Strongbow Fires Arrows to Down Juve

Pahang United were in clinical mood in front of goal as they disposed of Juventus 3-0 at Delle Alpi. Despite only creating four chances in the game Pahang were able to score from three of them and put in a solid defensive display to run out convincing winners. Fresh from two recent victories Juventus went into the match full of confidence but Kilian Strongbow soon silenced the home fans with a stunning free-kick. Pahang had to overcome the loss of Otto Andersen at the start of the second-half to injury and they did so in fine style. Strongbow continued his brilliant performance with a cracking header from a corner and the win was rounded off with a penalty by Benjamin Johannsen. TrueBlueFC was ‘upset’ with the injury to Andersen but was ‘happy’ with the win as the main aim is for the team to avoid relegation. SuperJuve will look for his side to put in an improved performance against Newry on Friday.

Two unbeaten sides met at The Hawthorns as Jamesfreeman took charge of Tropical Thunder for the first time against West Brom Strollers. It was to be West Brom who would have the better of the game but it was Thunder who would be leading after the early exchanges. A penalty was awarded to the visitors by strict referee Dick Tator and it was scored by Ignacio Castellini. The second-half belonged solely to the home team as Thunder were nullified as an attacking threat. West Brom eventually drew level through Lawrie Cunningham’s header as he wasn’t marked properly from a corner. Thunder were relieved to hear the final whistle to signal a good point as the Strollers couldn’t find a winning goal. Dinkydave said that he wanted his ‘3 strikers’ to have been able to ‘convert more’ of their chances but ultimately thought that the ‘tactics cancelled each other out.’ Jamesfreeman was clearly happy with his side’s point saying that Dave ‘deserved to win’ and that the ‘draw was good for me.’ The result sees West Brom stay top with Thunder comfortably sat in mid-table.

Three Lions FC put in a display their coach Izuka will have been proud of as they defeated The Vikings 2-0 at Wembley. The first-half saw some neat and tidy football but not much in the way of penetration or chances and finished goalless. The second-half saw Three Lions come out reborn and from the moment Zlatan Izuhimovic headed the opening goal you sensed nothing would deny them three points. It was to be a penalty that would clinch victory with Robin van Izu adding goal number twenty-one to his Three Lions FC career. The defeat saw The Vikings drop to sixth spot but manager Eaglesrjh seemed more concerned about the ‘major injury’ to Justin Portway and the inevitable ‘huge drop in form’ for the striker. On hearing this Izuka brushed aside his side’s victory and could only say ‘Sorry Eagles.’ Nevertheless the victory was an eye-catching one and leaves them in second spot in the table.

Mexican Mafia are the side holding onto the last promotion slot after a tight win at Kirkbride Strollers. With little in the way of goalmouth action at either end it came as no surprise when it was a single goal which settled matters. The goal came in the 77th minute following some good build up play from Shinosuke Isimaru who produced a telling pass for Marzuki Nugraha to beat McLoud with a calm finish. With Mafia boss Jimmy on his holidays he will be relieved upon his return to see his side have performed well in his absence. Kirkbride remain in search of their first win since becoming a Division One football side and will want to address that at the first possible opportunity. It doesn’t get any easier for them, however, as they meet Three Lions FC in Round 5.

Recording their first victory of the season were Liverpool as they edged out Goals Aloud 2-1 at Anfield. They got off to a dream start as Jose Fonte scored direct from a free-kick to give the whole crowd a massive boost. Liverpool weren’t to have it all their own way during a tight first-half but they did manage to add to their lead. Robbie Keane finishing off a clever pass from Dirk Kuyt to add, what proved to be, an all-important second goal. Goals Aloud wasted no time in striking back in the dying seconds of the first-half. Erik Gall afforded too much time in the area and he made the home defence pay with a super finish. The second-half also saw goalmouth action but neither side could find a way past the others goalkeeper. The result sees Liverpool leave Goals Aloud as the only side pointless in the division as they climb out of the relegation zone with their first points of the season. Neither manager made it to their press conference at the end of the game, focusing instead on the tough weeks ahead.

Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Manchester United to a thrilling comeback against Newry City at Old Trafford. Abraham Conway had given the visitors a surprise lead from a free-kick as United created much the better chances in the opening half. United didn’t let their poor finishing dishearten them as they came out full of fire for the second-half. Rafael da Silva headed in from a Dennis Irwin cross as they finally beat the superb Dominic Wellens in goal. Ronaldo then took over and thumped in a header from an Owen Hargreaves centre. He capped a fine afternoon with a lovely free-kick five minutes from time as United moved menacingly up to fourth with this 3-1 win. Defeat sees Newry drop into the relegation zone, still in search of their first win.