Natal (Cabo Azure) 1-3 Walston Brook Albion
Walston Brook Albion 2-4 Natal (2-5 AET; AGG 5-6)
FK Khadur (Sajnur) 0-0 VLC FC
VLC FC 2-0 FK Khadur (AGG: 2-0)
10th IFCF Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round
Algolia AC (Squornshelan Remnant States) 3-1 Olympia FC
Olympia FC 1-1 Algolia AC (AGG: 2-4)
10th IFCF Challengers Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
VLC FC 1-1 Cordasfjord FC (Cordian Isles)
Cordasfjord FC 1-1 VLC FC (AET 1-2; AGG: 2-3)
10th IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round
Wavel AC (Squornshelan Remnant States) 1-1 Sunburbia FC
Sunburbia FC 1-3 Wavel AC (AGG: 2-4)
10th IFCF Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round 1st Leg
Asbury Park FC (Commonwealth of Baker Park) 0-0 RGS Athletic
10th IFCF Challengers Cup 3rd Qualifying Round 1st Leg
Nangang Royals (Yuezhou) 2-2 VLC FC
Marthorpe City FC (Flavovespia) 3-0 Olympia FC
Platinastigrade (Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom) 4-3 Norrion Rovers
10th IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round 1st Leg
Proudcastle (Brenecia) 2-3 Tuntingone FC
With the relatively poor international performances of the last two seasons, the Imperial Commonwealth has found itself tumbling down the IFCF rankings, and as such tumbling down the order of entry. That meant we had quite a busy competitive pre-season, which is not the start the FA will have wanted for the league’s landmark 50th season. Olympia FC kicked off the Champions’ League proceedings in abysmal fashion as they were roundly humiliated in Squornshelous, with Algolia sealing the deal following a 1-1 draw at Mount Salt City. Defending league champions RGS fared a little better in the 3rd Round, holding off hosts Asbury Park to a goalless draw - you would expect the Royals to see off the Baker Park side in the return leg at home.
Over in the Challengers’ Cup, the running order resembled more of a massacre, which is not good news for coefficient either. 5th place Albion managed to score three away to Cabo Azure’s Natal, and looked well set to advance to the 2nd Round, only to fall apart defensively, an uncharacteristic Soriano own goal as Natal scored 4 to take the tie to extra time (now that away goals have been removed), where another Soriano mistake led to the visitor’s fifth of the night, the 11th goal of the tie, and the winner on aggregate. The Wasps also made their bow in the 1st Round, where the more experienced defensive outfit kept it tight in both legs, seeing off FK Khadur with two home leg goals in 5 first half minutes. However, they found it much harder going against Cordasfjord, the Cordian Isle team keeping pace with last season’s fourth place side across both legs before Geraldene Benjamin came on as substitute to snatch an extra time winner. Going into the 3rd Round, VLC have kept their tie against Yuezhou’s Nangang Royals alive despite being second best all game - two late goals keeping the tie level heading to Vorgan Park. Also in the 3rd Round, Olympia keep their atrocious away form going by shipping another three goals on the road, this time to Flavovespia’s Marthorpe City, leaving what should be a formality for the return trip to Mount Salt City. The Stags manage to shake off their rustiness a little better, last season’s third placed side opening their account in the Challengers’ Cup 3rd Round with a 7 goal thriller in Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom, with Platinasgrade travelling to Norrion holding a single goal lead despite a brace from Roman Torshen.
And last but not least, the Liga B Champions’ Trophy kicked off with Sunburbia FC in the 2nd Round, which is also where their journey ended as they were thoroughly outplayed at home by Squornshelan side Wavel AC, despite managing to hold them to a 1-1 draw in the first leg. The Knights, playing in this competition for the first time in a long time, join the 3rd Round maul with a promising performance, twice cancelling Proudcastle’s lead before Maureo Fahmy netted a late third to take the advantage against the Brenecian side going into next week’s second legs.
