British Forces Cyprus Major Units League - Season 2005/2006

(Final Table)

Click for Results Matrix

Final Report

Congratulations go to Terry Crane and his JSSU (Cyprus) team who clinched the league title with a 3-0 home win against RAF Akrotiri. After a nervous first half, the Ay Nik team took the lead early in the second period with a header from Martin Frankleton, and the championship was all but secured soon afer when Andy Campbell headed home number two. JSSU turned on the style for the remainder of the game, and a third goal from Craig Hatton wrapped up a successful league season which they have dominated from the opening day.

Congratulations too to CSSU who, despite being bottom of the table at Christmas, turned things around in the second half of the season and clawed their way up the table to take the runners-up slot to add to their success in the Major Units Cup Final. A big pat on the back to manager Rob Waller who stepped in to take over when many had baulked at the task of following on from last season's double triump. 

Important Notice

Due to an impossible fixture backlog caused by their emergency TELIC tour, coupled with their impending move, 1 RHF have reluctantly withdrawn from the Major Units Football League, although they will continue to participate in this seasons Major Units Cup competition.  This has resulted in their league record being expunged which has the unfortunate effect on JSSU (C) and CSSU having three points and the associated goal difference deleted from their own record.  This now sees JSSU (C)’s lead over Episkopi at the top of the table reduced to only one point, whilst the reigning champions’ season goes from bad to worse as CSSU now prop up the table.  We welcome CSgt Billy Miller and his 2 RRF team to BFC Major Units football.  Having been left with a mountain to climb in the league by their ESBA RIB predecessors, their attention will be firmly fixed on the Major Units Cup, with their titanic struggle with 1 RHF now only a few days away.  

JSSU (Cyprus) now have one hand the trophy following a hard fought victory at home to Dhekelia Garrison.  The visitors dominated the opening half hour during which James Crane gave them the lead with a neat finish through the goalkeepers legs on 15 minutes. The champions elect were noticeably rocked, but clawed their way back into contention and equalised five minutes before the break when SAC Daz Robertson beat Dhekelia’s clumsy offside trap and raced clear to send the teams in level at half-time.  The second half was more evenly balanced, although Dhekelia did create a number of good chances and, but for the want of a lethal finisher, could have wrapped the game up.  As it was, JSSU made them pay in the 80^th minute when Cpl Craig Hatton headed home unchallenged to give the Ay Nik team a 2-1 win leaving them needing one point from their remaining two games to be crowned Major Units Champions.       

Results:              JSSU (Cyprus) (Robertson, Hatton)             vs            Dhekelia  (Crane)                 2-1

Week 8

RAF Akrotiri 2 (Steve McKie (OG), Shane Rutherford) versus JSSU (Cyprus) 2 (WO2 Martin Frankleton, Daz Robinson)

Only one match this week as RAF Akrotiri played hosts to JSSU. The league leaders were without a number of key players due to sickness, duty and suspension; and this was great opportunity for Akrotiri to build on their recent success against CSSU. Indeed it was Akrotiri who made most of the early running and they were rewarded when a vicious Marcus Holden cross was diverted into his own goal by Steve McKie's glancing header. JSSU's response was immediate and they put the home side under sustained pressure, with Cpl Dave Galway a constant menace on the left flank, but Akrotiri held on to their lead until the break. Early in the second period LCpl Jason Knight's powerful run from midfield fed makeshift striker WO2 Martin Frankleton who despatched the ball into the roof of the net with a formidable first time strike to level the game. Akrotiri are made of sterner stuff at the moment, and they proved to be more than a match for JSSU, regaining the lead soon after through Shane Rutherford's equaliser, but JSSU managed to retain their unbeaten record thanks to Daz Robinson's equaliser to give both teams a deserved share of the points. 

