Madrid Master KBC

Real Madrid won the battle at the top of the table with a 1-0 triumph at Kensington Boys Club. The game was effectively won during an excellent first-half display which saw Madrid control the possession and, with it, create four chances. With Kensington struggling they were made to pay in the 34th minute when Aren Garabedian beat Gardiner from distance. Despite taking the lead Madrid might have finished the half slightly disappointed not to be further ahead. Kensington were much improved after the interval and proceeded to have several chances themselves. However, they were made to pay with some ineffective performances from their front three, all of whom played below their expected skill level. When you add this to the excellent performance of the Madrid defence it came as no surprise that they held onto their 1-0 advantage from the first-half to gain three vital points. Patrikpatrik will have been disappointed after saying before the game how they hoped ‘to take advantage’ of Madrid’s inability to win away from home. The result sees Madrid replace Kensington at the top of the table, going clear by two points.

Charlottenburg FC climbed into the promotion places with a dominating display over Kroklund Kings at The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Arena. The hosts never looked back after going a goal ahead in the third minute by Stan Collymore, who is enjoying an excellent start to the season. They continued to press back a Kings side who never hit their straps in the entire game. Kroklund even suffered an injury which will keep Dead Three out until early May. The game was then sealed in the 72nd minute with a breakaway goal which ended when Alan Thompson defeated Isachsen in goal. Bossebong declared his ‘love for Pots’ after seeing his playmaker hit ‘0 form’ but this won’t concern the Charlottenburg boss as his side look to have a big say on the promotion battle.

Los Samgeles Kings fell out of the top three as they succumbed 1-0 to Carthage FC who fully deserved their success. They went into an early lead when Amin Mansourian headed in a cross from Ad Herbal and they looked strong throughout the game. They created much the better openings but Los Samgeles ‘keeper and backline held them at bay for the rest of the game. Despite being able to keep Carthage to just the one goal they couldn’t get anything going at the other end and never looked like getting back into it. The win sees Carthage into ninth place with nine points and as the table is so tight another quick win could see them leap several places. Los Samgeles will be hoping home comforts lift them in their next game as they entertain Internazionale.

Internazionale won’t be going into that match-up with much confidence following a 2-0 home defeat to Morley Town. The game was balanced on a knife-edge throughout the opening half with both teams forcing a couple of chances each. It was to be Morley who would take advantage of one of these opportunities with Christopher Love heading in on 44 minutes to give the visitors a massive boost going into the break. Morley would shade the second-half and secured victory when Adolf Munzberg hit in a lovely free-kick on 70 minutes. The victory is Morley’s third on the bounce after losing their opening four games and shows a remarkable spirit and no little belief in their ability. Inter slip into the drop zone following the defeat and they will hope to find some consistency over the coming weeks.

Belly Tubbies recorded a solid 2-0 victory over AJ Rovers to leave the visitors rooted to the foot of the table. It was no more than the Tubbies deserved as they were the more dominant force throughout the game. A controlled first-half display laid the foundation for the victory as AJ struggled to come to terms with a strong home outfit. Rowan Flood scored from distance on 12 minutes to give the Tubbies the interval lead their play merited. The second-half developed into a more evenly contested match with both sides enjoying a couple of sights on goal. Unfortunately for Rovers, though, it would be the home side who would take one with Phil Fieldwick shooting home from inside the penalty area. The win sees Belly Tubbies upwardly mobile into seventh spot with nine points and, with the table being very tight, will fancy their chances of pushing on. AJ need a win as soon as possible otherwise they could find themselves adrift at the foot of the table.

Southampton picked up a highly creditable draw at White Hawk FC as they try and get their season going in the right direction following Hardinho’s return. White Hawk had a slight advantage in both halves with an extra chance but Southampton’s play more than merited a point. Joc Cvetkovic suffered an injury which will mean he won’t play again until May as Southampton suffered an awful opening to the game. This was compounded when Adan Donahue shot home on 17 minutes and everything pointed to a home win. The visitors dug deep, though, and played some good football while White Hawk always looked dangerous themselves. In a stroke of good fortune it was to be the substitute Benos Hardinho who would equalise on 64 minutes with a smart finish as he seized his opportunity with both hands. White Hawk finished the game on a sour note with an injury to Charly Chan Jet Soe and are encountering their first mini-crisis since joining the RM last season.