AFA: Week 1 Summary

So a week of season 4 has passed; let's have a little look at what's been happing in the AFA.

Metalface Mirren top the table, cementing their place there with a classic 5-4 victory over Brainwashed United and ensuring that they will be top, even if CarTOON United win their games in hand. Quite what was passing through manager Mark Brook's mind as he saw his 5-2 lead evaporate late into the second half I don't quite know, but I doubt I would be able to reproduce it in print.

Also pushing for a place near the top are Beggarwood Athletic, proud winners of the the latest mover of the week award. A tight defence has kept them in the running but a disappointing lack of goals has meant that too many draws have crept into their results meaning they will have a real struggle to challenge for the silverware at the end of the season. Beggarwood are also the only side to have progressed in the cup to date: an own goal and a penalty good enough to see them to home and away 1-0 victories over last season's Premiership runners up: JD Legions.

Reigning champions CarTOON United look well placed to mount another serious title challenge. With just one defeat to date and an eyewateringly high total in the "goals for" column, other managers will be doing whatever they can to put off playing them. This one is certainly not looking forward to going to Riverview Park to play his last match of the season.

Looking at the reputation of the AFA, it is not hard to see why our clubs have struggled in the UFFA competitions this year. But despite not managing to pick up a single win to date between our six entrants, the clubs can be proud of their achievements. Metalface Mirren particularly, with their two creditable draws against highly ranked teams, can exit with their heads held high.

Finally, voting for the inaugural AFA goal and blunder of the week competitions has commenced and the competition is fierce in both categories. With goals coming from free kicks, direct from corners, screamers from 25 yards and deft lobs from 40 we really have been spoilt for choice. As for the award that no one wants, well we've seen pass-backs gone awry, stunning own goals, inexplicable dallying on the ball, and rushes of blood to the head that make David James look docile by comparison. With only 5 days allowed for voting, the results should be with us next week...