X11 season 45 - de rigueur Mortis

[Sits]

Is Nmrfox on holiday? Not been on here or X11 since the 11th.

[Antepli Ejderha]

I think VA implied he was scaling back on his teams, iirc he's no longer in the MLX.

[Etienne]

If anyone is interested, I've just received a 17/4 striker with hard training, ice cool and long pass in the Ladies league. I don't have the opportunity to give her any games, so she's gone straight on the list. If I get any offers I'll accept them before the next game so she can have 3 matches to get some DV. Form is 10.

[Antepli Ejderha]

I've placed a bid. Fair compatibility for Zeugma Dostluk and I've already got for forwards on my books, one is also a recent arrival but with two of the forwards on 16 DV it's worth a gamble.

[Etienne]

Cool, I'm glad she won't be lost from the game forever. I'll accept the highest offer tomorrow evening so as to ensure that the bidder can pick heron Tuesday.

[evilC]

Hello there!

So, errr... anyone remember what happened to my former teams, then? ;-)

(Strathcarnage, Bene Gesserit, Taste Of Dunfermline)

[Etienne]

Bene Gesserit are still doing fine. I don't know about the other ones. Congratulations on your news.

[Sits]

Hi Clive, great to see you, and congrats seconded.

[Etienne]

Sorry, Antepli, I've just realised (as I went to accept your bid) that it won't let me accept it until 24 hours from the deadline - which is after tomorrows game.

[Antepli Ejderha]

No problem. I'll still gamble.

[Sits]

Grandstand finish to the Human League begins now. Etienne has been telling us that Suffragette City are riding their luck, and RichardSP's Just Plain Random were clearly listening, toppling the erstwhile leaders 3-0 yesterday. This leaves an intriguing position with three games left.

The Suffragettes, Random and Les Sangliers are all on 33 points, 12 clear of fourth place Lysisyrata. Wins, draws and losses are the same but thanks to goals it's 1.JPR, 2.SC, 3.LS. My pigs host the Suffragettes on Saturday and Random in a week's time, so things will be a lot clearer by then.

[Sits]

Apologies to jdsx for the spelling.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Grandstand finish to the Human League begins now. Etienne has been telling us that Suffragette City are riding their luck, and RichardSP's Just Plain Random were clearly listening, toppling the erstwhile leaders 3-0 yesterday. This leaves an intriguing position with three games left.

The Suffragettes, Random and Les Sangliers are all on 33 points, 12 clear of fourth place Lysisyrata. Wins, draws and losses are the same but thanks to goals it's 1.JPR, 2.SC, 3.LS. My pigs host the Suffragettes on Saturday and Random in a week's time, so things will be a lot clearer by then.

A draw for the OTF pair should have been the result that handed the title to the Randoms, but Zeugma Demir Çelik didn't read the script and before a hand even went onto the trophy we'd scored. Now to win one more match to stay up. Thanks

[Janik]

X11 Ladies Season 55 Matchday 12 report.

Division 2b

Viking South Utsira     0 - 0   Gretna Girls FC


Division 3d

Drakaina                7 - 1   Cam Hotspurs
Källgren 2', 9', 80'            Einarsdottir 83'
Heggarty 5', 14'
Atum 17'
Kavazis 19'


Division 4j

Fair Maidens of FISO    0 - 3   Coxy Ladies Wulpen
                                van Sttenberghe 35', 77'
                                Beyen 49'


Division 4k

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC  1 - 0   Högberget FC
Sangaji 78'


Division 5:17

Erbil                   2 - 2   Kungsholmens FC
Genghini 1'                     MacRae 5'
Wildenvey 58'                   Kinross 44'

LNWR Locomotive         4 - 0   Slytherin LFC
Severinsson 43', 74'
Teigland 59'
Reisinho 70'


Division 5:28

Menywod Maeshafn        0 - 1   Evil daughters
                                Korkatti 67'


Division 5:31

Csiki Girls             2 - 0   Atalanta Calcio
Munoz (pen) 53'
Smet 88'


Division 6:41

Ullapool Northern Star  1 - 0   Ansioliticas FC
Mair 93'


Division 6:45

Solent Sirens           1 - 1   Almighty Ladies
Stieglecker 37'                 Cusack 65'


Division 6:54

London Lovers           0 - 2   Zeugma Dostluk Spor
                                Biasi 41'
                                Cankut 77'


Division 6:58

Karlskrona United FC    0 - 2   Dublin City WFC
                                Isabel Carreto 21'
                                Kåmark 59'

