has been an underappreciated sport in Tumbra; some say that it's the complexity of the game's laws, as well as a limited audience (due to its regional status) and a perception the sport is for the upper classes that have hindered its growth in the fight to become Tumbra's n.2 sport after football. They might not be wrong on the first two points, but the fact that working class cities like Lakewood, Clyde and Hesham have teams in this fight should probably be enough to prove the third part false.

The sport was introduced to the country, fittingly, by merchants; Columbia's light blue uniforms are a reference to the Licentians who made introduced the city to the sport, while Bencoolen's yellow pays homage to the Grearish who introduced the game there.

A summer sport, run near the end of the off-season and throughout the summer break of football, cricket long had the potential to truly break through and become the second sport of Tumbra. Yet government funding was thin on the ground, with the lion's share being given to the football federation. This meant that cricket, like many other sports, would be fighting over scraps; but it always managed to get by. Much like the ice hockey league of the north coast, the basketball league of the northeast, rugby in the green fields of central Tumbra, volleyball in the southeast, et cetera, the league runs on a rather lowkey schedule with wholly domestic players. Many thought that this would be the way cricket in Tumbra's existence would finish; as a summer, regional sport.

That is, until Cricket Tumbra decided to submit teams to the CLT20 competition, egged on by an encouraging performance in the first EspoT20 competition and much assistance from Cricket Sylestone. Having gotten the go-ahead from the Ministry of Culture, this will be Tumbran clubs' first foray into the international stage; though whether the full national team will spread their wings and head out beyond the regional stage is as of yet, unknown.

The ten clubs of the south coast, then, used to playing List A cricket friendly matches, were then asked to rapidly change their focus to the T20 format — believing that its shorter matches and more aggressive playstyles would allow for a better show. After a year or so of preparation, the first match — Kingsbury v Columbia — at Tumbran cricket's spiritual home, Thistlebury, batted off.

As was mandated by TFF vs TASE, all clubs are gender-neutral, and women have begun to break into the ranks of the teams. Each team will play each other twice, once at home and once away, with wins scoring two points; the top four clubs will then head into the final competition. Super overs are used in case of a draw; the winner of the super over gets two points, while the loser of the super over gets one. The tiebreakers will be points, then wins, then net run rate.

The ten big teams are listed below; a short description of them is appended.

.Bencoolen.
State: Bencoolen
Ground: Bencoolen Cricket Ground (33,000)
Founded: 1902

Bencoolen are one of the stronger teams in Tumbra; this is reflected by their larger capacity, meaning more people turn up for their matches. The golden trim on their uniforms reflects the Grearish influence on their cricket; it was Grearish merchants who introduced the sport to their city, after all. One of the teams who consistently give Kingsbury a run for their money, they have achieved moderate success in the past. They see their main rivals, however, as Southport in neighbouring Lormark; in fact, Southport was founded as a response to Bencoolen founding their own cricket club. Expect them to show up near the top of the table, though they might be missing that X-factor to take the trophy outright.

.Clyde.
State: Clearmont
Ground: Kent Cricket Arena (15,000)
Founded: 1947

The second youngest team to take the stage, Clyde were only founded in 1947; and even then, that was after lots of haranguing from neighbouring Hesham, who were looking for a team that could be relied on to constantly schedule matches to play with. (Also win against, but we don't mention that.) As a working-class city, cricket isn't as strong in Clyde as it could, with football being proper front and centre stage here; but the minnows will always look for a giant killing. They don't have much hope of making the final four, however.

.Collatia.
State: Thornton
Ground: Morrell Park (24,000)
Founded: 1912

Cricket is a curiosity in Collatia in that it's the main sport of the city; none of the 128 teams in the football league call Collatia proper home. Morrell Park, as a consequence, has one of the best atmospheres in the league; and the team are moderately strong. A stingy ownership, however, means that they can't really expand their stadium nor splash the cash on better players, despite the clear appetite for the sport in the city.

.Columbia.
State: Alexandria
Ground: Newfair Park (20,000)
Founded: 1907

Another side to have the sport introduced to them by foreigners, it was the Licentians that brought cricket to Columbia; and their light blue uniforms reflect this. The sport, has, however, rather fallen by the wayside in recent years; and as a consequence they don't really have as strong a squad. Their long-suffering fans still hope for some success; though the last time they won the domestic championship was...a long time ago. While they try to play up a rivalry with Kingsbury, Kingsbury barely even regard them as someone worthy of having a rivalry with. Very much underdogs.

.Hesham.
State: Clearmont
Ground: Coromandel Cricket Stadium (30,000)
Founded: 1893

Hesham are probably the closest thing to a rival to Kingsbury — they are the second oldest club in the league, after all. Unlike their southern coast counterparts, however, they're more intent on getting people interested in cricket; and are probably the best-followed team in the league. With a young, talented and strong squad and a media-savvy operation behind them, they should become a lot of people's favourites; the only question is whether they'll be able to topple the favourites.

.Kingsbury.
State: Georgia
Ground: Thistlebury Ground (45,000)
(Properly) Founded: 1871

The oldest and most historic of Tumbra's cricket clubs, Kingsbury Cricket Club play at the Thistlebury Ground; which also serves as the stadium for the unified Tumbra team (whenever it's trotted out) and will serve as the final for the T20 Trophy. Unlike many cricket clubs, who required their city's football team to give them their colours, Kingsbury were the inspiration for their city's football kits. Accordingly, then, Kingsbury is steeped in tradition; its kits are all-white with only a minimum of blue trim, reflecting its (and cricket's) origins as a first-class side; and they are often seen as relatively snooty. It does, however, have the credentials and success to back it up — the most successful team in Tumbra, historically, as any Kingsbury fan will tell you. They are the favourites to take the trophy, with the strongest squad on paper.

.Lakewood.
State: Severn
Ground: Eastside Park (20,000)
Founded: 1956

The only reason they play in purple is because they couldn't decide whether to adopt City's sky blue or United's red; so they chose the middle ground, to entice people to come and watch their new sport. Lakewood are the youngest team in the league, though they still are over seventy years old; and are more used to propping up the table than anything. Yet with a stronger lineup than most years on paper, having signed several veterans, this could be a surprise side as they seek to not finish last. Again.

.Newark.
State: Severn
Ground: Stradbroke Stadium (22,000)
Founded: 1917

Another city in which cricket culture is stronger than football culture, and also somewhat infamous for their very grassy pitch in a country that prefers dusty ones, Newark have long been the underrated team of cricket in Tumbra; though this is also very much a result of Newark not being as large as the other cities alongside the South Coast. They have, however, quietly assembled a rather solid squad; and this could possibly be one that might make waves.

.Newton.
State: Alexandria
Ground: Somerset Stadium (28,000)
Founded: 1924

The eighth club of Tumbra, Newton were formed as a cricket division of their footballing club, whose owners at the time wished to make Newton a multi-sports club. Yet after a while they branched off and became independent, finding their own grounds in the suburbs of the city; though they had rather less funding than the football club, and rather less popularity too. Yet they clung on, and still cling on today, though they are very far away from challenging for any sort of title.

.Southport.
State: Lormark
Ground: Southport Cricket Stadium (25,000)
Founded: 1903

Bencoolen's great rivals, almost everything about Southport seemed chosen to oppose their northern neighbours; where Bencoolen chose deep blue to represent them, Southport chose red; though this may have been excused by the colours of their state flag. Yet their intra-city rivalry makes for riveting viewing; Bencoolen-Southport will probably be the most followed match behind Kingsbury-Hesham, though Bencoolen are very much the stronger side on paper.

RESULTS

League Stage

* Tumbra T20 Trophy
TEAM		 P   W   D   L	   NRR   Pts
.Kingsbury.	18  14   0   4   +0.914   28   Qualifier
.Hesham.	18  12   0   6   +0.708   24   Qualifier
.Bencoolen.	18  11   0   7   +0.238   22   Eliminator
.Collatia.	18  10   0   8   -0.019   20   Eliminator
.Newark.	18  10   0   8   -0.044   20
.Southport.	18   9   0   9   +0.071   18
.Lakewood.	18   7   1  10   -0.185   15
.Newton.	18   7   0  11   -0.313   14
.Columbia.	18   7   0  11   -0.509   14
.Clyde.		18   3   0  15   -0.803    6

In the end, despite Hesham's best efforts, they still fell short by four points; this came despite winning by three wickets and with six overs to spare at Kingsbury on Matchday 3, and winning by just four wickets on Matchday 12 to the double over Tumbra's oldest, most prestigous cricket club. Yet their opening-day loss to Clyde, a loss in the chase to Collatia and so on ultimately put paid to their hopes of finishing top in the group stage.

For Kingsbury, it was a rather nerve-wracking season; though they still managed to hold their place on top of the perch. Losing the double to Hesham wasn't the best result; nor were their losses to Lakewood, of all teams, and Newton. Perhaps it was complacency, perhaps it was just the weather on the day; but an NRR of +0.914 still indicated that they were still the team to beat.

Bencoolen and Collatia would squeak into the eliminator playoff, Collatia being the surprise inclusion; after all, many had them written off at the start of the season. Lakewood's strategy of signing veterans paid off, as they finished 7th; certainly an improvement, even if it was a marginal one, for them. That they managed to hold Hesham to a Super Over, only losing by one run, was a sign of how far they'd progressed. The rest of the teams finished about where they were expected; less said about Clyde's season the better, though, and Southport was perhaps the disappointment of the season.

Finals

Match 1: Qualifier. Winner goes to the Grand Final, loser goes to the Knockout Game.

.Kingsbury. 171/5 (20 overs)
.Hesham. 148 (19 overs)
Kingsbury win by 23 runs

Kingsbury and Hesham's third run-in of the season would prove to be a reversal of the previous two times they met in the league; Hesham ended up being bowled out for 148 by a resurgent Kingsbury side. Hesham would get another chance to prove themselves in the knockout game, while Kingsbury would trot to the Grand Final; something they evidently regarded as their natural right.

Match 2: Eliminator. Winner goes to the Knockout Game, loser is eliminated entirely.

.Bencoolen. 200/5 (18.4 overs)
.Collatia. 199/7 (20 overs)
Bencoolen win by 5 wickets

Also a result that wasn't wholly surprising, Collatia elected to bat first and reached an exceptionally high total of 199; but Bencoolen would come back, scoring two hundred in a hundred and twelve balls; to the astonishment of many. It was a night of high scoring, and perhaps the best match of the entire league season.

Match 3: Knockout. Winner goes to the Grand Final, loser is eliminated entirely.

.Hesham. 188/4 (20 overs)
.Bencoolen. 163/4 (20 overs)
Hesham win by 25 runs

And all of a sudden, the wind was taken out of Bencoolen's sails; as they crumbled, unable to meet Hesham's 188. It was a brave attempt by the Little Lilies, however; though ultimately Hesham would come out on top and advance to the Grand Final, looking to avenge their earlier loss against Kingsbury.

Match 4: Grand Final. Winner takes home the Tumbran T20 Trophy.

.Kingsbury. 155/2 (20 overs)
.Hesham. 158/5 (16.1 overs)
Hesham win the Tumbran T20 Trophy by 5 wickets

It was always fated to be a rematch between the established old club and the...other established old club that was trying to reinvent itself. The first Grand Final of the CLT20 era would receive quite a lot of media attention; it was also broadcast live on TBC Three, which was a step up from not being broadcast at all. Under the floodlights at Thistlebury, Kingsbury would finish their innings with a wholly uninspiring 155, despite only losing two batsmen.

Hesham, then, would step up to the plate; and their chase become even more nerve-wracking when two of their batsmen were dismissed early; but they held their nerve, and a four in the first ball of the seventeenth over would take them past Kingsbury's 155, securing them the first T20 Trophy of the CLT20 era. It was a shock result; many expected Kingsbury to win after the bashing they gave Hesham in the qualifier match, but the Greens held their nerve to come away with the victory. And with that, a new era of cricket in Tumbra was born; ushered in by an exciting game, which drew a surprisingly large audience on television and radio.

Was this finally cricket's time?

by **Tumbra** » Fri Nov 05, 2021 10:43 am

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4 - PART FIVE
MATCHDAYS 20-23

It's January, the winter break is over, which means it's time for more football. This break has felt rather longer than the last, for some reason; maybe it's just the fact that this is the first time in a while that we've got an actual title chase on our hands that has made the three-week winter break more arduous than the last. When we left off, Nantwich led the league by four points; considering they weren't predicted to get close to the title or anything this season, this was a big surprise. Serrapince, the defending champions, were in second; while Lakewood City were in third, level on points with crosstown rivals Kingsbury.

