Rovers Return to Winning Ways

AJ Rovers claimed a valuable win over Southampton to leapfrog their rivals at the foot of the table. The first-half was an entertaining and even contest as both sides created some good openings. Phil Marsh was the first to benefit after being given too much time in the middle of the park, the result was a shot which never gave Lima a chance in goal to put the hosts 1-0 up. Southampton never lost their heads despite this early setback and as the half was nearing its conclusion Benos Hardinho scored his fourth goal of an ever-impressive first season. AJ were to grab the game by the scruff of its neck after the interval, however, and forced the Saints into defending for much of it. A penalty by Morgan Deane re-established the lead and a Daniel Tabaranu header after a corner sealed the win in stoppage time. Hardinho was happy with his win on the pools but said ruefully, ‘if only I had that money before my game so I could have got a tactics report.’ Rothion won’t be concerned by such things, only that his side now builds on this victory in an attempt to move out of the relegation zone.

The other side who sit in the relegation zone are Carthage FC following a 2-1 defeat at a resilient Kroklund Kings. Both sides seemed to cancel each other out in a non-event of a first-half but business would pick up after the respective managers got tucked into their players at half-time. Carthage came out and stunned the home crowd by taking the lead with their first effort on goal. It was Ad Herbal who left Kangashaka floundering as his long range shot hit the back of the net. With the home fans remaining solidly behind their team Kroklund remained the more progressive unit but left it until late to make their superiority count. Dead Two shot home in the penalty area to level the scores with seven minutes remaining and then Curt Elliott was allowed to poach a goal from a corner as the clock struck 90. The result will have left Blakey frustrated and disappointed as his side sit in tenth but well within reach of the top slots while bossebong has driven his Kroklund side up to third which is even more impressive when you consider that statistically they the weakest in the section.

Kensington Boys Club returned to the top of the Division 2 table by picking up a highly impressive three points at Charlottenburg FC. The game wasn’t a classic by any means with the first-half passing by with the hosts knocking the ball about without any real penetration. There was a flashpoint early in the second-half as Jeremias Bray was taken off after being involved in an altercation with Teddy Sheringham which saw the forward enter the referee’s notebook. This incident served as inspiration to high-flying Kensignton as Cameron Nowell soon had them in front with a free-kick which left James helpless. With the hosts still trying to come to terms with being behind KBC doubled the pain as Charles Tilly rose to head in a corner from Max Myer. With chances at a premium you sensed Charlottenburg would be hard pressed to get back into things and so it proved as the points went to the visitors. Potsdamerplatz remains in high spirits (a little too high maybe following last night’s pr – excellent by the way!) and is more than happy to set his priority on ‘another good Change Report rather than promotion.’ Kensington are well-placed and Patrik will surely be eyeing Division 1 football next term for his charges.

Real Madrid FC fell into second after a tight battle with Belly Tubbies ended in stalemate. In a match devoid of any real attacking quality it came as no surprise that the man-of-the-match awards went to a defender and goalkeeper in Aivazian and Sahlberg. Only three chances were created but none were taken as the sides had to settle for a point each. In truth, Belly Tubbies will be the happier with their point as Fitzy remains on cloud nine following Everton’s arrival in the FA Cup Final. FredRizzo, meanwhile, has kept his Madrid side in fine form and, despite this mini-setback, will be more than confident of challenging the top sides all the way for the title.

Morley Town F.C. put in one of the performances of the day in defeating White Hawk FC 3-1 at White Stadium. Morley put on a master-class of finishing as they put last season’s Division 3 champions to the sword. Christopher Love had a mixed start to the game as he shot Morley into a 1-0 lead on two minutes before going off injured on nine. White Hawk briefly levelled on 26 minutes through Adan Donahue but this was to be Morley’s day. Kieron Sedgemore finished a stylish breakaway on 34 minutes to put the visitors back in front before a long range effort from Florain Arnautu doubled their advantage. This allowed Morley to take the sting out of the game and the second-half proved a much more subdued affair, suiting the visitors perfectly. Morley press reported that this was ‘a breaktaking display’ and few could argue as they begin to look a real threat in the section. White Hawk are struggling of late and will want to address a run which has seen them take only four points from their last five games.

A five-goal thriller at the Staples Center saw Internazionale raid Los Samgeles Kings for three important points. The game was open from the start as Neal Stapleton found the net from some way out to put the visitors in front. The lead proved to be short-lived with Anze Kopitar nodding in a corner delivered by Torben Kummel. The away side continued to create the better opportunities but there was to be no more goal action until the last twenty minutes of the game. Stephen Lorimar ultimately proved the difference between the sides as he produced two stunning headers which put them 2 and then 3-1 up after 78 minutes. Los Samgeles never gave in and pulled one back via Michal Handzus but it wasn’t to be enough for Stripy’s side. The defeat sees LSK drop into mid-table on 12 points while Inter climb out of the drop zone following their third win of the season.