Smurfs Draw Sting from Greatness

Smurftastic Smurfs looked to ensure promotion thanks to a 2-2 draw with rivals F.C. Greatness. With three points separating the sides in favour of the Smurfs they knew a point should suffice as they were already in possession of a superior goal difference. The game would be an open and exciting one with the Smurfs seeing an early lob by Chris Tretton give them an ideal start. Massimiliano Cardone tried to respond for the visitors but his looping header was tipped over. The Smurfs looked to make it two through that man Tretton again but Rachao saved from his half-volley before Cristian Dagostino wasted a free-kick for the hosts. However, they would be level on 29 minutes courtesy of a brilliant volley in the area by Agostino Filippinetti and might have taken a lead into the break had Dagostino done better with a set-piece on 38 minutes. The second-half began with an Iain Emery strike from distance which flew into the net and restored the home advantage. Martinus Benfari saw a lob hit the bar for the visitors before Dagostino forced Bogefeldt into a fine leg save from a header. Ernie Ormondroyd nearly put the game out of the visitor’s reach with a placed shot which struck the bar and from the rebound Greatness would march up the other end and see Dagostino scuff in the equaliser. However, this wouldn’t lead to a late assault by Greatness as the sides cancelled each other out. Ultimately this would mean the Smurfs are as good as promoted and their news reported that the ‘goal difference looks like being enough regardless of the last day games.’ Darren Calvert conceded that it looked like ‘they wouldn’t be going up’ but added it ‘might not be such a bad thing.’

Meanwhile, Pahang are definitely promoted following a 0-0 home draw with Kensington Boys Club, which would also ensure the visitor’s safety. With both sides fighting different battles eyes were on scores elsewhere as well as on this game. The first-half passed as a non-event as both looked keen not to make an error which might prove crucial in the final league standings. Things would open up a little late in the game with Vince Evans wasting a header for the hosts before Adrian Gray was denied by the ‘keeper. Holger Pfitzner came close to breaking the deadlock for the hosts but his mishit shot struck the woodwork and went safe. Still, Pahang had one last chance to win the game but Kilian Strongbow’s steered shot went nowhere near its intended target and the game finished level. This would prove enough for Mr T’s side who can now celebrate promotion ahead of their final game of the season against a Milan side who will be fighting to avoid the drop. Similarly, the point was enough for Patrik’s side to secure their first division survival and the manager will now be hopeful of a more impressive season next time out.

Bonkers gave their survival hopes a shot in the arm with a strong 2-0 home win over AJ Rovers. With Rovers having little to play for the home side were able to take advantage and power to victory. Bonkers began with an Innocenzio Filippinetti toe-poke which brushed a post before Rovers responded through a Bosse Kindgren free-kick which also struck the woodwork. Kindgren would have another chance on 38 minutes but this strike was tamer and Hawke made a comfortable save. Garry Maynard would then see a driving shot saved at the other end before Chris Sutton placed a header well-wide as the half finished without a goal. Bonkers would step up the pressure in the second 45 minutes, though, and Sutton nearly gave them a dream start but saw his toe-poke strike a post. Hawke would see a free-kick tapped over before Sutton eventually gave them the lead on 76 minutes by finishing a breakaway move with some aplomb. The second goal would arrive deep into injury-time with Hawke stunning the crowd by drilling home a free-kick instead of the usual dead-ball specialist, Stefan Beelenkamp. Gareth Lloyd will be hopeful of a similar performance on Tuesday against Greatness in the knowledge that a win could take them safe. Rothion won’t be too concerned with this result and will already be plotting how to come back stronger next term.

Splott Rovers relegated Bumerang as they despatched them 3-0 at Star Centre Arena. Splott would put in a performance of champion assurance which left Bumerang well-beaten and relegated. Splott began emphatically with a header by Winston Badger giving them a lead on four minutes. Rikard Lind did have a free-kick saved at the other end but the home side would assume full control. A diving header by Guntekin Can went just wide before Ted Tolley looped in a header on 27 minutes to double the lead for Splott. Matt Daredevil would have a header saved by Stancu before the break but there would be more chances in the second 45 minutes. Can would make it 3-0 on 54 minutes with an excellent half-volley and it might have been four but he hit the angle with a chip two minutes later. Splott had one more chance but Daredevil hit his effort straight at Stancu. Nevertheless, they had done more than enough to secure the points and CM will now want his side to finish with one more win to cap a superb season. Coolbooy will need to focus his side on bouncing straight back following a disappointing campaign but it doesn’t promise to be easy.

Carthage would pick up a point in a 1-1 draw at home to African Imitators but they were still left nervously awaiting their final game to decide their destiny. With Imitators still requiring points for safety before the match-up this game had everything. Percival Horsfield was denied early on by Aurelius as the visitors threatened. However, Ad Herbal would put the ball in the net for the hosts but had it disallowed before Luigi McKeever had a header saved for Imitators. A free-kick on 12 minutes would then see McKeever hit an effort just wide while Hasdrubal Gisco side-footed an effort against a post for the hosts. The goal would arrive on 22 minutes as Herbal found his range from distance to the delight of the home fans who might have had more to cheer had Miguel Angelo directed his headed chance a little better. Imitators would have another set-piece on 41 minutes but McKeever would fire over and they would go in behind. The second-half would be somewhat quieter but Herbal did nearly put the hosts ahead with a curled shot which struck a post. The Imitators responded with a McKeever strike which levelled the game on 70 minutes but it would be the hosts who would press for a winner as Angelo’s header needed punching away by Handez. The point didn’t entirely satisfy Blakey who said they ‘can’t get a win for love nor money’ but they have the perfect opportunity to defeat Bumerang on Tuesday and guarantee their safety. Gravitons will be pleased his side is now safe allowing him the chance to build a promotion chasing team for next season.

Cardiff would secure their safety with a point at AC Milan, leaving the hosts needing a win to have a chance of survival on the final day. The game had a real relegation feel to it and it would be as tight as it promised to be. Jonte Sandholm wasted the only chance of the first-half for the hosts by toe-poking off-target while Cardiff were unable to create anything at the other end. Milan would see Quigley Addison hit a free-kick over at the beginning of the second 45 minutes before Cardiff emerged as an attacking force late in the game. Osorio Sao would have a sight of goal on 73 minutes but mishit his shot before Stephen Julius hit a tame free-kick at Mathis. The end of the game signalled deadlock and a point which suited Uwfb who now gets another chance in this division next season. Xmensch will need his side to beat Pahang and results go his way elsewhere if they are to be plying their trade in the same league as Cardiff.