Kroklund Top Sauce

Kroklund Kings progressed up the Division Two standings with a hard-fought victory over Reggae Reggae Sauce. RRS had an early blow when Shay Mullen was forced off and with no second ‘keeper in the squad it was left to defender Terry Jenkins to step into the firing line. They would have the first chance of the game, though, with Alfredo D’Addadzio seeing a speculative bicycle kick go close to giving them the opener. A free-kick tapped to Christiano Torres resulted in the forward firing wide as RRS continued to impress in the first-half. The second 45 minutes saw Kroklund come more into the game and indeed they would open the scoring with their first effort as Curt Elliott steered in on 53 minutes. RRS had a response on 74 minutes but Tyrone Barratt’s fierce shot was disallowed for offside. They would find the equaliser on 90 minutes, though, as Fernando Ronaldo produced a calm finish in the area following panic in the home defence. However, Kroklund were stung by this and Bosse Bong was denied by stand-in ‘keeper Jenkins before, on 94 minutes, Gabriel Galtier headed home superbly to give the home side all three points. Bossebong was a relived man after admitting that he had ‘forgot the game today’ and so a top three standing will be well-received in Kroklund. Xpertelevener sees his side in familiar territory following a winless start to the season and he will be working hard in an effort to turn the season round for the club’s long-suffering supporters.

Arsenal maintained their 100% record with an enthralling 3-2 home victory over Juventus. Arsenal had an early chance but Andrey Arshavin’s free-kick was easily gathered by Fuentes. Eduardo da Silva would fare no better against substitute ‘keeper Danotti minutes later following an injury to Fuentes. Juventus would then create an opening of their own but Jorn Fruh couldn’t make a powerful shot tell while da Silva chipped against the angle at the other end. The second-half started in fast fashion with Carlos Vela narrowly missing for Arsenal before they were hit at the other end as Alberto Morantes planted in a timely header. Arsenal were gifted a route back into the contest as Claude Blanquet put past his own ‘keeper just after the hour and Arshavin then headed home to put the hosts in front. Arshavin would hit a free-kick straight at Danotti before hitting the crossbar with another set-piece. They would get their third goal as da Silva calmly slotted home a penalty to give them a two-goal cushion. Blanquet would miss a headed chance and Thomas Vermaelen nearly put through his own goal as Juventus produced a spirited response. The chances continued to come in injury-time as Abou Diaby had a goal disallowed for offside while Mairthin Foley did pull a goal back for Juve with a flick header. This proved too late to save them, though, and Arsenal sit two points clear following an impressive start. Arsenal News reported the loss of Fabianski a ‘big blow’ ahead of their crunch match with Carthage. Juve, meanwhile, still remain with only one point and another tough match awaits away at Splott Rovers.

Carthage FC warmed up for their big match with Arsenal by slipping past Belly Tubbies 1-0. Carthage always looked the more accomplished side although a penalty by Marcus Spillane was saved by Fitzsimmons to give the Tubbies an early boost. Ad Herbal would also waste a late chance in the half as the sides went in goalless at the break. The Tubbies forced the first chance after the interval but Kevin Sheedy’s header was saved by Aurelius and it was all Carthage from this moment on. Herbal would get his goal on 74 minutes with a clever flick header and although he had a shot saved and Eric Fray was also denied by Fitzsimmons the damage was done. Fitzy was in honest mood when he said ‘3 games, 0 goals. Things can only get better.’ Meanwhile, Blakey will be in confident mood as his side travel to Arsenal after only conceding one goal in their first three matches.

These Charming Men and Splott Rovers put in strong performances to cancel each other out in a 1-1 draw at Irregulars Arena. It would be the home side who would strike first as Loran Rajabi struck well from inside the area on 15 minutes to leave Ghostrider with no chance in goal. However, Splott would respond well to this setback and had already seen Frank Punisher go close with a header before a penalty by the midfielder levelled the game on 37 minutes. The second-half tightened up even further with just the one more chance. It fell to the home side but Stuart Cooksey’s shot missed the goal by some distance. Both sides have five points and remain unbeaten as managers RDCM and Carbonmonoxide respectively look to lead their side into Division One for next season with the latter admitting that his side was ‘lucky to get a draw today.’

Futsal moved into fourth with a comfortable 4-0 away success at St Omer. In truth both sides enjoyed chances in an open game but it was Futsal who showed the greater composure in front of goal. Ricky Routhledge forced Hamshaw into an early save in the home goal before Omer responded with Joseph Radders hitting an effort wide. Rick Tuttle would disappoint by hitting tamely at the ‘keeper before Rowley Forrester did give Futsal the lead with an excellent free-kick. The second-half saw more chances with Omer having an early Radley effort go wide. Radders would make it 2-0 rather luckily with a mishit shot while Alf Ackroyd lobbed in number three just before the hour. Omer kept plugging away but Arne Seiffert’s effort was easily saved and they were 4-0 down as Ackroyd headed in his second of the game. Cony Tottee’s header was saved at the other end while Futsal wasted a penalty as Hamshaw made a theatrical save from Forrester. Lucas Ravelli fired the last chance off-target for the home side as Futsal added a clean sheet to their impressive day. Jake appears to have his side moving in the right direction and they will fancy their chances of another three points at RRS on Tuesday. ConyTottee’s side keep losing but while they remain strong form-wise it will be well worth it come the season’s end.

The Lone Wanderers and Los Samgeles Kings fought out a 1-1 draw at The Capital Wasteland in the division’s other game. The home side started brightly and a back heel by Arsim Kule opened the scoring on 11 minutes while a toe-poke by Frans Fleischer demanded a great save from Ersberg. The Kings did fight back but Anze Kopitar’s effort was too close to Peyton in goal. A free-kick from Dragos Ceaun missed the goal as the lead remained just one at the interval. Alexander Frolov fired an early warning for the home side as he shot just wide as the Kings looked to draw level. The equaliser did come on 56 minutes as a well-placed shot by Dustin Brown proved too accurate for Peyton to the delight of the visiting fans. Stephen Julius missed a late chance to win it for the Wanderers as Ersberg gathered and both sides had to settle for a point apiece. HH will be happy with his side’s unbeaten start to the season but will want them to kick on. Stripy will be keen for his side to pick up their first victory but there has been enough in their opening three games to suggest they will take some scalps this season.