Not only did September start with an unlikely heatwave across the country, but the ninth month of the year also started with a British Cup Group game in Scotland and a double header in England.
Saturday 2nd September
In Scotland, Jags For Good (Partick Thistle Supporters) hosted Glasgow Piraten in a Scottish League and British Cup Group fixture, where both teams were on the lookout for their first win of the season. The hosts were hoping for better fortune after a narrow 2-3 defeat to Queen’s Park Supporters a week ago, whereas Glasgow Piraten were looking to bounce back after a 14-2 at Hibernifan a fortnight prior. Despite goals from Aidan Cannon and Ali Wildman of Glasgow Piraten, it was Jags For Good who ran out victorious, winning 5-2. Arinze Okafor scored a brace, Amarpreet Singh and Molamin Keita got a goal each and an unfortunate goal completed the scoring for the hosts.
In England, there was a double header between Rochdale Supporters and AFC Halifax Town Supporters, who were all heading to the 3pm KO between their sides immediately after their IFA English League fixture in the morning. After losing to Preston North End Supporters 3-6 a fortnight ago, in the British Cup, Rochdale were trying to return to winning form. AFC Halifax, on the other hand, were playing their first fixture of the season. Although Rory Magner scored for the hosts, it just wasn’t their day, as Ben Fawkes, Harry Scott-Peters and an Adam Ramsden brace gave the visitors a 1-4 win. To make matters worse for the Rochdale Supporters, the result was the same in the 3pm KO, with Rochdale losing 0-1 to complete a 6-point Saturday for AFC Halifax.
Saturday 9th September
The first International break of the season may have stopped many supporters from watching their favourite club, but it didn’t stop some teams in the IFA from getting games in.
In the English League, Burton Albion Supporters hosted Claret Shoemakers (Northampton Town Supporters). Although Burton Albion Supporters scored 3, it was the away side who triumphed, after a 3-5 win. A Dave Goldsmith goal and a Jordan Peake double just wasn’t enough after a brace from Sanders of the Claret Shoemakers, plus goals from Long, Scott and Ross Quennell.
The Scottish League had two fixtures, with Glasgow Piraten travelling to Fir Park Corner (Motherwell Supporters) and Real Maroon (Hearts Supporters) hosting Internazioswally Airdrie (Airdrieonians Supporters).
Fir Park Corner ran riot with an 8-0 win over Glasgow Piraten. Lewis Ferrie scored a brace, with solo goals from Craig Keatings, Greame McMahon, Jake Glancy, Jack Wedlock and Mark Preston. An unfortunate own goal compiled the misery for the Glaswegians.
Real Maroon’s Jack Grierson scored a goal in their game against Internazioswally Airdrie; however, it wasn’t enough after a Stewart Paterson goal and a Stevie Collins double helped Internazioswally Airdrie to a 1-3 win.
Friday 15th September
After a 1-3 win at Real Maroon last time out, Internazioswally Airdrie (Airdrieonians Supporters) were on the road again with a trip to Alloa Athletic Supporters. Despite goals from Alex Cummings and Fraser Wilson of the visitors, the spoils were shared after a 2-2 draw. Liam Black and Michael Cairns were Alloa’s scorers.
Saturday 16th September
It was a hectic weekend in the IFA with 5 games in total, including 2 British Cup Group games, 2 English League fixtures and a Scottish League match.
One of the British Cup Group games was a double header between Watford IFC and We Are Birmingham, with the Blues travelling down to London. Watford IFC were looking for a repeat of their last result, which was a 2-4 win over the Claret Shoemakers in the British Cup Group. We Are Birmingham were playing their first game of the season. The visitors were dominant with goals from Euan Scott and Callum Byrne and an incredible double hat-trick from Andy Pendleton giving We Are Birmingham a huge 8-0 win.
The other British Cup Group fixture was in Scotland, with last season’s Scottish League winners, KaisAyr (Ayr United Supporters) hosting Jags For Good (Partick Thistle Supporters), who picked up their first win of the season last time out, with a 5-2 triumph over Glasgow Piraten. Although Gordon McLaren was on the scoresheet for the hosts, a brace from Molamin Keita of Jags For Good gave the away side a 1-2 victory.
