Paul Gives Norfolk a Chance

Paulc333 made a great start to life in the Norfolk hot-seat with a 4-1 home win over hapless Reggae Reggae Sauce. Andy Howe powered in a dream opener on just two minutes to leave Sauce with that familiar feeling. A minute later and a brilliant free-kick by Klyde Krippner had Norfolk 2-0 ahead and flying. Their start would get even better when Miroslav Burkhart produced a cute finish from a breakaway move on 16 minutes to make it 3-0. Howe would side-foot in again on 41 minutes to add another to the lead and although Christiano Torres did fire an effort over at the other end it was a perfect 45 minutes for the hosts. RRS would improve after the break but Shivan Preetnav could only half-volley wide. Franciszek Kamiski would pull a goal back through a fine header but they would only muster one further chance; a Fernando Ronaldo shot which was saved by Gow. The home fans went away in delirious mood with one supporter saying, ‘the good times are finally here.’ Paul seems to have brought with him optimism after previous dark times but warned that ‘the team is very much a work in progress.’ Xpertelevener, meanwhile, has completed his journey from the top flight to sit at the bottom of the entire league for the first time ever.

St Omer had a positive start to the new campaign as their young side struck late to defeat FCR Cressex 4-2. It looked like more of the same for Omer as Cressex enjoyed the better of the first-half. Emil Rojas had a free-kick saved while Ubaldo Andre headed over as the visitors produced some early pressure. They would have another chance on 13 minutes but Tomas Tiribocchi’s header was off-target. However, they wouldn’t have to wait long to take the lead as a well-placed shot by Lauro Poggi defeated Hamshaw to give Cressex a deserved lead. Andre might have made it 2-0 on 25 minutes but shot wide of the target and Omer finally responded. Norbert Rauscher hit a post with a header before Timmy Svenson produced an excellent diving header to make it 1-1 at the interval. Cressex would be back in front with their first chance of the second-half, though, as Dan-Ake Rothflod headed emphatically home after some slack marking in the home defence. Looking for a killer third goal Andre was denied by Hamshaw to give Omer fresh hope. Jorn Schone smashed a powerful shot against a post while Svensson had a shot batted away by Marinzon as the hosts began to press. They would reap their rewards in the final stages of the match as they hit three unanswered goals in a four-minute spell. Cony Tottee placed home coolly on 86 minutes to level matters before Marino Ulander launched himself at a Giusti cross to put a diving header into the roof of the net. Omer would not rest on their lead, though, and Ulander made it 4-2 with another excellent header on 90 minutes. The home fans were in a happy mood at the final whistle with CT adding ‘it’s good to be up and running.’ Villan_RAS will hope this was just a late blip and they can kick-start their season against Reggae Reggae Sauce on Tuesday.

Morley Town made an ominous start to another season in Division Three as they defeated EspAda 2-0 at Scatcherd Park. In a tight first-half the game would see only a solitary chance but it would be enough for Morley to take a lead into the break. Florian Arnautu hit a powerful shot on 21 minutes to leave Kerrigan powerless in goal and the home fans in contented mood. Morley would be more expansive after the break but they first had to survive an Andreas Sommer free-kick chance but the midfielder couldn’t put it anywhere near the target. Zacharias Ashe would hit the bar with an exquisite lob for the hosts before hitting his next effort more poorly as he steered a shot over. Reno Robredo did make it 2-0 on 79 minutes with a powerful header and although Angres Kafka had a late free-kick saved it was a satisfactory start for Leeg21. Morley News reported that Leeg21 has ‘warned against complacency’ as they bid to escape the bottom division. Crismorena will expect more from his side in their next game and will hope his side can overpower a youthful Omer.

Going into Anime AllStars’ game with Munich, Joshy had boomed ‘this time it’s personal’ after previous meetings between the sides and his side wouldn’t disappoint in a 2-1 win. It would be Munich who made the more progressive start but Lois Farrington shot wide when given a sight of goal. The Allstars response was a powerful strike by Kugen Tenko but it was well-held by Zinnari in goal. Munich were the next to threaten but Sapienza held well from Stephane Aoudou’s free-kick while Milivoje Berber hit the bar with a clever lob on 38 minutes. They would pay for these misses when a penalty gave Naru Narusegawa the chance to open the scoring from the spot; a chance he wouldn’t miss. Farrington would have a late chance to level before the break but his shot was saved and Anime held the half-time initiative. Munich would get a deserved goal on 47 minutes as Turlough Daly slotted home after a breakaway move. Daly would miss the chance to put them in front as he headed over and Anime nearly hit the front again as a Johnny Douglas strike flew just over. Anime wouldn’t be denied a winner, though, as a well-placed shot by Sonsaku Hakufu defeated Fontenla to ensure a winning start for Joshy’s side. Joshy will be pleased his side have hit the ground running and this will sure to give them confidence as the season unfolds. Anderson won’t be too downcast and will recognise if his side can add a finishing touch to their build-up play they will be there or thereabouts throughout the campaign.

AFC Boo Boys were hard-working 1-0 winners over debutants Tottenham Hotspur at Boo Boys Stadium. Vedran Corluka nearly made the worst possible start for Tottenham but his wayward kick narrowly avoided his own goal. They would be behind on 33 minutes, though, as Paolo Turchetti produced an exceptional bicycle-kick to put Boo Boys ahead. The second-half saw the home side remain in the ascendancy and Gavril Rasvan was only denied by the excellence of Gomes as his free-kick was tipped round. The ‘keeper would impress again moments later as he saved well from another bicycle-kick; this time by Ferran Roteta. Michal Handzus hit a powerful strike wide for the hosts before Tottenham had a late chance to pinch a point; Tomas Master having a free-kick saved by Ersberg. Skoolyou will be in positive mood following this win and faces an intriguing match next-up against a new-look Norfolk. Ocs won’t be overly disappointed with his new side given their relative inexperience and will look for progress as the season unfolds.

In the divisions’ other encounter Alsancak and Rolling Thunder drew 1-1 in an entertaining game at Mosquito Alley. Francois Rouland gave the visitors an ideal start by rounding the ‘keeper to slot home on 14 minutes. Alsancak would respond, though, although Andrew Taylor’s free-kick went well-over. Yiannis Koutsis was the next to have a chance for the visitors but shot centimetres wide and the game continued to too-and-fro as Gabriel Agbonlahor’s lobbed header was saved by Jorquera. Thunder tried to make it 2-0 before the break but Rouland lobbed over and they had to settle for a 1-0 lead. It was they who would threaten again at the start of the second-half but Erland Hangeland put a further lob over while Jovan Gagic steered a shot off-target. Alsancak would capitalise on the visitor’s profligacy by levelling the game on 63 minutes; Miles Beckett steering home a shot following a well-delivered corner by Jack Rodwell. Wienersnitzel will once more be looking for good form and development from his side this season and the omens look good following this battling start. Vehusheia will be expecting a strong showing from his side in his first full season in charge and the early signs look promising.