X11 season 45 - de rigueur Mortis

[Janik]

X11 Ladies League Matchday 7. Top buoy.

Division 1a

Viking South Utsira	0 - 2	Gajas Peladas
				Wallace 53'
				Mota 84'


Division 3d

AFC Charlestown Ladies	1 - 1	Drakaina
Sørensen 76'			Barry 11'


Division 4i

Erbil			0 - 0	The Effing Blinders

LNWR Locomotive		3 - 0	Gazzas Gals
Heart 24', 44'
Severinsson 40'


Division 4k

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC	0 - 0	Janes Addiction


Division 5:17

Coxy Ladies Wulpen	1 - 1	Michael Michael Micky doo
van Sttenberghe 14'		Lynch 40'


Division 5:19

Sockford Emollient	1 - 1	Mawenzi
Mullins 20'			Hasan 77'


Division 5:28

Menywod Maeshafn	0 - 2	Provokator FC
				Rapajic 51'
				Pascan 92'


Division 5:31

Csiki Girls		0 - 0	Fallen Angels FC


Division 6:40

Ullapool Northern Star	0 - 0	Lekneshagen Damelag


Division 6:43

Special Ladies 		0 - 1	Solent Sirens
				Hyeong 16'


Division 6:44

AC Gemelas 1903 	3 - 3	Witches of Chiswick
Ufarte 15'			Kurisawa 47'
Arely 25'			Anzai 57'
Gullberg 90'			Matzuoka 69'


Division 6:53

Hammer Girls DF 	0 - 0	Zeugma Dostluk Spor


Division 6:57

Caxton Street Shielas 	2 - 1	Dublin City WFC
Bärkeroth 45'			Isabel Carreto 57'
Charles 75'

Viking South Utsira were looking to back-up a big, if last gasp win on matchday 6 when they took on Gajas Peladas.
The Ragnar Rock visitors began the day second bottom of the table and two points behind The Blood Eagles, but despite their status it was an extremely even game. If anything Gajas Peladas shaded a scoreless first half. Their edge in the second was less ambiguous, and sadly for the home fans was also studded with two goals.
The bad news kept coming for Viking boss Velvet Android as Heidi Hovland picked up a 13-day injury. That came just prior to the opening goal, though claiming a link between the two would be a stretch; that strike had been coming. As for where Utsira are going, back down to seventh in the Division 1a standings is the position they now find themselves in. Despite only being one point from safety and four from the play-off place, it will take a big turnaround in the second half of the campaign for the North Sea Islanders to match their pre-season ambitions.

Two teams badly in need of a league win clashed when Drakaina travelled to AFC Charlestown Ladies. The hosts were without a win to their name all season and consequently propped up the Division 3d standings. However The Dragons own last three point haul is drifting further into the past, Etienne’s side having gone three league games without victory (though with only one loss as well).
It looked like it would be the Greeks who would break their run when Susanna Barry headed them in front after 11 minutes, a lead their general play merited. But a clincher was lacking, and then events started to conspire against The Dragons. First defensive rock Amalia Merckx was lost to a nasty 20-day injury, which, at her age (35), it will take a long time to fully recover from. Then on 75 minutes Elena Gitsis’ second ‘goal’ was disallowed and to compound matters Charlestown went straight up the other end and equalised.
That meant Drakaina had to settled for another draw, leaving them with a 2-4-1 record at the midway point. That is good enough for fifth place, two points above the drop zone but also just three out of the play-offs.

The key games against fellow strugglers keep coming for Erbil as they took on a side who also sat in the drop zone, The Effing Blinders, on Tuesday.
It goes without saying that Jdsx’s winless outfit are desperate for a win, and this one looked possible. They certainly had enough possession, 61% of the ball in the first half and 58% overall. They were also solid at the back, not giving up a chance. Unfortunately this was at the expense of Erbil’s own attack, which was almost entirely constipated and managed just one trundling shot all match.
That result was good news for LNWR Locomotive as it meant a win over Gazzas Gals would lift them out of the relegation places.
Not that Viktor Boskovic or his players knew this when they took the field; they will have just wanted a win. Phrigit Heart put them on track for that with a 24th minute thunderbolt. However, there was little in the game until five minutes of madness prior to the interval. That was when The Steamers took the handbrake off and gave it the full throttle. It resulted in two more goals in quick succession, Tekla Severinsson and a second from Heart taking the game away from the visitors.
The second half was basically a non-event, Locomotive free-wheeling in for a 3-0 win that moved them up to fifth in the Division 4i table, one point clear of trouble. Erbil, by contrast, are in the deep end, six points adrift of LNWR and safety.

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC were looking to get back to winning ways when they hosted Division 4k leaders Janes Addiction.
Neither side had been particularly prolific this season, so a cagey games was expected. That wasn’t quite what panned out though, The Sea Spirits playing on the break and doing so with rapier like thrusts to create a number of chances. All that was missing for SeanoftheShed’s side was a goal, but unfortunately that would remain the case all the way to the final whistle.
That left Kanjeng exposed to a sucker punch, such as when Janes had the ball past Kacey Rust on 70 minutes. There was much relief when it was realised Ann Onym was signalling a free-kick rather than a goal, as drawing a game where they had been on top like this was bad enough for Sea Goddess fans; losing it would have been unthinkable. As it is, the draw kept the Indonesians third in the table, six points adrift of the top two.

Coxy Ladies Wulpen took on a familiar name from these reports but a new opponent for them when they hosted Michael Michael Micky doo.
The Waders started well, Eva van Sttenberghe heading them in front in the 14th minute. The next incident was less helpful for Janik’s side though, first choice ‘keeper Sarah Asselman going down with an 11-day injury. Though Asselman’s back-up, Risako Anami, is actually the same rating, she wasn’t warm and was beaten by the first shot she faced.
That would turn out to be M3d’s only attempt of the match, but it was enough for a point as Wulpen struggled to regain their early momentum. Despite two points drop, Coxy Ladies remain top of Division 5:17, though the entire league is very tight. They are only four points ahead of their opponents in this one (and the next game as well), and Michael Michael Micky doo are currently in the drop zone!

Sockford Emollient were also taking on a much better team than their sixth place would indicate, in The Gatorsharks case the opponents being Mawenzi.
Foxy265’s team were the first to strike, Kayley Mullins firing in a direct free-kick on 20 minutes, but try as they might the Framleyshire outfit couldn’t shake off their opponents. The lack of a second goal was costly as Mawzeni came even more into the game after the break and levelled on 77 minutes.
That was the end of the scoring, the points being shared. Sockford stayed third in the Division 5:19 table off the back of it, but are now five points adrift of the top two.

