X11 season 45 - de rigueur Mortis

[Various Artist]

They look great, VA. I might prefer a greater blue/orange contrast on the first set, but I can see that it would be difficult to implement in that design. I will certainly be very happy to use both designs in the seasons to come and look forward to doing so.

Oh, I agree – that's why I didn't upload that first set: I felt the slightly translucent overlaid design doesn't altogether work with that colourscheme. I might just try tweaking it to decrease the transparency of the orange overlay to make it 'pop' more against the blue.

In the meantime, though, I'd laid it aside; then when I came up with the new design for les Malouins I thought I'd try that in, um, Hideous colours, and thought that one really does work nicely. So I reckon I'll upload that second set for sure and maybe work on the other one to see if it can be improved without too much extra effort...

[Various Artist]

Ooh, and almost a Swine colourway too of course - which is NOT a request! I like the ones I have.

Noted, though...

[Janik]

X11 Ladies Season 57 Matchday 10 report. The final furlongs loom…

Division 2b

Drakaina                1 - 1   Girls Aloud
Heggarty 80'                    Ilham (pen) 18'

Stoke City FC           1 - 3   Gastele
Templer 33'                     Fernanda Perdao 14'
                                Dickson 22'
                                McRenton 91'


Division 3e

Viking South Utsira     1 - 3   Misconduct United
B.Austrheim 42'                 Marquez 64', 71'
                                Hersi 91'


Division 4i

Coxy Ladies Wulpen      3 - 1   Busby Babes
Kerckhoeven 66', 78'            Lönn 80'
Leclercq 88'


Division 5:1

Bombay Green Rockets    0 - 0   Arsenal LFC

FC Dench Ladies         3 - 0   AK Heartbreakerz
Haq 3'
Jorque 46', 54'


Division 5:16

LNWR Locomotive         3 - 0   San Francisco 9ers
Reisinho 27'
Teigland 65'
Zakarian 74'


Division 5:19

Ullapool Northern Star  1 - 1   Gregorys Girls
Lovell 40'                      Glasgow 22'


Division 5:21

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC  3 - 0   Beta Andromedae
Luangpruksachat 16'
Sumanti 34', 88'


Division 5:32

P.S.G.                  1 - 1   Csiki Girls
Brown 45'                       Neaves 49'


Division 6:20

Furious Ladies          1 - 1   Solent Sirens
Jenkins 90'                     Quist 88'


Division 6:34

Braguinha               2 - 0   Invisible Ladies
Enerly 15'
Jannesson 50'


Division 6:43

Parg Fur                0 - 7   Hazeldean Inchmistress
                                Bunton 11', 16'
                                Robert (O.G.) 24'
                                Kaila Golkás 47', 80'
                                Dekoninck 58'
                                Bringevik 73'


Division 6:53

Zeugma Dostluk Spor     1 - 1   Meninas do Convento
Bell 88'                        Dorneles 55'
Forsyth (missed pen) 41'


Division 6:56

Menywod Maeshafn        2 - 0   Danis Ladies
Lydell 46', 60'

Drakaina’s promotion push faced a significant challenge as The Dragons hosted a Girls Aloud side they held just a two point advantage on.
Both teams came into the game confident, having lost twice all campaign. However it was Girls Aloud who started on the better as Drakaina initially struggled. The visitors thought they were ahead on 13 minutes, had it chalked off, but the only had to wait another 5 before hitting the front for real from the penalty spot.
Dragons boss Etienne had a big job on his hands at half-time to turn the momentum of the game around. Whatever exactly it was he said it work, though. Whereas in the first period all three chances of the half went to the visitors after the break it was the Greek side getting sights of goal. And an all-important equaliser on 80 minutes when Gael Heggarty let fly from all of 40 yards. That screamer earned her side what might turn out to be a very useful point in the final summation.
Elsewhere in Division 2b Gastele faced a must win game in the Potteries against Stoke City FC.
Jdsx’s side came into the match three points ahead of their bottom-of-the-table hosts and also three points adrift of safety. A big game called for a big performance, and the Gastele girls duly delivered exactly that as a dynamic start saw them two up by the midway point of the first half. Fernanda Perdao got the opener after 14 minutes with a breakaway strike and Rosey Dickson dived to double the advantage with her head after 22.
Stoke pulled one back against the run of play before the interval and this seemed to induce a bit more caution in the visitors. It remained 1-2 until stoppage time when Gastele put the game to bed, Lisa McRenton blasting home from point-blank range after a corner bounced around the six yard box.
Despite the win Gastele are still in the 2b drop zone, but now only a point separates them in sixth from the side on the other side of the line, Chelsea Ladies. In fact it was a very good day all round for Gastele as their match was the only one to produce a decisive result; all the others were draws. Which was also beneficial for Drakaina as that meant all the others in the top five finished all-square, meaning it’s as you were at the top – The Dragons are second, a point behind leaders FC Sprezzatura, a point ahead of third-placed November Revolution.

