Five-Star RDCM

These Charming Men easily made it two successive defeats for Wandsworth FC as they demolished the league leaders 5-0. Knowing a win would keep their mathematical chances of the title alive, These Charming Men played as though their very season depended on it. In a dominating first-half performance the visitors created five chances and managed to net four of them to leave Wandsworth stunned. Jordi Rodri started the rout with a clever finish that capped a breakaway move in which Lientur Rial excelled. They were 2-0 ahead on 15 minutes as another move of quality was given a clinical finishing touch, this time by Juan-Jose Galiano. With the hosts unable to stem the flow of the These Charming Men’s chances or, indeed, create any sort of threat at the other end they were fighting a losing battle. Two goals in quick succession sealed the win for a rampant away team. Stuart Cooksey scored the third on 20 minutes as he shot home in the penalty area. It was then 4-0 just a minute later as Gregorio Jonay hit home from distance with the young Mizumura in goal wishing he was anywhere but in the firing line. The second-half didn’t provide the same excitement but Cooksey added his second of the game on 53 minutes to complete a 5-0 win. RDCM was in professional mood afterwards saying his side ‘did what (they) needed to’ and spoke of making it ‘5 out of 5’ and then relaxing for the last couple of matches. Wandsworth, meanwhile, are paying the price for playing an under-age side following their promotion. Whether it, ultimately, costs them the title remains to be seen.

Alsancak F.C opened up a four point lead on fourth by defeating Northwich Victoria 2-0 at Mosquito Alley. Enjoying a massive 70% of possession over the course of the match, Alsancak were never troubled by their massively disappointing visitors. Albert Scully gave them the perfect start by shooting home after a corner from Max Jekyll. Stephen Julius then had two free-kick chances as Alsancak turned up the pressure; one was saved well by Sigurdsen in goal while the other crashed back off the bar much to the midfielder’s pain. They did make it 2-0 on 42 minutes as Julius teed up Brad Kavanaugh for a stunning half-volley which flew past Sigurdsen. The second-half proved a frustrating one for the hosts as chances for Julius, Benedict Janney, Kenny Acton and Eliott Burbank all failed to bring a third goal despite the side’s utter dominance. It wasn’t to matter, though, as the three points were never in doubt against a side who have under-performed throughout the season. While they languish in eleventh, Alsancak know that two wins will have them playing Division Two football next season.

It was wortley who would lose ground in the promotion race as they were held 2-2 at The Champs in a game of many chances. The first-half was dominated by wortley from the moment Walter Willock struck the bar with their opening chance. Following a near-miss from Quincy Bowey, wortley did manage to take the lead as Curt Pryor headed in a Nigel Krippner cross on eleven minutes. The Champs stunned their visitors, though, by netting from their very first chance just three minutes later; Seth Alker providing a slide-rule finish to a slick breakaway. Despite the parity, the away side continued to be much the more progressive of the two sides. A Pryor effort hit the bar and was followed by close things for both Willock and Krippner as they strived for their second goal. They eventually managed to regain the lead after shaking off a nasty injury to Fabian Damjanovic. Jake Shiver provided some excellent wing play to allow Bowey to head home on 36 minutes to ensure they would go in with a deserved lead at the break. The Champs were better after the interval and both sides enjoyed chances during an even second-half. It was the home side who would make one of them count as Oliver Garcon headed in an Ellefson cross to bring them level for the second time in the match. Neither side could go on and force a winner much to the frustration of Thegreatlordbags who sees his side drop four points off promotion pace. With just three games remaining they will realistically need to win them all to force their way into the top three. The Champs' promotion hopes are now an unrealistic dream with Wylie909 wanting to ‘see more consistent performances’ next season.

Glasgow City saw any lingering promotion hopes disappear as they were beaten 2-0 at Grey Area. In a tight contest, Area won the day due to a cooler head in front of goal. It was City who got off to the better start as Isak Bergendorff forced Kerrigan into some decent handling in goal before Petrus Normqvist was unfortunate to see his volley strike the post. Area, eventually, found their attacking groove and were equally unfortunate to see Diego Maradona hit the bar with a lobbed header. They were then hit by an injury to Vedin Sinanovic but managed to shrug it off to take a lead on the stroke of half-time. Maradona showed some trickery before crossing for Allan Bound to head home powerfully. Maradona could have stretched the lead but couldn’t direct his header well enough while Bergendorff had a goal disallowed for handball at the other end. City were not enjoying the best of fortune and this continued when a looping header from Edward Stoneley hit the crossbar. Maradona put City out of their misery and finally got the goal his play merited in injury-time. Frederik Smit crossed well for Maradona to head over Longton and into the net to give Area a 2-0 triumph. Area manager, Carfin, was quick to praise Maradona, who he called ‘simply unplayable’ when on his game. Much more will be expected of both Carfin and Maradona next season as they have helped transform the ailing club since the former's takeover. Moonboy will have to prepare his side for another assault on promotion next season following a promising first season in the league.

Another side seeing their hopes of promotion disappear were Glory Hornets who succumbed to Dream Team 2-0 at the Stadium of Dreams. Dream Team were the better side throughout in an open encounter and might have taken an early lead but for a Rinaldo Lupatelli free-kick striking the crossbar. Both sides enjoyed chances with Robins joining Lupatelli in going close for the home side while Eaves, Bachmann and Draper all went close for a spirited Hornets team. The hosts managed to take a 39th minute lead as the Hornets couldn’t deal with a corner, allowing Rufus Guy time to sweep in a Tumer delivery. It could have been worse for the Hornets but Cambiel and Lupatelli missed narrowly as the half came to its conclusion. The second-half was a quieter affair but Dream Team did manage to double their lead early on as Dudley Barrowcliff drove home a daisy-cutter from distance to leave Rosbotham floundering. This seemed to knock the Hornets out of their momentum for a long period and although they enjoyed a late chance through Eaves they never seriously threatened to get back into the game. Mucca will now prepare his side for another crack at promotion next season following a very competitive first. MrJames called it ‘another strong victory’ for his team before clinging to the hope ‘their average’ form ‘changes a lot’ in preparation for the report.

Wiltshire Warriors continued their upturn in fortunes under Big K with an emphatic win over bottom club Here For The Beer FC. Dominating chances and possession the Warriors turned on the style for their support with the season reaching its climax. Bob Black shot home in the penalty area on six minutes to put them 1-0 up and just three minutes later it was 2-0. Steven Milford provided some fine approach play to feed Craig Elliott who also produced a sublime finish. Milford then turned scorer after some shoddy marking from a corner allowed him time and space to beat Mendoza from close range. Their blistering start to the game was complete when Dante de Matteo scored his first goal for the club on 20 minutes to leave the visitors demoralised. Wiltshire enjoyed more chances during the remainder of the contest but only added one more goal, through Elliott again as he finished a corner in style. The win will leave both Big K and the supporters eager for next season as they look forward to a brighter time for the club. Here For The Beer will hope for the same for their team as they look to end a horror campaign with a point or two before its finish.