Current Dubai Expat Football League Division One champions, Dubai Irish, snatched a point with a last-gasp equaliser against Britam Vets in this week's top-of-the-table clash.
The match lived up to expectations as the new-look Irish team were mysteriously awarded a penalty on five minutes by referee Bob Boosey, a decision greeted with great surprise even by the Irish players. Paedar Malone has had a great start to the season and reinforced his growing reputation by calmly putting the spot kick away.
Having gained the upper hand, the Irish pressed Britam into several mistakes, but could not add to the lead. On the half-hour, a sweeping move from Britam out of defence left Steve Rutter with a chance even he could not miss to make it 1-1 at half time.
After the re-start, Britam forced the pace and missed several great chances before James Tometski's strike against his old club put Britam 2-1 up. As the game drew to a close, Britam were made to pay for their carelessness as Malone beat the offside trap and scored the equaliser with three minutes to go,
This result left Hi-Force Dogs two points clear at the top of the table after their 6-1 thrashing of Jacobs Creek the previous evening. Matt Lyell continued his impressive introduction to the Expat League with another brace for Dogs. Mark Barry also bagged two, as Jack Sephton and a Martin Pirnie rarity completed the rout. Glyn Drewery scored Jacobs' consolation.
Meanwhile, Televes continued with their disappointing start to the season, as they kicked-off their match at Sharjah with only nine players with the rest of the squad lost in transit. By the time they arrived the match was beyond Televes as Sharjah raced into a four-goal lead. Sharjah emerged 7-2 winners.
Televes continued with their disappointing start to the season, as they kicked-off their match at Sharjah with only nine players with the rest of the squad lost in transit. By the time they arrived, the match was beyond Televes as Sharjah raced to a four-goal lead.
