Clapton Community 4 Lymore Gardens 1 - A brace from Nathan Cook helped Clapton Community see off Lymore Gardens to set up Thurlow Nunn South play off final against Rayleigh Town after they saw off Coggeshall Town

Thurlow Nunn First Division South Play Off Semi Final, Saturday 25th April

The final weekend in April saw me make a trip to somewhere that I used to visit regularly some years ago during my coverings of local non league football and the Essex Senior League, The Old Spotted Dog, and it was to see what promised to be a mouth watering clash between Clapton Community & Lymore Gardens.

Both sides were competing for a place in the Thurlow Nunn South play off final against either Coggeshall Town or Rayleigh Town, who also were doing battle over at West Street in the other semi final today, for a place in Step Five, and for many the home side were big favourites to get the job done today and set up that home semi final after finishing runners up in the division.

Clapton were close to winning the league, they finished three points behind champions Hutton having amassed ninety points in their forty games, and they had finished a whopping nineteen points ahead of today's opponents who had just squeezed into the top five themselves, the hosts were also on a run of nineteen unbeaten in the league, and were on a six game winning run too (they had won sixteen of those games on that run, including a ten match winning streak).

Despite all this though, they could not win the title, and they were up against a Lymore side who as said had just squeezed into the play offs by a point, edging out Newbury Forest & Brimsdown, this was helped by a decent run of form at the end of the season when it appeared their play off hopes were fading, one defeat in seven meant they could edge themselves into that post season lottery.

Also, if you looked at both league games these two competed in during the season, then you would fancy the hosts, Clapton won 3-0 at home and then only a month ago netted a 3-1 win at Oakside, but the play offs are a different kettle of fish, and Lymore on their day can be a match for most, which was evident in their first ever FA Vase run this season when they reached the last 16 after seeing off sides from a higher level.

The home side would again be backed by a huge home crowd once again, and after 1,712 had watched them last weekend in their final regular season game, 1,377 came through the gates for this game, an incredible effort for this level, and they were certainly creating a carnival atmosphere, and hoping their team would deliver, well James Briggs saw a powerful free kick superbly saved, but in the 19th minute the hosts were to be celebrating their opening goal.

It came after a lovely pass found Louis Brown with just the keeper to beat, again it was superbly saved but Nathan Cook was on hand to fire the rebound home and hand the hosts the advantage, and the atmosphere was cranked up a notch, Lymore always posed a threat on the counter though and did create a decent opening but saw Chris Mathers save well, despite this though Clapton were looking the better side and they duly doubled that lead six minutes before half time.

Andre Odeku burst through on goal, but with defenders chasing him down and unable to get the ball properly under control, his effort was blocked, but fell into the path of Brown who was duly wiped out by the keeper and stonewall penalty was duly awarded, Briggs then stepped up to fire home the spot kick and the hosts now had some breathing space heading towards the break.

Well, that breathing got even bigger as the game entered first half stoppage time, Brown lifting a cross towards the far post where Adam Sidky was on hand to volley past the keeper and hand Clapton a 3-0 lead heading into the break, job done almost you could say, well, after an hour it certainly game over, and the hosts added a fourth, and it was handed to them on a plate by the visitors.

Risky play at the back saw Cook bearing down on goal after a mishap, and he duly fired into the bottom corner past a stranded keeper for his second of the contest and now the home fans could really celebrate and continue what was a very enjoyable carnival atmosphere in the sunshine with a few beers, no doubt the hosts players and management still had their heads on, but they did appear to take their foot off the gas a tad for the final half hour or so.

This allowed Gardens to have a lot more of the ball, and with twelve minutes to go pulled one back when they got in on goal to fire past Mathers, but you still felt that the hosts were more than comfortable and had done the damage earlier in the contest and could enjoy the final moments of this play off tie, and maybe enjoy the superb atmosphere created in the scaffold.

