The day before the game, visiting manager Andy Burton was in top form at the pre-match press conference. His comments about the treatment suffered by defender Adam Reardon seemed a little strange considering the player was sold earlier in the week. Mr Burton claimed the sale was necessary to strengthen the side for the end of season run in. In complete opposite, David Newell was his usual dry self in his press conference and gave very little away ahead of the game.

A sold out 30,000 crowd were in good voice to greet the two Premier Division sides and bright sunshine made a big chance from the almost incessant rain of previous weeks. The sun shone and it initially worked wonders for the home side. Tormenta Advertencia looked to be totally focused on getting a result and after a couple of long range efforts in the first ten minutes they really clicked into top gear.

Mariano Lasa won a tackle of the half way line and drove forward with purpose. As Imanol Erlings looked to force him wide he quickly flicked the ball inside to Sherlock Merrison just inside the area. The Welsh youngster looked to have badly controlled the ball as it rose high into the air. Defenders closed rapidly, but Merrison launched himself into a classic bicycle kick and connected sweetly. The ball flew towards goal and despite fingertips from Monfred Gabel it went in off the post to give Advertencia an early lead.

ELA Elementals looked stunned and from the resulting kick-off they quickly lost possession when the usually reliable Jj Valoy Cuesta over hit a long ball by some distance. The goal kick was quickly taken by Esaie Esau Ade who played the ball square to Vita Gornostayev. The Russian then smashed one his trademark long balls up towards the forwards, where Rubi Valentino got his head to the ball, directing it into the the path of Merrison. A quick touch to bring the ball under control was followed by a rasping drive past Gabel to give Advertencia and Merrison their second goal in three minutes. Mr Newell was even seen to briefly smile on the touchline – a rare event indeed.

Elementals needed to get into the game somehow and slowly they did manage to see more of the ball. Albeit with little end product initially. The visitors were now dominating possession and starting to look for the goal that would get them back into the game. They got their break just before the half hour mark when a Yuma Encinitas clearance smashed into the chest of Marcelo Meier and fell invitingly for Burton Wragg to pick his spot from ten yards. A lucky goal but it was probably deserved as the sides went into half time 2-1.

Half Time: 2-1

The second half began with Elementals having the majority of possession again. Their adventurous approach paid benefits for Elementals when five minutes after the restart Dagfinn Emil finished calmly from eight yards out after a corner was not cleared. Again slightly fortuitous but the scores were level and Mr Burton was screaming orders to his charges, urging them to press on for a winner. However, they had to be aware of Advertencia’s striker Merrison and the lively Valentino who both looked like they could score given any sight of goal. In fact the next period of the game fact saw the best efforts of Meier and Wragg come up fruitless, while Merrison hit the post and had a long range effort well saved by Gabel.

Finally as the hour mark was passed Meier finally found his shooting boots. He controlled a cross from Wragg neatly on the edge of the box and after shifting the ball to the left he smashed a drive low through Grayson Cantrell’s legs and past Esaie Esau Ade. The accuracy of the shot was wonderful and may have been goal of the week most weeks if not for Merrison’s opener.

After seeing their two goal lead turn into a deficit, the home side found new strength and rallied well. Mariano Lasa started to get more of the ball and it was his one-two with Valentino that saw him drive into the area. Beating another challenge he fired a low shot to Gabel’s left only to see it pushed onto the post. All was not lost as the quickest to react was Merrison, who clipped the ball over the keeper with great skill to level the scores once more.

Both sides started to feel the pace and it looked the sudden death extra-time was inevitable. Neither side created too much and when the impressive Merrison just failed to stretch out a leg to sub Bobby Briggs’ cross with four minutes on the clock, both managers looked resigned to giving another team talk. However, Wragg had other ideas and his speculative long range effort look a wild deflection to leave Ade stranded as the ball trickled over for a sure-fire winner with a couple of minutes remaining. Luck was certainly on the side of the ageing English striker.

