Joy for Jake

Futsal FC began life under Jake397 with an exciting 4-3 victory over Juventus. With the atmosphere at fever pitch, Futsal received a huge early boost when Claude Blanquet put through his own net to give them a 1-0 lead. Freddy Kennedy might have extended their lead with a powerful low shot before Juventus got an equaliser against the run of play. As with Futsal’s opener the goal came courtesy of an opposition player; this time Shane Briscoe putting through his own goal. With Jake urging his side on from the touchlines Futsal responded in the best possible fashion. A Rowley Forrester cross was met by a superb Samson Heskey header. The game continued to go at breakneck pace and Juventus were unfortunate not to level before the break when Alberto Morante was given offside after heading in a corner. Juventus did not have to wait long into the second-half to get their equaliser as Adalberto Di Cinitio fired in a free-kick on 55 minutes. Mairthin Foley then nearly completed the turnaround with a lobbed effort on the hour-mark but Futsal escaped and responded with a close shave from Darcy Hording. Futsal did retake the lead on 71 minutes with a breakaway move involving Robin Barratt and ending with a calm Heskey finish. Despite being behind for the third time, Juventus still had enough belief to keep coming forward and it paid off on 77 minutes with a shot in the penalty area by Di Cinitio. Jake’s debut wouldn’t have been complete, however, without a dramatic winning goal and it duly arrived when Mirciulica Bardes headed home a 79th minute cross delivered by Briscoe. This proved to be one goal too many for Juve with Futsal coming closer to adding to their tally in the final moments. Jake seemed to sum up everyone’s emotions when he said ‘flippin hell, that was a great game!’ SuperJuve will take the positive that his side are both resilient and a threat going forward but will be keen to eradicate defensive errors as the season progresses.

Charlottenburg FC hit the top of the division with a 5-0 win at Norfolk N Chance FC. In a one-sided contest the visitors had two early chances with Alan Thompson missing and Kevin Phillips hitting the woodwork with a beautifully attempted lob. Norfolk did respond with a bit of class of their own but Leopoldo Valadao also had no luck as his effort hit the bar before going safe. Michael Owen missed a further chance for the visitors before they eventually took the lead via a Paul Scholes long range effort. This opened the floodgates for Charlottenburg as they added two more quick goals. A lob from Darren Anderton proved too accurate for Olausson before a more powerful effort from Kevin Phillips made it 3-0. Norfolk had their second stroke of misfortune when Bruce Weatherstone hit the bar after being teed up from a free-kick. Charlottenburg then made it game over before half-time as Phillips added his second from closer range. The second-half saw fewer chances but Scholes did add his second; again showing his quality from distance. Michael Owen struck a post for Charlottenburg and Erik Gall missed a headed opportunity for the hosts as the game ended with a whimper. That won’t have mattered to Potsdamerplatz, however, as he sits in the familiar position at the head of Division Two with his side in good form. Howemiester will want his side to get into similar form as their future is bound to rely on good change reports.

The Lone Wanderers put in the performance of the day in the division as they beat the previously undefeated These Charming Men 4-0. Chano Delgado did have an early effort for the hosts chalked off before The Lone Wanderers assumed control of proceedings. A breakaway just before the half-hour resulted in the visitors scoring the opening goal of the game. Brad Kavanaugh produced some expert midfield work and Kenny Acton gave the move a perfect finish with a simple lob. Tord Jakobson missed a free-kick for RDCM’s side before the Wanderers seized complete control of the second-half. Acton, Albert Scully and Arsim Kule all hit tame efforts at Derksen after they had put themselves in good positions but the goals would eventually come. The second goal duly arrived on 67 minutes as Stephen Julius side-footed home in the penalty area and with it, you sensed, the visiting side gained in confidence. Acton produced his second lobbed finish of the evening on 74 minutes to put them 3-0 up and looking very impressive. These Charming Men’s misery was complete when Stephen Julius hit a powerful long range shot into the net on 93 minutes which left the away fans in dreamland. RDCM was left with a puzzled look on his face following the defeat and will want to see the right reaction from his players in their next outing. HappyHibee spoke of being ‘so proud of the boys’ but warned against getting carried away as they ‘still have 19 games to play.’

