Rothion to be King?

AJ Rovers produced an impressive away display to keep themselves a point ahead at the top of the Division Two table. In an ill-tempered match which saw six bookings, Rovers overcame Los Samgeles Kings with some impressive play. Creating the better chances in both halves, Rovers were able to keep their noses in front from the moment Eldur Gottskalk opened the scoring on 12 minutes. Bentley provided the ammunition for the raiding midfielder to time his run perfectly to head past Ersberg. They doubled their lead on 32 minutes as the finishing remained of the highest order. Deane advanced out of defence to provide a superb through ball from which Phil Marsh benefited by netting past the ‘keeper. LS were seeing a fair amount of the ball but weren’t able to create the chances as their opponents were doing. However, from their first chance of the match they did halve the deficit to give themselves hope of a comeback. A fast breakaway culminated when Will Deckard was slid in by Kopitar and made no mistake with a calm finish befitting a match of high quality. The pattern of chances in the second-half followed that of the opening 45 minutes and AJ extended their lead to two goals once more when Gottskalk scored from some 30-yards to leave the home fans stunned. LS, to their credit, kept working hard and fashioned their second chance of the game on 90 minutes. Again they showed real composure with Michal Handzus finding a way through Mortimer from outside the area to give Rovers a few late nerves. They managed to hold on, however, to enjoy a six-point lead over fourth-placed Madrid. Rothion will be keen to instil in his team that three wins and the title will be theirs. Stripy’s LS now sit uncomfortably just two points ahead of the relegation zone while still harbouring outside hopes of promotion in this incredible Division Two season.

Kensington are now their nearest challengers as they saw off Southampton 3-1 at St Marys. They were boosted by an early goal and always looked the better of the two teams in a fiery clash. The goal came on five minutes as Maurice Jacobs finished off some fine approach play from Rooney. The remainder of the half was marred by five yellows and a red with an injury along the way. Jeffrey Balbi was the unlucky player to be injured as both teams set about each other. Aaron Winder saw red for the home side to add to their misery as they went into the half-time break without creating a single opening. The Jacobs-Rooney combination came good once more for the away side after the break with the latter calmly finishing to double the lead. KBC were enjoying much the better of the game now and added a third when Adrian Gray let fly from distance to defeat Lima in goal. The second-half saw two yellows and a red to add to the first-half tally with Aubrey de Vere evening up the players for each side by getting himself needlessly sent-off for KBC. This allowed Benos Hardinho some space to head home a corner for a consolation goal for the hosts but they were soundly beaten by a side with an intense focus. Patrik will not want his side to get carried away with this result, though, as they now move onto a crucial clash with third-placed Tubbies as they look to put the seal on their promotion. Southampton and Hardinho will now be able to prepare for life as a Division Three side as they look for a positive change report which will have made this season worthwhile.

Belly Tubbies are in third following a point at Morley, which they scarcely deserved. Morley set about their visitors from the off as they looked for vital points in their relegation battle. They struck the woodwork twice in the opening eight minutes as Kafka and Love both had chances to give them the perfect start. Love then went on to miss a penalty which may prove crucial at the end of the season. Farrell also brushed a post as Morley, in all, created six openings in a completely one-sided first-half which, ultimately, ended all-square. Morley began the second-half on the front foot also but Kafka couldn’t seriously trouble Sahlberg in goal. Morley then forced a chance through Farrell again, only this time he made it pay. Sedgemore fashioned the opening for Farrell who beat Sahlberg to the obvious relief of the home crowd who began to believe that the great escape was on. However, these hopes were dashed with Tubbies very first effort on goal. Phil Fieldwick provided an illustration of the difference between the top and bottom with a lobbed finish of immense quality to stun the home team. Morley news reported that the team left the ground ‘wondering how they only managed to draw’ a game they dominated but also that their confidence is now ‘sky high’ following such an impressive performance. Being five points from safety with just three games to go, though, it remains to be seen whether they can escape. Fitzy admitted his side were fortunate before adding a word or two of sympathy for Morley who he said ‘luck’ had deserted this season.

