This week saw a string of mouth-watering clashes between sides at the top of the table.

Matchday four saw last seasons two title protagonists face each other for the first time this season. Athletico Teabag put themselves in front early on through Drago Kalin and when Anders E. Hansen had to leave the game a minute later, the Tribesmen were forced to show their champions resolve, peppering the Teabag goal until Aliff Mohammed Ali found the net on 24 minutes. On balance the draw was probably a fair result although it could have been so different as Kalin failed to convert the penalty he ‘won’ and then the ref did his best to make amends by not sending off Pat Murdock. Poetic justice perhaps?

Having lost two players to injury but without being weakened, Teabag could have no complaints about their defeat by a Le Sharks that dominated the chances but still could have dropped points having failed to kill off the tie. Buoyed by that result, the visit of Askeaton must have seemed less daunting, but the terrible finishing that blighted their campaign returned with a vengeance as Askeaton showed the clinical nature all managers in this game aspire to in a 3-1 win.

All this left Pirate Ninja Dinosaurs United as the big winners, while Le Sharks 100% record was being consigned to history, the Yarrrghs were dispensing with Lisburn City although they were made to sweat a little at the end. For the second game in a row, two first half goals proved decisive and -coupled with a mauling given to LEGLESS ATHLETIC- PND are back on top of the tree, one of only two unbeaten sides left in the division.

In spite of that defeat, Lisburn have still managed to move in the right direction this week. One nil to the arsenal could only draw against Lepers United meaning goal difference keeps The Phoenixes in the fourth spot they gained. Both these sides remain hot on the heels of the current top three but will need to up the tempo in order to keep in the hunt and keep the likes of Celtic Bhoys and Buggleskelly Swifts AFc at bay.

The managers of all four of these sides will be conscious of the heavy-hitters seeking to recover from poor starts to the season. As mentioned above, Athletico Teabag had a bad week with a draw against the Cup Winners definitely not the tonic needed after their other results.

The most notable side making the right moves are Na Fianna, who recovered from their fourth consecutive defeat of the season to record two wins and start pulling themselves up the table. Killian O’ Rourke opened his LOI account in somewhat controversial fashion against Lepers United and was then dropped for the visit of Park Rangers FC to the Bog of Almhainn in what proved to be an inspired tactical move.

LEGLESS replace them at the bottom after yet another horror week, with only one point and Lepers United for company, this could prove to be a very long season unless they get their act together and fast. A five point gap to the play-off spots, even this early in the season could prove fatal in such a hotly contested division.

Although, to be fair there is only a three point gap from there to chasing the European pack. Life is good…if you’re a neutral anyway.

Game of the Week – Le Sharks vs. Leinster Lions – A game to prove the two halves cliché.

Player of the Week – Shay Dunne (Pirate Ninja Dinosaurs United) Fantastic performances all week long, just what the pirate ordered.