The Autumn season of our competitive BBFA FleXI League in Reading returned last month to kick-start another series for the popular flexible football league.

Flexi-Football is are ideal for those who want a “quick fix” of 11v11 football with 50 minute matches, rolling subs and shorter league seasons providing all the fun of the traditional game without the commitment of an 8 month season with each mini season lasting approx 3 months.

The aim of the leagues is to give players  (16+) the chance to continue playing the game regularly, whilst taking into consideration busy commitments that can make training mid-week and playing weekend mornings and afternoons difficult to maintain.

Monday 18th October saw the return of our competitive FleXI football league taking place at Ryeish Green Sports Hub. The League returned with a solitary fixture on the opening night with BBB FC taking home the 3 points with a narrow victory over Harchester Hawks in another show of returning teams from the last edition to provide a great start to the Autumn campaign.

With the season now in full-swing, BBFA FleXIs League Coordinator, Paul Gutteridge, provided the following update from the most recent round of fixtures.

FleXIs League in Review

The 25th October saw a full fixture schedule fulfilled with Saints FC, a referee’s worst nightmare in their black shirts, recording a 2-0 victory over newcomers Maidenhead Town XI. Maidenhead Chairman Jeff Beck described his squad as a reformation on Town legends from years gone by, with some well into their 40s. Beck was not seen to pull on his boots… Maybe he should have, though, as Saints ran out 2-0 winners.

The first goal was one for the cameras - 30+ yards out, keeper out of position, guided 'Beckham-esque' into the top corner. Scenes in the early Kick Off! The later fixture saw a return of 2 previous entrants following a spell away from the league. This game heated up a chilly October evening, with both sides very keen to make their mark on their return. A cracking, competitive battle ensued but it was Dynamo Castrol who fell to a 3-0 defeat to the imaginatively named Murder on Zidanes Floor, which sees them dance straight to the top of the table after the first round of fixtures. 

The first of the November fixtures brought us hotly contested matches. The first offering of the Gameweek saw Burghfield CSA Casuals make their return to the league, after missing Gameweek One. Burghfield CSA are the most youthful of the competitors in the league, formed mainly of younger Burghfield FC players and friends. Their comeback didn’t get off to the best of starts this time, though. In what turned out to be a physical encounter, with both sides giving it their all, it was the imperious Murder on Zidane’s Floor who came out on top. After an even opening 15 minutes with chances for each side, Zidane’s grabbed the breakthrough when their striker latched onto a mislaid pass back, rounded the keeper and slotted. He celebrated the goal with a loud “Wooooooooo” much to the amusement of the spectators. From that point onwards, Zidane’s grew in confidence and managed to seal the game 3-0 with a couple more strikes. Credit to the Burghfield youngsters though, who never gave up the fight and didn’t shy away from a battle with a tough opponent. The table toppers remain 100% without conceding.

The evening’s second game saw returning champions Caversham United take on the Maidenhead Town XI. What played out was a great game of football, with both teams playing the passing game, trying to unlock their opposition’s defence. There were chances at each end but eventually it was The Goats who came out on top - with two goals of very similar fashion, one in each half. The goals both saw Maidenhead robbed of the ball in their own third by the pressing Caversham attack, with the recovered ball then being stuck in the back of the net. A 2-0 win saw The Goats join Murder on Zidane’s floor at the summit of the league at this very early stage.

League Table