Katzeburg Domestic Sports Newswire

[Katzeburg]

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KATZEBURGIAN DOMESTIC SPORTS NEWSWIRE
Run by the Katzeburg Broadcasting Corporation in conjunction with the Katzeburg Times, Inverhaven Echo, Axmund Post, and others.

Thank you for visiting the Katzeburgian Domestic Sports Newswire, where you can find all the latest happenings around Katzeburg across our nation's various sports.

This archive will build out more over time, but will aim to track the highs and lows of the nation's sporting prowess, including regular league updates and the major domestic stories as they break across the country.

Any questions/notice incorrect information? Please contact the KBC Archival Department via telegram.

Sports

Association Football

S      National League Winner   Katzeburg Cup Winner        Golden Boot                                        Player of the Year
1      Katzestadt AFC           Barenwold FC                Drake Wruck (Katzestadt Rovers) - 20               Drake Wruck (Katzestadt Rovers)

[Katzeburg]

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL TEAM

The Blue Cats

The Blue Cats are the national representatives of Katzeburg at an international level, with the team organised and administrated by the Katzeburg Football Federation, the governing body behind the administration and operation of football which is based in the nation's capital of Katzestadt. The national team is yet to play its first international match, having submitted entry to the Baptism of Fire as part of the World Cup 97 cycle. The team is nicknamed after an incredibly rare breed of the country's national animal, the cat, which was long-rumored to exist in small numbers in the Campbellnia National Park along the country's north-east coast.

KITS

TEAM RECORDS

Overall Record
0 Wins
0 Draws
0 Losses

First Match - TBC
First Win - TBC
Biggest Win - TBC
Biggest Loss - TBC

Total Players Capped - 0

Most Caps - TBC
Most Goals - TBC

TEAM HISTORY

While Katzeburg is only a young nation, football has quickly picked up pace as the most popular sports on its shores. Initial hotspots of the sport were predominantly in the more industrial north of the nation, encompassing the nation's central capital Katzestadt, its heavy industrial city of Inverhaven, and the north-eastern city of Axmund. The sport proved popular with workers in some of the nation's major industries, including ironworking and logging, with factories putting together casual, loosely-defined leagues to satisfy the need for competition. By 20KT (20 years past the federation of Katzeburg), these leagues had been gaining notoriety within the wider region as the only true formalized version of the sport, however owing to a lack of availability for travel options available to teams, debates over who had the better side - Inverhaven's ironworking factories or Axmund's logging camps, were left unanswered and solely for the children of the cities schools to debate.

The government, seeing the potential for the sport to provide a natural pathway to further international relations and growth as a nation, passed the Katzeburg Football Federation Act that same year, establishing a national federation which will have full oversight and management of the sport in the nation. This Act also granted the Federation the power to create and staff a national Katzeburgian team - the first ever for any sport in the nation. Brennan Kerr - at the time the local MP for the seat of Wolfenholm North - was appointed the inaugural chairman of the KFF board and had full and final say over the appointment of the national team manager and setup.

One of the Federation's first acts was to submit an entry for the national team into the 97th World Cup cycle as well as the adjacent international competition the Baptism of Fire - this drew some criticism from locals who were both unaware of the fact a national team existed, and also unsure as to whether entering a prestigious competition like the World Cup as a first entry would lead to a swift and brutal national embarrassment.

CURRENT SQUAD

[*] Squad list up to date as Baptism of Fire 84 end of Group Stage.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Number   Position   Player              Age   Gender   Nation   Club                   National Apps   National Goals  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1        GK         Ry Whinery          26    F        KAT      Katzestadt AFC         3               0               
  2        D          Katharine Howland   17    F        KAT      Barenwold FC           3               0               
  3        D          Owen Levitt         34    M        KAT      Inverhaven City        3               1               
  4        D          Deena Knepp         28    F        KAT      Axmund City            3               0               
  5        D          Faithe Colbert      27    F        KAT      Katzestadt Rovers      3               0               
  6        M          Serena Plank        17    F        KAT      Katzestadt AFC         3               0               
  7        M          Vera Horsfall       29    F        KAT      Katzestadt Rovers      3               1               
  8        M          Emery Nelson        33    F        KAT      Axmund United          2               0               
  9        M          Tilman Cummings     34    M        KAT      Barenwold FC           3               0               
  10       F          Drake Wruck         30    M        KAT      Katzestadt Rovers      3               2               
  11       F          Lambert Niles       29    M        KAT      Axmund City            3               0               
  12       GK         Jim Comstock        19    M        KAT      Refeld FC              0               0               
  13       GK         McKinley Clinton    32    F        KAT      Inverhaven Ironworks   0               0               
  14       D          Gideon Wilkins      30    M        KAT      Katzestadt AFC         1               0               
  15       D          Erik Clarkson       18    M        KAT      Inverhaven City        1               0               
  16       D          Elicia Morton       18    F        KAT      Katzestadt Rovers      1               0               
  17       M          Heilwig Courtney    25    F        KAT      Katzestadt Rovers      0               0               
  18       M          Meriel Arkwright    24    F        KAT      Inverhaven City        3               1               
  19       M          Elmer Spears        16    M        KAT      Axmund City            1               0               
  20       F          Jaxxon Johns        23    M        KAT      Axmund United          2               0               
  21       F          Brigitte Ball       19    F        KAT      Penntop FC             1               0               
  22       F          Clay Marsh          16    M        KAT      Axmund United          1               1               
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Katzeburg]

Katzeburg announce inaugural manager for national team

By Otis Huffman

KATZESTADT, Katzeburg - The Katzeburg Football Federation (KFF) have appointed Becka Haberkorn as the first ever manager of the country’s national team.

The 52-year-old Inverhaven local has been given a contract through to the end of the World Cup 97 cycle, with a potential for extension should the national team hit certain milestones in its debut international run.

Announcing the appointment at a press conference at the Katzeburgian national stadium, Katzestadt Arena, chairman of the KFF Brennan Kerr said the appointment marks a big step towards the legitimisation of the national team.

“Today marks a historic day in our journey towards a Katzeburgian national team we can all be proud of. While having no professional experience, Becka has distinguished herself as a natural leader through her role in the Inverhaven industrial leagues.

“There is no doubt she will have a lot to do to bring the national setup up to scratch, but we look forward to seeing how the team performs on the international stage, and we look forward to seeing her decide on our nation’s first ever international lineup.”

Haberkorn has spent the last few years as a significant manager within the casual workers league in Inverhaven, guiding the South Inverhaven Shipbuilders to a third successive local title in the season just gone.

She said: “I am under no impressions that this will be an easy job - with an upstart national league just around the corner, I imagine many more will be better suited to this job than I will come next cycle!

“That being said though, it is an incredible honour to lead the first ever Katzeburgian national team and I would like to thank the Federation for their confidence in me to lead this team. This team can become one of the greats, and while it may not happen today or tomorrow, if we can get the right process in place, we can build something truly amazing.”

‘Couldn’t have picked someone better’ - Reaction to Haberkorn’s appointment

Reaction to the national team’s first manager has been generally supportive, with most realising the team’s chances of success will be mostly an uphill battle in the short term with no real national setup in place.

“She’s a great pick, they couldn’t have picked someone better,” said Inverhaven shipbuilder Doug Adams. “Her team was on fire this past season in the local competition, and although there were a couple of hiccups - that 8-0 thrashing by Inverhaven Toddlers springs to mind - there’s no doubt in my mind she’ll lead the national team to great things.”

However, while the appointment has gone down well in the city of Inverhaven, reactions are more mixed across the country.

“This appointment shows a huge lack of footballing knowledge in place at the Federation,” rants Axmund barber Jonas Hectormann. “Inverhaven’s local sides have a reputation for closing up shop and playing disgusting, defensive football - if Haberkorn brings that to the national team, we have no hope of making a positive start.”

“It’s an alright appointment, but let’s be honest - who else could they have picked?” said Katzestadt mechanic Brooke Matters. “We have no national league as of yet, no professional experience, and no well-known players. Haberkorn is basically going to be a scapegoat until we get someone better in who can draw from a wider network.”

“I’m sorry, but who is Becka Haberkorn?” questioned Konigpool doctor Cody Hummelt. “And what do you mean, Katzeburg has a national football team?”

Do you have an opinion on Katzeburg’s new manager? Share your thoughts with KBC News via telegram or by emailing katzeburg@kbc.co.kat

[Katzeburg]

Katzeburg National League to kick off in coming weeks

By Soren Howe

An enterprising group of Katzeburgian business owners have agreed upon the formation and organisation of the nation’s first domestic football league.

A group of 15 prominent business operators in the North Katzeburgian economy headed by publishing magnate (Ed Note: And owner of this publication, The Katzestadt Times) Andrew Brachentauer have announced the formation of the Katzeburgian National League (KNL) following a meeting at the Black Cat inn in the cities east.

The league will look to not only feed domestic players into the Katzeburgian national setup, which recently appointed Brecka Haberkorn as the inaugural manager, but provide pathways for Katzeburgian clubs to participate on the international stage.

The first season of the league will see 14 clubs take part in the competition, with all clubs coming from the strong industrial region in the north of the nation and the nation’s capital and surrounding towns.


Above: The Black Cat pub where the agreement to organise a national league was finalised, is now a historic monument to Katzeburgian football. (OOC Note: Image is AI-Generated).

“This is a landmark moment for football in the nation of Katzeburg,” said Brachentauer. “A domestic league is vital to the long-term success of our national side and growth of the sport as a whole.

“We will certainly look to welcome clubs from other parts of the nation as we grow over time, but by building the league in the areas where there is the most passionate support to begin with, we can ensure a safe, stable, and consistent interest in the game.”

The major cities of Katzestadt, Inverhaven, and Axmund will make up a large chunk of the league, with two clubs coming from each of these three cities, providing early onlookers with some scope for local rivalries.

Alongside the formation of a league, a national cup has also been created. The KNL has highlighted this competition will be a strict knockout basis with no seeding, but reserve the right to develop this further as more clubs enter.

The initial running of the cup, which will run alongside the KNL’s debut season, will feature all 14 teams plus the winners of the most recent local seasons in Inverhaven (South Inverhaven Shipbuilders) and Katzestadt (Katzestadt Bankers), with plans to open this up for teams outside of the division further beyond the first competition.

Bookmakers have been quick to offer odds for the start-up competition, with the two sides from Katzestadt predicted to be the frontrunners, despite not knowing the full strength of their squads as of yet.

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 1
PREVIEWS - PART 1

Axmund City

City: Axmund
Stadium: Maplewood Park, 11,000
Nickname: The Lumberjacks
Manager: Val Johns (56)
Style of Play: High-pressing, attacking football
Predicted Finish: 8th
Captain: Deena Knepp
Key Player: Lambert Niles
Hot Prospect: Elmer Spears

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Osbert Kundert      24  M   KAT
2   LB  Mandi Christinsen   29  F   KAT
3   CB  Deena Knepp (C)     28  F   KAT
4   CB  Jeffery Siddall     27  M   KAT
5   RB  Loretta Simmons     20  F   KAT
6   LM  Channing Harrell    28  M   KAT
7   CM  Elmer Spears        16  M   KAT
8   CM  Arne Christian      25  M   KAT
9   RM  Sydnei Eason        20  F   KAT
10  ST  Lambert Niles       29  M   KAT
11  ST  Lynette Farran      29  F   KAT

12  GK  Bambi Masters       18  F   KAT
13  GK  Egypt Nye           29  M   KAT
14  LB  Helmut Doctor       30  M   KAT
15  CB  Kenzie Austin       25  F   KAT
16  RB  Lane Swift          23  M   KAT
17  LM  Kipling Cowden      30  M   KAT
18  CM  Carter Hummel       26  M   KAT
19  RM  Angus Schultheiss   22  M   KAT
20  ST  Jim Elmer           18  M   KAT
21  ST  Peers Savage        24  M   KAT
22  ST  Astor Wilmer        27  M   KAT

History: Axmund, given its position close to one of the largest forests in the nation, has a long history of logging - which forms one of the city’s major industries. Born out of the casual worker teams run out of the logging camps on the city outskirts which built up over recent years as football took hold, Axmund City has the initial advantage in the area compared to its cross-city counterparts.

Manager Val Johns, who quit his position as a logging camp logistics manager to take the reins of the team, has developed a style of high-pressing football built off a literally strong foundation - with players subjected to long training sessions of lugging logs up and down the pitch to build fitness and strength.

Who To Watch: The Lumberjacks have pulled together a squad mostly built from those working in the logging camps for the initial season, resulting in a squad which has a mostly older first team than the rest of the league. Defender Deena Knepp has been given the armband for the first season, with her calm and cool demeanour having scope to prove useful in diffusing tensions on field.

Forward Lambert Niles will be looked to for goals, having led the local leagues goalscoring chart last season, while midfielder Elmer Spears is one for fans to look to as a key player for the future - having already broken into the starting XI at just 16 years of age.

Outlook: With a team focusing on strength and consistency, Axmund City will be looking to build good foundations for the future, but whether a group of literal lumberjacks can do it on the national stage remains to be seen.

---

Axmund United

City: Axmund
Stadium: Oakwood Road, 9,500
Nickname: The Eagles
Manager: Ronnette Wayne (47)
Style of Play: Cautiously attacking
Predicted Finish: 7th
Captain: Emery Nelson
Key Player: Jaxxon Johns
Hot Prospect: Clay Marsh

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Sage Head           17  F   KAT
2   LB  Foster Hudson       26  M   KAT
3   CB  Pauline Kunze       24  F   KAT
4   CB  Ashton Kaufer       17  M   KAT
5   RB  Adelheid Gerig      26  F   KAT
6   CDM Araminta Seward     26  F   KAT
7   CM  Emery Nelson (C)    33  F   KAT
8   CM  Royce Earls         22  M   KAT
9   CAM Gresham Steube      32  M   KAT
10  ST  Jaxxon Johns        23  M   KAT
11  ST  Clay Marsh          16  M   KAT

12  GK  Sylvia Lafrenz      17  F   KAT
13  GK  McKinley Parkins    23  F   KAT
14  LB  Beat Wagner         23  M   KAT
15  CB  Beatrix Norman      22  F   KAT
16  RB  Bobbie Gray         26  M   KAT
17  CDM Gladys Lang         20  F   KAT
18  CM  Merit Meyer         23  F   KAT
19  CAM Dalton Loewe        28  M   KAT
20  ST  Melissa Ohme        31  F   KAT
21  ST  Elvin Greenberg     19  M   KAT
22  ST  Malcolm Preston     26  M   KAT

History: Axmund’s burgeoning counterculture scene has only been intensified by the rise of football as a sport of national importance and interest, with a group of the city’s hobby store owners wanting to break away from the accepted norm of following Axmund City to provide an alternative club for locals to back.

Manager Ronnette Wayne is in control of the team as a part-time manager, running training sessions with the squad between Cards of Masteria competitions at her own store Cards N’More - this means the squad has a lot of free time together waiting for training to start, which has led to tight bonds forming within the squad.

Who To Watch: The Eagles have a tight squad with a lot of young players making their way into the starting lineup, with 16-year-old forward Clay Marsh expected to start up top alongside burgeoning young talent Jaxxon Johns in what could prove to be an explosive striking duo.

Midfielder Emery Nelson takes up the armband as the eldest player in the squad - at 33, she will be looking to lead the squad through a tough debut season and is expecting to provide a slight bit of guidance to those younger players looking to make a splash in the side.

Outlook: With one of the younger sides in the league, Axmund United’s sole focus is finishing above their local rivals - and with a team looking to play it safe, they might just do enough to sneak ahead.

---

Avonsend United

City: Avonsend
Stadium: Riverside Grounds, 6,000
Nickname: The River Rats
Manager: Lavender Shirley (50)
Style of Play: Bus-parking counter-attack.
Predicted Finish: 10th
Captain: Andrew Sigourney
Key Player: Reinhold Beringer
Hot Prospect: Roman Becke

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Roman Becke         19  M   KAT
2   LB  Andrew Sigourney (C)34  M   KAT
3   CB  Londyn Bronson      26  F   KAT
4   CB  Meridith Rosenfeld  20  F   KAT
5   RB  Bellamy Mueller     20  M   KAT
6   LM  Helmfried Volk      19  M   KAT
7   CM  Marvyn Keen         34  M   KAT
8   CM  Jonas Wild          20  M   KAT
9   RM  David Broadbent     24  M   KAT
10  ST  Reed Bosch          22  M   KAT
11  ST  Reinhold Beringer   31  M   KAT

12  GK  Connie Barnes       33  F   KAT
13  GK  Casimir Fairchild   33  M   KAT
14  LB  Shantelle Daniels   33  F   KAT
15  CB  Fae Dean            19  F   KAT
16  RB  Ralphie Allsopp     30  M   KAT
17  LM  Lavena Parish       27  F   KAT
18  CM  Benjy Braddock      24  M   KAT
19  RM  Matilda Parker      30  F   KAT
20  ST  Sibylla Hobbes      16  F   KAT
21  ST  Tiffani Kuchler     19  F   KAT
22  ST  Jaye Behrend        30  M   KAT

History: At the tail end of one of Katzeburg’s largest rivers, the Cuomo, Avonsend is often regarded as a bit of a backwater compared to its rivals of Katzestadt and Wolfenholm further up-river. However, those who live in Avonsend are incredibly proud of the town and what it has to offer (which according to the most recent national census is the highest amount of sugar intake per household and the most second-hand vinyl stores in the nation).

Manager Lavender Shirley leads the team in its debut season after being the last one to say ‘not it’ at the club’s first AGM, and has been working with the club in its early days to develop a strong defensive style of play, one which aims to defined the River Rats’ goal as much as locals defend the town.

Who To Watch: Avonsend has an older squad compared to much of the league, with club captain Andrew Signourney leading the backline at the age of 34 one of three players over 30 in the starting lineup. Star striker Reinhold Beringer is another of those over-30s, but with a niggling knee injury picked up after diving into the River Cuomo as a youth, his minutes may be questioned over the long season.

On the younger side, 19-year-old Roman Becke sits between the sticks for Avonsend, with rumours the national team setup is already ear-marking him as a long-term Katzeburgian number one.

Outlook: While Avonsend have a passionate fanbase which will no doubt support the side through thick and thin, the clubs first season in a national league may be a long one with a lot of suffering on the cards should the team not gel quickly.

---

Barenwold FC

City: Barenwold
Stadium: Beacon Lane, 8,500
Nickname: The Bears
Manager: Harley Watson (52)
Style of Play: Cautiously defensive
Predicted Finish: 5th
Captain: Raymond Rose
Key Player: Tilman Cummings
Hot Prospect: Katharine Howland

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Raymond Rose (C)    31  M   KAT
2   LB  Katharine Howland   17  F   KAT
3   CB  Sid Twist           18  M   KAT
4   CB  Lou Hauer           30  M   KAT
5   RB  Theo Bryant         18  M   KAT
6   LM  Missy Siegel        27  F   KAT
7   CM  Tilman Cummings     34  M   KAT
8   CM  Laurence Irwin      26  M   KAT
9   RM  Valentin Michaelson 24  M   KAT
10  ST  Serena Bissette     19  F   KAT
11  ST  Danita Bannerman    21  F   KAT

12  GK  Neville Schirmer    26  M   KAT
13  GK  Caryn Duerr         34  F   KAT
14  LB  Edie Ewart          24  F   KAT
15  CB  Presley Schultze    18  M   KAT
16  RB  Adalynn Tinker      29  F   KAT
17  LM  Adelle Presley      17  F   KAT
18  CM  Maynerd Hepburn     30  M   KAT
19  RM  Keira Herman        24  F   KAT
20  ST  Keri Fyre           28  F   KAT
21  ST  Kester Fuchs        17  M   KAT
22  ST  Levi Danniell       28  M   KAT

History: Just south of the nation’s capital Katzestadt sits Barenwold, a rather affluent town which sits in commuting distance from the capital’s main financial district. With a strong backing from the town’s IT sector, the Bears have gone heavy on assembling a squad built on data first and foremost to win the league through what other fans consider the most boring way - maths.

Manager Harley Watson has been given the role after being the first person to assemble a good enough code to rank the other teams in the league, and will be looking to bring his analytical and cautious method of coding to the field through his tactical outlay.

Who To Watch: Barenwold’s squad is a rather mixed one, with pairings meticulously rationalised based on pre-season training data. Captain Raymond Rose leads the side from the goalmouth, while midfielder Tilman Cummings, 34 years old and only a part of the side following weeks of begging from the Barenwold board, will be looked to as the creative powerhouse in the middle of the park.

Meanwhile, Katharine Howland is projected by Watson’s data as a long-term cornerstone of the club's success, with the 17-year-old defender rushed into the first XI.

Outlook: By Watson’s own data, Barenwold are projected to do better than some of the sides from Katzeburg’s major cities - while the Bears are likely to do well with a strong mixed squad and a considered manner of play, they might not do enough to sit atop the league come the end of the season.

---

Blubeck FC

City: Blubeck
Stadium: Bluebell Park, 5,500
Nickname: The Storm
Manager: Sloane Muller (53)
Style of Play: Cautiously attacking wing-play
Predicted Finish: 12th
Captain: Jupp Causer
Key Player: Eglantine Hodson
Hot Prospect: Sonja Daubney

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Romilly Lindsay     18  F   KAT
2   LB  Nelson Layton       22  M   KAT
3   CB  Brittani Fries      24  F   KAT
4   CB  Jupp Causer (C)     33  M   KAT
5   RB  Alex Wahner         32  M   KAT
6   CM  Silvester Causey    16  M   KAT
7   CM  Davena Jones        31  F   KAT
8   LW  Donnie Davidson     19  M   KAT
9   RW  Eglantine Hodson    25  F   KAT
10  ST Norman Buchholz      20  M   KAT
11  ST  Sonja Daubney       16  F   KAT

12  GK  Lia Read            22  F   KAT
13  GK  Donna Beckenbauer   25  F   KAT
14  LB  Abegail Norris      34  F   KAT
15  CB  Rigby Friedrich     33  M   KAT
16  RB  Newton York         19  M   KAT
17  LW  Eppie Read          34  F   KAT
18  CM  Martie Major        24  M   KAT
19  RW  Drake Hayter        20  M   KAT
20  ST  Lorayne Belcher     22  F   KAT
21  ST  Gail Love           34  F   KAT
22  ST  Earl Stainthorpe    32  M   KAT

History: Sitting at one of the most northern points of the Katzeburgian mainland, Blubeck is a small seaside town famed for its tourist attractions, including the nationally-renowned Blubeck Lighthouse. Looking to shore up tourist numbers during the off-season, the club was formed for the sole purpose of giving tourists a reason to visit Blubeck’s Promenade, with Bluebell Park sitting at the edge of the Lighthouse grounds.

Manager Sloane Muller takes charge on a part-time basis, already drawing some ire from Storm supporters for opting to take extra shifts at her Waterfront Arcade rather than lead training sessions.

Who To Watch: Blubeck’s players are determined to not just be here to make up the numbers, with defender Jupp Causer taking the armband and ruling with a passionate (if not occasionally too aggressive) fist. Meanwhile, the club has a real talent in midfielder Eglantine Hodson, with the 25-year-old impressing in pre-season kickabouts on the Blubeck shore.

In the front line, 16-year-old Sonja Daubney is being trusted to produce goals ahead of some older, more collected strikers in what is the big question mark of Muller’s selection heading into the season.

Outlook: Blubeck will be determined to avoid being the laughing stock of the league, but with a manager who has not really checked into the club yet and a lot of pressure being piled on some of the squad’s younger players, the Storm may crack under the pressure.

---

Inverhaven City

City: Inverhaven
Stadium: Anchor Field, 12,000
Nickname: The Dockers
Manager: Jenna Forest (58)
Style of Play: Well-balanced
Predicted Finish: 4th
Captain: Owen Levitt
Key Player: Meriel Arkwright
Hot Prospect: Erik Clarkson

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Geffrey Queen       21  M   KAT
2   LB  Owen Levitt (C)     34  M   KAT
3   CB  Erik Clarkson       18  M   KAT
4   CB  Erick Huxtable      29  M   KAT
5   RB  Selina Gold         31  F   KAT
6   LM  Davie Cook          25  M   KAT
7   CM  Rebeckah Dukes      23  F   KAT
8   CM  Archer Martinson    19  M   KAT
9   RM  Meriel Arkwright    24  F   KAT
10  ST Wilkie Schindler     25  M   KAT
11  ST  Lori Pilgrim        25  F   KAT

12  GK  Bronwyn Stuck       19  F   KAT
13  GK  Maynard Dallas      32  M   KAT
14  LB  Thom Bennington     26  M   KAT
15  CB  Lesia Hennig        23  F   KAT
16  RB  Ezekiel Hodges      16  M   KAT
17  LM  Gwendolyn Durr      17  F   KAT
18  CM  Kevin Dohman        18  M   KAT
19  RM  Rylie Howard        30  M   KAT
20  ST  Willoughby Tash     17  F   KAT
21  ST  Cherokee Thomas     25  F   KAT
22  ST  Napoleon Dresdner   23  M   KAT

History: Inverhaven is Katzeburg’s industrial heartland - sitting on the banks of the River Cuomo and opening out to the ocean, the city is as blue-collar as you can get in Katzeburg. Inverhaven City represents this rich industrial background, with the club born out of the casual teams of dockworkers who would participate in the local league (albeit with little success).

Backed by the city’s private dock companies, Inverhaven City has a bit of a leg up compared to their city rivals, with manager Jenna Forest poached from the Workers in a last-minute deal which has caused quite a stir in the city before a ball has even been kicked.

Who To Watch: The Dockers have pulled together an incredibly young squad built off a strong defensive foundation which is led by club captain Owen Levitt. Partnering him in the center of the defence is Erik Clarkson, one of the standout youth players given the nod following a positive pre-season.

Midfielder Meriel Arkwright will be the one expected to pull the strings in the middle of the park, but some inside the club are already worrying that her quick rise to temper on the field may cause some issues over a longer domestic season.

Outlook: Inverhaven City are going to be one of the early favourites for the title with a strong squad and arguably the best financial backing outside of the capital, but some of the off-field drama bubbling before the season starts could threaten to derail a promising debut season.

