Splott's Title, Promotion Drama

Splott Rovers hit seven as they clinched the Division Two title with a comprehensive win over Futsal. The first-half was a relatively quiet affair but Splott did look the better of the two sides. Paul-Phillip Ravage powerfully headed in the opener on 12 minutes while Rowley Forrester missed the chance to equalise as he hit a free-kick tamely at Ghostrider. Roberts would be called into action at the other end to repel a Frank Punisher shot to keep his side’s deficit to just one at the break. Splott would expand their attacking game after the break and Winston Badger quickly had them 2-0 up with a fine strike in the area. Eddie Venom had one effort denied by the woodwork as he thumped in a shot from a tight angle before missing another opportunity with a side-footed shot which went off-target. Futsal would pull a goal back on 70 minutes courtesy of a stunning Forrester free-kick but it would only be a temporary reprieve. Ravage curled in his second of the game on 73 minutes and it was 4-1 as Matt Daredevil headed past Roberts with ease. Ravage completed his hat-trick on 81 minutes with a powerful header and they would add further goals in injury-time. Eddie Venom placed home an accurate shot following a corner while Ravage headed in his fourth goal of the game on 91 minutes to seal an emphatic win. CM explained that their ‘aim was to win the title’ and with that achieved they will ‘now look forward to securing our position in Division One.’ Futsal encountered some disappointing news as Jake397 left the club but it is hoped they will be in a position to announce a new manager in the silly-season.

The Lone Wanderers would clinch the last promotion spot despite being beaten 2-0 at Kroklund Kings. In an incredible finish they edged These Charming Men out due to scoring 44 goals compared to 41. Kroklund put in one of their best displays of the season to leave the Wanderers looking for assistance elsewhere. Dragos Ceaun made the worst possible start for the visitors by deflecting the ball past his own ‘keeper to give Kroklund a 1-0 lead on 13 minutes. The Wanderers would then see Marco Busquets sent-off for elbowing before Aatu Vuokki nearly made it 2-0 with a powerfully curled shot which struck a post. Vuokki would make it 2-0 on 35 minutes as he made the necessary adjustments to his next curled effort while a free-kick by Bosse Bong needed closely watching by Peyton. The second-half was a slightly more even affair but it was Kroklund who had a guilt-edged chance to make it three from the spot; although Vuokki would put his effort over the bar to give the Wanderers renewed hope. Stephen Julius would then see a chip punched away as the visitors got going and Tolvanen also had to kick away a flick header by Mart Rosbottom to keep intact Kroklund’s two-goal advantage. Trudell Conway came within inches of making it 3-0 but his powerful low shot struck a post while Toini Vasama also hit the woodwork with a fine header. Nevertheless it would be an impressive win for bossebong’s side and they look well-placed to have a good change report and then an exciting season on top of it. HH will have felt relief once he realised he was promoted and can now plan his assault on a higher division.

These Charming Men would suffer last day heartache as a late penalty denied them victory, and ultimately promotion, against BitterSweeters. Things started badly for TCM as Ladislav Nagy hit home a free-kick from BitterSweeters’ first chance of the game on 21 minutes. However, TCM would recover their composure and Loran Rajabi showed a cool head to level matters with a fine strike in the area on the half-hour. Linus Streicher might have put them in front before the break but his flick header was saved by Ersberg and the game remained on a knife-edge going into the second-half. A free-kick on 58 minutes saw Jorge Carril hit just wide but TCM would go ahead when Chano Delgado flicked home an accurate header. BitterSweeters wouldn’t lie down, though, as they looked to impress new boss Bond4. Tom Preissing chipped over the bar on 66 minutes and on 80 they would get the perfect chance to level from the spot; Nagy slotting home confidently. The last 10 minutes would bring no further chances and as news filtered through that TCM wouldn’t be promoted there was disappointment round the ground. RDCM would put it in perspective, though, by saying ‘it’s all part of the excitement’ and added that his ‘side is slowly but surely becoming stronger.’ Bond4 can now get down to the business of making this side his own and with a good performance behind him things might be looking up at BitterSweeters.

Carthage wrapped up second with a thumping 6-1 win over St Omer. Still chasing the title the home side started quickly and Caleb Spencer lobbed them into a first minute lead. Quincy Lansbury would then miss a headed chance before he also missed from a powerfully curled shot. It would be 2-0 a minute later as Hanno The Elder shot home from a corner and the same man made it 3-0 with a header a minute later. Elder was now on fire and he completed his hat-trick with a side-footed finish on 15 minutes to leave Omer in a familiar position. Lansbury forced Rain into a decent save from a header and on the stroke of half-time Spencer had a curled shot hit a post as Carthage dominated until the last kick. Farid Enayati narrowly avoided scoring an own-goal while Rain denied Hannibal Barca as the home side continued to press after the break. They would make it 5-0 as Hamilcar Barca shot in from distance on 73 minutes although they would give Omer a helping hand as Nathan Gatling put through his own goal to make it 5-1. Still, Carthage would have the final say and Hasdrubal Gisco flicked in a header on 87 to make it 6-1. Joe Radley would have a late toe-poke saved at the other end but Carthage ran out worthy winners. Blakey offered ‘congratulations to Splott’ on their title but Carthage are sure to be ready to rejoin battle a division higher next season. ConyTottee can now focus on how his players have improved in the change report before formatting his plan for next season.

Arsenal UK finished their season in fifth following a comprehensive 3-1 victory at Reggae Reggae Sauce. A dominant performance saw them attack from the off and Tomas Rosicky had an early header saved by Mullen. Andrey Arshavin would be the next player to have a header saved by the ‘keeper before Rosicky made one count as he left Mullen flat-footed. Robin van Persie put a diving header wide on 36 minutes while Arshavin had a lob hit the angle as Arsenal continued to attack. A breakaway on 43 minutes led to van Persie sliding past Mullen to give his side a thoroughly deserved two-goal half-time lead. RRS did get a boost at the start of the second-half as Shivan Preetnav toe-poked home but they would soon be back on the retreat. A diving header by van Persie went just over the bar before Samir Nasri hit a post with an explosive volley. Sid Peyton would also waste a headed chance by putting it over although he did make it 3-1 with a driving shot on 80 minutes. Theo Walcott skimmed the bar with a lobbed header while van Persie hit the bar with a chip as Arsenal searched for more goals right up until the final whistle. DomBrown proclaimed himself ‘proud of his team for doing well this season’ and will expect them to continue their progress next term. Xpertelevener knows that he can at least not be relegation next term but the manager will want his side to show shoots of recovery after suffering three successive relegations.

Juventus finished their season with an easy 3-0 win over Belly Tubbies who parted company with Fitzy at the end of the match. Jacobo Chacros missed poorly with an early shot but an 11th minute penalty gave Joaquin Messi the chance to put Juventus 1-0 ahead. Pat van de Hauwe hit a free-kick off a post for the visitors while Messi did likewise for Juve from a well-placed shot. The second-half saw more Juve pressure and a volley by Obadele Eliakwu fired an early warning to the Tubbies. Kristoffer Lindfors would shoot straight at Fitzsimmons before a breakaway saw Chacros chip over the ‘keeper for 2-0 on 68 minutes. Eliakwu would get his goal by placing out of the reach of Fitzsimmons to make it 3-0 on 82 minutes and complete a comfortable evening for the home side. SuperJuve will look forward to next season with renewed confidence following a thrilling fight-back after a poor beginning this term. Belly Tubbies will now start the search for a new manager after the disappearance of Fitzy.