Belly Eat Up Ground at Top

Belly Tubbies made the most of a home match with bottom club Southampton as they won 3-0 to move into second-place in the table. Enjoying a massive advantage in possession the Tubbies managed to create three openings in the first-half; although they only took one as the Saints remained doggedly in the contest. The goal came early on as Phil Fieldwick finished off a breakaway move which involved some clever play from Stuart Kendrick. An injury to Phillip Patterson forced them into a reshuffle but didn’t stop them maintaining the upper hand in the contest. This would continue into the second-half with Fieldwick quickly adding his and his team’s second goal of the game after being given too much room from a corner. Once more the goal was followed by an injury with Jules Vallade following Patterson off the pitch. Southampton did enjoy a couple of chances in the game but were, in general, over-matched and under-aged to make any real impact. The Tubbies rounded off the win as Kendrick turned provider by delivering a cross for Chema Jota to head home. They now sit just a point off the top spot with Tubbies news reporting they ‘seem to be coming into form at just the right time.’ Hardinho admitted it was the average age which cost him but reaffirmed his desired to ‘build for the future.’

AJ Rovers returned to the top of the table with a 4-0 win over Kroklund Kings. The Kings never got a look-in against a super-determined home side who scored two goals in each half on their way to a comfortable win. AJ were in clinical mood during the first-half as they scored two of their three chances to overcome an injury to Justin Mortimer. Their first goal came on 14 minutes as Eldur Gottskalk connected well enough with his effort from distance to beat Tolvanen in goal. They gained some breathing space on 26 minutes with a Patric van der Gouw strike in the penalty area. With Kroklund non-existent going forward it was no more than the home side deserved going into the interval. It was to be the same protagonists who would work wonders for the home side after the break. A long range shot from van der Gouw extending the lead to 3-0 on 57 minutes before Gottskalk finished accurately in the area on 78 minutes completing the rout. Once more they were hit with an injury as Gregory Rowling had to be taken off with a problem which threatens to ruin the remainder of his season. Rothion has now masterminded his side back to the top albeit just a point clear of their rivals. While promotion will remain his main goal he will also be looking at a title triumph and the glory which accompanies it. Kroklund are four points clear of the relegation zone with four games to go as bossebong fights hard for survival to give himself the opportunity to move his squad onto the next level.

Kensington Boys Club dropped to third after a hugely entertaining 3-3 home draw with relegation-threatened White Hawk FC. Neither side could drag themselves clear of the other in an end-to-end 90 minutes. Maurice Jacobs had put the home side in front from a header only for Glenn Rijssel to equalise on eight minutes. Kensington were creating much the better of the openings but were unable to get back in front and paid the price on 39 minutes as Hawk soared into the lead for the first time. A corner was well-delivered by Ryan Dharmsingh and met, equally as well, by Matts Perman who headed past Barnett. Kensington did manage to strike back, though, with Adrian Gray continuing his good recent form with a fine strike from distance just four minutes later. The second-half did tighten up somewhat but still saw two goals in the first twenty minutes of it. Giovanni Jap A Joe struck from range for Hawk before Gray, again, pulled them back with a breakaway goal of stunning simplicity as a couple of passes completely opened up the visiting defence. Neither side could force a winner which would have been so crucial in their respective battles but a point will have been gratefully received by both. Patrik bemoaned his side’s defence as they fell a point behind Rovers, calling it a ‘terrible shame’ to concede three goals. He moved on to underline the importance of their next game, saying ‘it is quite imperative to get a good result on Friday.’ White Hawk, meanwhile, are three points away from Carthage and safety with their next match against Kroklund now taking on added significance in their battle against the drop.

Real Madrid stormed back up to fourth-place with a 3-1 win over Los Samgeles Kings. After being winless in their previous three games, Madrid showed a cutting edge that had been missing as they scored three of their four chances in the game. Willie Rhodes set the tone for the day’s finishing as he executed smartly in the area following impressive work from Mao Wannasathit. Indeed, it was to be Rhodes who would prove the difference between the sides as he scored a super hat-trick. His second was a penalty on 31 minutes as some slack defending led to Al Beback awarding the spot-kick. Los Samgeles were performing well themselves and got a deserved goal through Luc Robitaille on 37 minutes. He finished well after a corner from Ron Pottinger found its way to the midfielder. Both sides endured injury problems as Rob Blake for the visitors and Ashod Marderosian for Madrid went off in either half. The Kings did have chances to add to their solitary goal but, unlike Madrid, they didn’t have someone in the form of Rhodes to take advantage. Rhodes it was who added the clinching third goal with a sensational distant strike to also seal himself a match-ball. The win takes Madrid to within three points of Kensington in third and FredRizzo will be in determined mood for his side to kick on from this win. Stripy8’s Kings sit only a point further back with the manager insisting, ‘the players have been training hard so we can at least make the top 3.’

Charlottenburg FC and Internazionale both remain in the hunt following a 0-0 draw at The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Arena. Inter seemed very intense as the game opened and might have opened the scoring but for a wasted Garry Maynard strike. Inter’s aggressive play manifested itself in other areas, though, as they seemed to become riled following an injury to Elton Hills. Bookings to Bert Keith and Lambert Trott quickly followed as Inter attempted to keep calm. Their quest to do so wasn’t helped when they had, what appeared, a seemingly good goal ruled out for offside when replays showed he was, perhaps, level. Inter began the second-half in similar fashion with another couple of bookings and a wasted chance. Eventually, Charlottenburg woke from their slumber and could have opened the scoring but for a Dean Ashton header hitting the bar. The hosts would finish the stronger as Bayrak saw red for Inter but they couldn’t find a way past the impressive Hawke in goal. The managers, Potsdamerplatz and Jamesmclaughlin, will still be keeping an eye on the top three as the season moves into its final four games. The Charlottenburg manager was even happy to announce a strong looking ‘average score of 13.64’ though as he prepares to nurture his squad through the change report and, whether promoted or not, they are sure to be a force for many seasons to come.

The remaining game in the division saw Carthage FC give their survival hopes a shot in the arm while denting Morley’s at the same time. Morley suffered an early blow as Gwilym Cullip was forced off and endured further frustration when Christopher Love’s shot was turned round the post by an athletic Aurelius in goal. Carthage edged on top for the remainder of the half and, after going close through a free-kick, they were to take a 34th minute lead. Ad Herbal’s clever pass gave Guido Eliseo enough room in midfield to look up and drill a low shot past Zubeldia. The second-half saw Carthage look to protect their lead although that could have proved fruitless after only two minutes. A free-kick was aimed at Adolf Munzberg and the midfielder planted his header past Aurelius but also back off the post. The near-miss seemed to sum up Morley’s unfortunate season in one piece of action as with a bounce of the ball in their favour in a couple of games they could have found themselves in a much better position. As it is, this was to prove their final chance of the game and they now sit five points from safety with Morley news reporting that ‘survival looks to be an uphill struggle.’ Blakey will be delighted with the three points as they seek to open up a decisive gap between themselves and White Hawk.