---

Inverhaven Ironworks

City: Inverhaven
Stadium: Factory Grounds, 7,000
Nickname: The Workers
Manager: Linton Rounds (48)
Style of Play: Very Defensive, Route-One football
Predicted Finish: 6th
Captain: McKinley Clinton
Key Player: Joachim Newell
Hot Prospect: Leith Coburn

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  McKinley Clinton (C)32  F   KAT
2   LB  Betsy Terry         20  F   KAT
3   CB  Jerrold Dallas      23  M   KAT
4   CB  Winton Burgstaller  23  M   KAT
5   RB  Romilly Ackermann   19  M   KAT
6   LM  Carson Randell      21  F   KAT
7   CM  Jessika Dietrich    33  F   KAT
8   CM  Joachim Newell      21  M   KAT
9   RM  Prunella Haines     21  F   KAT
10  ST Gracelyn Jaeger      19  F   KAT
11  ST  Leith Coburn        17  F   KAT

12  GK  Branson Chance      33  M   KAT
13  GK  Boris Greene        28  M   KAT
14  LB  Amberlynn Schultz   21  F   KAT
15  CB  Katee Wirth         21  F   KAT
16  RB  Malani Glass        23  F   KAT
17  LM  Deryck Stumpf       30  M   KAT
18  CM  Rudolph Bennet      17  M   KAT
19  RM  Samson Burrell      28  M   KAT
20  ST  Kennith Joseph      19  M   KAT
21  ST  Lila Boesch         32  F   KAT
22  ST  Micha Kelsey        30  M   KAT

History: Situated less than two kilometres from Inverhaven City’s Anchor Field sits the Factory Grounds, a field tacked onto the side of the Inverhaven Iron Company. Owned and operated by the Ironworks company management, the club is seen as a way to raise company morale and distract the workers from the gutting of their benefits.

Manager Linton Rounds is a very late appointment after Jenna Forest was poached by their cross-town rivals, with Rounds forced to implement a very defensive setup due to being unable to get his team playing his style of football in the short turnaround before the start of the season.

Who To Watch: The Workers squad has been plucked entirely from its current staff of the Iron Company, with many familiar to supporters of the Ironworks local league team before the formation of a national league. McKinley Clinton takes the armband and will lead from the goal, having previously been the captain of the local league side. Meanwhile Joachim Newell, an assistant manager from the south plant’s bending production line, is one to keep an eye on in the midfield where his leadership qualities may come into play.

Forward Leith Coburn is the youngest of the squad at just 17 years of age, with the head office assistant-to-the-assistant-accountant projected to make the starting squad after impressing the higher-ups in pre-season.

Outlook: Inverhaven Ironworks have one aim on their mind - beat the Dockers. Anything more than that and a mid-table finish will be regarded as a really successful season for the Workers.

---

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 1
PREVIEWS - PART 2

Katzestadt AFC

City: Katzestadt
Stadium: Katzestadt Arena, 20,000
Nickname: The Royals
Manager: Jim Krantz (41)
Style of Play: High-possession attacking football
Predicted Finish: 1st
Captain: Gideon Wilkins
Key Player: Lloyd Field
Hot Prospect: Serena Plank

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Ry Whinery          26  F   KAT
2   LB  Laurence Herman     21  M   KAT
3   CB  Julian Weekes       32  M   KAT
4   CB  Gideon Wilkins (C)  30  M   KAT
5   RB  Cale Fux            19  M   KAT
6   LM  Phillipa Wahner     28  F   KAT
7   CM  Desiree Lynton      16  F   KAT
8   CM  Stacey Coleman      33  F   KAT
9   RM  Serena Plank        17  F   KAT
10  ST  Lloyd Field         24  M   KAT
11  ST  Lavena Kneib        28  F   KAT

12  GK  Harry Ott           23  M   KAT
13  GK  Brannon Niles       27  M   KAT
14  LB  Dawson Lacey        29  F   KAT
15  CB  Manley Wang         25  M   KAT
16  RB  Davida Wendell      29  F   KAT
17  LM  Casimir White       23  M   KAT
18  CM  Jakki Newport       29  F   KAT
19  RM  Isador Short        25  F   KAT
20  ST  Kierra Hunnisett    29  F   KAT
21  ST  Wes Layton          23  M   KAT
22  ST  Madilyn Tuff        28  F   KAT

History: Playing out of the Katzeburgian national stadium in the nation’s capital, Katzestadt AFC are a club which is already appointing themselves as the ‘anointed ones’ when it comes to the league. Backed by the Baren Financial Group, a collection of banks which are all headquartered in the Katzestadt financial district, the Royals have the cash to splash around should they need it.

Manager Jim Krantz, a financial analyst by day and football historian by night, will take charge of the side in its debut season, shaping the team to play high possession and attacking football to hopefully bring fans on side as well, with many Katzestadtians struggling to get behind a club looking to just buy their way to success.

Who To Watch: The Royals have a talented squad, most likely the best squad in the nation at the moment, anchored by captain Gideon Wilkins in the backline and supported by former Katzeburgian 100m sprint record-holder Lloyd Field in the frontline, with Field’s pace expected to cause shocks to many a defence.

Midfielder Serena Plank has been impressing the BFG directors in pre-season, with the 17-year-old already being pencilled in for a big international sale and ROI should she have a breakout season like the club is expecting.

Outlook: Katzestadt AFC are the odds-on favourites to lift the trophy come the final matchday, with a strong squad and attractive playing style to boot. However, with high expectations comes high pressure, and a slow start could see drastic changes kick in.

---

Katzestadt Rovers

City: Katzestadt
Stadium: Bramblewood Park, 16,000
Nickname: The Rovers
Manager: Eugene Phillips (42)
Style of Play: Plentiful passing and wing-play
Predicted Finish: 2nd
Captain: Drake Wruck
Key Player: Heilwig Courtney
Hot Prospect: Elicia Morton

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Julianne Spooner    21  F   KAT
2   LB  Clarice Merchant    26  F   KAT
3   CB  Lex Dreschner       27  M   KAT
4   CB  Elicia Morton       18  F   KAT
5   RB  Faithe Colbert      27  F   KAT
6   LW  Vera Horsfall       29  F   KAT
7   CM  Heilwig Courtney    25  F   KAT
8   CM  Wright Kuhn         19  M   KAT
9   RW  Colin Benjaminson   21  M   KAT
10  ST  Lacie Armistead     30  F   KAT
11  ST  Drake Wruck (C)     30  M   KAT

12  GK  Taryn Messer        28  F   KAT
13  GK  Julyan Gully        26  M   KAT
14  LB  Shana Haynes        17  F   KAT
15  CB  Sinclair Good       31  M   KAT
16  RB  Lynda Wilkie        30  F   KAT
17  LW  Sally Geiszler      17  F   KAT
18  CM  Traci Holt          22  F   KAT
19  RW  Hannes Cason        16  M   KAT
20  ST  Bettie Kidd         21  F   KAT
21  ST  Dusty Earls         21  M   KAT
22  ST  Adi Kuchler         27  M   KAT

History: On the other side of the Katzeburgian capital city sits the Rovers, a fan-owned community club which was born out of a desire to bring positive football and an alternative to the wealth-backed Royals to Katzestadt. The board has already directed more funds into the club’s off-field work rather than its on-field squad, resulting in a fanbase which is passionate and supportive of the club’s presence in the community.

Manager Eugene Phillips, a social worker who played a bit of casual football overseas before moving back to Katzeburg a few years ago, was democratically voted club manager at the Rovers AGM, receiving 74.5% of the vote.

Who To Watch: The Rovers have built a squad which is incredibly well-rounded and also one which is looking to share the load over the course of the domestic season, meaning no real starting XI has been formulated as of yet. However, it is likely club captain Drake Wruck will lead the frontline, with the 30-year-old elected through a squad vote.

Midfielder Heilwig Courtney is regarded within the squad as a standout voice, not just thanks to her volunteering work at the Rovers’ educational outreach programme, but also due to her technical prowess, while defender Elicia Morton at just 18 is one of the younger names to look out for in the squad due to possessing a calmer head than many twice her age.

Outlook: Katzestadt Rovers have the pull of being in the nation’s capital and a swelling of goodwill behind them ahead of kickoff, but the lack of a strong financial commitment on pitch may hinder them in the future.

---

Littleport AFC

City: Littleport
Stadium: Windward Park, 7,500
Nickname: The Reds
Manager: Dion Jennings (50)
Style of Play: Stretching Wing-play
Predicted Finish: 14th
Captain: Trish Slusser
Key Player: Millard Kastner
Hot Prospect: Walton Hershey

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Fae Leon            26  F   KAT
2   LB  Olyvia Sommer       27  F   KAT
3   CB  Trish Slusser (C)   34  F   KAT
4   CB  Millard Kastner     34  M   KAT
5   RB  Lorin Butts         32  F   KAT
6   CM  Shelagh Frei        26  F   KAT
7   LW  Gregor Sessions     27  M   KAT
8   CAM Deacon Winslow      27  M   KAT
9   RW  Angela Windsor      25  F   KAT
10  ST  Walton Hershey      18  M   KAT
11  ST  Drake Martel        27  M   KAT

12  GK  Rhetta Shearer      19  F   KAT
13  GK  Felicie Behrend     33  F   KAT
14  LB  Amayah Griffiths    22  F   KAT
15  CB  Lon Cox             17  M   KAT
16  RB  Benjamin Gore       31  M   KAT
17  LW  Joetta Hildebrand   27  F   KAT
18  CM  Darlene Steed       28  F   KAT
19  RW  Brandt Godfrey      18  M   KAT
20  ST  Esmaralda Bowers    26  F   KAT
21  ST  Royce Ingham        32  M   KAT
22  ST  Violet Forstner     21  F   KAT

History: A small industrial port town, Littleport was historically used as the equivalent of overflow parking for ships looking to dock at Inverhaven. However, with the town’s location on the wrong side of the water from the industrial city - along with continued development of the Inverhaven waterfront - Littleport has seen less economic activity and many say its best days are behind it.

As a result, the Reds - managed by town mayor Dion Jennings - has been formed as an act of desperation, with the hope football is enough to draw more eyes and barins into the town.

Who To Watch: The Reds have struggled to pull together a squad built for the long term - at an average age of 26.2, the team is easily the eldest in the league, with club captain Trish Slusser and key player Millard Kastner both expected to lead the backline at the age of 34.

18-year-old forward Walton Hershey is the only player under the age of 25 in the starting XI, and while local fans will say this means the team has experience, critics highlight the sluggish pace of the squad at odds with how Jennings wants them to play.

Outlook: Littleport aren’t expected to pull up any stumps, and while they may struggle, fans will be optimistic that any spark in form may help bring the town back to its former glory.

---

Penntop FC

City: Penntop
Stadium: Treetop Terrace, 8,000
Nickname: The Lions
Manager: Barbra Akers (64)
Style of Play: High press, counter-attacking football
Predicted Finish: 9th
Captain: Huxley Trueman
Key Player: Brigitte Ball
Hot Prospect: Babe Barr

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Huxley Trueman (C)  32  M   KAT
2   LB  Tayler Cooke        24  F   KAT
3   CB  Kingsley West       19  M   KAT
4   CB  Casimir Thorburn    18  M   KAT
5   RB  Truman Gump         26  M   KAT
6   LM  Emmett Garner       23  M   KAT
7   CM  Babe Barr           16  F   KAT
8   CM  Kim Paget           17  F   KAT
9   RM  Journee Atwood      23  F   KAT
10  ST  Brigitte Ball       19  F   KAT
11  ST  Jojo Behrens        17  M   KAT

12  GK  Kasey Victors       32  M   KAT
13  GK  Marylu Howard       27  F   KAT
14  LB  Jeffrey Lucas       33  M   KAT
15  CB  Emalee Quickly      24  F   KAT
16  RB  Alisya Bishop       29  F   KAT
17  LM  Urban Bridges       20  M   KAT
18  CM  Simonette Trueman   17  F   KAT
19  RM  Montgomery Straub   20  M   KAT
20  ST  Rhetta Jans         23  F   KAT
21  ST  Carl Strobel        22  M   KAT
22  ST  Malaysia Mallory    25  F   KAT

History: Situated on the edge of the Campbellnia National Park in the nation’s north-east and a short distance from logging city Axmund, Penntop is where the upper-class of the city’s industry reside, opting to relish in the lush woods and greenery the region provides.

The local club, formed solely to keep the city-dwellers in nearby Axmund in check, has garnered a bit of a reputation as the ‘hipster’s choice’ for anyone looking to start following the league outside their local - down solely to the fact the league’s eldest manager, Barbra Akers, has built the youngest squad with room to grow.

Who To Watch: At an average squad age of 22.9, the Lions are the youngest team in the league by some margin, with 31-year-old club captain and keeper Huxley Trueman the elder statesman of the side. Six of the starting XI are under the age of 20, with 19-year-old forward Brigitte Ball the leading light of the side thanks in part to her pace and ability to hit volleys in from range.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Babe Barr looks to be a key player for the future, with the midfielder being touted as the best product to come out of all three north-east teams.

Outlook: Penntop are a side that could be pure chaos. With a young squad, the experience might not be there to get them up the table, but the raw talent might be enough to cause a few upsets.

---

Refeld FC

City: Refeld
Stadium: Orchard Meadow, 4,500
Nickname: The Farmers
Manager: Sheena Bateson (40)
Style of Play: Ultra-defensive Route One football
Predicted Finish: 11th
Captain: Rafe Stevenson
Key Player: Evelyn Christian
Hot Prospect: Callan Everill

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Jim Comstock        19  M   KAT
2   LB  Ernst Grosser       17  M   KAT
3   CB  Prudence Boon       19  F   KAT
4   CB  Jessika Short       20  F   KAT
5   RB  Callan Everill      17  M   KAT
6   LM  Kyrie Hirschel      31  F   KAT
7   CM  Evelyn Christian    20  F   KAT
8   CM  Rafe Stevenson (C)  30  M   KAT
9   RM  Sukie Sexton        19  F   KAT
10  ST  Salena Washington   20  F   KAT
11  ST  Warren Triggs       23  M   KAT

12  GK  Hildred Jacobson    26  F   KAT
13  GK  Auston Stevens      30  M   KAT
14  LB  Diana Farnham       19  F   KAT
15  CB  Serrena Cokes       32  F   KAT
16  RB  Presley Wheeler     16  F   KAT
17  LM  Roosevelt Oelberg   20  M   KAT
18  CM  Finnley Mallory     24  M   KAT
19  RM  Ursula Wirth        26  F   KAT
20  ST  Teddy Hobbes        20  M   KAT
21  ST  Ansley Fry          32  F   KAT
22  ST  Gereon Hayward      31  M   KAT

History: Sitting on the northern plains is Refeld, a small Katzeburgian farming community which prides itself on two things - growing oranges, and growing a strong sense of local togetherness through activities. While many visit the town for its annual orange harvest festival - where sculptures of Katzeburg’s rich and famous are made with stuck together oranges - the town council has opted to fund a local team with a view of giving the town’s citizens more than something once a year to get excited about.

Sheena Bateson, an orange farmer who donated the club’s ground out of her own acreage, leads the side in its maiden campaign, building out a side who are focused on keeping scores low and the team tight.

Who To Watch: With only two players in the starting XI over the age of 30, Refeld has a young squad plucked from the various fields around the town. Captain Rafe Stevenson will be the core anchor in the midfield alongside key player Evelyn Christian, who has been practising her heading ahead of the season through heading oranges into her parents’ farm’s juicer.

Callan Everill in the defence is being touted as a young Farmer with bags of potential and with a playing style which suits his role as a ball-playing defender, Everill might be able to shine quite quickly in the new league.

Outlook: Refeld are one of the smaller sides in the league and with a very defensive setup, it's unlikely they will be able to make a title push. But with a young squad, they should be able to knock together a few wins which keeps them away from the bottom.

---

Shorham FC

City: Shorham
Stadium: Ocean Avenue, 6,500
Nickname: The Tourists
Manager: Regine Pabst (44)
Style of Play: Tiki Taka Possessive football
Predicted Finish: 13th
Captain: Eden Avery
Key Player: Payton Sommer
Hot Prospect: Petra Moores

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Payton Sommer       25  M   KAT
2   LB  Eden Avery (C)      32  F   KAT
3   CB  Katy Fenwick        22  F   KAT
4   CB  Farrell Unkle       24  M   KAT
5   RB  Conway Dorsey       31  M   KAT
6   LM  Fisher Hilton       19  M   KAT
7   CM  Petra Moores        16  F   KAT
8   CM  Jase Dreher         34  M   KAT
9   RM  Pamila Daubney      17  F   KAT
10  ST  Marlon Wilkerson    30  M   KAT
11  ST  Denny Hobbs         25  M   KAT

12  GK  Lessie Martins      19  F   KAT
13  GK  Dwain Hailey        34  M   KAT
14  LB  Wilfried Paden      23  M   KAT
15  CB  Dyson Christinsen   23  M   KAT
16  RB  Richard Garret      24  M   KAT
17  LM  Lynda Kastner       30  F   KAT
18  CM  Wilburn Sommer      19  M   KAT
19  RM  Henning Acker       25  M   KAT
20  ST  Summer Falkner      20  F   KAT
21  ST  Brody Phillips      18  M   KAT
22  ST  Elea Bauer          30  F   KAT

History: Around halfway along the major trunk road which runs up the coast from Inverhaven to Blubeck sits Shorham, a seaside town which often acts as the getaway hotspot for those in nearby Inverhaven looking for a bit of sun, sand, and surf. The town’s major employer Padding Leisure - which owns three holiday parks in and around the town - are the major backers of the team, with a view to encouraging more people to visit the town ahead of its coastal rival Blubeck.

Manager Regine Pabst will be in charge of the side, taking the role after successfully running a summer football camp at Coastal Tides, the largest of the three holiday parks in Shorham.

Who To Watch: Attractive football is the name of the game for Shorham, with club captain Eden Avery keen on helping build that culture from the backline, a shared vision with key player and starting keeper Payton Sommer - whose acrobatic saves and leaps built up from summer diving classes drawing many an admirer.

At just 16 years of age, midfielder Petra Moores is one who has broken into the team looking wise beyond her years, but a lack of natural stamina may mean she could drop to a key sub should she fail to get off to a good start.

Outlook: Shorham have a lot to like - a nice ground with marvellous views of the ocean, a desire to play attractive, attacking football, and free entry to the Coastal Tides breakfast buffet on matchdays - but whether they can match it on the field with their competitors is another question altogether.

---

Wolfenholm United

City: Wolfenholm
Stadium: Ivy Lane, 10,000
Nickname: The Wolves
Manager: Rayner Outterridge (44)
Style of Play: Aggressive, but well-balanced football
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Captain: Jewel Hampson
Key Player: Lexus Martin
Hot Prospect: Monday Mynatt

Squad

No Pos  Name                Age     Nat.
1   GK  Gerald Kerper       20  M   KAT
2   LB  Monday Mynatt       17  M   KAT
3   CB  Jewel Hampson (C)   32  M   KAT
4   CB  Paula Tatum         23  F   KAT
5   RB  Kylee Hawthorne     19  F   KAT
6   LM  Jocelyn Neumann     16  F   KAT
7   CM  Lexus Martin        24  F   KAT
8   CM  Hubert Watermann    19  M   KAT
9   RM  Michel Slusser      17  M   KAT
10  ST  Humbert Barrett     25  M   KAT
11  ST  Lindsey Stieber     28  M   KAT

12  GK  Roderick Byrd       16  M   KAT
13  GK  Morgan Haber        21  M   KAT
14  LB  Adam Bach           19  M   KAT
15  CB  Rahel Bottcher      30  F   KAT
16  RB  Rick Grant          31  M   KAT
17  LM  Saylor Bridges      27  F   KAT
18  CM  Gisa Dickman        22  F   KAT
19  RM  Norbert Trump       25  M   KAT
20  ST  Mary Macey          30  F   KAT
21  ST  Humphry Hertz       32  M   KAT
22  ST  Herbert Steube      23  M   KAT

History: Based roughly midway between the cities of Inverhaven and Katzestadt along the River Cuomo, Wolfenholm acts as a gateway to the north west of the nation and as a result, is a strong regional trade hub. This status has led to a diverse mix of people calling the town home, but one common thread runs through them all - a fierce passion to outpace and get ahead at any cost.

Naturally, the town's club has been moulded by this trait, with manager Rayner Outterridge instilling a ‘winner takes all’ mentality, with some pundits already calling the Wolves the dirtiest team in the league. However, fans reject this view, saying their team has a passion no other team in the division has, which is something which will help them push for glory.

Who To Watch: Wolfenholm is a side which is built out of a rock-solid, but aggressive, defence. Club captain Jewel Hampson exemplifies this, often choosing to solve problems on the field with a fist rather than with his words. Next to him in the Wolves backline is Monday Mynatt, who is quickly developing to be more of a toughman than Hampson.

Lexus Martin is arguably the ‘cleanest’ player in the starting side, with the key midfielder jokingly known by opposition fans as the ‘diving messiah’ for how often she goes down at crucial moments in the few friendlies the club has played to date.

Outlook: Wolfenholm may have plenty of critics about how they play on the field, but there is no denying the talent available to the side - if they can keep discipline in check, they could be legitimate contenders come the end of the campaign.

---

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 1
LEAGUE ROUNDS 1 TO 6

MATCHDAY 1

Katzestadt AFC 6-1 Littleport AFC
Field 2’, 62’, Plank 20’, Wahner 49’, Wilkins 26’, Fux 67’ // Winslow 42’
Katzestadt Rovers 1-1 Shorham FC
Courtney 29’ // Hilton 19’
Wolfenholm United 2-0 Blubeck FC
Neumann 60’, 82’
Axmund United 3-0 Refeld FC
Johns 51’, 55’, Earls 88’
Barenwold FC 1-1 Avonsend United
Cummings 68’ // Beringer 22’
Inverhaven City 1-0 Penntop FC
Pilgrim 53’
Inverhaven Ironworks 0-1 Axmund City
Niles 34’

The first ever round of the Katzeburgian National League kicks off with a surprising amount of fanfare for an upstart league based in the nation’s north - Katzeburgian President Cari Victors opted to attend Katzestadt AFC’s opening fixture at the national stadium, the Katzestadt Arena, and was treated to a convincing 6-1 rout from the hosts over Littleport, with Lloyd Field making history as the first ever goalscorer in the league.

On the other side of the nation’s capital, the Rovers played out a 1-1 draw to a Shorham side they were expected to beat comfortably, while Avonsend got arguably the result of the round with a point away to a much-favoured Barenwold side.

MATCHDAY 2

Shorham FC 0-1 Katzestadt AFC
Wilkins 54’
Blubeck FC 2-1 Littleport AFC
Daubney 42’, Davidson 52’ // Sessions 1’
Refeld FC 3-0 Katzestadt Rovers
Triggs 15’, 69’, Short 42’
Avonsend United 1-1 Wolfenholm United
Volk 56’ // Slusser 40’
Penntop FC 0-3 Axmund United
Johns 9’, 49’, Nelson 66’
Axmund City 1-3 Barenwold FC
Niles 83’ // Bannerman 23’, 81’, 88’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-0 Inverhaven City
Newell 65’

Katzestadt Rovers’ slow start to the season continues, falling apart to Refeld at the Orchard Meadow thanks in part to a double from forward Warren Triggs. A furious final ten minutes between Axmund City and Barenwold sees the Bears leave with all three points, with Danita Bannerman netting the league’s first ever hat-trick.

However, all eyes were focused on the first ever Inverhaven derby, with the spoils going to the Ironworks in a tense clash in front of a sold-out Factory Grounds. Joachim Newell nabbed the winner mid-way through the second half with a tight header into the top left corner, taking the chance to express a few ‘kind’ gestures to Dockers’ manager Jenna Forest following the goal which many speculate is a bit of revenge for leaving so shortly before the season’s kickoff.

MATCHDAY 3

Katzestadt AFC 1-1 Blubeck FC
Herman 65’ // Daubney 73’
Shorham FC 1-5 Refeld FC
Unkle 82’ // Washington 15’, 70’, 82’, Short 29’, Sexton 61’
Littleport AFC 1-0 Avonsend United
Hershey 22’
Katzestadt Rovers 4-4 Penntop FC
Courtney 32’, Horsfall 38’, 86’, Wruck 67’ // Ball 30’, 56’, West 55’, Garner 75’
Wolfenholm United 1-1 Axmund City
Stieber 43’ // Farran 18’
Axmund United 1-0 Inverhaven Ironworks
Gerig 57’
Barenwold FC 2-1 Inverhaven City
Bissette 49’, 68’ // Pilgrim 78’

Refeld look to be an early surprise packet so far, with the Farmers picking up a second straight win and scoring five in the process, while Katzestadt AFC drop their first points after labouring to a 1-1 draw with Blubeck.

The match of the round was undoubtedly the 4-4 draw between Katzestadt Rovers and Penntop, with the lead changing numerous times in a riveting watch which saw the Rovers secure a second point, putting them behind sides like Littleport and Blubeck.

MATCHDAY 4

Refeld FC 1-3 Katzestadt AFC
Triggs 78’ // Plank 12’, Field 23’, Weekes 27’
Avonsend United 0-0 Blubeck FC

Penntop FC 1-0 Shorham FC
Atwood 32’
Axmund City 4-1 Littleport AFC
Niles 7’, 29’, 75’, Harrell 46’ // Winslow 12’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-1 Katzestadt Rovers
Haines 49’ // Wruck 65’
Inverhaven City 1-0 Wolfenholm United
Levitt 46’
Barenwold FC 2-3 Axmund United
Siegel 34’, Bannerman 86’ // Marsh 40’, 48’, 56’

Rovers manager Eugene Phillips is starting to feel the heat turn up, after another draw seeing the side languishing towards the bottom of the ladder. “Make no mistake,” Phillips states after the draw with Inverhaven Ironworks, “We are heading in the right direction - the side clicked a lot more and picking up a point away from home against a side as defensively strong as the Ironworks is positive. We’ll grind out more wins eventually.”

Meanwhile Axmund United continue their strong start to the season, picking up their fourth straight win as the side sits atop the league. A hat-trick from 16-year-old Clay Marsh another feather to the cap of the Eagles and the first in what could be a promising career for the young forward.

MATCHDAY 5

Katzestadt AFC 0-1 Avonsend United
Beringer 10’
Refeld FC 1-1 Penntop FC
Triggs 13’ // Cooke 74’
Blubeck FC 1-3 Axmund City
Daubney 11’ // Eason 40’, 50’, Harrell 75’
Shorham FC 0-6 Inverhaven Ironworks
Haines 19’, Coburn 53’, 68’, 79’, Terry 55’, Ackermann 80’
Littleport AFC 1-0 Inverhaven City
Hershey 84’
Katzestadt Rovers 1-2 Barenwold FC
Colbert 41’ // Bissette 3’, Howland 39’
Wolfenholm United 2-2 Axmund United
Neumann 20’, Barrett 71’ // Hudson 12’, Earls 67’

Many weren't expecting Shorham to pull up many stumps in the first season, with the side so far looking completely unmatched against their opposition, and many fans were forced to leave Ocean Avenue in disgust this round as the side capitulated to a 6-0 thumping at the hands of Inverhaven Ironworks. Manager Regine Pabst seems unfazed at this point - “It’s early in the season,” she said post game. “We have a lot to build off but today was definitely a low point so far, anything we can do to avoid another loss of this nature is our top priority going forward.”