Cup heroines Viking South Utsira returned to routine fare as they hosted a Misconduct United side that sat two points ahead in the Division 3e mid-table zone.
The match had something of a run-in defining quality to it. Whoever won would likely compete to go up, whoever lost faced a battle to stay at this level. The Blood Eagles were the first to register, Birgit Austrheim firing them ahead on 42 minutes. But, dear Reader, we have to allow that this was fortunate and not wholly with merit; Misconduct had been the better team up to that point.
Would Velvet Android’s side kick on from their lucky break or would Misconduct fight back to get their just desserts. Sadly it was the later, the visitors showing no signs of easing up as they levelled on 64 minutes, went ahead on 71 and made absolutely sure in stoppage time.
The consequences of the loss was quite severe, VSU dropping three places down the 3e table from fourth to seventh. They are only goal difference away from safety, however.

Two sides with promotion hopes clashed at the Curlew’s Nest as third-placed Coxy Ladies Wulpen hosted second-in-the-table (and VSU’s opponents in the Cup last 16) Busby Babes.
The Waders had the better of general play in the opening half without really threatening to open the Babes up. They did have one chance, but it came and went in a flash. Janik’s side kept plugging away though and began to find gaps as their visitors tired after the interval. The breakthrough came in the 66th minute, Noémie Kerckhoeven outpacing the tiring Busby’s defence to get to the ball first and stab home. Kerckhoeven then doubled the advantage 78 minutes by heading in a corner.
If Coxy Ladies fans relaxed after that they found themselves back on edge nearly immediately as the visitors struck on 80 minutes. There was one more goal in the match, and to the relief of the home crowd (and coaches) it went to Wulpen, Alicia Leclercq heading home a cross after 88 minutes.
Victory saw the sides swap places in the Division 4i table, Coxy Ladies moving to one point clear in second. They remain two points adrift of leaders Spicks Killiettes as the later won their game.

Fifth-placed Bombay Green Rockets clashed with an Arsenal LFC side one place above them as both sought to put some breathing space between themselves and the Division 5:1 drop zone.
The first half was cagey, with few chances at either end. One a piece in fact. Possession was equally split 50/50. After the break one side upped it – and that was Arsenal. HKS3’s Rockets found themselves clinging on to the point they held, but cling they did. The key performer in this was ‘keeper Mathilda Grünewald who turned in a grade-19 performance and thoroughly deserved her clean sheet.
Elsewhere the soon-to-be-former AK Heartbreakerz were on the road at FC Dench Ladies.
Mortal Joe’s side needed a positive result to keep their heads above the relegation waterline, but that was neither likely nor an actual aim. Instead this game was the first opportunity for the re-shaped squad to build patterns on the pitch after a busy few days at the Heart Stadium that had seen eight players whose careers had stalled released and 10 new signings made. The new faces consisted of 7 youngsters, 17- or 18-year olds and three veterans, MF’s Eila Ĺhrén (33/14 with free-kicks) and Bertha Wang-Nřstvold (32/10) and DF Graça Franquelim (35/12) brought in. These vets join Anita Sakataj (34/14 and 150+ games for the franchise) to act as mentors.
Which is all carefully avoiding saying what happened on the pitch. The Heartbreakerz lost of course. They were 1-0 down within 3 minutes, and though having a boss meant they showed more resilience than previously, keep it at 1-0 until the interval, it was 3-0 by the hour and all over.
That result meant the Heartbreakerz go down to restart with their new identity in the bottom tier. They may be joined there by Bombay, who shockingly found themselves dumped into the drop zone as the side who were below them in sixth, Allstar 002, shocked previously unbeaten leaders Invincible Shaolin 1-0 (not so Invincible, it turns out).

