We started our league campaign with a home game against Andy's Spurs, a side we always seem to struggle against, we opted for a 4-3-3 normal as they went with a 5-3-2 normal, a really close exciting encounter with both sides enjoying lots of possession but defences on top up until 44 minutes when Clark fired home 1-0,half time came and subs on, they started the 2nd half quicker and Keane fired home on 47 minutes 1-1,from then on defences ruled and Spurs changed tact to stall on 75 minutes and closed the game out,we outshot the 4 to 1 nut Gomes in  their goal was in outstanding form with 3 saved points,well played Andy.points shared. 

Next we travelled to Colin's OPT a side we always struggle against and they seem to play their nest football against us,they opted for a 4-2-4 normal ad we went for a more defensive 5-3-2 normal ,both sides started well and enjoyed lots of possession but they broke the deadlock on 27 minutes when Douglass fired home 1-0,half time came and subs on ,they started the 2nd half the quicker and Victor fired home on 47 minutes 2-0 and they sealed the game on 65 minutes when Jones powered home his header 3-0 as they outplayed us and outshot us 7 to 1,only Park in our goal with 4 outstanding saves  kept us in the game,well played Colin.

So a mixed weekend as we sit 11th on 1 point.

After picking up seven points from the opening three SFLSL group games Ye Olde Spurs looked like they would easily qualify for the knockout stages with three home matches left to play. It didn't quite happen so easily. The game against The New Saints was a bit of a disaster. We conceded three late second half goals to lose three nil, after being the slightly the better side. We did make sure we would qualify at least as a third best team with a six one victory over Preston North End in the next match. The final game with Montevideo Tricolores finished in a two one defeat, after we conceded from their only two shots at our goal. The Tricolours ended top, with ourselves finishing second. The league season gets underway with The New Saints our first opponents. 

Lisburn City’s recent run of mixed form took a brutal hit as they were outclassed 5-1 by a ruthless Orgullo Atletico side in front of a home crowd. Despite early moments of promise, Carl Oakes’ men were ultimately undone by defensive errors and the brilliance of Orgullo’s Brad Young, who bagged a superb hat-trick.

It all began with a calamitous short back-pass from Gary Wray, which gifted Ryan Brobbel a simple tap-in to open the scoring. From there, Lisburn’s day went from bad to worse. Brad Young struck twice in quick succession, showing clinical finishing to put Orgullo firmly in control by the half-hour mark. Andy Morrison did manage to pull one back with a fortunate cross that drifted over everyone and into the net, but it was little more than a consolation.

After the break, Lisburn pushed to close the gap but left themselves vulnerable. Orgullo capitalised, with Duhan van der Merwe adding a fourth before Brad Young rounded off the scoring with his third of the afternoon. Lisburn showed flashes of fight, with chances for Gareth Barry and substitute Jamsie Irwin, but the visitors were simply too strong.

Carl Oakes will be demanding answers after a sobering performance, especially with defensive lapses proving costly once again.

Final Score: Lisburn City 1 – 5 Orgullo Atletico

Man of the Match: Brad Young (Orgullo Atletico)

Lisburn City fell just short in a fiercely contested battle against the Golden Dragons, as Carl Oakes’s men were edged out 2-1 despite a valiant display. The Distillers made a lively start, with Jamsie Irwin’s smart finish giving them a deserved lead midway through the first half. It was a goal that reflected Lisburn’s early dominance and had the away fans dreaming of another famous scalp.

However, their joy was short-lived. The Dragons struck back almost immediately through Gabriel Almeida, who buried Raheem Sterling’s cross with a top-corner rocket, giving Scott Carson no chance. Carson, as ever, stood tall, pulling off a string of fine saves to keep Lisburn in the game, including a crucial stop from Almeida later in the half.

Substitute Aaron Cochrane came agonisingly close to restoring Lisburn’s lead just after the break, but his thunderous strike flashed narrowly wide. The game’s turning point came moments later when George Graham’s powerful effort bulged the roof of the net to put the Dragons ahead.

Lisburn pushed hard for an equaliser, with Gary Wray denied late on by the impressive David Raya, but the Dragons clung on. Dave Watson was a standout for Lisburn, marshalling the defence with authority, while Irwin and Cochrane added energy throughout.

A narrow defeat, but plenty of heart shown by the boys in blue.

Lisburn City slumped to a 2-0 defeat against a well-organised Dublin Illuminati side in front of a frustrated home crowd.

Despite a lively start, Lisburn couldn’t find their rhythm in the final third. Tommy McIlroy had a golden opportunity early on but blazed over under pressure. Bernardo Silva looked the most dangerous, but even his best efforts were comfortably handled by Dublin’s keeper, Mump Stichell.

The visitors absorbed the pressure and struck clinically on the stroke of half-time. Cack Jonklin danced past Gary Wray and fired home with style to silence the Lisburn faithful. Three half-time changes from manager Carl Oakes aimed to turn the tide, but it was Dublin who struck again shortly after the restart. Den Korsey, who would later claim Man of the Match honours, carved through the Lisburn defence to double the lead.