Meanwhile Avonsend pulled off arguably the result of the round with a 1-0 win away to much-faniced Katzestadt AFC, while Axmund United’s winning start came to an end at the hands of Wolfenholm, picking up a point away in a game which the visitors thought they deserved a bit more from.

MATCHDAY 6

Penntop FC 2-2 Katzestadt AFC
Barr 36’, Atwood 74’ // Plank 22’, 70’
Axmund City 0-1 Avonsend United
Volk 9’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-1 Refeld FC
Coburn 47’ // Washington 36’
Inverhaven City 2-2 Blubeck FC
Clarkson 1’, Dukes 19’ // Jones 29’, Hodson 77’
Barenwold FC 1-2 Shorham FC
Howland 41’ // Fenwick 20’, Hobbs 55’
Axmund United 3-0 Littleport AFC
Kunze 29’, Nelson 39’, Hudson 55’
Wolfenholm United 0-4 Katzestadt Rovers
Courtney 43’, Horsfall 55’, 60’, 66’

Katzestadt Rovers are alive! At least, that’s what Rovers fans want to believe following the side’s comprehensive win away at Wolfenholm. The side’s first win has taken arguably too long, but with a strong win there is a sense the tide might be turning at Bramblewood Park.

Meanwhile Shorham also pick up their first ever win as a club, knocking over a Barenwold side which had been competing in the mix at the top - with many fans making the trip from Shorham declaring it was like watching an entirely different side play compared to last week’s drubbing at the hands of Inverhaven Ironworks.

Axmund United sit atop the league and the only side yet to lose a game after six rounds, with many predicting it might take the Axmund derby to send a knock-out punch to the Eagles.

First Division Standings
    Team                      P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Axmund United             6  5  1  0  15   4  +11  16
  2 Katzestadt AFC            6  3  2  1  13   6   +7  11
  3 Axmund City               6  3  1  2  10   7   +3  10
  4 Barenwold FC              6  3  1  2  11   9   +2  10
  5 Avonsend United           6  2  3  1   4   3   +1   9
  6 Inverhaven Ironworks      6  2  2  2   9   4   +5   8
  7 Refeld FC                 6  2  2  2  11   9   +2   8
  8 Inverhaven City           6  2  1  3   5   6   -1   7
  9 Katzestadt Rovers         6  1  3  2  11  11   +0   6
 10 Blubeck FC                6  1  3  2   6   9   -3   6
 11 Wolfenholm United         6  1  3  2   6   9   -3   6
 12 Penntop FC                6  1  3  2   8  11   -3   6
 13 Littleport AFC            6  2  0  4   5  15  -10   6
 14 Shorham FC                6  1  1  4   4  15  -11   4

Golden Boot Chart
Pos    Player     Team                  Goals
=1     Niles      Axmund City           5
=1     Horsfall   Katzestadt Rovers     5
=3     Johns      Axmund United         4
=3     Bannerman  Barenwold             4
=3     Coburn     Inverhaven Ironworks  4
=3     Plank      Katzestadt AFC        4
=3     Washington Refeld                4
=3     Triggs     Refeld                4
=9     Marsh      Axmund United         3
=9     Bissette   Barenwold             3
=9     Daubney    Blubeck               3
=9     Field      Katzestadt AFC        3
=9     Courtney   Katzestadt Rovers     3
=9     Neumann    Wolfenholm            3

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 1
LEAGUE ROUNDS 7 TO 12

MATCHDAY 7

Katzestadt AFC 0-0 Axmund City

Penntop FC 0-1 Inverhaven Ironworks
Joseph 83’
Avonsend United 1-2 Inverhaven City
Wild 24’ // Levitt 59’, Schindler 87’
Refeld FC 1-1 Barenwold FC
Triggs 21’ // Siegel 3’
Blubeck FC 0-4 Axmund United
Nelson 11’, Seward 25’, Marsh 59’, 70’
Shorham FC 0-2 Wolfenholm United
Stieber 18’, Dickman 84’
Littleport AFC 0-5 Katzestadt Rovers
Wruck 6’, 58’, 76’, Merchant 50’, Kuhn 61’

“I feel like the pieces are starting to fall together now after a slow start,” said Katzestadt Rovers striker Drake Wruck after his hat-trick helped the Rovers to a thumping 5-0 win over Littleport, their second big win in a row. “It’s taken a little bit for the team to gel in a democratic way, but now we’ve got the basics downpat which is really helping solidify the choices made by the side.”

With the Katzeburgian Cup due to kick off in a few weeks, fans are hoping the Rovers have come into form at the right time, especially with a potentially tricky first round clash against Inverhaven City.

MATCHDAY 8

Inverhaven Ironworks 0-1 Katzestadt AFC
Coleman 53’
Inverhaven City 3-0 Axmund City
Pligrim 7’, Gold 49’, Martinson 67’
Barenwold FC 1-0 Penntop FC
Bannerman 52’
Axmund United 2-0 Avonsend United
Earls 14’, Johns 65’
Wolfenholm United 1-0 Refeld FC
Hampson 85’
Katzestadt Rovers 2-2 Blubeck FC
Colbert 22’, Wruck 24’ // Buchholz 18’, Daubney 76’
Littleport AFC 0-3 Shorham FC
Moores 5’, Hilton 50’, 75’

Before travelling to Windward Park for their clash against Littleport, Shorham had only found the back of the net four times all season, but Regine Pabst’s side pulls out a great result to sail to a 3-0 win thanks in part to a brace from young midfielder Fisher Hilton. It moves the side off the foot of the ladder at the expense of the Reds.

Elsewhere, Wolfenholm’s slow start to the season looks to be turning the corner, with the side picking up a second straight win - but speaking to KBC’s Goal!, pundit Rick Tennant remains unconvinced by the side. “Let’s not roll out the red carpet for them just yet - they’ve scraped past a Refeld side at home they were massively favoured to beat, while beating Shorham last week was at least a step in the right direction. They should be higher up the ladder than they are, but they’ve hardly played any convincing football yet.”

MATCHDAY 9

Katzestadt AFC 0-1 Inverhaven City
Dukes 13’
Inverhaven Ironworks 0-1 Barenwold FC
Bannerman 44’
Axmund City 2-2 Axmund United
Spears 43’, Knepp 71’ // Gerig 65’, Nelson 74’
Penntop FC 2-2 Wolfenholm United
Ball 11’, 59’ // Barrett 33’, 34’
Avonsend United 0-2 Katzestadt Rovers
Armistead 9’, Colbert 41’
Refeld FC 1-0 Littleport AFC
Washington 29’
Blubeck FC 3-0 Shorham FC
Daubney 63’, 67’, Love 76’

Wolfenholm supporters were irate at Tennant’s comments on Goal! the previous week, with members of radical supporter offshoot the Wolf Den opting to make their voices known as the side laboured to a draw against Penntop. Unfurling a large banner which took over one end of Treetop Terrace, the group’s ‘TENNANT WILL PAY’ message is short and simple, with very little subtlety. Tennant is nowhere to be found on Goal! after the match, taking a night off for ‘personal reasons’.

The bubbling controversy around Wolfenholm overwhelms the rest of the matches in the round, including the first ever Axmund derby, where a yet to lose Axmund United come from behind twice to secure a point against their cross town rivals. Axmund City manager Val Johns after the match shares her confidence that the damage is done to their rivals, with a bruising and tense match resulting in a handful of minor injuries to the Eagles.

MATCHDAY 10

Barenwold FC 1-2 Katzestadt AFC
Cummings 30’ // Field 44’, 63’
Axmund United 2-5 Inverhaven City
Johns 11’, 55’ // Pilgrim 29’, 46’, Clarkson 51’, Arkwright 67’, Thomas 89’
Wolfenholm United 2-0 Inverhaven Ironworks
Slusser 23’, 53’
Katzestadt Rovers 3-0 Axmund City
Wruck 24’, 51’, 64’
Littleport AFC 2-1 Penntop FC
Martel 24’, Winslow 73’ // Ball 86’
Shorham FC 1-0 Avonsend United
Avery 70’
Blubeck FC 1-0 Refeld FC
Hodson 24’

Axmund City fans were right when they said the derby took the wind out of the wings of the Eagles, with the side collapsing to their first defeat of the league season at the hands of Inverhaven City. Manager Ronnette Wayne placed the blame first and foremost at the league schedule for the loss. “It’s ridiculous that people are expecting these non-professionals to play week in week out,” she said. “We don’t yet have the resources to build out a fully professional setup and it shows on the fitness of some of these players.”

However, the Lumberjacks have nothing to celebrate of their own this week, falling to a resurgent Rovers side who have now gone five unbeaten, while Katzestadt AFC close the gap on the Eagles with a slim win away at Barenwold.

MATCHDAY 11

Katzestadt AFC 3-0 Axmund United
Kneib 1’, 14’, Plank 82’
Barenwold FC 2-1 Wolfenholm United
Michaelson 77’, Howland 86’ // Barrett 42’
Inverhaven City 0-6 Katzestadt Rovers
Morton 14’, Wruck 30’, 41’, 64’, Armistead 67’, Kuchler 82’
Inverhaven Ironworks 2-0 Littleport AFC
Coburn 20’, Bennet 71’
Axmund City 5-0 Shorham FC
Niles 21’, 47’, Christinsen 27’, Eason 41’, Spears 50’
Penntop FC 3-0 Blubeck FC
Ball 31’, Jans 61’, 77’
Avonsend United 0-0 Refeld FC

The Rovers look like a totally different side than the one which started the season, with Eugene Phillips’ side pulling out one of the results of the season so far in a thumping win over Inverhaven City. The side looks renewed, particularly with Drake Wruck in incredible form, picking up his second straight hat-trick as rumblings about the Katzeburgian national side suggest they are close to announcing their first ever national squad.

Also keen to get into the squad is Katzestadt AFC’s Serena Plank, who nets in the final ten minutes in a top of the table clash against Axmund United to secure a comfy 3-0 win and close the gap to two points at the top of the table.

MATCHDAY 12

Wolfenholm United 1-3 Katzestadt AFC
Martin 90’ // Field 3’, Lynton 34’, Tuff 79’
Katzestadt Rovers 2-1 Axmund United
Kuhn 19’, 43’ // Marsh 66’
Littleport AFC 0-3 Barenwold FC
Bissette 41’, Cummings 61’, Frye 64’
Shorham FC 0-6 Inverhaven City
Arkwright 17’, 42’, 74’, Dukes 41’, Levitt 54’, Pilgrim 88’
Blubeck FC 2-2 Inverhaven Ironworks
Buchholz 23’, Hodson 43’ // Coburn 35’, Newell 85’
Refeld FC 0-0 Axmund City

Avonsend United 1-2 Penntop FC
Behrend 80’ // Ball 25’, Garner 46’

We have a new leader, as Axmund’s poor form continues, dropping three straight games since their derby clash. This leaves Katzestadt AFC in prime position to push past the Eagles, with a 3-1 win over Wolfenholm enough to put the side on top by a single point. However, the race for the title has suddenly tightened up significantly, as with Katzestadt Rovers, Barenwold, and Inverhaven City continuing to pick up results means there is just two points between first and fifth.

At the other end of the ladder, Littleport continue to struggle, with a 3-0 loss to Barenwold meaning the side has picked up just three points in their last six matches, leaving some fans to demand manager (and Littleport mayor) Dion Jennings step down and goes back to just running the town. In a fiery town council meeting mid-week, Jennings fires back like a man who knows he doesn’t have much time left. “We need time to get this right, we weren’t expected to compete from the off, and it’s ridiculous people were expecting us to be up there from the start of the season.” Jennings said.

First Division Standings
    Team                       P  W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Katzestadt AFC            12  7  3  2  22   9  +13  24
  2 Axmund United             12  7  2  3  26  16  +10  23
  3 Barenwold FC              12  7  2  3  20  13   +7  23
  4 Katzestadt Rovers         12  6  4  2  31  14  +17  22
  5 Inverhaven City           12  7  1  4  22  15   +7  22
  6 Axmund City               12  4  4  4  17  15   +2  16
  7 Wolfenholm United         12  4  4  4  15  16   -1  16
  8 Inverhaven Ironworks      12  4  3  5  14  10   +4  15
  9 Refeld FC                 12  3  5  4  13  12   +1  14
 10 Blubeck FC                12  3  5  4  14  20   -6  14
 11 Penntop FC                12  3  4  5  16  18   -2  13
 12 Avonsend United           12  2  4  6   6  12   -6  10
 13 Shorham FC                12  3  1  8   8  31  -23  10
 14 Littleport AFC            12  3  0  9   7  30  -23   9

Golden Boot Chart
Pos    Player     Team                  Goals
1      Wruck      Katzestadt Rovers     12
=2     Niles      Axmund City           7
=2     Johns      Axmund United         7
=2     Ball       Penntop               7
=5     Marsh      Axmund United         6
=5     Bannerman  Barenwold             6
=5     Daubney    Blubeck               6
=5     Pilgrim    Inverhaven City       6
=5     Coburn     Inverhaven Ironworks  6
=5     Field      Katzestadt AFC        6

KATZEBURG CUP - SEASON 1
ROUND OF 16

Katzestadt Rovers 3-1 Inverhaven City
Armistead 69’, 77’, Benjaminson 88’ // Cook 29’
Katzestadt Bankers 1-3 Inverhaven Ironworks
Smith 15’ // Haines 2’, Burgstaller 47’, 84’
Penntop FC 2-4 Littleport AFC
Atwood 11’, Ball 69’ // Hershey 59’, Sommer 66’, Frei 78’, Winslow 88’
Wolfenholm United 2-0 Avonsend United
Martin 23’, Hertz 73’
Barenwold FC 1-0 South Inverhaven Shipbuilders
Siegel 26’
Shorham FC 0-3 Axmund United
Marsh 41’, Nelson 70’, 83’
Refeld FC 4-2 Katzestadt AFC
Sexton 7’, 36’, 61’, Triggs 82’ // Plank 79’, Wilkins 80’
Axmund City 2-1 Blubeck FC
Harrell 18’, Elmer 68’ // Hodson 3’

Katzestadt Rovers' revival continues, booking passage to the final eight with a win over the high-flying Inverhaven City, while Refeld pulls out the first major upset in cup history, sending the league leading Katzestadt AFC packing thanks in part to a hat-trick from young midfielder Sukie Sexton.

Meanwhile invited teams Katzestadt Bankers and South Inverhaven Shipbuilders - the latter the former side managed by Katzeburgian national team manager Becka Haberkorn - fail to pull any shocks, bowing out in defeats to Inverhaven Ironworks and Barenwold respectively.

Quarter Final Draw

Barenwold vs Katzestadt Rovers - Beacon Lane, Barenwold

Axmund United vs Littleport AFC - Oakwood Road, Axmund

Refeld FC vs Axmund City - Orchard Meadow, Refeld

Wolfenholm United vs Inverhaven Ironworks - Ivy Lane, Wolfenholm

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 1
LEAGUE ROUNDS 13 TO 18

MATCHDAY 13

Katzestadt AFC 2-2 Katzestadt Rovers
Field 19’, 75’ // Courtney 30’, Kidd 77’
Wolfenholm United 3-0 Littleport AFC
Martin 1’, Mynatt 49’, Macey 66’
Axmund United 2-3 Shorham FC
Earls 45’, Johns 49’ // Moores 23’, 86’, Avery 29’
Barenwold FC 2-0 Blubeck FC
Bannerman 58’, Fuchs 66’
Inverhaven City 1-0 Refeld FC
Pilgrim 23’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-0 Avonsend United
Jaeger 27’
Axmund City 1-3 Penntop FC
Niles 15’ // Garner 6’, 56’, Behrends 89’

We have our first managerial sacking, as despite just one week earlier telling supporters he was not going anywhere, Dion Jennings has left Littleport, a loss to Wolfenholm compounded with wins for Shorham and Penntop leaving his position untenable. Star player Millard Kastner will take charge of the team going forward in a caretaker capacity, telling reporters in his first press conference that “we need an immediate change and that's something I hope to bring to the table, both in terms of our club culture, but also how we perform on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, the first ever Katzestadt derby ends in a tight draw, neither side able to take the spoils in a game which saw the Royals knocked out of top spot, replaced by a Barenwold team on a three match winning streak.

MATCHDAY 14

Littleport AFC 8-3 Katzestadt AFC
Windsor 2’, 58’, 73’, Frei 5’, Hershey 54’, 74’, Slusser 65’, Kastner 71’ // Plank 11’, Wahner 64’, Tuff 82’
Shorham FC 1-0 Katzestadt Rovers
Moores 18’
Blubeck FC 0-2 Wolfenholm United
Steiber 29’, Hertz 81’
Refeld FC 0-4 Axmund United
Marsh 28’, 34’, 81’, Steube 67’
Avonsend United 0-0 Barenwold FC

Penntop FC 1-3 Inverhaven City
Atwood 3’ // Arkwright 14’, 20’, Thomas 50’
Axmund City 0-1 Inverhaven Ironworks
Newell 22’

What a difference a week (and a new manager) can make! With Kastner in the role as caretaker, he guides Littleport to a historic and thumping win over Katzestadt AFC in his managerial debut. “It's like something out of a movie,” said an elated Reds supporter after the match. Kastner was just as shocked. “I have to admit to you right here and now, I have no idea how this has happened,” he told KBC's Goal!. “We got off to a good start, but the team just kept pressing and it all seemed to click in that second 45 - if we can continue on this trajectory, we'll be in good stead for the rest of the campaign.”

It's enough of a shock that news of Shorham's second win on the bounce - at home against Katzestadt Rovers - is condemned to the depths of the region's already short sports section.

MATCHDAY 15

Katzestadt AFC 1-1 Shorham FC
Plank 12’ // Daubney 26’
Littleport AFC 1-0 Blubeck FC
Bowers 74’
Katzestadt Rovers 3-1 Refeld FC
Wruck 1’, 74’, Kuchler 85’ // Fry 87’
Wolfenholm United 1-0 Avonsend United
Neumann 11’
Axmund United 5-1 Penntop FC
Hudson 12’, Kunze 49’, 55’, Johns 74’, 81’ // Garner 16’
Barenwold FC 1-2 Axmund City
Bissette 15’ // Niles 9’, Knepp 29’
Inverhaven City 1-0 Inverhaven Ironworks
Arkwright 20’

With news about Littleport’s seeming resurrection now fading away, the spotlight can rightly shine on Shorham, who following a 1-1 draw with Katzestadt AFC, has led the side to a three game unbeaten streak and the dizzying highs of the lower mid-table. Manager Regine Pabst is overjoyed. “Who knows how long this run can last for? We will take it one game at a time and hopefully a couple more wins and we could be quite comfy in the mix for mid-table,” she said.

Meanwhile, Inverhaven City gained revenge for defeat against Inverhaven Ironworks earlier in the season, with a Meriel Arkwright goal enough to take all three points. However, the match ending was marred by a violent brawl which broke out in the left stand of Anchor Field, as Dockers and Workers fans clashed before the full time whistle. Police arrested 10 people following the fracas, with at least two people critically injured.

MATCHDAY 16

Blubeck FC 2-3 Katzestadt AFC
Hodson 11’, Love 63’ // Wahner 66’, 86’, Weekes 72’
Refeld FC 2-0 Shorham FC
Washington 12’, Fry 71’
Avonsend United 1-1 Littleport AFC
Beringer 73’ // Winslow 26’
Penntop FC 0-1 Katzestadt Rovers
Morton 77’
Axmund City 1-1 Wolfenholm United
Niles 53’ // Slusser 48’
Inverhaven Ironworks 0-0 Axmund United

Inverhaven City 1-0 Barenwold FC
Dukes 82’

Following last week’s horror clash in the Inverhaven derby, the KFF handed down punishment to both sides, aiming to set a tough precedent to stamp out crowd violence at an early point in the league’s lifecycle. Both sides were fined 10,000 barins and a suspended five point deduction to the end of the season. The punishment was seen by fans of both sides as harsh and overstepping their bounds, but in a rallying lunch-break mid-week at the Ironworks, manager Linton Rounds argued the punishment “made good sense” and encouraged “our loyal fans to think twice before throwing a chair at someone else’s head”.

MATCHDAY 17

Katzestadt AFC 1-0 Refeld FC
Plank 77’
Blubeck FC 1-1 Avonsend United
Causney 39’ // Beringer 83’
Shorham FC 1-5 Penntop FC
Hilton 28’ // Garner 35’, Ball 45’, Thorburn 56’, 84’, Jans 70’
Littleport AFC 2-5 Axmund City
Windsor 7’, Hershey 49’ // Eason 52’, 71’, 74’, Farran 60’, Siddall 78’
Katzestadt Rovers 1-1 Inverhaven Ironworks
Kuchler 85’ // Randell 34’
Wolfenholm United 0-0 Inverhaven City

Axmund United 0-0 Barenwold FC

Two of the sides who were fighting back into form - Shorham and Littleport - are shown harsh reality this round, with five goals a piece conceded at the hands of Penntop and Axmund City respectively - but the pick of the goals could be seen at Bramblewood Park, where sub Adi Kuchler netted five minutes from time to salvage a point against an Ironworks team which had travelled with minimal away fans - a consequence of an extra weekend shift required at the factory.

MATCHDAY 18

Avonsend United 1-2 Katzestadt AFC
Broadbent 81’ // Herman 59’, Layton 68’
Penntop FC 1-0 Refeld FC
Trueman 85’
Axmund City 5-1 Blubeck FC
Niles 52’, 68’, Spears 71’, 79’, Savage 86’ // Causer 54’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-0 Shorham FC
Haines 10’
Inverhaven City 2-1 Littleport AFC
Arkwright 71’, Tash 74’ // Slusser 45’
Barenwold FC 0-0 Katzestadt Rovers

Axmund United 1-1 Wolfenholm United
Earls 39’ // Neumann 51’


Axmund City look to be finding form as we enter the final stage of the season, with the side netting five for the second week in a row - internationals Lambert Niles and Elmer Spears leading the damage for the Lumberjacks, who move within three points of fifth place.

Meanwhile, the battle for the title looks to be heading to either Inverhaven or Katzestadt, with City leading by just three points following a late comeback win over Littleport. However there is little margin for error, with Axmund United and Katzestadt Rovers still within striking distance as the league enters the final eight matches of the debut campaign.

First Division Standings
    Team                       P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Inverhaven City           18  12  2   4  30  17  +13  38
  2 Katzestadt AFC            18  10  5   3  34  23  +11  35
  3 Axmund United             18   9  5   4  38  21  +17  32
  4 Katzestadt Rovers         18   8  7   3  38  19  +19  31
  5 Barenwold FC              18   8  5   5  23  16   +7  29
  6 Wolfenholm United         18   7  7   4  23  18   +5  28
  7 Axmund City               18   7  5   6  31  24   +7  26
  8 Inverhaven Ironworks      18   7  5   6  18  12   +6  26
  9 Penntop FC                18   6  4   8  27  29   -2  22
 10 Refeld FC                 18   4  5   9  16  22   -6  17
 11 Shorham FC                18   5  2  11  14  42  -28  17
 12 Littleport AFC            18   5  1  12  20  44  -24  16
 13 Blubeck FC                18   3  6   9  18  34  -16  15
 14 Avonsend United           18   2  7   9   9  18   -9  13

Golden Boot Chart
Pos    Player     Team                  Goals
1      Wruck      Katzestadt Rovers     15
2      Niles      Axmund City           12
3      Johns      Axmund United         10
4      Marsh      Axmund United         9
=5     Arkwright  Inverhaven City       8
=5     Plank      Katzestadt AFC        8
=5     Field      Katzestadt AFC        8
=5     Ball       Penntop               8
=9     Bannerman  Barenwold             7
=9     Pilgrim    Inverhaven City       7

KATZEBURG CUP - SEASON 1
QUARTER FINAL

Barenwold FC 2-0 Katzestadt Rovers
Bissette 5’, 49’
Axmund United 1-0 Littleport AFC
Steube 71’
Refeld FC 1-1 Axmund City (1-2 AET)
Hirschel 84’ // Spears 48’, Niles 103’
Wolfenholm United 1-0 Inverhaven Ironworks
Slusser 53’

As the Cup cuts down to four teams, we are left with a decent chance the inaugural title goes to the city of Axmund, as both City and United punch their tickets to the final four. Axmund City were left to do it late, going to extra time against Refeld following a strike in the closing stages from Kyrie Hirschel.

Meanwhile Barenwold and Wolfenholm fly the flag for clubs outside the major cities, booth dispatching city clubs in their quarter final clashes - as a reward, both sides get to face an Axmund team for a spot in the decider.

Semi Final Draw

Axmund City vs Barenwold - Maplewood Park, Axmund
Wolfenholm United vs Axmund United - Ivy Lane, Wolfenholm

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 1
LEAGUE ROUNDS 19 TO 24

MATCHDAY 19

Katzestadt AFC 4-0 Penntop FC
Coleman 17’, 58’, Plank 31’, Field 72’
Avonsend United 2-2 Axmund City
Broadbent 74’, Bronson 79’ // Knepp 46’, Elmer 76’
Refeld FC 0-2 Inverhaven Ironworks
Coburn 55’, Stumpf 71’
Blubeck FC 0-2 Inverhaven City
Arkwright 3’, Pilgrim 79’
Shorham FC 2-1 Barenwold FC
Hilton 35’, 51’ // Siegel 20’
Littleport AFC 0-1 Axmund United
Earls 78’
Katzestadt Rovers 6-1 Wolfenholm United
Wruck 5’, 17’, 84’, Armistead 38’, Horsfall 60’, Holt 76’ // Neumann 47’

Following a 6-1 thrashing away at Katzestadt Rovers, rumours swirl around Wolfenholm and the status of their manager Rayner Outterridge, with results going elsewhere for Inverhaven Ironworks pushing the Wolves down to 7th and quite a long way out of discussion for the top four, despite being fancied for the run ahead of the campaign. Outterridge is bullish on his future at the club - “We’ve still got a vital cup run and semi final ahead of us, it’s way too early to think about next season still and where we should be sitting. Yes the result against the Rovers is not how we want to be playing every week and we simply weren’t good enough, and I’ll be making changes to our processes to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

Meanwhile the battle at the top holds fire for another week, with all top four sides picking up vital wins, while Avonsend grab a vital point to inch closer to fellow strugglers Blubeck.

