Dream Still on for MrJames

Dream Team left it late to defeat The Champs 2-1 in a game they dominated. A second minute breakaway which culminated with Adem Tumer slotting past Irving gave Dream Team an early advantage and they looked a class apart for large periods of the match. However, despite dominating possession they struggled with their finishing; Warren Dillin heading at Irving while Tumer blasted over shortly afterwards. Rinaldo Lupatelli did find the back of the net with a calm finish but he was to suffer only disappointment as he looked round to see the assistant referee flagging for offside. Dillin would then miss the target with a late chance as Dream Team had to settle for a one-goal advantage. The second-half would start in the same fashion as Dillin once again missed the target and that was closely followed by Dudley Barrowcliff hitting a free-kick at Irving as frustration began to grow. This frustration would grow when Kenneth Caster hit a penalty wide and Barrowcliff was denied by Irving. Further drama followed as The Champs produced their first attack of the game and amazingly drew level with Said Qahbadaik driving in from distance to stun the home crowd. To their immense credit, Dream Team didn’t let this setback effect them and in one final attack grabbed the winner; Barrowcliff heading in clinically from a Cambiel cross to rescue the points. MrJames was frustrated that the ‘score didn’t reflect the control (his) team had over the game’ but is concentrating on staying within touching distance of Carthage at the top. The Champs crisis continues to grow a Wylie remains awol and the longer that remains the case the less likely they are of mounting a promotion push.

Carthage maintained their four point gap as they edged Morley Town out 1-0 at Carthage City. In an even contest Carthage missed an early opportunity through Guido Eliseo while Zacharias Ashe did likewise at the other end. Eliseo would have the other opportunity before the break but his lob was well-saved by Ciro Zubeldia and the game remained goalless. Ashe would continue to be a threat to Carthage through the second-half but he couldn’t find the killer touch as he shot wide and then had a flick header saved by Aurelius. Eliseo would also suffer more frustration as he shot wide but Eric Fray would have better luck with a header which was flicked beyond Zubeldia for the opening goal on 87 minutes. Vivian Kwekeu made a hash of a late chance to win a point for Morley and it would be the home fans celebrating at the final whistle. Blakey can now tick down the games and will have a points tally in mind that will win his side promotion. At this stage it would take a brave man to back against them. Meanwhile, Morley will be pleased this double-header is out of the way and can concentrate on trying to get themselves back in the mix over the next few games.

Arsenal UK kept their bandwagon rolling with a 2-0 away success at Chester United. In a controlled away performance the visitors created nine openings to a solitary chance for the home side. The game might have turned out differently had Kyle Lang made more of his headed chance on 11 minutes for the hosts but Velasques was on hand to make a comfortable save and it was one-way traffic from that point on. Arsenal had their first effort before the break as Robin van Persie tried a lob but got too much on it and it went harmlessly over the bar. The second-half saw Arsenal open up with van Persie having an effort saved before Alex Song mishit his shot horribly wide moments later. Andrey Arshavin hit a free-kick straight at Raberg before the visitors finally took the lead through a well-placed shot by Tomas Rosicky. Niko Tervola narrowly avoided scoring an unfortunate own goal before the second one did arrive with van Persie getting his reward for a fine performance with a powerfully hit low shot. Samir Nasri was unlucky not to make it three as his shot hit a post and Arshavin smacked a free-kick wide as the visitors finished well on top. Arsenal News reported that ‘the board are over the moon’ with a campaign that promises untold riches. Jimbob continues to look for the magic formula with his Chester side and it might be future seasons before the fans see the fruits of his labour.

Wiltshire Warriors made sure they didn’t lose any ground on the top three with an emphatic 3-0 away win at Grey Area. Robert Merson forced Kerrigan into an early save from an excellent volley before Bob Black gave the Warriors a ninth minute lead with a clinical header. Black had a further chance on 21 minutes but couldn’t get enough accuracy on his shot and the Warriors had to make do with a 1-0 half-time lead. Area started much better in the second-half and Allan Bound forced Hogg into his first save of the afternoon from a well-placed shot. The visitors were also looking dangerous with Ronnie Dudgeon going close before Black doubled the lead with a stunning strike from distance. Gregor Muller tried to halve the deficit from a precise header but it brushed the post and Liran Chaim almost put the game beyond them with a side-footed strike which smashed the crossbar. Black had an effort ruled out for a clear offside before seeing a power shot on goal easily caught by Kerrigan. Area defiantly tried to hit back but Geoffrey Stiles saw Hogg tip his header over and Wesley Bird settled matters with a long range strike on 86 minutes to make it 3-0. Black missed a chance for a hat-trick when his lob hit the angle of post and bar but the Warriors could be more than satisfied with a 3-0 victory. The Warriors remain level on points with third-placed Arsenal but Big K was keen to stress to his side that ‘every game in this league is difficult’ as they chase promotion. Trecool is seeing his side’s hopes of promotion slip away but will hope for a turnaround in fortune between now and the end of the season.

Another side still in the mix are wortley afc and they helped their cause with some excellent finishing in a 4-0 home triumph over Alsancak. The home side started in quick fashion with a Paulinho Santos free-kick testing Hart in the first minute. Santos would have another opportunity on 12 minutes and this time he would put his free-kick out-of-the-reach of Hart to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Srecko Baric quickly made it 2-0 as he finished through the ‘keepers legs and Jake Shiver mishit goal number three on 23 minutes as wortley threatened to run riot. A powerful shot by Ray Cooper needed tipping over by Hart before Alsancak finally had an effort before the break but Andrew Taylor could do nothing but fire off target from a free-kick. The second-half would be a quieter affair chance-wise but Alex Jamieson’s header on the hour-mark did make it 4-0. Santos volleyed home on 70 minutes but it was disallowed for shirt pulling and that would be the last of the chances. Alsancak completed a miserable afternoon by seeing Gabriel Agbonlahor sent-off for a poor challenge from behind and their manager will no doubt want more in the coming matches. They remain in eleventh and cut adrift but Wienersnitzel will drill into his side the need for avoiding needless bookings and red cards as they seek to get everyone up to 100% match experience. Thegreatlordbags will be delighted with the six points they have attained over the turn and will hope they can now push on and have a real go at promotion.

Spartans picked up a welcome win at home to the Glory Hornets and will want this to be a sign of things to come. Eliott Malloy had the first chance of the game for the visitors but Neuer was on hand to tip the ball over. Wesley Sneijder had the first effort for the hosts on 25 minutes but Rosbotham made a comfortable save, although he made the most of it in front of the cameramen. The game had a nice ebb-and-flow about it and Toma Popadic was unlucky not to give the Hornets the lead as his free-kick hit the woodwork and the sides went in level. Popadic had the first effort after the break and again was close to opening the scoring as his shot brushed the post. Spartans would take advantage of their reprieves by opening the scoring on 61 minutes; John Obi Mikel curling in a powerful effort from outside the box to the delight of the home fans. Eustace North tried to respond instantly with a well-placed shot but Neuer saved and the Spartans would strike again. Bojan Krkic provided the moment of brilliance with a lob inside the area which left Rosbotham red-faced. The ‘keeper’s embarrassment might have deepened but a lob from Sergio Aguero hit the bar and went safe just moments later. Paolo Ballotta and North missed chances to bring the Hornets back into the game and Rosbotham made a late save from Krkic to prevent the score-line from looking worse. Tomsayshii will see this as proof he has potential in the squad as he looks to future seasons while GregPerkins will want an immediate reaction from his Hornets side after this lacklustre display.