Men Bully Boys

These Charming Men ended Bully Boys’ 100% record with a 2-1 success at Bulldog HQ. After suffering a disappointing defeat last time out TCM were desperate to get back to winning ways and did just enough to edge a tight contest. The home side had the first sight of goal and Bosse Bong’s drive brushed a post. Loran Rajabi placed a header off-target for the visitors before Gabriel Galtier also placed wide at the other end. Rajabi would also have the visitors’ second chance but he was thwarted by Tolvanen and the sides went in goalless. The second-half began with Chano Delgado being denied by Tolvanen while Sjunne Wenna had a header saved by Derksen as the contest remained even. A free-kick on 54 minutes saw Valio Kapiala’s effort held by Derksen and TCM would capitalise by taking the lead. It would come courtesy of Delgado who fired in from distance to stun the hosts. TCM would then make it 2-0 from the spot as Cameron McMahon converted a penalty. Bully Boys did stage a late revival as Galtier beat Derksen after a fine breakaway but that would prove the final chance and they would slip to defeat. Cath admitted that RDCM was ‘tactically spot on’ and will now focus his energies on an emotional reunion with former side Abu Dhabi United. RDCM will have been pleased to get their last defeat out of their system and on this form will be there or thereabouts all season.

Abu Dhabi United warmed up for the return of their former coach with an exciting 3-2 triumph at Juventus. Juventus, with confidence boosted following their win in the last round, were hoping to gain another three points but the resilient visitors would produce a stunning comeback. Juve would set-off like a train and were in front on 17 minutes as Jorn Fruh headed home from a corner. Ilppo Visavuouri headed wide at the other end and Regillio Jordan also wasted a chance as they looked to level. Jonathan Boulding came closest to bringing them back to parity on 38 minutes as his free-kick struck a post but they would go in behind. This deficit would double on 62 minutes as a powerful strike by Fruh flew into the goal. However, United would launch an amazing late rally. Jack Wilshere would threaten with a header before Ritchie Morgan headed straight at the ‘keeper as the chances started to materialise. Ger Wattamaleo would then have a header saved and their luck would worsen as Visavuori’s flick header hit the angle. They would get a goal back on 80 minutes, though, as Wattamaleo finally made a headed chance count and Visavuori followed suit with a stunning diving header to level. Boulding would, amazingly, side-foot home a third on 90 minutes to put them ahead for the first time and Bonner secured the win by saving from a Giacomo Morante header on 92 minutes. Talinmer was delighted and added ‘it was a seriously fun game to watch’ before adding special praise for Visavuori who he said ‘played like a rock star.’ SuperJuve will be stunned by this result and has the tough task of getting them to bounce back on Friday.

Gooners still have a 100% record following a comfortable 4-1 home victory over wortley afc. After their respective promotions the sides have been in contrasting form this season and so it proved again in a one-sided contest. Gooners had the better of the opening half and Sol Campbell had already wasted one chance by the time Thierry Henry hit a powerful low shot just wide. The goal did come on 37 minutes as David Rocastle headed past Gareth to give the home side the lead. It would remain this way into the second-half but Brandon Hiller shocked the hosts by poking home the equaliser on 52 minutes. Gooners didn’t let this setback unduly affect them and Henry chipped just over moments later. Henry would do better with his next effort as he chipped Gareth again but managed to get the ball down this time and into the net. The forward was in fine form by this point and he placed another effort beyond Gareth to make it 3-1 on 74 minutes. Seaman would protect this lead minutes later with a good stop from a Paulinho Santos free-kick while a lob header by Henry went over at the other end. Henry would get his hat-trick goal, though, on 84 minutes as he headed in beautifully and Dennis Bergkamp might have added another but got his free-kick all wrong. Rocastle would see a late header hit the bar while Santos put his header wide at the other end but it would be the home side who would ease to victory. FMR is in confident mood after his side’s all-conquering start to the season and said the ‘fixture list looks kind at the moment.’ Thgtreatlordbags won’t be happy with his side’s start and they face an early six-pointer against Dream Team on Friday.

