Splott All the Craze in D1

Splott Rovers maintained their position atop the Division One table by defeating Bonkers 1-0 at Crazy Town. Following a good home win against them, Splott were hoping to repeat the dose in front of Bonkers’ home faithful and they managed to do so thanks to a late goal. Bonkers would have the first chance but Stefan Beelenkamp couldn’t direct his free-kick on target while the rest of the first-half proved a battle for possession. Splott would be better after the break and they enjoyed an early chance but Eddie Venom didn’t get enough power in his header to beat Hawke. The ‘keeper would then make a leg save from Frank Punisher’s side-footed effort but there was nothing he could do to prevent Splott pinching a winner on 90 minutes; Paul-Phillip Ravage powering in a cracking strike from some way out to ensure three points for championship chasing Rovers. CM is a happy manager at the moment and said his ‘only problem is who to select as everyone is in such good form at the moment.’ GarethLloyd has seen his side’s revival stopped by Splott but they will now concentrate on beating the sides in and around them as they seek to avoid relegation.

Smurftastic Smurfs stayed within two points of first but a 3-0 home win over Carthage was marred by injuries to Craig Elliston and Ernie Ormondroyd. Having enjoyed a positive first-half to the campaign they were also boosted by Ormondroyd’s return after injury and hopes were high in the home crowd for another three points. They began well but Ormondroyd put a shot just wide on 14 minutes. However, they would hit the front just six minutes later as Minoru Hara lobbed home from outside the area. This would be the last of the goalmouth action in the first-half but there would be chances at either end after the break. Carthage had their first chance with Hamilcar Barca brushing a post with a header and the same player then tested Bogefledt’s handling from a decent shot. Iain Emery would stop the visitor’s attempted comeback in its tracks, though, as a precise header defeated Dido and put the Smurfs 2-0 ahead on 66 minutes. Mickey Linton would see another header put them 3-0 up on 90 minutes and although Hannibal Barca and Ham Barca had headers go close in injury-time the visitors were comfortably beaten. Thesmurf will be troubled by his side’s injuries but if they can grind out victories in the players’ absence then they should be in good shape for promotion. Blakey’s side will be keen to defeat Bonkers on Friday to open up more of a gap on the relegation zone which has closed to three points ominously.

Pahang complete the top three still after a 1-0 away success at Cardiff. Following a strong 4-1 win against the same opposition on Friday, Pahang were hopeful of franking this form to maintain their promotion charge. However, Cardiff would be good in the first-half and with better finishing might have taken a lead into the break. A free-kick on 19 minutes saw Stephen Julius hit an effort straight at Hussain while Chano Paya horribly mishit his shot when well-placed on 21 minutes. Pahang would have a chance but Tom Hording’s header was saved and the home side had the last chance with Tommaso Miceli placing a shot on goal but Hussain, again, was the equal to it. The second-half saw Pahang assert themselves on the contest and they picked up an early goal. Ray Eastwood would get the goal as he toe-poked home with little room to spare on 47 minutes. This goal gave the visitors confidence and Eastwood had a header saved before Kilian Strongbow saw a lob go close as they looked for more goals. Nevertheless, a 1-0 win would suffice and MrT praised ‘Hussain for doing a very good job’ in goal as they claimed the points. Uwfb will realise the importance of his side’s next match against Bumerang as they look to escape the clutches of relegation during the second-half of the season.

F.C. Greatness continued their inconsistent season with a 1-0 home victory over Kensington Boys Club. Having been given a thorough going over in the first match, Greatness were keen to exact a modicum of revenge and they would manage it in a tight game. Greatness enjoyed a good first-half and Mario Balotelli had already seen one looping header go close by the time Lorentzen punched away his diving header on 19 minutes. Aubrey de Vere did threaten for the visitors but his lob hit the angle and Greatness survived. Faust Baronchelli would nearly capitalise on this but his free-kick would strike a post although it would be less important as Martinus Benfari powered in a long range shot to put them 1-0 ahead at the break. Kensington reversed the roles in the second 45 minutes but they would struggle to find a finishing touch. Greatness might have made it 2-0 but Baronchelli couldn’t beat Lorentzen from a set-piece and the Club took over. Harry Whitlow placed a header just over the bar before Samson Lockwood forced Rachao into a save from a driving shot. Whitlow would also be denied by Rachao as the ‘keeper produced a super save from his flick header before Adrian Gray’s lobbed header hit the angle. This would prove Kensington’s final chance and Patrik was not impressed by their performance and will demand better in their next outing. Darren Calvert will have been satisfied to get back on track and will now expect greater levels of consistency from his side.

African Imitators were upwardly mobile once more following a tight 1-0 victory over Bumerang. After being defeated in the first fixture, the Imitators were desperate for the points to push closer to the top three while Bumerang were looking to put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone. The Imitators put together a strong first-half and Fabian Delph had them in front as he lobbed over Stancu on eight minutes. Savo Milosevic thought he had added a second in similar circumstances but saw it chalked off for offside before Ronald McDonald hit the bar with yet another lobbed effort. Despite playing second fiddle for almost the entire first-half, Bumerang would be much-improved after the break. Shinosuke Isimaru’s diving header would be easily saved as they looked to get back into the contest while Yves Vairelles was unlucky to hit the post with a side-footed effort. Vairelles would then see Handez tip his lob over and when Sten Stille was also denied by the ‘keeper, Bumerang’s chance had past. Gravitons was ‘happy to note the performance improvement of his team’ and will want his side to build on this. Coolbooy will want his side to quickly forget about this defeat as they face a relegation battle against Cardiff on Friday in a game they dare not lose.

AJ Rovers put together a strong home performance to defeat AC Milan 2-0 at AJR Arena. Having slipped down the table in recent weeks Rothion was expecting his side to produce a response and the players would not disappoint their manager. Milan would threaten first, however, and Simone Spina was desperately unfortunate as his lob hit the angle and bounced to safety. Rovers were also quickly into their stride and a free-kick by Sonny Vickerman was tipped over by Mathis before his second set-piece skimmed over the bar. Eustace Bain would then power a header over as the hosts stepped up the pressure but they would be unable to find the breakthrough before half-time. Milan would also begin the second-half with the first chance but Jonte Sandholm’s half-volley was saved and Rovers took control. Bain would shoot home from a tight angle to give them a 1-0 lead on 52 minutes and it might have been two moments later but Mathis tipped Vickerman’s side-footed shot over. They would go 2-0 up on 64 minutes, though, as Bain slotted home a penalty following some poor visiting defending. Milan believed they had pulled a goal back on 71 minutes but Vittorio Cornacchini’s breakaway strike was disallowed for a somewhat dubious offside decision. Meanwhile, Vickerman had a free-kick saved at the other end before Bain hit the bar with a powerful header. Daniil Nikulin would go close with a shot from a tight angle but these misses wouldn’t cost the hosts as they ran out time on a 2-0 success. Rothion will be satisfied with the victory and they now face Pahang knowing a victory will throw the promotion race wide open once more. Xmensch has a tough job to guide his side to safety and if they are to escape their home matches will prove vital; next up is Greatness at the San Siro and three points are very much needed.