Tumbran Domestic Football Newswire

[Tumbra]

THE 124TH RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP — THE SECOND ROUND

Here we continue, with the gauntlet of the Second Round slicing 64 teams to 32 just after ten matchdays. Some may call it merciless — and, to be fair, it is — but with most lower league teams already having to play 44 league matches, it's difficult for them to squeeze extra matches into the equation. For higher-ranked teams, they've only got to play 38 games — but at the top, you've got the IFCF matches, and the CEdC matches...and that adds up to a lot of football. So much, in fact, that the bigger teams have been pushing for five substitutes at every level of the game; something that players are also happy to accede to. That, and twenty-five player squads.

But nothing'll change until the end of the season, when all the clubs get together to discuss what should be changed.

Second Round
(D3W)                   Orpington   1-3 e Fraser Valley               (D1 )
(D3E)               Harren Armada   2-1   Monroe Quakes               (D4W)
( D2)               Mackay Rovers   1-0   Shepperton Ravens           (D3W)
(D3E)                 Killiney SC e 2-1   Arlington Athletic          (D3E)
( D1)                Glenmont AFC   3-1   Brensley                    (D4W)
( D2)             Fontwell Rovers   0-2   Columbia City               (D1 )
( D1)               Couno Rangers   5-0   Dorival                     (D2 )
( D1)             Lakewood United   5-1   Trelmont Rangers            (D2 )
(D4W)                  Dunman Bay   2-1   Hindhede FC                 (D4E)
(D3W)        Pomeroy Mountaineers   0-2   Serrapince                  (D1 )
( D1)                      Hesham   1-0   Moresby United              (D4W)
(D4E)              Rosenberg City   3-1   Ilstead Wanderers           (D4W)
(D3E)            Straton Typhoons   0-1   Newark Argyle               (D3E)
( D1)           FC Inter Nantwich   2-1   Clyde Park                  (D1 )
( D2)             Washington City   0-1   Kingsbury United            (D1 )
(D3E)                Caldecott 93   0-2   Sturrey Athletic            (D1 )
( D1)           West Couno United   1-0   Wilmington Town             (D3E)
(D3W)                      Oakton   2-1   Caldwell City               (D3W)
(D3W)       North Thornton United   1-1 p Bencoolen City              (D1 )
( D1)               Lakewood City   3-0   Blakehurst                  (D4E)
(D3E)                Readale City   1-1 p Newton Wanderers            (D1 )
( D1)              Macarthur City e 3-0   Readale Wanderers           (D2 )
( D1)               Colbrook City   1-0   Kelder Phoenixes            (D3E)
(D3E)                 Dieren City e 1-0   Kirkby Town                 (D2 )
(D3W)  Millsburgh Revolutionaries   2-2 p Dynamo Denhelm              (D4W)
(D3W)             Fort Heatherton   0-3 e Carrington Town             (D2 )
( D1)                     Straton e 5-3   Staplewood                  (D3E)
(D3W)            Ridgewell United   1-0   Ricci Ironworkers           (D2 )
(D3W)                Heffron City   1-0   Farleigh                    (D4E)
( D2)             Guillemard Town   1-2 e Ridgewell Rovers            (D1 )
(D4W)                  Cheltenham   2-0   Thomson City                (D4E)
(D3E)              Tavistock Park   0-0 p Heath Bay Mariners          (D3E)

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON SIX
PART 3: LEFT BEHIND (MATCHDAYS 11-15)

This is an excerpt from the series Premiership Lives, a documentary about the twenty teams in the Premier Division as they navigate their way through the season.

SERRAPINCE FC and LAKEWOOD CITY
DANNY HAVERHEAD and JOHN RIEDWELD
talk about Tumbran football culture, future prospects in the IFCF, and keeping success going year after year.

A TV studio, somewhere

"My name's Danny Haverhead, I'm fifty-two this year, and I'm the manager of Serrapince FC. We won the title last year, and we're, well, we're trying to win it again."

"I'm John Riedweld, and I manage Lakewood City. We've won six titles in the past ten years, and we're always on the hunt for more success."

Today's episode differs slightly; after all, there are twenty clubs and only nine episodes of the series to feature the managers. So, of course, double features have been written into the show. Because of course they have. Today's double feature is with Danny Haverhead, the Tikariotian manager of Serrapince, and John Riedweld — the manager of the blue half of Lakewood. Both these managers have locked horns several times over the past few seasons, as their sides dueled to take home the crown of Tumbran football; but their attitude towards each other is known to be remarkably respectful, with both being fairly cordial to each other.

They're now in the same TV studio, sitting opposite each other. It is quite an intimate setting; there's no audience or anything, just the two of them

Serrapince's season hasn't exactly started off well. They're in fifth, but their heroics in reaching the Champions' League Group Stage have essentially ensured a second Champions League spot for Tumbra. It's been a bit of a trade-off for them, all things considered, having lost to City themselves, Clyde Park and Nantwich — but their early fixtures have been fairly brutal, and they can look forward to a relatively easier run-in to the end of the first half of the season.

City, meanwhile, have seemingly shrugged off their malaise from last season where they looked quite unmotivated and were effectively out of the title fight extremely early; and have rocketed to the front of the pack, with seven wins from ten. A lone loss to a Sturrey Athletic team who seemed to frustrate City endlessly with their low block, it's been some brilliant, scintillating football — and something that might justify Riedweld's decision to not dip into the transfer market.

But beneath the teams' successes — Serrapince reaching the Champions League group stages, and City leading the league this early on — therein lies a tension; several of them, in fact. Both managers have to deal with high expectations year-on-year; both managers need to deal with the pressures of constantly being in a title fight, and both these squads will have to go through overhauls soon — Serrapince's strongest eleven's average age is 28.1, while City's talismanic player and captain, Robin Vaughn, is already 31.

Riedweld says the IFCF gauntlet is "exceptionally unpredictable," pointing to the fact that City themselves were knocked out by a team from the "StrayaRoos Barrier Islands" on penalties. For him, he says, the loss ranked amongst the worst moments of his career.

"And, honestly, it's quite difficult to rise up in the ranks when you can get knocked out by a team that has come from seemingly nowhere — you never know what'll happen in the IFCF, so it's best to go in with very little expectations and see what happens. Occasionally, like what Danny's done, you strike gold; but otherwise, in the qualifying rounds, you don't often come out with a lot. [Lakewood] United got knocked out despite having one of the best offenses in the league. Quite frankly, I think it's a miracle we'll be able to move forward with two spots."

Haverhead largely agrees; and he attributes Serrapince's mediocre form in the league to the amount of effort they're putting into the IFCF. The aim, he says, is for Serrapince to keep reaching the group stages for the considerable future; while continually striving for domestic excellence. This is why, he reveals, he and Riedweld have been pushing for twenty-five player squads and five substitutes across the league. For higher-ranked clubs, it'll allow for more rotation and players to get rest; for lower-ranked clubs, who often have to endure gruelling schedules in the lower leagues, it'll allow the same effect to be achieved.

The cordial atmosphere continues when they're both asked about their rivalry; both agree it exists, because "it's a natural thing"; but it's rather a friendly one, and there's a lot both of them can learn from each other. For them, both of them are relatively secure in their jobs — unless, of course, "something unforseen" happens. And both of them have a very cordial relationship with the owners of their clubs, too. For Riedweld, it comes with how much time he's spent in the job — John Ashburn apparently leaves much of the day-to-day running of the club to him, and he's got full control over transfer policy, effectively. For Haverhead, it took a bit of time and convincing; but the results have brought him security and trust from the board.

So far, the interview's been quite boring.

MATCHDAY 11
Lakewood United 1–2 Newton Wanderers
Serrapince 2–0 Delphi Lionesses
Sturrey Athletic 1–1 Kingsbury United
Macarthur City 2–0 Bencoolen City
Couno Rangers 1–2 Lakewood City
Colbrook City 1–0 Glenmont AFC
Straton 0–1 Fraser Valley
Hesham 0–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Columbia City 4–4 West Couno United
FC Inter Nantwich 1–0 Clyde Park

The topic then turns to the future, and how the two teams are managing transitioning from the current generation of players at Serrapince and City. As mentioned above, both of these clubs will have to deal with this problem somewhere in the future; City's talisman is 31, and Serrapince's average age in their eleven is 28.

"It's a constant process, I think," says Haverhead. "We're always identifying talent for who's leaving, and who's growing older. And I don't want to fall into the trap that so many clubs have fallen into. Sure, it takes a lot of effort, but I think avoiding dropping off after an important few players leave is crucial to continued success."

"Youth development is important, particularly," agrees Riedweld.

The interviewer, however, hangs on to what Haverhead has said about the trap; and questions Haverhead about it.

"Well..."

In a match eerily reminiscent of United's loss to Bencoolen one season ago, Newton pick up their first win in eleven games; and, surprise surprise, it's against United. There are calls for the interim manager, Chris Haines, to be given the job permanently; but Haines is reluctant to comment on rumours. For a first win in eleven games, however, it's certainly a way to begin.

City and Couno go up against each other in the madhouse that is also the Couno Port Stadium; and while Couno take an early lead, City strike back and fast; and it's only a VAR-given goal that gives City an extremely controversial win. Coupled with United's loss, this means City go four points ahead.

Brian Devzies' job is put under even more threat after a frankly embarrassing loss to Fraser, while Columbia and WCU play an end-to-end, absolutely enthralling 4-4 draw in which defence was thrown to the wind. The eight-goal thriller saw Vasya Reisinger score a brace, and come out of it with the Player of the Match Award; and the WCU faithful are now singing her name.

MATCHDAY 12
Clyde Park 1–2 Lakewood United
West Couno United 4–4 FC Inter Nantwich
Ridgewell Rovers 3–1 Columbia City
Fraser Valley 1-3 Hesham
Glenmont AFC 1–2 Straton
Lakewood City 2–1 Colbrook City
Bencoolen City 1–2 Couno Rangers
Kingsbury United 2–0 Macarthur City
Delphi Lionesses 0–0 Sturrey Athletic
Newton Wanderers 1–3 Serrapince

"The trap, I feel, and it's something that I've observed a lot since coming to Tumbra, is the tendency for a team to ride a lot on the strength of one player. I mean, even this decade, we've got our new striker, Sallay, at his old team Straton — they were riding on him. And even before him, they were riding quite heavily on Daniel Galbraith, and I think after his retirement he's been quite open about his last years at Straton. At Clark City, you've got William Wight; even now, I think, you're seeing it with West Couno and Vasya Reisinger..."

"I think there's a difference between someone being the best player on the team and an overrealiance on them, Danny," Riedweld cuts in. "You want to play to the strengths of the players you've got."

"Oh, of course, but the difference comes when you're over-relying on one player. And Straton definitely did that with Vazsony, and Daniel, and we're still seeing the effects of that overreliance today. Of course, there are mitigating factors, but I think one of the reasons why Straton didn't invest heavily in their team when Daniel Galbraith was growing older was because they just kept believing he'd keep chugging on. And yes, he did, and when he up and left they managed to secure Sallay; but the cycle continued again."

City's bulldozer of a season continues, though their win over Colbrook at home was closer than they liked; while Devzies saves his job with a win over Glenmont, though the sword of Damocles continues to hang over his head. WCU plays out another 4-4 draw, with Reisinger again on the scoresheet; but this time, a fine performance from Jake Spekman sees him score one goal and provide two assists in his finest outing in a black and blue shirt so far.

It's not really an exciting week, all things considered; there aren't really any surprising wins.

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

"So what I'm saying, John, is that there's a particular trend of Tumbran football clubs becoming overreliant and complacent because they've got one player who does all the work. Sure, I subscribed to this ideology a bit when I signed Hermaeus in my first season at the club for ten million, but we've particularly focused on beefing up the rest of the squad since. Football's a game of eleven players, at the end of the day, and you've got to make sure you've got as strong an eleven as possible."

"See, the problem is is that you've got to build teams in very different ways; sometimes, a player's just too good that you have to build a team around them. I'll very much admit that I've done that with Robin Vaughn, but I don't think that there's a problem of overreliance on a player."

"So," the interview intervenes, "do you think there's a problem in Tumbran football with overrelying on one player? One word answers, to sum up, please."

The big match of the week is United going up against Serrapince; and the odds are overwhelmingly stacked against United. After all, they have just lost against Newton. Surprisingly, though, they come out of it with a draw; a goal from Corinne Fontana sealing a late draw for the Red Storm as they seek to redirect the off-pitch attention towards their on-pitch efforts.

Elsewhere, Straton force City into a draw, cutting down their lead to three points; but it's Couno who baffle observers and move into second, after a comprehensive 3-0 destroying of a Kingsbury side who's actually been punching way above their weight. Near the bottom of the table, despite a victory over City, Columbia's defeat of Fraser puts them firmly in the relegation zone, only above Newton. Michael Hardwick's job is in danger.

Despite Sturrey doing way better than most expect them to be — twelfth at the current juncture — they, too, fall to Newton, which only intensifies calls for Chris Haines to be given the job permanently. Haines only replies that he'll consider it if the job is offered, and nothing more.

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

"Yes."

"No."

"I'll be honest, John, there's a bit of myopia from your side; and I feel that you might be heading down this path with Robin. If we're going to try and move Tumbra up a tier in the IFCF rankings, we're going to have to bring our strongest game to the IFCF..."

City drawing against Hesham drops their lead down to two points again; and Couno drawing against Delphi puts United back into the driving seat. So we're effectively back where we started. United have been placing together a good run of form, keen to get over the hump that is the Ramos scandal. There's no telling what they'll do with Ramos; if they let him back into the club, it's almost certain AKK will leave; but if United fail to make it to the Champions' League, it's almost certain AKK will leave too. The simplest thing to do is to cut their losses, and let AKK go and Ramos back in; but letting Ramos back in would probably create a PR firestorm.

Ridgewell's quietly been rising through the ranks of the league, with a win over Clyde Park putting them a very impressive sixth in the league. WCU, unfortunately, have been slipping; scoring just two points from their last four games. But it's part and parcel of being a WCU fan; things go up, and they come down very, very quickly.

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

The episode ends on a rather tense note, as Riedweld and Haverhead look rather uncomfortable after debating their approach to football. A particular note from Haverhead was a warning that Riedweld "would be left in the dust as teams around the world continue to reinforce their squad, and you let yourself stay at the mercy of whether the talent pool of the city of Lakewood produces good players." At the end of it, though, the two shake hands; it's been a tough but fair debate over the future of Tumbran football.

The episode ends on footage of Serrapince's Champions League win over reigning Champions' League winners Namiri Forest, and the cheering Serrapince fans as Haverhead looks on.

Can anybody stop City? A 2-0 victory away at a very tough-looking Columbia is enough to keep them at the top, with Robin Vaughn, as usual, in red-hot form. United, thankfully for them, avoid being the third Big Six team to lose to Sturrey; while Couno ease themselves past a very spirited Newton side. Nantwich, however, lose to Glenmont, of all teams; there are definitely some teething issues and inconsistency issues to be ironed out there. This far into the season, though, it still looks like it's anybody's game, with a cracker of a season yet to come.

In the midfield, Clyde have slid very, very far; and Clyde haven't exactly looked very strong or convincing in the last few matches. Straton are still in the doldrums, and there's a sense that Brian Devzies' time in the job is very limited; though the question now is when the axe is going to fall on the embattled manager's head. Not even playing two up front is saving Straton; them falling to Kingsbury was just another embarrassment. They're still in fourteenth, and climbing back up the rankings looks very, very tough.

It's a welcome break for most teams, then, as they head into the next Republic Cup game. Time to get their minds off the league as it ramps up towards the halfway point...

Standings After Matchday Fifteen

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg   Form
 1 Lakewood City          15   10   4   1    34   15  +19    34    -0   WWDDW
 2 Lakewood United        15   10   2   3    32   11  +21    32    -0   LWDWW
 3 Couno Rangers          15   10   1   4    24   11  +13    31    -0   LWWDW
 4 Serrapince             15    9   2   4    28   11  +17    29    ▲1   WWDLW
 5 FC Inter Nantwich      15    8   5   2    23   10  +13    29    ▲1   WDWWL
 6 Kingsbury United       15    8   3   4    22   19   +3    27    ▼2   DWLLW
 7 Ridgewell Rovers       15    7   4   4    17   12   +5    25    ▲2   WWLWD
 8 Columbia City          15    7   3   5    21   22   −1    24    -0   DLWWL
 9 West Couno United      15    6   4   5    25   23   +2    22    ▼2   DDLLD
10 Macarthur City         15    6   3   6    13   15   −2    21    ▲2   WLDWL
11 Sturrey Athletic       15    5   5   5    11   16   −5    20    -0   DDLWL
12 Clyde Park             15    5   3   7    13   14   −1    18    ▼2   LLWLL
13 Hesham                 15    5   3   7    14   15   −1    18    -0   LWLDD
14 Straton                15    4   5   6    15   18   −3    17    -0   LWDWL
15 Delphi Lionesses       15    3   7   5    15   20   −5    16    -0   LDDDW
16 Colbrook City          15    3   4   8    12   22  −10    13    ▲2   WLDWL
17 Glenmont AFC           15    3   4   8    12   27  −15    13    -0   LLWLW
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Bencoolen City         15    3   3   9    10   22  −12    12    ▼2   LLDLD
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Fraser Valley          15    3   1  11    15   27  −12    10    -0   WLLLW
20 Newton Wanderers       15    2   0  13    10   36  −26     6    -0   WLWLL

[Tumbra]

THE 124TH RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP — THE THIRD ROUND

Thirty-two clubs are to be whittled down to sixteen; and surprisingly enough, only seventeen of those thirty-two hopefuls are from the Premier Division. The unfortunate sides are Delphi (who lost to Nantwich in the first round), Clyde (who lost to Nantwich in the second round) and Bencoolen (who got knocked out on penalties). Surprisingly, there are still nine Third Division sides in this fight — a figure that outstrips Second Division sides, both in absolute terms and percentage terms. But the big match this time is another Tumbran Classic; Couno Rangers versus Lakewood United.

Other First Division-First Division matches include Glenmont hosting Columbia; Kingsbury hosting Sturrey, and Newton hosting Macarthur; guaranteeing that at least some lower division teams would make it to the Fourth Round.

Third Round

( D1)          Fraser Valley   2-1   Harren Armada          (D3E)
( D2)          Mackay Rovers   2-3 e Killiney SC            (D3E)
( D1)           Glenmont AFC   1-3   Columbia City          (D1 )
( D1)          Couno Rangers   0-1   Lakewood United        (D1 )
(D4W)             Dunman Bay   3-4   Serrapince             (D1 )
( D1)                 Hesham   3-1   Rosenberg City         (D4E)
(D3E)          Newark Argyle   1-4 e FC Inter Nantwich      (D1 )
( D1)       Kingsbury United   3-0   Sturrey Athletic       (D1 )
( D1)      West Couno United   2-1   Oakton                 (D3W)
(D3W)  North Thornton United   0-2   Lakewood City          (D1 )
( D1)       Newton Wanderers   0-2   Macarthur City         (D1 )
( D1)          Colbrook City   3-0   Dieren City            (D3E)
(D4W)         Dynamo Denhelm   0-2   Carrington Town        (D2 )
( D1)                Straton   1-0   Ridgewell United       (D3W)
(D3W)           Heffron City   0-2   Ridgewell Rovers       (D1 )
(D4W)             Cheltenham   0-2   Heath Bay Mariners     (D3E)

It was, as always, fated to be an ill-tempered affair; and a red card for Marvella Hargrove after she clattered into Kirsten Desmond was what eventually swung the game in United's favour. Even then, Couno put up an extremely spirited defence; a goal-line clearance from Lomar Wellingsley near the end of the first half managed to keep United waiting. In the end, it was an 88th minute goal from Richard Adams that prevented the game from going to extra time, and sending Couno out.

Elsewhere, Nantwich scored three in extra time to get past Newark; who themselves had earlier announced that they would be partnering up with Chromatik club, one-time Red League champions and home to two of Tumbra's key players — Chromatik — as an affiliate club. Straton barely got past Ridgewell United; and Macarthur swept past Newton.

But back to the league...

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON SIX
PART 4: THE SLOW BURN (MATCHDAYS 16-19)

This is an excerpt from the series Premiership Lives, a documentary about the twenty teams in the Premier Division as they navigate their way through the season.

CLYDE PARK and STRATON FC
JOEP MARTENS and BRIAN DEVZIES
talk about the long process of rebuilding football clubs, trust and relationships with the fanbase

Straton

Despite the previous episode producing a great moment of television when it pit a foreign manager against a local manager, and exposed the very different philosophies espoused at the top level of the game, ratings fell. Producers thought that perhaps it was due to the fact that until the last fifteen minutes of the episode, things were proceeding fairly cordially; and the real wham moment was a bit too late in the episode. Other reviews admitted that they were disappointed by the fact that the show'd been taken out of the format where managers were shown going about their daily routine at the club.

But they'd already lined up the guests for their next two episodes; and it was a bit too late to change that, now. But they could change the format of the episodes back to the format used in episodes 1 and 2; it'd just be a bit less unified. So...

"Ah. Brian Devzies, Straton Football Club manager."

Straton haven't exactly been in the best of situations lately. The story's well-known, of course; they were guilty of the exact thing that Danny Haverhead accused Tumbran clubs of doing — over-relying on one player. For over a decade, that player was Daniel Galbraith. Then, when he decided to pack up and go to Perce in Quebec, they brought in Pasargan wonderkid Vazsony Sallay, and he ended up becoming the perfect Galbraith replacement.

Then they lost Stephen Kerr for just two and a half million to Chromatik. It was a coup of the highest order; losing what was supposed to be their defensive stalwart for the next decade and a half was extremely harmful. It turned out, too, that Straton was effectively a castle built on pillars of salt; their financials were closely scrutinised and it turned out that the club had run itself into a ton of debt.

The penny dropping meant an exodus of players and staff. Players like Leo Hooper, Wayne Forrest, Ryan Morgan, Michael Campbell — all of them, who were on massive paychecks, were let go. Ted Bayh, who oversaw Straton's worst result in a while, decided to leave. In came Brian Devzies to try and steady the sinking ship. Despite guiding the team to ninth in his first season, he's managed to hold on to his job — but by the time he's being interviewed, it's obvious Devzies is under a lot of pressure.

Straton are fourteenth after fifteen games, with four wins from fifteen. In any other team, with expectations as high as Straton's, Devzies would've been sacked by now. But the truth is that there aren't many replacements that could come in on short notice; and Straton's rumoured first choice target, Frank Wehle from Sanford, confirmed he'd be staying on at Corn Palace when the transfer window closed. To many supporters, Devzies should go; but the question of who should come in to replace him is much, much more debatable.

"Rebuilding a club's a slow, tedious process; and I can only ask for patience. It's not easy having the entire spine of your team stripped out from underneath you, and having to work with barely any resources."

Forced by the lack of a budget to cut costs, Straton haven't exactly spent. They've signed one or two players for very low prices — the Montana Verdean striker Tino being the highlight of their transfer window, having come in for a staggering fee of one million — and he's bedded in well, but they're still stuck in fourteenth.

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

"What do you say to the supporters who think you should go?"

"To be honest, there's always going to be a bit of the fanbase that won't support you, isn't there? I mean, I don't feel like I've got to say anything, really."

"But don't you feel like there have been more and more voices calling for that?"

Straton's season goes from bad to worse, as they lose to Delphi. But the most important story of the weekend is United grabbing the lead of the league from City — after John Lennon fumbles a powerful Coxeter shot from outside the box, spilling the ball into the goal. Serrapince, meanwhile, draw a blank against Couno, leaving them five points behind the league leaders United as they desperately try to chase both a spot in the Challengers' Cup knockout rounds, and the title.

Kingsbury, meanwhile, continue their impressive run in sixth despite a loss to Hesham; a victory that is wildly celebrated by William Wight. Under their newly-announced permanent manager, Chris Haines, Newton go on to beat Colbrook. Despite survival being a very distant prospect, they're now only two points behind Fraser, who have scooped eleven points from sixteen matches.

"Well, yes, I have. And I understand their frustration; and I think that it's reasonable. When things aren't going as expected, as they are right now, you can't exactly let things go on as they are, right? But I'll once again call for patience; and if by the end of the season there hasn't been any progress, I'll leave."

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

"Is that a commitment you're willing to make?"

"Sure, if I've felt that I can't bring this club any further, then I'll throw in the towel and go."

Controversy raged over Devzies' appointment from the day he was announced as Ted Bayh's successor; some thought that the club should have gone for the ex-Kingsbury manager, Mark Pryor, instead. Especially looking at his record with his previous club, whom he'd also tried to rebuild — and failed...

Nantwich haul themselves up to third, taking advantage of a surprising loss of Serrapince to upstarts Colbrook. It's a well-executed gameplan from Matt Reeves and his team; the Northerners themselves are relatively safe in sixteenth, five points clear of being directly relegated. Kingsbury eke out a crucial win against Columbia, with James Anderson scoring a crucial goal against the eighth-placed team to keep themselves in outside contention for an IFCF spot.

Clyde Park crumple against City, which puts them in twelfth; but there's a general sense of confidence at the club. But the team that feels the most disappointment this weekend is Serrapince, as their loss now sees them eight points adrift of the league leaders United.

Clyde

"Joep Martens, from the Licentian Isles, and currently manager of Clyde Park."

The fresh-faced Licentian — the second youngest manager in the league, at just 42, to boot — is eager to make an impression, despite this being his second full season in charge of Clyde Park. After three seasons of success under Brian Devzies dragging a squad that was originally destined to finish sixteenth to the heady heights of sixth, then adding Pierre-Louis Laishram and Kwak Hyeong-Joon to a squad and continuing it for another two seasons, Clyde crashed and burned after Laishram and left winger Neil Fraser both left for Lakewood.

It's been a slow, if steady, return for them since; Martens steadied the ship to finish thirteenth in his first partial season at the club, before guiding the club to finishing tenth in his first full season. Guided by a change in tactics and new manpower up front — the signing of Gedeo Escat from another Kelssekian club proving to be particularly inspired — the club are now once again on a steady upwards trajectory.

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

"Rebuilding is, of course, a very tedious process. It's, uh, something that definitely cannot be achieved in one season, and it's a very slow burn process, I think. But the most important thing is patience. Patience from the fans, patience from the board, patience from yourself. You can't go in and expect everything to become fine again because you sign a few players, change your tactics."

The end looks ever closer for Brian Devzies, as he loses by three goals to a Serrapince side eager for revenge. Sallay's strike power is on full show, netting a hat-trick against his former employers, and celebrating every goal; his former team-mate Michael Toussaint looks absolutely distraught after the fourth goal is scored.

Colbrook pull off another win at Sturrey, hauling themselves to within one point of Sturrey; but the big story of the weekend is Fraser Valley — a team in nineteenth — forces Lakewood United to a draw, after a late goal from Fontana is ruled out for being offside. The decision is extremely controversial; but it's stood by. The result sees City — who themselves snuck past West Couno — re-take the lead of the league, albeit only by one point.

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

"And I think that's what we're trying very hard to do. We try to be transparent, I try to be honest, and I try my best to explain everything I can to our supporters. Because at the end of the day, football is all some people have. And we owe it to them, who turn up and support our team every week. And in return, we get patience from them."

So far, the rebuilding process has been rough — the team have once again been hovering around in midfield, and the team have only scored eighteen goals. But a Gedeo Escat brace at the halfway mark of the season gives Clyde a victory over Columbia, ensuring they'll end the first half of the season in the top half of the table.

What isn't mentioned, however, is Straton's fate; despite winning against Ridgewell, Brian Devzies submits his resignation after seeing the team still stuck in fourteenth. The question now is who'll come in for him.

Strangely enough, the first half of football in Tumbra ends with three teams level on forty-one points; Lakewood City, Couno Rangers and FC Inter Nantwich. Nantwich put away United convincingly, three goals to one, to send United down to fourth. Granted, United are still only two points behind the top three; but which gets more attention: United Are In Fourth or United Are Two Points Behind The Top Three?

Couno swept past Glenmont, 4-0, to claim their place at the top of the table through goal difference; while City draw a blank against Macarthur. It's narrow at the top, and with Serrapince just five points behind and free of their Champions' League obligations, they could put up an extremely strong second half of the season. It looks to be a five-horse race for the title; and one that promises to have viewers hanging on to every match.

Standings After Matchday Nineteen

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg   Form
 1 Couno Rangers          19   13   2   4    34   12  +22    41    ▲2   WDWWW
 2 Lakewood City          19   12   5   2    41   20  +21    41    ▼1   WLWWD
 3 FC Inter Nantwich      19   12   5   2    29   11  +18    41    ▲2   LWWWW
 4 Lakewood United        19   12   3   4    41   17  +24    39    ▼3   WWWDL
 5 Serrapince             19   11   3   5    34   15  +19    36    ▼1   WDLWW
 6 Kingsbury United       19    9   3   7    23   22   +1    30    -0   WLWLL
 7 Columbia City          19    9   3   7    27   27    0    30    ▲1   LWLWL
 8 Ridgewell Rovers       19    8   5   6    21   19   +2    29    ▼1   DLWDL
 9 Clyde Park             19    8   3   8    20   19   +1    27    ▲3   LWLWW
10 Hesham                 19    8   3   8    17   17    0    27    ▲3   DWLWW
11 Macarthur City         19    7   4   8    16   21   −5    25    ▼1   LWLLD
12 West Couno United      19    6   6   7    30   30    0    24    ▼3   DDDLL
13 Delphi Lionesses       19    5   8   6    22   25   −3    23    ▲2   WWWLD
14 Straton                19    6   5   8    21   25   −4    23    ▼1   LLWWW
15 Sturrey Athletic       19    6   5   8    13   23  −10    23    ▼4   LLLLW
16 Colbrook City          19    5   4  10    18   28  −10    19    -0   LLWWL
17 Fraser Valley          19    4   3  12    21   32  −11    15    ▲2   WDLDW
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Glenmont AFC           19    3   6  10    13   33  −20    15    ▼1   WLDDL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Bencoolen City         19    3   3  13    12   29  −17    12    ▼1   DLLLL
20 Newton Wanderers       19    3   1  15    15   43  −28    10    -0   LWLLD

[Tumbra]

SECOND DIVISION
MID-SEASON

Standings after Matchday Nineteen

   Second Division           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Guillemard Town            19   13   5   1    33    9  +24    44
 2 Clark City                 19   11   6   2    29   11  +18    39
 3 Readale Wanderers          19   12   3   4    27   11  +16    39
 4 Dorival                    19   12   2   5    29   13  +16    38
 5 Port Marray                19   12   2   5    30   15  +15    38
 6 New Timbourne Knights      19   11   4   4    30   12  +18    37
 7 Ricci Ironworkers          19    9   6   4    33   16  +17    33
 8 Kirkby Town                19   10   3   6    25   15  +10    33
 9 AFC Gillman                19    9   5   5    31   19  +12    32
10 Cobham United              19    9   3   7    25   23   +2    30
11 Trelmont Rangers           19    8   4   7    16   16    0    28
12 AFC Cayalon                19    7   4   8    21   18   +3    25
13 Washington City            19    5   7   7    24   22   +2    22
14 Ashton Rovers              19    5   5   9    17   21   −4    20
15 Grange United              19    4   6   9    10   20  −10    18
16 Tavistock Athletic         19    4   3  12    14   39  −25    15
-------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Mackay Rovers              19    2   6  11    14   30  −16    12
18 Carrington Town            19    2   4  13    10   41  −31    10
19 Falmouth Athletic          19    1   5  13     8   43  −35     8
20 Fontwell Rovers            19    1   3  15    14   46  −32     6

THIRD DIVISION EAST
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Third Division East    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Heath Bay Mariners      21   13   6   2    38   13  +25    45
 2 Kelder Phoenixes        21   11   7   3    36   19  +17    40
 3 Hendon Cardinals        21   12   4   5    31   19  +12    40
 4 Readale City            21   11   6   4    29   16  +13    39
 5 Windsor                 21   11   4   6    28   15  +13    37
 6 Newark Argyle           21   10   6   5    28   19   +9    36
 7 Hesham Wanderers        21    9   7   5    26   18   +8    34
 8 Brades United           21    9   5   7    19   20   −1    32
 9 Tavistock Park          21   10   1  10    21   21    0    31
10 Knapford United         21    7   7   7    24   22   +2    28
11 Lambeth                 21    8   4   9    13   21   −8    28
12 Straton Typhoons        21    8   3  10    27   29   −2    27
13 Carter United           21    5  10   6    14   14    0    25
14 Arlington Athletic      21    7   4  10    16   28  −12    25
15 Dieren City             21    6   6   9    22   24   −2    24
16 Harren Armada           21    7   3  11    19   31  −12    24
17 Caldecott 93            21    5   8   8    18   20   −2    23
18 Pinhal Athletic         21    5   7   9    19   27   −8    22
19 Rosyth                  21    6   4  11    21   32  −11    22
----------------------------------------------------------------
20 Wilmington Town         21    6   2  13    24   34  −10    20
21 Staplewood              21    6   2  13    17   34  −17    20
22 Killiney SC             21    3   6  12    18   32  −14    15

THIRD DIVISION WEST
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Third Division West            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Gelder Creek                    21   16   4   1    42   13  +29    52
 2 Millsburgh Steelers             21   14   3   4    30   12  +18    45
 3 Ridgewell United                21   13   5   3    37   17  +20    44
 4 North Thornton United           21   11   5   5    33   21  +12    38
 5 Teignford Academical            21   10   6   5    33   18  +15    36
 6 Nottingham City                 21   11   3   7    21   20   +1    36
 7 Pomeroy Mountaineers            21   10   4   7    24   16   +8    34
 8 Fort Heatherton                 21   10   3   8    25   28   −3    33
 9 Oakton                          21    9   5   7    33   23  +10    32
10 Colney Thorns                   21    9   4   8    21   22   −1    31
11 Hoxford United                  21    9   3   9    28   25   +3    30
12 Enfield                         21    9   3   9    30   35   −5    30
13 Harwick Wanderers               21    7   8   6    18   18    0    29
14 Caldwell City                   21    7   4  10    22   27   −5    25
15 Shepperton Ravens               21    6   6   9    18   20   −2    24
16 Orpington                       21    6   3  12    16   30  −14    21
17 Southport Thunder               21    4   6  11    13   24  −11    18
18 Locomotive Harper               21    3   9   9    17   26   −9    18
19 Millsburgh Revolutionaries      21    5   3  13    12   30  −18    18
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Dunsford                        21    3   8  10    23   33  −10    17
21 Harchester United               21    4   4  13    17   33  −16    16
22 Heffron City                    21    4   3  14    12   34  −22    15

FOURTH DIVISION EAST
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Fourth Division East    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Richmond AFC             21   13   5   3    40   12  +28    44
 2 Wintborough United       21   11   6   4    29   15  +14    39
 3 Rosenberg City           21   11   3   7    28   21   +7    36
 4 Maxwell Arsenal          21   11   2   8    31   16  +15    35
 5 Gisbourne                21    9   7   5    34   21  +13    34
 6 Hindhede FC              21    8   8   5    20   13   +7    32
 7 Mayfield AFC             21   10   2   9    27   23   +4    32
 8 Sherwood Town            21    9   5   7    21   20   +1    32
 9 Farleigh                 21    8   7   6    17   17    0    31
10 Coburg                   21    9   4   8    20   28   −8    31
11 Algoma Wanderers         21    7   7   7    25   21   +4    28
12 Collett Park United      21    7   7   7    25   25    0    28
13 Havelock City            21    7   6   8    24   26   −2    27
14 Knapford City            21    7   6   8    15   28  −13    27
15 Burlington AFC           21    8   2  11    15   21   −6    26
16 Rookworth AFC            21    6   7   8    15   15    0    25
17 Cortlandt United         21    4  11   6    13   18   −5    23
   Melwood United           21    5   8   8    12   17   −5    23
19 Thomson City             21    5   6  10    19   29  −10    21
20 Blakehurst               21    5   6  10    13   27  −14    21
21 Chesterfield             21    4   6  11    16   27  −11    18
22 Wolskel                  21    5   3  13     8   27  −19    18

FOURTH DIVISION WEST
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Fourth Division West       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Dynamo Denhelm              21   12   8   1    40   14  +26    44
 2 Franport                    21   12   5   4    35   18  +17    41
 3 FC Montrose                 21   12   5   4    30   14  +16    41
 4 Clifton                     21   12   4   5    27   20   +7    40
 5 Cheltenham                  21   10   8   3    33   20  +13    38
 6 Othaven                     21   10   8   3    26   19   +7    38
 7 Johnstone Athletic          21    9   8   4    20   13   +7    35
 8 Tevandale Athletic          21   10   3   8    24   21   +3    33
 9 Langley United              21    9   5   7    25   26   −1    32
10 Kellsthorpe                 21    8   6   7    23   23    0    30
11 Brensley                    21    7   7   7    25   21   +4    28
12 Dover                       21    8   4   9    20   20    0    28
13 Monroe Quakes               21    8   4   9    21   23   −2    28
14 Greenford City              21    7   5   9    21   26   −5    26
15 Haversham City              21    7   4  10    19   21   −2    25
16 Ruislip and Ipswich FC      21    5   7   9    20   30  −10    22
17 Ilstead Wanderers           21    6   2  13    24   32   −8    20
18 Denhelm                     21    5   5  11    19   32  −13    20
19 Dunman Bay                  21    4   6  11    21   26   −5    18
20 Blenheim                    21    5   3  13    15   35  −20    18
21 Moresby United              21    4   5  12    12   24  −12    17
22 Prinsip Street              21    3   4  14    20   42  −22    13

[Tumbra]

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON SIX
PART 5: THE SECOND SEX (MATCHDAYS 20-23)

This is an excerpt from the series Premiership Lives, a documentary about the twenty teams in the Premier Division as they navigate their way through the season.

DELPHI LIONESSES and KINGSBURY UNITED
LOUISE HALLDORSEN and SAMARA KANIATARII
talk about being women in football at a time of great change.

Kingsbury

We all know the story of women in Tumbran football. They were hived away, relegated to something less than a sideshow, playing on shit pitches in a shit league, and then suddenly nine of them went to Zeta Reka, won a trophy and then suddenly women were flowing into the league. There's still a ways to go — there are only forty-four female Tumbran players in the Premier Division today — but progress, however slow, is progress; and there are hopes that one day the gender parity in the league will become slightly more equal.

Playing football is one thing, though, but what happens after football is another; the football ecosystem is almost wholly self-sustaining. Coaching, scouting, backroom-ing, business-side, punditry for the more fame-inclined; but the most prominent way to truly make it after you've retired is to go into managing. Note that coaching and managing are referred to differently here. But women weren't really involved in managing or coaching until recently; and even now, outside of the medical staff (which, to be fair, requires an almost entirely different skillset unless said skillset is "run onto the pitch with a sponge" — no, don't laugh, it's happened before in the mythical sixth tier), women are by far underrepresented in the upper echleons of football, still.

So, as seems to be the strategy to plug that gaping hole, two clubs have turned to two different female managers. The first one came in as part of a supposed long-term plan to try and get more women into the game; the other, well...

"Samara Kaniatarii, Kingsbury United."

Samara Kaniatarii was considered a major coup for Kingsbury when they signed her after she left Miposojeon; after all, she'd won a their first title in twenty years with them. Why she'd decided to come to an upper-midtable side in Tumbra after reaching the dizzying heights of the Champions' League is still open to interpretation; but she maintains that Kingsbury was a new and interesting challenge.

"Does the question of your gender ever come into play when you're managing?"

"No, not particularly. I don't see it as important at home. Of course, I know that here, with the recent changes, it's important that I present a role model to young girls in Tumbra, especially those who wish to get into sports and management; but if you want an honest answer, no; not really."

That's a dead end. Not really riveting viewing, that, though it does fit in line with how people do perceive the master tactician. Behind those round-rimmed glasses is a patient, dedicated manager; someone who's willing to put in the hours to try and improve the team's fortunes; and maybe put Kingsbury back at the top of Tumbran football. They have won seven titles, after all; and amongst the fanbase the perception is that this midfield mediocrity (the less said about that one season soujourn in the Second Division, the better) is just a temporary blip. One day they'll return to the top of the league, where they belong. And to them, Samara's the right person to do that. Nobody really cares — apart from that section of the fanbase that will always be conservative on these matters — that she's, well, a woman. To Kingsbury, she's the right person for the job at the right time, and she's doing a damn well better job than Mark Pryor did before he got sacked.

The Rachael Schroeder episode, given Nantwich's fortunes, has been scheduled for later in the season. That leaves one other manager; and hopefully she's more exciting to talk to than Kaniatarii's short-lived interview.

Serrapince

"Hello, my name is Louise Halldorsen, and I am the manager of the Delphi Lionesses."

The Delphi Lionesses. That ambitious project to get more women into the game, helped entirely via making a football club staffed entirely by women. Supposedly inspired by Guerilla Cathair, though Guerilla and Delphi probably couldn't be further apart.

Delphi's trajectory has been up and down, to say the least. They burst onto the field the season after finishing third in the Second Division, then went on to buy an entirely new first XI staffed entirely by female players, did excellently in their first season, and sacked their (male) manager after chairman Julie Smith decided she didn't like his brand of defensive football. Halldorsen was brought in to play more offensive football; and that's something she's achieved. Just about.

The football's good, but the results haven't been as good; they've finished fifteenth and fourteenth in two seasons under Louise, while Michael Hardwick in his only season finished twelfth. The pressure is on, though the Zwangzugian doesn't show it. Rumours of rifts between her and the management, of the management and the players, between her and the players (before this season, at least — there hasn't been much rumour of discontent in the dressing room this season) have created the impression that Delphi isn't exactly the best place to work at right now.

"When you manage a club like Delphi, of course issues like that are going to be part and parcel of the

"It's difficult not to think about being a woman in the job when the club's new mission is to get as many women into the sport as possible, I think."

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

"But surely you've got to balance that with bringing Tumbran talent in, isn't there? The club have come under a fair bit of criticism for the sheer amount of foreign talent that you've got at the club."

"We're working on it, slowly; and you see more youth products coming through. The foreign talent that we've got at our club right now is just to give girls examples of who they can look up to; that a team of women can make it in the harsh, harsh world of football."

Straton have a new manager, and they're another import from the Licentian Isles; Mark Stevenson. His tenure gets off to a relatively uninspiring 1-0 win away at Sturrey, but it is Sturrey. Big things are promised; though he's not exactly happy that Straton are trying to get themselves a new stadium when they're still in the shitter, financials-wise. But Straton fans are pleased; he's promised attacking football. Less pleased is Russell White, who's now seen his manager sacked twice now, and his future at Straton is now insecure.

The second Tumbran Classic of the season ends in a 3-3 draw; much like most other Classics, this one is ill-tempered. But United to enough to knock Couno off the lead of the title race; City's 4-1 demolishing of Ridgewell, spoiled only by a goal from Heidi Canavan, is enough to put them back up on top. Nantwich's relatively closer win over Delphi is enough to keep them up there in the title race.

MATCHDAY 21
Glenmont AFC 1–1 Lakewood United
Fraser Valley 1–0 Lakewood City
Ridgewell Rovers 2–2 Bencoolen City
West Couno United 1–2 Kingsbury United
Clyde Park 2–0 Delphi Lionesses
FC Inter Nantwich 2–1 Newton Wanderers
Columbia City 2–0 Serrapince
Hesham 0–0 Sturrey Athletic
Straton 2–0 Macarthur City
Colbrook City 1–2 Couno Rangers

"But even with the heavy influx of foreign players — which some have said is now vital to foreign teams succeeding — Delphi haven't really succeeded, have they?"

"Well, even if we do have foreigners, we are still a midtable club, and with that comes with the corresponding decrease in resources; and while we're trying to punch upwards, it's still difficult."

Almost immediately City are pegged back by Fraser, recording a famous win on the outskirts of Serrapince. They're the only Serrapince-based team to have any kind of joy, however, because Serrapince lost to Columbia — goals by Tom Burrows and Noel Hercule-McKinley proving too much for a beleaguered and extremely tired Serrapince side — and Delphi crumpled to Clyde, launching the latter to a very familiar seventh in the league. The real winners this week are Nantwich, who pull two points clear of Couno; and all the chaos of the weekend means that Glenmont's draw against United flew relatively under the radar. With United still in fourth — and ahead of the defending champions — the pressure's still not on, though there is a distinct sense that there is a dressing room divide, with AKK's output going down every time Wilton Ramos steps onto the pitch.

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

"Does that give any credence to the rumours that there were major rifts at all levels of the club in the previous season, then? That these internal rifts were what impacted the success of the club over the last few seasons?"

"Well, we certainly had our ups and downs — but I'm happy to say those are behind us, now, and we're all looking forward to moving on; and there's been much more communication between all the stakeholders at the club..."

Mark Stevenson's tenure goes from somewhat mediocre to exceptional as they beat Couno — away, to boot. It was controversial, of course, but a win was a win — and beating Couno is a surefire way to get support for a new manager. Nantwich extend their lead to three points after beating a hapless Serrapince, thanks to an Aventurine Kolar goal, while City wrangle their way back into second.

Further downfield, while Colbrook have done exceedingly well to get themselves out of the relegation zone, Bencoolen have been struggling; with just three wins from twenty-two games, there's a rumour that Russell Lock doesn't have much to go in this job. Results have been thin on the ground, and Bencoolen are treading water; a 1-0 loss to a very beatable Fraser Valley was not a good thing for Bencoolen's continued survival.

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

"...but every time my players walk onto that pitch, I can't help but feel a sense of pride — that I'm part of this movement, a story, to try and change things in Tumbra. And I'll be happy to stay here as long as I'm needed or wanted; come rain or shine."

It's a surprisingly emotional ending to the interview; the pride is clearly there on Halldorsen's face. No matter what's happened at Delphi, or whatever her uncertain future is, she seems happy to be at the club, still; and that's probably what Delphi need the most — stability.

The Lakewood derby is a boring, protracted, almost painfully slow draw; neither team play like they're used to, and neither team look remotely like they want to attack. The draw is well-deserved by both sides; and that's not a compliment. City's slip-up means that Nantwich go five points ahead; and it looks like the Black-and-Blues are hitting their stride. Despite only winning 1-0, thanks to a masterclass by young goalkeeper Joseph Cranston, Nantwich look dominant and reassured the entire game. The odds are shortening on a title charge.

The defending champions are languishing in fifth; last season's title challengers are beset by dressing room problems, Couno still look like they're missing something from a real sustained title fight and City just don't look as inspired as they did when they won their titles at a canter. It's in this atmosphere that Nantwich look poised to strike; and finish what Conan Estelline, sadly, couldn't do two seasons ago.

Downfield, Bencoolen pull themselves into the playoff spot after a six-pointer with Glenmont; while Newton continue their sorry existence at the bottom of the table with a 2-0 loss to West Couno. With eleventh to seventeenth still separated by ten points at this stage of the season, it's still anyone's game to try and finish as high as possible in the minefield of the midtable.

Fifteen matches left; forty-five points to play for. After three lacklustre seasons, it feels like the Premier Division is finally kicking into gear.

Standings After Matchday Twenty-Three

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg   Form
 1 FC Inter Nantwich      23   16   5   2    35   13  +22    53    ▲2   WWWWW
 2 Lakewood City          23   14   6   3    47   22  +25    48    -0   DWLWD
 3 Couno Rangers          23   15   3   5    41   18  +23    48    ▼2   WDWLW
 4 Lakewood United        23   13   6   4    47   21  +26    45    -0   LDDWD
 5 Serrapince             23   13   3   7    40   21  +19    42    -0   WWLLW
 6 Columbia City          23   13   3   7    34   28   +6    42    ▲1   LWWWW
 7 Clyde Park             23   11   3   9    29   24   +5    36    ▲2   WWWWL
 8 Straton                23   10   5   8    28   25   +3    35    ▲6   WWWWW
 9 Kingsbury United       23   10   4   9    26   26    0    34    ▼3   LLWDL
10 Ridgewell Rovers       23    8   8   7    25   26   −1    32    ▼2   LLDDD
11 West Couno United      23    7   8   8    34   33   +1    29    ▲1   LDLDW
12 Macarthur City         23    8   5  10    19   27   −8    29    ▼1   DDLWL
13 Hesham                 23    8   4  11    18   22   −4    28    ▼3   WLDLL
14 Delphi Lionesses       23    5  10   8    24   30   −6    25    ▼1   DLLDD
15 Fraser Valley          23    7   4  12    24   32   −8    25    ▲2   WDWWW
16 Sturrey Athletic       23    6   6  11    14   27  −13    24    ▼1   WLDLL
17 Colbrook City          23    5   5  13    21   37  −16    20    ▼1   LDLLL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Bencoolen City         23    4   5  14    16   33  −17    17    ▲1   LDDLW
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Glenmont AFC           23    3   8  12    15   38  −23    17    ▼1   LDDLL
20 Newton Wanderers       23    3   1  19    17   51  −34    10    -0   DLLLL

[Tumbra]

THE 124TH RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP — THE FOURTH ROUND

Sixteen clubs enter, eight clubs leave. At this point almost the entire field is made up of Premier Division teams; the only stragglers left are Killiney, Carrington Town and the Heath Bay Mariners. They're up against Fraser Valley, Straton and Ridgewell respectively; and surprisingly enough they haven't been counted out immediately.

( D1)       Fraser Valley e 3-2   Killiney SC         (D3E)
( D1)       Columbia City   0-1   Lakewood United     (D1 )
( D1)          Serrapince   2-2 p Hesham              (D1 )
( D1)   FC Inter Nantwich   1-0   Kingsbury United    (D1 )
( D1)   West Couno United   0-1   Lakewood City       (D1 )
( D1)      Macarthur City   0-1   Colbrook City       (D1 )
( D2)     Carrington Town   1-1 p Straton             (D1 )
( D1)    Ridgewell Rovers   3-1   Heath Bay Mariners  (D3E)

But the chips fell where they did, and once again all the quarter-finalists would be Premier Division teams. That didn't mean the lower division teams rolled over and let the First Division teams go on, mind; Killiney took Fraser to extra time, and the only reason it didn't go to penalties was because of a dubious offside call from the referee. Straton got taken to penalties by a tough-tackling Carrington who held fast for a hundred and twenty minutes, while Heath Bay...rolled over.

But back to the league...

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON SIX
PART 6: THE BULL (MATCHDAYS 24-28)

This is an excerpt from the series Premiership Lives, a documentary about the twenty teams in the Premier Division as they navigate their way through the season.

COLBROOK CITY
MATTHEW REEVES
talks about life, the Premier Division, and everything in between.

Colbrook

"It's not a bad life, this. Outside football I don't really like to talk about it. But then again hardly any bit of my life's outside of it, so."

Dressed in a slightly faded tracksuit and a pair of much more worn sneakers, Matthew Reeves welcomes the television crew into his house. It's standard Northern fare, really — bit worn down, paint bleeding here and there, a small garden out back that he uses to grow turnips. To the casual observer, this is not the house of someone who's managing a Premier Division club. Even Tom Watson, manager of Sturrey, has a house that's fancier than about 90% of Sturrey. But not Matt Reeves.

"I don't really care, nah? I mean, a house's a house. Best if I don't spend too much money on it, too. If I ever get booted from the job I'm moving back to Southport. Don't like to stand out, see; I'm a manager of a football club, but football's still the people's sport, and I'll be damned if I suddenly start acting like I'm some sort of political hotshot."

The only thing betraying that this is the house of a Premier Division manager is the stacks of paper full of tactical details and opposition dossiers; and the computer that the man himself says "can be a bit of a hassle to use sometimes."

Meet Matthew Reeves. Progenitor of the 3-3-1-3 formation (in Tumbra, at least), known for his passionate, eccentric behaviour and long-time aversion to managing in the Premier Division. One of the first few questions asked was why he didn't want to manage in the Premier Division.