No more goals were added thereafter and it meant Clapton Community would defeat Lymore Gardens for a third time this season with an aggregate of 10-2 no less, and they had in to next weekends final on the back of seven straight wins and twenty matches unbeaten, can they net one more win and grab that promotion to Step Five?

Lastly this sees Gardens excellent first season at this level and in Senior Football come to an end, but it's been a very good season, Vase Last 16 and a play off place earned, not bad at all, so well done to them on the season they have had.

Full time Clapton Community 4 Lymore Gardens 1

So, who will Clapton face at home next weekend, well the other semi final took place at West Street, Coggeshall, let's see how that one went and who would travel to East London next weekend.....

Coggeshall Town 2 Rayleigh Town 3

Rayleigh Town, who finished fourth and twelve points behind today's opponents in third, came from behind to net a fantastic win and send them into a second successive play off final in this division.  They did lead early on when Dylan Jones played in John Sasere to give the visitors a 15th minute advantage, but, the hosts levelled ten minutes before half time when Hayes nodded home an Ambrose header back across goal before the hosts led two minutes before half time when a Hollocks corner was headed in by Borein to turn the tie on it's head.  

But Rayleigh came back to level the match at 2-2 before the first half was done, levelling two minutes later when Mofi Tunde-Ojolowo smashed home from inside the six yard box to send the sides into the break all square, and it was the visitors who would strike the killer blow to win this contest, it came with fifteen minutes to go when Benny Fiadzomor out muscled a defender before driving into the box and firing home and send Rayleigh Town into next weekend's final at the Old Spotted Dog.

Commiserations then to Coggeshall Town who see their season end disappointingly, many fancied them to go on and achieve promotion through the play offs, but it's not to be and it will be Clapton Community Vs Rayleigh Town in front of no doubt another huge partisan crowd in East London, can Rayleigh surprise again and grab victory to silence the home fans, or will it be Clapton who after ten years of being this community club, achieve promotion to Step Five. We shall soon find out.....

Buckhurst Hill 2 Harwich & Parkeston 0 - Goals from Archie Hammond & Marko Protic see Buckhurst Hill to victory over Harwich & Parkeston & confirm their place in the Essex Senior League promotion play offs

Essex Senior League, Wednesday 22nd April

My first game back in the UK for a month saw me head over to Roding Lane to see if Buckhurst Hill could officially confirm their place in the play offs next week by defeating a Harwich & Parkeston side who themselves were just playing for pride and grab as many points they could muster in their final two outings of the season to try and maybe pinch 12th spot off Hackney Wick.

The Stags knew just a point would officially see them claim the final spot in the play off zone although after their weekend win at Benfleet it was pretty much guaranteed (unless Ilford could overturn a goal difference of fourteen and hope Hill lost their last two, unlikely) but they knew if they could pick up maximum points in their final two games, a home semi final in the post season was more than achievable.

Harwich though are no mugs and have had a very solid campaign this season back at this level, they sat 13th having picked up forty points in their campaign so far, 12th was still achievable if they could net wins in their last two, but it would be a tall order against a Hill side who had only lost twice in the league since late October, and those came in narrow defeats at leaders Oakley & second placed SOUL Tower Hamlets.

Hill then would have been confident, but the last time I saw Harwich was away at SOUL, and they could easily have been two or three goals up in the one before Hamlets took the lead, and only a second half five minute onslaught from the hosts ended that one, but, had Harwich been more clinical, they could easily have upset the apple cart there, and in the first half of this game they had chances to make life difficult for their opponents, but again that sharpness up front deserted them.

The hosts had chances too, and they managed to convert one of them just past the midway point of the half, Archie Hammond saw a couple of efforts blocked from close range before he prodded a third effort into the net, it's certainly not something Hill have struggled with this season, finding the net, and they managed to go into the half time break with a slender lead in what had been a very tight first half.

