Morley Miss Out on Glory

Morley Town’s 3-1 defeat to 1863 Munich meant the promotion race was over for the Yorkshire club. Going into the game knowing nothing less than a win would do they found themselves up against a determined home side. A chance on 13 minutes fell to Munich and a brilliant free-kick by Stephane Aoudou left Morley with an uphill task early on. Zacharias Ashe looked to have levelled with a powerful low shot on 26 minutes but saw it disallowed for a foul and they would go in behind. The second-half saw the hosts become the more progressive side. Aoudou had another free-kick go close before Dustin Wotton hit a shot over the bar for Morley. Their task doubled when a volley by Turlough Daly flew past Gaughan on 63 minutes although they did reduce this deficit fairly quickly; Adolf Munzberg heading in confidently to give them hope. Despite this goal they wouldn’t force any more openings in the final 20 minutes as Munich regained control. Alex McQuillan was unlucky not to make it 3-1 as his flick header hit a post but it wouldn’t matter as Daly produced a sensational diving header to beat Gaughan and seal the win. Anderson’s side are up to fifth on the back of this result and with just one game to go the club will have plans in place for further improvement under their excellent coach. Leeg21 has ‘set his players a target of a good change report’ following their failure to win promotion.

Gooners moved to within touching distance of the title with a 4-0 win over Mighty Mojos. It would be an open game which surprisingly didn’t see a goal in the first 45 minutes. Marc Overmars had a shot blocked by Housham before Iain Wright curled a wild effort off-target as the home side started positively. Mojos saw their first effort easily saved as Ferdinand Quinn hit a free-kick straight at Seaman before Gooners responded with a flick header by Wright which was kicked away by the ‘keeper. Another free-kick saw Quinn fire wide for the Mojos while Robert Pires had a shot caught by the ‘keeper at the other end. A free-kick by Dennis Bergkamp flew wide as the sides went in goalless. The second-half would see goals accompany Gooners’ attacking intent as they overwhelmed the visitors. In fairness Abraham Axhorn had a chance to put the Mojos in front but he shot wide and just three minutes later Bergkamp powered in the opening goal for the hosts. Kevin Campbell lobbed in a second goal on 57 minutes and a minute later Lee Dixon produced a diving header of rare quality to make it three. Quinn would waste a third free-kick opportunity for the visitors while Bergkamp had a free-kick of his own at the other end which Housham did well to stop. The scoring was completed on 69 minutes when Wright powered in a low shot from distance while Quinn had a free-kick saved at the other end. The win realistically leaves Gooners needing only a point for the title going into the final game. FMR did admit that he was ‘still struggling with a few players ME’ but he will surely be a happy man as his side close in on his first title. Joshy graciously said it was a ‘good match for FMR’ before admitting his side ‘lost it in a 3 minute spell.’ Nevertheless the future remains bright for the Mojos with Joshy in charge.

Wortley sealed promotion with a 5-0 home victory over EspAda. Walter Willock got the party started early with an accomplished lob finish from a breakaway move after only eight minutes. Curt Pryor narrowly missed making it two as he side-footed wide but Willock would score another lob on 44 minutes to ensure a 2-0 half-time lead. The second-half saw the home side continue to dominate and Newell would be lobbed for a third time as this time Pryor deceived him. Sidney Motter nearly put through his own goal as the visitors buckled under the pressure. Alfred Naples nodded home number four and Rai Kike nearly added a fifth with a placed shot on goal. EspAda did see Patric Torebring have a shot saved by Jenning but the home side had the last say as Willock looped a header in for his hat-trick goal to leave the fans celebrating promotion. Thegtreatlordbags might still harbour hopes of the title but he can be very happy with the job his side have done and they can now look to establish themselves in Division Two next season. Malteseexpert’s future as EspAda boss must be in serious doubt as he remains inactive at Huco Mundo.

Dream Team saw their title hopes die as they were held to a 0-0 home draw with Alsancak. In a tight game the home side had the first chance but Frost was the equal to Ronaldo Ready’s curled shot. Alsancak responded well but Danny Rose and Richard Stearman missed the target with their respective chances. The second-half was a similarly even contest but Dream Team were nearly given an early boost as Stearman headed dangerously close to his own goal. Rory Burston saw a powerful header blocked by Delirious while Warren Wish hit a powerful shot over as both sides struggled in front of goal. Mark Noble would also lack enough accuracy with a chance for the visitors but it would be Dream Team who nearly pinched the win in injury-time; Ready placed home an accurate header only for a 50/50 offside call deny him glory. MrJames was a bit harsh on himself at the end of the game when he declared ‘I suck’ and his thoughts were similar towards the late goal his side were disallowed. This point is another sign of Alsancak’s progress and after performing so well with a young squad who knows what they will be able to achieve next term with more experience.

Rolling Thunder received a nice Christmas present with a 5-1 home victory over Norfolk N Chance. Francois Rouland lobbed Clemens in the third minute to put the home side on course for a comfortable victory. This lead was doubled by a precise Erland Hangeland header and a diving header by Jon Obi Mikel had them 3-0 up on 19 minutes. Danilo Bauza had an acrobatic bicycle kick go close before Norfolk nearly gifted them a goal as Crofton Scyles headed dangerously close to his own goal. It would be 4-0 on 40 minutes as Bauza confidently blasted home a penalty to leave Norfolk with a half-time headache. It was quickly 5-0 at the start of the second-half with a fine lob by Juan Yepes beating Clemens. Norfolk did score with their only chance of the game as Zoli Denes produced an excellent volley but it proved insignificant as Thunder coasted to victory. Vehusheia will be satisfied with a win he will have expected but he will also know the hard work starts as soon as the current season finishes. Howemiester will be hopeful of a new start in the New Year as his young players gain a year, and hopefully a skill bar or two.

FCR Cressex were 2-1 winners at Jammas AllStars in Division Three’s other game. In a game free of tension both sides would enjoy chances; Dan-Ake Rothflod having the first for the visitors but he mishit it and it brushed a post and went safe. The AllStars were quickly into the action too and Elliot Vasa could count himself unfortunate as his header struck a post. At the other end Emil Rojas hit a free-kick too high before Rothflod did head them into a 41st minute lead. Lauro Poggi had a late header saved by Frezzolini as the visitors went in on top. AllStars were an improved attacking force after the break but Kieran Corpe’s drive was well-held by Clooney. Teobaldo Bispo headed woefully off-target while Rojas had a header saved at the other-end as the game had an explosive finish. Poggi would then see a powerful header saved before doing better with his next attempt as he beat the ‘keeper to put Cressex 2-0 ahead. Bispo quickly tried to respond but saw a header saved while Vasa shot with a lack of accuracy. Rothflod put a chip too close to Frezzolini and when Vasa placed the ball home it looked like Cressex would have to withstand a late flurry. However, there wouldn’t be enough time and the visitors claimed all three points. Villan_RAS has seen his side finish the season in good form and will be hopeful they can start the next campaign in similar fashion. Jamma will need to get to work in the transfer market if he is to turn his side into a more competitive side next time round.