MATCHDAY 20

Axmund City 2-2 Katzestadt AFC
Harrell 24’, Farran 79’ // Coleman 36’, Kneib 87’
Inverhaven Ironworks 0-0 Penntop FC

Inverhaven City 1-1 Avonsend United
Thomas 7’ // Volk 4’
Barenwold FC 2-0 Refeld FC
Cummings 26’, Bannerman 39’
Axmund United 5-0 Blubeck FC
Seward 10’, Johns 44’, 54’, 58’, Lang 79’
Wolfenholm United 2-0 Shorham FC
Barrett 13’, Mynatt 66’
Katzestadt Rovers 6-0 Littleport AFC
Merchant 17’, Wruck 29’, 37’, Horsfall 53’, 84’, Courtney 64’

Katzestadt Rovers, and in particular their forward Drake Wruck, are on fire - with a second successive six goal performance firing the Rovers into the title race following dropped points from Katzestadt AFC and Inverhaven City. Wruck is remaining coy on whether he will become the first striker to break the 20-goal barrier - “I’m only one off and there is a lot of football left to play, but these things can flip on their head very quickly - I’m just focused on bringing the Rovers into the title race as best we can!”

Elsewhere a Jaxxon Johns hat-trick moves him into the Golden Boot race, but many are calling the race done already given Wruck’s purple patch of form.

MATCHDAY 21

Katzestadt AFC 3-0 Inverhaven Ironworks
Lynton 19’, 80’, Field 50’
Axmund City 1-3 Inverhaven City
Niles 16’ // Arkwright 53’, 58’, Tash 80’
Penntop FC 0-0 Barenwold FC

Avonsend United 1-3 Axmund United
Beringer 13’ // Seward 14’, Marsh 76’, 90’
Refeld FC 0-1 Wolfenholm United
Stieber 7’
Blubeck FC 1-0 Katzestadt Rovers
Davidson 32’
Shorham FC 0-2 Littleport AFC
Hershey 76’, Gore 83’

Just one week after Katzestadt Rovers moved into the mix for the title, their campaign likely comes to a slamming halt away at Bluebell Park in Blubeck, with a first half goal from midfielder Donnie Davidson sealing all three points for the Storm, and leaving the Rovers eight points off top spot with just five games left.

It’s a huge three points for Blubeck too, with the win giving the side some breathing room from Avonsend at the bottom of the table.

MATCHDAY 22

Inverhaven City 0-1 Katzestadt AFC
Kneib 90+1’
Barenwold FC 1-1 Inverhaven Ironworks
Bissette 21’ // Coburn 55’
Axmund United 2-1 Axmund City
Johns 42’, Meyer 89’ // Eason 50’
Wolfenholm United 3-2 Penntop FC
Martin 20’, 72’, Hertz 29’ // Ball 40’, Jans 81’
Katzestadt Rovers 2-0 Avonsend United
Horsfall 48’, Armistead 81’
Littleport AFC 1-1 Refeld FC
Kastner 89’ // Stevenson 26’
Shorham FC 1-2 Blubeck FC
Moores 5’ // Hodson 57’, Daubney 74’

Lavena Kneib, the Katzestadt AFC forward who has played second string to Lloyd Field all campaign, may have just written herself into club folklore in what turned out to be a huge match on title implications. Travelling to an at-capacity Anchor Field, the Royals snagged a late, late win with Kneib heading in a corner in second half stoppage time, pulling the side level on points with their opponents with just a handful of games left to play.

It was one of two huge games dominating news over the round, with the second Axmund derby also going to late dramatics, with substitute midfielder Merit Meyer firing home from the edge of the box with a minute left on the clock to snatch a famous victory which keeps the Eagles in the title for another week. But with a huge clash against fellow title-chasers Inverhaven City next on the docket, the side’s hard work is far from done.

MATCHDAY 23

Katzestadt AFC 4-3 Barenwold FC
Wilkins 20’, Field 42’, 70’, 74’ // Fuchs 69’, 81’, 88’
Inverhaven City 1-0 Axmund United
Cook 28’
Inverhaven Ironworks 2-0 Wolfenholm United
Jaeger 40’, 65’
Axmund City 2-0 Katzestadt Rovers
Niles 27’, 45’
Penntop FC 2-0 Littleport AFC
Barr 6’, Atwood 81’
Avonsend United 0-1 Shorham FC
Bauer 90’
Refeld FC 0-0 Blubeck FC

Another massive match for the Dockers in their quest for the title sees them host high-flying Axmund United at Anchor Field. With a points dedication looming over their head for any crowd trouble - security is tight for the game, with kick-off delayed 25 minutes due to the speed of getting fans into the capacity clash as a result of extra stringent checks.

But once in, the game is a fiery affair, with both sides digging up a number of yellow cards, with a red hidden from view in a way pundits after the game would call a ‘move of cowardice’. By avoiding making too much of an impression on the game, referee Sam Allerton let the game spiral out of control, with it only down to a minor miracle no major injuries were sustained.

Meanwhile, the Royals survive a very late scare against Barenwold in a thrilling 4-3 win, but the game will go down in history for both sides netting a hat-trick, with the Bears’ goals coming from young substitute Kester Fuchs - the first sub to net three goals in a game.

MATCHDAY 24

Axmund United 3-1 Katzestadt AFC
Kunze 5’, Nelson 12’, 61’ // Herman 75’
Wolfenholm United 1-1 Barenwold FC
Barrett 34’ // Bannerman 47’
Katzestadt Rovers 3-1 Inverhaven City
Wruck 39’, Colbert 51’, Courtney 75’ // Martinson 76’
Littleport AFC 1-0 Inverhaven Ironworks
Frei 8’
Shorham FC 2-6 Axmund City
Moores 12’, Hobbs 58’ // Knepp 17’, Niles 23’, 34’, 61’, Hummel 74’, Swift 86’
Blubeck FC 1-1 Penntop FC
Daubney 36’ // Barr 78’
Refeld FC 1-1 Avonsend United
Triggs 69’ // Beringer 89’

As we head into the business end of the season, the massive games still seem to be piling up, with Axmund United bringing themselves squarely into the title fight with a huge 3-1 win over Katzestadt AFC which brings the Eagles a single point behind both the Royals and Inverhaven City, who themselves dropped three points to a Katzestadt Rovers who mathematically keep themselves in the mix.

The bottom of the table clash between Refeld and Avonsend didn’t disappoint, with a fierce clash that kicked into overdrive in the final twenty minutes. While Refeld looked to take an early lead and do enough to mathematically avoid last, a goal in the final moments to Reinhold Beringer sharing the spoils and keeping Avonsend with just enough of a window to move off the bottom of the ladder.

First Division Standings
    Team                       P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Katzestadt AFC            24  14  6   4  49  31  +18  48
  2 Inverhaven City           24  15  3   6  38  23  +15  48
  3 Axmund United             24  14  5   5  52  25  +27  47
  4 Katzestadt Rovers         24  12  7   5  55  24  +31  43
  5 Wolfenholm United         24  10  8   6  31  29   +2  38
  6 Barenwold FC              24   9  8   7  31  24   +7  35
  7 Axmund City               24   9  7   8  45  35  +10  34
  8 Inverhaven Ironworks      24   9  7   8  23  17   +6  34
  9 Penntop FC                24   7  7  10  32  37   -5  28
 10 Blubeck FC                24   5  8  11  22  43  -21  23
 11 Littleport AFC            24   7  2  15  24  54  -30  23
 12 Shorham FC                24   7  2  15  20  55  -35  23
 13 Refeld FC                 24   4  8  12  18  29  -11  20
 14 Avonsend United           24   2 10  12  14  28  -14  16

Golden Boot Chart
+-----+-----------+-------------------+-------+
| Pos |  Player   |       Team        | Goals |
+-----+-----------+-------------------+-------+
|  1  |   Wruck   | Katzestadt Rovers |  20   |
|  2  |   Niles   |    Axmund City    |  18   |
|  3  |   Johns   |   Axmund United   |  14   |
|  4  |   Field   |  Katzestadt AFC   |  13   |
| =5  |   Marsh   |   Axmund United   |  11   |
| =5  | Arkwright |  Inverhaven City  |  11   |
| =7  | Bannerman |     Barenwold     |   9   |
| =7  |   Plank   |  Katzestadt AFC   |   9   |
| =7  | Horsfall  | Katzestadt Rovers |   9   |
| =7  |   Ball    |      Penntop      |   9   |
+-----+-----------+-------------------+-------+

KATZEBURG CUP - SEASON 1
SEMI FINAL

Axmund City 1-1 Barenwold FC (1-2 AET)
Siddall 88’ // Siegel 26’, Fuchs 115’
Wolfenholm United 0-1 Axmund United
Marsh 87’

For a brief few moments, an all-Axmund cup final was on the cards, with two goals within a minute of each other across both semi-finals going to the sides from the logging heartland. But while Clay Marsh’s late strike was enough to send the Eagles to their first cup final - defender Jeffery Siddall’s was just enough to force extra time against Barenwold.

However, the extra period would fall the way of the Bears, with sub Kester Fuchs - who made history with the league’s first sub hat-trick - writing himself into folklore with a header five minutes from full time to book a spot in the big dance for Barenwold.

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 1
LEAGUE ROUNDS 25 AND 26

MATCHDAY 25

Katzestadt AFC 2-0 Wolfenholm United
Plank 10’, Kneib 74’
Axmund United 3-4 Katzestadt Rovers
Marsh 22’, 54’, Nelson 84’ // Horsfall 15’, Benjaminson 45’, Armistead 66’, 68’
Barenwold FC 4-2 Littleport AFC
Bissette 33’, Siegel 35’, 39’, Michaelson 84’ // Hershey 51’, 64’
Inverhaven City 2-0 Shorham FC
Levitt 14’, Dukes 80’
Inverhaven Ironworks 2-0 Blubeck FC
Randell 74’, Coburn 79’
Axmund City 1-0 Refeld FC
Niles 86’
Penntop FC 0-1 Avonsend United
Rosenfeld 6’

The title race will go down to the final day, but in a horrible twist of fate for Eagles fans, it will just be down to two. A back and forth clash between Axmund United and Katzestadt Rovers saw the three points go the way of the Rovers - ruling the Eagles out of the title fight after Katzestadt AFC and Inverhaven City grab wins. Axmund United will have to settle for a top four finish, but some will wonder what could have been had they been able to turn it around.

Meanwhile the battle for the wooden spoon will go to the final matchday too, as an early Avonsend strike helps them to just their third win of the season. With the Farmers of Refeld dropping points, a win on the final matchday could be enough to push them out of the cellar.

There’s also a spicy race for fifth heating up which will go down to the final round, with Barenwold, Wolfenholm, Axmund City, and Inverhaven Ironworks all within a single point of each other - with all four sides due to head to lower half sides, all is up for grabs.

First Division Standings
    Team                       P   W  D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Katzestadt AFC            25  15  6   4  51  31  +20  51
  2 Inverhaven City           25  16  3   6  40  23  +17  51
  3 Axmund United             25  14  5   6  55  29  +26  47
  4 Katzestadt Rovers         25  13  7   5  59  27  +32  46
  5 Barenwold FC              25  10  8   7  35  26   +9  38
  6 Wolfenholm United         25  10  8   7  31  31   +0  38
  7 Axmund City               25  10  7   8  46  35  +11  37
  8 Inverhaven Ironworks      25  10  7   8  25  17   +8  37
  9 Penntop FC                25   7  7  11  32  38   -6  28
 10 Blubeck FC                25   5  8  12  22  45  -23  23
 11 Littleport AFC            25   7  2  16  26  58  -32  23
 12 Shorham FC                25   7  2  16  20  57  -37  23
 13 Refeld FC                 25   4  8  13  18  30  -12  20
 14 Avonsend United           25   3 10  12  15  28  -13  19

MATCHDAY 26

Katzestadt Rovers 0-2 Katzestadt AFC
Field 15’, 50’
Littleport AFC 3-1 Wolfenholm United
Frei 4’, 38’, Martel 82’ // Stieber 74’
Shorham FC 1-0 Axmund United
Unkle 67’
Blubeck FC 0-0 Barenwold FC

Refeld FC 1-0 Inverhaven City
Washington 89’
Avonsend United 1-1 Inverhaven Ironworks
Wild 64’ // Boesch 66’
Penntop FC 1-0 Axmund City
Cooke 80’

All eyes fell on Bramblewood Park, as the second Katzestadt derby looked to be a title decider - a win for the Royals would all but hand them the title, barring a big win for Inverhaven City, who travelled to Orchard Meadow for their final day matchup.

Amidst a packed-out crowd cheering on the Rovers to end their cross-town rivals’ title hopes, it was Royals forward Lloyd Field who silenced the crowd at the 15 minute mark with a curling free-kick from the edge of the box sneaking past Rovers keeper Julianne Spooner.

Field would all but wrap up the title on the other side of half time, with his second of the match - a successful 1v1 against Spooner which saw him slide the ball under the legs of the diving keeper and plant one hand firmly on the trophy.

Eyes turned to Refeld - the game had laboured, with Inverhaven City unable to find the all crucial breakthrough they needed to stay level on points. But the real kicker came just moments from full time - with a high pressing Dockers side looking to break through, a quick Refeld counter attack found the feet of Salena Washington, who was able to take a few great strides before firing a rocket past keeper Geffrey Queen. 1-0 Refeld and that was game, set, championship for Katzestadt AFC.

Celebrations broke out on the field of Bramblewood Park at the full time whistle amidst a rain of boos and anger - for Rovers fans, they have just seen their cross-town rivals claim the first ever league title and secure their name in history, at their own home. This would not stand, and manager Eugene Phillips said after the match “this will go down as an embarrassing moment for the club. We weren’t good enough and we could have lost every game this season, as long as we won this one - and we didn’t. We need to have a tough look at ourselves going forward as this will never happen again while I am at the club, let me tell you that.”

While many looked to the title race, there was still plenty going on around the grounds - most notably the chaos which unfolded in the race for fifth. Wolfenholm fell behind early to Littleport and failed to get back into the game, while Axmund City saw their hopes end with a goal in dying stages from Penntop.

Inverhaven Ironworks went a goal behind against bottom side Avonsend, only to level the scores two minutes later, but failed to grab an all important winner - leaving Barenwold the best of the rest, with a 0-0 draw at Blubeck enough to secure fifth place by a point over Ironworks and Wolfenholm.

Avonsend finish at the bottom, three points behind Refeld - whose final day win enough to keep them ahead of the River Rats.

KATZEBURG CUP - SEASON 1
FINAL

Barenwold FC 2-1 Axmund United
Bannerman 38’, Fuchs 74’ // Preston 80’

A week after the league wrapped up, just over 15,000 fans filled into the national stadium in Katzestadt to see the first ever final of the Katzeburg Cup. Prior to the match, a short celebration was held to hand over the league trophy to Katzestadt AFC captain Gideon Wilkins, who was able to lift the trophy in front of his own home crowd, amidst some grumblings from Eagles supporters who were in the title race until the final few weeks.

Once the game got started, it was a patchy affair - both sides clearly struggling with the nerves of the occasion, but it was Danita Bannerman who opened the scoring for Barenwold seven minutes from the half-time break, nodding home a bullet corner from dynamic midfielder Tilman Cummings.

With a slender lead, Barenwold made a handful of changes to defend their slim advantage, including bringing on semi-final hero Kester Fuchs in place of Serena Bissette. Fuchs, who had already become a quickly rising club hero, hammered his name into the record books - firing a second goal for the Bears 16 minutes from full time, with a speculative effort from range which dipped over the head of keeper Sage Head.

Axmund United pulled one back six minutes later through sub Malcolm Preston, brought on in place of Clay Marsh, which led many to think a last minute turnaround was on the cards, but the day was Barenwold’s - the side slowing pace down significantly in the dying moments to secure a historic victory.

First Division Standings
    Team                       P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts
  1 Katzestadt AFC            26  16   6   4  53  31  +22  54 Champions & IFCF CL
  2 Inverhaven City           26  16   3   7  40  24  +16  51 IFCF CC
  3 Axmund United             26  14   5   7  55  30  +25  47 IFCF CC
  4 Katzestadt Rovers         26  13   7   6  59  29  +30  46 IFCF CC
  5 Barenwold FC              26  10   9   7  35  26   +9  39 IFCF CWC
  6 Inverhaven Ironworks      26  10   8   8  26  18   +8  38 CEdC
  7 Wolfenholm United         26  10   8   8  32  34   -2  38 CEdC
  8 Axmund City               26  10   7   9  46  36  +10  37
  9 Penntop FC                26   8   7  11  33  38   -5  31
 10 Littleport AFC            26   8   2  16  29  59  -30  26
 11 Shorham FC                26   8   2  16  21  57  -36  26
 12 Blubeck FC                26   5   9  12  22  45  -23  24
 13 Refeld FC                 26   5   8  13  19  30  -11  23
 14 Avonsend United           26   3  11  12  16  29  -13  20

Golden Boot Chart
+-----+-----------+----------------------+-------+
| Pos | Player    | Team                 | Goals |
+-----+-----------+----------------------+-------+
| 1   | Wruck     | Katzestadt Rovers    | 20    |
| 2   | Niles     | Axmund City          | 19    |
| 3   | Field     | Katzestadt AFC       | 15    |
| 4   | Johns     | Axmund United        | 14    |
| 5   | Marsh     | Axmund United        | 13    |
| 6   | Arkwright | Inverhaven City      | 11    |
| =7  | Horsfall  | Katzestadt Rovers    | 10    |
| =7  | Plank     | Katzestadt AFC       | 10    |
| =9  | Bannerman | Barenwold            | 9     |
| =9  | Ball      | Penntop              | 9     |
| =9  | Coburn    | Inverhaven Ironworks | 9     |
+-----+-----------+----------------------+-------+

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 2
PREVIEWS - PART 1

Squad

+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player            | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Osbert Kundert    | 25  | M      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Mandi Christinsen | 30  | F      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Deena Knepp       | 29  | F      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Jeffery Siddall   | 28  | M      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Loretta Simmons   | 21  | F      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Channing Harrell  | 29  | M      | KAT    |
| 7      | M        | Elmer Spears      | 17  | M      | KAT    |
| 8      | M        | Arne Christian    | 26  | M      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Sydnei Eason      | 21  | F      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Lambert Niles     | 30  | M      | KAT    |
| 11     | F        | Kester Fuchs      | 18  | M      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Bambi Masters     | 19  | F      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | Egypt Nye         | 30  | M      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Kenzie Austin     | 26  | F      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Lane Swift        | 24  | M      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Suzanne Borchardt | 16  | F      | KAT    |
| 17     | F        | Jim Elmer         | 19  | M      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Carter Hummel     | 27  | M      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Angus Schultheiss | 23  | M      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Lynette Farran    | 30  | F      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Peers Savage      | 25  | M      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Astor Wilmer      | 28  | M      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Kester Fuchs (Barenwold, 0.5m), Suzanne Borchardt (Academy)

Transfers Out: Helmut Doctor (Released), Kipling Cowden (Released)

Last Season: The historically larger of the logging city Axmund’s two teams thanks to its history born from the casual worker teams run out of the logging camps on the city outskirts, in the league’s first season the side lost a lot of support to its better-performing cross-town rival, with manager Val Johns failing to guide the team to an expected top six finish in a tight four-way race for fifth.

Finishing two points behind Barenwold and nine points off the Challengers Cup spots, Axmund City had little to celebrate in their first season, with a run to the final four of the Katzeburg Cup the sole bright spot in a disappointing season.

Johns opens the league’s sophomore season a little in the hot-seat, with the side struggling to keep up pace with some of the lower-ranked sides who have aggressively tried to reshape their squads to close the gap. With a decent backing behind them, results may be expected quickly for Johns lest he return back to his role at the logging camp.

Who To Watch: The Lumberjacks have made minimal changes to their side in the off-season, with the biggest off-season movement being the transfer of young forward Kester Fuchs from Barenwold. Fuchs was in top form off the bench for the Bears last season, netting four times in his nine appearances, and Johns seems to have given him the nod over Lynette Farran in the starting XI.

Fuchs will be joined up top by national team regular Lambert Niles, who despite City’s lackluster season last time out finished second on the league goalscoring charts. Niles had a good international cycle however, netting 16 goals across his 34 caps to date and will be expected to keep leading the line for the Loggers.

Club captain Deena Knepp is another core national team regular and will retain the armband for another season, hoping to bring her international expertise to revitalise the side’s domestic form. She will be encouraged on by arguably the biggest diamond in the rough from the national team in Elmer Spears, who broke into the Katzeburgian national XI in place of Tilman Cummings. A consistent and hard-working midfielder, the young 17-year old will have a weight of importance and hype on him this season as he looks to take a larger role in the squad.

Outlook: Axmund City have a lot going for them, particularly with some core national team members at the heart of their lineup. But fans and the board expect more from the side as a result, and another disappointing mid-table finish, which many pundits seem to think will be the end result of their campaign, might not be enough to keep Johns in their job come the end of the season.

---

Squad

+--------+----------+------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player           | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Sage Head        | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Foster Hudson    | 27  | M      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Pauline Kunze    | 25  | F      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Ashton Kaufer    | 18  | M      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Adelheid Gerig   | 25  | F      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Araminta Seward  | 27  | F      | KAT    |
| 7      | M        | Merit Meyer      | 24  | F      | KAT    |
| 8      | M        | Emery Nelson     | 34  | F      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Royce Earls      | 23  | M      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Jaxxon Johns     | 24  | M      | KAT    |
| 11     | F        | Clay Marsh       | 17  | M      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Sylvia Lafrenz   | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | McKinley Parkins | 24  | F      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Beat Wagner      | 24  | M      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Beatrix Norman   | 23  | F      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Bobbie Gray      | 27  | M      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Gladys Lang      | 21  | F      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Gresham Steube   | 33  | M      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Dalton Loewe     | 29  | M      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Dashiell Stetson | 16  | M      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Elvin Greenberg  | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Cherokee Thomas  | 26  | M      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Dashiell Stetson (Academy), Cherokee Thomas (Inverhaven City, 0.25m)

Transfers Out: Malcolm Preston (Marinos Thimpodopoulos (AFT), 0.25m), Melissa Ohme (Shorham FC, 0.25m)

Last Season: Axmund’s burgeoning counterculture scene saw a huge boost thanks to the Eagles’ on-field antics last season, with the club outperforming expectations and even being in the title fight for a large chunk of the season before falling away in the final two matchdays to slip to a third place finish. With Challengers Cup football on the table for this season, United will be looking to build on the strong form they pulled together over the course of the first season.

The side also pulled together a great run in the Katzeburg Cup, only falling to Barenwold at the final hurdle, but Axmund United will be hoping to go one further this time around.

Manager Ronnette Wayne has even doubled down her commitment to the team, hiring a new store manager at Cards N’More to allow for Cards of Masteria competitions at her store to run without her input - allowing the side to spend more time on the pitch training and refining the strong club culture they have formed.

Who To Watch: The Eagles didn’t make huge moves in the off-season, mostly opting to stay with the side which has done so well in the league’s debut season. Cherokee Thomas comes into the squad from Inverhaven City to shore up the attacking depth of the side following Melissa Ohme’s departure to Shorham, while Dashiell Stetson gets the nod from the Eagles’ youth team to replace Malcolm Preston who departed for the bright lights of Abanhfleft football.

Axmund United’s stars are again its eclectic front line - Jaxxon Johns and young prospect Clay Marsh netted 27 goals between them last season and both have become a core part of the Katzeburgian national squad, picking up crucial goals off the bench.

Emery Nelson retains the armband for another season, but having lost her spot in the Katzeburg national squad midway through World Cup qualifiers, she’ll be keen to double down and fight for her spot to show that the now 34-year-old has what it takes to dominate the league from the midfield.

Outlook: Axmund United’s plan last season was just to finish ahead of their cross-town rivals, something they did with ease. Now they have their sights firmly set on maintaining their spot in the top four and potentially making the most of an international run. Whether they have the squad depth to do so however, may be the question up in the air.

---

Squad

+--------+----------+--------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player             | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+--------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Numa Ion Misaki    | 19  | M      | NTN    |
| 2      | D        | Fae Dean           | 20  | F      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Londyn Bronson     | 27  | F      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Meridith Rosenfeld | 21  | F      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Bellamy Mueller    | 21  | M      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Helmfried Volk     | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 7      | CM       | Eun Hermann        | 19  | M      | CRN    |
| 8      | M        | Jonas Wild         | 21  | M      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | David Broadbent    | 25  | M      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Reed Bosch         | 23  | M      | KAT    |
| 11     | F        | Reinhold Beringer  | 32  | M      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Roman Becke        | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | Casimir Fairchild  | 34  | M      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Andrew Sigourney   | 35  | M      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Meike Bumgarner    | 16  | F      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Ralphie Allsopp    | 31  | M      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Lavena Parish      | 28  | F      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Benjy Braddock     | 25  | M      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Matilda Parker     | 31  | F      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Sibylla Hobbes     | 17  | F      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Tiffani Kuchler    | 20  | F      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Jaye Behrend       | 31  | M      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+--------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Numa Ion Misaki (Free), Eun Hermann (Crpostown United Academy, Free), Meike Bumgarner (Academy)

Transfers Out: Marvyn Keen (Retired), Connie Barnes (Released), Shantelle Daniels (Released)

Last Season: At the tail end of one of Katzeburg’s largest rivers, the Cuomo, Avonsend endured a torrid time at the foot of the table, picking up just three wins across their campaign as the side finished last overall. But there were some bright spots in the River Rats first season - their total of 11 draws was the most in the league, and had they converted some more of those into wins, they would have been comfortably away from the bottom.

Who To Watch: Out of all the Katzeburgian teams in the off-season, none went as hard into the international market as Avonsend, cutting loose a few of the older members of the squad in favour of youth and overseas potential. A prolonged transfer saga over the off-season involving starting keeper Roman Becke ended with the young keeper not securing a move elsewhere.

But manager Lavender Shirley has been proactive in sourcing his replacement - picking up Numa Ion Misaki for free out of Natanians and Nosts - with the young keeper projected to be a key figure in the side’s push this season.

Shirley has also looked to Crpostran for reinforcements, picking up midfield talent Eun Hermann for a free. Early reports into the side suggest Hermann is integral to the side’s success this season, showing a level of talent and skill sorely lacking from the River Rats last season.

Last season’s captain Andrew Signourney has been replaced in the starting lineup in favour of young hope Fae Dean, with striker Reinhold Beringer picking up the armband for this season. With just six goals to his name in a lacklustre first season, he will be expected to be a key attacking piece of the puzzle should he stay fit.

Outlook: Avonsend are the great unknown this season - some strong pickups in the transfer market has given them a big leap in talent and skill available to them, but the side still lacks the resources to be a true contender - but with a passionate fanbase this reduction in expectation might be key to letting the side be a bit more creative.

