Rovers Rise to Division One

Splott Rovers secured promotion by defeating BitterSweeters 3-2 at Ta qali although they had to overcome a sluggish start to do so. Winston Badger had ballooned an early effort over the bar for the visitors and they would go to sleep as Ladislav Nagy slotted home from a breakaway to put the hosts 1-0 up. Luc Robitaille powered in the second on 10 minutes and it looked as though the visitor’s promotion dream was turning into a nightmare. However, they would dig deep and create more chances of their own. Matt Daredevil’s header didn’t unduly worry Ersberg although the ‘keeper looked on in worried fashion moments later when Paul-Phillip Ravage smashed a shot against a post. Fahrettin Inal had the chance to make things worse for Splott but he couldn’t direct his driving shot on target while Winston Badger toe-poked wide at the other end. Splott would come out after the break a rejuvenated side and saw an early free-kick by Reed Fantastic saved by Ersberg. They got the goal they craved on 61 minutes courtesy of a well-placed header by Daredevil. A free-kick on 65 minutes saw Fantastic level matters as he blasted through the wall and you could sense the confidence flow through the visitors. Fantastic might have done better with a diving header which was saved before Eddie Venom put a header into the roof of the net to seal the victory for the title chasers. Although promoted Carbonmonoxide is sure to be gunning for the title but a point might not be enough given their nearest rivals play St Omer on the last day of the season. BitterSweeters saw Xelaalex quit the club following the defeat although they moved swiftly to announce Bond4 as their new manager and they will hope he can lead the club onto better things.

Carthage all-but guaranteed their promotion to Division One with a 4-0 defeat of RRS. The home side were rampant in the first 45 minutes and created chances at will. Hanno The Elder steered an early shot wide while Hamilcar Barca headed over as they attacked from the off. Another header by Barca in the third minute saw Mullen block the ball before the forward directed another shot off the post as Carthage searched for that all-important first goal. Barca would be denied by Mullen again on 10 minutes as the ‘keeper tipped his header over the bar but the front man would have his revenge seven minutes later as he flicked a header beyond the cat for 1-0. Mullen would save from an Amin Mansourian free-kick on 27 minutes but a powerful low shot by Barca did make it 2-0 on 35 minutes. Barca continued to be a threat right up until half-time and had lobbed over before he managed to complete his hat-trick with a well-placed shot on 45 minutes. Barca would begin the second-half with a diving header which needed saving by Mullen while Todd Osborn had a goal disallowed at the other end. Carthage would score their fourth on 64 minutes as Delis Eribenne delivered a brilliant bicycle kick to complete a comfortable day for Blakey’s side. The gaffer said that the result and promotion was a ‘nice Christmas present’ and even had a cheeky look ahead to next season by saying ‘2 promotions in a row, let’s make it 3.’ Xpertelevener can only dream of such success but he will be hoping next year will be start of a resurgence from his side.

The Lone Wanderers kept a hold of the third promotion place with a solid 3-1 home success against Futsal. The home side would create all the chances in a one-sided first-half with Albert Scully hitting the first one wide on 17 minutes. Marco Busquets would also miss the target with his half-volley before Dragos Ceaun had a header excellently saved by Roberts. Despite not being able to take the lead the Wanderers would come out after the break still full of confidence. Futsal had seen Rowley Forrester hit the bar with a clever free-kick before the Wanderers finally opened the scoring; Frans Fleischer placing the ball beyond Roberts on 53 minutes. Two minutes later and it would be 2-0 with Busquets producing a delicate chip to the delight of the home fans. Busquets’ next effort wouldn’t unduly trouble the ‘keeper while Graeme Haynes’ flick header at the other end brushed a post. A half-volley by Niall Hedges would go close to making it 3-0 before Fleischer was also denied by a brave piece of ‘keeping as Roberts dived at his feet. Ceaun would put a free-kick over for the dominant hosts and a lob by Mart Rosbottom made it 3-0 on 79 minutes. Albert Scully hit a post with a fine strike through the legs of Roberts before an injury-time free-kick at the other end saw Forrester blast a consolation goal for Futsal. Ultimately, though, it was a case of job done for HH’s side who now know three points at Kroklund will result in a fantastic promotion. The manager said ‘I know my boys have got the right attitude to win’ ahead of the massive fixture and the fans will be hoping he is right. Futsal are starting to worry about Jake’s whereabouts and they will be hopeful of his reappearance soon.

