Matchday 2. 4 games, 3 one-goal wins and a draw. If you're looking for tightly contested games, UL on a Friday night is the only place to be.
Lakers opened their account with a 1-1 draw with Wembeldines. Dines got off to the perfect start with an early goal. A well worked move coming from the right side saw a square ball played across the face of the goal for a straight forward finish to give Dines the lead. Lakers responded well and recorded two shots of their own within minutes of conceding. The start of the second half saw Lakers with plenty of possession in the Wembeldines defensive third - a shot from a wide angle hitting the side netting being their best opportunity. Set pieces were well contested throughout the match with both teams winning their fair share of headers. The crucial header went Lakers way as they managed to rise highest and equalise from a set piece. With ten minutes to go, Wembeldines had a golden opportunity to restore their lead, but the chance was squandered from 8 yards out. The final five minutes saw goal scoring chances for both teams. First Dines hit the bar with the Lakers keeper managing to gather the subsequent dropping ball. Then a minute later, off a throw in the Wembeldines half, the ball made it's way into the 6-yard box. A goalmouth scramble ensued but the Lakers' forwards just couldn't manage to land a clean connection with the ball and Dines lived to fight another day.
In a replay of last season's Champions League Final, Team Lightning met Cutters. One goal separated the teams that day and this league fixture was to be another tight affair. An Ian Sullivan free kick gave Lightning a first half lead. A physical game - which saw a yellow card or two (or seven) - ensued with both teams giving as good as they got. Cormac O'Donovan looked most dangerous for Cutters and tested the Lightning keeper early in the second half with a good effort from 25 yards. Goalscorer Sullivan went from hero to villain after getting sin-binned as a result of a body check that would be more suited to an NFL game than a FNL game. This prompted a response from the unfortunate victim asking Sullivan if he'd started weight-lifting during the lockdown. The game settled down and the final ten minutes saw Cutters putting serious pressure on the Team Lightning goal. Mark Carey was called into action several times and made numerous saves and punches to keep Lightning one up. A last minute Cutters corner (video below) was cleared but fell to a Cutters player. Under pressure, the resulting shot was hit over and Lightning claimed their second 1-0 victory of the campaign.
In the 8pm kick offs, a converted penalty was all that could separate St Pauli and Delta United. With a hand deemed to be in an unnatural position, a penalty was awarded just before half time and Jason Craig stepped up (video below) to put St Pauli on their way to their first 3 points. Ten minutes into the second half, St Pauli nearly doubled their lead but for a save from the United keeper. An outswinging corner found its way to the edge of the box but the goalie was equal to the attempt. With 15 minutes to go, Delta United were putting pressure on the St Pauli defence. Some good football was played in around the box, but St Pauli always seemed to have enough bodies back to somehow keep the ball out of the net. United's best chance came after a free kick was cleared and dropped to one of their midfielders on the edge of the box. A inch or two to the left and United would be celebrating a well-earned draw...but alas, the ball hit the post and St Pauli come away with their first win of the campaign.
A saved penalty (video below) was the story of the day as last season's regular-season Champions Delta got their campaign off to a positive start with a 2-1 victory over Bluestreak. After taking a two-goal lead, Bluestreak got one back after heading the ball home from well-delivered a corner (video below). With the chance to level the tie from the penalty spot, the Delta keeper proved to be the hero with a good low save to his left hand side. This somewhat took the wind out of Bluestreak's sails and in the following minutes, it was their keeper's turn to keep them in the game. Delta were looking particularly threatening down the right the whole game, and fashioned a chance resulting in a deflected shot flying high up into the air. The ball fell to a Delta player about 10 yards out from goal, but Bluestreak's keeper was quick off his line to narrow the angle and smother the shot. The full time result finished Delta 2-1 Bluestreak.
2nd October 2020 - Matchday 2
7pm The Lakers 1-1 Wembeldines Pitch 1
7pm Team Lightning 1-0 Cutters Pitch 2
8pm Delta United FC 0-1 St Pauli FC Pitch 1
8pm Delta 2-1 Bluestreak FC Pitch 2
Jason Craig scores penalty for St Pauli vs Delta United
Bluestreak goal vs Wembeldines
Delta penalty save vs Bluestreak