RDCM Points Way Forward

These Charming Men responded to their change in management with a 2-2 draw at Glory Hornets. The contest was even throughout with both sides showing the other full respect. TCM had given RDCM’s reign an ideal start with a 15th minute lead from a long range shot courtesy of Eliseu Henriques. It was proving to be an almost perfect first-half performance from the away team but a failure to close down Neo Rivers allowed the Hornets star the chance to level, also from some way out. The home side would have more of an impact after the break, creating the better of the chances. Despite this they found themselves behind once more as Jordi Rodri joined the long range party with a stunner of his own. Mucca has moulded his side into one which is tough to beat, however, and so it proved as Kurt Norcott seized his chance to equalise with just eight minutes remaining. The draw sees Glory Hornets on 8 points from their opening five games and within striking distance of the promotion spots. Meanwhile, RDCM was satisfied with his start claiming it was ‘early days’ and also warned that he has ‘the scouts looking far and wide for players.’ It will definitely be an interesting few weeks at Irregulars Arena.

Wandsworth FC further enhanced their growing reputation with an excellent 2-1 over wortley afc. With both sides going into the game unbeaten there was the sense that something was going to give over the course of 90 minutes. It was to be wortley who would make the better start as they took a ninth minute lead with a breakaway goal from Walter Willock. With the cards being brandished about by referee George Buske it was to come as no surprise that someone would either get hurt or sent-off. Both happened as Emmanuel Capwell had to be replaced for the visitors and some twenty minutes later Quincy Bowey was sent-off as they looked to restructure. It had an immediate effect on the game as Wandsworth took advantage with Darcy Hording scoring, making fine use of the extra space afforded to him. The home side completed the turnaround after the interval with Rick Tuttle showing good composure to round-off a good breakaway. Tuttle was to go from hero to zero as he also saw red but by this point the home side were in the box seat. With victory secure Wandsworth now find themselves five points clear at the top of the division while wortley slip out of the top three and will want an immediate response.

London Gunners lost ground on the leaders as they laboured to a 3-0 defeat at The Champs. Their backs were against the wall from the fourth minute as Bruce Collinge headed in unmarked from a Robert Hammevik cross. With Mick Powerscourt then suffering an injury London were probably feeling that this wasn’t going to be their day. This feeling was further illustrated by conceding a free-kick goal to Leigh Ellefson, although it’s fair to say the young forward is turning heads in Division Three this season. The Gunners did have chances of their own but couldn’t make any count and when Ellefson added his second goal of the game on route to a man-of-the-match performance the contest was over. Reports coming out of The Champs suggested that the focus was already turned to their next game to get ‘a win to keep the chase on at the top.’ Josef has the unenviable task of trying to lift his players before their next game, a trip to leaders Wandsworth FC.

Moving into third place were Alsancak F.C who swatted Chelsea away 5-0 at Mosquito Alley. In a dominant performance Alsancak found chances and goals easy to come by as Chelsea continued their learning curve. Albert Scully began the procession from a breakaway move before Deano Elmes doubled the lead on 26 minutes. With Chelsea struggling to get out of their own half they were indebted to ‘keeper Nosworthy who put in a solid performance despite the mayhem around him. It was 3-0 before half-time as Elmes added his second of the game with a header from a corner. The second-half saw a further two goals as the visitors continued to be slack in their defending from corners. Scully was the first beneficiary on 56 minutes and, incredibly, two minutes later another corner led to Kenny Acton grabbing a goal, his first of the season. Wienersnitzel reported that everything ‘is on track’ in their first season and that if they ‘put out performances like’ yesterdays they will ‘scare’ a few of the top sides in the division.

Northwich Victoria continued to look a progressive force in the division as they defeated The Posh 2-1 at the Stadium. Northwich were able to take the sting out of the home crowd in the first twenty minutes as they raced into a two-goal lead. A corner was the source of their first goal as Svein-Are Tveite headed in. Their second was more pleasing on the eye as some fast passing and movement sent Tom-Stian Anthonsen racing clear to beat Tipton in the home goal. Northwich would continue to have chances in the second-half but perversely it was The Posh who would score the only goal in the 45 minutes with their only chance. Dudley Barrowcliff not needing to be asked twice to thunder a free-kick in to give the home fans hope. It proved a frustrating half for Victoria as Louis Neau went off with a serious injury as, try as they might, they couldn’t add a third goal. In the end it wasn’t to matter as they remain well-placed to make a big impact on the division. The Posh, along with Chelsea, remain pointless at the bottom and the two meet in an intriguing clash next week.

Pretty in pink would play their last game under that guise as Fatalitys was shown the door following his inability to look after his team. Lewishopes’ Portsmouth side were the latest to take advantage as they strolled to a comfortable 2-0 victory. Hisashi Oishi scored after five minutes as he went on to record a memorable afternoon personally. PIP suffered a miserable afternoon as they lost Zacharias Neill to injury and Billy Weaver to a red card, stumbling from one mishap to another. Oishi scored his second goal on 69 minutes to cap the win and leave Portsmouth dreaming of promotion. Pretty in pink will now be playing under the new name of Grey Area as experienced boss Carfin rides to the rescue. He reported that there has been a worrying lack of training due to the boys thinking it is ‘only done at big clubs.’ It’ll be interesting to see who, if anyone, will survive the Carfin Cull over the next few weeks.