Internazionale edged Kroklund Kings 1-0 in a game which saw them dominate. It may have been a different story, though, if Gabriel Galtier’s 13th minute breakaway goal had not been disallowed for a dubious offside decision. Inter hit their straps as the game went past its half-hour stage but Elton Hills found Kangashaka well-positioned to make a fine save. Inter would miss a guilt-edged chance on the stroke of half-time as Benjamin Hawke hit a penalty over the bar. This miss didn’t stop them from putting on a strong second-half performance and they had an early effort from Henrik Larsson. Stephen Lorimer saw his header comfortably held by Kangashaka before Hills eventually gave them the lead with a clinical strike in the penalty area. Hills might have doubled his, and his teams, tally but once more found the ‘keeper equal to his effort. However, it wasn’t to matter as Inter ended the game worthy 1-0 winners. JMc will be content with his side’s start to the season after being unbeaten through three games but will want his side to sharpen their play in the final third to take them onto another level. Bossebong will want more from his new 14m econ player as Wenna settles into the club but, broke or not following the deal, Kroklund will, indeed, be a team to watch this season.

White Hawk FC were in fine form as they dispatched Cressez 4-0 at White Stadium. It took a little while for Hawk to get going but they were inspired by a cracking free-kick by Clarence Ong A Fat which hit a post on 22 minutes. Two minutes later and they would find themselves in front as Adan Donahue confidently converted a penalty. Ryan Dharmsingh would double the lead seconds before half-time with an accurate long range shot which defeated Ikhala in the flight. A third goal for Hawk wasn’t long in coming after the break with a Byron Somaroe lob after a corner leaving Cressex stunned. Dharmsingh quickly forced Ikhala into a save before Poggi fired wide at the other end. Dharmsingh continued to be a thorn in the Cressex side but the visitors were attempting to launch some offense and Douglas Wallberg was thwarted by Dankoi. However, despite this new found threat they would succumb to a fourth goal as Clyde Nageswar hit the ball through the ‘keeper’s legs with a fine finish. Donahue and Nageswar might have added further goals but a 4-0 triumph more than pleased the home fans. Hooraymee will be pleased his side look to have fully adjusted to Division Two football this season and if they get on a roll many teams could suffer. Villan_RAS will be looking for his side to gain some consistency following an up and down start to the season.

Real Madrid showed superior finishing as they defeated Los Samgeles Kings by a 4-1 score-line. Ironically, it would be the home side’s finishing which would start the game in such impressive fashion. A long range lob by Dustin Brown left Nersesia grasping at air and the Kings’ fans dreaming of their first three points of the season. The lead would last just five minutes, though, as Kevin Gabriele flicked a header into the goal to take the wind out of the home sail. Gabriele had another chance before LAK regained the attacking impetus. Ladislav Nagy hit a post with a powerful low shot and Evgeni Malkin curled an effort just wide as LA searched for the upper hand. Madrid, though, would show a cooler touch in front of goal as Samvel Mortanian headed home in some style from a Marderos centre. The lead was increased before the break and it would be Gabriele, once more, who would strike. Garabedian was the source of the goal as he crossed well for Gabriele to direct his header past Ersberg. While the second-half slowed down in terms of goalmouth action, Madrid still managed to add a fourth goal. Gabriele would miss his hat-trick opportunity before a free-kick by Mortanian rocketed into the net to leave the Kings shaken. Derek Armstrong came closest for the Kings but they never threatened to get back into the game. FredRizzo will be relieved his side have recorded a win and will be hoping his side maintain their finishing from this game. Stripy will be starting to worry about his side following three defeats from the opening three games and it doesn’t get any easier as Internazionale come to town on Friday.