Madrid Edge Leaders

Real Madrid stopped Bonkers in their tracks with a 1-0 victory which keeps them well in the hunt for a top three spot. In a tight game there wasn’t much in the way of chances for either side. Indeed, the only action of note in the first 45 minutes was an injury to Joel Weymouth and what looked to be an own-goal by Bert Keith of Bonkers but the defender got away with it for a foul in the build-up. Bonkers would suffer another injury at the start of the second-half as Gino Calacone went off. They would fare little better with their first chance of the game as Bruce Deary hit his effort wide. The crucial goal came on 77 minutes as Kevin Gabriele produced a chip of the highest order to leave Hawke beaten. This would prove enough to give Madrid the three points which takes them to within three of third spot. FredRizzo has his side in fine form at this point in time and they could make matters even more interesting as they meet the third-placed Wanderers on Tuesday. GarethLloyd saw his lead trimmed to a point and despite calling the game ‘boring’ he did offer ‘congratulations to the manager of Madrid.’

White Hawk could only gain a point despite Bonkers’ slip as they were held 2-2 at These Charming Men. Hawk would enjoy a great start as Adan Donahue netted from distance on six minutes to give them the lead. However, TCM are fighting at the top end of the table as well and were level within twelve minutes; Loran Rajabi producing a delicate chipped finish to defeat Dankoi. The level of finishing would remain at the highest level as Jerry Raafenberg shot home following a corner on 19 minutes to re-establish the visitors' lead. Lientur Rial would spoil the 100% record, though, as he headed wide on 26 minutes and the hosts would go in behind. The second-half would start with a Donahue strike which was off-target and TCM would benefit late in the day. The equaliser would arrive on 77 minutes as Jordi Rodri produced an excellently placed effort to defeat the ‘keeper and ensure the sides would go away with a point each. Hooraymee will look upon this as another point towards promotion but will know a chance to hit the top spot has slipped away. RDCM was happy with ‘a good performance’ but explained that they ‘cannot afford to drop anymore points’ because their chance of promotion would ‘be all but over.’

The Lone Wanderers moved into the much sought-after third spot with a 2-0 victory at Futsal. It would be Futsal who would have the first chance of the game but Samson Heskey’s header struck a post and went safe. Benedict Janney responded with a fine header for the Wanderers but Heckingbottom managed to turn it round. Mart Rosbottom would then miss with a header as the sides went in level at the break. Futsal would also see the first chance of the second-half but Robin Barratt had his shot from a tight angle saved by Ibehre. The Wanderers would then respond by taking the lead with a fine Stephen Julius header on 71 minutes and they would dominate the rest of the game. Arsim Kule would see a curled shot saved by Heckingbottom before Julius hit a free-kick wide. Niall Hedges would also see a shot saved before Frans Fleischer made the game safe with a thumping long range strike in injury-time. HH said his side ‘performed well’ but admitted the next game against Madrid will be tough and ‘getting 1 (point) would be a good result.’ Jake still sits eight points away from safety and with games running out the task is surely too great for them to survive.

Bill Murray are also still involved in the promotion scrap as they defeated Juventus 1-0 at the Delle Alpi. Shmuel Peha nearly gave them an early lead but his low shot struck a post on three minutes. Matthew Upson would have better luck, though, as his free-kick flew into the net to give his side a 15th minute lead. Juve would force their first chance on 26 minutes but Hiller saved from a Claude Blanquet lob. The visitors would soon be back on the offensive with Upson hitting another free-kick on goal but this time he was to be denied by Fuentes. The second-half saw Anthony Heaton hit an effort over before Paul Scholes had a goal disallowed for offside as the visitors looked to seal the win. Juve were still in it, though, but Mairthin Foley had a header blocked by Hiller. They would then suffer a blow to their hopes as Vicenzio Rossitto saw red for arguing with Upson wasting the resulting free-kick. Both sides suffered late injuries while a chance from Luke Butler went over for the visitors. Ultimately it wouldn’t matter as Bill Murray finished victorious to close to within two points of third spot. CM will be keen for his side to remain focused as they play Cressex next knowing a win might close the gap still further on a promotion spot. SuperJuve’s side are just three points clear of safety now and with four games to go will realise they are in real danger, especially with a tough match against Hawk to come on Tuesday.

Cressex produced a big home performance to defeat Kroklund Kings 3-0 to give themselves hope of beating the drop. They would start strongly and a powerful header by Tryggvi Valsson gave them a first minute lead. They would miss a chance eight minutes later as Douglas Wallberg headed wide before Emil Rojas hit a free-kick over the bar. Wallberg would do better with his next chance as he shot through Tolvanen’s legs only for the offside flag to deny him the goal. The second-half started with an excellent save by Tolvanen from a Ghita Ahmataj header as the hosts looked to extend their advantage. The Kings would then enjoy their first effort of the contest but Tapani Visavuori’s header was blocked. Wallberg would see another shot saved at the other end before Lauro Poggi powered in a header for the second goal. Bosse Bong tried to reduce the deficit at the other end but his free-kick was saved before Cressex finished strongly. Rojas would strike wood with a well-placed shot before they eventually added the third goal on 89 minutes as the midfielder headed in for a deserved goal. The win was vital for Villan_RAS’ side and he will now challenge his side to go on a run which will take them to safety. Bossebong knows his side have the perfect chance to bounce back as they face Norfolk on Tuesday and a big win might be enough to keep them safe for another season.

Los Samgeles Kings were the latest side to put Norfolk to the sword as they raced to an 8-0 win. They would be quick out of the blocks to effectively end the contest in the first 10 minutes. Derek Armstrong lobbed in the opener in the first minute before Tom Preissing lobbed over a minute later. They would add a second on four minutes, though, as Anze Kopitar powered in a low long range shot. Evgeni Malkin curled in number three powerfully on five minutes before Kopitar made it 4-0 on eight minutes with a clinical header. Armstrong would see Olausson save from his lob before Dustin Brown shot home in the penalty area to make it 5-0 on 11 minutes. The next chance would come on 17 minutes and Armstrong made it count by hitting number six from distance before Brown headed in the seventh on 18 minutes with an astute header. It would be 8-0 on 20 minutes as Kopitar completed his hat-trick to leave the visitors stunned. Luc Robitaille nearly added another on 29 minutes but his header struck wood and Norfolk escaped until half-time without further damage. Mercifully the second-half was pain free for the visitors as they battled hard to leave the home side chanceless. The win keeps Stripy’s side six clear of relegation but with a vastly superior goal difference and he will hope that will be enough to keep them safe. Howemiester sees his side take on Kroklund next and they will look to repeat the second-half performance rather than the first.