SSL Division One to go to the wire

THE race for the Sunday Soccer League First Division title is the tightest and most exciting for many years. Three teams still have realistic aspirations of lifting the crown - champions Tiger City, The Bowl and promoted side Le Coq du Nord.

But it is Johnny Mallett's surprise outfit Le Coq du Nord who hold the edge after completing the double over league leaders Monty's with a 4-1 victory and then trouncing Alternative Solutions Wings 9-2.

Two goals from Ross Steer and one apiece from Darren Cooley and Roy Leonard defeated Monty's.

Matt Sherbourne (four), Leonard (three), Rob Haines and goalkeeper Liam Le Prevost (a penalty) were on target against Wings.

If they win their remaining three fixtures they will capture Sunday League's biggest prize.

They are expected to overcome Ounsworth Decor Cosmos twice and their crunch game is likely to be Tiger City on Sunday afternoon at La Mare de Carteret.

If Robbie Dover's side win, they will throw the title race wide open again and increase the chances of a three-way play-off.

But if Le Coq du Nord avoid defeat, they are odds-on to lift the crown for the first time.

Two goals from Ross de Carteret helped unpredictable Le Bees to a shock 4-0 win over The Bowl on a mudbath pitch at Beau Sejour.

But Nick Mollet's side bounced back with a 3-1 win against early-season pacesetters Monty's.

They were indebted to Danny Felbabel who struck a fine hat-trick, two of them coming in the final five minutes after Clint McGrath had equalised on the stroke of half-time.

On Mother's Day, The Bowl were given three points to send them that many clear with only one game to play when Cosmos were unable to field a side.

Tiger annihilated Cosmos 9-0 to keep their title ambitions alive, then beat Monty's 4-2.

Meanwhile, OCS FC, Fermain Tavern and Cable & Wireless are battling it out for the Second Division championship.

Fermain boosted their chances of a quick return to the top flight with a 6-0 victory against Earlswood.

Adie Le Sauvage struck three times with Jon Marley, Mark Pemberton and Dave Heaume completing the rout.

C&W kept up the pressure at the top as Dave Le Feuvre netted twice and Chris Judd once in a 3-1 win against Island Landscapes.

The SSL Cup final will be an all Second Division affair between Fermain and new boys OCS FC.

Last season's beaten finalists Fermain pulled off arguably the shock of the season by beating Tiger City on another quagmire pitch.

The Tavern, whose side included veteran Phil Hall, took the lead through a controversial Marley penalty and Le Sauvage scored in his seventh consecutive game to double the lead after a slick move.

Tiger pulled one back but could not muster an equaliser and went crashing out.

OCS beat Cable & Wireless 4-2 to book their first final place.