OFFS. If there was one team that no-one wanted to end Menywod Maeshafn’s 100% start to the season, it was fecking Provokator FC.
Maeshafn were at home as well. And it was no fluke either; IsThatcherDeadYet’s troops were pretty well outplayed after the break, the two goals they conceded being about right. Fingers crossed for immediate revenge.
As for what that did to the Division 5:28 table, it sent the Welsh side down from top to second as Fossa Delle Leonesse moved ahead on goal difference thanks to a 7-0 win.

Rather more wholesome fare was on offer at A kertem, where Csiki Girls took on Fallen Angels FC.
Not very exciting stuff though. The Csiki’s dominated possession, but struggled to convert that into meaningful goalscoring opportunities. In fact ad hoc’s side got off just two shots all game, which is rather paltry a return from two-thirds of possession. Neither shot was converted, and fortunately that was also true of the visitors one effort.
The bore-draw left Csiki Girls fifth in the Division 5:31 standings, but only just; their advantage on the side one place below them is just one goal scored. And given that sixth is below the drop line, growing that gap is clearly a matter of urgency.

First met third in Division 6:40 as Ullapool Northern Star hosted Lekneshagen Damelag.
And, well, see the Csiki Girls report above! Nothing much at all happened in the game. Northern Star had more of the ball, though not to quite the 66% level, and two shots to one, but neither side registered.
The draw left saw Ullapool’s lead in the standings cut as nearest challengers Partizan Beograd came from behind to win. Delicatemoth’s side are now just a one clear of the Serbian outfit.

What an unpredictable bunch Solent Sirens are. The apotheosis of this came last season when The Sirens dismantled league leaders MSV Duisburg Damen 5-1, and then barely won another match all campaign. It must make matches like last Tuesday’s visit to a struggler like Special Ladies particularly nervous for boss Andrew7610.
It looked like his side was going to give him an easier ride for this one when Jin-Ae Hyeong headed home in the 16th minute. That was followed by Solent being on top, but the second goal to ease the tension just wasn’t coming. I guess it’s really not in the Sirens temperament to soothe nerves.
The question was whether they would pay for it with a sucker punch. The answer? No. It remained 1-0 to the end, a result that pushed Solent up a spot to fourth in the Division 6:43 standings, three points off the play-off spot.

[Janik]

Where have all the goals gone? How about Witches of Chiswick’s visit to AC Gemelas 1903?
The match pitted third against second in the Division 6:44 standings, and for the first 45 minutes it looked like that order would be reversed as Gemelas controlled the game, holding 58% possession and scoring in both the 15 and 25 minutes.
The door to the Witches dressing room at half time was firmly shut, but that didn’t stop all inside Treasure Field hearing exactly what Wiblflibl thought of his team’s performance. The players seemed to take this anger on board, and were back in the game within 120 seconds, Mari Kurisawa heading home. The Bewitched had now found their groove, and levelled proceedings 10 minutes later, young midfielder Kaede Anzai turning in her first career strike.
The turnaround was completed in the 69th minute, Tomiko Matzuoka firing in from 25 yards. But having recovered to be winning from a losing position, could Chiswick keep their go forward going or would they sit back and hope to cling on? The latter became increasingly the option as goal four failed to materialise, and the consequences of that were a sickening late equaliser for Gemelas.
Having somehow contrived to blow a win in a game they were losing comprehensively at one stage, The Bewitched find themselves second in the table, five points adrift of the leaders and only ahead of Gemelas on goal difference.

OK, we are back on the goal trail. Will that still be the case after taking in Zeugma Dostluk Spor’s trip to Hammer Girls DF?
Extravagant scoring and open games are not exactly Zeugma boss Antepli Ejderha’s style, though his Dostluk Spor side have been more prolific than some. So there was hope... up until the match started and the defensive grind began! Zeugma were on top, and there was even a shot at some time in the second-half. Goals, however, were a rumour heard very far away.
There was one piece of (negative) legacy from the match as Asabe Fetele picked up an 11-day injury which will keep her out of the return fixture. Her side will sit second in the Division 6:53 table when that happens, though now they are only two points ahead of third and five adrift of the leaders.

Mortal Joe was again absent from a Dublin City WFC when his side travelled to Caxton Street Shielas.
The Dubs fought decently well in the boss’ absence, and would even have taken the lead if Veronica Kåmark 24th minute effort had stood. But it didn’t, instead Caxton Street going ahead on the stroke of half-time. It was no less than they deserved, Dublin having spent much of the half hanging on for dear life.
That seem of extra special value when Ana Isabel Carreto headed the visitors level after 57 minutes, and for a while a draw or even an improbable win for the visitors seemed possible. But then, on 75 minutes, the Shelias struck again, this time decisively as substitute-less Dublin tired noticeably.
It’s a result that drops the Irish side down to sixth in the table, but still only four points behind the Division 6:57 leaders.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Thanks as always for that Janik.

[Sits]

Noirs de Bigorre owe Sans Culottes a big favour. Playing for DV, Los Cramados took two points off Etienne's leaders which meant their lead over SV 1922 Großkanya was trimmed to a point.

NdB must dig deep next round against SV.

[Etienne]

Fortunately Tiree Automatic did us a favour and beat Riff City Tigers, so our gap over third place actually increased. We're just completely broke, so training and bonuses are being sacrificed so it's getting very tough. Those are the first points we've dropped at home all season, so we'll just need to get that home form going again.

[Janik]

Round 4 is the last two-legged of this season’s Official X11 Ladies Cup. Whihc of our sides can make it to the single game encounters?

Drakaina		1 - 0	Hippy Chicks
Gitsis 66'

Hippy Chicks		1 - 0	Drakaina
Raaberg 41'		A.E.T.