Four games without a win had left LNWR Locomotive in a perilous position and made the game against basement dwellers San Francisco 9ers a must-win for The Steamers.
Locomotive were six points adrift of safety at the start of play but showed no signs of being put under pressure by the situation as they took the game to the San Francisco side. The first half pressure from Viktor Boskovic’s team was rewarded once, Flávia Reisinho turning in a free-kick that Charlotte Nixon had flighted to her.
The Steamers may have been slightly wasteful in the first half, but they were anything but after the break. They got just two further sights of the Frisco goal but made the most of both, Maja Teigland heading in a 65th minute corner and Gayane Zakarian scoring from close range on 74.
Locomotive ended the match with only 10 players after defender Beata Rönnberg picked up an 11-day injury in the 85th minute, after all the subs had been made (one of which, Zakarian for Nixon, was also due to injury albeit just a minor knock in that case). However it didn’t make any difference to the final score, which remained 3-0. That pulled The Steamers to within three points of Wćlcyrie Girls, who they play next week in another must-win encounter.

[Janik]

It was an all-Scottish affair when the top two met in Division 5:19 as Ullapool Northern Star welcomed Gregorys Girls up from Cumbernauld to the North-East coast.
The visitors appeared to take to the rural setting well, with a first half performance that pushed the Highlanders deep back into their own territory. Midway through the period Gregorys Girls got their deserved reward (scorer: Glasgow!). However despite the pressure Northern Star limited the damage to one and then, very much against the run of play drew level on 40 minutes through a poachers finish from Lindsey Lovell.
That goal, or boss delicatemoth’s teamtalk, or a combination of the two appeared to stabilise her side as the second half was much more even, with one chance a piece. Neither of which were converted as the score also stayed level, though there was disappointment at the final whistle as just a handful of minutes prior Sonia Menashi had had an apparent ‘winner’ disallowed.
That would have been total steel though as even a point was a very good return for Ullapool on the overall balance of play. And that despite it seeing Star lose a place, dropping from second to third in the table on goal difference.

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC went into their game with Beta Andromedae needing just a point to seal a play-off spot but looking for three to continue their Division 5:21 title push.
SeanoftheShed’s side were very warm favourites against an Andromedae battling the drop and they soon showed why, Thao-Ap Luangpruksachat firing them ahead after 16 minutes. Utami Sumanti doubled the advantage on 34 minutes and following that The Sea Spirits held their opponents at arm’s length like a parent dealing with a failing toddler.
Just as in that situation Andromedae were nowhere near landing a significant blow on their hosts, not even managing a shot in the game. Instead it was The Sea Goddesses who struck again, Sumanti netting her second of the game on 88 minutes to put the final seal on the points.
That ensured at least a play-off for the Indonesian side, but better news awaited in the dressing room as they discovered that title rivals The Temptation Within (unbeaten in 5:21 all season, four goals conceded) had somehow seen a 2-0 half-time lead against bottom side Aveley Ladies F.C (without a win in the league all campaign, two goals scored previously) somehow transmogrify into a 3-4 home defeat! Aveley final three goals all came in or after the 80th minute… No certainties in this game, eh?

Talking of which takes us straight on to Csiki Girls visit to P.S.G..
The hosts were without a point to their names all season but appeared to have forgotten who they were as they took the game to ad hoc’s side. Or was it the Csiki’s who were without their usual identity? Either way PSG’s opening goal on the stroke of half-time gave them a lead they just about merited.
Robin Neaves levelled for The Csiki’s four minutes into the second half as the visitors finally begun playing. However although they did create further chances a winner eluded them. Fortunately it also did so for PSG, though one point still felt very much like two dropped the Transylvanians.
The draw cost Csiki Girls ground in the Division 5:32 title race as leaders Queens in Uniforms won. Fortunately, third-placed side Guerreras del Amanecer were also held by a side in the drop zone so the Csiki’s remain second by a point.