---

Squad

+--------+----------+---------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player              | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+---------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Raymond Rose        | 32  | M      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Katharine Howland   | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Sid Twist           | 19  | M      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Lou Hauer           | 31  | M      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Theo Bryant         | 19  | M      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Missy Siegel        | 28  | F      | KAT    |
| 7      | M        | Keira Herman        | 25  | F      | KAT    |
| 8      | M        | Laurence Irwin      | 27  | M      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Valentin Michaelson | 25  | M      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Serena Bissette     | 20  | F      | KAT    |
| 11     | F        | Danita Bannerman    | 22  | F      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Neville Schirmer    | 27  | M      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | Cassidy Oakley      | 16  | F      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Edie Ewart          | 25  | F      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Presley Schultze    | 19  | M      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Adalynn Tinker      | 30  | F      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Adelle Presley      | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Maynerd Hepburn     | 31  | M      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Tilman Cummings     | 35  | M      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Keri Frye           | 29  | F      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Freddie Colter      | 16  | M      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Levi Danniell       | 29  | M      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+---------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Cassidy Oakley (Academy), Freddie Colter (Academy)

Transfers Out: Caryn Duerr (Retired), Kester Fuchs (Axmund City, 0.5m)

Last Season: The affluent town of Barenwold will be welcoming international football in the form of the Cup Winners Cup this season, thanks to their headline result of winning last season’s Katzeburg Cup. The side was in top defensive form in their run, conceding their first goal of the Cup in the 88th minute of the semi-final. But in the league, it was a rather different story.

The traditionally data-heavy side struggled to maintain consistency and pace with the top sides, resulting in them getting sucked into a four-way fight for fifth which thankfully the side did just enough to secure - but manager Harley Watson has remained committed to the process built in the first season and only made minor tinkers to the team to facilitate this season’s drive.

Who To Watch: Barenwold made no major moves in the off-season market, bringing in a pair of graduate players from their academy rather than dip their toes into the fray. It did not stop Kester Fuchs departing for Axmund City after it was made clear to the young player he wouldn’t crack the starting line-up for season two.

Captain Raymond Rose retains the armband and the spot between the sticks, and while he was on the national team periphery, he failed to get a game for the Katzeburg side - and time will be running out on his career to crack into the squad if he wants to represent Katzeburg.

Midfielder Tilman Cummings has been phased out of the starting lineup in a similar manner to how he was outed in the national team setup, now an impact player off the bench while Missy Siegel will be expected to pick up the slack in the middle of the park - with many internally tipping her to have a breakout season ahead.

The young star defender Katharine Howland enters her second season as a cornerstone not only of the Barenwold side, but the national team - having been integral to the Katzeburg’s most recent World Cup cycle.

Outlook: Barenwold have taken a gamble by sticking with their squad by and large coming into this season - Watson’s data must be showing something positive to do so, but given the side was easily sucked into a fight for fifth last season, supporters will be hoping they can avoid a similar fate this time around.

---

Squad

+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player            | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Romilly Lindsay   | 19  | F      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Nelson Layton     | 23  | M      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Brittani Fries    | 25  | F      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Jupp Causer       | 34  | M      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Sinclair Good     | 32  | M      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Silvester Causey  | 17  | M      | KAT    |
| 7      | M        | Davena Jones      | 32  | F      | KAT    |
| 8      | M        | Donnie Davidson   | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Eglantine Hodson  | 26  | F      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Norman Buchholz   | 21  | M      | KAT    |
| 11     | F        | Eno Kagadan       | 24  | M      | XAN    |
| 12     | GK       | Lia Read          | 23  | F      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | Donna Beckenbauer | 26  | F      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Ben Heidrich      | 16  | M      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Alex Wahner       | 33  | M      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Newton York       | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Michael Nichols   | 16  | M      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Martie Major      | 25  | M      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Drake Hayter      | 21  | M      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Lorayne Belcher   | 23  | F      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Dick Beckenbauer  | 16  | M      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Lila Boesch       | 33  | F      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Sinclair Good (Free), Eno Kagadan (Carleton Park Rangers (XAN), 0.7m), Ben Heidrich (Academy), Michael Nichols (Academy), Dick Beckenbauer (Academy), Lila Boesch (Free)

Transfers Out: Sonja Daubney (Mikan Wave (RIE), 0.75m), Earl Stainthorpe (Released), Rigby Friedrich (Released), Abegail Norris (Retired), Eppie Read (Retired), Gail Love (Retired)

Last Season: Sitting at one of the most northern points of the Katzeburgian mainland, the small tourist town of Blubeck made up the numbers for the most part last season, sliding into a 12th place finish with the standout high of their season being the four points they nicked off Katzestadt Rovers across their two games.

But the side looks to be on the up, reinvesting some of the positive funds brought in from tourists visiting Blubeck over the off-season to secure manager Sloane Muller on a full-time basis, giving the squad more time to gel and really make their mark on a tightening league.

Who To Watch: The freeing up of time for Muller was quickly reinvested in a squad cleanout, with no more than six players leaving Bluebell Park, including hot prospect Sonja Daubney, who made history with her transfer to Riena’s Mikan Wave as the first overseas Katzeburgian player.

The big name signing is forward Eno Kagadan from Xanneria, coming over to Katzeburg after he was surplus to requirements for Carleton Park Rangers. Kagadan will be the sole target for Blubeck’s attacking play and is early odds-on favourite to break Blubeck’s goalscoring record of eight - held by Daubney.

With a lot of retirements and releasing of perceived dead wood, Muller has shored up the ranks with three academy players and the free signings of Sinclair Good, last at Katzestadt Rovers, and Lila Boesch, last at Inverhaven Ironworks.

The result is a much younger squad than a lot of the league - with an average age of 23.8, Blubeck have some real raw talent in the mix. Defender Jupp Causer will retain the armband while midfielder Eglantine Hodson will be expected to act as the glue for the side as she pushes for a national team call-up.

She will be joined in the midfield by young talent Silvester Causey, who was a regular for the side last season but is now quickly coming into his own as the next big talent for the Storm.

Outlook: Blubeck have doubled down their commitment to youth this season but made some smart and collected moves in the transfer market which could prove very beneficial - however, there is a question mark as to whether the squad has enough experience about it to see off tough games.

---

Squad

+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player            | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Geffrey Queen     | 22  | M      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Ezekiel Hodges    | 17  | M      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Erik Clarkson     | 19  | M      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Erick Huxtable    | 30  | M      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Selina Gold       | 32  | F      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Davie Cook        | 26  | M      | KAT    |
| 7      | M        | Rebeckah Dukes    | 24  | F      | KAT    |
| 8      | M        | Archer Martinson  | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Meriel Arkwright  | 25  | F      | KAT    |
| 10     | ST       | Kazimir Karatanov | 32  | M      | STL    |
| 11     | F        | Lori Pilgrim      | 26  | F      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Bronwyn Stuck     | 20  | F      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | Maynard Dallas    | 33  | M      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Thom Bennington   | 27  | M      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Lesia Hennig      | 24  | F      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Owen Levitt       | 35  | M      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Gwendolyn Durr    | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Kevin Dohman      | 19  | M      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Ulric Alfredson   | 16  | M      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Willoughby Tash   | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Dom Averill       | 16  | M      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Napoleon Dresdner | 24  | M      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Kazimir Karatanov (Energija Chernovets (STL), 1m), Ulric Alfredson (Academy), Dom Averill (Academy)

Transfers Out: Wilkie Schindler (Readale Wanderers (TMB), 1m), Cherokee Thomas (Axmund United, 0.25m), Rylie Howard (Released)

Last Season: Inverhaven is Katzeburg’s industrial heartland, and the team built off the back of the city’s dockworkers were arguably one of the surprise packets of last season, pushing champions Katzestadt AFC to the very final matchday in a tight title race which saw the trophy fail to stop at Anchor Field as the side fell to a last minute defeat at Refeld.

Manager Jenna Forest will have Challengers Cup football to contend with this season as the side looks to fend off the rising threat of their cross-city rivals in the Ironworks, who last season were a thorn in the side of City on and off-field.

Who To Watch: Inverhaven City splashed the cash in the off-season transfer window, bringing in an established striker in Kazimir Karatanov from Siovanija and Teusland for a record-breaking 1 million barins in what is viewed by Forest as the missing link for the side. Karatanov is expected to be a huge player for City and one who despite his age should draw extra eyes from the watching public to see how he fares after a decade at Energija.

Wilkie Schindler leads the departures, going to Tumbra’s Readale Wanderers for a record-fee of 1 million barins in a deal many in the media are calling an absolute fleecing of Readale given Schindler’s lackluster form last season.

Captain Owen Levitt retains the armband despite finding himself on the outside of the starting XI this season, with the former Katzeburgian national captain stepping back from first-team duties to allow for youth to be blooded in the form of 17-year-old Ezekiel Hodges.

Leading the defence will be the man who replaced him in the national line-up in Erik Clarkson, who has quickly shown experience beyond his years for the Blue Cats and will be looking to take a key role in the Dockers’ fortunes this season.

Midfielder Meriel Arkwright was one of the explosive players who forced her way into the national team lineup last season following incredible domestic form, becoming an integral cog of Katzeburg’s attacking play, but given the amount of football she’s played over the last cycle, fatigue might be a crucial factor in her success this season.

Outlook: Inverhaven City have a solid squad which has been reinforced with a sprinkle of quality needed to push themselves further. Will it be enough to secure the title this time around? Early guesses are no, but stranger things have happened.

---

Squad

+--------+----------+--------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player             | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+--------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | McKinley Clinton   | 33  | F      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Betsy Terry        | 21  | F      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Jerrold Dallas     | 24  | M      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Winton Burgstaller | 24  | M      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Romilly Ackermann  | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Carson Randell     | 22  | F      | KAT    |
| 7      | CM       | Marco Lixau        | 19  | M      | TER    |
| 8      | M        | Joachim Newell     | 22  | M      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Prunella Haines    | 22  | F      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Gracelyn Jaeger    | 20  | F      | KAT    |
| 11     | F        | Leith Coburn       | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Junko Koide        | 17  | M      | RIN    |
| 13     | GK       | Boris Greene       | 29  | M      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Amberlynn Schultz  | 22  | F      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Katee Wirth        | 22  | F      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Malani Glass       | 24  | F      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Deryck Stumpf      | 31  | M      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Rudolph Bennet     | 18  | M      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Samson Burrell     | 29  | M      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Kennith Joseph     | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Tyrrell Best       | 16  | M      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Micha Kelsey       | 31  | M      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+--------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Marco Lixau (Nacional Terense (TER), 0.8m), Junko Koide (Riena Elite Development Program (RIE), Free), Tyrrell Best (Academy)

Transfers Out: Branson Chance (Released), Lila Boesch (Released), Jessica Dietrich (Shorham FC, Free)

Last Season: Situated less than two kilometres from Inverhaven City’s Anchor Field sits the Factory Grounds, a field tacked onto the side of the Inverhaven Iron Company. Owned and operated by the Ironworks company management, the Ironworks pulled up a few stumps in their first season on their way to a sixth place finish and a spot in the CEdC.

Defensively strong, the side saw the least amount of goals conceded of any team with just 18, but struggles up front and a lack of goals curtailed any hope of keeping pace with the top four.

Manager Linton Rounds has settled into the team and kept the strong defensive mindset at the heart of the team, with a view to now build on their initial finish.

Who To Watch: Helping them in this quest to build a winning side will no doubt be the war chest which has been unlocked by the IIC after they were successful in winning the government contract to build the in-progress North Katzeburg railway amidst controversy which sucked in the national team’s federation.

This resulted in the side picking up more international talent than most, with midfielder Marco Lixau the key pickup from Tero al Disco. The young midfielder will be expected to hit the ground running in the starting XI, but the same can’t strictly be said for his international partner Junko Koide, who comes from Riena.

Koide has been brought into the squad to act as a rotating keeper for current club captain McKinley Clinton, who at 33, is starting to be phased out of first team play. This means the side will rotate between the two starters early on until - in the eyes of Rounds - one takes the lead.

Joachim Newell comes into his second season as the heart of the team and a key player to link up with Lixau in the centre of the field. With a national team call-up on the cards should he hit form, Newell will be looking to make his mark quickly and early.

Forward Leith Coburn had a solid first season, picking up nine goals across her campaign in what would be over a third of the team’s total haul. Rounds is expecting her to again lead the line, but given the side has now benefitted somewhat from the war chest a sluggish return up front may lead the club to look overseas for the answer.

Outlook: Inverhaven Ironworks are a club on the rise, thanks in part to the investment in resources for the club - but they will need to see those results pay off, and the board will be looking for a top four finish to ensure their project continues on as planned.

---

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 2
PREVIEWS - PART 2

Squad

+--------+----------+------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player           | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Ry Whinery       | 27  | F      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Laurence Herman  | 22  | M      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Julian Weekes    | 33  | M      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Gideon Wilkins   | 31  | M      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Cale Fux         | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Phillipa Wahner  | 29  | F      | KAT    |
| 7      | M        | Desiree Lynton   | 17  | F      | KAT    |
| 8      | M        | Stacey Coleman   | 34  | F      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Serena Plank     | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Lloyd Field      | 25  | M      | KAT    |
| 11     | F        | Lavena Kneib     | 29  | F      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Harry Ott        | 24  | M      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | Brannon Niles    | 28  | M      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Dawson Lacey     | 30  | M      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Manley Wang      | 26  | M      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Davida Wendell   | 30  | F      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Casimir White    | 24  | M      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Jakki Newport    | 30  | F      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Isador Short     | 26  | M      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Kierra Hunnisett | 30  | F      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Wes Layton       | 24  | M      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Madilyn Tuff     | 29  | F      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: None

Transfers Out: None

Last Season: Playing out of the Katzeburgian national stadium in the nation’s capital, Katzestadt AFC left it to the last day, but lived up to their self-proclaimed favourites tag by lifting the league in its first season. But it wasn’t all roses for the Royals - the side famously fell apart in an 8-3 thumping by Littleport mid-season and were dumped out of the Katzeburg Cup in the first round by Refeld.

But backed by the Baren Financial Group, the Royals have Champions League football to enjoy and manager Jim Krantz has reaffirmed his commitment to the team by signing a long-term contract with the weight of expectation now firmly on his shoulders.

Who To Watch: Rather interestingly, despite having money available to them and the reputational benefits of CL football, Katzestadt AFC made not a single move in the transfer window, opting to keep the side as it was at the start of last season.

This has resulted in a tightly knit squad which should hopefully help continue the side’s good form heading into the second season. But there has been some changes - Katzeburgian number one Ry Whinery takes the armband from Gideon Wilkins to align her with the captaincy she holds for the national side.

Lloyd Field will again be the side’s top striker and having picked up a solid return of 15 goals in his first season which was enough to earn him a place on the edge of the national set-up, he will be looking to hit the ground running to try and force his way into a starting spot.

Midfielder Serena Plank has been arguably the find of the Katzeburgian team last season, with the 18-year old one of the first names on the national teamsheet, and popping up with 10 goals of her own domestically in a season which saw a lot of international interest but no done deals for the young midfielder.

However, the team will be cautious that they now have one of the oldest squads in the league at an average age of 26.6 - but the quality inherent in the team may be enough to shove off any contenders.

Outlook: Katzestadt AFC will again be the favourites to lift the trophy come the end of the season, but a silent transfer window might mean the team has been passed by without them knowing - it’s a transfer strategy which will either pay dividends or send the Royals bust.

---

Squad

+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player            | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Julianne Spooner  | 22  | F      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Clarice Merchant  | 27  | F      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Lex Dreschner     | 28  | M      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Elicia Morton     | 19  | F      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Faithe Colbert    | 28  | F      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Vera Horsfall     | 30  | F      | KAT    |
| 7      | M        | Heilwig Courtney  | 26  | F      | KAT    |
| 8      | M        | Wright Kuhn       | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Colin Benjaminson | 22  | M      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Lacie Armistead   | 31  | F      | KAT    |
| 11     | F        | Drake Wruck       | 31  | M      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Taryn Messer      | 29  | F      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | Julyan Gully      | 27  | M      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Shana Haynes      | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Ty Blake          | 16  | M      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Lynda Wilkie      | 31  | F      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Sally Geiszler    | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Traci Holt        | 23  | F      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Hannes Cason      | 17  | M      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Bettie Kidd       | 22  | F      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Dusty Earls       | 22  | M      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Walt Ziegler      | 16  | M      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Ty Blake (Academy), Walt Ziegler (Academy)

Transfers Out: Adi Kuchler (Han Dold City (SRS), 0.25m), Sinclair Good (Released)

Last Season: On the other side of the Katzeburgian capital city, the Rovers ensured both sides from Katzestadt would be playing international football thanks to a calm fourth placed finish, but one which raised many more questions about what more the side could have done had they been on top form.

The 59 goals scored, including a ridiculous 20 from league Golden Boot winner Drake Wruck, was a league high, but the side dropped just too many points to lower sides to swing themselves into title contention.

However, off-the-field the club’s community drives were a resounding success, with the team easily the most well-regarded in the league and according to some surveys, the more popular of the two Katzestadt clubs.

Manager Eugene Phillips secured himself a second season at the helm at the Rovers AGM, receiving 68% of the vote - a decrease from the first season, but healthy enough to ensure he remains in charge of the fan-owned club.

Who To Watch: The Rovers have opted for youth over experience this off-season, bringing in a pair of academy players and offloading Sinclair Good and Adi Kuchler instead. Kuchler, who has gone overseas, is regarded as a bit of a loss for the supporters, with the cult-hero nabbing a few vital goals last season, but Phillips will be hoping the young forward bench can make up for this.

At the heart of this well-rounded team is the standout Katzeburgian star Drake Wruck, who comes into the season not only as the reigning Golden Boot winner, but by far and away the all-time leading Katzeburgian goalscorer nationally, netting 35 goals in 38 caps for the Blue Cats. Wruck and his goalscoring form will be vital to the side’s success this season, with many backing him to easily break the 20 goal mark again.

Vera Horsfall has been elected captain of the club for this season, taking the armband from Wruck who willingly stepped back to focus on his goalscoring efforts. Horsfall is a national team regular, picking up some crucial goals and assists nationally - with many hoping this will flow down again to the domestic stage.

Elicia Morton in the backline has been someone who is moving into a consistent name in the national squad following a strong breakout season last time out - at just 19, she marks a good long-term play for the Rovers as they look to build the defence around her and her resilient mindset.

Outlook: Katzestadt Rovers don’t have the financial backing that their cross-city rivals do, but they have the heart and the talent to bring the title fight to them. Supporters will be expecting more this season, but many are tipping the Rovers to be more than up for that challenge.

---

Squad

+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player            | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Fae Leon          | 27  | F      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Olyvia Sommer     | 28  | F      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Amayah Griffiths  | 23  | F      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Millard Kastner   | 35  | M      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Lon Cox           | 18  | M      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Shelagh Frei      | 27  | F      | KAT    |
| 7      | M        | Gregor Sessions   | 28  | M      | KAT    |
| 8      | M        | Deacon Winslow    | 28  | M      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Angela Windsor    | 26  | F      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Walton Hershey    | 19  | M      | KAT    |
| 11     | F        | Drake Martel      | 28  | M      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Rhetta Shearer    | 20  | F      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | Harold Gerstle    | 16  | M      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Trish Slusser     | 35  | F      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Lorin Butts       | 33  | F      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Benjamin Gore     | 32  | M      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Joetta Hildebrand | 28  | F      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Darlene Steed     | 29  | F      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Brandt Godfrey    | 19  | M      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Esmaralda Bowers  | 27  | F      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Jana Penn         | 16  | F      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Violet Forstner   | 22  | F      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Harold Gerstle (Academy), Jana Penn (Academy)

Transfers Out: Felicie Behrend (Released), Royce Ingham (Released)

Last Season: A small industrial port town, Littleport struggled for a good chunk of last season. The side was the first to depart with their manager, with town mayor Dion Jennings shown the door after 13 matchdays. Star defender Millard Kastner stepped in as a caretaker and immediately produced the result of the season in a 8-3 thrashing of Katzestadt AFC.

Kastner would guide the Reds from the bottom of the table to a comfy 10th place finish and as a result, secured himself a full-time role as the Littleport manager going forward. He will still oversee the side on the field as a player, but will be looking to take more of a manager role over the season as he phases out of playing age.

Who To Watch: Kastner has tapped into the local academy to build the squad on the cheap, outing a pair of underperforming players in Behrend and Ingham to bring in new and hopefully long-term players.

Taking the armband, Kastner will be looking to keep the team together while prepping for his nearing retirement from the field, with midfielder Angela Windsor one potential captain for the future after having stepped up towards the back end of the previous season.

Walton Hershey netted some crucial goals for the side last time out and this purple patch of form even netted him a national call-up and debut, but pressure will be building on the young striker to back that up and guide Littleport towards a better finish than last season.

Trish Slusser, the previous captain, remains in the squad as another experienced head, but at 35 her impact from the bench isn’t expected to pull up much.

Outlook: Littleport have taken a big step forward under the guide of Kastner, who is quickly turning into one of the nation’s hottest managerial prospects. They aren’t there yet though, and another season of struggle looks to be on the cards, but if they stick with it - Littleport may be a bit of a dark horse to look out for.

---

Squad

+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player            | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Huxley Trueman    | 32  | M      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Tayler Cooke      | 25  | F      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Kinglsey West     | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Casimir Thorburn  | 19  | M      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Truman Gump       | 27  | M      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Emmett Garner     | 24  | M      | KAT    |
| 7      | M        | Babe Barr         | 17  | F      | KAT    |
| 8      | M        | Kim Paget         | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Journee Atwood    | 24  | F      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Brigitte Ball     | 20  | F      | KAT    |
| 11     | F        | Rhetta Jans       | 24  | F      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Averill Jardine   | 16  | M      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | Marylu Howard     | 28  | F      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Jeffrey Lucas     | 34  | M      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Emalee Quickly    | 25  | F      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Alisya Bishop     | 30  | F      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Urban Bridges     | 21  | M      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Simonette Trueman | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Montgomery Straub | 21  | M      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Jojo Behrends     | 18  | M      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Carl Strobel      | 23  | M      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Malaysia Mallory  | 26  | F      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Averill Jardine (Academy)

Transfers Out: Kasey Victors (Released)

Last Season: Situated on the edge of the Campbellnia National Park in the nation’s north-east, Penntop started slow but picked up pace over the season to eventually become the best of the rest - finishing six points behind Axmund City but five points ahead of Littleport in 9th.

The club, regarded by many neutral supporters as the ‘hipster’s choice’ arguably were the most neutral team in the league last season, doing enough to be alright, but not enough to be a contender.

Who To Watch: Manager Barbra Akers has opted to keep a light touch on ins and outs this season, with the sole change being the promotion of Averill Jardine in the club’s keeper stocks in place of Kasey Victors.

This means Penntop by and large are the same as last time around - Huxley Trueman will be leading the side from goal but may find his position under threat should the side continue to concede easy goals. Meanwhile Babe Barr in the middle of the park will be the young star to look out for - last season the 17-year-old nabbed a handful of goals, but as the Lions look to be a bit more aggressive, she may rise to the top.

Up front, Brigitte Ball had a strong start to last season which saw her pick up some national caps, but her goalscoring record fizzled out towards the back end of the campaign - she will vital to Penntop’s scoring threat, but will need to pick things up if she wants to force her way back into national contention.

Outlook: Penntop were predicted to be chaos last season, but this season it may be more of the same. Nothing major in any direction, with a potential cup run the best the side can ask for. But supporters will be keen to make sure they aren’t just there to make up the numbers, and pressure could be piled on Akers should they start really poorly.

---

Squad

+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player            | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Jim Comstock      | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Ernst Grosser     | 18  | M      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Prudence Boon     | 20  | F      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Jessika Short     | 21  | F      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Callan Everill    | 18  | M      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Kyrie Hirschel    | 32  | F      | KAT    |
| 7      | M        | Evelyn Christian  | 21  | F      | KAT    |
| 8      | M        | Rafe Stevenson    | 31  | M      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Sukie Sexton      | 20  | F      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Salena Washington | 21  | F      | KAT    |
| 11     | F        | Warren Triggs     | 24  | M      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Hildred Jacobson  | 27  | F      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | Auston Stevens    | 31  | M      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Diana Farnham     | 20  | F      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Rosanne Allen     | 16  | F      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Presley Wheeler   | 17  | F      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Roosevelt Oelberg | 21  | M      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Finnley Mallory   | 25  | M      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Ursula Wirth      | 27  | F      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Teddy Hobbes      | 21  | M      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Luanne Falkner    | 16  | F      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Marlon Wilkerson  | 31  | M      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+-------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Roseanna Allen (Academy), Luanne Falkner (Academy), Marlon Wilkerson (Shorham FC, Free)

Transfers Out: Serrena Cokes (Released), Ansley Fry (Released), Gereon Hayward (Released)

Last Season: Sitting on the northern plains the small Katzeburgian farming community of Refeld, which was struck with disappointment at how much it struggled in its first ever league season. Finishing second last and only ahead of Avonsend, Refeld’s attacking returns were the killer - at just 19 goals scored, the side couldn’t find the goals needed to push away from the foot of the table.

There were spots of promise though - wins over Katzestadt AFC and Inverhaven City shows they can mix it on their day, but manager (and owner of the club’s Orchard Meadow ground) Sheena Bateson will be hopeful this consistency can build next season.

Who To Watch: Like many other clubs in the league, Refeld has gone after youth and putting faith in their local academy to flesh out the squad in the off-season, with the only real transfer of note being the signing of Marlon Wilkerson from Shorham on a free. Wilkerson had a torrid time in front of goal last season, failing to find the net once in his 26 appearances for the Tourists, but he comes to the Farmers with a new lease on life and hopefully a stronger impact off the bench.

As a result, the Farmers are still relying on the core of their side from last season - captain Rafe Stevenson will be pulling the strings in the middle of the park as the side’s ball winning midfielder, but pressure has already started to be placed on him to perform better in attacking positions this season, as the side fights to pick up more goals.

Defence will be a key area where Refeld will need to improve, and they will be looking to a pair of young but key players to lead on that agenda. Keeper Jim Comstock had a good start to the season previously, which even earned him a national cap in the Baptism of Fire, but he fell off towards the back end of the campaign - a return to form is desperately needed for the Farmer’s key shot-stopper.

Callan Everill will also be a key figure in the backline and one of a rather young defence. Having underperformed last season he will be desperate to pick up a string of good performances, particularly as it was rumoured within the local community his family may be looking to move out of the region following a poor harvest season.

Outlook: Refeld seem likely to suffer another season of difficulty in the bottom half, with other teams in similar spots taking swings for the fences in terms of players coming in. However, this may be a benefit for the Farmers, as the close-knit nature of the side may help fight through some tough games and pull off some tight results when it matters.