Week 7

Episkopi Garrison 3 (Ritchie Williams, Dave Charnock, Mark Willison) versus CSSU 1 (Dave Dunn)

In form Episkopi played hosts to the reigning Champions this week.  CSSU, who have so far failed to find anything like the form that saw them win the double last season, found themselves behind to an early Ritchie Williams strike.  Davie Dunn levelled the match for CSSU before the break, but Epi were back in front within 30 seconds of the restart through Dave Charnock.  This proved to be a killer blow for CSSU whose heads dropped and they started to lose their composure, which was further compounded when Mark Willison made the match safe with Episkopi's third goal of the night.  With four games without a win, including three defeats, CSSU's hopes of retaining their title look slim.  Episkopi meanwhile, after finishing bottom of the table last season, have now gone four matches unbeaten and have closed the gap on leaders JSSU to three points.

1 QLR 0 versus Dhekelia Garrison 1 (Spr Billy Stewart)

Dhekelia Garrison and 1 QLR crossed swords this week, with the visitors looking for revenge following the RIB's 2-0 win in September.  A very tight game never looked like producing many goals with both defences on top.  Dhekelia's central defensive partnership of WO2 Colin Green RE and Sgt Rob Munn RAF reduced the QLR to shooting from distance, while the physical pressure of the QLR's rearguard proved too much for Spr Bash Bashir.  The goal that gave Dhekelia the points came midway through the second half.  Spr Billy Stewart picked up the ball out wide and rifled a shot beyond the reach of the QLR keeper to leapfrog the Garrison into third place in the table.

JSSU versus Akrotiri

POSTPONED due to a WATERLOGGED pitch.  This is Cyprus????? Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

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Week 6

JSSU (Cyprus) 2 (Andy Cambell (2)) versus Episkopi Garrison  2 (Mark Willison (2))

The top of the table clash between JSSU (Cyprus) and Episkopi Garrison was a thrilling encounter at Ay Nik. Both teams went into the match following a run of good results, and with their strikers in potent form. The visitors were quick out of the blocks and put JSSU under pressure; this soon paid off with Mark Willison scoring twice for Epi to bring his total to six goals in the last three games. As the half wore on, the league leaders fought back into the match and a dubious penalty presented JSSU with the opportunity to halve the deficit. Striker Andy Campbell stepped forward and placed his spot kick into the back of the net via the upright.

JSSU kept up the impetus in the second period and were rewarded when Campbell hooked home his eighth goal in three games to draw the teams level midway through the half. The home side's hopes of going on to win the game were hampered late on when influential midfielder Cpl Craig Hatton was sent off, and he may be missing for some time to come!! Although Episkopi finished as the stronger of the two teams, the game ended all square.

CSSU 0 versus RAF Akrotiri 1 (Marcus Holden)

With the top two dropping points, league champions CSSU had the opportunity to close the gap and jump into second place with a win in the Akrotiri derby. The visitors, however, with a number of key players missing, were going to be no pushovers and continually frustrated CSSU. Chances were few for both teams; CSSU's usually dominant midfield failed to open up Akrotiri, and their exasperation boiled over with LCpl Nick Bannister and SAC Gordon Wilkie ending up in the referee's book. The home side's night was made even more miserable when, with ten minutes left on the clock, Marcus Holden scored what proved to be the winner for Akrotiri on his debut to lift them above CSSU into third place in the league.

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Week 5

1 QLR 2 (NK) versus CSSU 2 (Chris Ransom, Kev Knott)

CSSU's  frustrating start to the season continued away to 1 QLR. Despite twice taking the lead with goals from Chris Ransom and Kev Knott, the champions were pegged back by the ESBA RIB with the game ending 2-2, although 6-6 would have been a better representation of the amount of chances created by the two teams.

