Rovers Feast on Three Points

AJ Rovers hit the top of the table with an impressive 3-1 home win over the Belly Tubbies. They had to overcome a slow start which saw the visitors create the solitary chance of the half, although they ultimately wasted it. The second-half was a different entity as Rovers were at it from the start. A Sonny Vickerman free-kick delivered the perfect tonic for a home side which is unrecognisable from the one that started the campaign. Their nerves were settled, somewhat, when Elling Jarnoy added the second goal with under fifteen minutes remaining. It was a classy finish from the front man who has now scored seven goals for the club. The Tubbies did give Rovers a scare as Phil Fieldwick beat Mortimer following a splendid breakaway move. Unfortunately for the visitors, though, it proved a consolation and Rovers even extended their lead as Daniel Tabaranu produced a stunning finish to leave Sahlberg inconsolable in goal. Rothion will be delighted his side returned swiftly to winning ways and will be keen to extend the four-point gap on their vanquished foes who sit in fourth. Fitzy’s Tubbies remain firmly in the hunt but are more likely to rely on their home form to keep them there as they have now won just once in eight matches when on their travels. Fitzy, though, suffering from a lack of eyes, was keen to ‘make sure’ his side ‘stay safe’ rather than get carried away with a promotion battle.

Kensington Boys Club gained a point to keep themselves in second but might have come away from their trip to Madrid a little disappointed. The first-half brought nothing but bad news for the home side as they had to deal with an injury to Kevin Gabriele which will keep the forward out of action for over a week. The injury was compounded when KBC notched on 38 minutes. Niles Worthington produced some good midfield play to create a little space to enable Maurice Jacobs to get a long range shot off which deceived Nersesian in goal. Madrid awoke during the second-half but still saw KBC out-chance them 4-3. Some lacklustre finishing meant that the score remained 1-0 going into the final stages but Madrid then struck to break visiting hearts. Kapo Kachadorian proved the catalyst as he sped clear of the chasing away midfield before sliding an inch-perfect pass to Aren Garabedian. Garabedian displayed nerves of steel to finish with a minimum of fuss to ensure the home side would gain a point from a difficult evening. The point keeps Madrid in the thick of things in Division Two but while they are four points off AJ at the top they will also be aware that they are just four points ahead of the relegation zone, such is the tightness of the section. Patrik sees his side maintain their position in the top three ahead of their crunch clash with AJ on Friday.

Charlottenburg FC slipped to third following a tight 1-0 defeat at Kroklund Kings. The game had few chances but a couple of major talking points as two giants of the game collided. It was bossebong’s Kroklund who enjoyed the flying start as his namesake Bosse Bong cracked in a free-kick on six minutes. Despite some decent play there was to be no more chances in the opening half with Charlottenburg looking frustrated as they made their way to the dressing room at half-time. The beginning of the second-half saw a blow to the visiting side’s hopes as David Beckham got himself needlessly sent-off much to the chagrin of his manager. Kroklund also endured some pain as Toini Vasama was ruled out until the end of the month with an unfortunate injury. However, they secured the three points to ease the loss as, despite both sides having a sight on goal, neither could make a further breakthrough. After watching his side lose, Potsdamerplatz declared ‘the next matches’ as ‘must win’ games otherwise another season in Division Two beckons. Kroklund’s win gave them a much needed boost away from the relegation zone but they will need more victories before they can feel secure.

Los Samgeles Kings put in a barnstorming performance to defeat Carthage 4-1 and reignite their challenge. An entertaining match saw chances and goals aplenty as both sides looked for the crucial three points. A Ladislav Nagy free-kick gave the home side the advantage but Amin Mansourian fired Carthage level on 31 minutes. Not downhearted by being dragged level, though, LAK continued to play some progressive football and were to strike again before the interval. Michal Handzus proved the difference as he outmuscled the visiting defence to get his head to a Nagy cross and guide it past Cumbo in goal. Both sides enjoyed a couple more chances during an eventful second-half but the difference between them proved to be the finishing. While Carthage toiled in front of goal, LAK had a match-winner in Nagy. His second goal of the game came via a headed opportunity presented to him by Torben Kummel. Ghosting in-between defenders he planted the ball inside the far post to give the home side some breathing space. Nagy completed both the win and his hat-trick after 81 minutes by coolly beating an over-exposed Cumbo in goal to spark wild scenes of celebration in the home stands. The defeat sees Blakey’s Carthage slip to ninth on 21 points while LAK surge onto 23 points in sixth. Both sides are sure to see many more twists as the season comes to an exciting climax.

Morley Town slipped into relegation difficulties as they lost 2-1 at home to Internazionale. Inter put in a dominating first 45 minutes to strangle the life out of the hosts and take, what proved to be, a match-winning advantage into half-time. After seeing countless opportunities come and go, Inter finally took the lead on 39 minutes. After forcing a corner, Elton Hills was able to find Garry Maynard with the delivery and the midfielder had no difficulty in converting the ball. Maynard was at the heart of the second goal which came just four minutes later. A neat pass into the path of Yoshitaka Karahira allowed the marauding defender the chance to beat Zubeldia from distance. Morley were an improved outfit after some stern words from Leeg21 and a comeback looked on from the moment Florian Arnautu headed in a corner. Unfortunately for the home side, though, they couldn’t force a second goal and Inter reaped the benefits of an outstanding first-half performance. Jimmy M spoke of the victory being a vindication of his ‘signing policy’ which has seen him bring in some experienced heads to ‘raise the average age’ of the team. Although just two points above the dotted line, Inter may now be looking at exiting the division at the other end. Morley, meanwhile, sit in eleventh and need to take advantage of a trip to Southampton next up as they look to secure Division Two status for next term.

Southampton themselves were involved in a six-goal thriller with White Hawk FC at St Marys. Despite an injury to Alistair Love the first-half looked to have gone according to plan for Hardinho’s side as they went into the interval with a one-goal advantage. The goal was given to them by Kyle Lang who powerfully headed in a Stathis Havos cross to boost the home fans. White Hawk were a much more potent force after the break, however, as they attacked the Saints from the off. They finally drew level on the hour mark as Ryan Dharmsingh finished off some fine work by Matts Perman. Perman then turned executioner a minute later as he headed in a Jazmique Lattizze cross to complete the turnaround. Southampton were putting up a spirited display, though, which is sure to have pleased their boss as he looks forward to next season. This was never more evident than when Timoteo Gemeos looked to have secured a point for them when he headed in on 88 minutes to level matters once more. White Hawk greeted this goal as though a point would be no good to them and sprang back into life. Their hero proved to be Dharmsingh who despatched a corner with panache on 91 minutes before completing a hat-trick with a calm finish on 93 minutes to rub salt into home wounds. While Southampton remain on nine points and adrift, White Hawk have moved to within a point of safety while also moving to within six points of Charlottenburg in third in this amazing Division Two season.