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2000/2001 Results:
Cardiff Northern  2   Cardiff Tent Services 0
Cardiff Northern  3   Inter Jardinere       2
Cardiff Northern  6   Headwork              0
Cardiff Northern  2   Splott Celtic         0
Cardiff Northern  6   Spartak Caerdydd      0
Cardiff Northern  3   Wasteaspace FC        3
Cardiff Northern  5   Lock Stock & 5...     2
Cardiff Northern  2   Caerau Celts          1
Cardiff Northern  6   Trowbridge Old Boys   1
Cardiff Northern  4   Barry United          1
Cardiff Northern  6   Birchgrove Blades     0
Cardiff Northern  2   Cardiff Tent Services 0
Cardiff Northern  1   Inter Jardinere       2
Cardiff Northern 10   Headwork              2
Cardiff Northern  5   Splott Celtic         0
Cardiff Northern  1   Spartak Caerdydd      0
Cardiff Northern  2   Wasteaspace FC        1
Cardiff Northern  3   Lock Stock & 5...     2
Cardiff Northern  0   Cardiff Allstars      0
Cardiff Northern  1   Trowbridge Old Boys   1
Cardiff Northern  3   Barry United          3
Cardiff Northern  1   Birchgrove Blades     1

2000/2001 Final League Table:
                      Pld    W    D    L    F    A   GD  Pts
CARDIFF NORTHERN       22   16    5    1   74   22   52   53 Champions
Wasteaspace            22   14    2    6   68   46   22   44
Trowbridge Old Boys    22   12    5    5   70   49   21   41
Splott Celtic          22   12    3    7   54   44   10   39
Inter Jardinere        22   11    2    9   41   35    6   35
Cardiff Tent Services  22    9    4    9   51   34   17   31
Barry United           22    9    3   10   58   51    7   30
Birchgrove Blades      22    8    4   10   42   40    2   28
Headwork               22    8    3   11   41   54  -13   27
Cardiff Allstars       22    7    2   13   42   67  -25   23
Spartak Caerdydd       22    4    4   14   17   62  -45   16
Lock Stock & 5         22    3    1   18   29   83  -54   10

15th October
Northern 5 Lock Stock 2

Northern's 100% record went last week, but the lads were determined to keep their unbeaten run going in this match against Lock Stock. Northern started off well creating some chances early on, and keeping possession well. Lock Stock did not have a single chance in the opening ten minutes. Lock Stock's luck held out as chances went begging for Northern as all the possession failed to produce a goal. But Carl Manley broke the Lock Stock rear guard with a low near post drive that had the keeper beaten all ends up. Matthew Martin with the assist. Carl would soon make it 2-0 with another typical Carl Manley drive, this time into the top far corner, and not long after completed his hat-trick with yet another hard bending shot. So Northern went into the interval 3-0 up.
Northern again dominated the possession in the second half, though Lock Stock managed to carve out a few chances. But the ever dependable Russell Palmer was as solid as ever, and David Manley, despite regular unnecessary forward runs helped him out when required. Gareth Bartlett, Ross Gunter and Gavin Bishop also performed admirably in midfield. Carl Manley put Northern 4-0 up before going off for a well deserved break. Gareth Bartlett rounded up the Northern scoring with arguably the best strike of the night. Russell won possession and a simple ball through the middle to David led to a surging run and pass before Gareth set himself and drilled high past the keeper into the top corner. The only bad point of the night for The Northern was an injury to top scorer Matthew Martin who was helped off the pitch with less than a minute remaining. He aggravated a past knee injury and may be out for a while. Lock Stock scored two consolation goals late on but never threatened to come back into the game. We will bring news of Martin's injury next week.

Squad for game against Lock Stock: Barrie Willacott, David Manley, Russell Palmer, Ross Gunter, Gareth Bartlett, Gavin Bishop, Carl Manley, Matthew Martin.

8th October
Northern 3 Wastaspace FC 3

In this top of the table clash, both sides looked evenly matched in the opening minutes. Northern had a few chances put wide and Wastaspace almost took the lead when their striker went clean through, dummied keeper Barrie Willacott who dived too soon, and then shot along the floor. But Barrie was up like lightening (for once) and managed to push the ball wide. The game was still evenly matched when Matthew Rowley had possession at the back for Northern and was dispossessed far too easily and a wastaspace player was one on one with Barrie. The ball was dispatched into the net despite Barrie getting his legs to the ball and Northern were behind for the first time this season. Minutes later Wastaspace came on the attack and again Rowley was at fault as he was beaten far to easily and once more in a one on one situation Barrie Willacott got a touch on the shot but couldn't keep it out.

