We started the weekend with an away game at Graeme's Merrylee Maestro's,always a tough place to get a result at ,and we went there with a much weaker side after MSA hit us,they opted fir a 4-4-2 stall as we went for a 4-2-4 normal, game on and both sides started well and enjoyed lots of possession but defences on top for the 1st half,2nd half subs on and both sides settled down into their rhythm and again it was defences that were on top we outshot them 5 to 0 but The Fort in their goal was in outstanding form with 4 saves as it ended goalless 0-0 points shared ,well played Graeme

Next we were at home to Neil's Silverx Surfers, another tough side to break down and get a result against, we opted for a 4-2-4 early ball as they went for a 4-3-3 early ball,game on and both sides pushing on and having plenty of possession but defences on top, half time and subs on we pushed on and on 48 minutes Ben Wilson fired us ahead 1-0,57 minutes and we were all square as Shalla-Bal slotted home 1-1,but on 59 minutes Daniel Williams found himself still upfield after a set piece and the ball came to his feet and he duly fired it home 2-1,in a really close game where they edged the shot count 3 to 2 and were unlucky not to come away with anything,well played Neil

So a 4 point weekend sees us sit 2nd but MSA has taken its toll and we look like we will struggle from now on in the division.

Johnny Crossan needed just eight minutes off the bench to put Lisburn City ahead for a second time in their 3–2 win over Golden Dragons. Nico OReilly had given City the lead in the 14th minute, smashing a loose ball into the roof of the net, before Del McInnes finished low after Shaun Batty’s cross ricocheted his way. With the sides level at the break, Carl Oakes made three changes. Two of his substitutes nearly combined for a goal when Glyn Pardoe picked out Crossan. David Raya saved the low shot, but a minute later Crossan headed past him after the Dragons gave away possession. Man of the Match Shaun Goater swept home Jamsie Irwin’s deflected cross for City’s third. They needed it, too. Batty chipped the advancing Andy McDonald with eight minutes left to make for a tense finish.

“Johnny gave Raya a minute to enjoy that save, which I thought was generous of him.” — Carl Oakes

Match Soundtrack: “Johnny B. Goode” — Chuck Berry
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Lisburn’s Johnny took the cue at half-time and had his big number out of the way by the 53rd minute.

BIG is Beautiful had all four goals on the board by the 17th minute of their 4–0 win over Lisburn City. Man of the Match Ultraman Zearth sent Andy McDonald the wrong way in the opening minute, then helped himself to a second when Tommy McCracken’s back-pass fell short. McDonald had already tipped a Mechagodzilla drive onto the post, but Glenn Manning split City’s defence for Tom Keenan, who tucked the third in off the woodwork. Mechagodzilla got his goal soon afterwards, a deflection carrying his follow-up past McDonald. With half an hour gone, the hosts settled into protecting their lead. Aaron Cochrane and Shaun Goater came on at the break, but the closest City came to troubling Tommy Olsson was a late Johnny Crossan pass towards Nicolăs Otamendi. Ultraman Grigio cut it out and Lisburn finished without a shot.

“I’d have settled for making their keeper work for his clean sheet. We didn’t even give him a decision to make.” — Carl Oakes

Match Soundtrack: “Godzilla” — Blue Öyster Cult
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Mechagodzilla rattled the woodwork on his first visit and finished the demolition on his second.

Damien Kelly was the width of a post from putting Lisburn City 3–1 up in the 83rd minute. Seven minutes later, Camelot had won 3–2. Derek Henry had chipped in for Travis Hunter to open the scoring after two minutes, but Nicolăs Otamendi brought City level on 25, lifting Shaun Goater’s knockdown over Grace. Otamendi then deflected Hunter’s chip to safety just after the break before Phil McDonagh dinked City ahead in the 51st minute. Camelot pushed up late and Bernardo Silva sent Kelly clear, only for his finish to rebound off the upright into Grace’s hands. Ruby headed Tom Brady’s cross in at the back post in the 86th minute, and Man of the Match Henry met Ronnie Lott’s pass with the winner in the 90th. Tommy Booth’s booking also brings a one-match suspension.

“I could live with Damien hitting the post. It was the seven minutes afterwards I had trouble with.” — Carl Oakes

Match Soundtrack: “If I Could Turn Back Time” — Cher
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Lisburn would happily wind this one back to the moment Silva put Kelly through.

BIG is Beautiful have requested an internal systems audit following a red card, an injury, and two sub-standard performances. Unfortunately for management, the audit was conducted by Mechagodzilla.

"PROCESSING LAST THREE MATCHES...

First: Darlington. We receive red card from Brian Koning after ten minutes. Excellent tactical innovation. Most teams prefer eleven players. Brian tested advanced strategy called 'ten'. Somehow we still win. Calculation unclear. Tommy Olsson entered GOD-MODE.exe.

Then unfortunate event. Mechagodzilla suffers thigh bruise. Error message: LEG_UNIT_NOT_FOUND. I leave pitch. Small humans panic. Media predicts collapse. Mechagodzilla records prediction and stores in folder labeled 'SILLY ORGANICS'.

