THE END

Guys,

The last game was played.   

Celtic 7  Groovers 4

which means the final table standings are as above..  which means the winners are 

SPORTING LISBARNES

... equalling their league standing from last season !  But a much closer affair this time around.

CONGRATS THE LISBARNES !!!  2008 - 2009 WINNERS OF THE BARNESALONA LEAGUE !!!

Well done to Celtic for making them sweat in the last couple weeks, only 2 points behind.. if Celtic had beaten them on 26th April, rather than lose 1-0.....

And behind in 3rd, a whole 12 points behind (12 points !) are WKK, with Groovers settling in in 4th place, with Loko right behind them (with 1 point margin - I hear that some Loko players helped the Groovers in their win 2 weeks ago... I won't say anymore except what great sportsmanship...)  The Bloods in 6th place with 25 points, followed by Madras & Barnes, both with 20 points (but with Madras edging ahead on goal difference), Uncle Bob in 9th place, and our friends Hendrix in last place with no wins.... but with one draw.

STATISTICS

GOALS

We scored a total of 506 goals in League and Cup group stage, playing 220 games, with 44% of games won, and 12% drawn, and an average of 2.3 goals/game.

BEST ATTACKING

Celtic scored the most goals = 70 in the league + 11 in the cup stages = 81

Lisbarnes scored 60 in the league and 17 in the cup = 77

WKK came third with 47 goals in the league (same as for the Groovers) and 16 in the cup = 73

WORST ATTACKING

Hendrix with 15 + 3 = 18 (though they folded in April)

Uncle Bob with 19 + 5 = 20 (they nearly folded - thanks Terry for taking management on !)

Lokomotiv with 29 + 4 = 33

BEST DEFENCES

Lisbarnes conceded the least = 23+8 = 31

WKK conceded 26 + 10 = 36

Celtic conceded 27 + 14 = 41

WORST DEFENCES

Hendrix conceded the most = 68 +12 = 80

Groovers conceded 56 + 8 = 64

Uncle Bob conceded 42 + 21 = 63 (21 goals in 4 cup games ain't bad..!)

Well done to the Groovers for winning the James Rettie Cup, and for Lisbarnes as finalists.

Congrats to WKK for winning the Barnesalona Cup, with Celtic as runners-up (nice to see that rivalry still at play in big games!)

Well done should also go to Barnes and Madras for coming in 1st and second of their cup groups, and hence getting through to the semi's of the James Rettie Cup ( I believe some memories need to be erased for Barnes at the semi's... thats all I will say on the matter). 

We have lost Hendrix who have been with Barnesalona since its conception, so that was very sad news for all concerned.  I do hope some of the players will look to join other teams - always nice to see familiar friendly faces.

We will lose the Groovers, as Said has finally decided to hang up his management boots, and hopes to have an easier job playing next season for an existing team.

We have however gained a new team, who gave up playing in affiliated leagues, due to the unfriendliness they encountered from opponents in those leagues - they have waited one year and will now join us.   I have no doubt they will fully appreciate the friendly (but competitive) league we have.

There are many other anecdotes/stories that I can think of, but for fear of missing others, it would be would be great if anyone would like to post comments on stories they feel should be aired for posterity on this last season.   I can't recall all of them !  

I'd like to say that I thoroughly appreciate all the hard work put in by ALL the managers and assistant-managers, and fund managers, and all those who help organise the teams on Sundays.  Seriously great job and often thankless I imagine, but I hope you get something out of it ! 

I'd also like to mention my greatest pleasure....  that of seeing managers and teams's willingness to dismiss / discipline / educate their players/teams on the importance of playing with sportsmanship.  You all know who you are, and you are all GIANTS in making those calls.  Its been my biggest challenge since I've taken on this league, and I've seen this spirit increase in size and shape ! Perhaps maturity on all our parts has beared its fruit !  I don't know !  And it doesn't matter !  Its just great to see it taking shape.. I could harper on, but this league is not about me, its about you guys, so I will stop there. 

By the way, I will be looking to join a team next season.  I've found some boots that fit (taken me bloody ages since the last pair I bought 10 years ago!).  If you need to figure out whether I'm any good, please could I ask for Dorian from WKK, or Saf from London Bloods to let people know how bad I was !   Did I ever mention Enfield Town were after me 10 years ago..?

Awards night to follow.

League Standings

League

from 5th April

Celtic 4 WKK 1

Loko 1 Bob 0

Madras 1 Lisbarnes 3

from 12th April

Barnes 2 Lisbarnes 5

Bloods 0  WKK 2

Hendrix 0 Loko 2

Easter weekends are really no joy for kicking a footy as everyone seems more intent on eating chockie!  Hence, the quagmire of chasm last minute detritus that was experienced in the week running up to the weekend regarding fixtures!  Well done to Barnes and Lisbarnes for playing on Sunday. 