1-1 on aggregate. Drakaina win 3-2 on penalties
Anna-Karin Myrestedt

Venezuela		1 - 1	Erbil
Carrera 70'			Brundin 22'

Erbil			0 - 0	Venezuela

1-1 on aggregate. Erbil win on away goals


Fair Maidens of FISO	1 - 1	Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC
Rosenkvist 48'			Willockx 42'

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC	0 - 0	Fair Maidens of FISO

1-1 on aggregate. Kanjeng win on away goals


Mulheres do Sobral	3 - 1	Csiki Girls
Manggala 17'			Neaves 70'
Komboy 28'
Lincoln 37'
Kitson (missed pen) 9'

Csiki Girls		2 - 2	Mulheres do Sobral
Ackland 3'			Manggala 7'
Granheim 62'			Marino 87'

Sobral win 5-3 on aggregate

Round 4 pitted Drakaina against Hippy Chicks, who, as a third tier side, are currently one step higher up the pyramid than The Dragons.
The opening leg took place at Delphi, and it was Etienne’s team who looked the better during the majority of the game. They had a clear edge in possession in the first half, and when this dropped away somewhat after the break it was replaced by creating many more chances than their tie-dyed opponents.
It all added up to just one goal, though. Fortunately it came with the run of play, Elena Gitsis racing clear to fire home in the 66th minute. A 1-0 home win sets up the second leg nicely, but does so with Drakaina very much having the advantage.
The Dragons sought to keep the ball to stifle their hosts in the return match, but with limited risk taking in the passing this reduced their own threat of snatching the tie-killing away goal. Hippy Chicks, meanwhile, were also being cautious to avoid conceding that strike.
Things got even more balanced and tense when the hosts levelled on aggregate with a direct free-kick on 41 minutes. That was how it remained through the rest of normal- and extra-time, the tie being decided by a penalty shoot-out. In that, it was immediately advantage Drakaina as Hippy Chicks missed their opener. The next three were all scored, Silvia Atum and Rosanne Beattie converting for The Dragons. When Hippy Chicks missed again with their third kick, a Greek victory seemed moments away... up until Alicia Keyshinhas failed to convert their own third attempt. 2-1 up after three became 3-2 to the good after four as both takers converted, Fionulla Mourne keeping her nerve for The Dragons. Maybe she could offer Hippy Chick’s Anna-Karin Myrestedt lessons, as she became the third player on her team to miss, sending Drakaina through without having to use their last penalty.
Round 5 is the first one play as one-off matches at the Arena. The Dragons opponents in that tussle will be Division 1b side Mighty Dames.

Erbil had a very workable looking draw in taking on Division 5 outfit Venezuela.
The first leg was down Caracas way, with Erbil looking for an away goal. That arrived in the 22nd minute, Sandra Brundin firing in from distance. Jdsx’s side struggled to build on that though, as the South Americans proved tough opponents. In fact the hosts shaded possession and chances, making their 70th minute leveller just reward. Still a score draw in the away leg is a strong platform for Erbil to work off.
Their approach in the return was cagey, as they really couldn’t afford to concede. Venezuela were also playing cautiously, but with less justification given that they were losing and had to score to avoid elimination. However the visitors created just one chance in the entire 90 minutes, which they didn’t take.
Erbil also failed to score of a very limited number of openings (two in their case), but that didn’t matter given Brundin’s first leg effort. Next up is a tie against a side from the same tier as Erbil, Division 4o’s WFC Rakhat Almaty.

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC’s target was to conquer a side that operates a couple of tiers higher than their own Division 4 when they took on the Fair Maidens of FISO.
The first half of the opening leg, which was away from home for Kanjeng, saw SeanoftheShed’s charges if not on top then definitely the better side. They thought they had taken the lead in the 35th minute, only for Constance Paine to rule out Diksha Dalmiya’s effort. Paine was happy with Jennifer Willockx’s header seven minutes later though.
The hosts dressing room may have been a loud place at the interval, as they came out transformed. The scores were level in just three minutes, and after that it was a backs-to-the-wall effort from The Sea Spirits to preserve the draw. But preserve it they did, for another tie with the advantage very much in the OTF side’s favour.
Could The Sea Goddesses do a number on the Fair Maidens at Merapi-Kraton-South Sea? You are goddam right they could. The visitors were held a comfortable distance away from Kacey Rust’s goal all match, and didn’t manage a single shot. That essentially settled the tie, as they had to score to avoid being upset. A goal for Kanjeng would have been nice for the home fans, but given the situation anyone demanding it was being picky as 0-0 was quite enough to earn a shot at Division 1a side and beaten quarter-finalists in the X11 Ladies Cup last season, Van Helsings GLS.

The fourth OTF side trying to make it through were Csiki Girls. They were involved in an all-sixth tier encounter with Mulheres do Sobral.
The first leg was in Portugal, and the visitors were hit by something of an Atlantic gale during it. The Csiki’s surived the first 15 minutes intact, but only as the hosts Shannon Kitson missed a 9th minute penalty. And that is intact on the scoreboard rather than physically, the Csiki’s Floriane Smet going down with a 14-day injury after 12 minutes.
0-0 after 15 minutes became 3-0 by the interval though as Sobral ran riot. At this point it looked almost done for Csiki Girls, but ad hoc rallied his troops at the interval and they turned in a much more solid second-half display. In fact, they won that period, Robin Neaves netting in the 70th minute. Whether this was a mere consolation strike, or an important away goal springboard for an unlikely turn around will be decided back in Romania...
That goal back meant The Csiki’s were able to go for it in the return for as long as Sobral didn’t score. The positive attitude was rewarded as early as the 3rd minute, young forward Norma Ackland heading home Liraz Israca’s cross. That put the hosts within one... but just four minutes later it was back out to two again as Emma Laude was beaten.
That made the calculation trickier for manager ad hoc. His side needed to score twice themselves to avoid elimination, but letting in a second away goal would turn that into four more needed – it would be curtains. A balance had to be struck between attacking and defensive security and this was mostly managed, Elly Granheim edging the hsots back into touching distance on 62 minutes.
That was good, but another was needed and as time drifted away Csiki Girls were forced to be more-and-more speculative in their positioning. That necessarily left gaps, and on 87 minutes Sobral exploited one clinically to kill off the tie.



Round 5 draw - one off-games in the Arena from here on out.

Mighty Dames (1b)		vs	Drakaina
WFC Rakhat Almaty (4o)		vs	Erbil
Van Helsings GLS (1a)		vs	Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC

[Me Old Flower]

Ooh. We have Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve fixtures in OTF this time around.

[Janik]

X11 Ladies League Matchday 8. Heading off down the back straight.

