X11 season 45 - de rigueur Mortis

[Foot of Astaire's]

I probably should have asked these questions 6 or 7 seasons back when i first started but...

Improving a players skill (number of blocks) is it by training + game time? Do players ever acquire a running, thinking, shooting, free kick etc attribute mid career or do they finish their career with whst they started with?

[ad hoc]

I probably should have asked these questions 6 or 7 seasons back when i first started but...

Improving a players skill (number of blocks) is it by training + game time? YES Do players ever acquire a running, thinking, shooting, free kick etc attribute mid career or do they finish their career with whst they started with? (This)

[Hot Orange]

OTF Season 64 Round 14 Round-Up

OTF

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A remarkable day in the top flight saw all of the top three beaten, allowing Vita Mortis to romp up the table from 4th to 1st. Mortis were 2-0 winners at Great Ouse Town, one of that trio of defeated leading sides, Rene Vanden Borre standing out with a goal and an assist. Edmond Bleuet marred Mortis' day a little with a stoppage-time red card, but the two-point lead they have at the summit will be ample compensation. Erstwhile leaders Berkshire Swine were surprisingly and comprehensively dispatched 2-0 at home by AFC Csiki Monkeys, who stay 5th, while Four Candles were also very much second best in their 2-0 reverse at Eriskay Expression, who climb to 6th. The Swine, Ouse and the Candles each drop a place to fill positions two to four. Croesoswallt Dragons sit just above the relegation zone, with Dandy Town a place and three points behind them after they fought out a goalless draw at the Host of Trophies Past that featured three injuries, a red card and a disallowed goal. Whether the crowd felt those incidents made up for the total absence of goal-scoring opportunities is undocumented. Rejects Redux chalked up their second win of the season, a 2-0 home success over Waveney Valley Swifts, and are now just four points adrift at the bottom. After a promising start, the Swifts are winless in eight and are facing a 97th (or thereabouts) consecutive top-flight relegation.

Division 1

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Having sewn up promotion on Monday, Zeugmaspor now have the title in the bag after their 13th straight victory, a 2-0 win at Banik Roystonov. Behind them, the promotion battle is warming up nicely. Locomotiv Noj remain 2nd but they have picked up only two points from their last four games, their latest stumble being a scoreless draw at home to bottom side Saltney Drawers. Turd Division and Steaua Bridge, in 3rd and 4th, are now just two points behind Noj after both won away. The Turds had to work hard to come out on top at die Ambosse, their 2-0 success a little flattering against the competitive home side, who stay just the right side of the dotted line in 7th. Steaua struck early at 8th-placed Somers Town Sugar Imps through Armin Kurto's free kick and saw out the game comfortably enough for a 1-0 win. Whoft Fluffopolis remain in the hunt, three points further back in 5th, after they thrashed Kernow Kensa 4-0 in Cornwall, skipper Judd Leslie-Singleton scoring twice before picking up an injury in the closing moments. Kernow are 9th, but it is tight at the bottom, with two points separating the bottom four and Banik, in 6th, only three points better off.

Division 2

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Napoleon Westman's strike midway through the second half gave leaders Nieuwegein Kneebiters victory at home to Wensleydale Blues and means they can secure promotion today. The Blues, though, remain in relegation bother in 8th. The Kneebiters' opponents this afternoon are 2nd-placed Wednesday de la Zouch, whose own promotion challenge hit a minor bump as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by mid-table Littlewoods Legends, for whom substitute Jose Maria Terreros notched a late but deserved equaliser after Hubert Lake's 78th-minute header looked to have done the job for Wednesday. Hampshire Deers were comfortable 2-0 winners at home to Great Northern Railway, teenager Georges Thiebault opening the scoring with his first senior goal, and they stay 3rd while GNR cling on to 7th. Still a single point outside the promotion places are Azure Dragons after they whipped whipping boys Inidigo Plateau 5-0, with five different players on the scoresheet. Heffron Hendecagon boosted their survival hopes, and dented those of their opponents, as they cruised to a 4-0 win at Athletico Deva, scoring all of their goals in a 15-minute spell in the first half. Heffron now have a six-point cushion over Deva and their fellow relegation-zone dwellers.

Division 3

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A frustrating day for Cods of War sees them lose top spot after they were held to a 1-1 draw by visitors New Dresden. The Cods dominated the contest, particularly in the second half, but struggled to find a response to Emiel van Vechten's opener for Dresden. They equalised through Oli Nouwi in the 74th minute but a winner was not forthcoming, despite a late red card for Dresden's Aday Pizarro. Taking over at the top are Wharfedale Generals, whose sojourn in the bottom tier looks to be nearing its end. They thrashed Veni Vici Vigata 4-0, Frank Hulme netting twice. OWC Albion consolidate 3rd position but were fortunate to eke out a 1-0 home win over Pinewood Passers, Jure Robida's goal proving decisive against the always unpredictable visitors. Bartholomew Winstanley cracked in a brace for 4th-placed Andromache FC to see them to a 3-1 victory at Eintracht Midwest, who have all but clinched the wooden spoon. Tree Hill High and Brian Munchingflapjack stay side-by-side in mid-table following a 2-2 draw at THH's Pullman Park, the Flappers recovering from two goals down to take a point. Both sides will almost certainly be back in D3 next season, along with the current bottom four of Dresden, VVV, Pinewood and Midwest.

[Gawpus]

Do players ever acquire a running, thinking, shooting, free kick etc attribute mid career or do they finish their career with whst they started with?

There is one small possibility for players acquiring new attributes - should they introduce a new one to the game (which they last did with the long passing SQ), it'll be randomly distributed among existing players.

Given that's the only new SQ that's been added in the entire time most (all?) of us have been playing, then another new one's probably not happening any time soon - other than that, ad hoc's right, players can't gain or lose attributes.

[Sean of the Shed]

Wondering what other new squares they could offer, to be honest.
Over-exuberant celebrator.
Attempts to try and snatch ball for a penalty.
Spends all game pushing arse into defender in attempt to win foul.

Maybe they should have players like Phil Jones who start out as a 17/4 with loads of squares and great potential who work up to a 24/12 before losing all their special abilities and tailing off to a 31/5 who struggles to work out which way to face.

[Sits]

What about the Tactical Fouler? Causes injuries to the opposition, wins set pieces, improves possession, but never gets carded. This would be the most prized square of all.

[stormstopper]

Showoff: Maybe a little bit of overlap with the Diva due to their love of looking impressive, but the difference would be that they try harder to make difficult plays on the pitch. However, they're also more likely to convert those difficult chances.

Sweeper Keeper: reduces the number of opposing chances by clearing them out before they can develop into a shot, but occasionally lets in an unnecessary goal (particularly against Intelligent players or Goal Thieves).

Attacking Midfielder: Suffers a reduced penalty for playing out of position as a forward. (Or maybe also apply it to forwards and give them a reduced penalty for playing as a midfielder.)

Defensive Midfielder: Same, but as a defender.

Timid: gains a performance bonus when playing Careful but suffers a penalty for playing Bruise. Less likely to be booked, but less likely to draw fouls or penalties.

Practice Leader: gives a form training bonus to anyone trained on the same day as them.

[Janik]

Here we go again – another season, number 63 to be precise, of the official Xpert 11 Ladies League galumphs into view. What happened on Matchday 1 (clue – most of the goals involved Viking South Utsira)

Division 1a

Year Zero        0 - 3    Drakaina
                Byzhyti 12'
Howells (sent off) 88'        Hiltunen 36'
                Heggarty 43'


Division 1b

Mauchline Belles    0 - 0    She-Wolves


Division 3e

Deportivo Cruz Azul    3 - 6    Viking South Utsira
Juliardo 23'            T.Klovning 38', 69'
Pregnolato 48'            K.Hovland 43'
Rimondini 62'            N.Austrheim 55', 91'
                A.Hovland 87'

Murcielago        2 - 1    Coxy Ladies Wulpen
Coco 40'            Beyen 13'
Abril 90'


Division 4k

Bombay Green Rockets 2 - 0 Söderbönerna
Lock
Pöhlmann 68'

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC 3 - 1 Albion
Grønnåsen 4' Shadi 58'
Kakiai 50'
Sumanti 76'


Division 4n

Atomic 1 - 0 Cassiopeia
Quattrocchi 20'


Division 5:14

Cinghiali 0 - 0 Ladies In Blue


Division 5:17

LNWR Locomotive 1 - 2 Stoke City Ladies XI
Diana 60' Branston 24'
Björn 26'


Division 5:18

Rising Stars 1 - 0 Spacecowgirls
Elgeuse 32'


Division 5:21

Cleckheaton Athletic 1 - 0 ASU Politehnica
Wiltershed 58'

Flick of the Wrist 2 - 0 Invisible Ladies
Heidenstam 38'
Redman 77'


Division 5:26

Zeugma Dostluk Spor 2 - 0 Blade Runners
Güncar 22'
Kurt 83'


Division 5:27

Femme Fatale 0 - 2 Menywod Maeshafn
Stewart 18'
Beck 25'


Division 5:28

Domino Eleven 3 - 0 Dublin City Womens FC
Bazán 17', 87'
Rang 49'


Division 5:31

Csiki Girls 2 - 2 The Troachetes
Carfield 8' Ferm 59'
Neaves 22' Corpe 82'
Strouts (sent off) 92'


Division 6:39

Ullapool Northern Star 3 - 0 The Supremes AFC
Taggart 46'
Klovning 64'
Mamouni 90'


Division 6:42

CF Fuego Eagles 0 - 2 Hazeldean Inchmistress
Pedersen 35'
Tattershall 78'

Relegation from the top flight has shifted Drakaina down to Division 1a for this campaign. The Dragons opening game back in the second tier sent them back to Year Zero.
The Greek side showed no signs of bruised ego over their demotion, instead simply going to work on their opponents in a scintillating first half that reminded Dragons fans why their side went up to the top tier in the first place. Three goals were scored, Sandra Byzhyti netting directly from a free-kick on 12 minutes, Diana Hiltunen heading in a corner on 36 and Gael Heggarty doing likewise from a cross on 43. Year Zero also had a goal disallowed during this spell, but being 3-0 up at the break was no less than Etienne’s side deserved.
The second half was less good for Drakaina, not in terms of the score (which remained 3-0 until the end) but it other ways with medium term impacts. Specifically two red cross injuries in the same game, one of them (the first) coming on 63 minutes and suffered by a really key player, first choice goalie Madeleine Nyrén. Nyrén had that status for this game following the sale of club legend Anastasia Shkolnikova, but whether she keeps it after a spell out (scheduled to be 11 days) that allows back-up Liliana Castanheira to settle into the team is questionable, given that Castanheira is actually a rather stronger player currently (32/13 to Nyrén’s 20/8).
That burned The Dragons last sub, which meant no replacement was available when Florica Vulturescu paid for trying to play on through a minor knock suffered on 39 minutes, seriously aggravating the injury up to a 26-day affair. That left Drakaina playing 10 vs 11, up until Year Zero’s Elsa Howells was sent off for a second booking in the 88th minute.