CUP FINALS

We had both the Cup Finals and a league game being played today.

CUP FINALS

The James Rettie Cup

Groovers 2 Sporting Lisbarnes 1

Lisbarnes scored the 1st goal, even with Groovers tactic of looking to contain them in the 1st half.  Groovers pushed then for an equaliser and got one in the 30th or so minute.  1-1 at half time.  Groovers decided to then take the game to them by pushing forward a little more, and they were rewarded with a 2nd goal, which was very nicely taken.  Some very nice football from both teams - good competitive game, a good one to watch.  And the weather was decent !

The Barnesalona Cup

WKK 5  Celtic 2

A good contest between old rivals - score didn't reflect the game in so much as the last 2 goals for WKK were scored in the last 10mns.  WKK scored 2 in the 1st 15mns, the 1st coming in the 1st 5 mns, but in true Celtic style, they fought back and scored a goal to bring them back into the game.  2-1 at half time.   In the second half, it was very much equal between both teams, but WKK scored again.. 3-1 to WKK.  Celtic were awarded a penalty for a hand ball, Eddie cooly placing the ball in the back of the net, with 15-20mns to go.    But, WKK took their chances in the counterattacks, now Celtic were pushing up to secure themselves another goal, by placing ball in the net twice in the last 10mns or so.  Another good competitive game played.   Weather not as nice as the morning game though :-(

All awards and medals will be given at the end of season awards ceremony - date and venue to be confirmed.

Congrats to both the Groovers and WKK; and well done the runners-up Lisbarnes and Celtic !

LEAGUE GAME

We also had one league game, which finished 

Bloods 3 Bob 1

Didn't see the game so cannot make any comments !..

Have a good week.

League games

Scores

Madras 0 Groovers 3

Bob 0  Celtic 1 (double header)

Loko 2 Hendrix 0 (game forfeited)

Lisbarnes 3 Barnes 2

WKK 0  Bloods 2

Tables have taken interesting turn yet again, with WKK losing this weekend.  Yours truly was given the opportunity to play again (for 25mns or so) for the Bloods, so thanking you for the opportunity.   I enjoyed my run around.

Beautiful weather yet again !

Cup Finals next weekend !

League games

SCORES

Some seriously interesting score lines !  All of them impacting on the top table fight - DUM DUm dummmmm.... (pathetic attempt at atmos)

The Groovers drew with WKK (and from what I understand, the teams had a not terribly happy referee swearing and blinding at everyone.. sounds like he has ref'd 1 or 2 too many games and had enough !).

Madras beat Hendrix 8-0 - Hendrix only had 8 men turn up, with me making the 9th.  Playing left back which I have never done, unfit (I have had a run out twice in the last 9 months !), with dodgy ankle and knee, trying to protect the left flank from the onslaught of 2 men was... well...  an interesting challenge.   Shame other Hendrix players who were supposed to make it let their team mates down - difficult enough for a manager to run a team... ah, sod it, I end it there.  Well done Graham for trying to sort things out.  

Celtic scored a winner vs Loko in the 90th minute, keeping them in real contention in the league.   The cheer when they scored I am led to believe, was overheard in Putney.

Bob, with 9 men I understand beat Barnes 3-2.. With Bob's record in the league, thats quite something !  ;-)    

And the Bloods got a draw out of Lisbarnes, in what was a competitively fought game from what I hear - well done the Bloods.   This is completely opened up top table standings!

There are still some tough games out there to play and all to play for..  Celtic are to play Lisbarnes and WKK, so top table points for the grab..

Groovers 2  WKK 2

Madras 8  Hendrix 0

Loko 0 Celtic 1

Bob 3 Barnes 2

Lisbarnes 2 Bloods 2 

League games

Big game was played - WKK vs Lisbarnes; I turned up with 20mns to go, and it was 1-0 to Lisbarnes.   Ended 5-0... think my yellow trainers matching Lisbarnes's tops must have been the key factor.  'nough said.

WKK 0  Lisbarnes 5

Celtic 2 Madras 1 

Hendrix 2 Groovers 3

Barnes 3 Loko 1

Bob 0 Bloods 2

Celtic also threatening close behind in 3rd position with 2 games in hand.. 

Was sorry to hear of a "punch up" and 2 red cards with the Groovers v Hendrix occured in last 5mns of the game.   I am sure the managers will have something to say to the players, and hope they will make informed decision on any banning required.. RIGHT !