Splott Shoot to Top

Splott Rovers hit the top of Division Two with a hard-fought home success over Arsenal UK. In an intriguing contest it would be the visitors who would threaten first and Theo Walcott came close as his header brushed a post. They would build on this moments later as a toe-poke by Eduardo da Silva crept past Ghostrider and into the net. Abou Diaby might have even doubled the lead but his shot went inches wide and they would pay as Bruce Hulk powered in a headed equaliser on 28 minutes. Eddie Venom threatened with a lob for the home side but they would hit the front as Frank Punisher netted from the spot. Arsenal had a chance to level at the start of the second-half but Walcott couldn’t find the target and they struggled for the remainder of the game. Punisher nearly made it 3-1 but saw his header hit a post before Fabianski was called into action to save from a Ted Tolley header. Venom would also see a header stopped by the ‘keeper but Splott had done enough to secure the three points. Carbonmonoxide will have been pleased after calling for his side to ‘come back strong’ after their defeat last time out. Arsenal are standing by manager DomBrown’s claim that they ‘would need another season or two in this division’ before contemplating promotion but as it stands they are just three points back of the current leaders.

Carthage were replaced at the top as they were defeated 2-0 at an impressive These Charming Men. Tord Jakobson missed with a free-kick for the hosts while Rhys Gregson placed a header straight at Derksen for Carthage in a quiet first-half. Carthage threatened first after the break but Gregson shot wide and they would then find themselves behind as Chano Delgado overcame a tight angle to thump home on 66 minutes. Seven minutes later and it was 2-0 as Delgado continued his fine form with an excellent header to defeat Aurelius. Carthage attempted to get a foothold back in the contest but Gregson’s header couldn’t find a way past Derksen. The home side had chances to extend their lead but Gerard Caffery had a lob saved while Stuart Cooksey chipped over. Delgado would waste a late chance to net a hat-trick goal as he headed off-target but the final whistle still brought a standing ovation from the ecstatic home fans. TCM News called it ‘a good performance’ but warned they ‘must maintain’ this in a tight section. Blakey will have been disappointed with his side’s first defeat but must them up quickly ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with Splott on Tuesday.

Futsal dropped out of the top three as Juventus kept up their recent upturn in form with a 2-1 home victory. The game began quietly with the first chance not arriving until the 33rd minute and even then Mairthin Foley put his free-kick well off-target. Futsal responded with a better effort as Luciano Salvatori’s placed shot was saved by Fuentes. The game was now opening up and Obadele Eliakwu forced Roberts into smart work in the Futsal goal. There was nothing Roberts could do about the next effort, though, as Jorn Fruh defied a tight angle to shoot home on the stroke of half-time. Juventus continued their momentum after the interval with Kristoffer Lindfors' header forcing Roberts into another save. Lindfors would also put a lob over before the visitors responded with an excellent free-kick from Rowley Forrester which was excellently saved by Fuentes. Juventus capitalised on this fine save by doubling their lead shortly afterwards; Joaquim Messi powering in a superb header on 69 minutes. Futsal would respond in the final ten minutes and Forrester gave them a lifeline when he drilled in a free-kick. However, it would be the home side who would have the last chance with Foley putting a free-kick over. SuperJuve has now seen his side move to within a point of safety and a home match against Reggae Reggae Sauce gives them the chance to move out of the relegation zone on Tuesday. Jake will be hoping his side can put this defeat behind them and move back into the top three as they prepare to visit LSK in their next game.

Los Samgeles warmed up for that game by slipping to defeat at Kroklund in a tight encounter. Kroklund enjoyed the only opportunities in the first 45 minutes and Toini Vasama gave them the lead with a 24th minute penalty. Aatu Vuokki would miss his chance as he curled wide but the hosts would go in with control of the game. The visitors found their attacking form in the second-half and Michal Handzus was unfortunate not to bring them level as his shot struck a post. Alexander Frolov’s header would also need saving by Kangashaka while Evgeni Malkin also endured misfortune as his shot struck the angle. After riding their luck Kroklund had the last chance and although Curt Elliott couldn’t make it count they held on for three points. Bossebong has his side well in touch of the promotion pack and will look to take advantage of his side’s home form as they take on TCM next. Stripy will know Juventus are now hot on their heels and will want his side to find their form quickly.

Belly Tubbies also recorded a 1-0 victory as they produced another fine away performance at The Lone Wanderers. The home side were quick out of the blocks and Chano Paya forced an excellent save from Fitzsimmons following a well-placed header. Niall Hedges then saw his shot hit the woodwork as the home side continued to press. The rest of the half would be a midfield battle although the second-half would see further chances. An Adrian Heath half-volley went just over for the visitors while Paya had a header saved by Fitzsimmons at the other end. Stephen Julius would then strike a post with a powerful shot before the play flowed down to the other end to see Kevin Sheedy go close. The Wanderers saw Dragos Ceaun denied by the inspired ‘keeper and the Tubbies would reap the rewards as Beach Ball rounded Peyton to give the Tubbies a winner with time running out. Fitzy’s side have now won four on the trot and have their eyes set firmly on promotion as they prepare to host St Omer. HH will know his side’s consistency lies in them getting their form up and the omens are good with the team still just three points from first.

St Omer picked up their first point in a 1-1 draw with Reggae Reggae Sauce as the bottom two clashed. The visitors had the first chance with Todd Osborn firing wide but this turned out to be the only sight of goal in a dull first-half. Omer were better after the break and Joe Radley might have put them in front with some better luck; his placed shot striking a post with Mullen beaten. Sauce capitalised well on this let-off as Terry Jenkins headed home the opening goal minutes later. Omer weren’t finished, though, and a lob by Jorn Schone soon had them level. They might even have pinched a winner but Radley could only put his lob over. CT will have been happy with his side’s first point but might have believed his side could even have won the game on further analysis. Xpertelevener’s side look like joining Omer in Division Three next term unless they can find a miracle cure to their team’s slide.