We have two teams in Division 1 this season, and there are only two Divisions at that level of the pyramid, but sadly no derbies between Drakaina and Mauchline Belles as Jdsx’s side remain on the other side of the divide in Division 1b.
The Belles kicked off their campaign with a home match against She-Wolves, who have shot up the Divisions in recent seasons – they arrived off the back of four straight promotions, the last three as champions. As would be expected from that, the visitors arrived with a strong squad with most players in their prime playing years but despite that Mauchline pretty well held their own, making as many chances as She-Wolves from slightly below half off the ball.
Here is where I bait and switch and say ‘but x scored one of theirs’, expect in this case I won’t be doing so as neither team converted either of their opportunities. Come the end of the season this may look like a good point for The Belles.

Drakaina and Mauchline Belles miss each other, but our two Division 3 sides this season don’t as Coxy Ladies Wulpen and Viking South Utsira share 3e. The derby clashes are not for another few weeks though, The Blood Eagles opening instead at Deportivo Cruz Azul .
As alluded to in the lede, it proved to be a goal-filled affair. But it took a while to warm up, with the only goal of the opening half-hour going to hosts Cruz Azul on 23 minutes. However, a sign of things to come arrived in the last minutes of the first half as Tyra Klovning (from close range) and Kristin Hovland (from rather further out) scored within five minutes of each other, 38 and 43 minutes, to put Velvet Android’s side ahead at the interval.
Whatever the two bosses said to their attacks during the break, it worked (let’s look at it like that rather than them confusing their defences!) as goals rained in after the break. Deportivo made it 2-2 on 48 minutes, only for Utsira skipper Nina Austrheim to fire her side 3-2 up on 55 minutes. Cruz Azul levelled again on 62, but once again Viking responded, Tyra Klovning turning in her second of the day from a 69th minute corner.
Viking finally held on to a lead for a while after this. And in fact extended it, Anneke Hovland scoring from distance on 87 minutes. Skipper Austrheim added a sixth in stoppage time, to make the final damage 6-3 to The Blood Eagles.
Nothing to match that was served up by Coxy Ladies Wulpen in their game at Murcielago.
The Waders did take the lead once, Charlotte Beyen heading home on 13 minutes, but Murcielago responded in kind, also heading in their first chance of the match after 40 minutes. Following that the sides exchanged chances, but whilst Janik's side passed up on both their second half opportunities, Murcielago made three and scored the third. In the 90th minute. Ouch.
Not the start the Flanders outfit were looking for after promotion back to the fourth tier, somewhere they have struggled to maintain themselves at previously. Better luck and better play will be needed in the weeks ahead.

[Janik]

Another section with two OTF sides is Division 4k, which boasts Bombay Green Rockets and Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC this term. Let’s start with Bombay, who are coming shooting up the ladder once again and were looking to maintain their trajectory on the opening day at The Common against Söderbönerna.
The Rockets had an early scare when Söderbönerna had the ball in their net just 7 minutes in, but once that was ruled out it was lift off for the hosts thanks to a long-range blast from Isabel Lock on 23 minutes. Lock is half of a prolific front pairing for Bombay boss HKS3, who will be happy to see the other half of the duo, Eileen Pöhlmann, also got her name on the scoresheet. Just like Lock Pöhlmann scored midway through a half, though her strike was on 68 minutes rather than 23.
One notable aspect of the game was these were Bombay’s only two chances of the entire 90 minutes. But both were scored, whereas Söderbönerna had five openings and 60% possession… and somehow lost 2-0! Talk about a smash-and-grab.
The Bombay result shows how X11 can go in streaks with winning teams keeping on doing so even when they don’t deserve to. Of course, the same holds in reverse for sides on the slide, which made Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC first game following relegation last term particularly important – The Sea Spirits were looking to beat Albion to use the start of the new campaign as a hard reset.
An early goal was perfect in such a situation, which is exactly what Mariell Grønnåsen supplied when she headed home a 4th minute corner. That set the tone for a strong performance from SeanoftheShed’s charges, who were well on top prior to Dewi Kakiai headinga second on 50 minutes.
Albion pulled one back on 58 to keep things lively, but a third on a breakaway on 76 minutes, Utami Harahap feeding Utami Sumanti, who waltzed away to score, put the game to bed and ensured that last season’s drop could be quickly consigned to history.

Cassiopeia are up into Division 4, 4n to be precise, for the first time in the history of the club, both during current boss Stormstopper’s time in charge, and previously. Their debut match at this level saw them visit Atomic.
The level of the opposition was a bit of a shock to The Vainglories system as they found themselves with only a little more than a third of possession. Their defence was being worked hard to prevent Vera Buric from being overwhelmed but even so Atomic got two first half shots off, scoring one of them.
Half-time encouragement appeared to have had the hoped for effect on Cassiopeia when Egzona Xhafaj had the ball in the Atomic net on 59 minutes. But this was disallowed, and with it any hope The Vainglories had of something from the game disappeared. Indeed they were a mite fortunate the final margin wasn’t greater than 1-0, given the hosts had 62% of the ball across the piece and out-shot the visitors 6-0.
The learning curve looks steep, and will have to be climbed fast if Cassiopeia are going to prosper this term.

Worries about the size of the step up meant some at Cinghiali were very sanguine about defeat in the play-offs last season, which means The Boars remain in Division 5:14 for this campaign. Which they kicked off at home as Ladies In Blue visited Piani Resinelli.
A play-off hangover was the worry for Cinghiali boss SitsWithRemote, particularly against a side who were on a roll having just won a Division below. And there were certainly signs of that from The Boars, who failed to fire in the game. But then, so did LIB. In fact, the match was pretty well a stalemate with possession the teeniest fraction off 50-50 and chances at an absolute premium at one a piece. It was one of the most 0-0 games one can imagine, really.
A fairly dull start then. Here’s hoping for more excitement for Cinghiali fans in future weeks.

Another side looking for a result to change their recent narrative were LNWR Locomotive, whose attempt to get back on track after last season’s disaster started at home to Stoke City Ladies XI.
The after-effects of the recent pain were still all to visible in the first half though as The Steamers not only struggled but also shipped two goals in three minutes midway through. They were in a pickle, but could they be born again?
Losing a key player like Flávia Reisinho to injury certainly didn’t help The Steamers. She will be unavailable for Viktor Boskovic to select now for up to 17 days, which compounds the pain. Despite that Locomotive did improve markedly after the break. They pulled one back on the hour mark through Gia Diana’s long range blast and had enough chances to get even closer than that. But the other issue with a bad run is chance conversion, which haunted The Steamers here as seven sights of goal just produced that Diana effort.

Rebuilding momentum after a play-off defeat was Rising Stars’ aim when they hosted Spacecowgirls. The visitors were good opponents for this, mind – they had been relegated into Division 5:18 for this campaign.
It was the Cowgirls issues that came to the fore in this game rather than The Ascenders. Stars boss Blamb might argue that his side were the better ones in the first half and merited the 1-0 interval lead that Bette Elgeuse 32nd minute strike gave them – after all Rising had had more of the ball, albeit Elgeuse goal was from their only chance to Spacecowgirls two. But there was no argument who played the better football in the middle third in the second period, and that wasn’t The Ascenders.
If you are going to have 69% of the ball, out-shoot your opponents 6-1 across 45 minutes, but fail to score at all in that period, well you are going to have problems. Which Sapcecowgirls clearly have, but that isn’t Rising Stars problem – they will take the gift of three points and run!

[Janik]

Three sections have two OTF sides this season – the one at the sixth tier is Division 5:21, which includes Invisible Ladies and ASU Politehnica. Just like it did two seasons ago when The See-Throughs edged out The Scholars for safety. But Politehnica are back after a season away, and on their return their first game saw them on their travels at Cleckheaton Athletic.
The difference between Division 5 and Division 6 was immediately fairly stark as the students were pressed on to the back foot. 45% in the opening half led to no chances, with goalie Timmi Uara called into action three times whilst her opposite number was idle.
Politehnica reached the break still goalless, likely much to boss Granthamian’s relief. And after the interval a Scholars side emerged better prepared for the challenges they faced. In fact the Romanians had noticeably more of the ball than their opponents, 61% in total in this period, and made three scoring openings to their hosts four (seven overall). Which made it all the more galling that the one strike in the period went Cleckheaton’s way in the 58th minute!
And what of the side who have finished fifth in 5:21 for each of the past two season, i.e. Invisible Ladies? Well, they opened this campaign at Flick of the Wrist, who were a lateral transfer into the section.
The See-Throughs apparent plan was to absorb and hit FotW on the break. Or at least that is what I assume based on only having 32% possession in the first half, but limiting their hosts to two chances and making one of their own. A good plan from Pebblethefish if so, with one minor drawback – Flick scored one of those two chances.
The second half was not quite an exact repeat of the first as Invisible had more possession in this period, as much as 46% in total. But it was still a majority for the hosts, 2-1 in chances and another 1-0 half in goals, making 2-0 overall.
So a disappointing start for both our sides. Lets hope we can avoid the scenario of two seasons ago where they battled between them for one safety spot… and not by both going down!

Zeugma Dostluk Spor were up against a bunch of futuristic quasi-coppers, or Blade Runners as these are more commonly known.
The context of the match was Division 5:26 rather than anything more exotic, the Insan Haklari Stadyumu providing familiar surroundings. ZDS looked right at home at, erm, home, dominating possession. But doing so without creating all that many chances. Which doesn’t matter if your finishing is dead-eye. Which is exactly what Antepli Ejderha’s side managed.
Two out of just three sights of goal were converted, Inci Güncar heading home a cross on 22 minutes and Latife Kurt firing home a second after 83 minutes to wrap up the points. Blade Runners had two chances in the game, but they couldn’t replicate the sharp-shooting of their hosts.

