Summary of the action from Week 3 of NTU's LIGA 11-a-side competition

For the first time this season Week 3 of the LIGA saw nine games take place, though only eight of these were the anticipated fixtures.

The planned match that didn't take place was the meeting between Bayer Lexerkusen and History Society Football Club, after a number of Lex's players were made unavailable due to academic commitments. BSOC Bulldogz, did not have a fixture due to being in their Bye Week, stepped in at late notice for a Friendly match, with History finishing the game 2-1 winners.

Back in the competitive games LIGA A produced 16 goals from it's three games. ACS continued their winning start to the year with a 6-0 victory over Bassett's All Sorts, though it should be noted that Bassett's held their own for 35 minutes before conceding two goals leading up to half time via massive deflections that left their goalkeeper with no chance.

NTU Men's Development Squad came into their second fixture of the season much better prepared than in Week 1, being able to field a full team of their own players. However, they were stunned by opponents FC Futsal who took the lead mid way through the first half. The Dev Squad replied quickly though, scoring two goals after half time and adding a third after the break. Futsal, who were themselves looking for their first points of the season, refused to lie down though and hit back late in the game with two goals of their own to leave the final score 3-3.

The most nail biting game of the day took place in LIGA A's final match, between BSOC All Stars and Kings Of Leon Osman. K.O.L.O. took the lead in the first half and were able to extend their lead to two goals early in the second. However, the last thirty minutes of the game saw one of the most sustained periods of pressure ever seen in the LIGA as All Stars pushed hard to get back into the game. A goal with fifteen minutes left gave them renewed hope, but the stoic defending of K.O.L.O., including goal line clearances and fingertip saves, seemed to have given last year's LIGA B champions the win. However, in the last minute of the game an All Stars corner was forced over the line to secure them a point and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

In LIGA B the two remaining games both produced entertainment, but in very different ways. With Pub Sports able to field a full starting eleven this week they went into their game with Puyol Pants Down with renewed optimism. However, they were dealt a blow when an injury saw them reduced to 10 men after just fifteen minutes. Pub Sports held out until ten minutes before half time when Puyol were able to add two goals in swift succession. Despite a game fight back, including adding two goals of their own in the second half, the man deficit had hurt Pub Sports too much, with the final score ending 6-2 in Puyol Pants Down's favour.

The final game played at Victoria Embankment saw Chaps Society play Teenage Mutant Ninja Skrtels. Chaps looked to be a constant goal threat throughout the game but some heroic defending and goalkeeping on T.M.N.S.'s part saw the score still standing at 0-0 at half time. Chaps scored early into the second period, but despite having more and more possession and attempts on goal, they couldn't get their second. T.M.N.S nearly made them pay for this hitting the post with fifteen minutes to go, before Chaps finally put the game to bed in the final minutes with their second goal of the game.

Over at Clifton Playing Fields three LIGA C games took place for the first time this season.

FC Banterlona bounced back from their 8-5 goalfest defeat in Week 2 with a hearty 5-0 win over Red Stripe Belgrade, ending Red Stripe's unbeaten start to the year.

Blenheim FC picked up a narrow 2-1 win over Ajaxonometric in a game where kick off was delayed by 30 minutes due to Ajaxonometric's transport issues, and which also saw the game take place with no nets due to the disappearance of a set from the club house...

The third game in LIGA C produced the high scoring game of the day as Chamakh My Pitch Up won 12-1 against Meridian Court FC. The large result should be prefaced though with the fact that Meridian Court played nearly the entire game with eight players, barring ten minutes when they wee able to borrow three from Blenheim FC while they waited for Ajaxonometric to arrive. In these circumstances even scoring was a just consolation for their endeavours.

Despite the heafty scorelines notched up by FC Banterlona, Chamakh My Pitch Up and ACS FC, Week 3's Team Of The Week award goes to FC Futsal for their fine performance in coming back from 3-1 down to draw with NTU Men's Development Squad.

Week 4 in the LIGA again throws up some interesting an potentially important fixtures in all three divisions.

In LIGA A BSOC Bulldogz face a tough task as they look to kick start their season against ACS FC, Bassett's All Sorts will be looking to get back to winning ways against FC Futsal, and NTU Men's Development Squad and King Of Leon Osman meet looking to pick up their first wins of the season.

In LIGA B History Society will finally get their competitive season up and running when they play Cypriot Society, Teenage Mutant Ninja Skrtels play Puyol Pants Down and a 100% record will be ended as Bayer Lexerkusen play Chaps Society.

With Ajaxonometric unable to play this week due to academic requirements only two games take place in LIGA C. Undefeated Expected Toulouse return to action against Blenheim FC, whilst Chamakh My PItch look to extend their own 100% record against Red Stripe Belgrade.

Meanwhile Ajaxonometric's erstwhile opponents FC Banterlona, take on BSOC All Stars in a cross LIGA friendly match.

Viva La LIGA!