Patrik Voodoo Leaves Pots in DooDoo

Kensington Boys Club reignited their championship challenge by defeating current leaders Charlottenburg FC 3-1. CFC looked to be in charge following a ninth minute penalty from Stan Collymore but KBC gradually worked their way back into the contest. In a tasty encounter, the hosts managed to draw level courtesy of an Aubrey de Vere header on 22 minutes. This proved to be the tonic they needed to produce the better chances during a second-half which saw them score two more and collect the three points. Charles Tilly headed in on 52 minutes to put them in front for the first time and, despite an injury to Dorain Rooney, they looked the likelier winners from this point. Charlottenburg continued to play their part in the encounter, though, and might have added to their one goal. However, they couldn’t and Tilly headed in again on 89 minutes to confirm the win for Patrik’s side. The win sees them move to within a point of their vanquished foes and the title race looks as wide open as ever as a result. Potsdamerplatz admitted that ‘KBC have got (him) rattled’ and he will need to instil some confidence back into his side following their defeat.

Belly Tubbies had to withstand a second-half onslaught from Real Madrid to emerge with the three points which keeps them in the heart of the battle. Tubbies themselves put in a superb first 45 minutes and looked to have put the game beyond Madrid. Dave Whittingham hit a free-kick into the net on six minutes to set the standard for an outstanding game. The home side were to double their lead on 21 minutes thanks to a super Phil Fieldwick header which left Nersesian helpless in goal. When Whittingham added a carbon copy free-kick it looked to be game over as half-time arrived to seemingly put Madrid out of their misery for the time being. However, Madrid summoned up great courage to rattle their coasting hosts. They were already creating infinitely more chances than they did in the opening half by the time Kapo Kachadorian had pulled a goal back on 73 minutes. With the Tubbies wobbling ever so slightly, Madrid looked to capitalise. An 83rd minute strike from Willie Rhodes made it 3-2 and anything seemed possible. The visitors couldn’t force an equaliser, though, and had to bemoan a lacklustre first-half performance which, ultimately, cost them any chance. FredRizzo sees his side drop to fifth after their defeat but, with only three points between them and first, they will be confident of making up the ground if they can perform as they did in the second-half. Tubbies, meanwhile, are a point better off and with Fitzy putting in more statistical analysis with his new-found VIP status a title-run may still be on the agenda.

AJ Rovers are still in the top three despite being held 1-1 at a carefree Southampton side. AJ press had warned that their side ‘should not take for granted’ the three points against Southampton despite their current bottom position. However, it did look good for them when Patric van der Gouw finished off a free-kick move involving Sonny Vickerman. They went on to have the better of the first-half but never threatened to run away with the game at any stage. This would cost them as the Saints came marching out a much more determined side after the break. Creating five chances to the visitors none it seemed like they were the promotion chasing side. They got their equaliser on 58 minutes when Tor Bergstrand headed in a Hankers cross and they went on to chase a winning goal. Indeed, but for an excellent performance by Justin Mortimer in goal they may have won the game although the point will, undoubtedly, please those connected with Southampton. AJ won’t have been too upset to have escaped the match with a point which keeps them within one of Charlottenburg while Southampton’s point doesn’t alter their predicament at the other end of the table.

Carthage FC moved into the top six with a 1-0 home success over a Kroklund side which has now gone five games without tasting success. There was only one side in it during the opening 45 minutes but a mixture of poor finishing and a good goalkeeping display from Kangashaka meant that the half-time score would be 0-0. Perversely, during a more even second-half, the home side would finally find the goal which delivered the three points. Ad Herbal provided the remedy for Carthage’s finishing problems with an excellent header after a corner was delivered by Mansourian. Kroklund had a couple of chances of their own but failed to take them and slipped into the relegation zone as a result of their defeat. Bossebong will need all his managerial wherewithal to steer the club out of troubled waters while Carthage and Blakey sit mid-table which could become top three or bottom three very easily.

Internazionale will have finally put a smile on manager Jimmy M’s face as they defeated Los Samgeles Kings 3-0 at the San Siro. A tight first-half was swung in the home side’s favour when Lambert Trott headed in a Henrik Larsson cross. Inter went on to create more chances during the second-half and were rewarded with two quick goals. Mortimer Wainman doubled the lead on 48 minutes as he struck inside the penalty area and when young Henrik Larsson scored from distance the match was beyond Los Samgeles. The visitors did create chances of their own but were unable to take any and suffered further disappointment on the day when Luc Robitaile was injured although the reports coming out of the club are that he won’t be out for too long. Inter move out of the relegation zone following the win but, with the division as tight as it is, Jimmy will be taking one game at a time in the tried and trusted footballing cliché. LAK are one point better off and the season is in a similarly balanced state for Stripy although he will be looking for better performances than they produced against Inter.

Morley Town and White Hawk fought out a 1-1 draw although the visitors will have been disappointed that they didn’t come away with all three points after enjoying much the better of the second-half at Scatcherd Park. The first-half was almost a non-event as the sides felt each other out in the search for vital Division Two points. An early goal in the second-half, though, from Gwilym Cullip set the tone for the half. Cullip, shooting in for the hosts on 51 minutes, served to inspire the away side, though, and not the home as he would have hoped. Creating five excellent second-half chances it was no less than they deserved when Matts Perman headed home a cross from Adan Donahue. Injuries to Donahue and the home side’s Vivian Kwekeu broke up the play in the last ten minutes and White Hawk will have been disappointed that they couldn’t force a winner which their play merited. Sitting on 17 points they know a few wins are needed to boost them up the table and put them on a more even footing with their rivals while Morley know that, on 19 points, their season is also at a crossroads.