Champs Chew Chelsea

Chelsea appointed Howemiester last night after suffering a 4-0 defeat at The Champs, a defeat which saw them hit a low point in terms of form. The Champs took the opportunity to progress further up the table and had the game in hand as soon as Zachary Doughty had shot home on seven minutes. Positively for Chelsea they created a couple of chances themselves in a decent first-half performance but, after being unable to take them, fell away badly in the second. The Champs showed excellent composure in taking all three chances they created in the second 45 minutes to record a comfortable win. Leigh Ellefson shot home on 51 minutes to settle any lingering nerves they might have been suffering from. Further goals from Cal Butters and Bruce Collinge, his seventh of the season, sealed the win which saw The Champs move into second spot on 22 points. The Champs news reported this move up the table and added it is where they ‘would like to stay for the rest of the season.’ Chelsea remain pointless but now have renewed hope following the appointment of Howemiester who will take charge of his first match against Grey Area this Friday.

The newly-named Dream Team put in a positive performance for new manager MrJames despite eventually going down 2-1 to Glasgow City. Dream Team were able to create more chances throughout the game even though they gave up more possession to their visitors. Both sides would draw a blank in the opening 45 minutes but the fans had plenty of near misses to talk about during the interval. Dream Team started the second-half quickly and were in front as Adem Tumer finished off a breakaway move. This proved to be an unfamiliar position for the hosts and although they continued to play their part Glasgow eventually showed their superior confidence in front of goal. Dan Parkinson equalised for the visitors with a long range shot on 55 minutes and with the game edging towards a draw Dream Team then suffered heartache. With injury-time being played Danny Kallgren was able to out-muscle the defence and get his head to a Christopher Navarro cross to give Glasgow a crucial three points. MrJames took nothing but positives away from a ‘strong first game’ explaining that they were ‘prepared’, ‘marked the playmaker’, and created ‘almost double the chances.’ They remain with only Chelsea below them but they could well be a team to watch in the closing games of the season. Glasgow City move up to fourth in the table and are level on points with second-placed The Champs. A sense of excitement is beginning to build as the matches tick by on what might be a promotion campaign.

Wandsworth FC maintained their remarkable form by disposing comfortably of a Northwich Victoria side who appear to be missing some managerial direction. Wandsworth were to dominate the game from start to finish and took the lead courtesy of a Samson Heskey free-kick on six minutes. They had to wait until the second-half to confirm their superiority with further goals. Darcy Hording was to score the second on 54 minutes as he found enough space to shoot home and with a further goal from Ryan Prisk ten minutes later the game was up for the visitors. Odin Mikkelborg did pull one back on 67 minutes but Hording added his second and his team’s fourth just a minute later to restore the three-goal cushion. Wandsworth will surely confirm their promotion in the coming games and go onto clinch a superb title in a stand-out first season for LotharIstvan’s side. Northwich Victoria need MagMagpie to regain his activity if they are to make this season anything other than a wasted one.

These Charming Men slipped a spot after going down 4-2 at wortley afc. The home side created the majority of chances in the game and there will be few complaints about their three points being deserved. Curt Pryor headed in on four minutes to give them the start they were looking for as they aimed to bounce back from their most recent loss. TCM were finding no luck in the opening half as Loran Rajabi hobbled off and they then went 2-0 down as Jake Shiver headed in on 22 minutes. A free-kick three minutes later from Michael Keeler made it 3-0 and although Chano Delgado pulled one back shortly afterwards wortley were happy with their 3-1 lead going into the interval. Alfred Naples soon improved the mood further by heading in just after the break as wortley maintained their stranglehold on the game. TCM just couldn’t get their game into gear as they would have liked but they still managed a further goal; Tord Jakobson scoring a superb free-kick. The three points went to wortley who now sit in fifth, a point behind second and with Thegreatlordbags surely looking at securing Division Two football for next season. TCM remain in the top three and will also have a massive say on who goes up as the season reaches its exciting climax.

Grey Area extended their unbeaten stretch to five games with a creditable 1-1 draw at Alsancak F.C. The home side controlled the possession in the opening half but could only create one chance despite having more of the ball. One chance was enough for them to go into the interval with a goal lead, though, as Brad Kavanaugh found his range from distance, sending a shot past Ryding in goal. Area managed to wrestle more of the ball off their opponents in the second-half but still had to ride a couple of close shaves on their way to a point. Niall Hedges saw red for the hosts and just seven minutes later Carfin’s side found the leveller. Diego Maradona was the recipient of some good work by Garth Rossall and didn’t let anyone down by finishing well. Carfin was pleased with the point and praised Maradona, saying he works ‘tirelessly for the team’ and ‘will prove to be a vital player for us.’ Grey Area are nine points off the promotion places which at this stage and with so many sides in front might prove a little too much to catch up on. Alsancak remain in the thick of the race, though, and Wienersnitzel will now be keen to ready his side for a crunch clash at Glasgow City.

Glory Hornets took advantage of Lewis continuing to take his eye off the ball by beating Portsmouth 2-0 at Fratton Park. It was a thoroughly deserved win for Mucca’s side and they laid the foundations for the win with a fourth minute Dale Lansbury shot after a corner. They began to open up the hosts much more readily after the interval and duly added a second goal courtesy of Eliott Malloy’s eleventh goal of the season. The Hornets could have added more goals in a good all-round performance but will be more than happy with the 2-0 win which sees them go within two points of second spot although they face a tough ask in their upcoming fixture with Wandsworth FC. Portsmouth need Lewis to come back firing if they are to reignite their promotion campaign but with games running out there are surely more fancied runners at this stage.