Point Made At Top

The battle at the top of Division Two finished in a stalemate as both Splott Rovers and Carthage wasted the chances they created at Star Centre Arena. The home side did the pressing in the first 45 minutes and Frank Punisher forced Aurelius into a save from a powerful strike. The ‘keeper would then punch away a header by Ted Tolley before parrying a Henry Beast shot after the defender had been teed up from a free-kick. The second-half saw the visitors come more into the contest and Fabius Maximus forced Ghostrider into a somewhat theatrical save from a chip on 59 minutes. Splott responded with a free-kick and Reed Fantastic deserved more luck from an effort which struck the angle. The defender would be afforded another opportunity from a set-piece but Aurelius was well-placed to save comfortably. Carthage finished the stronger of the sides and a toe-poke by Hannibal Barca crashed against the bar as they looked for the winning goal. Ad Herbal would waste the last chance of the game as he put his thumping effort wide and it was a case of as-you-were at the top of Division Two. Blakey explained that ‘this was the only place he would be happy coming away from with only a point.’ Carbonmonoxide expressed his surprise ‘that neither side managed to score’ but called it ‘a good game’ nevertheless.

These Charming Men took advantage of the top two meeting by moving to within a point of first with a 3-1 home success over Kroklund Kings. TCM were the dominant side in the opening half with Jordi Rodri being denied by Tolvanen from an early header. Zwonko Fuckala was lucky his back pass found a post instead of the back of the net as Kroklund lived on their nerves. Their luck would run out on 29 minutes, though, as Loran Rajabi placed an excellent header beyond Tolvanen for the opening goal. This lead would be doubled before the break with Rodri converting a penalty after Frank Redkard pointed to the spot. Kroklund were much better after the break and might have pulled back an early goal as Aatu Vuokki’s diving header struck a post. Berti Behrends was the next to try his luck but his chip went over the bar. Sjunne Wenna would also go desperately close to bringing the Kings to within a goal but his header struck the angle and they remained frustrated. This would be eased a little on 77 minutes with Behrends placing home to reduce the arrears but a diving header at the other end by Chano Delgado had TCM back in the comfort zone again moments later. Jon Turnball did see red for a tackle from behind but the home side weren’t too perturbed and might have added a further goal but Gerard Caffery put his header off-target. TCM News called it ‘a good home win’ before explaining that the club would be striving ‘to erase the memory’ of their previous match with Carthage on Tuesday. Bossebong’s side look to be out of the promotion equation and will be keen to keep the seven-point gap on tenth to avoid any unnecessary nerves as the season moves on.

Arsenal remain firmly in touch with the leading three sides as they edged The Lone Wanderers 1-0 at The Emirates. The first-half was a relatively subdued affair with just a chance each for the sides. Frans Fleischer wouldn’t unduly worry Fabianski with his header before Andrey Arshavin’s free-kick brought out the theatrical nature in visiting ‘keeper Peyton. The second-half would open up and an early free-kick saw Arshavin hit wildly off-target. The Wanderers responded with a shot from Marco Busquets which required an excellent save from Fabianski to keep out. Arsim Kule wouldn’t test the ‘keeper with a header before Arsenal responded through Eduardo da Silva but his lob didn’t threaten either. The home side would make their next chance count, though, as Arshavin headed in to give them a crucial lead. Tomas Rosicky would head wide and da Silva would also head off-target as the home side wasted the chance to double their advantage. They might have paid for their profligacy but Albert Scully could only put a shot well-over for the visitors as the game finished 1-0. Arsenal News called it ‘a tight win’ and explained that the same against Splott ‘could see them go top’ on Tuesday. HH sees his side drop six points off the pace and with a number of teams between them and the promotion spots a top three finish might be beyond them this term.

Futsal are keeping in touch at the top and their latest match saw them defeat Los Samgeles Kings 2-1 at Futsal Arena. Samson Heskey had a powerful drive saved by Ersberg before the game exploded into life around the 20 minute mark. Rick Tuttle powered in a header to put Futsal ahead only for Evgeni Malkin to shoot home in the area a minute later to level matters. Futsal didn’t let this affect them, though, and were back in front thanks to a diving header from Mirciulica Bardes. They might have added a further goal before the break but Freddy Kennedy headed over and the lead remained one. The Kings responded well in the second-half as Ladislav Nagy went close with a strike on 48 minutes. Futsal would also still carry a threat even though Tuttle put his header wildly off-target. A free-kick by Rowley Forrester would be saved by Ersberg and the Wanderers looked to take advantage but Malkin’s header missed by inches. Anze Kopitar then capped a day of what might have beens for the visitors by striking a post with a powerful low shot. Jake will have been delighted with the points and with another home match to come on Tuesday might fancy his side’s chances of moving back into the promotion places. New boss Hollik will have seen plenty of positives for the Kings after his first match in charge and the fans will be hopeful of brighter things to come.

The Juventus juggernaut is still going following a 3-1 away success at Reggae Reggae Sauce. The game proved an open affair with chances at both ends. A free-kick from Jacobo Chacros nearly gave Juventus the perfect start but they would then find themselves behind as Bertram Entwhistle headed in for Sauce. Joaquin Messi responded by having an effort saved and Mullen would also stop a shot by Kristoffer Lindfors as Sauce held on. Messi would force Mullen into another stop, this time with his legs and the home side might have added another goal but Shivan Preetnav’s free-kick was held by Fuentes. A set-piece at the other end saw Chacros shoot over but Juve would level when Jorn Fruh placed home on 44 minutes. Evan McBrain hit a half-volley just wide for the hosts and the sides would go in level. Preetnav would have the first chance of the second-half but would narrowly miss with his free-kick and they would fall behind as Jorn Fruh powered in a strike following a corner on 58 minutes. Chacros followed by hitting a free-kick over the bar but they would add to their lead as Fruh headed in clinically for his hat-trick on 67 minutes. Franciszek Kamiski mishit a shot when well-placed as Sauce tried to get back into the contest but it was Juve who would look the likelier as Orlan Canito netted only for it to be disallowed for a foul. Fruh skimmed another effort over the bar to continue his threat in front of goal while Burim Mejdani had a header saved at the other end. Sauce will be preparing for life in the bottom division following another defeat while SuperJuve will be harbouring hopes of promotion if Juve can keep their run going.

Belly Tubbies ground out a 1-0 win at St Omer in a game which could have gone either way. Lucas Ravelli would gift the Tubbies the lead from the only chance of the first-half as he bizarrely headed past Hamshaw in his own goal. Omer saw Robert da Luz head at Fitzsimmons as they tried to hit back after the break. Peter Reid would brush a post with a header at the other end before Arne Seiffert forced Fitzsimmons into another save to ensure the Tubbies would go away with the points. CT believes that they ‘are heading in the right direction’ and is hoping for an injury free second-half of the season to realise some of their potential. The Tubbies are hanging on in their manager’s absence but they won’t want him to be away for much longer if they are to fulfil their dream of promotion.