RGS Athletic 2-0 Walston Brook Albion
Copper Communists SC 0-0 Tuntingone FC
Olympia FC 7-0 UR Town
FC Tavernia 7-1 Sunburbia FC
Norrion Rovers 2-1 Toclofania FC
FM Town 3-0 Seniors FC
VLC FC 2-0 Seaton Town
Nile Bridge 0-1 Royal Jam FC
And here we are, the opening day of a landmark 50th season of the ICEL Premier League. 50 (ish) years ago, the various states came together under the newly formed ICELFA to create a brand new competition to determine the best teams in the Imperial Commonwealth, and it’s safe to say that Eastfield Lodge has ruled the roost across those 5 decades. Defending champions RGS kick off the season as per tradition, the Royals looking to win a 37th league title since the League’s founding and putting down a marker of intent with a convincing victory over the Millers, who have lately been taking points for fun off the New Lodger City side. However, the real statement of intent comes from the other side of the country in Mount Salt City as the Olympians put seven goals past the Ultramarines, including a rare opening day hat-trick for Maisha Paree. Remarkably, they weren’t the only side to score 7, as FC Tavernia demolished Sunburbia FC with 7 goals of their own - likely out of anger as the Sundowns had taken the lead through Evette Prescott. The Blades provided a short scare at Norrion Park with an 85th minute equaliser, but Zada Abbott quickly restored the lead to ensure all of the Big 5 opened with 3 points.
RGS Athletic 1-2 Asbury Park FC (AGG: 1-2)
10th IFCF Challengers Cup 3rd Qualifying Round 2nd Leg
VLC FC 3-3 Nangang Royals (AET 4-4; AGG: 6-6; PKs 5-6)
Olympia FC 0-1 Marthorpe City FC (AGG: 0-4)
Norrion Rovers 0-0 Platinastigrade (AGG: 3-4)
10th IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round 2nd Leg
Tuntingone FC 1-1 Proudcastle (AGG: 4-3)
The massacre continues this week with the 2nd legs leaving barely any teams in IFCF competition. RGS are kicked out the Champions’ League as Asbury Park come from behind in the second half, cancelling Yohan Bob’s opener, to knock out the Premier League champions. They’ll be the only side left in the Challengers’ Cup as well as all three of the sides in the 3rd Round get knocked out - VLC and Nangang Royals play out a remarkable 6 goal match that goes to extra time. Another goal each sees penalties and only on the 7th penalty are the two sides split after Victoria Bassett puts her effort over the bar. The Stags are stifled and held down in excellent fashion by the visiting Platinastigrade, a goalless draw meaning the 4-3 win in the first leg was enough. Olympia meanwhile continue to perform shoddily despite the 7-0 win at the weekend, losing again to Marthorpe City. Tuntingone FC are the only side to emerge from this week with a victory, an early goal enough to hold off Proudcastle’s comeback.
Tuntingone FC 0-3 RGS Athletic
UR Town 0-1 Walston Brook Albion
Sunburbia FC 1-4 Copper Communists SC
Toclofania FC 1-3 Olympia FC
Seniors FC 0-2 FC Tavernia
Seaton Town 0-3 Norrion Rovers
Royal Jam FC 2-1 FM Town
Nile Bridge 2-4 VLC FC
Despite their differing performances in midweek, the weekend sees a return to form for both the Royals and the Knights, with RGS emerging from Lodgertia as easy victors, featuring an excellent half-volleyed effort from the edge of the box by Amélie Ju from a well worked corner routine. Olympia remain top of the table though, as the Blades prove to be no match for them whilst the Wasps take everyone by surprise with an incredibly adept attacking display in Bridgetown against the Architects, whilst also showing defensive ability whatsoever as Nile Bridge twice wipe out VLC’s lead in the first half. There are comfortable wins for the Stags and Royal Jam to keep the Big 5 tied on 6 points. At the bottom though, Sunburbia have already conceded double digits after only the second weekend, shipping another 4 goals to the Communists. Sign of things to come, perhaps?
KS Gunung Kayasu (Sendhang) 0-0 RGS Athletic
10th IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy Playoff Round 1st Leg
Tuntingone FC 3-1 Askatasuna (Banija)
Seniors FC 0-2 Porto Vecchio (Savigliane)
Next season’s coefficient is not looking good at all is it. RGS struggle to get going in Sendhang against relative unknowns KS Gunung Kayasu, with over 15 shots but only 2 on target as they rarely threatened the host’s net. Still, a goalless draw is a foundation to build upon. Much better than the Silver Foxes, the Second Division champions falling at their first hurdle in the LBCT as Savigliane’s Porto Vecchio fire past Damon Chaudry in the Seniors net either side of half time. Tuntingone have a good head of steam though and continue to ride their LBCT form with a convincing win against Banija’s Askatasuna.
