DBFC re-claimed the title from Forward FC after a nervy 2-1 win against Corinthians. Fielding a strong side, DBFC largely controlled matters from the outset but were always wary of the Cors counter attack. The Disco boys were 2-0 up thanks to Robbie Scott and Jordan Brown and despite a fluke of a free kick rumoured to have been caught on video from Manjeet Barr, they held on to see the game out and deservedly claim the title.
That victory meant that Forward's match with Spartans was effectively a dead rubber, and with the wind taken out of their sails, last season's champs went down 2-0. On the day, Spartans were by far the better team, keeping the ball well and scoring with two fine finishes. Chris Ransford and Casper Tonessen were the match winners in a game played in scorching heat, made all the more difficult for Sparts who had the bare eleven. That meant Forward finished the season in second on goal difference while Sparts ended a good campaign in fifth.
J-Leaguers finished off another solid season, which at one stage looked like they may even compete for the title, with a resounding 5-1 win against an out of sorts Goodfellas. Shota Yakushiji (2), Shunske Nakamura, Ryo Tsuda and Nisgiguchi were the goal scorers in a comfortable success that saw Tom Adler get the Fellas solitary goal. The win was only enough to see the Japanese outfit finish in fourth place, with Goodfellas two places further back in sixth.
That is because USRC Gunners had already secured third place in the league on Friday night at the expense of Club Tropicana, who sent out a side full of strength and power but one which ultimately came up short. Tropics started very stronger with Dylan causing all sorts of trouble on the left flank. However, mid-way through the first half a well worked move down the right saw the effervescent Steve Cairns get to the by-line and pull back a low cross that Welshman Gwyll Cornes luckily deflected home. It was two nil moments later, as another good move pulled the Tropics defence apart and a mis hit 'Onion' shot fell kindly for Cornes, who once again made no mistake from six yards.
Club Tropicana, knowing that a point would guarantee first division football next season, came out fighting in the second half and were camped inside the Gunners half for long periods. Despite that, the best goalkeeper in the league Matthew Chan was largely untroubled. Tropics did find a way through late on thanks to the trusted left boot of Paul Crompton, but it was too little too late as USRC held onto all three points and cap off a wonderful debut season for new manager Matt Ferriday.
That result meant that TSG knew all three points against Royale would see them leapfrog Tropics into third bottom, but it wasn't to be as the Dragons shaded a close encounter two nil. Shotgun did have much the better of the first half but as has been the case for much of the season, failed to make their chances count. Royale made them rue their mistakes with two break away goals in the second period through Kwok Ho Sang and Joseph Chagas ensuring TSG were relegated leaving the young dragons in a respectable ninth place, something to build on for next season.
HK Scottish and San P's will join the big boys in the top flight next season- here's hoping all teams will return for what promises to be another wonderful season of Legal League football.
In Div 2 and Div 3, Champions were also only decided in the final match day. Div 2 leaders HKK went head to head with 2nd placed HK Scottish, needing a victory to clinch the title. They were so close to success when they rushed to an early 3-0 lead in the first half relying on goals from Bastian Braun, Aboubacar Akendengue and Hey Chung.
However, HK Scottish showed their fighting spirit and desperation for the Champions and they first pulled one back before end of first half to get back into the game. In the second half it was all Scottish as they capitalized on the lack of fitness of the HKK players to bang in 3 more goals to record this amazing 4-3 comeback victory, and most importantly the Championship! Scoring heroes for the Scottish were Joseph Jenkinson, Lorenzo Budini Gattai, Myles Winter and Jordan Rhodes. HKK not only lost the Championship but also the promotion to D1, but they had only themselves to blame.