Next match: Preston. We lose 1-3 despite launching approximately seventeen million attacks. Their goalkeeper Andreas Nieuport catches everything except one Mechagodzilla missile. Statistical anomaly detected. Requesting investigation by Department of Unfair Goalkeeping.

Discipline report: Brian returns from suspension and successfully remains on field for entire match. Significant personal growth. Scientists amazed.

Then Orgullo. System reboot complete. Logi scores three. Jeff Lions scores two. Opponent defense disappears from radar. Victory achieved. Normal service restored.

Now about captaincy. Some units ask if Mechagodzilla is sad no longer captain.

Negative.

Captain Pjotr Possie is efficient. Pjotr speaks less, runs more, and does not collect red cards after ten minutes. These are valuable leadership features.

Mechagodzilla remains humble star striker, Golden Boot co-leader, and supreme mechanical lifeform.

Captaincy is temporary.

GOALS ARE ETERNAL.

END STATEMENT."

A tough week for Orgullo fans. A defeat againts LBC or CAM could be expected. But suffering both means saying goodbye to the league even before it reachs its half point.
While the start of the season was already uncertain due to a high number of draws, two recent defeats have left the team trailing significantly in the league.
Admittedly, the MSA is now in effect, and a squad with an average age of under 2 should perform better during the second half of the season. However, the pressure is mounting. With the league title out of reach and the club’s finances in a modest state, advancing in the cup competitions should be the priority. And, sitting 14 points behind the league leader, it might be even the right time to start considering roster changes for next season.

We started the weekend with a home game against Les's Newton  Heath, a quality side who are very hard to play against, we opted for a 4-2-4 early ball as they went for a 4-2-4 longball ,game on and both sides started well, but we opened the scoring in the 1st minute when a quick break saw a quick ball into the box and Jordan Williams fired home 1-0,steady play then saw both sides exchanged possession until on 23 minutes a deep cross saw Jack Nadin power home his header 2-0,24 minutes and Ben Wilson limped off and an early substitute was required, half time came and subs on ,2nd half and defences on top up until 76 minutes when a set piece saw Daniel Williams head home at the back post 3-0,78 minutes and Ryan Brobbel fired home 4-0,84 minutes and Newton Heath pulled one back when Cole fired home 4-1 ,in a close game we outplayed them for periods and outshot them 8 to 3,well played Les.

Next we were away at Tyron's FC Blades another qualify side who are very hard to play against ,especially at their home ,they opted for a 4-3-3 normal as we went for a 4-2-4 early ball,game on and we started the quicker as Jordan Williams sprinted through on 11 minutes and slotted home 0-1,defences then took control till half time,2nd half and subs on and defences then controlled the 2nd half ,we edged the shot count 5 to 3 and held out for the win,well played Tyron.

So a 6 point weekend sees us stay in 2nd place.

Johnny Crossan supplied both goals as Lisburn City secured a commanding 2–0 victory at A.C. Sapone, whose attack failed to muster a single shot. City’s adventurous 4-2-4 produced sustained pressure, although timely defensive blocks and Tim Metcalfe’s goalkeeping kept the contest alive. Crossan broke through after 29 minutes, charging into the penalty area before finishing superbly to the goalkeeper’s right. Tommy Booth twice tested Metcalfe, while Sapone’s defenders repeatedly intervened to prevent further damage. The overdue second arrived six minutes from time when Phil McDonagh threaded the ball through for Crossan to seal the points and his Man of the Match award. City finished with seven efforts on target to Sapone’s none, leaving Andy McDonald without a save to make. John Heron also earned a coaching point from an afternoon of defensive control.

“Johnny settled it twice, which was considerate of him, because at 1–0 I was still finding things to worry about despite them not having a shot.” — Carl Oakes

Match Soundtrack: “Johnny B. Goode” — Chuck Berry
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Two goals and Man of the Match: this Johnny certainly lived up to the title.

Not a good week for Ye Olde Spurs. Firstly the Dowson cup game against the Golden Dragons. The manager has to admit to a mistake. Man marking Saka with Hoddle not realising it had to be a defender and sweepers don't count. It cost us with Saka scoring the first goal and being voted man of the match. We ended up losing two one. Yesterday's league game at home with Inter Postmen was a disappointment as well. After taking an early lead and having more of the play we finished losing two one and dropping down to fourth. We did at least bounce back today with a two nil away victory at Copernicus Town with goals from Palhinha and Simons. We remain in fourth position. 