MATCHDAY 20
Kingsbury United 3–6 Straton FC
Lakewood City 4–2 Macarthur City
Delphi Lionesses 1–3 Hesham FC
Fraser Valley 0–2 Couno Rangers
FC Inter Nantwich 4–2 Ricci Ironworkers
Sturrey Athletic 0–2 Columbia City
West Couno United 2–2 Clyde Park
Lakewood United 1–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
Ridgewell Rovers 2–0 New Timbourne Knights
Glenmont AFC 3–5 Serrapince FC

The scoreline that grabbed the attention was Kingsbury 3-6 Straton; the two having locked horns for much of the early season, now both outside of the IFCF slots. Yet Straton's sheer offensive power would prove too much for Kingsbury's defence; Vázsony Sallay, clearly buoyed by the winter break, hit Kingsbury for a brace; in a complete performance from Straton's offence. Defensively, however, there was still a lot to be yearned for — Antti Perkkanen in particular causing havoc on the right wing, and James Anderson regularly beating Wayne Forrest to score his own brace. Ultimately, though, Straton's superior offensive firepower would see them through.

Serrapince faced a bit of trouble away at Glenmont, the Lynxes being unusually offensive at their home ground; yet their defence wouldbe the one to let them down, allowing five from a revitalised Serrapince offence. Lakewood United squeezed past Newton courtesy of a Wilton Ramos goal, while Hesham continued their run of good form with a win against the Lionesses. Couno managed to secure a solid win against Fraser Valley; with both Sheldon and Vaillancourt showing up for their respective sides, while Columbia's victory against Sturrey saw them rise to sixth in the table, just one point behind Straton.

MATCHDAY 21
Straton FC 0–3 Serrapince FC
New Timbourne Knights 2–0 Glenmont AFC
Newton Wanderers AFC 0–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Clyde Park 0–2 Lakewood United
Columbia City 0–1 West Couno United
Ricci Ironworkers 0–1 Sturrey Athletic
Couno Rangers 1–0 FC Inter Nantwich
Hesham FC 2–2 Fraser Valley
Macarthur City 1–1 Delphi Lionesses
Kingsbury United 1–5 Lakewood City

Kingsbury's defensive woes continued, allowing five past them from a Lakewood offence who had scored four the previous game; they'd finally warmed up after half a season of inconsistency, their front four working in tandem to become possibly the most fearsome attacking unit in the league, the Fab Four Clyde's old unit wanted to become but never actually could. With Tumbra's best player of this generation on the right, however, and Phil Cole behind Laishram, this side were nigh unstoppable; and the offense was very nicely balanced out, too, by the presence of Eli Apt and Alan Morgan behind them.

Nantwich's lead at the top fell to just one point after they lost to an early Alex Anderson goal; the result also meant that Columbia would fail to overtake Straton, after they lost to West Couno United at home. It was Scott McIntyre's day; the Licentian once again pulling off miracles, probably resigned to the fact that he'd never get the big transfer to a Big Six club he was linked with back in the day nor appear for the Cyan and Gold, but still endearing himself to the Chocolatier faithful nonetheless.

One week after giving the defending league champions a run for their money, Glenmont would completely crumble at Timbourne and the Bastion; the Knights would pick up only their second win of their campaign so far. It was a Croxteth header and a Richard Duff screamer that did it for them, though considering the gap between the two sides was eleven points, it was probably a bit late for them to be thinking about survival. Ricci, in the other winnable game of the weekend for the bottom three, lost narrowly to a solid defensive performance from Sturrey; Victor Mackay was the man who rose to the occasion this time.

Clyde's wretched season would continue, the team still hobbling along in fifteenth; but Lakewood United were, this season at least, too strong an opponent for a team largely in transition. The results were putting Jacob Keene and Russell White's places in the national team at serious risk; though both of Clyde's wingbacks remained optimistic that the results would come soon.

MATCHDAY 22
Lakewood City 0–2 Straton FC
Delphi Lionesses 1–1 Kingsbury United
Fraser Valley 0–0 Macarthur City
FC Inter Nantwich 1–0 Hesham FC
Sturrey Athletic 0–2 Couno Rangers
West Couno United 7–0 Ricci Ironworkers
Lakewood United 1–1 Columbia City
Ridgewell Rovers 0–1 Clyde Park
Glenmont AFC 0–1 Newton Wanderers AFC
Serrapince FC 3–0 New Timbourne Knights

Glenmont were surely trying their best to get relegated. Somehow.

The story of the week, however, was Straton showing up in Lakewood and playing City off the park; inconsistent form, sure, a week after they'd been thrashed 3-0 by the defending champions, but a win against a stronger side on paper was a win nevertheless. Nantwich themselves returned to winning ways, securing a nervy 1-0 win against high-flyers Hesham to keep hold of their delicate lead; while a rotated Serrapince side struck three past Timbourne.

Couno would be the big movers of the weekend, jumping up to sixth from their mid-season nadir of ninth; three wins on the trot certainly didn't harm their chances as well. Their latest win would come against a hapless Sturrey, who were too powerless to resist the offensive prowess of Marcus Sheldon, who'd experienced something of a renaissance in the last two matchdays. Kingsbury's faltering form continued, only mustering a draw against the Lionesses, while Clyde scraped past Ridgewell for their first win in a while.

United drew with Columbia to go ahead of their neighbours, with an early Burnet goal being cancelled out by Keyes' late volley. The match of the week, however, was poor Ricci being battered seven goals to nil by West Couno United, with seven goalscorers; Morgan, Malik, Thomas, Kaparros, Appleby, Brent, McIntyre. The buttering up of their goal difference (but the win, also the win) moved them up to eighth place; and making WCU supporters pray that they wouldn't do their traditional collapse of the season. After all, they'd already had one this season; so they were reduced to dearly hoping that they wouldn't lose seven games on the trot or something to see them slide back down the order again.

MATCHDAY 23
Straton FC 5–0 New Timbourne Knights
Newton Wanderers AFC 0–3 Serrapince FC
Clyde Park 3–2 Glenmont AFC
Columbia City 1–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Ricci Ironworkers 0–4 Lakewood United
Couno Rangers 1–1 West Couno United
Hesham FC 1–0 Sturrey Athletic
Macarthur City 0–2 FC Inter Nantwich
Kingsbury United 2–0 Fraser Valley
Lakewood City 5–1 Delphi Lionesses

The only thing really stopping Glenmont from going down is the fact that they're able to eke out wins from unwinnable positions sometimes, and they were promoted at just the right time to be able to strengthen their team enough, while teams that have just been promoted...often fail to stay up, falling back down after one season in the division. Last season saw all three teams go down the season they came up, and it's not exactly out of the realm of possibility (if anything, it's a dead cert) that all three promoted teams will go down again this season.

This time, they lost to Clyde; though it wasn't a loss that was too bad or anything. They were leading the game at one point, too, before they were pegged back and eventually put behind by Markozy and Kwak; so it's not like they weren't trying to get relegated or anything. Still, though, they were one rich businessman funding a lower league team away from relegation back to the second tier; though their ability to survive was rather fascinating.

The same could be said for Sturrey, but at least they knew they weren't out to play offensive football; they were here to survive, and get as many points as possible, for being in the Premier Division was its own reward. They did also have an eight-point cushion over Newton, so at least there was that for their supporters to feel safe while sleeping in their beds at night.

The promoted teams weren't really doing their chances much good, either; Newton lost by three to Serrapince, Ricci lost by four to United and Timbourne by five to Straton. The gulf between the top two divisions was always going to get more pronounced as IFCF and foreign money flowed into the league — in fact, parity was the main reason why some opposed opening the league up to the IFCF in the first place. It was a problem that would probably come to a head sooner rather than later; the Premier Division couldn't possibly become seventeen established cast members plus three guest stars every season, could it?

The other undeperforming team of the season so far — Delphi — had zero wins from four. Doubts were being cast on whether Halldorsen had been the right choice, or whether sticking it out with Hardwick would've been better. Their four-goal loss to City might have been a sign of trouble; a lot of the energy around the place had disappeared. She might have been the first female manager in the Tumbran Premier Division, but she still had to do her job; and the chairwoman was a very demanding character.

Nantwich would hold on to their slender one-point lead, while holding their best defensive record up as the reason why they were leading the league; behind them, Serrapince, hot on their tails, smashing goals in left, right and centre; courtesy of Riordan, Hilton and Mora. Couno's draw in the derby had put a slight dent in their plans, though they were looking a much better team than they were before the winter break; evidently something was working for Marco Giuliani. Whether or not they would reach IFCF football, however, was still in question.

Standings After Matchday Twenty-Three

   Tumbran Premier Division  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 	Chg	Form 
 1 FC Inter Nantwich          23   18   2   3    49   17  +32    56	-0	WWLWW
 2 Serrapince FC              23   17   4   2    53   22  +31    55	-0	WWWWW
 3 Lakewood United            23   15   5   3    40   18  +22    50	▲1	WWWDW
 4 Lakewood City              23   15   4   4    66   33  +33    49	▼1	WWWLW
 5 Straton FC                 23   14   4   5    50   26  +24    46	▲1	LWLWW
 6 Couno Rangers              23   13   3   7    43   29  +14    42	▲3	LWWWD
 7 Kingsbury United           23   12   6   5    36   29   +7    42	▼2	LLLDW
 8 Columbia City              23   12   5   6    47   32  +15    41	▼1	LWLDD
 9 Hesham FC                  23   12   5   6    47   33  +14    41	▼1	WWDLW
10 West Couno United          23   11   7   5    39   31   +8    40	-0	WDWWD
11 Macarthur City             23    7   5  11    24   25   −1    26	-0	LLDDL
12 Ridgewell Rovers           23    7   5  11    29   40  −11    26	▲2	WWWLD
13 Fraser Valley              23    7   5  11    16   30  −14    26	▼1	LLDDL
14 Clyde Park                 23    7   5  11    21   36  −15    26	▲1	LDLWW
15 Delphi Lionesses           23    6   7  10    31   35   −4    25	▼2	WLDDL
16 Glenmont AFC               23    5   3  15    26   45  −19    18	-0	WLLLL
17 Sturrey Athletic           23    5   2  16    15   37  −22    17	-0	WLWLL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Newton Wanderers AFC       23    3   0  20     8   43  −35     9	▼1	LLLWL
19 Ricci Ironworkers          23    2   2  19    16   57  −41     8	▼1	LLLLL
20 New Timbourne Knights      23    2   1  20     6   44  −38     7	-0	LLWLL

All changes are from previous table posted; which is to say, post-MD19. Form takes into account the last five matches; which is to say, MD19-23.

by **Tumbra** » Sat Nov 06, 2021 6:42 am

THE 122^nd RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP - THE FOURTH ROUND

The new year would see, too, the fourth round of the Republic Cup played, as sixteen teams would be sliced down to eight. This was where the interesting matches would begin to appear; perhaps not Macarthur versus Staplewood, or United versus the Thorns; but rather proper Premier Division capable-games, like Nantwich-West Couno, two teams who were in the form of their life; or, more interestingly, Serrapince versus Lakewood City.

Fourth Round
FC Inter Nantwich (D1) 3-1 West Couno United (D1)
Sturrey Athletic (D1) 1-0 Clyde Park (D1)
Columbia City (D1) 3-1 Washington City FC (D2)
Ricci Ironworkers (D1) 0-4 Straton FC (D1)
Serrapince FC (D1) 2-2 Lakewood City (D1) (2-2 AET, 5-4 PKs)
Macarthur City (D1) 0-0 Staplewood Sparrows (D3E) (1-0 AET)
Lakewood United (D1) 3-0 Colney Thorns (D3W)
Newton Warriors AFC (D1) 0-2 Kingsbury United FC (D1)

And, unsurprisingly, the results were pretty much as expected; though Lakewood City versus Serrapince ended up going all the way to penalties. It would be Serrapince holding their nerves enough to triumph, though Alan Morgan's miss was particularly painful for the visitors. Clyde Park, fielding a rotated side, fell victim to a late Sturrey penalty; while the rest of the sides simply powered through to the Quarter Finals of the competition.

For a competition which was predicated on producing regular surprises, it sure had been rather muted and predictable for the teams still in it.

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4 - PART SIX
MATCHDAYS 24-28

The prospect of a three, or even four-way title fight was drawing ever closer; the top four at this point were separated by only seven points, after all. Much attention was focused on Nantwich; their style of play, led by the enigmatic, curmudgeonly Conan Estelline was still holding solid, boasting the least amount of goals conceded. Serrapince were right behind them, having won five in a row; then the two Lakewood sides, one focusing more on their new-look defence, the other on scoring as many goals as possible, were right behind.

The next five games would, as always, be crucial; though in this day and age every match would be crucial if a team wanted to win the title. The focus now was on Nantwich, and whether their relatively-unfancied side would be able to chase down the title; coming from behind in what was originally supposed to be a two-horse race to possibly take the whole thing outright.

Still too early to dream? Perhaps.

MATCHDAY 24
Delphi Lionesses 3–3 Straton FC
Fraser Valley 0–1 Lakewood City
FC Inter Nantwich 2–1 Kingsbury United
Sturrey Athletic 1–2 Macarthur City
West Couno United 3–0 Hesham FC
Lakewood United 2–0 Couno Rangers
Ridgewell Rovers 2–1 Ricci Ironworkers
Glenmont AFC 0–1 Columbia City
Serrapince FC 0–0 Clyde Park
New Timbourne Knights 0–2 Newton Wanderers AFC

Where, oh where had Kingsbury's form gone? Six matchdays ago they were riding high near the top of the table, buoyed by one of the strongest squads outside the Big Six — hell, some even said this squad could give Couno a run for its money — now they'd gotten just four points from their last give games, and had slid to ninth in the table. Mark Pryor urged calm from the supporters, but perhaps the team was tired; his style of energetic running seemed to be taking a lot out of the players. A loss to Nantwich wasn't something to take much pity from, but it was the timing of the whole enterprise — a fourth loss in six games — that made fans start to worry, and doubt again. Perhaps he wasn't the man to take Kingsbury forward; and that contract that Pryor so desperately craved remained un-offered.