Crimea River gave Ithaqua a dream debut with a 2-1 home victory over Dream Team. With both sides having seen a change of manager recently it would be the home side who would be the happier of the two after this match. The visitors would have the better of the opening half but Adam Aspire’s header was saved before Mil Moody hit a shot which brushed a post. Warren Wish would toe-poke in on 14 minutes but had it chalked off for a 50/50 offside decision while Ronaldo Ready was denied late in the half by Fabianski. DT would then be shocked as Crimea took the lead with their first chance of the half; Marcel Desailly rising majestically to head past Delirious. Dream Team would level quickly at the start of the second-half as Garry Gain poked home from inside the area. However, Crimea would be a much-improved side and a diving header by Fran Merida hit the bar. Andrey Arshavin then forced Delirious into a save from a free-kick before Sid Peyton looped a header to put them back in front. DT did try to rally and Gain hit a post after rounding the ‘keeper while Tomas Rosicky went close at the other end. Thomas Vermaelen did have a late header saved by the ‘keeper but it wasn’t to matter as Crimea held on for the win. Ithaqua was pleased with the win and called it ‘an excellent three points against arguably the strongest side in the division.’ @peace will be eager for his first win as Dream Team manager and will pinpoint their match against wortley as the perfect opportunity to do so.

Futsal enjoyed a welcome return to winning ways as they despatched PSV Eindhoven 5-1 at Philips Stadion. After suffering successive 4-1 defeats Futsal were keen to make their experience count against PSV and so it proved. Both sides would enjoy chances in an entertaining contest with Rory MacFinlay forcing Roberts into a leg save in the Futsal goal with the first chance. A free-kick at the other end then saw Rowley Forrester hit straight at Weston before Graeme Haynes did give the visitors the lead with a long range strike. Ricky Routhledge then lobbed over before Haynes made it 2-0 with a well-placed header. The second-half would see more attacking football as both sides went for goals. Futsal would make it 3-0 as Freddy Kennedy coolly converted a penalty before a Rick Tuttle header made it 4-0 on 56 minutes. Routhledge would waste a chance after being tapped the ball from a free-kick before Yang Sheng Nanmeng wasted a chipped chance at the other end. Frans Haggbring couldn’t extend Roberts with a header and Claudio Collauto drove a shot wide as PSV continued to press for a goal. This goal would come on 87 minutes as Nanmeng chipped home casually but Futsal would still have the last word. Tuttle would mishit his shot after a corner wasn’t cleared and watched on as it trickled home to make it 5-1. MacFinlay wasted a late free-kick by hitting straight at the ‘keeper and Kadri’s side had been soundly beaten. The manager will remain patient with his side, though, as they develop their skills in a tough division. Wildy will have been happy with the return to form and was happy to praise Sheldon Abraham for his extra ‘encouragement’ on the training ground.

The other winners on the day were FC Bayern Munchen who edged The Kings 2-1 at Allianz Arena. With both sides looking to push on in the standings a keen contest was anticipated and the sides wouldn’t let us down. Adriano Pelizzoli went close with a lob header before Billy Ray Bongle lobbed over as the home side made the early running. Kevin Sheedy would see a back-heel saved at the other end and the teams would go in goalless at the break. Chuck Ewing started the second-half with a flicked header which went wide and they were nearly punished as Sheedy struck a powerful effort against a post at the other end. Allan Akerboom would hit the next effort wildly off-target and Munchen capitalised as Ewing headed in the opener on 59 minutes. Bongle quickly added a second with a poacher’s finish in the area four minutes later. Klyde Mister couldn’t pull one back with a header but The Kings were back in it when Jamie Sinclair produced a stunning diving header. Sinclair had a chance to pinch a point but couldn’t direct his next header as well and his side slipped to a defeat. Dimentis will feel more comfortable with his side’s position and they face another six-point side in Futsal next. Hitman10 has a big task on his hands next if he wants to improve his side’s position as Gooners come to town and they will need to improve their form to take anything from the contest.