The second half saw The Stags dominate the ball a lot more and as the half wore on become more and more dangerous, Harwich had their moments but not like the first period for sure, they had seen Hill double their advantage on the hour mark too with a lovely flowing move following a visiting attack, Yannis Mengou went down the right and played a lovely reverse pass to Nathan Sollosi who then played a ball across to Marko Protic who calmly slotted the ball home, and in looked as if Hill had found a third when a close range header appeared to cross the line, but the officials said otherwise, much to the bemusement of some. 

Hill continued to play their lovely brand of football but Harwich hung tough and kept going too, much to their credit with nothing much to play for, but in the end The Stags ran out winners to officially confirm their spot in the play offs, well done to them, can they achieve the impossible dream of promotion to step four, well, no reason why not.

Full time Buckhurst Hill 2 Harwich & Parkeston 0

Let's then have a look at the Essex Senior League table heading the final day of the regular season:-

A little Oakley win at home to Basildon United on the final day will see them win the title and promotion to Step Four, any slip up though and SOUL could pinch the title from them with victory over Halstead Town at Rosemary Lane.  All four sides in the play off race can still achieve second and third and a home play off semi final next week, well apart from SOUL who cannot play at Mile End so will be away regardless of where they finish in play offs if they do not win the title.

Down at the bottom their are five teams who can still go down, can Frenford complete the great escape and give Forbsy and Co the greatest send off after 19 years with the club, they host West Essex who themselves officially confirmed their Step Five status recently, second bottom Athletic Newham have a monumental game at fellow relegation threatened White Ensign, Vase winners of 2024 Romford host Harwich & Parkeston needing to win to make sure they cannot be caught, and Sporting Bengal hosts Woodford, it sure proves to be a rather tense afternoon for those sides involved in preventing relegation to Step Six.

Brodd 2 Flekkerøy 1 - Second half goals from Lukas Emanuelsen & substitute Isak Hebnes see Brodd to first win of season & inflict Flekkerøy's first defeat of new campaign after they led through Andreas Endresen's first half strike

Norsk Tipping-ligean avdeling 4, Saturday 18th April

My final match of this current trip in Norway saw me back at a Fourth tier contest and again in the Norsk Tipping-ligean avdeling 4 as I made a return trip to Brodd FK and the NSE-banen Midjord kunstgras after visiting them last season in July when it was a very wam day indeed.

It wasn't quite as warm and sunny on this occasion, far from it, although the sun did peek out of heavy cloud at times, Brodd had finished last season in sixth place at this level, but this time around their start had not been so good, two games and two losses so far left them with zero points, something they were wanting to put right in this contest.

They would be up against Flekkerøy, a side who had won one and drawn one in their two matches so far, they had come down from the second division last season after finishing bottom of their section in the Post Nord ligean having won only three games in that campaign, so this year was about bouncing back so if they could remain unbeaten after this contest they would certainly have a good platform to build from.

The first half was a very scrappy affair, not many chances and to be honest neither side, especially the hosts, were not warming to referee Georg Bårdsen who was certainly stamping his authority shall we say, infuriating some of the 270 crowd in attendance too, it kind of added to the scrappy nature, both teams came close though, Rafa Mertens had a great chance for the visitors but saw his effort well saved by hosts keeper Erlend Jacobsen, whilst down the other end Brodd were screaming for handball inside the box but this fell on deaf ears from Bårdsen.

Shortly after he then gave a foul against the hosts and this resulted in some pushing and shoving between Brodd's Liban Ali Abdi & Flekkerøy midfielder Dirirsa Gamachis, both who were booked as a result, and towards the end of the half both managers also received bookings after they either said something to each other or the referee & or assistant on that side, as said neither side were happy with the decisions they were either not getting or anything else for that matter.

Their was to be a goal though before the half was out, it came ten minutes before the break, and it was a belter too, Andreas Endresen thumping an unstoppable effort beyond Jacobsen to see the visitors go into the break a goal to the good and on their way to a second win in three, and the hosts were heading for a third straight loss and needed to turn this one around if they were to get any points on the board.

