Dún Laoghaire Town 0 : Rathoath Harps 3

Not even the presence and strategic guidance of former Chairperson Abrahim Abdul-Wahid, home from Abertawe (Swansea), could prevent another defeat for the "B" Squad playing at home to Rathoath Harps FC from County Meath on Saturday 27th October 2007. The first half went reasonably well with both teams missing easy chances delivered by mistakes on both sides. However, with a goal disallowed for each team, both teams went into the break goaless. Changes by Manager Yahaya Shehu five minutes into the second half proved too little and maybe, too late as the lads from Rathoath put three goals by keeper Derek McAsey as Dún Laoghaire's defence opened-up time and again. An injury to Declan Daly and the sending off of Jack Bwalya on a Red Card depleated "The Town" leaving the final score:- DLTFC 0 : Rathoath Haprs FC 3 (referee Alan Turner) (pictured Ian Kane wearing number 16 battles hard to keep possession)

Good Performances by Both Squads

The "A" Squad was at home to Terenure College on Saturday 20th October 2007 in a match that was frustratingly exciting and very fast throughout. This was a return match that the lads of "The Town" looked forward to with considerable gusto and they weren't in any way disappointed. Once again, the locals of Shanganagh were out in force to shout on "The Town" and they were treated to a very tense game and despite many chances, it was nil all at the break. The second half, once again, produced many chances but it wasn't until the last twenty minutes of the game that the lads of "The Town" were clearly in control. A disallowed goal was hotly disputed by the players, Manager and the many spectators at the game - but the referee was having nothing of it. Then in the last five minutes - the long awaited Dún Laoghaire goal was brilliantly executed by the young and very talented Dean Kelly from Shanganagh. Final score: DLTFC 1 : Terenure College 0. On the same day, the "B" Squad travelled to the beautiful grounds of the historic Malahide Castle in north County Dublin to meet Malahide United in what proved to be an excellent game. The lads of "The Town" were in control of the game for most of the first and the greater part of the second half, however, the unavoidable absence of goalkeeper Derek McAsey proved to be the chink in the armour. But manager, Yahaya Shehu, based on solid training over the last two weeks, rallied his troops to deliver a sound performance against Divisional leaders Malahide. The only goal for "The Town" came from the very strong and skillful boot of David Mooney from Dalkey. Final score: Malahide 2 : DLTFC 1 (pictured above, "B" Squad Manager, Yahaya Shehu)

"B" Squad Played a Stormer in St. Anne's Park

The "B" Squad was away to Pioneers' FC on Saturday 13th October 2007 (match report to follow)

"A" Squad Concede 17 Goals in 3 Matches - What's Up Lads?

The bad luck continues for the "A" Squad as they concede another 6 goals with no reply against Monksfield on Saturday October 13th 2007. This result brings the total number of goals conceded in the last three games to a staggering 17 - what's gone wrong lads? The game started well and indeed, for the first twenty minutes the lads of "The Town" looked as if they were going to easily get the better of Monksfield. Monksfield's first goal was followed by two more before the break. But very shortly after the first Monksfield goal things started to go very badly wrong as Monksfield or, more accurately, the referee, vigorously played the off-side rule to deny "The Town" any chance of an equaliser. Indeed, unbelievably the lads from "The Town" were "caught" off-side no less than seventeen times by a very officious referee who refused to listen to any protests on the matter from players or the sideline. Remarkably, Monksfield had no such problem nor indeed, had they any problems with any alleged infringements of the game such as placing a foot over the sideline to get water or having water bottles brought on to assist downed players. The rule book and whistle were certainly much in evidence and very questionably so on a number of occasions. But, to their credit, the Dún Laoghaire lads accepted this awkwardly unusual situation with dignity - which brought some very supportive comments from the opposition at the end of the game. Final score: Monksfield 6 : DLTFC 0 (pictured above, the kick off at Monksfield)

Both Teams Concede 6 Goals

Another bad day for both teams as the "A" Squad conceded 6 goals to St. James' Athletic FC at home, whilst the "B" Squad did the same away to Palmerstown United. The performance of the "A" Squad will certainly give Manager Japo Kelly much to think about as mistake after mistake heaped on the pressure as St. James' took full advantage of a very disorganised defence. Though it would be unfair to just blame our defenders - the rest of the players were frequently out of position with the inevitable results. Directions from Japo and Deputy Manager, Jay Kane, left those on the sideline wondering whether any of our players were listening. At times the midfield was in total disarray as anything reaching our forwards was swiftly dispatched by St. James'. With less than twenty minutes to go some semblance of order began to slowly emerge as the lads of "The Town" finally started to show their real form and potential - but alas, it was all too little and far too late to save the game. The only goal for "The Town" came, once again, from the very talented Dean Kelly. However, if there was a "Man of the Match" award for this game it would have to go to our youngest player, Gary Leonard, who never gave up against lads nearly twice his size. Final score: DLTFC "A" 1 : St. James Athletic 6. (pictured above, Luke McMahon, Karl Waddington and Captain, Paddy Kershaw). The "B" Squad playing away to Palmerstown United got off to a very bad start with goalkeeper, Derek McAsey, held up in traffic and other players out through injury. Though, the first goal of the match came from "The Town's" Tiziano Makanzu (pictured below) the rest of the first half was simply a disaster as the Palmerstown lads put five goals away with comparative ease. With no clear strategy, chaotic defending and an apparent inability to seize any chance whatsoever, the halftime whistle put an end to the embarrassment. With their regular goalkeeper in place for the second half, the lads picked up their game and really showed their metal as two halves couldn't have been more different. Palmerstown only managed one goal in the second half as the lads of "The Town" clearly took control of the game. Our second goal came from the very skillful boot of Thierno Bah . But like the lads of the "A" Squad, finding form late in the game couldn't save the day for the "B" Squad either. Final score: Palmerstown 6 : DLTFC "B" 2