The last Tumbran Classic of the season would take place, this time in Lakewood; but putting a dent in Couno's new lofty aspirations, Lakewood would run out 2-0 winners, courtesy of Cohen and Desmond; the latter having now expressed more confidence that she'd been bedded into the squad. And the Nepharim was doing well; she'd looked much more at home once she'd moved into a house in Lakewood, away from the hotel that she'd been staying in for the first half of the season as she waited for the ever-volatile housing market to calm down.

WCU, then, would leapfrog both Kingsbury and Couno to occupy seventh, a strong showing against Hesham proving that their loss to Nantwich in midweek was perhaps just a blip. Once again, it was McIntyre running the show; the Licentian right midfielder assisting one goal and being nearly everywhere on a night where Hesham ran amok.

Elsewhere, Clyde would hold the defending champions to a draw to increase Nantwich's lead to three points; City would squeak past Fraser Valley, but remain in fourth, and Straton managed to scrape a draw against Delphi in a day that they were clearly the worse side on the field. Eden Wright's late crossbar goal would be a particular sore point for the team; as they now went five without a win, and the axe loomed ever closer on Halldorsen's head. Macarthur would keep up their recent good form by winning against Sturrey, while Newton would win in one of the relegation six-pointers against Timbourne.

MATCHDAY 25
Straton FC 1–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
Clyde Park 2–0 New Timbourne Knights
Columbia City 1–4 Serrapince FC
Ricci Ironworkers 0–1 Glenmont AFC
Couno Rangers 3–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Hesham FC 2–1 Lakewood United
Macarthur City 0–2 West Couno United
Kingsbury United 0–0 Sturrey Athletic
Lakewood City 2–1 FC Inter Nantwich
Delphi Lionesses 1–0 Fraser Valley

Kingsbury were now tenth after their draw with Sturrey; Tom Watson's men playing brilliantly to frustrate the Princelings into settling for a goalless draw at their home ground. Yet tenth was probably the lowest they'd go this season, considering that Kingsbury themselves were sitting pretty on a ten point cushion to Clyde Park, whose win against Timbourne pushed them up to eleventh. There were effectively two competitions ongoing this season, it seemed; the fight for the top ten and the lower ten scrabbling it out.

Serrapince struck back against Columbia in impressive fashion, with Riordan scoring a hat-trick to put the team over the top; David Burnet's late goal was too little, too late in the south coast to try and spark a comeback for the Fishers. This result, coupled with Nantwich versus City — where Robin Vaughn scored two goals to come back from being two goals down — meant that Nantwich would lose the lead of the league for the first time. They were now level on points with Serrapince; but because Serrapince had a goal difference two better than Nantwich, the Bees would take the lead for the first time this season. City, too, would draw ever closer; now on 55 points, they were rapidly approaching the top two and staking a claim for their own title ambitions.

WCU, courtesy of yet another dominating performance, would advance to sixth in the table, one ahead of their local rivals. The confidence was returning to Wrenchwelt, the team were playing well, and the feelings on the blue end of Couno were good. This was a team that always had potential; and was perhaps now finally fulfilling said potential, with a run of truly impressive performances from them.

And as City entered the title fight for real, United stumbled, allowing their neighbours to overtake them once more; Lucas Russell and Markus Strand turned on the charm to welcome Lakewood to Hesham, and ran proceedings as Johnny Brown looked utterly out of breath by the end of the first half. He was substituted off for Moore; but the damage was done. United would drop to fourth.

Straton ground out a win against Newton, as rumours grew that Ted Bayh would leave at the end of the season; Clyde would keep their good run of form going, and the grudge match between Halldorsen and Hardwick would end in Halldorsen's favour, as she brought her Delphi side to a win over a lackluster Fraser side, steadily slipping down the order once more.

MATCHDAY 26
Fraser Valley 2–1 Straton FC
FC Inter Nantwich 1–1 Delphi Lionesses
Sturrey Athletic 0–3 Lakewood City
West Couno United 4–0 Kingsbury United
Lakewood United 1–0 Macarthur City
Ridgewell Rovers 1–1 Hesham FC
Glenmont AFC 0–4 Couno Rangers
Serrapince FC 10–0 Ricci Ironworkers
New Timbourne Knights 0–5 Columbia City
Newton Wanderers AFC 0–2 Clyde Park

Adult websites were inundated by a flood of full match replays after Serrapince pulled ten goals out of their hat against Ricci to smash a long-existing nine-goal winning margin record. Riordan, Riordan, Horvat, Mora, Mora, Eschborn, Sayer, McGrath, Hilton and Mora again; they were six ahead before half time and continued scoring up until the end of the match. When asked whether he was disrespecting the opponents by scoring ten against them, Haverhead simply replied "It would be more of a disrespect to them if we'd held back on scoring against them. We don't play like that."

The result also meant that Nantwich's hopes of reclaiming top spot this weekend were shattered, but they also drew against Delphi thanks to a clumsy Wakajama own goal; they were now two points behind Serrapince, with City's three-goal win against Sturrey moving them to within two points of the former league leaders. Other big wins involved Columbia demolishing Timbourne 5 goals to nil, Couno pulling out four over Glenmont and WCU beating Kingsbury by that same margin to put Mark Pryor's job in real peril. It was funny, considering nine matchdays ago Pryor was perhaps the most secure manager in Tumbra; but things change fast in Tumbran football, and the dreaded ultinatum — four points from the next three — was rumoured to have been issued.

A less impressive win, but one with massive consequences, ended up being Fraser's victory over Straton; they were still secure in fifth, but now West Couno were only one point behind the Senators, their previously impressive campaign having given way, exposing the many shortcomings in the Straton attack. They couldn't solely rely on Sallay to score goals, but neither Eagleton nor Morgan, the starting wingers, showed much will to attack, concentrating instead of holding onto the midfield. The Confederate midfielder Vlart Hedberg, however, was blending in well; but the team were rapidly showing signs of devolving back into that old mentality of relying on Galbraith. Whether it was Bayh's style of play, more mismanagement from up top, or the squad's attitude, nobody knew; but the chances that they would repeat their third-placed finish from seasons prior was rapidly disappearing.

MATCHDAY 27
Straton FC 2–2 Clyde Park
Columbia City 2–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
Ricci Ironworkers 0–1 New Timbourne Knights
Couno Rangers 3–0 Serrapince FC
Hesham FC 2–0 Glenmont AFC
Macarthur City 1–4 Ridgewell Rovers
Kingsbury United 1–3 Lakewood United
Lakewood City 3–1 West Couno United
Delphi Lionesses 0–1 Sturrey Athletic
Fraser Valley 1–0 FC Inter Nantwich

Fraser's voyage to take scalps continued, and they were rewarded impressively by a typical Hardwick win of 1-0 over Nantwich, of all teams, who now seemed to be in freefall; they were now third in the league. It was a Reinhard Geist goal that settled it for the Stallions; Nantwich looked directionless for the last fifteen minutes of the game, Estelline's substitutions doing not much to try and assuage the matter. It was rumoured that Estelline absolutely lost it at the team in the dressing room, but returned with his characteristic attitude towards the press, defending his players and diverting the attention onto himself.

City's 3-1 victory over West Couno — their first defeat in a while — would take the Skyblues into second, while Nantwich would fall into third. It was a proper three-way title fight now; Serrapince versus City versus Nantwich was perhaps not the fight with the shortest odds, with far more expecting Lakewood United to be up there. United were still in fourth — one point behind Nantwich, and still in it, but the general perception was that with a difficult run of matches coming up, they perhaps weren't in the best place to mount a serious title challenge. Next season, perhaps.

Serrapince themselves managed to slip up, falling to a dominant performance by Couno just one week after...that...victory, with a rotated side falling victim to Marcus Sheldon's right foot. It seemed that if Serrapince were going to lose this title, it would be because of their depth issues; their squad had the strongest first XI but their depth, especially in centre defence, left a lot to be desired. Lakewood City's depth was rivalled by few, and Nantwich's bench had a couple of decent players; and as the season approached the final ten games, there was a perception that a few injuries could completely derail Serrapince's campaign.

MATCHDAY 28
FC Inter Nantwich 2–1 Straton FC
Sturrey Athletic 1–0 Fraser Valley
West Couno United 1–3 Delphi Lionesses
Lakewood United 1–2 Lakewood City
Ridgewell Rovers 4–1 Kingsbury United
Glenmont AFC 1–2 Macarthur City
Serrapince FC 1–5 Hesham FC
New Timbourne Knights 0–2 Couno Rangers
Newton Wanderers AFC 0–2 Ricci Ironworkers
Clyde Park 2–2 Columbia City

Serrapince threw away the lead of the league just two matchdays after winning it, with a 5-1 loss to Hesham essentially wiping out the 10-0 win against Ricci; some smugly called it "karma", others were excited at yet another intriguing twist to the season. It wasn't even a narrow loss; Serrapince, with an early red card to Craig McGrath, were forced to deal without their main midfield playmaker; and to cover, George Hilton was pulled off for Frank Thornton. It was a disappointing performance; even more so after Eschborn, at half time, had to go off due to injury.

The news of the weekend, however, was Kingsbury deciding to part ways with Mark Pryor following his loss against Ridgewell Rovers; the Kingsbury team falling victim to a rigid, structured 4-4-2 from Des Clarke. It was an unfortunate situation, just ten matches on from being second in the league; but after having won just one match in the last ten, the change clearly had to be made.

Straton lost to Nantwich, an ill-disciplined match on both sides where Josep Ros came dangerously close to getting sent off; but Straton would finally slip to sixth, as Couno's victory against Timbourne saw them race into fifth. In the nine matches of the second half so far they'd only dropped four points and were second in terms of form; they'd won seven games since the season restarted. Five points behind United they were, however, meaning that any hope they had of making it into the top 4 were probably just pipe dreams.

Yet it wasn't Nantwich who would retake the lead of the championship; that crown instead fell to Lakewood City, who powered past Lakewood United in the derby to go ahead; the first time they'd led the championship all season. With ten matches to go, momentum was now in their favour; now the question was whether they'd lose the crown like Serrapince did in just two matchdays.

With just ten matches to go, this was shaping up to be a thrilling finale to the season; but regardless who won, there would be lessons for all three teams going into next cycle.

Standings After Matchday Twenty-Eight
 
 Tumbran Premier Division  Pld     W    D    L     GF    GA    GD    Pts 	Chg	Form 
 1 Lakewood City            28    20    4    4     77    36   +41     64	▲3	WWWWW
 2 FC Inter Nantwich        28    20    3    5     55    23   +32     63	▼1	WLDLW
 3 Serrapince FC            28    19    5    4     68    31   +37     62	▼1	DWWLL
 4 Lakewood United          28    18    5    5     48    23   +25     59	▼1	WLWWL
 5 Couno Rangers            28    17    3    8     55    32   +23     54	▲1	LWWWW
 6 Straton FC               28    15    6    7     58    35   +23     51	▼1	DWLDL
 7 Columbia City            28    15    6    7     58    38   +20     51	▲1	WLWWD
 8 Hesham FC                28    15    6    7     57    39   +18     51	▲1	LWDWW
 9 West Couno United        28    14    7    7     50    37   +13     49	▲1	WWWLL
10 Kingsbury United         28    12    7    9     39    42    −3     43	▼3	LDLLL
11 Ridgewell Rovers         28    10    6   12     41    47    −6     36	▲1	WLDWW
12 Clyde Park               28     9    8   11     29    40   −11     35	▲2	DWWDD
13 Delphi Lionesses         28     8    9   11     39    41    −2     33	▲2	DWDLW
14 Macarthur City           28     9    5   14     29    34    −5     32	▼3	WLLLW
15 Fraser Valley            28     9    5   14     19    34   −15     32	▼2	LLWWL
16 Sturrey Athletic         28     7    3   18     18    42   −24     24	▲1	LDLWW
17 Glenmont AFC             28     6    3   19     28    54   −26     21	▼1	LWLLL
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Newton Wanderers AFC     28     4    0   24     10    50   −40     12	-0	WLLLL
19 Ricci Ironworkers        28     3    2   23     19    71   −52     11	-0	LLLLW
20 New Timbourne Knights    28     3    1   24      7    55   −48     10	-0	LLLWL

All changes are from previous table posted; which is to say, post-MD23. Form takes into account the last five matches; which is to say, MD24-28.

by **Tumbra** » Thu Nov 11, 2021 6:50 am

TUMBRAN HOCKEY LEAGUE - SEASON ONE

MUCH like how cricket is a sport of the southern coast, ice hockey is the sport of the more temperate north. What transpired to create such changes in temperatures that snow can fall in Ridgewell while Kingsbury enjoys a relatively mellow Christmas is as of yet unknown, and is really up to meteorologists. Regardless, ice hockey is the regional sport of the north; and much like cricket, wholly underappreciated. Sixteen teams go at it, head-to-head, home and away for a thirty-game season; then the top eight go into single-elimination playoffs, where they fight it out for the Stanhope Trophy — named after George Stanhope, the first Premier of Westmond.

