Glory for Greg

Glory Hornets manager Greg Perkins responded to recent fan doubts about his position by leading his team to a 2-1 triumph over Alsancak. The fans didn’t have time to get on the coach’s back as the Hornets started strongly; Toma Popadic firing wide from a free-kick. Alsancak did respond and might have caused unrest but for Rory Burston’s shot striking a post and going safe. Popadic did go close once more by curling a powerful effort wide but the sides would go in deadlocked at half-time. Perkins might have feared the worst when Eliott Malloy fired a penalty wide at the start of the second-half but Rosbotham saved from Burston and the Hornets would eventually take the lead. It came courtesy of a Popadic free-kick as the forward hit an effort beyond Cirkovic and into the far corner. Meanwhile, Burston was continuing his one-man attack at the other end and had a shot saved before placing a header beyond Rosbotham for the equaliser. The Hornets had the perfect response, though, as Burt Judd lobbed over Cirkovic to send the Hornets’ fans home happy and Perkins relieved. The win sees the Hornets leapfrog Alsancak and with their manager's new-found focus brighter times might be ahead. Wienersnitzel will be pleased with his side’s competitiveness and also with their continued high form.

Carthage won the battle at the top to put an end to The Champs' unbeaten record. The home side powered out of the blocks as Amin Mansourian forced Irving into a fine save before Rhys Gregson was desperately unlucky to strike a post. Eric Fray was the next to have an effort but his header went just over and The Champs would then stun the hosts by taking the lead. It came from a set-piece as the home side didn’t deal with the movement of Daley Higson who produced a stunning header to open the scoring. Despite going behind, Carthage’s confidence didn’t seem to be dented and Caleb Spencer brought them level with a powerful long range shot. The home side would nearly take a deserved lead before half-time but Irving produced the spectacular in saving from Ad Herbal’s header and the sides went in level. The second-half was much quieter but Carthage would make the most of their only opportunity. Quincy Lansbury received the ball from a corner and produced a calm side-footed finish which gave the hosts the crucial go-ahead goal. The Champs had a chance to salvage a point but Daley Higson couldn’t do anything but put his half-volley over the bar and their unbeaten record was over. Blakey will be delighted with the performance of his side and even happier with the top spot his side now occupy as the season nears the half-way mark. Wylie will learn about his side as they look to bounce back against Arsenal on Tuesday but they still sit well-placed in second.

Grey Area dented Dream Team’s promotion push as they recorded a 2-1 win at Doon The Park. Area started strongly and Diego Maradona fired in two strikes in the first six minutes as they signalled their intentions. Maradona finally got it right on 14 minutes as he struck a power shot on goal which left Williamson with no chance and Area with a 1-0 lead. His goal seemed to stir Dream Team into action, though, and Milorad Gavrancic went close with a powerful header. Moments later they would be level as Adem Tumer placed his header beyond Kerrigan to give their fans plenty to celebrate. The second-half would pass largely without incident until an explosive finish left supporters breathless. Tumer looked like he might have given DT the win but Kerrigan managed to punch the ball away and Area would capitalise. They would march straight down the other end and a brilliant centre by Winston Freestone was met by the head of Gianluigi Isolini who managed to direct his header out of the reach of Williamson to give Area the points. The win will have come as a massive boost to Trecool as he looks to put his own stamp on his new team. MrJames was clearly disappointed with what he called a ‘harsh last minute loss’ but they are still handily placed for a run at promotion.

Wiltshire Warriors made it two wins in a row as they edged out Arsenal 1-0 at The Emirates. The game would see early chances as Humberto Sobrinho demanded smart reactions from Martin Hogg in the visiting goal before Bob Lake hit a free-kick at the other end which saw Burchell make the most of his opportunity in front of the cameras. The ‘keepers were certainly taking centre-stage but the best was yet to come as Burchell made a stunning save to deny Craig Elliott from scoring with a header. Arsenal would assume control for the remainder of the half but Ivo Daniel couldn’t make a free-kick opportunity count and Cal Fodgen hit his chip over the bar as their efforts met with frustration. Wiltshire came out well-organised after the break and assumed control of the contest. Robert Merson would provide the crucial breakthrough as he steered a shot on goal which eluded Burchell. Further chances came with Bob Lake being particularly unlucky with one free-kick which hit a post before hitting another effort over the bar. The missed chances weren’t to matter, though, as the Warriors saw out the game in relative comfort to continue their progress up the table. Indeed, Big K might now be planning an assault on the top three after this ‘positive step forward’ and they now sit just two points behind third-place. DomBrown was not too despondent despite the defeat and claimed they are still ‘well on target for our top 5 finish.’

Morley Town and wortley afc both picked up a point apiece in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Scatcherd Park. There would be chances at both ends as the game enjoyed an open beginning. Mitchell Pennock forced Cal Jenning into an early save as the home side looked for the lead before Paulinho Santos would put a flick header wide at the other end. The visitors would continue to create chances but Brandon Hiller couldn’t connect sweetly enough with his volley and then saw a header saved as Morley escaped. To make matters worse for wortley, Morley took the lead within moments. A cross from Art Boyle was met by Christopher Love and the forward headed home to the delight of the home fans. Hiller would meet with more frustration at the other end before finally getting his reward. Firstly, he had a volley saved by Gaughan before eventually placing a shot beyond the cat to make it 1-1. Quincy Bowey quickly completed the turnaround as he produced a sublime lob from long range to give the visitors a 2-1 half-time lead. Love got an early effort at the start of the second-half all wrong before wortley had two chances to put the game safe. They would both fall to Hiller as he placed one shot wide before Gaughan palmed the other round the post. Morley would capitalise on this reprieve and Dustin Wotton calmly side-footed home on 84 minutes to make sure they would go home with a point. Both Leeg21 and Thegreatlordbags have their sides in amongst the chasing pack and they will want to put together runs so they are still there when the season reaches its business end.

Southampton put in a strong performance to defeat Spartans 2-0 at home. Spartans struggled during the opening 45 minutes and were indebted to Manuel Neuer for saving an early Sonny Baron effort. They would then be hit by an injury to Sergio Ramos before Andres Iniesta forced Neuer into more work from a free-kick. There was nothing the ‘keeper could do about an Iniesta header on 20 minutes, though, as the Saints took a deserved lead although they were fortunate not to be pegged back when Sergio Aguero netted only for it to be disallowed due to a 50/50 offside call. Southampton had one further chance before the break but Baron headed straight at Neuer and they had to settle for a 1-0 half-time lead. Duncan Graeme would double the lead in the second-half as he finished off a smart breakaway on 66 minutes. In truth, though, Spartans were much improved and they saw Ezequiel Garay go close before a dangerous back pass by Graeme Coote nearly handed them a route back in but it brushed the post and went safe. Baron looked to make it 3-0 for the Saints but Neuer saved one effort before he knocked another wide. Garay did likewise from a free-kick at the other end and the visitors would fall to a 2-0 defeat. The Southampton board will be pleased with the victory and they celebrated with the appointment of a new manager. Tomsayshii will want his side to show him some improvement soon as they prop up the league and are in danger of facing a season of sitting at the bottom.