It wasn’t quite the last chance saloon for Viking South Utsira’s Division 2b status when they took on Gretna Girls FC but they could see it from there.
A win was essential if The Blood Eagles were going to have genuine hopes of survival, but how realistic was that with Gretna the unbeaten league leaders with just three goals conceded all season? The priority for Velvet Android’s charges was clearly not to fall behind as coming back would be desperately unlikely. And, to be fair, they achieved that, limiting Gretna to just two openings in the match. Sadly though, this was at the cost of Viking’s own attacking threat, which was null.
In ordinary circumstances a goalless draw against the runaway leaders would be a good point, but here it has left VSU teetering on the brink. They sit bottom of the table, six points and -10 GD adrift of the safety mark. To all intents and purposes, they are down.

Almost the polar opposite scenario was in store for Drakaina as they faced a Cam Hotspurs who have plunged into full-on golden generation redevelopment mode, a process they are only at the very start of.
The Hotspurs are therefore in possession of an extremely young team, completely out of its depth in Division 3d, as a pre-game record of 0-0-11 1-44 showed. The only question for Etienne’s side was how many, frankly. And if they had kept playing with the same intensity as the first 20 minutes, then who knows? But it’s hard to maintain the focus when you are already 6-0 up...
Matilda Källgren got the opener after just 2 minutes and went on to complete a hattrick with further strikes on 9 and 80 minutes. Gael Heggarty got a brace (5 & 14), Silvia Atum headed home on 17 and Ariadne Kavazis waltzed clear on 19. Källgren’s hattrick goal was the only one added by The Dragons in the rest of the match, though there was one other strike as Cam got a late consolation, much to the irritation of young Drakaina ‘keeper Zera Papavasillou; the back-up was playing for the fourth time in her career, and was close to her fourth clean sheet before the shot sailed past her.
A six goal margin was above average, so a pleasing days work for the Greek players. And one which was reflected in the league table, as they took advantage of the two sides above them both being held to draws to climb back to second place. The gap is goal difference, +3 thereof.

Coxy Ladies Wulpen needed to bounce back after a disappointing loss on matchday 11 when they visited mid-table side Fair Maidens of FISO.
Coxy Ladies shaded a pretty even first half, with the key incident going in their favour when Eva van Sttenberghe headed them ahead on 35 minutes. That goal boosted The Waders self-belief, which grew even more when Charlotte Beyen rose to head home a second soon after the break. From this point on the game was all Wulpen, van Sttenberghe making it a hattrick of headers for Janik’s side when she buried the third on 77 minutes.
The Waders reward for probably their best performance of the season was... maintaining their position just outside the Division 4j drop zone, as the team just behind them shocked the league leaders! What the victory also did was draw FISO into the scrap; just three points now separates third from sixth in what promises to be a very tight run-in.

Being clear favourites to win a particular game is all well and good, but it does bring a particular pressure with it: don’t mess it up, or words to that effect. This is exactly where Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC found themselves against already relegated Högberget FC.
As VSU showed, sides near the bottom can make life difficult for those chasing promotion if they set up right defensively, and that is exactly what Högberget did to the Sea Spirits in the opening 45 minutes, denying SeanoftheShed’s side even a glimpse of goal.
The deadlock appeared to have been broken seconds into the second-half when Diksha Dalmiya turned the ball home, only for referee Michael Steen to disallow it. And then it was back into Kanjeng probing with little return. The Merapi-Kraton-South Sea crowd were getting increasingly twitchy until their heroines were awarded a 78th minute free-kick on the edge of the box which Utami Sangaji despatched powerfully into the bottom corner.
And that was enough, the three points had been secured. It turned out these were enough to take The Sea Goddesses back to the Division 4k summit due to a shock result elsewhere as previous leaders Stirling Stallions inexplicable fall from grace continued with a 6-2 home defeat by Rotnäset BK. That was a third straight defeat for the Scottish side, a run that started with Kanjeng beating them 5-0. The run-in promises to be lively, as The Sea Spirits lead is just one point over Rotnäset with Stirling just a further point back. And indeed only two more points to fourth and fifth!