Fittingly, the biggest two teams in the league come from Ridgewell; the Bears and the Eagles. Teams from all over the north coast, though, send challengers; though the general rule is the further away you are from Ridgewell, the weaker the team is. Several derbies exist; there's the Ridgewell derby, between the aforementioned Bears and Eagles; the Finnley Derby, between the Nantwich Wolves and Clark Clippers; and the Franport Blizzards are always looking for an opportunity to triumph over their southern neighbours.

Questions about expansions have been brushed off, even with the introduction to the Northlands; head of the TIHF (Tumbran Ice Hockey Federation) James A. McAllister has said that he's "waiting for the political situation to settle down" before welcoming teams 19 and 20 into the league.

*
   Tumbran Hockey League      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Franport Blizzards          30   18   6   6    91   56  +35    42	Regular Season Champions; Playoffs
 2 Ridgewell Bears             30   17   3  10    99   67  +32    37	Playoffs
 3 Ridgewell Eagles            30   13  10   7    89   71  +18    36	Playoffs
 4 Teignford Thistles          30   16   3  11    84   76   +8    35	Playoffs
 5 Millsburgh Mercenaries      30   15   5  10    72   77   −5    35	Playoffs
 6 Colbrook Kingfishers        30   14   6  10    77   70   +7    34	Playoffs
 7 Readale Ravens              30   14   5  11    79   55  +24    33	Playoffs
 8 Clark Clippers              30   14   4  12    68   62   +6    32	Playoffs	
 9 Nantwich Wolves             30   10  10  10    76   76    0    30
10 Harchester Dragons          30   12   6  12    73   74   −1    30
11 Haversham Falcons           30   11   6  13    71   75   −4    28
12 Serrapince Stallions        30   10   7  13    73   70   +3    27
13 Straton Capitals            30    9   5  16    66   97  −31    23
14 Fontwell Foxes              30    9   2  19    61   89  −28    20
15 Heffron Hawks               30    8   4  18    56   85  −29    20
16 Couno Chargers              30    6   6  18    54   89  −35    18

The Blizzards, the most northerly team in Tumbra — just fifty kilometres from Tumbra's internationally recognised northern border — took an impressive run to the top of the table, finishing top of the regular season by an impressive five points. The Bears and Eagles had to settle for second and third; though that was the main shock of the season. Equally impressive was the Wolves' perfect record of 10 wins, 10 losses and 10 draws, scoring 76 and conceding 76; unfortunately they couldn't cap off their equilibrium run by finishing 8th and squeaking through to the playoffs, instead having their rivals the Clippers advance instead of them.

Stanhope Trophy Finals — Quarter Finals

(1) Franport Blizzards vs (8) Clark Clippers
Franport Blizzards 3–1 Clark Clippers

(4) Teignford Thistles vs (5) Millsburgh Mercenaries
Teignford Thistles 4–3 Millsburgh Mercenaries

(3) Ridgewell Eagles vs (6) Colbrook Kingfishers
Ridgewell Eagles 3–2 Colbrook Kingfishers

(2) Ridgewell Bears vs (7) Readale Ravens
Ridgewell Bears 5–1 Readale Ravens

Stanhope Trophy Finals — Semi Finals

(1) Franport Blizzards vs (4) Teignford Thistles
Franport Blizzards 4–4 Teignford Thistles (4–5 OT)

(2) Ridgewell Bears vs (3) Ridgewell Eagles
Ridgewell Bears 1–2 Ridgewell Eagles

Stanhope Trophy Final

(4) Teignford Thistles vs (3) Ridgewell Eagles
Teignford Thistles 3–2 Ridgewell Eagles

The Teignford Thistles, unfancied and very much underdogs after a regular season in which they did respectably, came through in the end — defeating regular season champions the Blizzards in a thrilling match that went to overtime, and beating the Ridgewell Eagles in the final. While advancing to the second round of the semi-finals of the Stanhope Cup is enough — as ruled by the league — to gain access to the Hockey Champions' League, the Blizzards will be disappointed they didn't manage to cap off their impressive run to the regular season title with the coveted Stanhope Trophy.

by **Tumbra** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 9:16 am

THE 122^nd RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP - THE QUARTER FINAL

We're down to our last eight, then; with the field having been whittled down to comprise of entirely Premier Division teams. The closest we'll get to a fairytale run this season was the Sparrows holding Macarthur to a draw, before crumbling in extra time; but they, too, are now out of the competition.

The four matches are seemingly rather lopsided; Nantwich versus Sturrey, Columbia versus Straton, Serrapince versus Macarthur, United versus Kingsbury; all of these have a clear winner. Yet Straton were in bad form and Nantwich were stumbling as well. The only match would have looked interesting on paper was United versus Kingsbury; though the firing of Mark Pryor and the announcement that his assistant manager and club legend Henry Waters would take on the job until the end of the season meant that this was probably a United loss.

Quarter Final
FC Inter Nantwich (D1) 2-0 Sturrey Athletic (D1)
Columbia City (D1) 3-0 Straton FC (D1)
Serrapince FC (D1) 4-2 Macarthur City (D1)
Lakewood United (D1) 1-0 Kingsbury United (D1)

The expected winner, of course, would win in three of the four matches; in a somewhat prescient sign that Straton were, indeed, in trouble, their lacklustre offense was unable to respond to the volley of three goals that Columbia flung in their direction. Nantwich would ease past Sturrey, and Waters would go down to a 1-0 loss in his first game in charge against Lakewood United; but the sign of a tight ship being run defensively was beginning to take shape.

There would be another five-match gap before the semi-finals; one that might have been looked upon as somewhat of a distraction given the whole run-in to the end of the season.

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4 - PART SEVEN
MATCHDAYS 29-33

So we're back, then, with a new leader on top of the field. Rumours that the league may seek to implement a playoff between the 18th placed team in the Premier Division and the 3rd placed team in the Second Division have leaked, and the reaction from the Second Division has not been nice, to say the least. The sweeteners to the deal may include an allowance for foreign players in the second tier along with added media coverage, but the plan has already generated a ton of negative news; with some accusing the Premier Division clubs of "trying to operate within a closed shop". Evidently the irony of only allowing a hundred and twenty eight clubs into the Tumbran league system, while Western states remain chronically under-represented in the league system, hasn't been lost on them.

Yet, to the average football fan (or those reading from overseas, mainly), these are concerns that don't really register. After all, the lower divisions are markedly different from the free-flowing, jack of all-trades league that is the Premier Division.

Regardless, with ten to go, the fight at the top is tight; the three title competitors are separated by just two points, with City having inched ahead of the rest, taking advantage of Serrapince losing two in a row and Nantwich's tetchy form. It's the most interesting fight for the title since last one, and even then we haven't really been treated to a true title fight; Lakewood City ran away with the first two titles, and Serrapince ran away with the third.

Welcome back to the Premier Division.

MATCHDAY 29
Straton FC 1–1 Columbia City
Ricci Ironworkers 0–3 Clyde Park
Couno Rangers 4–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
Hesham FC 3–1 New Timbourne Knights
Macarthur City 1–3 Serrapince FC
Kingsbury United 2–0 Glenmont AFC
Lakewood City 5–2 Ridgewell Rovers
Delphi Lionesses 2–4 Lakewood United
Fraser Valley 0–0 West Couno United
FC Inter Nantwich 1–0 Sturrey Athletic

Since the mid-point of the league, certain teams have overperformed and underperformed — that much is obvious. The media enjoys focusing on the underperformers; Kingsbury (2-2-6), Straton (4-3-3), Macarthur (2-2-6) and particularly Glenmont (1-0-9) to a certain extent, because it may mean a change in jobs for managers. Indeed, Kingsbury pulled the trigger last matchday; and Henry Waters' job as he came into his first Premier Division match was to try and salvage some points; some sense of direction from Glenmont.

He did it; a comfortable 2-0 win meant that they'd finally put a stop to the bleeding, though in the process they'd fallen eight places from their height of second and were firmly, definitely chastened by their ambitions. Perhaps the whole business of trying to stake their return back to the upper echleons of Tumbran football, attempting to take Clyde Park's place was a bridge too far for them; and they'd gone tumbling down the order. Whether they'd receive a respite from this, nobody knew; but Pryor was now out of a job, and the Kingsbury board were actively attempting to recruit a new boss for next season.

Straton drew with Columbia, disappointingly, to fall to seventh place; Macarthur fell to a dismal loss to Serrapince, though they did concede one less goal than in the midweek cup tie against their same opponents.

Overachievers, though, must be recognised; there is Couno (8-1-1), Hesham (6-2-2) and even Clyde Park (5-4-1), who've picked up since the sacking of Devzies and the introduction of Joep Martens. Kingsbury will be looking to the example of Clyde to try and pick their season off the ground; as Clyde swept past Ricci with a 3-0 victory in the weekend game, Dave Mason lighting up the scoresheets.

Elsewhere, Nantwich eked out another win against Sturrey, while Lakewood City punted five past Ridgewell to keep their standing up top intact. City's offensive prowess was on full display today; they'd scored 82 and were well on course to score above a hundred goals this league season.

MATCHDAY 30
Sturrey Athletic 0–1 Straton FC
West Couno United 0–2 FC Inter Nantwich
Lakewood United 3–5 Fraser Valley
Ridgewell Rovers 0–1 Delphi Lionesses
Glenmont AFC 0–1 Lakewood City
Serrapince FC 2–0 Kingsbury United
New Timbourne Knights 1–2 Macarthur City
Newton Wanderers AFC 0–1 Hesham FC
Clyde Park 0–2 Couno Rangers
Columbia City 6–0 Ricci Ironworkers

To prove that Columbia's form was no fluke — they'd just made it to the semifinals of the Cup, after all — they went out and put six in Ricci's net. The league's designated punching bag for a second season, perhaps, today was the day of the back-ups; Luciano Bello and Eloisa Caldwell both turned up and wreaked havoc on Ricci's defence.

This brought them into seventh on goal difference, pushing Straton down into eighth even though they managed to secure a victory against Sturrey; and suddenly Ted Bayh's position looked much under threat. He had a "long-term deal" with the club, but they were tenth in the form table since the midseason; and weren't looking like they were going to improve. Muted whispers that Bayh had lost the dressing room began to surface; that he himself was looking for an exit from the club sounded more and more likely.

And for better or worse, the Sturrey game did feel like Bayh was mostly going through the motions of someone who knew he was going to leave soon, and was just phoning in performances; even the team looked like they were more lacklustre in play. Sure, they were strong, but they were Straton; and that was expected. Gone was Vazsony Sallay's scoring prowess; he looked bored on the pitch. Vlart Hedberg struggled for playing time, even if he looked clearly better than the aging Michael Aitken whenever he was on the pitch; Michael Toussaint's sparkle in the eye had disappeared, evidently having discovered why Stephen Kerr had decided to pack up and leave a few years ago.

Was it Bayh, or was it the upper management? The situation at Straton was opaque at best; whether their purse-strings were still as tight as they were a few years ago was unknown. Hesham continued their run of form; they were now fourth (7-2-2) in the eleven games after the restart, putting them 4th in the form table.

Elsewhere, the top three retained their positions; City squeaked past Glenmont due to a characteristic Vaughn goal, Hermaeus Mora rallied the Serrapince team as they put down a resurgent Kingsbury and Nantwich dominated West Couno (pundits mainly agreed the score should have been higher in Nantwich's favour). In the sprint for the final IFCF position, Couno made it to within two points of Lakewood United, after Vaillancourt and Francis Evers put the goals away againt Clyde. United, for their part, found themselves on the wrong end of a Fraser Valley...offensive fiesta. It didn't help that United had a player sent off early; though Wilton Ramos pulled off a trademark blinder of a performance to score two against them.

If only he wasn't so inconsistent.

MATCHDAY 31
Straton FC 4–1 Ricci Ironworkers
Couno Rangers 0–1 Columbia City
Hesham FC 0–3 Clyde Park
Macarthur City 3–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
Kingsbury United 3–0 New Timbourne Knights
Lakewood City 2–2 Serrapince FC
Delphi Lionesses 0–2 Glenmont AFC
Fraser Valley 0–1 Ridgewell Rovers
FC Inter Nantwich 1–1 Lakewood United
Sturrey Athletic 1–2 West Couno United

Glenmont managed to scrape a win against a Delphi team which weren't living up to the lofty expectations of last season; but a win was a win, and with double the points of Newton, could most probably breathe a sigh of relief. Whether just surviving in the Premier Division was good enough for the club was a question for another time; but some suggested that merely staying in the Premier Division was reward enough for itself. Was it a lack of ambition?