They certainly came out with a bit more purpose in the second period as they certainly did not want to fall to a third defeat in three to start this campaign, and with an hour gone found a leveller, a wonderful ball in from Vergard Aasen was perfect for Lukas Emanuelsen whose volley crept over the line after keeper Markus Kristiansen did his best to keep the effort out, and then with 76 minutes on the clock Brodd had turned it around, with two second half substitutes combining very affectively indeed.

Harun Barise was the assist, playing a lovely ball through to Isak Habnes who slotted a lovely finish past Kristiansen and now the hosts had something to hold onto, what did the visitors, who were heading for a first defeat of the season, have in response.

They found a very resolute hosts defence standing up to them, and could not find a way through, several stoppages and some time wasting meant there was nine minutes added on, a point referee Bårdsen was keen to point out to everyone in the stadium, oh and he booked another coach on the hosts bench too after he disagreed with something, standard fare in this contest.

The hosts did manage to hold on though, and could even have sealed it late on but fluffed their lines, but it's an important win to get their campaign off and running points wise, although after the final whistle hosts substitute Storm Skandsen was given a straight red by referee Bårdsen for what I can only assume was dissent, not sure why you would do this when you've just won the game but nevermind, it was a small blot on the hosts copybook in an otherwise successful day.

Full time Brodd 2 Flekkerøy 1

There were some other games today in the division today, let's see how those went:-

Mandalskameratene 1 Haugesund 2s 1 (The points were shared in this one, Gustav Holmen handed the visitors a first minute lead but Simon Valand levelled for the hosts late on in the first half, and the home side would end the game with ten men after Tobias Hansen was given a straight red with four minutes remaining)

Staal Jørpeland 0 Madla 3 (Madla took all the points against Staal Jørpeland, taking the lead through Lucas Sørås in the 25th minute before doubling that lead ten minutes after the break through Sebastian Sandtorv. And they sealed the points with a third when Sandtorv netted again in the 63rd minute)

Våg 3 Hinna 0 (The final 100% record went in this one as Hinna suffered a 3-0 loss, their chances were not helped when the visitors saw Vegard Føyen was sent off just past the half hour mark before seeing the hosts go in front two minutes before the break courtesy of Ole Kristian Fuglestad. The hosts then added two late goals through Salai Mahlaw & Aleksander Kovac to add gloss to the scoreline and record an impressive win)

Varhaug 0 Vindbjart 1 (Sakarias Ringsbu netted on the hour mark as Vindbjart netted a narrow win over Varhaug)

Let's now see the latest table following today's results:-

Madla are the leagues only unbeaten side left now after three games meaning they sit top of a very early table, Våg, Vindbjart & Hinna all have six points after three games each, whereas only Stabæk 2s have zero points now after others picked up their first points of the season, they do play Åkra on Sunday so have the chance to pick up some points for the first time this season.

Anyway that completes my last blog from Norway for now at least, I will try and get back before the season is done in the autumn.

  

Vaulen 1 Austrått 3 - Second half goals from Jacob Aanonsen, Fredrik Selsås & Tobias Frøiland see Austrått make it three wins from three after coming from behind to defeat Vaulen who have now lost their two opening games

Norwegian 5. divisjon avdeling 2, Thursday 16th April

My penultimate game in Norway for this trip in April 2026 saw me take in a sixth tier game over at Kabal-banen, home of Vaulen, who were welcoming Austrått to their ground for a fifth division section two contest.

The hosts have had a rather up and down last few seasons, three years ago they won promotion into the fifth tier after two years of fighting for promotion, they came bottom in 2024 but were reprieved but finished rock bottom last season to return to the sixth tier, and they lost their opener this season 5-0 at home to Siddis, so not the ideal start.

And they would be up against an Austrått side who had opened their campaign with two wins from two, both of those had been away as well, a 2-1 win at Havørn was followed up with a 3-1 success at Jarl, so they were looking to make it three successive wins away from home to start their season (the Jarl game was supposed to be at home but I suspect they are not able to play at home just yet, hence that one was swapped).

