LEAGUE:  iPlay 3 – 3 BSL Masters 3
The only league game of the weekend saw an intriguing encounter take place between IPL and the MAS.  The game, whilst not of the highest footballing quality (particularly the MAS in the first half), nevertheless served up 6 goals, 3 red cards and 5 yellows.  IPL started off with 9 players with late arrivals adding to the team strength as the first half went on and MAS ended with 9 having had two players sent off in each half.  Anders Schmidt now playing with the MAS, got off the mark in his personal challenge to top another goal-scoring table with two well-taken goals. He’ll, perhaps be a little disappointed that he didn’t convert at least one or two other chances. 

 IPL were at one point 2-1 up after a cracking header by Kevin Watt but then back came the MAS to lead 3-2 including a great chip by Martin Lowe.  Into the last minute of the game and the IPL pressure was too much for the MAS to handle.  Kh. Chulaphet shot in from just outside the penalty box low and hard to beat the despairing goalkeeper and to gain a point for the boys in blue.  [GE]

CUP: Robin Hood 2 – 1 FC Pattaya
Peter Mewes of FCP takes us through this one:  This was a typical, full-blooded cup-tie from yesteryear with latter-day Norman Hunters and Tommy Smiths getting well “stuck in” to produce a close and exciting encounter.  The fast-improving FC Pattaya took a deserved early lead through Darbyshire only to squander this by allowing Robin Hood’s Sean Bunclark to equalise shortly before half-time.

The second half saw much of the same.  Unfortunately for both sides, football has moved on in the last decade or two, and what may have been a great tackle in “chopper” Harris’s heyday is now commonly yellow-carded.  The match saw a few of these plus two red cards but was actually played in a sporting manner by the two sides with many of the free kicks due to the modern-day “showing of studs”, rather than anything malicious.

Near the end, FC Pattaya were caught napping by a break-away goal from the boys from Sherwood Forest and were unable to convert a penalty with 5 minutes to go due to a fine save from the Anan, Robin Hood keeper, when a draw would probably have been a fair result. Perhaps FC Pattaya’s loss was partly due to inexperience of the League and that its referees (as they do in the Premiership) give free kicks for going in “studs first” – even if you play the ball – and it’s no use arguing with the referee every time he gives such a decision.  That’s the way of the modern game. [GE]

CUP: Pickled Liver 3 – 1 BU Japan
After a heavy defeat to the Celtics last week, the Pickles were looking to bounce back and win their 1st cup game of the season against a well drilled Japanese side.  Previous encounters have left the Pickles chasing shadows as the Japanese passed the ball around effortlessly and closed down any space they may have had.  This game started in the same manner and the PL defence was tested early on as a couple of well timed passes split the centre backs.  However, realising that they were lucky not to be behind, the PL started putting a few passes together and this resulted in Dave Drabble firing low across the front of the 'keeper, who could only parry it to Kris W for his 3rd goal of the season.

Not wanting to give up a 1-nil lead as the PL did against the Celtics, the Pickles pushed on.  This worked in their favour this time around and Dave D doubled the lead shortly after half time. A good counter attack saw the Japanese score from a penalty as Scott B brought down the BUN forward in the box.  The PL held their nerve and scored a 3rd goal, courtesy of Kris.  A very good performance from the Pickles and they look forward to their next league games against the boys from Pattaya on Saturday! [a big thx to Iain Driscoll, PL] [GE]

CUP: The Londoner 3 – 1 BSL Youth
By all accounts, the score can be a little deceiving.  A third goal in the last 5 minutes by the Don’s Andrew Birt put pay to a valiant attempt by the Youth to get back in the game.  The Don’s may have considered this an easy fixture but they made hard work of it with a somewhat lackluster performance.  The Youth showed more energy and willingness to chase and harry.  The youth having gone down 2-0 in the first half to goals by Jack Nitchen and Kh. Nui, did pull one back through Kh. Um just before the half-time whistle.  Steve Wise, BSL’s coach, was very pleased by the performance of the lads who were not out-classed but who saw the impact of a team that takes its chances very well.  The Londoner will be pleased to pick up 3 points and refocus on the league. [courtesy of the Roaming Reporter] [GE]

CUP: Samitivej v Anatolia
Match result is under review as an accusation of using ineligible players has been made.  The league organiser will continue to investigate. [GE]

CUP: Sunbelt 3 – 4 Pattaya City
Group A scheduling gave Sunbelt an opportunity to avenge an earlier league defeat in Pattaya a few weeks prior. Surely City must have assumed that they would steam roll Sunbelt after assuming a 2-0 lead in 20 minutes. However, City failed to assume that Sunbelt’s gritty comeback could one day be inspiration for a Disney film. 3 goals in 15 minutes, including the go-ahead from James Hughes, put a smile on Sunbelt’s face for the first time since they shed the Bald Eagle’s contract in the off-season. The ticker tape parade came to a grounding halt when Craig Banks and Earnest pulled City through to a hard-fought win. No Disney film, but a good re-starting point for Sunbelt. [BZM]

CUP: Cosmos FC 4 – 2 Les Gaulois Paris Bangkok
Despite an early goal from Olivier, Les Gaulois were unable to consolidate 3 points against a revitalized Cosmos side which had struggled to bury opportunities in league play this young season. The “Group of Death” will ultimately leave Cosmos, Les Gaulois, or Londoner as observers to the knockout stages so the French know they can ill-afford to drop more points. [BZM]

CUP: Bulls Head 3 – 1 Scandinavian Vikings
The Bulls Head cup title defense began with a low-energy win against a Vikings team that never fully recovered from early goals by Marek and Federico. In the first meeting between the teams since the semifinal match of the 2007 Cup, the Vikings slotted a penalty late in the contest but couldn’t sustain consistent threats on the Bulls Head goal. [BZM]

CUP: British Club Casuals 1 –2 German All Stars
At this summer’s cup draw, it appeared that Group D would be one of the softer groups in the competition. After the emergence of both BCC and GAS in league play, this group promises spectacular football. Greg Veerananda’s brace banked 3 points for GAS and left BCC with their first defeat of the season. [BZM]