Clyde Park put an end to Hesham's impressive run of form, allowing Straton back into seventh; while Columbia managed to come out on top in a true end-to-end battle against Couno. The slip-up would have meant that United raced ahead, but they themselves drew to Nantwich, 1-1. It was a Ros goal that pulled Nantwich back from the brink; Cohen would put the Reds ahead through an early penalty, and would generally maintain control, but the brilliance of the Audioslavian would bring them back, and keep them in the hunt.

City and Serrapince, in a match that was crucial for the title, played out a draw in Lakewood; a missed opportunity for City to go three points ahead. But early goals from Laishram and Fraser would be cancelled out by Mora and Riordan, in a true end-to-end match.

Somehow Fraser Valley's goalscoring streak had disappeared as they collapsed to the Rovers, who'd recovered from a dismal first half of the season to stand in twelfth in the table; Heidi Canavan being the breakout star of the season, effectively booting Gianluca Cardini off the team.

In the less-talked-about clubs, Macarthur beat Newton 3-0; a comprehensive win which saw the team at their best. Thirteenth they were, and the club had only scored thirty-five goals in the thirty-one matches of the season that had gone; but for a team that had sneaked into the Premier Division two seasons ago and clung on to their Premier Division status, they were certainly doing better than Glenmont.

Sturrey and WCU were up against each other, with WCU coming out on top; Couno's noisy neighbours standing in ninth, which was certainly an improvement over their yo-yoing performances of the previous years. Bill Thompson, for all his harsh-talking, direct style of football, had finally identified a style of football that worked for WCU. Nobody could deny that it was working so far; the club had only lost eight matches since he'd taken over.

Whether WCU were still in danger of collapse was unknown, though there was a general sense of confidence about the club; something that was largely missing during the Costello years.

MATCHDAY 32
West Couno United 1–1 Straton FC
Lakewood United 4–0 Sturrey Athletic
Ridgewell Rovers 1–0 FC Inter Nantwich
Glenmont AFC 0–1 Fraser Valley
Serrapince FC 7–0 Delphi Lionesses
New Timbourne Knights 0–8 Lakewood City
Newton Wanderers AFC 0–1 Kingsbury United
Clyde Park 1–3 Macarthur City
Columbia City 3–1 Hesham FC
Ricci Ironworkers 1–3 Couno Rangers

On a weekend where Serrapince pulled out a 7-0 win against the Lionesses and City themselves did them one better, beating the Knights 8-0, Nantwich...faltered to a 1-0 loss against the Ridgewell Rovers. It was a result that put Nantwich four points behind City with six weeks to go. Nantwich's title — which at the halfway mark looked like it was basically theirs — was slipping out of their hands.

What victories those were, too; Serrapince's offence turned up at the right time, turning on the style; while City, determined not to be outdone, pulled out their own goalscoring magic. There was no doubt by now that City would reach a hundred goals; whether Serrapince could score eighteen in six matches was doubtful, but there was a sense that if they could pull out more 10-0s and 7-0s, then they might be able to do it.

Elsewhere, West Couno held Straton to a draw; a crucial match which once again highlighted how things were going in the country's capital (not that good), while Columbia defeated Hesham to themselves haul themselves to within two points of Couno. For Columbia, it had been an exceptional season; two successive eighth-placed finishes had put them in good stead to take up Clyde's mantle when they dropped the ball — which they had done, earlier on in the season.

Clyde, for their part, somehow lost to Macarthur; the result meant that Clyde fell to thirteenth in the standings, with Macarthur advacning to twelfth. This, then, was the new Clyde; one still licking its wounds, one that could deal damage but was now severely weakened. There were rumours that national team stalwart Russell White wouldn't make it into the Campionato squad; nor would promising leftback Jacob Keene. Most expected a drop in the team's form, having lost their two best players and not really replacing them; but this was a cautionary tale in how to deal with losing said marquee players.

Elsewhere, Kingsbury scraped a win against Newton, Couno continued their chase of Lakewood United and Fraser Valley managed to win a scrappy one-nil victory over Glenmont in which they had just three shots on goal and thirty-three percent of possession.

MATCHDAY 33
Straton FC 3–3 Couno Rangers
Hesham FC 2–1 Ricci Ironworkers
Macarthur City 1–2 Columbia City
Kingsbury United 1–1 Clyde Park
Lakewood City 4–1 Newton Wanderers AFC
Delphi Lionesses 1–1 New Timbourne Knights
Fraser Valley 0–5 Serrapince FC
FC Inter Nantwich 1–0 Glenmont AFC
Sturrey Athletic 0–1 Ridgewell Rovers
West Couno United 1–4 Lakewood United

Yet again, the worm turns; Couno's draw with Straton means that they fall to sixth on head to head, while Straton pull themselves up above Hesham thanks to, once again, head to head. It's tight in the competition from fifth to eighth; should Tumbra one day reach the status of five IFCF spots, or if a third competition opens up, it'll be an impressive battle for that spot.

City themselves slinked past the Wanderers in a typical City victory; holding possession, frustrating opponents and controlling the tempo. Serrapince did largely the same, relying mainly on pace and power to dominate Fraser Valley; while Nantwich squeaked past Glenmont to keep their faint title hopes alive.

In fourth, United went five points clear of Couno with a 4-1 victory against WCU; essentially sealing their spot with five games left to go. Whether United should have been closer to the top three, or even be in contention for the title this season is up for debate; the analysts generally agreed that this squad was capable of winning a title, and were even lauded as such dark horses in the lead-up to the season. Fourth wouldn't be a disappointing result by any means; a strong defensive showing (most of the time) was key to seeing them in as safe a spot as they were now.

Time was running out, perhaps, on John Riedweld's attempt to bring the title back to the red side of Lakewood for the first time in five seasons, considering he was about to lose Adam Herlinger at the end of the season; but there was a quiet sense of confidence, an almost clockwork-like efficiency, to how United dispatched West Couno. Wilton Ramos had been mostly tamed, Louis Addison was displaying some spectacular goalkeeping skills, Moore and Jepson were blending into the defence extremely well.

Only time would tell if this was a title winning squad.

Ridgewell snuck past Sturrey, the Knights gained another point through a draw at Delphi (somehow), Kingsbury and Clyde played out a one-all draw in which Clyde had not one, but two goals rulked out for offside. With five matches and fifteen points to go, everyone down to Couno could still mathematically win the title; but most knew it was down to the top three.

Some might even say it was down to the top two.

Standings After Matchday Thirty-Three
 
 Tumbran Premier Division  Pld     W    D    L     GF    GA    GD    Pts 	Chg	Form 
 1 Lakewood City            33    24    5    4     97    41   +56     77	-0	WWDWW
 2 Serrapince FC            33    23    6    4     87    34   +53     75	▲1	WWDWW
 3 FC Inter Nantwich        33    23    4    6     60    25   +35     73	▼1	WWDLW
 4 Lakewood United          33    21    6    6     64    32   +32     69	-0	WLDWW
 5 Columbia City            33    19    7    7     71    41   +30     64	▲2	DWWWW
 6 Couno Rangers            33    20    4    9     67    37   +30     64	▼1	WWLWD
 7 Straton FC               33    17    9    7     68    41   +27     60	▼1	DWWDD
 8 Hesham FC                33    18    6    9     64    47   +17     60	-0	WWLLW
 9 West Couno United        33    15    9    9     54    45    +9     54	-0	DLWDL
10 Kingsbury United         33    15    8   10     46    45    +1     53	-0	WLWWD
11 Ridgewell Rovers         33    13    6   14     46    53    −7     45	-0	LLWWW
12 Clyde Park               33    11    9   13     37    46    −9     42	-0	WLWLD
13 Macarthur City           33    12    5   16     39    41    −2     41	▲1	LWWWL
14 Fraser Valley            33    11    6   16     25    43   −18     39	▲1	DWLWL
15 Delphi Lionesses         33     9   10   14     43    55   −12     37	▼1	LWLLD
16 Glenmont AFC             33     7    3   23     30    59   −29     24	▲1	LLWLL
17 Sturrey Athletic         33     7    3   23     19    51   −32     24	▼1	LLLLL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Newton Wanderers AFC     33     4    0   29     11    63   −52     12	-0	LLLLL
19 New Timbourne Knights    33     3    2   28     10    72   −62     11	▲1	LLLLD
20 Ricci Ironworkers        33     3    2   28     22    89   −67     11	▼1	LLLLL

by **Tumbra** » Fri Nov 19, 2021 3:05 am

THE 122^nd RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP - THE SEMI FINAL

Nantwich versus Columbia; Serrapince versus United. Two of the four teams here were looking to fight for the league title; the other two were fourth and fifth in the league. It was a rich run by Columbia to make it this ar, though Estelline was hoping for a cup win to get his team back into form. Serrapince, on the other hand, played a rotated side; the league was their focus now, and rightly so, even if they wanted to right last season's wrongs.

Semi Final
FC Inter Nantwich (D1) 1-0 Columbia City (D1)
Serrapince FC (D1) 2-3 Lakewood United (D1)

In the end, Nantwich would come out on top; an Atlas Baxter rocket into the top corner giving Nantwich a berth in the final, with no response from the Columbians. Serrapince, however, would go down to a late goal from Alex Kristensen; the left midfielder being more offensive today as United were forced to reckon without their usual strike partnership, Cohen and Keyes being out injured. Still, though, Kristensen's late winner proved to be a marvelous piece of football for a team that had looked to be on the back foot for most of the match; and Haverhead gladly conceded that United were the deserved winners.

Nantwich versus United would be the 122nd Republic Cup Final; United hunting down a piece of silverware that had eluded them for a while, Nantwich looking to end Conan Estelline's time in Nantwich on a high.

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4 - PART EIGHT
MATCHDAYS 34-37

Lakewood City are top, but only by two points; with just five matchdays to go, there still is a lot to play for here. Serrapince and Nantwich will be hoping for City to drop points for them to catch up; but City's offensive prowess and firepower mean that they should be the favourites for the title, still — barring a late charge.

United are essentially in a league of their own, while Columbia, Couno, Straton and Hesham try to be the best of the rest. WCU and Kingsbury are fighting it out for tenth, while Clyde Park are just trying to secure an eleventh-placed finish to rescue at least some pride and give Joep Martens a firm footing to set off on next season.

None of the three relegation candidates have officially been relegated, but they're as good as gone; a twelve point gap to safety with fifteen points available is nearly impossible to overcome. The plans for a relegation playoff between the third-placed team in the Second Division and the eighteenth-placed team in the Premier Division have been formally mooted, and is gaining steam; with the reward for the Second Division teams being increased television coverage, and perhaps their own restrictions being lifted on foreign players, too.

It's an exciting time of the season, to be sure.

MATCHDAY 34
Lakewood United 2–0 Straton FC
Ridgewell Rovers 3–1 West Couno United
Glenmont AFC 1–3 Sturrey Athletic
Serrapince FC 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich
New Timbourne Knights 0–2 Fraser Valley
Newton Wanderers AFC 0–2 Delphi Lionesses
Clyde Park 1–2 Lakewood City
Columbia City 0–2 Kingsbury United
Ricci Ironworkers 1–2 Macarthur City
Couno Rangers 0–0 Hesham FC

Serrapince's path to the title closed that much further after Nantwich delivered a shocking victory over them; evidently boosted by the midweek win over Columbia. It was a Ros goal this time; the Audioslavian sprinting the length of the field, even at 30, after a penalty was deflected by Nick Barker. It proved to be decisive; Nantwich would overtake Serrapince as they hunted down City.

Yet City themselves would expand their lead to four points, hitting the eighty mark with a 2-1 victory over Clyde; Mason's early goal being cancelled out by Robin Vaughn, master of Tumbran football that he was, and then by a late Laishram effort. City's depth was what had led them to being so offensively viable even this late in the season; in their 4-1 victory over Newton, Ophelie Bernard had dominated proceedings, along with Lakewood born-and-bred Jack Reed, who filled in for Neil Fraser on the left wing.

Columbia would fall to sixth as they lost to Kingsbury; hardly a misstep they could afford this late in the season. As for Waters, calls for him to be given the job permanently were rising, but he refused to comment; and regardless, he'd been given a contract only until the end of the season on the understanding that it would be a caretaker job, regardless. It was a solid South Coast Derby victory for Kingsbury; who were finally pulling themselves out of the funk that was their mid-season.

Elsewhere, Straton announced that Ted Bayh would be departing from the club at the end of the season by mutual consent; their reason for not moving him on immediately was so he could see out the end of the season with the squad. Bayh looked visibly happier after the match's press conference; although he had just lost to Lakewood United, there was a general sense that he was less tired, more willing to defend his players. Whomever took on the Straton job next would need to be ready for a difficult time; particularly as the squad looked pretty bad on the pitch, unable to resist United's offensive prowes s on the wings.

Elsewhere, Couno and Hesham battled to a goalless draw, Sturrey stunned Glenmont to take a vital three points in the race to finish 16th, and the Ridgewell Rovers — who had been quietly assembling a solid second half campaign — beat West Couno, 3-1.

Timbourne and Ricci's relegations were confirmed, meanwhile; they'd been more of passive spectators to the season's occurrences than anything.