The first match in charge of Solent Sirens for Captain Flack (aka Kevin S) sent them to Furious Ladies, who must have been slightly irked* to find themselves not playing a zombie but a liver manager.
The hosts temper would have been made worse by being outplayed as well as Solent made most of the running. Brígida Agra had an early goal disallowed, Geovana Abbiati was forced to leave the fray with an 11-day injury but The Sirens kept on coming. And they got their reward for their progressive play in the 88th minute from a deeply unlikely source, defender Hannele Quist heading home a corner for her first career goal in her 50th senior match.
That makes for a lovely story, doesn’t it? Unfortunately our tale has a sour twist right at the end as Furious Ladies were awarded a free-kick in shooting distance in the final minute of the match, and struck it home. I’ll bet snatching an ill-deserved draw didn’t mollify them.
Sadly that sort of thing happens to sides who have been struggling. It’s going to take a while to turn the Solent ship around. Indeed they even lost a place in the Division 6:20 standings because of that late goal, dropping from sixth to seventh.
* - irk is a great word, isn’t it?

Another side looking to rebuild their confidence after a managerless spell are Invisible Ladies. The See-Throughs had picked up a draw in Pebblethefish’s first game back at the San Seethrough but adding to that looked a challenge as their next game took them to runaway Division 6:34 leaders Braguinha.
This game… well, it went just about how one would expect from the background of the two sides. Invisible made things as tricky as they could in their current fragile state, but it was a rearguard action throughout and a goal early in each half did for them in the end.
That loss also terminated any outside hopes The See-Throughs might have harboured about getting involved in the Division 6:34 promotion picture as it increased the gap between themselves in sixth and second spot to nine points with just 12 left to play for.

Hazeldean Inchmistress were expected to beat bottom-of-the-table Parg Fur, given that their hosts had zero points and only one goal to their names all season prior to the match. The question was simply how many as despite their struggles the hosts had rarely been thrashed this campaign.
Indeed only one team previously had scored more than four against them in the league. But that side was Inchmistress. The Imperials were at it again pretty well from the off, teenaged forward Karen Bunton netting a brace on 11 and 16 minutes before home defender Ziva Robert inexplicably put through her own on 24 minutes to make it three.
Bunton’s day was a mixed bag as her goals (which trebled her lifetime total) were followed by a knock towards the end of the first half that forced her off and will keep her out for 8 days. That took us to the interval, but Hazeldean were not done as they ‘did it for Kaz’ after the break adding four more through Kaila Golkás (47 and 80), Jessica Dekoninck (58) and Jennie Bringevik (73).
The 13 goals scored by the Framleyshire outfit in two games is nearly half the total (30) Parg Fur have shipped in 10. But the play-offs rather than the Division 6:43 title remain the likeliest route up for Foxy265’s side as they remain second, five points adrift of the leaders CF Fuego Eagles who are still yet to concede a goal this campaign!

A top of the table clash graced Division 6:53 as Zeugma Dostluk Spor took on Meninas do Convento.
Antepli Ejderha’s side were the leaders, four points and they took the game to Meninas from the outset, dominating first half possession. All that was missing was a goal which looked sure to arrive when the hosts were awarded a 41st minute penalty. Only Rachel Forsyth was denied on her attempt.
The mantra would have been ‘we are playing well, it will come, keep believing’. Fine to say, but sounding a little bit strained when the visitors scored against the run of play on 55 minutes to take the lead. Zeugma kept doing what they were told, and made chance after chance. And missed chance after chance as well. The Insan Haklari Stadyumu crowd went from concerned to jumpy to pleading with their team to be cool in front of net before finally, FINALLY, Stacey Bell levelled with 88 on the clock.
It finished 1-1 which was a travesty on a game where Zeugma outchanced their opponents 10(!)-2. But a draw it was, one that saw the Anatolian’s lead at the summit cut to three points. But they are also +12 goal difference ahead as well, which provides a small additional buffer.

