Fast Starts and Early Trips in Summer Season Opener

The first day of the Summer season saw three of the four top flight teams from last season win their matches, while the least expected to trip up was last season's League and Cup champions, Chico's Bail Bonds. Taking Chico's place in the top four was the league's latest team, Berry Park - comprising half of the old Bangarang as well as a handful of free agents.

Chico's and Badgers faced each other at 8:05. The former were slow off the mark, and the latter were in a punchy mood. There was some good end to end action early on, but Chico's first touches weren't as sharp as usual. Chico's nevertheless led 2-1 at the half. But Badgers are known for a good counter attacking game, and they made Chico's pay for not being on their usual cutting-edge up front. Badgers showed big heart to rally from behind. Newcomer Amanda M. scored the game winner, and Dave K., returning after having missed the last few games of the regular season with a knee injury, sealed the win with a late strike. Final score: Badgers 4 - Chico's 2.

The other 8:05 match was Berry Park at AC Kermans. Unfortunately, most of ACK's female players are out of country, and, just before the match, their two in-country female players cancelled at the last minute. Rather than playing two people down, ACK decided it would be better to forfeit the match and have a friendly. Berry Park lent them two players so that BP could get some crucial practice time in as a unit. And they showed some remarkably good form for a more or less new squad. Speed, determination and unselfish play are the early marks of the league's latest team. Final Score: Berry Park 6 - ACK 1 (offically a forfiet to Berry Park - which equates to 3-0 in the standings).

FC Headers and Wild Turkeys took field 1 at 9:15. The Header's new blood injected some fire into this already hot house of a team. Aaron S. was made welcome with inclusion to the starting 7, and he proved his worth by producing the Headers' first tally of the season. Newcomer Jessica G. came off the bench midway through the second half, showing a remarkably well controlled first touch of the ball. The all 'round stature of this team seems to have lived on to yet another season. Like the Scousers, Headers also had four goal scorers on the night. So, again, this season looks like it may be another contest between these two teams to produce the most goals, and amongst the widest breadth of players. Final score: Headers 6 - Turkeys 1.

Also at 9:15 were the Scousers and Hawks FC (formerly Hounslow Harriers). This was the third game in a row that they'd faced each other - which didn't help temper a rivalry that now seems well beyond a mere season in the making. Another fiesty match, with some good scoring chances at either end early on. But it was the Scousers who settled into their own, controlling much of the possession. Several combinations worked for them up both sides of the pitch, and they made their crosses count. Sharp, clean finishes from striker Dan W. (2 goals) and attacking midfielder Caroline C., and nifty runs up the middle from central midfielder Niel C. (2 goals), were the stuff of Portugal in Monday's WC match against N. Korea. Newcomer Ayal also slotted one between the posts for the Scousers. Final score: Scousers 6 - Hawks 2.

Post-match notes:

There were suprisingly few faces on such a gorgeous night at partner watering hole, Berry Park. Most of the Headers were there, together with the usual Melissa F (Berry Park) and ubiquitious Chee W. (Chico's).

Come on other teams! Let's get the donations rolling early on this season. It's stunning up there on that deck, and it's of course a good chance to get to know some of the people you see week in and week out. And don't forget: a dollar a drink goes to our charities.