Half time came with Northern trailing 2-0. The second half began with a bang for Northern with a goal from the first attack. Carl Manley notching his fifth goal of the season and getting Northern back into the game. Seconds later the score was level with top scorer Matthew Martin bagging his seventh of the campaign. The game was in the balance again from then on but Northern had the better chances and could've scored a decisive third. But it was Wastaspace who re-took the lead with seconds remaining as their striker found himself unmarked at the back and once more Barrie got a touch on the shot but despairingly couldn't keep it out. A quick pass out by Barrie to David Manley followed by Carl Manley's surging run forward saw what turned out to be the last attack of the game, as Matthew Martin got the ball on the right and hit the back of the net as the ref blew for full time. 3-3, a score that ended Northern's 100% record, but keeps them top of the league.

Post match comments:
Ref: "If I'd got my whistle up sooner, your goal wouldn't have counted." NICE ONE REF!!!

Barrie Willacott: "I got a touch on all three goals and I should've saved at least one of them."

Dave Manley: "Rowley you DONKEY!"

Northern Squad for match against Spartak:
Barrie Willacott, David Manley, Russell Palmer, Matthew Rowley, Carl Manley, Gareth Bartlett, Nicky Ball and Matthew Martin

Appearances (Goals in brackets) @ 15/10/00:
Barrie Willacott    6
David Manley        7
Nicky Ball          4 (1)
Matthew Martin      7 (9)
Neil Jones          4 (4)
Carl Manley         6 (9)
Ken                 1
Matthew Rowley      6 (1)
Russell Palmer      5
Gareth Bartlett     5 (2)
Gavin Bishop        2 (1)
Ross Gunter         1

1st October
Northern 6 Spartak Caerdydd 0

Northern maintained their 100% start with another emphatic 6-0 victory, this time against basement boys (and whipping boys) Spartak Caerdydd. The scoreline could and should have been more but the Spartak goalkeeper made several good saves. But Northern broke his resistance with goals from Matthew Martin (2), Carl Manley (2), Nicky Ball and Matthew Rowley.

Northern's defence was once again strong with Spartak not once threatening to score. Barrie Willacott in the Northern goal only touched the ball from the occasional pass back. Cardiff Northern are looking strong so far, but can they maintain their 100% record against Wastaspace FC next week?

Northern Squad for match against Spartak:
Barrie Willacott, David Manley, Russell Palmer, Matthew Rowley, Carl Manley, Gareth Bartlett, Nicky Ball and Matthew Martin

24th September
Cardiff Northern 2 Splott Celtic 0

Splott Celtic and Northern met in a top of the table clash, both still with 100% records. Something had to give. Both sides started off determined not to concede the first goal, with the Northern defence looking strong. Some late challenges on Russell Palmer and general aggressive tackles by Splott did not deter the Northern team spirit. David Manley, Matthew Rowley and Russell again were dependable at the back and two good saves by Barrie Willacott saw Splott's few chances go by without conceding. However, Neil Jones did not show the finishing that has seen him top the scoring charts so far as he had a quiet first half, but Carl Manley and Gareth Bartlett looked threatening going forward.

Half time came and the score was 0-0 and it was looking like the first goal would be critical. Northern began the second half the strongest and the break through goal came with a squared ball by Carl Manley from the right to Matthew Martin who was unmarked in the centre. Martin had plenty of time to compose himself before hitting the ball under the keeper.

The match was still in the balance as Splott began to get more into the game, but again the defence held strong. Northern's second and decisive goal was similar to the first as the ball was squared, this time from the left, into Carl Manley who found himself on his own in front of goal and he took his goal well with a drive into the roof of the net to give the goal keeper no chance. Splott came forward after that to try and rescue something from the game, but a magnificent one handed save to his left by Barrie Willacott and more sound defending by David and Russell saw them draw a blank. Northern then ran the clock down by playing keep ball to maintain the last 100% record in the division.

Northern Squad for match against Splott Celtic: Barrie Willacott, David Manley, Russell Palmer, Matthew Rowley, Carl Manley, Gareth Bartlett, Neil Jones and Matthew Martin

September 17th 2000

Our 6-a Side team maintained their 100% record in the Whitchurch High School Sunday Evening Leisure Leagues with an emphatic 6-0 win against Headwork. The first goal was along time in coming as constant Northern pressure in the opening 10 minutes saw missed chances and great goalkeeping by the Headwork number One. But Carl Manley finally broke the dead lock with a well-taken goal before half time. The 1-0 Cardiff Northern half time lead was flattering for Headlock as they never got into the game. In the second half, Northern began to take their chances with Neil Jones nutmegging the keeper, Matthew Martin finishing well and Matthew Rowley scoring a header from Carl Manley's corner. Throughout the game the Northern defence of David Manley, Russell Palmer and Goalkeeper Barrie Willacott were not called into much action, but when required did their jobs well. Late goals from Matthew Martin and a Gareth Bartlett break away secured the well-deserved points.

Northern Squad for match against Headwork:
Barrie Willacott, David Manley, Russell Palmer, Matthew Rowley, Carl Manley, Gareth Bartlett, Neil Jones and Matthew Martin
Did not play as he got the time wrong: Nicky Ball

Next week Northern play the only other team with a 100% record Splott Celtic at 7.30pm if any fans are interested. Entrance is free.