Ice Cool Burg Stretch Lead

Charlottenburg beat Southampton 2-0 at The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Arena to extend their lead to four points at the top of the Division Two table. The first-half seemed to be played out solely in the Southampton half as the hosts sought the opening goal which would settle any nerves they might have been suffering from. Despite creating four chances, Charlottenburg couldn’t find a way through and went into the sheds hoping this wouldn’t cost them. Indeed, the Saints were a better side after the break but, ironically, were to fall behind at the start of it. Darren Anderton was the scorer as he found his range from distance to beat Lima in goal. An injury to Sheringham threatened to spoil the afternoon for the hosts but a penalty from Tony Adams on 66 minutes settled matters to the delight of the crowd. While Hardinho remains focussed on the long-term future of his club meaning relegation is a near certainty for this season, CFC look like exiting the league at the other end. Built on a defence that has conceded just nine goals, Potsdamerplatz’s side look well-equipped to carry on their fine form for the rest of the campaign.

AJ Rovers made it six games unbeaten as they surged into the top three on the back of a 3-0 home win against Morley. In truth, the score was flattering on the hosts as they only out-chanced their visitors by a 4-3 margin. However, a 60-40 possession superiority meant that Morley had to do a lot of work without the ball and this might have been the telling factor. It took until the 29th minute for AJ to score the opening goal. A Tabaranu corner found its way to Niclas Ravn who finished with assurance. With Morley missing what chances they created, AJ asserted themselves on the game on the stroke of half-time. A fine cross from Marsh was met powerfully with his head by the excellent Tabaranu and it was 2-0. The second 45 saw only a chance each created and it was the hosts' superior finishing which again shone through. Tabaranu was at the heart of Rovers’ best work again as he slipped in Ravn for the forward to help himself to his second goal. The game was effectively dead from this point on and Rovers were into third and the form-horse of the division. Leeg21 finds his Morley side just a point from the relegation zone but also tantalisingly close to the promotion race.

Sandwiched in-between CFC and AJ are Kensington who drew 2-2 in an open encounter with Inter. The game had a quiet opening and, with only a couple of chances, the main talking point of the first 45 minutes was the plethora of yellow cards given by Manuel Ficuz. Thankfully, the play of the two teams took over after the break and both played some good football to create several chances. A penalty by Aubrey de Vere broke the deadlock on 51 minutes for KBC but the lead was to only last 15 minutes as Inter began to unlock the home defence at will. Joel Weymouth was the scorer for the visitors as he poached a goal from a Trott corner. KBC were keen for the three points which would have kept the pressure on the leaders and Dorian Rooney gave them a boost when he headed in from a corner. Once more, though, the lead wasn’t to last long as Henrik Larsson again demonstrated his potential with a classic header to give Inter a deserved point. The two sides perfectly illustrate the tightness of the division as, following the game, one sits second while the other sits second-bottom but there are just six points separating the two. Both managers will realise this and be keen to emphasise to their players the need for consistent performances over the coming weeks.

White Hawk had a much-needed win at home to Real Madrid as they look to navigate their way clear of the relegation battle. The supporters had only just settled into their seats for the afternoon when the game exploded into life. Willie Rhodes briefly gave Madrid the lead as he shot home in the penalty area but Ryan Dharmsingh levelled matters four minutes later with a clinical header. WHFC then took the lead from the restart as Adan Donahue shot home after a corner to leave the home fans ecstatic if a little breathless. Although the game settled for a period, chances were still being created with Madrid arguably the more progressive side despite being behind. Indeed, they were to be rewarded for their play with a 32nd minute equaliser courtesy of a header from Mao Wannasathit. When the sides re-emerged after the break it was WHFC who would assume control of the match. Creating three chances in the second-half to their opponent’s one they made one of them count with what proved to be the winning goal. It came early in the half following a corner from Perman with Dharmsingh rising highest to score his second of the game. The win leaves WHFC just a point from safety and Hooraymee will be pleased that their winless run is now behind them. FredRizzo refused to speak to the press but his assistant let everyone know that ‘they cannot afford to lose the upcoming game.’ That will be as much for their confidence as anything as they are only one point from the promotion spots.

Belly Tubbies made it a hat-trick of wins in their last three outings as they saw off the threat of Carthage 3-0. It was a faultless performance from the Tubbies who shut out any threat Carthage had while scoring from three of their four chances at the other end. Phil Fieldwick gave the home side something to build on with a shot after a corner as early as the sixth minute. Tubbies remained in control without looking threatening for the rest of the half and had to withstand an injury to Mark Lysenko before going in 1-0 up. The second 45 saw them create more chances and they sealed the game late on with two quality strikes. Stuart Kendrick doubled their advantage on 79 minutes as he beat Aurelius from distance and in injury-time Miles Prenderville struck from inside the area to make it 3-0. The win sees Fitzy’s side up to fourth and with Sahlberg between the sticks anything is possible. Carthage slip to ninth and will want a win swiftly to edge clear of the relegation zone.

Los Samgeles Kings added to Kroklund Kings’ recent problems with a 4-1 beating at the Staples Center. Torben Kummel opened the scoring on 13 minutes in a game which they always looked comfortable in. It took the home side a while before adding their second goal but it duly arrived courtesy of a Dustin Brown shot from distance on 52 minutes. In an act of defiance Kroklund did pull one back on 64 minutes as Gabriel Galtier showed he could net from distance also but it proved to be just a consolation for bossebong’s side. A penalty on 71 minutes was scored by Michal Handzus to restore the two-goal advantage and the same man made it 4-1 after escaping his marker following a corner to finish smartly on the turn. The result sees the sides cross each other in the table with LAK moving up to sixth on 19 points while Kroklund fall to seventh on 18 points. Both have everything to play for in the coming weeks.