PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Loveder

After yet another scintillating weekend of action the SBCL Premier Division now has an outright leader. Ormesby are early title contenders thanks to a hard fought victory away from home, whilst both Fusion and North Ayrshire notched their first wins of the campaign. 

Ormesby find a way

It appeared that the fixture everyone had been waiting for had come at exactly the wrong time for Ormesby. Their visit to Brighton was a clash of the undefeated, a thrilling encounter that promised to put one side in prime position as the league approached the halfway mark. But thanks to a range of factors Ormesby headed into the tie without regulars Enio Mendes, Ben Piggott and Sam Mabey. Would their new trio be able to match the power and skill of Brighton? Let alone perform in what would be a packed and lively hall.

Step forward Humberto Manhani Junior and Yoan Rebetez (pictured). The duo, signed just ahead of the weekend, performed incredibly alongside the consistently brilliant David McBeath to get the job done for the visitors.

The 4-3 loss is by no means the end of Brighton’s title chances, the season is long and they have too many top quality players in their squad for one defeat to completely derail their campaign.

BATTS still in the hunt

Chris Doran once again featured in a BATTS victory, something that has been said a thousand times before. North Ayrshire’s Viktor Gorman provided the strongest resistance, but BATTS fought through and continue to put pressure on the two teams above them in the league.  

Sitting third in the table they have the opportunity to leapfrog Brighton into second when the two meet in a couple of weeks time. With six rounds still to play, BATTS will know that if they continue to put in performances like this, they will be in with a shot of becoming champions in May.

Fusion finally rewarded

In what were some of the toughest opening fixtures possible, Fusion had shown real spirit but gone down to both BATTS and Brighton. This round was their time to shine, and they duly delivered with a win against Drumchapel Glasgow.

Father-son duo Larry and Lorestas Trumpauskas were at the heart of the effort, but it was Shaquille Webb Dixon who picked up the player of the match award. For Fusion not having a victory on the board until December is not a true reflection of their quality, simply a tough fixture list in a tough league.

Thanks to their debutant delight Ormesby now sit clear at the top of the league table. Sitting on 10 points, two behind the leaders, are Brighton and BATTS. Fusion and North Ayrshire are fourth and fifth whilst Drumchapel Glasgow sit at the foot of the table having yet to pick up a victory. 

The next round of fixtures take place on Saturday 14th December with Fusion travelling to Ormesby, BATTS hosting Brighton and Drumchapel Glasgow welcoming North Ayrshire.

Results

North Ayrshire 6-1 Fusion

Brighton 3-4 Ormesby 

Fusion 6-1 Drumchapel Glasgow

North Ayrshire 2-5 BATTS