The opening forty five minutes didn't really yield much in the way of goals, the hosts best chance came when Ekene Gonzalez drove a ball across the box and narrowly avoided anyone getting a telling touch, whereas down the other end the visitors did have the ball in the net after Morten Svendsen found Mama Mohammed via a deflected cross, but the flag went up to rule that one out, apart from that though, not a lot else happened.

That was until the 42nd minute, with me worrying the game may end goalless, I was relieved to see an opening goal, and it came for the hosts who netted their first goal of not only the game but in the season so far, Gonzalez lobbed a pass forward which was well brought down by Daniel Olsen, he then found Vetle Rugland before his pass found full back Sondre Tveit who then lofted a finish beyond visiting keeper John Kåre S. Fiskå to hand the hosts a 1-0 advantage at the half.

How would the visitors respond to going behind so late on in the half, well they responded very well indeed, whatever was said to them in the dressing room during the break obviously helped as they were level five minutes after the restart, Dia Undheim managed to keep a ball in that looked certain to go out, he fired it across goal and it was recovered by Svendsen who then sent it back across goal for Jacob Aanonsen to side foot home from close range.

And Svendsen, who was fairly instrumental in the visiting attacks with his dead ball and crossing ability, assisted again in the 73rd minute as Austrått got themselves ahead, the full back's corner being headed home by skipper Fredrik Selsås, however, the third goal for the visiting side which came in the 82nd minute was all of Vaulen's doing, and it pretty much sealed the points too.

A ball across the penalty area landed at the feet of a defensive player, and they for some reason tried to play it back to keeper Sondre Askvik, but, substitute Tobias Frøiland was standing in between them both and couldn't believe his luck when the ball was presented to him, and he duly flicked a finish past the keeper and into the net, whoops, and Vaulen were now staring a second successive defeat in the face.

They had several minutes to try and force an unlikely comeback, but this was never really on the cards, and were at risk of being caught on the counter by the visitors, but, it was to end 3-1 to the visiting side and they now have nine points from nine and have the perfect start to their campaign, not something that can be said for the hosts who have zero points from their two games thus far.

Full time Vaulen 1 Austrått 3

There were some other games in the division this week, shall we see how those games went.....

Tuesday 14th April

Sola 2s 7 (Paulsen 14,78, Touroupo 35, Al-Azaizi 43, Elde 45, Hesby 63, Al-Mansoori 90)

Siddis 4 (Formo 58,85,88 Årthun 83) (Ansari-amjadian sent off 65)

Staal Jørpeland 2s 8 (Norland 5,33, Hinna 10, NÆSS 17, Galka 19, Ali 23,29, Hobberstad 49)

Havørn 1 (Kaarvaag 67)

Thursday 16th April

Jarl 0

Bogafjell 3 (Høie-Holgersen 34, Urdal 43, Sandve 90)

Stavanger 4 (Karlsen 11, Grapes 15, Skjæveland 45, Horsfjord 90)

Mastra 1 (Ueland 39)

An utterly bonkers game at Sola Stadion, and yes I had considered going to this one, oops, the hosts leading 6-1 before almost falling apart but managing to halt what would have been an incredible comeback from ten man Siddis who lose their 100% start, bottom side Havørn's awful start continued as after losing 11-0 at leaders Bogafjell last time out they were 8-0 down against Staal Jørpeland 2s in 49 minutes, the hosts ended up winning 8-1 to net their first win but for Havørn its three losses and twenty one conceded.

Talking of Bogafjell, well in three games they are yet to concede so far and have netted twenty goals, their latest win a 3-0 win Jarl who have zero points from two, as do Vaulen as said as they remain tenth out of eleven sides, Austrått's come from behind win sees them third on goal difference along with the leaders and Stavanger who have also netted three wins from three after they netted four against a Mastra outfit who have lost two out of three so far.

So, just the thirty-two goals in the division this week, plenty of entertainment to be had!!!