Division 1a

Gajas Peladas		2 - 1	Viking South Utsira
Ivelid 11'			A.Austrheim 17'
Wallace 79'


Division 3d

Drakaina		3 - 1	AFC Charlestown Ladies
Sietaridis 4', 33'		Berggren 79'
Petit 30'			Sørensen (sent off) 82'


Division 4i

The Effing Blinders	3 - 1	Erbil
Palavecino 10, 33'		Brundin 63'
Boudakian 48'

Gazzas Gals		3 - 0	LNWR Locomotive
Victory 8'
Ackland 37', 90'
Victory (missed pen) 90'


Division 4k

Janes Addiction		1 - 0	Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC
Torcato 78'


Division 5:17

Michael x2 Micky doo	1 - 1	Coxy Ladies Wulpen
Greyman 80'			Leroy 39'


Division 5:19

Mawenzi			0 - 2	Sockford Emollient
				Mullins 17'
				Antonellini 21'


Division 5:28

Provokator FC		0 - 0	Menywod Maeshafn

Danhaive (missed pen) 16'	Barker (sent off) 66'


Division 5:31

Fallen Angels FC	0 - 2	Csiki Girls
				Neaves 16', 83'


Division 6:40

Lekneshagen Damelag	2 - 1	Ullapool Northern Star
Qvick 1', (pen) 26'		Sehlstedt 10'
			

Division 6:43

Solent Sirens 		6 - 1	Special Ladies
Stieglecker 6', 58'		Strand 11'
Cruchaga 34'
Valdano 49', 64'
Högardh 70'


Division 6:44

Witches of Chiswick 	0 - 1	AC Gemelas 1903
				Ufarte 44'


Division 6:53

Zeugma Dostluk Spor 	3 - 1	Hammer Girls DF
Hammarbro 11', 42'		Zdanowicz 19'
Forsyth 84'


Division 6:57

Dublin City WFC		4 - 1	Caxton Street Shielas
Kåmark 2', 43'			Bärkeroth 63'
Ciutacu 37'
Isabel Carreto 77'

A positive thing about the mirror-image way X11 does it’s seasons is it gives a chance for instant revenge to sides such as Viking South Utsira, who were looking for a better result second-time out against Gajas Peladas.
However it does also offer the possibility of doubling down on defeat, and that was what faced The Blood Eagles when Gajas took an 11th lead. Velvet Android’s side needed to dig in, and that was precisely what they did, Asta Austrheim levelling six minutes later as part of a strong performance for the remainder of the first half.
Viking continued to look the side more likely after the break, but the crucial goal just wouldn’t come. And then, out-of-the-blue, the hosts netted again to send the North Sea Islanders spiralling to another defeat. It left them seventh in the Division 1a standings, four points from safety.

The first meeting between Drakaina and AFC Charlestown Ladies was a reasonably mundane affair that ended in that most typical of Football scores, a 1-1 draw. The return would be rather more memorable...
It all kicked off metaphorically just seconds after the literal kick-off when Charlestown’s Nicola Facon cleaned out Dragons goalkeeper Anastasia Shkolnikova. Shkolnikova departed on a stretcher with what turned out to be a 17-day knock, whilst Facon was booked rather than sent-off. And with that, referee Constance Paine lost complete control of the afternoon.
Drakaina minds went back to the first game, when Amalia Merckx had picked up a 20-day injury thanks to another ‘accidental’ Charlestown foul; suffice to say Etienne’s side were steaming with rage. They channelled that beautifully during the opening half, opening the scoring just three minutes after the match had got back underway, Laria Sietaridis heading home and obviously keeping their intensity way up throughout the rest of the first half. That pressure produced a string of opportunities and further goals from Sandrine Petit (30) and a second by Sietaridis (33).
Charlestown had one disallowed late on in the opening half, but their main contribution was further fouling, picking up two more yellows. The Dragons had had enough, and resolved at half-time that, with the game effectively won, it was time to fight fire with fire. Cards started flying like confetti, minor injuries were picked up and once or twice someone tried to play Football. Indeed Charlestown pulled a goal back on 79 minutes, but immediately undermined that when Viktoria Sørensen picked up her second yellow card of the day three minutes later. Frankly a red was just a matter of time, given that Charlestown accumulated six yellows across the match.
There was still time for Petit to have a strike disallowed and The Dragons to collect their own fourth yellow of the afternoon, before everyone could retreat to the safety of their respective dressing rooms and offer thanks that they didn’t need to play ‘those bitches’ again anytime soon! Not only because Charlestown are surely heading down from Division 3d, but also Drakaina are back up to third, three points off the play-offs.

Struggling Erbil desperately needed to improve on their scoreless draw in the first match against fellow bottom three side The Effing Blinders, with the added complication for Jdsx’s girls that the return was away from home.
Also making life difficult was two goals for the home side in the opening half. When a familiar name to these reports, former LNWR Locomotive player Nazig Boudakian (129 games and 9 goals for The Steamers) made it three on 48 minutes, it was curtains for Erbil. Sandra Brundin did pull one back just past the hour mark, but that was a mere consolation strike.
Talking of LNWR Locomotive, they were looking for a repeat of their 3-0 home win over Gazzas Gals.
And that is precisely what they got – a 3-0 home win. D’Oh! One after 8 minutes and two on 37, with a missed penalty by Gazzas’ in between. They added a third as the second-half was just moving in to stoppage time. Maybe Viktor Boskovic would have been better off if Boudakian was still in his side?
The consequences of those two defeats made the Division 4i table grim reading. Erbil are rather cut adrift at the foot of it, six points behind the side one place above and eight from safety. Sadly ‘the side one place above’ is The Steamers, who sit seventh and are two points behind fifth.

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC had held Division 4k leaders Janes Addiction to a draw in Indonesia. But could they go one better at St. Andrews?
SeanoftheShed’s side certainly gave it a good go, having the better of, and both the chances in, the first half. However the lack of a goal left them on a knife-edge, and that was something they toppled from when the hosts scored in the 78th minute to claim a barely deserved victory.
Defeat saw Kanjeng drop two places to fifth in the Division 4k table, just one point above the trapdoor and now six adrift of the play-off place.

Having been held to a frustrating draw at home the previous week, Coxy Ladies Wulpen were hoping for better when they took on Michael Michael Micky doo on their own patch of Scotland.
The Waders started well, Laetitia Vandenbergh having a ‘goal’ disallowed on 14 minutes and Zoe Leroy getting a legitimate strike on 39. However Janik’s side failed to build on that as 3Md’s ‘keeper once again proved a significant obstacle, and for the second game in a row Wulpen were pegged back by one of the few shots they gave up, and held to a 1-1 draw.
It cost them top spot in Division 5:17 again, dropping back to second place on goal difference. The gap to third is even narrower, just goals scored with fourth only a point back. It’s looking like a real bunfight in this section.

