London United 5-0 Glasgow FC

Sunday 30th March - MLF First Kick
HMV Park, Essex

A rampant London United showed everyone why they play some of the best football in Britain with a thumping 5-0 victory over Glasgow FC at HMV Park.

The first four goals they scored was not without quality.

Ian Parker played a one-two with CraiCo and then crossed the ball for Rodrigo Santos, who hit a spectacular diving header home for the 1-0.

It was the first MLF goal for the Brazilian, who also made his league debut.

The second goal was just brilliant. Ian Parker delivered a brilliant corner, and CraiCo just backheeled it in with his left foot and the make the score 2-0.

The third goal was good as well. Kevin Warhurst played a great through-ball, and Edward Redwood broke the offside trap and rounded the keeper to score another brilliant goal and make it 3-0.

And Redwood was on the scoresheet again after a quality backheel from Cristiano Costa.

At 4-0, and the game virtually over, an Ashton Reid corner found the head of John Macdonald, and the rookie centre-back scored the 5-0.

Geordies 1-0 Monsters

Saturday 29th March - MLF First Kick
St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne

Steven Tweedy's late header gave the Newcastle Geordies all three points in the season opener against the Middlesbrough Monsters.

The 20-year-old rookie defender headed in a Kevin Cohen corner and celebrated his first goal with a "Tweedy Twirl".

Mighty Mice 1-0 Eagles

Saturday 29th March - MLF First Kick
Triple M Stadium, Kirkby, Merseyside

The Merseyside Mighty Mice won the game against the Edinburgh Eagles after a late strike from Erik Redwood.

Erik, younger brother of London United attacker Edward, scored a great 20-yard volley.

Real Birmingham 0-0 Druids

Saturday 29th March - MLF First Kick
Villa Park, Birmingham

The Dublin Druids marked their MLF début with a 0-0 draw at CSA England Cup holders Real Birmingham.

Real started the season without Ryan Roberts after the Australian midfielder's sending off in last week's Super Cup defeat to London United.

Dublin goalkeeper Shane Murphy made some brilliant stops from Steven Tillman and Marek Pozanek to keep the game deadlocked.

Knights 2-1 Lightning

Saturday 29th March - MLF First Kick
Carrow Road, Norwich

A Brian Nixon double saw East Anglia Knights beat Leeds Lightning 2-1.

Sean Jackson got the Lightning's consolation goal.

Strikers 0-1 Ajax London

Saturday 29th March - MLF First Kick
Bramall Lane, Sheffield

Ajax London won 1-0 after a spectacular goal from Peter Elkins at Sheffield Strikers.

Elkins did a scissors kick after a sweet cross from Aaron Wijnkamp.

Kevin Henderson had the Strikers' best chance, but fired over the bar from 10 yards out.

Pirates 2-0 Dragons

Saturday 29th March - MLF First Kick
Pirates Park, Bristol

The Bristol Pirates saw off the Cardiff Dragons 2-0 at Pirates Park with goals from Dougie Strickland and David Wright.

Rookie Strickland, younger brother of London United captain and defender Mark, headed the Pirates into the lead after eight minutes after an Alex Wijnkamp corner.

And it was Wijnkamp who created the second, the Dutch midfielder crossing for Wright who one-time volleyer with 20 minutes left.

Fire 0-2 FC London

Saturday 29th March - MLF First Kick
The City Ground, Nottingham

FC London got their season off to a flying start as the Superhoops won 2-0 at Nottingham Fire.

James Douglas headed in the first goal after 24 minutes after a Bradley Hatfield cross.

And then Umit Kubilay finished off the Fire with a trademark free-kick ten minutes from time.

Ruckus 1-0 Magic

Friday 28th March - MLF First Kick
Madejski Stadium, Reading, Berkshire

César Wurns-Herrera's last-gasp winner was enough for the Reading Ruckus to mark their inaugural MLF game with a win.

The Swiss, 25, collected the ball from a Julio Marconi after the Argentinian played César in with a through-ball.

César then nutmegged the ball under Edward Wilson to send the Madejski Stadium into ecstacy.

There was a lot of razzmatazz before the game, with loud rock music and all 18 MLF team logos carried out on to the pitch as the opening ceremony was one of the best you'll ever see.

The game was the first of a Madejski double header, with Reading Football Club playing their Premier League game with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

César gave Andrew 'Cezza' Corne all sorts of problems as he continued the threaten the Magic.

