Arsenal Attack Team for Points

Arsenal won the big game in Division 3 as they defeated Dream Team 2-1 at The Emirates. They were quickly into their stride and saw an Andrey Arshavin free-kick stopped by Williamson before the ‘keeper also denied Robin van Persie’s chip. Arshavin would have another effort on 27 minutes as he powered in a header but once more Williamson was the equal to it. The second-half opened with another Arshavin header but this time he beat the diving ‘keeper to give the hosts the lead. Dream Team would reply with their first effort of the game but Kenneth Caster’s free-kick never really threatened. They would draw level soon after, though, as Gianmarco Siligardi slotted past Almunia on 64 minutes. Arsenal responded by going back on the attack but van Persie saw the ‘keeper gather his header. The striker would remain dominant in the air but once again he was denied by Williamson. It would be left to Arshavin to put Arsenal back in front on 77 minutes as he produced an excellent diving header. Dennis Arnelius missed a late chance for the visitors and it would be the home side who would emerge victorious. Arsenal News called it ‘an impressive victory’ as they move up into second spot still three points off the leading Carthage. MrJames has seen his side slip five points off top place and claimed that Arsenal ‘were lucky’ that their tactics paid off.

Carthage put their recent sloppy spell behind them with a comprehensive 6-0 win over Grey Area. They would score after only a minute as Andy Paxton lobbed in and only Kerrigan stopped it being two as the ‘keeper turned an effort from Rhys Gregson away. Ad Herbal did power in a header for number two on seven minutes while Gregson missed the target with a header of his own. Paxton would then add his second of the game as he shot home following a corner on 18 minutes. Marcus Spillane got in on the act on 25 minutes as he rounded Kerrigan to make it 4-0 and the same player nearly made it 5-0 when his lob hit the angle of post and bar. Spillane wouldn’t be denied, however, and he chipped in the fifth on the stroke of half-time to leave home fans purring. Carthage wouldn’t be quite so prolific after the break with Spillane lobbing over. The only other chance came in injury-time but it was enough for Spillane to complete his hat-trick with a fine header. Blakey was pleased with the return of Spillane and added that ‘it’s time to finally put a nail in the coffin’ of the other challengers’ hopes. Trecool has long since stopped worrying about the league table for this season but will be looking at the new campaign with optimism.

Wiltshire Warriors' hopes of promotion took a nosedive as they were beaten at home 2-1 by Tir Eoghain. Kyle Lang had already put a header over the bar and they had seen Sonny Baron miss-hit a shot before Lang headed in the opener on eight minutes. Warriors would respond with a shot from Farshid Jalali but it was tipped over by Raberg. The visitors would have the only other chance of the half but Sonny Baron’s chip was tipped over and they had to settle for a 1-0 half-time lead. The Warriors would have another Jalali effort saved at the start of the second-half before Jeffrey Balbi put a header wide at the other end. Hogg would save from Lang to keep the home side in the contest and they nearly enjoyed a piece of fortune as Tyson Thorington only just avoided scoring an own-goal. Eoghain would seal the game on 80 minutes, though, as Timoteo Gemeos placed a header beautifully and although Jalali pulled back a late goal it would be the visitors who would go away the happier. Eoghain moved up to eighth on the back of the win with Tyroneabu beaming that his side have ‘dominated (WW) all over the park.’ Big K will know his side are still only three points off the race and so won’t allow his boys to feel sorry for themselves following this one defeat even though he described himself as ‘frustrated.’

Wortley continued their fast finish with a 4-0 triumph over The Champs at Old Trafford. They were dominant throughout and took an early lead as Brandon Hiller headed in on four minutes. Curt Pryor would double this advantage with a cute lob on 13 minutes but he couldn’t repeat the dose nine minutes later as he put an effort over. Rai Kike did make it 3-0 before the break, though, as he rounded Irving and slotted home. Further chances followed after the break but Kike was denied by Irving this time. He would then suffer misfortune as a fine shot struck a post but they would make it 4-0 as Paulinho Santos got lucky with a shot he didn’t hit sweetly. Santos would waste a late free-kick opportunity but it wouldn’t matter as they eased to a 4-0 triumph. Thegreatlordbags’ side are now within four points and will be hoping they don’t run out of games as their quest for Division Two football gathers pace. The Champs have long been a rudderless ship and only time will tell what the future holds for them.

Alsancak F.C moved off the bottom of the table as they beat Spartans 3-1 at Mosquito Alley. A free-kick by Andrew Taylor went wide for the hosts before Spartans responded with a precise header by Bojan Krkic which was disallowed for a dubious offside call. The hosts would take full advantage and open the scoring as Eoghan Miller netted from the spot on 36 minutes. Nedum Onuoha narrowly failed to make it 2-0 before the break but they would still go in ahead. Spartans would see Naruto Otiai nearly give them a boost when he miscued in front of his own goal on 69 minutes but it would go wide. However, Wesley Sneijder would bring them level with a diving header four minutes later. The home side had a response, though, and a Taylor free-kick needed saving on 76 minutes. They would regain the lead three minutes later as Wayne Butters headed in and it would be 3-1 when Taylor finally made a set-piece count with a stunning strike. Spartans would have a late chance but Albert Jorquera squandered a free-kick and they would fall to the bottom of the table. Wienersnitzel will be proud that his young side are off the bottom of the table and will hope they can stay there in the remaining four matches. Tomsayshii will just want to see the back of a campaign which now threatens to see them finish dead last.

Glory Hornets enjoyed a welcome return to form with a 3-1 away win at Morley Town. A seventh minute diving header by Toma Popadic gave them the lead but it wouldn’t last long as Mitchell Pennock levelled with a header of his own on 19 minutes for the hosts. The excellent display of heading continued on 39 minutes as Lionel Monk ghosted in to put the Hornets 2-1 up at the interval. The Hornets would enjoy the only chances of the second-half and Eliott Malloy was very unfortunate not to make it 3-1 as his chip hit the bar. Malloy would get his goal, though, as he headed home on 74 minutes to complete a very satisfying away day for the Hornets. GregPerkins will know what his side are capable of ahead of the new campaign and will be geared up for a fast start when it arrives. Leeg21 will be hopeful of something similar as Town News explained that the focus had ‘shifted towards next season.’