Rivals Deadlocked

Totaalvoetbal and AFC Stanley fought out a 0-0 draw at MVB Arena earlier today.

With Markham33 having won the tactical battle Totaalvoetbal will have been relieved to come away with a point even if they did have chances of their own to snatch all three.

The first-half was a tight and tense affair with neither side wanting to commit too many men forward in search of goals.

The home side did fashion an opening on 13 minutes when Hayter picked out Pierre van Diemen but the young forward could only hit a volley straight at Hessbo in goal.

Stanley were having more of the ball but rarely threatened as they set their stall out to be tough to break down.

When they did get forward Garry Molseley could only hit an effort well over the bar as the half ended goalless.

The second-half opened up slightly as more ambition came into play.

Stanley created the first opening and when Thorbjorn Lind steered the ball onto goal Keizer did well to turn it away.

Totaalvoetbal will always carry a threat as long as van Diemen is on the pitch and the young striker nearly broke the deadlock after hitting the ball through Hessbo's legs. Unfortunately for the home side the ball struck the post and bounced away instead of into the goal.

Totaal were enjoying their best spell of the game and saw Metelo fire a free-kick wide as the quest for the opening goal continued.

Going into the latter stages the home side began to pay for their pressure game and Stanley looked to seize the opportunity.

Matts Wallman hit a free-kick wide before Jon MacClintock curled an effort into the arms of Keizer as Stanley pressed.

Try as they might they still couldn't find a winner and the game ended in deadlock.

"I'm happy with that." said Meeblind.

"Markham has done me but my team has ground out a point. Credit to them.

"The season is going as I expected and any point is a valuable one."