Last, but by no means least we come to Menywod Maeshafn who were also playing hosts as leaders to the side in second, their visitors being Danis Ladies.
The Welsh side saw similar first half dominance to Zeugma go unrewarded as 64% possession somehow didn’t result in a single attempt on goal. However when IsThatcherDeadYet’s side did finally get a sight of the target from a direct free-kick given seconds after the restart, Ellinor Lydell coolly curled her effort into the bottom corner. Boosted by that Maeshafn and Lydell struck again on the hour mark, this time an effort from 25 yards swerving viciously into the top corner.
Two class goals to register an important win that increased Maeshafn’s advantage on second to 10 points and their gap on those outside the Division 6:56 promotion and play-off places to 12. A win tomorrow and they will be sure of the title. And looking at their opposition, a win is massively likely. It should be a good day in North Wales.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Another great round up Janik. Thanks.

Four games to go in the Xpert Ladies and I'm trying to maximise development values as well as continue to win, it's tough. I've managed to get most of the youngsters onto 14, it's a minimum but I'm hopeful of squeezing a few more minutes and points. I'm also greedily running three goalkeepers and have shut down my youth academy to save some money.

I plan a small sale and a proper plan for next season, I expect to be in division five, which means a conveyor belt and no random mid season bargain transfer deals. I think the former is likely and possible but I cannot resist the latter.

[Janik]

The Ladies League Cup, Season 57, Round 7 report. Will VSU rock on?

Viking South Utsira     0 - 1   Busby Babes
                                Ersson 34'

Viking South Utsira were back at the last-16 stage of the competition for the first time in a number of seasons (six to be precise). It was the third time Velvet Android had led his team out on such a stage, with the record standing at two wins out of two prior to taking on Division 4 opponents Busby Babes.
The Blood Eagles chances of making it three from three began to diminish from the opening whistle as they found themselves struggling to get the ball out of their opponent’s possession. And Busby made the most of their ability to dictate more of the play, taking the lead on 34 minutes.
Would Viking launch a retaliatory raid after the break. Well there was one sortie, but it was in isolation and instead it was the Manchester side who were pushing for further inroads. That didn’t come, but the one they already had proved enough as Utsira’s run ended at this stage this time around.

[Sits]

Excellent change report for Kakanui KuneKune, two DJs and my goalie Ross Cairnie is now a 24/13 worth 20m. I’ve had very few players worth that.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

After your supporters' latest racial abuse against the opponent's ethnic minority players the football association showed their disappointment by fining the club 45 500 econ.

W T actual F?

[Kevin S]

The Ladies League Cup, Season 57, Round 7 report. Will VSU rock on?

Viking South Utsira 0 - 1 Busby Babes
Ersson 34'

Viking South Utsira were back at the last-16 stage of the competition for the first time in a number of seasons (six to be precise). It was the third time Velvet Android had led his team out on such a stage, with the record standing at two wins out of two prior to taking on Division 4 opponents Busby Babes.
The Blood Eagles chances of making it three from three began to diminish from the opening whistle as they found themselves struggling to get the ball out of their opponent’s possession. And Busby made the most of their ability to dictate more of the play, taking the lead on 34 minutes.
Would Viking launch a retaliatory raid after the break. Well there was one sortie, but it was in isolation and instead it was the Manchester side who were pushing for further inroads. That didn’t come, but the one they already had proved enough as Utsira’s run ended at this stage this time around.

VA magnanimously wished them the best of luck for the rest of the season. I suspect that's not gone down too well with their promotion rivals in Div.4i?

Great write ups as always, and I am of course delighted to be irking people once again.

[caja-dglh]

W T actual F?

Booooooooooooo. Looks like your next game might get abandoned.

[jdsx]

Excellent change report for Kakanui KuneKune, two DJs and my goalie Ross Cairnie is now a 24/13 worth 20m. I’ve had very few players worth that.

Yeah Quisquiliae XI somehow managed 4 DJs - well above expectations. And I now have a 24/14 defender (only a single jumper), worth nearly 17 million....he should be fairly high in the skill range, so I hope to get him to 26/16 before I have to sell him.....

[Sean of the Shed]

Not a great CR for Pulau Pinang, but still most the younger players jumped. We need a midfielder from the youth team and a keeper as well.

[Sits]

Yeah Quisquiliae XI somehow managed 4 DJs - well above expectations. And I now have a 24/14 defender (only a single jumper), worth nearly 17 million....he should be fairly high in the skill range, so I hope to get him to 26/16 before I have to sell him.....