RGS Athletic 3-1 UR Town
Tuntingone FC 2-1 Sunburbia FC
Walston Brook Albion 2-0 Toclofania FC
Copper Communists SC 2-0 Seniors FC
Olympia FC 4-1 Seaton Town
FC Tavernia 1-2 Royal Jam FC
Norrion Rovers 1-1 Nile Bridge
FM Town 3-3 VLC FC
Olympia continue to lead their early season charge at the top of the table with a near perfect performance against the Lions, racking up their 14th goal of the season shortly after the hour mark - the only blemish on the accomplished performance was a superb direct free kick from Seaton midfielder Charmaine Lock-Eriksen. 2nd place FC Tavernia (yes, really) host the Strawberries and for about 3 glorious minutes looked like pulling off an amazing victory as they went ahead with ten minutes to go - Royal Jam equalised after those three minutes, before Wessel Ekin scrambled a loose ball over the line for the winner in stoppage time. RGS continue to sail through their matches, this time showing the Ultramarines no mercy, but the Fjorders manage to exploit the defensive frailties that VLC have shown so far this season, always pulling an equaliser within 5 minutes of the Wasps taking the lead, much to Semih Loiseau’s frustration as the VLC manager punted a water bottle into a camera - he then spent the rest of the match in the stands. Nile Bridge finally get off the mark this season as well, knocking out another perfect record as they hold the Stags to a draw.
RGS Athletic 0-1 KS Gunung Kayasu (AGG: 0-1)
10th IFCF Liga B Champions Trophy Playoff Round 2nd Leg
Askatasuna 2-0 Tuntingone FC (AET 2-0; AGG: 3-3; PKs 2-3)
Porto Vecchio 0-0 Seniors FC (AGG: 2-0)
A single defensive error is all it takes for the Royals to crash out of the IFCF competition this season, as an errant backpass allows the Sendhang outfit a free 1-on-1 with Eddie Sadiq that he loses. There was not much attacking threat from RGS either, with the Gunung Kayasu keeper mostly untroubled in the second half. Seniors were unable to string passes together in Savigliane, a really boring game bogged down in midfield with poor touches and robust defending enough for Porto Vecchio to rely on the first leg victory. The Knights also tried to rely on their first leg win, but were promptly reminded how bad an idea that was as Askatasuna scored two second half goals to forced extra time - Tuntingone held their nerve in the shootout to be the only Eastfielder representative in the IFCF group stages.
The first round of the King’s Commonwealth Cup in this landmark 50th league season (for technical reasons, not the 50th edition of the KCC) rolls around, with its usual pomp and fare of the 512 team melee. And as ever, all eyes are on the top of the pyramid, watching for a big name to fall. And neutrals were not disappointed, as the biggest scalp of all was claimed by Fourth Division side Garanite FC - defending champions and the competition’s most successful team in RGS Athletic. The Royals took the early lead but the hosts managed to hold on, and the champions’ non-league frailties began to rear their ugly head as Garanite scored two in five minutes to steal a famous victory. The only Second Division casualty came in the big Lodgertia derby, as Second Division United hosted Third Division City in what turned out to be a thriller - 6 goals in normal time as United came from behind to lead 3-1 before a stoppage time equaliser from City forced the game into extra time - Maarten McCall then popped up with a 118th minute penalty to win the game for City. There were plenty of upsets elsewhere, but the biggest tilt in terms of league positions went against Coiners FC, as the Third Division side were edged out by tenth tier side Nakhalau SC.