"I didn't want to manage in the Prem because someone like me's not really welcome there, I feel; I don't place as much of an importance on getting results as other managers do. I want my team to play right; I want my team to play well. Results, if the team puts in the effort, will follow. But that approach is not welcome in Tumbra, it's get results or get out."

"So why the sudden change in heart with Colbrook?"

"Because it's Colbrook."

Cut to scenes of Colbrook. What used to be a transportation hub for the North, and a steel manufacturing centre — where raw material would be carted up from the Southwest, and the rail link would bring it to Westmond for export — has now become slightly less populous. Sure, a lot of people still call it home, and together with Millsburgh and Teignford they form the urban population centre of the northwestern behemoth that is Grantfeldt, but there's a distinct sense that the city's past its prime. The same, frankly, could be said for most cities anywhere west of the Marcato state line; wealth has now increasingly been centralised in the north-east, the entrepot of the country.

What Colbrook lacks in wealth, however, it more than makes up in atmosphere. Because it's Colbrook may just be three words, but the understanding is there. Matthew Reeves has been manager of Colbrook City for the past eight seasons; he's considered a legend here. Reeves' own managerial career spans over three decades, beginning almost immediately after his retirement. He's gained a reputation as a lower-league master, but his tenures at clubs tended to end a bit explosively; one time he spent three weeks at Fontwell before quitting, after an exceptionally loud argument with the board.

Colbrook's the first place, Reeves says, that has almost allowed him carte blanche; free reign to do almost anything he wants. Colbrook has been transformed from a third division midtable side to a side befallen by bad luck in the Second Division, before they finally pushed through to secure a spot in the Premier Division. Fears that Reeves would walk out and leave the team up the creek without a paddle were quickly assuaged when Reeves confirmed that for the first time, he would be staying for the team's first ride in the Premier Division in a long, long while. And so far, it's gone fairly well; while they haven't burst onto the scene a la Delphi in Season 3, they haven't exactly wholly messed it up either, scoring points in ten out of the twenty-three games gone so far.

Not to mention, of course, a run to the quarterfinals of the Republic Cup, which serves as the backdrop to the episode as a whole. But this episode's markedly more personal; we see less professionalism, more amateur camera-making; in one scene, we follow Reeves to the market where he haggles over the price of fish; in another, we see him just preparing a cup of tea while looking over his allotment. There's markedly less football this episode, which is a nice change of pace.

But, of course, we're always reminded that he's a football manager while he's poring over his long dossiers of the opposition; or when he's watching television — but rather than it being Aurora News or TBC One, it's just game footage of Macarthur. And Hesham. And so on. When we do get the Premier Division matches, it's almost painful to see Colbrook fall by the sword, given how much preparation we now know Reeves puts in for every match. We see the relationships he's built up with his squad; while he may scold them, we see the almost fatherly way he treats his charges. We know he cares.

Which makes the losses so much more difficult to bear.

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

"Hesham have been winless since the season restarted; in their last matches they've averaged 34% possession and seven point one eight shots on goal per ninety, of which four come in the opening twenty minutes of each half. If we keep up the pressure and press hard we will be able to keep the ball."

COLBROOK CITY 0 - 3 HESHAM FC
None//Deighton 19', Min 55', Glover 73'

United's attempt to pull themselves up to be on level terms with their neighbours is spoiled once again by a resurgent Straton, who have pulled themselves up to eighth in the standings. It's a freer, faster-flowing game than what the team had under Devzies; and even with a rather defensive line-up, United are unable to defend as well as they like. At least, with three goals scored, they know their offence is still on par. The draw cuts their gap to Serrapince to one point, who walked over West Couno; the Rams themselves also suffered a partially embarrassing, but extremely critical loss to Columbia. The loss sees Lakewood City move back into second, but with a five point gap to the top.

Nantwich, for their part, squeak past Macarthur with a late free-kick taken brilliantly by Julie Dufour.

MATCHDAY 25
Bencoolen City 0–2 Lakewood United
Lakewood City 2–0 Kingsbury United
Glenmont AFC 1–0 Delphi Lionesses
Fraser Valley 2–1 Newton Wanderers
Ridgewell Rovers 2–2 Serrapince
West Couno United 1–1 Sturrey Athletic
Clyde Park 1–0 Macarthur City
FC Inter Nantwich 0–1 Couno Rangers
Columbia City 2–0 Colbrook City
Hesham 2–0 Straton

"Okay, that didn't go as well as we hoped; and I'm disappointed by how quickly we folded. Columbia will prove to be a much tougher match; they've won five matches straight, now, and we're going to have to be near our very best to scrape any points from this one. Mira's injured, so Edwin will have to step in for her; remember, keep the ball tight and narrow; we're going to have to remain defensive for this one."

COLUMBIA CITY 2 - 0 COLBROOK CITY
Rowland 83', 90'+2'//None

Nantwich's five point lead, however, is cut down to two points after a shocking win by Couno; a scuffed penalty leads to a counterattack spearheaded by Dimitra Conder, who herself finishes the goal neatly. Serrapince's season looks to be over after they draw 2-2 with Ridgewell; Columbia, of course, take full advantage of this and leapfrog into fifth, which is the highest ever position they've ever found themselves in. Glenmont pull off a miraculous victory over Delphi but the sentiment now is that it may be too little, too late; but with thirteen matches still to go, every little counts in the fight to avoid the second direct relegation spot.

Hesham, meanwhile, abruptly ends Straton's honeymoon period with Stevenson; "the hard work begins now," was the soundbite of choice after the game. William Wight points to the result and the way his team played to say that Hesham's bad run of form is nearly over; and that he's ready to try and charge up the table again.

"What did it take to get the team out of this bad run of form?" comes the question to William Wight. It's direct, it's meant to get something on the back pages; but William Wight knows how to deal with the media now.

"Coffee," comes the one word answer.

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

COLBROOK CITY 1 - 3 FC INTER NANTWICH
Grimley 65'//Broadhurst 13', Spekman 29', 44'

We're not privy to Colbrook's dressing room this match, but it's probably better if we weren't let in. Nantwich play a second-string side; Nantwich are three-nil up by the end of the first half. It's a shambolic display of football, but Colbrook get one back after the hour mark and look more dangerous after that. But Nantwich's defence, today led inexplicably by the twenty-two year old Juven Joaquin Santo, holds strong.

The faithful, as ever, still sing. The stadium is their church, and the pitch is where they see their gospel written. Sunday afternoons are a break from their dreary existence in the northwest; a chance to forget everything else in their lives and be part of a crowd single-handedly willing their club on, no matter how useless their prayers may be. Less than a hundred kilometres from their city, Tumbra is distancing themselves from the international community; but here, all of that is forgotten.

To confirm just how much trouble Glenmont are in, they lose. To Newton. By four goals. Elsewhere, William Wight's comments about getting over the hump of bad form are redirected to him as United stroll to a 2-1 victory, courtesy of a late comeback; and Straton lose two on the bounce, this time to Columbia. That's all mostly ignored, however, because Delphi pull out a masterstroke; Louise Halldorsen gets the better of John Riedweld and smashes City, 4-1. The result means Nantwich once again go five points clear.

Couno could be hot on Nantwich's tail, and even more so after a 4-3 barnbuster against Clyde, but only have their loss against Columbia to blame. It's become somewhat of a familiar story; one team runs away with the league while the rest trip over their shoelaces trying to catch them. It's good for the team running away with the league; less good for the teams tripping over said shoelaces. Or for viewing figures, really.

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

CLYDE PARK 1 - 0 COLBROOK CITY
Escat 6'//None

One goal in four matches. The only consolation is that the scoreline's only one goal to nil, and that Colbrook are still in eighteenth — they'll probably still win the playoff match — but it's still a sad state of affairs. A few travelling fans are interviewed — thankfully the league mandates that away tickets are set at forty dollars, meaning that quite a few fans can attend — and surprisingly, they're optimistic about it all. After all, this is Colbrook's first season in the Premier Division for a long time. The objective, of course, is to survive. But after all, it's only football; and they'll be with Colbrook, rain or shine, snow or sleet.

The goal Nantwich concedes against Straton is their sixteenth of the season. Sixteen goals conceded, in twenty-seven games; some are already paying out with eleven matches to go. City get themselves back on track and avoid another embarrassment by beating Newton, but Couno fall victim to the Couno derby, and are put to the sword by a brace from Vasya Reisinger — who, by now, has proven herself to be the panacea for West Couno's attacking woes. Let's take a look at the stats:

*                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
12 Macarthur City         27   10   5  12    24   29   −5    35
13 Delphi Lionesses       27    8  10   9    32   33   −1    34
14 West Couno United      27    8   9  10    37   41   −4    33
15 Fraser Valley          27    9   4  14    27   35   −8    31
16 Sturrey Athletic       27    6   7  14    15   32  −17    25

Of the five teams in WCU's general vicinity, they've scored thirty-seven goals, twenty-two more than Sturrey. Okay, maybe that comparison's unfair; Sturrey are well known for not really caring too much about the offensive side of the game. But thirty-seven goals is still a fair bit higher than most midfield teams.

Hesham can properly put their poor form to bed now that they've beaten Columbia, and in doing so, allowed Serrapince to jump back into fifth. They're ten points back with eleven games to go; a title challenge genuinely feels like it's out of reach, even if it still is possible. It's been a gruelling schedule; the Campionato Esportiva di Campeones, the Champions' League, and the league itself; it's no wonder that they were knocked out of the Republic Cup. Some even muttered that it was a sort of blessing.

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

COLBROOK CITY 0 - 2 WEST COUNO UNITED
None//Carson 6', Appleby 69'

Five losses in a row. Colbrook are now nineteenth in the league on goal difference. Reeves looks defeated at the end of the match; Vasya Reisinger looks angry on the bench. It could have been five with her on the pitch. But Bill Thompson wanted to rest her because he knew that Colbrook were the equivalent of a limping gazelle; there was no need to use their full strength on the Northerners when a gentle putting-down would suffice.

The episode ends on Colbrook's faithful chanting about how one day they walked into the stadium and were instantly transfixed. This episode gets the highest ratings of any of the episodes before it by far. The first episode was pure PR; the second episode was pure trashy drama; the rest of the episodes were hurt by their focus on two managers, and not one. But this? This was genuine. This was real. This was gritty, salt-of-the-earth football; this was something people related to. There were suspicions that Colbrook gained an overseas fan or two after the episode, no matter how shitty the football might have been.

But Hesham deal another blow to Nantwich's hopes of a cakewalk to the title, after an early red card for Kolar and Coxeter being forced off injured; without those two to carry the team on their back, Nantwich are considerably weaker. Hesham pull off a famous victory, courtesy of Lucas Russell, but the gap is still at four points.

Four points? Couno did win against Ridgewell, thankfully, but the second Rams goal took a long time to come — almost too long, for some fans. Marco Giuliani was seen, visibly relieved, after Marcus Sheldon bailed them out with an eighty-second minute goal. City, however, lost to Serrapince; it was a mighty effort from the Bees, for one; but they were well-rewarded after Sallay scored two goals in the first half and put the game away. He did look physically exhausted after the game, though.

With ten matches to go, then, Nantwich are still ahead and are still overwhelming favourites to take the title; but United, somehow, and despite all their problems in the dressing room, are now in second.

Standings After Matchday Twenty-Eight

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg   Form
 1 FC Inter Nantwich      28   19   5   4    41   17  +24    62    -0   WLWWL
 2 Lakewood United        28   17   7   4    58   26  +32    58    ▲2   DWWWW
 3 Lakewood City          28   17   6   5    55   29  +26    57    ▼1   WWLWL
 4 Couno Rangers          28   18   3   7    49   25  +24    57    ▼1   LWWLW
 5 Serrapince             28   17   4   7    52   26  +26    55    -0   WDWWW
 6 Columbia City          28   16   3   9    39   31   +8    51    -0   WWWLL
 7 Clyde Park             28   15   3  10    37   29   +8    48    -0   WWLWW
 8 Kingsbury United       28   12   5  11    32   33   −1    41    ▲1   DLWLW
 9 Hesham                 28   12   4  12    27   24   +3    40    ▲4   WWLWW
10 Ridgewell Rovers       28   10   9   9    33   31   +2    39    -0   WDWLL
11 Macarthur City         28   11   5  12    25   29   −4    38    ▲1   LDWWW
12 West Couno United      28    9   9  10    39   41   −2    36    ▼1   LDLWW
13 Straton                28   10   6  12    33   36   −3    36    ▼5   DLLLL
14 Delphi Lionesses       28    8  10  10    32   34   −2    34    -0   WLWWL
15 Fraser Valley          28    9   4  15    27   36   −9    31    -0   LWLWL
16 Sturrey Athletic       28    7   7  14    16   32  −16    28    -0   LDLLW
17 Glenmont AFC           28    4   9  15    20   49  −29    21    ▲2   DWLLL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Bencoolen City         28    5   5  18    18   41  −23    20    -0   LLLLW
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Colbrook City          28    5   5  18    22   48  −26    20    ▼2   LLLLL
20 Newton Wanderers       28    4   1  23    22   60  −38    13    -0   LLWLL

[Tumbra]

THE 124TH RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP — THE QUARTER FINAL

There are eight teams left. Four of these teams are considered members of the Big Six, even if one of them might be losing their claim to being a member of that club pretty soon. Four of these teams are in the Premier Division; yet they're all relatively less fancied. There's Hesham, who are ninth and having a rather up-and-down season that's turning out to be fairly good. There's Ridgewell, who seem to be stabilising as an upper midfield team, and are currently in tenth. There's Fraser, who have almost always consistently disappointed these few years but have somehow survived the minefield long enough to make it to this point, down in fifteenth; and then there's, well, Colbrook. Winless in five. One goal in those five matches.

There are varying odds; but the Rovers are best-placed to upset their Big Six opponents. Which isn't surprising, considering it's Straton. Colbrook and Fraser both have the longest odds, which also isn't surprising, since it's City and United they're up against respectively. Nantwich against Hesham, then, is the main event; Nantwich are Nantwich, of course, but they're down their key players — so it's anyone's guess as to who comes out on top.

( D1)      Fraser Valley   0-4   Lakewood United    (D1 )
( D1)             Hesham   1-3   FC Inter Nantwich  (D1 )
( D1)      Lakewood City   1-0   Colbrook City      (D1 )
( D1)            Straton   1-2   Ridgewell Rovers   (D1 )

In the end, three of the four matches went the way that they were expected, but Hesham did give Nantwich one hell of a fight. Lakewood City, too, were held agonisingly close by Colbrook, with a goal from Jack Reed separating the two sides. It was a more coherent defensive performance from the Northerners than previously, though, and they actually came close to scoring.

But that was that.

Straton's run of form had somehow disappeared as miraculously as it had appeared; a late goal from Heidi Canavan sealed it for the Rovers, and the Capitals were left with just the league to fight for. But given their form, they'd need it.

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON SIX
PART 7: THE MIRACLE-MAKER (MATCHDAYS 29-33)

This is an excerpt from the series Premiership Lives, a documentary about the twenty teams in the Premier Division as they navigate their way through the season.

COUNO RANGERS
MARCO GIULIANI
talks about turning a club around, getting them back on their feet and a possible title challenge.

Couno

Despite being one of the most successful clubs in Tumbra — nineteen league titles, being a member of the Big Six and ascending to the IFCF competitions with increasing regularity — Couno fans often are known as some of the whiniest in Tumbra. But once you look at their side of the story, it makes sense. Couno haven't won a title in twenty-four seasons. They've had too many good players come through their academy and then waste away their careers; they've had one too many dressing room bust-ups, one too many dud signings, one too many poor tactician choices as manager.

Couno's latest mistake, arguably, was Kiggwe Siakam. The Banijan manager came in for Couno's first three seasons in the IFCF era; but his offense-first playstyle led many Couno fans on heart attack situations as the team was never able to get into the consistent form needed for a coherent title challenge. Sure, he didn't have as good a playing squad as he'd liked; but Couno were, in a sense, a "solid, decent" team; enough to challenge for the IFCF, not to challenge for the title.

But he wasn't able to deliver. After Siakam's first season — in which he pulled Couno from thirteenth at the halfway point to fourth on the last day (though they were third at the beginning of it), he wasn't able to repeat it. To more recent fans of Tumbran football, Couno have gained a reputation for being bottlers in the first half of the season; then suddenly pulling things together in the second half, leading to fans hoping that they'll be able to carry on this form into the next season.

Couno Rangers' First/Second Half Records
S        First Half     |     Second Half    |      Final Result
1    13th, 7-3-9, 24pts |    12-2-3, 38pts   |   4th, 19-5-14,  62pts
2    7th,  9-6-4, 33pts |     7-5-7, 26pts   |   7th, 16-11-11, 59pts
3    9th,  8-5-6, 29pts |     8-8-3, 32pts   |   6th, 16-13-9,  61pts
4    9th, 10-2-7, 32pts |    12-4-3, 40pts   |   5th, 22-6-10,  72pts
5    10th, 8-4-7, 28pts |    15-2-2, 47pts   |   4th, 23-6-9,   75pts

That expectation is not unfounded. With the exception of Season 2, Couno have always done better in the second half of the season than they have the first half. Yet the hopes of consistency have come and gone; to the extent that Couno fans have not expected much more from their new manager, Marco Giuliani. His first two seasons went largely the same; except that second half rally got good.

Until this season.

Couno Rangers' First/Second Half Records
S        First Half     |     Second Half    |      Final Result
1    13th, 7-3-9, 24pts |    12-2-3, 38pts   |   4th, 19-5-14,  62pts
2    7th,  9-6-4, 33pts |     7-5-7, 26pts   |   7th, 16-11-11, 59pts
3    9th,  8-5-6, 29pts |     8-8-3, 32pts   |   6th, 16-13-9,  61pts
4    9th, 10-2-7, 32pts |    12-4-3, 40pts   |   5th, 22-6-10,  72pts
5    10th, 8-4-7, 28pts |    15-2-2, 47pts   |   4th, 23-6-9,   75pts
6    1st, 13-2-4, 41pts |     5-1-3, 16pts*  |           ??

*season still in progress

Yes, Couno have finally managed to break their duck, and took their form in the second half of last season to the first half of the season. Which bodes well for Couno fans. Who are the most long-suffering fans in all of Tumbra. Obviously. Key to this rebuild is their Savigliano manager, Marco Giuliani; who has appeared in multiple websites' lists of "Top Ten Football Managers To B**k" or some other lewdly salacious clickbait headline. Today's episode is focused on the smooth-talking, perhaps unlucky Savigliano; and after seeing the positive reaction the Colbrook episode, the producers attempted to go with another person-focused episode.

"Ah...I don't spend too much time thinking about it. We take things one match at a time, one season at a time. Of course we have a plan for the future, and it's working out...ah...very well."

Couno's rebuild — ushered in after Marco took the reins of the team in Season 4 — has seen nineteen million dollars being spent on almost an entirely new first eleven. Names like Seren Thomson, Arwen van As, Luca Cambiaso, Jean-Phillippe Vaillancourt, Dimitra Conder and Mark Finnemore have become the young spine of a team that Marco says will grow into their roles. And it does feel like they're building to something extremely exciting — particularly Conder, who's become somewhat of the main star of the team.

"People say it is a miracle that I am able to bring Couno to become like this. I say no, no, I don't think so, because all this is the effort of so much hard work on the front of everyone. Everyone at the club works so hard, every day, to try and put our club's vision into play. One day, of course, the goal is to fight for the title. But always, I tell my team: Don't put too much pressure on yourself, you know, we're here to play and do what we can. Title can wait, for now, we play, we grow. It's the little things to take the pressure off the team."

Giuliani's managerial career before his stint at Couno was largely uninspiring; he began at EDC Fossano, where he turned them into a solid, exciting midtable side from an uninspiring yo-yo side. Two seasons at Parakelion followed, where the general consensus was that he'd underperformed expectations; and then two seasons at the side of Tlanx-Nulzk Hal's Savigliane team, which he steadfastly refused to tell the interviewers about. By all reports, though, it was an unhappy pairing, despite Tlanx-Nulzk bringing Savigliane to their first, and to date only, knockout round appearance.

Such a CV might not originally have been of interest to Couno, but what with Savigliane-mania sweeping Tumbra, Couno decided to take a chance. And what a chance it's turned out to be. The episode is more standard, more corporate than the Colbrook episode; but there's still a bit of that magic there, coupled with interviews with fans who take any chance to begin talking about Couno's Long History. And it's worked; or it'd work better if Couno weren't generally cast as the main villains of the Premier Division. Them and the rest of the Big Six, really; all but one of them come from the east coast, all of them are generally Rich as Fuck, and the other fourteen teams generally can't stand all six of them as an institution.

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

FRASER VALLEY 0 - 2 COUNO RANGERS
None//Nolan 15', Vaillancourt 73'

We see the effect of Giuliani's training sessions on Rangers' morale; but we're also treated to an absolute juxtaposition between them and Colbrook. That's not to say Colbrook's equipment isn't shit, or bad by any means; but compared to Colbrook the scale and size of Couno's facilities are simply palatial. It's well-groomed, well-run, full of modernist architecture and generous amounts of glass. Is it really any surprise that Couno dominate Fraser?

It seems that when Colbrook have the cameras taken off them, they start to do well. The five-game winless streak is broken by an away win at fellow Northern side Ridgewell; backup striker Andrew Gillingham, ostensibly being given a run out, scores two goals in the last half hour to break the deadlock and seal Colbrook's first win in a while. Fellow relegation battlers Bencoolen fall to Serrapince, but by a narrower-than-expected margin; and a close loss to Macarthur means that Glenmont slip back into the relegation zone.

In the fight for the title, however, things continue to surprise as Columbia continue their giant-killing streak and pounce upon a weakened Nantwich. The gap is now down to one point at the top; United and Rangers, as mentioned above, win their matches, while City's draw to Sturrey drops them to fifth. It's harsh at the top, but this season is one of the most keenly-contested ones; and two points dropped can go a long, long way.

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

COUNO RANGERS 2 - 0 GLENMONT AFC
Anderson 42', Nolan 77'//None

Another week, another victory. Compared to the gritty reality of Colbrook, the Couno episode has unintentionally become an advert for saccharine sweetness; there's no excitement in seeing a team roll over another in victory. That may have contributed to the substantially lower viewership numbers from areas outside the Couno metropolitan area; but but for Couno fans, it's fun seeing their team look good for once. Maybe one day their title drought will be quenched, and this is capped off by Couno moving back into the second-placed spot in the league.

United versus Nantwich is probably one of the most keenly-contested matches this season, given their relative placements in the league; and it delivers, though the solitary goal betrays how exciting, end-to-end this game was. One goal was scored; the common consensus was that it should have been five. But at the end of the day, Nantwich held strong, resisting attack after attack from United, and escaped Trenton Park with all three points. With Serrapince winning their match, too, this means that the top five are separated by four points; and United, Serrapince and City all sit on sixty-one. This title fight is far from finished.

By winning against Fraser — their second victory in a row — Colbrook lift themselves further out of the relegation fight. They may be seventeenth, but they've assembled a six-point gap to Glenmont in eighteenth. Newton, meanwhile, limp back ever closer to relegation; a seven point gap with eight games to go is looking fairly insurmountable.

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

LAKEWOOD CITY 2 - 4 COUNO RANGERS
Bernard 13', Vaughn 58'//Sheldon 6', 15', Hargrove 62', Anderson 88'

Premiership Lives actually manages to cover an exciting match with high stakes this time — Couno travels to Lakewood to take on Robin Vaughn and his merry men (and women). It delivers; the cinematography gets high acclaim, but the match itself is exciting. At full-time, we're treated to Giuliani celebrating madly after his team puts the game to bed; while the gap up top is still two points, they're now four points clear of a rapidly-advancing Serrapince.

...or maybe not. In the long-running tradition of "football clubs make the Narrator look like an idiot," Newton scores a flukey early goal against United and then somehow holds fast against them to record a famous 1-0 victory. Yes. A defence that has conceded 63 goals in 31 matches held fast against Tumbra's strongest offensive trio. Or quartet.

Serrapince make their way up to third, but only because both United and City lose their games. A draw at Delphi is a dismally disappointing result; but if it means Serrapince launch their way into third, even better. Things are looking up for the Bees, who just three matches ago were looking out of the title fight. Now they're back in it.

Columbia may feel on their own in no-mans' land, being 3 points back from City and 7 points ahead of Clyde Park — who were Nantwich's unfortunate victims today — but they've definitely still got the potential to slip up, with a draw in Couno being a big disappointment. Colbrook keep up their run of good form, while Glenmont rue a chance to make up critical ground on their fellow relegation battlers.

MATCHDAY 32
Lakewood United 0–3 Clyde Park
FC Inter Nantwich 0–2 West Couno United
Columbia City 1–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Hesham 1–0 Fraser Valley
Straton 2–1 Glenmont AFC
Colbrook City 1–3 Lakewood City
Couno Rangers 1–0 Bencoolen City
Macarthur City 1–1 Kingsbury United
Sturrey Athletic 2–0 Delphi Lionesses
Serrapince 3–1 Newton Wanderers

COUNO RANGERS 1 - 0 BENCOOLEN CITY
Conder 66'//None

The series has long been ridiculed for bringing bad luck to the team that it's covering — Hesham had a very shaky start to the season, United have had their dressing room collapse from under them, and Colbrook went winless in five — but Couno seem to have flipped this curse on its head. A one-nil win here is narrow, and uninteresting for the most part — a heavily rotated squad is played here — but interspersed with what exciting game footage the directors could edit up is radio commentary of Nantwich's loss to West Couno; a result that sees Couno go on top of the league. It's an unexpected title challenge, and Giuliani is keen to keep up the impression that his team are, in fact, not in the title fight — but his excitement is hard to mask.

The main result of the weekend was, indeed, West Couno triumphing over Nantwich, with a vintage Scott McIntyre performance pushing the league leaders into second; but something that cannot be ignored either was the sheer amount of pressure Lakewood United are now under. Clyde Park are not a team to feel embarrassed to lose to, mind, especially since Joep Martens has rebuilt this squad into something of a force; but United allowed three goals past them. While they're supposedly in a title fight.

Mark van der Brumen's job is now under threat, and the odds are very much in favour of him getting sacked at the end of the season.

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

KINGSBURY UNITED 0 - 0 COUNO RANGERS
None//None

It's perhaps no surprise that this match features the least; the disappointment is only compounded by the fact that only seven days after Couno wrested the lead of the league away from Nantwich, Nantwich steal it back after a comprehensive drubbing of Ridgewell. In terms of football it's bog standard Couno pressing against Kingsbury one-touch passing; but in terms of finishing ability both teams seem to have mysteriously lost it.

That finishing ability seems to have migrated to Lakewood, as Straton get five goals pumped past them; a sign of how much things need to improve under the new Stevenson regime. He's been given this season as a freebie, effectively, but some are still disappointed after the rocket start that was made under his tenure. It's going to be a mammoth task to get this squad back to the days of Galbraith and even Sallay; and until then, there's "probably" going to be a good few players moving on.

Elsewhere, Colbrook's victory over Bencoolen results in the firing of Russell Lock. Some have questioned this decision, particularly since it's very late into the season; some have justified it by pointing out that Lock simply wasn't delivering. Hurriedly rushed into the seat is Jim Heath, who is well-known for his skill in relegation fights.

That was a misnomer. Heath has been relegated twice. He is not good at relegation fights. Glenmont, for their part, beat a lackluster Hesham; and United's sudden crisis grows ever stronger with a 2-0 loss to Serrapince, as they fall to sixth. Columbia re-enter the top five, and with the way United are looking, somehow look like they've got a shot at making it to the IFCF.

The episode, which ends off on Marco talking about the future as he is serenaded by the Couno supporters (the footage is from Couno 1-0 Bencoolen), is received rather more lukewarmly than the Colbrook one, which is unfortunate; because the next episode scheduled is with Rachael Schroeder of Nantwich. Another Big Six team.

Couno fans rate this episode very highly though. Wonder why.

Standings After Matchday Thirty-Three

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg   Form
 1 FC Inter Nantwich      33   22   5   6    47   21  +26    71    -0   LWWLW
 2 Couno Rangers          33   22   4   7    58   27  +31    70    ▲2   WWWWD
 3 Serrapince             33   21   5   7    62   30  +32    68    ▲2   WWDWW
 4 Lakewood City          33   20   7   6    67   37  +30    67    ▼1   DWLWW
 5 Columbia City          33   19   5   9    47   34  +13    62    ▲1   WWDDW
 6 Lakewood United        33   18   7   8    62   34  +28    61    ▼4   WLLLL
 7 Clyde Park             33   18   3  12    45   33  +12    57    -0   WLLWW
 8 Kingsbury United       33   14   7  12    37   36   +1    49    -0   WLWDD
 9 Hesham                 33   14   5  14    31   28   +3    47    -0   LWDWL
10 Straton                33   13   6  14    42   46   −4    45    ▲3   LWWWL
11 West Couno United      33   11  10  12    47   48   −1    43    ▲1   WLDWL
12 Macarthur City         33   12   6  15    31   38   −7    42    ▼1   WLLDL
13 Delphi Lionesses       33   10  11  12    40   43   −3    41    ▲1   LWDDW
14 Ridgewell Rovers       33   10  11  12    38   44   −6    41    ▼4   LLDDL
15 Sturrey Athletic       33   10   8  15    22   35  −13    38    ▲1   DWLWW
16 Fraser Valley          33    9   4  20    28   44  −16    31    ▼1   LLLLL
17 Colbrook City          33    8   6  19    31   54  −23    30    ▲2   WWDLW
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Glenmont AFC           33    5  10  18    26   58  −32    25    ▼1   LLDLW
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Bencoolen City         33    6   5  22    19   47  −28    23    ▼1   LLWLL
20 Newton Wanderers       33    5   1  27    25   68  −43    16    -0   LLWLL

[Tumbra]

THE 124TH RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP — THE SEMI FINAL

At some point cup competitions become more of a hindrance to participate in than a welcome break from league football. Far from meeting teams you probably wouldn't have the chance to meet otherwise, the latter stages of Republic Cups do tend to become "this is the sixteenth Couno Derby of the season." B-teams are carted out, though full-strength teams are always used for the final; and at this point some people would rather just not have to have the extra matches played. But here we are; United versus Nantwich and City versus Ridgewell. United's sketchy form has made them rank outsiders; while Ridgewell have always been long-odds to make it past the behemoth that is City.

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

At the end of the day, what did you really expect? At a certain point cup competitions lose their charm; the element of surprise. The big boys come in, and you know that even though they don't give too much of a damn about cup competitions — they've got other, more important competitions to focus on — they'll still win, due to how deep their squads are. Lakewood United's bench, sans squad drama, could probably win the title. Probably. Ted Bayh said that on television, and he wouldn't be trying to pile pressure on Mark van der Brumen to try and take the United job, would he?

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON SIX
PART 8: THE NEPHARAN (MATCHDAYS 34-37)

This is an excerpt from the series Premiership Lives, a documentary about the twenty teams in the Premier Division as they navigate their way through the season.

FC INTER NANTWICH
RACHAEL SCHROEDER
talks about a title challenge, what it means to Nantwich and herself personally.

FC Inter Nantwich's 2026/27 Season

MD                       Result                        Pts   Pos  Chg
1       FC Inter Nantwich 1–1 Delphi Lionesses           1    10   --
2        Newton Wanderers 0–3 FC Inter Nantwich          4     5   ▲5
3       FC Inter Nantwich 2–0 Serrapince                 7     3   ▲2
4        Sturrey Athletic 0–3 FC Inter Nantwich         10     2   ▲1
5       FC Inter Nantwich 2–0 Macarthur City            13     1   ▲1
6           Couno Rangers 1–3 FC Inter Nantwich         16     2   ▼1
7       FC Inter Nantwich 0–0 Colbrook City             17     2   -0
8                 Straton 0–0 FC Inter Nantwich         18     2   -0
9       FC Inter Nantwich 0–1 Hesham                    18     3   ▼1
10          Columbia City 1–1 FC Inter Nantwich         19     6   ▼3
11      FC Inter Nantwich 1–0 Clyde Park                22     4   ▲2 
12      West Couno United 4–4 FC Inter Nantwich         23     6   ▼2
13      FC Inter Nantwich 1–0 Ridgewell Rovers          26     5   ▲1
14          Fraser Valley 1–2 FC Inter Nantwich         29     3   ▲2
15      FC Inter Nantwich 0–1 Glenmont AFC              29     5   ▼2
16          Lakewood City 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich         32     3   ▲2
17      FC Inter Nantwich 1–0 Bencoolen City            35     4   ▼1
18       Kingsbury United 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich         38     4   -0
19      FC Inter Nantwich 3–1 Lakewood United           41     3   ▲1
20       Delphi Lionesses 1–2 FC Inter Nantwich         44     2   ▲1
21      FC Inter Nantwich 2–1 Newton Wanderers          47     1   ▲1
22             Serrapince 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich         50     1   -0
23      FC Inter Nantwich 1–0 Sturrey Athletic          53     1   -0
24         Macarthur City 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich         56     1   -0
25      FC Inter Nantwich 0–1 Couno Rangers             56     1   -0
26          Colbrook City 1–3 FC Inter Nantwich         59     1   -0
27      FC Inter Nantwich 2–1 Straton                   62     1   -0
28                 Hesham 1–0 FC Inter Nantwich         62     1   -0
29      FC Inter Nantwich 0–2 Columbia City             62     1   -0
30        Lakewood United 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich         65     1   -0
31             Clyde Park 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich         68     1   -0
32      FC Inter Nantwich 0–2 West Couno United         68     2   ▼1
33       Ridgewell Rovers 0–4 FC Inter Nantwich         71     1   ▲1
34      FC Inter Nantwich vs. Fraser Valley
35           Glenmont AFC vs. FC Inter Nantwich
36      FC Inter Nantwich vs. Lakewood City
37         Bencoolen City vs. FC Inter Nantwich
38      FC Inter Nantwich vs. Kingsbury United

Nantwich

Perhaps Tumbra might be the place for managers who find their careers on the downswing to revive them; or maybe it's just a similar thread running through both Marco Giuliani and Rachael Schroeder's careers that they're finding more success in Tumbra than anywhere else in their careers. Before arriving in the port city of Nantwich, Rachael Schroeder had been manager of Alliance Barossia for five seasons, doing decently; then she was shuffled through several clubs in a single Zenith season, before being eventually spat out by the Chenoworth Harriers. Granted, she did only win three games in sixteen matches and ended up sending the Harriers down; but a fresh start was needed.

Enter Nantwich; fresh off the stinging disappointment of losing a title on goal difference and looking for a new manager to replace the recently retired Conan Estelline. Schroeder presented herself as the manager of continuity; and was promptly picked up by Nantwich. She then proceeded to stridently keep to that message of continuity, and didn't make any signings in her first season at the club. Predictably, though, the club faltered. Hard. They fell to fifth; and the message was clear — improvement next season, or back into unemployment you go.

So she did.

The impression Schroeder first gives off when she sits down in front of the camera is just that she's...tired. Not tired of football, mind; she is still in charge of a club that had been leading the Prem for eleven straight weeks until an untimely loss to West Couno, but just tired in general. That doesn't stop her from putting her best foot forward in the interview; she's as strong-willed as she is in her press conferences.

"Well, a title challenge was always in the plans for this season. Bar some early-season mishaps where it was evident the team still needed some time to get together, and a few recent losses that I can only put down to just how much football there is being played these days, I think we've got a handle on things. This club has always had the potential to go far."

She's right, for the most part. Nantwich have gone 22-5-6 in their thirty-three matches played so far; and despite her style of football being quite neutral, the Nantwich defence has only conceded twenty-one goals — by far the lowest in the Premiership this season.

"Well, I would say a lot of what we have now is because of what Mr. (Conan) Estelline did; he brought in some pieces, and began assembling it; but was pipped at the last minute. Now we've gone forward from where he's left off; I've made my own adjustments."

Her adjustments ended up being two members from AFC Treason's four-in-a-row title-winning squad — Aventurine Kolar and Basilica Coxeter. Purchased for a princely sum of thirteen million dollars, the two have quickly embedded themselves into Nantwich's fabric; and have arguably been the key reasons why Nantwich have moved forward from where they were last season to, well, favourites to take the title.

"Are we the favourites? No. It's bad luck to ever say you're the favourites; but you need to have the confidence to go forth and win."

The bookies don't agree with Schroeder's explicit assessment; but her implicit assessment that Nantwich probably are the favourites is more in line with them. With five matches to go, Nantwich hold a slender one-point lead atop the league. It's still anyone's competition — so long as "anyone" is Nantwich, Couno, Serrapince and Lakewood City.

But of the four title contenders, Nantwich have the quote-unquote "easiest" schedule. It's a five-week sprint, and Nantwich have a small, but ultimately very meaningful, advantage.

.                   34              35              36              37              38
Nantwich        Fraser (H)      Glenmont (A)    City (H)        Bencoolen (A)   Kingsbury (H)
Couno           Delphi (H)      Newton (A)      Serrapince (H)  Sturrey (A)     Macarthur (H)
Serrapince      Sturrey (A)     Macarthur (H)   Couno (A)       Colbrook (H)    Straton (A)
City            Hesham (A)      Columbia (H)    Nantwich (A)    Clyde (H)       WCU (A)

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

FC INTER NANTWICH 2 - 0 FRASER VALLEY
Broadhurst 31', Baxter 72'//None

"If, let's say, you were to go on and win the title — what would it mean for you?"

"Oh, I don't like speculating on the title itself, nor will I talk about what it means for me; I don't really like to do that."

"The club, then. What would it mean for the club?"

"This club last won a title in 2015. That's twelve seasons ago. It'd be a welcome end to the drought, of course, and I think it'd mean a lot to this city as a whole. Also it'd go a long way to excising the demons from two seasons ago, when the club was so close, yet so far."

United finally get their flailing form under control, with a tacit agreement that AKK will be sold at the end of the season. The resolution is possibly the worst-case scenario for United fans, who now stand the prospect of losing both their top-class wingers in the summer — the fanbase has soured on Ramos, even though he hasn't done anything wrong in Tumbra. A growing subsection of the fanbase are calling for his contract to be cancelled, but he is — was, rather — a key part of United's strategy to, well, winning the title.

Serrapince's title charge is stopped almost as soon as it begins, with a dour draw against Sturrey meaning two easy points dropped. Their schedule isn't as difficult as City's, but they can't afford any more mistakes — especially since the match that's about to determine their fate against City is coming up so, so soon. Couno, meanwhile, skate past Delphi.

Fourteen points to safety with four points remaining, the best Newton can now do is the playoff; and even then, that's a remote prospect in and of itself. Manager Chris Haines has announced his intent to step down after the season is over; and possibly join the coaching staff of another club. Rudderless and adrift, Newton tried but they just couldn't make it.

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

GLENMONT AFC 0 - 3 FC INTER NANTWICH
None//Coxeter 33', 87' (pen.) Fisher 66'

Quite a bit of the episode is dedicated to Basilica Coxeter's rehabilitation; and it's capped off satisfyingly with her doing her first 90 since her injury against Glenmont, with her back to her usual scoring form. But the question persists —

"But to you, what would it mean to you?"

"A title's a title, of course, and I'll definitely be happy to have won it."

Serrapince get back on track with a beating of Macarthur, while Couno and City both sweep aside their opponents. City 4-1 Columbia was particularly brutal, since Columbia themselves are still in contention for that fifth IFCF spot. The result sees Columbia drop below United, but only on goal difference. Which doesn't feel particularly deserved by United, either, since Sturrey hold United to a...rather lacklustre draw themselves. Another two points dropped; and United are officially out of contention for the title. It stings, and it's sore; but nobody can't say that this was an outcome that wouldn't happen after the whole Ramos/AKK rift. Mark van der Brumen's head is on the chopping block if United don't hold fifth; that much is certain.

With nine points to the playoff spot with three games remaining, Newton's latest loss to Couno effectively marks the end of their time in the Prem. Bencoolen have a less harsh time about it, running Hesham ragged but ultimately coming short. The gap to the safety of the playoff game is two points with three games left to go — something more doable than Newton's task.

Clyde, meanwhile, hit 60 points, confirming their top 10 status for the season. After the near-meltdown two seasons ago, it's a good return to form, and goes a long way to help assuage fears that Clyde would be going the way of Straton.

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

FC INTER NANTWICH 3 - 0 LAKEWOOD CITY
Coxeter 66', Fisher 78', Dufour 89'//None

This is perhaps the biggest match of the entire season — if Nantwich slip up here, then their challenge is effectively dead. While she was very reluctant to tell the interviewer about what the title would mean to her, it spills out here. She narrates her managerial career to her players, and tells them of the bitter disappointment of being spat out by the Zenith's managerial merry-go-round; but that they all have a chance to make things right. For her, it's a chance to prove that she's not a managerial basket case. For Nantwich, it's a chance to avenge their failures from two years ago.

They do. The game's an end-to-end affair, but Nantwich go full tilt in the last half hour, and beat City by an exceptionally convincing 3-0 scoreline to knock City out of contention for the title. Serrapince take on Couno and win, giving Nantwich a five-point lead with two games remaining. The title is in Nantwich's grasp. All they need to do is hold out for another hundred and eighty minutes.

Five point gap with two matches to go. That's the size of Nantwich's lead as they enter the penultimate matchweek, but that is also Glenmont's lead over Bencoolen as they pull off a surprising victory, away, in Clyde. Zheng Haidong is the one to thank, here; the Yue midfielder, who has been earnmarked for a transfer to a bigger side in the summer, nets the game-deciding goal to essentially secure the playoff berth for Glenmont. Bencoolen, for their part, go down fighting to Columbia; while Colbrook suffer an ignominous defeat to Newton, to put their 17th place spot in danger, even.

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

BENCOOLEN CITY 4 - 2 FC INTER NANTWICH
Garrock 11', Dixon 25', Ingwood 88', 90'+3'//Robertson 31', Choi 49'

All they need to do is hold out for another hundred and eighty minutes...and they fail, going down 4-2 to a spirited Bencoolen side. "A team with their backs against the wall is normally a team that is the most dangerous," says Schroeder in the press conference. "Sometimes you are unlucky enough to get stung." Late substitute Rita Ingwood runs rings around an exhausted Nantwich midfield to score two very late goals, ensuring that the gap, somehow, is cut down to two points again.

Serrapince leapfrog Couno into second by virtue of their win over Colbrook, while Couno were held to another draw by Sturrey — something that is slowly becoming a habit of theirs — to ensure that the best they can do is to finish is level on points with the Black-and-blues. On goal difference, however, both Serrapince and Couno hold the advantage.

The run-in to Matchday 38 is a situation that's eerily similar to that of two seasons ago. The Nantwich faithful will be hoping history doesn't repeat itself.

United take another embarrassing loss to Macarthur, and a statement after the game confirms that Mark van der Brumen will be leaving Lakewood United after his final game against Fraser Valley. Speculation is rife over who will take the job; the bookies' favourite is Ted Bayh, eager to return to management after a two-season sabbatical, and probably the only name big enough in Tumbra to take over the job. Outside picks are Samara Kaniatarii and David Griffiths; but Bayh remains the odds-on favourites.

Fraser finally, belatedly secure survival despite a loss to Ridgewell; they are now four points clear of the playoff mark with just the one game left. Serrapince's victory over Colbrook may have dampened their spirits, but they can be content — they will not be directly relegated this season. So it's Glenmont and Bencoolen who have the most nailbiting finishes to the season; they'll both be trying to avoid the drop, and instead flee to the relative safety of the playoff match.

Nantwich play Kingsbury, Couno play Macarthur and Serrapince play Straton. It's a three-way fight to the finish; and one that promises fireworks for the last matchday, and more.

Schroeder doesn't really come off as much of a sympathetic figure to the producers as they thought she'd be. Maybe it's just that Nepharan stoicism that's come to be a small bit of Tumbran footballing culture; after all, Nepharim are by far and away the most represented foreign nationality in Tumbra. Maybe it's something about their style of play, their rather more bare-knuckled physicality contrasting with the Tumbran focus on technicality that's attractive to recruiters in Tumbra; or maybe it's the fact that Nepharan footballers are everywhere these days. "If there's a league, there's a Nepharan," the saying goes.

Standings After Matchday Thirty-Seven

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg   Form
 1 FC Inter Nantwich      37   25   5   7    57   25  +32    80    -0   WWWWL
 2 Serrapince             37   24   6   7    68   32  +36    78    ▲1   WDWWW
 3 Couno Rangers          37   24   5   8    63   29  +34    77    ▼1   DWWLD
 4 Lakewood City          37   22   8   7    74   43  +31    74    -0   WWWLD
 5 Columbia City          37   22   5  10    54   39  +15    71    -0   WWLWW
 6 Lakewood United        37   20   8   9    71   40  +31    68    -0   LWDWL
 7 Clyde Park             37   19   4  14    48   37  +11    61    -0   WLWLD
 8 Kingsbury United       37   16   8  13    41   40   +1    56    -0   DWDWL
 9 Straton                37   16   7  14    51   49   +2    55    ▲1   LWDWW
10 Hesham                 37   15   5  17    36   35   +1    50    ▼1   LLWLL
11 West Couno United      37   13  11  13    52   53   −1    50    -0   LLWDW
12 Macarthur City         37   14   7  16    39   43   −4    49    -0   LWLDW
13 Delphi Lionesses       37   12  11  14    45   50   −5    47    -0   WLWLW
14 Ridgewell Rovers       37   12  11  14    42   49   −7    47    -0   LWLLW
15 Sturrey Athletic       37   10  12  15    23   36  −13    42    -0   WDDDD
16 Fraser Valley          37    9   5  23    28   48  −20    32    -0   LLLDL
17 Colbrook City          37    8   6  23    35   63  −28    30    -0   WLLLL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Glenmont AFC           37    6  10  21    31   68  −37    28    -0   WLLWL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Bencoolen City         37    7   5  25    25   55  −30    26    -0   LLLLW
20 Newton Wanderers       37    6   1  30    27   76  −49    19    -0   LLLWL

[Tumbra]

SECOND DIVISION
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Thirty-Eight

   Second Division           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Guillemard Town            38   23   7   8    62   26  +36    76   Champions; Promoted
 2 Port Marray                38   23   7   8    54   26  +28    76   Promoted
 3 Clark City                 38   22   9   7    50   26  +24    75   Play-off
 4 Kirkby Town                38   21   4  13    52   30  +22    67
 5 AFC Gillman                38   19  10   9    52   31  +21    67
 6 Ricci Ironworkers          38   18  11   9    50   26  +24    65
 7 Dorival                    38   19   6  13    48   31  +17    63
 8 Readale Wanderers          38   18   8  12    42   32  +10    62
 9 Trelmont Rangers           38   18   8  12    34   29   +5    62
10 New Timbourne Knights      38   18   5  15    48   41   +7    59
11 Washington City            38   14  14  10    48   36  +12    56
12 Ashton Rovers              38   14   7  17    33   38   −5    49
13 AFC Cayalon                38   12  12  14    35   35    0    48
14 Cobham United              38   12  10  16    39   49  −10    46
15 Mackay Rovers              38    9  11  18    36   45   −9    38
16 Tavistock Athletic         38    9   8  21    34   68  −34    35
-------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Grange United              38    7  13  18    24   43  −19    34   Relegated [D3E]
18 Falmouth Athletic          38    7   9  22    29   68  −39    30   Relegated [D3W]*
19 Carrington Town            38    5   8  25    26   69  −43    23   Relegated [D3E]
20 Fontwell Rovers            38    4   9  25    28   75  −47    21   Relegated [D3W]

*Relegated to Division Three West due to geographical constraints.

THIRD DIVISION EAST
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Forty-Two

   Third Division East    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Kelder Phoenixes        42   24   9   9    70   35  +35    81   Champions; Promoted
 2 Readale City            42   23  11   8    66   37  +29    80   Promoted
 3 Newark Argyle           42   22  10  10    51   34  +17    76
 4 Heath Bay Mariners      42   19  14   9    67   41  +26    71
 5 Hendon Cardinals        42   20  10  12    55   38  +17    70
 6 Hesham Wanderers        42   19  12  11    53   39  +14    69
 7 Windsor                 42   20   8  14    65   43  +22    68
 8 Dieren City             42   19   8  15    50   44   +6    65
 9 Carter United           42   16  16  10    42   29  +13    64
10 Straton Typhoons        42   17   6  19    52   56   −4    57
11 Lambeth                 42   15   9  18    34   45  −11    54
12 Brades United           42   14  11  17    35   44   −9    53
13 Tavistock Park          42   16   5  21    36   47  −11    53
14 Pinhal Athletic         42   13  13  16    42   54  −12    52
15 Caldecott 93            42   12  15  15    43   42   +1    51
16 Rosyth                  42   13  10  19    48   59  −11    49
17 Knapford United         42   12  12  18    44   52   −8    48
18 Harren Armada           42   13   8  21    40   63  −23    47
19 Arlington Athletic      42   11  12  19    42   61  −19    45
----------------------------------------------------------------
20 Wilmington Town         42   12   7  23    46   64  −18    43   Relegated
21 Staplewood              42   12   6  24    41   69  −28    42   Relegated
22 Killiney SC             42    6  16  20    41   67  −26    34   Relegated

THIRD DIVISION WEST
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Forty-Two

   Third Division West            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Gelder Creek                    42   28  10   4    67   25  +42    94   Champions; Promoted
 2 Ridgewell United                42   26   9   7    72   35  +37    87   Promoted
 3 North Thornton United           42   24  10   8    63   36  +27    82
 4 Millsburgh Steelers             42   23  11   8    59   31  +28    80
 5 Oakton                          42   20  11  11    58   35  +23    71
 6 Nottingham City                 42   20   9  13    47   39   +8    69
 7 Teignford Academical            42   19  10  13    53   35  +18    67
 8 Harwick Wanderers               42   19  10  13    47   38   +9    67
 9 Fort Heatherton                 42   18  10  14    51   50   +1    64
10 Pomeroy Mountaineers            42   17  10  15    40   37   +3    61
11 Hoxford United                  42   15  11  16    53   52   +1    56
12 Enfield                         42   15  10  17    55   69  −14    55
13 Colney Thorns                   42   13  11  18    42   52  −10    50
14 Caldwell City                   42   14   8  20    43   51   −8    50
15 Shepperton Ravens               42   11  11  20    37   45   −8    44
16 Dunsford                        42   10  14  18    48   59  −11    44
17 Southport Thunder               42   11   9  22    35   50  −15    42
18 Orpington                       42   10  10  22    37   64  −27    40
19 Millsburgh Revolutionaries      42   11   7  24    36   62  −26    40
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Harchester United               42   10  10  22    35   58  −23    40
21 Heffron City                    42   10   9  23    32   60  −28    39
22 Locomotive Harper               42    5  16  21    29   56  −27    31

FOURTH DIVISION EAST
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Forty-Two

   Fourth Division East    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Richmond AFC             42   22  12   8    69   33  +36    78   Champions; Promoted
 2 Mayfield AFC             42   24   5  13    59   42  +17    77   Promoted
 3 Rosenberg City           42   22   6  14    58   42  +16    72   Promoted
 4 Maxwell Arsenal          42   22   5  15    60   36  +24    71
 5 Hindhede FC              42   18  16   8    48   25  +23    70
 6 Gisbourne                42   20   9  13    60   43  +17    69
 7 Collett Park United      42   18  14  10    61   42  +19    68
 8 Rookworth AFC            42   18  11  13    44   34  +10    65
 9 Sherwood Town            42   18  10  14    37   35   +2    64
10 Melwood United           42   17  12  13    41   39   +2    63
11 Algoma Wanderers         42   15  15  12    48   41   +7    60
12 Wintborough United       42   16  10  16    47   36  +11    58
13 Farleigh                 42   15  11  16    33   39   −6    56
14 Coburg                   42   14  11  17    37   49  −12    53
15 Blakehurst               42   13  13  16    37   44   −7    52
16 Havelock City            42   12  12  18    46   54   −8    48
17 Knapford City            42   12  11  19    26   52  −26    47
18 Cortlandt United         42    9  17  16    25   46  −21    44
19 Burlington AFC           42   12   7  23    32   53  −21    43
20 Thomson City             42    9  14  19    37   59  −22    41
21 Chesterfield             42    8  12  22    28   48  −20    36
22 Wolskel                  42    8   7  27    25   66  −41    31

FOURTH DIVISION WEST
END OF SEASON

Standings After Matchday Forty-Two

   Fourth Division West       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Clifton                     42   26   7   9    70   38  +32    85   Champions; Promoted
 2 FC Montrose                 42   25   9   8    67   29  +38    84   Promoted
 3 Cheltenham                  42   23  12   7    62   34  +28    81   Promoted
 4 Tevandale Athletic          42   23   8  11    55   32  +23    77
 5 Franport                    42   21  11  10    65   38  +27    74
 6 Othaven                     42   17  18   7    48   36  +12    69
 7 Dynamo Denhelm              42   18  14  10    58   37  +21    68
 8 Dover                       42   17  13  12    45   39   +6    64
 9 Langley United              42   18  10  14    41   42   −1    64
10 Johnstone Athletic          42   17  12  13    36   36    0    63
11 Moresby United              42   16   6  20    34   42   −8    54
12 Brensley                    42   14  10  18    48   48    0    52
13 Ruislip and Ipswich FC      42   14  10  18    36   46  −10    52
14 Monroe Quakes               42   14  10  18    41   52  −11    52
15 Haversham City              42   13  11  18    42   49   −7    50
16 Kellsthorpe                 42   13  10  19    41   54  −13    49
17 Ilstead Wanderers           42   14   5  23    43   52   −9    47
18 Prinsip Street              42   11   9  22    36   62  −26    42
19 Greenford City              42   11   8  23    38   57  −19    41
20 Blenheim                    42   11   7  24    30   54  −24    40
21 Denhelm                     42    7  14  21    32   61  −29    35
22 Dunman Bay                  42    7  10  25    37   67  −30    31

[Tumbra]

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON FIVE
PART 9: THE SWANSONG (MATCHDAY 38)

Unfortunately, the Tom Watson episode was cut, leaving an unsatisfactorily-edited montage of the final day's events to serve as the capstone for the series. While the series started strong, it eventually got bogged down in lower ratings (with the exception of that one Colbrook episode); and the series was not renewed. Maybe in the future another daring producer will pick it up; but for now, Premiership Lives is dead.

