Brambledown Invitation Premiership - Week 5

1 Big Up Front 14
2 Mutatis Mutandis 14
3 Gander Green Gooners 12
4 South London Spurs 9
5 Shrinking Assets 6
6 Hope Springs 6
7 Overton Hotspurs 5
8 Macca Juniors 5
9 Palace Yoyos 3

Not just Big Up Front, it's Robbie Up Front!

If Big Up Front go on to win this season's Premiership, Leigh Sanderson will look back and see week five as the crucial weekend that boosted their chances; when a real gamble began to pay dividends. Young Robbie Fowler has had to contend with a lot over the last 10 months; newspaper allegations about his private life alongside a long, drawn out battle to recover from a cruciate ligament injury that looked to have him out until Christmas. That's why this unexpected return of a future England striker is a credit to himself and all the backroom staff who have contributed to his return to the big-time so early. Sanderson gambled on him during the close season, rescuing him from the scrap-heap of the free-agents list for a mere £100,000. Even so, since first-team football for Fowler looked a long way off, cover was brought in to give him time to get back to full fitness. However, a combination of a miracle recovery and a lack of form of one half of the Buff strikeforce meant Sanderson felt it necessary to thrust Robbie into the melting pot after just two reserve matches. How this lad responded to the challenge could only be described as extraordinary, and a massive bonus for the Buff fans. The fantastic reception Fowler got when appearing on the Front's turf for the first time since Christmas '97 was an apt prelude to what was to follow. Based on a very solid performance at the back with Ehiogu in the form of his life, Big Up Front gradually took control of the game and it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken. Robbie Fowler's first real chance came in the form of a 33rd minute penalty which he tucked it away with the sort of coolness we have come to expect. Matt Le Tissier made it two after 64 minutes, with a lovely strike, and Fowler sealed it, finishing off a lovely move for his brace, and to cap off a come-back day to remember. With this excellent display from the Buff's, it looks as if the spluttering early season form has quickly disappeared, to be replaced by a renewed optimisim and buoyant mood in the Kenley camp, especially as they've moved from bottom to third in three weeks.

Elsewhere, league leaders Mutatis Mutandis march on relentlessly as a six point gap opens up helped along with goals from John Collins, his first for the club, plus a strike from the flambuoyant Italian Paulo Di Canio. However, boss Cliff Speed will have to attribute the majority of his success to a water-tight defence which so far this season has sufficated the life out of any striker that has been put in front of them. It was also good news this week for Lowbury boys, Gander Green Gooners as they continue their good recent form and move into second spot. GGG supremo Kelvin Osborn must get most of his satisfaction by the sudden return to goal-scoring form of Alan Shearer, four goals in the last two league games being testimony to that. Following up in joint fourth place are Macca Juniors who had a blank week in front of goal and Overton Hotspurs whose Stefan Schnoor strike keeps them in touch with the leaders. August's manager of the month, Greg Middleton will really have to prove his pedigree as he copes with a spate of injuries and a really leaky defence. Hope Springs are making improved progress although they are still finding goals difficult to come by. Joint managers Barry and Lara Bright have based their team on a very organised defence, but are finding it difficult to find the balance between keeping a clean sheet and scoring goals. However, good news is on the way for the Springs fans with rumours that new signings are imminent. Goals from Tony Adams and Paolo Wanchope move South London Spurs above Shrinking Assets whose own Nikolas Anelka finally got off the mark. Propping up the table are still the struggling YoYos who had another dismal week - a terrible defensive display conceding 10 goals, a new league record, leaves them way of the pace despite goals from Speed and Whelan. There are already plenty of rumours of unrest in the Palace camp and in this day and age of the fickle contract, Dave Middleton must be worrying about the future of his job unless he can pull it round.


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