In the big clash of the day, Albern, who have lost their last 3, entertained ND Land FC. After a shaky opening, Legwinski almost gave Albern the lead with a delicate chip that rebounded off the crossbar. However, Albern did not have to wait long before taking the lead, as Anelka and Drogba combined before the latter smashed home from inside the box on 21 minutes. ND Land responded well with Riquelme and Sabrosa going close, and the pressure paid off just after the half hour mark as Lisandro Lopez's good work set up a chance for Lionel Messi and he took his chance to level the scores with a low drive. It remained 1-1 until the break. In the second half, ND Land FC took control and should have taken the lead on 61 minutes as another low shot from Messi smashed the inside of the post. ND Land were dominating and Sabrosa headed over Terry's cross. However, despite all of the pressure, Albern almost snatched a dramatic injury time win, as Drogba was clear only for a last gasp tackle from substitute Favalli to save the day. The game ended 1-1. ND Land will be disappointed that they didn't come away with a valuable win, but the draw should be enough for Eriksson to keep his job after a week of pressure from the media and fans.

Elsewhere Legoland FC faced a difficult trip to face Lions FC. Legoland FC stormed out of the blocks and Carlton Cole scored his third of the season to give LFC the lead on 10 minutes. Shortly before the break, Alexander Madlung tripped Denilson and LFC were awarded a penalty. However Raul amazingly shot wide from the penalty spot. And that penalty miss would come back to haunt LFC as with 13 minutes remaining, Evangelos Mantzios outjumped Materazzi to head home. Late on both sides had chances to win it but it ended 1-1.

Third placed Kland FC drew 0-0 away to Berry Brigade, while ND Rangers threw away a 2-0 lead to Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury scored twice in the last 10 minutes to grab a 2-2 draw, with Buonanotte grabbing the equaliser in stoppage time. Lazio grabbed their first win of the season against Slipfield Rovers thanks to Simone Inzaghi's first half goal. AC Ponda easily overcame Torino 2-0. A shock result saw Sofia Somalia get their first of the season, 3-0 away at ND Town. And another surprisingly result saw Cunte FC win 3-0 away to Liffey United. The result leaves Cunte FC 8th but Liffey United are bottom. Finally Palcontino missed the chance to go top after a 0-0 draw at Third Division. However, Palcontino and ND Land FC remain the only sides unbeaten this season, so it's unlikely that they'll have too many complaints.

ND Land's NDFA president Mr NDFA has hit out at Mr Fifa over his claims that the new look San Siro is the "true home of Lego football" after the controversial demolition of the Olympic Stadium was met with widespread criticism in Legoland. Mr NDFA increased the heat on Mr Fifa by stating: "I don't see the difference. I don't see any improvements. The OIympic Stadium was shoddy, and so is this. Personally, I think my counterpart wasted his time".

Mr NDFA also took the opportunity to give his views on the 46 match league that the LFA have introduced this season. "42 games is enough. Minifigs will tire and the quality will drop in the last weeks of the season. With 46 games, this problem increases as minifigs will experience extreme fatigue, collapse and die".

Zeman bemoans draws. Lazio in Crisis. Plus LFC v Third Division.

Gardinia East destroyed Albern 3-0 to inflict a third successive defeat on Sven Goran Eriksson's side. The champions were humbled by three second half goals in the space of 17 minutes from Palacio, Mouche and Aguero. The game was poised at 0-0 until Palacio broke the deadlock with a fine goal after the hour mark. Albern's opening season victories seem like a long time ago after three defeats in a row leaves them languishing in 13th place. Gardinia East, meanwhile, kick-started their season with their first win and will be hoping to build on this result.

Second placed Kland FC were also humiliated, suffering a shocking 4-1 home defeat to Lions FC. Kland FC went in front on 18 minutes when Pekhart headed past a stranded Carrizo. However the game turned on it's head in a couple of crazy minutes, starting on the half hour mark. An awful backpass from Roberto Carlos allowed Angelos Charisteas to run free and walk around a helpless Reina and rifle the ball into an empty net. Minutes later a static Kland defence allowed Evangelos Mantzios to rise and head past Reina. 2-1 to the visitors. Kland poured forward in the second half, but were undone with 6 minutes remaining. Alexander Madlung rose first for another headed goal from an inswinging Volpi freekick. And the icing was on the cake two minutes later when Mantzios made it 4-1 with a clever flick from another Volpi assist. Kland's unbeaten start is over and Lions' summer spending appears to be paying off as they are up to 6th place.