But there's always football.

Standings Before Matchday Thirty-Eight

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg   Form
 1 FC Inter Nantwich      37   25   5   7    57   25  +32    80    -0   WWWWL
 2 Serrapince             37   24   6   7    68   32  +36    78    ▲1   WDWWW
 3 Couno Rangers          37   24   5   8    63   29  +34    77    ▼1   DWWLD
 4 Lakewood City          37   22   8   7    74   43  +31    74    -0   WWWLD
 5 Columbia City          37   22   5  10    54   39  +15    71    -0   WWLWW
 6 Lakewood United        37   20   8   9    71   40  +31    68    -0   LWDWL
 7 Clyde Park             37   19   4  14    48   37  +11    61    -0   WLWLD
 8 Kingsbury United       37   16   8  13    41   40   +1    56    -0   DWDWL
 9 Straton                37   16   7  14    51   49   +2    55    ▲1   LWDWW
10 Hesham                 37   15   5  17    36   35   +1    50    ▼1   LLWLL
11 West Couno United      37   13  11  13    52   53   −1    50    -0   LLWDW
12 Macarthur City         37   14   7  16    39   43   −4    49    -0   LWLDW
13 Delphi Lionesses       37   12  11  14    45   50   −5    47    -0   WLWLW
14 Ridgewell Rovers       37   12  11  14    42   49   −7    47    -0   LWLLW
15 Sturrey Athletic       37   10  12  15    23   36  −13    42    -0   WDDDD
16 Fraser Valley          37    9   5  23    28   48  −20    32    -0   LLLDL
17 Colbrook City          37    8   6  23    35   63  −28    30    -0   WLLLL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Glenmont AFC           37    6  10  21    31   68  −37    28    -0   WLLWL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Bencoolen City         37    7   5  25    25   55  −30    26    -0   LLLLW
20 Newton Wanderers       37    6   1  30    27   76  −49    19    -0   LLLWL

Most things look set in stone. Nantwich are still favourites for the title, holding a two-point gap over Serrapince. Couno could realistically still win if both Serrapince and Nantwich lose — after all, they've got the superior goal difference — but they're still looked upon as rank outsiders. City are essentially guaranteed fourth, while Columbia need to ensure they gain at least a point from their game against Delphi to solidify their hold on fifth and relegate United to having no international football — something which would most likely mean the end of Kourniloff-Kouyate's time at the club.

Clyde cannot move further up or down from seventh, which in itself is an achievement for the young Martens — who brought the team from their shambolic season in thirteenth a few years prior. Kingsbury and Straton present the first truly interesting competition in this table; Kingsbury, of course, play Nantwich, and the odds are against them, meaning that Straton may be able to do some last-minute leapfrogging and present their season as a "not so bad" one for them, after the ignominy of finishing ninth the season prior. Hesham and WCU are tied on points, and look to claim that last top-half spot; but both can be relatively pleased with how their seasons have gone. Just beneath them, Macarthur, Delphi and Ridgewell could all hit that fifty-point marker. The midfield battle was something that was relatively skirted over this season, but five teams in a constant dogfight with each other has been one of the highlights of it — and you'll have to take our word for it. Sturrey are locked into fifteenth, while Fraser look relatively secure in sixteenth. They're safe from having to head to the playoffs, in any case.

Colbrook, Glenmont and Bencoolen are looking to try and clamber over the club ahead of them, to try and doom the other to the fortune they don't want. Colbrook want to hold on to seventeenth; Glenmont want to take that seventeenth spot, and send Colbrook to the playoffs, while Bencoolen want Glenmont's playoff spot, and instead send Glenmont directly down to the Second Division. If Glenmont do manage to overtake Colbrook, however, it's game over.

Newton are going down.

But there's still one more match of football left to play. And, as is tradition, all matches on the final day started at the same time.

MATCHDAY 38

Hesham 4–1 Newton Wanderers

For Hesham, tenth was about a strong a finish they could've expected. Having lost their manager (and replaced him with a complete novice) and several of their key pieces, most were expecting a season of mediocrity and an eventual return to lower midtable that has characterised most of their time in the Premiership. Yet, a focus on defence, and the leadership of personalities like Harvard Popov and Lucas Russell stepping up on the pitch have led to a finish that wasn't actually that bad — and bodes well for the future, in all honesty.

Newton tried. They really did! But someone has to finish last, and unfortunately for them they could only muster twentieth as luck turned against them. They tried to right their course by sacking their manager after ten straight defeats — but that didn't help. There's no word on whether Chris Haines will stay with the team as they head back to the Second Division on the second time of asking; but the Newton leadership apparently see the fresh-faced 45 year-old as someone who could become a long-term custodian of the side. Oh well. The very definition of a side that's too good for the Second Division, but not good enough for the Prem, they'll be back. Hopefully, for Newton supporters, it'll be at the first time of asking.

Hesham ended their debut campaign under William Wight with a strong 4-1 win over Newton, securing themselves tenth; Isla Kincorick gracing the George Bowen with a rare headed goal, while Newton could only point to a Gerhard Exeter counter as a response.

Clyde Park 1–0 Bencoolen City

Seventh for Clyde was a foregone conclusion, but the result marked a return to form for the Clearmont-based side, as their fans dared to dream again. No longer were they haunted by that time they finished thirteenth after selling Neil Fraser and Pierre-Louis Laishram; now they had a team they could properly call their own once more. If anything, the stewardship of Joep Martens had improved the club; and his steady approach to building a team seemed to be paying off in droves. Even Alistair McGarry, who had been praised as the successor to Neil Fraser and flopped immensely, had shown signs of redeeming himself. Things were once again on the up in Clyde; and maybe, just maybe, one day they'd make their mark on Tumbran football.

Bencoolen tried, and burst onto the scene impressively last season with their army of Brenecians; but in the end, they fell to second season syndrome and finished nineteenth. Was their offensive line too old? Did the departure of Kim Kearnes to their opponents doom them? Was Russell Lock out of his depth? Maybe. Either way, Helmut Kerner wasn't pleased; Bencoolen would be back. Maybe at the first time of asking; maybe not. But regardless, it was a state of disappointment for them, who'd failed to beat their less-fancied rivals Sturrey in both seasons they'd been in the Prem.

Kim Kearnes, who'd transferred from Bencoolen to Clyde, showed the Merchants exactly what they were missing by scoring a beautiful solo goal to render all the yellow side's efforts moot. She did, however, refuse to celebrate after scoring the goal; a nice touch to the club that had given her a platform to shine on the Tumbran footballing stage.

Ridgewell Rovers 4–2 Glenmont AFC

Macarthur, WCU, Ridgewell and Delphi constantly fall into a conversation over whether they should be doing better with the resources they have at their disposal. Each time the answer seems to be "yes", but to varying degrees. Ridgewell, however, keep coming in for the strongest of those yeses; and it's easy to see why. Thirteenth for them, on fifty points, seems to be quite disappointing; but the fifty points seems to have secured Mark Pryor another season at the helm. But this doesn't feel like where a squad with this amount of talent — Malachite Riester, Julian Stance, Clay van der Hout, Christophe Ghislane, John Rouse — should be. The same could be said for any of the other teams in this list, of course, but for Ridgewell they seem to be constantly kept down by disappointment.

Glenmont pull it off yet again; another great escape. It's worth noting that if the playoff system hadn't existed last season, they'd be in the Second Division right now. Eighteenth felt deserved; and the axe finally fell on manager Paul Cramner, who wouldn't be returning next season. But who'd come in to replace him? And who would be in charge for the game against a strongly-charging Clark City?

The Rovers turned on the style against Glenmont, but the opposition showed up willing to do battle, as well; but once the news of Kim Kearnes' goal filtered through to Kensington, the Lynxes seemed to turn off. Despite the fact that the score was 2-2, and there was a chance they could still overtake Colbrook. Every season, the phrase "Glenmont is surviving on borrowed time" seems to return; and every time, that phrase seems more and more prescient.

Colbrook City 1–3 Sturrey Athletic

Colbrook's success in their first season is eerily reminiscent of Bencoolen's; bursting onto the scene, playing fantastic football and finishing well above where they were expected. Seventeenth was a good result; but with interest from overseas — especially Quebec — there are questions over Colbrook's second season, especially if the man responsible for bringing them to where they are now leaves.

Sturrey seem to have moved on from constantly being relegation fodder to constantly finishing fifteenth. Forty-two points isn't their highest haul by any means, but it's in line with what they've got from recent seasons. But they'll have to move forward from not having their manager — after all, Tom Watson is retiring. Maybe this will mark the end of the steadfastly defensive, tough-tackling football found in the Southwest; maybe this will backfire immensely. After all, they are still a midtable team.

Sturrey drop a great offensive performance to end the season and send off their long-running manager. There are little to no rumours over who the successor will be; Russell Lock is one name mentioned, as is Des Clarke; but the leadership is not in a rush to make any choice. Time will tell whether this is a good decision or not.

Lakewood United 4–1 Fraser Valley

Lakewood United came into this season with high expectations. They were derailed almost immediately with the Ramos relevations, and the dressing room was dead on arrival. The rift between Wilton Ramos and AKK turned toxic; and eventually the axe fell on Mark van der Brumen. He looked jaded in his final game in charge of United; barely celebrating even when Corinne Fontana scored United's fourth goal. Whomever comes in next will have to put out several fires, deal with an impending gap in the dressing room, while putting up with extremely high expectations from the board and fans. Sixth is objectively an abject failure, with high expectations bound on whoemever takes up the poisoned chalice.

With manager sackings abound, some are still surprised that Michael Hardwick is still treading water at Fraser; after all, he certainly wasn't hired to keep this team in sixteenth. Time after time, though, he still keeps his job. This time's the same. It seems that as long as Fraser stay in the Prem, Hardwick has his job. Not exactly that high of an expectation for a football team, but he gets the job done. Even if this is positively painful for a team, that a decade ago, was regularly tangling with the top half of the table and coming out on top most of the time.

The days of Marco Hemmings are long gone. And, for that matter, Vulav-Wanar Tla.

United record a blistering 4-1 win over Fraser, but it's not enough. The team is fractured in two; Mark van der Brumen ends his time at Lakewood, leaving the club less than twenty-four hours after his last match. Ted Bayh is the odds-on favourite to take charge, but it's well-known that he doesn't like toxic work environments — just look at Straton.

Columbia City 2-2 Delphi Lionesses

United finishing sixth, of course, meant that Columbia had finally cracked the top five and finished, well, fifth. With an impressive line-up of underrated stars, and a patient, guiding manager, Columbia would finally be entering the IFCF competitions. Nobody knows how it will go; nobody knows how the absolute gauntlet of the IFCF will treat any club that enters it. But in securing international football, Columbia are partway there to securing themselves a long-term future near the top of Tumbran football. And, looking at this current crop of players, there's a sense that they can go a long way.

Fourteenth for Delphi feels like they're constantly moving up a backwards escalator. The love's gone; there are strong rumours that Louise Halldorsen will be gone before the start of the new season. And if she goes, then Delphi will have a gap at the top, once more. Michael Hardwick was too pragmatic (plus the wrong sex), Louise Halldorsen couldn't bring progress...but nothing's secure. But after their impressive start to life in the Prem, Delphi do feel like they're going nowhere very quickly these days.

A draw in Columbia was not the outcome David Griffiths was expecting, but a draw in Columbia was enough to secure fifth for Columbia — their best finish in Tumbran football, ever. And, given how Tumbra would be given two IFCF CL berths, they'd be entering their fifth-placed team into the competition too. The celebrations were wild; the celebrations lasted long into the night. Columbia had finally arrived.

West Couno United 0–3 Lakewood City

WCU have finally solved their offensive issues — that's the main thing that they've taken away this season. Gone is the nice but admittedly ineffective Miles Brent; in came the energetic, blisteringly effective Vasya Reisinger, firing her team up the table. Well, only two spots to twelfth. But it still feels good to finally be able to score — and finishing on the same number of points as the team in eleventh, only three off the top half of the league, shows progress from the times spent in fourteenth. Progress is made, slowly but surely — but they'll need to try and avoid finishing in the same situation as Ridgewell, where they have all the talent but never seem able to move up in the ladder of Tumbran football.

City have dropped off. They're going to need some kind of rejuvenation; but where can you improve? There's always booting out the current personalities — Lennon is in need of replacing, and Laishram, despite arriving for seven million, has disappointed; Alan Morgan has dropped off the national team's radar, and Ryan Hughes is growing older, still he's still a solid defender. City are beginning to grow stagnant, stuck in the trap that eventually doomed Straton — relying on an aging Robin Vaughn. But John Riedweld knows more — we hope, at least — about how to solve this problem. Particularly since his main rival's dropped out of employment for now. Fourth would mark their return to international competition, of course, which by now has become regarded as a given; but Straton, too, regarded international competition as a given before they tumbled down the ranks.

Lakewood City put in a tradtionally powerful performance, putting three past WCU; Bernard, Vaughn and Fraser all taking turns to score one.

Couno Rangers 1–1 Macarthur City

Couno's wheel has turned. Not many were expecting them to put up this strong a title challenge; and while it faltered towards the end, third is definitely further along than most at Couno — especially Marco Giuliani himself — has admitted. Now the pressure's on to finally end that long, long title drought; and although Giuliani himself may admit that his team may not be ready to take the fight to the likes of Nantwich and Serrapince, the pressure is on. The pressure was always on, but now it's even more present. Next season will be Marco Giulaini's first real test — before the goal was to make it to the IFCF spots. Now, it's to win a title.

Have Macarthur hit their ceiling? It seems like a ridiculous question to ask, of course, especially since they've carved out a niche for themselves as a solid, somewhat exciting midtable club who have been poaching some exciting talents. This season, as ever, they've flown under the radar; though finishing in the same place as they did last time, and with fifty points is certainly a solid season for them. Is it time for more ambition in far west Georgia? Perhaps. But it's all up to Vince McCarthy, who seems to hold the fans of Macarthur spellbound.

Macarthur, surprisingly, drew first blood — Gordon Jennings hit a quick goal in from inside the box — and then held fast. Couno, at home with the whole of the Couno Port Stadium willing them on, were unable to break through. They did equalise eventually — but a last-minute goalmouth scrabble, which would have put Couno ahead, was ruled out for handball. It was a somewhat heartbreaking end to the season, but there was hope for the future.

Straton 4–4 Serrapince

In retrospect, the signing of Brian Devzies as manager does feel fairly hare-brained. Not only had he already proved himself unable to rebuild a club, he'd also stridently made some bad choices with signings. Not Tino, mind — the dimunitive, sly striker ended up being a boon to the team — but signings like Russell White didn't make sense then, and didn't make sense in hindsight. Ninth left lots of room for improvement with Mark Stevenson now at the helm; and the po-faced Licentian would certainly need to make big changes at the club. Time would tell whether he would be able to make his mark, and do the same at what he did at Stonehouse.

Time and time again, Danny Haverhead has proven his prowess as a manager. This time, it's finishing second in the league after a less-than-convincing start; and even when they were sixth in the league there were questions over his long-term future. He's been vindicated, however; and with a strident offence, a long-term plan for the future of Serrapince and with a Tumbran club reaching the Champions' League group stage and the final of the Campionato Esportiva do Campeones, this has certainly been a season to remember for the Bees in Yellow.

In an exciting game, Straton and Serrapince traded the lead of their game multiple times; but in the end, a draw was agreed by many to be the fairest result. Though, once the Bees had gotten wind of the result in Nantwich, they probably wished that Vazsony Sallay's 95th minute shot that had hit the upright had gone in, instead. Once again, football's a game of fine margins; and this time, Serrapince seem to be on the wrong end of that.

FC Inter Nantwich 0–0 Kingsbury United

Kolar and Coxeter turned out to be shots in the arm for Nantwich. They'd gotten over their heartbreak from two seasons ago, and finally won the title. Their progress in the first half of the season hadn't been so clear, but the team really kicked into gear in the second half of the season, and ended up following through. Rachael Schroeder's horror season in the Zenith was a distant memory; now, as she lifted the Premier Division trophy flanked with her team, she'd finally become a title winner. She'd made it. Now the challenge was on to try and retain the title.

At the end of the day, eighth for Kingsbury sounded alright. Sure, it was one lower than last season, but they were still up there; and there was a lot of good feelings about the club. Samara Kaniatarii's stock was rising, and she was an outside shot for the Lakewood United job; but she immediately shot that speculation down, committing herself to a longer-term project at the Princelings. Time would tell whether it was a good decision.

Nantwich tried to attack the whole game; but, frustratingly, none of their shots seemed to be heading on target. Throughout the ninety minutes fans were checking the constant live league titles; and as Serrapince and Straton traded the leads of their game, nerves seemed to be increasing and decreasing in tandem. The last few minutes, however, were Straton's; and all Nantwich could do was desperately hold on for that singular point that would win them the title. And they made it — they'd finally won the title. The one that had been cruelly denied to them two years ago.

And that was that.

RELEGATION PLAYOFF
Clark City 2-2 Glenmont AFC (2-2 AET, 4-5 pens.)

It wasn't a convincing win, nor was it even a win; but Glenmont would triumph the lottery of penalties to come out on top, once more. They'd now need a manager to try and get them off the eighteenth spot that they'd occupied for two straight seasons. Who they picked would be vitally important.

Or they could just hire Jim Heath to ensure that they'd go down without so much as a fight.

Premier Division, Season Six

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 FC Inter Nantwich      38   25   6   7    57   25  +32    81   Champions; IFCF CL; CEdC
 2 Serrapince             38   24   7   7    72   36  +36    79   IFCF CL; CEdC
 3 Couno Rangers          38   24   6   8    64   30  +34    78   IFCF CC
 4 Lakewood City          38   23   8   7    77   43  +34    77   IFCF CC
 5 Columbia City          38   22   6  10    56   41  +15    72   IFCF CC
 6 Lakewood United        38   21   8   9    75   41  +34    71
 7 Clyde Park             38   20   4  14    49   37  +12    64
 8 Kingsbury United       38   16   9  13    41   40   +1    57
 9 Straton                38   16   8  14    55   53   +2    56
10 Hesham                 38   16   5  17    40   36   +4    53
11 Macarthur City         38   14   8  16    40   44   −4    50
12 West Couno United      38   13  11  14    52   56   −4    50
13 Ridgewell Rovers       38   13  11  14    46   51   −5    50
14 Delphi Lionesses       38   12  12  14    47   52   −5    48
15 Sturrey Athletic       38   11  12  15    26   37  −11    45
16 Fraser Valley          38    9   5  24    29   52  −23    32
17 Colbrook City          38    8   6  24    36   66  −30    30
18 Glenmont AFC           38    6  10  22    33   72  −39    28
---------------------------------------------------------------
19 Bencoolen City         38    7   5  26    25   56  −31    26   Relegated
20 Newton Wanderers       38    6   1  31    28   80  −52    19   Relegated

THE 124TH RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP — THE FINAL

Nantwich had the chance to do the Double, and achieve what City and Serrapince had both failed to do in their title-winning seasons. Win, and the Super Cup next season would be a re-match between Serrapince and Nantwich; lose, and City would get that Supercup berth instead.

( D1)  FC Inter Nantwich   3-2   Lakewood City      (D1 )

A week after winning the Premier Division trophy, Nantwich would cap it all off by winning the coveted Double. It would, unfortunately, add to their schedule as they would now have to deal with the Cup Winners' Cup, too; but silverware was always good. Maybe this time they'd make it past the First Round, too.

And that was that for the sixth season of IFCF football.

Tumbra (TMB) qualifiers

IFCF Champions' League: FC Inter Nantwich, Serrapince FC
IFCF Challengers' Cup: Couno Rangers, Lakewood City, Columbia City
IFCF Cup Winners' Cup: FC Inter Nantwich
Campionato Esportiva di Campeones/CEdC: FC Inter Nantwich, Serrapince FC

[Tumbra]

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 6
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: ST Vázsony Sallay (PAS, Serrapince)
Silver Ball: GK Nick Barker (TMB, FC Inter Nantwich)
Golden Ball: CDM Aventurine Kolar (TMB, FC Inter Nantwich)

---

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. Traditionally, 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: GK Raphael Brennan (TMB, Clyde Park)
Silver Award: CB Noel Hercule-McKinley (QUE, Columbia City)
Golden Award: LW Jake Spekman (TLI/CMT, FC Inter Nantwich)

---

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.

Bronze Glove: Dean Rowden (TMB, Hesham FC)
- 16 clean sheets, 36 conceded (tiebreaker//next in line: Raphael Brennan, Clyde Park, 37 conceded)
Silver Glove: Andrew Taylor (TMB, Couno Rangers)
- 18 clean sheets, 30 conceded
Nick Barker (TMB, FC Inter Nantwich)
- 21 clean sheets, 25 conceded

---

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 948 goals being scored over 380 matches (an average of 2.49 per match), it again represented a drop from Season 5, marking a downward trend as teams tend to play more defensively.

Goals per season
S	Goals
1	974   (2.56/game)
2	1045  (2.75/game)
3	847   (2.29/game)
4	1015  (2.67/game)
5	962   (2.53/game)
6       948   (2.49/game)

Bronze Boot: Robin Vaughn (TMB, Lakewood City)
- 20 goals
Silver Boot: Vázsony Sallay (PAS, Serrapince)
- 21 goals
Golden Boot: Bruce Nolan (TMB, Couno Rangers)
- 22 goals

---

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 - Marco Giuliani (SVG, Couno Rangers)
- Led an unexpected title challenge and played some brilliant football
Second - Danny Haverhead (TKT, Serrapince FC)
- Juggled being in 4 competitions (league, cup, IFCF CL, CEdC) and finished in second place, while remaining competitive in all four
First - Rachael Schroeder (NPH, FC Inter Nantwich)
- Finally won Nantwich's first title of the IFCF era, and won the Double

---

Team of the Season

Two teams of the season were named; with one being the first XI and the second XI. 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	Nick Barker (TMB, FC Inter Nantwich)
Defender	Aimée Laurent (SVG, FC Inter Nantwich)
Defender	Devon Daniels (CDG, FC Inter Nantwich)
Defender	Joel Tyler (TMB, Couno Rangers)
Defender	Luca Cambiaso (SVG, Couno Rangers)
Midfielder	Aventurine Kolar (NPH, FC Inter Nantwich)
Midfielder	Kirsten Desmond (NPH, Lakewood United)
Midfielder	Andrew Fisher (TMB, FC Inter Nantwich)
Attacker	Dimitra Conder (NPH, Couno Rangers)
Attacker	Bruce Nolan (TMB, Couno Rangers)
Attacker	Vázsony Sallay (PAS, Serrapince)

Second XI

Position	Player
Goalkeeper	Andrew Taylor (TMB, Couno Rangers)
Defender	Seren Thomson (TLI, Couno Rangers)
Defender	Torcado Fiallo (TEQ/TMB, Columbia City)
Defender	Arwen van As (TLI, Couno Rangers)
Defender	Chris Carter (TMB, Lakewood City)
Midfielder	Laura Ness (SCT/TMB, Serrapince)
Midfielder	Eli Apt (CMT, Lakewood City)
Midfielder	Hermaeus Mora (CMT, Serrapince)
Attacker	Jake Spekman (TLI/CMT, FC Inter Nantwich)
Attacker	Basilica Coxeter (NPH, FC Inter Nantwich)
Attacker	Robin Vaughn (TMB, Lakewood City)

[Tumbra]

TUMBRAN HOCKEY LEAGUE - SEASON THREE

Matchday 1
Colbrook Kingfishers 5–2 Readale Ravens
Teignford Thistles 5–1 Clark Clippers
Straton Capitals 3–1 Heffron Hawks
Nantwich Wolves 2–3 Franport Blizzards
Serrapince Stallions 4–3 Haversham Falcons
Millsburgh Mercenaries 2–4 Fontwell Foxes
Ridgewell Eagles 0–2 Ridgewell Bears
Harchester Dragons 4–2 Couno Chargers
Matchday 2
Readale Ravens 3–0 Couno Chargers
Ridgewell Bears 6–4 Harchester Dragons
Fontwell Foxes 1–2 Ridgewell Eagles
Haversham Falcons 0–2 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Franport Blizzards 5–0 Serrapince Stallions
Heffron Hawks 0–0 Nantwich Wolves
Clark Clippers 4–0 Straton Capitals
Colbrook Kingfishers 3–4 Teignford Thistles
Matchday 3
Teignford Thistles 0–2 Readale Ravens
Straton Capitals 2–0 Colbrook Kingfishers
Nantwich Wolves 2–2 Clark Clippers
Serrapince Stallions 0–2 Heffron Hawks
Millsburgh Mercenaries 1–1 Franport Blizzards
Ridgewell Eagles 6–2 Haversham Falcons
Harchester Dragons 4–1 Fontwell Foxes
Couno Chargers 3–5 Ridgewell Bears
Matchday 4
Readale Ravens 2–1 Ridgewell Bears
Fontwell Foxes 3–1 Couno Chargers
Haversham Falcons 0–3 Harchester Dragons
Franport Blizzards 4–2 Ridgewell Eagles
Heffron Hawks 3–3 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Clark Clippers 3–3 Serrapince Stallions
Colbrook Kingfishers 1–0 Nantwich Wolves
Teignford Thistles 0–2 Straton Capitals
Matchday 5
Straton Capitals 4–6 Readale Ravens
Nantwich Wolves 0–4 Teignford Thistles
Serrapince Stallions 1–1 Colbrook Kingfishers
Millsburgh Mercenaries 4–3 Clark Clippers
Ridgewell Eagles 4–1 Heffron Hawks
Harchester Dragons 1–3 Franport Blizzards
Couno Chargers 3–1 Haversham Falcons
Ridgewell Bears 4–0 Fontwell Foxes
Matchday 6
Readale Ravens 1–2 Fontwell Foxes
Haversham Falcons 2–0 Ridgewell Bears
Franport Blizzards 6–0 Couno Chargers
Heffron Hawks 1–6 Harchester Dragons
Clark Clippers 0–3 Ridgewell Eagles
Colbrook Kingfishers 4–8 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Teignford Thistles 1–5 Serrapince Stallions
Straton Capitals 0–1 Nantwich Wolves
Matchday 7
Nantwich Wolves 1–4 Readale Ravens
Serrapince Stallions 3–3 Straton Capitals
Millsburgh Mercenaries 5–6 Teignford Thistles
Ridgewell Eagles 1–1 Colbrook Kingfishers
Harchester Dragons 2–3 Clark Clippers
Couno Chargers 4–0 Heffron Hawks
Ridgewell Bears 0–1 Franport Blizzards
Fontwell Foxes 5–4 Haversham Falcons
Matchday 8
Readale Ravens 3–3 Haversham Falcons
Franport Blizzards 5–4 Fontwell Foxes
Heffron Hawks 2–6 Ridgewell Bears
Clark Clippers 2–2 Couno Chargers
Colbrook Kingfishers 6–2 Harchester Dragons
Teignford Thistles 2–0 Ridgewell Eagles
Straton Capitals 2–2 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Nantwich Wolves 2–1 Serrapince Stallions
Matchday 9
Serrapince Stallions 1–1 Readale Ravens
Millsburgh Mercenaries 5–0 Nantwich Wolves
Ridgewell Eagles 7–1 Straton Capitals
Harchester Dragons 3–4 Teignford Thistles
Couno Chargers 4–2 Colbrook Kingfishers
Ridgewell Bears 1–0 Clark Clippers
Fontwell Foxes 1–6 Heffron Hawks
Haversham Falcons 1–3 Franport Blizzards
Matchday 10
Readale Ravens 1–4 Franport Blizzards
Heffron Hawks 2–0 Haversham Falcons
Clark Clippers 0–1 Fontwell Foxes
Colbrook Kingfishers 3–4 Ridgewell Bears
Teignford Thistles 3–0 Couno Chargers
Straton Capitals 4–2 Harchester Dragons
Nantwich Wolves 0–3 Ridgewell Eagles
Serrapince Stallions 2–3 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Matchday 11
Millsburgh Mercenaries 5–2 Readale Ravens
Ridgewell Eagles 1–3 Serrapince Stallions
Harchester Dragons 2–1 Nantwich Wolves
Couno Chargers 0–6 Straton Capitals
Ridgewell Bears 2–2 Teignford Thistles
Fontwell Foxes 4–1 Colbrook Kingfishers
Haversham Falcons 7–2 Clark Clippers
Franport Blizzards 5–2 Heffron Hawks
Matchday 12
Readale Ravens 2–0 Heffron Hawks
Clark Clippers 5–7 Franport Blizzards
Colbrook Kingfishers 0–1 Haversham Falcons
Teignford Thistles 5–0 Fontwell Foxes
Straton Capitals 1–0 Ridgewell Bears
Nantwich Wolves 4–0 Couno Chargers
Serrapince Stallions 1–2 Harchester Dragons
Millsburgh Mercenaries 1–3 Ridgewell Eagles
Matchday 13
Ridgewell Eagles 2–1 Readale Ravens
Harchester Dragons 1–3 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Couno Chargers 4–2 Serrapince Stallions
Ridgewell Bears 4–1 Nantwich Wolves
Fontwell Foxes 2–2 Straton Capitals
Haversham Falcons 1–0 Teignford Thistles
Franport Blizzards 5–0 Colbrook Kingfishers
Heffron Hawks 1–1 Clark Clippers
Matchday 14
Readale Ravens 4–3 Clark Clippers
Colbrook Kingfishers 3–0 Heffron Hawks
Teignford Thistles 2–1 Franport Blizzards
Straton Capitals 0–1 Haversham Falcons
Nantwich Wolves 1–0 Fontwell Foxes
Serrapince Stallions 0–3 Ridgewell Bears
Millsburgh Mercenaries 8–1 Couno Chargers
Ridgewell Eagles 3–2 Harchester Dragons
Matchday 15
Harchester Dragons 6–6 Readale Ravens
Couno Chargers 2–2 Ridgewell Eagles
Ridgewell Bears 2–2 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Fontwell Foxes 4–1 Serrapince Stallions
Haversham Falcons 4–1 Nantwich Wolves
Franport Blizzards 0–0 Straton Capitals
Heffron Hawks 1–3 Teignford Thistles
Clark Clippers 3–1 Colbrook Kingfishers
Matchday 16
Readale Ravens 0–0 Colbrook Kingfishers
Clark Clippers 0–0 Teignford Thistles
Heffron Hawks 4–1 Straton Capitals
Franport Blizzards 4–3 Nantwich Wolves
Haversham Falcons 2–2 Serrapince Stallions
Fontwell Foxes 4–5 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Ridgewell Bears 4–1 Ridgewell Eagles
Couno Chargers 1–5 Harchester Dragons
Matchday 17
Couno Chargers 1–3 Readale Ravens
Harchester Dragons 1–3 Ridgewell Bears
Ridgewell Eagles 2–1 Fontwell Foxes
Millsburgh Mercenaries 1–2 Haversham Falcons
Serrapince Stallions 3–4 Franport Blizzards
Nantwich Wolves 6–1 Heffron Hawks
Straton Capitals 2–1 Clark Clippers
Teignford Thistles 1–1 Colbrook Kingfishers
Matchday 18
Readale Ravens 2–2 Teignford Thistles
Colbrook Kingfishers 3–0 Straton Capitals
Clark Clippers 4–1 Nantwich Wolves
Heffron Hawks 2–4 Serrapince Stallions
Franport Blizzards 3–3 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Haversham Falcons 0–3 Ridgewell Eagles
Fontwell Foxes 2–0 Harchester Dragons
Ridgewell Bears 7–2 Couno Chargers
Matchday 19
Ridgewell Bears 4–1 Readale Ravens
Couno Chargers 3–0 Fontwell Foxes
Harchester Dragons 0–2 Haversham Falcons
Ridgewell Eagles 2–2 Franport Blizzards
Millsburgh Mercenaries 5–0 Heffron Hawks
Serrapince Stallions 5–0 Clark Clippers
Nantwich Wolves 3–3 Colbrook Kingfishers
Straton Capitals 3–4 Teignford Thistles
Matchday 20
Readale Ravens 4–1 Straton Capitals
Teignford Thistles 6–6 Nantwich Wolves
Colbrook Kingfishers 5–6 Serrapince Stallions
Clark Clippers 2–4 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Heffron Hawks 1–2 Ridgewell Eagles
Franport Blizzards 4–2 Harchester Dragons
Haversham Falcons 9–3 Couno Chargers
Fontwell Foxes 5–5 Ridgewell Bears
Matchday 21
Fontwell Foxes 1–3 Readale Ravens
Ridgewell Bears 1–2 Haversham Falcons
Couno Chargers 3–4 Franport Blizzards
Harchester Dragons 2–1 Heffron Hawks
Ridgewell Eagles 1–1 Clark Clippers
Millsburgh Mercenaries 3–3 Colbrook Kingfishers
Serrapince Stallions 2–1 Teignford Thistles
Nantwich Wolves 5–2 Straton Capitals
Matchday 22
Fontwell Foxes 1–3 Readale Ravens
Ridgewell Bears 1–2 Haversham Falcons
Couno Chargers 3–4 Franport Blizzards
Harchester Dragons 2–1 Heffron Hawks
Ridgewell Eagles 1–1 Clark Clippers
Millsburgh Mercenaries 3–3 Colbrook Kingfishers
Serrapince Stallions 2–1 Teignford Thistles
Nantwich Wolves 5–2 Straton Capitals
Matchday 23
Haversham Falcons 3–2 Readale Ravens
Fontwell Foxes 1–1 Franport Blizzards
Ridgewell Bears 5–0 Heffron Hawks
Couno Chargers 2–1 Clark Clippers
Harchester Dragons 2–0 Colbrook Kingfishers
Ridgewell Eagles 6–3 Teignford Thistles
Millsburgh Mercenaries 2–2 Straton Capitals
Serrapince Stallions 1–3 Nantwich Wolves
Matchday 24
Readale Ravens 2–0 Serrapince Stallions
Nantwich Wolves 3–0 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Straton Capitals 1–5 Ridgewell Eagles
Teignford Thistles 2–2 Harchester Dragons
Colbrook Kingfishers 0–3 Couno Chargers
Clark Clippers 3–2 Ridgewell Bears
Heffron Hawks 1–3 Fontwell Foxes
Franport Blizzards 3–3 Haversham Falcons
Matchday 25
Franport Blizzards 7–3 Readale Ravens
Haversham Falcons 6–2 Heffron Hawks
Fontwell Foxes 0–0 Clark Clippers
Ridgewell Bears 2–0 Colbrook Kingfishers
Couno Chargers 5–0 Teignford Thistles
Harchester Dragons 6–1 Straton Capitals
Ridgewell Eagles 3–3 Nantwich Wolves
Millsburgh Mercenaries 9–3 Serrapince Stallions
Matchday 26
Readale Ravens 1–1 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Serrapince Stallions 3–3 Ridgewell Eagles
Nantwich Wolves 1–1 Harchester Dragons
Straton Capitals 3–0 Couno Chargers
Teignford Thistles 1–5 Ridgewell Bears
Colbrook Kingfishers 1–3 Fontwell Foxes
Clark Clippers 1–2 Haversham Falcons
Heffron Hawks 0–2 Franport Blizzards
Matchday 27
Heffron Hawks 0–3 Readale Ravens
Franport Blizzards 2–1 Clark Clippers
Haversham Falcons 0–2 Colbrook Kingfishers
Fontwell Foxes 2–1 Teignford Thistles
Ridgewell Bears 6–0 Straton Capitals
Couno Chargers 3–1 Nantwich Wolves
Harchester Dragons 3–3 Serrapince Stallions
Ridgewell Eagles 1–0 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Matchday 28
Readale Ravens 1–2 Ridgewell Eagles
Millsburgh Mercenaries 1–2 Harchester Dragons
Serrapince Stallions 2–2 Couno Chargers
Nantwich Wolves 2–3 Ridgewell Bears
Straton Capitals 2–4 Fontwell Foxes
Teignford Thistles 2–0 Haversham Falcons
Colbrook Kingfishers 3–2 Franport Blizzards
Clark Clippers 2–0 Heffron Hawks
Matchday 29
Clark Clippers 2–0 Readale Ravens
Heffron Hawks 1–4 Colbrook Kingfishers
Franport Blizzards 3–1 Teignford Thistles
Haversham Falcons 2–2 Straton Capitals
Fontwell Foxes 3–2 Nantwich Wolves
Ridgewell Bears 3–0 Serrapince Stallions
Couno Chargers 3–1 Millsburgh Mercenaries
Harchester Dragons 1–2 Ridgewell Eagles
Matchday 30
Readale Ravens 2–3 Harchester Dragons
Ridgewell Eagles 1–0 Couno Chargers
Millsburgh Mercenaries 1–1 Ridgewell Bears
Serrapince Stallions 5–6 Fontwell Foxes
Nantwich Wolves 3–2 Haversham Falcons
Straton Capitals 0–3 Franport Blizzards
Teignford Thistles 3–1 Heffron Hawks
Colbrook Kingfishers 4–2 Clark Clippers

*  Tumbran Hockey League      Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg 
 1 Franport Blizzards          30   22   6   2   101   52  +49    50   ▲4   Regular Season Champions/Playoffs
 2 Ridgewell Eagles            30   19   6   5    77   46  +31    44   ▼1   Playoffs
 3 Ridgewell Bears             30   19   4   7    94   46  +48    42   ▼1   Playoffs
 4 Millsburgh Mercenaries      30   13   9   8    93   65  +28    35   ▲5   Playoffs
 5 Haversham Falcons           30   14   4  12    68   61   +7    32   ▲2   Playoffs
 6 Readale Ravens              30   13   6  11    71   66   +5    32   ▼3   Playoffs
 7 Teignford Thistles          30   13   6  11    69   67   +2    32   ▼1   Playoffs
 8 Fontwell Foxes              30   14   4  12    67   73   −6    32   ▲5   Playoffs
 9 Harchester Dragons          30   12   5  13    75   70   +5    29   ▲2
10 Colbrook Kingfishers        30    9   6  15    62   73  −11    24   ▼6
11 Nantwich Wolves             30    9   6  15    60   73  −13    24   ▲1
12 Straton Capitals            30    9   6  15    52   78  −26    24   ▲4
13 Couno Chargers              30   10   3  17    57   90  −33    23   ▲1
14 Clark Clippers              30    7   8  15    53   69  −16    22   ▼4
15 Serrapince Stallions        30    7   8  15    66   85  −19    22   ▼7
16 Heffron Hawks               30    5   3  22    38   89  −51    13   ▼1

Playoffs - First Round
(1) Franport Blizzards 3-2 (8) Fontwell Foxes
(3) Ridgewell Bears 1-4 (6) Readale Ravens
(4) Millsburgh Mercenaries 2-2 (5) Haversham Falcons (4-2 OT)
(2) Ridgewell Eagles 7-4 (7) Teignford Thistles

Playoffs - Semi Finals
(1) Franport Blizzards 3-0 (6) Readale Ravens
(4) Millsburgh Mercenaries 4-2 (2) Ridgewell Eagles

Playoffs - Finals
(1) Franport Blizzards 1-3 (4) Millsburgh Mercenaries

[Tumbra]

TUMBRAN T20 TROPHY - SEASON THREE
G.W.W.W. REYNOLDS TROPHY - SEASON THREE

Tumbran cricket is back. In their second crack at the international cricket scene, Tumbra's representatives did much better than they did the first time around, with Hesham topping their group before falling to eventual champions Romanopolis in the second round. Lakewood, for their part, weren't expected to do much; but surprised many by coming out on top above Damukuni's Stars to reach the group stage...only to be put in the same group as Hesham. A complaint was filed, of course; but not much was done.

On the other side of the fence, Thornton and Georgia both won their groups; but they were both put to bed by Brookstation's Ogre Street CC, which ended up losing to Ko-orenite giants West Surbourneshire in the final. Georgia's semifinal run attracted a bit of controversy after it was revealed that some Kingsbury players were also playing for the Georgian side; though Cricket Tumbra, in a miraculous show of backbone*, immediately ruled the practice legal. Players were therefore now allowed to play for both T20 and List A clubs in the same season; the only caveat was that they could only sign for the state team that they played in. Sorry, then, to Clearmont; Hesham's got a no double-jobbing policy, so they're shit out of luck.

---

TUMBRAN T20 TROPHY - SEASON THREE

.Columbia.
State: Alexandria
Ground: Newfair Park (20,000)
Founded: 1907
Last season: 10th, missed playoffs

Things haven't gotten much better for Columbia, have they? Oh, dear. Six and twelve was marginally worse than what happened last term; and considering that they had a worse net run rate than Clyde (not to mention a lot more rotten luck in Super Overs — check last season's league post for an explanation), then yeah; they did deserve to be last, then. Expect more of the same, really; this cricket club at the bottom of the table seemingly hasn't got a clue what's going on. Of course, now that we've said this, they're probably going to surprise us...

.Clyde.
State: Clearmont
Ground: Kent Cricket Arena (15,000)
Founded: 1947
Last season: 9th, missed playoffs

Clyde are not bottom because of net run rate. Either way, though, moving up a spot in the rankings feels somewhat nice; and they managed to double the number of wins they got from Season One, so that was always a nice surprise. Somehow, they've managed to keep hold of Kevin Gleeson; who's developing nicely and growing stronger every day. If Clyde are to break out of their rut, they have to hope Gleeson does not decide to leave — and pray that he doesn't pick up some injury that will put paid to all their hopes.

.Collatia.
State: Thornton
Ground: Morrell Park (24,000)
Founded: 1912
Last season: 8th, missed playoffs

Remember what we said about no further investment into the club? Yeah, this is where it landed them. Cricket may be one of Tumbra's secondary sports, along with ice hockey in the frigid north, rugby in the west and basketball in the east, but it's definitely not self-sufficent enough. They were forced to cut a few players midway through the season, and it led from them finishing in the playoff spots to, well, third off bottom. With a record that would have seen them finish bottom if they hadn't won a Super Over. Collatia is more a cricket city than a football city, and the pressure to sell up is growing. Will the owners budge?

.Newton.
State: Alexandria
Ground: Somerset Stadium (28,000)
Founded: 1924
Last season: 7th, missed playoffs

Long-serving captain Nathaniel Green has now retired. Another finish above Columbia and moving up one spot is decent, sure, but it hardly feels like tangible improvements are being made here in Somerset. It looks set to be another season of mediocrity for Newton, and there's a chance of them dropping a few spots, too. As long as they finish above Columbia, it should be okay — but considering the absolute state of Columbia right now, some might wonder if there's even a chance of that happening.

.Newark.
State: Severn
Ground: Stradbroke Stadium (22,000)
Founded: 1917
Last season: 6th, missed playoffs

Last season was meant to be the one where Newark punched through; but in the end, Lakewood stole their thunder by finishing fourth. It wasn't a terribly good season for them, either; dropping one spot and with two less wins than in Season One. The faith is still there in Stradbroke, however; perhaps this time, flamboyant coach (for cricket, anyway) Marcus Landingham will finally bring his team to the fabled land of the playoffs. It'll be tough, but hope's always there...

.Bencoolen.
State: Bencoolen
Ground: Bencoolen Cricket Ground (33,000)
Founded: 1902
Last season: 5th, missed playoffs

For one of the established titans of Tumbran cricket, missing the playoffs was a, uh, cause for concern. Did it really require a rehash of the whole coaching squad and several transfers that may have destabilised the atmosphere in the dressing room? Perhaps; but the general consensus was that it was an overreaction to what may have possibly been a one-season blip. Either way, it's a new-look Bencoolen, and a new-look team; but they won't have a long time to bed in. Expectations are here, and they're rising, fast.

.Lakewood.
State: Severn
Ground: Eastside Park (20,000)
Founded: 1956
Last season: 4th, playoffs runner-up

A miracle run by Lakewood, aided by several experienced players, saw Lakewood make a miracle run to the finals of the playoffs — before, of course, they were brutalised by Hesham. The departure of some of that crowd may have taken an early hit to the side's strengths — but the money that flowed in has allowed for a bit more investment in the club's financial situation. The aim here is to repeat last year's playoff performance; and missing it could be a death knell for the programme as a whole. Was it a one-season blip or is this a start of a dynasty? Nobody knows.

.Southport.
State: Lormark
Ground: Southport Cricket Stadium (25,000)
Founded: 1903
Last season: 3rd, first round of playoffs

Turns out that stability was what was needed to deliver some results over in Lormark — which may be some sort of warning to Bencoolen, who may have thrown out several babies with the still-quite-pristine bathwater. Third was an excellent result for a side who kept faith in their side, and the fans can reasonably expect more of the same — at least, that's what they're hoping for.

.Kingsbury.
State: Georgia
Ground: Thistlebury Ground (45,000)
(Properly) Founded: 1871
Last season: 2nd, second round of playoffs

Aw. The deck is now properly stacked in their favour. Double-jobbing is the latest in the series of regulations that has allowed for Kingsbury, the Grand Old Club of Tumbran cricket (also the villains) to have a proper old time. Will they finally win their first T20 trophy and make a return to international cricket, something that has so eluded them? Maybe — after all, they did suffer a bit of bad luck in that match against Lakewood. The existing setup's been given one season to get things in order — and the leadership team is looking very carefully at how Bencoolen's doing to see whether a revamp of how the club operates is in order.