Clearly frustrated, Advertencia manager David Newell appealed for a last ditch effort from his side, but they could not create anything worthwhile and were left to concentrate on the remainder of their league campaign. The only positive at the end of the day was the performance of Man of the Match Sherlock Merrison; his hat-trick was top draw and he could and maybe should have had more. The young man from the heart of rugby mad Wales is one of the brightest starts in Einnek One.

Full Time: 3-4

To clarify; all youth players promoted to senior ranks go up at the same skill and retain any international points they may have gained. But they lose form dots, goals, cautions and their performance record is wiped clean.

The upper limit for morale will be increased to 30, this gives a new range of 1 (lowest) to 30 (highest). There will be more variation of morale based on things that effect your club – results, transfers, performances, wages, etc. The in-game code will take morale into account a lot more, so having a better morale than your opponents will give a lot more of an advantage than it does currently.

Managers will need to consider morale as an integral part of the game rather than the cosmetic thing it is now.

The “loophole” of giving player pay-rises will be removed. This will take effect this week.

A summary of events that will have a positive effect on morale:

• Winning league games
  • Any victory +2 morale.
  • Beating a side above you in the league would be worth an extra 1 or 2 morale depending on the difference in relative positions.
• Winning cup games and friendly challenges
  • Any cup victory +2 morale.
  • Any friendly challenge victory +1 morale.
• Drawing with teams above you in the league.
  • A draw against a side higher in the league would be worth 2 morale points.
  • A draw against a side lower in the league would be worth 1 morale point.
• Not losing away games.
  • Staying unbeaten in an away fixture increases morale by 1 point.
• Players performing well.
  • Each player getting a 9 rating increases morale by 1 point.
  • Getting Player of the Week is worth 2 morale points.

While events that will have a negative effect on morale are:

• Changing Captain
  • Loss of 5 morale points.
  • Captain not selected (for whatever reason) equals a temporary loss of 5 morale for that fixture.
• Losing league games
  • A loss to a team higher in the league results in a 1 morale point drop.
  • A loss to a team lower in the league sees a 2 point deduction.
• Losing cup games or friendly challenges
  • Being knocked out of the EFA Cup sees a 2 morale point drop.
  • Losing in a friendly challenge match will result in the loss of 1 morale point.
• Not winning at home.
  • Drawing at home loses 1 morale point.
  • Losing at home will see a 2 point morale drop.
• Numerous team or squad changes.
  • Making 6 or more changes to your starting 11 reduces morale by 1 point.
• Players performing badly.
  • Each player getting a 5 rating sees morale decrease by 2 points.
• Cautions/Players Sent-off
  • Any player sent off reduces morale by 2 points.
  • Four or more yellow cards in a game reduces morale by 1 point.
• Injuries
  • High skill player injured below 5 fitness reduces morale by 1 point.

END OF SEASON EVENTS

• Divisional Champions = +5 morale
• Promotion = +3 morale
• Relegation = -3 morale

The whole premise behind this change is to make morale mean something more than it does currently. There is scope with this system to add or remove factors which effect morale if and when required.

All sides will see their morale adjusted at the end of the season to a range between 8 and 15 based on a sliding scale of their morale at season’s end.

North Bank Guns’ manager Rich Burge went into the game hoping to carry on their impressive home form of late and push towards a promotion place. A win today would move them ahead of visitors FC Cosmos. Mr Burge selected the same eleven that played in last week’s Friendly Challenge, while Joseph Burridge sprang a surprise with a switch of formation. Tobikuma Zero and Kerrea Ridler selected ahead of Mateus Jacomossi and Kutukutu Tamarama in what was a more attacking looking side.

The inclement weather of recent days had left the pitch very wet, but with dark grey clouds over Armoury Stadium, the game started on time in front of a crowd of just under 40, 000. The early play was very cautious as both sides tried to feel each other out. The pitch played its part and Brazilian referee Romualdo Arppi did well to try and let the game flow. Christopher Nations had a good chance after twelve minutes, but saw his drive from the edge of the box clip the bar and sail high into the travelling Cosmos fans, much to the relief of Redding Fairfax who watched the shot fly past him.

