Group C was starting to take shape and we went into Game 6 with all to play for – Alabama Hotpockets lead the way on 6 points, Wealdstone Raiders trailed on 0 with the other 3 teams all locked together on 3 points in mid-table. Next on Pitch D was Alabama Hotpockets versus FC Dad.

FC Dad had started well with victory but had just tasted their first defeat. Alabama Hotpockets had a maximum 6 points from 6 and it is often said in our tournaments that momentum is quite an asset to possess and it was the Alabama Hotpockets who currently had momentum with them.

The form continued for the Irish team as they established a 2-0 lead in the first half and repeated the dose in the second half to complete a 4-0 victory. John Gray opened the scoring for Alabama Hotpockets before Patrick O'Brien proved to be the danger man scoring a hat-trick. His treble added to his double in the previous fixture and he was a man to keep an eye on for the top goalscorer award.

Alabama Hotpockets had opened up a 6 point lead at the top and had one foot in the Cup competition already. It was a cracking start for them. For FC Dad, they would need to rediscover their early morning form as the group began to reach its conclusion.

Equipo de Cristhian (Spa) and ABCDE FC (Eng) entered their third game of the tournament locked together on 3 points. With just one more game to come this fixture represented a great opportunity to climb the table – it was a must win game if the teams hoped to win Group C.

Both teams took 0 points from their opening fixture before bouncing back with a win last time out – who could continue this upward trajectory of form? It was ABCDE FC who made the early running and had the ascendency going into half-time. They lead 2-1 courtesy of goals from Adam Watson and Scott Jessop who both opened their personal account for the tournament. A Jhouanx Morales goal for Equipo de Cristhian meant they were still very much in this game.

After the break Equipo de Cristhian restored parity through Jair Moralez and we finished at 2-2. The draw meant that the teams' occupied 2nd and 3rd place in the league table but both sat 5 points Alabama Hotpockets who had now won the group. These two teams were well placed to seize second place going into the final round of games.

Wealdstone Raiders had a game in hand on all their Group C opponents and could make it a melee of teams in mid-table with a victory. Should they win then just 1 point would separate the teams in 2nd to 5th. For FC Dad this was their final game and final chance to put points on the board – a win for them would put them in second place and then a wait to see where that would leave them in the final standings.

A keenly contested first half saw plenty of action and endeavor but we reached the interval with the deadlock still unbroken and all level at 0-0. A draw would be of no use to either team in pursuit of the Cup and also make reaching the Plate difficult. The teams ideally needed all 3 points could they push on and claim a vital win?

It looked like Graham Dodds had put FC Dad on course for that win when he made it 1-0 but Wealdstone Raiders hit back through Tom Desborough and we were all level again. 1-1 was how it finished.

The draw meant FC Dad joined ABCDE FC and Equipo de Cristhian on 4 points in equal 2nd place but those teams still had another game to play. For Wealdstone Raiders they were 3 points back but still had one more to play themselves.

Next up we had the game between Alabama Hotpockets and ABCDE FC to enjoy. Alabama Hotpockets could enjoy the game too as they had already secured the Group C victory and had “a free hit” at this one although we are sure for personal pride and to keep momentum going they were still just as hungry for the 3 points.

For ABCDE FC there was still very much at stake. They currently resided on 4 points and if they could take the win and move on to 7 points it would give them a great shot at second place and possible Cup qualification as one of the 3 best 2nd placed finishers – only time would tell on that front.

We reached the half-way stage at this game with Kevin Shine adding to his goal-scoring haul to take him to 2 for the day for Alabama Hotpockets. It was enough to give his side the lead at the start of the second half though as Tony Wood bagged his first of the day for ABCDE FC – it was the first goal Alabama Hotpockets had conceded today.

The second half kicked off at 1-1 and ended at 2-2 with Patrick O'Brien scoring his sixth of the day for the Irish team and Tony Wood scoring his second of the match to ensure the points were shared.

For ABCDE FC the point sent them into second place – it may well be enough for second (should Equipo de Cristhian lose their final game) but would almost certainly not be enough for Cup qualification. Their fate would most likely lie in the Plate competition this afternoon.

The final game of Group C would see Equipo de Cristhian host Wealdstone Raiders. At stake for Equipo de Cristhian was a place in the Cup competition. They had to win the game though and hope their points haul of 7 would be enough to rank as one of the top 3 second placed teams across the five groups. A draw would see them finish second (above ABCDE FC on goal difference) but into the Plate competition as 5 points would not be enough for the Cup. A one goal defeat would see them play in the Plate and a 2 goal defeat or greater would see them drop into the Trophy. It was an amazing group that could see a team in their final game either go into the elite Cup competition or drop into our third tier competition.

Wealdstone Raiders only had one real option – to win. A draw or defeat would see them play in the Trophy competition as the 5th placed team in Group C. A win would put them level on points with FC Dad and Equipo de Cristhian on 4 points and then it all come down to goal difference. We had a scenario where a 1 goal win would see the order (3rd to 5th) go Equipo de Cristhian, FC Dad, Wealdstone Raiders. However, a 2 goal win or greater would see that order reversed to Wealdstone Raiders, FC Dad, Equipo de Cristhian.

On the pitch Wealdstone Raiders got off to the perfect start thanks to a Matt Graham goal. It was the worst possible start for Equipo de Cristhian who could see their Cup hopes diminishing. Then, when Jake Campbell made it 2-0, in that instant, Equipo de Cristhian slipped from 3 rd to 5 th in the “live” league table. The whistle blew for half-time with the Spanish team having it all to do after the break.

We were now witnessing a game within a game as Equipo de Cristhian could well be celebrating a goal that would still see them lose 2-1 but move up to third. That scenario was never realized though as Wealdstone Raiders defended well to see the game out and claim an all important win. The 2-0 victory saw them climb 2 spaces in the league table and they would be playing in the Plate competition in the knock-out phase.

Equipo de Cristhian would qualify for this afternoon's Trophy competition.