It’s squeaky bum time!
With just 3 games left, 3 points separate the top 3 teams.
Week 11 saw the top of the table get very tight as Crowninthians FC opened the night with a comprehensive 6-0 win over fellow title challengers Scouting for Goals. SFG played their part and put in their usual high energy effort but the superior attacking of Crowninthians shone through as Chris Lewis continues to impress up top. Jack Thomas also moved level at the top of the scoring charts with his strike while Ben Kehoe will be happy to keep a clean sheet after recent mistakes. The win puts Crowninthians within striking distance of top spot with their far superior goal difference possibly working like an extra point if needed at the end. Scouting for Goals stay in front of them, though, and will still be feeling confident of lifting the trophy at the end with a crunch match against Olden But Golden in week 13.
Game 2 saw Olden But Golden let their rivals close the gap at the top as they could only manage a 2-2 against strugglers Sports Centre United. And to be honest they were lucky to get a point as Bradley Thomas saw a perfectly legitimate goal chaulked off for alledgedly entering the box before getting his shot off. It looked like it wouldn’t matter, though, as SCU took a 2-1 lead and looked like holding on, but once Olden But Golden got their equaliser there looked like only one winner. But Sports Centre United fully deserved their point and will be very pleased with holding the top team. Next week they face a crunch match against The Rebel Alliance, with the losers probably finishing bottom of the league. Olden But Golden will face off with The Vaders.
Our 7.30 kick off also ended 2-2, as Park Arabs and The Vaders canceled each other out. Both teams had plenty of chances and but for 2 very good goalkeeping displays, the scoreline could have been much higher. The Vaders took the lead despite the Arabs keeping possession well, Lee Lawrence with a neat finish from a tight angle. Then Lewis Kingdon scored a lovely goal into the top corner as The Vaders were sleeping on a free kick. A Vaders penalty put them in the driving seat but Alex Blacker got the deserved equaliser with a small deflection helping it in. There were still chances for both sides to grab a winner but poor final balls and some near misses meant these two evenly matched teams shared the spoils. The Vaders are now out of the title race but they’ll still want to finish as high as possible, and the Park Arabs have a very, very outside chance of clinching it.
Game 4 saw more heartache for bottom team The Rebel Alliance as they let a 3-2 lead slip against Borussia Maestegladbach late on, finally losing 5-3. The Rebels looked good for they lead after 2 great strikes from man of the match Ryan James, but in truth it was BMG’s greater desire to get the win that proved vital in the end. Their high energy pressing caused The Rebels problems and with some good finishing they closed out the game to ensure they will finish no lower than 6th. They will still have The Vaders and Park Arabs in their sights as they try to finish the season strong but they have some tough fixtures in the last 3 weeks so they’ll have to up their game slightly.
The next 3 weeks should be tense and exciting as we get close to naming our first ever winners of the Jay ‘Elvis’ Thomas Memorial Shield. Good luck everyone!