.Hesham.
State: Clearmont
Ground: Coromandel Cricket Stadium (30,000)
Founded: 1893
Last season: 1st, playoffs winner



(they won the two previous playoffs. they're okay)

RESULTS

League Stage

Matchday 1
Bencoolen 184/3 (20 overs)
Newark 170/5 (20 overs)

Clyde 181/5 (20 overs)
Southport 185/5 (19.4 overs)

Collatia 175/7 (16.3 overs)
Kingsbury 174/6 (20 overs)

Columbia 171 (19 overs)
Lakewood 172/4 (19.4 overs)

Hesham 158/7 (16.5 overs)
Newton 157/6 (20 overs)

Matchday 2
Newark 152/4 (20 overs)
Newton 191/6 (20 overs)

Lakewood 175/4 (20 overs)
Hesham 211/5 (20 overs)

Kingsbury 140/2 (15.2 overs)
Columbia 136 (19.4 overs)

Southport 161/5 (20 overs)
Collatia 163/5 (18.3 overs)

Bencoolen 163/2 (20 overs)
Clyde 165/8 (18.2 overs)

Matchday 3
Clyde 156/7 (18.4 overs)
Newark 153/6 (20 overs)

Collatia 189/5 (20 overs)
Bencoolen 193/6 (19 overs)

Columbia 160/3 (20 overs)
Southport 212/8 (20 overs)

Hesham 170/5 (20 overs)
Kingsbury 171/7 (18.2 overs)

Newton 163/6 (20 overs)
Lakewood 176/6 (20 overs)

Matchday 4
Newark 158/5 (15.4 overs)
Lakewood 157/9 (20 overs)

Kingsbury 136/5 (15.5 overs)
Newton 133/3 (20 overs)

Southport 158/6 (20 overs)
Hesham 179/5 (20 overs)

Bencoolen 189/5 (20 overs)
Columbia 192/5 (19.3 overs)

Clyde 151/5 (15.3 overs)
Collatia 150/5 (20 overs)

Matchday 5
Collatia 153/8 (20 overs)
Newark 155/4 (18.5 overs)

Columbia 160/3 (13.3 overs)
Clyde 159/5 (20 overs)

Hesham 166/6 (20 overs)
Bencoolen 166/5 (20 overs)
Super Over:
Hesham 13/0 (1 over)
Bencoolen 8/0 (1 over)

Newton 157/5 (20 overs)
Southport 160/2 (18.2 overs)

Lakewood 170/8 (20 overs)
Kingsbury 208/5 (20 overs)

Matchday 6
Newark 163/7 (20 overs)
Kingsbury 166/3 (15.1 overs)

Southport 167/8 (20 overs)
Lakewood 171/3 (19.5 overs)

Bencoolen 163/5 (16.2 overs)
Newton 159/4 (20 overs)

Clyde 186/5 (20 overs)
Hesham 214/4 (20 overs)

Collatia 157/5 (20 overs)
Columbia 195/4 (20 overs)

Matchday 7
Columbia 153/5 (20 overs)
Newark 193/9 (20 overs)

Hesham 169/5 (19.5 overs)
Collatia 168/8 (20 overs)

Newton 175/5 (18.2 overs)
Clyde 173/4 (20 overs)

Lakewood 179/5 (20 overs)
Bencoolen 181/5 (18.2 overs)

Kingsbury 167/3 (18.4 overs)
Southport 165/5 (20 overs)

Matchday 8
Newark 139/4 (20 overs)
Southport 192/5 (20 overs)

Bencoolen 163/9 (20 overs)
Kingsbury 193/8 (20 overs)

Clyde 159/5 (20 overs)
Lakewood 187/7 (20 overs)

Collatia 147/6 (14 overs)
Newton 143/3 (20 overs)

Columbia 150/5 (20 overs)
Hesham 162/4 (20 overs)

Matchday 9
Hesham 188/6 (20 overs)
Newark 155/7 (20 overs)

Newton 200/4 (20 overs)
Columbia 152/3 (20 overs)

Lakewood 176/5 (20 overs)
Collatia 166/2 (20 overs)

Kingsbury 219/5 (20 overs)
Clyde 156/4 (20 overs)

Southport 164/6 (20 overs)
Bencoolen 166/2 (16.3 overs)

Matchday 10
Newark 163/5 (20 overs)
Bencoolen 156/4 (20 overs)

Southport 174/4 (20 overs)
Clyde 160/6 (20 overs)

Kingsbury 158/5 (18.4 overs)
Collatia 157/5 (20 overs)

Lakewood 153/4 (17.3 overs)
Columbia 151/6 (20 overs)

Newton 164/4 (20 overs)
Hesham 165/5 (18.3 overs)

Matchday 11
Newton 174/5 (20 overs)
Newark 155/9 (20 overs)

Hesham 161/3 (20 overs)
Lakewood 166/4 (20 overs)

Columbia 168/9 (18 overs)
Kingsbury 166/2 (20 overs)

Collatia 158/7 (20 overs)
Southport 165/5 (20 overs)

Clyde 169/3 (18.2 overs)
Bencoolen 167/5 (20 overs)

Matchday 12
Newark 222/4 (20 overs)
Clyde 162/5 (20 overs)

Bencoolen 232/5 (20 overs)
Collatia 176/5 (20 overs)

Southport 163/4 (18.2 overs)
Columbia 161/5 (20 overs)

Kingsbury 154 (19.4 overs)
Hesham 210/2 (20 overs)

Lakewood 165/5 (20 overs)
Newton 192/6 (20 overs)

Matchday 13
Lakewood 210/9 (20 overs)
Newark 169/3 (20 overs)

Newton 162/6 (20 overs)
Kingsbury 231/7 (20 overs)

Hesham 156/2 (16.1 overs)
Southport 152/9 (20 overs)

Columbia 164/3 (16.5 overs)
Bencoolen 163/4 (20 overs)

Collatia 167/5 (13.3 overs)
Clyde 163/2 (20 overs)

Matchday 14
Newark 167/5 (20 overs)
Collatia 165/5 (20 overs)

Clyde 152/6 (20 overs)
Columbia 155/3 (17 overs)

Bencoolen 173/6 (20 overs)
Hesham 153/7 (20 overs)

Southport 186/4 (19.2 overs)
Newton 183/5 (20 overs)

Kingsbury 190/6 (20 overs)
Lakewood 147 (18.5 overs)

Matchday 15
Kingsbury 178/3 (20 overs)
Newark 139/5 (20 overs)

Lakewood 168/5 (20 overs)
Southport 156/7 (20 overs)

Newton 158/5 (20 overs)
Bencoolen 161/5 (17.5 overs)

Hesham 141/3 (16 overs)
Clyde 140/7 (20 overs)

Columbia 168/8 (20 overs)
Collatia 169/8 (19.5 overs)

Matchday 16
Newark 165/5 (16.5 overs)
Columbia 161/2 (20 overs)

Collatia 153 (17.5 overs)
Hesham 156/5 (18.2 overs)

Clyde 179/2 (20 overs)
Newton 181/4 (15.3 overs)

Bencoolen 157/3 (20 overs)
Lakewood 161/9 (16.5 overs)

Southport 158/4 (20 overs)
Kingsbury 162/6 (14.5 overs)

Matchday 17
Southport 158/6 (15.2 overs)
Newark 157/4 (20 overs)

Kingsbury 166/4 (20 overs)
Bencoolen 167/4 (18.2 overs)

Lakewood 211/4 (20 overs)
Clyde 162/5 (20 overs)

Newton 176/6 (20 overs)
Collatia 172/8 (20 overs)

Hesham 130/6 (13.1 overs)
Columbia 129/7 (20 overs)

Matchday 18
Newark 183/6 (19.1 overs)
Hesham 181/3 (20 overs)

Columbia 177/4 (20 overs)
Newton 188/8 (20 overs)

Collatia 151/5 (18.4 overs)
Lakewood 149/6 (20 overs)

Clyde 156/8 (20 overs)
Kingsbury 160/7 (17.2 overs)

Bencoolen 140/4 (20 overs)
Southport 151/5 (20 overs)

* Tumbra T20 League - League Stage
TEAM           P   W   D   L     NRR   Pts
.Kingsbury.   18  14   0   4  +1.607    28    Qualifier
.Hesham.      18  13   1   4  +2.114    27    Qualifier
.Lakewood.    18  11   0   7  +0.028    22    Eliminator
.Southport.   18  10   0   8  -0.125    20    Eliminator
.Bencoolen.   18   9   0   9  +0.221    18
.Newton.      18   8   0  10  -0.289    16
.Newark.      18   8   0  10  -0.396    16
.Collatia.    18   6   0  12  -0.799    12
.Columbia.    18   6   0  12  -1.732    12
.Clyde.       18   4   0  14  -1.275     8

So — what have we learned? Clyde are shite. As per. Columbia aren't doing too hot. As per, too. The owners of Collatia are actually planning to sell ahead of the next season, after a second successive eighth-placed finish. A fan-owned corporation has already been founded, and are aiming to make the club the first democratically-run one in the cricket sphere. Newark disapppointed; and their coach was let go. Newton limped home to 6th, proving they did have a future beyond Green; but the hard work would start now.

So we come to the top half. Bencoolen's rebuilding project seems to have landed them in a very similar position to where they were before the rebuild; except now they've got a less happy team and they've also lost several anchors that were keeping the team together. Have they torpedoed themselves? Not quite, because Southport, despite winning one more match than the Little Lillies, are also looking fairly vulnerable — a negative NRR and an eight-wicket loss to Bencoolen on Matchday 9 can give Bencoolen some hope that they'll be back in the fight for the playoffs soon. Lakewood managed to repeat their success, though they'd need to get back to international cricket.

Oh, and the dueling duo of Kingsbury and Hesham would duel it out. Again. Kingsbury won the first off, winning on the chase; but Hesham would destroy Kingsbury in the second half of the season.

Finals

Match 1: Qualifier. Winner goes to the Grand Final, loser goes to the Knockout Game.
.Kingsbury. 179/3 (20 overs)
.Hesham. 175/4 (20 overs)
.Kingsbury. win by 4 runs and advance to the Final.

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

.Lakewood. 166/5 (20 overs)
.Southport. 172/4 (20 overs)
.Southport. win by 6 runs and advance to the Knockout Game.

Match 3: Knockout. Winner goes to the Grand Final, loser is eliminated entirely.
.Hesham. 170/4 (20 overs)
.Southport. 155/5 (20 overs)
.Hesham. win by 15 runs and advance to the Final.

Match 4: Grand Final. Winner takes home the Tumbran T20 Trophy.
.Kingsbury. 176/6 (20 overs)
.Hesham. 174/5 (20 overs)
.Kingsbury. win by 4 wickets and finally, belatedly, win their first ever T20 trophy. It only took all of Cricket Tumbra's might to try and tip the scales in their direction. Woohoo.

---

G.W.W.W. REYNOLDS TROPHY* - SEASON THREE**

*the full name of the trophy is The George William Woodward Wedgwood Reynolds Trophy For Excellent Cricketing Skill. before 1918 it was just called the tumbran cricket trophy. any calls to change it now would almost certainly result in people lamenting the "death of the game", whatever that means. plus the full name of the trophy is also engraved on its base. so bit difficult to change.
**see, there's an asterisk there because it's not really season three. this was explained previously. will this asterisk disappear in future seasons? no. i like unnecessary asterisks.

RESULTS

Matchday 1
Alexandria 257/6 (50 overs)
Severn 228 (48.2 overs)

Lormark 232 (39.4 overs)
Georgia 236/8 (46.4 overs)

Clearmont 245/8 (45.5 overs)
Thornton 241/6 (50 overs)

Matchday 2
Severn 267 (48.4 overs)
Thornton 287/5 (50 overs)

Georgia 277/2 (50 overs)
Clearmont 274/9 (50 overs)

Alexandria 141/4 (50 overs)
Lormark 142/2 (21.4 overs)

Matchday 3
Lormark 230/5 (50 overs)
Severn 175 (41.4 overs)

Clearmont 342/8 (50 overs)
Alexandria 261/5 (50 overs)

Thornton 184/7 (50 overs)
Georgia 188/6 (42.5 overs)

Matchday 4
Severn 251/9 (42 overs)
Georgia 250/6 (50 overs)

Alexandria 244/5 (42.3 overs)
Thornton 241/9 (50 overs)

Lormark 224/5 (47.2 overs)
Clearmont 223 (48.4 overs)

Matchday 5
Clearmont 237/9 (50 overs)
Severn 244/5 (50 overs)

Thornton 171 (35.5 overs)
Lormark 241/8 (50 overs)

Georgia 250/9 (34 overs)
Alexandria 247 (49.4 overs)

Matchday 6
Severn 198/9 (35.3 overs)
Alexandria 194/6 (50 overs)

Georgia 211/3 (46 overs)
Lormark 208 (48 overs)

Thornton 239/6 (41.4 overs)
Clearmont 236 (45.4 overs)

Matchday 7
Thornton 274/9 (50 overs)
Severn 275/8 (49.3 overs)

Clearmont 212/7 (50 overs)
Georgia 213/5 (42.5 overs)

Lormark 238/9 (42.5 overs)
Alexandria 234/8 (50 overs)

Matchday 8
Severn 221 (49.2 overs)
Lormark 324/8 (50 overs)

Alexandria 257/3 (50 overs)
Clearmont 259/7 (48.4 overs)

Georgia 245/9 (50 overs)
Thornton 262/8 (50 overs)

Matchday 9
Georgia 208/2 (38.4 overs)
Severn 205 (45.3 overs)

Thornton 208/2 (50 overs)
Alexandria 212/3 (39.3 overs)

Clearmont 266/9 (50 overs)
Lormark 286/6 (50 overs)

Matchday 10
Severn 281/2 (40.3 overs)
Clearmont 279 (49.3 overs)

Lormark 276/2 (50 overs)
Thornton 280/7 (45.5 overs)

Alexandria 243/7 (50 overs)
Georgia 221/9 (50 overs)

* GWW Reynolds Trophy - League Stage
TEAM           P   W   D   L     NRR   Pts
.Lormark.     10   7   0   3  +0.781    14    Grand Final
.Georgia.     10   7   0   3  +0.386    14    Grand Final
.Severn.      10   5   0   5  -0.182    10
.Thornton.    10   4   0   6  -0.270     8
.Alexandria.  10   4   0   6  -0.627     8
.Clearmont.   10   3   0   7  -0.138     6

GWWW Reynolds Trophy Grand Final. Winner takes home the GWWW Reynolds Trophy.
.Lormark. 282 (48 overs)
.Georgia. 285/9 (47.1 overs)
.Georgia. win by 1 wicket and complete the #GeorgiaSweep, with the Georgia team winning the GWWW Reynolds Trophy and Kingsbury winning the T20 Trophy. A good year for supporters of the White-And-Blues; a less good year for everyone else.

[Tumbra]

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
TRANSFER WINDOW ROUND-UP

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

Retirements/Transfers down to the lower leagues

Name                Age     Pos     Nat     Former Club             New Club                    Fee
Michael McShane     36      CB      TMB     Clyde Park              Retired
Donald Craiglethy   35      CB      TMB/SCT Columbia City           Retired
Marcus Sheldon      35      ST      TMB     Couno Rangers           Retired
Dean Rowden         35      GK      TMB     Hesham FC               Retired
Louis Addison       36      GK      TMB     Lakewood United         Retired
Graham Lloyd        35      LB      TMB     Macarthur City          Retired
Michael Aitken      35      CDM     TMB     Port Marray             Retired
Ewen Cunningham     36      GK      TMB     Port Marray             Retired
Ally McColl         35      RM      TMB     AFC Cayalon             Retired
Alexander Philips   35      GK      TMB     AFC Cayalon             Retired
Adam Piosek         36      RB      TMB     AFC Gillman             Retired
Jim Hunter          35      ST      TMB     Ashton Rovers           Retired
Ralf Vanstenkeeste  34      ST      TMB     Bencoolen City          Retired
Daryl Golding       34      LW      TMB     AFC Gillman             Retired
Brian Anderson      31      CAM     TMB     Fraser Valley           Kirkby Railwaymen           2.0m
Stephen Williams    22      CAM     TMB     Ridgewell Rovers        AFC Gillman                 1.6m
Jon Eagleton        30      LW      TMB     Straton                 Kirkby Railwaymen           1.6m
Neville Marriott    29      LM      TMB     Hesham FC               Bencoolen City              1.5m
Paul Alberici       33      CM      TMB     Macarthur City          Ridgewell United            1.0m
Joe Anderson        31      LW      TMB     West Couno United       Newton Wanderers            1.0m
Adam Miles          33      CM      TMB     Sturrey Athletic        Mackay Robins               1.0m
Daniel Newman       32      RM      TMB     Fraser Valley           Mackay Robins               0.8m
Ivor Harris         32      CB      TMB     Glenmont AFC            Cobham United               Free
Jim Morris          33      ST      TMB     Glenmont AFC            Bencoolen City              Free
Roger Baker         30      CB      TMB     Hesham FC               Dorival FC                  Free
David Thorburn      32      LW      TMB     Macarthur City          AFC Gillman                 Free        
Frank Carter        32      CB      TMB     Ridgewell Rovers        Ashton Rovers               Free
Scott Mason         33      RW      TMB     Ridgewell Rovers        Bencoolen City              Free
Ian George          31      LW      TMB     Port Marray             Gelder Creek                Free
Russell Philips     33      LW      TMB     Port Marray             Mackay Robins               Free
David Weir          32      LW      TMB     Bencoolen City          Falmouth Athletic           Free
Jon Holness         30      CM      TMB     West Couno United       Washington City             Free
Edwin Garside       30      RB      TMB     Colbrook City           Washington City             Free
Jake Wilson         31      CM      TMB     Colbrook City           Trelmont Rangers            Free
Bobby Miller        32      RM      TMB     Colbrook City           Tavistock Athletic          Free
Anthony Bolton      32      CAM     TMB     Colbrook City           Dorival FC                  Free
Drew Morton         32      CM      TMB     Columbia City           Ridgewell United            Free
Robert Goldstein    32      LW      TMB     Kingsbury United        Gelder Creek                Free

Departures

Name                Age     Pos     Nat     Former Club             New Club                    Fee
Wilton Ramos        24      RM      QUE     Lakewood United         Mosul                       5.0m
Anna K-K            23      LW      QUE     Lakewood United         1896 Ebor                   5.0m
Sabine Kemp         24      LB      NPH     Lakewood United         Coret Hawks                 4.0m
Mark Kristoff       27      CB      CMT     Fraser Valley           Brenville Blue              1.0m
Casey Farag         26      RB      EFL     Straton                 Bergsteiger FK              Free
Astrid Iqbal        23      LB      EFL     Delphi Lionesses        Desert Lions                Free
Sasha Pfaelzisch    29      CDM     NPH     Columbia City           Asbury Park                 Free
Philothy Den Uyl    26      CM      AUD     Kingsbury United        Shirley Metros FC           Free
Nita Hanson         25      ST      SNL     Fraser Valley FC        Hornchurch                  Free
Sophie Randall      30      RB      SYL     Delphi Lionesses        Clark City                  Free
Isabel Aberdeen     32      RB      SYL     Ridgewell Rovers        Dorival FC                  Free
Wang Qishan         25      LB      XHA     Serrapince              Hongmiao United             Free        
Kurt Schilling      23      GK      KTZ     Kingsbury United        Hansa Kotzellch             Free
Tom Brauer          30      CAM     KTZ     Straton                 1. FC Runtenbach            Free
Matt Reddington     31      CM      TKT     Macarthur City          Undisclosed                 Undisc.
Frank Stuart        26      CDM     SNL     Macarthur City          Released
Victor Mackay       34      CM      TLI     Sturrey Athletic        Released
Richter Moranis     31      CM      NPH     Sturrey Athletic        Released
Lei Xiaobo          32      LB      YZH     Straton                 Released
Eloisa Caldwell     31      ST      NPH     Columbia City           Released
Lyn Musgrave        33      CB      NPH     Glenmont AFC            Released
Lars Sandalwood     30      RB      NPH     Lakewood City           Released

Internal Transfers

Name                Age     Pos     Nat     Former Club             New Club                    Fee
Josip Horvat        27      RM      SVG     Serrapince FC           Lakewood United             4.5m
Valerie Morris      22      CM      TMB     Delphi Lionesses        Lakewood City               4.0m
Alan Morgan         29      CM      TMB     Lakewood City           Macarthur City              3.2m
Joyce Hughes        23      LM      TMB     Delphi Lionesses        Kingsbury United            3.0m
Paul Marlin         24      LB      TMB     Macarthur City          Lakewood United             2.5m
Belinda Proudfoot   21      CB      TMB     Bencoolen City          Clyde Park                  2.4m
Philip Gonzalez     27      CB      TMB     FC Inter Nantwich       Fraser Valley               2.3m
John Bush           31      CM      TMB     FC Inter Nantwich       Fraser Valley               2.0m
Joanna Bradford     22      ST      TMB     Delphi Lionesses        Clyde Park                  2.0m
Simon Cole          29      LW      TMB     Couno Rangers           Straton FC                  1.8m
Anne Beckett        22      RM      TMB     Newton Wanderers        Fraser Valley               1.6m
Zheng Haidong       25      CM      YZH     Glenmont AFC            FC Inter Nantwich           1.5m
Alexander Anderson  30      RW      TMB     Couno Rangers           Colbrook City               1.5m
Savatije Kralj      25      LB      FFD     Lakewood City           Macarthur City              1.5m
Hazel Garlick       23      ST      TMB     Newton Wanderers        West Couno United           1.4m
Sean MacDonald      30      LB      TMB     Ridgewell Rovers        Macarthur City              1.2m
Linda Marshall      21      CB      TMB     New Timbourne Knights   Columbia City               1.1m
Gerhard Exter       26      LM      NPH     Newton Wanderers        Port Marray                 1.0m
Christopher Steele  23      RM      TMB     Bencoolen City          Ridgewell Rovers            0.8m
Dean Blackburn      24      GK      TMB     Bencoolen City          Glenmont AFC                0.5m
Desmond Sartain     20      CAM     TMB     Ricci Ironworkers       Straton FC                  Free

Transfers into the league

Name                Age     Pos     Nat     Former Club             New Club                    Fee
Kendra Considine R. 28      LW      NPH/SCT AFC Treason             Lakewood United            10.0m
K-R Hertel          21      LW      QUE     CSKA Quebec             Couno Rangers               6.0m
Kurosh Rostami      24      LM      SRS     Torbay Thunder          Hesham FC                   5.0m
Walter Thomas       24      CB      TKT     FC Rotmunde 1932        FC Inter Nantwich           5.0m
Rajmund Sitko       23      CM      BRE     Rozelle                 West Couno United           5.0m
Haydn Schwartz      23      CAM     ZRH     Creston Wolves          Kingsbury United            3.0m
Enis Crnogorčević   23      CM      MYT     Ysgrann Bay Eagles FC   Columbia City               2.5m
Katyrna Zuniga      31      CDM     CMT     Sabrefell Moths         Delphi Lionesses            2.0m
Frederick Prost     26      ST      MRT     FMFC Ninestar           Couno Rangers               1.5m
Heather Gell        25      ST      MRT     Signal Dannin           FC Inter Nantwich           1.3m
Travis Dolan        23      CM      TKT     Port Tacassam FC        Lakewood United             1.3m
Dannon Larr         26      ST      MRT     Octosaide               Kingsbury United            1.0m
Moussa Wague        22      ST      BRO     Regiis Dreamland        Lakewood City               0.5m
Fried Rossum        26      CM      COR     Cordasfjord FC          Sturrey Athletic            0.5m
Jacklyn Chung       25      LM      CMT     Knetyohai               Delphi Lionesses            0.5m
Twilight Mixon      22      LB      CMT     Sanar Univ.             Lakewood City               Free
Elsie Houston       21      RB      TLI/CMT Chromatik State Univ.   Hesham FC                   Free
Lai Sinyue          22      CB      CMT     Urrheddiao State Univ.  Delphi Lionesses            Free
Mathilde Barthet    22      CM      CMT     Chromia C.C. Univ.      Delphi Lionesses            Free
Ottavio Bonucci     24      CAM     SVG     FC St. Jakob            Ridgewell Rovers            Free
Bayu Anggara        18      RM      PCU     Putra Satria            Serrapince FC               Free
Komang T. Kurniawan 18      RB      PCU     Tunas Petilan           Lakewood City               Free
Halyos le Gall      28      ST      APX     Endeavour Brenecia      Guillemard Town             Free
Makoto Honda        30      CDM     HIN     Plastinagrade           Glenmont AFC                Free
Levi Beckton        24      RB      NPH     Chenoworth Harriers     Colbrook City               Free
Reinhard Wettin     25      CB      NPH     South Laithland         Glenmont AFC                Free
Emma Gary           27      CB      GTK     SC Tiedemessut          Guillemard Town             Free
Julia Garland       24      CM      NPH     Starling                Macarthur City              Free
Ivan Bader          27      CM      NPH     Coret Hawks             Macarthur City              Free
Olenna Bruune       24      CAM     NPH     Newrook City            Colbrook City               Free
Valerie Campbell    27      CAM     NPH     South Laithland         Sturrey Athletic            Free
Traci Lachmann      24      CAM     NPH     Chenoworth Harriers     Guillemard Town             Free

Transfer Records and Stats

Highest fee paid by a Tumbran club: 10m for 3 transfers
- Hermaeus Mora [CMT], Lhor [CMT] to Serrapince FC, TW32
- Anna Korniloff-Kouyaté [QUE], Perce Town [QUE] to Lakewood United, TW34
- Kendra Considine Ramsey [NPH], AFC Treason [NPH] to Lakewood United, TW36

Highest domestic fee paid: 7.5m for 1 transfer
- Vázsony Sallay [PAS] from Straton FC to Serrapince FC, TW35

Highest outgoing fee: 20.0m for Nick Riordan, Serrapince FC to Sabrefell Moths [NPH], TW35

Total Amount Spent by Tumbran Clubs
TW31: 21.9m
TW32: 54.754m
TW33: 47.354m
TW34: 46m
TW35: 44m
TW36: 53.6m

[Tumbra]

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
PREVIEW, PART ONE

The odds presented in these previews will not add up to 100%. That is how bookmakers work. So be gamble aware. When the fun stops, stop. Take time to think. Go on, do it, though.

FC Inter Nantwich

Quick Facts

City and State: Nantwich, Finnley
Last season: Champions, 81 points
Stadium: Nantwich Stadium, 64,000
Nickname: the Black-and-Blues; the Bulls
Manager: Rachel Schroeder, 55, Nephara
Style of Play: Balanced; Counterattacking
Prediction: Title challenge
Key Player: ST Basilica Coexter
Captain: RW Atlas Baxter

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
1   GK      Nick Barker         29  M   Tumbra
14  LB      Aimée Laurent       27  F   Savigliane
23  CB      Vilovalu Wakajama   25  M   Ko-oren
13  CB      Walter Thomas       24  M   Tikariot
22  RB      Klara Verlan        20  F   Quebec
6   CDM     Aventurine Kolar    28  F   Nephara
8   CM      Andrew Fisher       27  M   Tumbra
16  CM      Julie Dufour        25  F   Kelssek
9   LW      Jake Spekman        22  M   The Licentian Isles*
7   RW      Atlas Baxter        31  M   Tikariot
11  ST      Basilica Coxeter    26  F   Nephara

12  GK      Jan Murray          22  M   Tumbra
25  GK      Ferdinand Halliwell 18  M   Tumbra
2   LB      Tony Baldwin        30  M   Tumbra
4   CB      Devon Daniels       32  M   Cassadaigua
5   CB      Joaquin Santo       23  M   Juvencus
3   RB      Don Blather         25  M   Tumbra
20  CM      Ian Robertson       23  M   Tumbra
19  CM      Zheng Haidong       25  M   Yuezhou
10  CAM     Choi Kyung-Soo      28  M   Kita-Hinode
21  CDM     Robert Anselm       22  M   Tumbra
15  LW      Rebecca Haines      20  F   Tumbra
18  RW      Richard Baker       25  M   Tumbra
17  ST      Michelle Broadhurst 22  F   Tumbra
24  ST      Heather Gell        25  F   Mertagne

*Second Chromatik nationality

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Walter Thomas from FC Rotmunde 1932, 5.0m
Zheng Haidong from Glenmont AFC, 1.5m
Heather Gell from Signal Dannin, 1.3m
Outgoing: Philip Gonzalez to Fraser Valley, 2.5m
John Bush to Fraser Valley, 2.5m

For Nantwich, the name of the game this season is consolidation — and they’ve worked appropriately.

Last season: It’s safe to say that the double was probably the best outcome for Nantwich, all things considered. They were always the favourites after signing both Coxeter and Kolar, two players who both bedded in very well; and although the machine took a bit long to get going, after the mid-season Nantwich ended up being the team to beat. They took the lead of the Premier Division after 21 weeks and essentially never looked back. The win in the Republic Cup was the cherry on top; and Nantwich are now headed to the Champions’ League on the sixth time of asking.

New Arrivals: The big signing here is Walter Thomas from Siovanija and Teusland; the Tikariotian national team centre-back was signed relatively early in the window and with relatively little fanfare, too. It was a very low-key signing for the future of Nantwich’s defence; Schroeder will be hoping he’ll prove an able long-term successor to the Cassadagan Devon Daniels. Zheng Haidong arrives from Glenmont as a back-up option to the already stacked midfield of Kolar, Fisher and Dufour; the still-young Yue midfielder was agitating for a move away from a seemingly perpetually crisis-stricken Glenmont, and looks to be settling in into a more stable, well-run club. Heather Gell, meanwhile, arrives to bolster the attack, though there are questions over just how much game-time she will get with Michelle Broadhurst agitating to start as well.

Key Players: There isn’t much to look beyond the Nepharan duo of Aventurine Kolar and Basilica Coxeter; the defensive midfielder is a commanding presence on the field, while the striker, while surprisingly not the most prolific in her first season in Tumbra, is a commanding option up front. On the left, Jake Spekman offers a compelling, youthful and explosive option; while Andrew Fisher in the midfield is an intelligent, versatile and prime player for the Bulls of Nantwich. In goal, Nick Barker may just be the finest Tumbran goalkeeper there is.

Prediction: A title challenge, at the very least; and the bookies certainly think the same way, with them being 5/2 favourites. They’ve made the right signings in a low-key way; and with the spine of the team remaining largely unchanged, it could be a good season for the Bulls.

Serrapince FC

Quick Facts

City and State: Serrapince, Bechor
Last season: 2nd, 79 points
Stadium: Serrapince Park, 74,000
Nickname: the Bees; the Black-And-Golds
Manager: Danny Haverhead, 53, Tikariot
Style of Play: Attack, attack and attack again
Prediction: Title challenge
Key Player: ST Vazsony Sallay
Captain: CAM Hermaeus Mora

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
1   GK      Mick Key            28  M   Eura
2   LB      Kandice Sayer       31  F   Chromatika
20  CB      Flo Eschborn        30  F   Nephara
4   CB      Raymond Perry       29  M   Tumbra
3   RB      Andrija Hrvatin     28  F   Pasarga
6   CDM     Laura Ness          29  F   Schottia*
8   CM      Craig McGrath       30  M   Tumbra
7   LW      George Hilton       28  M   Tumbra
18  CAM     Dagur Lawrence      22  M   Poafmersia
22  RW      Charlotte Ritchie   23  F   The Licentian Isles
9   ST      Vázsony Sallay      27  M   Pasarga

12  GK      Tom Harper          22  M   Tumbra
25  GK      Branko Cvitkovic    18  M   Tumbra**
13  LB      Fiona Jones         19  F   Tumbra
14  CB      Bob Trimble         26  M   Tumbra
5   CB      Gary Lewis          30  M   Tumbra
24  CB      Faas Bosman         18  M   Tumbra***
19  RB      Leanne Miller       27  F   Brenecia
15  CM      Tom Stansfield      32  M   Tumbra
23  CDM     Vince Cahill        23  M   Tumbra
21  CDM     Brendan Rowling     20  M   Tumbra
10  CAM     Hermaeus Mora       34  M   Chromatika
17  LW      Paul Tucker         19  M   Tumbra
11  RW      Bayu Anggara        18  M   Pemecutan
16  ST      Maxim Knežević      29  M   Savigliane

*Second Tumbran nationality
**Second Mytanar nationality
***Second Licentian nationality

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Bayu Anggara from Putra Satria, free
Outgoing: Josip Horvat to Lakewood United, 4.5m
Wang Qishan to Hongmiao United, free
Keith Bormann to 1. FC Kotzellach, free

With a new age creeping ever closer, will the Bees manage to ease a complicated transition from one of the most successful teams to the future?

Last season: It was a relatively mixed season for Serrapince; yes, they finished second, and thanks to Tumbra’s new-found league strength indicator, managed to scrape through to the Champions’ League. But there was always a sense that it wasn’t the most solid of second places; that somehow, they weren’t as convincing as a second-placed team as they should’ve been. There’s a growing sense of anxiety over the age of the first eleven, and while there’s still full faith in Danny Haverhead to pull off a rebuild of one of the most successful teams of the early IFCF era, he’s been taking his time to start it off.

New Arrivals: Serrapince themselves were relatively quiet in the transfer window, only dipping into the Pemecutanian league to pick up Bayu Anggara on the right. Most “transfers” have been in terms of players being promoted to the senior team; Tom Harper, Fiona Jones, Faas Bosman are but three names who have made it through the Serrapince youth set-up and look set to play a larger role in the coming years.

Key Players: The most important promotion, though, goes to Dagur Lawrence; in Serrapince’s first pre-season presser, manager Haverhead stressed that he was going to take on a more important role this season. It makes sense, what with the Bees’ talismanic attacking midfielder Hermaeus Mora approaching the last season of his contract and admitting he’s not likely to extend it much further. Charlotte Ritchie has also been given a promotion with the departure of Josip Horvat to Lakewood United; but the main lineup of stars remains the same. Mick Key, Kandice Sayer, Raymond Perry, Andrija Hrvatin, Laura Ness, George Hilton and particularly Vazsony Sallay are the highlights of a team that’s been consistently competitive since the arrival of the Hammerhead; but that covers up a wafer-thin depth line that is also a problem that needs to be sorted out sooner rather than later.

Prediction: Serrapince’s starting line-up is strong, but a season is contested over 38 matches; and most feel like they haven’t done enough to revitalise their squad enough. Still, though, 5/1 odds are being offered for them; and at the very least, they should be a title challenger for much of the season.

Couno Rangers

Quick Facts

City and State: Couno, Napier
Last season: 3rd, 78 points
Stadium: Couno Port Stadium, 54,500
Nickname: the Rams; the Reds
Manager: Marco Giuliani, 52, Savigliane
Style of Play: Short, quick-passing play
Prediction: IFCF contenders
Key Player: ST Bruce Nolan
Captain: CB Joel Tyler

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
1   GK      Andrew Taylor       29  M   Tumbra
2   LB      Seren Thomson       26  F   The Licentian Isles
14  CB      Arwen van As        24  F   The Licentian Isles
4   CB      Joel Tyler          29  M   Tumbra
3   RB      Luca Cambiaso       25  M   Savigliane
5   CM      J-P Vaillancourt    24  M   Quebec
18  CDM     Mark Finnemore      23  M   Tumbra
13  CM      Marvella Hargrove   25  F   Chromatika
9   LW      K-R Hertel          21  M   Quebec*
12  RW      Dimitra Conder      25  F   Nephara
11  ST      Bruce Nolan         25  M   Tumbra

13  GK      Mike Hahn           22  M   Tumbra
25  GK      Cyril Anderton      18  M   Tumbra
16  LB      Bryan Parker        27  M   Tumbra
17  CB      Welar-Ovolk Gep     23  M   Qusmo
6   CB      Lomar Wellingsley   24  M   Tikariot
20  RB      Maksimilian Trukhin 29  M   Pyazhnaya
21  CM      Pertz-Evela Vet     23  M   Qusmo
8   CM      Anna Napier         34  F   Schottia**
19  CM      Colin Kearney       23  M   Tumbra
15  CAM     Bill Bowen          29  M   Tumbra
7   LW      Francis Evers       29  M   Tumbra
22  RW      Lilith Kendall      18  F   Tumbra***
10  ST      Frederick Prost     26  M   Mertagne
24  ST      Sylvaine Fortier    19  F   Tumbra****

*Second Jeruselem nationality	
**Second Tumbran nationality
***Second Nepharan nationality
****Second Chromatik nationality

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Kingsley-Roger Hertel from CSKA Moscow, 6.0m
Frederick Prost from Signal Dannin, 1.5m
Outgoing: Simon Cole to Straton FC, 1.8m
Alexander Anderson to Colbrook City, 1.5m
Marcus Sheldon, retired

There’s a growing sense that this is, indeed, Couno’s time to shine. Will Marco Giuliani deliver?

Last season: For the team that somehow managed to break their first-half season curse and end Matchday Nineteen at the top of the table (albeit on goal difference - but don’t tell them), third in the league might have been conceived as a little disappointing. Third, objectively, was a good finish; it is the highest that Couno have finished in the six seasons of IFCF football played. There is always the weight of expectation that comes from Couno fans, however. After all, this is the team that has won nineteen Premier Division titles (and fans will not hesitate to tell you about all of them), the most Republic Cups, etc etc. Don’t let their expectations get in the way, though; third was a good result.

New Arrivals: For a country that has seemingly soured on Quebecois wingers — the saga of Wilton Ramos, Anna Korniloff-Kouyate and Lakewood United having dominated the last season’s off-pitch action — Kingsley-Roger Hertel seemed like an odd choice for Couno to go for. The rumours off-season was that they were planning an almost too audacious double swoop for Valerie Wells and Vincent Hicks, both of whom had been put up for sale for their respective clubs; but the price for both of them, and the fact that they both chose to continue plying their trades outside Tumbra, scared them off. KR9, as he’s already become known amongst the Couno fanbase, has displayed little inclination for controversial behaviour like the rest of the Hertel family; and has already pledged to knuckle down and focus on the football. Frederick Prost joins from Mertagne too; expected to provide competition for Nolan, and make it such that the club won’t need to rely on 19 year-old Sylvaine Fortier whenever Nolan’s out.

Key Players: Apart from KR9, there’s the usual suspect of Bruce Nolan up top. Brusque, unashamedly working-class and rough around the edges, the perpetually frowny-faced striker has taken over the number 11 shirt after the retirement of Marcus Sheldon; and is hoping he’ll be able to add to the first Golden Boot he won. Fans will be hoping he won’t score as many goals as his new shirt number, however; with him being the main offensive threat. Dimitra Conder on the right is Nolan’s sanguine counterpart; the Nepharim winger always seems to have a smile on her face, making explosive runs down the flank and essentially perfectly fitting into Giuliani’s tactical strategy. In the midfield, Mark Finnemore’s breakout season has seen him start to make waves on the national team front; and he’s more than justified his 5m transfer tag last season. The defence is marshalled by Joel Tyler, though the Couno defence is rapidly maturing and all of them could be considered key; the longevity of each of the four players has helped them become one of the most cohesive units in Tumbra.

Prediction: This could be Couno’s break-out season. They’ve already shown that this squad is good enough to fight for the Champions’ League place; and despite the country souring on Quebecois wingers, the newest Hertel is a quality signing for just six million. They have the infrastructure, they have the players; and if not for the fact that Nantwich exists, they’d probably be the favourites. The odds of 4/1 — the second best after Nantwich — reflect this.

Lakewood City

Quick Facts

City and State: Lakewood, Severn
Last season: 4th, 77 points
Stadium: Lakewood City Stadium, 58,000
Nickname: the Skyblues; the Skylarks
Manager: John Riedweld, 54, Tumbra
Style of Play: Possessive, attacking
Prediction: Title challenge
Key Player: RW Robin Vaughn
Captain: RW Robin Vaughn

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
1   GK      John Lennon         35  M   Tumbra
2   LB      Ryan Hughes         32  M   Tumbra
4   CB      Ian Ashburn         27  M   Tumbra
14  CB      Maja Olsman         27  M   Ko-oren
3   RB      Chris Carter        27  M   Tumbra
8   CDM     Eli Apt             28  M   Chromatika
16  CM      Valerie Morris      22  F   Tumbra
10  CAM     P-L Laishram        30  M   Kelssek
7   LW      Neil Fraser         28  M   Tumbra
9   RW      Robin Vaughn        31  M   Tumbra
11  ST      Ophelie Bernard     26  F   Savigliane

13  GK      David Ager          23  M   Tumbra
25  GK      Graham Henderson    18  M   Tumbra
12  LB      Twilight Mixon      22  F   Chromatika
17  CB      Tom Lawrence        26  M   Tumbra
5   CB      Louis Paterson      30  M   Tumbra
19  RB      Komang T. Kurniawan 18  M   Pemecutan
6   CM      Erika Steinlein     29  F   Nephara
15  CM      Hazel Hills         19  F   Tumbra
20  CDM     Lewis McCabe        23  M   Tumbra
23  CAM     Mickey Lynch        27  M   Tumbra
18  LW      Jack Reed           24  M   Tumbra
21  RW      Charlie Baker       23  M   Tumbra
22  ST      Charlotte Henshaw   21  F   Tumbra
24  ST      Moussa Wague        22  M   Brookstation

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Valerie Morris from Delphi Lionesses, 4.0m
Moussa Wague from Regiis Dreamland, 0.5m
Twilight Mixon from Sanar University, free
Komang T. Kurniawan from Tunas Petilan, free
Outgoing: Alan Morgan to Macarthur City, 3.2m
Savatije Kralj to Macarthur City, 1.5m
Lars Sandalwood, released

Lakewood City look like a team losing their fighting spirit. Is it too little, too late?

Last season: Four points off the title and being in the fight until the penultimate matchday seemed like a decent season for City on the surface; but that covers up the fact that they still finished fourth and were essentially playing rather uninspired football, relying on the most part on Robin Vaughn’s moments of brilliance. Perhaps it’s time for a shake-up at the top, despite Riedweld’s legendary status at the club; a new surge of energy might be needed. After all, it worked for the rest of the Big Six.

New Arrivals: Perhaps the most intriguing arrival is Twilight Mixon, who has been posited as the long-term heir to Ryan Hughes despite the twos’ playing style being as similar as chalk and cheese. The Chromatik left-back, earmarked for big things, comes in after Savatije Kralj departed the club for Macarthur; and will serve as the backup for Hughes as she fits into Riedweld’s tactical system. Moussa Wague comes in from Regiis Dreamland, and in so doing becomes the first Brookstation player to make the jump to City. Komang Kurniawan comes in from Pemecutan to fill in the spot left by Lars Sandalwood’s departure; but the quote-unquote big signing has to be Valerie Morris, making the jump from Delphi for just four million. She replaces Alan Morgan, who had reached a contract stalemate with the club with one year to go on his deal; and the former Readale player left for Macarthur on good terms with the club, though with a sense that by the end of his tenure he’d disappointed — never quite hitting the heights expected of him when he arrived from Readale all those years ago.

Key Players: As always, Robin Vaughn, though now on the wrong side of 30, is the key here. Taciturn yet imposing, brilliant and humble in equal measure, a leader on and off the pitch, the Tumbran captain continues his long-held stewardship on the right. Neil Fraser and Pierre-Louis Laishram are his counterparts in attack; while Ian Ashburn in defence will continue to be the main player, maturing immensely since his introduction to the first team six years ago.

Prediction: There is a general sense that this team is one slowly embarking on a long walk towards the sunset of its current era. Vaughn isn’t getting younger, and the club’s parsimony isn’t helping. The club has money; it just needs to be spent, and wisely, to help bring in a rejuvenation. The quality is still there, though; and the odds of 7/1 reflect a team that’s still able to mount a challenge, but will probably be on the outside fringes of one.

Columbia City

Quick Facts

City and State: Columbia, Alexandria
Last season: 5th, 72 points
Stadium: Columbus Field, 49,000
Nickname: the Southerners, the Fishermen
Manager: David Griffiths, 52, Tumbra
Style of Play: Moderately attacking, heavy on side passing play
Prediction: In the hunt
Key Player: CM David Burnet
Captain: ST Thomas Burrows

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
13  GK      George Danvers      23  M   Tumbra
2   LB      Jolanda MacPierce   27  F   Zwangzug
4   CB      Torcado Fiallo      26  M   Tequilo*
15  CB      N-H McKinley        21  M   Quebec
3   RB      Finlay Hall         25  M   Tikariot
7   LW      Mike Coonan         28  M   Tumbra
8   CM      Enis Crnogorčević   23  M   Mytanija
6   CM      David Burnet        27  M   Tumbra
10  RW      Luciano Bello       26  M   Savigliane
9   ST      Frank Wilson        26  M   Tumbra
11  ST      Thomas Burrows      29  M   Flavovespia

1   GK      Farzana Patel       20  F   Tumbra
25  GK      Reed Woodward       19  M   Tumbra
16  LB      Rhys Vanney         26  M   Nephara
5   CB      Tomas Hull          29  M   Brenecia
19  CB      Linda Marshall      21  F   Tumbra
20  RB      Ashley Crittenden   21  F   Tumbra
18  CDM     Henry Morgan        20  M   Tumbra
23  CM      Susan Ramsden       18  F   Tumbra
14  CM      Kálmán Sásk         22  M   Farfadilis
24  CAM     Manuel Vaquilar     19  M   Tumbra**
21  LW      Peter Hurst         20  M   Tumbra
17  RW      Bruno Powell        28  M   Tumbra
22  ST      Tim Rowland         32  M   Tumbra
12  ST      August Haller       22  F   Tumbra
    
*Second Tumbran nationality
**Second Faroleran nationality

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Enis Crnogorčević from Ysgrann Bay Eagles FC, 2.5m
Linda Marshall from New Timbourne Knights, 1.1m
Outgoing: Drew Morton to Ridgewell United, free
Sasha Pfaelzisch to Asbury Park, free
Eloisa Caldwell, released
Donald Craiglethy, retired

Columbia broke through last season and reached international competition for the first time ever. Now it’s time for them to repeat it.

Last season: David Griffiths’ stock kept on rising as his team held on to fifth, holding off a fast-charging Lakewood United side and securing a Challengers’ Cup berth to the surprise of most of the Tumbran footballing community. For some, though, this was but a reward long overdue; given Griffiths’ managerial skill and his assembling one of the strongest squads outside the top six. Their Challengers’ Cup run ended with the club crashing out in the Fourth Round, but considering they’d played 8 matches to get there? It was worth it.

New Arrivals: Which makes it somewhat surprising that they’ve gone light on signings this time around. It makes sense; after all, Griffiths has always been big on continuity; and he has a squad under him that knows how he works and how he wants them to play. Linda Marshall, a promising young defender, comes in from the second tier to replace the retired Donald Craiglethy; while the big signing this season is Enis Crnogorčević, who has finally become the first Mytanar to play in the Premier Division. A box-to-box midfielder, the Mytanar will be looking to add the infamous quality of Pace and Power to the Columbia midfield; something that their other midfielder, David Burnet, was always light on.

Key Players: The aforementioned Enis, as he’s come to be known, will be crucial to the team’s hopes of making it back into the Challengers’ Cup berths. Alongside him, there’s David Burnet, who has matured into a fine midfielder, perpetually on the outskirts of the national team. Torcado Fiallo has become an integral part of the defence, though the same could be said for almost all of the defensive unit; with George Danvers making waves for his skill in goal at the tender age of 23.

Prediction: The team has continued to hold on to its talent, and with the addition of Enis will only punch higher. With United beneath them strengthening radically, though, it’ll be a hard fight for them to retain their Challengers’ Cup berth. From here on out, the odds of winning the title don’t really matter; but their odds of 25/1, the highest they’ve ever been, reflect the team’s growing stature in the league and bookies’ confidence in their ability.

Lakewood United

Quick Facts

City and State: Lakewood, Severn
Last season: 6th, 71 points
Stadium: Trenton Park, 74,500
Nickname: the Reds, the Red Storm
Manager: Ted Bayh, 48
Style of Play: Fast-paced pressing, attacking play
Prediction: In the hunt
Key Player: LW Kendra Considine
Captain: RB Nigel Harris

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                    Age     Nationality
1   GK      Richard Russell         23  M   Tumbra
2   LB      Ophelia Haywood         29  F   Brenecia
16  CB      Douglas Moore           30  M   Tumbra
5   CB      Spencer Jepson          27  M   Tikariot
3   RB      Nigel Harris            30  M   Tumbra
14  LM      Kendra Considine Ramsey 28  F   Nephara*
23  CDM     Michael Browne          24  M   Tumbra
13  CM      Nicky Atkinson          27  M   Tumbra
7   RM      Josip Horvat            27  M   Savigliane
15  CAM     Kirsten Desmond         24  F   Nephara
17  ST      Corinne Fontana         27  F   Savigliane

12  GK      David Knight            19  M   Tumbra
25  GK      Gary Shepard            18  M   Tumbra
6   LB      Paul Marlin             24  M   Tumbra
4   CB      Ochoa Abril             27  M   Tequilo**
17  CB      Almar Hussein           26  M   Tumbra
20  RB      Amelia Laurent          28  F   Savigliane
11  CM      Travis Dolan            23  M   Tikariot
8   CM      Matthew Ukrop           29  M   Tikariot
19  CDM     Adrian Hewitt           25  M   Tumbra
10  CAM     James Hunter            29  M   Tumbra
24  LM      Ian McDermott           23  M   Tumbra
18  RW      Penny Wilson            20  F   Tumbra
22  ST      Cameron Keyes           27  M   Sylestone
23  ST      Richard Adams           28  M   Tumbra

*Second Schottic nationality
**Second Tumbran nationality

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Kendra Considine from AFC Treason, 10m
Josip Horvat from Serrapince FC, 4.5m
Paul Marlin from Macarthur City, 2.5m
Travis Dolan from Port Tacassam, 1.3m
Outgoing: Wilton Ramos to Mosul, 5.0m
Anna Korniloff-Kouyate to 1896 Ebor, 5.0m
Sabine Kemp to Coret Hawks, 4.0m
Louis Addison, retired

The rebuild begins. Again.

Last season: There isn’t much to describe the way in which Lakewood United’s season spectacularly imploded after the full revelations of what Wilton Ramos did in Taeshan came to light. Their season, which was actually doing going alright till about the tenth week of football, went downhill after those revelations; dressing room morale plummeted, Korniloff-Kouyate refused to play at the same time as Ramos, and United were forced to play James Hunter on the right wing for half the season because of this. Mark van der Brumen had enough, and resigned; he headed for Sporting Jaglan in the Squornshelous Remnant States, tired of it all and leaving Tumbra behind. Out, too, went Louis Addison, who voluntarily resigned from the captaincy at the end of the season before announcing his retirement a week later. With a club in pieces, they needed someone who could rebuild - and fast.

New Arrivals: In, then, came Ted Bayh, the former manager of Straton; the tough disciplinarian who came in with essentially carte blanche to make sweeping changes to the squad. Out went Korniloff-Kouyate, who’d already expressed a desire to leave; out went Ramos, his position untenable after the news. In came Josip Horvat from Serrapince, who’d take Ramos’ place on the right; but the question of who would take AKK’s place on the left was not resolved until the last day of the transfer window, when the sudden acquisition of Kendra Considine changed the whole equation. A Hermaeus Mora-level signing when it comes to name recognition, the 28 year-old left winger (capped 74 times for Nephara and a World Cup winner, yet iced out by Nepharan manager Elaine Koeller) may have felt like a panic buy, but it certainly didn’t look like one. United’s rebuild will look to start again; but with the addition of Considine to their lineup, it may have gotten a jump-start sooner rather than later. Paul Marlin came in too from Macarthur, to replace Sabine Kemp; who, in what is rapidly becoming something of a tradition for Lakewood United fullbacks, left in search of more playing time.

Key Players: Considine, of course, starts this list off; but there’s much to be said about the rest of the team, too. Nicky Atkinson anchors a midfield which is led by Kirsten Desmond, 24 and with seemingly limitless potential; while Ophelia Haywood and Nigel Harris anchor the fullback spots. This squad is one of the deepest in the league; United’s spending has brought them one of the best squads in the league, though as last season sadly proved, off-season issues proved to be the bane of United’s campaign.

Prediction: The signing of Considine has brought United’s name back into the conversation for a title challenge, but the odds the bookies have given them — 10/1 — reflect a team that is still picking itself up, and a team that may take a bit longer than expected to get going under a manager who’s known to be tough on his players, and tactically quite different from the old guard.

Clyde Park

Quick Facts

City and State: Clyde, Clearmont
Last season: 7th, 64 points
Stadium: Clyde Park, 38,500
Nickname: the Clarets; the Lions
Manager: Joep Martens, 43, the Licentian Isles
Style of Play: Attacking, short passing plays, fast forwards
Prediction: Midtable
Key Player: ST Gedeo Escat
Captain: LB Jacob Keene

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
12  GK      Raphael Brennan     23  M   Tumbra
2   LB      Jacob Keene         28  M   Tumbra
5   CB      Trevor Marshall     27  M   Tikariot
19  CB      Stuart Murdoch      26  M   Tumbra
6   RB      Bertille Gavrill    26  F   Chromatika
18  LW      Brendan May         24  M   Tumbra
8   CM      Martin Humphreys    27  M   Tumbra
10  CAM     Edwin Markozy       25  M   Zeta Reka & Hugeltaldom
11  RW      Kim Kearnes         24  F   Sylestone
9   ST      Elaine Calare       25  F   Nephara
17  ST      Gedeó Escat         27  M   Tequilo*

1   GK      Mederick Brown      20  M   Quebec
25  GK      Mark Leader         19  M   Tumbra
15  LB      Holly Willoughby    22  F   Tumbra
4   CB      Belinda Proudfoot   21  F   Tumbra
14  CB      Ricardo Wyatt       22  M   Tumbra
3   RB      June Orenthal       27  F   Nephara
22  CM      Sam Cooper          33  M   Tumbra
13  CM      Rodrik Penn         28  M   Brenecia
16  CDM     Lucas McCormick     22  M   Tumbra
23  CAM     Natalie Coleman     21  F   Tumbra
7   LW      Alistair McGarry    23  M   Tumbra
21  RW      Daryl Ferguson      23  M   Tumbra
20  ST      Bernard Brown       29  M   Tumbra
24  ST      Joanna Bradford     22  F   Tumbra

*Second Tumbran nationality

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Belinda Proudfoot from Bencoolen City, 2.4m
Joanna Bradford from Delphi Lionesses, 2.0m
Outgoing: Michael McShane, retired

A return to seventh marks a return to normalcy. But is this their ceiling?

Last season: A very impressive seventh place highlighted the speed at which Joep Martens has turned the previously crisis-laden ship at Clyde Park around, bringing the club from thirteenth to tenth and back to seventh. Martens’ mantra while at the club has been “slow, solid progress,” and has said that “the rebuilding process has essentially ended,” with progress now being the word.

New Arrivals: One would be forgiven for wondering if there was a lack of ambition behind that sentence, however; major additions have been few and far between on the ground. Belinda Proudfoot, formerly of Lakewood United and Di Bradini Cup mainstay, joins from the recently-relegated Bencoolen; while Joanna Bradford joins from Delphi to provide additional support for the attack. It’s not a very extensive list, but Clyde have already done a lot of their buying in the previous two seasons. Is it enough, though?

Key Players: With the retirement of long-serving captain Michael McShane, Jacob Keene steps up to become captain; the left-back stepping up to try and stake his claim for a spot in the Tumbran national team. Elsewhere, Kim Kearnes on the right carried over her performances for Bencoolen, while the striking partnership of Gedeo Escat and Elaine Calare have remained strong, and delivered on the goals front. It’s a good squad — but is it enough for Clyde to try and challenge for the IFCF spots, like how Columbia have done?

