P-P Ravages PP

Splott Rovers moved level on points at the top of Division One after defeating Kensington Boys Club 2-1 at Star Centre Arena. With the season reaching the turn both sides were looking to put themselves in the best possible position for the rest of the campaign. A free-kick in the very first minute saw Rodney Shuttlewood put it just over while Ted Tolley’ volley was held by Lorentzen. Kensington did reply but Harry Whitlow couldn’t find the back of the net with his shot. The second-half would see more action and Paul-Phillip Ravage was unlucky with a half-volley which hit the angle on 47 minutes. Ravage would have better fortune on 56 minutes as his header beat the ‘keeper to put Splott ahead. William Gallas would then put a header over the bar but Ravage would nod home the second on 65 minutes to put Splott firmly in control. Frank Punisher very nearly made it three but his header was denied by the woodwork and they faced a nervy few moments as Aubrey de Vere headed home to put Kensington back within reach. However, the only further chance would fall to the hosts with Winston Badger toe-poking too close to Lorentzen. CM can feel in confident mood with their position going into the turn but they face a test over the next week with a double-header against in-form Bonkers. However, the coach continues to strive for perfection with his players, claiming they need to get out of their ‘culture of slackness’ to improve. Patrik will be starting to fear for his inconsistent side and will stress the importance of a run of wins to put them back into contention at the top.

Smurftastic Smurfs suffered a setback at the top of the division as they were beaten by a late strike at African Imitators. Following two previous losses the Imitators were looking for a response in their home game and the manager got what he was looking for. A chance on two minutes saw Jermaine Jackson strike wide while Christiano Olias hit the bar with a fine free-kick on seven minutes. The Imitators continued to press with Luigi McKeever forcing Bogefeldt into a save and they would finally take the lead on the half-hour as Raimundo Roja powered in a fine header. The second-half would begin with the Smurfs equalising from their first chance; Finlay MacCleir heading home accurately to boost the league leaders. The Imitators would go back on the front foot and Jackson nearly put them back in front with a shot which struck a post. However, they were rewarded in injury-time with Jackson getting his reward for a fine performance by heading home the winning goal. Gravitons was happy with the win and explained ‘tough training and a cracking of the whip seem to have done the job.’ Smurf News called it a ‘below par performance’ and added they need ‘at least a draw away and then get back to winning ways at home.’

F.C. Greatness maintained their good recent form with a 2-1 home success over Milan. The points were needed by the clubs for very differing reasons ahead of this encounter and it led to a keen contest. Mario Balotelli lobbed Greatness in front on four minutes to give the title chasers the perfect start. Agostino Filippinetti would then shoot over before Quigley Addison crashed Milan’s first chance off the bar from a free-kick. A free-kick at the other end saw Faust Baronchelli curl Greatness into a two-goal lead and he might have made this better but his diving header was off-target. Meanwhile, Jonte Sandholm volleyed wide at the other end before he also wasted a headed chance as Milan went in two goals down. The second-half saw fewer chances but it would be Milan who would try to force their way back into the contest. Ricardo Kaka hit the angle of post and bar with an early shot and they would pull a goal back on 74 minutes as Sandholm finished well after some poor marking from a corner. Unfortunately, Milan would not be able to capitalise on this and couldn’t force any more chances as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat. Darren Calvert will be in buoyant mood following another win and they will want to take this form into a clash with Kensington on Friday. Xmensch now faces a crucial double-header against AJ where at least four points will be demanded to put them back in touch with their relegation rivals.

AJ Rovers would pick up a point as they drew 1-1 at Pahang United. With only two points separating the sides this match always had the possibility of any outcome. Pahang would open up in fine form as Tom Hording hit a spectacular volley to put them ahead after just two minutes. This would prove the only chance of the first-half and Pahang were happy to hear the whistle which signalled a 1-0 half-time lead. Rovers began with much more purpose after the break and they levelled from their first chance; Gordon Hogg placing out of the reach of Hussain to make it 1-1. Both sides would have a chance to pinch the win but Kilian Strongbow’s free-kick was saved by Mortimer before Sonny Vickerman had a set-piece held at the other end. MrT has seen his team slide out of the top three but with just seven goals conceded all season they know if they add more goals to their game then they have every chance of being successful. Rothion will have to focus his side on the important two match battle with Milan as any slip-ups could see them dragged into a relegation dog fight.

Bonkers maintained their surge out of relegation trouble with a super 3-1 home triumph over Carthage FC. Having won their previous two matches they were hoping to make it nine points out of nine against a good Carthage side. They started quickly and Stefan Beelenkamp fired a free-kick wide on three minutes. Beelenkamp would have another effort on 18 minutes but would put this one over while Henrik Larsson’s diving header was held by Dido. Carthage responded with a free-kick from Ad Herbal but that too was held but Bonkers would take the lead as Joel Weymouth looped home a header. Fabius Maximus nearly levelled swiftly but his curled shot struck a post and they would go in behind. Bonkers made it 2-0 five minutes after the restart as Innocenzio Filippinetti rounded Dido to slot home. Maximus would hit a chance straight at Hawke at the other end before Carthage nearly added to their own problems; Herbal deflecting the ball perilously close to his own goal. Beelenkamp would add a third on 77 minutes as he planted a header home and the midfielder might have added another but put a free-kick over. Herbal would then pull a goal back with a cleverly flicked header but the same player would then have a shot saved to end hope of a Carthage revival. GarethLloyd has seen his side surge from nowhere and although they face Splott twice in the space of a few days they will do so in confident mood. Blakey has his side in mid-table ahead of their crunch clash with leading side Smurftastic.

Cardiff also improved their position at the bottom end of the table with a 2-0 home triumph over Bumerang. The visitors would go into the game a point ahead of Cardiff but only one side ever looked like taking the spoils in this encounter. Cardiff took the lead from their first chance as Arsim Kule chipped in after a corner. Although, Yves Vairelles would demand a fine save from Peyton in the Cardiff goal it would be the home side who would continue to look the more likely. Kule would place another shot just over the bar and more chances would follow after the interval. Marco Busquets shot home a second from a tight angle minutes after the break and the same player had a header turned round by Stancu. One final chance fell Cardiff’s way but Kule mishit his shot and it trickled wide. Nevertheless, the home side could celebrate an important three points which has Uwfb’s side only in the bottom three on goal difference; something they will look to change over the coming week against Pahang. Coolbooy has seen his side lose three on the bounce and they will need to put an end to that run quickly if they are not to become adrift with Milan at the bottom.