Frustratuion had also been the order of the day for Sockford Emollient as they failed to win at home to struggling Mawenzi. Would Foxy265’s side do any better than Coxy Ladies in putting the record straight away from home?
The Gatorsharks were aggressive in pursuit of their target, putting on a powerful first half display. The Framleyshire outfit had 60% possession and created four clear cut openings. They also, crucially, netted a quick-fire brace around the 20th minute, Kayley Mullins firing home the first and Donya Antonellini nodding the second.
That gave ample breathing space for the second-half to be done in cruise control, Emollient closing down the game to complete the 2-0 win, which kept them third in the Division 5:19 standings. They are two points behind the play-off spot and five off top.

Having had their 100% ended the week before, Menywod Maeshafn were after revenge against Provokator FC. And if that revenge was not to be had in the scoreline, then maybe it could be taken in blood?
The approach of the Welsh side was aggressive, but not necessarily totally productive. They only managed to inflict one minor injury on a scantily clad home player, gave away a penalty and had Katherine Barker sent off with a straight red card midway through the second half.
Despite all of that, IsThatcherDeadYet’s side came away with a point as Laure Bertheau faced down the spot kick and the ten players remaining after Barker’s dismissal all gave 110% to bring the team back up to the same workrate as their opposition.
A draw was a good return in the circumstances, though it does mean Maeshafn are now two points adrift of Division 5:28 leaders Fossa Delle Leonesse. It did keep them four points clear of their opponents in this one, though.

Csiki Girls had been held to a goalless draw by bottom-of-the-table Fallen Angels FC at A kertem on Matchday 7. Would the return at the (looks up Angels ground name) Tele5-Arena (ah, man!) be more productive?
The goal threat from the hosts was once again minimal, the Angels have managed to register just twice all season, so it was really down to Ad hoc’s side to provide the fans with entertainment. They probed the home defence for a weakness, and found one as early as the 16th minute, Elly Granheim centring for Robin Neaves to head in the opener.
That was a good lead in the circumstances, but it wasn’t until the same two players combined again, Granheim teeing up Neaves in the 83rd minute, that the travelling fans were able to fully relax and sing their songs of victory. It was a win that lifted the Csiki’s a place up the Division 5:31 standings. They are now fourth, two points above the relegation zone and only four adrift of the play-offs.

[Janik]

Ullapool Northern Star were held to a hard-fought draw by Lekneshagen Damelag on home turf. How would things differ on the other side of the North Sea?
Well, we got some goals this time. That was a certainty as early as the 1st minute when Lekneshagen converted a neat free-kick routine. It was a very Qvick goal (see the scorer). Northern Star were not to be dimmed by this and levelled with 10 minutes on the clock, Astrid Sehlstedt firing in from distance. However Delicatemoth’s side fell behind again in the 26th minute, Al Reddy pointing to the spot and Qvick converting.
The second half was nip-and-tuck, but a leveller wouldn’t come for the Scots. The absence of that saw them slip from the top of the Division 6:40 standings, all the way down to third. They are two points behind the new leaders (Partizan), out of the play-offs on goal difference and only ahead of fourth (their opponents here) by the same margin.

Solent Sirens began their pair of games with Special Ladies only three points ahead of the strugglers, but following a scrappy win on Matchday 7 this was already up to six before the teams stepped on to the Mayfield Park sward.
Marlene Stieglecker showed her personal intent was to extend the advantage to nine points by making it 1-0 after just 6 minutes, shooting home after a corner. However Special Ladies equalised unexpectedly five minutes later, the match remaining all square past the half-hour mark. A few minutes after that Angela Cruchaga restored The Sirens advantage, but 2-1 was how it remained until the break.
That was pretty harsh on Andrew7610’s side, as they had had the game in the palms of their hands. However two goals from six shots wasn’t a great return. So it was good news when the first attempt of the second period, from Analissa Valdano on 49 minutes, made it 3-1. That seemed to release the shackles, and from now on every time a Siren had a sight of goal, she scored! Stieglecker got her second of the day on 58 minutes, as did Valdano on 64. Evelyn Högardh also registered on 70 minutes, which proved to be the final goal of the day.
Victory lifted Solent up to second in the Division 6:43 standings. Catching leaders Red Dead Heads will be tough, they have only dropped two points all campaign and are seven clear of the South Coast side, so the focus is likely to be about increasing the narrow (+1 GD) gap on third.

Witches of Chiswick picked up an excellent, if somewhat wacky, away point thanks to a 3-3 draw at AC Gemelas 1903 last time out. Could they turn that into three when the teams reconvened at Field Lane?
It was apparent from the outset that both managers had been working on their defensive solidity in the seven days between the games. However it was the Gemelas boss who appeared to have got the balance spot on as his side sat deep and sniped on the counter attack. It was a strategy that denied The Bewitched so much as a sniff of goal in the opening half, while the visitors had three chances which culminated in them taking a 44th minute lead.
Chiswick boss Wiblflibl called for more from his side at half-time. They responded... slightly. Well, one chance is infinitely more than zero, but it didn’t ratchet up the necessary pressure to force an equaliser.
So a disappointing loss it was, one that dropped The Bewitched two places in the Division 6:44 table as they slipped to fourth. Gemelas are now second, three points ahead of Chiswick.

Zeugma Dostluk Spor were looking to do better than the underwhelming goalless draw they picked up at Hammer Girls DF on Matchday 7.
Antepli Ejderha’s charges went in search of that in expansive style, having much the better but not complete exclusivity of an expansive opening half. Tova Hammarbro fired in from range to give Zeugma the lead on 11 minutes, only for a similar goal for Hammer Girls to peg things back after 19. No matter, said Hammarbro, and headed her side back in front again with 42 on the watch.
The second half was marginally tighter and also tipped more distinctly in the Turks direction. It took a while for the third and sealing goal to arrive, finally coming in the 84th minute with the third long range effort of the afternoon, this one from Rachel Forsyth.
The Anatolians’ win was matched by the other leading sides in Division 6:53 meaning everyone held station; Zeugma are still second, five points off the top and three in hand on third.

