Class on Grass (2) 4 – 14 (7) Grad Lads

The opening fixture of 2019’s Monday league was a repeat of the opening game of the season. Class on Grass against Grad Lads, which back then saw Class take all three points in a seven-four affair. Would history repeat itself or would the two-week winter break throw the league a curve ball? It certainly looked that way for Class when they opened the scoring in the third minute. This was to be just a lucky break though, as Grad Lads hit back with six goals, including a five-minute hat-trick for Tommy Tam. The half eventually ended with a seven-two scoreline.

Class on Grass needed an epic comeback in the second half, but unfortunately for them, it wasn’t to be. Grad Lads were firing on all cylinders and every outfield player found the target. By the time the ref blew for full time it confirmed a 14-4 win for the Lads. Israel had bagged four, and man of the match Laurence had five to his name. With games in hand, a top spot is within reach for Grad Lads with the right results from the upcoming fixtures.

Real Tangiers (2) 9 – 3 (2) FNF 7

ALT Boys (0) 0 – 18 (7) Betel Nottingham

Still to register a point this season, ALT Boys had a massive challenge this week facing last season’s winners, Betel Nottingham. It’s not been an easy title defence for Betel though, who haven’t won since November. For some teams the two week Christmas break can effect performance, but that wasn’t the case for Betel. Entering 2019 like a new team, they showed the league what they’d been known for last season. Alistair McLeish bagged a hat-trick with barely eight minutes on the clock, and Rey and Rafa took the first-half goal haul up to seven, with no reply.

If ALT Boys hoped Betel would take their foot off the gas in the second half and give them a chance to get back into the game, they were bitterly disappointed. It was goals galore for Betel, with David, Alex and Kyle each scoring a second half brace. With his nine goals on the night, Alistair took man of the match, in an 18-nil whitewash. Betel face Grad Lads next, and a victory could see them move into third and make their title defence very much a possibility if FNF stumble.