You know what I was saying about potential banana skins? Well Erbil had one of these against bottom-and-already-relegated Kungsholmens FC.
Things started, well, perfectly, Natalie Genghini catching the visiting ‘keeper napping by smacking home from 35 yards seconds into the game. However Erbil were pegged back on 5 minutes and this seemed to spread tension amongst the home ranks. The hosts controlled first half possession, but were forcing the last pass and making errors at the back, which lead to them falling behind just before the interval.
The calmer second half saw chances created and an equaliser scored from an unlikely source on 58 minutes, defender Synne Wildenvey bursting clean through to net for just the second time in her career. Frustratingly, however, the Erbil forwards couldn’t match her and the match ended up all square.
Elsewhere in Division 5:17 we had relegation battling LNWR Locomotive taking on promotion-chasers Slytherin LFC.
The Steamers came into the game six points from safety and therefore under serious pressure to get a result. It really didn’t show as Viktor Boskovic’s side turned in a superb performance across the 90 minutes. They were well on top for the whole of the first half, though until Tekla Severinsson spanked one in from 25 yards in the 43rd minute it looked like they would have nothing to show for it.
Severinsson’s goal got Locomotive’s engine purring. They were just superb through the second half, Maja Teigland turning in a corner on 59 minutes to extend the advantage, Flávia Reisinho firing in on 70 to make it three and Severinsson adding the coup de grâce on 74 minutes, also from a corner.
A huge win which massively improved The Steamers survival hopes; they remain sixth, but are now just three points adrift of fifth with the same goal difference. Sadly, the two points dropped by Erbil meant they were not able to take advantage of Slytherin’s slip up. Jdsx’s charges remain fourth, three points adrift of the play-off spot and five back from automatic promotion.

Foxy265 has resigned as manager of Sockford Emollient. A couple of weeks ago, in fact. Missed that. Sad to lose him and The Gatorsharks from our round-ups.

[Janik]

Menywod Maeshafn had reasons to be wary of Evil daughters beyond the disquiet caused by their opposition’s name; the daughters had won away at Division 5:28 leaders ZFK Nase Taksi in their previous outing. They were clearly an opponent for IsThatcherDeadYet and co to take very seriously.
There was certainly no complacency from the Welsh outfit, as they threw everything at the match. However, their opponents proved as obdurate as expected and stood up to it very well. More than that, they took the lead midway through the second half. Maeshafn battled on, but an equaliser was not forthcoming. They also suffered a late injury blow as defender Ghita Gulbranson picked up a 16-day knock.
She will probably miss the run-in, which is now just about the play-off place. And Maeshafn no longer control that, dropping to third after this loss, two points back. Still possible, but a reversal of form is called for, and swiftly.

That was also what Csiki Girls fans were calling for after recent dropped points left them very much in need of a win against struggling Atalanta Calcio.
The Csiki’s players appeared to have taken that to heart with a dominant first half display. 63% possession and four shots to zero. All that was missing was a goal... It eventually came in the 53rd minute from the penalty spot, Eleena Munoz stroking home. And after that, well, not all that much. Ad hoc’s side sat on the lead, Atalanta showed little sign of breaking them down to level and then, with a couple of minutes plus stoppages left, up popped Floriane Smet to nod a second and seal the win.
Csiki Girls had begun the day in third place in Division 5:31, but that was third, level on points with first. And top and second, MiG31 and F.C Dinamo Ladies, were playing each other. The win would have taken the Csiki’s top if MiG31 hadn’t won that clash. But they did, so the Transylvanians remain second on goal difference, -3 behind. Next up is Dinamo (a)...

The last of Ullapool Northern Star six league games versus live managers this season pitted them against Ansioliticas FC.
At stake for Northern Star was securing at least a play-off place; there were eight points between them and third placed at the start of play. Victory would also maintain the gap on leaders Galácticas at just two points with two matches to play.
The opening quarter of the match was lively, without actually changing the score. First Ansioliticas had the ball in the net, then Ullapool’s Vanja Wendel, referee Frank Redkard not being satisfied with either. In between the two disallowed efforts, Sonja Fågelberg was hacked down and left the field with a 9-day injury. As I said, lively.
It didn’t stay that way. Instead the game drifted along at 0-0. Northern Star were controlling possession, holding around two-thirds of it throughout, but chances were few and far between. A stalemate seemed certain until, deep into stoppage time, Mary-Leslie Mair let fly and off came the Minchview roof.
In theory that strike kept Ullapool’s automatic promotion hopes alive. In practice these are effectively nil. Even though the Scots only trail Galácticas by two points, their opponents just have two zombies to play. Galácticas have not conceded a goal all season; for Ullapool to sneak past Galácticas would have to either lose once or draw both as their GD is also +10 better. This is not going to happen. The focus for delicatemoth and her troops will be preparing for the play-off that this win secured as a back-up option.

