Smurfs Bonkers for Goals

Smurftastic Smurfs continued their renaissance under Thesmurf with a 5-1 success over Bonkers which saw them hit the top of the table. With Bonkers struggling near the foot of the table this was always going to be a tough ask against a side brimming with confidence. The Smurfs set the tone with an exciting first-half which began with a Rory Derek breakaway goal on just five minutes. Seven minutes later and Iain Emery would put a shot high over the bar but the forward would get his first goal on 16 minutes with a cute lob in the area. Derek would quickly make it 3-0 with a powerful strike from distance but Bonkers did show some character with a goal from Garry Maynard on 28 minutes. However, the half would still be all about the Smurfs and Finlay MacCleir had already seen a header hit the angle when Emery netted his second with a powerful shot from distance. Derek proceeded to put a lob over before Ernie Ormondroyd saw a penalty saved by Hawke, much to the surprise of everyone. The second-half began with Henrik Larsson shooting wide for the visitors before normal service resumed as Hawke had to pull off a save from an exciting volley by Minoru Hara. Chris Sutton would waste a further Bonkers chance while Ormondroyd continued to be frustrated at the other end. Derek would then force Hawke into a good save with his legs before Emery completed his hat-trick with an excellent header to cap a 5-1 home success. Thesmurf will surely be happy with how his side is developing and another home game offers the chance for another three points on Tuesday. GarethLloyd in contrast will be becoming increasingly frustrated with his under-performing side and with the halfway stage fast approaching they need to find a win from somewhere and quickly.

Splott Rovers moved above AJ Rovers after defeating them 1-0 at Star Centre Arena. Coming off the back of five goals in the previous game AJ travelled to Splott in confident mood but had to play second-fiddle to an impressive home side. Reed Fantastic would side-foot an early chance wide for the hosts while Winston Badger got his shot all wrong on 17 minutes to allow Morell to comfortably gather. Fantastic would go closest to finding the breakthrough in the first-half on 25 minutes as a superb free-kick struck the base of a post and bounced clear. The second-half would prove more even but it would be the hosts who would strike the decisive goal. Odinson Thor would go close to opening the scoring on 54 minutes but watched on as his chip was tipped over by Morell and the home side looked like paying for their profligacy when AJ won a penalty. It came on 61 minutes but Sonny Vickerman hit a tame effort to allow Ghostrider to gather. This would stir Splott into action and from a clever free-kick move Frank Punisher hit a thumping half-volley home to put them 1-0 ahead. Vickerman would have a late chance to pinch a point but his diving header was tipped over by the ‘keeper and the day belonged to Splott. Carbonmonoxide has his side looking very strong at this stage of the season and has every reason to feel his side will cope with the pressure of being near the top of the table following last season’s promotion. Rothion will have been disappointed by the result but will recognise they won’t have many tougher away trips this season than that and they will hope to put it behind them with a home match against Greatness on Tuesday.

Padston Villa are up to third following a 2-0 away success at AC Milan. With a new man in charge in Gravitons the Padston fans travelled in hope of a somewhat longer era this time and it would begin in fine fashion. Caj Rundqvist had the opening chance for the hosts but saw his shot saved by Handez. At the other end Paul McGrath lobbed in only to see his goal chalked off and Milan survive. This would be all in a relatively quiet first-half but the second would make up for it. Jermaine Jackson would start the half in explosive fashion by shooting home from inside the area. Milan tried to respond but a volley by Ricardo Kaka missed the target before Rupert Massimo was denied by Handez. Richard Madeley would then make matters worse for the home side by slickly finishing off a breakaway to put Padston 2-0 up. Rundqvist had a powerfully curled shot punched away as Milan’s frustration continued and when he then saw red for elbowing their chances plummeted. Percival Horsfield lobbed over while Jackson had a shot tipped over as Padston looked to add a third. Milan would try one late rally but Paddy McCarthy had a half-volley saved while Lorenzo De Gasperi put a shot over the bar from a tight angle. In the end it would be a great start for Gravitons and the manager will hope his side can keep hold of a promotion place now they are in possession. Xmensch’s frustrating season continues and a trip to Carthage awaits them as they look to move out of the bottom three.

F.C. Greatness began moving in the right direction once more with a 2-1 home success over Cardiff. Cardiff would be the team who would go into the contest in better heart following a good win last time out but they would eventually be worn down by the Greatness side. A free-kick on seven minutes saw Faust Baronchelli give the home side the lead with a beautifully curled effort. Rachao would then protect the lead with a fine header from a Marco Busquets header and Greatness might have been further in front but Agostino Filippinetti’s shot was poorly placed. The second 45 minutes began with Martinus Benfari missing the target with a header and the game took on a different complexion as Busquets struck clinically from inside the area to level the game. However, the parity would only last eight minutes as a penalty allowed Filippinetti the chance to net from the spot and give Greatness a much needed three points. Relief will be the major feeling for Darren Calvert following the win but they won’t have long to savour the victory as a tough trip to AJ Rovers awaits them. Uwfb will have seen positives in his side’s performance but they will need better still on Tuesday as they take on league-leading Smurftastic Smurfs.

Bumerang picked up a vital three points as they produced a solid away performance to edge Kensington Boys Club 1-0. With only a point separating the sides going into the contest both were eager to get one up on the other and make a move away from the foot of the table. Kensington would have the first chance but a header by Samson Lockwood was punched away by Widlund before Charles Tilly hit a powerful low shot straight at the ‘keeper. Bumerang would be content to sit in for the first-half but they would sense their moment in the second 45 minutes with Lockwood being sent-off for elbowing to reduce the home side to 10-men. Rikard Lind would fire a free-kick which would unluckily just brush a post but they would hit the decisive goal on 82 minutes as Shinosuke Isimaru clinically struck from inside the area. Coolbooy will have been relieved with the win after two losses and will realise a run of victories will make all the difference in such a tight section. Patrik was heard moaning ‘arrgghhhh’ as he walked away from the ground and he will be hoping his inconsistent side gets back on track when they visit high-flying Padston next.

The other game of the day saw Carthage and Pahang draw 0-0 at Carthage City. Both had been a model of inconsistency so far this term but were both comfortably placed in mid-table going into the game. The first-half would see Pahang produce the only meaningful goal-mouth action. Kilian Strongbow would put his side-footed shot wide, though, before hitting a free-kick which was easily caught by Aurelius. Carthage would be much better after the break and pushed the visitors back. Hamilcar Barca put a chip over while Fabius Maximus struck a post with a fine half-volley. Amin Mansourian would be the next to have an attempt but his header was held by Hussain while Maximus couldn’t go as close with his second half-volley which went wide. Ultimately the sides would take away a point each to maintain their progress in a tough division. Blakey might have wanted more from this home game but will understand the importance of not being beaten and they can now look for more incisive play against Milan. MrT’s side are still in fifth and have the chance of making big inroads with a home match against Splott next, a win would see them move level with the second-placed team.