Area, Alsancak Share Thriller

Alsancak and Grey Area fought out a thrilling 4-4 draw as the defences took a day off at Mosquito Alley. Garth Rossall gave indication of what was to come with a toe-kick on goal which was only denied by the angle. Indeed, Area had further misfortune when Dirk Slatter’s powerful low shot hit a post as the hosts rode their luck. However, the luck was to swing both ways as Vedin Sinanovic narrowly avoided scoring an own goal as his back header struck wood. The first goal eventually came as Eoghan Millar first went close with a header and then struck a sweet volley which left Kerrigan with no chance. This lead would last until half-time but the second 45 minutes would see non-stop action. Sinanovic had already had a shot go just over before Allan Bound equalised for Area with a flick header. Geoffrey Stiles nearly gifted the home side the lead back but was saved by the post and Danny Rose struck the bar as Alsancak searched for the go-ahead goal once more. As it was it would be Area who would go ahead. Bound had gone close with a diving header before Dirk Slatter smashed home from a free-kick on 57 minutes. This lead was quickly doubled as Diego Maradona shot home from a tight angle to leave Alsancak in trouble. They would fight their way back into the contest on the back of some individual brilliance as James Milner let fly with a volley on 68 minutes to halve the deficit. Frazier Campbell then shot wide and Gabriel Baldwin had a free-kick tipped over as they searched for the equalising goal. This would arrive via the boot of Milner once more as he defied a poor position to shoot past Kerrigan. A header from Geoffrey Stiles would quickly have them 4-3 behind but Rory Burston replied in kind at the other end to make sure this scintillating game finished with the sides gaining a point each. For Wienersnitzel this is another pointer that his side are going in the right direction while Trecool will be happy with his side’s goal scoring form if not their defence.

Morley Town created the majority of chances in their game with The Champs but still found themselves on the end of a 1-0 defeat. An early free-kick from Angres Kafka needed saving by Sebastian Irving as Morley started the stronger of the two. They would be hit by an injury to Adolf Munzberg but still had another chance to take the lead but Dustin Wotton got his chip all wrong and it ended up flying over the bar. The Champs would make their solitary chance count as Daley Higson sent a precise header past Gaughan to give them a 1-0 half-time lead. The second-half saw Morley lose their cool, culminating in Florian Arnautu being sent from the field for a horrid challenge from behind. Kafka would have another free-kick chance in an attempt to grab a point from the game but hit it wide and Morley would slide to defeat. Wylie’s side moved top as a result of the win and they look capable of meeting most challenges head on. Leeg21 will be disappointed with his side’s lack of cutting edge and will search for the answers before their match against wortley on Friday.

Carthage slipped off the top of the table as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Wiltshire Warriors. The visitors had the first opening of the game with Marcus Spillane nearly producing a moment of magic as his free-kick hit a post. Spillane later had a precise header hit the point of post and crossbar as Carthage’s bad luck continued. Robert Merson responded for the home side but his header was saved by Aurelius and the sides went into the break goalless. Spillane would finally get his goal after twenty minutes of the second-half; racing onto an Eric Fray pass he mishit his shot past Hogg to give the visitors the lead. He might even have added to the lead but saw his lob go over the bar and his side would pay for missed chances. Wiltshire forced a corner from which they would equalise; Craig Elliott firing in as the Carthage defence failed to respond to the danger. Spillane wasted another chance before Ray Billinger completed the turnaround with a toe-poke which left Aurelius beaten. The win will have come as a welcome relief to Big K who was giving nothing away in his post-match press conference. Blakey will be disappointed with his side’s profligacy but will also realise that luck wasn’t entirely on their side in this match.

Dream Team kept hold of third spot with a 3-2 victory over Spartans. They had to come from behind to do so, though, as Aiden McGeady looped a header over Williamson to put Spartans 1-0 ahead. Xavi Hernandez brushed a post with a driving shot moments later as the visitors looked to take complete control on proceedings. Warren Dillin went close for the home side as they finally sparked into life and it wouldn’t be long before they were level. Giovanni Cambiel chipped the ball over the on-rushing Neuer to finish off a breakaway move. Spartans would miss an opportunity to retake the lead as Aiden McGeady couldn’t match the power he got on his header with enough accuracy to find the net and the sides went in level. Dream Team started the second-half very strongly and a calmly placed shot by Adem Tumer gave them the lead for the first time in the contest. Rufus Guy tried to double the lead with a header which brushed a post and they would pay immediately as John Obi Mikel hit home a powerful long range shot. Spartans might even have taken the lead but Ezquiel Garay missed the target and it would be Dream Team with the last word. Rinaldo Lupatelli proved to be the hero as he met a Lightbody corner with a brilliant diving header to give them all three points. MrJames keeps his side moving in the right direction following his arrival last term and he will have his eye on playing Division Two football next season. Tommysayshii will have found plenty of positives in his side’s display and will know that, even though they sit in last, there is nothing much between a lot of the teams.

Arsenal UK produced a strong home display to defeat Glory Hornets 2-0 and move into fourth spot. Hilario Tostao would give them the perfect start as he headed home after only a minute from a Christian Ros corner. An Ivo Daniel free-kick might have made it two but Ashton Rosbotham was well-placed and made the stop. He was then on hand to prevent a header from Lars Helgesson but he was powerless to stop the forward from doubling the advantage moments later; Helgesson ripping home from a free-kick move to leave the Hornets with a mountain to climb. The Hornets did attempt to strike back before half-time but Toma Popadic found the crossbar in his way and they went in two goals behind. Lionel Monk missed a chance at the start of the second-half and the Hornets struggled to make any more of an impact. Arsenal had a further chance through Humberto Sobrinho but he missed by inches and although Popadic again went close for the visitors, they were happy to settle for a 2-0 triumph. DomBrown claimed his side ‘are starting to bond under my new management’ so there should be exciting times ahead for the Arsenal faithful. GregPerkins will be looking for his side to show similar signs of improvement after a slow start to the campaign has left them in 11th.

Southampton drew with wortley in what turned out to be NorthamSoul’s last match in charge. The visitors had the opening chance with Nigel Krippner forcing Raberg into a theatrical save for the fans. Southampton would get into their stride, though, and Andres Iniesta was unfortunate to see his free-kick brush a post. The first goal of the game would go to the away side as Quincy Bowey headed in a Santos cross to leave the home fans fearing the worst. Iniesta then wasted another free-kick but Benos Hardinho had a much better effort tipped round by Jenning. Iniesta started the second-half with another free-kick which brought the very best out of Jenning and it wasn’t long before the Saints were level. A nice centre by the Saints midfielder found Sonny Baron on hand to head home and level the game. Krippner had a late chance to win it but couldn’t beat the ‘keeper and, in truth, that would have been harsh on an enterprising Southampton side. NorthamSoul left the club to find his enthusiasm for the game once again and they will hope they can appoint a new man soon. Thegreatlordbags, meanwhile, keeps his side in the mix at the right end of the table and if they can keep picking up points away from home should be in with a shout at the season’s end.