Spotlight: Round 14

After a week's absence, Spotlight is back again, having been expanded to review a game from each division in every round.

RM Invitational: Totaalvoetbal 3-0 Arsenal DB
Earlier in the season, Arsenal DB recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over Totaalvoetbal at The Emirates. This time, Totaal were out for revenge lined up in an attacking 3-5-2 while DomBrown chose one of my personal favourites, the 5-2-3. The hosts were content to sit back and try to patiently break down a packed Arsenal defence in the first half. Their only chance came when Ballarin almost beat Almunia via a direct freekick, while they were caught on the break twice and very nearly gave away goals but Leemans saved his side both times. Totaal then came out strong in the second half, quickly scoring the opening goal through a Ballarin direct freekick in the 51st minute. Totaal's dominance showed and they would romp to a 3-0 win in the final minutes, Verona redeeming his two earlier mistakes as he set up Izuhimovic for a Maicon-style goal before the midfielder again played provider, assisting Van Diemen for a beautiful long range goal which left Almunia stunned. With that result, Arsenal's lead at the top has been reduced to a single point.

Division 1: Bully Boys FC 1-2 Kensington Boys Club
Bully Boys FC would have loved to pick up all three points yesterday to get themselves more into the promotion fight. However, the erratic Kensington Boys Club were also looking for points to distance themselves from relegation and did well with perfect teamwork in midfield being the key. Bully Boys dominated the first half, but for all their efforts only managed to convert 1 of their 6 chances, and then only by way of an own goal from Maurice Jacobs. Kensington then took centre stage in the second half. With possession staying roughly equal, Kensington's midfield was the difference with first Lockwood smacking a long range shot into the net in the 63rd minute before Jacobs redeemed himself with a header after a corner in the 65th minute. Rumours are that Jacobs has become increasingly unneeded at Kensington this season, only playing 5 games so far as age catches up with him while Patrikpatrik's lads start to mature. Jacobs has been a steady source of goals and assists throughout his seasons at Kensington and could be on his way to another club this summer.

Division 2: AC Milan 3-0 ALLORNOTHING
Djoxy1983 had a triumphant start to life in the RM Invitational as his new side, AC Milan, romped to an easy 3-0 win over ALLORNOTHING. LIVERMOZ has been missing for a while now and his players were in disarray, Heffer for some reason placing himself in defence while star defender Sullivan did not even show up. The hosts quickly took the lead with Berg sending a long range shot past Stancu in the 10th minute. Captain Lormor would follow suit in the 62nd minute before Berg wrapped it up with a second long range shot in the 78th minute while Milan goalkeeper Mathis was literally having a tea party with his defenders at the other end of the pitch.

Division 3: Juventus 3-5 Alsancak F.C
This week's biggest thriller in all of the RMI was the Division 3 match between league leaders Juventus and promotion chasers Alsancak F.C, who got themselves into the promotion zone after this impressive result. The hosts looked to be heading for an easy win after a 1st minute goal by Eliakwu, Namli providing the cross for the midfielder's header. However, Alsancak were level within 5 minutes as a long range shot from Agbonlahor caught Tonetto in poor position. Messi would then put the hosts ahead again with a shot from an Eliakwu corner. However, both sides would go into the break level as Taylor smashed a beautiful freekick into the net in the 41st minute. Alsancak went into the second half with an advantage, though, after Noble had to be taken off injured in the 43rd minute. Young and fresh, Howie Colby came on in his place looking to score his first goal for the club. Once again, the hosts would take the lead through a Li Hiroi penalty, only for the visitors to once again bring the game back to level terms with an Agbonlahor header from a Rodwell corner in the 74th minute. Just a minute later, Alsancak F.C would take the lead for the first time in the game through their own penalty, earned and converted by Burston. Juventus would seal their own doom minutes from time as Canito, who was earlier booked for a rough tackle on Noble, was shown a second yellow, leaving Juve with two tired midfielders. Inside injury time, Colby would finally score his long-awaited first goal for Alsancak as Rose sent an inch-perfect cross into the box for his fellow midfielder.