Prediction: 33/1 odds represent a team on the outside fringes of title challenging, let alone fighting for the IFCF. It’s about a fair prediction; with this being a relatively quieter transfer season for teams outside the Big Five, there isn’t much movement expected from each team.

[Tumbra]

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
PREVIEW, PART TWO

The odds presented in these previews will not add up to 100%. That is how bookmakers work. So be gamble aware. When the fun stops, stop. Take time to think. Go on, do it, though.

Kingsbury United

Quick Facts

City and State: Kingsbury, Georgia
Last season: 8th, 57 points
Stadium: Fletcher Park, 45,000
Nickname: the Princelings, the Royals
Manager: Samara Kaniatarii, 46, Quebec/Gatchinggerak Union
Style of Play: Direct, fast-flowing
Prediction: Midtable
Key Player: RW Antti Perkkanen
Captain: GK Tom Sterling

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                    Age     Nationality
1   GK      Tom Sterling            33  M   Tumbra
3   LB      Gethin Stewart          25  M   Tikariot
15  CB      Nathan Quinn            25  M   Tumbra
5   CB      Thomas Krabb            26  M   Tumbra
2   RB      Bernard Martin          28  M   Savigliane
6   CDM     Coco                    23  M   Montana Verde
16  CM      Valeriano Loustaunau    25  M   Farfadilis
14  CAM     Haydn Schwartz          23  M   Zeta Reka
7   LW      Xaime Medal             30  M   Tequilo*
9   RW      Antti Perkkanen         27  M   Tikariot
11  ST      James Anderson          31  M   Tumbra

12  GK      Susan Moran             22  F   Tumbra
25  GK      Hugh Williams           18  M   Tumbra
13  LB      Wei Haifeng             24  M   Yuezhou
4   CB      Charles Allams          32  M   Tumbra
19  CB      Desimir Gavrilovic      23  M   Farfadilis
18  RB      David Walliams          33  M   Tumbra
8   CM      Mekhi Overton           32  M   Tumbra
20  CM      Sean Cushing            33  M   Tumbra
21  CAM     Tania Layton            26  F   Nephara
10  CAM     Kalene Chenoweth        27  F   Nephara
22  LM      Joyce Hughes            23  F   Tumbra
23  RW      Tom Kinzinger           23  M   Tumbra
17  ST      Malcolm Winter          27  M   Tumbra
24  ST      Dannon Larr             26  M   Mertagne

*Second Tumbran nationality

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Joyce Hughes from Delphi Lionesses, 3.0m
Haydn Schwartz from Creston Wolves, 3.0m
Dannon Larr from Octoaside, 1.0m
Outgoing: Robert Goldstein to Gelder Creek, free
Kurt Schilling to Hansa Kotzellach, free
Philothy Den Uyl to Shirley Metros, free

With an ownership looking to make some money, the pressure is mounting on Samara Kaniatarii. Will she be able to rise to the challenge?

Last season: Eighth essentially represented Kingsbury standing still, which could be construed as both good and frustrating; particularly since their neighbours Columbia managed to break through and hit the IFCF spots. Remember, Kingsbury are nine-time champions of Tumbra; and while Samara Kaniatarii is doing a good job at keeping Kingsbury competitive in a time where the league seems ever more even, the ownership team — led by Marcus Fox and Henry Wolf — are reportedly looking to sell the club, and are looking at generating value from it. This has brought about a flurry of investment. A stadium capacity increase to 45,000, something that was promised to be able to host Cup of Harmony matches, was the main thing; but there’s also an increased sense of pressure to advance up the field. After all, prestige means the club will go for a higher price; one can only trade on infrastructure and history for so long.

New Arrivals: To that end, there were two main transfers this season; Joyce Hughes makes the jump from Delphi, the now-capped left midfielder attracting plenty of attention from the upper-midfield teams in Tumbra yet choosing to move to the south coast; and Haydn Schwartz from the Cordian Isles, who becomes the second Rekan to play in the Tumbran Premier Division. The twenty-three year old is expected to slot into the space behind striker James Anderson almost immediately; and deliver, fast. Dannon Larr, meanwhile, joins as backup for Anderson; and to provide competition for Malcolm Winter, who infamously made the jump from Cayalon the season prior after scoring half of the side’s goals.

Key Players: Captain and goalkeeper Tom Sterling is and remains a commanding presence on the pitch and off it; in goal, however, his command of area marks him out from the other goalkeepers in the league. Midfielder Coco has settled in nicely at the club, growing steadily into his role at the heart of midfield; and Antti Perkkanen is always a threat on the right. This squad doesn’t have as many high-profile names as Columbia; which has reportedly been a source of anxiety to the club leadership. Remember, their main goal now is to generate value; and more high-profile signings may be likely in the future. Will it lead to financial instability a la Straton, though?

Prediction: It’s still a relatively optimistic 33/1 for them to win the league; but there’s a sense that the team may require an influx of new names if they’re to catch up to their newfound rivals Columbia. Most bookies are placing them in the upper half of the table; but will that be enough for the ownership?

Straton FC

Quick Facts

City and State: Straton, Straton
Last season: 9th, 56 points
Stadium: Straton Olympic Stadium, 63,000
Nickname: the Senators; the Capitals
Manager: Mark Stevenson, 57, the Licentian Isles
Style of Play: Wide wing play; attacking, generally
Prediction: Midtable
Key Player: ST Tino
Captain: LB Michael Campbell

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
1   GK      Graham Dodds        32  M   Tumbra
2   LB      Michael Campbell    32  M   Tumbra
3   CB      Michael Toussaint   25  M   Savigliane
4   CB      Ashley Asanta       26  F   Tikariot
13  RB      Russell White       33  M   Tumbra
18  CDM     Vlart Hedberg       25  M   SRS
10  CM      Liang Tao           23  M   Yuezhou
8   CDM     Amund Freyrsson     23  M   Kaldtfjell
9   RW      Paul Collins        29  M   Tumbra
14  LW      Harvey Osbourne     23  M   Tumbra
11  ST      Tino                23  M   Montana Verde

23  GK      Joe Bonner          23  M   Tumbra
25  GK      Douglas Campbell    19  M   Tumbra
12  LB      Kirsten McDonald    20  F   Tumbra
17  CB      Barry Hamilton      23  M   Tumbra
5   CB      Bram Levin          27  M   Nephara
24  CB      Abigail Paterson    19  F   Tumbra
16  RB      Hans Ferdinand      18  M   Tumbra
6   CDM     Hannah Harwood      20  F   Tumbra
19  CM      John Lawrence       23  M   Tumbra
22  CM      Kevin Dunstan       23  M   Tumbra
20  CAM     Desmond Sartain     20  M   Tumbra
7   LM      Simon Cole          29  M   Tumbra
21  RW      Felicity Woodhouse  20  F   Tumbra
15  ST      Helene-Anne Rivard  24  F   Quebec

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Simon Cole from Couno Rangers, 1.8m
Desmond Sartain from Ricci Ironworkers, free
Outgoing: Jon Eagleton to Kirkby Railwaymen, 1.6m
Tom Brauer to 1. FC Kotzellach, free
Casey Farag to Bergsteiner FK, free
Lei Xiaobo, released

It’s all change at Straton as a new home marks a new era — and a possible light at the end of the tunnel for their financial troubles.

Last season: Brian Devzies’ reign at Straton ended up lasting one and a half seasons, with the manager resigning at the halfway mark of the season. In came the Licentian Mark Stevenson, tasked with guiding the club in a delicate situation to somewhere that wasn’t so delicate. He stabilised the situation — though this would mean a second season finishing ninth — while simultaneously reminding the fanbase that this would not be an easy time for the club. There has been some good news, however;

New Arrivals: because the demolition of the National Stadium to build the Eagles’ Club means the main change for this season is a new stadium, bringing an end to the two-decade long feud between the city and the club over who was really in charge of the National Stadium. The club bought the Straton Olympic Stadium from the city, but the city itself — flush with cash from the sale of the land the National Stadium sits on to the federal government — heavily subsidised the purchase. In return, the club would keep the athletics track already present; but they would be allowed to reconstruct the stadium as necessary to create movable seats to remove some of the distance that would have been created by the athletics track and increase the overall capacity of the stadium to 66,000. Overall, it was a fairly good deal for the club; they finally have their own stadium to call their own, after groundsharing with the national team and having to pay rent to the city for almost their entire existence. The sums paid, though, meant that money spent on playing staff was…lean, with promotions to the senior squad forming the majority of activity. The club did nab an out-of-favour Simon Cole from Couno; but with local boy Harvey Osbourne occupying the starting left-wing spot for the Capitals it’s unlikely he’ll get much more playtime than he was getting for the Rams. One major hole that was unfilled was right-back; with Astrid Iqbal departing, a wantaway Russell White was unsold, and he’ll stay for at least one more season. Time will tell whether this was a mistake; especially with the promising Brenecian right-back Caoimhin Hadley on the market during the transfer window.

Key Players: Captain Michael Campbell continues to shoulder the responsibility of overseeing a club going through a major transition; the defensive left-back is one of Tumbra’s finest, though has been overshadowed by both Ryan Hughes and the new generation of left-backs. Michael Toussaint, once touted as Savigliane’s big prospects, has seen his stock fall with Straton’s; but declined to move away, and has gained the near-undying respect of Straton fans for it. In the midfield, Amund Freyrsson and Vlart Hedberg run the show in Stevenson’s double pivot, being by far the most important players on the team; while the slippery striker Tino is always a menace up top.

Prediction: Straton, along with United, are this season’s wildcards; though expectations have been heavily tempered by the fact that there’s a new stadium, the squad’s depth is worryingly thin and the fact that this is Stevenson’s first full season in charge. An IFCF berth would be regarded as a very, very pleasant surprise; but the top half is where most people are placing them, and the odds of 50/1 reflect this.

Hesham FC

Quick Facts

City and State: Hesham, Clearmont
Last season: 10th, 53 points
Stadium: George Bowen Stadium, 40,000
Nickname: the Greens; the Ploughmen
Manager: William Wight, 42, Tumbra
Style of Play: Steady, patient build-up
Prediction: Midtable
Key Player: ST Lucas Russell
Captain: RM Harvard Popov

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
1   GK      Alan McDermott      22  M   Tumbra
2   LB      Carl Norton         24  M   Tumbra
14  CB      Mu Weihai           27  M   Yuezhou
3   CB      Nexev-Kresp Val     24  NB  Qusmo
6   RB      Elsie Houston       22  F   The Licentian Isles*
15  LM      Kurosh Rostami      24  M   SRS
8   CM      Alisha Thompson     26  F   The Licentian Isles
16  CM      Song-Hwan Min       27  M   Chromatika
21  RM      Harriet Bevins      21  F   Tumbra
23  ST      Gerard Deighton     20  M   Tumbra
11  ST      Lucas Russell       26  M   The Licentian Isles

12  GK      Alan Tate           20  M   Tumbra
25  GK      Daphne Cross        18  F   Tumbra
24  LB      Miranda Dahlberg    18  M   Tumbra**
17  CB      Jack Denham         20  M   Tumbra
4   CB      Isla Kincorick      34  F   Schottia***
5   RB      Vic Nelson          30  M   Tumbra
18  CM      Paul Fletcher       27  M   Tumbra
10  CM      Richard Driver      27  M   Tumbra
13  CDM     Serena Philips      21  M   Tumbra
19  CM      Matthew Noble       29  M   Tumbra
20  LW      Joe Bonner          27  M   Tumbra
7   RM      Harvard Popov       33  M   SRS
22  ST      Harry Frist         27  M   Tumbra
9   ST      Sheena Glover       27  F   Brenecia

*Second Chromatik nationality
**Second Tikariotian nationality
***Second Tumbran nationality

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Kurosh Rostami from Torbay Thunder, 5.0m
Elsie Houston from Chromatik State Univ., free
Outgoing: Neville Marriott to Bencoolen City, 1.5m
Roger Baker to Dorival FC, free
Dean Rowden, retired

William Wight’s first season at Hesham went better than most expected. Now the training wheels are off.

Last season: Most commentators gave Hesham slack after the retirement of Bill McKenzie, expecting William Wight to need some time to settle into his first ever managerial job. They were right; Hesham did slip from their highest-ever finish of eighth. What not many expected, though, was that they would only slip two places; finishing tenth was a pleasant surprise for many — including, as Wight himself would let slip, himself. There’s now the expectation to quickly return to that high level of eighth, however.

New Arrivals: Thankfully, Hesham have opened the chequebook and made two quite important signings; Kurosh Rostami arrives from Torbay for a cool five million, while Elsie Houston arrives from Chromatika, straight out of university. Houston’s arrival solves the problem of Hesham needing a right-back to properly transition away from the days of McKenzie; for half the season Roger Baker was shoehorned into that role, but he was clearly uncomfortable there, and seeing no future for himself at the club, decided to leave. Rostami, though, is the higher-profile signing; and there were rumours that it was Harvard Popov, the veteran right midfielder, that convinced Rostami to come to Hesham.

Key Players: The strength of this team, as with so many others, comes from the midfield. Min Song-Hwan and Alisha Thompson form an extremely solid core, with the two used to each other’s playing styles after a year of introduction. Up front, though, there’s another excellent partnership; with Lucas Russell playing as the deep-lying forward to Gerard Deighton’s more advanced forward, though the defining feature of Hesham’s attack is that they both play rather deep and rely on their own skills to advance the ball forward. In doing so, they flood the midfield; and are more likely to control the ball there.

Prediction: 66/1 odds reflect a team still finding its feet under a new manager; though it’s well worth noting that odds below 49/1 represent an outcome that’s likely to happen less than 2% of the time, and an odds below that essentially means bookies don’t think the team can win the league. A solid midtable campaign is expected; though there will be a weight of expectation, and some disappointment, if Hesham don’t finish eighth — especially with the weighty signing of Rostami.

Macarthur City

Quick Facts

City and State: Macarthur, Georgia
Last season: 11th, 50 points
Stadium: FisherArena, 40,000
Nickname: the Blackbirds; the Greybeards
Manager: Vince McCarthy, 47, Tumbra
Style of Play: Heavy, aggressive pressing with one-touch dynamics
Prediction: Midtable
Key Player: CM Alan Morgan
Captain: RB Kilarul Dhaundhen

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
13  GK      James Kent          25  M   Tumbra
16  LB      Savatije Kralj      25  M   Farfadilis
4   CB      Brian Marsden       25  M   Tumbra
5   CB      Carole Bond         21  F   Tumbra
3   RB      Kilarul Dhaundhen   30  M   Ko-oren
6   CM      Ivan Bader          27  M   Nephara
8   CM      Alan Morgan         29  M   Tumbra
23  CM      Ryan Morgan         29  M   Tumbra
20  LW      Gordon Jennings     31  M   Tumbra
21  RW      Shaun Healey        28  M   Tumbra
11  ST      Linnie Huxley       31  F   Bollonich

1   GK      Andrew Wordsworth   34  M   Tumbra
25  GK      Julie Pereira       18  F   Tumbra
2   LB      Sean McDonald       30  M   Tumbra
19  CB      Duncan Freeman      19  M   Tumbra
14  CB      Henry Butler        32  M   Tumbra
24  CB      Harish Shah         19  M   Tumbra
15  RB      Tom Jones           26  M   Tumbra
12  CDM     Tony Fernandes      27  M   Tumbra
18  CM      Sandy Rowling       30  M   Brenecia
22  CM      Julia Garland       24  F   Nephara
7   LW      Stephen Read        30  M   Tumbra
9   RW      Scott Wilson        18  M   Tumbra
10  ST      Jason Pearce        24  M   Tumbra
17  ST      Vivienne Anderson   21  F   Tumbra

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Alan Morgan from Lakewood City, 3.2m
Savatije Kralj from Lakewood City, 1.5m
Sean MacDonald from Ridgewell Rovers, 1.2m
Julia Garland from Starling, free
Ivan Bader from Coret Hawks, free
Outgoing: Paul Marlin to Lakewood United, 2.5m
Paul Alberici to Ridgewell United, free
David Thorburn to AFC Gillman, free
Matt Reddington, undisclosed
Frank Stuart, released
Graham Lloyd, retired

Vince McCarthy seems hell-bent on amassing his army of former Big Six players. But how long will it bring success?

Last season: Macarthur have become one of the country’s success stories when it comes to promoting and staying in the league — finishing fourteenth in their first season, thirteenth in their second, twelfth in their third and eleventh in their fourth. A repeat of that was certainly a good result — it sure as hell beat relegation — but there was a certain sense that there was a ceiling Macarthur could always hit, and this was it. Leave it to Vince McCarthy, managerial wunderkind extraordinaire, to try and prove his critics wrong again; this time by embarking on a transfer strategy of…

New Arrivals: …picking up players unwanted by the Big Six. Ryan Morgan and Gordon Jennings were the first; this season Savatije Kralj and Alan Morgan were added to the mix. They are known quantities with Lakewood City; and the obvious hope for both of them will be that they will carry on their form to the midtable purgatory that surrounds Macarthur, and hopefully carry them on their quest. For the often-overlooked city in northwestern Georgia, Macarthurians can now say that their squad has more big-name players than their snooty southern neighbours; and there’s a chance they’d be right. Will it pay off, though?

Key Players: As mentioned earlier, Ryan Morgan and Gordon Jennings in the middle of the field and on the left are key to McCarthy’s strategy of “big names who can play well will bring success.” That ignores names like Carole Bond, though, the centreback whose stock has steadily risen and could be on the national team in a few years. And who can forget Linnie Huxley, the Bollonischian who has become a cult hero in Macarthur herself? Always on the end of almost every ball, the attacking maestro has become one of the most underrated strikers in the league; and a lot of teams have, accordingly, underestimated her. At their own peril.

Prediction: We now arrive in the part of the league where nobody, not even the fans themselves, can expect them to win the league; which is why 75/1 sounds horribly optimistic when it comes to their title chances. Most Blackbirds supporters would probably be content with tenth; anything to break into the top half would be nice, and bring hope that the club doesn’t have a ceiling, after all.

West Couno United

Quick Facts

City and State: Couno, Napier
Last season: 12th, 50 points
Stadium: Wrenchwelt Stadium, 42,000
Nickname: the Pilots; the Chocolatiers
Manager: Bill Thompson, 70, Tumbra
Style of Play: Direct, route one football
Prediction: Midtable
Key Player: ST Vasya Reisinger
Captain: RW Scott McIntyre

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                    Age     Nationality
1   GK      Mike Hancy              29  M   Tumbra
2   LB      Alexis Charron-Becker   27  F   Quebec
5   CB      Ben Morgan              28  M   Tumbra
16  CB      Dei Kaparros            28  M   Astograth
13  RB      Nicola Rinaldi          30  F   Savigliane
7   LW      Bill Allison            28  M   Tumbra
15  CM      Rajmund Sitko           23  M   Brenecia
18  CM      Slavomir Malik          31  M   Siovanija & Teusland
6   CM      Eden Wright             25  F   Tikariot
10  RW      Scott McIntyre          31  M   The Licentian Isles
11  ST      Vasya Reisinger         26  F   Nephara

12  GK      Darcy Lewis             23  M   Tumbra
23  GK      Adam Stanton            23  M   Tumbra
19  LB      Martin Hawthorn         21  M   Tumbra
17  CB      George Steel            24  M   Tumbra
4   CB      Keith Giblin            33  M   Tumbra
3   RB      Jennifer Murray         19  F   Tumbra
25  RB      Shim Seo-yeon           19  F   Tumbra*
20  CDM     Stephen Goodman         21  M   Tumbra
8   CM      Rhyan Carson            28  M   Brenecia
14  CM      Remont Thomas           24  M   Gouvanarch
9   LW      Luka Vujanovic          18  M   Tumbra**
21  RW      Emmanuel Appleby        21  M   Tumbra
22  ST      Dominic Clyne           29  M   Tumbra
24  ST      Hazel Garlick           22  F   Tumbra

*Second Chromatik nationality
**Second Mytanar nationality

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Rajmund Sitko from Rozelle, 5.0m
Hazel Garlick from Newton Wanderers, 1.4m
Outgoing: Joe Anderson to Newton Wanderers, 1.0m
Jon Holness to Washington City, free

With their problems in front of goal solved, the only thing left to do for the Chocolatiers is to push upwards.

Last season: See, they finished twelfth and nine spots behind their neighbours and rivals, Couno Rangers. But on the bright side, they’ve finally managed to score some goals after letting Miles Brent go and spending hard on Vasya Reisinger; the little cannoneer of a striker who fired West Couno United to 12th in the standings and was a contender for Golden Boot until near the end of the season. It was an excellent season, all things considered, and Bill Thompson is now widely considered a managerial genius on the west bank of the river Couno for this reason. Thankfully, too, he’s committed to at least two more seasons; so the transition that’s so dreaded to arrive won’t rear its ugly head for now. Keep calm and cross to Vasya, as the saying has become; and they’ll be hoping she keeps herself injury-free.

New Arrivals: A relatively quiet window was expected, broken by the surprise signing of Rajmund Sitko for Rozelle for the relatively princely sum of five million; but surprisingly, the reaction to this one was muted. Perhaps it’s because Sitko is a relatively difficult player to place; or that he’s rather quiet and unexciting for a player, unlike the signing of that Quebecois winger on the east bank. It was surprising enough, though, that it flew under most people’s radars until the end of the transfer window; most people really only knew about it after reading about the closing of the transfer window in the morning papers.

Key Players: Reisinger, Reisinger, Reisinger. It’s safe to say that Vasya Reisinger has wholly transformed the attack of the Chocolatiers; by presenting an acute and always potent goalscoring threat anywhere in the attacking third on the pitch, West Couno have become somewhat of a side to be feared again. There was Martin Costello and his brand of forgettable football; there were the years of offensive troubles, and then there’s Reisinger. She has transformed the West Couno offensive; so much so that captain Scott McIntyre would be left off this preview if not for the fact that he’s made such an impact on the club throughout his time here. Still faithfully serving crosses to Reisinger on the right, McIntyre is a tireless servant; though he has been showing signs of slowing down in recent months.

Prediction: 100/1 for the title is probably fair. Most people are expecting yet another midtable campaign; the more optimistic fans are expecting a top half finish. If Reisinger gets good service, expect her to both fire the club up the table and be in with a shout of the Golden Boot; and with Sitko in midfield and McIntyre on the right, that should happen. Hopefully.

Ridgewell Rovers

Quick Facts

City and State: Ridgewell, Westmond
Last season: 13th, 50 points
Stadium: Kensington Stadium, 48,000
Nickname: the Blues; the Rovers; the Club o’the North
Manager: Mark Pryor, 65, Tumbra
Style of Play: Slightly attacking; possessive and direct; hard tackling.
Prediction: Midtable
Key Player: CM Malachite Riester
Captain: GK Nigel Philips

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
1   GK      Nigel Philips       33  M   Tumbra
19  LB      Chris Finney        23  M   Tumbra
3   CB      Peter Bassett       27  M   Tumbra
15  CB      John Rouse          24  M   Tumbra
20  RB      Clay van der Hout   28  M   The Licentian Isles
10  CM      Malachite Riester   28  F   Nephara
22  CM      Julian Stance       29  M   Nephara
7   LM      Alex Kristensen     29  M   Tumbra
8   CAM     Ottavio Bonucci     24  M   Savigliane
9   RM      Christophe Ghislane 28  M   Savigliane
14  ST      Christian Borzoi    28  M   Nephara

13  GK      Mark McDonald       22  M   Tumbra
24  GK      Daniel Meredith     18  M   Tumbra
2   LB      Hazel Kennedy       19  F   Tumbra
5   CB      Romain Coutard      22  M   Farfadilis
18  CB      Donovan Cox         18  M   Tumbra
25  CB      Edmün Îmiév         19  M   Tumbra*
4   RB      Parminder Kaur      18  F   Tumbra
21  CM      Aaron Mortensen     30  M   Tumbra
6   CM      Ian Harris          20  M   Kelssek
12  CAM     Andrew Walsh        28  M   Tumbra
17  LW      Sean Delap          30  M   Tumbra
11  RW      Christopher Steele  23  M   Tumbra
23  ST      Gianluca Cardini    28  M   Tumbra
16  ST      Heidi Canavan       21  F   Tumbra

*Second Rulandese nationality

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Christopher Steele from Bencoolen City, 0.8m
Ottavio Bonucci from FC St. Jakob, free
Outgoing: Stephen Williams to AFC Gillman, 1.6m
Sean McDonald to Macarthur City, 1.2m
Frank Carter to Ashton Rovers, free
Scott Mason to Bencoolen City, free
Isabel Aberdeen to Dorival FC, free

They’ve always been touted as a dark horse. Yet they’ve always disappointed. Why?

Last season: There were so many stories last season to tell that Ridgewell’s one surviving team fell largely underneath the radar. And, to be fair, that’s what Ridgewell has become in the eyes of many Tumbrans — an afterthought. Thirteenth wasn’t bad by any standards; but it wasn’t good, either, particularly since the club were hoping for a top-half finish and they ended up finishing one above their spot in Season Five. It was a forgettable season, characterised by forgettable football, and many were surprised that manager Mark Pryor is still in the hot seat, considering how forgettable his entire season ended up being.

New Arrivals: New arrivals were thin on the ground despite a whole host of departures; the only two that ended up in Ridgewell were Christopher Steele, prised away from Bencoolen after their relegation, and Ottavio Bonucci, an attacking midfielder from St. Jakob was brought over after Stephen Williams suffered a leg break halfway through Season Six. Otherwise, it was a disappointingly quiet window for Ridgewell, which also saw several older members of the squad leave. One finger was pointed squarely at the security situation in the Northlands, with concerns over the terrorist group of the United Clans perhaps having put the brakes on players having moved to the northern hub of Tumbra. Still, though, that reason couldn’t cover up the disappointment many a Bluebell (the collective fan name for Ridgewell supporters) felt at the closing of the transfer window.

Key Players: Well, who’s here? Malachite Riester, the ever-burning spark of optimism; though she has seemed a lot more tired, and towards the end of the previous season did put in less than inspired performances. Julian Stance, her versatile partner in midfield, forms the core of the squad; while Alex Kristensen juggles shuttling between the midfield and attack with ease. Up top, Heidi Canavan is set to begin to contest Christian Borzoi’s starting striker spot; and there’s a great deal of excitement over the Franport-born striker.

Prediction: That Mark Pryor begins the season with the highest odds of being sacked says a lot about how Rovers fans view the season. 150/1 is the best the bookies are offering for the title, which just about says everything, really. Most pundits are calling another uninspiring campaign and another person in the hot seat come next summer.

Delphi Lionesses

Quick Facts

City and State: Serrapince, Bechor
Last season: 14th, 48 points
Stadium: Bexley Park, 46,000
Nickname: the Lionesses; the Pinks; the Guerilla
Manager: Aiofe Ruth, 40, Chromatika
Style of Play: Defensive, quick counter-attacking football
Prediction: Midtable
Key Player: CDM Kateryna Zuniga
Captain: CDM Kimberly Doyle

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                    Age     Nationality
1   GK      Simone Parker           26  F   Tumbra
2   LB      Maryam Rowbury          27  F   Nephara
4   CB      Sile Macewan            28  F   The Licentian Isles
5   CB      Sandra Illaoi           27  F   Chromatika
13  RB      Juul de Bruin           22  F   The Licentian Isles
16  LM      Jacklyn Chung           25  F   Chromatika
8   CM      Kateryna Zuniga         31  F   Chromatika
6   CDM     Kimberly Doyle          31  F   Chromatika
9   RM      Karina Holt             27  F   Savojarna
10  ST      Ashleigh Sweeney        29  F   Tikariot
11  ST      Victoria Thesselborg    23  F   Tikariot

12  GK      Laura Fisher            20  F   Tumbra
25  GK      Selena Collins          18  F   Tumbra
23  LB      Mariana Budi-Dursun     19  F   Quebec
18  CB      Lai Sinyue              22  F   Chromatika
14  CB      Judith Houghton         23  F   Tumbra
20  CB      Mary McGrath            20  F   Gatchingerrak Union
3   RB      Jilian Griffiths        19  F   Tumbra
21  CDM     Amanda Bader            31  F   Nephara
15  CAM     Ashling Brooks          30  F   Brenecia
24  CM      Mathilde Barthet        22  F   Chromatika
7   LM      Kate Stepford           30  F   Brenecia
17  RM      Ashley Hall             24  F   Tumbra
19  ST      Natasha Caroline        21  F   Tumbra
22  ST      Jennifer Burham         21  F   Tumbra

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Katryna Zuniga from Sabrefell Moths, 2.0m
Jacklyn Chung from Knetyohai, 0.5m
Lai Sinyue from Urrheddiao State Univ., free
Mathilde Barthet from Chromia C.C. Univ., free
Outgoing: Valerie Morris to Lakewood City, 4.0m
Joyce Hughes to Kingsbury United, 3.0m
Joanna Bradford to Clyde Park, 2.0m
Astrid Iqbal to Delphi Lionesses, free
Sophie Randall to Clark City, free

A new manager heralds a new era — but is she being set up for failure?

Last season: Three successive seasons of finishing in the lower midfield after an explosive start to life in the Prem meant that Louise Halldorsen’s position at Delphi had effectively become untenable; but she jumped before she was pushed, citing “irreconcilable differences with the board over the direction of the club.” Part of the reason why Delphi was so reluctant to let her go earlier, the rumour went, was that they simply did not have an ideal replacement in mind; and so were content to let her go on. But Louise’s resignation letter struck a raw nerve with the club’s supporters; and the departures of three high-value players — Morris, Hughes and Bradford — meant that the club was thrown into an uproar.

New Arrivals: To assuage the fans, Aiofe Ruth was given the manager’s job; her first gig in football after serving as Halldorsen’s assistant for the previous season. But her appointment hasn’t exactly been the most popular, either; with some accusing her of being a yes-woman to the club’s chairwoman, or that her style of football and philosophy is overly negative. She’ll have a lot to do to get the fans on her side, and very little time to do it; and with the loss of several key playing staff (played off as “Delphi is a pipeline for female talent to succeed”), she’ll be up against the wall from the beginning. There is one bright spot, though; Katyrna Zuniga, a capped Chromatik international, makes the jump from Nephara. Ruth will be hoping she’ll settle in, and fast; and provide some calm in the dressing room.

Key Players: Zuniga and Kimberly Doyle will be key figures in the dressing room. It’s safe to say that Delphi has become something of a little Chromatik diaspora club, with so many Chromatiks plying their trade in Bexley; another criticism levelled at the club. Karina Holt is always a threat on the right, while the Tikariotian striking duo of Ashleigh Sweeney and Victoria Thesselborg is always a potent offensive presence. For years, now, the club has always looked like it should be doing better than it is actually doing on paper; but there’s always been something, something missing. Perhaps the leap towards an all-female team was too soon, given the lack of a Tumbran female core.

Prediction: Ruth will be given a baptism of fire into football management; it’s not much about winning the title (175/1 odds), but steadying a shaky ship while trying to hold on to high-value assets that she knows the chairwoman, Julie Smith, could flip at any time. Expect a midfield performance; but this squad always has the potential to surprise.

[Tumbra]

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
PREVIEW, PART THREE

The odds presented in these previews will not add up to 100%. That is how bookmakers work. So be gamble aware. When the fun stops, stop. Take time to think. Go on, do it, though.

Sturrey Athletic

Quick Facts

City and State: Sturrey, Thornton
Last season: 15th, 45 points
Stadium: Coldfield Lane, 35,000
Nickname: the Maroons; the Lactics
Manager: Colin Barrendale, 51, Tumbra
Style of Play: Defence, route one football, whatever you call it.
Prediction: Relegation candidates
Key Player: CB Ian Coleman
Captain: CB Pat Philips

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
23  GK      Joseph Cranston     23  M   Tumbra
2   LB      Marcus Ganley       25  M   Tumbra
3   CB      Pat Philips         30  M   Tumbra
4   CB      Ian Coleman         27  M   Tumbra
5   RB      Roger Turnbull      27  M   Tikariot
14  CDM     Yuri Ghislane       30  M   Nephara
8   LW      Marc Evans-Jones    27  M   Tumbra
19  CM      Ákos Trouvé         21  M   Farfadilis
16  CM      Fried Rossum        26  M   The Cordian Isles
9   RW      Thore Grönholm      26  M   Norrhem
7   ST      Joe Mercer          27  M   Tumbra

1   GK      Colin Kirby         19  M   Tumbra
25  GK      Kathleen Phelps     18  F   Tumbra
12  LB      Frankie Valentino   27  M   Tumbra
21  CB      John Turnbull       24  M   Tumbra
15  CB      Chris Vowles        22  M   Tumbra
18  CB      Kevin Renshaw       26  M   Tumbra
13  RB      Ivar Halgorsen      22  M   Gatchingerrak Union
6   CAM     Valerie Campbell    27  F   Nephara
20  CM      Alison Foster       19  F   Tumbra
10  CM      Asa Anderson        25  M   Tumbra
22  LW      Tom Maguire         32  M   Tumbra
17  RW      Adam Langley        30  M   Tumbra
11  ST      Dave Mason          32  M   Tumbra
24  ST      Debbie Burrows      18  F   Tumbra

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Fried Rossum from Cordasfjord Athletic, 0.5m
Valerie Campbell from South Laithland, free
Outgoing: Adam Miles to Mackay Robins, 1.0m
Victor Mackay, released
Richter Moranis, released

A new manager marks the start of a new era. Will the plucky Sturrey side continue their time in the Prem?

Last season: It may not have been the dizzying heights of upper midtable achieved in Season 5, but last season’s Sturrey managed to secure safety much easier than most seasons — which is always a relief to the supporters of the Lactics. It did see the club say goodbye to legendary manager Tom Watson; but the most important thing was survival. And in a season where most of the attention was focused on the managers, precious little was focused on the departing Watson; but his farewell at Coldfield was regarded as a massive celebration for the oft-forgotten city.

New Arrivals: There were big boots to fill at the club; and after the club expressively ruled out searching for a foreign manager, they decided to go with Watson’s assistant manager, Colin Barrendale. His last head coaching job was a half-season stint at Clark City; he joined Sturrey the season after as Watson’s assistant. He’s now been tasked to keep the Lactics in the division, like his predecessor; and to this end he’s signed Fried Rossum from the Cordian Isles and Valerie Campbell from Nephara. Both came on very small fees, because the club is perpetually stressed for money; but they both look to be rough gems for the club. Barrendale, too, seems to be stressing continuity over change; and time will tell whether this will work out for them.

Key Players: Pat Philips and Ian Coleman aren’t the best of centre-halves, but they’re one of the toughest duos in the division and know each other’s playstyles; and compliment each other to a tee. Thore Gronholm is Sturrey’s best offensive option, while Joseph Cranston is rapidly maturing in goal.

Prediction: Sturrey aren’t expected to do much, but they are odds-on at staying in the division. If they can get to 40 points early, they’ll survive; but there’s always the added risk of their new manager not working out in time. Meanwhile, their odds of winning the league are calculated at 300/1; which is realistic for teams on this end of the league that are more focused on staying up than any sort of glory.

Fraser Valley FC

Quick Facts

City and State: (the outskirts of) Serrapince, Bechor
Last season: 16th, 32 points
Stadium: Valley Park, 45,000
Nickname: the Stallions; the Denizens
Manager: Michael Hardwick, 56, Tumbra
Style of Play: Defensive first; attacking last
Prediction: Relegation candidates
Key Player: LM Max Mycroft
Captain: LB Xu Xuanliang

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality[/b]
12  GK      Azeld-Kresp Tia     24  NB  Qusmo
17  LB      Xu Xuanliang        29  M   Yuezhou
22  CB      Matrona Croxteth    28  F   Nephara
14  CB      Philip Gonzalez     27  M   Tumbra
2   RB      Julie Phehlukwayo   25  F   Quebec
15  LM      Max Mycroft         25  M   Tumbra
13  CM      John Bush           31  M   Tumbra
21  CM      Pilta-Blonz Yol     24  NB  Qusmo
7   RM      Nicholas Kinsella   30  M   Tumbra
23  ST      Tricia Barker       21  F   Tumbra
16  ST      Xilix-Oxolt Mal     23  NB  Qusmo

1   GK      Stuart Langford     35  M   Tumbra
25  GK      Michael Kennan      19  M   Tumbra
3   LB      Alasdair Dunlap     33  M   Tikariot
4   CB      Carlos Wolfe        31  M   Tumbra
5   CB      Frances Sinclair    21  F   Tumbra
18  RB      Mark Ryton          30  M   Tumbra
8   CM      John Cameron        33  M   Tumbra
24  CM      Jonathan Hwang      18  M   Tumbra*
6   CM      Lucas Courtney      30  M   Tumbra
19  CAM     John Batten         23  M   Tumbra
9   LM      Matilda Kerry       28  F   Brenecia
20  RW      Anne Beckett        22  F   Tumbra
10  ST      David Greer         24  M   Tumbra
11  ST      Gareth Roberts      29  M   Tumbra

*Second Quebecois nationality

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Philip Gonzalez from FC Inter Nantwich, 2.3m
John Bush from FC Inter Nantwich, 2.0m
Anne Beckett from Newton Wanderers, 1.6m
Outgoing: Brian Anderson to Kirkby Railwaymen, 2.0m
Mark Kristoff to Brenville Blue, 1.0m
Daniel Newman to Mackay Robins, 0.8m
Nita Hanson, released

With more investment on his side, is this Michael Hardwick’s time to break Fraser out of their lurch?

Last season: Every season it seems as if Michael Hardwick will be sacked; but every season Fraser fans are treated to Hardwick at their pre-season press conferences, promising no major changes to their squad. It was a disappointing last season, with Fraser in the relegation zone for most of it. Objectively, one would be forgiven for thinking that Hardwick would be served his notice; but in the end he survived, by the skin of his teeth, along with his club. More investment was promised; and for the first time, it was actually delivered on.

New Arrivals: Philip Gonzalez is the big signing here; the Termalesian-Tumbran defender jumps over from Nantwich to beef up the defensive line as a replacement for Mark Kristoff. He’s joined by John Bush, who had one year left on his contract at Nantwich and was deemed surplus to requirements; so made the move to the outskirts of Serrapince accordingly. Anne Beckett, one of the few bright spots of Newton’s shambolic season, moves over to cover for Nicholas Kinsella at right mid; but there’s a whiff about that she’ll be taking that starting spot sooner rather than later.

Key Players: Gonzalez will be expected to make an immediate impact; apart from that, it’s a relatively thin lineup. Xu Xuanliang in the defence is an underrated gem; while Tricia Barker will be expected to step up with the departure of Nita Hanson due to political pressure.

Prediction: The investment is looking likely to pay off; 250/1 odds, placing them slightly above Sturrey, reflect a general sense of optimism about the club. Doubts still exist over Hardwick’s long-term future at the club, though, with him being quite far up on the “manager most likely to be sacked first” list.

Colbrook City

Quick Facts

City and State: Colbrook, Grantfeldt
Last season: 17th, 30 points
Stadium: Colbrook Stadium, 30,000
Nickname: the Northerners; the Canners
Manager: Matthew Reeves, 64, Tumbra
Style of Play: An emphasis on quick transition from defensive to attacking play; guided by an unorthodox formation which allows for numerical superiority in all aspects of the game
Prediction: Relegation candidates
Key Player: CDM Christian Gallagher
Captain: CB Rupert Kirkwood

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
1   GK      Bob Allison         28  M   Tumbra
13  CB      Claire Steadman     25  F   Tumbra
4   CB      Rupert Kirkwood     30  M   Tumbra
6   CB      Richard Whittingdon 32  M   Tumbra
3   LWB     George Calvert      24  M   Tumbra
8   CDM     Christian Gallagher 27  M   Tumbra
2   RWB     Mira Foster         25  F   Tumbra
7   LW      Louis Newton        30  M   Tumbra
22  CAM     Edith Ferguson      23  F   Tumbra
9   RW      Cynthia Grimley     23  F   Tumbra
20  ST      Andrew Gillingham   23  M   Tumbra

12  GK      Aidan James         23  M   Tumbra
25  GK      Gilian Bryce        20  F   Tumbra
14  LB      Laurel Hilling      25  F   Tumbra
5   CB      Fiona Harcourt      23  F   Tumbra
15  CB      Sarah Robson        24  F   Tumbra
16  RB      Levi Beckton        24  M   Nephara
19  CDM     Roger Stevens       29  M   Tumbra
17  CM      Alan Curran         34  M   Tumbra
18  CM      John Hyland         19  M   Tumbra
21  LW      Edward King         27  M   Tumbra
10  CAM     Olenna Bruune       24  F   Nephara
23  RW      Alexander Anderson  30  M   Tumbra
11  ST      Emil Klempner       34  M   Schottia*
24  ST      Alex Finlay         20  M   Tumbra

*Second Tumbran nationality

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Alexander Anderson from Couno Rangers, 1.5m
Levi Beckton from Chenoworth Rangers, free
Olenna Brune from Newrook City, free
Outgoing: Edwin Garside to Washington City, free
Jake Wilson to Trelmont Rangers, free
Bobby Miller to Tavistock Athletic, free
Anthony Bolton to Dorival FC, free

A freshman season under their belt, the breakout stars from Colbrook are now looking to avoid a sophomore slump. With more eyes on them than ever before, will they avoid the drop?

Last season: Colbrook became the darlings of many a neutral fan last season, and for good reason — their episode of the television series Premiership Lives was the highest-rated one, and Matthew Reeves quickly became one of the most popular managers in Tumbra for his unique formation and attitude towards the game. It was well-rewarded, too; Colbrook spent most of the season in the relegation zone, but ended up putting a last minute burst of form to secure their position in the Premier Division without needing to go through a playoff. Now, they’ve beefed up their squad accordingly; and look to avoid the second season slump that tends to envelope these types of squads.

New Arrivals: The big coup was Alexander Anderson, who came from Couno on a song; and he’s still an excellent right-winger, though injuries have thoroughly ravaged his body and it’s a miracle he’s still playing football. He’s still talented, and his skills aren’t in doubt; but he’ll need to be managed accordingly to extract the best football out of him when he’s still able to. Apart from that, most of the signings have been back-ups; Levi Beckton and Oleanna Brune come in from Nephara to buff up the bench.

Key Players: Rupert Kirkwood and his defensive partner Richard Whittingdon, both innately tuned to the style of Reeves’ play, are the stalwarts of a defense that’s stronger than it looks. It’s captain Christian Gallagher that’s the on-pitch conductor, though, the defensive midfielder playing in the heart of midfield and possessing a unique threat — his progressive passes per 90 was one of the highest in the league last season. Up top, with Emil Klempener taking on a more passive role, it’s right winger Cynthia Grimley — small, fast and deadly — and striker Andrew Gillingham — tall, not so fast, and physically imposing — that will be looked towards for most of the offensive threat.

Prediction: There’s a good sense around the club that Reeves is the right man to keep Colbrook in the Premier Division; and while there’s virtually no hope of them challenging for the title — odds of 350/1 — there’s a definite confidence that they will stay in the league this season.

Glenmont AFC

Quick Facts

City and State: Glenmont, Hamilton
Last season: 18th, 28 points
Stadium: Paykel Lane, 35,500
Nickname: the Lynxes; the Orange
Manager: Russell Lock, 61, Tumbra
Style of Play: Soak up attacks, sit deep, then spring a counter.
Prediction: Relegation candidates
Key Player: CDM Grimson Hoskins
Captain: CDM Grimson Hoskins

Roster

No. Pos.    Name            Age     Nationality
12  GK  Malcolm Murphy      30  M   Tumbra
13  LB  Lee Byong-Jun       27  M   Chromatika
18  CB  Reinhard Wettin     25  M   Nephara
4   CB  Philip Meller       28  M   Tumbra
3   RB  Bullova Reyson      32  F   Nephara
20  LM  Tom Spencer         29  M   Tikariot
16  CDM Makoto Honda        30  F   Kita-Hinode
17  CDM Grimson Hoskins     30  M   Tikariot
22  RM  Trevor Austin       23  M   Tumbra
14  ST  Faith Williams      21  F   Tumbra
10  ST  Matt Haskell        28  M   Tumbra

1   GK  Jack Bishop         19  M   Tumbra
25  GK  Dean Blackburn      24  M   Tumbra
2   LB  Christopher Morgan  20  M   Tumbra
15  CB  Dean Perkins        24  M   Tumbra
5   CB  Tom Wilson          31  M   Tumbra
6   RB  Paul Fenwick        27  M   Tumbra
19  CDM Tomasin Krailis     25  F   SRS
24  CM  Alastair Moynihan   18  M   Tumbra
21  CM  John Pepper         29  M   Tumbra
8   CM  Mark Lavender       27  M   Tumbra
7   LW  Brian Isaacs        27  M   Tumbra
9   RW  Shoaib Saeed        33  M   Tumbra
11  ST  Chris Cowen         30  M   Tumbra
23  ST  Paul Harding        24  M   Tumbra

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Dean Blackburn from Bencoolen City, 0.5m
Makoto Honda from Plastinagrade, free
Reinhard Wettin from South Laithland, free
Outgoing: Zheng Haidong to FC Inter Nantwich, 1.5m
Ivor Harris to Glenmont AFC, free
Jim Morris to Bencoolen City, free
Lyn Musgrave, released

It looks like panic stations in Glenmont, with a key piece of the midfield puzzle having left — will they be able to survive the drop?

Last season: Time finally ran out on Paul Cramner; five seasons of boring, soulless football, five seasons of relegation battles and five seasons of improvement being promised but only stagnation being delivered and the board’s patience finally ran out. Out he goes, booted unceremoniously after the playoff game against a hungry Clark City, in which they had to rely on the lottery of penalties to stay in the Prem. There’s a sense that this season will finally be the one that sees Glenmont go back down to the second tier; and with rumours floating about that the first tier will be reduced to 16 clubs while the second tier goes to 24 like the other lower tiers, there’s a definite sense that the club’s time in the Premier Division is coming to a close sooner rather than later. Anyway, last season was an abject disappointment, though nothing Glenmont fans aren’t already used to.

New Arrivals: The club lost Zheng Haidong to Nantwich, and brought in Makoto Honda from Plastinagrade on a free to partner their midfield general Grimson Hoskins; Reinhard Wettin joins the ever-growing contingent of Nepharim in the Premier Division, replacing Lyn Musgrave; while Dean Blackburn joins the club from Bencoolen as their third-choice goalkeeper. And also the only transfer that Glenmont paid money for.

The club spent the majority of the transfer window looking for a manager; but in the end, their efforts came up blank, and Russell Lock, the sardonic, rough-talking former manager of Bencoolen, was handed the job. It’s a bit like handing the wheel of a ship to an experienced hand when that ship’s already scraped the ice and is beginning to take on water, but the hope is that Lock will either be able to beach the ship on land (which would be infinitely preferable to sinking) or manage the sinking to an extent that it won’t be so bad. Either way, he’s in for a rough season.

Key Players: Captain, leader, cult hero; Grimson Hoskins, the tough-tackling tough-talking Tikariotian midfielder will be key to any hopes Glenmont have of staying up. He is the one Glenmont will be relying on; he will be the one to watch. Next to him, it’s another Tikariotian Tom Spencer, who surprisingly hasn’t gotten any interest from clubs higher-up in the league table; but the left midfielder will be crucial in both control of the midfield and the attack. Faith Williams may be young, but the offensive hopes of the club are pinned on her. It’s a tough load for the 21 year-old to bear, but she’s already showed flashes of her undoubted talent in front of goal for the Lynxes; and there’s hopes she’ll come good for the Orange this season.

Prediction: It’s hard to see them escaping the dreaded drop this season. Guillemard and Marray have both put in honest efforts to try and scrape above Glenmont; and Glenmont fans know this. They’ll be in for the fight of their lives, with a manager that’s new to the club and minimal transfer activity; and the mood at Pakyel Lane is grim. Odds of 500/1 reflect just how badly the team’s situation is regarded.

Guillemard Town

Quick Facts

City and State: Guillemard, Napier
Last season: 1st, Second Division, 76 points
Stadium: Rochester Field, 34,500
Nickname: the Browns, the Engineers
Manager: Mark Kirkham, 38, Tumbra
Style of Play: Relentless defense
Prediction: Relegation candidates
Key Player: ST Halyos le Gall
Captain: CDM Anthony Woodhead

Roster

No. Pos.    Name                Age     Nationality
1   GK      Marc Greenwood      27  M   Tumbra
2   LB      Richard Laycock     28  M   Tumbra
14  CB      Bryan Chappelle     23  M   Tumbra
4   CB      Emma Gary           27  F   Gortolekua
5   RB      Dennis Milburn      24  M   Tumbra
3   CDM     Anthony Woodhead    29  M   Tumbra
8   CDM     Fiona Morrison      23  F   Tumbra
9   LW      Mark Hailstorm      28  M   Tumbra
16  CAM     Traci Lachmann      24  F   Nephara
11  RW      Carol Haywood       22  F   Tumbra
10  ST      Halyos le Gall      28  M   Apox

12  GK      Sonja Barrett       23  F   Tumbra
13  GK      Christopher Kilian  18  M   Tumbra
15  LB      Tom McGuinness      33  M   Tumbra
18  CB      Andrew Parker       20  M   Tumbra
17  CB      Jayne Thompson      22  F   Tumbra
19  RB      Gordon Hughes       25  M   Tumbra
6   CM      Stanley Branthwaite 19  M   Tumbra
20  CAM     Charles Lyon        21  M   Tumbra
24  CM      Jacob Black         27  M   Tumbra
23  CDM     Sean Harris         31  M   Tumbra
25  LW      Erica Illsley       22  F   Tumbra
22  RW      Lewis Robinson      27  M   Tumbra
7   ST      Derek Scott         19  M   Tumbra
21  ST      Kenneth Lamb        26  M   Tumbra

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Haloys le Gall from Endeavour Brenecia
Emma Gary from SC Tiedemessut
Traci Lachmann from Chenoworth Harriers
Outgoing:

Will the plucky team from Napier — who won the Second Division despite all predictions — prove they have the staying power in the Prem?

Last season: Guillemard are not exactly a team that were expected to win the Second Division. A small town club from Guillemard, Napier — which just so happens to be the home of Rochester, Tumbra’s most exclusive carmaker — the Engineers began life as a company team, playing in red. After a dispute sometime in the 1920s over wages, the club changed from red to brown to show solidarity with the factory workers whose overalls were often stained brown with brown; and they’ve remained that way ever since. Relationships with the carmaker have improved since, with the carmaker remaining the team’s main sponsor. A deep red away kit is also a tradition. Back to the football, though; a surprise title win meant an automatic promotion berth in a year that Guillemard, having brought in a new manager in Mark Kirkham, were expected to figure about in midtable. One title challenge later — such is the chaotic nature of second division football — and the little team from Guillemard find themselves here.

New Arrivals: To be fair to the Engineers, they have prepared for the upcoming slog; the key man being Apoxian Halyos le Gall, in an age where Apoxians playing football have become very rare indeed. In something that seems to have become something of a tradition, le Gall looks set to be stuck up front immediately; Emma Gary becomes the first Gortoleki to join the league, even if she doesn’t look that talented on first glance, while Traci Lachmann looks set to add some creative prowess to the side.

Key Players: Unusually for Tumbran sides, it’s a wingback who’s looked towards as the key player on this team; Dennis Milburn is fast, strong and technically talented in equal measure, and he’s still only 24. Up front, it seems like every team needs a local player done good; and this time, it’s Carol Haywood, whose shock of blonde hair and laddish attitude towards the game would shock many a finishing school teacher, but it’s something that’s endeared her to the fans.