And César got his reward in the stoppage time with a one-niller that the Ruckus thoroughly deserved.

John Macdonald Factfile

Full Name: John Richard Paul Macdonald
Nickname(s): Big Mac, J-Mac, Johnny Mac, JM6
Date of Birth: 10 July 1987
Place of Birth: Hammersmith, England
Position(s): Central Defender, Libero/Sweeper, Defensive Midfielder
Height: 190 cm
Weight: 85 kg
Hair Colour: Dark brown
Eye Colour: Green
Team: London United
Favourite Team(s): Chelsea & London United
Favourite Player(s): Gianfranco Zola & Steve Jefferson
Favourite Food: Kebab
Favourite Destination: California - LA to be exact
Favourite Actor: Jim Carey
Favourite Movie: Bruce Almighty
Favourite TV Show: Dream Team
Favourite Music: Hip-Hop and Rap
Favourite Artist: Eminem
Favourite Song: Without Me - Eminem
Favourite Match to Watch: Chelsea v Bolton, 2005, when Chelsea won the Premiership for the first time
Favourite Match to Play: 2007 CSA Youth World Cup Final against Portugal - the crowning moment in my career so far

John Macdonald is one of the most exciting young defenders in England. His gut-wrenching determination and never-say-die attitude have earned him the CSA England Young Defender of the Year award in 2007. He takes risks a lot and is always willing to score a goal, even if he has to take one for the team. He is a brilliant header of the ball, his 6'2"½ frame can frighten even the toughest of jumpers, and had the most powerful header during his time in the Regional Leagues. In 2007, he captained the England CSA U21 to victory in the CSA Youth World Cup winning 2-0 against Portugal in the final, with Big Mac himself heading in the second. In 2008, he was the first pick of the SuperDraft, drafted by his boyhood idols London United from the Regional League's Essex United. He is expected to share a lot of time with England CSA captain Mark Strickland in the centre of defence for the upcoming season.

United clinch Super Cup title

MLF champions London United won the CSA England Super Cup at Wembley on Sunday winning 1-0 against CSA England Cup winners Real Birmingham after Edward Redwood's penalty kick.

The PK was awarded after Ryan Roberts thought he was the goalkeeper and saved the ball with hands before it crossed the line after Ian Parker's scrambling shot.

The Australian was sent off and it was up to Redwood to take the spot-kick, he kicked past Darren Nicholls.

Ex-Real skipper and defender Mark Strickland lifted the trophy for his current side London United as a sea of black and red looked on in celebration.

Strickland urges referee respect plans

London United captain Mark Strickland says he would back plans to stamp out the hounding of referees.

Strickland was speaking in light of criticism directed towards London United for their disrespectful behaviour towards Brian Blond on Thursday afternoon.

It was the latest in a series of incidents which have led for calls to introduce new rules that would only allow captains to speak to referees.

"I think it'll be one of them where I'll have to give it a go," said Strickland.

"But if it doesn't work then CSA England will have to say no, it isn't working," he told TORadio's World of Sports programme.


Strickland and fellow defender John Macdonald berate referee Blond on Thursday

London United players surrounded referee Blond appearing to bully him out of red carding Ashton Reid following a late tackle on Andrew Harrison during Thursday's 7-1 win against Watford Antlers in the KitKat Challenge preseason final.

Reid has been widely condemned for his behaviour towards Blond to whom he refused to acknowledge or even look at as the referee attempted to yellow card him.

But Strickland has defended the behaviour of the London United players following the incident.

"It is a natural reaction," he said.

"The fans show their frustration and the players do the same because they are passionate about the game.

"I do agree there has to be a line drawn and confronting the referee has to be taken out of the game."

The behaviour of football players and the standard of tackling has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks but Strickland does not believe the game has changed or that challenges or attitudes are getting worse.

"I personally don't think it has got out of hand and I don't think it is any worse than it used to be," he said.

"It is just being publicized and spoken about a bit more at the moment.

"These tackles have gone on for years and have never been spoken of before.

"Usually it was just a yellow card and everyone would get on with it. Now it is spoken about on television and publicized in the papers and ex-referees are given their views and the game has moved on a lot."

Red Hot Redsy

Edward Redwood scored five goals on Thursday as London United hammered Watford Antlers 7-1 in the KitKat Challenge Cup final at Whitlow Park athletics complex in Middlesex.

