B-Liga Seventh Round Summary

The league leaders' unbeaten streak coming to an end, the perennial underdogs thrashing out a draw with their highly-fancied opposition and the association president copping a season-ending injury - where else could it be but the B-Liga?

Pearl Coast Pirates went into this match on a 5 game winning streak, while Hagan's Heroes had endured a patchy run of form through the opening rounds of the competition. With both teams looking to get the three points, it was the Heroes who started the stronger with Mike Doyle, Brett Claudius, Matt Carroll and Andy Graffen all firing their team ahead to stun the men in black. The Pirates had welcomed back their goal scoring machine Phil Sheridan, but the Northern Irishman was struggling to make an impact after a 2 week layoff. The Pirates managed to hit back just before halftime with Sheridan and young Emmanuel Navarette scoring, but were clearly shell-shocked at the Heroes domination. In the second half, the Pirates managed to get back another two goals, with Paul Roach and Ken Goatley playing well, before Mike Doyle popped up to get the win for the Heroes and end the Pirates winning streak.

Final Score: Hagan's Heroes 5 - 4 Pearl Coast Pirates

NDFC had struggled to make an impact on the B-Liga this season, after taking the championship last year. It had been well documented in the media how they had lost several key players, and recruited mainly youth players whom some said did not have the experience to take the team all the way again. Broome City had been touted to score an easy victory against these young stars, but any thoughts of cruising to the win were banished just ten minutes into the game when Jesse Anear converted a penalty to take the lead for NDFC. Anear added to City's woes with another before halftime to take NDFC two goals up. In the second half, City managed to hit back with one from Steve Shaw and two from Tiger to take City into the lead. Tragedy for the City defence however in the final minutes of the game, when Anear was scythed down in the box, allowing Tom Offer to convert the penalty and give NDFC the draw.

Final Score: Broome City 3 - 3 NDFC

B-Liga Table

Next Round Preview

With the Anonymous Analyser

Hagan's Heroes vs. Racing Guantanamo AFC

Odds: Hagan's Heroes win $2.00, Draw $5.00, Racing Guantanamo win $2.20

Broome City vs. Pearl Coast Pirates

Odds: Broome City win $3.00, Draw $2.00, Pearl Coast Pirates win $1.90

Well the B-Liga is getting harder to tip than the A-League at the moment, with both favourites slipping up last week. I would have to say that Hagan's Heroes will struggle this week with the loss of Mike Doyle, who suffered a neck injury in the last round and will be out for the season. Guantanamo on the other hand have experienced a surge in team cohesion during their last match and will look to get a win over the team they beat back in Round 3. I want to say Guantanamo will win - but I think the Heroes will pip them to the post. Hagan's Heroes to win marginally.

Broome City and Pearl Coast Pirates will be a good match. You can quote me on that. I would have to say that looking at the form book, the Pirates should be a certainty, but it's hard to tell how good they will be after losing Phil Sheridan, who played his last game last week. Broome City will be chomping at the bit to avenge the draw they got with NDFC last round. I reckon though that the Pirates could just nip in here. Pirates to win narrowly.

Until next week.