After five straight seasons in Division 5:28, Menywod Maeshafn are in new surrounds this term. But only after a lateral move as they finished mid-table last season, so the new location is only 5:27 rather than anything grander.
Matchday 1 sent IsThatcherDeadYet’s side to the SheDome to take on Femme Fatale. It would turn out to be a good trip for Maeshafn, and a finely calibrated one as Pamela Stewart put way their first chance of the match on 18 minutes, Morgan Beck did likewise with the second on 25 and after that the Welsh outfit shut up shop. Well, as long as it remained 2-0 they didn’t need any more goals. And it remained at that score until the final whistle…
A bit of a smash-and-grab in statistical terms given that Maeshafn only had 43% of the ball (40% in the first half), but hey, when you are two up early there is no need to go haring around the place like a swatted wasp, desperately searching for possession. Particularly when the opposition are doing next-to-nothing with their surfeit of ball.

A late surge to promotion has elevated Dublin City Womens FC to Division 5:28, where they kicked off away to Domino Eleven.
Promotion wasn’t quite out-of-the-blue for The Molly Malones, but it was a bit of a turn up as Mortal Joe’s side weren’t even in a play-off spot for the vast bulk of last season. So there was a bit of trepidation amongst the Dublin players for what their new surrounds would bring in terms of quality of opponent. Unfortunately with justification in this one. The Dubs were not outclassed or outplayed, but they were certainly out-finished as Eleven provided to be very sharp when given a chance – they scored on three of their four sights of goal!
The Molly Malones did have a couple of chances themselves but couldn’t force either home, so begin at the higher level with a sobering 0-3 reverse.

Csiki Girls are back! In Division 5:31 that is, after another bruising experience in Division 4. Ad hoc’s side’s return to a more comfortable pitted them against The Troachetes, who had won one of the lower Divisions last term.
The Csiki’s initially made the recently expired two tier gap between the sides look a fairly accurate representation of their true levels as they rattled goals in on 8 and 22 minutes through Zara Carfield and Robin Neaves respectively. Being two up proved to be a hindrance rather than a boon though as Csiki Girls stopped pressing and started trying to hold what they had.
This backfired as Troachetes scored one on 59 minutes and then, with Csiki Girls getting deeper and deeper, a second after 82. By now the hosts were clinging on for a point, which they managed despite Hillary Strouts seeing her second yellow card of the day in stoppage time.

How Ullapool Northern Star came to be in Division 6:39 is a bit of a story, but the bare bones are Polaris had a must-win match on the final day of last season which they completely dominated in all aspects, but then somehow conceded twice from 2-1 up to lose. And go down. Which was why they were taking on The Supremes AFC on the opening day of Season 63.
This campaign will be one where delicatemoth and her side try and prove just how much of an aberration their relegation was. So not only are wins called for, but comprehensive ones. The first of (hopefully) 14 was delivered in style here as the Highlanders had more than 60% of the ball in both halves, a decent stream of chances, and made up for not taking any in the first half but netting three from four sights of goal after the break. The scorers were Julie Taggart (46 minutes), Renate Klovning (64) and Inès Mamouni (90).
The Ullapool defence was also rock solid, allowing just one shot to head Kell Crawford’s way. Which she dealt with comfortably enough. That meant 3-0 overall and the attempt to right the wrongs is off to a flier.

Season 62 was much more like it for Hazeldean Inchmistress after many seasons of lower mid-table struggle. But even so it ultimately fell just short in the play-offs for The Imperials, which means they need to go again in Division 6:42 against the likes of CF Fuego Eagles.
Fuego will have their own ambitions of promotion, making this a proper challenge first time up for Foxy265’s girls. But it was one the Framleyshire outfit rose to, going from shading possession in the first half and only having one chance but finding the target with it (Line Pedersen, header, 35 minutes), to really dominating the play after the break, making another three openings to zero and adding a killer second on 78 minutes through Mollie Tattershall’s breakaway.
Karen Bunton thought she had added some icing with the third 4 minutes from time, but this was disallowed. Which didn’t really matter much as Inchmistress had what might prove in the final analysis to be a key win already sorted.

[Janik]

Yes, it’s official Ladies League Cup, Season 63, Round 1.

Barca Ladies FC        1 - 4    Ullapool Northern Star
Hoffman 5'            Klovning 3', (pen) 28'
                MacKintosh 11'
                Weatherhead 18'

Ullapool Northern Star 0 - 0 Barca Ladies FC

Olbrich (sent off) 86'

Ullapool win 4-1 on aggregate


BK B 0 - 3 Rising Stars
Andorinha 15'
Blanchflower (sent off) 89' Veríssimo 18'
Monção 68'

Rising Stars 3 - 0 BK B
Massa 38'
Andorinha 63'
Veríssimo 80'

Rising win 6-0 on aggregate


Cinghiali 2 - 0 Tesla Girls
Millen 66'
Soviero 86'

Tesla Girls 1 - 0 Cinghiali
Cardinale 33'

Cinghiali win 2-1 on aggregate


Combio 0 - 5 Drakaina
Hiltunen 5', 36'
Prittas 20'
Kalitzakis 23'
Gudlandur 43'

Drakaina 6 - 0 Combio
Nylund 3'
Prittas 7'
Kalitzakis 10'
Byzhyti 15'
Gitsis 52'
Gudlandur (pen) 82'

Drakaina win 11-0 on aggregate


Dublin City Womens FC 1 - 0 Paradise Café
Timmermans 61'

Paradise Café 0 - 1 Dublin City Womens FC
Lyktberg 55'

Dublin win 2-0 on aggregate


Invisible Ladies 0 - 1 Scalabis Wolves
Jorborn 39'

Scalabis Wolves 2 - 0 Invisible Ladies
Varga 27', 63'

Scalabis win 3-0 on aggregate


Livius 0 - 6 Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC
Borot 3', 13'
Gava (sent off) 45' Wibawa 8'
Harahap 38'
Grønnåsen 70'
Hartanto 93'

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC 5 - 0 Livius
Borot 6', 56'
Sumanti 11'
Navisyah 35'
Harahap 43'

Kanjeng win 11-0 on aggregate


FBC Luja 2 - 5 Mauchline Belles
Lintual 16' Billing 6'
Melville (pen) 68' McRenton 18'
Fogueira 25'
MacFillan 72', 74'

Mauchline Belles 5 - 0 FBC Luja
Deschamps 17'
Nisbet 21'
McRenton 60'
Perdao 82'
Melkersson 88'

Mauchline win 10-2 on aggregate


Örebro SK 2 - 4 Bombay Green Rockets
Lagergren 70'            Lock
Ferling 79'            Pöhlmann 74'
Ferling (sent off) 89' Cois 89'
Ferrante (sent off) 45'

Bombay Green Rockets 3 - 1 Örebro SK
Pöhlmann 1', 12' Gunnarsson 14'
Lock

Bombay win 7-3 on aggregate


Pendleton En Lycra 0 - 2 Viking South Utsira
A.Hovland 35'
L.Hovland 56'

Viking South Utsira 4 - 1 Pendleton En Lycra
E.Klovning 7' Viforeanu 58'
Y.Klovning 9'
L.Hovland 65', 81'

Viking win 6-1 on aggregate


ASU Politehnica 1 - 0 S Team
Sãvescu 22'

S Team 0 - 0 ASU Politehnica

Marinho (sent off) 80'

Politehnica win 1-0 on aggregate


Red Eagles 0 - 2 LNWR Locomotive
Reisinho 13'
Sassounian 15'

LNWR Locomotive 2 - 0 Red Eagles
Sassounian 32'
Kahayan 53'

LNWR win 4-0 on aggregate


FC Saik 0 - 5 Zeugma Dostluk Spor
Manookian 17', 43'
Colak 25'
Kurt 32'
Üzülmez 45'

Zeugma Dostluk Spor 5 - 0 FC Saik
Manookian 5', 14'
Inci Güncar 20' Elias (sent off) 72'
Colak 62'
Kurt 74'
Karakan (missed pen) 85'

ZDS win 10-0 on aggregate


Shamble Athletic Ladies 0 - 3 Cassiopeia
Juric 24'
Aritonovic 54'
Servidei 60'

Cassiopeia 2 - 0 Shamble Athletic Ladies
Frontzos 37'
Waller 92'

Cassiopeia win 5-0 on aggregate


VfB Stuttgart 1893 e.V. 0 - 5 Hazeldean Inchmistress
Bringevik 3', 22'
Pedersen 24', 35'
Paulista 42'

Hazeldean Inchmistress 5 - 0 VfB Stuttgart 1893 e.V.
Morgan 4', 23'
Bringevik 14'
Pedersen 19'
Mejía 43'

Hazeldean win 10-0 on aggregate


SC Themyscira 0 - 2 Menywod Maeshafn
Stewart 66'
Leighton 76'

Menywod Maeshafn 2 - 0 SC Themyscira
Beck 16', (pen) 76'

Maeshafn win 4-0 on aggregate


Ultra Violet LMW 0 - 1 Coxy Ladies Wulpen
Kabasele 55'

Coxy Ladies Wulpen 2 - 0 Ultra Violet LMW
Beyen 23'
Roosens 67'

Wulpen win 3-0 on aggregate


Wave Rider FC        0 - 0    Csiki Girls

Csiki Girls        2 - 1    Wave Rider FC
Birch 72'            Sugiura 60'
Carfield 75'

Csiki Girls win 2-1 on aggregate

Ullapool Northern Star were looking to shake a symbolic fist at fate when they took on Division 5 opponents Barca Ladies FC.
But for a really harsh defeat on the final day of last season Polaris would also still be a Division 5 side themselvse, meaning there was high motivation for Delicatemoth’s girls to demonstrate they were in the wrong Division by winning this one. This drive certainly showed in a whirlwind first half of the opening away leg, that ended with Ullapool 4-1 up. Renate Klovning got the opener just 3 minutes in, and though Barca responded very swiftly to this strike they had no answers to further efforts from Hellen MacKintosh (11), Avril Weatherhead (18) and Klovning converting form the spot after 28.
Having established this lead, UNS then went into protect mode, holding Barca at arm’s length to the end of the first leg to take the 4-1 lead back to the Highlands, and then doing likewise for the entire of the return, which ended goalless. But not without incident as youngish Polaris midfielder Verena Olbrich lost the run of herself in the final 10 minutes, an initial booking on 82 minutes not doing its job as 4 minutes later another wild hack saw Olbrich sent off, and her opponent carried off. That meant the match finished 10-a-side as Barca had already used all their subs, not that it mattered much by this stage as Northern Star already clearly had the tie won.
Next up for the Minchview side will be two games against Alternadeiras F.C. of, umm, Division 2c. The first leg will be in the Highlands.

