SPFA Matchday One

The season is underway and DVD United have carried on from where they left off last term...The comprehensive 3 goal drubbing off EPC Minions sees them set the early pace...In a one sided affair the Minions defence was run ragged right from the whistle and the opening goal came after just 17 minutes with a rather flimsy off-side trap being broken all too easily...With another goal added just before the half hour, it was with some relief that the Minions welcomed the half time break...Following some much defensive changes things improved, but only slightly with EPC creating their first shot on target after 65 minutes, which was tipped routinely round the post by the United keeper...But that was as good as it got and from the resulting corner United raced up the other end and their number one striker, struck the ball with venom and put the final result beyond doubt...In a post game interview the United coach applauded his team for their efficient performance, but stressed that there was definite room for improvement, whilst the Minions manager was left scratching his head at the ineffectual showing and wondering just how to get his team to bounce back from this early setback...

Herculeum & Myrulesia played out a very even one all draw, with both sides having plenty of opportunities to take all three points...Taking the lead from a well worked set piece mid way through the second half, Herculeum's towering central defender met with some force a corner from the left and gave the goalkeeper no chance...But only five minutes later Myrulesia were awarded a free kick, some 35 yards from goal...Their tricky winger whipped in a wicked ball and the center forward was on hand to net with a diving header...It was chances galore in the second half but neither team could quite find the finishing touch in front of goal...

Kaselande Cheeseheads came out on top of a thrilling encounter with Badgers United...In a game where the Badgers led twice it was the story of the Cheesehead come back kings...In an end to end and very open game it was United that had the better of the first half taking two of the half dozen chances they created...Sandwiched between was an equaliser which only served to stem the tide for a short while...But I will definately take some of what was offered to the Cheeseheads during the half time interval...I have my suspicions that it was more than your cups of tea and oranges, as Kaselande proceeded to take the fight to United and pulled level with still half an hour to go...Both teams had chances but you always felt as if the home team had the momentum with them, and with the partizan home supporters really finding their voice it was inevitable that with just 10 minutes remaining the pressure told and the Cheeseheads took the lead for the first time...Badgers United huffed and puffed but could not find the break through and Kaselande won this breathless encounter to get them off to a great start, although following this up with a more convincing defensive performance will be crucial...The Badgers will not be too dis-heartened and I am sure will want to set the record straight in their first home game of the season...

Crusty & Argyle played out a rather drab goalless drawn with neither side showing the craft and guile needed to created and finish chances at this level of play...Both teams will be content with the point and to have something on the board this early, but far from happy with the level of performance and a long hard week will ensue on the training ground that is for sure with both coaches realising that there will not be too much time to get the teams into winning ways...

So the results for Matchday One:
EPC Minions 0 v 3 DVD United (0/0/0 - 0/30/0)
Herculeum Lighting 1 v 1 Myrulesia Athletics (5/15/10 - 12/10/8)
Kaselande Cheeseheads 3 v 2 Badgers United (15/5/10 - 7/15/8)
CR Crusty Crustaceans 0 v 0 WB Argyle (7/8/15 - 6/10/14)
(Attack-Midfield-Defence)

For the latest league table and an advance look at next weeks fixtures then visit the official South Pacific Football League Web site...

Story by your intrepid (and sometimes sober) sports reporter...Bob Fibber