BD Ballers 0-2 Wembledines
Wembledines got off to a winning start in their FNL 2022/23 campaign with a 2-0 over FNL debutantes BD Ballers. Wembledines had the larger share of possession in the first half with plenty of play in the Ballers' third. The crucial breakthrough came in the 24th minute when a cross from the right found a man at the back post to head in. A second goal was added in the 34th minute when a lovely outswinging ball was played in from a free kick about 40 yards out. The ball was sent towards the back post and knocked in to give Dines a 2-0 lead. BD Ballers responded and crafted a few chances of their own. In the 38th minute, Ballers worked a ball out right and in a move similar to Dines' first goal, played in a cross to the back post but the Ballers striker couldn't steer the header on target. Wembledines nearly let BD Ballers back into the game in the 43rd minute when a miskick from a defender allowed BD steal the ball in the Wembledines half. The BD man set a ball for his teammate but the shot was dragged wide. BD continued to threaten for the rest of the game but couldn't find a breakthrough. 2-0 Wembledines the final score.
Deportivo Dooradoyle 1-1 Cutters
Cutters got their FNL season off to a quick start when they took the lead vs Deportivo in the 8th minute. Deportivo were back on terms 6 minutes later when a ball smashed off the crossbar and left the Cutters goalkeeper muddled as the unfortunate Cutters saw the ball drop into the net. Cutters hit the bar themselves in the 20th minute when a cut in from the left the Cutters man get a shot away with the Deportivo keeper possibly getting the slightest of touches to knock it onto the bar. The teams came in at the half time break honours even. A fairly even second half saw both teams with plenty of the ball. Deportivo nearly stole it in the 55th minute when they got a snapshot away through a group of bodies but the Cutters keeper saved well. A point a piece to start for Deportivo Dooradoyle and Cutters.
Bluestreak 3-2 Team Lightning
In the game of the night, Bluestreak nicked the 3 points in a back and forth game with Team Lightning. Bluestreak took the lead in the 16th minute after some good interplay between their front two crafted an easily finished chance to go one up. It took until the second half for Team Lightning to find an equaliser. A ball crossed in was dealt with by Bluestreak keeper Gerry but fell to a Lightning player. The Bluestreak keeper managed to keep out the initial shot but couldn't get to the follow up shot as Lightning went level. Bluestreak restored their lead in the 44th with a goal from a corner (video below). Lightning equalised for the second time in the 50th minute when Shane carried the ball into the right side of the box. The ball made its way to Lightning striker Mads who found the finish. With the game level with ten minutes to go, it could've gone either way. Bluestreak fired back a couple of minutes later when a ball down the middle found James Hayes. A beautiful hooked pass from Hayes presented a Bluestreak attacker with a guilt edged opportunity. An emphatic finish followed and was enough to give Bluestreak all three points in a highly entertaining game.
Alfies Heroes 2-0 Barely Athletic
A solid performance and two first half goals were enough to see Alfies record a 2-0 win in their opening fixture vs Barely Athletic. After Alfies 16th minute goal, Barely almost responded immediately when a right footed shot across the body was dragged wide. In the 27th minute, Barely recorded a shot on target but there was never enough power to bother the keeper. Alfies nearly wrapped up the game just before the break when a great opportunity was created on the left side of the box. The shot produced a great save from the Barely keeper to keep the score at 2-0. Barely's best chance of the second half came in the 48th minute when a great solo run resulted in a shot. The Alfies keeper parried the ball just wide enough that Barely couldn't force the ball in. The match finished 2-0 to Alfies.