Sporting League: game 18
Champions Bayerns managed to hold leaders Universo to a one – one draw after an abject start to the season. Sporting Radio pundit A: ‘Bayerns have to move on from it mentally. You often find when young footballers come in there is a lack of fear – we’re seeing that happen with Universo. However, with Bayerns who are slightly older and more experienced you see them end up playing it really safe, it can become a bit of a millstone around the neck. I think Universo were unlucky not to get three or four out there today, despite only having about thirty percent of the possession.’
Yop Lane moved closer to the top after winning with their second string squad against Zindustrious.‘
Novia beat Sporting Athlete by a goal to nil at home. Novia boss: ‘We were lucky out there today, their forwards just didn’t create goals. We were hounded in midfield but managed to hang on. It was one of those games where we ground out a result…I’m very proud of the players and those kind of points can make all the difference at the business end of the season.’
Athletico won the derby game against Chamber Athlete by two goals to one. Sporting Radio pundit Y: ‘Athletico were lacking creativity in the midfield. I think it’s unusual for the Athleticans to be soft in an area that they’ve always excelled….they’re putting square pegs in round holes.’
In spite of Olby’s poor start to the season, their theatre district is in the ascendancy: Playeso theatre boss:
‘I’m very proud of the shows and pieces we make but I wish more and more that audiences could see inside the rehearsal room, a bit like the footballers dressing rooms to be honest. That’s where theatre is most like itself: a liquid thing, restless, full of spontaneities and unexpected shifts. I think we’re developing something quite unique down here – Olby could turn out to be The Sporting capital of culture. We are looking to put a few bids in to the sporting council for a new arts centre but the current climate of unrest has put the brakes on for the next six months.’
Sporting League: game 17
Yop Lane came back from two goals down to win by four goals to two against a rudderless Bayerns.
Bayerns boss: ‘ The players were quiescent in the second half..I can’t explain it. You know when you play those computer games where ‘player two’ isn’t selected? That was us. We were just running around without direction. No excuses…’
Sporting Radio pundit Y: ‘A lot of supporters have nine to five jobs. This game is a religion, they spend all their wages on their teams so I can see why they get frustrated, but they also need to give the new boss a chance. I don’t see what good venomous abuse is going to do even before the new coaches have parked themselves in the dugout. Red Star made some poor purchases last year – now they’re paying the price. The fans have to accept that they’re going to be a mid-table team for a few years.’ Red Star went on to win away to Chamber Athlete by two goals to one.
Sporting Radio Pundit R:’I get the feeling that the same impact of playing in The Sporting League kind of lacks the early buzz of the 1980.’
Pundit S: ‘I don’t agree. Look, I think there is a bit of an undercurrent at the moment, things are changing. Look, we’ve had teams like Novia, Delta and Olby winning in recent years. I only see that as a positive thing. You walk through Sporting City at midnight, the place is buzzing at the moment. I don’t get where it gets a reputation for being a sterile place. OK – it’s not the same as going for the nightlife in Athletico or underground scenes happening in Universo and Pointeso, but things are happening.’
Sporting League: Game 16
Metronova were the next lambs to the slaughter at the hands of leaders Universo as they suffered a four goal drubbing at home without reply. Metronova gaffer: ‘I remember playing them in a friendly just before they were promoted back into the league last year and we hammered them seven goals to nil! It was the last friendly match before the season proper, so both clubs played as though it was a league game. Boy oh boy, how much they’ve improved! I think we must’ve had about ten percent possession out there -if that! There just wasn’t a thing we could do. If they play the rest of their games like that then they’re gonna get a Sporting title and a point’s record! Man, I needs meeself a bit of a lie down.’
Yop Lane were too tough for Green Tree as they reminded leaders Universo that there is still something of a league going on below them. Yop Chairperson: Hmmm, an interesting performance to say the very least. Here at Yop Lane we take pride in our heuristic approach to tactics which seemed to be somewhat lacking in the performance today. Granted, we may be second at the moment but I’m not entirely convinced that we’re moving in a direction that is in line with our philosophy.’
Olby put the brakes on the Tranquilayers resurgence with a late goal to win at Olby stadium. Olby supporter: ‘Come on Olby, come on Olby…’ (etc).
It was an unusual atmosphere at champions Bayerns ground as they defeated Athletico by two goals to one. Bayerns boss: ‘We’ve got a huge section of the press writing ourselves and Athletico off this season which suits us both to be honest. Rebuilding takes time, it’s our intention to kick the can round the stadium for the season and see what it looks like at the end…hopefully without too many dents and scuff marks.’
Red Star drew around the Zindustrious problems in fluorescent marker pen as they ran out winners by four goals to one.
Sporting City are looking to develop their home club Sporting Athlete but are struggling to find a buyer because of it’s location just outside the boundary of the Kapitale in the industrial region of Hasting Maye.
Sporting League: Game 15
Universo Collunteen beat Pointeso in what proved to be a bad tempered affair. Pointeso boss: ‘We outplayed them and they outkicked us…simple as…’ The one goal to nil win moved the Collunteen seven points clear but they picked up a lot of injuries – their no2 player is said to be out for at least ten games.
Novia came unstuck against Delta losing the lowest amount of goals conceded by any team thus far. Sporting Radio Pundit R: ‘That was a big upset for Novia. They had a lot of possession but didn’t appear to want convert that into goals. I don’t know about all this celebrity culture stuff, I really do think it’s affected the Novia’s performances. I believe that they’re, on paper, the strongest team in the league. Perhaps that was a watershed game coz the older heads of Delta ruled that game?’
The Bayern’s players body language said it all as they’re already eleven points behind the leaders after losing by three goals to two against ninth placed Red Star.
Yop Lane moved into second place after a victory over Metronova.
Sporting League: Game 14
Tranquilayers continued their phoenix-like rise up the table with an accomplished home win at Tranquilayers pitch over Colne by a goal to nil…Green Tree experienced their first ever taste of being at the bottom of the league after their four goals to two defeat by Red Star…Universo were much too strong for Liver Halvers as they notched up a confident away win, scoring three times without reply…Sporting Radio: Pundit X: ‘Yeah, Collunteen played their percentages really well out there this afternoon. I think the heat got to the Halvers. I couldn’t help but notice how the away team seemed to get the water down their necks every time the ball was kicked in to touch – something the home side didn’t appear to do.’ Pundit Y: ‘To be fair to the Halvers, their manager has been juggling dust for the last three seasons.’