Without Mortal Joe on the bench to spread reassurance, Dublin City WFC had lost at Caxton Street Shielas last time out. However the boss was back for the return fixture. Would his presence in the Phoenix Park dugout make an appreciable difference?
Veronica Kåmark certainly appeared pleased to have him around, as she deftly flicked home the opener after only 2 minutes. Dublin took heart from that, and went on to dominate the opening half. Two further goals were added, Adelina Ciutacu making it two on 37 minutes and Kåmark heading her second on 43.
Comfortably ahead, the hosts eased off after the break and paid the price for that when the Shielas pulled one back. Galvanised, Dublin went back up a gear, Ana Isabel Carreto re-establishing the three goal advantage after 77 minutes. This time around Caxton Street understood this was a cessation of hostilities that they were better off accepting, the game drifting to its conclusion with no further strikes.
Victory pushed Dublin a couple of places up the Division 6:57 standings to sit fourth. Depending on how many games the boss can make, they may yet overhaul the four point gap the top two sides have on them.

[Etienne]

Noirs de Bigorre owe Sans Culottes a big favour. Playing for DV, Los Cramados took two points off Etienne's leaders which meant their lead over SV 1922 Großkanya was trimmed to a point.

NdB must dig deep next round against SV.

And Noirs did us a big favour, as did Tiree Automatic, again. We are unable to win a match at the moment, so we're needing as many favours as we can.

I don't want to jinx things, but having won OTF and all but won the Human League, it'd be incredible if we could hold the Xpert Zone simultaneously.

I suppose theoretically we could still win the Chaos Cartel and MLX this season, but we definitely won't win the former, and I'd be astonished if we won the latter.

[Sits]

Best of French in the XPZ and start ticking them off Etienne.

[Janik]

Round 5 of the X11 Ladies Cup means the first one-off games at the Xpert Arena. There OTF sides survived to this stage this season, but who will go the farthest?

Mighty Dames		2 - 1	Drakaina
Cappe 39'			Gitsis 63'
McKinney 46'


WFC Rakhat Almaty	1 - 0	Erbil
Robberegt 42'


Van Helsings GLS	0 - 1	Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC
				Ikmal 65'

Round 5 handed Drakaina a tough draw, as they were asked to take on a Mighty Dames side that operates two tiers higher than The Dragons this season.
The match certainly looked challenging in an opening half where Drakaina struggled to get any purchase. Mighty Dames moved the ball around well, which kept it in their possession for the majority of the time and also created a couple of openings, one of which they converted.
If the The Dragons fans hoped the second-half would be better, they were swiftly disabused, Might Dames making it 2-0 within seconds of the restart. That merely prompted them to up the intensity, creating further chances. The next goal seemed certain to come for them, but on 63 minutes and out of the blue Susanna Barry’s reverse pass sent Elena Gitsis clear, and she kept her cool to give Etienne’s side a chance.
Another opening could have provided an equaliser against the run of play, but try as they might the Greek side couldn’t fashion one, not even with a triple substitution as the match entered stoppage time. So the Cup run ends in Round 5 for the second successive season.

The draw was more favourable to Erbil as they had an all-Division 4 affair against WFC Rakhat Almaty. Not that this was easy, mark you. Just less obviously challenging than it might have been.
One factor weighing against Jdsx’s side was their poor form this season in the league, but they seemed happy to leave that aside for this game, turning in a rather more competitive performance than in some of their 4i fixtures. They gave as good as they got for half-an-hour or more, up until key forward Caroline Hinton went down with a 24-day horror injury on 38 minutes. Sadly, Erbil were still processing and re-organising from this when Almaty got their first chance of the day on 42 minutes, and scored it.
Erbil came out strong after the break, and had the better of the second half. They created three clear chances to equalise but found the Kazakh’s ‘keeper, Irina Charushina, in top form. She was Almaty’s man-of-the-match, in fact. And that was that, basically. Erbil’s run also ends here. Now to try and transfer some of the Cup performances to the league...

The biggest disparity in levels of the matches featuring OTF sides was the one that pitted Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC of Division 4 against Division 1 outfit Van Helsings GLS.
Would The Sea Spirits be intimidated by the Vampire Hunters? No, not at all. Kanjeng held their own in a pretty even first half, and created the only shot going. And then after the break they did more than that, taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Chances started to come at regular intervals, with not even the loss of strongest midfield operator Cindy Prins to a 16-day knock on 61 minutes knocking SeanoftheShed’s side from their stride. Indeed, they scored the winning goal just four minutes later, Rahma Ikmal rising to head Thao-Ap Luangpruksachat’s centre decisively home.
There was still 25 minutes to play, but such was Kanjeng’s control of the match they were able to slow the tempo down and see the remainder through with no scares at all. In some ways, this result should not have been a surprise; Kanjeng have a perfect previous record in Round 5 (played 1, won 1). The same is true in Round 6, so Division 1a side or not, Global Domination should beware. After all, they drew their league game with Van Helsings, who The Sea Spirits have just outplayed.


Round 6 draw

Global Domination (1a)		vs	Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC

[Sits]

As the below PR from just over a week ago attests, I’m going short termist with one of my teams.

So today the Warthogs’ bank balance is 40.07m econs. May as well enjoy this game while it lasts.

In a shock announcement today Nakuru Warthogs manager SitsWithRemote announced a major change in his approach with the team from Baboon Cliff.

"I manage eight different teams around the world. Some would say that's too many and they would probably be right. Anyway, some feel that this very game we play may not exist before too long. So maybe a long-term youth based policy could turn out to be a big waste of time.

"So in simple terms I'm selling all the young, valuable players, and switching off the academy funding and we'll try to buy short term success. This press release is, to be frank, about pumping up the war chest."

Quite where this leaves the much vaunted plan to nurture local Kenyan talent is fairly obvious for all to see. But maybe Remote is right.

[Etienne]

In a glorious day for my teams, in our three matches we managed to grab three 0-0 draws against stronger teams.

[Wouter D]

All hail Etienne The Bus Parker!

[Etienne]

I just checked, and misrembered. One game ended 1-1, despite only 3 chances being created all game.

[Etienne]

The Dragons have also moved again.

[Janik]

X11 Ladies League Matchday 9.

