Henry Hoovers-Up Bully Boys

Gooners won the big battle at the top with a 2-1 success over Bully Boys FC. With confidence usually not lacking in either camp the build-up to this game descended into why their respective teams couldn’t win the contest; mind games I believe they are called. The game began in explosive fashion as Tero Perotie lobbed in a header on four minutes to put the visitors ahead. However, Gooners responded by netting from their first chance also as Thierry Henry slotted home from inside the area. The second-half wouldn’t see many chances either but Gooners survived an Aatu Vuokki strike, although the forward was clearly offside. Gooners gained control from this point and while Cesc Fabregas’ back-heel was held by Kangashaka they wouldn’t be denied their victory. It would again come from that man Henry as a superb lob from distance left Kangashaka scrambling back to no avail and ensured the points belonged to the home side. FMR admitted there was no time to enjoy the victory ‘with 2 real toughies coming up’ while Cathal offered ‘congratulations’ but then focused on gaining promotion with his side.

These Charming Men went about their business with a comfortable 3-0 win at PSV Eindhoven. With the top two clashing, TCM were focused on their task of picking up three points to keep themselves well in the hunt at the top of the table. PSV tried to strike first but Petrut Vrabioiu’s header was kicked away by Derksen and they then found themselves behind as Bryan Higginbottom shot home the opener from an excellent break. Gerard Caffery couldn’t add to the tally as he shot wide while Rory MacFinlay was unable to equalise with a poor free-kick. Caffery had a powerful low shot go just wide for TCM before Jordi Rodri’s diving header proved routine for Weston. TCM began the second-half well and Stuart Cooksey made it 2-0 with a looping header on 46 minutes. Higginbottom would nearly seal the win but his driving shot struck a post. Claudio Colluato would lob over for the hosts late in the game and a toe-poke by Jon Hardy in injury-time completed the victory for RDCM’s side. Another excellent performance by RDCM’s side leaves them level on points at the top and they will look to hit first with a home game against Bayern Munchen on Friday. Kadri hasn’t had much joy so far this season and PSV News explained ‘both managers and players are on a learning curve.’

FC Bayern Munchen moved into fourth as they produced a strong second-half to edge Crimea River 2-1 at Allianz Arena. Three points were all-important for both sides as they looked to stay within touch of the top three and a tight contest followed. A penalty on 12 minutes allowed Billy Bob the chance to give Munchen a lead and he wouldn’t fail. However, Crimea responded to put together an excellent first-half. Andrey Arshavin forced Syvaluoma to save with his legs from a free-kick before the midfielder did level with a cute toe-poke on 28 minutes. Arshavin would continue his work on 42 minutes but saw a header saved before moments later he put a free-kick high over the bar. After escaping the first-half Munchen would be improved after the break and Sam Jakestown put them in front on 52 minutes by lifting over Fabianski following a quick counter. Chuck Ewing would then see a header saved by the ‘keeper before Jakestown was also denied by Fabianski deep into injury-time. Ith commented that the result was ‘disappointing’ after getting the tactics ‘pretty much spot on’ and having ‘four players in the X11.’ Dimentis will be pleased with the win but will know a run of them is needed if they are to impact the big three.

Dream Team produced an excellent performance to defeat Abu Dhabi United 5-0 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. With Abu Dhabi enduring some narrow defeats of late they were hoping their young side could dig in to get a result but they came up against a powerful unit on this particular day. Dhabi did have the first chance, though, and Jonathan Boulding was unfortunate not to give his side the lead as his free-kick crashed back off a post. This misfortune was doubly felt when Mil Moody powered in a shot from distance to make it 1-0 to the visitors on 11 minutes. Kris Krafty swiftly lobbed in the second to leave United staring at an uphill task. John Butcher would head over from a clear chance for the hosts while Garry Gain also shot over at the other end. Dream Team would then see Krafty put a further chance over the bar and they had to settle for a two-goal half-time lead. They would begin strongly after the break with Moody chipping over before going one better with a super long range strike which made it 3-0. Ronaldo Ready then got in on the act with a clinical header to make it 4-0 on 66 minutes and Regillio Jordan saw red for arguing to make matters worse for the home side. Dream Team would then rub salt into the wounds with a shot from inside the area by Adam Aspire to make it 5-0 on 93 minutes and complete a super day for the visitors. @peace has seen his side move into seventh but they will need to continue this form to make further progress. Talinmer admitted the time had come to sell a player after seeing his finances dwindle and jeopardise training plans for the remainder of the season.

The Kings would be involved in another draw as this time they couldn’t find a goal at struggling Futsal. With Wildy largely absent for Futsal, The Kings will have been looking for three points from the contest but ultimately wouldn’t be able to assert themselves. A free-kick on 12 minutes gave Futsal the first chance but Fitzsimmons saved well from Rowley Forrester. This feat was matched at the other end as Pat van de Hauwe’s free-kick was stopped by Roberts. Evert Nicklasson would then see a well-placed shot punched away while Ricky Routhledge wasted a header as the sides continued to trade chances. Forrester would see another free-kick punched away by Fitzsimmons and the sides would go in deadlocked. There would be more openings after the break with Paul Bracewell’s diving header needing turning around. Rick Tuttle would waste Futsal’s first chance of the half with a mishit shot before The Kings nearly took the lead as Nicklasson steered a shot against the angle. The last chance would fall to the hosts but Forrester’s frustrating day was complete when his free-kick cracked against the woodwork and went safe. Despite this promising point Futsal remain in danger as long as Wildy remains inactive at the club. Hitman10 might have fancied a win from this contest but a point away from home is no bad thing especially if they can follow it up with a victory against Juventus on Friday.

Juventus would pick up a crucial win down near the foot of the table as they edged wortley 1-0 at Delle Alpi. With both sides level on six points the win would be crucial to edge closer to the safety area with the season approaching the halfway mark. Rai Kike hit an early strike at Tonetto while Kristoffer Lindfors forced Gareth into a save as both looked for an early goal. Kike would balloon his next effort while Juve also saw Jacobo Chacros get too much on his free-kick. His next set-piece would need saving, though, as Gareth kicked the ball away but Juve would take the lead on 40 minutes courtesy of an excellent diving header by Lindfors. Wortley would press for an equaliser in the second-half but Paulinho Santos couldn’t direct his volley before Kike put a lob over. Brandon Hiller would then have a powerful low shot held by Tonetto and the visitor’s chance was gone. A free-kick for the hosts saw Chacros force Gareth into a save and they would then play out time on a crucial victory. SuperJuve will be delighted with the three points and if they can take the same haul against The Kings on Friday things will be looking much brighter. Thegtreatlordbags won’t be feeling as positive and a tough trip to Bully Boys doesn’t look like improving things for last season’s Division Three champions.