Redwood scored his fifth completely unchallenged, with the goalkeeper out to attack for a corner, but captain Mark Strickland cleared it to Redwood, who proceeded to fire from 30 yards out.

Here's video footage of it:


However, the game was overshadowed by Ashton Reid's challenge on Andrew Harrison on the stroke of half-time, the England CSA U21 full-back mistimed his tackle on the Canada CSA U21 winger, and typically ugly scenes followed. Reid had his back turned when the referee finally brandished out the yellow card.

Ashton Reid in Preseason Bust-Up

Extracted from The Daily Poop

London United rookie left-back Ashton Reid made a poor challenge on Watford Antlers' midfielder Andrew Harrison in a preseason game on Thursday.

Reid tackles Harrison high and late and Antlers players had a run and Ashton to ran off trying to avoid them. Captain Mark Strickland was so pissed off with the referee, he threaten to Kung-Fu him. John Macdonald inexplicably yelled "YOU B******" straight into the referee's face. J-Mac got so pissed with the ref that he took one of his Asics Tigreors off and threatened to throw it in the referee's face. He was booked for trying to do so. Ashton Reid had his back turned to the ref as he finally booked him after 3 minutes and 51 seconds of madness.

"I apologise to anyone I offended, and of course Andrew who I tackled. It was not malicious," Reid told LUTV.

"I didn't mean to diss the ref. I recognise this as a part of my game I need to work on and control."

The 19-year-old England CSA U21 left-back, who watched a replay of the match on TV on Friday morning, is adamant he did not intend to hurt Harrison, adding: "I did not mean to go in hard that way.

"It was high but I tried to read the ball and get it first but he was a little bit too quick for me.

"Again it was not malicious and I am a little disappointed with what some people are saying, that I meant it.

"Of course it was a bad tackle at the time but in the heat of the moment you want to win the game and win every tackle. As I said, I am sorry for Andrew but it was never meant."

Harrison himself has said that he holds no grudge towards Reid for the tackle.

"He went to win the ball and I've just got there quicker," said the Canadian on Friday.

"I wasn't thinking about whether he would be sent off, I knew the challenge was high but so was the ball.

"I am not blaming him for it, I've probably done a similar challenge in my career. He said he never meant it afterwards and that's fine with me."

Watford Antlers are a Regional League side by the way if you're wondering.

Here's the video footage of the tackle:

North West beat London to become Regional Champions

27th February 2008

Edward Redwood scored a belter as North West beat London to win the inaugural MLF Regional Championship at Madejski Stadium, Reading.

The big ginger striker scored a 30-yarder which had no chance for Mikki.

Simon Herding made some wonder stops for NW, the blond shotstopper saving from London pair Ian Parker and Kevin Simms.

But North West held on for the victory to clinch the first ever RC.

Adidas F50.8 - Redwood v Big Sugar

adidas' MLF poster boy Edward Redwood races against 'the fastest van in the world' - the Big Sugar.

Music by
Clint Mansell - Lux Aeterna
My Chemical Romance - Give 'Em Hell, Kid

Strickland: We Have The Biggest Chance Than Anyone Else

London United captain Mark Strickland has put the agony of the Canon Cup final out of his mind as is now focusing on the MLF, CSA England Cup and CSA Champions League titles.

Strickland, 24, was seen crashing to the ground in tears at the final whistle of Sunday's final after the East Anglia Knights scored two stoppage time goals to win 2-1.

But the ex-Real Birmingham defender said: "That's out of my memory now."

"We've got bigger silverware to get this season. But to lose like that like we did on Sunday was heartbreaking."

"But we've got to hold our heads high and look forward to the future."

United open up their MLF title defence against Glasgow FC on March 30.

And Strickland says the Boys in Black have the biggest chance than anyone else.

"We've got the biggest chance to win the MLF title than anyone else," said the Smethwick-born central defender.

"I feel that I've joined the biggest club in the world. We've got massive superstars in Neil Boyle, Craig Cohen, Edward Redwood, Simon Herding, Kevin Warhurst, Ian Parker, Lionel Nunez, Rodrigo Santos, I could go on forever...."

"We won the MLF Cup last year before I joined us, and I'm confident that we can retain it with me!"

Strickland is also confident about winning the CSA Champions League.

"We got the Phoenix Heat coming to HMV Park, we drew with them in Arizona, but I'm confident that we can progress to the next round and perhaps win the whole competition!"

