Good day to you and welcome to day three of the 2019 CM9798 Cup. We’re back with groups C & D today, which means we’ll see two teams for the first time this tournament in Sporting Po-Taitos and S4ooters Outlaws. Here’s a quick reminder of how both groups look after one game:

Losing the first two could be a disaster but on the flip side, six points at this stage would put one foot in the last 8. Let’s see what today brings…

Group C

Sporting Po-Taitos vs Exeter Gently

Rob Tait has entertained us with his all Brazilian team over in the Portugese league and he has built a strong team here. A slight issue is that first choice goalkeeper Andreas Kopke is out injured, so Paraguayan hero Jose Luis Chilavert is in goal.

Ross had to dig deep to see of Real Mathdrid in the previous match but his front 5 have proven to be quite the threat so far.

Here’s the video of the match. You can scroll down for the written version of events.

Bookies (well, my) favourites Sporting Po-Taitos dominated from the off here, making countless chances but a mix of poor finishing and Steve Ogrizovic’s face put them off. That is until midway through the first half when Leandro ran through and finished confidently to give his side a deserved lead. A rough half for Exeter Gently got worse when Matthias Sammer departed. Stuart McCall trundled on his placed.

Ross gave his side a rocket and they improved after the break. The introduction of Montella for Balbo certainly galvanised the men in blue but despite some early pressure, normal service was soon resumed and the assault on Ogrizovic continued. Poborsky was thrown on but that just left more gaps and the pressure eventually told, with Leandro pouncing on a poor Ogrizovic clearance to make it 2-0. The veteran still took man of the match but 25 shots tells a story.

Sporting Po-Taitos join Ross on three points as the group tightens up but on chances created alone, Rob Tait’s men will take some stopping.

Leandro putting down an early marker for the golden boot here.

Now let’s see how two sides who got off to losing starts can respond.

PSG Mashup vs Real Mathdrid

Tom Reed’s men suffered a late defeat away at Quickly Kevin United. Jerome Leroy misses out through injury so Par Andersson deputises.

Talisman and captain Dario Hubner is back for Real Mathdrid as they look to recover from their opening round defeat.

Video is embedded here, scroll down for a slower reveal.

Hubner’s return made a huge difference to Dave’s team. He gave his side an 8th minute lead which Denilson doubled shortly afterwards. Hubner added a third after 22 minutes and it was beginning to look like a rout. Mbo Mpenza did at least reduce the arrears and give his side some hope.

PSG Mashup were at least having plenty of the play so if they could get the next goal it might make for a grandstand finish. They did manage to do that but it took until the 81st minute, Mpenza netting his second of the day. Despite a late header clipping a post, Real Mathdrid were never under too much pressure and they won despite a lacklustre second half.

All the damage done in the first 22 minutes for Tom who can at least take some encouragement in the fightback.

From Tom’s point of view, at least he is only three points adrift at this stage.

All of that leaves Group C looking very tight indeed.

Everyone except PSG Mashup will be back in action on Tuesday. Tom’s lads will be back on Sunday 16th.

Group D

Bells United vs FPLHints FC

Ross Bell was absolutely brutal in match one. Winning 5-0 away is always an impressive feat and it was arguably the most impressive all round performance of all the teams who played. He goes looking to back that up with a home game against last season’s champion, FPLHints FC. Ross was missing Ibrahima Bakayoko for this one, so Henrik Larsson started alongside Ariel Ortega.

In the search for a change of fortune, FPLHints have switched to 3-1-2-3-1. Yes. Will it work though? It’s an impressive team on paper.

Here’s the video, you know the drill by now.

Two goals in the opening two minutes would suggest that formation change didn’t work. Ash opted to try and make immediate amends and it must have worked, as a penalty was awarded which Raul converted. 2-1 after 5 minutes – defences on top as usual. Larsson made it 3-1 just two minutes later though to quash any immediate thoughts of a comeback.

Despite the introduction of Dion Dublin as a marauding midfielder, the defending champions couldn’t get a foothold in the game. A red card for Ronny Johnsen with 20 minutes left put paid to any comeback hopes and by the time Ortega made it 4-1, it was to be two defeats from two for Ash. Raul did net a late consolation but the day belonged to Bells United, who racked up the chances and they look imperious so far.

That brutal opening burst set up the victory.

Ross gets to sit the next round out whilst FPLHints will play their first home game in a match they must win if they are going to progress.

Just one more match to go today then and it’s the debut of S4ooters Outlaws.

Criterion Club vs S4ooters Outlaws

Matt’s Criterion Club ran out 5-1 winners on day one and Monsieur Papin looked in particularly good form. It’s a side with not many weaknesses but it is captained by Steve Watson, inexplicably.

S4ooters Outlaws arrive on the scene with a lack of defenders but with Barnes and Gazza supporting the Icelandic re-gen, everything will be fine. Klinsmann and Bierhoff should put away any chances that come their way.

Final video of the day…

A dream start for S4ooters when Gazza capped a flowing move to give the away side the lead. That was as good as it got though, with Julen Guerrero netting after 15 minutes and Papin scoring a quickfire double on 30 and 34 minutes.

S4ooters were never allowed to dream of getting back into this. Ruben Sosa made it four just after half time and only Ian Walker kept the score respectable.  Jurgen Kohler made it 5 and Finidi George took home man of the match. A one sided affair.

That’s ten goals in two games for Matt as he joins Bells United on the early tournament “crikey they are good” platform.

It’s feast or famine in Group D. Have we got our two qualifiers already or is there any way back for the defending champion? S4ooters and Rewind have both only played once, so all is not lost yet.

That’s the end of our day three coverage, we’ll be back on Sunday with day four. We’re back in groups A and B then, where Sid Lambert’s Glipton Grasshoppers and Corinthian Collector will make their debut in their respective groups. See you there?