Elvis on Song for Mafia

Mexican Mafia put in a superb display of attacking football to floor Newry City 5-1 at Sierra Madre. The game got off to a fast start with Zenon Zagajewski opening the scoring for the hosts only for Muharem Husic to net a free-kick just three minutes later to bring the visitors level. Despite this riposte Newry never looked settled in the game and Mafia always looked a cut above. Zagajewski restored the home lead on 25 minutes with a long range beauty and from this moment there was only one winner. The second-half saw Mafia make their dominance pay as they hit three goals without reply. Elvis MacCaran enjoyed his 45 minutes football with a stunning hat-trick which left Newry reeling. His first was a header from a cross on 60 minutes before he finished a breakaway on 78. The treble was complete in injury-time with another header as he helped himself to a match-ball and also the man-of-the-match award. Jimmy described himself as ‘exceedingly happy’ with the win which sees his side remain top of the pile while Newry remain in eighth but will want to forget this performance quickly.

Matching the Mafia stride for stride at the top are West Brom Strollers who defeated Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford. West Brom were happy to sit in and contain their hosts during an uneventful first-half but were altogether more adventurous after the interval. A key moment in the match came on 55 minutes when referee, Seymour Red, lived up to his name and dismissed Ryan Giggs handing the initiative to the visiting team. West Brom were only too happy to seize it and despite an injury to Graham Willams they claimed victory thanks to two goals in the last ten minutes of the game. Cyrille Regis headed home the first for his third of the season on 83 minutes and just two minutes later United were out of the contest as Willie Johnston also headed in. Dinkydave spoke of being ‘very happy’ before adding ‘left it late though.’ Pakya will not be quite so pleased as Manchester United drop to seventh albeit only one point from third place.

Occupying that third spot are Three Lions FC following an eventful 2-2 draw at Juventus. It was a fair result to a game which had chances at either end with both sides playing good football. Three Lions ‘keeper Izu Casillas opened the scoring for the visitors from the spot but Juve were quickly level through a Mairthin Foley free-kick. With chances still forthcoming it would be Juve who would take advantage and it was to be that man, Foley, again from another free-kick which proved to be Three Lions’ undoing. The second-half tightened up with both sides becoming aware of the others’ threat but there was to be another goal. It came via Robin van Izu who headed in emphatically to ensure a share of the spoils in a fine advert for the game. Izuka spoke to the press earlier today, saying, his players are ‘not doing too badly’ and are in a good position with ‘still 15 games left in the season.’ SuperJuve will be more concerned with his sides’ position as they sit just above the drop zone although with performances like this they should pick up points on a regular basis.

Goals Aloud followed up a victory in their last outing with a 1-0 home win over The Vikings. The Vikings will consider themselves somewhat unfortunate to suffer defeat as they gave as good as they got in an even encounter. A lot of the visitors better play came from young midfielder Evastothios Gourmas who looks a fantastic talent for Eaglesrjh. As well as he played, though, he just couldn’t help the visitors find the breakthrough. They were hit by a sucker-punch in the 90th minute just when you thought the game was going to end 0-0. A fast breakaway ended with Erik Gall slipping a pass through to Constantino de Melo. The forward took the ball in his stride and beat Lees to give Goals Aloud a massive boost and lifted them to within a point of safety. The Vikings slip out of the top three but remain in good form and well set to have an exciting season.

Liverpool and Kirkbride Strollers met in a battle at the bottom and honours were to end even following a tight battle. Kirkbride had the better of the opening 45 minutes but couldn’t make any of their three chances count in a below par performance by the front two. Liverpool received a boost on 57 minutes when Bruce Grobbelaar stroked home a penalty to give them a 1-0 lead. With the home side now having the full backing of their fans you might have expected them to see out the game but the Strollers were to show great fighting spirit and haul themselves level. The goal came on 77 minutes following good work by Billy Maneater. David Proctor was found in the area and he made no mistake to ensure a point each. The result leaves the sides in eleventh and twelfth on four and three points respectively and they will both need to start winning soon.

Tropical Thunder and Pahang United also played out a 1-1 draw at Larkfield as neither side could maintain the upper hand during the encounter. Pahang had the better of the opening 45 minutes and went in front from one of the two opportunities they created. Jeremias Linderman was the scorer as he hit home from distance to give United a 1-0 half-time lead. Just as Pahang had the better of the opening 45, it was TT who would edge the second-half. They were also rewarded with a Geovany Dainelli shot levelling matters on 64 minutes. Neither side could create a chance good enough for them to force victory and had to settle for a point apiece. Tropical Thunder press reported that it was ‘not a very interesting game’ but another point keeps their season moving along. Pahang are a point better off and both will remain competitive as the season unfolds.