Division 2 Round 9 News
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Feb 26, 2026, 6:12:35 AM (4 days ago) Feb 26
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Division 2 news
Last week threw up three upsets and has thrown the "normal" programming into disarray. But it does keep things interesting. Huracan are now top of the table after dismantling Jud. Jud drops to second and the form team Jacobs stumbling when they could have snatched top spot. Ripon has "ripped" into fourth with Castleford and Manchester rounding up the top six. Burntwood have dropped out of the six and now fight with Washington on eleven points.
Lets quickly look at last weeks results
Ludlow_Penguins 2 - 0 Jacobs_FC
This one was a complete upset. Jacobs hade won five straight and were poised to take top spot given Jud's tough assignment. Unfortunately for Jacobs they couldn't find the net, but not through a lack of trying. Fifteen shots to seven tells the real story. But you have to take your chances or the opposition can pinch the game. This is exactly what Ludlow did. Ludlow showed that heart can get you a win even when the odds are against you. That makes back to back wins for Ludlow. Well done.
Welling_Town 3 - 1 Burntwood_Rovers
Upset number two. Welling town matched Burntwood in all areas especially after both sides switched to attacking late. Welling managed two goals and one late when they had shut up shop. This was too much for Burntwood who will need to have a good hard look at what went wrong. They now have a tougher road to make the top six and challenge for a division one spot.
Mincers_FC 1 - 2 Ripon_Rowels
This one went as expected but Mincers put up a good fight. It was a defensive game or maybe there was little creativity in the midfields as the shots were five to six. Ripon did enough and they leap back into to the top six. Mincers copped another long injury but they do welcome back two players next week including their Keeper. I think a first win for Mincers is just around the corner.
Huracan_Rhythm 2 - 0 Judithiniikos
I am going to call this an upset due to the 2-0 score line being a decisive victory. Huracan came out aggressively which was a bold move but it paid off. Attack from the start until the eightieth minute was not what Jud expected as Huracan won the tactical battle too. Twenty shots to twelve tells the story. This was a big win for Huracan and places them top of the table. Jud will only flinch slightly as they will no doubt regroup and keep applying pressure as they strive for top spot.
Castleford_Town 1 - 1 Manchester_Reds
This one also went against the stats. Manchester have done well to grab a point away against one of their main rivals this season. Castleford started with the upper hand on tactical choices and this lead to them taking the lead. But Manchester's coach, Mr. Wagner made a brilliant tactical move after thirty minutes and took the advantage. Manchester's midfield then took control and moved the ball around with flare. Result was a 1-1 score line. This keeps both sides in the top six and opens up a small gap to the chasing pack.
Washington_Sports 1 - 0 Ontario_Maple_Hawks
This game went according to predictions. Ontario were lucky that it was only 1-0. They were unable to trouble the Washington keeper at all. In fact the keeper was lucky to not get frost bite. Washington's defence was superb and
never looked rushed. Washington's midfield did enough to keep their season alive as they chase the top six. Five players were booked in this game which indicates a pretty nasty affair. Ontario look destined to try and avoid bottom place for the second year in three.
Lets look at round 9.
Jacobs_FC - Burntwood_Rovers
This is possibly game of the round. Jacobs fresh from their first defeat in a while up against Burntwood fresh from a shock loss to Welling Town. Both sides will want to forget these losses and continue on their winning ways. Surprisingly the stats have Burntwood at 54% favourites although the likely score line is 1-1. Jacobs should have more shots but Burntwood are more ruthless at putting their chances away. With the stats so close it looks like the tactical battle will decide this one.
Ripon_Rowels - Ludlow_Penguins
Ripon go into this game with a 70% chance of a win and the result should be around 2-0. Ludlow managed to shock Jacobs last week but that was at home. Its much tougher to get upsets away. Ludlow also have their three top defenders out which will make the tasks much harder. Ripon are not without their own problems. They have key defender M_Bansbach suspended and their midfield kingpin Y_Szymczak also suspended. So both sides will have slightly different line ups but Ripon should still be strong enough at home.
Judithiniikos - Welling_Town
Who would have thought I would be saying Jud is coming of a loss and Welling are looking for back to back wins. Welling were at home last week and it was a good win but Jud will be a whole different matter especially playing them away. The Stats agree and give Jud a 74% chance of a win. Score line should look like 2-0. Judithiniikos has C_McGregor out but it looks like they have enough cover for him so that shouldn't have any impact. Jud have Welling's measure pretty much all over the park especially in the midfield. Jud should rejoin the winners circle here and return to normal programming.
Manchester_Reds - Mincers_FC
Manchester 65% favourites for a 2-1 win. Manchester still have their second striker out but have been covering him fine over the last few weeks. Mincers still have two players out including key midfielder J_Peace and their central defender L_Lively. It is still weeks before Mincer are back to full strength. A win for Manchester is likely to give them breathing room in the top six, from the chasing pack in Burntwood and Washington. A loss would be disasterous. I expect Manchester fairly easily.
Ontario_Maple_Hawks - Huracan_Rhythm
Ontario continue their relentless march to the bottom while Huracan tops the table. This should be an easy win but the Stats say differently. 54% to Huracan with a likely 1-1 result. Huracan do have a couple of insignificant defenders out so that shouldn't be a problem. I am not sure why the stats are so close unless Huracan has been very cunning tactically in most of their games. This will probably come down to tactics too and with Ontario performing so badly it is hard to go past Huracan.
Washington_Sports - Castleford_Town
This is the other contender for match of the round. Both sides with full squads to pick from so no excuses. The stats are predicting a slightly one sided affair with Washington 69% favourites and a score of 2-1. This seems a little lopsided based on league positions and recent form but the stats cant lie. I think Castleford will have some tricks up their sleeve and will make it a good contest. Both sides need the points to keep promotion hopes alive.
