Summary of the action from Week 1 of NTU's LIGA 11-a-side competition

The 2013/14 season 0f NTU's LIGA 11-a-side looks like being a record setting one as it sees 21 sides from throughout the University competeing across three leagues, LIGA's A, B & C.

Despite last seasons LIGA A champions not reentering the Victoria Embankment league's structure this year due to a number of team members being on placement the top division looks stronger than ever. Last years runners-up and NTU Cup finalists ACS are rejoined in the top divison by the two BSOC sides (who also competed last years NTU Plate final) and the top three from last year's LIGA B; Kings of Leon Osman, FC Futsal and Table Tennis Society, with the latter now rebranded as Bassetts All Sorts. The league is rounded out and further strengthened by the entrance of NTU Men's Football's Development Squad...

LIGA B sees last seasons LIGA C champions, History Society Football Club, looking to continue their winning habit, whilst Bayer Lexerkusen will be lookling to bounce back from a dsappointing 2012/13 campaign. They are joined by five teams making their debut in the LIGA competition; Chaps Society (a splinter team from last years FC Futsal), Cypriot Society Football Club, Pub Sports (emerging from the now defunct Bayer Neverloosen), Puyol Pants Down (with former 6-a-side team Destiny at it's core) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Skrtels (represnting NTU's Cricket Club).

LIGA C, being held at Clifton Playing Fields for the second year running, consist of seven teams making their debuts this year. Whilst the name of Red Stripe Belgrade may be familiar from 2012/13, this years incarnation is a completely new team. They are joined by hall sides Blenheim FC and Meridian Court FC, along with Ajaxonometric (represnting the Architects), Expected Toulouse, FC Banterlona, and Chamakh My Pitch Up, with the latter being drawn from players who attended the trials for NTU's Men's Football Club.

The league itself got off to an inauspicious start as all six games due to be played in LIGA's A & B were forced to be postponed due to a mix up at Nottingham City Council which saw the pitches being unavailable for use.

LIGA C also suffered a blow as Meridian Court were unable to field a side, leaving Expected Toulouse able to pick up the first points of the season through a 3-0 walkover. The two remaing games in the third division provided plenty of entertainment and goals though. Red Stripe Belgrade gave a statement of their intent towards the league with a 5-0 defeat of Ajaxonometric, whilst Chamakh My Pitch Up got their season up and running with a battling 4-2 win against Blenheim FC, who also showed that they could be a force to be reckoned with throughout the season.

Next week should see three games taking place in each of the three divisions. LIGA A features FC Futsal vs BSOC All Stars, Bassets All Sorts vs BSOC Bulldogz and the anticipated meeting between NTU Men's Development Squad and ACS FC. In LIGA B Chaps Society play Cypriot Society, Puyol Pants Down meet Bayer Lexerkusen and Pub Sports face Teenage Mutant Ninja Skrtels. In LIGA C all three sides who picked up points last week will be looking to repeat the feat on Wednesday as Chamakh My Pitch Up meet Ajaxonometric, Red Stripe Belgrade face Meridian Court FC and Expected Toulouse play debutants FC Banterlona.

Here's hoping all the games go ahead...

Viva la LIGA!