ND Land FC manager Zdenek Zeman blamed last season's 3rd place finish on drawing too many games. So he won't be happy after another ND Land FC match ended with a poor 1-1 draw at home to ND Rangers, resulting in ND Land's third draw in 5 games. Last season ND Land drew 10 games in the first 14 games, so another repeat performance would surely see Zeman fired. Despite drawing both away games so far this season, it is the draws at home that hurt the most, as the side found out last season. So when David Voison fired home on 42 minutes for ND Rangers, the worry was obvious in the skeptical home crowd that did not believe ND Land could manage two goals to turn the game around. And so it proved to be the case. It took til Francesco Totti's goal 17 minutes from time to get level, and despite throwing everything at ND Rangers in the remaining quarter of an hour, it wasn't to be. Afterwards Zeman stated: "We cannot keep drawing like this. We must take the lead in our games. This would decrease the pressure we are putting ourselves under by conceding first. I will be looking for a marked improved at Albern next week".

The defeats for Kland and Albern and ND Land's draw were good news for the leaders Blue Berry Bridge, who appeared to be heading for 5 wins on the trot when they entertained Skull Harbour. However Skull Harbour proved to be a stubborn side and held on for an impressive and vital 0-0 draw. BBB's perfect start to the season is over, but after Palcontino were held to a goalless draw by Monaghanland United, BBB remain the sole occupiers of the top spot, a remarkable achievement considering last season's near relegation.

Another side who could have been relegated on last season's last day, Torino, have also started in impressive fashion. After picking up 7 points from the first 3 games, they were expecting big things last weekend at home to Kland FC, only for Leon Osman to steal a 1-0 win for Kland with just 3 minutes to go. However this weekend, they bounced back with a 2-0 win at home to Berry Brigade, thanks to goals from Pantelic and Dja Djedje.

The two Legoland clubs, Legoland FC and Third Division met in Legoland, and LFC were ahead within 5 minutes, with Adrian Mutu belting home and unstoppable drive. The game was fiercely competitive and played at a great pace, but it was not until the 82nd minute, that there was reward for the endeavour shown. Arjen Robben's cross was brilliantly headed in by Gilardino as he slide towards the near post. 1-1. The traveling fans were still celebrating when Adrian Mutu restored LFC's lead seconds later, with another piledriver to send the LFC fans into raptures. However moments later, Gilardino almost snatched another equalised when another headed effort smashed off the bar. The frantic finale continued with Bresciano having a glorious opportunity to level it but he somehow tapped over from 5 yards after Di Natale had rounded Toldo to cross. Carlton Cole should have finished it but missed an easy header. However Legoland FC held out for a much needed 2-1 victory. Third Division will be pleased with their performance as it suggests a much needed fighting spirit that almost ran out of them last season.

Elsewhere Shrewsbury managed to record their first win this season with a 2-0 home win against Lazio. Lazio, in turn, are bottom after 5 games without a win, and have just 2 points to their name. Cunte FC v ND Town, Slipfield Rovers v Liffey United and Sofia Somalia v AC Ponda both ended 0-0.

The results leave Blue Berry Bridge top, 2 ahead of Palcontino. ND Land FC and Legoland FC are 7th and 8th, with Albern 13th. At the bottom, Monaghanland United, ND Rangers, Liffey United and Lazio occupy the relegation places.

Lazio have described their 3rd win in a row against LFC as "stunning". A spokesfig issued the following statement.

"We are heading towards a strange situation of winning all our home games and losing all our away games. This would be an interesting record and would guarantee a decent position, so maybe it would be a good thing. Beating LFC twice last season was amazing, so to win a 3rd time against them is remarkable. Hopefully we can complete a second successive double over them in 2010."

Rumours circulating in ND Land suggest a leading company will attempt to put together an offer for a Legoland Serie A club. The full details have not been disclosed, but what has been learned is that it is a "Legoland club as opposed to a 'real' club".