Why sell him? The greater good? I can never let my best players go which is why I'm usually skint.

[Antepli Ejderha]

A decent enough change report for the Giraffes, 3 double jumpers including my keeper who is now a 21/10.

[Various Artist]

Oh yeah, I should look at my own United Underground CR at some point. I've spent the day being too annoyed at the person/people who quit the league at a few minutes after 5 this morning, i.e. about an hour after the Change Report went through. Every season I've asked people not to quit until after the new season is set up, and I thought just this once I could treat people like adults. I'm an idiot.

I say "person/people" because when I looked at the two teams, I saw the resignations occurred literally three minutes apart, both managers were Danish and their other clubs appear to be wearing the same highly unusual custom kit. Obvious conclusion to jump to is that it's the same person under two logins, just to add a certain je ne sais quoi to the situation.


Anyway, we've got some spaces in Major League X11. If there's anyone here who's got VIP membership and fancies joining MLX on either a permanent basis, or can do so temporarily just for a couple of days to help me out, please do as I'd be hugely grateful!

[nmrfox]

Rubbish CR for Effing Sodbury with only a handful of single jumpers. Looks like we're going to be in the GLX for a few seasons yet and am desperately hoping that the academy can churn out some decent youngsters for the rebuild. Playing Billberry Buryborry in a friendly tonight, which will be fun.

[Various Artist]

Sorry this is a tad late everyone, but as promised (to HO, at least) here's the...
OTF League roundup for 10th February: Season 58 round 2

Division 3
In the all-new division, there's a rather stark initial split between the clubs who have hit the ground running and those who haven't. Amazingly, four teams have 100% records after their first week while the other five all have 0% – though to be fair the latter group includes two sides who have only played once so far.
Cods of War made their belated debut on Monday, and were welcomed in uncompromising fashion by die Ambosse, who hammered them 6-1 at Rockall with Bernd Frehn scoring one and making three. It is the reborn Anvils who are out of the blocks the fastest, that result taking them to 9-1 on aggregate to top the table -- albeit briefly, chances are, as they sit out this Thursday's round.
Hampshire Deers lead the charge to take over, sitting 2nd after a 4-1 home win over the second coming of the Poplar Massive Crew. They knock New Dresden down to 3rd on goals scored, despite the latter's 3-0 win at Richmond Pride & Purpose, who are bottom at this early stage just behind the Cods.
Eintracht Midwest soar to 5th thanks to, er, sitting the day out, with three teams dropping below them on GD. The Crew are 6th, while Llandudno Jet Set are 7th after a 2-0 defeat at The Blomstrands, who remain 4th on GD despite their perfect start.

Division 2
A slew of dominant starts here too, so it isn't just the newcomers. A three-goal blast in 12 second-half minutes gave Heffron Hendecagon a 3-0 home win over Day 1 leaders Steaua Bridge, who fall to 5th while Heffron go top by 1 goal.
Just behind are Brian Munchingflapjack, who crushed Wharfedale Generals 5-0 at Newell Carr Road with Sture Damberg bagging a hat-trick for the visitors. That takes them ahead of Athletico Deva via a better away record, despite Deva's 2-0 home win over Wednesday de la Zouch who drop to 7th.
Great Northern Railway have wagons rolling after a 2-0 home victory over Veni Vidi Vigata, climbing to 6th while VVV remain 8th. The latter are one of three winless sides to date, along with Pinewood Passers who went down 3-2 in an entertaining affair at OWC Albion. Unbeaten OWC are up to 4th, while the closeness of the scoreline promotes the Passers to 9th on GD just ahead of the Generals.