RAF Akrotiri 1 (Steve Johnson) versus Dhekelia Garrison 4 (Spr Bash Bashir (2), Sgt Jan Leeming, Stu Carnie (OG))

Dhekelia Garrison registered their first points of the season with a comprehensive win at Akrotiri. Spr 'Bash' Bashir scored the only goal of a scrappy first half, latching onto a through ball from LCpl Gaz Morris RE and stabbing it past the advancing goalkeeper. The second half was a more competitive affair with both teams creating numerous chances. The visitors increased their lead midway through the second half when Sgt Jan Leeming RAF rose unchallenged to head home a corner, and Bashir raced clear of the home defence (on several occasions) to make it 3-0. Steve Johnson's headed goal gave Akrotiri a glimmer of hope, however, Stu Carnie robbed Bashir of a hat-trick minutes later - heading into his own goal as the Dhekelia striker was poised to tuck away a Spr Billy Stewart cross. The home sides misery was completed in the dying minutes as they were denied a consolation goal when they crashed a spot-kick against the post.

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Week 4

JSSU 5 (Andy Campbell (3), Daz Robinson (2)) versus 1 QLR 1 (NK)

It looks like a straight sprint between Chelsea and JSSU to see who can be crowned champions of their respective leagues first.  Another Andy Campbell hat-trick and two more goals from Daz Robinson helped JSSU to their third five-goal haul of the season as they crushed 1 QLR by 5-1.

Dhekelia 2 (Spr Billy Stewart (2)) versus Episkopi Garrison 3 (Mark Willison (2), Dave Charnock)

Mark Willison also kept up his impressive scoring run as Episkopi Garrison fought back from 2-0 down to win away at Dhelelia.  Spr Billy Stewart's first half brace gave Dhekelia the early advantage, but a Dave Charnock penalty kept the visitors in the game before Willison's second half double earned Epi a 3-2 win.

The match between Akrotiri and 1 RHF was postponed due to the Battalion's commitments; we wish the lads a safe tour and a swift return. 

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Week 3

1 RHF 1 (Sgt Johnny Curran) versus JSSU (Cyprus) 5 (SAC Andy Campbell (3), NK, NK)

Week 3 of the Major Units League saw only one match take place with 1 RHF playing hosts to the leaders, JSSU. CSSU's home match against Dhekelia was called off following a hockey tournament having been played on the Akrotiri Stadium pitch the day before (sacrilege). Manning problems for 1 QLR resulted in the postponement of their home match against RAF Akrotiri. So it was all eyes on the Happy Valley Stadium to see if Joe Burke's side could halt JSSU's great start to the season.

With the Army and RAF team managers seated side by side in the stand, this was a great opportunity for players from both teams to showcase their talent and maybe earn themselves a place in the respective Representative Squads for the forthcoming representative matches on the 17th October.

JSSU raced into a 2-0 lead: SAC Andy Campbell scoring the opener with a powerful header early in the first half. As the half wore on, 1 RHF stepped up the pace and pressure, but couldn't break down a resolute and well organised JSSU backline. The home team enjoyed their fair share of possession in the second half, but were undone on the counter-attack with Campbell going on to complete his hat-trick as the Ay Nik team racked up a five goal lead. 1 RHF did manage a consolation goal when Sgt Johnny Curran converted a late penalty, much to the delight of a sizeable crowd of youngsters behind the goal. 

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Week 2

Dhekelia Garrison 0 versus 1 QLR 2 (Pte North, LCpl Ayhurst)

Week 2 of the Cyprus Major Units League saw the Dhekelia derby between Dhekelia Garrison and 1 QLR.  1 QLR, keen to make amends for their heavy defeat by JSSU, started the game at a fast tempo with LCpl Dooley hitting the woodwork from close range. Spr Bashi RE had Dhekelia's best chance of the half, but, under pressure from the 1 QLR defence, he could only push his shot wide.  The stalemate remained and the score was 0-0 at half-time.  1 QLR started the brighter of the teams in the second half, and took an early lead when Pte North scored with a simple tap in following a scramble in the 6 yard box; following which the visitors seemed content to sit back and try and soak up the pressure allowing Dhekelia a lot of possession.  The Garrison, however, failed to convert their chances with Luke Leinster twice hitting the woodwork, and Spr Bashir having a half chance only inches wide.  Midway through the second half, as Dhekelia pushed forward to try and get on level terms, 1 QLR hit them on the break and LCpl Ayhurst cut into the 18 yard box and squeezed his shot in at the near post, despite the efforts of Dhekelia goalkeeper Sig Rutter.  The match remained competitive with chances being created at both ends, but despite Dhekelia's efforts to try and get back into the match, 1 QLR were able to hold out and the game finished 2-0.