Managerless foes were the fare for Rising Stars, though their Division 6 opponents BK B were notably stronger than some zombie sides.
The hosts made it relatively difficult for The Ascenders in the opening leg. But only relatively. The Stars were limited to just two first half shots but both of them were converted, Penélope Andorinha crunching in from range on 15 minutes and Érica Veríssimo scoring directly from a free-kick on 18. Edite Monção added a third, also a strike from distance, on 68 minutes.
Monção’s strike was the last goal of the game, with BK’s hopes of clawing back some of the damage hindered by a second booking for Alma Blanchflower in the 89th minute. However it was two later bookings that were most exercising Stars boss blamb as injury time saw both Govanna Vella and Bette Elgeuse pick up utterly unnecessary yellows.
The second leg also saw Rising frustration, but this time due to injury rather than ill-discipline as Monção had to be taken off with a 10-day knock just past the half-hour. This didn’t hinder The Stars on the day as goals from Norma Massa (38), Andorinha (63) and Veríssimo (80) ensured they won 3-0 again, so 6-0 on aggregate overall. The Ascenders move on and up to a Round 2 encounter with Samurai of Division 4n. The first clash of this will be at the Ascension Arena.

Early elimination last season meant that Cinghiali were the non-seeds against Division 6 outfit Tesla Girls, putting the opening leg at Piani Resinelli.
Tesla were testing opposition, you may remember them as Dublin City’s rivals for a Div.6 play-off spot last season, but then again The Boars were in a play-off to be in Division 4 this campaign. That was lost, but even so SitsWithRemote’s side were a tier higher than their seeded counterparts, and made that show with superior finishing in the opening leg as they converted two chances into three goals, Susanna Millen firing in from range on 66 minutes and Trillare Soviero doing likewise late on (86). Tesla, meanwhile, didn’t score either of their two opportunities in the game, both of which came in the first half.
An away goal for Cinghiali in the return match at Garden City would have put the tie completely to bed, but this time the dead-eyedness wasn’t quite there. Though to be fair to the Boars forwards, their midfield only got the ball to them in a shooting position once in the entire match. That meant progress was reliant on keeping it tight at the back, which The Boars managed by limiting Tesla to two openings, only one of which the hosts converted.
Tight, but enough overall to send Cinghiali through to Round2 this season. They will play San Antonio Valkyries, who are in Division 4o, which will be an interesting test of whether the Piani Resinelli outfit are ready for that level after all. The home crowd can judge this in the opening leg.

[Janik]

An extremely straightforward win was the absolute assumption when second-tier Drakaina took on Combio, who were not only at the bottom step of the pyramid (Division 6) but a zombie to boot.
That was exactly what panned out, of course. Possible or more interest than the result was whether any of Etienne’s squad would score a landmark goal along the way. And yes, one would, 17 year old forward Elma Prittas netting the first of her career on 20 minutes. That strike made it 2-0 as Diana Hiltunen had netted 5 minutes in; she would also do so on 36 minutes, which was The Dragons fourth.
Drakaina managed two other goals in the opening half of the opening leg, Circe Kalitzakis (herself a teenager, but one who had scored in the senior game previously) heading a third, and veteran Maria Gudlandur doing likewise for the fifth.
The Drgaons added no further goals in the opening leg, but rattled in six in the return. Prittas (7 minutes) and Kalitzakis (10) both scored again as part of an opening flurry of strikes that was started by Dagny Nylund in the 3rd minute and ended by Sandra Byzhyti in the 15th. Elena Gitsis also got on the scoresheet after 52 minutes, and Gudlandur became the third player to score in both legs when she converted a penalty with 82 on the clock.
Round 2 throws up another bottom tier side for The Dragons, though one with an active manager this time as they take on Emerald FC of Division 6:64. Leg one of this is at the Green Arena.

From an Emerald side to one from the Emerald Isle [doesn’t that just mean it rains a lot?!?] as we drop in on Dublin City Womens FC’s clash with Paradise Café, who operate in Division 6.
That contrasts with The Molly Malones, who are up to Division 5 for this term after promotion via the play-offs. However, Mortal Joe’s charges did less well in the Cup last term, going out in Round 1, which meant that the Phoenix Park Arena was the venue for the season’s opening match. It proved to be a pretty even affair, especially in a first half that was more of a stalemate; chanceless and with possession a tiny fraction off 50/50.
Dublin stepped things up a level after the break, made some chances whilst not allowing Paradise any, and got the breakthrough on 61 minutes when Emma Timmermans raced clear and scored. That gave The Dubs a narrow lead going into the return, but one they could extend significantly due to away goals with just a single strike. Which is exactly what Maria Lyktberg provided on 55 minutes.
The Molly Malones didn’t need any more goals than that, and efficiently didn’t really pursue them. They were already bound for Round 2 anyway, where they will take on Mafia 91 Ladies who currently play in Division 4l. Phoenix Park will once again host the opening leg.

Another OTF side who went out in Round 1 last season and so were hosts on the opening day of this were Invisible Ladies. They threw down the welcome mat at the San See-Through to Scalabis Wolves of Division 6.
Defeats in the last two games of the previous season and in both pre-season friendlies meant The Seethroughs arrived at the game with confidence low – Pebblethefish’s side really needed the opening goal, but instead it was the Wolves who got it on 39 minutes. Which not only put the visitors ahead but was also an away goal. The hosts tried to recover from that strike, but despite making four chances in the game they couldn’t find the target. Then again, Scalabis had six openings and only got one, so it could have been worse.
Invisible also suffered a first leg injury when Harriet Stonie picked up a 10-day knock that kept her out of the return. That knock was compounded in the return when another midfielder, Estelle Marshland, also went down, in her case with a 7-day injury. The Seethroughs were already 1-0 down on the night when this occurred, which became 2-0 and 3-0 overall soon after. Phoebe Clark thought she had pulled once back after 74 minutes, but her strike was disallowed and with it Invisible’s final chance of the tie disappeared completely.
The San Seethrough can except to host an opening day game next season as well, then.

It is sometimes hard to turn negative momentum around on X11, but Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC had an obvious chance to do that when they took on a Livius outfit who were not only two Divisions below The Sea Spirits in Division 6, but also managerless.
Three goals inside the opening 15 minutes of the away leg meant the tie was practically won by The Sea Goddesses already. Those strikes came from Tyan Borot (3 and 13 minutes) and Aulia Wibawa (13). Utami Harahap added a fourth from long range on 38 minutes, and the half concluded with Livius’ Ionela Gava being sent off for dissent.
Mariell Grønnåsen and Utami Hartanto added further strikes for SeanoftheShed’s side on 70 and 93 minutes respectively to make the final opening leg total 6-0. The Sea Spirits added a further five to that in the return. Borot opened the scoring again, but this time took 6 minutes to do so. She also scored the final goal of the tie on 56 minutes. In between Utami Sumanti and Catur Navisyah (11 and 35 minutes) got their first goals of the tie, and Harahap her second in two games when she made it four-nil 43 minutes. Wibawa also nearly scored in both ties, but her effort on 53 minutes was disallowed… much to her relief as it was in her own net!
Round 2 pits KRK up against Toulouse Lionesses of Division 5:11. The first leg is in Southern France.

A bottom tier zombie was also the piffling hurdle put into Mauchline Belles as they stepped casually over FBC Luja of Division 6.
Actually Luja offered a little resistance, which was definitely surprisingly more than expected, as they equalised Vicki Billing’s 6th minute opener on 16 minutes, and then cut arrears from the spot on 68 after Lisa McRenton (18) and Filomena Fogueira (25) had put Mauchline 3-1 up. That clearly irked Michelle MacFillan, as she rapidly extended The Belles lead back out again, scoring not once but twice, her strikes arriving on 72 and 74 minutes.
Those lateish goals meant Jdsx’s side were well in charge ahead of the return at Tarbolton Road. That allowed them to run on cruise control, but still run up a 5-0 second leg score even at half-pace as Valérie Deschamps (17) and Elizabeth Nisbet (21) had The Belles two up at the interval, with McRenton, Fernanda Perdao and Gunilla Melkersson (60, 82 and 88) all striking after the break.
Mauchline will face Always Tifosi of Division 5:30 in Round 2. The Always Arena is the venue for the first of the two clashes.

There was an intercontinental clash in Round 1 as Bombay Green Rockets took on Swedish side Örebro SK of Division 6.
An explosive first leg started with The Rockets firing away from the launchpad, Isabel Lock turning home a free-kick routine on 21 minutes. However Bombay’s momentum was all lost by ill-discipline, Amalea Ferrante getting herself sent off (straight red) on the stroke of half-time.
Now Örebro came back into the game, creating chances and levelling on 70 minutes. HKS3’s side were still creating chances though, and they defiantly went ahead again on 74 minutes, Eileen Pöhlmann heading home. But Örebro were not to be denied, and made things all square once more on 79 minutes.
The scorer of that goal, Agda Ferling, would go from heroine to zero in the eyes of the Swedish fans when she picked up a second yellow of the day on 89 minutes. Not only that, but the free-kick she gave away in the process was in a very attacking position, one that Bombay made use of as Fátima Paes picked out Donielle Cois, who made it 3-2. And still we were not done, Lock heading home a corner in stoppage time to make the final total 4-2. *phew*
The second leg was mercifully less stressful, though it did actually have more chances than the wild first meeting (these were two very open and attacking games). However two early goals from Pöhlmann, the first just seconds in to the match and the second with 12 on the clock, meant The Rockets two-goals-plus-away-goals lead had been extended out to 4 and the breaker. Örebro did cut into advantage basically immediately, but only got the one back, and even that goal was cancelled out by Lock making it 3-1 on the night on 62 minutes.
All very exciting. But maybe not quite something to repeat in Round 2 against Red Shorts of Division 5:21? The first leg is away for The Green Rockets.

[Janik]

The draw paired Viking South Utsira with a Division 6 side whose team name, Pendleton En Lycra, tells one more about the obsessions of their manager than one really wants to know. Anyway, if she turns up in sporting garb these days silks is much more likely (though some of these are made from lycra now…).
The Viking girls were trying not to think about that but instead concentrate on winning the game. And being annoyed with referee Donald Scott for disallowing Anneke Hovland 6th minute strike. Hovland did get on the scoresheet though, netting on 35 minutes from a cross delivered by her cousin, Kristin. There was also a second away goal for Velvet Android’s charges supplied by another of the extended Hovland clan, defender Lina doing her thang from a direct free-kick on 56 minutes.
If the first leg was driven by the Hovlands, the start of the second was all about another of the key Utsiran footballing families, the Klovnings. Elza of that name got the opening goal on 7 minutes after she was freed by a pass from her cousin, Yasmine. Yasmine scored herself just two minutes later, the assist on this occasion coming from Elza’s younger sister, Irja. For good measure Yasmine’s elder half-sister, Tyra, had a goal disallowed on 50 minutes.
Pendleton pulled one back soon after that disallowed strike, but then it was back to Lina Hovland free-kicks to finish things off, the specialist netting twice more to make the final score 4-1 on the night to The Blood Eagles, and 6-1 overall.
Round 2 pits VSU against FC Fagaras of Division 5:28. Leg 1 is in Romania, Leg 2 off the Norwegian coast.

