All 4 teams were in action this weekend, with the 4s first in action with a 12.30pm kick off. El selecion quatro got off to a dream start, high energy pressing forcing the Alleyn Old Boys into a calamitous back pass which ended up in the back of their net.

One can only wonder if the 4s had then capitalised on their dominance - making use of the good Tooting and Mitcham surface - and got the 2nd if the final result could have been different. Instead old failings surfaced with the concession of two quick fire goals. Veteran full back O’Dea will have regrets about a misplaced pass out of defence which led to the second. The game then resume its pattern of Sinjuns dominating the play and after a goal mouth scramble, antipodean winger Wigley got his second goal in as many games. Having drawn level in what was turning into a highly competitive game - the 4s bubble was firmly burst again conceding twice just before half time - the first from a poorly defended free, while credit needs to be given to the oppo for the 4th which came from a well struck strike.

Having resolved to up their performance during half time - the contest was then ended within the first minute of the second half with the Sinjuns defence not dealing with an attack down their left flank which was cut back to the powerful Alleyn’s number 9 who finished their fifth.

With a mountain to climb and facing into a stiff breeze there was no way back for the Juns - with a number of promising moments coming to nought. Indeed it was the Dulwich based outfit who added a 6th and then late 7th. No doubt the 4s will bounce back next week.

The 1s faced Old Ignatians at home at Trinity Fields. The team, playing a 5-3-2, started strongly and were organised and compact, forcing Ignatians into a series of mistakes and misplaced passes.

Up front, strikers DK and Acuna were combining well, and the new back 5, playing together for the first time, looked settled.

30 minutes into the game, Ignatians started to find their flow, with their 10 finding pockets of space in between the lines. Despite the change in momentum, the Sinjuns defence held firm, clearing a series of inswinging corners. 0-0 at half time.

Sinjuns started the second half positively, DK setting up Harry Chambers with a chance in the first five minutes. Encouraging signs.

However, Ignatians' attacking players started to exploit the pockets of space, through intelligent movement and link play. After a sharp save by the Sinjuns Keeper, they opened the scoring after 60 minutes, breaking the defensive line after mounting pressure.

Despite the team's endeavour, Ignatians doubled their lead five minutes later, a deflected effort finding the bottom right corner.

The 1s rallied, creating chances and DK hit the post from a free kick. It was not meant to be for Sinjuns, with Ignatians finding a third on the counter attack. Clinical from the opposing team, who saw the game out confidently.

The 3s were outclassed in the first quarter of their game and conceded first. Then two smart and quick thinking set pieces saw them go 2-1 up. A skied penalty from the oppo at 2-1 was the turning point as Juns immediately went up the other end with Manager Markus Peters scoring from a scramble in the box. Resolute shape in the second half and Manager Markus scoring his second from a header rounded off a 4-1 win. 30% possession on the stats but solidity and counter attack football saw them through.

The 2s turned up to Richardson Evans to face a Thorntonians 3s side with a point to prove after a recent run of poor form.

A threadbare squad of 11.5 players took to the stage with the objective clear, grab the 3 points! It would appear the message wasn’t as clear as hoped, as within 5 minutes we found ourselves 1-0 down after a well worked move from Thorns freed up their winger out wide, who drove a low shot under the body of Cliffy the Cat in net.

The Thorns goal was the catalyst for Sinjuns to wake up, led very well by Aaron in our new 4-4-2 formation, upping the energy in the middle of the pitch. After some tireless work in midfield, a pass found its way to birthday boy Charlie out wide, who hit a lovely cross field pass to Jack, Jack being the only player under 30, still manages to retain some running power and managed to nip ahead of the Thorns keeper before being brought down. Penalty to Sinjuns but no cards shown?!

The ever reliable Cass steps up and buries the penalty 1-1 and game on. Sinjuns were very much in the ascendency and began to outwork Thorns and were rewarded with a 2nd goal after a bit of pinball at a corner before the ball cannoned in off birthday boy Charlie for his 2nd goal involvement of the day.

2-1 and a few minutes plus added time to see out the good work to HT. Some slack defending on the stroke of HT meant a cross was delivered into the box and met with a free header by the Thorns midfielder. 2-2 at HT and there was a sense of frustration in the air from the men in red, who had worked very hard on a difficult pitch.

2nd half began and birthday boy Charlie was off to pop some bottles for his birthday, so we were to finish the game with 11 players. Despite this, we managed to regain the lead, albeit in controversial circumstances. The ball had rolled out of play seemingly missed by the ref, quicker in mind than body these days, veteran player Theo flicked an infield pass to Sanmi who hit a lovely diagonal to Jack. Thorns had struggled all day with his pace and found themselves in trouble again when their CB pulled him back clean through on goal. Penalty to Sinjuns!

Almost a carbon copy of the 1st penalty, with Cass once again putting it away comfortably, 3-2 to the red men. 10 minutes later more controversy ensued, as a Sinjuns player was down injured with Thorns refusing to put the ball out of play. Thorns continued to play for 2/3 minutes working the ball around before finally seeing the ball drop into the space vacated by the Sinjuns player, still on the deck, firing a shot high at the near post, 3-3 and all to play for.

Many in the Sinjuns rank would have felt disappointed coming out of this game with the points shared, in hindsight…we’d have taken that. 5 minutes to go a long ball upfield bounced off a Sinjuns player dropping nicely for the Thorns striker who drove a volley low in the near post.

An almost unbelievable scoreline given the pattern of the game. A few late efforts didn’t amount to much as the final whistle blew, a 4-3 loss. A game very indicative of our season to date, with plenty of hard work displayed but with a lack of quality at times, with key players out injured or unavailable. Optimism remains high for a strong second half of the season with players returning, in an extremely tight league where it’s anyone’s to

Up the Juns!