Friday night in Saddlers produced the shock of the Division One season — Mantab defeated league leaders Lodge Patriots 3-2 in a result that has blown the title race and the playoff picture wide open, while Saddlers United kept their own postseason push on track with a 2-1 win over Conaree Fireball International.
Fri. March 6 | 6:00 PM Lodge Patriots 2 – 3 Mantab
Fri. March 6 | 8:00 PM Saddlers United 2 – 1 Conaree Fireball International
Mantab deliver the upset of the season
Nobody saw this coming. Mantab pulled off the most stunning result of the 2025/2026 Division One campaign, defeating table-topping Lodge Patriots 3-2 in a breathless Friday night encounter. Lodge, who had looked near-certain title winners just days ago, suffered only their second league defeat of the season — and at the worst possible time.
The result throws the playoff race into chaos. Garden Hotspurs, who won convincingly on Thursday, will have watched on with great interest — the gap at the top has narrowed and the destination of the Division One title is no longer a foregone conclusion. For Mantab, the victory is a massive boost to their own playoff ambitions, proving they have the quality to beat anyone in this division on their day.
Saddlers stay in playoff hunt with late win
Saddlers United kept their playoff push firmly on course with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Conaree Fireball International in the late fixture. It was not always comfortable, but the three points were secured and Saddlers continue to be one of the form sides in the second half of the season. For Conaree, the loss deepens their troubles and their Division One future remains uncertain.
With Sunday’s fixture between Molineux Pitbulls FC and Village Galaxy still to come, Match Week 13 could yet produce more twists. After Friday’s bombshell result, no one in Division One can afford to take anything for granted.