Concentrating on the league last season is what it took for ASU Politehnica to be promoted to Division 5, which meant The Scholars were the lower ranked side against S Team, which put leg one in Timisoara.
Boss Granthamian gave his students a study guide to follow for the opening leg, and his players stuck rigidly to it. The guide said sit back, absorb, hit on the break and don’t concede an away goal. I think we can assess The Scholars players as a grade ‘A’ for this assignment as that is precisely what they did, allowing S Team to have ~60% of the ball but only one chance, whilst they themselves had five sights of the visitors goal, Elena Sãvescu scoring one of them on 22 minutes.
Just in case The Scholars hadn’t quite taken the whole thing in, they were set to revise the same content again for the return, and once again came through the subsequent test with excellent marks. Even better than last time in fact as the one minor error from the first game, allowing S Team a solitary chance, had been ironed out – the hosts had no openings at all. Politehnica themselves didn’t score, but the focus was the clean sheet rather than the finishing. That is a subject for another future tutorial.
Also worth studying was the idea of discipline. Or rather how ill-discipline can be costly. The example offered for this was from S Team, who hindered their chances of getting the goal they needed by having Ellen Marinho sent off for a second yellow card on 80 minutes.
The next lessons will come against Black Sabbath of the Xpert Ladies, i.e. the top flight! There may be a lot for The Scholars to learn from there. Sabbath will be visiting the Timisoara campus first up before welcoming The Scholars as guests at their own institution for the return.

After the disaster of last season, LNWR Locomotive must have been looking forward to two games against Division 6 outfit Red Eagles, particularly as the Eagles were managerless. This was a perfect chance to begin to rebuild shattered confidence.
That assumes a win. But that actually had to be delivered by Viktor Boskovic’s side. Two early goals certainly helped with that, Flávia Reisinho and Sirouhi Sassounian scoring within close order of each other, both from close range, Reisinho netting on 13 minutes and Sassounian on 15.
Locomotive created more chances in the rest of the opening leg, but didn’t add to these opening two strikes. Which meant the tie wasn’t quite stone dead ahead of the return match. It took another Sassounian strike, 32 minutes in to proceedings at Mollington Street, to achieve this. There was confidence this goal would come though, meaning young forward Sona Kahayan (18/5) could be handed her senior debut in the match. She crowned it with a goal, turning home a 53rd minute corner to make the aggregate 4-0. Red Eagles did have a goal disallowed in the remaining time, but even if that had stood The Steamers overall victory was assured by this point.
Round 2 brings another opportunity for LNWR to grow their confidence as they take on another bottom tier side, though Division 6:59 outfit Neupriment FC do have a human manager so will be a little tougher to deal with.

A nice soft draw for Zeugma Dostluk Spor, who were paired with perpetual Division 6 side FC Saik, who are not only bottom tier currently but managerless as well.
The questions for the tie were really only how many Antepli Ejderha’s side could be bothered to get, and the identity of the individuals on the scoresheet. The answer to the first part in the opening leg was five, all of them nabbed before half-time was reached at Wild West. As to the whom, that was Aghavni Manookian (twice, on 17 and 43), Semra Colak (25), Latife Kurt (32) and Ceyda Üzülmez (45).
Manookian also scored the opener and another in the return match, her strikes arriving after 5 and 14 minutes of this one. Colak was also on the scoresheet the same amount of times as in the opening leg, scoring her return goal after 62 minutes. As was Kurt, who netted on 74, which was two minutes after Saik’s Avo Elias had been sent off. Colak and Kurt’s strikes were actually Zeugma’s fourth and fifth of the day as Inci Güncar had made it 3-0 much earlier (20 minutes gone). That meant when ZDS were awarded an 85th minute penalty it was a chance to surpass the first leg total. However that was on which Nuray Karakan passed up as her shot was saved.
Still, 10-0 will do I guess. *sniffs* Achieving similar in Round 2 against Feisty Foxes FC might be difficult – despite the Anatolians being the higher seed and therefore having the home tie second up, their opponents are a higher tier side (Division 4h) than Zeugma.

Promotion last season meant that Cassiopeia were two tiers higher than their Division 6 Round 1 opponents Shamble Athletic Ladies.
Shamble were at home in the first leg, but their name proved unfortunately prophetic as they were managerless and therefore, yes, rather disorganised. VAR wasn’t properly set-up, which meant a frustrated Gordana Juric couldn’t get a decision to disallow an opening strike that she was certain was wrong reviewed. Juric channelled her irritation into extra power on the header which did open the scoring (officially!) on 24 minutes.
No further first half goals for Stormstopper’s side but two after the break (from just two chances) as Sandra Aritonovic and Patrizia Servidei struck on 54 and 60 minutes respectively. Those strikes allowed a youthful line up to take the field for the return, and two of those youngsters got themselves on the scoresheet as Saba Frontzos (37 minutes) and Bianca Waller (92) found the target. The win in this leg was arguably against the run of play as Shamble Athletic had had just as many chances as The Vainglories, and did so from much more possession, but they couldn’t score where Cassiopeia did. Twice.
The Vainglories will be the hosts for the opening leg of their Round 2 clash with Division 5:18 side RSC Falconettes.

[Janik]

Framleyshire against Baden-Wuerttemburg as Hazeldean Inchmistress faced off with VfB Stuttgart 1893 e.V., a fellow Division 6 side who operate in 6:7 to The Imperials 6:42.
One key thing about this match was that the Stuttgart manager didn’t exist, much like the Stuttgart women’s team in reality up until very recently. Hazeldean is both less and more corporeal, with boss Foxy265 filling the positive side of that comparison. His charges ran away with the opening leg against their unstructured opponents, rattling in goals at regular intervals in the first half and then knocking off for the second. The strikes came from Jennie Bringevik (3 and 22 minutes), Line Pedersen (24 and 35) and Fabiana Paulista (42).
Inchmistress went through the motions in the formality of the second leg, but still racked up another five goals against their hapless foes. Jacqueline Morgan contributed a brace on this occasion, her goals coming after 4 and 23 minutes. In between those strikes Bringevik and Pedersen had both scored again (14 and 19 respectively) and following Morgan’s second Elvia Mejía also found the target with a 43rd minute direct free-kick.
Murcielago promises to be much tougher in Round 2, even if Inchmistress are the higher seeds (and as of writing Murcielago’s long term manager has been missing for 10 days), because the Colorado Arena outfit are in Division 3e at the moment.

Menywod Maeshafn were up against a fearsome set of warriors when they took on SC Themyscira, who wear a flowery home shirt almost as a goad to opponents. Go on, go up and tell one of them “That is really girly”, I dare ya…
However, despite the intimidating reputation of their opening leg hosts, it was Maeshafn who had the better of the first match, making a string of chances from a dominant share of possession. It did take IsThatcherDeadYet’s charges a while to turn their pressure into a breakthrough, but once Pamela Stewart had managed that on 66 minutes a second from Clare Leighton soon followed (76).
Those goals put the Welsh side in a comfortable position ahead of the return, one that was only made snugger by Morgan Beck scoring a direct free-kick on 16 minutes. The same player added a second on the day from the penalty spot on 76 to complete the scoring for the tie as Maeshafn cruised through to the second stage. Their opponents in that will be CF Real da Praceta of Division 4m, with the Maeshafn ground playing host to the opening leg.

Three tiers separated Coxy Ladies Wulpen from Division 6 opponents Ultra Violet LMW. As the gap was in The Waders favour, and Wulpen were coming off a title winning campaign so had high momentum, this was all pointing to a simple Coxy Ladies win, right?
Well, that is not quite what Janik’s side encountered. Instead, they found themselves involved in a competitive tie where, despite having the lion’s share of possession they were struggling to create chances. Indeed it was the hosts who had both the chances going in the opening half at the Dream Out Loud Arena. Wulpen finally got their first sight of goal in the 55th minute, and crucially this chance fell to the team’s superstar Jessica Kabasele (now up to 28/17), who buried it. As she does.
That was the final chance for either side of the opening leg, which meant Wulpen taking a narrow advantage back to The Curlew’s Nest. Further goals were needed to ease the nerves of Waders fans, and they were supplied midway through each half by two more of Coxy Ladies top performers, Charlotte Beyen firing home on 23 minutes and Laetitia Roosens scoring a direct free-kick on 67.
A disappointing elimination in Round 2 last season means Coxy Ladies have to host the opening leg of their Round 2 clash against Division 6:10 side Dortmund BK.

Csiki Girls were off to a holiday spot for their first game of the season as they trekked down to Efford Down near Bude, Cornwall to face surfing aficionados Wave Rider FC.
Maybe it was the thought of activities rather than Football to be had only a mile or so away that accounted for the two teams turning in something of a nonentity of a first leg. Wave Rider had more of the ball, Csiki Girls had the one chance going, but overall it was a very 0-0 sort of game. Hopefully everyone had more fun catching the surf the following day.
Things got more serious in the return leg at A kertem. The scoreless draw had put the hosts in a decent, but also delicate, position. A home win took them through, but if they conceded first then the pressure would really be on as a score-draw meant elimination. Zara Carfield thought she had avoided this risk with a 42nd minute effort, but ref Tony Nolan ruled it out. Which meant that the score was still level when Wave Rider headed in a corner on the hour mark.
That strike was both against the run of play but also explicable in the context of the match, as both teams were creating plenty of chances, albeit Csiki Girls were making more of them. That aspect was the key as the shouts from Ad hoc and his Csiki coaching staff were all about “keep going, it will come”. But it needed someone to make it happen, and having had a ‘goal’ disallowed Carfield took this responsibility on her shoulders. First she teed up Georgia Birch to slam in an equaliser from distance on 72 minutes (actually this was probably more Birch’s work than Carfield’s!), and then, only 3 minutes later, Carfield was on hand to head in a corner.
It finished 2-1, which was actually a bit low-ball for a game of 9-5 chances. Enough, though, to push Csiki Girls through to a Round 2 clash with Frajle of Division 3g. A kertem hosts the first game of this tie.