RAF Akrotiri versus Episkopi  3-4

This encounter saw Episkopi in a determined mood to exact revenge for their opening day defeat against Akrotiri.  The game was a seven goal thriller with Mark Willison scoring twice on what is proving to be a happy hunting ground for him following his killer strike for the Army Youth Academy side against the RAF (Cyprus) and his extra time winner in last season's Major Units Cup Final for CSSU.  He was denied his hat-trick when his penalty was controversially chalked off by the referee, but Episkopi took all three points with Cpl Matt Madline RMP scoring the winner, wiping out the memory of his late penalty miss in the earlier meeting between these two sides.

JSSU (Cyprus) versus CSSU  3-0

The Ay Nik machine rolled on as JSSU (Cyprus) recorded a notable home win against the reigning champions.  CSSU suffered their first defeat for 11 months as JSSU moved three points clear at the top of the table with a 100% record, and even at this early stage in the season they are the only unbeaten team in the league.  Major Terry Crane's team are certainly looking like a force to be reckoned with!!

Episkopi 1 (Jase Lewis)  versus RAF Akrotiri 2 (Bob Plunkett, Shane Rutherford) 

Monday 12 September saw the opening day of the Cyprus Major Units Football League kick-off with an early start in Happy Valley as Episkopi Garrison took on RAF Akrotiri. After a srappy opening ten minutes, Akrotiri found themselves a goal up against the run of play when Bob Plunkett hit a first time shot twenty yards out which beat the outstretched arm of Mick Burton in the Episkopi goal. Immediately from the restart, Episkopi were deservedly level when Jase Lewis received the ball just inside the penalty area and stroked it neatly into the top right hand corner of the goal. The score remaining 1-1 up to the interval.

The second half started with Akrotiri having the better of the possession; they failed to create any clear-cut chances on goal. Midway through the second half though, Akrotiri broke the Episkopi off-side trap with a midfield run from Shane Rutherford who poked the ball past the on-rushing goalkeeper to put Akrotiri 2-1 up. With barely two minutes remaining, Episkopi were handed a lifeline when Sig Andy Mercer (CCU) was bundled over in the box and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Cpl Matt Madine RMP (CJPU) stepped up to take the penaly but, although his powerful strike beat the goalkeeper, it thumped off the crossbar and Akrotiri cleared the rebound and held on to take the three points.

CSSU 3 (Pte Wayne McSeveney (2), Jacko Jackson) versus 1 RHF  0

CSSU started their campaign with a home fixture in Akrotiri against 1 RHF, and got off to a dream start when Pte Wayne McSeveney hit a superlative left foot volley from 25 yards to give the champions a fifth minute lead. Jacko Jackson made it 2-0 before the break but 1 RHF, with Sgt Johnny Curran and Cpl Mitch Mitchell prominent in mid-field, were more than a match for CSSU in the second half, however, McSeney killed the game off when he added his second goal of the night to record a 3-0 win.

1 QLR  0 versus JSSU (Cyprus)  5

In Dhekelia, 1 QLR played hosts to JSSU(C). The home team, weakened by the loss of a number of players due to the Battalion's impending move, were up against it from the word go, against their determined and well organised visitors. The Ay Nik team put in a strong performance against resolute opposition and recorded a notable 5-0 success to put them on top of the table after the first round of matches.

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