---

Squad

+--------+----------+------------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player                 | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+------------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Payton Sommer          | 26  | M      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Eden Avery             | 33  | F      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Katy Fenwick           | 23  | F      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Farrell Unkle          | 25  | M      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Conway Dorsey          | 32  | M      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Fisher Hilton          | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 7      | M        | Petra Moores           | 17  | F      | KAT    |
| 8      | M        | Wilburn Sommer         | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Pamila Daubney         | 18  | F      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Felipe Rigoberto Palma | 22  | M      | IPG    |
| 11     | F        | Melissa Ohme           | 32  | F      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Lessie Martins         | 20  | F      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | Yolanda Schumaker      | 16  | F      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Wilfried Paden         | 24  | M      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Dyson Christinsen      | 24  | M      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Richard Garret         | 25  | M      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Lynda Kastner          | 31  | F      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Jessika Dietrich       | 34  | F      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Henning Acker          | 26  | M      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Summer Falkner         | 21  | F      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Brody Phillips         | 19  | M      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Brianne Chaplin        | 16  | F      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+------------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Felipe Rigoberto Palma ((IPG), Loan), Melissa Ohme (Axmund United, 0.25m), Yolanda Schumaker (Academy), Jessica Dietrich (Inverhaven Ironworks, Free), Brianne Chaplin (Academy)

Transfers Out: Marlon Wilkerson (Refeld FC, Free), Denny Hobbs (Malabon SC (AFT), 0.5m), Jase Dreher (Retired), Dwain Hailey (Retired), Elea Bauer (Released)

Last Season: The seaside town of Shorham didn’t immediately get the boost in tourism they were expecting following a rougher than expected first season, labouring at times to an ok but not fantastic, 11th place finish.

Manager Regine Pabst did guide the side to some impressive results - including a three match unbeaten streak including wins over Axmund United and Katzestadt Rovers - but the side failed to find any consistent form over the campaign.

Who To Watch: The lack of success on the field hasn’t deterred the side from its goal of playing attractive and slick football, and Pabst has reinforced the team with some more experienced heads to try and sharpen up the core of the squad for the upcoming season.

Melissa Ohme comes into the side from Axmund United where she will take a starting spot alongside Felipe Rigoberto Palma, a loan player from Panay Islands and Guimaras who is taking a prolonged holiday in the region.

Jessika Dietrich, who was a regular at Inverhaven Ironworks last season, will take a spot on the bench as an impact player, but all eyes will continue to be on Shorham’s bright young talent Petra Moores. At just 17, Petra has broken into the national setup and nabbed some solid performances off the bench and is one where another good season could see her drawing the eyes of clubs across Katzeburg and beyond.

Club captain Eden Avery retains the armband for another season and will be instrumental in helping the side maintain its commitment to positive football, while keeper Payton Sommer will again be the crucial piece between the sticks, despite a pre-season injury which has kept her sidelined for a chunk of the Tourists’ training camp.

Outlook: Shorham seem to slowly be putting together the bones of a solid team and there is no doubt they have covered a lot of ground on the rest of the league - but will it be enough to push the side into the top 10? Odds are unlikely, but the side could easily throw together a spicy cup run.

---

Squad

+--------+----------+------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| Number | Position | Player           | Age | Gender | Nation |
+--------+----------+------------------+-----+--------+--------+
| 1      | GK       | Gerald Kerper    | 21  | M      | KAT    |
| 2      | D        | Monday Mynatt    | 18  | M      | KAT    |
| 3      | D        | Jewel Hampson    | 33  | M      | KAT    |
| 4      | D        | Paula Tatum      | 24  | F      | KAT    |
| 5      | D        | Kylee Hawthorne  | 20  | F      | KAT    |
| 6      | M        | Jocelyn Neumann  | 17  | F      | KAT    |
| 7      | M        | Lexus Martin     | 25  | F      | KAT    |
| 8      | M        | Hubert Watermann | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 9      | M        | Michel Slusser   | 18  | M      | KAT    |
| 10     | F        | Humbert Barrett  | 26  | M      | KAT    |
| 11     | F        | Lindsey Stieber  | 29  | M      | KAT    |
| 12     | GK       | Roderick Byrd    | 17  | M      | KAT    |
| 13     | GK       | Morgan Haber     | 22  | M      | KAT    |
| 14     | D        | Adam Bach        | 20  | M      | KAT    |
| 15     | D        | Rahel Bottcher   | 31  | F      | KAT    |
| 16     | D        | Rick Grant       | 32  | M      | KAT    |
| 17     | M        | Saylor Bridges   | 28  | F      | KAT    |
| 18     | M        | Gisa Dickman     | 23  | F      | KAT    |
| 19     | M        | Norbert Trump    | 26  | M      | KAT    |
| 20     | F        | Trey Parish      | 16  | M      | KAT    |
| 21     | F        | Humphry Hertz    | 33  | M      | KAT    |
| 22     | F        | Herbert Steube   | 24  | M      | KAT    |
+--------+----------+------------------+-----+--------+--------+

Transfers In: Trey Parish (Academy)

Transfers Out: Mary Macey (Released)

Last Season: Based roughly midway between the cities of Inverhaven and Katzestadt along the River Cuomo, Wolfenholm had lady luck to thank for their international football this season after scraping into a qualifying position with a sixty placed finish, a single point ahead of Axmund City.

With CEdC football on the cards, Wolfenholm will have something to challenge for this season as they look to perform to full expectations in the league and cup - although a run to the final four of the Katzeburg Cup last season cannot be sniffed at either.

Who To Watch: Manager Rayner Outterridge has rather interestingly opted to maintain the core of the side from last season despite a clear mandate from the board to pick up winners. Trey Parish is the only addition to the squad, coming through the side’s youth team at the expense of Mary Macey, who was released after netting one goal in her nine sub appearances.

The side’s defence has been worked on throughout the off-season and will likely be where the side has made the most improvements - Captain Jewel Hampson has instilled a real winning mentality into the squad through rather long and at times draining sessions, with the result a backline more primed to hold up against tough opposition.

Monday Mynatt looks prime to have a breakout season as a result, with the 18-year-old already working her way into national team contention with a cap to her name to date. Key to this breakout may be the link she can form with the Wolves’ key player in the centre of the park - Lexus Martin.

Projected to be the breakout player last year, Martin struggled to make an impact, picking up just four goals for the campaign, but a trip to view the World Cup in the off-season has renewed her commitment to the team and since coming back to Katzeburg, she’s been in rare form - training daily and practising her infamous and controversial ‘cut into the floor’ technique.

Outlook: Wolfenholm were a little shocked with how the side performed last season, with a sixth place finish below their winner expectations. While they likely won’t be lifting the trophy this time around either, they could easily cause headaches for a number of teams as they push towards the top four barrier.

---

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 2
LEAGUE ROUNDS 1 TO 6

MATCHDAY 1

Katzestadt AFC 5-0 Avonsend United
Field 2’, 9’, 33’, Plank 11’, Tuff 83’
Katzestadt Rovers 2-0 Blubeck FC
Wruck 32’, 36’
Axmund United 2-1 Shorham FC
Johns 5’, Kaufer 58’ // Ohme 29’
Inverhaven City 1-2 Refeld FC
Karatanov 13’ // Washington 48’, Sexton 59’
Barenwold FC 3-1 Penntop FC
Irwin 12’, 51’, Bissette 30’ // Ball 39’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-0 Littleport AFC
Coburn 78’
Wolfenholm United 3-1 Axmund City
Barrett 23’, 28’, Hertz 70’ // Simmons 56’

Fans flocked to the opening day of the KNL’s second ever season, with crowd attendances swelling as a result of the national side’s positive showings in the Cup of Harmony and Campionato Esportiva in the off-season.

However, the travelling Avonsend fans who were feeling slightly optimistic had their weekend ruined in stunning fashion away at the reigning champions - Lloyd Field grabbing a first-half hat-trick as the Royals stormed to a 5-0 thumping over the River Rats.

Meanwhile Refeld picked up the shock of the day, downing last season’s runner-up Inverhaven City at Anchor Field thanks to two second half goals - the debut of star signing Kazimir Karatanov for the Dockers was a positive one for the Siovanija and Teusland striker however, scoring just 13 minutes into his first game.

---

MATCHDAY 2

Blubeck FC 1-1 Katzestadt AFC
Kagadan 46’ // Field 61’
Shorham FC 2-0 Avonsend United
Palma 24’, Unkle 33’
Refeld FC 1-0 Katzestadt Rovers
Washington 5’
Penntop FC 0-1 Axmund United
Kunze 51’
Littleport AFC 2-0 Inverhaven City
Windsor 4’, 41’
Axmund City 1-1 Barenwold FC
Niles 40’ // Herman 90’
Wolfenholm United 1-0 Inverhaven Ironworks
Mynatt 38’

Inverhaven City’s title hopes seem to be quickly fading just two games into the season, with the side falling to Littleport in a clash that wasn’t as tight as the score implies for the Reds. Millard Kastner’s side dominated play over the Dockers, with a brace from Angela Windsor enough to secure all three points.

Meanwhile Refeld are one of the shock sides still yet to drop a point after the Farmers picked up their second huge win in as many games, downing Katzestadt Rovers 1-0 at Orchard Meadow. They are level on points with Wolfenholm United and Axmund United, with Monday Mynatt’s first half goal enough to bag the win for the Wolves.

Xanneria’s Eno Kagadan meanwhile is off the mark for Blubeck, netting the Storm’s sole goal in a tight 1-1 draw against Katzestadt AFC, a huge result for the side which is projected to sit towards the bottom of the ladder.

---

IFCF Champions League - First Qualifying Round

Katzestadt AFC 4-0 Raijin-shi (KMJ)
Plank 8’, Coleman 33’, Field 47’, Short 80’
Raijin-shi (KMJ) 1-1 Katzestadt AFC
Field 57’
Katzestadt AFC progress 5-1 on aggregate.

IFCF Challengers Cup - First Qualifying Round

Inverhaven City 1-2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls (PIS)
Karatanov 23’
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls (PIS) 1-0 Inverhaven City
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls progress 3-1 on aggregate.

Axmund United 0-1 Fontvielle Impact (VLD)
Fontvielle Impact (VLD) 2-0 Axmund United
Fontvielle Impact progress 3-0 on aggregate.

Katzestadt Rovers 3-2 Port Rhovanyon AFC (TKT)
Horsfall 17’, Wruck 56’, Kuhn 83’
Port Rhovanyon AFC (TKT) 4-0 Katzestadt Rovers
Port Rhovanyon AFC progress 6-3 on aggregate.

After the second matchday, the first ever Katzeburgian clubs to play IFCF football took to the field, with mixed success. Defending league champions Katzestadt AFC were the only one to secure victory over two legs, running to a 5-1 aggregate win over Kamijiro’s Raijin-shi thanks in part to a pair of goals from Lloyd Field.

Meanwhile Katzestadt Rovers picked up a first leg win at home to Tikariot’s Port Rhovanyon AFC in a slim 3-2 win, but the side fell apart in the return leg - sliding to a 4-0 loss and a 6-3 elimination on aggregate.

Axmund United and Inverhaven City lost both of their games to Valladares’ Fontvielle Impact and FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls from Polar Islandstates respectively, ending the Challengers Cup campaigns at the first step.

---

MATCHDAY 3

Katzestadt AFC 4-1 Shorham FC
Field 14’, Herman 27’, Plank 38’, 58’ // Ohme 81’
Blubeck FC 1-0 Refeld FC
Causer 23’
Avonsend United 2-1 Penntop FC
Hermann 8’, Bronson 46’ // Barr 53’
Katzestadt Rovers 3-2 Littleport AFC
Horsfall 18’, Wruck 24’, Kuhn 80’ // Hershey 75’, 84’
Axmund United 5-3 Axmund City
Johns 5’, 11’, 73’, Marsh 26’, 66’ // Knepp 31’, 42’, Simmons 83’
Inverhaven City 2-1 Wolfenholm United
Clarkson 18’, Karatanov 55’ // Stieber 23’
Barenwold FC 1-1 Inverhaven Ironworks
Bannerman 77’ // Dallas 69’

Refeld’s strong start to the season has crashed to a halt after the side failed to pick up any points away at Blubeck, with club captain Jupp Causer being the difference maker with a strong header midway through the first half.

Inverhaven City also hit the reset button after their mid-week elimination in the Challengers Cup, picking up their first three points of the season with a 2-1 win over previously unbeaten Wolfenholm United.

But all eyes turned to Axmund for the main game of the round, as United played City once more in the Axmund Derby - but unlike last season’s tense clashes, this one was anything but. A Jaxxon Johns hat-trick, including two goals in the first 11 minutes, helped the Eagles storm to a 5-3 win and leave the side the only one with a perfect start to their campaign.

---

IFCF Cup Winners Cup - Preliminary Round

Pesepur Pemecutan Puri (UMS) 3-0 Barenwold FC
Barenwold FC 2-3 Pesepur Pemecutan Puri (UMS)
Siegel 19’, Bissette 81’
Pesepur Pemecutan Puri progress 6-2 on aggregate.

Campionato Esportivano di Campeones - Preliminary Round

Fortuna San Marco (SFI) 0-2 Wolfenholm United
Martin 39’, Barrett 76’
Wolfenholm United 1-2 Fortuna San Marco (SFI)
Barrett 89’
Wolfenholm United progress 3-2 on aggregate.

Two more Katzeburgian teams took to the field mid-week in international football, again with very mixed results. Barenwold never looked like challenging Pesepur Pemecutan Puri in their Cup Winners Cup Preliminary Round clash, with a pair of goals in the return leg the only bright spark for the Bears.

But over in Wolfenholm it would be an entirely different story. The side went over to the Sangti and Filindo Isles and nabbed a rare away win over Fortuna San Marco to put the side in a good position for the home leg.

But two early goals at Ivy Lane left the Wolves on the precipice of a last minute collapse - only for Humbert Barrett, who netted in the first leg fixture as well, to pull a goal back in the 89th minute. Not enough to win the game, but enough to secure passage to the group stage of the CEdC where they will join Inverhaven Ironworks.

---

MATCHDAY 4

Refeld FC 0-2 Katzestadt AFC
Kneib 38’, Layton 80’
Penntop FC 1-1 Shorham FC
Ball 37’ // Moores 52’
Littleport AFC 3-2 Blubeck FC
Hershey 35’, Penn 81’, Godfrey 87’ // Causer 52’, Hodson 60’
Axmund City 1-1 Avonsend United
Niles 36’ // Beringer 54’
Wolfenholm United 0-2 Katzestadt Rovers
Horsfall 7’, Kuhn 33’
Inverhaven Ironworks 0-0 Axmund United

Barenwold FC 1-0 Inverhaven City
Twist 13’

League leaders Axmund United have shown that they are in fact, human to a degree - with the side failing to find the back of the net in a tight 0-0 draw with Inverhaven Ironworks. Elsewhere, Katzestadt Rovers got the job done in a 2-0 win over Wolfenholm United to move the side onto 9 points and just a point off the Eagles.

Littleport won a topsy-turvy clash against Blubeck to pick up their second win of the season, while Katzestadt AFC picked up a simple 2-0 win away at Refeld to ensure the side enters their next bout of IFCF football on a win.

---

IFCF Champions League - Second Qualifying Round

Katzestadt AFC 1-1 FK Vselitamak (PYA)
Field 86’
FK Vselitamak (PYA) 0-3 Katzestadt AFC
Coleman 11’, 76’, Field 44’
Katzestadt AFC progress 4-1 on aggregate.

With a tough ask in the Champions League against the Pyazhnaya side FK Vselitamak, the Royals managed to keep the flag of Katzeburg flying, picking up a tight 1-1 draw at Katzestadt Arena thanks to a late Lloyd Field strike, before sailing to a 3-0 win in Pyazhnaya thanks to another strike from Field and a brace from midfielder Stacey Coleman.

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MATCHDAY 5

Katzestadt AFC 1-1 Penntop FC
Field 73’ // Barr 43’
Refeld FC 2-0 Littleport AFC
Triggs 60’, Sexton 70’
Shorham FC 1-0 Axmund City
Palma 51’
Blubeck FC 2-2 Wolfenholm United
Kagadan 31’, 34’ // Neumann 28’, Slusser 44’
Avonsend United 0-1 Inverhaven Ironworks
Coburn 22’
Katzestadt Rovers 2-0 Barenwold FC
Wruck 45’, Ziegler 71’
Axmund United 1-0 Inverhaven City
Thomas 88’

Axmund United left it late to maintain their lead at the top of the ladder, with a goal from substitute Cherokee Thomas enough to nab all three points at home to Inverhaven City - a side which has struggled to start their campaign. With just one win from their opening five fixtures, questions are starting to be asked about manager Jenna Forest and whether she’s the right person to keep the side in the top four mix.

Elsewhere, Refeld returned to winning ways with a comfy 2-0 win over Littleport, while defending champions Katzestadt AFC are starting to see the fatigue of international football hit, needing Lloyd Field to dig the side out again in a 1-1 draw at home to Penntop.

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IFCF Champions League - Third Qualifying Round

Katzestadt AFC 0-3 Maethoru SC (KOR)
Maethoru SC (KOR) 3-1 Katzestadt AFC
Wilkins 81’
Maethoru SC progress 6-1 on aggregate.

Any hopes of a Katzeburgian side making the Champions League group stage in their first season came to a crashing halt, as Katzestadt AFC were thoroughly outplayed by Ko-oren side Maethoru SC. Defender Gideon Wilkins was the sole scorer for the Royals, netting late in the return leg in what essentially amounted to a consolation prize.

However, Katzestadt AFC will have the Associations Trophy to look out for, with the side falling into the competition as a result of their standing as a national league champion.

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MATCHDAY 6

Littleport AFC 3-1 Katzestadt AFC
Hershey 4’, Winslow 22’, Bowers 86’ // Field 30’
Axmund City 2-2 Penntop FC
Spears 15’, Fuchs 29’ // Garner 10’, Ball 82’
Wolfenholm United 0-0 Refeld FC

Inverhaven Ironworks 3-1 Shorham FC
Haines 12’, 78’, Coburn 41’ // W. Sommer 66’
Barenwold FC 0-1 Blubeck FC
Fries 62’
Inverhaven City 1-0 Avonsend United
Arkwright 33’
Axmund United 2-2 Katzestadt Rovers
Marsh 38’, Thomas 83’ // Horsfall 10’, Kuhn 77’

With six games in the book, the ladder looks relatively similar to the season which ended before it - Axmund United, Katzestadt AFC and Katzestadt Rovers sit in the top three spots, while a team from Inverhaven are in the fourth slot.

However, this team happens to be the Workers, who with a 3-1 win over Shorham sit in 4th after the first six games, are a long way ahead of their cross-city rivals. Despite picking up a 1-0 win over Avonsend, Inverhaven City lie down in 11th after just two wins in their opening six games.

But to the surprise of many, Refeld and Littleport have picked up enough results to sit high up on the ladder this early in the campaign - with the Reds bringing shades of their 8-3 thumping of Katzestadt AFC back to supporters as they sailed to a 3-1 win over an exhausted Royals side who are winless in four games across all competitions.

+----------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+
| First Division Standings                                 |                  |       |
+----------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+
|     Team                      P  W  D  L For  Ag +/- Pts | IFCF             | Form  |
|   1 Axmund United             6  4  2  0  11   6  +5  14 | Champions League | WWDWD |
|   2 Katzestadt Rovers         6  4  1  1  11   5  +6  13 | Challengers Cup  | LWWWD |
|   3 Katzestadt AFC            6  3  2  1  14   6  +8  11 | Challengers Cup  | DWWDL |
|   4 Inverhaven Ironworks      6  3  2  1   6   3  +3  11 | Challengers Cup  | LDDWW |
|   5 Refeld FC                 6  3  1  2   5   4  +1  10 | CEdC             | WLLWD |
|   6 Littleport AFC            6  3  0  3  10   9  +1   9 | CEdC             | WLWLW |
|   7 Wolfenholm United         6  2  2  2   7   7  +0   8 |                  | WLLDD |
|   8 Barenwold FC              6  2  2  2   6   6  +0   8 |                  | DDWLL |
|   9 Blubeck FC                6  2  2  2   7   8  -1   8 |                  | DWLDW |
|  10 Shorham FC                6  2  1  3   7  10  -3   7 |                  | WLDWL |
|  11 Inverhaven City           6  2  0  4   4   7  -3   6 |                  | LWLLW |
|  12 Avonsend United           6  1  1  4   3  11  -8   4 |                  | LWDLL |
|  13 Penntop FC                6  0  3  3   6  10  -4   3 |                  | LLDDD |
|  14 Axmund City               6  0  3  3   8  13  -5   3 |                  | DLDLD |
+----------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+

+----------------------+----------+----------------------+-------+
| Golden Boot Rankings | Player   | Team                 | Goals |
+----------------------+----------+----------------------+-------+
| 1                    | Field    | Katzestadt AFC       | 7     |
| =2                   | Johns    | Axmund United        | 4     |
| =2                   | Wruck    | Katzestadt Rovers    | 4     |
| =2                   | Hershey  | Littleport AFC       | 4     |
| =5                   | Kagadan  | Blubeck FC           | 3     |
| =5                   | Coburn   | Inverhaven Ironworks | 3     |
| =5                   | Plank    | Katzestadt AFC       | 3     |
| =5                   | Horsfall | Katzestadt Rovers    | 3     |
| =5                   | Ball     | Penntop FC           | 3     |
+----------------------+----------+----------------------+-------+

KATZEBURG CUP - SEASON 2
QUALIFYING ROUND

This season’s Katzeburg Cup has an expanded field from the 16 teams which played last time around - with 24 clubs registering across North Katzeburg to take part in the second competition off the back of the national team results increasing interest in the sport. As a result, the KFF has implemented a qualifying round as the first stage of competition, with last season’s top eight domestic sides progressing to the round of 16 with a bye.

New teams to the mix include the University of Katzestadt’s football side, a local team of Axmund Loggers, and three sides which are projected to be amongst the frontrunners of the league’s expansion process - Westfield Wanderers, Coalbrook Athletic, and Windorf Town. With an announcement on expansion due midway through the season, all three will be hoping for good runs to boost their chances in front of the league committee.

Westfeld Wanderers 1-0 Campbellnia Pines
Belanger 67’
University of Katzestadt 0-2 Penntop FC
Jans 32’, Mallory 76’
Littleport AFC 2-0 Refeld FC
Winslow 14’, Martel 70’
Avonsend United 3-1 Katzestadt Bankers
Beringer 6’, 39’, 82’ // Lorenz 61’
Katzestadt Blue Star 1-1 Axmund Loggers (1-2 AET)
Causer 89’ // Sorge 42’, Gold 111’
Blubeck FC 4-1 Coalbrook Athletic
Layton 17’, Kagadan 30’, Jones 45’, Boesch 80’ // Nicholson 38’
Locomotive Inverhaven 1-6 Windorf Town
Nash 85’ // Towner 16’, 26’, 73’, Toft 30’, Becke 67’, 89’
South Inverhaven Shipbuilders 1-0 Shorham FC
Lane 87’

The magic of the cup got its first real run-out in the Qualifying Round, with South Inverhaven Shipbuilders becoming the first ever non-league side to pick up a win over league opposition, downing Shorham FC 1-0 in a tight finish. The Shipbuilders failed to get past league opposition last year but find themselves in the hat for the next round alongside a number of other non-league teams.

Westfield and Windorf passed their stage check at the first hurdle, downing non-league opponents - Windorf in emphatic style with a 6-1 thumping of Locomotive Inverhaven. But Coalbrook failed to get past the challenge of league opposition in Blubeck, with the Storm strolling to a 4-1 win.

Elsewhere, Penntop, Littleport, and Avonsend punched their tickets to the round of 16, with two goal wins for all three sides.

Round of 16 Draw

Littleport AFC vs South Inverhaven Shipbuilders - Windward Park, Littleport

Avonsend United vs Inverhaven Ironworks - Riverside Grounds, Avonsend

Axmund United vs Katzestadt AFC - Oakwood Road, Axmund

Inverhaven City vs Penntop FC - Anchor Field, Inverhaven

Katzestadt Rovers vs Westfeld Wanderers - Bramblewood Park, Katzestadt

Axmund Loggers vs Windorf Town - Axmund Logging Camp, Axmund

Wolfenholm United vs Blubeck FC - Ivy Lane, Wolfenholm

Barenwold FC vs Axmund City - Beacon Lane, Barenwold

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 2
LEAGUE ROUNDS 7 TO 12

MATCHDAY 7

Katzestadt AFC 0-0 Axmund City

Littleport AFC 2-3 Wolfenholm United
Martel 27’, Penn 79’ // Hampson 14’, Barrett 65’, 83’
Penntop FC 0-1 Inverhaven Ironworks
Lixau 37’
Refeld FC 0-1 Barenwold FC
Frye 88’
Shorham FC 0-1 Inverhaven City
Karatanov 33’
Blubeck FC 3-1 Axmund United
Kagadan 41’, 72’, Jones 59’ // Johns 19’
Avonsend United 2-1 Katzestadt Rovers
Dean 22’, Volk 70’ // Wruck 61’

Upsets galore reigned supreme this week, with all top three sides failing to grab good results against sides in the bottom half of the ladder, with Avonsend United grabbing the result of the round in a shock 2-1 win over Katzestadt Rovers at the Riverside Grounds.

Elsewhere, Blubeck, under the goal-scoring skills of Xanneria’s Eno Kagadan, knocked off the league leaders in a healthy 3-1 win at Bluebell Park, taking Kagadan’s league haul to five for the season, already bringing him within three goals of the Storm’s all time league goal record.

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MATCHDAY 8

Wolfenholm United 1-0 Katzestadt AFC
Slusser 38’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-1 Axmund City
Jaeger 81’ // Spears 24’
Barenwold FC 1-2 Littleport AFC
Bissette 7’ // Hershey 30’, Bowers 83’
Inverhaven City 3-3 Penntop FC
Karatanov 35’, 49’, 62’ // Garner 19’, Atwood 70’, 77’
Axmund United 3-2 Refeld FC
Marsh 17’, 69’, Kaufer 42’ // Stevenson 27’, Comstock 89’
Katzestadt Rovers 2-0 Shorham FC
Armistead 38’, Merchant 72’
Avonsend United 0-0 Blubeck FC

“I’m not yet feeling the pressure,” said a defiant Jenna Forest after her Inverhaven City side gave up a two goal lead to draw 3-3 against Penntop, leaving last season’s runner-up rooted in the lower depths of mid-table. It’s a long way from where the side was expected to be this early in the season, and despite the form of star signing Kazimir Karatanov, who picked up a brilliant hat-trick against the Lions, fans are starting to grumble about their poor start.