Division 1
In contrast, there's no 100% records here after just two games. Whoft Fluffopolis charge to the summit via a 4-0 win at rebuilding Nieuwegein Kneebiters, Burt St Tropez' hat-trick sweeping the Fluffers to victory at Parkhout. The 'Biters are already bottom as the only pointless team.
Hideous Towns survived a first-minute disallowed goal for hosts Banik Roystonov to score twice in the opening quarter of the game and secure a 2-0 win at Moje Zahrada that dumps Banik from 1st to 4th. Hideous climb to 2nd.
Rejects Redux are down to 3rd after a dire 0-0 at Wensleydale Blues, the Blues dropping to 6th. The latter remain unbeaten though and are one of no fewer than four teams all on 0-2-0 from Week 1. Eriskay Expression hold 5th on goals scored after a 1-1 home draw with Saltney Drawers, who are 7th behind the Blues on away record.
Kernow Kensa dominated their home game with Locomotiv Noj and would have gone at least third with any kind of win, but it ended 0-0 too and so they drop to 8th, one point and place ahead of Noj.

OTF
Ahh, it's like they've never been away. After suffering a shock first ever relegation in their history, record 13-time league champions Dandy Town took most of their season in the second tier to fight their way into promotion, but after just a week back at their accustomed top-tier level the Highwaymen are back on top of the pile. A hard-fought 1-0 home win over first-day leaders Turd Division takes them ahead of everyone, while the Turds drop all the way to 6th.
2nd-4th are dead level, separated only by away records. Four Candles go 2nd by nicking a 1-0 win at Rock City Ferrets via an early Billy Hayes freekick, their only shot. AFC Csiki Monkeys benefited from Croesoswallt Dragons defender Jin-Hun Bahn getting stretchered off a minute after the defending champions' last substitution, following which the sides exchanged three goals in the last half-hour with the Monkeys emerging 2-1 winners to climb to 3rd. The Dragons fall to 7th.
Vita Mortis got similarly lucky at home to local rivals Great Ouse Town, whose substitute defender Des Ewing was carried back off with quarter of an hour to play with the game scoreless. Edmond Bleuet promptly notched a late winner for Mortis, who stay 4th. The unfortunate Ewing may yet step out of the shower and we'll find it was all a dream, but in the meantime Ouse stay bottom.
And Zeugmaspor leap four places to 5th by opening their account at Berkshire Swine, 2-0. The result sends the Swine down to 9th, with a visit from the Dandies next...

[Hot Orange]

Great stuff, VA, thanks. Well done for fitting it in amid all the MLX stress.

[Sits]

What he said VA, nice work.

[Various Artist]

Wait a minute, there's a 'Like' button on here now? When did that happen?

Am viewing on mobile, which I guess changes the emphasis of certain features, but I still don't think I'd have spotted if I hadn't had my eye caught by the out-of-the-ordinary '2' below my roundup there. Genuinely had no clue. Thanks though whoever that was.

[Kevin S]

[Various Artist]

Hehe, very meta Kev.

I see the 'Like' box on the desktop website now I'm looking for it, but it's much less obvious than on the mobile version. I can see me making (excessive) use of this now though.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Great to see the rounds ups back, I think I only ever did one for the Human League, it took a lot otf time and was extremely poor so a massive Guzman to all of you for posting such quality.

The Xpert Ladies is down to its last three matches, so I've had a dabble in the transfer market. 3 minimum bids on 3 different players which will leave me with a full squad if they come off. There are some bargains to be had but there are two crazily priced players on there which makes me suspicious.

[jdsx]

Yeah many congrats on the round-ups people! I (finally!) got a half-decent youth from my academy (Xpert Ladies) - a 17/4 forward with stamina, speed and goal instincts. Only four games left to go, and she had fairly low form... I'm hoping I can get her to 15DV so she'll be a 18/5 next season and then we can try to develop her! So I've decided against buying anyone from the market. Trying to stave off relegation as well...!

[Various Artist]

I'd put up a couple of my Viking South Utsira youths for sale if I thought I'd get a decent price for them. Unfortunately it's only the bargain-fishers like AE who are lurking around a still overstocked pond chock-full of unwanted players, so I think I'd better try to hang onto them until after the Change Report when I might get a decent price if I'm lucky!

Glad I sold off 4 last close-season, as we were running with a greatly oversized squad so the training fees were ruinous. Naturally all the windfall was frittered away again in short order, though, and a trickle of decent new academy products this term has brought us back up to 20 again already, so I'll definitely need to offload some again soon.

Recent 17/5 arrival Cordelia Austrheim is a Moody goalie, which is always an 'interesting' combination, so I'll be particularly interested to see how she does as we go along...