MATCHDAY 35
Straton FC 1–1 Hesham FC
Macarthur City 2–0 Couno Rangers
Kingsbury United 4–1 Ricci Ironworkers
Lakewood City 1–4 Columbia City
Delphi Lionesses 1–3 Clyde Park
Fraser Valley 3–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
FC Inter Nantwich 3–0 New Timbourne Knights
Sturrey Athletic 0–2 Serrapince FC
West Couno United 3–2 Glenmont AFC
Lakewood United 1–0 Ridgewell Rovers

And all of a sudden, Lakewood City's four-point advantage was wiped out on an afternoon where a Columbia side, hungry for revenge, decided to go mad. An early red card for Erika Steinlein didn't help matters; with Alan Morgan out with food poisoning, the Skyblues were forced to send on Patrick Butler, who ended up, for the lack of a better word, being dominated by the Columbia midfield.

Given how important midfield play was to Riedweld, losing control of it often meant losing control of the game; and that they did, almost immediately after. Luciano Bello, David Burnet, Mike Coonan, Tom Burrows; those would be the names on the spreadsheet as Columbia threw the title race wide open again. That Robin Vaughn scored Lakewood City's 100th goal of the season was little consolation as they slumped to a disappointing 4-1 loss.

For their part, Serrapince beat Sturrey handily, while Nantwich did the same to Timbourne to confirm their participation in the league season's finale. Straton fell to yet another draw, while Couno suffered a frankly embarrassing loss to Macarthur on the one week they decided to rest Marcus Sheldon; Bruce Nolan had fallen off dramatically from the start of the season, and his goals had dried up.

Straton's draw with Hesham was also terrifying for their chances of advancing up the table, considering Hesham were directly above Straton; now they were stuck in eighth. It was, however, mostly about seeing out the season now for both club and manager; neither really could give much of a damn about their season. Vlart Hedberg was given the full ninety minutes, and was easily the best player on Straton's side; it was a shame that the rest of the team around him played so lacklustrely.

Newton's relegation was confirmed, meaning that for the second season in a row all three newly-promoted sides would be heading straight back down. They'd put in a tougher fight than Ricci or Timbourne, to be fair, but the gulf of quality between them and the rest of the field was quite something to look out for.

One point, then, was what separated Lakewood City from Nantwich; two from Serrapince. The title, which had looked so much out of reach for City, was now back in contention.

MATCHDAY 36
Ridgewell Rovers 0–0 Straton FC
Glenmont AFC 1–4 Lakewood United
Serrapince FC 3–0 West Couno United
New Timbourne Knights 1–2 Sturrey Athletic
Newton Wanderers AFC 1–3 FC Inter Nantwich
Clyde Park 1–0 Fraser Valley
Columbia City 0–0 Delphi Lionesses
Ricci Ironworkers 0–2 Lakewood City
Couno Rangers 1–1 Kingsbury United
Hesham FC 1–0 Macarthur City

The lack of drive from Straton's team, it must be said, was simply astounding; away from home they defended themselves to a 0-0 draw. Nobody knew what had happened; everyone was glad that it was ending soon. For a team that had ended up in the IFCF spots four seasons out of four prior, a sudden eighth placed finish was surprising; and Senators fans were hoping that this was but a temporary blip in form. Again Vlart Hedberg looked like the only player on this team who was giving a damn; the Megabrantid man finally showing why Straton had dropped four million on him over the previous summer.

Hesham increased their gap over Straton to 3 points following a victory over Macarthur; while Kingsbury, two points behind, loomed after their own draw to Couno moved them closer to Straton. Two points in two matches; and given Straton's spotty form, there probably wasn't much in it, either.

Clyde secured a scrappy victory over Fraser Valley, but then all victories over the Valley tended to be scrappy. With 66% of ball possession, the Clarets only managed to pull off eight shots on goal all game; a testament to Hardwick's defensive nous. Granted, Fraser were fourteenth and deep in the heart of the midfield, but it was still a stellar performance nonetheless to hold Clyde to only one goal.

Glenmont crumpled to Lakewood United, who confirmed their place in the Challengers' Cup next season; Sturrey pulled off a victory against Timbourne, which essentially confirmed their sixteenth position; Columbia tried but failed to score against Delphi.

All three title contenders won their matches, all three now advancing above eighty points; with just two matches to go and six points still in it, anything was possible if any of the three clubs dropped points. Serrapince breezed past West Couno with goals from Riordan, Ritchie and McGrath; Lakewood City, now with Morgan back, relied on him and Laishram to put themselves past Ricci; and Nantwich gave up a goal to Newton, but Fisher, Jennings and Richard Adams put Nantwich over the top to keep themselves in the fight.

MATCHDAY 37
Straton FC 3–1 Macarthur City
Kingsbury United 3–1 Hesham FC
Lakewood City 1–2 Couno Rangers
Delphi Lionesses 3–0 Ricci Ironworkers
Fraser Valley 1–1 Columbia City
FC Inter Nantwich 2–2 Clyde Park
Sturrey Athletic 1–0 Newton Wanderers AFC
West Couno United 3–0 New Timbourne Knights
Lakewood United 3–4 Serrapince FC
Ridgewell Rovers 0–0 Glenmont AFC

And suddenly, another twist in the tale; another spanner in the works.

Lakewood City versus Couno Rangers was destined to end 1-1; Marcus Sheldon scored an early goal, Neil Fraser struck back almost immediately after. Couno was on the hunt for the elusive second goal; Lakewood City were dominating play. Tom Lawrence, backup centre back who'd been put in for Ian Ashburn, clumsily went in on Francis Evers in the sixty-eighth minute on the edge of the box; a lengthy intervention by video assistant referee gave the penalty, which Marcus Sheldon then put away.

The wind went out of City's sails out of that. Couno Rangers would secure a victory away from home; Lakewood City were now on track to lose the lead of the championship.

But not to second-placed Nantwich, who'd welcomed Clyde Park; first-half goals from Ros and Fisher would put them ahead, but then half-time came around, and Clyde began racing back, hard; Edwin Markozy scoring the first, an impressive yet cheeky chip over Nick Barker; and then the much-maligned Alistair McGarry, finally coming good, leaving Wakajama for dust, dancing around Aimee Laurent to put Clyde level in the eighty-second minute. Nantwich tried, and tried, and tried again to put themselves back into contention; but Clyde played compactly, and bundled up.

Nantwich were unable to find that third goal. Nantwich would draw to Clyde Park, and only draw level on points with Lakewood City.

The evening game would see Lakewood United against Serrapince; a game that required Serrapince to at least draw if they were to enter the final matchday with a hint of winning the title. Almost immediately the plan went awry. Kirsten Desmond's long ball to Philip Cohen would prove too much for Flo Eschborn; Wilton Ramos' silky smooth dribbling left Kandice Sayer eating dust as he cut in on the right and finished past Mick Key.

Hermaeus Mora would pull one back before the half-time break; but the mood was low in the Serrapince camp as they searched for a way back. As things stood they'd end on 81 points; not impossible to win the title, but two points was a difficult way back to the top as any. A draw would put them ahead, but only on goal difference. A win was the only acceptable result, Danny Haverhead told them, and a win was what they were bloody well going to get.

United's third goal would come from a Craig McGrath volley; but the ball spent barely ten seconds in the net before Eschborn herself scooped the ball out of the net and began running back to the centre circle to resume play. They were on a mission; they had to get three goals.

Thankfully, they had possibly the best striker in the league to help them with that mission.

And on the day the Bees of Serrapince needed him most, Nick Riordan turned up and delivered possibly his best individual performance in a yellow shirt yet.

In the fifty-seventh minute, he received the ball from deep, dribbled past Spencer Jepson, and thundered a shot past Louis Addison on his right foot.

In the seventieth minute, grabbing the ball on the right wing, he cut in on his left, and on the edge of the box, curved his shot on the left foot; it completely befuddled Addison, who was too late to respond to the change in direction.

And in the eighty-third minute, Nick Riordan jumped to head the ball from a corner; while Addison got a hand to it, it deflected itself into the net, missing the crossbar by inches. The comeback was complete; it was a perfect hat-trick for Nick Riordan, who was rightly awarded Player of the Match after it.

Serrapince would walk away from Trenton Park victorious, with three crucial points.

And with the lead of the Tumbran Premier Division.

Standings After Matchday Thirty-Seven
 
 Tumbran Premier Division  Pld     W    D    L     GF    GA    GD    Pts 	Chg	Form 
 1 Serrapince FC            37    26    6    5     96    38   +58     84	▲1	WLWWW	IFCF
 2 Lakewood City            37    26    5    6    103    48   +55     83	▼1	WWLWL	IFCF
 3 FC Inter Nantwich        37    26    5    6     69    28   +41     83	-0	WWWWD	IFCF
 4 Lakewood United          37    24    6    7     74    37   +37     78	-0	WWWWL	IFCF
 5 Columbia City            37    20    9    8     76    45   +31     69	-0	WLWDD
 6 Couno Rangers            37    21    6   10     70    41   +29     69	-0	DDLDW
 7 Straton FC               37    18   11    8     72    45   +27     65	-0	DLDDW
 8 Hesham FC                37    19    8   10     67    51   +16     65	-0	WDDWL
 9 Kingsbury United         37    18    9   10     56    48    +8     63	▲1	DWWDW
10 West Couno United        37    17    9   11     61    53    +8     60	▼1	LLWLW
11 Ridgewell Rovers         37    14    8   15     49    55    −6     50	-0	WWLDD
12 Clyde Park               37    13   10   14     44    51    −7     49	-0	DLWWD
13 Macarthur City           37    14    5   18     44    46    −2     47	-0	LWWLL
14 Fraser Valley            37    13    7   17     31    45   −14     46	-0	LWWLD
15 Delphi Lionesses         37    11   11   15     49    58    −9     44	-0	DWLDW
16 Sturrey Athletic         37    10    3   24     25    55   −30     33	▲1	LWLWW
17 Glenmont AFC             37     7    4   26     34    69   −35     25	▼1	LLLLL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Newton Wanderers AFC     37     4    0   33     12    72   −60     12	-0	LLLLL	R
19 New Timbourne Knights    37     3    2   32     11    82   −71     11	-0	DLLLL	R
20 Ricci Ironworkers        37     3    2   32     24   100   −76     11	-0	LLLLL	R

All changes are from previous table posted; which is to say, post-MD33. Form takes into account the last five matches; which is to say, MD33-37.

by **Tumbra** » Sat Nov 20, 2021 6:49 am

SECOND DIVISION
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Thirty-Eight

   Second Division          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Port Marray FC            38   23   6   9    62   32  +30    75	Champions; Promoted
 2 AFC Cayalon               38   19  15   4    56   31  +25    72	Promoted
 3 Bencoolen City FC         38   18  11   9    67   44  +23    65	Promoted
 4 Readale Wanderers         38   19   8  11    40   34   +6    65
 5 Dorival FC                38   17  10  11    40   28  +12    61
 6 Clark City                38   17   8  13    54   41  +13    59
 7 Colbrook City             38   17   6  15    51   46   +5    57
 8 Kirkby Railwaymen         38   17   6  15    45   45    0    57
 9 AFC Gillman               38   15  10  13    59   49  +10    55
10 Ashton Rovers             38   14  13  11    36   37   −1    55
11 Guillemard Town           38   16   5  17    50   57   −7    53
12 Washington City FC        38   14  10  14    35   38   −3    52
13 Cobham United             38   14   9  15    38   43   −5    51
14 Ridgewell United          38   12  13  13    40   48   −8    49
15 Carter United             38   12  11  15    54   53   +1    47
16 Trelmont Rangers          38   12  11  15    38   50  −12    47
------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Dieren City Admirals      38   12   3  23    45   54   −9    39	R [D3E]
18 Carrington Town           38    9  11  18    38   59  −21    38	R [D3E]
19 Millsburgh Steelers       38    7   7  24    47   75  −28    28	R [D3W]
20 Fontwell Rovers           38    6   7  25    38   69  −31    25	R [D3W]

THIRD DIVISION EAST
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Forty-Two

   Third Division East     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Grange United FC         42   26  11   5    81   45  +36    89	Champions; Promoted
 2 Heath Bay Mariners       42   24  10   8    64   39  +25    82	Promoted
 3 Kelder Phoenixes         42   24   8  10    70   50  +20    80
 4 Windsor FC               42   22   9  11    76   50  +26    75
 5 Knapford United FC       42   21   9  12    51   35  +16    72
 6 Tavistock Athletic       42   17  16   9    64   46  +18    67
 7 Straton Typhoons         42   20   7  15    65   55  +10    67
 8 Hendon Cardinals         42   18  13  11    58   49   +9    67
 9 Staplewood Sparrows      42   17  12  13    50   50    0    63
10 Readale City Blues       42   17  10  15    65   61   +4    61
11 Hesham Wanderers FC      42   16  13  13    63   59   +4    61
12 Lambeth Leopards         42   16  11  15    50   49   +1    59
13 Rosenberg City           42   14  12  16    56   57   −1    54
14 Brades United FC         42   15   7  20    50   56   −6    52
15 Rosyth Warriors          42   12  14  16    47   54   −7    50
16 Tavistock Park FC        42   13   9  20    52   65  −13    48
17 Collett Park United      42   10  14  18    57   71  −14    44
18 Killiney SC              42   11   9  22    43   65  −22    42
19 Caldecott 93             42   10  11  21    47   62  −15    41
-----------------------------------------------------------------
20 Newark Argyle            42    8  11  23    43   65  −22    35	R
21 Gisbourne Lynxes         42    6  11  25    37   67  −30    29	R
22 Harren Armada            42    6  11  25    37   76  −39    29	R