He's also looking to be the first man to win back-to-back CSA England Cups with two different teams.

"I won it last year when I was still at Real (Birmingham)," he said.

"It'll be nice to win it twice in a row with two different clubs!"

Canon Cup Final: Knights stun United

The East Anglia Knights clinched a stunning last minute comeback to hand London United a second consecutive defeat in a Canon Cup final, in arguably one of the - if not THE - greatest MLF Knockout Cup finals, and to clinch their first trophy in their 12 month history.

At the first game ever played at Pirates Park, the new home of the Bristol Pirates, United took the lead through Ian Parker, who was making his début in for the Boys in Black.

The former Middlesbrough Monsters man latched onto a brilliant Kevin Warhurst cross before slashing the ball past Knights keeper Mehdi Kaziri after 24 minutes.

United had some chances where it could have been 2-0, including an overhead kick from Edward Redwood, playing left winger, which smacked the crossbar.

The Knights had their first shot on target after 71 minutes, Austrian Peter Pfertzl, a half-time sub for the unimpressive Pole in Marcin Kristianski, shooting straight at Simon Herding.

Right until the end, the Knights never really looked like getting back into the game, and United fans were already singing when Danny Basingstoke took a stoppage time corner which even Kaziri came up for. A few Knights fans were already heading for the exits. Even the trophy was on its way with black and red ribbons around it. But little did the United fans know that the game was far from over.

Basingstoke whipped in a corner which fell to Kaziri but it was cleared by John Macdonald before Hugo Watson took a shot which seem to go well wide before Brian Nixon tapped it into the goal. Players in white all had their hands claiming he was offside, but little did they know, he was inches on.

The fans who were leaving returned as soon as when they heard the roar from the Knights crowd.

And there was still time as Nixon's cross came off Mark Strickland for another corner. 'Baz' swung it in again, which fell to Nixon before unselfishly passing for Hugo Watson who tapped it home, sending the Knights players, staff and fans into ecstasy, while the United players, staff and fans suddenly felt agony.

Ex-United striker Watson himself could not believe his eyes, while United skipper Strickland looked completely shell-shocked.

United defenders Mark Strickland and John Macdonald had a right cry from the final whistle to long after they received their losers medals, as they clearly felt robbed and victory was stolen from them right at the last second, while triumphant captain Adam Gaffney ran the full length of the pitch as he celebrated the first title he ever won.

Striker Edward Redwood, on the winning side last year for FC London, now found himself on the losing end for London United, as he too burst into tears after jumping up and down the year previously. He was consoled by Strickland, who like it says above, also had tears streaming down his eyes.

Also on that FCL winners last year on the LUFC losers this year were: Simon Herding, Dean Whitley (who did not play), Kevin Warhurst, Lionel Nunez and Neil Boyle. United boss Bobby Hutchinson was the manager of FC London at the time.

The agony felt by the London United players can only be compared to Bayern Munich's after losing the 1999 European Cup final to Manchester United.

Like the game today, Bayern were leading 1-0 approaching the end of the game. But Man Utd scored two last-ditch goals, to break the hearts of Bayern in the cruelest way possible.

Interestingly enough, no United player from the 2007 final was involved in this year's final, as they have somewhat most of them have either been traded, retired or was an unused substitute/reserve.

It was Adam Gaffney who lifted the Canon Cup trophy aloft for the underdogs, with blue and red ribbons around it, when minutes before the end, it was looking like Mark Strickland who was to do the honour, with black and red ribbons.

It was the first British competition that the Knights' Swedish manager Niklas Erlingmark ever won.

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East Anglia Knights: Kaziri; Easton, Davies, Gaffney, Skinner; Basingstoke, Preston, Kristianski (Pfertzl 46), Smith; Nixon, Brickman (Watson 81).
Subs Not Used: Goodfield, Hartmann, James.
Booked: Kristianski, Pferzl.
Goals: Nixon 90, Watson 90.

London United: Herding; Mitchell, Macdonald, Strickland, Turpijn (Reid 87); Parker, Warhurst, Croussant (Cohen 81), Redwood; Boyle, Nunez.
Subs Not Used: Da Silva, Sammy Stockwell, Adam Stockwell.
Booked: Redwood, Strickland, Macdonald, Mitchell.
Goals: Parker 24.

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Canon Man of the Match: Hugo Watson (East Anglia Knights).