check serif;”>Thomas Hobbscialis serif;”> takes a look at the wild games and even crazier nomenclature in UCD’s Superleague
there serif;”>Belfield’s favourite in-house soccer competition entered into its fourth round of fixtures this weekend with recent weather as exotic as some of the various team names across the three Superleague divisions. This week, we take a look at Division 1 Saturday; a league opened up by the departure of two top four teams in the form of the disbanded Haven’t a Kalou and ABCDE FC (who now ply their trade in the Sunday Premier League).
The season has started in characteristically explosive fashion with a couple of early pace setters in the shape of Waldo’s and LA Galaxy Caramel, each with three wins from three heading into the weekend. Conversely, there have been humbling welcomes for others such as Roebuck Rangers who as early as week 3 found themselves lumbered a goal difference of -20.
Despite their difficult start, Rangers appeared determined to shake off any ‘pushover’ tags on Saturday as they engaged in a tightly contested 4-2 loss to LA Galaxy Caramel. Caramel, showing no signs of ‘second season syndrome’ in the Superleague, were stunned when underdogs Rangers took a first half lead through a thunderous free kick from Ozan Balcik which Caramel ‘keeper Graham Fogarty could only admire. Former Granada FC midfield maestro Andy Lyne leveled after a well timed through ball from Conor Higgins. Caramel would go on to take all three points with the help of an own goal from Rangers captain Barry O’Fialchain who put his misfortune down to “some questionable physics”.
Newcomers Waldo’s continued their impressive start to the season though in the form of a perhaps flattering 5-0 margin of victory over an injury-stricken and lacklustre Bayer Neverloosin side. Waldo’s are an impressive passing outfit featuring several players in their first year at UCD, including central midfielder Paul Egan, and they have shone in their debut season despite a goal drought from acclaimed front man Stephen Kelly.
Neverloosin, whose makeshift goalkeeper Rory Eakin after the game vowed “never” to play the position again, struggled for movement and creativity as powerhouse forward Ceithrean Murray and the mercurial Paddy Daly went home frustrated with chances few and far between. Captain Michael Guerin bemoaned his side’s weak psychological state, referring to the “mental” hangover of a narrow 6-5 loss to League Cup Champions, The Absolute Gents, on their previous outing.
Culinary veterans Sauce Pan Celtic thumped table-toppers Breast Homage Albion with a 5-0 victory including two goals and two assists from Shane “The Train” Scanlon and Neil “9 toes” Cowzer respectively. It would be premature to read into league tables at this stage of the season but captain Cathal Jenkins will be happy regardless to see Sauce Pan top of the league for at least five days, one point ahead of Caramel and Rangers who both have a game in hand.
Elsewhere, a man of the match performance from centre half Paddy Costello saw Real Baked run out 3-1 winners over Los Playeros while clinical finishing gave Oil Sheiks a 5-0 triumph over pointless Callary Rovers. Borussia Munchenblacksack were on the bad end of a difficult decision for the referee when opponents The Absolute Gents’ goalkeeper allegedly handled the ball outside of the box in the final minute of play in a controversial 2-1 win for the Gents.