These Charming Men did what they had to as they kept alive their promotion hopes with a 2-1 home success over Juventus. Both sides would see chances in the opening 45 minutes but neither could find the killer touch in front of goal. Mauricio Capdevila had a header saved by Fuentes before the ‘keeper punched away another headed effort from the midfielder as the hosts started the quicker. Juve did see Kristoffer Lindfors go close with a header on five minutes before Capdevila hit a post with another header for the hosts. The final chance of the half fell to the visitors but Morgan Janney could only lob over the bar and the sides went in level. Lindfors forced Avellino into a fine early save at the start of the second-half after getting in a shot from a tight angle. Scottie Gillan would eventually make the breakthrough but it would come in a rather fortunate way as his shot was terribly mishit but it managed to wrong-foot Fuentes and find the net. Jacobo Chacros had a chance to level almost immediately but his free-kick went over the bar before another set-piece from the forward proved easy for Avellino. TCM would have a chance make it 2-0 on 71 minutes but a free-kick from Jorge Carril was gathered by Fuentes. However, they would find their second goal on 77 minutes as Bryan Higginbottom headed in emphatically. They would still endure a nervous final 10 minutes, though, as Capdevila saw red for dangerous play and Chacros then pulled a goal back as he lobbed home. Juve wouldn’t be able to force any more chances, though, to leave RDCM’s side alive going into the final day. RDCM wished ‘HappyHibee1991 all the best’ for the final round but he will be hoping Kroklund can do him a favour by beating the Wanderers. SuperJuve has had an eventful season and will round it off with a home match against the Tubbies and the fans will already be looking forward to more excitement from their entertainers next season.

Arsenal UK saw their promotion hopes die despite a 3-0 home win over Belly Tubbies. In truth this would be a one-sided affair as the visitors continue to struggle without their manger. Mikael Silvestre opened the scoring with a neat lob in the area after just 10 minutes and the result was never in doubt. Eduardo da Silva put a diving header just over before Sid Peyton headed wide of the target. The second-half saw more home chances and ultimately more home goals. Andrey Arshavin had a header kicked away by Fitzsimmons before da Silva lobbed an effort over the bar. Fitzsimmons would also collect a Theo Walcott header before the second goal arrived courtesy of a da Silva diving header. Arshavin would then be denied by a brave Fitzsimmons save at his feet before da Silva lobbed in the third on 90 minutes. This rounded off a comfortable win for DomBrown’s side and Arsenal News reported that their excellent manager has ‘now won MOTS for the second time in only his second season.’ The club are most definitely in safe hands. The same cannot be said for the Tubbies who will need saving in the off-season.

Kroklund Kings had a comfortable evening as they saw off St Omer 5-0 at Five Percent Stadium. Much of the damage was done in a dominant first-half display which saw them take a seventh minute lead as Tero Perotie fired into the net. Curt Elliott had a header saved by Rain before Aatu Vuokki hit a shot over as the hosts searched for more goals. Elliott would then see a toe-poke saved before finally adding the second by placing beyond Rain on 28 minutes. Vuokki would chip just over the bar before Berti Behrends made it 3-0 with a confident finish from a free-flowing breakaway. The second-half saw both sides enjoy a couple of chances but it would be the visitors who would finish better. Vuokki placed a header brilliantly beyond Rain for 4-0 on 61 minutes while Dennis Bogarde wasted Omer’s first chance by heading well off-target. Elliott added his second goal on 69 minutes to give his side a 5-0 advantage and Jorn Schone was denied a consolation at the other end as Tolvanen turned his header over the bar. Bossebong will be playing the role of spoiler in the final game of the season as his side entertain promotion hopefuls The Lone Wanderers and the manager will be hoping this time next season it will be Kroklund in a promotion spot. ConyTottee spoke of hoping his ‘side might actually start winning in 2010’ but one thing we know is that Omer are in patient hands.