Cats Claw Clear at Top

ThunderCats F.C extended their lead at the top of the RM Invitational with a 3-1 win at Tranmere Rovers. The first-half was an even affair which saw both sides create a couple of chances. The opening goal came after nine minutes in favour of the hosts as ThunderCats switched off from a corner. Joseph Garner found Uilliam Flanagan in the area and the forward made no mistake from six-yards. They weren’t in front for long, however, as they allowed Leonardo Borja time to get off a long range shot which beat Larkin with some comfort. Despite an injury to Jake Sephton at the start of the second-half, ThunderCats went on to dominate the 45 minutes and claim the three points. Isaac Rafferty was to get the decisive second goal on 62 minutes as he followed Borja’s earlier example in beating Larkin from distance. They clinched the win with a third goal as Joseph Garner put through his own goal on 67 minutes to cap a bad day at the office for the home side. The win sees ThunderCats go six points clear at the head of proceedings and Meelas will be confident, from here, that they can go on and claim their first ever RM Invitational title. Tranmere, meanwhile, dropped into the relegation zone as a result but with only a point separating them from sixth there will be plenty more twists and turns to come in the coming weeks.

The second and third-placed sides met at Garden Street as AFC Stanley and Santos FC fought out a 1-1 draw. In truth, this was harsh on an excellent home side who dominated possession and chances in a confident display. Stanley enjoyed the better of the opening minutes as they forced two chances. Both Enrico Fuentes and Jon MacClintock went close as Stanley looked for the opening goal. Despite this start, though, Stanley would fall behind to Santos’ first, and what turned out to be only, chance. It came from a nice through ball by Fredrick Winnerljung and was despatched by Rogerio Franca who showed unerring accuracy in defeating Hessbo in goal. Stanley continued to enjoy the better of the game and it was good to see that their confidence wasn’t knocked by being a goal behind. Garry Molseley wasted one chance before he eventually brought the home side deservedly level. A one-touch breakaway move finished with Oliver Trower feeding Molseley who finished superbly in beating Rodenas. Santos remain in second after the draw and manager Sean7, while being happy with a point, will know his side cannot afford to drop many more if they are to catch ThunderCats. Similarly, Markham will know that they are relying on the Cats slipping up if they are to be successful in their chase.

F.C. Greatness moved into fourth with a 2-1 win at Reggae Reggae Sauce. Dominating the possession due to outnumbering their opponents 4-2 in midfield, Greatness managed to assert a level of control on the match which they would never lose. The first-half was a quiet affair with little to get either set of fans excited. With both sides suffering injuries, Christiano Torres for RRS and Agostino Bernardi for FCG, it was the visitors who coped best. They took a deserved lead on 53 minutes as Faust Baronchelli struck from a well-taken Arnaldo Sifredi corner. Greatness were creating the vast majority of the openings but found themselves pegged back as Fernando Ronaldo struck home a penalty on 66 minutes. Greatness continued to press on as if the equaliser hadn’t happened and it was Baronchelli who would seal the win. This time from a Cristian Dagostino corner, Baronchelli again found space to poke home and clinch three important points for last season’s Division One champions. After seeing his side keep alive their slim title hopes, Darrencalvert was happy with Baronchelli, stating that the forward was ‘starting to settle at the club.’ Xpertelevener sees his side retain their middle of the table position but will be concerned that the gap between them and the final relegation spot is now just a point.

AC Milan kept their heads above water with a point in a 2-2 home draw with Totaalvoetbal. The visitors were hit early with an injury to Herbert Stigsson and things were looking far from hopeful for them when Ron Aldinho shot home after a corner from Humphrey Biehn. Totaal did get a hold on the game in the second-half, though, and began to create the better chances. Pierre van Diemen was the recipient of most of these and whilst he couldn’t draw them level, Shirsh Vajpayee enjoyed better luck. Picking up a pass from Johan Juffing he managed to beat Speroni from long range to level the game on 71 minutes. Milan were still playing their part in an open game and it was the Aldinho-Biehn combination which would strike to put them back on top. Biehn produced some splendid wing work to deliver a cross which Aldinho made no mistake from with a diving header. The lead, this time, would only last two minutes as Ger Wattamaleo produced a fine header of his own to equalise on 84 minutes ensuring both sides would take a point home. Robin Meeblind has navigated his side into the comfort of fifth spot and in no danger of featuring at either end of the table. He was pleased with the point and that his youngsters ‘have gained valuable experience.’ MarkieRich knows that his side still have plenty of work left if they are to steer clear of trouble and they will need to pull out all the stops to trouble ThunderCats on Tuesday.

Hun Haters were the big winners down at the bottom end of the table as they took advantage of playing Marseille by beating them 3-0. With Marseille no competition for most sides these days, Hun Haters dealt with them easily once they had made their initial breakthrough. During the first-half you could sense a lack of confidence in the home ranks but, after words with Celticchris, they came out a different animal after the break. Craig Elliston sent a sense of relief all round the stadium on 57 minutes when he rifled a free-kick into the goal to secure a 1-0 advantage for his side. This sparked a goal-frenzy as they added two more within the next three minutes. Iain Emery notched the second as he produced a super effort from long range and then the captain and goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, completed the win with a sweetly-struck penalty on the hour-mark. The home side had more chances but missing them wasn’t to matter as they secured the three points which catapulted them up to seventh in the table, albeit only a point clear of Tranmere in tenth. The two sides meet on Tuesday in a game which could go a long way to deciding the future of either, if not both clubs. Marseille look to be destined for Division One football for next season when it is hoped Cathal will be ready to take the reins once more and lead his club into better times.

Yorkshires Amateurs and St Omer played out a dour 0-0 draw at The Thorp Arches as the home side missed a chance to put distance between themselves and the drop zone. The Amateurs could only force two chances in the entire game, both from free-kicks, despite enjoying 63% of the possession. Neither Raymond Simons nor Jeffrey Cheeseman managed to beat Frost with their efforts as the Amateurs endured a frustrating evening. Omer’s own game produced no chances and they also suffered a modicum of frustration as Arne Seiffert and Eurico Reinaldo were injured in their efforts as they picked up their eighth point of the campaign. ConyTottee will hope to avoid similar injuries between now and the season’s end as he hopes to enjoy a fruitful change report and get his side motoring next term. The Amateurs, meanwhile, sit level on points with Tranmere but will look to move clear on Tuesday when they face Marseille.