Alsancak Over the Moon

Moonboy5 had a disappointing start to life as an RM Invitational coach as his Glasgow City side were well-beaten at Alsancak F.C. Glasgow never managed to create a chance in the entire game as the home side put in a superbly confident display despite an injury to Sebastian Norcott. It was Norcott who put the hosts ahead on 18 minutes with a headed goal before trudging off injured late in the half. Alsancak recovered from the injury very quickly to go 2-0 up after 47 minutes courtesy of an Eliot Burbank goal. Further goals from Max Jekyll, Benedict Janney and an unfortunate own goal by Emanuel Hildingsson completed the rout and it was no more than the home side deserved for a dominating display. Wienersnitzel said that they had ‘caught the new manager on the hop’ before adding that he was ‘more than happy with the way the boys performed.’ Sitting in second-place on 19 points, there is plenty for him to be happy about. Moonboy5 will want to put this defeat behind him and settle into his new job and with only three points separating his side from the promotion spots there is plenty left to play for.

Alsancak remain behind runaway leaders Wandsworth FC but they finished a match for the first time this season without being on the winning end. As it was they took part in a thrilling match with Mucca’s Glory Hornets which finished 3-3. The result was an entirely fair one as both sides played their part in a memorable match. The home side had taken an early lead thanks to Eustace North but failed to take their advantage into the interval as Rowley Forrester fired in a free-kick on 44 minutes. The hosts again started quickly after the break with Dale Lansbury netting his fifth of the season to give them a 2-1 advantage. Wandsworth’s confidence didn’t appear affected by being a goal behind, though, and they were to turn the game on its’ head in a nine-minute spell. A breakaway goal on 54 minutes by Danny Shorey was followed by a sweetly struck penalty from Rick Tuttle as Wandsworth looked to make it 10 out of 10 for the season. Both sides looked dangerous throughout the course of the game and it was to come as no surprise for the game to take one more turn in the final ten minutes. Warren Peace levelled up the penalty count and Eliott Malloy made no mistake to cap a brilliant game in a fitting manner. The result leaves Wandsworth on 28 points and sitting pretty at the top of the table while the Glory Hornets remain firmly in contention on 17 points, just two outside the much sought after top three.

These Charming Men occupy the last of the promotion places after making the most of what few chances came in a 2-0 win at Portsmouth. These Charming Men dominated the game in terms of possession but despite the extra ball they only managed to create three chances, exactly the same as their hosts. What proved the difference was the clinical nature in which TCM’s forwards took their chances. Chano Delgado continued his impressive season by scoring his fifth goal in six games to put the visitors 1-0 up on 17 minutes. Both sides were to suffer minor injuries but the one to Patryk Stanek strengthened the away side’s grip on the game as it led to Phil Lambert being sent-off for his challenge. TCM continued to knock the ball round well and Loran Rajabi sealed the points with a nice finish in the penalty area to see off Pompey. RDCM will continue to be impressed with how his players keep responding to him and will now want them to keep a hold, if not improve upon, their third place. Lewis will need to galvanise his troops following their second successive defeat which leaves them in eighth and four points adrift of their opponents.

Returning to winning ways were wortley afc who thumped The Posh 4-0. With The Posh’s manager being absent in recent times the immediate future is not looking good for the Division 3 strugglers. This didn’t bother wortley, though, as they set about making it an uncomfortable afternoon for the visitors and were quickly 2-0 up. Curt Pryor shot home on 11 minutes following a nice pass from Spencer Knight and it was Pryor once again who made it 2-0, this time with a bullet header from a Damjonovic cross. It was chance after chance for the home side as The Posh were completely unable to get anything good going and they were in further trouble when Milorad Gavrancic was forced off, bringing into limelight the need to name substitutes for such occurrences. Jake Shiver added his name to the scoreboard with a well-taken finish to put wortley 3-0 up at the interval. The second-half was a quieter affair with just one more chance; it was to prove an important one, though, as Pryor completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to grab the match-ball and win himself a, thoroughly deserved, man-of-the-match award. The result leaves wortley in fourth spot just one point behind TCM while The Posh are going nowhere fast down in eleventh.

The Champs kept themselves in the hunt with a 2-0 win against Northwich Victoria. The first-half was an entirely forgettable 45 minutes with no attacking football or fluency to the game. Thankfully for the fans it was to pick up after the break with the home side sensing the need to push for three important points. Their best chance was to arrive on 57 minutes but the usually reliable Leigh Ellefson fluffed his lines by missing a penalty. The miss wasn’t to prove crucial, though, as The Champs continued to press and duly took the lead. It was given to them by Seth Alker after he combined well with Ellefson to make a free-kick count. It was 2-0 shortly thereafter as Zachary Doughty found enough space from a corner to shoot home. Victoria didn’t really threaten seriously to get back into the contest and find themselves slowly sliding out of contention, nine points behind TCM. The Champs sit comfortably in sixth and in a tight section will have a big say in the promotion battle.

Grey Area completed the routine job of beating Chelsea with the minimum of fuss at Doon The Park. Staying tight at the back, Grey Area had a platform from which to build and essentially put the game to bed in a professional first-half performance. Allan Bound headed in on seven minutes to put the hosts 1-0 ahead and the chances kept coming for Carfin’s side. Sheldon Skiverton made the most of his opportunities, netting his first of the day on 24 following a good pass from Norman Cederhag. Cederhag himself made it 3-0 with a powerful header and Chelsea went in with heads bowed following a lacklustre performance. Skiverton quickly added his second goal after the restart in what proved to be the end of the scoring. Despite the two goals of Skiverton it was the performance of Cederhag which caught Carfin’s eye saying that he has ‘acquired a bargain.’ Chelsea would love a manager as astute as Carfin as they stumble through the season, finding themselves pointless after ten matches. Grey Area now sit on nine points and face a defining match against Alsancak next.