Division 1a

Viking South Utsira	2 - 1	Wælcyrie
U.Kvalvik 16'			Grunnreis 8'
Deparvada (pen) 77'


Division 3d

Gretna Girls FC 	1 - 1	Drakaina
Suleiman 33'			Heggarty 72'


Division 4i

Erbil			2 - 0	LNWR Locomotive
Brundin 38'
Solaun 72'


Division 4k

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC	0 - 0	Bolton Ladies College


Division 5:17

Coxy Ladies Wulpen	2 - 1	Tartan Tawties FC
Vandenbergh 24', 89'		Brolin 78'
Carey (sent off) 54'


Division 5:19

Sockford Emollient	0 - 4	Bobek
				Korculanin 15', 62'
				de Salazar 57', 87'


Division 5:28

Menywod Maeshafn	0 - 0	The Valkyries


Division 5:31

Csiki Girls		1 - 2	SC Agroi
Neaves 71'			Coleby 36'
				Knutsson 82'


Division 6:40

Murcielago 		0 - 3	Ullapool Northern Star
				Mair 20'
				Fågelberg 68'
				Kha 90'
			

Division 6:43

Solent Sirens		0 - 0	Red Dead Heads


Division 6:44

Marselle 		0 - 1	Witches of Chiswick
				Black 86'


Division 6:53

Zeugma Dostluk Spor	3 - 0	Aguilasdelzulia
Bell 4', 34'
Forsyth (pen) 66'


Division 6:57

Dublin City WFC		0 - 0	Albufeira Girls SAD

Viking South Utsira vs Wælcyrie is a fixture with a long history, both in the X11 Ladies League and also in more mythological realms.
The latest addition to the saga was added at Ragnar Rock this Tuesday. The Warrior Maidens were the first to land a significant blow with an 8th minute direct free-kick, but The Blood Eagles quicjkly responded, Unni Kvalvik turning home from a corner in the 16th.
That remained the score until the interval, and also through much of the second half, despite Viking increasingly taking control of the match. The pressure applied by Velvet Android’s team was rewarded in the 77th minute when Charlie Fender pointed to the spot and Loba Deparvada coolly despatched the opportunity.
That sealed a win that left Wælcyrie well adrift at the bottom of the Division 1a standings, but moved The Blood Eagles up to sixth, two points from safety and, remarkably, only four off the play-off spot.

A trip from Greece all the way to the Scottish-English border was on the schedule for Drakaina as they took on Gretna Girls FC.
It would prove to be a match of very few chances, just three in fact across the whole 90 minutes. That made Gretna’s 33rd minute opener a significant hurdle for The Dragons to overcome. Etienne’s side had a chance to register themselves in the opening half, but that having gone the travelling fans were just crossing their fingers for one more opportunity. It arrived in the 72nd minute when Florica Vulturescu fed Gael Heggarty, who kept her calm and stroked home the leveller.
A point saved, but it wasn’t enough to keep Drakaina’s position in the Division 3d standings as they lost a spot to sit fourth. They are, however, still only two points off a play-off place.

The second OTF derby of the season in Division 4i saw Erbil hosting LNWR Locomotive.
With the sides struggling near the foot of the table a win was imperative for both. It was The Steamers who had the ball in the net first, Tekla Severinsson diving to head home an 11th minute corner, but the flag was up. That did seem bizarre in the circumstances, and later TV replays confirmed that it was a completely spurious call. Buoyed by the let off, it was Erbil who drew first blood instead. This also came from a corner after 38 minutes, Sharyn Bullock’s ball across not being cleared and instead dropping for Sandra Brundin to fire home.
Locomotive had a chance to equalise in the 57 minute when Maja Teigland was able to steer a volley on to Jun Kinniyaka’s net which the young Erbil stopper held. The next chance fell to the hosts, Alanza Solaun trying her luck from a narrow angle on 63 minutes, but flashing her attempt over the crossbar.
Three minutes later Locomotive lost Phrigit Heart to an injury (later confirmed as 13 days out), and soon after Viktor Boskovic’s side suffered a further devastating blow when another corner wasn’t cleared and Solaun was able to lob it over an exposed Ahu Gültag. Severinsson lashed in a shot on 77 minutes to try and pull one back, Tülin Besen’s header a minute later (easily caught by Gültag) proving to be the last notable incident of the game.
The win was both desperately needed by Jdsx’s side, as it broke their duck for the season and also probably the wrong result for OTF overall as despite it, Erbil are still eight points from safety and LNWR are also now five adrift.

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC have not been the most exciting team to watch this season, coming into their game with Bolton Ladies College with an average of just 1.38 gpg.
The Sea Spirits didn’t look like adding to their goals for total at any point in the 90 minutes as they failed to muster an attack worthy of the name. The question was whether SeanoftheShed’s side could hold on at the other end for a point. Man-of-the-Match Kacey rust didn’t have much to do, but she was beaten in the 86th minute by the marvellously named Gostaspoucogostas Matrix. There must have been a glitch though, as, despite the ball nestling in the goal, Donald Scott didn’t give it.
A point from the stalemate wasn’t enough to keep Kanjeng out of the Division 4k drop zone as they slipped from fifth to sixth in the standings. They are a point from safety, but also only five from the play-off place.

A top of the table clash was our fare in Division 5:17 as Coxy Ladies Wulpen took on leaders Tartan Tawties FC.
The Waders started well on top in terms of possession, and made the most of that midway through the first half when Laetitia Vandenbergh coolly stroked home the opener from Zara Carey’s lay off. ‘Cool’ is not a word one would apply to Carey though, and nine minutes after the break her hot temper was in evidence once again as she got provoked by a gust of wind and turned round and thumped an opponent for causing it. Straight red, the eighth dismissal of Carey’s chequered career.
Suddenly, rather than dominating, Wulpen were hanging on. They got to within 12 minutes (plus stoppages) of full-time, but no closer as that was when the Tawties levelled. After that, it was just a case of whether they could scrap through with a point. Or so everyone thought. But then, in the penultimate minute of normal time, Lien Valcke picked out Vandenbergh, who in turn found the corner of the net. Zara was the most relieved person in The Curlew’s Nest at this precise moment.
One would have thought a win in a top-of-the-table clash would have taken Janik’s side top, but oh no. They stay second, as Liverpool FCL have gone past them on goal difference!

Sockford Emollient, pushing for promotion, welcomed Bobek, battling against relegation to John Spencer Street.
A straightforward home win? That is really not how it turned out. The Gatorsharks were in the game, but it Bobek looked the sharper through each passage of play. They led 1-0 at the interval on 4-2 in chances and 56% possession, and took it up a gear in the second half creating another five openings and adding three more goals. Foxy265’s side can count themselves very unlucky with the margin, mostly because they should have got one or two back seeing as they also made five chances across the piece, but they can’t really argue with the defeat. Bobek deserved it.
What was the damage it caused? Well, Sockford slip to fourth in the Division 5:19 standings. They are now closer to Bobek in sixth (four points) than they are CF Fuego Eagles in second (five).