An even game was getting bogged down in midfield and with both defences looking comfortable, it was going to need some inspiration to open the game up. Cosmos’ midfielder Tychon Vanderflore provided the spark that lit things up. His wonderful cross-field pass released rampaging Pablo Lopez who crossed first time to Thor Johansson. The Swede reacted quickly to flick a header that looked bound for the top corner before Hieronim Gusty stuck out his left hand and somehow got enough on the ball to send it past the left hand upright. The resulting corner lead to the deadlock being broken. Ardaz Nelz rising highest to plant a bullet header downwards past Gusty and into the net. This was the big Brazilian’s first goal for over a year and his Samba style celebrations were greeted with glee but the Cosmos’ fans.

They say you are at your most venerable right after you have scored and yet again the old premise was proved correct. Straight from the kick-off Lombardo Martinez beat two hapless challenges before flicking the ball to Nations. The American striker cut inside another weak tackle from Zero and curled a wonderful 30 yard effort just inside Fairfax’s far post to restore parity less than a minute after going behind.

Both sides were now in the mood for a game and it was classic end-to-end stuff for the remainder of the first half. Half chances falling to Nations, Vasco Di Corbacho and Montegho but their efforts all proved fruitless. Di Corbacho found his way into the referee’s notebook 5 minutes before the break when his protests for a penalty after he thought he had been fouled by Chuco Pena became a little too vocal.

Half Time: 1-1

Rain greeted the players when the came out to start the second half. This would make an already soggy pitch even more difficult and some feared the game may be abandoned as large pools of water appeared in a couple of places.

The North Bank Guns players slowly started to get a bit of control of the game and despite even possession they had the best chances to take the lead. Nelz was commanding in defence for Cosmos and somehow he was always in the right place to sweep up, make a tackle or clear the ball. His goal line clearance on 72 minutes after Manuel Meier’s snap shot was top class as he threw his body in the way of the goal bound effort. Replays showed just how well he did to get to the ball and not handle it; something Meier was convinced he did and his complaints saw him become the second player booked for dissent.

A long Martinez ball over the back four of FC Cosmos towards the run of Vanderflore looked very dangerous but Fairfax came quickly out of his goal to dive on the ball. His momentum in the wet conditions saw him slide outside the area, however and a free-kick was rightly given for handball. Mr Arppi only produced a yellow card despite the protests of the home players and fans alike – probably the correct decision under the circumstances. The free-kick was wasted by Philippe Pauchard who was soon substituted after a disappointing all round display.

The game appeared to be heading for a draw as FC Cosmos sides struggled to overcome the elements and the Guns could find no way past the excellent Nelz. Nations, however had other ideas and it was his run past two players followed by a neat one-two with Martinez that saw him fire a shot from the penalty spot goal wards. Fairfax looked to have is covered but a lunge from sub Ximi Zubizarreta in trying to block only succeeded in diverting the ball just enough to wrong foot the young English keeper and give the home side a vital win.

Nelz’s display on the losing side was the only real compensation for a disappointed Mr Burridge. The defender rightly winning the league Player of the Week award and proving he is the man Brazil should look to in order to restore past glories.

Full Time: 2-1

As a general point this is something I disagree with almost without exception – there are always exceptions! Sure a players on 14 IPs can get to 20 IPs and rise in skill through B International selection, but in reality this will take 2 full seasons even if they get selected for every B International. Some players may be lucky and get 6 games in a season, but how anyone can say this is likely is beyond me as every B side is even compared to another.

When you factor in the age increase for close to 2 seasons, the possibility of missing a game being pretty high through suspensions, injuries, poor form or just poor selection planning; it is a very risky strategy to accept a player like this will rise in skill through IPs.

Recently, I have rejected a number of deals where players such as this are included in a deal for a higher skill player. The justification that this skill 5 will go up seems to be the thinking behind the deal (many of you choose not to just the text comments section to help clarify your thinking on complex deals). When dealing risk is a factor, but you must have a good chance of coming out on top somehow – many deals are at best even over 2 seasons with one team relying on masses of luck just to get there.

While I do not want to discourage dealing, I do need make sure that deals are fair, with both sides able to get some sort of benefit which is tangible rather than fantasy.

