As we round out 2023, it is Team Lightning who sit atop the FNL league table with a perfect record thus far - 9 wins from 9 games. Their tie against the defending Champions Wembledines tonight saw Lightning record a comprehensive 2-0 victory. A lovely Colm Heffernan through ball in the first half found Mads who lobbed the keeper to put Lightning one up. The second goal came in the second half when a long ball forward found that man Mads again. A clever one-two with Chimka saw Mads through on goal and a cool finish secured his brace. Despite some suspicion of offside, Lightning took their second and were able to see out the game relatively comfortably to secure a 6 point gap at the top of the table.
Polonia knew a win was needed in their match against Cutters to keep the pressure on Sporting Viking for the top 4 finish. In a nip and tuck opening quarter, it was Polonia who took the lead in the 15th minute. A diag ball fell just inside the corner of the box and a good touch and wicked finish saw the ball fly in the near post. Three minutes later, Polonia had a similar chance but the ball went the other side of the post this time. Polonia added a second and looked to wrap the game up with a third in the 48th minute. Cutters best chance of the game came in the 50th minute after a break down the left side. A ball sat perfectly for the Cutters player about 15 yards out from the goal but the resulting shot was skyed and Cutters were still in search of their first. Nothing more was to come and Polonia collected the three points.
Fresh off their victory last week, Barely were looking to make it back-to-back wins in their game versus Cappaquigley Athletic. An OJ shot from the 25 yards in the 6th minute cracked off the cross bar as Barely breathed a sigh of relief. Some great strength was shown by Cameron in the 13th minute when he held up the ball on the edge of the box, found a half a yard of space and slotted the ball home to give Barely a one goal lead. The lead was to be short lived however as Cappaquigley immediately struck back. A shot rattled off the woodwork and the Cappa forward was left with the easiest finish of the season to make the game all square. Chances came for both sides in what was a fairly even game. In the 55th minute, a Maddie ball played into space in the channel saw a cut in from the right side. The resulting shot was dragged wide as Cappa knew that could have been the winning of the game. 1-1 the final score as both the Athletics add a point to their tallies.