Romeo Hogg-ing Limelight

Pahang returned to something nearer their early season form with a 2-0 win over Splott Rovers. After the opening seven games of the season both teams had their sights trained on the top three going into the contest. Splott would produce the better of the football in the first-half but Rodney Shuttlewood couldn’t steer in a shot before Reed Fantastic over-hit a free-kick to put it over the bar. Pahang would improve after the break but they had to survive a scare as Nick Fury put a lob against the bar. Shuttlewood would then skim a lob over before Pahang took over. Romeo Hogg put them in front from their first chance as he hit an excellent half-volley into the net and when Kilian Strongbow rifled in a free-kick Splott looked dead in the water. Holger Pfitzner might have made it three but his lob header hit the bar. However, their two goals were more than enough to seal the victory as they moved back into second in the table. MrT will be more than happy with his side’s place as the second-half of the season approaches and he will look for a similar performance on Friday at Greatness. Carbonmonoxide apologised for his side being ‘complacent after winning four games on the bounce’ before promising it won’t happen again.

Smurftastic Smurfs strengthened their grip of first but were made to work hard for their 3-2 win by Cardiff City. With the sides at opposite ends of the table the home fans were hopeful of a comfortable win but it wouldn’t exactly play out that way. Mickey Linton placed an early shot wide for the hosts before he did give them a lead on six minutes with an accurate shot out of the reach of Peyton. Ernie Ormondroyd had a trademark free-kick saved by the ‘keeper while he put another effort over the bar as Smurfs looked for a second. Ormondroyd would duly oblige on 20 minutes as he curled in an exquisite shot which left Peyton with no chance. Cardiff responded with a side-footed effort from Chano Paya but it would be comfortably saved by Bogefeldt. The second-half saw Cardiff fight all the way with Stephen Julius reducing the deficit to one with an accurate header on 52 minutes. Julius would then lob home a super strike from distance to level matters and stun the home support. However, the Smurfs would regain their composure and Rory Derek curled in a lovely effort after a brilliant counter on 73 minutes. This would prove the winning goal although Smurfs did see their superstar Ernie Ormondroyd stretchered off towards the end of the game with an injury which will keep him out for a week or two. Thesmurf will be more than happy with his side’s three point lead and if and challenged his side to ‘prove we’re not a one-man team’ in Ormondroyd’s absence. Uwfb will count his side unfortunate not to pinch a point but the spirit and skill in their display bodes well for the games to come.

Kensington Boys Club recorded a welcome win as they edged African Imitators 1-0 at Drought Circle. With Gravitons have enjoyed a successful start to his reign at Imitators, hopes were high for another three points but Patrikpatrik’s side were also in need of a win. James Wilde had an early header saved for the visitors while Luigi McKeever’s chip was theatrically kept out at the other end. Jermaine Jackson would steer the only other chance of the half over the bar and the sides wouldn’t be separated at the interval. Gilbert de Clare lobbed the first chance of the second-half over while Adrian Gray volleyed wide as Kensington came on strongly. Gray would then see a curled shot saved while the Imitators tried to pinch the lead but McKeever couldn’t deliver from a set-piece. The crucial moment would then arrive as de Vere headed home on 87 minutes to the delight of the visiting fans. Patrik was heard to let out a relieved ‘phew’ following the win and he will be hopeful of making it back-to-back successes with a home match against Carthage to come. Gravitons will expect more from his side following this disappointing defeat and a big match awaits the coach next in the shape of GarethLloyd’s Bonkers.

Carthage moved up to fifth with an important 2-1 home win over AC Milan. With Carthage still looking to recover from the five goals they conceded a week ago a home win was vital against struggling Milan. Fabius Maximus gave them the perfect start by heading home in the first minute and they went on to control the first-half. They would add a second goal on 38 minutes with Miguel Angelo heading in from a free-kick to give them a big advantage going into the second 45 minutes. Milan would get a foothold on 67 minutes, though, as Jonte Sandholm’s mishit shot found its way into the back of the Carthage net. The hosts would try to re-establish their two-goal advantage but Hindle saved from Delis Eribenne’s chip while Ad Herbal headed off-target. Milan would then get the chance they craved to take a point away from the encounter but Lorenzo De Gasperi’s looping header came back off the woodwork and the visitors’ hopes were gone. Blakey will be happy with the four points his side have gained since that dark day and with only a point separating them from second they will be looking positively towards the remainder of the season. Xmensch’s side are proving a frustration for the coach this term but a run of wins around the halfway mark could put an entirely different complexion on their season.

Bonkers would celebrate their first three-point haul of the season as they defeated Bumerang 1-0 at Darkdale. With no wins to their name before the game Bonkers knew they had to start picking up three points to give themselves a chance of survival. Joel Weymouth gave them the ideal boost on 20 minutes with a calm side-footed strike which evaded Stancu in the home goal. This would prove the only action of an otherwise quiet first-half but you wouldn’t find Bonkers complaining. Henrik Larsson nearly made it two just before the hour but his header was saved while Claudio Silvestri was also denied by Stancu. Larsson would waste Bonkers’ other chance by heading too close to the ‘keeper and Bumerang had late chances to pinch a point. Shinosule Isimaru would waste a headed opportunity, though, and Rikard Lind’s free-kick proved no trouble for Hawke as Bonkers celebrated a much-needed win. GarethLloyd’s side have bridged the gap between themselves and the other two bottom three sides and they will now turn their attentions to reeling in the safe sides as they look to build on this win. Coolboy’s side now occupy that place just above the drop zone and with a trip to the leaders to come they will have plenty to think about for the next few days.

AJ Rovers and F.C. Greatness would share the spoils in a mid-table battle at AJ Arena. With the sides looking upwards rather than at the relegation zone a positive encounter was expected and it ended up as tight as the positions suggested it would be. The first chance fell to Greatness and Paolo Serena powered in a low drive from distance only to see his strike disallowed for shirt pulling. Martinus Benfari would then chip over for the visitors and Sonny Vickerman would add to their troubles by lobbing home the opener for the hosts from their first chance on 42 minutes. Benfari would put a lob at the other end over the bar and Mercourios Simos would do likewise for the hosts as the sides went in with AJ holding a slight advantage. The second-half started slowly but Simos might have put the game to bed with a volley which struck a post on 66 minutes. Greatness would then go looking for the equaliser and Fabio Cannavaro should have done better on 74 minutes but mishit his shot to Morell. However, it wouldn’t matter as Faust Baronchelli powered in a super effort from distance on 81 minutes to ensure a point each for the sides. Greatness have shown signs of improvement since Darren Calvert admitted the club was ‘under pressure’ and they will now hope to reignite their promotion challenge. Rothion will have similar ambitions and they will see their trip to Cardiff as a must-win match as they look to keep pace with the leading sides.