THIRD DIVISION WEST
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Third Division West            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Gelder Creek FC                 42   23   8  11    67   37  +30    77	Champions; Promoted
 2 Mackay Robins                   42   23   7  12    61   34  +27    76	Promoted
 3 Hoxford United                  42   22   8  12    61   37  +24    74
 4 Falmouth AFC                    42   19  15   8    46   31  +15    72
 5 West Thornton United            42   20  10  12    61   43  +18    70
 6 Dunsford Auroras                42   19  11  12    61   41  +20    68
 7 Oakton Stars                    42   17  13  12    44   40   +4    64
 8 Teignford Academical            42   17  13  12    38   45   −7    64
 9 Enfield FC                      42   15  14  13    44   38   +6    59
10 Delano Wanderers                42   17   8  17    46   44   +2    59
11 Shepperton Ravens               42   16  11  15    34   33   +1    59
12 Colney Thorns                   42   16  10  16    36   36    0    58
13 Fort Heatherton FC              42   16  10  16    40   42   −2    58
14 Nottingham City                 42   14  14  14    47   40   +7    56
15 Harchester United               42   14  13  15    36   48  −12    55
16 Caldwell City                   42   12  17  13    32   35   −3    53
17 Southport Thunder               42   15   8  19    38   52  −14    53
18 Locomotive Harper               42   11  11  20    34   50  −16    44
19 Pomeroy Mountaineers            42   11  10  21    31   47  −16    43
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Millsburgh Revolutionaries      42   11   8  23    33   57  −24    41	R
21 Heffron City Miners             42    9  12  21    36   57  −21    39	R
22 Tevandale AFC                   42    7   5  30    27   66  −39    26	R

FOURTH DIVISION EAST
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Forty-Two

   Fourth Division East     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Wabash United FC          42   24  10   8    76   39  +37    82	Champions; Promoted
 2 Wilmington Town           42   23  13   6    73   44  +29    82	Promoted
 3 Pinhal Athletic           42   23  10   9    76   44  +32    79	Promoted
 4 Algoma Wanderers          42   22  11   9    60   39  +21    77
 5 Melwood Rangers           42   20  12  10    71   55  +16    72
 6 Hindhede Hawks            42   19  14   9    76   55  +21    71
 7 Mayfield Black Bears      42   20   8  14    75   63  +12    68
 8 Richmond Swans            42   17  13  12    65   42  +23    64
 9 Cortlandt United          42   18   8  16    57   53   +4    62
10 Maxwell Arsenal           42   16  13  13    66   69   −3    61
11 Sherwood Town FC          42   17   9  16    62   64   −2    60
12 Farleigh Tigers           42   15  11  16    62   58   +4    56
13 Chester FC                42   13  14  15    52   56   −4    53
14 Rookworth Ospreys         42   14  11  17    56   61   −5    53
15 Arlington Athletic        42   12  13  17    59   66   −7    49
16 Taranga FC                42   14   6  22    55   66  −11    48
17 Havelock Harriers         42   14   4  24    48   74  −26    46
18 Thomson Admirals          42   12   8  22    52   69  −17    44
19 Coburg Hornets            42   12   7  23    51   75  −24    43
20 Burlington FC             42   10  10  22    47   75  −28    40
21 Knapford City FC          42    9  11  22    47   73  −26    38
22 Wolskel FC                42    4  12  26    49   95  −46    24

FOURTH DIVISION WEST
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Forty-Two

   Fourth Division West       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Cheltenham FC               42   27   9   6    73   41  +32    90	Champions; Promoted
 2 FC Montrose                 42   25   9   8    70   44  +26    84	Promoted
 3 Clifton Fury                42   25   8   9    84   50  +34    83	Promoted
 4 Dover Defenders             42   21  11  10    48   31  +17    74
 5 Orpington Owls              42   22   8  12    60   47  +13    74
 6 Moresby United              42   20  10  12    59   40  +19    70
 7 Haversham City              42   21   7  14    83   66  +17    70
 8 Franport Blizzards          42   20   8  14    69   50  +19    68
 9 Dynamo Denhelm              42   19  10  13    64   53  +11    67
10 Langley Guardians           42   19   8  15    56   48   +8    65
11 Ruislip and Ipswich FC      42   18  11  13    60   57   +3    65
12 Othaven Wolves              42   18   9  15    67   67    0    63
13 Brensley Falcons            42   13   8  21    53   67  −14    47
14 Prinsip Street              42   11  13  18    47   52   −5    46
15 Denhelm Terriers            42   13   5  24    44   64  −20    44
16 Kellsthorpe Bluebirds       42   11  10  21    52   70  −18    43
17 Ilstead Wanderers           42   12   6  24    48   70  −22    42
18 Dunman Bay FC               42   10  11  21    51   69  −18    41
19 Johnstone Athletic          42    9  13  20    44   62  −18    40
20 Blenheim FC                 42    8  14  20    58   81  −23    38
21 Eisenhower City             42    9   9  24    41   74  −33    36
22 Monroe Quakes               42    6  13  23    36   64  −28    31

by **Tumbra** » Sat Nov 20, 2021 1:35 pm

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4 - PART NINE
MATCHDAY 38

For the first time in the IFCF era; a three-way fight for the title. It was a title fight many expected but with a spectacular twist baked in; one that promised fireworks, drama and everything in between. And yet people were already looking forward to the summer's football and the Campionato; where hopefully the Black Eagles would improve on their group-stage showing last time.

Serrapince had been amazing and frustrating in equal measure; a 10-0 win against Ricci, but then losses to the most random of teams meaning they weren't as clear as they wanted. They'd leaped back in front of the league table thanks to a perfect Nick Riordan hattrick; and arguably had the easiest opponent of the three — Ridgewell Rovers. Their usual eleven was nearly faultless, their backups less so; squad depth was the main thing Danny Haverhead had explicitly made a priority to work on during the offseason. Mora, Riordan, Hilton, Eschborn had dragged the rest of the squad to where it was; now all that was needed was one last heave.

Lakewood City, overcoming a shaky start to the season, powering through the second half of it but again, wavering, on the cusp of a third title in four seasons. It was their squad depth that had gotten them this far; Riedweld's smart squad management, along with the X-factor that Robin Vaughn possessed was what made Lakewood City a threat, always. Yet two losses to Columbia and Couno put their title challenge in sudden jeopardy; and now they faced a trip to Hesham — who only had two wins from their last five, but still threatened to show up on a good day with their 3 at the back formation.

And Nantwich; the underdogs, entering the last matchday with a seventeen goal difference swing required to turn the tide. They'd put up a brilliant, valiant battle to even reach this spot in the first place; after years of yo-yoing, and then Krajeswki with his odd tactics, Conan Estelline had brought them so close to a title. It would be the fairytale ending for Estelline's time in Nantwich, as he announced his retirement after the season; and what a storied career it had been. Even if they wouldn't win the title today — they required both teams ahead of them to lose, really — their run to get this far was brilliant. It was a shame they'd be losing their manager — who'd really made all this possible, really — next season.

All matches, as was tradition, started at the same time on the final matchday.

New Timbourne Knights 0–1 Lakewood United

Twentieth for Timbourne on their debut season; thoroughly outmatched, the addition of a Nepharim defender didn't really help their hopes of staying up. Though there was a chance Croxteth would stay through their soujourn in the Second Division, it was looking like a long season ahead for them. Completely anonymous; the Knights had barely made an impression on the Premier Division, and would disappear back into the Second Division.

Lakewood United's fourth was the minimum expected from this squad; and they achieved it with quite some distance to spare. This, supporters maintained, was a squad that could win a title; but with limited depth in defence and midfield, where Tumbran football was lost and won, some wondered whether it was more bluster from a team whose ambitions and talk in recent years usually outstripped their ability. But the pieces were there for a return to the top for Lakewood United.

A Cameron Keyes goal would mean Timbourne notched up their thirty-third loss of the season; ending the season on a rather down note for Timbourne and on a relatively soft one for United. There was little glory in beating a relegated team; but reaching eighty points was something to be celebrated.

Ricci Ironworkers 0–0 Fraser Valley

Nineteenth for Ricci, going back down to the Championship; the sole point from drawing Fraser Valley meaning they'd at least finish above the sorry excuse for a Premiership team that was Timbourne. They'd given even less of a fight than the last time they were in the division; the 10-0 loss to Serrapince was enough evidence of that. Throughout the back half of the season they'd looked like they were essentially sleepwalking through the league; though being in the league was a reward unto itself. Back down, then, with a dismal performance; though Tom Watson announced he was retiring from football at the end of the season, marking the end of an era at the Foundry.

Fraser's first season under Michael Hardwick's defensive dark arts had gone better than Vulav-Wanar Tla's third, at least; and he'd shaped up the team to be solid defensively. No longer leaking goals at the back, this was still a team that was three crises away from sinking into the lower divisions. The days of Marco Hemmings now felt like an eternity ago; now, clearly the Serrapince Metropolitan Area's second club, it was time to knuckle down and try to survive. At least fourteenth was a decent result, all things considered.

On a cool, balmy day in Ricci, the Ironworkers and the Stallions played out a boring, goalless draw; pundits agreed this was just another match between a side who couldn't score and a side who wouldn't score. Ricci's point gained, however, would catapult them above Timbourne; even though they'd conceded seventeen goals more.

Newton Wanderers AFC 0–4 West Couno United

Newton had put up the bravest fight out of the three; though winning a grand total of four matches was enough for that consideration. Eighteenth was an improvement over their twentieth in Season 1; though they'd gotten more points that time round than in Season Four. The Wanderers would head back down, but would be immediate favourites for promotion back up to the Premier Division.

Bill Thompson would prove to be the best signing West Couno would make this season, as he guided the Chocolatiers to ninth in the table. Steady-handed, a far cry from Costello's tactical under innovation, and a guiding presence in the club, he'd largely shed the mean chants about his weight and his reputation as someone was a relegation-avoidance specialist. WCU's potential was now slowly being unlocked; a top ten finish was a good start.

West Couno would run riot over Newton, but it was Newton; a drubbing was the least that was expected. Miles Brent would open the scoring, before Kaparros nodded in a header before the break; McIntyre would finish the business with a double in the second half to end WCU's season on a high.

Macarthur City 1–0 Kingsbury United

For Macarthur, another season in midtable; proving that their status as a Premier Division team was no fluke. They'd slowly become an underrated team, with less and less contention despite stellar results for a team of their stature; relying on players like Frank Stuart to anchor their midfield, while Graham Lloyd on the left marshalled the defence and Linnie Huxley put the goals in up front. Twelfth for the Blackbirds was a solid result, as ever; and maybe some might have criticised manager McCarthy for not being more ambitious, ambition could prove deadly.

And ambition did prove deadly for Kingsbury, who would slump home to tenth; after the highs of being second in the league table, being brought back down to earth after that would prove to be a bridge too far for Mark Pryor, who sadly lost his job earlier in the season. The hunt was now on for that much-sought after foreign manager; though whomever was willing to come into a midtable team was brave indeed. For Kingsbury fans, they'd have to rue a wasted season; what had began as such a promising campaign would end with a whimper.

And a whimper did Kingsbury's season end on; a goal from half-Kyrasian wonderkid Vivienne Anderson would doom Kingsbury to occupying the tenth spot in the league table.

Glenmont AFC 2–1 Straton FC

Glenmont's seventeenth-placed finish would give them another season in the league, though there were questions over how long they'd be able to stick it out. It was perhaps disappointing, but they were escape artists by this point; and the fact that they'd been promoted at the perfect time to latch onto the influx of foreign players into the league probably boded well for their financial standing. For now, they were safe; but they were one well-funded operation away from dropping back into the Second Division.

Seventh for Straton as they limped home after an extraordinarily underwhelming campaign was to be quickly forgotten about; though a change would be made at the head office, there was more a sense that the problems went further than that. A first season without IFCF football was on the cards; but the signs were there that they would not be returning, soon. Vazsony Sallay looked tired, Vlart Hedberg looked like the only one giving any modicum of effort on the pitch; most looked glad the season was over.

Straton's season of immense disappointment ended with a loss — to Glenmont, of all teams. Sallay's late goal marked the end of the Bayh era; and it was ended most unceremoniously, with Bayh not even showing up for the last press conference.

Clyde Park 2–2 Sturrey Athletic

Back to earth for Clyde; the heady days of sixth and seventh and the Fab Four were long behind them. Kwak was a shadow of his former self, and Cresswood was out injured almost all of the time now. Thirteenth was the best Joep Martens could muster in his first season, as he sought to rebuild a broken squad; the games he had were essentially a long, drawn-out introduction to Tumbran football. It was going to be a long, long summer for Clyde Park; but they did have money in the bank to continue rebuilding.