Lisburn City huffed and puffed but struggled to test the Dublin goal, managing only one shot on target across the 90 minutes. The visitors defended with discipline and comfortably saw out the match.

It’s back to the drawing board for Lisburn City after this one.

Final Score: Lisburn City 0 - Dublin Illuminati 2

Lisburn City slumped to a 2-0 defeat against a well-organised Dublin Illuminati side in front of a frustrated home crowd.

Despite a lively start, Lisburn couldn’t find their rhythm in the final third. Tommy McIlroy had a golden opportunity early on but blazed over under pressure. Bernardo Silva looked the most dangerous, but even his best efforts were comfortably handled by Dublin’s keeper, Mump Stichell.

The visitors absorbed the pressure and struck clinically on the stroke of half-time. Cack Jonklin danced past Gary Wray and fired home with style to silence the Lisburn faithful. Three half-time changes from manager Carl Oakes aimed to turn the tide, but it was Dublin who struck again shortly after the restart. Den Korsey, who would later claim Man of the Match honours, carved through the Lisburn defence to double the lead.

Lisburn City huffed and puffed but struggled to test the Dublin goal, managing only one shot on target across the 90 minutes. The visitors defended with discipline and comfortably saw out the match.

It’s back to the drawing board for Lisburn City after this one.

Final Score: Lisburn City 0 - Dublin Illuminati 2

Our final match was at home to Steve's Preston North end and nothing less than a win would do and we hoped other results go our way..

We opted for a 4-3-3 normal as they went for a 4-2-4 stall, both sides started well and enjoyed lots of possession but we opened the scoring on 11 minutes when Bradley slipped through and slotted home 1-0,PNE slowly played themselves back into the game and levelled things up on 27 minutes when Minecraft fired home 1-1,we pushed on but could not find a way through the stubborn defence, we edged the shot count 2 to 1 but could only manage the draw and fail to get to the knockout stages.Well played Steve. We played 6 won 2,drew 2 and lost 2 scoring 8,conceding 6 amassing 8 points -alas not enough ,so back to concentrate on the league campaign and hopefully survive in division 1.

Lisburn City had to dig deep to earn a 1-1 draw against a lively Copernicus Town side who rattled the crossbar more times than a dodgy snooker player.

The Distillers were caught cold just four minutes in when Kacper Knera’s cross-cum-shot looped over Scott Carson and clipped the woodwork on its way in. Copernicus deserved their early lead and looked dangerous throughout, especially with their long-range efforts that kept testing the Lisburn bar for structural integrity.

Lisburn slowly warmed into the game. Kalvin Phillips and Dave Watson started to tighten the defensive screws, while David Silva went close to equalising after a brilliant pick-out from Phillips.

Second-half changes brought life. Eric Brook, fresh off the bench, was a constant menace. He finally found the breakthrough, calmly slotting past Jorge Sere after capitalising on a defensive slip.

Copernicus weren’t done, though. They continued peppering the bar, forcing Carson into more tip-and-pray saves, but the Lisburn defence, particularly Alan Murphy and Gary Wray, were up to the scrap.

City couldn’t find a winner, but they’ll be relieved to escape with a point against a side that seemed to have a magnetic relationship with the Lisburn crossbar.

Final Score: Copernicus Town 1 - 1 Lisburn City

With one of the best top 11 and top 17 finishes in the league, according to the statistics, ORA's start should have been promising.

In a season where winning a title is a clear objective, a good start to the cup seemed a must.

With just one game remaining, ORA is already qualified as group winner, meaning they will avoid OPT in the next round and can afford to get their starters back for the league opener against SFR.

As the league season gets underway, Sergei is trying to renew his goalkeeping position, as he seems to have lost confidence in David Seaman, who hasn't shone since arriving three seasons ago from GD.

Our next match was away against Steve's Preston North end, a tricky side to play against and they havent hit their form yet,they opted for a 4-3-3 normal as we went for a 5-2-3 stall hoping to pinch a cheeky point,both sides started well and enjoyed lots of possession, but ours was all in defence as they took control and opened the scoring on 21 minutes when Lenny fired home 1-0 and on 25 minutes Ennis headed home 2-0,half time came and subs on ,we pushed on but could not retain any possession for any length of time as they outplayed us all over the park and sealed the game on 82 minutes when Lenny slotted home his 2nd 3-0 as they outplayed and outshot us 10 to 0,well played Steve.

Next we were away at Andy's Spurs side who had been getting amazing results using their stall tactics and we expected that from them but they opted for a 5-2-3 normal as we went for a 4-3-3 normal, steady start from both sides as defences stood firm for the 1st half ,2nd half and subs on as we upped our tempo and Bradley drilled home on 64 minutes 0-1,73 minutes and 0-2 as Villalibre scored with an amazing diving header  ,80 minutes and they changed tact to press to try and get back into the game, but Bradley fired home his 2nd goal on 83 minutes to seal the game,we were outplayed for periods and outshot 8 to 6 ,but Park in our goal was in outstanding form with 6 saves.