Meanwhile Axmund City’s struggles at the foot of the table continue, but the side has some positives to talk about - picking up points against two of the top four in successive weeks. But pressure seems to be the name of the game this round as news breaks in the Axmund Post in the day following the Loggers 1-1 draw with Inverhaven Ironworks that manager Val Johns has been given a points target to achieve following crisis talks amongst the City board.

With both Axmund and Inverhaven due to clash next round, it could prove to be a dramatic afternoon in the fortunes of one of the managers.

A quick note must also be made about Refeld’s trip to Axmund United, which saw a dramatic and rare goal scored from Farmers goalkeeper Jim Comstock. With the side trailing 3-1 and heading into stoppage time, Comstock opted to come up for a corner and was rewarded in stunning fashion - somehow getting his boot to a looping corner to fire into the back of the net with a fierce volley. Supporters have been quick to call for the keeper to be made a starting striker for Refeld, much to the chagrin of the existing strike pair.

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MATCHDAY 9

Katzestadt AFC 1-0 Inverhaven Ironworks
Tuff 79’
Wolfenholm United 1-1 Barenwold FC
Barrett 23’ // Irwin 49’
Axmund City 2-0 Inverhaven City
Knepp 38’, Niles 70’
Littleport AFC 0-0 Axmund United

Penntop FC 7-4 Katzestadt Rovers
Ball 8’, 26’, 42’, Strobel 77’, 85’, Trueman 88’, Bridges 90’ // Wruck 17’, 28’, Courtney 38’, Ziegler 82’
Refeld FC 1-1 Avonsend United
Wilkerson 89’ // Beringer 38’
Shorham FC 2-2 Blubeck FC
Hilton 33’, Ohme 64’ // Kagadan 44’, Belcher 82’

The widely-publicised ‘Sackico’ clash between Axmund City and Inverhaven City thankfully had a result, with the Loggers sailing to a 2-0 win in a result which heaped pressure on Dockers manager Jenna Forest ahead of the side’s Inverhaven derby clash next week. The result eases pressure a tiny bit on Val Johns, but the side will need to keep firing while the iron is hot should Johns want to remain in his post.

But despite the off–field drama, footballing eyes turned to Treetop Terrace for one of the games of the season, with Penntop coming out 7-4 winners over Katzestadt Rovers thanks to a dramatic flurry of goals from three Penntop substitutes - a brace from Carl Strobel and goals from Simonette Trueman and Urban Bridges.

Elsewhere in the league, there was a heartwarming moment as forward Marlon Wilkerson, formerly of Shorham and now of Refeld, finally broke his KNL goalscoring duck, netting late on in the Farmers’ 1-1 draw with Avonsend to score his first goal in 29 league appearances - proving to many that given enough time, anyone can find the back of the net in the Katzeburgian league.

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MATCHDAY 10

Barenwold FC 1-2 Katzestadt AFC
Herman 72’ // Field 14’, White 83’
Inverhaven City 0-0 Inverhaven Ironworks

Axmund United 1-3 Wolfenholm United
Gerig 38’ // Martin 45’, Hampson 62’, Parish 86’
Katzestadt Rovers 1-3 Axmund City
Courtney 64’ // Fuchs 2’, Niles 23’, Spears 70’
Avonsend United 1-0 Littleport AFC
Beringer 80’
Blubeck FC 4-8 Penntop FC
Kagadan 21’, 28’, Beckenbauer 81’, 83’ // Ball 11’, 16’, 84’, Gump 25’, Cooke 42’, Atwood 56’, Behrends 88’, 90’
Shorham FC 2-2 Refeld FC
Palma 14’, Avery 68’ // Short 39’, Falkner 81’

For Penntop fans expecting their heart rates to drop after last week’s high-scoring clash, they somehow got more of the same as the Lions fired eight goals past Blubeck in a defensively weak game at Bluebell Park. The side has now scored 15 goals across their last two games - which is seven goals more than high-flying Inverhaven Ironworks has scored across the total of their campaign.

Meanwhile Axmund City have picked up two wins on the bounce for the first time all season - knocking three past a characteristically sluggish Katzestadt Rovers side at Bramblewood Park. Elsewhere the Inverhaven derby was again at its fiery best, with a heavy police presence needed for the game at Anchor Field.

Still incensed that City manager Jenna Forest absconded from the Workers shortly before the start of last season, supporters took their chance to rub in the reversal of fortunes to the now under-pressure Dockers boss. However, the side couldn’t make the pain felt on the pitch, missing a pair of crucial chances to snatch the win in the dying moments and allowing Inverhaven City to walk away with a point.

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MATCHDAY 11

Katzestadt AFC 1-0 Inverhaven City
Field 72’
Barenwold FC 1-2 Axmund United
Twist 64’ // Johns 23’, Nelson 57’
Inverhaven Ironworks 0-0 Katzestadt Rovers

Wolfenholm United 0-0 Avonsend United

Axmund City 1-0 Blubeck FC
Fuchs 38’
Littleport AFC 4-1 Shorham FC
Hershey 17’, 79’, Kastner 60’, Winslow 68’ // Ohme 39’
Penntop FC 0-1 Refeld FC
Sexton 10’

The revival of Axmund City is the hot topic in the league rounds, after the Loggers picked up their third win in as many games to now well and truly push themselves away from the bottom of the table. “We’ve gone back to basics,” said manager Val Johns after the side’s 1-0 win over Blubeck. “We were making a lot of common mistakes like overthinking our plays and trying the spectacular, and it’s just not worked. The team has put the effort in on the park though and it’s starting to really shine.”

Meanwhile, Littleport continue their surprising start to the campaign, with the side’s fifth win of the season giving them a whiff of the international football spots. Manager Millard Kastner even got himself on the score-sheet in the side’s 4-1 win over Shorham in a rare goal for the towering defender.

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IFCF Associations Trophy - Group Stage

#  Group A                                     P  W  D  L  GF  GA  GD  Pts    StL    Kat    SpA    DeP
1  Standard Lily                         TAX   6  3  2  1  13   9   4  11 *    -     1-1    2-1    2-2 
2  Katzestadt AFC                        KAT   6  3  2  1  10   7   3  11 *   1-4     -     3-0    2-0 
3  Sporting Arrachai                     ACS   6  2  1  3   6   8  -2   7     3-1    0-0     -     1-2 
4  Desert Province FC                    DKI   6  1  1  4   7  12  -5   4     1-3    2-3    0-1     -  
* Tie broken by head to head results

The sole flag left flying in Katzeburgian football on a wider level, Katzestadt AFC impressed in their group stage debut in the Associations Trophy, only just missing out on the top spot in Group A thanks to their head-to-head performance against group winners Standard Lily from Taxhavn.

Lloyd Field led the line for the Royals in the group stage, acting as a fundamental part of the side’s success with a six goal haul across the stage helping the side secure wins over Acastanha’s Sporting Arrachai and Damukuni’s Desert Province FC.

The reward for the Royals? A meeting with FC Cebuenas from Hispinas in the round of 32, but the side will be happy to have broken records as the first Katzeburgian domestic side to get out of an international group stage.

Campionato Esportivano di Campeones - Group Stage

Group 2                             Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts   SYL  NTN  KAT  SCH                  
1 Pesfield Trees (SYL)                 6   4  2  0   17   4 +13   14    —   3–0  6–0  4–1  Round of 16
2 Tyrannosaurus natanicus F.C. (NTN)   6   2  3  1    8   6  +2    9   0–0   —   1–1  1–0  Round of 16
3 Inverhaven Ironworks (KAT)           6   2  2  2    9  13  -4    8   1–2  2–2   —   3–1
4 PAET (SCH)                           6   0  1  5    5  16 -11    1   2–2  0–4  1–2   —

Group 6                             Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts   XAN  KMJ  DOU  KAT                  
1 Hawthorne Kickers (XAN)              6   5  0  1   15   5 +10   15    —   1–2  5–0  2–0  Round of 16
2 Chamonix (KMJ)                       6   4  1  1   13   5  +8   13   1–3   —   3–0  0–0  Round of 16
3 Ethelfled City (DOU)                 6   1  1  4    4  14 -10    4   0–1  1–3   —   2–2
4 Wolfenholm United (KAT)              6   0  2  4    4  12  -8    2   2–3  0–4  0–1   —

The same can’t be said for the two sides competing on an Esportivan level in Inverhaven Ironworks and Wolfenholm United, who exit at the group stage after a disappointing run of results. Wolfenholm struggled greatly across their six matches, with draws to Ethelfled City and Chamonix the sole bright spots in their campaign.

Inverhaven Ironworks at least pushed it to the wire in their group, only missing out on the knockouts by a single point behind Tyrannosaurus Natanicus FC from Natanians and Nosts. Young star Leith Coburn was vital to the team’s goalscoring, picking up five goals including a hat-trick against PAET, but it was not a great group stage for young rotation pick Junko Koide in goals - letting in six away against a rampant Pesfield Trees team.

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MATCHDAY 12

Axmund United 4-4 Katzestadt AFC
Marsh 8’, Nelson 23’, 54’, 85’ // Field 17’, 38’, Kneib 40’, Coleman 79’
Katzestadt Rovers 1-1 Inverhaven City
Horsfall 62’ // Dukes 20’
Avonsend United 0-1 Barenwold FC
Bannerman 69’
Blubeck FC 2-0 Inverhaven Ironworks
Kagadan 14’, Boesch 84’
Shorham FC 2-1 Wolfenholm United
Palma 48’, Chaplin 77’ // Stieber 54’
Refeld FC 0-0 Axmund City

Penntop FC 3-1 Littleport AFC
Jans 40’, West 58’, Ball 82’ // Hershey 37’

A top of the table clash rounded out matchday 12 as Axmund United hosted Katzestadt AFC in the fight for first place, and the sold-out crowd at Oakwood Road were treated to a spectacle as eight goals flew in between the two sides, including a hat-trick from Eagles captain Emery Nelson.

The draw however means Axmund United fail to sneak past the Royals at the top of the table, with both sides holding a three point lead over the chasing pack.

Meanwhile, Shorham picked up just their third win of the campaign in a 2-1 win over Wolfenholm United to move level on points at the bottom of the table with Inverhaven City - who laboured to a 1-1 draw at Katzestadt Rovers. Rumours abound out of Inverhaven that anything other than a purple patch of form might cost manager Jenna Forest her job at Anchor Field.

At this stage of the campaign, the league looks tighter than ever - with just 10 points separating first from last after 12 games.

+-----------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+-------------+
| First Division Standings                                  | IFCF             | Form  | Rank Change |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+-------------+
|     Team                       P  W  D  L For  Ag +/- Pts |                  |       |             |
|   1 Katzestadt AFC            12  6  4  2  22  12 +10  22 | Champions League | LWWWD | +2          |
|   2 Axmund United             12  6  4  2  22  19  +3  22 | Challengers Cup  | WDLWD | -1          |
|   3 Wolfenholm United         12  5  4  3  16  13  +3  19 | Challengers Cup  | WDWDL | +4          |
|   4 Katzestadt Rovers         12  5  3  4  20  18  +2  18 | Challengers Cup  | WLLDD | -2          |
|   5 Inverhaven Ironworks      12  4  5  3   8   7  +1  17 | CEdC             | DLDDL | -1          |
|   6 Littleport AFC            12  5  1  6  19  18  +1  16 | CEdC             | WDLWL |             |
|   7 Refeld FC                 12  4  4  4  11  11  +0  16 |                  | LDDWD | -2          |
|   8 Blubeck FC                12  4  4  4  18  20  -2  16 |                  | DDLLW | +1          |
|   9 Axmund City               12  3  6  3  15  15  +0  15 |                  | DWWWD | +5          |
|  10 Barenwold FC              12  4  3  5  12  13  -1  15 |                  | LDLLW | -2          |
|  11 Penntop FC                12  3  4  5  27  24  +3  13 |                  | DWWLW | +2          |
|  12 Avonsend United           12  3  4  5   7  14  -7  13 |                  | DDWDL |             |
|  13 Inverhaven City           12  3  3  6   9  14  -5  12 |                  | DLDLD | -2          |
|  14 Shorham FC                12  3  3  6  14  22  -8  12 |                  | LDDLW | -4          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+-------------+

+----------------------+--------------+-------------------+-------+
| Golden Boot Rankings | Player       | Team              | Goals |
+----------------------+--------------+-------------------+-------+
| 1                    | Field        | Katzestadt AFC    | 11    |
| 2                    | Ball         | Penntop FC        | 10    |
| 3                    | Kagadan      | Blubeck FC        | 9     |
| 4                    | Hershey      | Littleport AFC    | 8     |
| 5                    | Wruck        | Katzestadt Rovers | 7     |
| =6                   | Marsh        | Axmund United     | 6     |
| =6                   | Johns        | Axmund United     | 6     |
| =6                   | Karatanov    | Inverhaven City   | 6     |
| 9                    | Barrett      | Wolfenholm United | 5     |
| =10                  | Five Players | Various           | 4     |
+----------------------+--------------+-------------------+-------+

KATZEBURG CUP - SEASON 2
FIRST ROUND

Littleport AFC 2-0 South Inverhaven Shipbuilders
Martel 27’, 73’
Avonsend United 0-2 Inverhaven Ironworks
Jaeger 14’, Best 87’
Axmund United 1-1 Katzestadt AFC (1-2 AET)
Marsh 38’ // Field 53’, Kneib 108’
Inverhaven City 3-1 Penntop FC
Pilgrim 10’, 26’, Karatanov 65’ // Ball 51’
Katzestadt Rovers 4-1 Westfeld Wanderers
Wruck 7’, Kuhn 31’, Horsfall 68’, Earls 89’ // Belanger 40’
Axmund Loggers 1-3 Windorf Town
Gold 80’ // Toft 37’, 64’, Becke 72’
Wolfenholm United 1-1 Blubeck FC (1-1 AET, 1-3 PKs)
Hertz 89’ // Buchholz 30’
Barenwold FC 1-1 Axmund City (1-1 AET, 0-2 PKs)
Siegel 56’ // Spears 77’

The Katzeburg Cup seems to be building a reputation of delivering tight, tense games where anyone can win, and the first round did not disappoint on that front. Three games went to extra time and two came down to the penalty spot - with Blubeck grabbing an upset win over Wolfenholm and Axmund City knocking out last year’s champions Barenwold on penalties in a rematch of last season’s semi-final.

Meanwhile Windorf Town - a non-league side vying for a spot in next season’s top flight - continued their march on in a 3-1 win over fellow non-leaguers Axmund Loggers. Their reward is a tough quarter final away in Inverhaven where they will take on the Ironworks.

Dockers manager Jenna Forest will be thankful her Inverhaven City side remains in the hat for the cup despite the team’s less than ideal form - knocking out Penntop 3-1 to book a spot in the last eight.

Quarter-Final Draw

Inverhaven Ironworks vs Windorf Town - Factory Grounds, Inverhaven

Axmund City vs Katzestadt Rovers - Maplewood Park, Axmund

Inverhaven City vs Blubeck FC - Anchor Field, Inverhaven

Littleport AFC vs Katzestadt AFC - Windward Park, Littleport

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 2
LEAGUE ROUNDS 13 TO 18

MATCHDAY 13

Katzestadt AFC 1-0 Katzestadt Rovers
Field 90+1’
Axmund United 2-0 Avonsend United
Johns 28’, Hudson 62’
Inverhaven City 2-1 Blubeck FC
Martinson 42’, Karatanov 87’ // Jones 64’
Barenwold FC 0-1 Shorham FC
Hilton 14’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-0 Refeld FC
Ackermann 59’
Wolfenholm United 0-0 Penntop FC

Axmund City 1-1 Littleport AFC
Niles 72’ // Cox 26’

It was appointment viewing to see the first Katzestadt derby of the season, with a sold-out Katzestadt Arena seeing both sides refuse to give an inch for a large portion of the 90 minutes, but it would be the Royals who would finally crack the deadlock late in stoppage time, with league top scorer Lloyd Field snatching all three points for the Royals with a powering effort from the edge of the box.

But the title race would not swing their way, as Axmund United kept up the pace with a handy 2-0 win at home to Avonsend. Meanwhile, there may be life coming out of Inverhaven City, with the Dockers grabbing a late 2-1 win at home to their upcoming Katzeburg Cup opponents Blubeck.

“It was a huge result,” manager Jenna Forest said post-match. “Not just in terms of building confidence up ahead of our cup game, but just to get some positivity around the camp. It has been hard of late, but just making that breakthrough might be all we need to do to swing our season around.”

---

MATCHDAY 14

Avonsend United 1-2 Katzestadt AFC
Kuchler 82’ // Kneib 15’, Lynton 47’
Blubeck FC 3-2 Katzestadt Rovers
Kagadan 28’, 62’, Good 41’ // Wruck 7’, Colbert 53’
Shorham FC 4-3 Axmund United
Ohme 18’, Moores 36’, 75’, Phillips 86’ // Marsh 27’, Kunze 46’, Thomas 80’
Refeld FC 0-1 Inverhaven City
Karatanov 72’
Penntop FC 1-1 Barenwold FC
Atwood 39’ // Irwin 68’
Littleport AFC 1-2 Inverhaven Ironworks
Bowers 81’ // Haines 11’, Joseph 73’
Axmund City 1-0 Wolfenholm United
Elmer 88’

Jenna Forest might be the luckiest woman in Katzeburg and it’s all down to the form of Inverhaven City star striker Kazimir Karatanov. Twice in two weeks has the Siovanija and Teusland striker bailed the side out of danger, picking up his eight goal of the season against Refeld to give the Dockers seven points in their last three games, pulling them away from the immediate firing line of the bottom of the ladder.

But it’s not as safe as you’d hope, with Blubeck and Shorham picking up huge results at home to Katzestadt Rovers and Axmund United respectively to keep the bottom of the ladder a dangerous place, and ensure the league continues to tighten the screws.

Axmund United’s loss means that advantage has swung to the defending champions, with Katzestadt AFC picking up three points in Avonsend to open a gap up at the top of the table ahead of their trip to Hispinas for Associations Trophy football.

---

IFCF Associations Trophy - Round of 32

Katzestadt AFC 4-0 FC Cebuenas (HSP)
Field 14’, 28’, Wilkins 47’, Tuff 81’
FC Cebuenas (HSP) 1-2 Katzestadt AFC
Weekes 39’, Kneib 72’
Katzestadt AFC progress 6-1 on aggregate.

With just one Katzeburgian side left playing international football, all eyes fell on Katzestadt AFC as they took on FC Cebuenas from Hispinas with a spot in the final 16 on the line. The Royals were clinical in their home fixture - with a Lloyd Field brace and two second half goals giving a huge advantage to the side ahead of their away leg.

But the side would also pull out a strong result overseas, adding two more to the pile to sail to a 2-1 away win and a strong 6-1 aggregate win. Their next test would however be their hardest to date, facing a trip to fellow Esportivans Lakewood City in Tumbra in what would be a tough ask to progress to the final eight.

---

MATCHDAY 15

Katzestadt AFC 1-3 Blubeck FC
Field 62’ // Buchholz 23’, Kagadan 37’, Boesch 87’
Avonsend United 1-1 Shorham FC
Sigourney 88’ // Hilton 36’
Katzestadt Rovers 1-0 Refeld FC
Morton 58’
Axmund United 0-0 Penntop FC

Inverhaven City 2-3 Littleport AFC
Karatanov 4’, 47’ // Hershey 28’, Winslow 79’, Penn 84’
Barenwold FC 4-3 Axmund City
Bissette 11’, 15’, Frye 79’, Cummings 90’ // Fuchs 24’, 39’, Eason 52’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-1 Wolfenholm United
Coburn 53’ // Hampson 72’

Easy come, easy go seems to be the mantra over at Katzestadt AFC as despite their high flying adventures mid-week in the Associations Trophy, they came crashing back to reality against a Blubeck side which dominated the defending league champions in a result which opened the door for title challengers to close the gap.

But it was not one which was taken by many - Axmund United failed to secure a win at home to Penntop, while Wolfenholm and Inverhaven Ironworks played out a tight 1-1 draw which failed to move the needle.

At the other end of the table though, moves are being made - Inverhaven City’s run of good form came to a screeching halt at home to Littleport (despite yet more goals from the in-form Karatanov), while Barenwold and Axmund City played a thriller which was only won by a stoppage time goal from Tilman Cummings that sent fans into raptures.

Yet, despite the final result, many Barenwold fans would no doubt be disgruntled that the Axmund City player who did the most damage on the day was former Bears sub Kester Fuchs - who moved in the off-season to City after being told he wouldn’t make the starting XI at Barenwold.

---

MATCHDAY 16

Shorham FC 0-2 Katzestadt AFC
Kneib 30’, Hunnisett 79’
Refeld FC 0-0 Blubeck FC

Penntop FC 0-0 Avonsend United

Littleport AFC 0-2 Katzestadt Rovers
Wruck 14’, Kidd 83’
Axmund City 3-1 Axmund United
Niles 27’, 33’, Spears 74’ // Meyer 58’
Wolfenholm United 2-0 Inverhaven City
Mynatt 20’, Stieber 47’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-0 Barenwold FC
Coburn 19’

With Axmund City’s uptick in form and a flagging Eagles campaign, crowds descended on Maplewood Park expecting to see an Axmund derby which could tip the scale to one side of the city. And tip did the Loggers - a first half brace from Lambert Niles helping Axmund City return to winning ways at the expense of their cross-city rivals, who were now winless in three.

Axmund United’s poor form has allowed other sides to fill in the vacuum in the title race, with Inverhaven Ironworks and Katzestadt Rovers starting to snuggle into the mix, but both are now starting a decent distance behind Katzestadt AFC, who with a 2-0 win over Shorham head into the next round of international football in high spirits, hoping they can pull off an upset of all upsets.

---

IFCF Associations Trophy - Round of 16

Katzestadt AFC 0-3 Lakewood City (TMB)

Lakewood City (TMB) 2-1 Katzestadt AFC
Field 86’
Lakewood City progress 5-1 on aggregate.

And upset they could not. Tumbra’s Lakewood City squad were simply a class above the Katzeburgian champions, dominating the home fixture at Katzestadt Arena and taking their foot off the break in the return leg in Lakewood.

Lloyd Field would net the only consolation goal for the Royals - his 13th of Katzestadt AFC’s international campaign - as Katzeburg bows out of international football for their first cycle.

---

MATCHDAY 17

Katzestadt AFC 1-0 Refeld FC
Field 74’
Shorham FC 2-0 Penntop FC
Moores 38’, Ohme 62’
Blubeck FC 1-3 Littleport AFC
Kagadan 40’ // Hershey 9’, 51’, Cox 42’
Avonsend United 1-2 Axmund City
Beringer 26’ // Fuchs 53’, Spears 67’
Katzestadt Rovers 3-1 Wolfenholm United
Wruck 22’, 58’, Morton 31’ // Barrett 81’
Axmund United 1-0 Inverhaven Ironworks
Nelson 16’
Inverhaven City 0-1 Barenwold FC
Colter 87’

And that would be all she wrote at Inverhaven City, as a late 1-0 loss at home to Barenwold was the final straw for manager Jenna Forest, dismissed after 43 league games in charge of the side.

Forest seemed to have known her time was up post-match, refusing to speak to the journalist from KBC’s Goal!, but pubs around the Inverhaven Ironworks Company reported ‘higher than average’ patronage following the news breaking as Ironworks fans celebrated the dismissal of someone many saw as a traitor to the club - despite the Workers falling to a defeat themselves away at Axmund United.

Reaction to the dismissal was mixed amongst the wider league - many thought she should have been out the door a lot sooner once the side struggled to keep pace earlier in the season, but some were ardent to have her remain at the helm as the side did look to have turned a corner in recent weeks before losing out to sides in the top half mix.

Surprisingly, the board has opted to follow the route of Littleport - who after dismissing their manager mid-way through last season, gave the role to a current player - in their pick for caretaker manager through the rest of the season, with captain Owen Levitt - a Katzeburgian national team hero and former captain - being asked to step into the role for the rest of the season.

“I’m just happy to do my bit for the team,” Levitt said in his first presser. “I’ve been lucky enough to bone up on my tactical knowledge this season under Jenna, and while it’s disappointing she has departed, I will do everything I can to end the season on a positive note for our club.”

---

MATCHDAY 18

Penntop FC 1-2 Katzestadt AFC
Ball 42’ // Kneib 21’, Lynton 37’
Littleport AFC 0-1 Refeld FC
Triggs 34’
Axmund City 2-1 Shorham FC
Knepp 52’, Farran 78’ // Palma 16’
Wolfenholm United 1-0 Blubeck FC
Stieber 29’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-0 Avonsend United
Coburn 62’
Barenwold FC 2-0 Katzestadt Rovers
Hauer 43’, Bannerman 84’
Inverhaven City 2-1 Axmund United
Pilgrim 37’, Clarkson 55’ // Greenberg 84’

The Owen Levitt era of Inverhaven City could not have started in a better manner, with the caretaker manager’s first game in charge resulting in a 2-1 win against high-flying Axmund United - closing the gap between the Dockers and the top six to just six points.

Meanwhile the turnaround of Axmund City under Val Johns has become one of the stories of the season heading into the final eight games of the campaign, with the Loggers 2-1 win over Shorham pushing them past Katzestadt Rovers and into the top four and potential Challengers Cup football.

But while the middle of the pack tightens up even further - we are finally starting to see some distance open up at both ends of the table - Avonsend sit two points adrift of the next side Penntop, while Katzestadt AFC look like they are sailing towards a successful league defence - with their 2-1 win over Penntop leaving the side seven points clear at the top ahead of the run in. Manager Jim Krantz is downplaying his side’s chances however.

“There’s still plenty of football left here,” Krantz said. “And fortunes can change in the blink of an eye - but if we can stick to what we know, we’ll easily bring this home. The pressure is all on us to see this out from here.”