Defence, defence, defence had always been Sturrey's trademark, and it'd worked again. Sixteenth was about the best they could realistically hope for; and they achieved that quite handily, being stuck in the no man's land of having nothing to play for on the final day. The ship was steady, the football was solid, if unexciting; though, as mentioned above, a place in the Premier Division was a reward unto itself.

Clyde Park hosted Sturrey, and they fought back valiantly after going 2-0 down early; managing to salvage a point from their encounter. Not many would have marked this out as a midtable clash, however; especially given Clyde's stature in the Tumbran game at the start of the season.

How quickly the tables turn.

Couno Rangers 1–0 Delphi Lionesses

Fifth for Couno was a good, solid base for the team to work with; throughout the second half of the season Marco Giuliani was being lauded as the best defensive manager of the season, as the only shipped around ten goals in that timeframe. With players like Vaillancourt, van As and Thomson, the future was bright; now all that was needed was for Nolan to properly step up. IFCF football would probably be an expectation soon.

For Delphi, it was a disappointing season; fifteenth marked a baptism of fire for Louise Halldorsen as she finished below Michael Hardwick's team and struggled with it. Times were tough on the horizon, too; an unhappy dressing room (really just a few players) made the ambitious project of Delphi just a bit more shaky. Rumours that some players were looking to move on, too, were circling over the dressing room; would Delphi's castle prove to be one built on sand?

A Bruce Nolan goal in the last match of the season put Couno over the top; but it was a rather eventless match apart from his solitary moment of brilliance.

Columbia City 0–3 FC Inter Nantwich

By all means, Columbia were the real winners of the season; they'd turned sustained momentum and a youthful squad into a sixth placed finish. They weren't as ostentatious as Kingsbury, but that also meant they remained grounded; though there was clearly an appetite for more from the club. Whether David Griffiths would be able to be the one to break the stranglehold the Big Six held on Tumbran football remained to be seen; but he had cautionary tales from both Kingsbury this season and Clyde Park about flying too close to the proverbial sun.

Nantwich's attack would rear its head and pounce on Columbia; who, despite their strength this season, never really looked up to it throughout the ninety minutes of the match. The result meant they'd slip to sixth, but they'd made their mark; Columbia were the strongest side of the non-Big Six this season, and were looking for more. Baxter, Fisher and Dufour would provide the goals.

Hesham FC 1–3 Lakewood City

Quietly going from strength to strength, eighth in the league was just about where Bill McKenzie would've hoped to land, and he'd very nearly taken seventh from Straton too; only losing out on goal difference. A tactical maverick, McKenzie was just about the best manager in Tumbra on his day; and his strident adherence to three at the back was probably what had gotten him this high. Losing Hicks two seasons ago was a blow, but they'd done what Clyde hadn't, and kept up their standards by smartly reinvesting.

But Nantwich wouldn't be the ones to win the title, as Lakewood City scored three against Hesham to put the title out of their reach; Hesham didn't play badly, but Lakewood City's quality was on full display. Vaughn, Fraser, Cole; the trio would score after going early down to a Lucas Russell placed shot. For City, it was another day at the office as their supporters clutched radios to find out whether they'd be heading back into the Champions' League or not.

Standings After Matchday Thirty-Eight

 Tumbran Premier Division  Pld     W    D    L     GF    GA    GD    Pts
 1 Lakewood City            38    27    5    6    106    49   +57     86	Champions; CEdC; IFCF CL
 2 FC Inter Nantwich        38    27    5    6     72    28   +44     86	CEdC; IFCF CC
 3 Serrapince FC            38    26    7    5     96    38   +58     85	IFCF CC
 4 Lakewood United          38    25    6    7     75    37   +38     81	IFCF CC
 5 Couno Rangers            38    22    6   10     71    41   +30     72
 6 Columbia City            38    20    9    9     76    48   +28     69
 7 Straton FC               38    18   11    9     73    47   +26     65
 8 Hesham FC                38    19    8   11     68    54   +14     65
 9 West Couno United        38    18    9   11     65    53   +12     63
10 Kingsbury United         38    18    9   11     56    49    +7     63
11 Ridgewell Rovers         38    14    9   15     49    55    −6     51
12 Macarthur City           38    15    5   18     45    46    −1     50
13 Clyde Park               38    13   11   14     46    53    −7     50
14 Fraser Valley            38    13    8   17     31    45   −14     47
15 Delphi Lionesses         38    11   11   16     49    59   −10     44
16 Sturrey Athletic         38    10    4   24     27    57   −30     34
17 Glenmont AFC             38     8    4   26     36    70   −34     28
------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Newton Wanderers AFC     38     4    0   34     12    76   −64     12	R
19 Ricci Ironworkers        38     3    3   32     24   100   −76     12	R
20 New Timbourne Knights    38     3    2   33     11    83   −72     11	R

THE 122^nd RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP - THE FINAL

Conan Estelline's final match in charge of FC Inter Nantwich would be the final against Lakewood United. For Nantwich, it was an opportunity for them to stake down a marker and give their manager a sendoff he always deserved; for United, it was an opportunity to set down a marker for the following season. It would be another titanic clash between two sides to end the season off on a high; and end on a high it did.

Final
FC Inter Nantwich (D1) 2-0 Lakewood United (D1)

And Conan Estelline's final act as Nantwich manager would be to give them a second Republic Cup in four years. Three years in Nantwich; three loyal years as a servant to the club; three trophies in the form of two Republic Cups and a Super Cup. One title challenge, that nearly saw them go all the way; and being defeated on goal difference, of all things. As the Nantwich faithful chanted his name while he strolled on the pitch, flanked by his team and coaching staff, there was a growing sense of dread. Who could come in and replace Estelline, bring this squad that had come oh-so-close to that elusive title that had now gone ten years without being in Nantwich to the title?

That, as Estelline would brusquely remark in his final press conference as Nantwich manager, wasn't his bloody problem.

Typical.

by **Tumbra** » Sun Nov 21, 2021 7:41 am

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 4 - PART TEN
POST-SEASON

With the dust settling on the Premier Division season once more and the priorities of the clubs — IFCF football, another season in midtable, straggling for survival, or gearing up for an entry into the Premier Division — it was only fair to look back upon the season that had just passed, and hand due recognition to those who had just gone that little bit more than the rest of the pack.

Player of the Year

This award is open to every player from every club who have made at least one appearance, though it's fairly evident that the player must have contributed to the team and done some individual business to separate themselves from the rest of the pack to be worthy of this award.

Bronze Ball: Andrew Fisher (TMB, FC Inter Nantwich)

Bronze goes to Andrew Fisher, the conductor of Nantwich's midfield and one of the architects of its miraculous run to second. A well-heeled pacesetter, calm on the ball and a creator on the pitch, he was at the heart of all Nantwich did across the season.

Silver Ball: Nick Riordan (TMB, Serrapince FC)

It's the Silver Ball two seasons in a row for Riordan, whose goals fired Serrapince forth; though the team had to settle for third this time. As always, quick on the ball, lethal with his shots; another outstanding individual season from the striker, who used his acceptance speech during the ceremony to dedicate the award to teammate and mentor Hermaeus Mora, who finished fourth in the voting for this award.

Golden Ball: Robin Vaughn (TMB, Lakewood City)

And, fittingly, the Golden Ball goes to Robin Vaughn; the leader of Lakewood City, who so valiantly led his team through to the finish line; sparkling brightly throughout the season and marshalling Lakewood City's superb offensive capabilities. Some called Vaughn's success undeserved, saying that he barely differentiated himself from the rest of the Lakewood City squad, who were super in equal measure; but the scorer of Tumbra's first ever goal at the World Cup has proven himself a step ahead of the competition, yet again.

Young Player of the Year

This award is open to players below 23 years of age who haven't already won an award for Player of the Year. Not that the rule was meant to specifically exclude them, mind, it's just an old tradition. Traditionally, too, breakout seasons are recognised a bit more than playing brilliantly at a consistent level from a young age, to recognise the effort needed to even break through into the first teams of these clubs in the first place.

Bronze Award: Lucas Russell (TLI, Hesham FC)

It's a second Bronze Award in a row for Russell, whose exploits for a high-flying Hesham haven't gone unnoticed; the partnership he's formed with Markus Strand (or, given his age, whomever's playing up top for Hesham that day) have netted him the second award of his career. If any Big Six team is looking for a good, hold-up striker, they'll know where to knock; but Russell insists his immediate future lies with the club in green.

Silver Award: Julie Dufour (KSK, FC Inter Nantwich)

Nantwich's main addition to the midfield ended up being one of their key players. Serving as a more offensively focused player alongside Tom Stansfield and Andrew Fisher, Dufour's skill was evident on multiple times throughout the season; and her free-kicks were a sight to behold, too. The second Kelssekian to join the Tumbran Premier Division, Dufour's prowess in midfield nets her the Silver Award; and many will be hoping for more to come from the promising midfielder.

Golden Award: Arwen van As (TLI, Couno Rangers)

Couno's revitalisation project continued this season with the addition of young, exciting players continued; Arwen van As and Jean-Philippe Vaillancourt were the key members of this team. van As, however, really came into her own this season; with her partnership with one-cap wonder Joel Tyler bearing fruit, making Couno the most defensively solid of the team in the second half of the season. Her maturity, growth and ability at the age of just 21 made her a shoo-in for the Golden Award this term.

Golden Glove

'

The Golden Glove is measured by the number of clean sheets kept, with the overall number of goals conceded as a tiebreaker. This award serves to recognise goalkeepers, who traditionally have been under-represented in awards ceremonies. This term, Mick Key of Serrapince takes home the Golden Glove, with 20 clean sheets; while Andrew Taylor of Couno gets second, with 19; and Louis Addison of Lakewood United grabs third with 18 clean sheets. Interestingly enough, league winners Lakewood City only kept 9 clean sheets; while West Couno United's Mike Hancy kept 18 clean sheets, too, but their team conceded sixteen more goals than United.

Golden Boot

The Golden Boot is measured by the number of goals scored, with tiebreakers being decided by minutes played. The player with the lesser amount of minutes played takes precedence, but this season there hasn't been any need for that. This season, 1015 goals were scored over 380 matches; giving an average of 2.67 goals per game. The Bronze Boot this season was won by Vazsony Sallay of Straton; despite his team disappointing, his 21 goals for the side still shows that if needed, he can pop up with the effort needed.

The Silver Boot went to Nick Riordan of Serrapince, with his 25 goals; and the Golden Boot went to Robin Vaughn of Lakewood City, who scored an eye-watering 29 goals this term.

Manager of the Year

Third - David Griffiths (TMB, Columbia City)

Griffiths' stock keeps rising higher and higher with his charge to 6th with Columbia; his bedding in of youngsters like Noel Hercule-McKinley and continuing the brand of fast, exciting football he's done with them was one of the better sights of the season. The main worry for him will be to avoid flying too close to the sun; or losing their best players. It's been a magnificent season for the manager of Southerners; now the focus is to keep that momentum going.

Second - John Riedweld (TMB, Lakewood City)

Riedweld may have brought Lakewood City yet another title; but less convincingly and indeed, Riedweld's City, despite arguably being the strongest they've ever been, limped to the title. Winning the title is a massive achievement, of course; but a disappointing performance in the Cup and having to struggle to the title meant that he really only could pick up the second.

First - Conan Estelline (SLL, FC Inter Nantwich)

The Llamean manager, ever ready with a snippy comment and experience, takes home the Manager of the Year Award as he sails off into the sunset of football; arguably the award was more of a "for contributions to Tumbran football" than anything. But a cup win — his second in three years — and that miraculous run to 2nd in the title fight, finishing level on points with the title winners makes this award hugely deserved. Now the question will be who, if anyone, can fill his giant boots.

Team of the Season

Two teams of the season were named; with one being the first XI and the second XI. The concept of a twelfth man was trashed; the TFF cited the general standard of play as the reason why two sets of elevens were needed. Both elevens were in a 4-3-3 shape.

First XI
GK Mick Key (EUR, Serrapince)
DF Aimée Laurent (SVG, Nantwich)
DF Devon Daniels (CDG, Nantwich)
DF Douglas Moore (TMB, Lakewood Utd)
DF Nigel Harris (TMB, Lakewood Utd)
MF Andrew Fisher (TMB, Nantwich)
MF Hermaeus Mora (CMT, Serrapince)
MF Phil Cole (TMB, Lakewood City)
FW Robin Vaughn (TMB, Lakewood City)
FW Nick Riordan (TMB, Serrapince)
FW Neil Fraser (TMB, Lakewood City)

Second XI
GK Andrew Taylor (TMB, Couno)
DF Ophelia Haywood (BRE, Lakewood Utd)
DF Vilovalu Wakajama (KOR, Nantwich)
DF Arwen van As (TLI, Couno)
DF Luca Cambiaso (SVG, Couno)
MF Eli Apt (CMT, Lakewood City)
MF Kirsten Desmond (NPH, Lakewood Utd)
MF David Burnet (TMB, Columbia City)
FW George Hilton (TMB, Serrapince)
FW Pierre-Louis Laishram (KSK, Lakewood City)
FW Vazsony Sallay (PAS, Straton)

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