AJ & Boys Up

AJ Rovers won promotion and took another step towards the Division Two title with a 2-1 win at Carthage FC. During a tight and nervous first-half neither side managed to threaten the other’s rearguard much. An injury to Delis Eribenne was to disrupt the home side as they sought three points which would have gone a long way to securing their future in Division Two for another season. The second-half would see the game open up. Despite an injury to Niclas Ravn it would be AJ Rovers who would create the first openings. After seeing Eilling Jarnoy go close with a volley they would open the scoring on 73 minutes. Sonny Vickerman crossed well for Gordon Hogg to head in as Carthage were caught out at the back. Vickerman was to create further problems for the home side just four minutes later as he produced a good pass for Jarnoy. The forward then proceeded to drill a low long range strike into the bottom corner to double the visitors’ advantage. Carthage responded in fine fashion despite an injury to Quincy Lansbury. They were to strike the woodwork three times in an incredible three-minute spell as Guido Eliseo, Amin Mansourian and Ad Herbal all endured shocking luck in front of goal. Carthage did eventually get their goal as Nicholas Crowe volleyed in a corner but it wasn’t to be enough to get Carthage anything out of the game. The win keeps Rovers title hopes in their own hands and they know a win at home to Charlottenburg will guarantee the club the title. Carthage, meanwhile, have a date with destiny as they face up to a game with White Hawk which will determine which side gets relegated to Division Three; a win or a draw will be enough for Blakey’s side.

Kensington Boys Club won promotion to Division One as they beat Morley Town F.C. 3-1 to relegate the Yorkshire side in the process. The first-half was a tight affair with both sides enjoying three chances each. The home side were to strike first as Cameron Nowell finished a high quality breakaway which involved some fine work by Adrian Gray. Morley weren’t fazed by the goal, though, and they were to level after the home side suffered an injury to Aubrey de Vere. Val Sheridan carried the ball well out of the defence to feed Roger Farrell a pass which opened up some space. Farrell struck the ball well enough to beat Gardiner and level the game on 33 minutes. The second-half saw Morley retreat into their shell while Kensington grew strong. Although they created four chances to the visitors one it took until the last five minutes for Kensington to make their superiority count. Angreas Kafka went off for Morley as, they too, suffered injury heartache. Two minutes later the home team were in front. A cross from Dorian Rooney found the head of Eustace Bayley as the fans started chanting “We are going up!” A minute later and their claims were confirmed when they were awarded a penalty. Maurice Jacobs stepped forward to knock the ball home and send the club into party mode. With Patrik’s side now confirmed as a Division One side they will turn their attentions to trying to steal the title away from AJ as they face Kroklund in their final game of the season. Morley will look to bounce straight back after relegation and will fancy their chances in the bottom division.

Belly Tubbies are the other side who have a shot at the title but they will be more concerned with confirming promotion following a 0-0 draw at Kroklund Kings. The need for points wasn’t reflected in a first-half which never really got going. With the sides battling for supremacy no chances were made although Kroklund were hurt by an injury to Zwonko Fuckala. While the second-half remained tight there was to be some openings. Gabriel Galtier forced Michael Fitzsimmons into a fine leg save on 59 minutes as Kroklund threatened to take the lead. This, however, seemed to spur the away side into action of their own. A minute later Stuart Kendrick brought the very best out of Kangashaka in goal as the score remained 0-0. With time running out Lucius Burchell drove a low shot just wide as the game ended with the sides taking a point each. The Tubbies need only a point for promotion but Fitzy won’t rest there and ‘vowed to improve greatly next season’ and also ‘give (the) team the time, energy and devotion they will need.’ Kroklund, meanwhile, can prepare for another season in Division Two with more experience under their belt and in a better position to challenge.

Real Madrid FC remain in the hunt for promotion despite being held 1-1 at Charlottenburg, a result which ensured the safety of Potsdamerplatz’s side. A quiet opening half saw both chances missed but also saw Teddy Sheringham go off after suffering a nasty looking injury for the hosts. His replacement, Stan Collymore, nearly had an instant impact but his lobbed effort was chalked off for a dubious offside. The second-half brought with it more action and an opening goal for the home team. Paul Scholes was the scorer after good work from Collymore; the substitute forward delivering a fine corner which his teammate headed in. Scholes was to go on and hit the post as the home side failed to put the game to bed and allowed Madrid a route back. Madrid went close through Willie Rhodes before Kevin Gabriele stroked home in the area following a good through ball from Aren Garabedian. Madrid were then to go close to snatching all three points as Davit Ohaneisan was only denied by the woodwork as the clock struck 90 minutes. Charlottenburg’s safety was greeted with Potsdamerplatz saying he had learned ‘a valuable lesson’ during the season in keeping the average age of sections of his side up and hoped to see his side visibly improve after the change report. FredRizzo now takes his Madrid side to Morley knowing that only a win and a defeat for the Tubbies will see his side promoted after what has been a competitive season.

Los Samgeles Kings ensured Division Two football for another season with a brilliant away performance in a 5-1 victory at Southampton. They had to do so by coming from behind, though, as the hosts made a strong start. Despite an injury to Kevin Royale, Southampton were to take the lead through a super Aaron Winder free-kick. However, from this point on it was to be all the visiting side as they created eleven chances while not allowing the hosts any more. Winder went from hero to villain as he put through his own goal on 21 minutes and Samgeles took the lead six minutes later as Michal Handzus finished a Luc Robitaille through ball. Ladislav Nagy scored a superb long range strike on 34 minutes to put the visitors 3-1 and on 38 it was 4-1 as Handzus scored his second of the game, also from distance. The second-half saw the visitors play out the game but they did add a fifth as Handzus grabbed his hat-trick goal. Southampton hadn’t learned their lesson and, as they gave Handzus too much time in the middle of the park, the forward unleashed a stunner from distance to cap a superb performance. With safety now assured, LSK news reports that they ‘will be looking for new talent when the transfer window opens.’ It remains to be seen how Southampton go about their new campaign in Division Three; much seemingly dependant on how the change report goes for NorthamSoul’s side.

White Hawk FC found themselves outclassed by Internazionale as they lost 1-0 at home. The result means they now go into a winner-takes-all clash with Carthage to see who remains in the division on the final day of the season. Inter looked the stronger team from the start and were to create all of the half’s chances. They opened the scoring from their very first effort. Joel Weymouth led a breakaway move which saw Mortimer Wainman shooting home. Inter were to go close twice more as Weymouth and Lorimer had near-misses. Inter did lose Weymouth to injury but went in at the break with a comfortable 1-0 lead. With the second-half played out almost exclusively in midfield there was a lack of goalmouth action. However, White Hawk did force their only chance of the game in injury-time, unfortunately for them, though, Clyde Nageswar couldn’t beat Mantua and the points belonged to Inter. Hooraymee will now look to prepare his side for their make-or-break clash with Carthage while Jimmy Mc will be looking to end the season on a high before he attempts a promotion run next term.