Round 2 draw - first listed teams home in opening leg

Always Tifosi (5:30)        vs    Mauchline Belles
Cassiopeia            vs    RSC Falconettes (5:18)
Cinghiali            vs    San Antonio Valkyries (4o)
Coxy Ladies Wulpen        vs    Dortmund BK (6:10)
Csiki Girls            vs    Frajle (3g)
Dublin City Womens FC        vs    Mafia 91 Ladies (4l)
Emerald FC (6:64)        vs    Drakaina
FC Fagaras (5:28)        vs    Viking South Utsira
Feisty Foxes FC (4h)        vs    Zeugma Dostluk Spor
Menywod Maeshafn        vs    CF Real da Praceta (4m)
Murcielago (3e)            vs    Hazeldean Inchmistress
Neupriment FC (6:59)        vs    LNWR Locomotive
ASU Politehnica            vs    Black Sabbath (Xpert Ladies)
Red Shorts (5:21)        vs    Bombay Green Rockets
Rising Stars            vs    Samurai (4n)
Toulouse Lionesses (5:11)    vs    Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC
Ullapool Northern Star        vs    Alternadeiras F.C. (2c)

[Janik]

This website seems to have it in for Isabel Lock today. It accepts mentioning her name, it just won't allow any times of her goals to be posted. Weird.

[andrew7610]

To save this happening again in next week's round-up, Isabel very kindly didn't bother scoring in yesterday's game.

[Various Artist]

Amazing work Janik, and my apologies for inadvertently giving you so much to report on VSU's first league fixture – there were, at least, a lot fewer than 9 goals to cover in our second outing this Tuesday. That first one though was one of the most exhilarating results I can recall pulling off on X11; it's certainly one way to set out your stall for the new season.

This website seems to have it in for Isabel Lock today. It accepts mentioning her name, it just won't allow any times of her goals to be posted. Weird.

This is so random, it's a bit like that one OTF roundup I did the other month where it wouldn't let me post the second half of Eriskay Expression's name for some peculiar reason. (Meaning it was affecting my freedom of Expression, I suppose.)

Many thanks for the Cup coverage too. For the record, Pendleton's manager is not the one who gave them their moniker, and indeed is from abroad and not with English as a first language, so the name isn't one they installed and I suspect the 'pun' (if we can call it that) involved in it has been completely lost on them... Oh and our midfielders Yasmine and Elza Klovning are sisters, and forward Irja is their cousin.

As is so often the way, I'm finding out my next-round opponents from reading it in your roundup rather than in-game, so it's nice to see we 'only' have another Div 5 side to deal with next! Brutal tie for Granthamian's side though, I recall we went out at Black Sabbath's hands a season or to ago ourselves.

[Various Artist]

OTF League roundup for 30th August: Season 64 round 15

Division 3

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It’s nip and tuck still between Wharfedale Generals and Cods of War at the top after both won on Monday. Leaders Wharfedale came from behind to eke out a 2-1 win at Pinewood Passers (9th), all the goals coming in 12 minutes either side of the break. Cods, just a point between them in the title race, had a more straightforward 3-0 home win over OWC Albion (3rd) – notwithstanding some late drama when in separate incidents Cods skipper Patrick Edwards was carried off and visiting defender Mart Caunce was sent off, before the hosts’ clinching third. That effectlvely knocks Albion out of title contention as it opened up a 6-point gap between the pair, but allowed Andromache FC to close in to just a point behind OWC in 4th. Andromache had to snatch 3pts from a wildly seesawing affair at New Dresden (7th), though, taking a 7th-min lead but then conceding both a minute before and a minute after the interval, before finally levelling again in the 83rd then nicking back a vital win with Alan Cleese’s 92nd-min finish.
Brian Munchingflapjack are 4pts further back in 5th but a 2-0 home win over Veni Vici Vigata keeps them on the fringe of contention. Tree Hill High’s faint hopes ended with a 0-0 at Eintracht Midwest, leaving THH nine points adrift of third place in 6th but handing the bottom club only their fourth point of the season. It ends a 14-match home losing streak for Midwest, stretching back to another 0-0 with Nieuwegein Kneebiters on May 10th!

Division 2

---

Speaking of whom, Nieuwegein Kneebiters’ second consecutive promotion since then was confirmed by their seventh straight win and 13th out of 15 this term – and over nearest rivals Wednesday de la Zouch, all but confirming another divisional title too. Despite Ernst Menge’s 13th-min opener the game was in the balance until the 91st minute, but then Ronnie Hoogendorp headed another to seal it. The Biters are now 8 points clear, while Weds must battle with Hampshire Deers and Azure Dragons to secure promotion. The Southern Cervines are only 1 point behind them, albeit left it late after trailing at Littlewoods Legends – but levelled with a 75th-min pen then snatched the win with Leigh Kerrigan’s 89th-min finish. Dragons though are now 3 further points back in 4th after blowing a 2-0 home lead over Athletico Deva in the last eight minutes, the 9th-placed Deviants fighting back for a 2-2 draw that helps their survival bid.
Wensleydale Blues, who started the day level on points with Deva, went one better by beating bottom club Indigo Plateau at home to leap out of the dropzone to 7th. One-point gaps separate both them from Great Northern Railway, now 8th, and GNR from Deva in 9th, after the Railwaymen lost 2-0 at Heffron Hendecagon. Fast-improving Heffron’s third straight win, and fifth from the last six games, left them 7pts clear of danger and up to 5th – ahead of the Legends, whom they play next. Thursday also sees GNR v Deva in perhaps the most critical relegation face-off left in the fixture list.

Division 1

---

Champions-elect Zeugmaspor stormed to a scarcely believable 14th consecutive victory, toying with Steaua Bridge by offering a glimpse of hope at 0-0 before going in front right on the stroke of half-time, then again by letting Steaua stay within sight of them until the last 10 minutes when they ruthlessly crushed any dreams of a comeback with three further goals. Zeugma stay 15 points clear at the top of D1 from Locomotiv Noj, who firmed up their own position in 2nd with a 3-0 win at Kernow Kensa that opened a five-point cushion to the pack. The real interest however lies both behind them and also in the vicinity of Kensa, who narrowly drop to 10th.
Steaua stay put in 4th, but now level on 23pts with both Turd Division in 3rd and Whoft Fluffopolis in 5th after Whoft whomped Turds 4-0 at the Ray Illingworth. The enormous goal-difference disadvantage the Fluffers were at beforehand has been slashed too – the trio started the day on +10, +7 and -4 respectively, but ended it on a much closer +6, +3, 0.
Meanwhile in the relegation struggle a crucial goal may have been the 91st-minute one scored by Banik Roystonov’s Ondrich Jarosik, a direct free kick that gave them a 2-1 win at die Ambosse. Banik had led from the 6th minute to the 63rd, but looked like dropping two points until Jarosik’s last-ditch intervention – meaning what would’ve been a three-point advantage over Ambosse doubles to 6. With 19pts, the 6th-placed Royston men are in fact now in closer touch (four points) with the trio above them than the quartet behind them, and indeed with a closing run starting against Steaua today then finishing against two of the stragglers Janik’s side have an outside chance of joining the promotion race yet.
That bottom four are spanned by a single point, with the Anvils dropping into the relegation zone on goal difference after that late loss, behind Somers Town Sugar Imps whose 1-1 at Saltney Drawers did both sides some good but neither a whole lot of it. Saltney came from behind to level just before half-time in a very cagey affair, yet though they climb off the foot of the table for the first time in six matches – on GD from Kensa – and are three games unbeaten they missed the chance to leap out of the dropzone altogether for the first time since the opening week. Instead they stay behind the Sugar Imps and Ambosse by a point in 9th, with the Imps just poking their noses above water to 7th for three days at least.
There is only one direct clash remaining between any of the four, today’s Somers Town–Kernow clash at the Stade Belinda Carlisle. With the pair being OTF title winners in Seasons 59 and 60 respectively, and one or both of them almost certain to be among the trio going down, it means at least one of our recent league champions is set to be playing third-tier football next season.

[Various Artist]

OTF

---

The team who immediate preceded that pair with their own maiden title, and who have also lifted the last two, are suddenly looking like their bid for an uninterrupted hat-trick may come up short. Four Candles suffered a second straight defeat on Monday, and it came at rivals Vita Mortis thanks to second-half goals for Wesley Bannerman and Willie Cougar. Mortis only went top for the first time four days earlier, but their third consecutive 2-0 win leaves them six points clear of both the Candles and Great Ouse Town, whose own title hopes took a hammering in a surprising 3-0 reverse at Croesoswallt Dragons. Ouse stay ahead of the Candles in 3rd and 4th on GD, but back-to-back losses for each of them has suddenly opened clear water in the middle of the four-way battle for the crown as Berkshire Swine (2nd) returned to winning ways with a 2-0 at bottom side Rejects Redux. The Sty Council were stymied until Cristofao Edilson’s 75th-min free kick, but finally confirmed Rejects’ relegation with a stoppage-time second. They remain two points behind Mortis but are four clear of Ouse and Candles, who face each other this Thursday in a do-or-die encounter that could knock one or both out of the race.
The Dragons’ fearsomely efficient second-half performance against GOT – three goals from as many shots – nudged them up a spot to 6th on 20pts, but merely kept them 3 points above the safety line due to Dandy Town (8th) pulling out a last-ditch win of their own at Waveney Valley Swifts (9th). After an almost chanceless first half, the game exploded into life with Town taking the lead soon after the break and the Swifts swiftly cancelling it out, before the hosts went in front themselves on 75’ only for the visitors to immediately square it up again at 2-2. That would have left both in deep relegation trouble had it been the result, but Geraldo Cambundo’s dramatic 92nd-min header gave the Highwaymen a vital win that keeps them in touch with all the trio of teams the other side of that relegation line. Waveney, at 7 points adrift of safety with three to play, look almost doomed, but the third side to make the drop could still be any one from four: Csiki Monkeys and Eriskay Expression mutually shot themselves in the foot with a 0-0 at Bankfalva Kert that left them respectively on 21 and 20pts in 5th and 7th, each within range of the Dandies.

Eriskay though host the Rejects tonight then face the Swifts next Thursday to finish with, meaning all their remaining fixtures are against teams lower than them – their trip to the Stade Andy Liver next Monday is the only ‘six-pointer’ between any two of the quartet.
The Dandies have a stiffer task with both of the top two also still to face.
The Monkeys, intriguingly, face three of the top four, but their last week takes them to Ouse and Candles sides who may have nothing to play for.
Croesoswallt have all three games left on the road, including at the Candles in their penultimate fixture and the Swine in their last one. Their visit to the Waveney Bowl tonight is the one that looks theoretically the easiest, but likewise they may find either or both their final-week hosts already have their feet up depending on results between now and then...

