2-2 in Division Two

Charlottenburg FC and Belly Tubbies drew 2-2 on a day when that proved to be a popular score-line in Division Two of the RM Invitational. Charlottenburg were on top for most of the first-half but could only manage one goal and ended up going in at the break all-square. An injury to Jamie Redknapp didn’t unduly trouble the home side and they took the lead on 20 minutes when Stan Collymore struck from distance. The hosts were to pay for not making the most of their first-half opportunities, though, and Miles Prenderville levelled matters on 26 minutes following a Belly Tubbies break. The second-half was a tight midfield battle with only a chance each for either side. Showing the quality of the division both chances were taken as the sides couldn’t be separated. It was to be a Collymore v Prenderville show once more as first Collymore shot home after a corner before Prenderville headed in a cross on 80 minutes. The Tubbies keep themselves in touch at the top courtesy of their point as they are two points from third spot and only five off Charlottenburg at the head of matters. Potsdamerplatz was already focussing on their next match with Kensington who he described as ‘the only team to beat us fair and square’ while he has been in the league.

Kensington Boys Club warmed up for this clash with a 2-2 draw of their own at Carthage. It was the home side who would dictate proceedings for the most part in this clash but, despite creating twice the openings in the first 45 minutes, they couldn’t make the crucial breakthrough and had to settle a 0-0 half-time score. All the goal action came in the last twenty minutes of the game as the initial goal opened the game up. Dorian Rooney was to make the breakthrough and shot home in the penalty area. Incredibly, Carthage were level just a minute later as Ad Herbal headed home after they had forced a corner. This seemed to act as inspiration for the hosts who were in front eight minutes later as Herbal once more caused the damage from a corner, this time with a crisp strike. It was Kensington’s turn to have to come from behind and they did so successfully as the clock struck 90 minutes. Barry Painter picked up the ball after striding out of defence and unleashed a beauty which left Aurelius with no chance in the home goal. Kensington press billed the upcoming encounter with Charlottenburg as ‘a truly dramatic encounter’ awaiting them and, with four points separating the sides, they will feel they need a win. Carthage remain in ninth spot, two points above the relegation zone but only five behind third. They have shown an ability to mix it with any side in the division and will be hopeful of a positive run to propel them into the promotion chase rather than face up to a relegation battle.

AJ Rovers took advantage of the draws going on around them as they made it five wins on the bounce in beating White Hawk FC 1-0. Both sides provided some good football in an interesting battle which saw each create good chances. The winning goal came relatively early as Niclas Ravn headed in a cross on 25 minutes to keep the home fans in good spirits. The belief in the home players was tangible as they competed hard against a good Hawk side. Hawk had some impressive performers but ultimately came up against an inspired Justin Mortimer in the home goal. Mortimer put in a 10-bar performance and increased his save percentage to 70 for the season. Rothion will have been pleased to see his side win after AJ news reported it was ‘important for the team to be promoted to Division 1 next season.’ The win moves AJ into second just two points from first and they will be confident of more to come following a staggering run. White Hawk drop to eleventh but will know there is a fine line between success and failure in this division and it won’t take much for their season to be billed as a success.

Real Madrid FC put an end to their three match losing sequence by beating Southampton 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid always looked the better side and took an early lead through Kapo Kachadorian’s header. Tor Bergstrand shot home to make sure the Saints weren’t behind for long but things would take a bad turn for the visitors at the start of the second-half. An injury to the inspirational Aaron Winder left Southampton looking round for leadership and Madrid took instant advantage. Willie Rhodes was the man who did all the damage as he finished a breakaway move on 50 minutes before shooting home after being given too much space from a corner. Madrid could have added more but will settle for a 3-1 score even though Kevin Gabriele was sent from the field late on. FredRizzo sees his side move back into the top three and will hope their bad run is behind them. Southampton have long since accepted their fate of relegation but will look to come back new and improved next season.

Los Samgeles Kings and Morley Town F.C. remained in the middle of the table but still with ambitions of loftier places following a 2-2 draw. With four injuries, thirteen chances and four goals this game had everything a neutral could want. Oscar Moller headed the hosts in front on 29 minutes only for Florian Arnautu to head home a corner a minute later to level matters. Chances kept flowing for both sides but further goals wouldn’t arrive until the final part of the match. Dustin Brown looked to have given the hosts all three points with another header but with the clock showing 96 minutes they were to suffer heartbreak as an Adolf Munzberg free-kick flew into the back of the net to give Morley a crucial and well-deserved point. Morley news hailed the ‘never say die attitude’ of the players as they now look to capitalise on two successive home games. LAK sit in sixth and await the defining run which will send their season in its final direction.

2-2 was also the final score at Don’t Know Yet as Kroklund and Internazionale did battle. In a similar encounter to the LAK – Morley match this also had plenty of chances and talking points as the sides did the division great credit. A penalty by Toini Vasama opened the scoring for the hosts after nine minutes and they would waste opportunities to extend that lead during a first-half they edged. As so often happens, they paid for their misses and a long range shot by Edip Bayrak meant the sides went in level at the interval. Inter improved after the break as the chances started to flow at both ends. Another long range shot was to see the visitors take the lead with Chris Sutton’s effort proving too much for Kangashaka to handle. With no more chances being taken it was left to Aatu Vuokki to rescue a point for the home side as he shot home on 88 minutes. It was a fair outcome for both sides after a pulsating game of football. Three points separate the sides with Kroklund mid-table on 19 while Inter climb to tenth on 16. In an ultra-competitive section, anything can still happen.