Gabriele Proves Angelic for Madrid

Real Madrid FC added further misery to White Hawk FC with a 3-0 win in a match that was closer than that on further inspection. Varoujan Haigazian had suffered an injury early in the piece to force the hosts into a reshuffle but it didn’t appear to affect them unduly. They took a 1-0 advantage into the second-half as Kevin Gabriele scored from the spot. Both sides were enjoying chances in the game but it was the home side who were enjoying better luck in front of goal. Willie Rhodes made it 2-0 with a header from a Wade Beech cross and from that point on you sensed the belief drain out of White Hawk. Gabriele added his second of the game in injury-time as Madrid ran out 3-0 winners and strengthened their position at the top of the table. Rizzo claimed that ‘it was important for us to win this match’ and to do so in such style must have pleased him further. White Hawk drop into the relegation zone as a result of this game and they must arrest this worrying run of results sooner rather than later.

Charlottenburg continue to enjoy a progressive season under the leadership of Potsdamerplatz and they had continued that success with a 1-0 away victory against Southampton. Despite giving up more chances Charlottenburg found a match-winning performance from ‘keeper Paul Robinson as they kept a toothless Southampton at bay. The goal which laid the foundations for the win came early on as Teddy Sheringham shot home in the area. Both sides had opportunities in an open first-half but neither could add to the Sheringham strike. The home side tried to increase the pressure after the break but the exceptional performance of the Charlottenburg backline won the day. Potsdamerplatz revealed he ‘changed (my) tactics and formations with just a few minutes to go’ and so will be relieved at how well his players coped. The result leaves them well-placed in second just two points behind Madrid while Southampton prop up the table and could desperately do with a victory to get their season moving.

Kensington Boys Club occupy third-place and were involved in a cracking match with Internazionale at the San Siro. Both sides had plenty of sights of goal in an open and entertaining match. It opened with a long range strike from Henrik Larsson finding the net only for an own goal by Bruce Deary to bring KBC level. Despite the chances these were to be the only two goals of the opening half but there were no complaints from the fans regarding value for money. Neal Stapleton struck a free-kick into the net to put Inter back in front at the beginning of the second-half as both sides continued to go in search of three points. KBC weren’t finished either as Maurice Jacobs headed in the equaliser on 64 minutes before a superb breakaway left Inter in tatters as Aubrey de Vere finished past Hawke. Defeat would have been harsh on Inter and they got just reward for their efforts with a 90th minute equaliser from the excellent Larsson. KBC news reported that the match left both teams ‘bruised’ and ‘exhausted’ and it is hard to argue with that assessment following a breathless game which leaves them three points off top spot. Inter remain in the hunt, also, just three points behind their opponents.

Kroklund Kings continued to put a smile on bossebong’s face with a 2-1 win over Los Samgeles Kings. Following a chanceless first-half nobody held out much hope for any excitement after the interval but Kroklund emerged reborn, no doubt due to the tactical expertise of their manager. A penalty gave them the perfect opportunity to open the scoring and their captain Toini Vasama made no mistake in despatching it. With time running out Kroklund added a crucial second goal from Bosse Bong who hit a lovely free-kick into the back of the net. A header from Alexander Frolov proved no consolation to the Los Samgeles Kings side who will undoubtedly be very disappointed with their performance. They sit in seventh following their defeat but with the tightness of the table their season could still go either way. Kroklund, meanwhile, sit in fourth although whether this concerns their manager is open to debate following his recent comment in an interview of not caring ‘about winning or losing games at the moment.’

AJ Rovers kept their recovery going as they defeated Morley Town F.C. 2-1 at Scatcherd Park. The game was tight throughout with both sides having reasonable opportunities. It wasn't until late, though, that the game saw the goals which lit-up the evening. Gregory Rowling put AJ in the driving seat with a wonderful strike from distance but when Christopher Love equalised from the spot it looked like the spoils would be shared. However, to the dismay of the home fans, a corner by Gordon Hogg led to confusion in the Morley defence which, in turn, enabled Elling Jarnoy the space to head home a priceless winner. Morley press bemoaned their luck as they explained Leeg21 ‘got his tactics spot on’ but still found themselves pointless. The result leaves Morley on 13 points in sixth with AJ, now upwardly mobile and out of the relegation zone, on 12 points.

Carthage FC and Belly Tubbies fought out an exciting 2-2 draw which did little to give either side a lift as the season approaches its’ half-way mark. Rhys Gregson fired the hosts in front on 13 minutes only for Mark Lysenko to equalise from distance just four minutes later. Carthage had a couple of other chances in the half but had to settle for parity at the interval. The Tubbies were a much more attacking force after the interval but once more found themselves behind as Guido Eliseo picked his spot on 69 minutes. The Tubbies showed good spirit despite being behind again and got their just deserts with just three minutes left on the clock as Rowan Flood exposed Aurelius’ weakness to the long range shot again to level the game. There is little to separate the teams in the league table either with Carthage on 13 points and Belly Tubbies two behind on 11.