MrT Flying High

Pahang United are the only 100% side in Division One after a tight 1-0 success away to Kensington Boys Club. The game would see Kensington enjoy the majority of possession but Pahang do more with what ball they had to ultimately edge the contest. Kensington would begin with a volley by Niles Worthington but Hussain held confidently and Pahang would then nearly take the lead as Kilian Strongbow hit a crushing free-kick off the bar. Worthington would do better with his next effort, though, as he curled in a beautiful shot to give the visitors the advantage. Albert Finley couldn’t place a shot beyond Hussain and into the net with the only other chance of the half and so Kensington went in a goal behind. The second-half began with Hussain punching away a Gilbert de Clare header while Strongbow once again tested the woodwork with another trademark free-kick. Pahang did have a guilt-edge chance to seal the win but Sampson saved well from Strongbow’s penalty. The nerves increased for the visitors when Jeremias Lindeman was sent-off for stamping but Kensington were unable to force any more chances and the points belonged to MrT’s side. The manager declared himself ‘impressed and delighted’ with the players after their win and told them they ‘deserved it.’ Patrik, meanwhile, admits his side have the conundrum of needing ‘to kick ourselves in the backside whilst relaxing at the same time.’

F.C. Greatness surged up the embryonic table following an impressive 2-0 home success over Smurftastic Smurfs. Celebrating Fabrizio Colluato’s 100th appearance the Italians never looked in the mood to surrender any points despite being grateful to Rachao for kicking away an early Ernie Ormondroyd side-footed shot. On 17 minutes the home side would hit the front; Fabio Cannavaro placing home a wonderful header before wheeling away to celebrate with Colluato. The half, in truth, would be littered with bookings rather than any sort of fluent football and the one goal was enough to separate the two at the interval. Greatness improved after the break and Paolo Serena only narrowly missed with a fine volley. He would net the home side’s second goal, though, as he placed an accurate shot beyond Bogefeldt. Martinus Benfari nearly made it 3-0 but his powerful header struck a post before Faust Baronchelli shot over when well-placed. Ormondroyd did have a late free-kick in an effort to give the visitors hope but he couldn’t find the required accuracy and the Smurfs had fallen to a 2-0 defeat. Coach, Zidane spoke highly of Colluato saying ‘he loves the club’ and they ‘expect more to come.’ Thesmurf was disappointed with the defeat and admitted ‘if the team is to come on then the same good level needs to be achieved every game.’

Bumerang and Splott Rovers played out a tight 1-1 draw at Darkdale as the visitors secured their first point in Division One. Bumerang would create more openings during the game but would ultimately pay the price for not finishing them better as Splott put in a resilient performance. Indeed, Splott began well and a volley by Ted Tolley gave them a second minute lead. Bumerang recovered well from this setback, though, and a long range effort by Sammy Shepherd had them level on 17 minutes. They might have even taken the lead moments later but Rikard Lind hit a free-kick too high. Accuracy was also Shinosuke Isimaru’s problem as his volley flew miles wide of its intended target and the sides remained level at the break. The second-half proved a cagey affair with just a chance each for the respective sides. Rodney Shuttlewood missed by inches with a powerful low shot for the visitors before a Lind free-kick went centimetres wide at the other end. Paul-Phillip Ravage would see red for the visitors for arguing late on but ultimately, neither side could force the winning goal. Coolboy will be satisfied with a start to the season which has yielded four points but they will recognise the need for improvement as they travel to face the confident Greatness next. CM will be pleased his Splott side put their opening day reverse behind them and with the confidence gained from this point they will take on Padston in good heart.

AJ Rovers put in a typically tough performance to grind out a point against Bonkers at AJR Arena. The game would be a defensive contest with both backlines snuffing out much of the creativity. Indeed, the first-half would be bereft of any chances as the sides battled for possession. The second-half did open up slightly but Edip Bayrak could only fire the first chance well off-target. Pietro Di Fabio did force Mortimer into a kick save as Bonkers improved and Chris Sutton even had the ball in the net only for it to be disallowed for a poor offside call. Rovers did have a chance to win it also but Cirilo Gibernaue put it over the bar and the sides went away with a point each. Rothion will, once again, be pleased with how his defence is shaping up and they will need to be at their toughest to block out Ormondroyd and the Smurfs in their next outing. GarethLloyd has opened the season with two draws and will look to top 100% Pahang on Friday to really get their season properly underway.

Carthage secured their first win in Division One with an impressive showing at Padston Villa. In truth, both sides would look good going forward in an open contest which gave value for money for the fans. Percival Horsfield hit the post early on with a powerful header as the home side looked to strike first. However, Carthage would also look positive and Hamilcar Barca forced a save out of Handez before the ‘keeper also saved well at the feet of Miguel Angelo. Padston did have another chance before the break but Ronald McDonald put his header just wide and the game remained goalless. The second-half would see even more chances as the sides searched for points. Angelo had a half-volley hit a post with a desperately unlucky effort while Luigi McKeever also struck the wood at the other end with a lob. Horsfield nearly put through his own goal before McKeever forced Aurelius into a decent stop. Padston finally made the breakthrough on 71 minutes courtesy of an excellent half-volley by Horsfield. Carthage would respond superbly, though, and Angelo levelled by striking home following a corner. Fabian Delph wasted a decent chance for the hosts and they were hit by a further blow as Ad Herbal looped a header over Handez to put the visitors in front. Barca even had the luxury of wasting another late chance but Blakey’s side had done enough to secure the three points. The manager will have been delighted with three points at an undoubtedly tough venue and they will be hopeful of making it back-to-back wins with a home game next up. Paddy was disappointed with the performance declaring ‘wasted chances and basic errors cost’ them. Expect a better performance next time out.

Portsmouth put in an excellent home performance to get their first three-point haul of the season to send Milan to an early bottom-of-the-table position. The performance was a positive one for fans of Pompey but they will have been disappointed to see Jocee1977 leave the job after only a few weeks in charge. They began the contest well and an early penalty gave Marco Busquets the opportunity to put them 1-0 up, a chance he wouldn’t waste. Arsim Kule would then see a header saved by Torricelli before Jonte Sandholm had a power shot saved at the other end. Franklin Bodin would make it 2-0 for the home side by clinically finishing in the area on 25 minutes and he might have added another but for the good positioning of Torricelli. The second-half saw Portsmouth start the stronger again but Busquets had a header saved. Victor Moses wasted a chance to get Milan back into it and the score might have been worse but Bodin’s header hit the bar. There was more good news for Portsmouth, though, as they appointed Uwfb (who quickly renamed them Cardiff) as their new manager although he admitted ‘the task would not be easy.’ Xmensch will be keen to get his side’s season underway but as last term showed, once they start showing form the rest of the division had better watch out.