Good luck all.
Last week threw up three upsets and has thrown the "normal" programming into disarray. But it does keep things interesting. Huracan are now top of the table after dismantling Jud. Jud drops to second and the form team Jacobs stumbling when they could have snatched top spot. Ripon has "ripped" into fourth with Castleford and Manchester rounding up the top six. Burntwood have dropped out of the six and now fight with Washington on eleven points.
Lets quickly look at last weeks results
Ludlow_Penguins 2 - 0 Jacobs_FC
This one was a complete upset. Jacobs hade won five straight and were poised to take top spot given Jud's tough assignment. Unfortunately for Jacobs they couldn't find the net, but not through a lack of trying. Fifteen shots to seven tells the real story. But you have to take your chances or the opposition can pinch the game. This is exactly what Ludlow did. Ludlow showed that heart can get you a win even when the odds are against you. That makes back to back wins for Ludlow. Well done.
Welling_Town 3 - 1 Burntwood_Rovers
Upset number two. Welling town matched Burntwood in all areas especially after both sides switched to attacking late. Welling managed two goals and one late when they had shut up shop. This was too much for Burntwood who will need to have a good hard look at what went wrong. They now have a tougher road to make the top six and challenge for a division one spot.
Mincers_FC 1 - 2 Ripon_Rowels
This one went as expected but Mincers put up a good fight. It was a defensive game or maybe there was little creativity in the midfields as the shots were five to six. Ripon did enough and they leap back into to the top six. Mincers copped another long injury but they do welcome back two players next week including their Keeper. I think a first win for Mincers is just around the corner.
Huracan_Rhythm 2 - 0 Judithiniikos
I am going to call this an upset due to the 2-0 score line being a decisive victory. Huracan came out aggressively which was a bold move but it paid off. Attack from the start until the eightieth minute was not what Jud expected as Huracan won the tactical battle too. Twenty shots to twelve tells the story. This was a big win for Huracan and places them top of the table. Jud will only flinch slightly as they will no doubt regroup and keep applying pressure as they strive for top spot.
Castleford_Town 1 - 1 Manchester_Reds
This one also went against the stats. Manchester have done well to grab a point away against one of their main rivals this season. Castleford started with the upper hand on tactical choices and this lead to them taking the lead. But Manchester's coach, Mr. Wagner made a brilliant tactical move after thirty minutes and took the advantage. Manchester's midfield then took control and moved the ball around with flare. Result was a 1-1 score line. This keeps both sides in the top six and opens up a small gap to the chasing pack.
Washington_Sports 1 - 0 Ontario_Maple_Hawks
This game went according to predictions. Ontario were lucky that it was only 1-0. They were unable to trouble the Washington keeper at all. In fact the keeper was lucky to not get frost bite. Washington's defence was superb and
never looked rushed. Washington's midfield did enough to keep their season alive as they chase the top six. Five players were booked in this game which indicates a pretty nasty affair. Ontario look destined to try and avoid bottom place for the second year in three.
Lets look at round 9.
Jacobs_FC - Burntwood_Rovers
This is possibly game of the round. Jacobs fresh from their first defeat in a while up against Burntwood fresh from a shock loss to Welling Town. Both sides will want to forget these losses and continue on their winning ways. Surprisingly the stats have Burntwood at 54% favourites although the likely score line is 1-1. Jacobs should have more shots but Burntwood are more ruthless at putting their chances away. With the stats so close it looks like the tactical battle will decide this one.
Ripon_Rowels - Ludlow_Penguins
Ripon go into this game with a 70% chance of a win and the result should be around 2-0. Ludlow managed to shock Jacobs last week but that was at home. Its much tougher to get upsets away. Ludlow also have their three top defenders out which will make the tasks much harder. Ripon are not without their own problems. They have key defender M_Bansbach suspended and their midfield kingpin Y_Szymczak also suspended. So both sides will have slightly different line ups but Ripon should still be strong enough at home.
Judithiniikos - Welling_Town
Who would have thought I would be saying Jud is coming of a loss and Welling are looking for back to back wins. Welling were at home last week and it was a good win but Jud will be a whole different matter especially playing them away. The Stats agree and give Jud a 74% chance of a win. Score line should look like 2-0. Judithiniikos has C_McGregor out but it looks like they have enough cover for him so that shouldn't have any impact. Jud have Welling's measure pretty much all over the park especially in the midfield. Jud should rejoin the winners circle here and return to normal programming.
Manchester_Reds - Mincers_FC
Manchester 65% favourites for a 2-1 win. Manchester still have their second striker out but have been covering him fine over the last few weeks. Mincers still have two players out including key midfielder J_Peace and their central defender L_Lively. It is still weeks before Mincer are back to full strength. A win for Manchester is likely to give them breathing room in the top six, from the chasing pack in Burntwood and Washington. A loss would be disasterous. I expect Manchester fairly easily.
Ontario_Maple_Hawks - Huracan_Rhythm
Ontario continue their relentless march to the bottom while Huracan tops the table. This should be an easy win but the Stats say differently. 54% to Huracan with a likely 1-1 result. Huracan do have a couple of insignificant defenders out so that shouldn't be a problem. I am not sure why the stats are so close unless Huracan has been very cunning tactically in most of their games. This will probably come down to tactics too and with Ontario performing so badly it is hard to go past Huracan.
Washington_Sports - Castleford_Town
This is the other contender for match of the round. Both sides with full squads to pick from so no excuses. The stats are predicting a slightly one sided affair with Washington 69% favourites and a score of 2-1. This seems a little lopsided based on league positions and recent form but the stats cant lie. I think Castleford will have some tricks up their sleeve and will make it a good contest. Both sides need the points to keep promotion hopes alive.
Good luck all.
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