Menywod Maeshafn were looking to keep their promotion push going when they hosted mid-table The Valkyries.
IsThatcherDeadYet’s side were clearly the stronger team across the piece, with 59% possession combined across the two halves. They also had chances. What they were lacking was luck. That was evident both when Justine Bellamont had a 78th minute effort that would have been the winner disallowed and also when midfielder got her studs caught in the turf and went down with a 19-day horror injury after 42 minutes.
The draw meant Maeshafn lost ground on Division 5:28 leaders Fossa Della Leonesse, who are now four points ahead. Third place also closed to within two points of the Welsh outfit.

It was never going to be easy for Csiki Girls when they took on Division 5:31 leaders SC Agroi.
However The Csiki’s were determined to fight, and went toe-to-toe with their opponents. The first half was evenly contested according to everything but the scoreboard, which showed Argoi one to the good at half-time. Ad hoc’s side kept going, kept creating chances, and got their just desserts when Robin Neaves fired home in the 71st mnute.
Would there be a winner? Well, yes there would, but rather out of the blue it went to Agroi rather than the hosts, a direct free-kick on 82 minutes proving too accurate for Emma Laude to keep out. The defeat cost The Csiki’s a place in the standings; they now sit fifth, just one point clear of trouble.

Getting the promotion train back on track was the task for Ullapool Northern Star at Murcielago.
Mary-Leslie Mair was determined to do just that, bulldozing her way through the home defence and then popping the ball home in the 20th minute. That was a good start for Northern Star, but boss Delicatemoth could only start to breathe easily when Sonja Fågelberg doubled the advantage on 68 minutes with a close range effort.
Ninorta Kha added a third in the last minute to wrap things up completely, the win keeping the pressure up on Division 6:40’s top two sides. Ullapool sit third, but just goal difference out of the play-offs and two points adrift of the leaders.

[Janik]

A good run of results had seen Solent Sirens climb to second in the Division 6:43 standings, but would those continue when Andrew7610’s side hosted leaders Red Dead Heads?
The Sirens were determined to try and make it so, and they had the better of the first half in terms of chances (2-0) if not possession. They didn’t find a goal though, and nor would the South coast team after the break, their cause not helped by losing defender Petra Ulander to a 17-day injury. That left them open to a sucker punch which Red Dead Heads... completely failed to deliver, not managing a shot in the entire match!
So a 0-0 stalemate, then. Which was just the second match this season that Red Dead Heads haven’t won. The moral victory wasn’t enough to keep The Sirens second in the table though, Furious Ladies going past on goal difference. Solent now sit third.

South London in the South of France was the order of the day when Witches of Chiswick took on Marselle at the Stade Velodrome.
It was the hosts who made most of the running as The Bewitched sat back and looked to absorb. This didn’t really work, Marselle creating a number of chances, particularly in the first half. However they couldn’t find their way past an inspired Miyuki Kurihawa in the Chiswick net, who turned in a career best performance. The hosts slowly ran out of ideas, which gave a chance for Wilbflibl’s side to pull off the full mugging. An opportunity they gratefully accepted, Eilís Black popping up in the 86th minute to stab in the winner.
It was a win that lifted The Bewitched up to third in the Division 6:44 standings, just one point off the play-off spot.

The meeting of Zeugma Dostluk Spor and Aguilasdelzulia was a big one as the sides sat second and third in Division 6:53 at kick-off of their game.
Zeugma had a three point advantage over their visitors, but a -3 worse goal difference. Antepli Ejderha’s side therefore needed something from the game to keep their noses in front in the race for a play-off spot. Something like Stacey Bell’s fourth minute goal after a worked free-kick routine after just 4 minutes.
Bell added a second on 34, heading home a Nuray Karakan cross. That meant Zeugma had converted both their chances in the opening half, whilst Aguilasdelzulia had spurned the two they made. Midway through the second-half it was three from three, Sten Koll pointing to the spot and skipper Rachel Forsyth doing the honours. That would be the high point of Forsyth’s day, the low coming just five minutes later as she picked up a horrid 20-day knock.
Aguilasdelzulia lost their own captain to nearly as bad an injury five minutes later, but mainly they were moreorless knocked out of the running for the play-off spot, as Zeugma are now six points clear of them. The gap to K2O3 remains five points, but that still looks unbridgeable as the leaders are still yet to drop a point this season.

And finally Dublin City WFC. The Dubs players have done surprisingly well on the occasions when manager Mortal Joe has been unable to get to their games, and were having to look after themselves again against Albufeira Girls SAD.
The visitors had less of the ball, all of the chances, but found Dublin’s rearguard resolute as the match drifted to a goalless draw. That result saw Dublin lose a place to be fifth in the Division 6:58 standings, but they are still within striking distance of at least the play-off place, which is only three points ahead.

[Sits]

Forgot to mention here but did on a PR: congratulations man of the hour Etienne as Suffragette City "own" the Human League for a fifth title, with three still to play.

Elsewhere the Nakuru Warthogs bank balance is down to 16m.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Is there a problem today? My games don't seem to have been played.

[Sean of the Shed]

Think there's a game engine issue. My Xpert Ladies Cup game has not appeared yet as well as the Human League.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Think there's a game engine issue. My Xpert Ladies Cup game has not appeared yet as well as the Human League.

That's exactly the same issue for me.

[Sean of the Shed]

All working again now.

[Janik]

And then there was one. One OTF side in Round 6 of the X11 Ladies Cup. Would we still have a representative in Round 7? Read on...

Global Domination	1 - 0	Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC
Bass 67'

Could Kanjeng Ratu Kidul WFC preserve their perfect record (played 1, won 1) in 6th Round Cup ties? SeanoftheShed’s girls were going to have to beat a side three steps higher in the form of Division 1 outfit Global Domination if they wanted to do that.
The Sea Spirits found themselves on the back foot from the opening whistle, but held on at all square to half-time. That was partly through the efforts of referee Tony Nolan, who disallowed a Global Domination strike on 17 minutes and partly from the stout play of the Indonesian side’s defence, led by Man-of-the-Match Joanna Dennen who turned in a career-best grade 19! Despite having 58% possession, Global Domination did not create a single (legal) clear goalscoring opportunity in the first half.
That was good, but it was backs-to-the-wall stuff. If the possession stats didn’t change, the chances were that The Sea Goddesses would be submerged eventually. And, sadly, the only change was a minor increase in Global Domination’s, erm, control. The inevitable happened midway through the second period, Kacey Rust being beaten by a long-range effort.
And that was that as Kanjeng didn’t muster a shot during the 90 minutes in response. So ends the side’s second best ever Cup run, and our interest in this competition for this season.