SLW FC almost joined Lodgertia United on the scrapheap, as they were taken to extra time by Fourth Division Likina CF, but held on to win in extra time; Third Division sides Twilight Heaven and Revisionists both had to come back from behind against 8th tier opposition. At the other end of the spectrum, there were plenty of comfortable victories in the First Round as usual, with the Ultramarines putting on their usual ruthless display as they put seven past fifth tier FC Chinudo, although the visitors scored arguably the best goal of the game to make it 3-1, a well struck 30 yard rocket that left Maazina Luna flat-footed. The Wyverns were also on the positive side of a thrashing as well, as they also put 7 past 10th tier Aswania Ruby, featuring a perfect hat-trick for Asmar Rush, and there was also a seven goal haul for one-time finalists Northern Wind Athletic as the Fourth Division travelled to 8th tier Myrowse and demolished the hosts. Elsewhere, the Stags had a real back and forth match on the road against Tyrenam Harriers, eight goals flying in as Norrion Rovers ran out 5-3 winners, having twice been pegged back to level.
Sunburbia FC 0-4 RGS Athletic
Toclofania FC 1-4 UR Town
Seniors FC 1-1 Tuntingone FC
Seaton Town 1-1 Walston Brook Albion
Royal Jam FC 1-1 Copper Communists SC
Nile Bridge 1-1 Olympia FC
VLC FC 0-0 FC Tavernia
FM Town 4-5 Norrion Rovers
A Saturday full of shared points as all five games ended in a draw. Not that it was boring day by and large though - Nile Bridge hosted league leaders Olympia and both sides played well enough to win, with plenty of attacking football on display and both goalkeepers making over 5 saves - with 9 saves, Yamaj Zorno-Mal earnt the man of the match award. Despite the goalless draw, the Wasps were still playing well against the Wyverns, who defended incredibly well, with Fatina Jakobsen twice hitting the bar with headers. Royal Jam also drop points this week, with the Communists striking early at Niexai Lane and then holding on through wave after wave of the Strawberries’ attack - Sabrina Jaida the only one to break through with a deft little flick finish. The Sunday saw a completely different set of matches however, with RGS putting the misery of their cup exit behind them by thrashing Sunburbia to remain the only side with a 100% record. UR Town looked comfortable travelling to The Valiant, whilst the Stags managed to go 4-1 down at the SportCity Complex by half-time, before somehow turning things around in the second half to blitz the Fjorders, a brace for Roman Torshen setting up an memorable comeback victory.
RGS Athletic 2-3 Toclofania FC
Sunburbia FC 1-1 Seniors FC
UR Town 0-2 Seaton Town
Tuntingone FC 0-0 Royal Jam FC
Walston Brook Albion 3-1 Nile Bridge
Copper Communists SC 0-2 VLC FC
Olympia FC 5-1 FM Town
FC Tavernia 2-3 Norrion Rovers
The perfect starts come to an end after only five games, as two early goals for the Blades put the league leaders in real trouble from which they don’t quite recover - RGS pull one back through Yohan Bob early in the second half before Chastity Clement secured a win for Toclofania and their first points of the season, despite Eloy Dawood’s late consolation. Olympia take full advantage to go back top of the table with a convincing victory over the Fjorders, a brace of headers for Natasa Horvat quickly reversing FM Town’s comeback following their equaliser. The Stags pull out another comeback job to also leapfrog the Royals as a late Wyverns own goal provides Norrion with a narrow 3-2 victory. However, Royal Jam fail to take full advantage as Tuntingone manage to hold the Strawberries to a goalless draw. At the bottom, the Sundowns also get off the mark this season, as they hold the Second Division champions to a 1-1 draw.
Seniors FC 3-5 RGS Athletic
Seaton Town 1-1 Toclofania FC
Royal Jam FC 2-0 Sunburbia FC
Nile Bridge 3-0 UR Town
VLC FC 1-0 Tuntingone FC
FM Town 0-1 Walston Brook Albion
Norrion Rovers 3-0 Copper Communists SC
FC Tavernia 1-1 Olympia FC
New leader Olympia manage to throw away their advantage straight away, as the Wyverns secure a late equaliser from the penalty spot after Laurens Halliwell was cynically swiped off her feet by Lonell Gould. Norrion Rovers become the new league leaders as they see the Communists in quick fashion, with three goals in a ten minute spell either side of half-time, whilst the Royals are the side with the extreme comeback victory, coming from behind three times against the Silver Foxes in an 8 goal thriller at the Central Park Complex, featuring a hat-trick for Seung-Yoon Kim. VLC and Royal Jam both keep pace with the title race as they see off promoted sides, whilst Albion remain a point behind them in the race to be best of the rest. Nile Bridge grab their first win of the season with a comfortable victory over the Ultramarines.