 

My blog on Norway's OBOS-ligaen for 11th/12th/13th April featuring two games, on Saturday I was at Oster-Hus Arena as Odd defeated Sandnes & on Sunday at Bryne Stadion to witness Ranheim's hard earned victory over Bryne

Norwegian OBOS-ligean, Saturday 11th/Sunday 12th/Monday 13th April

This weekend saw me take in two OBOS-ligean matches which is the second tier in Norway and the highest level of games i'd be taking in this time around, I would be at the Oster-Hus Arena in Sandnes on Saturday afternoon & then at the Bryne Stadion in Bryne on Sunday evening, below is how those two games fared and also how the remaining six games went in Round Two of the season.....

Saturday 11th April

Sandnes Ulf Vs Odd (Oster-Hus Arena, Sandnes)

There were four games on Saturday afternoon in the division, and I was in Sandnes to see if the hosts could bounce back from their opening round defeat to Hodd, Ulf had won promotion back into the OBOS-ligaen after being relegated down into the second division the previous season, it's hasn't been the smoothest of years since they dropped out of the top flight over a decade ago and it culminated with their relegation to the third tier last season.

This season would therefore be all about carrying on that momentum built up from a successful season last year when they won their Division Two section by six points and now they must do all they can to stay in the second tier and perhaps build from that and dream of one day returning to the Eliteserien, those are dreams echoed by their opponents Odd who suffered relegation from the top flight two season's ago.

Odd, who reside from the city of Skien, had been a regular fixture in the top flight in recent years until that poor season in 2024 when they finished bottom, and last season's ninth place finish in the second tier probably wasn't what they had in mind either, however they got their campaign off to a brilliant start this time around, netting a 4-0 home win over Sogndal, starting as they meant to go on you could say, & coming into this fixture against a side who had just won promotion back into the second tier, they would have been supremely confident of netting another three points although this was Ulf's first home game back in the second tier for over a year, so they would have been up for it no doubt.

It looked like it would be a long afternoon for the hosts though in the early exchanges, Ulf had hardly touched the ball when they went behind in the fifth minute, a corner from Syver Aas into the six yard box saw hosts keeper and skipper Aslak Falch challenge Odd striker Faniel Tewelde, but the keeper appeared to misjudge the cross and the ball went in off the visiting player, Falch claimed he was impeded but this fell on deaf ears and Odd had an early advantage.

Odd totally dominated the opening twenty minutes or so and Sandnes as said could not get any possession of note, but, as the half wore on the hosts began to see more of the ball, and on the half hour mark were awarded a penalty after Filip Jorgensen was adjudged to pull back an opponent in the box, and Ole Sundgot stepped up to fire home the spot kick, and it meant they would go into the break all square.

Odd though would take control once again in the second period, helped by a lucky second goal eight minutes after the break, Tewelde played winger Samuel Skjeldal down the left flank, and the latter's cross appeared to take a nick off a defender trying to block it, and sent it looping over a scrambling Falch and into the far corner, another messy goal conceded by the home side, and Odd would not relinquish the lead again. 

And in the 65th minute they all but sealed the win when the same combination for the first goal proved fruitful for the visitors, Aas sending in a free kick which found Tewelde totally unmarked in the penalty area to send a header beyond Falch, way to easy and it meant the visitors would go on to record another three points and make it two from two so far this season, whereas Sandnes Ulf have now lost both their games so far and are finding their return to the second tier a rather tough one thus far.

Sandnes Ulf 1 Odd 3

I also took a rare video after the game of the visiting players celebrating with their small travelling band of fans from Skien, it's been an enjoyable start to the season for them, am sure they would like that to continue.....

