Up Where We Belong

Ozzie - Melchester's most loyal fan

For the first time in their history, Melchester lined up against Last Minute with an unchanged line-up from the one that had pushed aside Domino a week before. And the reds hit the ground running as Ali, scorer of a last minute goal in the previous game, scored a first minute goal in this one.

Unfortunately Rovers were feeling generous, gifting Last Minute two goals that looked set to award them their first ever victory against Melchester. In a hard fought second half, Costea found an equaliser, after which neither side could break the deadlock. A point apiece, 2-2.

Beating The Blues

Up against unfamiliar opposition one week later against Corinto Blues, Rovers were horrified to find the match would be officiated by BSMK's Worst Ref, Roman from arch-rivals Galaxy FC. However, on this occasion the ref seemed so keen to prove his impartiality that Corinto suffered, the Reds going ahead from a dubious throw in which Corinto's keeper pushed into his own net, before gifting the blues yet another ridiculous goal, almost identical to the one they'd presented Last Minute with the previous week.

But when Corinto seemingly took the lead, the ref contrived to find a fault and disallowed the goal, and Melchester took heed. With free-scoring A-list Celebrity Norwegian Vegard Nordheim grabbing four goals, and Ali adding another two, an easy 6-1 win sent Rovers back up the table.

Big But Time

Next up Karlsberg. Grudge match time. Last season's tie will be remembered for Karlsberg's racist abuse, Harald Schumacher-esque goalkeeping, and calling Matt Smith "Moby". As if that weren't enough, a big enough victory for Racey's men would see them overtake Karlsberg for a top three spot. This, surely, is the match of the weekend.

Reds Back On Track

The wonderful thing about Vegards, is Vegards the wonderful thing.

Melchester's top scorer and part time Tiggerogram Vegard Nordheim

After a disappointing start to their season, Melchester welcomed back last season's top scorer and celebrity Norwegian Vergard Nordheim for the tie against erstwhile whipping boys Tripoli Cafe "B". And, as hoped, Rovers went into an early lead when Nordheim announced his return with a goal after 15 minutes.

The second half saw Ali score early on with his customary aplomb, before Wee Big Man Robin Smith doubled the score, grabbing a brace toward the end which could have important implications for goal difference later in the season.

Short of new signings, Rovers even experimented with ghosts in the midfield, but with no actual physical body with which to control the ball, this was only marginally more effective than the usual line-up.

With the wind in their sails, Rovers moved on to new opponents Domino, who were dominated by a free scoring Melchester who for once scored practically from kick off courtesy of Pagliaro, with that man Nordheim again hitting the scoresheet in style with another 4 (FOUR) goals, and Ali bringing up the rear to score in extra time to give Rovers a 6-0 win.

And so onto tomorrow, when another familiar opponent, Tottenham lookalikes Last Minute FC try to beat Rovers for the first time in their history. Always a close match, there's everything to play for with positions on the table still mighty, mighty close.