Futsal Fell Fitzy

Futsal moved into second after a come from behind victory over Belly Tubbies at Futsal Arena. The Tubbies stunned Jake’s side in the very first minute as Phil Neville placed the ball beyond Roberts for the opening goal. Futsal grew into the game and equalised from their first chance; Mirciulica Bardes heading home confidently on 19 minutes. The Tubbies forced the pace for the rest of the half but Graeme Sharp headed too close to Roberts while the ‘keeper also turned over Kevin Sheedy’s lob. Robin Barratt would give the hosts the ideal start to the second-half as he toe-poked past Fitzsimmons to put them in front for the first time. Rowley Forrester shot wide of the target and Ricky Routhledge headed straight at the ‘keeper as Futsal tried to increase their lead. Paul Bracewell would have a late chance to pinch a point for the visitors but he couldn’t make a lob header count as the Tubbies fell to a 2-1 defeat. Jake will be delighted with his side’s opening to the season and will also be encouraged by the high form his side is maintaining. Fitzy knows where his problems lie and if his troops can start firing in the goals then a move up the table should be in store.

These Charming Men also moved onto 11 points with a routine 4-0 away success at St Omer. TCM dominated the game and were in front thanks to a precise header from Loran Rajabi on 12 minutes. Shaun McFadden was denied by Rain from a further header before he then mishit a shot home for 2-0 on 26 minutes. Vaios Pakaltsis made it 3-0 on 35 minutes with a header from a corner while Bryan Higginbottom hit the woodwork a minute later with another aerial attack. Pakaltsis did make it 4-0 with another header from a corner and TCM went in thoroughly in charge. The second-half was a much quieter affair with just a diving header by Loran Rajabi giving any excitement to the crowd but even that effort went well-wide. The win sees RDCM’s side move into the top three but the manager still found time to wish Cony Tottee ‘all the best’ with his youth project. Despite the defeat CT himself said that he was still ‘looking forward to Tuesday’s game’ as he continues to mould his squad.

Carthage remain top but were held 1-1 at Juventus in an even contest. Juventus started brightly and Jacobo Chacros was unfortunate as his powerful strike hit the bar. Carthage responded by going close through a side-footed shot by Amin Mansourian before hitting the front as Nicholas Crowe lobbed home after a corner. Mansourian ballooned a header over as they looked to double their lead while Chacros’ header was saved by Cumbo at the other end. Juve got their equaliser at the start of the second-half with Alberto Morante finishing expertly following a breakaway move. Quincy Lansbury couldn’t curl a shot home for Carthage while Chacros hit the bar with a lob at the other end as neither side could force a winner. Blakey blamed himself for the result by saying he ‘played too many youths’ but he will still be satisfied with how his side are shaped up as the season progresses. SuperJuve will be pleased his side have picked up another point and they also tightened up defensively during this match.

Kroklund Kings turned in a resilient performance to defeat Arsenal 2-1 at Dont know yet. It would be the visitors who would impress during the first-half with Tomas Rosicky heading them into an 11th minute lead. Aatu Vuokki made sure it was a short-lived lead as he headed in the equaliser eight minutes later. Arsenal were soon back on the attack, though, as Andrey Arshavin got in a diving header which threatened while he also hit a free-kick off-target. Eduardo da Silva saw his toe-poke hit the bar before Rosicky chipped an opportunity over the bar as Arsenal finished the half on the front foot. They also enjoyed the first chance of the second-half but da Silva’s header was saved and Kroklund improved. Gabriel Galtier fired a warning as his chip hit the bar before Vuokki headed in his second of the game to give the home side the lead. Once in front they never looked like being pegged back to complete an impressive triumph for the home side. Bossebong has his side defying critics so far this season but they face a key test next as they travel to face Carthage. DomBrown wasn’t too downcast after the defeat explaining ‘how tight (the) division is’ and told fans they ‘will try (their) best in the next game.’

Los Samgeles Kings made it two wins on the bounce as they thumped Reggae Reggae Sauce 3-0 at Staples Center. Derek Armstrong had the first chance for the hosts but hit his effort wide before he then put a header against the bar. Dustin Brown’s driving shot was saved by Mullen but the Kings did take the lead as Armstrong placed the ball beyond the over-worked ‘keeper. Michal Handzus drove in number two on 37 minutes as the score started to reflect the contest. Brown shot over as the second-half started in similar fashion while an Alexander Frolov half-volley was saved well by Mullen. Todd Osborn did hit a tame free-kick at Ersberg as RRS briefly attacked but it would be the Kings who would finish the stronger. Armstrong added another goal by shooting through the legs of Mullen to round off a comfortable afternoon for the hosts. The win takes Stripy’s side to within three points of the top spot and they will travel to the Tubbies full of confidence. Xpertelevener appears no nearer forging the Sauce into a winning unit and only time will tell whether they suffer another relegation.

The Lone Wanderers and Splott Rovers shared the points in a tight encounter at The Capitals Wasteland. Reed Fantastic hit a beautiful free-kick after only seven minutes to put the visitors in front. Max Jekyll, though, would strike back with the hosts’ first chance by shooting home clinically in the area. Frank Punisher put a header close to the bar but 1-1 would be the score going into the break. Paul-Phillip Ravage went close with a flick header for the visitors before the hosts won themselves a penalty; however, Jekyll could only put his spot-kick wide as the score remained tied. Neither side could force anymore chances and a point each would be their reward after a tough encounter. HH declared that he had ‘regained confidence in (his) coaching abilities’ and challenged his players to ‘respond quickly’ as they look to climb the league. CM’s side remain unbeaten and look primed to take full advantage of a home match with St Omer on Tuesday.