Lonely Point for Carthage

The Lone Wanderers held leaders Carthage to a 1-1 draw in a tight game at The Capital Wasteland. A penalty on eight minutes saw Evandro Lemos put the hosts ahead and it might have been worse for Carthage but Aurelius held Marco Busquets’ header. The visitors had their first chance on 33 minutes but Ad Herbal’s header went over the bar. Leroux Calabuig forced Aurelius into another save before the break but the hosts would still go in with a goal lead. Amin Mansourian began the second-half by firing a shot wide for the visitors while Brad Kavanaugh headed straight at the ‘keeper at the other end. Both sides continued to trade chances as Hasdrubal Gisco went close with a toe-poke on 62 minutes while Albert Scully headed over at the other end. Eric Fray would be denied an equaliser for the visitors as he shot too close to Peyton but Herbal would lob a header in on 80 minutes. Dragos Ceaun would have a late chance to win it for the hosts via a free-kick but Aurelius produced a fine save and the spoils would be shared. The point is enough to keep HH’s side in touch with the battle at the top and the manager moved to distance himself from talk about the ThunderCats job by saying he has ‘a love for his club.’ Blakey, meanwhile, will be concerned his side’s lead has now been reduced to just one point.

Splott Rovers were the side who closed the gap to within one as they defeated Kroklund 1-0 at Dont know yet. Bruce Hulk had an early shot saved by Kangashaka but there was nothing the ‘keeper could do to prevent Winston Badger giving the visitors the lead with a powerful strike on seven minutes. Sjunne Wenna did go close with a powerful strike for the hosts but it would be the visitors who would remain on top until the interval. Frank Punisher put a flick header off-target while Ted Tolley also put a bicycle kick over as they pushed for the second goal. Kangashaka would also have to be alert to deny Badger’s half-volley as the score remained 1-0 at the break. The second-half was a quieter affair with just a chance each. Badger would mishit his shot and saw it trickle against a post for the visitors while the home side would waste their chance to take a point; Wenna seeing a penalty caught by the alert Ghostrider. CM was happy with what he called ‘job done’ ahead of their ‘revenge’ match against Carthage. He explained that he ‘believes (they) can make it 7 home wins out of 7’ with the players ‘in the form of their lives.’ Bossebong will see his side are just above the drop zone but there seems to be a big enough gap for the manager not to worry about his side’s safety this term.

Futsal responded well to their heartbreak in the last round by pinching a late point against These Charming Men. Futsal saw Alf Ackroyd have a lob chalked off for a dubious offside before Shaun McFadden had a volley saved by Roberts at the other end. McFadden would give the visitors a lead with a fine header on 12 minutes while Mirciulica Bardes wasted a chance to level moments later by putting his header over the bar. Derksen would maintain the visitor’s advantage by saving from a Graeme Haynes header but Tord Jakobson couldn’t capitalise as he put his free-kick too close to Futsal ‘keeper Roberts. Futsal put together a good second-half showing although Luciano Salvatori wasted an early headed chance. Constantino Gris would see red late in the day for TCM as he produced a wreck-less challenge and the home side took full advantage by levelling on 92 minutes; Rowley Forrester thumping a free-kick past a helpless Derksen. Jake explained that it must have been his ‘turn to get a late goal’ but admitted that a draw was ‘fair.’ RDCM proclaimed himself ‘happy with proceedings’ and agreed that a point each was just.

Arsenal UK moved to the edge of the promotion places by defeating St Omer 5-1 at Five Perecent Stadium. Arsenal took the lead with their first chance as Andrey Arshavin made no mistake with a diving header. However, Omer responded with a side-footed goal from Cony Tottee to level matters. Arshavin and Sid Peyton would miss with chances before the latter would also see Hamshaw save from his header on the stroke of half-time. The second-half would see Arsenal take control from the moment Tomas Rosicky powered in a shot on 53 minutes. Peyton would make it 3-1 with a steered shot following a corner before he added another with a clinical strike in the area for 4-1. Carlos Vela powered in from distance to make it 5-1 while Peyton missed a headed chance which would have given him his hat-trick. Vela would also waste a late chance but it wouldn’t matter as Arsenal cruised to victory. DomBrown singled out Vela who he said ‘seems to have paved a way for himself in this team’ and the manager will be hoping for more of the same as they look to win promotion. ConyTottee will be happy his side are scoring goals but won’t hold out much hope for many points between now and the end of the season.

Juventus completed another win over Los Samgeles Kings to keep their progression going. Luc Robitaille did give the visitors the lead, though, with a powerful strike from distance but the home side would eventually get into their stride. Jacobo Chacros would level matters with a brilliant free-kick and Joaquin Messi then had them in front with a telling header. Torben Kummel was given the chance to level for the Kings from the spot and it would remain 2-2 as Obadele Eliakwu mishit his shot for the hosts. Juve would start strongly after the break as Chacros’ powerful shot was punched away by Ersberg and Messi had a goal disallowed for foul play. Messi would put them in front on 54 minutes, though, with a fine header which defeated Ersberg. Kristoffer Lindfors missed a chance before he did double the lead with an excellent strike from distance. The Kings saw Evgeni Malkin have a goal chalked off for offside while Michal Handzus put a header against the bar as their frustration grew. Chacros wasted a late chance for the hosts and Orlan Canito demanded a late save from Ersberg as Juve ended the game on top. SuperJuve’s expectations might have changed so much that they are now looking lively outsiders for promotion as they continue their fine run of form. The Kings will be happy that they have now got a new manager in place and the fans will be sure to give Hollik1 a rousing reception in his first game on Friday.

Belly Tubbies and Reggae Reggae Sauce shared their second draw as neither side could find a way to goal at Flabbyland. A free-kick from Pat van de Hauwe went wide as the hosts looked the more likely throughout. The defender would also see another set-piece saved by Mullen as RRS defended resolutely. The start of the second-half would see Christiano Torres have a goal disallowed for a foul before Gary Stevens missed following a swift breakaway for the hosts. Ultimately, though, a disappointing game would finish goalless. Fitzy’s inactivity has seen Belly Tubbies slide a little while Xpertelevener’s side still look certainties for relegation despite an upturn over the past week.