In the English League, Preston North End Supporters hosted Bury Supporters with both sides playing their second game of the season. Preston’s last game was a 3-6 win at Rochdale in the British Cup Group. Bury’s first game was also against Rochdale, however it was a 10-5 defeat in the English League. It was a dominant display from the hosts, with Ian McGrail and James McMahon both scoring two. Jack Sumner, Adam, and Jack also got a goal each and an unfortunate own goal completed the scoring for Preston. The game finished 8-1, with Greame Tobin scoring a consolation for Bury.
Halifax hosted Rochdale in the English League, just a fortnight after their previous meeting which saw Halifax win 1-4 in a double header. Halifax were hoping for a repeat performance, whereas Rochdale were on the lookout for revenge. The away side would get that sweet revenge, after a 1-6 win with 6 different scorers. Ryan Lockett, Kyle Davies, Paul Hudson, Jonny Hall, Paul Veevers and Brett Hardman were all on the scoresheet for Rochdale. Jamie Beales got a consolation for Halifax.
The sole Scottish League fixture was between Glasgow Piraten and Queen’s Park. Glasgow Piraten were aiming to get their first win of the season, whereas Queen’s Park won 2-3 at Jags For Good last time out. Unfortunately for the hosts, that first win is still eluding them after a 5-star performance from Queen’s Park. There was a goal each for Dylan Roberts, Michael Barker, Max Samson and Greg McArthur of Queen’s Park, plus an unfortunate Glasgow Piraten own goal. The game finished Glasgow Piraten 0-5 Queen’s Park.
Saturday 23rd September
Although there were just two Scottish League fixtures, there was a combined total of 14 goals!
After a 0-5 win at Glasgow Piraten, Queen’s Park were hoping to rack up a third win in a row. They hosted Real Maroon who were attempting to pick up their first win of the season. Unfortunately for the visitors, Queen’s Park were in fine form and won the game 6-2, with goals from Dylan Roberts, Zander Doherty, Ryan Gray, Michael Fairlie and a Michael Barker double. Medellah Ezekiel and Harris Watson were on the scoresheet for Real Maroon.
Just like Queen’s Park, Jags For Good (Partick Thistle Supporters) were looking to make it three wins in a row, after beating KaisAyr 1-2 in a British Cup Group game last time out. They played Hibernifan (Hibernian Supporters) who were trying to get back to winning ways after a 2-4 defeat against Livingston in their previous game. Sadly, for Hibernifan, the score was the same as they lost 4-2. Despite goals from Liam Church-Michael and Josh Cameron of Hibernifan, Jags For Good prevailed thanks to an Arinze Okafor brace and goals from Mason Efosa and Mustapha Mohammed.
Saturday 30th September
September ended with a handful of games in a variety of different IFA competitions.
In the British Cup, Rochdale Supporters made the short journey to Manchester United Supporters. Despite scoring 5 goals, it was the hosts who came out on top. James Causey scored two goals, whilst Paul Hudson, Mose Davies and Matt Sproates got a goal each for the visitors. However, Manchester United Supporters won 9-5, thanks to goals from Tez Armstrong, Brian Gilmour, Lee Kerwin, a Calum Beckett brace and 4 goals from Paul Barnes.
There was also a British Cup game in Scotland, with Jags For Good (Partick Thistle Supporters) hosting Alloa Athletic. The hosts were looking to earn a fourth consecutive win, whereas Alloa Athletic were searching for a win after a 2-2 draw against Internazioswally Airdrie (Airdrieonians Supporters) last time out. Although Mason Efosa scored for the hosts, it was Alloa Atheltic who took the 3 points, after a Corin Stone double and a Sean Black goal.
In the English League, Bury Supporters hosted Preston North End. The 9-goal thriller went the way of Preston North End Supporters who won the game 3-6. Phil Sumner and Ian McGrail both got a brace and solo goals from JT and Ollie completed the scoring for the visitors. Bury’s Ashley Womack scored 2 and Jamie Kean got a goal, but it wasn’t enough to stop Preston North End getting the win.