[matt j]

"It ends a 14-match home losing streak for Midwest, stretching back to another 0-0 with Nieuwegein Kneebiters on May 10th!"

Sounds much more exciting than my season has been. (across all three teams. boring stretch for me on X11.)

[Various Artist]

Haha, well to be fair it was only another 0-0 – but that's better than a punch in the face, as they say. Onwards and upwards from here hopefully!

[Janik]

It was Matchday 2 of season 63 of the official Xpert 11 Ladies League on Tuesday. This is what went down:-

Division 1a

Kalkbrottet FC          1 - 0   Drakaina
Iacopino 87'


Division 1b

Mauchline Belles        0 - 2   Provokator FC
                                Miljevic 64'
                                Vanhove (pen) 88'
                                Ovsyannikova (sent off) 84'


Division 3e

FC Nee-Nee              1 - 2   Coxy Ladies Wulpen
Outeiro 78'                     Kerckhoeven 49'
                                Bremen 87'

Viking South Utsira     2 - 0   Murcielago
L.Hovland 38'
T.Kvalvik 77'


Division 4k

Bombay Green Rockets    2 - 1   Mupparna
Kingsley 63'                    Hyggen 94'
Baumann 77'

Söderbönerna            0 - 1   Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC
                                Sumanti 77'


Division 4n

Cassiopeia              2 - 1   FC Roblar
Aritonovic 20', (pen) 80'       Kukoc 47'


Division 5:14

Cinghiali               1 - 1   New Zealand Fc
Buzunova (pen) 35'              Hammarsten 64'


Division 5:17

SLB Femenino            2 - 0   LNWR Locomotive
Bower 34'
Hausner 72'


Division 5:18

Change Right WFC        1 - 0   Rising Stars
Babo 2'


Division 5:21

Invisible Ladies        1 - 1   Haydock Ladies
Shuttlewood 87'                 Mohan 76'

ASU Politehnica         1 - 0   Red Shorts
Södergren 58'


Division 5:26

Ladies Baby             0 - 1   Zeugma Dostluk Spor
                                Leifur (O.G.) 43'


Division 5:27

Menywod Maeshafn        0 - 0   Empire Of The Sun


Division 5:28

Dublin City Womens FC   3 - 0   Country Girls
Lyktberg 40'
Hempel 55'
Timmermans 77'


Division 5:31

Hällegård               1 - 0   Csiki Girls
Torres 51'


Division 6:39

Ullapool Northern Star  6 - 0   The Amazons
Mamouni 20', 29', 59'
Taggart 23'
MacKirdie 35'
Klovning (pen) 80'
Mamouni (sent off) 84'


Division 6:42

Hazeldean Inchmistress  6 - 0   Ipswich Town Ladies
Bunton (pen) 2', 9'
Tattershall 5'
Christersson 18'
Mejía 24'
Ernström 42'

Drakaina were looking to build on a comprehensive opening day win when they headed to Sweden to take on Kalkbrottet FC.
This match proved to be much more even than The Dragons opener though, to the point where there was so little to chose between the sides in the opening half that the goalless interval score was very apt. The scoreline stayed blank despite the sides cancelling each other out a little less after the break in that there were now some chances being created. But still basically evenly split, as was possession.
The match had 1-0 written all over it, which is exactly how it finished. Frustratingly for Drakaina boss Etienne and his charges, that was 1-0 to Kalkbrottet after they finally broke the deadlock in the 87th minute.
Despite having three points from six and a positive goal difference, The Dragons find themselves fifth in the early Division 1a table.

Mauchline Belles were looking for a first goal of the season when they took on Provokator FC and their risible manager.
Belles boss Jdsx suffered a blow midway through the first half when key midfielder Vicki Billing was forced off midway through the first half with a 10-day injury. Though Billing’s replacement, Fernanda Perdao, has been and remains an excellent player, she is now in her retirement season. And she came on into an engine room that already included a 38 year-old (Filomena Fogueira), which suddenly had a slightly creaky look to it as a consequence.
Maybe that explains why the visitors had more of the ball, both before the break and after it. They took the lead on the back of that on 64 minutes, but 20 minutes later The Belles got an apparent break when Zinaida Ovsyannikova received her marching orders for a second bookable offence. But only ‘apparent’ because ref Travis Tee seemed to make up for his decision a few minutes later when he awarded a dubious penalty against Mauchline, from which a second goal was scored.
Defeat left the Belles sixth in the Division 1b standings, thought these are obviously only just coalescing.

After an opening day defeat Coxy Ladies Wulpen were likely quite happy that their second attempt to settle into the fourth tier pitted them against a very familiar foe – FC Nee-Nee.
The sides have met plenty of times over the seasons at lower tiers of the Ladies League pyramid, with The Waders looking much more comfortable than they had in the opening week of the campaign. Not that Janik’s side were dominant or anything, the match was pretty even, but they were in the contest and in fact leading it after Noémie Kerckhoeven struck in the 49th minute.
Nee-Nee are a strong outfit though, and as noted were also in the game, which meant their leveller on 78 minutes was hardly out of the blue. Both teams were creating chances to win it, but it was The Waders who came through, Chloé Bremen (who had only joined the fray as an 80th minute sub) firing the winner from inside the box on 87 minutes.
And what of the OTF side Wulpen share a section with, i.e. Viking South Utsira? Well, The Blood Eagles were up against The Waders week 1 conquerors, Murcielago.
The visitors once again had no subs, but played with an intensity that suggests this was by managerial choice rather than oversight or absence (Murcielago have a tiny squad!). It was Viking who went ahead though, Lina Hovland netting with a rare (for her) open play strike on 39 minutes.
That was the only chance either side had in a tight first half, which was rather different to an open second with plenty of chances at either end. One of these was eventually converted when Tove Kvalvik pounced on a loose ball following Kirstin Hovland’s corner to fire the killer second.
VSU are the only side with two wins out of two in Division 3e. Which obviously puts them top. Meanwhile Wulpen are in a statistically unlikely second place – unlikely because The Waders record is exactly even, one win and one loss, three scored and three conceded. Football is generally considered a zero sum game, i.e. if one team scores a goal that means another (their opponents) have conceded one, and similar with wins and losses. But if it truly was zero-sum then a side on exactly 50% of available resources, as Coxy Ladies are, couldn’t have three-quarters of the Division behind them. This is only possible, in fact, by Football not being quite zero-sum – specifically that three points are awarded for a game with a winner, compared to only two (one each) for a draw.

[Janik]

Rapidly rising Bombay Green Rockets were aiming to continue their ascent up the leagues when they hosted Mupparna.
I don’t remember the visitors wearing such horrid sexist kits before, so it’s a disappointment to discover their manager is pond life. But that does it easier to laugh at him for having an opening minute goal disallowed.
After that incident the first half was completely even steven, with 50% possession and two chances apiece. After the break Mupparna began to shade things, only for HKS3’s Rockets to go ahead when big money closed-season signing Lara Kingsley (MF 26/12) blasted in her first from the club from range on 63 minutes. Promising, that.
Amalea Ferrante had a ‘second’ disallowed soon after Kingsley’s opener, but it wouldn’t be all that long before Bombay really were two clear, Barbara Baumann heading home in the 77th minute. Mupparna did pull one back deep into stoppage time, but by then the result was done in the Green Rockets favour.
Division 4k is another with two OTF sides in it, and our second visit this week takes us with Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC on their trek to Söderbönerna.
The Sea Spirits were hardly ‘clinging on’ in the first half, SeanoftheShed’s side actually having a majority of possession, but they did have no chances to Söderbönerna’s two. However the KRK back line, led by player-of-the-match Catur Navisyah and goalkeeper-and-captain Kacey Rust, dealt with this openings cleanly.
The Sea Goddesses continued to hold 53% possession after the break but still without making a chance. Until the 77th minute that is when the Indonesians first opening of the game resulted in Utami Sumanti giving them the lead.
That goal was enough for a slightly fortuitous victory, which makes it two wins from two for Kanjeng. That has them in second spot in the Division 4k table, which is one place ahead of the similarly 100% Green Rockets. I’m not even sure why the sides are that way around – their records are identical (2-0-0 4-1), they haven’t played each other yet, and alphabetical order would put Bombay first. But anyway, it doesn’t particularly matter at this stage of the season – we can just say both are handily placed!

Matchday 2 pitted Cassiopeia against an FC Roblar side that had ran up a 4-0 opening day victory.
That was in contrast to The Vainglories, who had lost their opener 1-0. However the first goal of the season for Stormstopper’s side (and first conceded by Roblar) was only a little around the corner, Sandra Aritonovic heading home Helena Krcmarevic’s cross on 20 minutes.
That was enough to give Cassiopeia an interval lead, only for that advantage to be wiped out two minutes after the break. This was slightly harsh on The Vainglories as it was Roblar first chance of the day, though the visitors did have a greater share of the ball throughout. But possession without chances serves no purpose, not that Cassiopeia were having openings either until eagle-eyed ref Tony Nolan spotted a foul by Roblar in their own box in the 80th minute, awarding a penalty from which Aritonovic stroked home the winner.
The win put Cassiopeia in mid-table, fourth to be precise, in the formative Division 4n standings.

Could Cinghiali improve on their opening day goalless draw when they hosted New Zealand Fc in their second Division 5:14 fixture?
Boars manager SitsWithRemote set his side up to play on the counter-attack, which worked neatly in the first half as Cinghiali had only a nudge over 40% of the ball but gave up no chances and had two of their own. One of these was from the spot in the 35th minute, Zoya Buzunova blasting home the penalty to set the Suini Sporchi celebrating.
There is a risk/reward about such a strategy though, the risk being it doesn’t generally generate many goals which leaves teams at risk of dropping points if they concede. And it is likely the opposition will have at least one chance from 56% possession across the match, which is exactly what the Black Ferns created, and took, in the 64th minute.
That meant The Boars improvement from the opening week was only to move up to a score draw. The two points gained currently have the Piani Resinelli side fifth in 5:14.

The turnaround in results for LNWR Locomotive failed to move from the platform last week – The Steamers were looking to creak into gear at SLB Femenino instead.
Locomotive boss Viktor Boskovic appearently opted for all-out attack as the latest means to stop the rot, picking three up front for his side. But that meant giving up the midfield to the hosts, and that proved the key area as SLB dominated possession and chances. The hosts netted twice, once in each half, as LNWR slipped to yet another loss.
That leaves The Steamers seventh in Division 5:17, and already three points adrift of the fifth spot that would keep them at this level next term… and at this point simply remaining in the sixth tier is the main goal at Mollington Street.