Here is how the other three Saturday games went:-

Haugesund 4 Stromsgodset 2 (These two came down from the Eliterserien last season, the hosts had finished bottom after a dismal season, but they managed to get the better of Godset in this contest and continue their perfect start to this season.  The first half was actually goalless but then came all the goals, Anders Bondhus giving Haugesund the lead five minutes after the break, and they made it 2-0 just past the hour through Sory Diarra.  Godset though then produced a comeback, pulling one back through Elias Melkersen in the 68th minute before levelling at 2-2 just two minutes later courtesy of Sebastian Pingel but the hosts were not to be denied, retaking the lead in the 81st minute through Bruno Leite before sealing the points late on through Eirik Andersen)

Strommen 0 Egersund 3 (Egersund began their season with victory over newly promoted Strommen, the visitors made the playoffs last season so would at least like to do this again, and they were helped in this one when the hosts were reduced to ten men twelve minutes before half time when Maximilian Balatoni was given a straight red, and by half time the visitors had capitalised on their extra man with two goals late in the opening forty five minutes.  Oscar Kapskarmo gave them the lead from the resulting penalty that led to the sending off of Balatoni, and it was two nil right on half time when Chris Sleveland netted, it remained this way until late on when Egersund capped a good start to their campaign when Pawel Chrupalla grabbed their third and final goal of the contest)

Sogndal 0 Lyn 3 (Lyn, who come from Oslo of course, are now only one division away from being back in the Eliterserien, this after the original side went bust around fifteen years ago, they had to reform and begin in the seventh tier, and they got their latest season off to a flyer with victory at Sogndal who have had a difficult start to their own campaign.  All the goals came before half time in this one, Lyn taking the lead through Andreas Hellum in the 14th minute before Hellum netted again midway through the half to double Lyn's advantage.  And Anders Olsen then made it three nil in the 40th minute which more than proved enough for the visitors to take all the spoils in this one) 

Sunday 12th April

Bryne Vs Ranheim (Bryne Stadion, Bryne)

Their were three games on Sunday and I was at Bryne Stadion to see if Bryne could respond to a poor 3-0 loss at Kongsvinger in the opening round of games as they settled to life back in the OBOS-ligean once again, a league they have become familiar with over the last two decades.

The club turned 100 years old just two days before this game, the 10th April, they are a very historic club in Norway and are of course where a certain Erling Haaland begin his professional career too, but since they fell out of the top flight back in 2003, they have spent all that time trying to get back, they even dropped into the third tier a few years back but after winning promotion back to the second tier in 2020, they finally got that promotion back to the Eliterserien in 2024.

But, their stay in the top division only lasted one season as they were relegated back to the OBOS-ligean last season after losing the play off final to Aalesund, so once again they now have to try all over again to get back at the top table, they will find their latest challenge a tough one though as Ranheim themselves lost out on promotion from the OBOS-ligaen last season in the play offs, this after a sixth placed finish in the division last time out.

The visitors will be beginning their league campaign after not being in action in the opening round over Easter, and they will be looking to try and at least grab a play off spot once again this time round, and maybe go one further than they did before, they did spend a couple of seasons in the Eliteserien themselves in 2018 & 2019, but it's been the second tier ever since for them, they certainly had hopes of dashing the hosts 100th year old celebrations and also getting their season off to a winning start.

Well, after just four minutes the visitors had the lead, and it was the hosts who were the architects of their own downfall, a ball looped over the backline seemed to be running into the hands of keeper Jan de Boer so the hosts duly left it, but they misjudged the ball and maybe the wind as well and the ball actually ended up short of the keeper and saw Famara Camara attempt to get on the end of it, keeper de Boer did manage to beat the attacker to the ball and punch clear but only to Mikael Johnsen who duly thumped the loose ball back past de Boer and into the net, not the start Bryne were hoping for that was for sure.

It could have got worse for the hosts too when Franklin Nyenetue, who was causing them issues down the right, saw a great chance well saved by de Boer, but the hosts did carve out more of the openings in the first half but were found wanting in front of goal, Remi-Andre Svindland probably had the best of them, bursting into the box and hitting the post not once but twice, summing up the hosts luck or more lack of conviction.

Ranheim though when they attacked looked dangerous, and sure enough ten minutes before the break they doubled the lead to add further frustration to the hosts and there fans, Nyenetue laying a ball back to Johnsen who side footed home beautifully into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, two for him, two for the visitors who looked in good shape as the teams went back to the dressing room for half time.