Prediction: This side is well-balanced and has the talent and gall in equal measure to surprise; not to mention their confidence will have been given a boost by winning the Second Division. Most expect them to be properly in the fight to stay up; and this team is odds-on to be the team that surprises everyone this season, being given 400/1 odds — not good, but certainly not as torrid as Glenmont.

Port Marray FC

Quick Facts

City and State: Marray, Bechor
Last season: 1st, Second Division, 75 points
Stadium: Oceanside Stadium, 40,000
Nickname: the Sailors; the Dolphins
Manager: Oliver Lutece, 54
Style of Play: Counterattacking wing-play
Prediction: Relegation candidates
Key Player: CAM Sylvia Donovan
Captain: CB Kira Carlisle

Roster

No. Pos.    Name            Age     Nationality
1   GK  Sebastian Covington 30  M   Tumbra
2   LB  Andrew Morrison     27  M   Tumbra
14  CB  Michael Gore        29  M   Tumbra
5   CB  Kira Carlisle       32  F   Brenecia
17  RB  Edward Robinson     28  M   Tumbra
25  CDM Andrew Hutton       19  M   Tumbra
8   CM  Jude Elliott        30  M   Tumbra
11  CAM Sylvia Donovan      24  F   Tumbra
7   LW  Gerhard Exter       26  M   Nephara
9   RW  Dean Cresswood      33  M   Tumbra
15  ST  Elliot Swan         24  M   Tumbra

13  GK  Tina Ferguson       19  F   Tumbra
24  GK  Alexander Grantham  18  M   Tumbra
12  LB  Matthew Turner      26  M   Tumbra
4   CB  Michelle Gregory    22  F   Tumbra
16  CB  Nishant Anand       24  M   Tumbra
3   RB  Ed Wright           18  M   Tumbra
6   CDM Craig Flowers       20  M   Tumbra
18  CM  Rosalind Robinson   26  F   Tumbra
19  CM  Ben McAmee          30  M   Tumbra
10  CAM Oliver Proctor      32  M   Tumbra
21  LW  Amanda Browne       19  F   Tumbra
20  RW  Nik Shah            27  M   Tumbra
22  ST  Duncan Hall         19  M   Tumbra
23  ST  John Easton         27  M   Tumbra

Transfer Activity

Incoming: Gerhard Exter from Newton Wanderers, 1.0m
Outgoing: Ian George to Gelder Creek, free
Russell Philips to Mackay Robins, free
Michael Aitken, retired
Ewen Cunningham, retired

Marray are back. Have they learned anything from their last stint in the Premier Division or are they doomed to go down again?

Last season: A third stint in the Premier Division beckons for Marray, after a breathtaking title fight that went down to the last day. It didn’t result in a title win, unfortunately enough, but it was enough to avoid the dreaded playoff; and that proved to be enough. Most of their personnel have been retained from their last stint in the Prem; including the curious manager Oliver Lutece, who seems to pride himself on his exceptionally cerebral approach to the game. It’ll be another difficult season for the Dolphins, but they’re expected to give a good fight. Well, it would be if the team had spent a bit more than their last trip in the Prem; but Lutece is somehow convinced that his squad will be able to finish at least sixteenth.

New Arrivals: The retirements of stalwarts Michael Aitken and Ewen Cunningham have forced the team to dig deep; but the only real transfer of note is Gerhard Exter, the one-track winger, from the relegated Newton Wanderers, who was another bright spot in their dreadful, dreadful season.

Key Players: It’s all about the attack here; Dean Cresswood, Elliot Swan and Exter all have Premier Division experience and will be expected to start firing in the goals. Sylvia Donovan will be the lady in the middle that makes it all happen; while the quiet defender Kira Carlisle will be expected to keep things tidy at the back. It’s a squad that’s lacking in real name recognition — Cresswood, formerly of Clyde and the national team, is the biggest star here — so it’s tough for the average Tumbran fan to pinpoint any real names from this side.

Prediction: Despite Lutece’s predictions, most are tipping the club to go straight back down, with them being 7/2 favourites for relegation. They’ve not strengthened their squad enough, and are looking to finish bottom of the table; though it’s expected they’ll give it a good go at doing that.

[Tumbra]

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
PART ONE: MATCHDAYS 1-5

We're at the start of another football season, and there are rumours once more that there's going to be a league size shrink; both the first and second divisions are rumoured to go from 20 to 16 teams, while the third and fourth divisions are expected to swell from 22 to 24 teams, keeping the total number of teams in the four tiers at 128. Obviously, those with the most to lose are incensed by this statement; but there are also rumours that the players in the clubs of the affected divisions are heavily pushing for this — after all, with more and more competitions being taken part in, fixture congestion is becoming a heavier issue, despite the expansion of benches to twelve players and five substitutes being allowed from the previous season. The bigwigs are intending to make their decision at the end of the season, though; so there's just going to be months on months of speculation before the actual decision.

Before that, however:

77th RUNNING OF THE TUMBRAN SUPERCUP

Yes, it's a fixture that is both a glorified friendly and a game that people read almost too much into; the Supercup. The traditional curtain-opener this year is held in Nantwich, as deference to the winners of the domestic double and because the National Stadium is currently being torn down. For the next few seasons, while the new 88,000-capacity Eagles' Club is being constructed, the game will rotate around stadiums; but most football fans know it really just means that the match will rotate amongst stadiums who can afford to pay.

The Supercup this year is a Nantwich-Serrapince affair; the two sides from last year's title fight duking it out to take the title home. It's a somewhat-rotated lineup for both; as promised, Charlotte Ritchie and Dagur Lawrence both start. Walter Thomas, heralded as Nantwich's new defensive standard-bearer, is on the bench; but he'll probably be first off it as time goes on.

SUPERCUP
FC Inter Nantwich 1-2 Serrapince
Coxeter 72'//Ritchie 34', Sallay 83'

To almost everyone's surprise, however, Serrapince steal the win from under Nantwich's noses; a late Sallay goal in a very dubiously onside position does the trick. VAR rules it onside, and Serrapince are spared the need for penalties. To be fair, they looked much the dominant side for the opening hour; Charlotte Ritchie embracing her role as the new girl on the right, while Dagur took a longer time to warm up. Eventually Ritchie scores, cutting in on her left foot; and Serrapince held on for forty minutes before Coxeter burst forth with a blazing run and equalised for the Bulls. It wouldn't be enough, though. Walter Thomas came on, and performed decently; as the Back of the Net franchise would've put it, "there was a keen sense of curiosity as Nantwich fans were able to see their new player in action for the first time."

Both managers urged fans to not read too much into the result; but there were celebrations in Serrapince after the match, as always.

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
PART ONE: MATCHDAYS 1-5

Back to the bit of football that people actually care more about.

MATCHDAY 1
Columbia City 1–3 Lakewood United
Bello 56'//Moore 14', Considine 66', Fontana 74'
Fraser Valley 1–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Pilta-Blonz 33'//Borzoi 8'
Delphi Lionesses 3–3 Clyde Park
Thesselborg 16', 23', Holt 61'//Escat 45', 83', 90'+1'
FC Inter Nantwich 5–0 Guillemard Town
Coxeter 11', Spekman 55', Baxter 61', 69', Fisher 88'
West Couno United 0–1 Couno Rangers
Nolan 5'
Hesham 1–2 Kingsbury United
Deighton 11'//Anderson 15', Perkkanen 52'
Glenmont AFC 3–3 Straton
Haskell 62', Wettin 85', Austin 90'+3'//Tino 15', 23', Rivard 86'
Sturrey Athletic 1–3 Serrapince
Grönholm 11'//Sallay 6', 90'+2', Lawrence 25'
Lakewood City 3–1 Colbrook City
Vaughn 11', Bernard 23', 45'//Grimley 77'
Port Marray 1–2 Macarthur City
Shah 55'//Jennings 38', Huxley 52'

It's a day of late goals as two matches are decided by goals in injury time, and eight goals are scored in the final fifteen minutes of the day to keep things interesting right up to the final minute. Two scorelines dominate discussions, as well as one individual performance; Nantwich greet Guillemard with an opening day salvo of five goals to remind them they're playing with in the big leagues, now, as Nantwich seize chance after chance and go on attack after attack. All of Nantwich's front three score, though Atlas Baxter's second goal — a penalty — was tightly contested. It was a right humbling for the incumbent Second Division champions, and they'll need to shape up quickly if they're to stay in the Premier Division for more than one season.

The other scoreline dominating discussion is Glenmont's draw with Straton, which took quite a while to be decided; Straton seemed to have the game all under control, with Tino scoring two goals in the first half hour to give the Capitals an early 2-0 lead away in Pakyel; but the Lynxes' fortunes transformed after the hour mark as Michael Toussaint was taken off with an injury. Matt Haskell and Reinhard Wettin both got on the scoresheet to tie the game up before late substitute Helene-Anne Rivard banged in Straton's third goal. The drama still wouldn't end, though — with Trevor Austin scoring late in injury time, with the last kick of the game, to deny Straton all three points.

Elsewhere, Gedeo Escat rescued Clyde Park from similarly dire circumstances by scoring two goals in the last ten minutes to rescue a solitary point, while Kendra Considine scored on her debut for United, a goal after the hour mark announcing her arrival in Tumbra in resplendent fashion.

MATCHDAY 2
Lakewood United 3–0 Macarthur City
Keyes 31', Considine 44', 68'
Colbrook City 1–2 Port Marray
Gillingham 62'//Donovan 5', Cresswood 22'
Serrapince 3–1 Lakewood City
Sallay 55', Hilton 61', Mora 88'//Fraser 12'
Straton 4–1 Sturrey Athletic
Rivard 12', Osbourne 33', Liang 77', Harwood 83'//Mercer 52'
Kingsbury United 1–0 Glenmont AFC
Loustaunau 12'
Couno Rangers 3–2 Hesham
Nolan 11', 64', Hertel 33'//Deighton 14', Min 55'
Guillemard Town 2–2 West Couno United
le Gall 7', McGuinness 81'//Reisinger 32', 39'
Clyde Park 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich
Spekman 38'
Ridgewell Rovers 0–0 Delphi Lionesses

Columbia City 2–2 Fraser Valley
Wilson 51', Coonan 62'//Xilix-Oxolt 6', Kinsella 31'

It's a much closer victory for Nantwich this week, as they have to rely on Jake Spekman to bail them out; but Clyde, in stark contrast to last week, seem quite toothless in attack. Or maybe it was always such, and it was just Escat not receiving enough service from his midfield and back line to score. Whatever it is, Nantwich scrape through on a performance that isn't really peak Nantwich; but it is still three points all the same. That Nantwich are still in the grueling Champions' League playoff stages is plain to see, as they field a half-rotated line-up including centreback Joaquin Santo; but it's Walter Thomas that's given the chance to lead the backline for the first time as he gets his first full start. It works — he helps Nick Barker keep a clean sheet — but there's a slight moment of panic towards the end when Elaine Calare lets off a fantastic shot that requires a fingertip save from the Tumbran n.1 It's still early days, though.

Elsewhere, Guillemard get their first point in the league with Halyos le Gall scoring early on; they have to contend with that scoring prodigy Vasya Reisinger netting twice in ten minutes for WCU, but veteran leftback Tom McGuinness gets one back in the last minutes of the game to get them off the hook. In a season where the relegation fight looks to be unusually close, the point against WCU is vital for getting in gear. Hesham fall to a resurgent Couno, though Gerard Deighton and Min Song-Hwan make it less of a bad day for the Ploughmen; but they are now winless from two, Kurosh Rostami underperforming in his first two games for Hesham. There's a certain sense of "meh, it's Couno anyway" about this one, but seeing your team at the bottom of the standings is never really fun. This is one of those moments.

City and Serrapince duel it out, with Serrapince coming out on top; a theme that's becoming more and more pronounced in recent years. Vaughn is out, injured; a muscle strain puts him out of commission, and although his replacement Charlie Baker is a talented dribbler and winger, he's still not Robin Vaughn. City fall, as expected, to Serrapince's all-out attack; and Hermaeus Mora, coming off the bench as a last ten minute substitute, even manages to net one. This may be his last season with the Bees, but the fire's still in his eyes; the glint of competition, ready to go at it one last time.

MATCHDAY 3
Fraser Valley 1–5 Lakewood United
Greer 88'//Desmond 16', Horvat 30', 82', Fontana 33', Ukrop 59'
Delphi Lionesses 0–1 Columbia City
Burrows 30'
FC Inter Nantwich 4–0 Ridgewell Rovers
Coxeter 5', Haines 41', Gell 64', Fisher 88'
West Couno United 0–1 Clyde Park
Kearnes 13'
Hesham 3–2 Guillemard Town
Glover 33', Bevins 39', Mu 58'//le Gall 14', Lachmann 72'
Glenmont AFC 0–2 Couno Rangers
Hertel 16', Conder 39'
Sturrey Athletic 0–2 Kingsbury United
Anderson 15', Quinn 45'+2'
Lakewood City 0–1 Straton
Rivard 63'
Port Marray 0–1 Serrapince
Ritchie 75'
Macarthur City 1–1 Colbrook City
Pearce 32'//Klempner 41'

Hesham finally, belatedly kick their season off by getting their first win. The opponent, according to manager William Wight, "doesn't matter"; a win is a win, and they'll "be able to take the confidence from this game on to the next." It is a fairly scuffed win, with the game-deciding third goal coming out of a goalmouth scrabble after a header. Guillemard do score one after that, with an impressive Traci Lachmann low shot that beats Alan McDermott, quite shamefully, at his near post; but Hesham hold on to the win. Considering their next match is an extremely important one against Clyde, Wight is probably breathing a sigh of relief that his club has now begun to kick on.

City's stuttering form and lack of Robin Vaughn continues to bite them, with Helene-Anne Rivard scoring the sole goal away in Lakewood to give Straton all three points. Shot after shot after shot goes wayward for City as Graham Dodds suddenly seems to grow a third arm, parrying and saving shots like a man possessed; rumours that he's secretly a Holy Empire dromozan-infected goalkeeper are thoroughly debunked as he proves on social media — player of the match award in tow, quite gleefully — that he indeed does only have two arms. Robin Vaughn can't return soon enough for the Skylarks.

The Prince of Couno (as he's already beginning to be called), Kingsley-Roger Hertel, scores his first goal for the Rams sixteen minutes into their match with Glenmont. It's an impressively-taken one, with a Dimitra Conder free-kick late in the first half compounding the lead; shouts from the away fans for Couno to go for a third are ignored as the defense holds strong for a 2-0 win on the road. To their south, Sturrey leave as the only team with zero points after three matchdays after they're beaten 2-0 by Kingsbury. It's early days for Colin Barrendale, but these are certainly tough ones; and with matches against teams like Couno, Clyde and Columbia coming up, it's looking to be a tough, tough season for the Lactics.

Elsewhere, Nantwich net four after Ridgewell's Chris Finney gets a red card early in the game, Charlotte Ritchie runs the show as Serrapince squeak past Marray, in the Bechor Coast derby and United go on a tear as they score five against Fraser.

MATCHDAY 4
Lakewood United 4–0 Colbrook City
Considine 13', Hunter 22', Adams 51', Ukrop 63'
Serrapince 1–1 Macarthur City
Knežević 35'//Morgan, A. 63'
Straton 3–0 Port Marray
Dunstan 8', Osbourne 24', 89'
Kingsbury United 0–1 Lakewood City
Laishram 66'
Couno Rangers 4–2 Sturrey Athletic
Conder 11', 64', Nolan 21', 75'//Evans-Jones 32', 66'
Guillemard Town 0–1 Glenmont AFC
Spencer 33'
Clyde Park 0–2 Hesham
Russell 44', 62'
Ridgewell Rovers 1–2 West Couno United
Kristensen 79'//Reisinger 36', McIntyre 49'
Columbia City 0–4 FC Inter Nantwich
Coxeter 34', 55', 87', Dufour 61'
Fraser Valley 2–1 Delphi Lionesses
Xilix-Oxolt 3', 57'//Sweeney 31'

The early title race seems to be between Nantwich and United, as both score yet another eye-watering win; in United's case, the win was probably a foregone conclusion, but for Nantwich to annihilate Columbia 4-0 seems to be a marker of how good the team is than anything. It's a combination of Columbia's squad being absolutely dog tired from having to juggle continental football and domestic football and a few injuries to players like Mike Coonan and David Burnet; but fourteenth even after four games is not where most Columbia fans expected they would be. Either way, though, the two sides look to be the early teams to beat; with United, especially, gaining something of a renaissance with Bayh and Considine.

The prognosis for City fans is positive, as Robin Vaughn confirms he'll be back in time for the next match; but City fans have to come to an uncomfortable truth that they've got to start succession planning for Captain Tumbra. Vaughn is only 31, but time seems to fly quickly in these parts; and there's no time to start planning like the present, especially after another unconvincing win away at Kingsbury. What's needed? An overhaul of the entire squad? Laishram's goal separates the two sides, which also sees the full debut of Twilight Mixon; the left-back getting very involved in the action very early on, her pace proving to be the game-winning combo — as her pass to Laishram proves the decisive one.

Serrapince are pegged back by Macarthur, a late Knežević miss making fans wonder whether Sallay, on the bench and almost begging to come on, should've been shoved on after Macarthur leveled the score; while Glenmont eke out their first win of the season, and Straton continue their run of good form by punting three past Marray.

MATCHDAY 5
Delphi Lionesses 3–3 Lakewood United
Chung 25', Hall 41', Thesselborg 52'//Desmond 15', Fontana 31', Hunter 48'
FC Inter Nantwich 2–0 Fraser Valley
Baxter 23', Gell 34'
West Couno United 2–1 Columbia City
Reisinger 8', 66'//Coonan 21'
Hesham 1–2 Ridgewell Rovers
Russell 55'//Riester 11', Canavan 23'
Glenmont AFC 1–3 Clyde Park
Williams 87'//Escat 12', 46', Bradford 64'
Sturrey Athletic 1–2 Guillemard Town
Mercer 5'//Hailstorm 11', 23'
Lakewood City 1–2 Couno Rangers
Bernard 23'//Nolan 27', 84'
Port Marray 0–1 Kingsbury United
Anderson 32'
Macarthur City 0–1 Straton
Cole 39'
Colbrook City 0–3 Serrapince
Sallay 11', 29', Stansfield 84'

The international break comes and goes — it's a one week break with two matches squished into it, like some kind of unholy enchilada — and Tumbra do fine. Every time there's an international break fans of clubs seemingly collectively go mad that there's a week without "exciting" club football; but it's only a week. God. Gone are the days when Tumbra needed to struggle for a win every break, here come the days where Tumbra is expected to win, and draws against nations like Damukuni — who haven't even bothered to publish a list of names for their football team — are looked upon like losses.

Someone else expected to win was United, making a trip north to Delphi; and they duly responded in kind, by — drawing?

It's a back-and-forth, extremely exciting game between the two teams; there's a thirty-minute period in the first half where four goals are scored; but in the end, United just can't seem to score that fourth goal that would take them over the top, and the two teams are forced to share the points. Aiofe Ruth, the newly-minted Delphi manager, is ecstatic; Ted Bayh's anger is present, simmering, but he doesn't let it show. Especially when he's asked about whether Corrine Fontana should've been given a penalty after she fell down in Delphi's penalty box, her shirt apparently pulled by Sandra Illaoi.

Columbia end a disappointing first five matches with yet another loss; this time to Vasya Reisinger and West Couno, the markswoman on target twice as the team scrabble for a response. Enis gets closest, with a seventy-fifth run on goal, but Mike Hancy parries it brilliantly to keep WCU in front, and deliver the Pilots the three points. Hesham, too, disappoint as Ridgewell pick up their first win of the season; two early goals from the Northerners answered by only one from Lucas Russell as they prove perfectly content to sit back and hold on. It's a strategy that pays off, unfortunately for the Ploughmen.

Robin Vaughn returns, but looks distinctly off-colour and out of it as he's subbed off after sixty minutes against Couno. It falls to Ophelie Bernard to grab City's first goal, but there's no answer to Bruce Nolan scoring two — assisted by Marvella Hargrove and Anna Napier. There were rumours that Couno would've gone for both Vincent Hicks and Valerie Wells in the off-season (and broken the bank by doing so — thankfully Crenshaw Volanger, the holding company that owns Couno, just so happen to also be loaded), but they decided not to; and in the end, bring home the three points to bring them joint top of the league with Nantwich.

Who haven't conceded a single goal in five matches.

Premier Division, Season Seven
                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Form
 1 FC Inter Nantwich       5    5   0   0    16    0  +16    15   WWWWW
 2 Couno Rangers           5    5   0   0    12    5   +7    15   WWWWW
 3 Lakewood United         5    4   1   0    18    5  +13    13   WWWWD
 4 Straton                 5    4   1   0    12    4   +8    13   DWWWW
 5 Serrapince              5    4   1   0    11    3   +8    13   WWWDW
 6 Kingsbury United        5    4   0   1     6    2   +4    12   WWWLW
 7 Clyde Park              5    2   1   2     7    7    0     7   DLWLW
 8 West Couno United       5    2   1   2     6    6    0     7   LDLWW
 9 Hesham                  5    2   0   3     9    9    0     6   LLWWL
10 Lakewood City           5    2   0   3     6    7   −1     6   WLLWL
11 Macarthur City          5    1   2   2     4    7   −3     5   WLDDL
12 Ridgewell Rovers        5    1   2   2     4    8   −4     5   DDLLW
13 Fraser Valley           5    1   2   2     6   11   −5     5   DDLWL
14 Glenmont AFC            5    1   1   3     5    9   −4     4   DLLWL
15 Guillemard Town         5    1   1   3     6   12   −6     4   LDLLW
16 Columbia City           5    1   1   3     5   11   −6     4   LDWLL
17 Delphi Lionesses        5    0   3   2     7    9   −2     3   DDLLD
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Port Marray             5    1   0   4     3    8   −5     3   LWLLL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Colbrook City           5    0   1   4     3   13  −10     1   LLDLL
20 Sturrey Athletic        5    0   0   5     5   15  −10     0   LLLLL

[Tumbra]

THE 125TH RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP — THE FIRST ROUND

Once again, the maelstrom of chaos that is the Republic Cup descends upon the Tumbran footballsphere once more; 128 clubs go into a seven-round gauntlet to determine who's the luckiest of all the clubs in Tumbra. Lucky is one way to describe it; because almost anything is possible in these early rounds. There is zero draw protection and zero cares given for who the home team is; whomever is drawn first gets to host the match — but teams are required to revenue share the gate receipts, if the team being faced is of a lower division.

(D4W)              Greenford City   2-3   Ridgewell United            (D2 )
( D2)              Bencoolen City   1-0   Guillemard Town             (D1 )
(D3W)             Fort Heatherton   2-1   Port Marray                 (D1 )
( D1)            Kingsbury United   2-0   Fontwell Rovers             (D3W)
(D4W)           Locomotive Harper   0-4   AFC Gillman                 (D2 )
( D2)            Newton Wanderers   2-0   Cobham United               (D2 )
(D3E)            Hesham Wanderers   0-3   Arlington Athletic          (D3E)
( D1)            Ridgewell Rovers   2-0   Sherwood Town               (D4E)
(D3W)              Hoxford United   3-1   Grange United               (D3E)
( D1)                  Serrapince   2-0   Dunsford                    (D3W)
( D2)                     Dorival e 4-2   Ilstead Wanderers           (D4W)
(D3W)                   Orpington   0-0 p Tevandale Athletic          (D4W)
(D3E)            Straton Typhoons   1-4   Windsor                     (D3E)
(D4W)                    Brensley   1-0   Wilmington Town             (D4E)
(D4W)           Harchester United   0-2   Tavistock Park              (D3E)
(D3W)                      Oakton   0-1   AFC Cayalon                 (D2 )
(D4E)            Algoma Wanderers e 2-1   Collett Park United         (D4E)
( D2)             Washington City   3-0   Kellsthorpe                 (D4W)
(D4E)                Chesterfield   2-0   Knapford City               (D4E)
(D3W)                  Cheltenham   0-1   Newark Argyle               (D3E)
(D4W)                  Dunman Bay e 2-1   Othaven                     (D4W)
(D4E)            Cortlandt United   1-2   Trelmont Rangers            (D2 )
( D1)               Lakewood City e 3-2   Glenmont AFC                (D1 )
(D4E)                      Coburg   0-1   Columbia City               (D1 )
(D3E)             Knapford United   1-2   Carter United               (D3E)
( D2)          Tavistock Athletic   1-2 e Clyde Park                  (D1 )
(D4W)                     Denhelm   1-0   Dynamo Denhelm              (D4W)
(D3E)                Mayfield AFC   0-0 p Harren Armada               (D3E)
(D4E)                   Gisbourne   0-2   Caldecott 93                (D3E)
(D3E)             Pinhal Athletic   0-2   Fraser Valley               (D1 )
(D4W)                       Dover   5-1   Rookworth AFC               (D4E)
( D1)                      Hesham   3-1   Kelder Phoenixes            (D2 )
( D2)               Mackay Rovers   0-1   Readale City                (D2 )
(D3W)                     Enfield   0-1   Pomeroy Mountaineers        (D3W)
(D3E)                 Dieren City   1-0   Haversham City              (D4W)
(D3E)                     Lambeth   1-6   Falmouth Athletic           (D3W)
(D4W)              Prinsip Street   1-1 p Heath Bay Mariners          (D3E)
( D2)       New Timbourne Knights   3-0   Nottingham City             (D3W)
(D4E)                    Farleigh   0-2   Macarthur City              (D1 )
( D2)           Kirkby Railwaymen   1-0   Blenheim                    (D4W)
( D2)           Readale Wanderers   3-0   Melwood United              (D4E)
(D3W)                 FC Montrose   2-1   Richmond AFC                (D3E)
(D3W)               Colney Thorns e 1-0   Millsburgh Revolutionaries  (D3W)
(D4E)                Thomson City   0-5   Lakewood United             (D1 )
( D2)               Ashton Rovers   1-1 p Millsburgh Steelers         (D3W)
( D1)            Sturrey Athletic   2-0   Ruislip and Ipswich FC      (D4W)
(D4W)              Moresby United   2-0   Burlington AFC              (D4E)
( D2)           Ricci Ironworkers   0-2   West Couno United           (D1 )
(D4E)                 Killiney SC   1-2   Monroe Quakes               (D4W)
(D3E)                      Rosyth   1-0   Wolskel                     (D4E)
(D3W)           Southport Thunder   0-0 p Harwick Wanderers           (D3W)
(D4E)               Havelock City   0-1   Johnstone Athletic          (D4W)
(D3W)           Shepperton Ravens   1-0   Delphi Lionesses            (D1 )
(D3W)                     Clifton   1-2 e Staplewood                  (D4E)
(D4E)                 Hindhede FC   1-2   Brades United               (D3E)
(D3E)            Hendon Cardinals   3-1   Franport                    (D4W)
(D3W)        Teignford Academical   0-3   Couno Rangers               (D1 )
( D2)                Gelder Creek   2-1   Heffron City                (D4W)
(D3E)              Rosenberg City   2-0   Wintborough United          (D4E)
( D1)               Colbrook City   3-0   Langley United              (D4W)
(D4E)                  Blakehurst   1-0   Carrington Town             (D3E)
(D3W)               Caldwell City   0-1   North Thornton United       (D3W)
( D1)                     Straton e 2-1   Clark City                  (D2 )
(D4E)             Maxwell Arsenal   1-2 e FC Inter Nantwich           (D1 )

Somewhat surprisingly, Marray and Guillemard are knocked out at this stage; Guillemard by recently-relegated Bencoolen, while Marray are knocked out by third-tier side Fort Heatherton. Lakewood City knock out Glenmont — though they require extra time to find the third goal needed — while Straton and Inter also require extra time to work their way past Clark and...fourth tier side Maxwell Arsenal respectively. The Arsenal were given plaudits by manager Rachael Schroeder after the game; but it was clear to see that she was relieved when Heather Gell scored the decisive goal.

The sixty-four surviving teams will be thrown back into the gauntlet next month for the second round.

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
PART TWO: MATCHDAYS 6-10

It's a tight race at the top — even if Nantwich have gone five games in a row without conceding a single goal — with Couno and a revitalised Lakewood United not far behind. Straton, meanwhile, are right there after an impressive start to the season; while Columbia and City are floundering in the midtable, their seasons not going as well as they'd probably wished they were at the current moment. It's still a long season, however, and there's a lot of football left to be played; and one swallow does not make a summer.

MATCHDAY 6
Lakewood United 2–1 Serrapince
Desmond 45', Fontana 62'//Lawrence 13'
Straton 4–0 Colbrook City
Woodhouse 12, 88', Tino 42', Osbourne 65'
Kingsbury United 1–1 Macarthur City
Larr 15'//Anderson 32'
Couno Rangers 3–1 Port Marray
Evers 12', Prost 45', Kearney 72'//Elliott 29'
Guillemard Town 1–4 Lakewood City
le Gall 82'//Vaughn 3', 41', Fraser 19', Wague 63'
Clyde Park 3–2 Sturrey Athletic
Escat 14', Markozy 29', May 77'//Mercer 34', Langley 81'
Ridgewell Rovers 3–3 Glenmont AFC
Delap 17', Meller o.g. 32', Ghislane 49'//Reyson 29', Perkins 47', Austin 82'
Columbia City 0–3 Hesham
Bevins 6', Russell 41', Deighton 62'
Fraser Valley 0–2 West Couno United
Kaparros 3', Reisinger 82'
Delphi Lionesses 0–2 FC Inter Nantwich
Baker 16', Coxeter 75'

Nantwich's streak of clean sheets and victories continue, as Richard Baker leads off the scoring against Delphi; Basilica Coxeter rounds the game off with a second late in the game to secure Nantwich's sixth clean sheet and continued reign atop the standings. Serrapince, meanwhile, are put to the sword against United; Dagur Lawrence nets for the Bees first, but Kirsten Desmond equalises before half time; then Josip Horvat assists Fontana's second goal at the hour mark. He doesn't look too happy at assisting against his former team; but football is football, and there isn't much time for feelings.

Moussa Wague plays his first full 90 for Lakewood City, and the young Brook striker duly repays the faith placed in him by scoring City's fourth goal against Guillemard. It's a nervy showing from the striker — which is to be expected — but near the end of the match slowly settles into his new role with aplomb. Halyos le Gall gets one back for Guillemard to deny the aging John Lennon a clean sheet, but the victory is more than enough; and it moves City into tenth once the week's matches are all over. Couno, running a second-string side, easily dispatch Marray to keep level on points with Nantwich; while Straton quietly keep their good form going with a 4-0 thrashing of Colbrook.

It's not getting better for Columbia, however, their 3-0 defeat to Hesham is the latest in the start to their disappointing season. Susan Ramsden is given her first few minutes on the senior team, but she's unable to do anything against a resurgent Hesham side; whose strategy plays out to absolute perfection to continue their excellent season so far.

MATCHDAY 7
FC Inter Nantwich 0–1 Lakewood United
Considine 82'
West Couno United 2–1 Delphi Lionesses
McIntyre 33', Wright 51'//Stepford 45' + 2'
Hesham 2–2 Fraser Valley
Frist 11', Popov 79'//Phehlukwayo 37', Kerry 59'
Glenmont AFC 0–1 Columbia City
Bello 44'
Sturrey Athletic 0–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Steele 32'
Lakewood City 4–1 Clyde Park
Vaughn 12', 74', Wague 33', Apt 83'//Proudfoot 24'
Port Marray 3–3 Guillemard Town
Swan 22', Robinson 26', Gary o.g. 47'//Lamb 12', Haywood 52', le Gall 68'
Macarthur City 1–2 Couno Rangers
Jennings 44'//Vaillancourt 31', Nolan 55'
Colbrook City 1–4 Kingsbury United
Ferguson 69'//Larr 12', 66', Hughes 23', Schwartz 85'
Serrapince 3–1 Straton
Sallay 23', 29', McGrath 66'//Tino 52'

And all of a sudden, Nantwich's wings are clipped; a visit from their rivals United results in a thrilling, end-to-end battle with saves both from Nick Barker and the new United n.1 Richard Russell both a credit to the art of goalkeeping, with a single, lobbed shot from Kendra Considine being the only thing separating the two teams. It's disappointing for Nantwich fans, as they fall to third; Nantwich are leapfrogged by both United and Couno, who escape Macarthur with all three points. For Couno, who take all three points against Macarthur, it's a relief to see the team doing this well; where there used to be disappointment in the eyes of Couno fans over their first half record, there now exists only joy, as Couno remain one of two teams to have not lost a game this season.

Moussa Wague is given a second start as City go up against Clyde, and he duly repays the faith placed in him by scoring City's second goal to put them back ahead after Belinda Proudfoot levels things. It turns out to lead to a deluge, as Vaughn scores another in the second half and Eli Apt compounds Clyde's misery by putting a fourth past them; a composed shot from the taciturn Chromatik, assisted by who else but Twilight Mixon. She's been putting in the work; and it's showing, with City's attack looking quite dangerous down the left with her.

Sturrey are now winless in seven; the unofficial deadline for new managers to get a win is ten matches (thanks to Newton, last season). The pressure is ramping up on Colin Barrendale, but opposition manager Mark Pryor calls for him to be given more time, in a very gracious move. Colbrook are just above them on the one point from that one draw near the start of the season, while Delphi themselves aren't doing much better, after former player Eden Wright puts them to the sword just after half-time.

MATCHDAY 8
Lakewood United 2–1 Straton
McDermott 24', Hussein 78'//Tino 49'
Kingsbury United 1–2 Serrapince
Layton 16'//Hilton 42', Sallay 56'
Couno Rangers 4–1 Colbrook City
Nolan 12', 63', Evers 48', van As 75'//Anderson 52'
Guillemard Town 2–2 Macarthur City
Hailstorm 32', Lyon 52'//Huxley 14', 49'
Clyde Park 2–0 Port Marray
Escat 24', Coleman 55'
Ridgewell Rovers 1–1 Lakewood City
Canavan 81'//Laishram 32'
Columbia City 3–1 Sturrey Athletic
Crnogorčević 14', Rowland 42', Powell 77'//Hall o.g. 69'
Fraser Valley 2–0 Glenmont AFC
Xilix-Oxolt 12', 65'
Delphi Lionesses 1–2 Hesham
Thesselborg 39'//Nexev-Kresp 16', Noble 82'
FC Inter Nantwich 1–1 West Couno United
Spekman 6'//Reisinger 64'

Perhaps the single most impressive performance today is that of West Couno United, who throw eleven men behind the ball for thirty minutes to deny Nantwich three points after Vasya Reisinger nets a firmly-taken, bending goal. For a team that kept six clean sheets in the opening six games, it's a disappointing stutter in their form and a loss of two points where they were expected to take home all three; and the result sees them drop to five points behind Couno, who thrash Colbrook 4-1 to continue their impressive form at the top of the table.

Columbia deal Sturrey another defeat — though, if they hadn't defeated Sturrey, there would probably be serious questions — with Enis finally scoring his first goal for the Southerners. It's a long time waiting for the Mytanar, and his goal is followed up by efforts from Tim Rowland and Bruno Powell, as a rotated side dispatch Sturrey easily. The result leaves them in twelfth still, with a lot of ground yet to make up after their disappointing start to the season; and time continues to tick on Colin Barrendale as a crucial, crucial match with Fraser Valley is approaching. One thing in the Lactics' favour is Xilix-Oxolt Mal, the striker who nets two for Fraser in their trouncing of Glenmont, getting taken off in the eighty-seventh minute; he'll be out for the next three games at least. The last winless club, Delphi, still can't get their first win; bouncing about in the relegation zone as Hesham score two in a lucky win for the Ploughmen.

Elsewhere, Guillemard pull off a spectacular performance against Macarthur to peg the two level, while Kingsbury's owners officially announce the team are going up for sale; which is somewhat expected, and ensures that their loss against Serrapince isn't the main Kingsbury-related news item when the newspapers go to press on Sunday morning. Heidi Canavan essentially solidifies her spot in the Ridgewell starting eleven as they hold Lakewood City to a draw; while Guillemard net another point from Macarthur City that somehow feels exceptionally deserved yet flukey at the same time.

MATCHDAY 9
West Couno United 2–1 Lakewood United
Sitko 41', Appleby 69'//Desmond 32'
Hesham 0–4 FC Inter Nantwich
Coxeter 15', 84' Spekman 22', Baxter 68'
Glenmont AFC 0–0 Delphi Lionesses

Sturrey Athletic 1–0 Fraser Valley
Trouvé 22'
Lakewood City 1–0 Columbia City
Vaughn 36'
Port Marray 0–2 Ridgewell Rovers
Bonucci 77', Borzoi 90' + 1'
Macarthur City 0–1 Clyde Park
Calare 41'
Colbrook City 2–1 Guillemard Town
King 23', Gallagher 44'//le Gall 84'
Serrapince 1–1 Couno Rangers
Sallay 63'//Prost 90' + 4'
Straton 1–1 Kingsbury United
Rivard 24'//Anderson 38'

It's a good day to be playing in blue as points are dropped by both the league leaders; but Couno hold on to first after a last-kick goal by Frederick Prost inches over the line — and goal-line technology gives the goal, and the one point, to Couno. Serrapince dominate proceedings, though are let down by Charlotte Ritchie and George Hilton's wayward finishing; but in a game of fine margins like this, the last-gasp goal from Prost is the one that makes all the difference. United, funnily enough, also drop the ball; Rajmund Sitko, an underappreciated part of WCU's improved playing this season, scores his first goal for the club to level things against the Red Storm; but it's Emmanuel Appleby who rounds things off with a fine shot outside the penalty box to give WCU three points and toss United down to third.

Nantwich, after their last two matches, strike back with an impressive 4-0 victory over Hesham; Basilica Coxeter, notably, has a fire in her eye as she scores for the first time in three matches, as Hesham's team is torn through by the Bulls of Nantwich; Walter Thomas, notably, does a goal-line clearance to prove just how instrumental to the team he's become after just nine games in Tumbra. Clyde squeak past Macarthur with a solitary Elaine Calare goal, while Sturrey end their nine-game winless streak with a win; the look on Colin Barrendale's face as Akos Trouve scores is a sight to behold. Colbrook, too, pull off an impressive win against Guillemard; meaning that the only team that haven't scored a win this season is Delphi. They do, however, have four draws and sit seventeenth in the table; as Aiofe Ruth scrabbles to try and finally deliver that one win for Delphi.

City, worryingly, have to rely on Robin Vaughn to scrape by Columbia once more; while Neil Fraser comes close to making the game a bit more comfortable on the hour mark, his skied shot and look of nonchalance after is pounced upon by the media, who are eager to paint the team as one coasting on their laurels. It's somewhat true — City have been far from the domineering force of previous years, while there's a serious chance they'll be overtaken by United this season — but this is still a team with a ridiculous amount of depth, and one of the best midfields in the business.

Kingsbury continue their quiet stroll in the upper midfield places, with a one-all draw with Straton accepted as generally a fair result; but they've been punching far above their weight this season. James Anderson comes in for an exhausted Dannon Larr once more, and the ex-City striker takes his chances with a flourish; scoring fourteen minutes after Helene-Anne Rivard nets her goal for Straton to level up the score, before pulling back to allow Xaime Medal and Antti Perkkanen to take the lead in attack.

MATCHDAY 10
Lakewood United 4–1 Kingsbury United
Keyes 13', 81', Considine 47', Abril 66'//Medal 74'
Couno Rangers 3–1 Straton
Hertel 15', Tyler 66', Nolan 75'//Hedberg 34'
Guillemard Town 1–3 Serrapince
Morrison 6'//Sallay 25', Anggara 61', Ness 84'
Clyde Park 3–0 Colbrook City
Coleman 62', McGarry 71', Escat 77'
Ridgewell Rovers 0–1 Macarthur City
Morgan, R. 7'
Columbia City 4–1 Port Marray
Burrows 6', 14', Burnet 33', McKinley 69'//Swan 55'
Fraser Valley 0–4 Lakewood City
Fraser 2', 71', Vaughn 43', 82'
Delphi Lionesses 0–1 Sturrey Athletic
Mercer 15'
FC Inter Nantwich 3–0 Glenmont AFC
Baxter 33', Broadhurst 47', 86'
West Couno United 1–1 Hesham
Reisinger 44'//Thomson 3'

So much for punching above their weight, as Kingsbury have four goals shot past them in a masterclass by Cameron Keyes. He's no longer the out-and-out starting striker for Lakewood — Bayh's single-striker formation doesn't suit him as much — but he shows his class on the ball here, as he scores two goals to both open the scoring and round the game off. It's a wonderful performance from the level-headed, mature striker, who's grown immensely since he first stepped onto Tumbran shores six years ago.

In terms of expected winners, most games fall as the bookies predict; Nantwich, United, Serrapince, City all win their games, all with varying margins but in a fashion that can be described, rather generously, as "walkovers"; only Straton gives Couno any trouble, but a headed goal from Joel Tyler and a flourish from Bruce Nolan gets them across the line. Ten matches in, Couno are still undefeated; nine wins and the one draw mark them down as the team to beat, though Nantwich with their eight clean sheets from ten games are still hot on their tails.

Bayu Anggara scores his first Premiership goal, as the Pemecutanian becomes the first player from his nation to score in the Premier Division. The nation shot to relevance recently, having made the World Cup final as recently as two years ago; which did cause demand for their players to shoot up. It's a happy moment for the nineteen year-old as he's surrounded by his teammates after the goal; which marks a rather satisfying moment as Serrapince swoop to victory over Guillemard.

Elsewhere, Sturrey score their second win in a row; and it's over Delphi, who are still searching for their first win. Funnily enough, as seems to be the case in most 1-0 wins these days, the goal is hardly a world-beating one; this one, scored by Joe Mercer, is a simple tap-in from a Thore Gronholm cross. It does give Sturrey three points, and lifts them clear of the relegation zone; well, by only two points, but a cushion is a cushion and Sturrey fans will take whatever they can get at this point.

Premier Division, Season Seven

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg   Form
 1 Couno Rangers          10    9   1   0    25   10  +15    28   ▲1   WWWDW
 2 FC Inter Nantwich      10    8   1   1    26    2  +24    25   ▼1   WLDWW
 3 Lakewood United        10    8   1   1    28   10  +18    25   -0   WWWLW
 4 Serrapince             10    7   2   1    21    9  +12    23   ▲1   LWWDW
 5 Lakewood City          10    6   1   3    20   10  +10    19   ▲5   WWDWW
 6 Clyde Park             10    6   1   3    17   13   +4    19   ▲2   WLWWW
 7 West Couno United      10    5   3   2    14   10   +4    18   ▲1   WWDWD
 8 Straton                10    5   2   3    20   13   +7    17   ▼4   WLLDL
 9 Kingsbury United       10    5   2   3    14   11   +3    17   ▼3   DWLDL
10 Hesham                 10    4   2   4    17   17    0    14   ▼1   WDWLD
11 Ridgewell Rovers       10    3   4   3    11   13   −2    13   ▲1   DWDWL
12 Columbia City          10    4   1   5    13   17   −4    13   ▲4   LWWLW
13 Macarthur City         10    2   4   4     9   13   −4    10   ▼2   DLDLW
14 Fraser Valley          10    2   3   5    10   20  −10     9   -0   LDWLL
15 Glenmont AFC           10    1   3   6     8   18  −10     6   ▼1   DLLDL
16 Guillemard Town        10    1   3   6    14   26  −12     6   ▼1   LDDLL
17 Sturrey Athletic       10    2   0   8    10   22  −12     6   ▲3   LLLWW
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Delphi Lionesses       10    0   4   6     9   16   −7     4   ▼1   LLLDL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Port Marray            10    1   1   8     8   22  −14     4   ▼2   LDLLL
20 Colbrook City          10    1   1   8     7   29  −22     4   ▼1   LLLWL

[Tumbra]

THE 125TH RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP — THE SECOND ROUND

Well, it's been a month — even if it doesn't feel like it — and the Republic Cup is back. Sixty-four teams go back into the meat grinder; who will be lucky enough to avoid a Premier Division team? Will any shocks, surprises or random results happen? (The very smart money's on no)

(D3E)                 Dieren City   2-1   Readale City                (D2 )
( D1)                      Hesham   6-0   Ridgewell United            (D2 )
( D1)           West Couno United   0-1   Trelmont Rangers            (D2 )
( D1)               Fraser Valley   1-0   Straton                     (D1 )
(D3W)           Falmouth Athletic   0-2   Macarthur City              (D1 )
( D1)               Columbia City   1-0   Shepperton Ravens           (D3W)
(D3W)                 FC Montrose   2-6   AFC Cayalon                 (D2 )
( D1)               Lakewood City   5-0   Algoma Wanderers            (D4E)
(D4W)               Monroe Quakes   0-2   Newton Wanderers            (D2 )
( D2)                 AFC Gillman   1-1 p Kirkby Railwaymen           (D2 )
(D4W)              Prinsip Street   0-2   Newark Argyle               (D3E)
( D1)                  Clyde Park   4-1   Brensley                    (D4W)
(D4E)                Chesterfield   0-2   FC Inter Nantwich           (D1 )
( D1)            Kingsbury United   2-0   Dorival                     (D2 )
( D2)              Bencoolen City   1-0   Washington City             (D2 )
(D4W)                  Dunman Bay   0-3   Rosyth                      (D3E)
( D1)             Lakewood United   2-1   Sturrey Athletic            (D1 )
(D4W)              Moresby United   2-0   Arlington Athletic          (D3E)
(D4E)                  Blakehurst   1-2   Southport Thunder           (D3W)
( D1)                  Serrapince e 2-1   Fort Heatherton             (D3W)
(D3E)              Rosenberg City   0-1   New Timbourne Knights       (D2 )
(D3E)               Brades United   1-0   Harren Armada               (D3E)
( D2)           Readale Wanderers   1-0   Dover                       (D4W)
( D1)               Colbrook City   3-2   Gelder Creek                (D2 )
(D3E)                Caldecott 93   2-0   North Thornton United       (D3W)
( D2)               Ashton Rovers   4-1   Denhelm                     (D4W)
(D3W)              Hoxford United   2-1   Tavistock Park              (D3E)
(D3W)                   Orpington   0-1   Colney Thorns               (D3W)
(D3E)            Hendon Cardinals   1-1 p Carter United               (D3E)
( D1)               Couno Rangers   3-0   Ridgewell Rovers            (D1 )
(D3E)                     Windsor   1-0   Johnstone Athletic          (D4W)
(D3W)        Pomeroy Mountaineers   2-1   Staplewood                  (D4E)

The effects of there being zero draw protection are showing. Straton and Fraser go up against each other this round, as do Couno and Ridgewell; but the most surprising result this round is probably West Couno, playing a rotated side, falling to second-tier side Trelmont Rangers. In ninety minutes. Granted, it was a penalty for Trelmont that sent them through, but WCU's failure to break through a heavily defensive Trelmont side with the players at their disposal was definitely a moment of the night. The rest of the Premier Division sides did make it through — Serrapince requiring extra time to squeak past third-tier side Fort Heatherton, a performance that gained the plucky Western side lots of plaudits after the game.

Oh. Somehow Straton fell to Fraser Valley, a result that brought much celebration in the outer suburbs of Serrapince as Jonathan Hwang nets his first ever senior goal. For the dual Tumbran-Quebecois national, it's a proud moment; and, as Michael Hardwick proclaims, it'll hopefully be the first of many. There are less surprises in the Couno-Ridgewell game, with Francis Evers running rings around the Ridgewell defence on the day.

The Republic Cup has claimed its first two big scalps. There will be more.

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
PART THREE: MATCHDAYS 11-15

A three? Four? Five? horse race is rapidly shaping up at the head of the table, with Couno taking advantage of a small hiccup in Nantwich's form to take the lead of the Premiership. Nantwich, for their part, haven't conceded a goal since their loss to United and draw against WCU; their goals conceded at this point of the league stands at a near-obscene 2. Both Lakewood sides have been putting in impressive performances too, with United leaning into their new signing Kendra Considine to blow new life into the team; and City recovering from a slight dip in form at the start of the season to rocket up the table again. With mid-season rapidly approaching, what new twists will the title race provide?

MATCHDAY 11
Hesham 0–0 Lakewood United

Glenmont AFC 0–4 West Couno United
Wright 15', Allison 32', Reisinger 48', 75'
Sturrey Athletic 1–2 FC Inter Nantwich
Evans-Jones 44'//Spekman 36', Robertson 59'
Lakewood City 2–0 Delphi Lionesses
Laishram 5', Reed 62'
Port Marray 1–3 Fraser Valley
McAmee 62'//Pilta-Blonz 11', Xu 50', Barker 69'
Macarthur City 0–0 Columbia City

Colbrook City 1–1 Ridgewell Rovers
Gillingham 25'//Riester 61'
Serrapince 1–2 Clyde Park
Lawrence 49'//Brown 15', Kearnes 24'
Straton 4–0 Guillemard Town
Collins 15', Osbourne 22', 79', Tino 43'
Kingsbury United 0–1 Couno Rangers
Nolan 81'

It's a relatively quiet weekend, with two scoreless draws; Hesham versus Lakewood United is a keenly expected contest, but a Corrine Fontana shot that goes awry is the closest either side gets to the goal. Both Richard Russell and Alan McDermott — recently promoted with the retirement of their senior goalkeepers — keep very well-earned clean sheets, and there's a good sense that the result is one that's quite deserved. It's goalless, but it was still entertaining.

Macarthur versus Columbia, however, was less entertaining; the official Premier Division Vidshare account struggled to come up with five minutes of footage that could reasonably be considered "highlights". In the end, they gave up and went with the three shots on target that were recorded the whole match, plus a bit of neat dribbling on either side that didn't really lead to much. But it was neat. The result did mean that Columbia's climb up the table would become much harder, what with them stuck in twelfth as the season continued to march on, and David Griffiths was recorded as saying that expectations 'should be adjusted' accordingly, though he was still confident of at least a top half finish.

In a sign of how good Kingsbury were quickly becoming under Samara K, the Royals held off the charging Couno side for eighty-one minutes. What broke the deadlock was, of course, Bruce Nolan; but it forced a shot from outside the box in order to do so, something that Nolan doesn't really like to do. In the end, though, Couno pounced, and left the Fletcher Arena with their three-point lead secure. Nantwich would continue to keep pace despite a slight scare from Sturrey's Marc Evans-Jones disrupting their game plan — only the third goal conceded by the Bulls this season — but a shot from Ian Robertson on the hour mark meant that Nantwich would continue in their relentless pursuit of Couno.

MATCHDAY 12
Lakewood United 2–1 Couno Rangers
Considine 43', Atkinson 79'//Hertel 31'
Guillemard Town 0–3 Kingsbury United
Anderson 8', 45', Chenoweth 53'
Clyde Park 1–1 Straton
Escat 83'//Rivard 37'
Ridgewell Rovers 1–1 Serrapince
Borzoi 61'//Sallay 14'
Columbia City 3–2 Colbrook City
Wilson 12', 78', Burnet 33'//Newton 56', 64'
Fraser Valley 2–2 Macarthur City
Roberts 12', Cameron 55'//Jennings 8', Huxley 46'
Delphi Lionesses 3–2 Port Marray
Sweeney 14', Thesselborg 32', de Bruin 85'//Donovan 19', Cresswood 66'
FC Inter Nantwich 1–1 Lakewood City
Coxeter 16'//Vaughn 75'
West Couno United 0–1 Sturrey Athletic
Rossum 33'
Hesham 3–0 Glenmont AFC
Rostami 16', Frist 41', Bevins 82'

The scheduling computer, in all its wisdom, has decided to schedule two matches that will be absolutely vital to the title fight on this matchday. Thankfully, they're not scheduled to kick off at the same time, but it is rather funny that both the Tumbran Classic and whatever Nantwich and Serrapince's rivalry will be called by Back Of The Net's rivalry feature (marketed as one of 5000+ changes to the game, half of which are localisation fixes!) are indeed scheduled on the same matchday. Anyway. The Tumbran Classic — that's the game between United and Couno — is an ill-tempered slugfest that more often than not in the 70s, 80s and 90s devolved into on-pitch scrabbles. It's the quintessential regional rivalry game between the supposedly-elite coastal northeast and the supposedly-working-class southeast, which both conveniently ignores the west of the country, and how there are both working-class people in the northeast and rich people in the southeast. None of that matters, though. United and Couno bleedin' well hate each other, and while the days of on-pitch whacking is over, the days of off-pitch whacking are...also sharply reduced thanks to a very heavy cop presence on Tumbran Classic matchdays. There will always be news stories of some random drunk fan being arrested for flashing his genitals at the opposition fans, though.

