Irish Harps lead DBFC at the top of LL 1 by a solitary goal with Krauts a further goal back as no less than six teams are bundled together on six points after three games. The Irish were too strong for Scottish Eagles on Friday, largely thanks to some good set piece work which put them two up at HT. Eagles created chances, but failed to make a game of it and at 3-0 just after the interval, the points were effectively sewn up. Two late goals added an undeserved gloss to the score-line, as Cian McNamara, Myles Gavin and hat-trick hero Ian Killoughery did the damage. DBFC jumped up into second thanks to a come from behind win against KCC Cavs. Roy Man cut inside to put KCC one up but veteran Crompton smashed one into the top corner from 30 yards with his trusted left foot mid-way through the first half. After the break, Zanskar Blair sent a left footed free kick over the wall and into the corner to make it 2-1 to the Bay Boys, but KCC were awarded a soft pen that Nikhil Narwani duly despatched. Nick Bradley got the winner with 10 minutes to go and KCC were unfortunate not to be awarded a second penalty late on, but DBFC held on to go second.
HK Krauts seem to be enjoying life back in the topflight, thanks in no small part to the ability to get large squads in the heat of Happy Valley. Against Scottish Stags, they had to fight back from an early setback as Ben Compton gave Scottish the lead. Simon Sarnowski though equalized before HT. With Krauts continually using fresh legs, it wasn’t until after the second water break that their dominance told, taking the lead through a Nico Zuschke header. Florian Puchinger made it 3 soon after, Sarnowski got his second and Simon Ranke got the Krauts’ fifth three minutes from the death to round off an emphatic 5-1 win. Club Tropicana left it late to overcome a stubborn Goodfellas side, and yet again it was Guru Singh who notched the winner at the death after a mix up between the Fellas keeper and CB. It had been Fellas’ Ed French who had taken the lead with a nice shot from mid-way inside the box, but with Fellas then faded and Tropics fought back in the second half. Matt Joyes got the equalizer with a rasping volley then Olly Watson smashed home his own rebound to push Tropics 2-1 up. Goodellas though made it 2-2 as Andy Lee nipped in at the front post and did have chances thereafter, but Guru’s late winner leaves Tropics as the 6th team on 6 points.
Among the teams who don't have 6 points, Wanchai Spartans narrowly edged J-Leaguers to record their first three points of the season. Played in good spirits as always, it was 0-0 at the break but Simon Liu broke the deadlock for Sparts but the Japanese were soon level as Takekazu Hiramatsu reacted first to a saved penalty to make it 1-1. Captain Ali Thompson though managed to head home the winner with five minutes left on the clock. Lastly, Corinthians condemned Soho Spartans to their third defeat in a row thanks to an Anthony Jurenko hat-trick on a hot day in Aberdeen, 3-2 being the full-time result. Jurenko got his first early on with a volley 40 yards from goal as the GK was left in no mans land. Soho though deservedly equalized through Tyler Rattray then hit the post. In the second half however, a penalty and a third from Jurenko took the game away from Sparts, who did make a game of it thanks to Daniel Bakenhaus’ solo effort, but they could not find a third.
Week three in D2 has seen a shake out leaving Stray Dogs at the top of the table. Their definitive 3-0 win versus Mes was a clear indication of the intensity they have been bringing to the pitch. They dominated possession, worked the ball through the middle well and finished clinically, with their first goal rocketing into the back of the net off a clean volley, top of the box. Although newly promoted to D2, they are staking their claim for the top spot early and are already being noticed as a promotion favorite early.
Revolution was looking equally strong in the first two games but came up short with one point in the third game as they drew against Wan Chai wolves. Their game was a tale of two halves, with the Wolves going down to ten men in the second half, but still able to hold on for the draw. Wan Chai wolves spoke highly of Revolution, labelling them too as one of the promotion faves. Both teams are looking equally strong offensively as they each have scored nine goals so far, tied for the most in the division.
Old Speckled Men sit at third place in the table after a 3-1 win against the KCC Royals. The Royals struck blood first with an impressive individual effort but OSM quickly fought back and scored two counter goals before the first half was over. The nail in the coffin was struck within the last ten minutes of the game and the three points were secured for OSM. San Pellegrinos won their match versus Legal Head, 1-0, in a game both teams agreed was debilitatingly hot. A full bench of subs for San P, and only one for Legal Head, made the difference and San P's 1-0 win delivered them 3 points, giving them the same six points as OSM, but with a worse goal differential.
The Shooters claimed their first victory in the third week against Samurai Blue. Shooters kept a calm head after conceding the first goal, fighting back to score two in the second half and take the three points. As the first place team in Div 3 last year, they are just getting their rhythm and will no doubt begin to make more noise in LL D2 as the weeks progress.
In the upcoming fourth week, Shooters will play their D3 rivals, Stray Dogs. The match between the two promoted teams will be an exciting one. Will Stray Dogs continue their winning streak and defeat the team that took first place from them in Div 3? Will seeing their old foes bring back that winning mentality for Shooters? Will Revolution bounce back from their draw with a decisive win against Samurai Blue to maintain their position high up the table? The fourth week shall bring with it some exciting developments as Legal League D2 is fully underway.
