Rovers Reach for Promotion

Splott Rovers struck a crucial blow in the Division Two title race as they defeated These Charming Men 3-1 at Star Centre Arena. In an even looking contest the difference between the sides proved to be Splott’s superior finishing. These Charming Men would begin the contest in good heart and a piece of quality from Loran Rajabi gave them the advantage; launching himself to meet a Caffery cross the forward put a diving header into the roof of the net. This seemed to inspire them and they would have a chance to make it 2-0 but unfortunately for them Tord Jakobson put his free-kick off-target. Splott would then work their way into the contest and a side-footed shot by Paul-Phillip Ravage levelled the game on 32 minutes. The game would remain this way into the second-half as both sides looked for points to boost their promotion quest. Ravage would see Derksen deny him on 47 minutes as the ‘keeper dived bravely to stop at the front man’s feet. This was replicated at the other end as Chano Delgado raced through only for Ghostrider to produce a fine piece of ‘keeping. The game would remain quiet for a period but Splott would then make a decisive push for victory. A 67th minute penalty gave them the advantage as Frank Punisher slotted home and six minutes later they had the contest in their hands as Matt Daredevil looped in a header for 3-1. TCM would fight valiantly until the end but Rajabi’s header was saved and they had slipped to what they will hope won’t be a costly defeat. RDCM certainly knows the importance of not dropping any more points and said clearly, ‘2 must win games to play now.’ Carbonmonoxide was gracious in victory by saying ‘TCM were a bit unlucky’ but he was happy to point out that his side are ‘nearly promoted.’

Carthage moved into second following a tough 2-1 triumph at Belly Tubbies. Eric Fray hit a 17th minute effort against a post while a Par van de Hauwe free-kick needed saving by Aurelius as both sides had sights of goal. Carthage had gone close again through a Hamilcar Barca header before they took the lead; Fray side-footing past Fitzsimmons on 27 minutes. Three minutes later they had the chance to take hold of the contest but Amin Mansourian could only fire wide from the spot. The Tubbies would be awarded a penalty of their own on 40 minutes and van de Hauwe wouldn’t make the same mistake as he found the back of the net. The second-half saw Carthage regain the initiative as Barca got the better of Fitzsimmons following a breakaway move. Adrian Heath saw a drive excellently saved by Aurelius while van de Hauwe had a free-kick caught by the ‘keeper as the Tubbies fought hard to level the game for a second time. However, they wouldn’t be able to find the equaliser and had Paul Glimsjo been more accurate with his 90th minute header the winning margin might have been two goals instead of one. Blakey was happy that his side had ‘scraped a win’ at this stage of the season and four more points will result in their promotion. Belly Tubbies are lucky that they had built up enough points over the first-half of the season so they couldn’t be dragged into the relegation zone but they will need to take stock in the off-season.

The Lone Wanderers moved into the top three as they defeated BitterSweeters 2-0 at Ta qali. The visitors have been in fine form of late following a troubled start to the season and they took the lead thanks to a curling Stephen Julius free-kick after just seven minutes. BitterSweeters took a while to produce anything going forward and Ladislav Nagy couldn’t match Julius’ free-kick when they were presented with a chance. Julius did see another free-kick saved by Ersberg at the start of the second-half before Arsim Kule’s flick header hit the angle. The second goal did arrive for the visitors on 75 minutes, though, as Kule found a clinical finish after being afforded too much time and space in the area. BitterSweeters wouldn’t lie down despite being up against it and Evgeni Malkin forced Peyton into a save from a header. They would even have a goal disallowed as a Torben Kummel shot was ruled out for offside. The win sees the Wanderers’ fate in their own hands and HH declared ‘there is no reason why we can’t make it in Division 1.’ Xelaalex’s side were confirmed as relegated following the defeat but there have been plenty of recent positives since the appointment of the new manager and the fans will have found a new sense of optimism ahead of Season 6.

Juventus and Arsenal were involved in an exciting 3-3 draw at Delle Alpi as both sides saw their promotion hopes become unlikely at best. Arsenal saw Robin van Persie head too close to Fuentes and they then found themselves behind as Joaquin Messi produced a classy back-heel to defeat Fabianski. Jacobo Chacros saw a free-kick hit the bar but Raf Tudisco did manage to head beyond Fabianski as the home side threatened to run away with the game. Tudisco had a further chance on 40 minutes but his bicycle kick couldn’t beat the ‘keeper and Samir Nasri pulled a goal back as his powerful low shot had too much on it for Fuentes. Arsenal might have even levelled things up before the break but Sid Peyton’s header was saved. The second-half wouldn’t ease up on the action either as a penalty was despatched by van Persie to level the game. The drama wouldn’t end there as Sten Koll evened up the penalty count by awarding Juve one and Messi netted his second of the game to put Juve back in front. Messi would continue his dangerous evening by hitting a shot just wide before Tudisco had a shot saved by Fabianski as Juve looked to put the game safe. However, it would be Arsenal who would finish the better of the two and Thomas Vermaelen had already fired a warning from a set-piece move by the time van Persie headed in the equaliser on 84 minutes. Juve would see Jorn Fruh sent-off late in the piece for what could loosely be described as assault on Samir Nasri but it didn’t affect the outcome of the game as Koll blew for time. DomBrown was happy that his side were still on ‘track for their projected 4th place finish’ following the result and the club look destined for an exciting future. SuperJuve’s second-half of the season also bodes well ahead of Season 6 and if his side can tighten up they will become even harder to beat.

Futsal recorded their second successive 5-1 victory with St Omer the victims in this round. Freddy Kennedy chipped an early effort over but they would still take the lead within 10 minutes as Rowley Forrester powered in a header. Rick Tuttle would make it 2-0 straight from the kick-off as he produced a finish with some finesse to lob over Rain. A penalty on 17 minutes was converted by Kennedy to make it 3-0 but St Omer found some spirit to go on the attack in a desperate situation. Bruno Vasa put a lob over the bar before Roberto da Luz pulled a goal back with a driving shot after a corner. At the other end Mirciulica Bardes put a header off-target before they did make it 4-1 as Kennedy produced an excellent diving header. The midfielder would have a powerful shot saved but he wouldn’t be denied his hat-trick as he headed home to make it 5-1 on the stroke of half-time. The second 45 minutes would be quiet in comparison with a header hitting a post from Graeme Haynes for Futsal before Omer had a late chance; forcing Shane Briscoe into a hurried clearance the defender would be grateful for the positioning of Roberts in goal. Despite picking up a couple of recent wins Futsal fans are said to be worried about their manager’s absence and his return is thought to be at the top of their Christmas wish list. ConyTottee is approaching his favourite time but not in the shape of Christmas, the change report is hoped to fulfil his dreams over the festive weeks.

Kroklund Kings picked up three points on their travels as they defeated Reggae Reggae Sauce 3-0. A free-kick on three minutes provided Bosse Bong with the perfect opportunity to blast the visitors into the lead and they wouldn’t look back. Berti Behrends lobbed a header over the bar with the only chance of the half but they would still go in with control of the match-up. Aatu Vuokki hit the first chance of the second-half wide as his power shot lacked accuracy. The second goal wouldn’t be far away, though, as Behrends headed in following a corner and it would be 3-0 as Vuokki delivered a superb half-volley on 75 minutes. Sauce would have one chance in the game but Franciszek Kamiski couldn’t make the most of it and another game had slipped by for the long-time sufferers. Xpertelevener will still be hopeful his young side can improve but they will need to show better form whereas bossebong’s Kroklund look in excellent shape ahead of the season end.