+-------------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+--------+
| First Division Standings                                    |                  |       |        |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+--------+
|     Team                       P   W  D  L For  Ag  +/- Pts | IFCF             | Form  | Change |
|   1 Katzestadt AFC            18  11  4  3  31  17  +14  37 | Champions League | WLWWW |        |
|   2 Inverhaven Ironworks      18   8  6  4  14  10   +4  30 | Challengers Cup  | WDWLW | +3     |
|   3 Axmund United             18   8  5  5  30  28   +2  29 | Challengers Cup  | LDLWL | -1     |
|   4 Axmund City               18   7  7  4  27  23   +4  28 | Challengers Cup  | WLWWW | +5     |
|   5 Katzestadt Rovers         18   8  3  7  28  25   +3  27 | CEdC             | LWWWL | -1     |
|   6 Wolfenholm United         18   7  6  5  21  18   +3  27 | CEdC             | LDWLW | -3     |
|   7 Barenwold FC              18   7  4  7  20  19   +1  25 |                  | DWLWW | +3     |
|   8 Littleport AFC            18   7  2  9  27  27   +0  23 |                  | LWLWL | -2     |
|   9 Blubeck FC                18   6  5  7  26  29   -3  23 |                  | WWDLL | -1     |
|  10 Shorham FC                18   6  4  8  23  30   -7  22 |                  | WDLWL | +4     |
|  11 Inverhaven City           18   6  3  9  16  22   -6  21 |                  | WLLLW | +2     |
|  12 Refeld FC                 18   5  5  8  12  15   -3  20 |                  | LLDLW | -5     |
|  13 Penntop FC                18   3  8  7  29  29   +0  17 |                  | DDDLL | -2     |
|  14 Avonsend United           18   3  6  9  10  22  -12  15 |                  | LDDLL | -2     |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+--------+

+----------------------+-----------+-------------------+-------+
| Golden Boot Rankings | Player    | Team              | Goals |
+----------------------+-----------+-------------------+-------+
| 1                    | Field     | Katzestadt AFC    | 14    |
| 2                    | Kagadan   | Blubeck FC        | 13    |
| =3                   | Wruck     | Katzestadt Rovers | 11    |
| =3                   | Hershey   | Littleport AFC    | 11    |
| =3                   | Ball      | Penntop FC        | 11    |
| 6                    | Karatanov | Inverhaven City   | 10    |
| =7                   | Niles     | Axmund City       | 7     |
| =7                   | Johns     | Axmund United     | 7     |
| =7                   | Marsh     | Axmund United     | 7     |
+----------------------+-----------+-------------------+-------+

---

KATZEBURG CUP - SEASON 2
QUARTER FINALS

Inverhaven Ironworks 3-1 Windorf Town
Coburn 22’, Lixau 38’, Best 84’ // Towner 7’
Axmund City 2-1 Katzestadt Rovers
Fuchs 50’, 72’ // Wruck 39’
Inverhaven City 2-3 Blubeck FC
Karatanov 18’, Tash 81’ // Kagadan 26’, 51’, 77’
Littleport AFC 1-1 Katzestadt AFC (1-1 AET, 3-4 PKs)
Hershey 31’ // Wilkins 87’

As the Katzeburg Cup goes from eight to four, there was at least some good news for one of the eliminated teams - with Windorf Town officially being named one of the two new expansion sides for the third season of the Katzeburgian National League.

The non-league side celebrated by looking like an early surprise for the final four after taking the lead seven minutes in against Inverhaven Ironworks, but the gap in league quality proved too much for the side, with the Workers booking their spot in the final four with ease.

Axmund City return to the semi-finals for the second season running after a brace from young forward Kester Fuchs was enough to see off Katzestadt Rovers, while Inverhaven City were also sent packing in a battle of the import strikers - Xanneria’s Eno Kagadan doing the damage for the Storm with a rousing hat-trick.

Katzestadt AFC maintain the course for the first ever Katzeburgian double despite a real scare away to Littleport - equalising late in the game before sneaking past the Reds on penalties to put them two games away from lifting their second piece of silverware.

Semi-Final Draw

Inverhaven Ironworks vs Axmund City - Factory Grounds, Inverhaven

Blubeck FC vs Katzestadt AFC - Bluebell Park, Blubeck

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 2
LEAGUE ROUNDS 19 TO 24

MATCHDAY 19

Katzestadt AFC 0-1 Littleport AFC
Forstner 81’
Penntop FC 0-1 Axmund City
Niles 10’
Refeld FC 0-1 Wolfenholm United
Tatum 47’
Shorham FC 1-1 Inverhaven Ironworks
Ohme 27’ // Coburn 52’
Blubeck FC 0-0 Barenwold FC

Avonsend United 0-1 Inverhaven City
Karatanov 71’
Katzestadt Rovers 1-0 Axmund United
Morton 28’

The title race might have just snuck back into focus and it is all thanks to the Reds of Littleport - non content after the side fell out of the Katzeburg Cup on penalties to the Royals, Millard Kastner’s side were once again the bogey team of the defending champions, picking up a huge three points to not only bolster their quest for a top six finish, but reduce the gap at the top down to six following Axmund City’s 1-0 win over Penntop.

It was a round of slim wins with minimal room for error, but as we head into the final seven matchdays of the campaign, every point from here on out may be crucial for sides looking to push for a qualification spot.

But the news of the round would be the announcement of the second team to join the KNL from next season, with Coalbrook Athletic getting the nod to join following a successful push to extend the North Katzeburg railway through to the town on the borders of Waterothshire and Invstadt, expanding the league more westward than they have ever been before.

---

MATCHDAY 20

Axmund City 0-1 Katzestadt AFC
Plank 20’
Wolfenholm United 0-1 Littleport AFC
Martel 36’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-1 Penntop FC
Best 84’ // Jans 22’
Barenwold FC 0-1 Refeld FC
Washington 57’
Inverhaven City 1-0 Shorham FC
Karatanov 3’
Axmund United 1-2 Blubeck FC
Johns 62’ // Kagadan 18’, Buchholz 44’
Katzestadt Rovers 1-0 Avonsend United
Wruck 80’

“The blowing open of the title race may have been a premature call,” lamented KBC pundit Rick Tennant after Katzestadt AFC’s 1-0 win over Axmund City in a top of the table clash. “Full credit to the Royals, but they have picked up results when they need to and that’s what separates them from the rest of the league. It will take a minor miracle for anyone to catch them at this rate, but complacency may be the only way someone can close that gap at this point.”

Someone who may have suffered from complacency is Katzeburgian star Drake Wruck, who despite scoring the only goal in Katzestadt Rovers’ 1-0 win over Avonsend, is quite a way back in the golden boot rankings for this season with just 12 goals to date over the course of his campaign. “I’ve not been at the level I want to be at,” Wruck admitted following the clash with the River Rats. “The team has been stepping up in that gap and I really can’t thank them enough, but it’s been tough trying to maintain that form on a week by week basis.”

Many supporters are quick to defend Wruck and his efforts, pointing out the Blue Cats striker has played more than 70 games of football for club and country over the last couple of years and still is scoring at close to a goal every other game - a strike rate which would kill for any side in the league. But others are starting to question whether he has it in him for another World Cup cycle, especially with the young Katzeburgian goalscoring talent knocking at the door.

---

MATCHDAY 21

Katzestadt AFC 2-1 Wolfenholm United
Plank 31’, Field 49’ // Barrett 67’
Axmund City 1-2 Inverhaven Ironworks
Spears 33’ // Coburn 8’, Kelsey 81’
Littleport AFC 1-0 Barenwold FC
Hershey 24’
Penntop FC 1-2 Inverhaven City
Strobel 89’ // Cook 14’, Dresdner 78’
Refeld FC 0-0 Axmund United

Shorham FC 0-0 Katzestadt Rovers

Blubeck FC 0-0 Avonsend United

The revival of Inverhaven City under Owen Levitt’s managership is a real breath of fresh air for many Dockers fans, with the side picking up their fourth straight league win in a row as the new manager bounce seems to have galvanised the squad. But there is still work to be done - the side is due to face an in-form Ironworks in the Inverhaven derby in two weeks in what is quickly shaping up to be a must-win for both sides for vastly different reasons.

The Workers have started to emerge as the challenger side to Katzestadt AFC at the top of the table, but the side which is traditionally very defensive in their play will need to start hitting the back of the net more if they want to be in with a real shot - their 2-1 win over Axmund City was goals 17 and 18 of their league campaign, a rate of less than one goal a game.

---

MATCHDAY 22

Inverhaven Ironworks 0-0 Katzestadt AFC

Barenwold FC 0-2 Wolfenholm United
Barrett 21’, 38’
Inverhaven City 1-2 Axmund City
Dukes 41’ // Fuchs 16’, Christian 71’
Axmund United 2-1 Littleport AFC
Marsh 39’, 53’ // Martel 70’
Katzestadt Rovers 1-1 Penntop FC
Horsfall 31’ // Garner 62’
Avonsend United 0-0 Refeld FC

Blubeck FC 1-2 Shorham FC
Davidson 77’ // Palma 27’, 49’

Katzestadt AFC continue to see off any challengers to the throne, with the Royals picking up a crucial point away at Inverhaven Ironworks to maintain their title charge. The side now sits comfortably ahead of the chasing pack with four games to go, but not enough to secure the title just yet.

“It’s a weird spot that we’re in,” striker Lloyd Field told reporters after their clash at the Factory Grounds. “Look at last season, where things were a lot tighter and we needed to fight through to the last day. This time around it seems more comfortable, so we need to focus even harder to ensure we don’t fall asleep at the wheel.”

Someone who may have nodded off every so slightly is Littleport, with the side falling to a 2-1 defeat at Axmund United which saw them stutter in their quest for international football. Manager Millard Kastner has been rightly drawing plaudits aplenty for the work he’s done with the Reds this season, but as we enter the final stretch of the campaign, the side are cautious not to let their good work fall apart.

“Everyone’s really come together this season as a cohesive squad,” Kastner told KBC’s Goal!. “We made some solid signings that really helped us pull the puzzle together and have shown that we can mix it with the best of them in this league. Grabbing some form of international football would be a huge step to positive growth as a club.”

---

MATCHDAY 23

Katzestadt AFC 0-1 Barenwold FC
Herman 52’
Inverhaven Ironworks 1-1 Inverhaven City
Dallas 70’ // Karatanov 22’
Wolfenholm United 0-0 Axmund United

Axmund City 4-0 Katzestadt Rovers
Niles 2’, 30’, 77’, Fuchs 83’
Littleport AFC 1-1 Avonsend United
Gore 83’ // Beringer 16’
Penntop FC 1-1 Blubeck FC
Ball 39’ // Beckenbauer 86’
Refeld FC 1-0 Shorham FC
Triggs 27’

Barenwold have been having a down season compared to their last campaign, but the side still knows how to pull shocks like the rest of them - downing Katzestadt AFC 1-0 to ensure the side will not be celebrating their second crown just yet.

But the Royals will be sighing in relief after two of their most immediate challengers failed to pick up maximum points - with Katzestadt Rovers smashed 4-0 by a resurgent Axmund City and the Inverhaven derby resulting in both sides sharing the spoils in what is now becoming a common fiery affair.

Ironworks fans were at the eye of the storm, with the club’s active support unfurling a large banner mocking the recently departed Jenna Forest in a rather obscene manner that forced local paper the Inverhaven Echo to blur a majority of their shots from the Ironworks end.

“It was a pretty disgusting sight to take in, I’ll be honest with you,” Inverhaven City manager Owen Levitt said after the match. “There’s no place for that in our time, even when you are trying to rile up your rivals.” But Ironworks manager Linton Rounds had a different perspective. “It’s part of the game,” Rounds said. “I really don’t understand how else you’d treat someone who defected to your closest opponents at such a crucial time?”

---

MATCHDAY 24

Inverhaven City 1-1 Katzestadt AFC
Karatanov 30’ // Field 63’
Axmund United 1-1 Barenwold FC
Kunze 47’ // Siegel 35’
Katzestadt Rovers 0-1 Inverhaven Ironworks
Stumpf 86’
Avonsend United 1-0 Wolfenholm United
Hermann 26’
Blubeck FC 4-1 Axmund City
Kagadan 10’, 24’, 50’, 79’ // Fuchs 36’
Shorham FC 1-3 Littleport AFC
Moores 43’ // Martel 22’, Windsor 48’, Bowers 90’
Refeld FC 1-1 Penntop FC
Wilkerson 86’ // Ball 7’

With just two games left in the season, Katzestadt AFC are well and truly in the box seat, but the side will be frustrated to have brought the title race this close to the finish line. The side’s 1-1 draw against Inverhaven City leaves the Royals five points clear with six to play for, meaning a win against Axmund United will secure the title with a game to spare.

Their only title rival is the team from the other side of Inverhaven, with the Workers claiming a late 1-0 win over Katzestadt Rovers to keep them mathematically in the mix.

But the real race looks to be for Challengers Cup football - there is just five points between third and ninth, with a win for any side in the middle of the table having huge ramifications on international play next season. At least a handful of teams will be knocked out of top four contention next week - with Inverhaven City due to face Katzestadt Rovers, and Ironworks taking on Blubeck in a must-win for both sides.

The eventual winner of the Katzeburg Cup may also feed into which teams get to book flights for next season, with all four remaining teams still in the mix to qualify for something via their league position.

Looking to the Golden Boot race, it seems unlikely that the chasing pack of Lloyd Field and Kazimir Karatanov would be able to catch up with leader Eno Kagadan with just two matchdays left, with the Xannerian striker sitting on the precipice of breaking the league goalscoring record of 20 goals in a campaign, held by current fifth place striker Drake Wruck.

Blubeck will need to have their wits about them though, as a tight run in and clashes against both Inverhaven sides will decide not only their season and chance at international football via the league, but whether Kagadan can crack the 20 mark.

+---------------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+--------+
| First Division Standings                                      |                  |       |        |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+--------+
|     Team                       P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts | IFCF             | Form  | Change |
|   1 Katzestadt AFC            24  13   6   5  35  21  +14  45 | Champions League | WWDLD |        |
|   2 Inverhaven Ironworks      24  10  10   4  20  14   +6  40 | Challengers Cup  | DWDDW |        |
|   3 Axmund City               24  10   7   7  36  31   +5  37 | Challengers Cup  | LLWWL | +1     |
|   4 Littleport AFC            24  11   3  10  35  31   +4  36 | Challengers Cup  | WWLDW | +4     |
|   5 Axmund United             24   9   8   7  34  33   +1  35 | CEdC             | LDWDD | -2     |
|   6 Katzestadt Rovers         24  10   5   9  31  31   +0  35 | CEdC             | WDDLL | -1     |
|   7 Wolfenholm United         24   9   7   8  25  22   +3  34 |                  | LLWDL | -1     |
|   8 Blubeck FC                24   8   8   8  34  34   +0  32 |                  | WDLDW | +1     |
|   9 Inverhaven City           24   9   5  10  23  27   -4  32 |                  | WWLDD | +2     |
|  10 Barenwold FC              24   8   6  10  22  24   -2  30 |                  | LLLWD | -3     |
|  11 Refeld FC                 24   7   8   9  15  17   -2  29 |                  | WDDWD | +1     |
|  12 Shorham FC                24   7   6  11  27  37  -10  27 |                  | LDWLL | -2     |
|  13 Penntop FC                24   3  12   9  34  36   -2  21 |                  | DLDDD |        |
|  14 Avonsend United           24   4   9  11  12  25  -13  21 |                  | LDDDW |        |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+--------+

+---------------------+-----------+-------------------+-------+
| Golden Boot Ranking | Player    | Team              | Goals |
+---------------------+-----------+-------------------+-------+
| 1                   | Kagadan   | Blubeck FC        | 18    |
| 2                   | Field     | Katzestadt AFC    | 16    |
| 3                   | Karatanov | Inverhaven City   | 14    |
| 4                   | Ball      | Penntop FC        | 13    |
| =5                  | Wruck     | Katzestadt Rovers | 12    |
| =5                  | Hershey   | Littleport AFC    | 12    |
| 7                   | Niles     | Axmund City       | 11    |
| =8                  | Fuchs     | Axmund City       | 9     |
| =8                  | Marsh     | Axmund United     | 9     |
| =8                  | Barrett   | Wolfenholm United | 9     |
+---------------------+-----------+-------------------+-------+

---

KATZEBURG CUP - SEASON 2
SEMI FINALS

Inverhaven Ironworks 0-1 Axmund City
Knepp 28’
Blubeck FC 3-1 Katzestadt AFC
Buchholz 24’, Jones 61’, Belcher 88’ // Kneib 65’

After last season’s semi-final appearance, Axmund City have gone one better this time around, with the side through to their first Katzeburg Cup final after a slim 1-0 win over Inverhaven Ironworks at the Factory Grounds. Club captain Deena Knepp was the difference maker between the two sides, nodding home a looping corner midway through the first half to secure a spot in the decider.

They will be joined by a genuine surprise packet in Blubeck, who saw off the double hopes of Katzestadt AFC with ease in a sweeping 3-1 win at Bluebell Park. Goals from Norman Buchholz, Davena Jones, and sub Lorayne Belcher sent Storm supporters into ecstasy, with the side now just 90 minutes away from glory and a spot in international football.

“I can’t believe we’ve made it this far,” Blubeck manager Sloane Muller said in tears after the game. “The team has been incredible during this cup run and even if we don’t see it through, just bringing our team to the grand stage of a final is a huge achievement for our little town.”

Katzeburg Cup Final

Axmund City vs Blubeck FC - Katzestadt Arena, Katzestadt

[Katzeburg]

KATZEBURGIAN NATIONAL LEAGUE - SEASON 2
LEAGUE ROUNDS 25 TO 26

MATCHDAY 25

Katzestadt AFC 2-1 Axmund United
Field 18’, 67’ // Johns 51’
Inverhaven City 0-2 Katzestadt Rovers
Courtney 35’, Morton 70’
Barenwold FC 1-0 Avonsend United
Siegel 22’
Inverhaven Ironworks 2-0 Blubeck FC
Lixau 38’, Coburn 57’
Wolfenholm United 2-0 Shorham FC
Martin 48’, Barrett 58’
Axmund City 2-1 Refeld FC
Niles 9’, Spears 81’ // Triggs 70’
Littleport AFC 0-3 Penntop FC
Ball 14’, 31’, 66’

Whereas last season’s title race went onto the final day, there was no such tension the second time around - Katzestadt AFC securing back-to-back league titles with a game to spare thanks to a brace from Lloyd Field in front of a sell-out Katzestadt Arena. The win over Axmund United leaves the Royals five points out front with one game left, with Inverhaven Ironworks now having to try and settle for second place rather than the trophy.

“I can’t be too disappointed at how things shook out,” Ironworks striker Leith Coburn told reporters after their 2-0 win over Blubeck. “Katzestadt have just been a cut above all season and the fact we’ve had them this close for this long is something to be proud of. Next season we’ll go again and that’s all we can do.”

However, one race which will go down to the final day is the race for Challengers Cup football. The Workers have already guaranteed themselves a spot in next season’s competition, but anyone from Axmund City in third to Axmund United in seventh could in reality sneak in.

In the mix is Littleport, with Millard Kastner’s squad sitting in sixth heading into the final day. If they grab a result at home against Axmund City, they will likely be celebrating Esportivan football at the bare minimum. “It’s going to be a huge night for the club,” Kastner told KBC’s Goal!. “The turnaround that this team has shown this season has been brilliant and even if we miss out, we’re on course to be better than last season and that’s all I can ask for.”

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+---------------------------------------------------------------+----------------------+-------+--------+
| First Division Standings                                      |                      |       |        |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+----------------------+-------+--------+
|     Team                       P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts | IFCF                 | Form  | Change |
|   1 Katzestadt AFC            25  14   6   5  37  22  +15  48 | Champions League (Q) | WDLDW |        |
|   2 Inverhaven Ironworks      25  11  10   4  22  14   +8  43 | Challengers Cup (Q)  | WDDWW |        |
|   3 Axmund City               25  11   7   7  38  32   +6  40 | Challengers Cup (Y)  | LWWLW |        |
|   4 Katzestadt Rovers         25  11   5   9  33  31   +2  38 | Challengers Cup      | DDLLW | +2     |
|   5 Wolfenholm United         25  10   7   8  27  22   +5  37 | CEdC                 | LWDLW | +2     |
|   6 Littleport AFC            25  11   3  11  35  34   +1  36 | CEdC                 | WLDWL | -2     |
|   7 Axmund United             25   9   8   8  35  35   +0  35 |                      | DWDDL | -2     |
|   8 Barenwold FC              25   9   6  10  23  24   -1  33 |                      | LLWDW | +2     |
|   9 Blubeck FC                25   8   8   9  34  36   -2  32 |                      | DLDWL | -1     |
|  10 Inverhaven City           25   9   5  11  23  29   -6  32 |                      | WLDDL | -1     |
|  11 Refeld FC                 25   7   8  10  16  19   -3  29 |                      | DDWDL |        |
|  12 Shorham FC                25   7   6  12  27  39  -12  27 |                      | DWLLL |        |
|  13 Penntop FC                25   4  12   9  37  36   +1  24 |                      | LDDDW |        |
|  14 Avonsend United           25   4   9  12  12  26  -14  21 |                      | DDDWL |        |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+----------------------+-------+--------+

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KATZEBURG CUP - SEASON 2
FINAL

Axmund City 1-1 Blubeck FC (1-2 AET)
Fuchs 24’ // Jones 79’, Boesch 118’

In a departure from last season, the KFF have opted to move the Katzeburg Cup final to the week before the final top flight matchday, in a way to help form a sense of tradition and excitement towards the Cup (although some KFF detractors will say this was done to try and steal the thunder of the KNL, which remains a separate entity from the national association).

In front of a packed Katzestadt Arena, both Axmund City and Blubeck took to the field for their first real chance at silverware in their club’s histories. And it was the Loggers who threw the first punch - Kester Fuchs, already a cup winner thanks to his heroics at Barenwold last season, opened the scoring midway through the first half with a curling effort from the edge of the box, silencing the surprisingly strong Blubeck travelling support.

But the Storm would weather the pressure from Axmund City - who had rather aggressively focused in on star striker Eno Kagadan to shut down attacking options - and pulled level 11 minutes from time through midfielder Davena Jones, tapping home a loose ball which the Loggers backline failed to clear out of the box.

Neither side would find a winner in the first 90, leading to another 30 minutes of play amidst an increasingly nervous crowd.

But it would be Blubeck who could breathe a sigh of relief - with substitute Lila Boesch, who joined the club in the off-season from Inverhaven Ironworks, netting a historic winner two minutes from penalties after nodding home a cross in from Eglantine Hodson on the right wing.

It’s arguably the biggest upset run in the young history of Katzeburgian football to date, with the Storm having pre-season odds of 250-1 to win anything this season, but manager Sloane Muller put the side’s success down to a single thing - belief.

“We had to believe in ourselves,” Muller said post game. “No-one else would have faith that we could mix it with the larger sides when it matters but this season has been breaking that again and again. As a small team from a small tourist town this will do wonders for Blubeck, and I’m so proud of the squad for seeing this through.”

Blubeck’s success will be a nice boost for the club, who dropped out of international contention last matchday, but with Cup Winners Cup football sorted for next season, the town of Blubeck might just be getting the tourism they have been seeking as the Storm goes on a brand new journey.

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MATCHDAY 26

Katzestadt Rovers 4-2 Katzestadt AFC
Wruck 10’, 28’, 44’, Armistead 80’ // Field 33’, Tuff 87’
Avonsend United 0-2 Axmund United
Earls 19’, Kaufer 61’
Blubeck FC 2-1 Inverhaven City
Kagadan 11’, 89’ // Karatanov 73’
Shorham FC 0-2 Barenwold FC
Siegel 47’, Bannerman 78’
Refeld FC 2-2 Inverhaven Ironworks
Washington 29’, Everill 81’ // Coburn 3’, Best 79’
Penntop FC 0-0 Wolfenholm United

Littleport AFC 1-4 Axmund City
Hershey 74’ // Christian 40’, Simmons 49’, Savage 78’, 83’

And so, the final matchday of the second season of the Katzeburgian National League saw many people focusing on the battle for the international spots, and with a Royals squad which was already mentally on vacation thanks to their title win, Katzestadt Rovers were able to benefit greatly from this.

With a leading hat-trick from Rovers striker Drake Wruck, the side knocked four past their cross-city rivals to sail to a 4-2 win and, with results swinging their way, a spot in the Challengers Cup for a second straight season.

They will be joined by Inverhaven Ironworks, who struggled to a 2-2 draw with Refeld on the final day, and Axmund City, who completed a brilliant turnaround with a strong 4-1 win over Littleport to finish third - a far cry from where they were earlier in the season.

Going into the Esportivan mix for next season will be Wolfenholm, who secured Esportivan football again despite failing to get past Penntop in a 0-0 draw, and Axmund United, who locked in their spot on the final day with a handy 2-0 win away at Avonsend.

At the foot of the table sits the River Rats, with a weak attacking return of just 12 goals scored across their entire campaign. But the side will at least take solace that defensively they may have turned a corner - the side not only finished one point up from their total last season, but with 28 goals conceded had a better defensive record than eight other sides in the league.

+---------------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+--------+
| First Division Standings                                      |                  |       |        |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+--------+
|     Team                       P   W   D   L For  Ag  +/- Pts | IFCF             | Form  | Change |
|   1 Katzestadt AFC            26  14   6   6  39  26  +13  48 | Champions League | DLDWL |        |
|   2 Inverhaven Ironworks      26  11  11   4  24  16   +8  44 | Challengers Cup  | DDWWD |        |
|   3 Axmund City               26  12   7   7  42  33   +9  43 | Challengers Cup  | WWLWW |        |
|   4 Katzestadt Rovers         26  12   5   9  37  33   +4  41 | Challengers Cup  | DLLWW |        |
|   5 Wolfenholm United         26  10   8   8  27  22   +5  38 | CEdC             | WDLWD |        |
|   6 Axmund United             26  10   8   8  37  35   +2  38 | CEdC             | WDDLW | +1     |
|   7 Barenwold FC              26  10   6  10  25  24   +1  36 |                  | LWDWW | +1     |
|   8 Littleport AFC            26  11   3  12  36  38   -2  36 |                  | LDWLL | -2     |
|   9 Blubeck FC                26   9   8   9  36  37   -1  35 | Cup Winners Cup  | LDWLW |        |
|  10 Inverhaven City           26   9   5  12  24  31   -7  32 |                  | LDDLL |        |
|  11 Refeld FC                 26   7   9  10  18  21   -3  30 |                  | DWDLD |        |
|  12 Shorham FC                26   7   6  13  27  41  -14  27 |                  | WLLLL |        |
|  13 Penntop FC                26   4  13   9  37  36   +1  25 |                  | DDDWD |        |
|  14 Avonsend United           26   4   9  13  12  28  -16  21 |                  | DDWLL |        |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+------------------+-------+--------+

+----------------------+---------------+----------------------+-------+
| Golden Boot Rankings | Player        | Team                 | Goals |
+----------------------+---------------+----------------------+-------+
| 1                    | Kagadan       | Blubeck FC           | 20    |
| 2                    | Field         | Katzestadt AFC       | 19    |
| 3                    | Ball          | Penntop FC           | 16    |
| =4                   | Wruck         | Katzestadt Rovers    | 15    |
| =4                   | Karatanov     | Inverhaven City      | 15    |
| 6                    | Hershey       | Littleport AFC       | 13    |
| 7                    | Niles         | Axmund City          | 12    |
| =8                   | Coburn        | Inverhaven Ironworks | 10    |
| =8                   | Barrett       | Wolfenholm United    | 10    |
| =10                  | Three Players | Various              | 9     |
+----------------------+---------------+----------------------+-------+

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