Next we were away at Willy's Montevideo, always a tricky game and at home they were solid,they opted for a 4-2-4 early ball as we went for a 5-3-2 normal, they started quickly and opened the scoring on 4 minutes when Recoba fired home 1-0 ,we slowly played ourselves back into the game and levelled things up on 9 minutes when Oteh drilled home 1-1,nothing to choose between the sides as half time came,subs on and back to it, 60 minutes and they changed tact to longball and they went 2-1 up on 72 minutes when Recoba headed home his 2nd, 82 minutes and they changed tact again to stall and closed the game out as they outshot us 4 to 3.well played Willy.

So we need to win our last match and hope other results go our way if we are to progress.

Lisburn City returned to winning ways with a gritty 1-0 triumph over Pehuajo Expos in a game where defensive discipline and a slice of clinical finishing made all the difference.

The Distillers were made to work for it, especially in the opening stages where Pehuajo’s Osmar Ciotti caused more panic than a wasp at a picnic, rattling the crossbar early on. But Scott Carson – calm as you like – kept his goal guarded like a man watching his last chocolate biscuit.

Lisburn’s persistence paid off just before the break when Eric Brook nodded home after a lovely delivery, giving Carl Oakes’s men a deserved lead. The second half was a game of cat and mouse, but Lisburn’s backline, marshalled by John Kennedy and Gary Wray, held firm. Pehuajo huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a way past Carson, who was simply unbeatable on the day.

Tommy McIlroy’s late injury forced some reshuffling, but it wasn’t enough to derail the Distillers, who saw the game out comfortably.

Final Score: Pehuajo Expos 0 - Lisburn City 1

Man of the Match: Scott Carson (LBC)

Ye Olde Spurs have got off to a flyer in their SFLSL group picking up seven points from their first three matches and all of them being on the road. We started with a visit to group favourites The New Saints and picked up a point from a goalless draw thanks to our keeper Gomes. Then a trip to Preston North End and an one nil victory from a very tight game, thanks to an early Bentancur goal. We finished with an away game at Montevideo Tricolores. Another tight game with the winning goal being scored late on by Robb. We now start the return matches this time with home advantage.

Lisburn City were outclassed and outpaced as Dublin Illuminati handed them a bruising 5-0 defeat that left the travelling fans shaking their heads and Coach Carl Oakes scratching his.

The early exchanges saw Lisburn hold firm, with Dave Watson and Andy McDonald making some key interventions to keep the Dubs at bay. But the breakthrough came on 29 minutes when Cack Jonklin’s thunderbolt gave Dublin a deserved lead. Lisburn’s Tommy McIlroy came close to an equaliser soon after but couldn’t beat the alert Wenzel Dard.

The second half was one-way traffic. Dublin fired in four unanswered goals, with Hirdan Jocks, Sma Darius Zith, Jawand Dones and the outstanding Wenzel Dard all finding the net. Even a red card for Zith couldn’t derail the hosts’ charge.

Lisburn’s best moment came late on when Jamsie Irwin went close with a low strike, but the Distillers simply had no answer to Dublin’s relentless pressure.

A tough day for Lisburn, but they’ll be desperate to bounce back in the next outing.

Full-Time: Dublin 5-0 Lisburn City

The Broncos have made a decent start to their SFLSL Cup campaign, with two wins and a draw, picking up and MVP and a captain’s bonus in the process.

Things started well against FC Blades as we raced into a two goal lead in the first half, Camargue and Namib doing the business for us.  But it was, as they say, a game of two halves and in the second the Blades scored twice themselves to square things up at 2-2.

Our second game was against New Jersey Nutmegs.  We had rather the better of things here, outshooting our hosts 11-1.  However, for all our pressure we struggled to find the back of the net until Darnell Dartmoor put Ian Ytene through in the 67th minute for the only goal of the match.

Wednesday’s game was against Silverx Surfers, whose manager failed to put in an appearance, it seems. This was straightforward enough for us once Camargue put us in front in the 31st minute.  We notched up a 5-0 victory with Nokota and Namib netting twice each.

It looks as if we should qualify from this group along with FC Blades, unless New Jersey can win all three of their remaining matches.

Happy with that!

Lisburn City were outclassed and outpaced as Dublin Illuminati handed them a bruising 5-0 defeat that left the travelling fans shaking their heads and Coach Carl Oakes scratching his.

The early exchanges saw Lisburn hold firm, with Dave Watson and Andy McDonald making some key interventions to keep the Dubs at bay. But the breakthrough came on 29 minutes when Cack Jonklin’s thunderbolt gave Dublin a deserved lead. Lisburn’s Tommy McIlroy came close to an equaliser soon after but couldn’t beat the alert Wenzel Dard.

The second half was one-way traffic. Dublin fired in four unanswered goals, with Hirdan Jocks, Sma Darius Zith, Jawand Dones and the outstanding Wenzel Dard all finding the net. Even a red card for Zith couldn’t derail the hosts’ charge.

Lisburn’s best moment came late on when Jamsie Irwin went close with a low strike, but the Distillers simply had no answer to Dublin’s relentless pressure.

A tough day for Lisburn, but they’ll be desperate to bounce back in the next outing.

Full-Time: Dublin 5-0 Lisburn City