Round 3 started with Scandittack FC versus FC Auslander in the all-German encounter (with a multicultural playing rosta). FC Auslander were currently propping up Group D but a win for them could make it a four-way tie for second position. For Scandittack FC a win would see them join Frank Hirth A at the top of the table. A draw would see them in second position but vulnerable to the other mid-table teams.

A Torben Godskessen goal was enough to give Scandittack FC the lead going into the interval. Just like the preceding 3 Lions FC v Frank Hirth A game we opened up after the break and 1-0 half-time became 3-2 full-time. Once again it was the team who lead at the break who emerged victorious as goals from Ugur Hurmaci and Thore Wilke saw them through to victory. Goals from Alejandro Macias Sanchez (keeping up his goal per game record) and Luke Porter were not quite enough to earn them some points.

It was tough for FC Auslander who had lost their second game in a row by the narrowest of one goal margins. It would not worry Scandittack FC who moved on to 6 points and were healthily placed with four games to go.

Frank Hirth A were on next and had the chance to immediately hit back in the race for the Group D title. Scandittack FC had just joined them at the top but they could immediately open up a three point cushion if they could win again. They would play Ben's Bellends who had just claimed their first victory of the tournament and another would mean a three-team tie at the top of Group D.

Frank Hirth B had won their first two games in Group A before making it third time unlucky. Frank Hirth A would look to avoid following the same pattern and although they were pushed close in this game the victory never looked in severe trouble even though the final score was reasonably close at 4-2.

Frank Hirth A had now scored 11 goals in their first three games with Jamie Spriddle scoring twice here, Rohit Julani scored his fourth of the day and there was a first of the tournament for Dan Spackman.

It was disappointment for Ben's Bellends but there was some personal consolation for Chris Millward and Martin Brooks who both scored.

3 Lions FC were currently in joint third but they could move up to second position if they could claim victory in Game 8 of Group D. They would fancy their chances against an FC Auslander team who had suffered three defeats so far. To be fair to the German team they would be no pushovers though as the last two of these defeats had just been down to a solitary goal.

As it proved this was no walkover and the honours were shared in the first half as Chris Baginsky (3 Lions FC) and Benny Wolter (FC Auslander) goals cancelled each other out. In the second half that extra bit of quality for 3 Lions FC made the difference as a second goal for Chris Baginsky and a Daniel Slade strike wrapped up a 3-1 win for the travelling team.

The win put 3 Lions FC in joint second with one game to go so plenty to play for. For FC Auslander the group stage was open and they would progress to the Wooden Spoon competition for their knock-out football.

Game 9 of Group D was arguably the most crucial game of the group. Frank Hirth A needed just a point to claim the Group D title and qualify for the Cup. They were not quite guaranteed Cup qualification as a defeat in this game plus a 3 Lions win would mean all three teams finishing on 9 points and then goal difference settling affairs. It's unusual but it has happened before.

For Scandittack FC a win would put them in with a very real chance of making the Cup. A draw would still give them an opportunity to progress and even a defeat may be sufficient but it would all come down to 3 Lions FC's result in the following fixture.

With the game underway it was Frank Hirth A who took the early advantage as a Matt Limb gave them a vital lead and a bit of a cushion to take the pressure off. After the break they doubled the lead through Jamie Spriddle and with it capped a superb display in Group D. A 2-0 win meant they had won Group D with a 100% record and they soared into the Cup.

For Scandittack FC, their fate was very much undecided and now out of their hands. They had to sit and wait.

So, we would finish with Ben's Bellends and 3 Lions FC. The two teams were guaranteed the bare minimum of a place in the Plate but the Cup was still an option. Here's what could happen;

3 Lions FC win: Would see them qualify for the Cup with Scandittack FC and Ben's Bellends making the Plate.

A draw: As above.

Ben's Bellends win: Would mean a 3-team tie on 6 points between these two teams and Scandittack FC and it would come down to goal difference. At the start of play, Scandittack FC had a 0 goal difference, 3 Lions FC were +4, Ben's Bellends were -5. So, a five goal win would see Ben's Bellends qualify. A 3 goal win or less would see 3 Lions FC qualify. A 4-0 win would see 3 Lions FC and Scandittack FC with identical records but 3 Lions FC go through on head-to-head record.

All clear? We thought so. On the pitch the teams played out a 0-0 draw in the opening period and with every passing minute the chances for Ben's Bellends were diminishing needing to score so many goals. The odds for 3 Lions FC progression were getting better and better the longer it stayed 0-0 but they put any doubts to bed when Thomas Nolan scored the only goal of the game for a 1-0 win. 3 Lions FC were through to the Cup.