We began the third round of fixtures with the teams in fifth position and third position meeting face to face. It was Fleet Street Elite versus Spider Mans Ressies.

Fleet Street Elite had played the top two so far and had struggled. They had shipped 19 goals so far and it would take a big shift in direction to change their fortunes. Further bad news for them is that despite them playing the Spider Mans “Ressies” and us billing them as the second team of Spider Mans, the guys wearing Batman shirts had appeared to subvert the logical hierarchy. The majority of the player's in this team had played most of their games for the first team or Spider Mans and Eagle team in the past.

It meant another tough game was awaiting the Fleet Street Elite players. On the credit side for Fleet Street Elite there was a goal for James Crombie assisted by their Latvian loan signing, Inguss. On the debit side they conceded 8 more as Spider Mans Ressies looked to take advantage for their goal difference.

Steve Wildman was the biggest beneficiary. He had 12 goals in 6 previous tournaments with a tournament high of 4. He smashed 5 goals in this game alone. He was ably assisted with a goal from each of Richard Eggleston and Liam Stevens. There was also a goal for Sam Walker – his second in Spider Mans colours in Europe having also found the net in their very first tour back in Bratislava 2014.

The final score was 8-1 which consolidated third place for Spider Mans and left Fleet Street Elite licking their wounds at the foot of the table.

Six games down, four to go in Group A. RFT (Lat) versus Johnsbridge FC (Eng) was up next.

RFT had looked formidable so far – 2 games, 2 wins, 12 goals scored and 0 conceded. The only surprising factor was that they were not top of the table as they trailed Lilchicago on goal difference. This was a chance for RFT to put the pressure on the Lithuanian team by opening up a 3 point gap at the top (temporarily at least).

For Johnsbridge FC, it was a chance to bounce back from defeat to Lilchicago. If they could, they could go into third and just 2 points behind their opponents. With their last game against Fleet Street Elite and RFT's last game against Lilchicago a win here would give them every chance of qualifying for the Cup despite how the table currently looked. It was never going to be easy though and so it proved.

When the half-time whistle blew RFT were leading 4-0. Edgars Jurcenoks opened the scoring, Dmitrijs Sostaks made it 2-0 before Jurcenoks added his second for 3-0. Arturs Levenbergs goal meant the second half would probably be a mere formality.

It looked increasingly like Group A would be a two horse race and goal difference could well be the deciding factor at the top. To this end, RFT showed no mercy on their opponents. Edgars Jurcenoks (2) duly completed his hat-trick and Dmitrijs Sostaks was on target again. Kristaps Zakrevskis completed the scoring in an 8-0 win.

In a high-scoring tournament it is worth noting that Dmitrijs Bokse had just kept his third clean sheet. He was the only goalkeeper in the tournament yet to concede after 3 games played.

Lilchicago (Ltu) versus Spider Mans Ressies (Eng) was Game #8 in Group A. Lilchicago needed the win to join RFT at the summit of the table on 9 points. The size of RFT's victory over Johnsbridge FC meant that Lilchicago needed to win by 6 to go top on goal difference.

Spider Mans Ressies, based on historical results, would surely provide Lilchicago with their toughest test yet. Spider Mans Ressies would also come into the game with their morale boosted having just won 8-1. A win here would see Spider Mans Ressies move above their opponents into second place although Lilchicago would then have a game in hand.

It was the Lithuanian team who forged ahead with Simonas Stankevicius doing the early damage. Two goals for him took his tally to the day to 6. Danas Kulisauskas was Lilchicago's top scorer at both the 2017 Mallorca Tournament and 2017 Vilnius Tournament. He scored his third of the day and 10th in eurofootballfives.com competition to give his team control at the break. A Steve Wildman goal (#7 for the day) kept Spider Mans Ressies hopes alive but they would need to strike first after the break.

In the second half though Lukas Melaika made it 4-1 and then Sarunas Krasauskas made it 5-1 with his 8th of the tournament which is how it finished. The result confirmed that RFT and Lilchicago would both qualify for the Cup. It also meant Spider Mans Ressies were assured a place in the Plate competition.

Game 9 of Group A was the last fixture for each of Fleet Street Elite and Johnsbridge FC.

If Fleet Street Elite could turn their fortunes around and claim victory they would move up to fourth and qualify for the Plate. A draw would see Johnsbridge FC finish fourth and qualify for the Plate. A win would see them go level with Spider Mans Ressies and have a chance to finish third – thereby securing a (theoretically) easier Quarter-Final tie. Johnsbridge FC would need to win by 13 for that to happen so fourth looked more likely.

Johnsbridge FC started off well enough though as they forged a 4-0 lead by the break. Only another 9 to go! It was not to be though as James Crombie and Darren Clarke each scored their second of the day for Fleet Street Elite to give some respectability to the scoreline. Johnsbridge FC added a couple more of their own as goals were shared around – Nick Michelmore, Ollie Salvesen, Jack Roberts (2), Dan Goodwin and Miles Lowry were all on target.

The 6-2 result meant places 3, 4 and 5 were now finalized in Group A. It set up a thrilling climax to Group A with the two leaders about to take to the field.

So up next was RFT versus Lilchicago. These were two formidable teams with both currently on a 100% record with 9 points from a possible 9. Between them they had scored 42 goals and conceded just 4 so far.

Not only were the teams playing for the Group A win and pride but the winner of the group would secure an easier Cup Quarter-Final tie – in theory at least. RFT currently lead the way so a win or a draw would see them crowned group winners. Only a win was good enough for Lilchicago.

With the game underway it was Lilchicago who struck first. Lukas Melaika scored his first goal in the previous game and he grabbed a hugely important goal at the start of this game. In games such as this, the first goal of the game really can prove pivotal and dictate the pattern of play for the rest of the game. The goal was also notable as the first goal Dmitrijs Bokse and the RFT defence had conceded today.

The second goal was not long coming – Danas Kalisauskas scoring his fourth of the day and ensuring he had scored in every game. It was 2-0 at half-time and advantage Lilchicago.

That advantage increased to 3-0 in the second half with Danas Kalisauskas adding his second of the game. It took him to 5 for the tournament – his largest haul in a eurofootballfives.com event.

3-0 becamse 4-0 as the Lithuanians ran away with it a bit. Liudas Masiliunas completing what was a fine victory. Lilchicago had won Group A in style though. RFT, despite this defeat, looked very strong and could not be discounted for the title.