Club | Season 16 – Report 3 of 4 |
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| Written by Biffdons Athletic |
| Monday, 31 August 2009 12:15 |
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THE RACE FOR PROMOTION
Division 3 has been really hotting up in recent weeks and now with just 4 matches left to play, every game is a ‘must win’ for the remaining contenders. So with just 12 points left to play for, let’s take a closer look at the promotion hopefuls.
DVD FC lead the way in 3.1 after an indifferent start to their campaign. Their form has progressively improved as the season matured and now they find themselves 5 points clear in the promotion battle. They are looking very good for one of the top two spots but will need to keep one eye over their shoulder as Rathgar and Baile Átha Cliath push hard. Rathgar and BÁC have both been at the business end of the table for the majority of the season. It’s looking increasingly likely that one of them will miss out on a promotion spot. Unfortunate stuff as both clubs deserve to be playing D2 football next season. On paper Ballybard and Enfield can still go up but barring a miracle, both should be playing D3 again next season. CURRENT TABLE: DVD FC 63 Rathgar Utd 59 Ballybard FC 52 BIFFS TOP TWO PREDICTION: DVD FC and Rathgar Utd.
3.2 is a much tighter affair. Any of the top 10 can still technically pip promotion but it’s getting tougher by the minute to look past the top 5 or 6 clubs. FC Rage have been in terrific form for the second half of the season after a poor start and although they they are only 4 points above the promotion line, they are looking good for a spot in D2. After that it’s real ‘flip a coin’ stuff for the second spot. Kilmac and Town have been there or there abouts all season but Spartak Charlsesland have been in solid form in recent weeks and could just snatch 2nd. CURRENT TABLE: FC Rage 57 Real Kilmac 54 The Town FC 53 Bangor Hibs 46 fc Skorokopy 44 BIFFS TOP TWO PREDICTION: FC Rage and Spartak Charlesland.
Similar to the 3.2 situation, a whole host of clubs still have a shout of promotion on paper but it would take a brave man to bet outside the top 5 or 6 teams. Carlow FC are a very healthy 9 points above the promotion line and surely it’s only a matter of when, not if they secure their promotion. The battle for the second spot is a tight one. Shamrock and Cork have had very consistent seasons but the emergence of StanFanciscans in the second half of the season from mid table obscurity suggests that they have the potential to hold onto 2nd spot. Chaos and Cillit Bang aren’t a million miles away but promotion would be a big ask. CURRENT TABLE: Carlow FC 63 Cork United 54 shamrock 53 Chaos 51 cillit bang 50 Smokers Utd 46 BIFFS TOP TWO PREDICTION: Carlow FC and StanFranciscans.
3.4 is one of the tightest groups in Division 3. Only 6 points separate the top 6 teams. So it really is a case of put together a good run and it could be you! Faterword and Ronanstown have been battling in the promotion race for most of the season and have a great chance of going up but the form team appears to be Shenanigans. After a desperate start to the campaign where they occupied last place for a number of weeks, they have rocketed to the top of the pile and look like the team to beat. Glenview, DBA and Linden are all more than capable of putting that good run together though too so it’s anyone’s league to take. CURRENT TABLE: Shenanigans 55 tower st 44 BIFFS TOP TWO PREDICTION: Shenanigans and Faterword.
Yet another group with all to play for. Champion Of Champions have been in the top 2 for the vast majority of season 16. And although they only hold a slender 3 point gap in the promotion race, I personally don’t see them finishing outside the top 2 come seasons end. Balloon and FC The Blues have been threatening to make a push to the top all season but it will be a tough task to remove Book Ends from their promotion spot. Some favourable results could see Lakeside make a late surge for the top but surely it’s time for the rest of the chasing pack to focus on next years Division 3 challenge. CURRENT TABLE: Book Ends 54 FC The Blues 53 Balloon FC 50 ABBEY UNITED 43 navan leeds 42 BIFFS TOP TWO PREDICTION: Champion Of Champions and Book Ends.
8 teams still capable of going up in 3.6 but it’s nearly impossible to look past the top 2! Limerick have a dominant 10 point lead and victory in their next game secures promotion. With Donegal 7 points ahead themselves, they will be looking to secure promotion as soon as possible too. At this stage, all Samtastic, Seansky and Drogmania can do is win their remaining fixtures and then hope for the best. CURRENT TABLE: samtastic 53 seansky fc 52 steaua 1 49 Blaugrana23 48 Wowe F.C. 48 BIFFS TOP TWO PREDICTION: Limerick Legends and Donegal Arsenal.
Biffdons Athletic became the first club in Division 3 to secure their promotion courtesy of 3rd place Meteor FCs surprise banning. With 4th place Magnai United 14 points behind, Biffdons are now guaranteed Division 2 football next year. Leeverpool have a tasty 8 point cushion and could have their own promotion secured this coming Wednesday if results go their way. 3.7 looks done and dusted with 4 to spare. CURRENT TABLE: Biffdons Athletic 64 - PROMOTED LeeverpoolFC 58 FC Meteor 54 BANNED BIFFS TOP TWO PREDICTION: Biffdons Athletic and Leeverpool.
With only 12 points remaining, FC Rebels promotion hopes look fairly secure thanks to their 9 point lead over 3rd place Clodagh Hibs. The battle for the second available spot isn’t as cut and dry however. Glin Rovers have a healthy 4 point advantage but they are far from safe. Of the chasing pack, Clodagh Hibs look the most likely to nudge into second spot, a thumping 4-1 win over the learders FC Rebels last night confirming their intentions. Glin do have the talent to hold on but this one could go right down to the wire. CURRENT TABLE: FC REBELS 60 Glin Rovers 55 Clodagh Hibs 51 هلالي مدريدي 50Gayatasaray 49 Eire FC 48 Cuana ELOI 46 BIFFS TOP TWO PREDICTION: FC REBELS and Clodagh Hibs.
In the final group, Uruguay Fan FC have stuttered slightly after their dominant start to the season but they only need a further 2 points to secure promotion. They have led the way since the beginning and will be deserved champions. There is a fierce battle taking place behind them however for the runners up spot as the next four teams are separated by just 4 points. It looks like being a very exciting end to the 3.9 campaign! CURRENT TABLE: cork utd 54 cork city 11 50 piranhafc 44 BIFFS TOP TWO PREDICTION: Uruguay Fan FC Rage and the-exiled...
There will surely be some fascinating encounters still to come over the next week and a half. There will be plenty of highs and lows as championships are won and Division 2 dreams are shattered. Our final report will be the Division 3 End of Season Review... Until then, best of luck to everyone... and may the best teams win! |
