SPFA Matchday 9

The top three all record wins...Crusty Crustaceans no win in six...EPC Minions now just 1 point adrift...

The top two managed to keep their fantastic winning runs going with narrow victories...Herculeum Lightning beating Badgers United 3v2 at home and Myrulesia Athletic seeing of a spirited DVD United 5v4 away from home...

Herculeum did not go in front until the final 10 minutes after a resolute performance by a Badger's side that has had defensive problems all season...It appeared that they had finally laid them to rest after keeping the Lightning at bay for almost 80 minutes...But a defensive mistake allowed Herculeum's leading striker to round the keeper and unchallenged slot the ball home from 10 yards out...United then just hit the self destruct button and following building pressure conceded what was the winning goal within a matter of minutes...In the post match interview the United's Head Coach said: '...I thought we had them...But our defence just can't seem to hold water...We are going to have to rectify this and quickly if we are to keep our goal of a top half finish...'

DVD made it 3 games without a win and conceded 5 for the second time in those three games...In a game that Myrulesia never looked like loosing after taking an early 2 goal lead, DVD managed to claw their way back level, only to see Athletics re-establish their 2 goal cushion soon after the half time interval...With a fifth goal coming soon after Myrulesia should have finished the game easily, but DVD United did not give it up as a lost cause and effectively laid siege to Myrulesia's goal...It paid dividends as they pulled back a goal from a nicely worked free-kick that deflected in off a defender, wrong footing the goalkeeper...Then from another set piece, this time a corner, a towering header from their centre forward made the net bulge...But time ran out on what might have been a miraculous recovery...

WB Argyle strengthened their grip on 3rd spot with a comprehensive and almost faultless performance against a Cheesehead side that looked completely devoid of both attacking and defensive skill and ideas...The 3v0 victory keeps Kaselande very much in the relegation battle and with EPC picking up another point they are going to be looking with some concern over their shoulders...'We are delighted to have picked up another 3 points and of course to have kept a clean sheet...We have the best defensive record in the league and are looking to puch on now and challenge the top two...There are still enough games left for us to do something special...'

CR Crusty Crustaceans just cannot buy a win at the moment and the bookmakers have stopped taking bets on them finishing with the highest amout of draws in the league this season...In the nine games so far this season they have failed to score in 4 of those...Only EPC and the Cheeseheads with 7 & 5 respectively have worse records...So with yet another goalless draw, and this time against what surely now are classed as relegation rivals CR's season is perilously close to petering out...A dusting off of those shooting boots is what's needed...The following was overheard coming from Crusty's locker room: '...Arrr! Another tie and this time with no scoring!!!!!!!! Lads, you have to think of the most important thing out there when you go play!"

To win?
To score?
The fans?

No! Me money!!!!!! Now, we had better win next week, or at least make sure we only get the under so I can win. Arr arrr arrr!..'

So the league table sees no change apart from Badgers United and Crusty Crustaceans swapping places on goal difference...It looks like the title will be won by either Herculeum or Myrulesia with WB Argyle an outside bet at 7 points behind...EPC Minions, who a couple of weeks ago were certainties for relegation, now have a glimmer of hope and are only a point behind the Cheeseheads as their season continues to unravel...

Bob Fibber, Roving Sports Reporter, Reporting...