The football starts off intense, and it continues to ramp up as the minutes tick by; until Kingsley-Roger breaks through in the thirtieth minute and places his shot just outside the grasp of Richard Russell. The deadlock is broken. Ten minutes later, though, Kendra Considine breaks free of Luca Cambiaso's strict marking with a brilliant bit of technical play, leaving him for dead and with nothing between her and the goal. It goes in past the outstreched arms of Andrew Taylor, of course — he really should've done better with that grasp — and United are level. The two teams remain level through the half-time break, both looking shiftily at each other, ready to pounce at every opportunity.

A yellow card for Mark Finnemore on the hour mark — he went for Kirsten Desmond instead of the ball, says referee Richard Braddock — precedes a two-minute pause in the play as he is swarmed by Couno players trying to protest the yellow card. Desmond, meanwhile, rolls around on the floor in agony, but gets up after the ref says there will be no rescinding of the yellow card. Finnemore is pulled off for Pertz-Evela Vet, but doing so reduces Couno's presence in the midfield. This is a fatal error.

Ten minutes to the end, Nicky Atkinson, now less-marked and actually able to breathe with Finnemore's substitution, nabs the ball on the outside of the box, takes two steps and shoots. It goes in — Andrew Taylor gets a palm to it, but it's too late — but celebrations can't start yet, for a lengthy VAR review begins. Atkinson is ruled onside, all hell breaks loose and things come very close to getting violent; but thankfully it's all avoided. Couno go full-out attacking in the last ten minutes of the game, but are unable to peg United back; and Couno suffer their first defeat of the season.

Thankfully, in the other game that matters, Robin Vaughn works his usual magic to bail City out against Nantwich, and Couno's lead is now only shrunk to two points instead of the zero points it would've been if Joaquin Santo hadn't misplaced his pass to Zheng Haidong.

MATCHDAY 13
Glenmont AFC 0–3 Lakewood United
Fontana 11', 64', Hunter 90' + 2'
Sturrey Athletic 0–4 Hesham
Rostami 23', 85', Deighton 35', Min 71'
Lakewood City 1–3 West Couno United
Fraser 2'//Reisinger 13', 84', Wright 35'
Port Marray 0–2 FC Inter Nantwich
Fisher 15', Broadhurst 90' + 1'
Macarthur City 3–0 Delphi Lionesses
Rowbury o.g. 12', Morgan, R. 40', Pearce 85'
Colbrook City 1–2 Fraser Valley
Grimley 66'//Kinsella 2', Xilix-Oxolt 67'
Serrapince 1–4 Columbia City
Sallay 38'//Coonan 12', Crnogorčević 33', Wilson 49', 83'
Straton 2–0 Ridgewell Rovers
Liang 12', Osbourne 58'
Kingsbury United 2–0 Clyde Park
Larr 33', Medal 65'
Couno Rangers 4–1 Guillemard Town
Nolan 11', 65', 72', Conder 35'//Lachmann 55'

Serrapince's stutter in form — a loss to an in-form Clyde Park, then a draw to Ridgewell — gets worse, after they're thrashed by a comprehensive showing from Columbia showing just how good they are. Or can be, considering the Fishermen haven't exactly shown how good they are this season. They are still stuck in the lower half of the table, however, and the Bees' loss sees them tumbling down to sixth in the table — meaning that we're treated to the sight of West Couno United in fifth. It's something that hasn't really been seen for a while — West Couno have been hovering in the middle of the table since the 80s, something Rangers fans call God's punishment for existing — but they're helped by WCU's victory over City.

City have looked shaky; and despite them scoring first against the Chocolatiers, WCU strike back with three impressively taken shots. Part of the blame is pointed squarely at the defence, which hasn't looked the same since Ian Ashburn was injured in training some time ago, but the criticism against them at the start of the season that they just don't look that motivated anymore comes rebounding back. Calls for a major squad revamp echo loud and clear, and City are thought to be aiming high in next season's transfer window. After all, if their crosstown neighbours can sign a World Cup champion, why can't they go out and sign a few big names of their own, too?

Kurosh Rostami at Hesham might've taken a while to settle in, but the Squornshelan seems to have settled in nicely — with his first goal coming last match against Glenmont, finally breaking that duck after twelve matchdays — and scored a brace against Sturrey as proof that the five million dollar man is finally coming good. It was the best part of a dominant performance against an (admittedly lacklustre) opposition, but if there was any sign that his wobbly start to life in Tumbra had solidified, it was probably this moment.

The three title contenders at this stage, rather predictably, all win their matches in dominant fashion, with Bruce Nolan scoring a hattrick. It's quite telling that we're on for one hell of a title chase, because the gap between third-placed United and fourth-placed, uh, Straton, somehow, is eight points. Eight points separate the top three from the rest of the table after just thirteen matches, with just three losses shared between them. For reference, Straton alone have lost three matches already this season. It looks like the key to winning the title this season will be screwing up the least. It sounds like a platitude, of course — titles are not won, they are only lost — but the mantra rings clear in each of the top three's press conferences as they are delivered.

MATCHDAY 14
Lakewood United 3–0 Guillemard Town
Considine 68', McDermott 75', Ukrop 88'
Clyde Park 4–0 Couno Rangers
Escat 3', Coleman 25', Murdoch 66', Bradford 77'
Ridgewell Rovers 1–2 Kingsbury United
Canavan 79'//Winter 13', 25'
Columbia City 1–1 Straton
Wilson 84'//Tino 36'
Fraser Valley 0–2 Serrapince
Sallay 32', 44'
Delphi Lionesses 0–1 Colbrook City
Ferguson 15'
FC Inter Nantwich 1–3 Macarthur City
Coxeter 22'//Wakajama o.g. 16', Huxley 29', Dhaunden 53'
West Couno United 3–0 Port Marray
Malik 29', McIntyre 55', Reisinger 84'
Hesham 0–2 Lakewood City
Vaughn 25', Morris 38'
Glenmont AFC 0–0 Sturrey Athletic


Those words ring, of course, as Clyde manage to sink Couno's ship in an impressive display of offensive football from the Lions and a depressing display of defensive football from the Rams, while the Blackbirds of Macarthur get the better of the Bulls of Nantwich. The chief benefactors, of course, are Lakewood United — who come out of a 3-0 win against Guillemard (fielding a rotated squad, no less!) with a four-point lead at the top of the table. Nantwich are now six points behind, with the three goals conceded against Macarthur being as many as they conceded in the first eleven matches of the season.

Further down the table, Straton are held to a draw by Columbia — disappointingly enough for both teams, who were looking for a win — while West Couno's victory over Port Marray sees them move up to fourth in the table. Long-time readers will know that West Couno are almost infamous for doing the exact opposite of their neighbours; where Couno used to do extremely badly in the first half of the season and rebound in the second, West Couno would rocket up to near the top of the table in the first half, and then give it all up in the second half. Fans on the West Couno message boards (yes, those still exist) are cautious at heralding this recent success; though there are signs that this may be more than a flash in the pan. The addition of Rajmund Sitko, in particular, has given the West Couno midfield a sense of fluidity that has "unlocked" Slavomir Malik and Eden Wright to go forth and attack.

Serrapince arrest their poor form after a win against Fraser Valley — poor Vazsony Sallay is panting and completely exhausted at the hour mark after scoring a brace, and his reward is to be taken off as Serrapince see out the game — while Lakewood City's win over Hesham sees Valerie Morris score her first goal for the Sky Blues, after a halting start for the player's life in Lakewood. Lower down the table, Colbrook pick up a valuable three points over Delphi as the axe looms threateningly over Ruth — seventeenth after fourteen matches is decidedly not a good record — while Glenmont and Sturrey, playing in a crucial match for both teams, record an ultimately dour 0–0 draw.

Still, though, United will be hoping that their good fortune will lead to a run of momentum. Surely nothing can stop them now — after all, things are looking all clear at the top, they've gotten rid of the wantaway players and sex pests...

MATCHDAY 15
Sturrey Athletic 1–0 Lakewood United
Coleman 46'
Lakewood City 2–0 Glenmont AFC
Wague 14', Reed 83'
Port Marray 1–3 Hesham
Swan 15'//Kincorick 36', Deighton 45', Frist 77'
Macarthur City 0–1 West Couno United
Appleby 5'
Colbrook City 1–4 FC Inter Nantwich
Anderson 66'//Coxeter 13', Santo 66', Fisher 72', 83'
Serrapince 2–2 Delphi Lionesses
McGrath 15', Eschborn 65'//Chung 33', Hall 72'
Straton 2–0 Fraser Valley
Osbourne 12', Tino 36'
Kingsbury United 1–0 Columbia City
Perkkanen 87'
Couno Rangers 2–0 Ridgewell Rovers
Conder 66', Vaillancourt 85'
Guillemard Town 2–2 Clyde Park
le Gall 12', Robinson 55'//Markozy 39', May 62'

...and the tables turn in the opposite direction.

Sturrey's win over Lakewood United isn't that out of the park, mind — it's happened before, surely — but it's the timing of the matter, a week after United supporters were laughing at Couno and Nantwich (and City fans, but that one's a given) on twii.tur, that have convinced almost everyone that this is some kind of divine comedic episode that United are doomed to.

It's not even that contentious a loss or anything; Ian Coleman's headed goal off a Fried Rossum corner is just...simple in its execution. Nobody can doubt it was an actual goal; Coleman leapt like a seal, met the ball full on and guided it past Richard Russell, and wheeled off celebrating. That was that — a rotated United side was unable to find a way through; even after Considine, Horvat and Keyes were thrust onto the pitch, they were unable to find their way past the low block that Sturrey had created and were defending like their lives depended on it.

The advantage, therefore, swings back to Couno; whose 2-0 win over a disappointingly average Ridgewell side sees them mount the table again, a two-point cushion separating them from Nantwich and United. Serrapince, meanwhile, are still looking to find their feet; they've fallen to eighth in the table, and a draw with Delphi is definitely not helping things in the slightest. Another hard-won lead is squandered through minutes of defensive lapses, and there are calls for a defensive overhaul. Defending was never Haverhead's strong suit in management, but something else has resonated in all these cries for fixing a squad. Where there were once calls for youngsters to be bled into the team, there are now calls for teams to spend big bucks and throw money at problems.

Football sure evolves quickly.

Confidence that WCU aren't about to take their supporters for another joyride on the Emotional Rollercoaster of Inconsistent Football Results is slowly growing, as a confident performance from Emmanuel Appleby is enough to ease them past Macarthur. Kingsbury, too, scrape past Columbia to highlight their credentials to any potential buyer; while Straton seem to have put their past issues behind them, launching themselves confidently forward despite the, uh, untimely exit from the Cup just five matchdays back. Are they in with a shout of IFCF football? That's the question that dominates the airwaves after a 2-0 victory over Fraser.

The midseason is quickly approaching — and with it, winter. The first snow is recorded unnaturally early in Ridgewell — the yellow balls are prepped to be rolled out, in anticipation.

Premier Division, Season Seven

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg  Form5
 1 Couno Rangers          15   12   1   2    33   17  +16    37   -0   WLWLW
 2 FC Inter Nantwich      15   11   2   2    36    8  +28    35   -0   WDWLW
 3 Lakewood United        15   11   2   2    36   12  +24    35   -0   DWWWL
 4 West Couno United      15    9   3   3    25   12  +13    30   ▲3   WLWWW
 5 Lakewood City          15    9   2   4    28   14  +14    29   -0   WDLWW
 6 Kingsbury United       15    9   2   4    22   13   +9    29   ▲3   LWWWW
 7 Straton                15    8   4   3    30   15  +15    28   ▲1   WDWDW
 8 Serrapince             15    8   4   3    28   18  +10    28   ▼4   LDLWD
 9 Clyde Park             15    8   3   4    26   19   +7    27   ▼3   WDLWD
10 Hesham                 15    7   3   5    27   20   +7    24   -0   DWWLW
11 Columbia City          15    6   3   6    21   22   −1    21   ▲1   DWWDL
12 Macarthur City         15    4   6   5    17   17    0    18   ▲1   DDWWL
13 Fraser Valley          15    4   4   7    17   28  −11    16   ▲1   WDWLL
14 Ridgewell Rovers       15    3   6   6    14   21   −7    15   ▼3   DDLLL
15 Sturrey Athletic       15    4   1  10    13   28  −15    13   ▲2   LWLDW
16 Delphi Lionesses       15    1   5   9    14   26  −12     8   ▲2   LWLLD
17 Colbrook City          15    2   2  11    13   39  −26     8   ▲3   DLLWL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Glenmont AFC           15    1   4  10     8   30  −22     7   ▼3   LLLDL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Guillemard Town        15    1   4  10    17   42  −25     7   ▼3   LLLLD
20 Port Marray            15    1   1  13    12   36  −24     4   ▼1   LLLLL

[Tumbra]

THE 125TH RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP — THE THIRD ROUND

It is, indeed, the last week of November; which means it's time for the third round of the Republic Cup. We're down to thirty-two teams already, which is a quarter of the number of teams in the Cup in the middle of September. Yowch. Already big scalps have been taken, if you'll recall — Straton fell last time out, as did Ridgewell — and that looks set to continue. Somehow, the fourth tier side Moresby United has made it this far — the plucky side from Iswilyn beating Burlington and Arlington — and their reward is a match against Clyde Park.

( D1)               Columbia City   1-0   Brades United               (D3E)
( D1)             Lakewood United   2-0   Hendon Cardinals            (D3E)
(D3W)           Southport Thunder   0-2   Ashton Rovers               (D2 )
(D3E)                 Dieren City   1-3   AFC Cayalon                 (D2 )
(D3W)              Hoxford United   0-1   Kirkby Town                 (D2 )
(D3W)               Colney Thorns   1-4   Newton Wanderers            (D2 )
( D1)                  Clyde Park e 3-2   Moresby United              (D4W)
( D2)       New Timbourne Knights   0-1 e Fraser Valley               (D1 )
(D3E)               Newark Argyle   1-2   FC Inter Nantwich           (D1 )
( D1)               Colbrook City   0-1   Bencoolen City              (D2 )
(D3E)                     Windsor   0-2   Lakewood City               (D1 )
(D3E)                      Rosyth   1-1 p Trelmont Rangers            (D2 )
(D3E)                Caldecott 93   0-6   Serrapince                  (D1 )
( D1)               Couno Rangers e 2-1   Readale Wanderers           (D2 )
( D1)              Macarthur City   3-1   Pomeroy Mountaineers        (D3W)
( D1)            Kingsbury United   1-0   Hesham                      (D1 )

Somehow, they take Clyde Park to extra time before a late goal by Natalie Coleman sends Moresby out of the competition. On display is all of the little club's guile — their striker, Chris Harkness, scores a brace early on, confounding the Premier Division club with his deceptively lithe gait and footwork. Normally this would be the match that would send the striker into stardom, and a transfer into an upper division; but Harkness is already 33, his early career having been spent in the Confederations League, the semi-professional 128-team league occupying the fifth and sixth steps of the Tumbran football pyramid.

Apart from that, it's another bloodbath for lower-league teams going up against Premier Division teams; Serrapince knock six past Caldecott, with the young'uns allowed out to play, while Newton, surprisingly enough, get four past third tier side Colney Somehow, though, Couno Rangers require extra time to get past second tier Readale Wanderers, and in-form Hesham are knocked out by Kingsbury.

It's a lengthy break till the next round — the Cup isn't back till the last week of February, and the country is still slowly marching into December...

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
PART FOUR: MATCHDAYS 16-19

We left off with Couno holding on to a slender two-point lead at the top of the table, while United are rapidly proving incapable of holding on to any sort of lead at the top of the table. Nantwich are always there, always lurking in second, while City's rise back up the table has been impressive, to say the least. What's more impressive, however, has been West Couno's massive bump in form — the traditional second team from Couno guided by thirteen (!) goals from Vasya Reisinger so far to lift her team to fourth in the table. WCU have been here before — and have rapidly fallen from grace after — so will this time be different?

MATCHDAY 16
Lakewood United 1–2 Clyde Park
Fontana 42'//Calare 23', Markozy 57'
Ridgewell Rovers 3–1 Guillemard Town
Borzoi 75', 84', Bassett 79'//Illsley 25'
Columbia City 1–1 Couno Rangers
Burrows 90' + 2'//Hargrove 38'
Fraser Valley 0–0 Kingsbury United

Delphi Lionesses 1–2 Straton
Holt 65'//Toussaint 14', Lawrence 39'
FC Inter Nantwich 0–1 Serrapince
Ness 78'
West Couno United 1–2 Colbrook City
Malik 81'//Anderson 55', Gillingham 62'
Hesham 4–2 Macarthur City
Bevins 12', Driver 39', Russell 81', 86'//Huxley 46', Jennings 60'
Glenmont AFC 2–2 Port Marray
Austin 15', Haskell 39'//Proctor 50', Easton 66'
Sturrey Athletic 0–2 Lakewood City
Bernard 6', 67'

It seems that all three title competitors are tired of winning; with all three of United, Couno and Nantwich dropping points. Couno, however, drop less points than United or Nantwich — because they drew with Columbia, instead of losing — and their reward is that their lead at the top of the table is extended to three points. Over in Lakewood, Elaine Calare's goal twenty minutes in throws United off-kilter, and while Corinne Fontana responds, a second goal from Edwin Markozy seals the game for Clyde. An interception by Stuart Murdoch in the eighty-seventh minute closes off Josip Horvat's attempted cross to an unmarked Kendra Considine, and in doing so winning the game for the Lions. Nantwich, meanwhile, keep good pace with Serrapince for a majority of the game; but a rare defensive error from Wakajama leads to Laura Ness picking the ball up on the edge of the box and inching it in. It's not something she's used to, scoring — but she'll take whatever she can get. Couno suffer the ignominy of a ninety-second minute goal from Tom Burrows taking two points away from them, but it's not as bad as it turns out to be, especially considering the other two's slip-ups.

Hesham pull off a 4-2 victory over Macarthur in the most exciting of circumstances, with Hesham going 2-0 up at home before being pegged back to 2-2 after half time with an impressive charge through goals from Linnie Huxley and Gordon Jennings; before Lucas Russell is subbed on in the seventy-eighth minute. He takes all of three minutes to score his first goal, and another five minutes to lock away the game in with a second. It's not a usual position the Licentian finds himself in — he's more used to playing a deep lying role — but Hesham will take any goals they can get.

Glenmont have a clear-cut chance to score three points — they're up against Port Marray — but have to sit and watch as their two first-half goals are rendered useless as Marray knock two easy goals past Malcolm Murphy in the second half. Four teams remain on one win each, and those four teams are now looked towards as the relegation battle begins to heat up — and lost points in important matches like these can often prove fatal.

The most boring match of the week — Fraser 0-0 Kingsbury aside — is probably Lakewood City sweeping to victory over Sturrey. At their best, City are an unrelenting machine; give up the ball and it disappears into the seemingly endless mirage of City players until they either score, or scuff the chance that they build up towards. It's not been like that this season, but City have shades of the old, dominant City as Ophelie Bernard scores two goals to lift City back into fourth. It's not where they're used to being; but with the top three running away as is, they'll probably have to settle for the scraps.

MATCHDAY 17
Lakewood City 1–0 Lakewood United
Ashburn 31'
Port Marray 1–2 Sturrey Athletic
Gore 88'//Trouvé 12', Grönholm 59'
Macarthur City 1–0 Glenmont AFC
Healey 40'
Colbrook City 0–1 Hesham
Frist 82'
Serrapince 3–1 West Couno United
Ritchie 46', Sallay 57', McGrath 89'//Clyne 73'
Straton 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich
Choi 3'
Kingsbury United 1–1 Delphi Lionesses
Anderson 36'//Zuniga 57'
Couno Rangers 4–2 Fraser Valley
Vaillancourt 7', Wellingsley 53', Hertel 61', Prost 85'//Mycroft 36', Gonzalez 81'
Guillemard Town 2–3 Columbia City
le Gall 51', Black 57'//Burnet 13', Bello 71', Burrows 84'
Clyde Park 0–3 Ridgewell Rovers
Borzoi 12', Kristensen 43', Walsh 78'

There are two matches that United fans cannot stand losing. The first is the Tumbran Classic, against Couno. Every United fan hates Couno — people from Couno are toffs who drink weird cocktails, speak in a weird accent, are weirdly proud about their club and are out of touch. Right? Thankfully Couno were dispatched seven weeks ago. The second is the Lakewood derby, against their shitty neighbours Lakewood City. Who do City think they are? Success in Lakewood rightfully belongs in the red half of it, with those upstarts from somewhere else in the city being so noisy about their "achievements", being bankrolled by Tumbra's richest man and all.

United head into the Lakewood derby with their chins up. After all, they've fallen behind in the title race, but it's still anyone's game. All they need to do is get a win over their hated neighbours. And it's going well. Twilight Mixon is being neutered by Nigel Harris — she's been brought down twice already, but the ref has been remarkably reticent to give cards — while Robin Vaughn is being forced to drift centrally. Of course, he's still a threat; but thirty minutes have gone by, and nothing. Meanwhile, Considine and Horvat have been pressuring the City defence, and Kirsten Desmond is firing off balls left and right. It's only a matter of time before —

Ian Ashburn scores off a header, after United give up a clumsy corner. Twilight Mixon is pulled off at half-time, and replaced with Ryan Hughes. That spells the end of any defensive weakness City may have. Laishram goes off for McCabe, Fraser off for Jack Reed, and it's over. United are pressed into their own half, with the accursed John Lennon making save after save after save, and City scrape a 1-0 win. United have lost three on the trot; United are likely to go six points behind Couno after they play their match. To make things worse, City are now level with United on points.

It's a bad day to be a United fan.

Elsewhere, a late goal by Michael Gore and a rare instance in which Marray have played better than their opponents doesn't translate into points, as Sturrey take the only two shots they've had on target all game and turned them into goals. Somewhere, somehow, Tom Watson is smiling; Sturrey have gotten defensive football down to a science, and there's a reason why they're very much feared by other teams when playing them. Ridgewell pack their second win in a row, an impressive 3-0 demolition of Clyde Park, while Columbia fight back from being 2-1 down to winning 3-2 against Guillemard, denying the Engineers another scalp. They, along with Glenmont, Marray and Delphi, are still on one win this season; though there's not much of a sense that their managers are in much danger. It's been a fairly safe season for managers as a whole; the closest to being sacked is probably Lutece, who looks more and more in danger of going back down without a fight as the days march on.

MATCHDAY 18
Lakewood United 3–0 Ridgewell Rovers
Fontana 12', Horvat 73', Hunter 79'
Columbia City 0–1 Clyde Park
Escat 54'
Fraser Valley 3–2 Guillemard Town
Xilix-Oxolt 33', Mycroft 46', Sinclair 59'//le Gall 82', Hailstorm 88'
Delphi Lionesses 0–3 Couno Rangers
Prost 16', Nolan 73', Hargrove 84'
FC Inter Nantwich 0–0 Kingsbury United

West Couno United 2–1 Straton
Carson 25', Wright 64'//Collins 40'
Hesham 2–2 Serrapince
Rostami 7', Glover 62'//Perry 15', Sallay 49'
Glenmont AFC 2–2 Colbrook City
Williams 6', 34'//Grimley 22', Finlay 60'
Sturrey Athletic 1–1 Macarthur City
Mercer 83'//Coleman o.g. 53'
Lakewood City 4–0 Port Marray
Vaughn 12', Bernard 23', 84', Fraser 57'

It is as everyone feared: the Lakewood City machine is back in motion. Sure, it was Port Marray, but wins like this are crucial to setting up winning runs, even if it is one more match to Boxing Day and the winter break. Ophelie Bernard, her place seemingly under threat from the young Brook striker Moussa Wague, has gone on a tear — her brace against Marray marking her fourth goal in three games and contributing to the large margin of victory against the Dolphins.

The other team celebrating an early Christmas, though, is Couno; for their lead over Nantwich has been extended to five points after they won 3-0 against Delphi...and Nantwich struggled to a goalless draw against Kingsbury at home. Frederick Prost is given a run-out against Delphi, but begins to limp after sixty minutes; Bruce Nolan is sent on, and duly scores his sixteenth goal of the season within fifteen minutes.

Glenmont haven't gotten the message that they're in a relegation fight; while Faith Williams scores two goals early in the game, it's not enough to stop Colbrook's own teenage wonderkid, Alex Finlay, from netting the equalising goal to deny Glenmont another two needed points. Granted, they're in a very familiar situation — eighteenth, and sitting in the playoff zone — but Glenmont fans are beginning to become uncomfortable at how little progress there has been at Pakyel. Elsewhere, Columbia's campaign to get their season keeps going off track with a loss to Clyde Park, Hesham hold off Serrapince for thirty minutes to net a point at home, while a late goal from Joe Mercer gets Sturrey another precious point as they inch closer towards that coveted 40 point mark.

MATCHDAY 19
Port Marray 0–3 Lakewood United
Considine 13', 55', Keyes 72'
Macarthur City 1–4 Lakewood City
Morgan, A. 28'//Laishram 3', Vaughn 24', Henshaw 38', 62'
Colbrook City 1–4 Sturrey Athletic
Ferguson 45' + 1'//Campbell 13', Grönholm 39', Evans-Jones 48', 55'
Serrapince 2–0 Glenmont AFC
Lawrence 55', 69'
Straton 2–0 Hesham
Tino 80', Osbourne 84'
Kingsbury United 0–1 West Couno United
Reisinger 33'
Couno Rangers 1–0 FC Inter Nantwich
Nolan 64'
Guillemard Town 1–1 Delphi Lionesses
Lachmann 55'//Holt 79'
Clyde Park 1–0 Fraser Valley
Ferguson 60'
Ridgewell Rovers 1–1 Columbia City
Canavan 44'//Coonan 73'

It's Boxing Day. Couno got their Christmas present last week, but are treated to another one when they hold off Nantwich for ninety minutes and score one of their own to send Nantwich tumbling down to 4th on the eve of the winter break. Nothing, it seems, can stop the Couno hype train; Bruce Nolan has scored an eye-watering seventeen goals in the first half of the season, a goalscoring pace not seen since Vazsony Sallay burst onto the scene and scored thirty-six goals in his first season with Straton. United take advantage of this Nantwich screwup — scoring three past Marray — and move up to second, albeit still six points behind the high-flying Couno, while City also tuck into third, with their goalscoring machine now properly having been set up. Early-season hiccup forgotten, City are now properly competitive again; and are quickly adding themselves into the title conversation that's been going on.

Serrapince are quietly moving up the table again, with three wins in the last four games; their slight hiccup in form now largely forgotten. With how evenly matched everyone is, though, them being fifth is surprising yet not so much at the same time. West Couno win against Kingsbury, but their earlier dropped points to Serrapince and Colbrook see them drop into sixth. It's still higher than most WCU fans expect them to be, though, so there's that in their season of cheer.

Sturrey, interestingly enough, turn on the charm to defeat Colbrook; most Sturrey fans can't remember the last time their team scored four goals in a match. The situation under Barrendale has improved substantially, and while six wins from nineteen isn't a great record, it's still workable. At least they haven't drawn their first eleven matches like they did five seasons ago; no, that honour goes to the four teams at the bottom of the pile, with a win apiece and anywhere from two (Marray) to seven (Delphi) draws.

It's the winter break; four weeks of no football. To some, it's hell; but most recognise that it's a needed thing in an age where footballers are expected to play about fifty games a season.

Top Scorers

Name                Club            Gls
Bruce Nolan         Couno Rangers   17
Vázsony Sallay      Serrapince      16
Vasya Reisinger     West Couno      14
Robin Vaughn        Lakewood City   12
Gedeo Escat         Clyde Park      11
Basilica Coxeter    Inter Nantwich  11
Kendra Considine    Lakewood United 10
Tino                Straton          9
Harvey Osbourne     Straton          9
Corinne Fontana     Lakewood United  8
Halyos le Gall      Guillemard Town  8
James Anderson      Kingsbury        7
Ophelie Bernard     Lakewood City    7
Xilix-Oxolt Mal     Fraser Valley    7

Premier Division, Season Seven

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg  Form5
 1 Couno Rangers          19   15   2   2    42   20  +22    47   -0   WDWWW
 2 Lakewood United        19   13   2   4    43   15  +28    41   ▲1   LLLWW
 3 Lakewood City          19   13   2   4    39   15  +24    41   ▲2   WWWWW
 4 FC Inter Nantwich      19   12   3   4    37   10  +27    39   ▼2   WLWDL
 5 Serrapince             19   11   5   3    36   21  +15    38   ▲3   DWWDW
 6 West Couno United      19   11   3   5    30   18  +12    36   ▼2   WLLWW
 7 Clyde Park             19   11   3   5    30   23   +7    36   ▲2   DWLWW
 8 Straton                19   10   4   5    35   19  +16    34   ▼1   WWLLW
 9 Kingsbury United       19    9   5   5    23   15   +8    32   ▼3   WDDDL
10 Hesham                 19    9   4   6    34   26   +8    31   -0   WWWDL
11 Columbia City          19    7   5   7    26   27   −1    26   -0   LDWLD
12 Macarthur City         19    5   7   7    22   26   −4    22   -0   LLWDL
13 Ridgewell Rovers       19    5   7   7    21   26   −5    22   ▲1   LWWLD
14 Fraser Valley          19    5   5   9    22   35  −13    20   ▼1   LDLWL
15 Sturrey Athletic       19    6   2  11    20   33  −13    20   -0   WLWDW
16 Colbrook City          19    3   3  13    18   47  −29    12   ▲1   LWLDL
17 Delphi Lionesses       19    1   7  11    17   33  −16    10   ▼1   DLDLD
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Glenmont AFC           19    1   6  12    12   37  −25     9   -0   LDLDL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Guillemard Town        19    1   5  13    23   52  −29     8   -0   DLLLD
20 Port Marray            19    1   2  16    15   47  −32     5   -0   LDLLL

[Tumbra]

SECOND DIVISION
MID-SEASON

Standings after Matchday Nineteen

   Second Division           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Clark City                 19   15   2   2    30    8  +22    47
 2 AFC Gillman                19   13   3   3    25    8  +17    42
 3 Bencoolen City             19   12   4   3    28   12  +16    40
 4 Newton Wanderers           19   11   4   4    36   21  +15    37
 5 Kirkby Railwaymen          19   11   4   4    32   20  +12    37
 6 Dorival                    19    9   5   5    19   11   +8    32
 7 Ricci Ironworkers          19    9   4   6    31   22   +9    31
 8 Readale Wanderers          19    9   3   7    20   21   −1    30
 9 Cobham United              19    8   4   7    34   29   +5    28
10 Trelmont Rangers           19    7   6   6    25   19   +6    27
11 Washington City            19    7   4   8    19   21   −2    25
12 AFC Cayalon                19    6   5   8    20   22   −2    23
13 Ashton Rovers              19    6   4   9    25   31   −6    22
14 New Timbourne Knights      19    6   4   9    18   25   −7    22
15 Mackay Rovers              19    4   6   9    18   26   −8    18
16 Tavistock Athletic         19    4   4  11    10   29  −19    16
-------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Ridgewell United           19    2   8   9    17   29  −12    14
18 Kelder Phoenixes           19    3   5  11    12   29  −17    14
19 Gelder Creek               19    2   6  11    12   25  −13    12
20 Readale City               19    1   5  13     8   31  −23     8

THIRD DIVISION EAST
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Third Division East    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Grange United           21   15   5   1    41    9  +32    50
 2 Heath Bay Mariners      21   14   3   4    35   16  +19    45
 3 Hesham Wanderers        21   13   5   3    30   15  +15    44
 4 Newark Argyle           21   12   6   3    34   13  +21    42
 5 Hendon Cardinals        21   12   5   4    32   16  +16    41
 6 Carrington Town         21   11   6   4    41   18  +23    39
 7 Windsor                 21   12   3   6    25   14  +11    39
 8 Straton Typhoons        21   11   5   5    36   15  +21    38
 9 Carter United           21    9   6   6    29   20   +9    33
10 Dieren City             21   10   3   8    28   25   +3    33
11 Rosyth                  21    9   1  11    18   21   −3    28
12 Tavistock Park          21    7   5   9    20   18   +2    26
13 Lambeth                 21    7   5   9    21   27   −6    26
14 Pinhal Athletic         21    6   6   9    19   27   −8    24
15 Caldecott 93            21    8   0  13    21   33  −12    24
16 Knapford United         21    7   2  12    18   33  −15    23
17 Brades United           21    5   7   9    27   32   −5    22
18 Harren Armada           21    5   4  12    17   46  −29    19
19 Rosenberg City          21    4   6  11    13   24  −11    18
----------------------------------------------------------------
20 Arlington Athletic      21    4   5  12    16   33  −17    17
21 Mayfield AFC            21    2   4  15    12   35  −23    10
22 Richmond AFC            21    1   2  18     9   52  −43     5

THIRD DIVISION WEST
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Third Division West            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Falmouth Athletic               21   14   6   1    33   13  +20    48
 2 North Thornton United           21   14   3   4    44   18  +26    45
 3 Oakton                          21   12   5   4    40   18  +22    41
 4 Colney Thorns                   21   12   4   5    24   15   +9    40
 5 Pomeroy Mountaineers            21   12   3   6    39   25  +14    39
 6 Teignford Academical            21   11   4   6    29   17  +12    37
 7 Millsburgh Steelers             21   11   4   6    31   17  +14    37
 8 Nottingham City                 21   10   4   7    30   16  +14    34
 9 Fontwell Rovers                 21   10   4   7    31   17  +14    34
10 Hoxford United                  21    9   5   7    25   18   +7    32
11 Harwick Wanderers               21    9   5   7    31   29   +2    32
12 Caldwell City                   21    8   4   9    23   24   −1    28
13 Fort Heatherton                 21    7   6   8    22   20   +2    27
14 Enfield                         21    6   6   9    27   30   −3    24
15 Clifton                         21    7   1  13    14   34  −20    22
16 FC Montrose                     21    5   6  10    16   29  −13    21
17 Millsburgh Revolutionaries      21    6   3  12    17   35  −18    21
18 Cheltenham                      21    5   5  11    17   38  −21    20
19 Shepperton Ravens               21    5   2  14    10   27  −17    17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Southport Thunder               21    4   5  12    15   31  −16    17
21 Dunsford                        21    3   6  12    13   31  −18    15
22 Orpington                       21    4   3  14    12   41  −29    15

FOURTH DIVISION EAST
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Fourth Division East    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Staplewood               21   16   3   2    35   15  +20    51
 2 Collett Park United      21   14   4   3    33   12  +21    46
 3 Maxwell Arsenal          21   13   6   2    23    8  +15    45
 4 Gisbourne                21   13   4   4    38   17  +21    43
 5 Wilmington Town          21   12   3   6    38   19  +19    39
 6 Killiney SC              21    9   8   4    30   18  +12    35
 7 Hindhede FC              21   10   4   7    19   14   +5    34
 8 Blakehurst               21    9   5   7    23   17   +6    32
 9 Algoma Wanderers         21    9   3   9    28   22   +6    30
10 Wintborough United       21    8   6   7    19   15   +4    30
11 Rookworth AFC            21    7   8   6    22   19   +3    29
   Sherwood Town            21    7   8   6    21   18   +3    29
13 Farleigh                 21    7   6   8    24   22   +2    27
14 Melwood United           21    8   3  10    28   29   −1    27
15 Knapford City            21    6   8   7    22   27   −5    26
16 Coburg                   21    5   6  10    18   30  −12    21
17 Cortlandt United         21    3  10   8    14   25  −11    19
18 Chesterfield             21    5   3  13    17   36  −19    18
19 Thomson City             21    3   6  12    16   27  −11    15
20 Havelock City            21    3   6  12    16   42  −26    15
21 Burlington AFC           21    2   6  13    11   31  −20    12
22 Wolskel                  21    2   4  15     9   41  −32    10

FOURTH DIVISION WEST
MID-SEASON

Standings After Matchday Twenty-One

   Fourth Division West       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Langley United              21   12   5   4    30   18  +12    41
 2 Locomotive Harper           21   10   9   2    27   18   +9    39
 3 Heffron City                21   11   5   5    34   15  +19    38
 4 Dynamo Denhelm              21   10   8   3    26   15  +11    38
 5 Tevandale Athletic          21   11   4   6    26   15  +11    37
 6 Harchester United           21   12   1   8    29   26   +3    37
 7 Brensley                    21   10   5   6    26   19   +7    35
 8 Haversham City              21   11   1   9    21   24   −3    34
 9 Ilstead Wanderers           21   10   3   8    30   26   +4    33
10 Othaven                     21    9   3   9    21   24   −3    30
11 Johnstone Athletic          21    7   8   6    26   22   +4    29
12 Blenheim                    21    9   2  10    19   23   −4    29
13 Franport                    21    8   4   9    26   24   +2    28
14 Moresby United              21    6   6   9    18   20   −2    24
15 Prinsip Street              21    7   3  11    14   24  −10    24
16 Denhelm                     21    5   7   9    22   22    0    22
17 Dover                       21    4  10   7    23   25   −2    22
18 Greenford City              21    4   9   8    20   28   −8    21
19 Ruislip and Ipswich FC      21    5   6  10    21   31  −10    21
20 Kellsthorpe                 21    4   8   9    19   24   −5    20
21 Monroe Quakes               21    3   7  11    19   33  −14    16
22 Dunman Bay                  21    4   4  13    21   42  −21    16

[Tumbra]

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
PART FIVE: MATCHDAYS 20-23

The snow's largely cleared as we head back into the footballing season at the end of January; but there's still a distinct chill in the air as Tumbra gears up to host the 83rd Cup of Harmony. That, and trying to qualify for the 91st World Cup, but that's easier said than done. When we left off...

Couno Rangers were, to the dismay of many, six points at the top of the table...

...Lakewood United, Lakewood City and defending champions FC Inter Nantwich weren't that far behind...

while further down the table, Columbia City weren't having that good a campaign.

The winter break saw not many changes, too, as the league somehow went half a season without a single managerial sacking. There were rumours that some of the more precariously-placed managers were on the verge of going — chief amongst them Russell Lock (Glenmont), Mark Pryor (Ridgewell), Aiofe Ruth (Delphi) and Oliver Lutece (Marray), but so far there weren't any concrete signs that that was about to happen for any of them.

There's still a sense of cold in the air, but as the football returns to the stands, the warmth and cheers of the supporters seems to put that all to the side...

MATCHDAY 20
Lakewood United 0–2 Columbia City
Burrows 13', Haller 72'
Ridgewell Rovers 0–1 Fraser Valley
Bush 85'
Clyde Park 0–0 Delphi Lionesses

Guillemard Town 1–3 FC Inter Nantwich
Black 42'//Fisher 3', 66', Baker 79'
Couno Rangers 2–1 West Couno United
Wellingsley 19', Prost 34'//McIntyre 59'
Kingsbury United 1–2 Hesham
Anderson 67'//Deighton 13', Nexev-Kresp 39'
Straton 3–0 Glenmont AFC
Tino 33', 84', Sartain 52'
Serrapince 4–0 Sturrey Athletic
Mora 15', 67', Hilton 64', Knežević 82'
Colbrook City 0–2 Lakewood City
Henshaw 33', Ashburn 48'
Macarthur City 3–1 Port Marray
Jennings 12', Huxley 68', Marsden 90' + 2'//Swan 55'

Somehow, despite Columbia having a fairly troubles season so far and United having won their last two games, they still fall to Columbia's dogged determination. The midfield is run ragged by Enis and David Burnet, with Mike Coonan playing closer to midfield to free up Luciano Bello on the right, and it shows. The right winger provides two assists to put United to the sword; Tom Burrows scores off an impressive cross to start United on the back foot, while August Haller gets on the end of a through ball to make it two in the second half. United aren't able to come up with any response, and fall to fourth.

City, of course, take advantage of this slip-up to go second with a typically dominant performance from them; while Couno, in the second Couno derby of the season, hold on to secure all three points. Bruce Nolan got injured in the last training session before the game, meaning Frederick Prost had to step up; and he did so admirably. It does, however, look pretty bad for the mercurial striker leading the Golden Boot chart.

Ridgewell Rovers fans are forced to look upon shot after shot going wide as they just can't sink that one goal against Fraser Valley. Fraser Valley, meanwhile, look upon this situation with glee; and the experienced midfielder John Bush takes his chance and scores with five minutes to go. The Rovers' best chance to strike back goes awry when Heidi Canavan skies a perfectly placed shot; and the game ends with Fraser having won all three points.

Straton move up to sixth with West Couno's defeat after a victory over Glenmont; determined to make sure that they don't give up three goals to the Lynxes this time. Russell Lock's side look toothless and unable to respond; and he teeters ever closer to the sack, with the ownership allegedly demanding "a win" before the end of February. The loss is only deadened by the other relegation challengers' inability to score points themselves; Delphi draw a point from Clyde, but Colbrook et al. all go down to their opponents.

It's going to be a long second half of the season.

MATCHDAY 21
Macarthur City 1–4 Lakewood United
Healey 77'//Abril 16', Fontana 34', Hunter 55', 83'
Port Marray 0–3 Colbrook City
Whittingdon 61', Ferguson 66', Gillingham 79'
Lakewood City 4–1 Serrapince
Vaughn 16', 84', Wague 33', Apt 75'//Ritchie 62'
Sturrey Athletic 1–0 Straton
Mercer 55'
Glenmont AFC 0–3 Kingsbury United
Schwartz 11', Anderson 53', Kinzinger 69'
Hesham 0–0 Couno Rangers

West Couno United 2–1 Guillemard Town
Reisinger 41', Chappelle o.g. 75'//Robinson 70'
FC Inter Nantwich 2–1 Clyde Park
Coxeter 33', Zheng 64'//Escat 39'
Delphi Lionesses 4–2 Ridgewell Rovers
Zuniga 15', Sweeney 24', 87', Burham 35'//Walsh 55', Cardini 67'
Fraser Valley 1–0 Columbia City
Mycroft 69'

The axe looms ever closer — the race for "first to be sacked" seems to be between Lutece, Lock and Pryor after Delphi grabbed their second win of the season against Ridgewell. It was a thoroughly end-to-end affair, with three first-half goals from Delphi matched by two second-half goals from Ridgewell; attack after attack marked this as one of the most entertaining matches of the season so far. A dubiously denied penalty for Ridgewell changed the game, though; and momentum swung in Delphi's favour for the last ten minutes, resulting in Ashleigh Sweeney netting the decisive goal for Delphi with three minutes to go. The end seems to be teetering closer for Mark Pryor; but is it really his fault for a team whose ambitions may be set a little higher than their station?

Colbrook take down Marray in distinct style, starting off strong to tire the opponents out, before throwing on players of their own to take advantage of Marray's wafer-thin depth to score three goals. Oliver Lutece is seemingly at a loss after the game; Marray are rooted to the bottom of the table with five points after twenty-one games. There's rumours he might not last the week; and the press conference he gives is certainly one with the air of a defeated man. Even Guillemard put up more of a fight against West Couno, with everything going astray after Bryan Chappelle scores an own goal to put Couno 2-1 up; even then, people were appealing the scorer, saying that it should have been Bill Allison. The Dubious Goals Committee, though, awards the goal to Allison; and Fantasy players nationwide (and beyond that, probably) sigh in disbelief.

Hesham hold Couno to a draw, while United get back on winning ways by destroying Macarthur 4-1. Josip Horvat's had a rather inconsistent season since his transfer from Serrapince; the 4.5m man's form has been patchy, and even if he has gotten back in form since, has been injured rather quickly since getting into form. James Hunter, then, has deputised on the right — which he isn't the happiest about, even if he can put in a shift there — and scores two goals against Macarthur. Was his transfer away from Kingsbury two seasons ago worth it? He'll continue to say yes.

City sweep past Serrapince in their bid to keep pace with Couno, and close the gap to just four points after a dominant win. A brace by Vaughn, a goal from Wague and a lobbed kick from Eli Apt mark four; while Serrapince can only muster one as they continue lingering in fifth place. It's not been that strong a season from the one-time Campionato Esportiva de Campeones finalists, with an intensely gruelling schedule showing its results even with the four-week winter break. It's no surprise, then, that they're one of the strongest proponents of moving the Premier Division down to sixteen teams, despite the money leaning the other way.

MATCHDAY 22
Lakewood United 1–0 Fraser Valley
Desmond 66'
Columbia City 4–1 Delphi Lionesses
Coonan 31', Wilson 55', 62', Powell 77'//Thesselborg 7'
Ridgewell Rovers 2–3 FC Inter Nantwich
Bassett 12', Riester 22'//Gell 55', Kolar 64', Baxter 67'
Clyde Park 2–1 West Couno United
Markozy 38', Calare 74'//Allison 62'
Guillemard Town 0–1 Hesham
Deighton 60'
Couno Rangers 1–0 Glenmont AFC
Hertel 51'
Kingsbury United 4–1 Sturrey Athletic
Krabb 32', Schwartz 75', Perkkanen 82', Anderson 84'//Mason 39'
Straton 3–3 Lakewood City
Collins 7', Rivard 33', 89'//Laishram 15', Vaughn 78', Fraser 86'
Serrapince 4–0 Port Marray
Sallay 22', 45', Hilton 63', McGrath 80'
Colbrook City 1–2 Macarthur City
Grimley 47'//Morgan, R. 12', Jennings 79'

The axe falls on Mark Pryor — a short message being posted on every communications channel shortly after the game against Nantwich is complete. It's not wholly unwarranted, mind; seeing Ridgewell waste away a 2-0 lead against Nantwich as their defence fell apart in the second half was not fun, and Ridgewell had been underperforming way before that. For Nantwich, though, seeing their team rally to come back from 2-0 down in the space of about fifteen minutes was pretty-much the best thing they'd seen all season. They are, however, still seven points behind Couno with sixteen games to go. Not insurmountable, but a difficult hill to climb.

United leap back into second by virtue of a narrow 1-0 win over Fraser, taking advantage of Straton's performance against City to leap ahead on goal difference. The United-Fraser game isn't much to write home about — a Kirsten Desmond free-kick just after the hour sealed it — but Maja Olsman being sent off thirty minutes into the Straton-City game seemingly let all hell loose. Helene-Anne Rivard took advantage to give Straton an advantage, but Robin Vaughn and Neil Fraser would accordingly bring the game back to life by scoring in the last ten minutes of the game to give City the lead.

One minute before added time, Rivard would once again score, by inching the ball past John Lennon after a very untidy corner. It was ruled onside; and City had just dropped two points to Straton. In a week where Couno struggled to score points against Glenmont, but still did in the end — courtesy of a moment of magic from Kingsley-Roger Hertel — the dropped points would sting, particularly as it meant they'd drop behind Nantwich in the standings.

MATCHDAY 23
Colbrook City 3–4 Lakewood United
Harcourt 45', Anderson 73', Klempner 90' + 1'//Fontana 16', Horvat 32', Considine 40, 85'
Macarthur City 1–3 Serrapince
Pearce 86'//Ness 15', 24', Lawrence 64'
Port Marray 2–1 Straton
Exter 33', Swan 57'//Osbourne 40'
Lakewood City 0–1 Kingsbury United
Hughes 16'
Sturrey Athletic 0–0 Couno Rangers

Glenmont AFC 1–4 Guillemard Town
Haskell 66'//le Gall 32', 85', Lachmann 40', Haywood 62'
Hesham 1–1 Clyde Park
Frist 75'//Murdoch 54'
West Couno United 1–0 Ridgewell Rovers
Appleby 86'
FC Inter Nantwich 0–1 Columbia City
Sásk 52'
Delphi Lionesses 1–0 Fraser Valley
Burham 20'

Another axe falls in quick succession as Russell Lock is let go from Glenmont. A 1-4 defeat to Guillemard at home was simply too much; and after the match he'd declared his intent to leave the club soon after. He didn't get the chance to, however; barely two hours had passed before Glenmont announced that he wasn't in charge of the team anymore. The resignation letter hadn't even been sent. His assistant, Bernard Sellers, was given control of the team; and he will probably be the person that will guide Glenmont down to the Second Division.

The sacking overshadowed Guillemard's excellent performance, though; it was an amazing performance from Guillemard and particularly Halyos le Gall. The Apoxian journeyman scored eight goals in the first half of the season, and he hit double digits with his brace against Guillemard. He's quickly attaining cult-like status amongst Engineers fans for his lightning-quick start to life in the Premier Division, and while they may be four points off guaranteed safety, there's a thought amongst Guillemard fans that he'll be enough to carry them to another season in the Premier Division.

Marray pull off their second win of the season, somehow outlasting Straton to hold on to all three points. It's their second victory all year, and their first since Matchday 2. Harvey Osbourne, Straton's latest wonderkid, is brutally hacked down by Marray's defence; he has to limp off, injured, after an hour. It kills Straton's offensive momentum, really; which both says something about Straton's game strategy and the quality of player Osbourne is. If only the Tumbran national team's depth chart at left wing wasn't so full...

The title fight sees United leap into second and close the gap on Couno to five points as Couno come up scoreless against Sturrey; no, Nolan is still injured, and probably won't be back until Matchday 26. It's a tough blow for the midseason Golden Boot leader, as names like Vazsony Sallay and Vasya Reisinger are hot on his tail; but Couno are probably suffering more than Nolan is, at home. Nantwich, meanwhile, lose to Columbia to deal a further blow to their title charge. Both City (who also lost to Kingsbury) and Nantwich are seven points back with fifteen games remaining; a not impossible gap to make up, but one that's certainly very difficult.

Couno seem to have kept their momentum, even without their star striker; while all the other teams trying to challenge Couno are tripping over their own feet. It's just like Lakewood City running away with the title in the early seasons of the Premier Division's IFCF era all over again — but will Couno complete their waltz to the title, or will they be cut down to continue their near three-decade title drought?