Round Two kicks off as we head towards the end of the first quarter of the season, 128 matches featuring those who survived the opening melee four weeks prior. This weekend saw two further Premier League teams eliminated from competition, with Nanomia Town snatching a surprise victory against the Lions after a ridiculous defensive calamity saw Chris Tosi badly misjudge a backpass which he promptly sliced along the box and in off the post provided the 7th tier side an equaliser in normal time. Elsewhere, the Blades were unfortunate enough to be drawn against Norrion Rovers, and the Premier League leaders were just too good for their opponents as the Stags ran out 2-0 winners. Half Boy FC became the biggest Second Division scalp of the round, as the Archers were soundly beaten by EastImport, whilst SLW were unable to survive a second successive upset attempt as they were narrowly eliminated by another fifth tier side in Trinardin SC with two goals in the last 15 minutes to turn the match around. Lodgertia City, having knocked out their higher-ranked cross-city rivals in the first round, became the victims of the biggest upset of the round this time as they fell to 9th tier Mainpass United.
The Communists ended up involved in another 5-3 thriller as they went two goals down in the first ten minutes to 8th tier Rivermouth AC before bouncing back and putting the game out of sight by the hour mark - the pick of the bunch from the Premier League outfit came from a beautiful 25 yard curling effort from the corner of the box as Chevalier Bay cuts inside his marker and takes the shot first time to make it 3-2. High Lyn and Benopia AC both made short work of their opponents, with Benopia putting 8 past tenth tier AC Highridge, whilst fifth tier Eat Monurtag were struck on the counter three times in the last ten minutes of the game as High Lyn ended up with a relatively flattering scoreline.
ICEL Premier League Standings
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Norrion Rovers 6 5 1 0 17 8 +9 16
2 RGS Athletic 6 5 0 1 19 7 +12 15
3 Olympia FC 6 4 2 0 21 5 +16 14
4 VLC FC 6 4 2 0 12 5 +7 14
5 Royal Jam FC 6 4 2 0 8 3 +5 14
6 Walston Brook Albion 6 4 1 1 8 4 +4 13
7 FC Tavernia 6 2 2 2 13 7 +6 8
8 Copper Communists SC 6 2 2 2 7 7 0 8
9 Tuntingone FC 6 1 3 2 3 6 −3 6
10 Nile Bridge 6 1 2 3 8 10 −2 5
11 Seaton Town 6 1 2 3 5 11 −6 5
12 FM Town 6 1 1 4 12 16 −4 4
13 Toclofania FC 6 1 1 4 7 14 −7 4
14 UR Town 6 1 0 5 5 17 −12 3
15 Seniors FC 6 0 2 4 5 14 −9 2
16 Sunburbia FC 6 0 1 5 4 20 −16 1
ICEL Second Division Standings
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Indionion Athletic 6 6 0 0 15 2 +13 18
2 Macaronia FC 6 4 2 0 15 8 +7 14
3 Oldbridge FC 6 4 1 1 15 7 +8 13
4 Xilon OC 6 4 1 1 12 7 +5 13
5 Benopia AC 6 4 0 2 10 4 +6 12
6 Half Boy FC 6 3 2 1 9 4 +5 11
7 Polkation FC 6 3 1 2 5 4 +1 10
8 Yillog City 6 2 2 2 7 4 +3 8
9 Lodgertia United 6 2 1 3 12 14 −2 7
10 Pontifucia United 6 2 1 3 5 9 −4 7
11 Micronopia United 6 1 2 3 7 11 −4 5
Monksville United 6 1 2 3 7 11 −4 5
13 High Lyn FC 6 1 1 4 7 14 −7 4
14 NT United 6 1 1 4 5 12 −7 4
15 Forest Rangers 6 0 3 3 5 9 −4 3
16 SLW FC 6 0 0 6 1 17 −16 0