The hosts needed to get the next goal in this contest if they were to have any chance of a comeback, and in the 66th minute they were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty for a handball inside the box, it looked slightly harsh in my opinion but Nicklas Strunck stepped up to fire the spot kick in off the post and it was certainly game on now, and it had woke the crowd up who had been fairly quiet and subdued thus far.

Bryne were now pressing for a leveller as Ranheim were now having to withstand quite a bit of pressure, but with just over fifteen minutes remaining Ranheim struck a killer blow by netting a third in a rare second half attack, keeper de Boer making a decent save to thwart Nyenetue but the rebound fell to Oliver Holden whose effort deflected past de Boer and restored the visitors two goal cushion, and that appeared to be that.

However, if Ranheim thought they would cruise to the points they would have to think again as Bryne pulled one back with ten minutes to go to set up a grandstand finish, Lars Erik Sodal's shot at goal was wayward but it fell perfectly to Strunck who redirected it beyond Jacob Storevik and into the bottom corner, game on again!!!

Bryne then threw everything at their opponents to try and salvage something from the game, the best chance the hosts had to levelling was when Strunck headed over from six yards out, Ranheim were clinging on for dear life but they did manage to hold on and thwart the hosts from taking anything from the game and in doing so earned a very hard fought win in their first outing of the season, and after relegation from the top flight last season, the hosts have now lost both their games on their return to the second tier.

Full time Bryne 2 Ranheim 3

Right let's see how the other two games went on Sunday:-

Stabaek 4 Asane 0 (Visitors Asane began the season on -1 points after missing the deadline to hand in their accounts, and after two games they are still on that number after suffering a second straight defeat to start the season, conceding four at Nadderud against a Stabaek side who bounced back from their opening day loss.  Jacob Hanstad opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Filip Riise doubled their lead seven minutes before the break, and it was 3-0 at the break courtesy of Magnus Dahlby's goal in first half stoppage time. And Sebastian Olderheim netted a fourth with fifteen minutes to go to complete the win for the home side)

Moss 1 Hodd 0 (Moss have two wins from two after Thomas Jakobsen's 37th minute goal proved enough to defeat Hodd who after winning their opening game come back down the earth in this one, the hosts did finish the game with ten men though after Jamiu Musbadeen was shown a second yellow in stoppage time and sent off, but it made no difference to the outcome ultimately)

The one remaining fixture of the weekend took place on Monday evening, so here is how that fared:-

Raufoss 1 Kongsvinger 3 (Visitors Kongsvinger have been serial play off makers over recent years but cannot seem to get over the line, well they have began this season in fine form and made it two wins from two after seeing off Raufoss who were playing their first game of the new season.  Ludvig Langrekken handed the visitors a second minute lead and then their lead was doubled just before the mid point of the first half when Alexander Achinoti-Jonsson put the ball in his own net, the hosts did pull one back in first half stoppage time courtesy of Eirik Asvestad, but Daniel Job then restored that two goal cushion early in the second period and this proved enough for Kongvinger to take the points, and hand Raufoss, who survived relegation last season by winning a play off, an opening day loss)

Ok, lets now look at how the table shapes up after two rounds (for most teams anyway) of matches.....

Odd lead the way on goal difference and are one off four sides who have won their opening two rounds of fixtures, Odd are looking to return back to the Eliteserien after their relegation in 2024, Kongsvinger will want to go up this year after heartbreak in the playoffs in recent seasons, Haugesund came down last season of course after a terrible season, and Moss were once one of the great sides in Norway, so they have all made a good start. Egersund & Ranheim, both who made the playoffs last year, also have an 100% record but that's after just one game of course.

And Bryne, who of course were relegated from the top flight after just one season last year, Sogndal, Asane & Sandnes Ulf (who came up from the tier below last season) have lost their opening two games, Raufoss & Strommen (the latter also having come up from the second division last season) also have zero points.