The reports suggest that the team has been kept under wraps due to the fear of an immediate dismissal of any offer before talks could even begin. Apparently the idea came after reading the Minifig Times "How to go about taking over a Lego football team..." section, and interest was generated further after reading "Think the pigs at Inter Police could be better managed?". This is not to suggest that the "Pigs" are the team in question. However, the clubs ruled out were Emperor Eagles, Lion Lakers, Legoland FC and Legoland United due to a mixture of "obvious reasons and greedy owners".

ND Land FC manager Zdeněk Zeman has declared that the title race will be closer next season and blamed Jurgen Klinsmann's incredible run of draws as the reason why they failed to lift the ND Land league title last term.

ND Land's largest club-side drew 10 of their opening 14 games in the 2008/9 campaign leaving them in 15th place, way behind the leaders and eventual winners Albern. However they replaced Klinsmann and got their season back on track, finishing in third place, 12 points behind champions Albern. Zeman stated that "ND Land lost this league because of foolish draws. 11 games without a win is unacceptable". This was referring to ND Land's astonishing 11 games winless run early last season. Zeman, however, has vowed to turn things around.

"We must rid our inconsistency. There were times towards the end of last season where we could have mounted a serious challenge but bottled it in the 96th minute. This must be stopped. Next season we will be up the top. We expect it to be much tighter. Albern and Shrewsbury are the obvious main challengers at this point, but it will be a busy summer and much can happen. It will be closer next season. That I am sure of."

ND Land FC players Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka have both been linked with exits with a reported bid of €30m turned down from Real Legoland. However, Zeman is confident that they will stay. "Cristiano will be here. He has stated his desire to stay. Kaka is more complicated but I'm confident he will be here".

The slamming has once again started as Gardinia East owner Mrs. Sega has called Legoland FC's board a "shameless bunch of moronic troglodytes" after the club sacked coach Marco Van Basten after just 5 games in charge, despite the fact that he remained unbeaten throughout the short spell.

Mrs. Sega, who has herself fired three coaches this season and is expected to fire a fourth soon, stated that "When Gardinia East make a decision to fire a manager, it is done in the best interests of the club and due to the managers poor results, not as a publicity stunt like those Legolanders".

She went on to call Gheorghe Hagi a "gypsy gobsheen who should be long dead", then referring to him as the "golden arse". An angry Mrs. Sega finished by stating that the club will sell a number of stars in the summer in order to address the financial difficulties facing the club: "We must sell players in the summer to relieve some debts. Unfortunately this may mean a slump in form in the coming seasons, but it will be done to secure the future of the club". Gardinia East were not allowed to purchase anyone during the January transfer window due to their significant debt.

The Jason Mayele Trophy began with hosts Slipfield Rovers taking on Legoland FC, for whom new signing Cristiano Ronaldo and the returning Romario did not travel. Instead Adrian Mutu and David Beckham took their place. And it was the latter, Mr. Beck-haaaaaaaaam, who scored the only goal of the game after 37 minutes to give LFC the perfect start to the mini tournament. Slipfield Rovers, who finished runners up in the league last season, looked out of ideas, and while LFC weren't much better, Denilson's cross and Beckham's low finish was enough to seal victory. Albern faced ND Land FC in their opening match. ND Land FC fielded new signings Lionel Messi and Jimmy Van Fessem. The game was also decided by a single first half goal, with Lionel Messi opening his ND Land FC account on 41 minutes to give ND Land a 1-0 win.

ND Land FC took on hosts Slipfield Rovers in the third match and it was less than 5 minutes old when Stefan Kießling put ND Land a goal ahead. Riquelme's cross was headed past the helpless Jérémy Gavanon. ND Land FC dominated the first half and should have been 2 up on 27 minutes when Lisandro Lopez went clear, but he shot wide of the left post. ND Land FC were showing their attacking strenghts but were surprisingly caught out against the run of play on 34 minutes when Ramirez's corner was headed home by Kevin Gameiro. After the break, ND Land FC continued to press and both sides had their chances. Choi Yong-Su shot wide after good play from Bacary Sagna and Francesco Totti missed a sitter after Lopez's pull back. However it was the hosts who took the lead with just over 20 minutes left. Park Chu-Young dribbled past Terry and Carvahlo before smashing a right foot drive past Van Fessem. As ND Land looked for an equaliser, Svindal Larsen broke clear and laid the ball perfectly into Chu-Young's path to fire home to make it 3-1. 4 minutes before the end, Chu-Young completed his hat trick after another fine break away. 4-1 to Slipfield Rovers and on this evidence, they could be in for another impressive season.

