Three Points a Charm for RDCM

These Charming Men shook up Division Two with a 2-1 win at previous leaders Carthage FC. Hamilcar Barca wasted an early chance for the hosts and they would find themselves behind on six minutes as Jordi Rodri converted a penalty. Their response was immediate, though, as Barca produced an excellent half-volley to level four minutes later. Loran Rajabi headed wide for TCM while Amin Mansourian put a powerful strike miles wide as they sides went in level at the break. Paul Glimsjo hit wood at the start of the second-half while Hasdrubal Gisco shot off-target as Carthage pressed. TCM would come on strong, though, as Tord Jakobson forced Aurelius into a leg save from a free-kick. Chano Delgado put a powerful strike over while Jakobson was again denied by the excellence of Aurelius. Jakobson wasn’t finished there, however, and cracked another set-piece off wood before finally getting his reward on 79 minutes; curling a beautiful effort into the top corner to put his side 2-1 ahead. Bryan Higginbottom looked to have made it 3-1 but there was a handball in the build-up; despite this the away side still recorded three priceless points. RDCM’s side are now level on points at the top and will fear no-one after emerging from Carthage with three points. Blakey, meanwhile, was sad to see the legendary Marcus Spillane retire but on his team added they ‘will surely bounce back at home to LSK.’

Splott took advantage of Carthage’s slip by going top following a 2-1 success at Arsenal UK. Arsenal enjoyed the first chance but Ghostrider positioned himself well to deny Abou Diaby from a tight angle. Splott then blew the game open in a three-minute spell; Paul-Phillip Ravage lobbing in a header to put them 1-0 up and after Robin van Persie had missed a chance for the hosts, Reed Fantastic then drilled in a free-kick to double their lead. Fantastic would put a further free-kick chance wide before hitting another into the ‘keeper’s arms as Splott finished on top. Arsenal began the second-half with Eduardo da Silva going close before Diaby reduced the deficit with a stunning strike from distance. However, they wouldn’t create any more chances and Splott might have added to their tally at the other end; Fantastic going close from a set-piece before Fabianski saved from Ravage’s header. CM will know there is plenty of work still to be done despite going top and the manager was busy in the transfer market ahead of their next match. Brown admitted that ‘coming up against a 5-man defence was a losing battle’ before adding that they will need to tighten up in the coming matches.

Futsal remain on the edge of the promotion spots after twice coming from behind to take a point against in-form Juventus. Juve started the better of the sides and went close through a power short by Giacomo Morante. Futal responded well and were desperately unlucky as Luciano Salvatori struck the angle with a fine half-volley. They would then suffer a further setback as Joaquin Messi headed the visitors into a 25th minute lead. Messi looked to further that advantage but had a header saved and a lob from Stweart Sterland at the other end levelled the contest. It wouldn’t take long for Juve to hit the front again, though, as Jacobo Chacros steered in a clever effort two minutes later. The score would remain this way at the break but there would be further chances in the second 45 minutes. Orlan Canito put a chip over as the visitors looked to make a decisive break and they would be pegged back as Salvatori lobbed home form inside the area on the hour-mark. Messi would miss a chance for Juve as they sought to regain the lead and he would also see a late header go over. Futsal would have the last chance of the contest, though, but Freddy Kennedy couldn’t go round Fuentes as the ‘keeper gathered and the teams would go home with a point each. Jake will remain hopeful of promotion with his side just a point off the pace and a win at Kroklund on Friday would see them move closer to their dream. SuperJuve’s impressive form continues but it remains to be seen whether they can climb several places and bridge a five-point gap to secure a promotion place themselves.

St Omer won the battle of the previously winless sides at Sauce Bottle Arena, overcoming Reggae Reggae Sauce 2-1. Arne Seiffert gave the visitors a dream start by shooting home inside the area on seven minutes. Lucas Ravelli would waste a headed chance before the visiting fans were thrown into further delight; Seiffert heading in his second to put them 2-0 ahead at the interval. The second-half saw an attempted Sauce revival. Franciszek Kamiski’s shot proved no trouble for Hamshaw but the ‘keeper could do little about Fernando Ronaldo’s header on 53 minutes to reduce the deficit to one. A half-volley by Shivan Preetnav looked to have levelled the game but instead it bounced back off a post and Omer escaped. Joe Radley would miss a late chance to put the game safe for Omer but it wouldn’t matter as they held on for a famous victory. CT , his team and the fans will have celebrated into the night following the win and while form remains high things are looking a little rosier at Five Percent Stadium. Xpertelevener will wonder how much worse it could get following this latest defeat.

Los Samgeles and Kroklund shared the points in the battle of the Kings as the difference remained seven points between the sides. Los Samgeles enjoyed the better of the first-half with Derek Armstrong brushing a post with a driving shot. A flicked header from Evgeni Malkin also went close but they would have to settle for stalemate at the break. Kroklund wasted an early chance at the start of the second-half as Toini Vasama toe-poked wide. Torben Kummel would also hit a shot wide for the hosts with a speculative effort but they would take the lead soon after; Fahrettin Inal making his mark from a free-kick shot on 65 minutes. However, Kroklund would level courtesy of a diving header by Berti Behrends on 86 minutes. Tolvanen then protected the point by saving from an Inal toe-poke in injury-time. Hollik1 will have been heartened by the point and the improving form but will realise they have a lot to do to avoid relegation. Bossebong will have been pleased to keep LSK at arms’ length and will look to keep the gap as the matches tick by.

The Lone Wanderers were the latest side to benefit from Fitzy’s absence in a 1-0 away victory over Belly Tubbies. The first-half would pass by with no chances created by either side. However, the visitors would grow in confidence during the second 45 minutes and eventually get their reward. Frans Fleischer would be unlucky first of all as his lob struck the angle but he would make the necessary adjustment and chip over Fitzsimmons on 76 minutes for the only goal of the contest. Mark Rosbottom did have the ball in the net late on for the visitors but it was disallowed for offside. HH will realise his side still have every chance of forcing their way into the promotion mix and admitted that things ‘will become clear’ on Friday. Fitzy’s side continue to rely on Fitzsimmons in the managers’ absence and only his brilliance is keeping the side in touch.