In recent weeks a few sides have found themselves in this situation and rather than do something they just fail to submit either of their teams. Not only will you fail to receive the weekly 2 Youth Point bonus, but I will also sort the problem out for you. This could mean me using you valuable youth points or maybe even retiring a player in order to get enough youth points to sort the problem out. Not only will my actions cost you youth points and players, you will unlikely to get the sort of new player you really want.

Also, if I submit your team, I will not check internationals, players coming back from injury and suspension, so your best team is unlikely to play either.

It really is a lose lose situation doing nothing. You have been warned.

After their win last week, Ditton Shooters travelled to the Mills Recreational Ground hoping to continue their revival against a struggling Corton Wanderers side who had lost their two league games. Nikki Wigg gave defensive debuts to new signings Jaden Caldicott and Cromwell Denny as Wanderers beefed up their side, while Korey Weissmeyer and Stig Zettesberg moved up to the starting Shooters eleven from the bench last week.

After a slow start with both sides miss placing passes and wild long balls, the game burst into life when Zane Rivers picked up a loose pass from Korey Weissmeyer. The Aussie international played the ball sharply to Maurice Hooqadew who controlled the bouncing pass quickly before playing a neat ball between two defenders for Rivers to run on and coolly slot the ball past a stationary Alvares Adriano. The goal was a real shock for the visitors who struggled to come to terms with the home sides new found confidence. Adriano in goal, made a couple of smart saves from the lively Rivers as the Australian could have had a hat-trick inside the first fifteen minutes with a bit more composure in front of goal.

Finally Shooters started to make headway and secured their first corner when Noble Yanti did well to block a dipping 25 year effort from Boris Gnaehrich. Looking to level the scores, the defenders pushed forward for the corner. Zeljko Trebarjevo’s dead ball was well directed, but as Finn Rosenzweig jumped, he looked to be blocked off by Shensuke Miura. The ball skimmed off the tall defender’s forehead and all the attacking players appealed as one for a penalty. Malaysian official Oei Poh Hwa waved away their claims and play continued. Adriano threw the ball long to the waiting Rivers, who sped off down the left wing. He cut inside Baltazar Fyodorov and as everyone expected him to shott he cleverly squared the ball for Lodewijk Bartholomeus who had sprinted the length of the field to tap the ball home and double the lead.

A furious Mr Price was warned to calm down by the ref and the taunting of Rivers to the travelling fans did not help his mood one bit. Soon after the restart Rivers got himself needlessly booked as he clipped Rosenzweig’s with a stray arm as he tried to shake off the defender’s attentions. The away fans were screaming for a red card, but again the officials did not heed to their calls.

With a two goal deficit, Gnaehrich was pushed forward and started to find space behind the strikers. His mere presence seemed to ruffle the home side’s defensive plans and on 27 minutes a pull back to the edge of the box was smashed home by the German midfielder with a shot so hard the net nearly burst. The celebrations were prolonged and Baltazar Fyodorov was cautioned for taking them just a bit too far as he leapt into the travelling supporters section.

Things were getting heated now as both sides seemed more intent on embarrassing each other than securing victory. Jaden Caldicott and Bartholomeus were both booked for wild tackles before the interval. However, between the two cautions was another goal for Rivers, his jinking run finished with a shot curled low past Adriano.

Half Time: 3-1

The second half needed a big improvement from Ditton Shooters and whatever Mr Price said in the dressing room worked wonders. Right from the kick-off, they looked to reduce the deficit and after hitting the bar on 47 minutes, Jerrell Kubasch struck a goal of typical quality. The young Australian sensation somehow managing to curl the ball in from a tight angle when it looked impossible to score.

Little did we know that this would be the end of the scoring for the day. Ditton had some very good chances to get the equaliser and a share of the spoils, but either shot wide, high or straight at keeper Yanti. Altough the scoring was over we were treated to a virtuoso performance from the little Malaysian in black. A fifteen minute period after the second Shooters goal saw some of the most mysterious decisions made on a football pitch in a short time. Weissmeyer was booked for a trip on Bartholomeus when the Dutch striker clearly dived. Zettesberg then saw the yellow card for a wild lunge that could well have been red on another day. His victim Cuthbeorht Hansard also booked for his reaction as he left the field for treatment. Finally in this spell of madness, Mohinder Jalion was cautioned for the third time this season presumably for something he said, but no one was quite sure.

