Santos on Song

AC Milan fell into the relegation zone following a 3-2 home reversal by resurgent Santos FC. With chances arriving regularly at both ends it was no surprise the game ended with five goals. Elroy Burns kicked things off with a long range shot on 5 minutes but the lead was to last only 10 minutes as Rafael de Oliveira and Marcelo Afonso combined over a free-kick for the former to equalise. The second-half saw Santos take a hold on proceedings as Ribeiro shot home in the penalty area to put them 2-1 up before crossing for Ferrari to head in number three to double the lead. Despite their lead, chances were still coming at the other end and a comeback was not out of the equation following Kaka’s long range strike. It ultimately proved too much, though, as the sides went in opposing directions in the league table. MarkieRich summed up his frustrations by saying they ‘just can’t buy a win’, adding in ominous fashion that ‘I’m in big trouble.’ Santos news said that ‘no-one really knows the reason for the recent turnaround’ but they all ‘hope the recent success will continue.’ With only one point separating the sides both have endured similar starts to the season but there is no doubting which is the more progressive.

Also falling into the relegation zone are Reggae Reggae Sauce following a 2-1 home defeat to Tranmere Rovers. It started well for Reggae as Derek Acorah scored a smart breakaway goal but their joy wasn’t to last long. Joe Urpani headed in on four minutes to equalise for the away side and they were to edge the chances for the remainder of the game despite conceding possession. The winning goal arrived late in the game as Victor Duvivier showed an ice-cool temperament to take his chance superbly on 83 minutes. The win sees Tranmere move nicely into seventh with MOTR Baz saying that ‘we seem to be heading in the right direction.’ The same cannot be said of RRS who now sit in eleventh and will be looking to return to winning ways sooner rather than later.

Remaining on the bottom of the pile are St Omer who suffered a 3-0 defeat away at Hun Haters. The home side dominated the game throughout both in terms of possession and chances and it surprised no-one when they took a 30th minute lead from a free-kick by Craig Elliston. Elliston continued to be a thorn in the away team’s side as he crossed for Iain Emery to head in the second before half-time. With a two-goal lead HH were able to produce a controlled display after the break to keep Omer at distance. Elliston once more provided a pin-point cross for Ashton Crosby to head home as Hun Haters completed a 3-0 win. Omer remain focused on developing their young talent and are happy to write this season off as a sacrifice they have to make. Hun Haters are in familiar position, meanwhile, as they sit in second spot and once more look likely to mount a title challenge.

Remaining in first place are ThunderCats F.C who beat an out-of-sorts Yorkshires Amateurs 3-0 at Thundera Grounds. ThunderCats were on top right from the start and were quickly into a 1-0 lead thanks to a Leonardo Borja penalty. Amateurs had a troubled start as they lost both Amadeo Caviedes and Gabriel Mohan to injuries in the first 15 minutes. It was 2-0 shortly after the half-hour when Borja teed up Queimado from a free-kick. The chances kept arriving for the home side as Amateurs couldn’t get a grip on the game. Queimado made it 3-0 five minutes from time to complete the win as he headed in an Ornelas cross. ThunderCats press is already building up the match with Hun Haters by saying ‘Hun Haters is on his tail yet again.’ It’s too early to be talking about title deciders but it will certainly give the victors massive momentum. Amateurs will look to launch themselves back in the race by defeating Totaalvoetbal in their next match.

Meanwhile, Totaalvoetbal had a morale-boosting victory against Marseille to lift themselves out of the relegation zone. They were on top for the majority of the game but still managed to go behind to a Ritchie Morgan finish on 35 minutes. The reigning champions didn’t panic, though, and were to pull themselves level before half-time; Pierre van Diemen volleying in a Metelo pass. Once Marseille had a goal disallowed at the beginning of the second-half, Totaal assumed control. They went ahead from a Shirsh Vajpayee shot before debutante Allan Akerboom put the finishing touches to the victory with a super diving header. Meeblind spoke of a ‘big win’ but warned that they will have ‘to stand up to their (YA) quality’ if they are to get anything from their next match. Marseille will be disappointed after their start to the season following big claims during their last campaign that they would be challenging again.

F.C. Greatness won the clash of two of the promoted sides against AFC Stanley. Despite an injury to Oliver Trower, Stanley began the game well and took the lead through a Matts Wallman free-kick as they looked to continue their good start to the season. Greatness, though, were much improved on recent outings and gradually got on top during the second-half. They were level on 69 minutes as Fabrizio Colluato knocked in a long range strike before the young teen sensation put them in front. Mario Balotelli has made a big name for himself following his promotion to the first-team and made no mistake with his strike from inside the area to put Greatness 2-1 ahead. Midfielder, Paolo Serena spoke of a good win ‘against a great team’ before adding that it ‘gives us some breathing space in the table.’ Markham was magnanimous in defeat saying Greatness are a ‘good team with a good manager.’ Both sides will be content with their 13 and 12 points respectively following their promotions last season.