Lisburn City overturned a half-time deficit to beat Orgullo Atletico 2–1, with Shaun Goater delivering the winner and Andy McDonald earning Man of the Match. Both goalkeepers were tested before Adolfo Aldana struck just before the interval, tapping home after McDonald spilled Óscar Valdez’s long-range effort. Carl Oakes introduced Nicolăs Otamendi and Aaron Cochrane at the break, and Cochrane needed only three minutes to make his mark, pouncing on Diego Llorente’s dreadful back-pass to equalise. City’s turnaround was complete after 70 minutes when Óscar De Marcos’s headed clearance fell to Goater, whose scuffed finish beat S_Campbell. McDonald then recovered sharply to deny Tocino Picante late on, protecting a hard-earned away victory in a contest where both sides managed six shots. Otamendi and Damien Kelly also collected coaching points to round off a productive afternoon.

“Some finishes are worth framing; Shaun’s is worth exactly the same on the scoreboard, and Andy made sure it stayed that way.”
— Carl Oakes

Match Soundtrack: “Get Back” — The Beatles
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City got back into the match, then headed home with the win.

We started our Dowson cup campaign with a game against Jame's free flowing attacking New Jersey Nutmegs and both sides opting for a 4-2-4 early ball tactic, we started the quicker and opened the scoring on 17 minutes when Dominic Corness slotted home 0-1,30 minutes and Jack Nadin drilled home from range 0-2 and on 41 minutes Scotch Corner collected a loose ball from the goalie and smashed it home 0-3,half time came and subs on ,back to it and both defences stopping all attacks before they could develop, but on 63 minutes Uchegbulan cut in from the wing and rifled home from an acute angle 0-4,68 minutes and Rhys Hughes  danced his way through and fired home a low drive 0-5 and on 78 minutes Ben Wilson showed a clean pair of heels and slotted home 0-6,we outplayed them for periods and outshot them 9 to 3 and took our chances ,well played James.

Next we were up against Matthew's Highland Rangers, always a tough side to play against as we found out earlier in the league,we opted for a 4-2-4 early ball as they went for a 4-4-2 stall hoping to pinch a cheeky point, game on and we controlled the game with free flowing attacks but could not find a way past a stubborn defence, half time soon came and subs on we kept pushing on bt Spinks in their goal was in outstanding form with 5 saves as we outplayed them for periods and outshot them 7 to 0 ,but no way through, well played Matthew. 

So 2 games in and 4 points on the board.

Glenn "The Colossal Man" Manning after the two wins:

"Yeah. Good week. We beat Ajax. Then we beat Dundee. Next question.

Everybody say Ajax have legends. I see scoreboard say 2-0. Scoreboard very smart machine.
I score goal against Ajax. Big header. Very hard. Ball come down. I put head on ball. Crowd go 'WOOOOO'. I go 'WOOOOO' too because I like crowd noises.
Then coach take me off. Understandable. If I stay on all game maybe match become unfair and police get involved.

Against Dundee we win 4-2. They score first. For some reason teams keep doing this. They score, celebrate, get excited, point at each other. Then we score more goals than them. Strange hobby.
Alexander Alex have amazing game. He help Dundee score. Then help us score. Very generous man. Gives everybody opportunities.
Mechagodzilla score again. Shock. Huge shock. Nobody see that coming except every person on Earth.

People ask me if BIB can win title. I not know. I only know two things.
One: ball go in net is good.
Two: ball go in our net is less good.
So we keep trying for more of first thing and less of second thing.
So far strategy working great."

Although ORA seems to be getting back on track, the league won’t wait. OPT is looking increasingly out of reach, and time is running out for Sergei if he wants his team to contend for the championship this season.

The team faced a difficult qualifying round for the cup to start the season. NHL, ITP, and NJN were tough opponents that nearly knocked Orgullo out of the competition. After a hard-fought qualification, the league campaign began with a defeat against OPT—a poor start that Sergei has since turned around, stringing together a 10-match unbeaten run.

However, a series of draws is allowing OPT to build a substantial lead—one that likely won’t be easy to overcome. With MSA just around the corner, the situation should favor the league’s youngest team; even so, they need to close the gap, and LBC and CAM don’t look like they’ll make that any easier.

And all this without neglecting the cup competition. ORA’s coffers are not as full as they usually are, making it imperative to reach the final rounds of the cup this season.

Lisburn City led three times but had to settle for a 3–3 draw with Preston North End despite putting seven shots on target to the visitors’ four. Nico OReilly pounced on a rebound inside the opening minute, only for Jasper Minecraft to equalise five minutes later. Phil McDonagh restored City’s advantage with a fine finish from Jamsie Irwin’s first-time pass, but Minecraft headed his second to level again. Aaron Cochrane’s spectacular drive into the top corner gave Lisburn a 3–2 interval lead. The decisive second-half passage saw Marcus Riemann block McDonagh’s effort before Hank Nandy thundered Preston level in the 50th minute. Substitutes Jeremy Doku and Shaun Goater threatened to combine for a winner, but Mark Egan intervened. Minecraft took Man of the Match, while John Heron earned a coaching point and Tony Coton a training point.

“We gave them three opportunities to be behind and they declined every one; next time we’ll try being less accommodating.”
— Carl Oakes

Match Soundtrack: “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” — Kim Wilde
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Three separate leads kept City hoping for a victory that Preston simply wouldn’t allow.