Four into Three Won't Go

Wortley continued to lead the way in Division Three as they completed a successful trip to Jammas AllStars by recording a 4-1 victory. The visitors would dominate from the off and saw Curt Pryor volley them into a fourth minute lead. Pryor would quickly make it 2-0 with a flick header which was too accurate for Frezzolini. Brandon Hiller narrowly failed to make it 3-0 with a lob which went just over while Jake Shiver’s luck was out as his header struck the angle. Pryor, however, was having a half to remember and completed his hat-trick on 41 minutes with a calm finish in the penalty area. The home side did respond just before the break and pulled a goal back courtesy of a Jake Ash penalty but they still went in with it all to do. A tighter second-half did see Shiver head in to make it 4-1 to the visitors while Paulinho Santos hit a free-kick over the bar. The rest of the contest was played out without any goalmouth action but wortley had already done enough to secure the three points. Thegreatlordbags continues to keep his side in prime position for the all-important run-in and their next trip to Cressex won’t hold too many fears. Jamma will continue to work on his side’s form as the matches tick by until the end of the season.

Dream Team matched wortley’s victory with a 4-0 defeat of Cressex at the Stadium of Dreams. Despite suffering an early injury the home side were always the more progressive side and were nearly gifted the lead as Theo Gronlund’s mishit clearance in front of his own goal struck a post. Warren Wish did chip in the opener on 19 minutes, though, as the home side were rewarded for their start. Wish would go on to have a back-heel saved by Ikhala before Mil Moody made it 2-0 by connecting with a powerful long range shot. Ronaldo Ready saw a header strike a post on the stroke of half-time as Cressex struggled to make an impact. Wish looked to have made it 3-0 with a cracker from distance on 59 minutes but had it disallowed for what could only be described as the wrong call. This wouldn’t matter, though, as Dudley Dream made it three with an excellent free-kick while Douglas Wallberg wasted the visitors’ only chance moments later. Ready would then make it 4-0 with a clinical free-kick before Dream hit an effort wide. The home side’s day did take a turn for the worse as Wish got sent-off for simulation but they still emerged with a well-deserved three points. MrJames noted ‘how far ahead the front four teams are’ before reassuring the fans that their focus was ‘to win’ rather than just secure a top three spot. Villan_RAS will have to wait until next season for a promotion push of his own and may look to make changes should his side continue to under-perform.

The Gooners recorded an important win but were made to work hard by a competitive Alsancak side. The first chance fell to the hosts but Tiarnach Ahern couldn’t keep his shot down while Andres Iniesta mishit his effort onto a post when well-placed. Yanuar Kembung would have the hosts in front, though, with a powerful header on 15 minutes and he might have made it 2-0 but put his chip over the bar five minutes later. Alsancak emerged as an attacking force just before the break but Andrew Taylor couldn’t put his free-kick on target and they went in behind. The visitors were much-improved after the break and Fraizer Campbell had a shot saved before Raberg also denied Taylor’s free-kick with a good leg save. Miles Beckett headed too close to Raberg as Alsancak continued to press and Campbell wasted an opportunity as he chipped over. The home side responded on 71 minutes but Kembung’s steered shot was saved by Cirkovic. Back at the other end Taylor wasted a further free-kick chance and the defender would suffer misfortune as his next effort struck the bar. Gooners would then seal the points as Iniesta placed home a penalty on 90 minutes to break visiting hearts. FMRealism was more than happy with the points and was unimpressed with MrJames’ title talk and recalled that they ‘couldn’t beat (Gooners) at home.’ With more experience this might have been a game Wienersnitzel’s side could have taken points from but the manager will be content that they are competing so hard at this early stage in their development.

Morley Town are the fourth side pushing for promotion and they did their chances no harm with a 3-1 victory over Rolling Thunder. Zacharias Ashe would waste a headed chance in the first minute before Angres Kafka’s free-kick was put over on nine minutes. Gwilym Cullip would give the hosts the lead on 18 minutes as he headed past McArraway to the relief of the home fans. Cullip wasted a chance to make it 2-0 but they would get their second goal before the break as Kafka slotted home a penalty following some poor home defending. Thunder emerged more positive after the break but Erland Hangeland couldn’t put a shot on target. They would get a goal back, though, as they netted through a penalty of their own with Lautaro Basurte converting. Morley responded by doubling their advantage once more as Art Boyle lobbed in an excellent goal. They had chances to further their lead but Kafka had a free-kick saved before he lobbed a header over in injury-time. Leeg21 knows that his side have to keep in touch before the crucial part of the season when they will meet their fellow promotion contenders. This was Jimmy’s last game in charge of Thunder but the fans can now enjoy a fresh start with Vehusheia taking charge earlier today.

1863 Munich defeated EspAda to keep their upturn in fortunes under Anderson. The home side did have the first chance but Blacksmith gathered at the feet of Allan Bound. Bound would renew the rivalry moments later as his well-placed shot looked to have beaten the ‘keeper but crashed back off the woodwork. Raphael Dearden made them pay as he headed home Munich’s first chance to give them a 24th minute lead. Eliott Malloy would quickly double that advantage with an excellent diving header and his driving shot might have made the score more emphatic but it went just over. EspAda responded with an Andreas Sommer half-volley but it went over and they went in 2-0 behind. Munich would continue to be more clinical after the break and Malloy overcame a tight angle to make it 3-0 on 61 minutes. Frederik Smit hit a shot straight at Blacksmith at the other end and Paolo Ballotta completed the rout with a fine header on 80 minutes. Anderson19 called it ‘a good 4-0 win’ but admitted that the ‘top 4 places are as good as taken.’ Malteseexpert will need to improve morale now that he has returned and the fans will hope he can turn things round.

Mighty Mojos recovered from defeat last time out to take three points in a 3-1 win at Norfolk N Chance. Norfolk enjoyed the first chance but Nigel Grady’s volley was saved by Housham before Phillip Williams drilled in a free-kick at the other end to give the Mojos the lead. Klyde Krippner responded with a free-kick for the hosts but unluckily saw it strike the woodwork while Andy Howe powered a shot too close to the ‘keeper. Williams made it 2-0 when he placed home a fine header and Abraham Axhorn might have added a third but his powerful strike missed by inches. The second-half saw Norfolk pull a goal back courtesy of a driving shot by Zoli Denes. However, this wouldn’t prove enough and Ferdinand Quinn made it 3-1 with a strike of quality in the area. Michel Montolio wasted a late chance to extend the lead but the points were already secured. Despite the points Joshy continues to be concerned with his side’s disciplinary record admitting that the ‘players love getting into the ref’s book.’ Howemiester will have seen this as a positive performance and will move on in good heart.