Real Madrid FC find themselves three points off the pace following a 1-1 draw at Internazionale. Madrid did enjoy the perfect start as Kevin Gabriele hit a powerful shot from range into the net to stun the home support. In truth, the game had few chances but Inter gradually recovered from this nightmare beginning to force their way back into the game. Neal Stapleton had gone close from a free-kick before Mortimer Wainman equalised on 36 minutes following a corner delivered by Stapleton. Madrid had the better of the second-half but couldn’t make either of their chances count. Both Aren Garabedian and Samvel Aivazian found Benjamin Hawke too sharp for them in goal as both sides took a point out of the encounter. This leaves both looking at either end of the table as the season reaches its climax. Madrid are three points off Tubbies in third while only four points ahead of White Hawk who occupy the final relegation spot. Inter, meanwhile, are four points from the top three while being just three ahead of White Hawk. It’s hard to know whether the managers would take safety right now or whether promotion remains the ultimate goal in a season of such unpredictability.

Carthage FC picked up a crucial win to distance themselves from the fight at the bottom while rekindle thoughts of promotion as they overcame Charlottenburg FC 3-2 at Carthage City. Paul Scholes went off on 16 minutes for the visitors and the pain doubled for Potsdamerplatz’s side when Eric Fray headed the hosts in front two minutes later. Charlottenburg did manage to recover from this, though, and were to score from both of their chances during the first-half. Rob Lee headed in the equaliser from an expert Alan Thompson centre on 24 minutes to give the visiting following a boost and things were to get better on 39 minutes. Ferdinand showed real quality in striding out of defence before sliding in Lee to illustrate that he can score with head or feet as he left Aurelius with no chance in goal. Carthage managed to retain their confidence despite going in 2-1 down at the interval and produced a super second-half to turn the game round. They were to score two goals in the opening twelve minutes of the half to stun Charlottenburg. Their equaliser came on 50 minutes as Marcus Spillane shot home after a corner. If this wasn’t bad enough for the visitors they, failed to learn their lesson and, once more, left a player unmarked from a corner. Ad Herbal benefited from the space to shoot past Robinson on 57 minutes to put Carthage 3-2 up. Both sides had chances in an entertaining second-half but no more goals were scored despite Guido Eliseo being sent-off for the hosts. The win lifts Blakey’s side to seventh and level on points with their vanquished foes. If they can defeat Madrid next they may find themselves with the unlikely opportunity to win promotion when it has looked, for long periods, that survival was their main aim. Potsdamerplatz’s side has fallen four points off the promotion pace after leading not so long ago. Their next match against Morley now takes on extra significance with defeat unthinkable for the Charlottenburg gaffer.

White Hawk FC gave their survival hopes a major boost with a comprehensive 3-0 home win over Kroklund Kings. All the action took place in a determined opening 45 minutes for the hosts. Creating four chances to their opponent’s solitary effort, White Hawk were able to open up a match-winning advantage to renew their hopes of surviving in Division Two. Ryan Dharmsingh scored the first goal as he connected sweetly from long range to defeat Tolvanen in goal. On 20 minutes it was 2-0 following some football which you would normally associate with the top of the league rather than a struggling side. Dean Kouakou produced the final ball after some quick passing in a breakaway move of real pace. Matts Perman was the beneficiary as he raced onto the ball and deposited it in the back of the net. With Kroklund looking overmatched in most departments it came as no surprise to see White Hawk extend their lead to 3-0 on the stroke of half-time as Dharmsingh added his second goal by finishing a well-taken corner by Charly Chan Jet Soe. With the second-half a non-event it was left to the home supporters to celebrate a crucial three points which sees them move to within a point of Kroklund and safety with three matches still to play. Bossebong will be hoping his Kroklund side can take advantage of a home match with Southampton to distance themselves from the battle as they have slipped down the table ominously in recent matches.