Two sides with just pride and development to play for clashed at Mayfield Park when Solent Sirens took on Almighty Ladies.
The first action of a match was a negative one, Solent’s Analissa Valdano being forced from the field with a 10-day injury. Despite that, it was The Sirens who took the lead, Marlene Stieglecker heading home on 37 minutes.
That goal was both with and against the run of play. With in the sense that Andrew7610’s side had had 60% first half possession. Against because it was Solent’s only shot of the first half compared to three for Almighty Ladies. The second half was even more bizarre, the visitors fashioning another four chances but only netting once to leave the result all square. Solent must have had God on their side...
The Sirens retain fifth place in the Division 6:45 standings for another week.

Much the same scenario pertained in Division 6:54 when Zeugma Dostluk Spor visited London Lovers.
The pattern of play in this one was less confusing though as Zeugma had both more possession and the majority of the chances. Antepli Ejderha’s side turned those statistical benefits into a win via a strike in each half, Filomena Biasi opening the scoring on 41 minutes and Nazan Cankut doubling the advantage with 77 on the watch. In both cases it was the first strike of the career for the 17 year olds, forward Biasi doing so in her fourth game after signing and defender Cankut doing so on her 12th appearance since moving up from Zeugma’s youth team to join the senior ranks.
As with Solent, ZDS remain fifth in their respective table.

Two recent setbacks had moved Dublin City WFC from being promotion favourites to outsiders to claim Division 6:58’s automatic or play-off spots. However Mortal Joe’s side were still in the hunt for both, as long as they could beat Karlskrona United FC.
That looked achievable even in the absence of the boss, given Karlskrona are managerless, pointless and with just a single goal to their names. It wasn’t the best Dublin have played this season, far from it in fact, as the recent dropped points seem to have left their mark. However even with confidence low they were too good, Ana Isabel Carreto and Veronica Kåmark striking once each to collect all the points.
That kept Dublin in the hunt, sitting fourth but remaining just a point out of the play-off spot. The gap to leaders Killer Queens was cut to three points after they were held to a shock draw by struggling Brisbane Heat. And that is who Dublin play next.

[delicatemoth]

Many thanks Janik. Can someone remind me what the turnaround is for the playoff game after the final league match? I know it's pretty quick

[Sits]

A draw for the OTF pair should have been the result that handed the title to the Randoms, but Zeugma Demir Çelik didn't read the script and before a hand even went onto the trophy we'd scored. Now to win one more match to stay up. Thanks

No no, thank you!

[Etienne]

There's one day off, then the playoff, dm.

[Etienne]

Intriguing stuff in the human league. The Randoms are missing 3 players injured or suspended for their visit to Les Sangliers. Suffragettes point there means it's in our hands, but a Holkham Forest team who are fighting for survival are tough opposition.

[Sits]

We’re playing them after you (final round) so it’s all overlapping.

[Antepli Ejderha]

No no, thank you!

Not sure how thanks ended up on my post. Must have hit predictive text territory again.

[Auntie Beryl]

My J4GL side, Spirit Of Eden, have made it (back) up to the Grum Premiership. I inherited the bones of a very decent squad when I took over The (former) Saltire AFC a few seasons ago and have managed to clamber up through the divisions.

Our old friend Sel_Ayan is managing one of the Fenerbahce franchise in the top flight, finished second last season, and won the last two Cups.

Proud to say I snook a defensive 1-0 victory against that dubious lot today, very satisfying given the OTF collective history with the franchise.

[delicatemoth]

Some zombies gave Ullapool's goalie a knock that keeps her out of the playoff. Luckily they're the one of my three teams who have a reasonably competent backup, but it's still a blow. As for my other teams, Penelope Pittsburgh have improved to comfortable mid-table in Human League Div 3, but have terrible DV, while Rock City Ferrets are probably safe in OTF Div 1 and have reasonable DV by my standards (i.e. mostly 15 or higher); both these sides have been affected by form+DV-shredding injuries to key players.

[Antepli Ejderha]

My J4GL side, Spirit Of Eden, have made it (back) up to the Grum Premiership. I inherited the bones of a very decent squad when I took over The (former) Saltire AFC a few seasons ago and have managed to clamber up through the divisions.

Our old friend Sel_Ayan is managing one of the Fenerbahce franchise in the top flight, finished second last season, and won the last two Cups.

Proud to say I snook a defensive 1-0 victory against that dubious lot today, very satisfying given the OTF collective history with the franchise.

Well played, a hearty Guzman to you.

[Sits]

Seconded. He invited me for a friendly today. Yeah right mate.