The last highlight of the game… is highlight the right word?… came in the 77th minute. Baltazar Fyodorov went up for a corner as Shooters looked to level things up. The usual jostling in the area got more heated than usual and the Russian’s attempts to get some space were thwarted by Bartholomeus. The referee whistled and gave both players a lecture before trying to take the corner again. A repeat of the pushing and pulling between the two quickly re-started and a shrill blast on the whistle, saw both cautioned for a second time. Comically the referee dealt with each player separately, Fyodorov dismissed to the delight of the home crowd only to be followed by his “shadow” once he was clear of the pitch. Another strange performance and inconsistent by Oei Poh Hwa, who continues to be the referee all managers dread seeing in charge of their match.

Full Time 3-2

Currently morale has only a minor effect on game calculations and with most teams sat happily on 15-20 morale it makes is almost pointless. Only when a side has changed their captain does it really have any effect.

Now, I propose the following changes, to take effect from the start of next season:

1. Possible morale maximum to be increased to 30. Giving a new range of 1 (lowest) to 30 (highest).

2. More variation of morale based on things that effect your club – results, transfers, performances, wages, etc.

3. The in-game code will take morale into account a lot more, so having a good morale level in comparison to your opponent will give more of an advantage than currently.

Also, with the larger range, the potential for more advantages and disadvantages is greater. Managers will need to consider morale as an integral part of the game rather than the cosmetic thing it is now.

The “loophole” of giving player pay-rises will remain, but their will be potential penalties imposed on those managers who give frequent and/or excessive pay rises to lesser players just to try and increase morale.

• Winning league games
  • Any victory +2 morale.
  • Beating a side above you in the league would be worth an extra 2 morale.
• Winning cup games
  • Any cup victory +2 morale.
• Drawing with teams above you in the league.
  • A draw against a side higher in the league would be worth 2 morale points.
  • A draw against a side lower in the league would be worth 1 morale point.v
• Not losing away games.
  • Staying unbeaten in an away fixture increases morale by 1 point.
• Players performing well.
  • Each player getting a 9 rating increases morale by 1 point.
  • Getting Player of the Week is worth 2 morale points.
• Giving Players Pay Rises
  • Potential 1 morale point increase per game week.

EVENTS THAT WOULD HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON MORALE:

• Changing Captain
  • Loss of 5 morale points.
• Losing league games
  • A loss to a team higher in the league results in a 1 morale point drop.
  • A loss to a team lower in the league sees a 2 point deduction.
• Losing cup games
  • Being knocked out of the EFA Cup sees a 2 morale point drop.
• Not winning at home.
  • Drawing at home loses 1 morale point.
  • Losing at home will see a 2 point morale drop.
• Numerous team or squad changes.
  • Making 6 or more changes to your starting 11 reduces morale by 1 point.
• Players performing badly.
  • Each player getting a 5 rating sees morale decrease by 1 point.
• Cautions/Players Sent-off
  • Any player sent off reduces morale by 1 point.
  • Four or more yellow cards in a game reduces morale by 1 point.
• Injuries
  • High skill player injured below 5 fitness reduces morale by 1 point.
• Giving Players Pay Rises
  • Potential 1 morale point decrease as players become disgruntled with other being paid high wages relating to their comparative worth to the team.

END OF SEASON EVENTS

• Divisional Champions = +5 morale
• Promotion = +3 morale
• Relegation = -3 morale

The full draw is as follows:

Nighthawks v Warmington Bukigura
Rael Nerrad v Redroc Rovers
Black Star Olympic v Winchmore Radiation
Dixieland Deliverance v SVC07
Gainsborough Town v Kenkai Veleno
ELA Elementals v Kenkai Bambino
Yellowknife Industries v Achillean Druids
Bongosboyz v Tormenta Advertencia

All sides not still in the EFA Cup have their own friendly challenge games to play.