Premier Division, Season Seven

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg  Form5
 1 Couno Rangers          23   17   4   2    45   21  +24    55   -0   WWDWD
 2 Lakewood United        23   16   2   5    52   21  +31    50   -0   WLWWW
 3 FC Inter Nantwich      23   15   3   5    45   15  +30    48   ▲1   LWWWL
 4 Lakewood City          23   15   3   5    48   20  +28    48   ▼1   WWWDL
 5 Serrapince             23   14   5   4    48   26  +22    47   -0   WWLWW
 6 West Couno United      23   13   3   7    35   23  +12    42   -0   WLWLW
 7 Kingsbury United       23   12   5   6    32   18  +14    41   ▲2   LWWWW
 8 Clyde Park             23   12   5   6    34   27   +7    41   ▼1   WDLWD
 9 Hesham                 23   11   6   6    38   28  +10    39   ▲1   LWDWD
10 Straton                23   11   5   7    42   25  +17    38   ▼2   WWLDL
11 Columbia City          23   10   5   8    33   29   +4    35   -0   DWLWW
12 Macarthur City         23    7   7   9    29   35   −6    28   -0   LWLWL
13 Fraser Valley          23    7   5  11    24   37  −13    26   ▲1   LWWLL
14 Sturrey Athletic       23    7   3  13    22   41  −19    24   ▲1   WLWLD
15 Ridgewell Rovers       23    5   7  11    25   35  −10    22   ▼1   DDLLL
16 Delphi Lionesses       23    3   8  12    23   39  −16    17   ▲1   DDWLW
17 Colbrook City          23    4   3  16    25   55  −30    15   ▼1   LLWLL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Guillemard Town        23    2   5  16    29   59  −30    11   ▲1   DLLLW
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Glenmont AFC           23    1   6  16    13   48  −35     9   ▼1   LLLLL
20 Port Marray            23    2   2  19    18   58  −40     8   -0   LLLLW

[Tumbra]

THE 125TH RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP — THE FOURTH ROUND

It's the last week of February, the snow's begun to clear, and the Cup is back. Sixteen hopeful teams — six from the Second Division and ten from the Prem — will go head to head to see who still remains with a chance of winning Tumbra's second most prestigious trophy. Most of the Second Division teams are matched up in unfavourable games — Columbia, City, Kingsbury, United, Couno and Nantwich — to the extent that there have been bets placed on how many Second Division teams will make it through. It's almost as if the TFF wants the Prem teams to be able to reach the final, and represent the country in the Cup Winners' Cup. For legal reasons, of course, that's a joke.

( D2)              Bencoolen City   3-1   Columbia City               (D1 )
( D1)               Lakewood City   2-0   Trelmont Rangers            (D2 )
( D1)              Macarthur City   1-0   Serrapince                  (D1 )
( D1)            Kingsbury United   2-0   Newton Wanderers            (D2 )
( D1)                  Clyde Park   2-1   Fraser Valley               (D1 )
( D1)             Lakewood United   2-0   AFC Cayalon                 (D2 )
( D2)           Kirkby Railwaymen   0-1   Couno Rangers               (D1 )
( D2)               Ashton Rovers   0-2   FC Inter Nantwich           (D1 )

It's a round of home advantage here, as six of the eight winners in this round are indeed playing at home. The Republic Cup used to be a two-legged affair, with home and away legs — and in the distant years of the 1970s, replays, but those were largely eschewed in favour of not having footballers break down completely by the age of 30. Demands of the game, and all that.

Anyway, almost the Second Division teams go down to Prem teams, as expected; but Kirkby give league leaders Couno one hell of a run for their money, forcing Sylvaine Fortier to work her magic to get a ball in, while Serrapince crumbled to Macarthur in the second biggest surprise of the round. What nobody really expected, however, was Bencoolen City beating Columbia 3-1; while Columbia's season hasn't exactly gone in the best of ways, for them to lose to a Second Division team was still considered a major shock. Yes, Bencoolen were in the Prem as recently as last season, but it's the optics of the matter, isn't it?

The Republic Cup returns at the end of March.

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
PART SIX: MATCHDAYS 24-28

Couno are still running away with the league, with a five point lead at the top of the table with fifteen games to go. Behind them are their arch-rivals Lakewood United (five points behind), then defending champions Nantwich (seven) and the always-racy City (also seven). Serrapince (eight) are lagging behind, with patches of bad form proving to be the toughest impediment to their title challenge; but with fifteen games left, five points is a drop in the pond in the grand scheme of things. Nobody really thinks anyone downwards of West Couno (thirteen) will be able to mount a title challenge, though people are still looking out for them to try and finally finish where their pre-season expectations think they should finish. Of course, with Vasya Reisinger on the front lines, lots is expected; and fans are finally hoping for their pain of being a bobbling midtable side to give way to being a top-half side. Of course, with how closely matched the Tumbran midtable is, the difference between bobbling midtable and top-half is rarely more than ten points, but it's the optics of the matter, isn't it?

MATCHDAY 24
Lakewood United 1–0 Delphi Lionesses
Jepson 74'
Fraser Valley 0–2 FC Inter Nantwich
Spekman 26', Kolar 77'
Columbia City 0–1 West Couno United
Wright 35'
Ridgewell Rovers 3–2 Hesham
Canavan 14', van der Hout 38', Borzoi 90' + 1'//Thompson 56', Noble 75'
Clyde Park 3–2 Glenmont AFC
Brown 6', 24', Proudfoot 36'//Saeed 47', Cowen 75'
Guillemard Town 3–1 Sturrey Athletic
Harris 35', Hailstorm 62', le Gall 75'//Campbell 83'
Couno Rangers 1–0 Lakewood City
Prost 11'
Kingsbury United 2–0 Port Marray
Anderson 12', Medal 35'
Straton 1–1 Macarthur City
Collins 55'//Healey 34'
Serrapince 2–0 Colbrook City
Mora 35', Sallay 66'

It's increasingly looking like the race to avoid finishing fifth and looking like a chump, as Serrapince move up to fourth thanks to a dominating performance from old hand Hermaeus Mora; meanwhile, Couno's sole goal by Frederick Prost is enough to secure them all three points as City are outplayed and outmatched at the Port Stadium. It's a tad ironic, really, that United's best chance of making up points on their hated enemies is to get their other hated enemies to draw some points from them; but City's finishing is wayward, the passing lackadaisical and the technique just not on show today, and the gap remains at five points.

United had to work to keep the gap at five points, however; it took a Spencer Jepson header to inch them past a hard-defensive Delphi and secure them the three points. Nantwich and Colbrook had a considerably easier stroll to theirs; while Straton had to fight back against Macarthur to secure even a single point. It's been quite the drop for the one-time league runner-ups, whose new stadium move has gone a long way to helping their financial situation. Straton FC President James McArthur is able to report that for the first time in five years, the club's finances are in the black; and the proper rebuild can start next season.

Guillemard, meanwhile, take a major step towards survival with a massive win over Sturrey Athletic; it's a tepid first half but the game kicks off in the second, with a late charge by Sturrey nearly managing to tie things up. Emma Gary, the Gortoleki defender who's gained something of a reputation for being being great with one foot and not the other, manages to lead Guillemard's charge to put them five points clear of nineteenth-placed Glenmont. The win also moves them within spitting distance of seventeenth-placed Colbrook City.

Ridgewell Rovers are rumoured to bring back former manager Des Clarke on a temporary contract until the end of the season, though the club themselves are keen to quash those rumours; but the rumours persist nonetheless. A 3-2 victory over Hesham, with Christian Borzoi scoring the game-deciding goal in injury time, helps to quiet speculation; but he's still the favourite to take on his old job for the remainder of the season.

MATCHDAY 25
Serrapince 0–0 Lakewood United

Colbrook City 1–0 Straton
Gillingham 10'
Macarthur City 3–3 Kingsbury United
Garland 14', Rowling 73', Pearce 85'//Winter 20', 56', Larr 82'
Port Marray 2–4 Couno Rangers
Gregory 42', Donovan 49'//Vaillancourt 3', Tyler 25', Conder 48', 77'
Lakewood City 2–0 Guillemard Town
Fraser 33', Wague 68'
Sturrey Athletic 1–0 Clyde Park
Foster 39'
Glenmont AFC 0–0 Ridgewell Rovers

Hesham 0–1 Columbia City
Burnet 53'
West Couno United 0–1 Fraser Valley
Barker 76'
FC Inter Nantwich 1–0 Delphi Lionesses
Kolar 84'

It's not a good week for goals — just nineteen this week — but the two matches with more than three goals scored did turn out to be pretty good games. Macarthur and Kingsbury provide a genuinely entertaining 3-3 game, with Malcolm Winter scoring a double off both his feet; while Port Marray give Couno yet another tough match. Couno do come out on top at the end, however; a seventy-seventh minute goal from Dimitra Conder seals the deal for Couno. This victory, coupled with United drawing with Serrapince in a game that always threatened to get good but never did — means that their lead at the top of the table is now seven points. Nantwich are the lucky survivors of the top teams in Tumbra tumbling over their own shoelaces, being shoved into second through their lack of screwing-up.

Kingsbury rise to sixth despite their draw with Macarthur; their goal difference is better than WCU's, who fell to Fraser through a smartly taken Tricia Barker penalty. Apart from that, it's just a week of nothing much happening. The Des Clarke rumours are still circling, and Clarke being seen in Ridgewell — away from his new home in Kingsbury — fuels the rumours further.

MATCHDAY 26
Lakewood United 0–3 FC Inter Nantwich
Coxeter 11', 23', Spekman 49'
Delphi Lionesses 0–1 West Couno United
Reisinger 34'
Fraser Valley 0–2 Hesham
Rostami 82', Deighton 79'
Columbia City 3–2 Glenmont AFC
Crnogorčević 25', Burrows 38', Fiallo 87'//Haskell 30', Austin 58'
Ridgewell Rovers 1–1 Sturrey Athletic
Borzoi 34'//Evans-Jones 4'
Clyde Park 2–2 Lakewood City
Escat 27', 38'//Wague 45' + 1', Laishram 78'
Guillemard Town 3–1 Port Marray
Lyon 22', Hailstorm 38, le Gall 44'//Swan 52'
Couno Rangers 3–1 Macarthur City
Prost 25', 84', Kearney 41'//Morgan, R. 82'
Kingsbury United 4–1 Colbrook City
Coco 8', Anderson 17', 72', Gavrilovic 29'//Newton 55'
Straton 4–0 Serrapince
Osbourne 36', 42', Rivard 81', 86'

The big news of the week is probably the worst-kept secret in Tumbran football finally coming to light; Des Clarke has been named interim manager of Ridgewell Rovers, and has the job till the end of the season. His second tenure started off with a goal conceded within four minutes, as Marc Evans-Jones rounded Clay van der Hout to lob a ball into the top right-hand corner of the net. Christian Borzoi would level off the margins but that would be, as far as most were concerned, it; Ridgewell's offense was rather placid by most standards, though Clarke did only get the job 48 hours beforehand. Thankfully most of the squad he'd left for Pryor was still present. Or, in hindsight, was that meant to be some kind of damning indictment?

Columbia managed to avoid the embarrassment of drawing to Glenmont after Torcado Fiallo netted a goal from inside the box; the free-kick taken by Mike Coonan sailing gaily into the penalty box, a typical Tumbran goalmouth scrabble ensuing (Tumbra and Brenecia in recent years fighting it out for the title of Most Physically Abusive League, it seems) before the ball rolled into the back of the net. It's a sentiment that's expressed here often, but none more so than those who benefit from it; a win is a win, no matter how beautiful or ugly. David Griffiths, looking considerably less chirper and not-so-much in the running to be the next Tumbra manager as last season, would repeat this talking point to the glee of football twii.tur.

United's quickly flailing title campaign would sink further after they went down with barely a fight to Nantwich; while Serrapince, too, would see hopes of re-entering the title fight dashed after they allowed Straton to score four goals against them. Four. Five years ago this would've been a bad score, but at least Straton were still highly-rated then; today this was just a disaster. Michael Toussaint pulled off a masterclass in defence to prevent Vazsony Sallay from scoring any goals, or even doing anything at all; the Pasargan was sent limping off the field after just half an hour of play. It was probably no surprise, then, that with no focal point in attack, Straton would go on to score four.

The result would leave Serrapince thirteen points adrift of Couno with twelve matches to go, effectively counting them out of the title fight; City, twelve points back after they had to scramble to rescue a draw against Clyde Park, were nearly out of it as well. The gap would remain at seven points between Couno and Nantwich; Couno's Frederick Prost proving himself an adequate replacement for Bruce Nolan as he continued his recovery. He wasn't at full fitness yet, though he had been spotted in training; now the question was whether he would be able to return to the side and continue scoring for the Rams.

MATCHDAY 27
Straton 1–0 Lakewood United
Freyrsson 32'
Serrapince 2–1 Kingsbury United
Sallay 58', Ritchie 74'//Hughes 25'
Colbrook City 1–1 Couno Rangers
Calvert 21'//Prost 74'
Macarthur City 1–0 Guillemard Town
Huxley 36'
Port Marray 0–1 Clyde Park
Brown 82'
Lakewood City 1–0 Ridgewell Rovers
Bernard 77'
Sturrey Athletic 0–1 Columbia City
Wilson 90' + 3'
Glenmont AFC 0–1 Fraser Valley
Xilix-Oxolt 70'
Hesham 2–0 Delphi Lionesses
Bevins 32', Popov 74'
West Couno United 1–1 FC Inter Nantwich
Morgan 84'//Morgan o.g. 12'

It's another relatively unexciting week, with the possible exception of Ben Morgan of West Couno United scoring an own goal early into the match then redeeming himself late in the game with a heroic leap compared to that of a Deltic salmon; scoring both goals in an ultimately tepid one-all draw that sees Nantwich drop points when they really can't afford to. Thankfully, Couno, in the interests of delivering an actually watchable end-of-season, do the same. Bruce Nolan starts for Couno, but is clearly out of it for much of the match; he's yanked off after an hour and Fred Prost is stuck on up top. He duly equalises for Couno, but is unable to do much more with the limited time he has left. The Rams are forced to depart Colbrook, that frigid city up north (don't tell them Couno and Colbrook's latitudes are quite close to each other) with a solitary point.

It's still better than what Lakewood United ended up getting, after Straton's Amund Freyrsson knocked one in past the Red Storm to absolutely no response. United haven't won a single game in four matches, and have only scored one goal in that timeframe. Corinne Fontana is yanked off for Cameron Keyes at halftime, but even he can't solve United's goalscoring conundrum; nor can Considine nor Horvat, the latter of whom rather inconveniently, has gotten injured again. Serrapince return to winning ways, coming back from a goal down against Kingsbury; the result sees West Couno move back into sixth place as they try to hold on to the position for dear life.

Elsewhere, Columbia score a last-gasp goal after another unexciting match to grab all three points against Sturrey, Fraser do the same but score their winning goal against a defeated Glenmont much earlier, and the second Des Clarke era threatens to go the same way as the first after a largely uninspring 1-0 defeat against City. 1-0's the scoreline of the week, with no less than six matches ending by this scoreline. The gap at the top remains at seven points after Nantwich are unable to capitalise on Couno's slip-up; time's running out to catch the rushing Rams...

MATCHDAY 28
Lakewood United 0–0 West Couno United

FC Inter Nantwich 3–1 Hesham
Fisher 24', Zheng 61', Coxeter 77'//Deighton 28'
Delphi Lionesses 0–0 Glenmont AFC

Fraser Valley 1–3 Sturrey Athletic
Bush 60'//Mercer 5', 54', 68'
Columbia City 1–2 Lakewood City
McKinley 70'//Vaughn 8', Fraser 23'
Ridgewell Rovers 4–1 Port Marray
Kristensen 30', Ghislane 58', Canavan 78', 90' + 2'//Swan 11'
Clyde Park 2–0 Macarthur City
Kearnes 33', Markozy 68'
Guillemard Town 2–1 Colbrook City
Lamb 34', Illsley 85'//Ferguson 3'
Couno Rangers 1–2 Serrapince
van As 5'//Sallay 29', Mora 51'
Kingsbury United 3–1 Straton
Schwartz 20', Larr 41', Wei 80'//Quinn o.g. 48'

Seven points gets cut down to four and suddenly, all too quickly, the gap to the top with ten matches to go doesn't look so insurmountable after all.

Couno get an early lead at home thanks to an Arwen van As goal that doesn't look like it's been taken by a centre-back; it's a brilliantly taken shot from the Licentian defender that splits the Serrapince defence in twain and gains an uproarious cheer from the home fans. Couno go on the offensive, and pressure Serrapince; but a misplaced pass from Hargrove near the half-hour mark goes straight to Laura Ness, who spins it forward to Charlotte Ritchie. Ritchie's been criticised at times for being inexperienced, and some still prefer Josip Horvat down the right; but she does what she needs to do, and does it well. In goes the lofted cross; it hits Vazsony Sallay in the box, who brings it down to his feet with panache, and he finishes it off with aplomb.

Couno are shocked and recoil; but they still attack with their typical quick ferocity. Bruce Nolan still isn't playing; he's still not deemed to have recovered enough and Fred Prost is up top again. His shot at the end of the first half is saved by Mick Key; the first half ends 1-1. It's not the most happy of situations for Couno, who've generally held the game so far; but there's still a whole forty-five minutes to go.

The second half begins. Couno are...tired. Serrapince have put on Hermaeus Mora at the half-time break, the diminutive Chromatik marshalling the Serrapince game in what has become a must-win game for the Bees. But Couno have run themselves out of steam too early, too far exerted by trying to score. Five substitutes and twelve on the bench is the Tumbran norm, but almost everyone on the bench isn't either as good, recovering from injury or even more tired than those on the field. It's only a matter of time.

And it happens. What sets Hermaeus apart from his designated successor, Dagur Lawrence — not to shame the attacking midfielder, of course — is that Mora has a sniper rifle of a right foot. He knows how good it is; he knows what he can do with it; he knows how to use it. So he uses it. Liberally. The fiftieth minute sees a ball distributed to him by George Hilton; he knows what to do. The ball is shot on the edge of the box; the ball sails past Andrew Taylor's outstretched gloves.

Serrapince are not known for playing defence. Amongst the top six they have the leakiest defence, with 32 goals conceded. But somehow, just somehow, they tuck in for the next forty minutes, knowing that this is a golden opportunity to leapfrog United — who goallesly drew against West Couno yesterday, to compound their troubles — and and to hand a vital lifeline to Nantwich. Okay, maybe they're not so altruistic, but the win delivers the three points to Nantwich, anyway, who defeat Hesham easily.

Ten matches to go, a four-point gap that looks a lot more surmountable; who will come out on top? Who will fall behind? Will Lakewood United score another goal this season?

Premier Division, Season Seven

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg  Form5
 1 Couno Rangers          28   20   5   3    55   27  +28    65   -0   WWWDL
 2 FC Inter Nantwich      28   19   4   5    55   17  +38    61   ▲1   WWWDW
 3 Lakewood City          28   18   4   6    55   24  +31    58   ▲1   LWDWW
 4 Serrapince             28   17   6   5    54   32  +22    57   ▲1   WDLWW
 5 Lakewood United        28   17   4   7    53   25  +28    55   ▼3   WDLLD
 6 Kingsbury United       28   15   6   7    45   25  +20    51   ▲1   WDWLW
 7 Clyde Park             28   15   6   7    42   32  +10    51   ▲1   WLDWW
 8 West Couno United      28   15   5   8    38   25  +13    50   ▼2   WLWDD
 9 Straton                28   13   6   9    49   30  +19    45   ▲1   DLWWL
10 Hesham                 28   13   6   9    45   35  +10    45   ▼1   LLWWL
11 Columbia City          28   13   5  10    39   34   +5    44   -0   LWWWL
12 Macarthur City         28    8   9  11    35   44   −9    33   -0   DDLWL
13 Fraser Valley          28    9   5  14    27   44  −17    32   -0   LWLWL
14 Sturrey Athletic       28    9   4  15    28   47  −19    31   -0   LWDLW
15 Ridgewell Rovers       28    7   9  12    33   40   −7    30   -0   WDDLW
16 Guillemard Town        28    5   5  18    37   65  −28    20   ▲2   WLWLW
17 Colbrook City          28    5   4  19    29   64  −35    19   -0   LWLDL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Delphi Lionesses       28    3   9  16    23   44  −21    18   ▼2   LLLLD
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Glenmont AFC           28    1   8  19    17   55  −38    11   -0   LDLLD
20 Port Marray            28    2   2  24    22   72  −50     8   -0   LLDLL

[Tumbra]

THE 125TH RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP — THE QUARTER FINALS

It is, as threatened, the last week of March; which means that eyeballs are torn away from the ongoing title chase where Couno still lead by four points and directed towards the quarter-finals of the Republic Cup. There's a unique sense of vulnerability emanating from the top teams here; Nantwich, City, Couno and United are all likely to play second-string teams, while Kingsbury, Macarthur, Clyde and Bencoolen are likely to play full-strength teams.

( D1)           FC Inter Nantwich   1-3   Lakewood City               (D1 )
( D1)             Lakewood United   1-2   Macarthur City              (D1 )
( D2)              Bencoolen City   2-4   Clyde Park                  (D1 )
( D1)               Couno Rangers   3-2   Kingsbury United            (D1 )

Lakewood United finally score a goal; but unfortunately it's not enough goals, as they fall to two quickfire second-half goals from Vivianne Anderson. In the other matches, it's business as usual; the second-string City side easily dispatches Nantwich's second-string side, with Michelle Broadhurst firing in a consolation goal. Couno sweep past Kingsbury, while Bencoolen end their title run with Natalie Coleman running riot over the Second Division side.

The final four have been decided; City will play Clyde, while Couno will play Macarthur. Both matches have a clear favourite and a clear underdog; but will luck shine on any of their sides?

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
PART SEVEN: MATCHDAYS 29-33

Ten games remain. Couno, as ever, lead; Nantwich are hot on their tails, with the best defensive record in the league, to boot; while City and Serrapince are still within striking distance of the title. United, now ten points behind, have to hope Couno screw up enough for them to make up the gap; but as it stands, the title is probably out of reach. Which is a shame — United were doing fairly well up till they scored one goal in five games.

There is always a chance, however...

MATCHDAY 29
Kingsbury United 2–0 Lakewood United
Perkkanen 14', Chenoweth 25'
Straton 0–2 Couno Rangers
Nolan 55', Tyler 89'
Serrapince 2–0 Guillemard Town
McGrath 12', Eschborn 64'
Colbrook City 1–0 Clyde Park
Gillingham 62'
Macarthur City 2–2 Ridgewell Rovers
Morgan, A. 27', Jennings 53'//Coutard 39', Delap 74'
Port Marray 0–2 Columbia City
Wilson 4', 60'
Lakewood City 0–0 Fraser Valley

Sturrey Athletic 0–1 Delphi Lionesses
Thesselborg 28'
Glenmont AFC 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich
Coxeter 64'
Hesham 2–1 West Couno United
Russell 44', Min 78'//McIntyre 52'

Bruce Nolan finally scores his first goal since the winter break; the relief on his face, as well as that on Marco Giuliani's face, is palpable. Straton are unable to muster a response to Couno's one-touch passing; a late goal from Joel Tyler seals the deal. Nantwich edge past Glenmont to keep up the pressure on the Reds, keeping Bernie Sellers waiting for his first win in charge of Glenmont.

It's not getting better for Lakewood United, who extend their winless streak to five matches at the hand of Kingsbury United; two early goals from Antti Perkkanen and Kalene Chenoweth give Kingsbury the fabled "momentum" in the game, which they use to keep United from scoring. A particularly ballsy tackle from Nathan Quinn is the highlight of the second half; and while he escapes with a yellow card, the opportunity denied to Kendra Considine is the best in the game. The rest of United's chances are found rather wanting, and United end the game goal-less. They are now thirteen points off the lead; bar a spectacular collapse from everyone above them and a late surge from United, they're found waiting another year.

Delphi's season hasn't exactly gone to plan — there are rumours that the club are either looking to amend their strategy from "all female squad now" to "mixed with primarily female players" amidst dissatisfaction with Aiofe Ruth's performance. Neither Hardwick — flying relatively high with Fraser in thirteenth — nor Halldorsen, now at Bombarralense in Audioslavia did this badly. Granted, this Ruth's first job, and it's more of a fire she's been thrown into and expected to put out than anything, but three wins from twenty-nine isn't something to write about. Victoria Thesselborg, however, grabs another win for Delphi to bring that number up to four; amidst rumours that the major teams are hunting for someone like her to lead their line in the next season or so.

MATCHDAY 30
Lakewood United 3–2 Hesham
McDemott 14', Hunter 46', Fontana 68'//Russell 33', Min 40'
West Couno United 1–0 Glenmont AFC
Wright 69'
FC Inter Nantwich 1–0 Sturrey Athletic
Dufour 34'
Delphi Lionesses 0–4 Lakewood City
Vaughn 12', 38', Bernard 49', 57'
Fraser Valley 1–0 Port Marray
Pilta-Blonz 5'
Columbia City 2–1 Macarthur City
Coonan 58', Wilson 75'//McKinley o.g. 30'
Ridgewell Rovers 3–0 Colbrook City
Borzoi 44', Riester 68', Bonucci 75'
Clyde Park 0–3 Serrapince
Hilton 4', 49', Mora 32'
Guillemard Town 1–3 Straton
Haywood 65'//Tino 48', 84', Woodhouse 52'
Couno Rangers 1–0 Kingsbury United
Bowen 80'

Can anyone stop Couno? Kingsbury put up a defensive performance for the ages in Couno, but the Rams throw on players up front in the last twenty minutes and come away with a single-goal win for their efforts. It's a hard-won victory, but it's one that feels probably the most earned of all. Quinn isn't around to perform another of his ballsy tackles — his five yellow cards in matches before have landed him in the naughty pit for this game — but Charles Allams performed admirably in his stead, neutering Bruce Nolan for most of the game. It remains to be seen whether he'll be able to catch up to Vazsony Sallay's tally of 21 goals so far; he's on 18, but at the clip that both of them are scoring, it'll take a Herculean effort in the final eight matches of the season to catch up.

Speaking of Herculean, Noel Hercule-McKinley has to undergo the shame of scoring an own goal to open off the scoring in Columbia versus Macarthur; but Columbia rally, with goals from Mike Coonan and Frank Wilson to come back and take all three points. The result sees Columbia move up to ninth, hitting the 50 point mark; but there is, as always, a sense of disappointment over this season's results. Nobody really knows why Columbia are in ninth this season rather than the fifth or sixth they were expecting. Maybe it's the gruelling pre-season schedule, maybe it's just the natural sway of results, but otherwise there's a real sense of 'what could have been' as the business end of the season takes hold.

United finally bring an end to their winless run, though it took an extraordinary second-half rally from the Red Storm to finally secure those three points. Ian McDermott, who was on course to be United's starter on the left before the deadline day signing of Kendra Considine gazumped those plans, is given a run-out; and he acquits himself well. Rumours that he's looking for a transfer away from Lakewood are beginning to rise; particularly as he's only got one season left on his contract, and he's himself said he wants to try and break into the good graces of the Tumbran national team sooner rather than later.

The midtable fight is rarely mentioned here — games ebb and flow, as does form and position, in those murky ten spots from sixth to sixteenth — but Ridgewell's comprehensive performance against Colbrook harkens back to the old Clarke era of punching above their station. Of course, Clarke himself has ruled back taking on his own job permanently, and has announced he probably won't be returning to full-time management "unless a perfect opportunity arises", but there is, again, another sense of 'what could have been' when looking at Ridgewell dispatch their Northern rivals with ease. They may have risen only two spots from when Clarke first took over, but it's the optics that count, isn't it?

MATCHDAY 31
Couno Rangers 0–1 Lakewood United
Keyes 80'
Kingsbury United 1–2 Guillemard Town
Schwartz 38'//Haywood 5', Lachmann 74'
Straton 1–3 Clyde Park
Sartain 50'//Escat 12', Coleman 36', 81'
Serrapince 4–0 Ridgewell Rovers
Lawrence 5', 87', Hilton 23', Perry 66'
Colbrook City 0–4 Columbia City
Crnogorčević 6', Vaquilar 11', Bello 51', Haller 72'
Macarthur City 1–0 Fraser Valley
Anderson 13'
Port Marray 1–0 Delphi Lionesses
Cresswood 89'
Lakewood City 0–1 FC Inter Nantwich
Fisher 38'
Sturrey Athletic 0–1 West Couno United
Reisinger 49'
Glenmont AFC 1–2 Hesham
Lavender 31'//Mu 33', Murphy o.g. 80'

And four became one.

The second Tumbran Classic of the season was always looked-forward to. Not just because it was the two age-old enemies going at it, or there was always a chance that there would be a punch-up on the field. No, it was because United now had a golden chance to deny Couno a cakewalk to the title they so desperately wanted. There wasn't much left to fight for in terms of the title — they were thirteen points behind with eight to go — but there was always a chance to spoil their hated rivals' perfect day.

And they succeeded. Away from home, Cameron Keyes managed to send the Couno Port Stadium into silence after he managed to jump over Arwen van As' attempted tackle to net the only goal of the game. It took both sets of players by shock; even Keyes himself didn't think the goal would go in, as he revealed in a post-match interview. Too far out, too narrow an angle, he said; but somehow, the shot went in. It's probably the moment that sets the title fight alive again, as Nantwich's narrow win over City closes the gap to one point.

Seven matches didn't look like a long time when Couno were sitting pretty with their big lead; now seven matches feels like a marathon of a slog.

Elsewhere in the relegation battle, Marray net their second win of the season against Delphi, with former national team winger Dean Cresswood breaking the deadlock late on; Malcolm Murphy spills a ball into his own net to deny Glenmont, his own team, a crucial point, though at this point the possibility of them escaping the relegation zone is close to zero at this point, while Guillemard pull off another odds-defying win to pull themselves closer to safety. In the fight to be best of the rest, WCU are finally delivering on those long-suffering fans' expectations by going two points clear of Kingsbury in seventh; Straton are directionless, everywhere yet nowhere at the same time as they crumple to Clyde Park's attacking talent of Natalie Coleman, and Columbia deliver a killing blow to Colbrook, with starlet August Haller running the match for the last half an hour and ending up with a goal herself.

MATCHDAY 32
Lakewood United 2–0 Glenmont AFC
Keyes 36', McDermott 70'
Hesham 2–1 Sturrey Athletic
Frist 84', 89'//Philips 26'
West Couno United 1–1 Lakewood City
McIntyre 69'//Reed 35'
FC Inter Nantwich 1–0 Port Marray
Baker 42'
Delphi Lionesses 0–0 Macarthur City

Fraser Valley 2–1 Colbrook City
Xilix-Oxolt 35', Gonzalez 45' + 1'//Grimley 54'
Columbia City 2–4 Serrapince
Burrows 40', Bello 53'//Sallay 12', Hilton 43', 68', Lawrence 89'
Ridgewell Rovers 4–3 Straton
Borzoi 16', 54', Kristensen 32', Finney 88'//Harwood 27', Collins 41', Toussaint 69'
Clyde Park 0–2 Kingsbury United
Layton 36', Kinzinger 84'
Guillemard Town 0–4 Couno Rangers
Nolan 24', Hargrove 73', 88', Conder 82'

Couno strike back — the target of their rage, Guillemard — as they go on a rampage and knock four against the Engineers to do anything to stay ahead of their competition. The win is expected by many, of course, but the sheer determination in many a Couno player's eyes as they try to keep the gap to Nantwich as it is is something else. Nantwich, however, keep pace; Richard Baker, deputising for Atlas Baxter, is the difference between Nantwich and Marray, as a second-string squad struggles to differentiate themselves from the Dolphins.

While United take on Glenmont easily, City fall to fifth thanks to a trademark Scott McIntyre dash into the box; the subsequent goal ties up the game, and City leave West Couno with only a point. There are other exciting matches that happen this week; Harry Frist scoring two quick goals to get Hesham back up over Sturrey, Serrapince scoring 4 to sink Columbia; but none are more exciting than Ridgewell 4-3 Straton, which saw Ridgewell score one then Straton getting one back in quick fashion. Chris Finney's goal off a free kick — a header, and a rare one for a left-back — is the deciding goal for Ridgewell, and one that leaves Straton pointless and sitting three positions above their opponents.

Straton's theoretical rebuild has been a topic of conversation for a while, now. With Mark Stevenson at the helm and a new, permanent home that will be receiving more Straton branding in the offseason — as well as the installation of those retractable seats — Straton have a good place to which they can start from. The key now is finding new blood for that heavily thin back line, but improvement has to be quick; this season will mark Straton's fourth consecutive one outside the IFCF places, and there's a growing sense that this — struggling to finish in the top half — could very well become normal for the club as time goes on.

MATCHDAY 33
Guillemard Town 0–4 Lakewood United
Fontana 12', Considine 29', 74', Dolan 55'
Couno Rangers 3–1 Clyde Park
Welar-Ovolk 24', Brennan o.g. 35', Prost 82'//Bradford 69'
Kingsbury United 1–3 Ridgewell Rovers
Kinzinger 59'//Bassett 14', Mortensen 53', Canavan 70'
Straton 4–1 Columbia City
Asanta 40', Cole 58', Rivard 62', Liang 75'//Wilson 22'
Serrapince 1–0 Fraser Valley
Ritchie 58'
Colbrook City 0–2 Delphi Lionesses
Thesselborg 23', 49'
Macarthur City 0–3 FC Inter Nantwich
Coxeter 30', Dufour 80', Gell 84'
Port Marray 0–3 West Couno United
Steel 15', Sitko 38', Garlick 78'
Lakewood City 0–1 Hesham
Min 50'
Sturrey Athletic 2–2 Glenmont AFC
Mercer 15', Grönholm 38'//Krailis 25', Williams 70'

The other problem with Straton is their inconsistency. It's a problem that's been bugging them all this season, and their record with five games to go — 15 wins, 6 draws and 12 losses, with 60 goals scored and 41 conceded — is a perfect example. They can play like the best team in the world one week — like this week's game, where they trounced Columbia 4-1, or when they netted four against Serrapince — and then play terribly the next, somehow managing to lose to Colbrook or Port Marray, who are propping up the bottom of the table. Compare that to Nantwich or Couno, who have lost 9 games between them all season. Grinding out wins is an integral part of title challenging, and if they can't turn up against the bottom teams as they can the top ones, then a return to the upper echleons of Tumbran football can probably be ruled out.

The title race remains at a narrow one-point gap, as the end of the season draws closer. Attentions are drawn towards Nantwich versus Couno on the final day on the season, a game that could very well determine where the title lands up; and it just so happens that Nantwich have the home-field advantage that week. No, Couno need to try and wrap the title up earlier than that; but Nantwich show no signs of letting up, as they knock three past Macarthur. With a goal conceded on average once every other game, and with Nick Barker looking to sweep a second successive Golden Glove award, Couno can only rely on themselves as the season heats up again.

In the relegation battle, Colbrook are dealt a blow as Victoria Thesselborg scores two; the striker's stock rising massively as a move away is increasingly floated. Kingsbury are mentioned as a potential suitor; Columbia are another, with the long-term future of Thomas Burrows up in the air after a reported contract stalemate. Marray go down to West Couno without a fight, while Glenmont wrangle a single point from their bout against Sturrey. There's still a certain sense of inevitability about Glenmont and Marray's relegations, but now's the time to salvage a bit of pride. And, uh, for Glenmont, try to grab their first win since Matchday Four.

With five matches to go, Couno hold on to the lead of the Premier Division by just one point; City and United are basically out of contention, being fourteen and ten points adrift respectively; while WCU begin to spy an opportunity to pull a Columbia, being just three points behind City. It's looking set to be yet another close finish for the league, which has helped massively with viewership numbers and attention. The Republic Cup, however, returns next week; providing a temporary break from the action. Or, for Couno, an extra match to deal with before the run-in for the title.

Premier Division, Season Seven

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg  Form5
 1 Couno Rangers          33   24   5   4    65   29  +36    77   -0   WWLWW
 2 FC Inter Nantwich      33   24   4   5    62   17  +45    76   -0   WWWWW
 3 Serrapince             33   22   6   5    68   34  +34    72   ▲1   WWWWW
 4 Lakewood United        33   21   4   8    63   29  +34    67   ▲1   LWWWW
 5 Lakewood City          33   19   6   8    60   27  +33    63   ▼2   DWLDL
 6 West Couno United      33   18   6   9    45   28  +17    60   ▲2   LWWDW
 7 Kingsbury United       33   17   6  10    51   31  +20    57   ▼1   WLLWL
 8 Hesham                 33   17   6  10    54   41  +13    57   ▲2   WLWWW
 9 Clyde Park             33   16   6  11    46   42   +4    54   ▼2   LLWLL
10 Columbia City          33   16   5  12    50   43   +7    53   ▲1   WWWLL
11 Straton                33   15   6  12    60   41  +19    51   ▼2   LWLLW
12 Ridgewell Rovers       33   10  10  13    45   50   −5    40   ▲3   DWLWW
13 Fraser Valley          33   11   6  16    30   47  −17    39   -0   DWLWL
14 Macarthur City         33    9  11  13    39   51  −12    38   ▼2   DLWDL
15 Sturrey Athletic       33    9   5  19    31   54  −23    32   ▼1   LLLLD
16 Delphi Lionesses       33    5  10  18    26   49  −23    25   ▲2   WLLDW
17 Guillemard Town        33    6   5  22    40   79  −39    23   ▼1   LLWLL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 Colbrook City          33    6   4  23    31   75  −44    22   ▼1   WLLLL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Glenmont AFC           33    1   9  23    20   63  −43    12   -0   LLLLD
20 Port Marray            33    3   2  28    23   79  −56    11   -0   LLWLL

[Tumbra]

THE 125TH RUNNING OF THE REPUBLIC CUP — THE SEMI FINALS

All signs are pointing at the final of the Republic Cup being between Couno and City. They're the overwhelming favourites to win their matches; after all, they are members of the Big Six. Macarthur are a midtable club, and aren't exactly doing very well this season; Clyde have a talismanic striker up front, but City and Couno, are, well, City and Couno.

There is a faint hope for the underdogs, however; both teams are likely to play a heavily rotated lineup, Couno especially. The league is simply higher on their priorities list right now, which means the Couno midfield are going to be anchored by a thirty-five year old Anna Napier. She can still run, mind, just that she can't do it for too long. City's depth is one of the most impressive in the league; but they've undergone a very patchy run of form that's seen them drop to fifth in the league.

( D1)               Lakewood City   1-2 e Clyde Park                  (D1 )
( D1)               Couno Rangers p 1-1   Macarthur City              (D1 )

Unfortunately for Couno, their game goes to penalties; meaning that their players were playing an extra hundred and twenty minutes of football as compared to their title rivals, who were sitting pretty at home. They pull through in the end, however; a 5-3 penalty score in their favour, with Vivianne Anderson and Alan Morgan missing their kicks, sends them through to the Final.

Clyde, on the other hand, upset the betting markets when Bernard Brown scores a 111th-minute goal to send the Lions to their second Republic Cup final. They've treaded this path before, winning the Cup in their only other Final appearance; and are keen to add to their trophy cabinet. For Brown, it's a moment of redemption personally; the former Newton Wanderers striker who was signed as a panic buy by Lakewood United, unfairly castigated for the team's problems when he wasn't getting any playtime and then finally thrown off to an underperforming Clyde Park finally had his moment. His has been a career of unfair treatment; but here, in this one moment, he was the star of the show.

PREMIER DIVISION, SEASON 7
PART EIGHT: MATCHDAYS 34-37

Five games remain. The seven-point gap that Couno were sitting pretty on nine matchdays ago now feels like ancient history; losses to Serrapince (Matchday 28) and United (Matchday 31) have slashed that lead down to one point. Couno fans are now hoping that the season ends quickly; Nantwich fans are looking eagerly at their final-matchday clash at home against Couno. But to get there, both teams will have to navigate a veritable minefield of games.

.                   34              35              36                37              38
Nantwich       Colbrook (H)      Serrapince (A)    Straton (H)     Kingsbury (A)   Couno (H)
Couno          Ridgewell (A)     Columbia (H)      Fraser (A)      Delphi (H)      Nantwich (H)

Welcome back to the Premier Division.

MATCHDAY 34
Lakewood United 2–0 Sturrey Athletic
Atkinson 5', Ukrop 58'
Glenmont AFC 0–2 Lakewood City
Laishram 35', Bernard 77'
Hesham 2–0 Port Marray
Min 28', Popov 38'
West Couno United 1–3 Macarthur City
Clyne 75'//Huxley 36', Jennings 41', Garland 82'
FC Inter Nantwich 4–0 Colbrook City
Dufour 26', Robertson 34', Haines 40', Gell 79'
Delphi Lionesses 1–2 Serrapince
Sweeney 30'//Mora 8', Anggara 41'
Fraser Valley 0–0 Straton

Columbia City 1–0 Kingsbury United
Bello 31'
Ridgewell Rovers 1–4 Couno Rangers
Harris 39'//van As 6', Vaillancourt 25', Nolan 44', Conder 69'
Clyde Park 1–1 Guillemard Town
Calare 40'//Lamb 78'

Ridgewell were hyped up as the possible trap match for Couno; instead, it turns out to be a bit of a washout, with Ian Harris' thirty-ninth minute goal the only thing spoiling Couno's otherwise perfect day. Arwen van As' early goal, a shot from outside the box, is what sets the Couno juggernaut rolling; it's not long before her team-mate, the understated yet ever-present Jean-Phillipe Vaillancourt joins her on on the scoresheet after a near-post goal. Ian Harris spoils Couno's clean sheet, but Nolan makes it three before the half-time mark; and Conder finishes the Northerners off. So far, so good; now they've just got another potential trap match against Columbia to go before they can take a short breather before the Nantwich match.

City are officially eliminated from title contention, despite a run-of-the-mill win over Glenmont; while United are one match away from doing the same. It's not been a very fruitful season for the Skylarks, with thoughts turned towards their eventual rebuild; while names like Moussa Wague and Twilight Mixon have bedded themselves well into the squad, there's a general sense that the rebuild will require some names to be moved on before it can actually happen. High on the list: Pierre-Louis Laishram, Louis Paterson, and potentially Neil Fraser. Whisper that last name quietly, though; for City to get rid of a national team left winger seems unthinkable.

Hesham sneak their way into sixth place, courtesy of a win over bottom-feeders Marray and taking advantage of a surprise West Couno loss to Macarthur. It's not somewhere that William Wight's side expected to be this soon; but it seems that the signings of Rostami, the bleeding in of talents like Bevins and Elsie Houston have done very well for the side that took a gamble on an greenhorn of a manager. The former Clark City winger will have a lot to look forward to next season, particularly attempting to maintain expectations at a reasonable level.

MATCHDAY 35
Clyde Park 1–1 Lakewood United
Escat 77'//Fontana 12'
Guillemard Town 2–3 Ridgewell Rovers
Lachmann 34', Lamb 48'//Bonucci 3', Greenwood o.g. 44', Ghislane 75'
Couno Rangers 2–1 Columbia City
Wellingsley 38', Hertel 55'//Burrows 41'
Kingsbury United 1–0 Fraser Valley
Anderson 5'
Straton 1–0 Delphi Lionesses
Woodhouse 41'
Serrapince 2–3 FC Inter Nantwich
Lawrence 5', Sallay 48'//Wakajama 16', Coxeter 40', Kolar 82'
Colbrook City 2–4 West Couno United
Klempner 20', Grimley 38'//Reisinger 14', 29', Wright 68', McIntyre 85'
Macarthur City 0–1 Hesham
Deighton 50'
Port Marray 0–1 Glenmont AFC
Williams 72'
Lakewood City 2–0 Sturrey Athletic
Bernard 45', Fraser 81'

Is thirty-one matches the longest winless streak ever in the league? History would be inclined to say yes, in the IFCF era at least. It's an unenviable record, really; nobody wants to go around with a sign saying "HEY, THIS TEAM WENT THIRTY-ONE GAMES WINLESS" on their shirts. Yet somehow this team have achieved it; and it's probably better that the record was set at 31, rather than, well, 32, 33 or 34. Say hello to Glenmont, who by winning their game against Marray, not only ended their 31-match winless streak; but also relegated the Dolphins.

Yes, Marray's relegation was very much expected from the outset of the season; but to have it confirmed is something else. Oliver Lutece confirms he'll resign at the end of the season, and thanks the fans for their patience with him throughout his tenure; while Elliot Swan, Marray's captain, apologises for the team's disappointing performance this season. Bernie Sellers is happy with the win, though that does ignore the fact that Glenmont's confirmed relegation is right around the corner, too.

Ridgewell seem to be on something of a late charge, with another victory under their belt moving them up to twelfth. There are calls for Clarke to re-take the job permanently, but those calls are, as ever, rebuffed by the man himself. Michael Hardwick, surprisingly, becomes the bookies' favourite to take the job; Brian Devzies is also another name floated to take on the job up north.

In the title fight, Nantwich and Couno both survive near misses; Nantwich is left waiting until the last ten minutes for a goal from Aventurine Kolar to secure three points; while Couno hold on against Columbia as Enis Crnogorcevic goes on run after run after run, running rings around the Couno midfield. In the end, though, both come out of their games with three points; Couno's win also eliminates Lakewood United from the title race, with Serrapince needing an outright miracle to keep going. United, which had pulled out something of a lead against City in their local fight to come out on top of each other, spills their advantage by drawing against Clyde; but they still hold on to a two-point lead as they go into the Lakewood Derby next week.

MATCHDAY 36
Lakewood United 0–2 Lakewood City
Reed 66', Vaughn 90' + 1'
Sturrey Athletic 2–0 Port Marray
Evans-Jones 55', Rossum 84'
Glenmont AFC 1–0 Macarthur City
Austin 53'
Hesham 1–1 Colbrook City
Deighton 55'//Grimley 40'
West Couno United 0–0 Serrapince

FC Inter Nantwich 2–1 Straton
Broadhurst 11', 82'//Collins 30'
Delphi Lionesses 1–3 Kingsbury United
Holt 55'//Hughes 19', Schwartz 58', Winter 73'
Fraser Valley 2–4 Couno Rangers
Barker 11', Xilix-Oxolt 84'//Nolan 20', 54', Hargrove 31', Vaillancourt 70'
Columbia City 1–0 Guillemard Town
Hurst 52'
Ridgewell Rovers 2–1 Clyde Park
Kristensen 38', Ghislane 70'//Escat 64'

So much for that two-point lead. United perform decently against City, but City just play better. Which is unfortunate for United. Jack Reed's goal past the hour mark is something to behold — he rounds Douglas Moore with nearly zero opposition before a simple flick beats Richard Russell — but Robin Vaughn's second goal, scored in injury time, is a true beauty. It's a free kick — of course it is — but the way it curved over the United wall before landing in the net became a quick, if late, contender for Goal of the Season. United are leapfrogged by City with time running out; and United just look resigned after the game ends.

Glenmont delay the inevitable by another week by pulling off their best form of the season and winning two games in a row; but they're five points off the playoff spot with two games left to go. Sellers, however, refuses to admit that it's over; he says that "anything that can happen, could still happen" and seems to have begun psyching himself into thinking there's a chance he could get the job permanently if he pulls off this unlikeliest of escapes off. It's a neat play from Trevor Austin to get the ball past a lackluster Macarthur side, and the joy in the Glenmont stands is palpable. For another week, Glenmont fans are able to ignore the looming reality of relegation; and if they can just win again against Colbrook next weekend, there's a chance that they can pull off another great escape.

Couno and Nantwich both win their games handily. It's become something of a marvel to watch both teams, now; most commentators are split on who will win that final match in Nantwich, but everyone agrees that whomever takes the trophy at the end of the day will deserve it. Serrapince are out of title contention — they're ten points behind, thanks to a draw with West Couno, with two games left to play — meaning that the title fight is now officially between the defending champions and the upstarts. The tension could be cut with a knife's edge.

Columbia's last-ditch attempt to make the top half is going well, as Peter Hurst scores the only goal against Guillemard and Ridgewell defeat Clyde to move the Fishermen into ninth. WCU once again move into sixth with Hesham somehow drawing against Colbrook; the news that a top-half finish is guaranteed sparks waves of celebrations amongst Chocolatiers fans.

MATCHDAY 37
Ridgewell Rovers 0–1 Lakewood United
Desmond 64'
Clyde Park 1–2 Columbia City
Kearnes 25'//Coonan 74', Rowland 85'
Guillemard Town 2–2 Fraser Valley
Haywood 15', Hailstorm 58'//Bush 50', Wolfe 81'
Couno Rangers 3–3 Delphi Lionesses
Finnemore 32', Nolan 64', 85'//Zuniga 34', Hall 50', Houghton 89'
Kingsbury United 2–3 FC Inter Nantwich
Coco 18', Perkkanen 35'//Santo 14', Fisher 41', Coxeter 58'
Straton 0–0 West Couno United

Serrapince 0–0 Hesham

Colbrook City 2–0 Glenmont AFC
Wettin o.g. 5', Ferguson 9'
Macarthur City 1–0 Sturrey Athletic
Healey 60'
Port Marray 0–4 Lakewood City
Vaughn 18', Fraser 35', Wague 80', Paterson 88'

And suddenly everything is happening everywhere, all at once.

Couno lose the lead of the league to Nantwich, after Judith Houghton heads a crucial goal in for the Delphi Lionesses with just one minute to go. The Couno Port Stadium, again, is shell-shocked into silence.

Nantwich have to be bailed out again, with the help of Basilica Coxeter this time, but they put one hand on the Premier Division trophy. The away section is screaming with joy as Coxeter knocks in yet another goal, the AFC Treason alumni more than proving her worth to the team.

It all sets up a single game, in Nantwich, that all eyes will be pointed towards. Win or draw, and Nantwich hold on to their title. Lose, and Couno win their first title in almost thirty years.

The Premier Division has had final days to watch galore over the past half decade, but none of them quite match up to this. It's Couno's date with destiny, and it's all in their hands. Win, and they end three decades of waiting. Lose, and, well, the wait goes on.

Oh, and Glenmont, riding oh-so-high with their two wins in a row, fall apart within ten minutes, with Reinhard Wettin's unfortunate own goal meaning that they start off on the back foot; and Edith Ferguson's goal just five minutes later seals the deal for the Orange. They're heading down, bringing an end to a six-year stay in the Premier Division. It's a shame, but, really, looking at their form this season, it's well deserved. They've been a team hovering on the edge of doom every season they've been in the Prem; their number was due to come up any time now.

Premier Division, Season Seven

                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Chg  Form5
 1 FC Inter Nantwich      37   28   4   5    74   22  +52    88   ▲1   WWWWW   IFCF CL; CEdC
 2 Couno Rangers          37   27   6   4    78   36  +42    87   ▼1   WWWWD   IFCF CL; CEdC
 3 Serrapince             37   23   8   6    72   38  +34    77   -0   WWLDD   IFCF CC
 4 Lakewood City          37   23   6   8    70   27  +43    75   ▲1   LWWWW   IFCF CC
 5 Lakewood United        37   23   5   9    67   32  +35    74   ▼1   WWDLW   IFCF CC
 6 West Couno United      37   19   8  10    50   33  +17    65   -0   WLWDD
 7 Hesham                 37   19   8  10    58   42  +16    65   ▲1   WWWDD
 8 Kingsbury United       37   19   6  12    57   36  +21    63   ▼1   LLWWL
 9 Columbia City          37   19   5  13    55   46   +9    62   ▲1   LWLWW
10 Straton                37   16   8  13    62   43  +19    56   ▲1   WDWLD
11 Clyde Park             37   16   8  13    50   48   +2    56   ▼2   LDDLL
12 Ridgewell Rovers       37   12  10  15    51   58   −7    46   -0   WLWWL
13 Macarthur City         37   11  11  15    43   54  −11    44   ▲1   LWLLW
14 Fraser Valley          37   11   8  18    34   54  −20    41   ▼1   LDLLD
15 Sturrey Athletic       37   10   5  22    33   59  −26    35   -0   DLLWL
16 Delphi Lionesses       37    5  11  21    31   58  −27    26   -0   WLLLD
17 Colbrook City          37    7   5  25    36   84  −48    26   ▲1   LLLDW
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18 Guillemard Town        37    6   7  24    45   86  −41    25   ▼1   LDLLD
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19 Glenmont AFC           37    3   9  25    22   67  −45    18   -0   DLWWL   R
20 Port Marray            37    3   2  32    23   88  −65    11   -0   LLLLL   R

MATCHDAY 38

Lakewood United v Port Marray

Lakewood City v Macarthur City

Sturrey Athletic v Colbrook City

Glenmont AFC v Serrapince

Hesham v Straton

West Couno United v Kingsbury United

FC Inter Nantwich v Couno Rangers

Delphi Lionesses v Guillemard Town

Fraser Valley v Clyde Park

Columbia City v Ridgewell Rovers