A tight game was expected when Rising Stars visited Change Right WFC given the two sides opening day fixtures had produced precisely one goal.
That lonely strike had given The Ascenders an opening day win, but it was rapidly the case that more than a single goal would be needed after Change Right opened the scoring in just the second minute. The hosts also had a second disallowed midway through the first half as Blamb’s Stars struggled to shine.
Rising’s light remained obscured after the break as they couldn’t find their way through a suffocating Change Right defence. The Ascenders made only one chance all match, a first half sight that went unconverted as that early goal equalled defeat.
One win and one loss has Rising Stars fifth in the young Division 5:19 standings.

Defeat first up meant a bit of extra pressure on Invisible Ladies ahead of them hosting newly promoted Haydock Ladies.
The San Seethrough crowd was on edge, and how the game panned out did little to settle them down as Haydock had a clear edge of possession. Chances were few and far between for both sides however, the match reaching half-time scoreless and still standing that way into the last quarter of the game.
A breakthrough finally came on 76 minutes, and it went for Haydock. This prompted a response from The See-Throughs, though it looked like Pebblethefish’s charges would be cruelly denied anything from the game when Catlyn Parsons’ 82nd minute effort was disallowed. Aileen Shuttlewood was not having that though, providing the leveller instead with 87 on the clock. That strike claimed a point for Invisible.
ASU Politehnica were in a similar boat to Invisible Ladies, an opening day defeat making their matchday 2 home game against Red Shorts particularly important.
The first half looked slightly worrying for Granthamian’s charges as the visitors had noticeably more of the ball – over 60% in fact. The good news for the Scholars was they held up under this pressure, allowing the Reds no chances at all. Not that they had any themselves, but on balance that was a good trade off.
The match changed on the visiting boss opting to make a triple substitution at half-time. A major risk that backfired in the most spectacular way possible when Red Shorts picked up a red cross injury just three minutes later, reducing them to 10 for nearly the entire second period. That swung the game Politehnica’s way, the students creating chances through the half. Only one of these was netted, Evelyn Södergren scoring a breakaway on 58 minutes, but one was enough for victory.
Those results lifted The Scholars up to fifth in the Division 5:21 table, which is two places above Invisible Ladies, who sit seventh in the early going.

[Janik]

Zeugma Dostluk Spor were looking to back up an opening day win when they visited oddly named Ladies Baby.
The hosts were without a manager, which was odd as they currently have a golden generation squad which would be in its prime years – their first choice midfield five all being 27 or 28 and holding 12-14 skill bars each. That combination of a strong squad but one lacking direction made them a tricky challenge for Antepli Ejderha’s side to break down.
In the end it took a helping hand from one of the Ladies players – one of the aforementioned midfielders in fact, Astildhur Leifur putting through her own goal on 43 minutes. This was something that ZDS fans should be truly grateful for, as apart from that their side didn’t find the target. But that one was enough as the hosts lack of cohesion meant they made only one opening of their own (which they missed).
That meant two wins out of two for Zeugma. As they are the only side in Division 5:26 still holding a 100% record, or a winning one at least, that puts the Anatolians top of the pile currently.

After cruising to victory in their opening match of the campaign, Menywod Maeshafn were looking to make it two from two when they hosted Empire Of The Sun.
The Welsh side dominated possession in the first half, holding 60% of the ball. They converted this into three chances to Empire of the Sun’s one, but didn’t score any of them. Is ThatcherDeadYet’s charges were even more on top after the break, increasing their possessional share to 62% (averaging at 61% for the whole match) and also upping their chance creation to five, whilst again giving just one sight of their goal up. But, once again, none of this plethora of openings were converted! It is not even like Empire of the Sun have a superstar goalkeeper either – this was just a cows arse/banjo issue for the Maeshafn strikers, it would appear.
So, somehow, the match finished as a goalless draw. One that leaves Maeshafn third in the Division 5:27 table, two points adrift of the leaders. Rather than top, which is where they should have been.

Opening day delivered a sobering 3-0 defeat for Dublin City Womens FC. But their matchday 2 opponents, Country Girls, also lost their opener heavily and were eliminated from the Cup in Round 1 to boot. So maybe this was a good opportunity for Mortal Joe’s side to settle in at the higher level?
Elwira Gruszka had the ball in the County net after less than 120 seconds play, which would have been an ideal tonic for any nerves… if ref Frank Redkard hadn’t objected. The cad. But he did, and that meant the score stayed level until the 40th minute of the first half, when Maria Lyktberg made sure that her side would go into the interval 1-0 up after all.
The Molly Malones deserved this lead, having held 57% possession and made all three legitimate chances on top of the one that Redkard didn’t like in the period. After the break The Dubs increased their share of the ball up to 61% to total 59% across the entire match, reduced their chance creation to two (whilst also giving one up), but also upped their scoring efficiency all the way to 100%. The dead-eyes were Michelle Hempel on 55 minutes and Emma Timmermans on 77.
Three points from two games has Dublin City fifth in the Division 5:28 standings.

Csiki Girls returned to Division 5:31 with a 2-2 opening day draw, which was OK but did mean Ad hoc’s side were really looking to kick start another promotion push by winning their second league fixture at Hällegård.
The newly promoted hosts were also looking for a first win though, and they were pursuing it hard from the gun, holding 60% first half possession. Despite a lack of ball, Csiki Girls limited the home team to just a single chance in the first half, whilst also creating one of their own. And Csiki Girls halves with only 40% of the ball are nothing unusual.
To build on this the Trnasylvanians needed to kick on after the break, but instead it was Hällegård who took the lead (51 minutes) and then looked to consolidate it with further chances. Csiki Girls did have a couple of sites of the home goal, which would have dug a point from the game given Hällegård’s failure to convert again, but The Csiki’s were equally profligate.
One point from two games has Csiki Girls in an uncomfortable seventh spot in Division 5:31. But it is really early days yet…

Part of the reason why Ullapool Northern Star’s deeply unlucky relegation was so irritating is the bottom tier has plenty of zombies in it. Such as The Amazons, who Polaris welcomed to Minchview on matchday 2.
There was a little bit of watch-tapping starting amongst Northern Star fans after it took their players all of 20 minutes to open the scoring, but once Inès Mamouni had done so with a breakaway a flurry of goals went in. Mamouni got her second of the day on 29 minutes, which made it 3-0 as Julie Taggart had nipped in between with a long-range strike on 23. Another long range shot on 35 minutes made it 4-0, and came from a notable scorer – young forward Mary-Rose MacKirdie (19/6) finally notching her first career strike in her 20th senior appearance and third season playing with the adults (MacKirdie graduated from the youth team as a 17 year-old).
Mamouni added a team fifth and personal hattrick on 59 minutes. She would have been player-of-the-match, but for reasons I will come to. There was also a sixth for Polaris, Renate Klovning stroking home from the spot after 80 minutes.
The last word belonged to Mamouni though, and it was not a good one as the forward (and skipper) ruined her hattrick day by inexplicably booting an opponent into next week and earning herself a straight red card in the 84th minute. To say boss delicatemoth was giving her player a hard stare as she trooped off is an understatement – it looked like the manager was going to strangle her player… just as soon as she had worked out which bit of data is the throat!
Despite that late fly in the ointment, the day was still a good one for UNS as not only did the win mean they stay at 100%, it also took them to the summit of Division 6:39 on goal difference.

And finally we come to Hazeldean Inchmistress, who were up against Ipswich Town Ladies this week.
That is the human-managed Ipswich, but also the rubbishly human managed one. The Imperials took painful advantage of the inadequacies of their opponents, going on a first-half rampage. It was 3-0 to Foxy265’s side within 10 minutes, Karen Bunton getting the first from the spot after only 2 minutes and also netting from open play after 9. In between those two Mollie Tattershall had scored with a header (5).
Three further strikes allowed Inchmistress to use the interval to declare, Göta Christersson scoring from close range on 18, Elvia Mejía netting a direct free-kick on 24 and Elinor Ernström scoring a breakaway on 42.
There was never any chance of Ipswich grinding their way up to the target. In fact they fell miles short, the scoring remaining at 6-0 until the end. Which is actually more of a Tennis score than a cricket one, isn’t it? Whatever other sport it resembled, in Football it lifted The Imperials top of the Division 6:42 table. The Framleyshire outfit are one of three 100%ers remaining in this section.

[Various Artist]

It's the final day of the OTF League season, so how did Monday's penultimate fixtures leave things?

OTF League roundup for 6th September: Season 64 round 17

Division 3

---

The big potential title-decider last Thursday between Wharfedale Generals and Cods of War decided nothing, with the table-topping Generals taking a first-minute lead and subsequently a two-goal advantage only to surrender that to a fishy fightback, the game ending 2-2. Cods still sat a point behind, however, their recent 8-game winning streak having stuttered with two straight Thursday draws – and then their 12-game unbeaten run ended altogether on Monday. A 2nd-min injury to midfielder Phillip Hibbitt did not help them at Brian Munchingflapjack, and although they created 5 chances to 1 it was that solitary Flappers opportunity that got taken, Sture Damberg crashing home in the 72nd min.
That left Wharfedale with the chance to seal the title with a game to spare, but away at 3rd-placed Andromache FC was a tough place to do it even for a side with 9 wins in their last 11. They were in command throughout however, Frank Hulme fired them in front after 19 mins, and Phil Lock secured the crown for the Generals with a second straight after half-time – despite a stoppage-time consolation for the hosts.
Despite the loss and the 5th-placed Flapjacks’ win, Andromache are still an unsurmountable 4 points clear of the latter. They remained though in danger of being overtaken by OWC Albion in 4th, despite a key 2-0 win at Albion last Thursday – but on Monday OWC were sensationally thrashed 4-0 at 7th-placed New Dresden. Outshot 13 to 1, they were done for by a hat-trick from Dresden striker Martin Hausmann and have now lost three in a row without scoring and four of their last five. Albion’s final chance is at home to whipping boys Eintracht Midwest, but they are 2pts and 6 goals behind Andromache so have to hope the latter slip up at home to the Munchies.
Most of the lower half of the table were playing out meaningless late-season kickarounds. Tree Hill High (6th) and Pinewood Passers (8th) drew 1-1 at Pullman Park, while Veni Vici Vigata (7th) saw off bottom side Midwest 2-0 at Hunger Hill.