League champions Albern faced LFC with a new look line up including Hugo Lloris, Dirk Kuyt and Didier Drogba. It was old boy Nicolas Anelka, however, who used his pace to fly by the LFC defence and chip Toldo for a 1-0 lead after just 7 minutes. Albern looked in control from the start and doubled their lead on 20 minutes. Anelka and Drogba combined to set up Legwinski whose drive was tipped back into the path of Drogba by the outstretched Toldo, and Drogba was given the easiest of finished. 2-0 to Albern after 20 minutes. Both sides had their chances after that. Mutu should have scored late on but was denied by Lloris, and Albern ran out 2-0 winners.

In the final group games, Slipfield Rovers took on Albern, with Albern needing a win to reach the final, while Slipfield Rovers only needed a draw due to their superior goal difference. After a 4-1 win, Slipfield's players were full of confidence and took the game to Albern from the off. However Drogba should have put Albern a goal up after 30 minutes when his header smashed the crossbar. Exteberria also went close moments later. However it was Svindal Larsen who grabbed the lead for Slipfield. Park Chu-Young and Bojan Krkić combined well to set up Svindal Larsen who fired home from close range. Albern should have been level seconds later, as Drogba was clear only for hesitancy to cost him at the last second. Albern poured forward in the second half, and Choi Yong-Su should have taken advantage on the break for Slipfield, but his shot hit the post. Exteberria, Ben Arfa, Zenden and Anelka all had chances, but Slipfield reached the final following a 1-0 win.

In the final group match, ND Land FC faced Legoland FC. With Ronaldo not traveling, it was Lionel Messi who faced his former club. LFC started brightly and Materazzi had a chance from a corner on 3 minutes. The ball bounched awkwardly in front of Van Fessem, and Materazzi knocked the ball over with his head. Raul missed a glorious opportunity on 21 minutes after Denilson cut back from the left. Raul hit straight at Van Fessem. John Terry was the architect of the first goal, as his long ball was controlled by Messi, who ran past the on-looking Luigi Sala, before slicing the ball home at the near post after half an hour. The game quietened until the break, but immediately after the break, ND Land FC went 2-0 ahead. Totti fired home from a free kick after Materazzi had chopped down Messi. And 2-0 is how it finished. ND Land FC will meet Slipfield Rovers in the final.

In the final, Slipfield Rovers had the best of the first half, with Yong-Su and Chu-Young having a number of chances, only to be denied by the impressive Van Fessem. John Terry's glancing header was ND Land's best chance of a quiet first half. The second half started in explosive fashion with Julien Féret smashing the crossbar within 20 seconds. ND Land FC then had John Terry sent off for a deliberate handball on 50. Riquelme should have won the game for ND Land in stoppage time but his shot hit the bar. The game went to extra time and it was Lionel Messi who decided the match on 115 minutes. A throw by Terry was headed down by Fabregas and Messi rocketed the ball home from 6 yards. ND Land FC win the JM Trophy 1-0.

Elsewhere, Kland FC suffered an astonishing defeat to relegeted Skerries, losing 8-1!!! Skerries were 2-0 up within 20 minutes after goals from Fortune and Vahirua. 2 early second half goals made it 4-0 to Skerries, and it was 5-0 on the hour mark thanks to Capoue's strike. Adebayor pulled a goal back on 76 minutes, but Skerries incredibly scored 3 in 4 stoppage time minutes, with Remy, Levrat and Fortune grabbing the goals. 8-1 is not the start Kland would have been looking for, but they will be hoping to eradicate the defensive problems in time for Saturday's league opener against Monaghanland United.

In the Berry Derby Checker Domino Trophy, Berry Brigade took a 61st minute league through Maurice-Belay, but BBB brought the game to extra time thanks to Doukantié on 81 minutes. It was Berry Brigade who won the trophy at their arch enemies stadium thanks to a 98th minute goal from Anthony Modeste. 2-1 the final score.