Round 12 in the league saw Buffs FC travel to Chile to meet Velardez FC. Velardez set up in a 3N-1-3W-2 and Buffs were pushed out again in a 4-5-1V. (Buffs Mad is getting bored with this.) We hope the Velardez boss enjoyed a pleasant dream the night before because the first half was a nightmare.

6 mins - Velardez GK stretchered off;
19 mins - Henderson (AMR) nods home a Baxter (AML) cross;
21 mins - Velardez AMC booked for foul;
28 mins - Velardez ML booked for handling outside the box;
28 mins - Velardez MC booked for handling at the FK = penalty;
28 mins - Steve Nicol scores from the spot.

Henderson then comleted his hat-trick with 2 goals before half-time. In the second half 3 more goals for the Buffs came from Gough, Henderson and McFadden (sub). Valardez's MC then saw yellow again and red with 6 mins left.

Nevertheless, Velardez's defence was well rewarded for their efforts with ratings of 8 for the GK and 2 x 9 and a 7 for their defenders.

Buffs remained top of the league by 4 pts and a +56 gd.

Round 3 in the league saw Buffs FC play host to MS Sarakham. Sarakham were the team that Buffs defeated in last season's CL final.

The visitors emerged in a 4-3-3 and Buffs Mad, bored with 4-5-1V, decided to see how a 3 man defence would match up - sending out the team in a 3-1-5-1 and thinking to switch to a 3-5-2 flat if the opportunity arose.

Well, the Buffs defence were pressured but stood steadfast until Gough picked up an early yellow on 25 mins and Sarakham scored from the FK. But Buffs replied within the minute to make it 1-1. On 36 mins the plan went to pot as Gough collected his second yellow and was off giving the visitors a huge possession advantage until Buffs Mad got Gemmell on and shuffled the Buffs to a 3-5-1V to plan the next move. Half-time came and went, possession was balanced again, the tie was even and there was excitement at either end. Sarakham freshened up with 3 subs and Buffs' McStay added a yellow to his collection. (Note: Buffs midfielders are geting a bit too aggressive now so the tackling might need toned down )

Buffs Mad decided to change to a push through the middle for the last 15 mins with AMC McFadden coming on for AML Baxter. The crowd howled at the schoolboy error - Buffs Mad had left the flank empty! XD - so it was shuffled back. Towards the 85th minute Buffs had 2 good chances but squandered them with the Sarakham keeper making an outstanding stop.......and Buffs were then counter attacked twice in quick succession, with the latter leading to the winning goal for Sarakham on the 88th minute mark.

So Buffs incur their first loss in the league this season and their GA column increases by 50% to 6. However, second placed side Ahtariyo also slip up with a 1-0 defeat in Vietnam so the top of the table stays unchanged.