Dave 1 Izu 1

West Brom Strollers enjoyed a 2-0 revenge win over Three Lions FC after both sides had engaged in mind games since the first encounter last week. The first-half was a relatively quiet affair although the hosts had a definite advantage in terms of possession. They eventually made this count in the early stages of the second-half as they opened up a two-goal lead they would never relinquish. Zlatan Izuhimovic inadvertently proved the hero for West Brom as he put through his own goal on 51 minutes to give them a 1-0 lead. Six minutes later and it was to be 2-0 as Bobby Taylor converted a calm penalty to ensure they would bounce back following their first defeat of the season. The Lions had chances themselves but were found wanting in front of goal. Dinkydave pronounced himself ‘happy again’ following the win which sees his side remain two points clear at the top of the table. The managers appear on good terms following their meetings over the week with Izu congratulating Dave on a ‘good game.’ Izu’s Lions sit in fourth but now have a four point gap to bridge if they are to make their way into the top three.

Legends of Arsenal maintained the pressure on the leaders with a 7-0 win over Liverpool inspired by Demetrio Delpiano. It was a devastating display of finishing by LOA and Delpiano especially as they successfully took seven out of their nine chances. Ralf Kron opened the scoring following an assist from Delpiano from a free-kick. Delpiano himself added the second as the sides went in 2-0 at the interval before adding two quick-fire goals after the break. A breakaway move and a long range shot enabled the front man to have secured a hat-trick after 54 minutes. He then set-up Kameni Idriss for the fifth from a free-kick before Mahmoud Sherko shot home number six on 69 minutes. The final say was left to Delpiano who slotted in a penalty for his fourth of the game in his team’s 7-0 victory. Liverpool’s misery was compounded by an injury to Robbie Keane but there can be little sympathy for a team who pick players in the wrong positions and chooses not to pick substitutes. Buttons has seemingly melted in the pressure of Division One football. Josef was very pleased with his 7-0 win in preparation for the visit of the leaders on Friday.

Tropical Thunder finally managed to record a win as they beat Juventus 5-3 in a thrilling encounter. The first-half saw both sides display a cutting edge in front of goal as three of the four chances created were taken. Jake Minto had put the hosts ahead following a free-kick but Juve managed to turn the game round in no time. An Orlan Canito strike in the penalty area drew them level on 20 minutes and one minute later Adalberto Di Cinito had them in front with a devastating free-kick. The second-half saw Tropical Thunder push the visitors back and they were rewarded with a Lauro Poggi equaliser. Instead of kicking on following this, however, they let their concentration slip and were immediately behind again as Raf Tudisco rounded off a brilliant breakaway to boost Juve. Jake Minto went off injured for the hosts but they remained determined and put in a sensational last twenty minutes to win the game. Damiano Grimaldi headed in an equaliser on 71 minutes and the teams remained tied going into injury-time. Tropical Thunder then seized the initiative with a clever free-kick ending with Pasqual Arellano beating Fuentes in goal. With Juve heartbroken Ghita Ahmataj rounded off the win with a fifth goal to leave the home fans in delirium. Jamesfreeman showed his relief when he said ‘Yes!!! First win in ages.’ With his side sitting just two points above the drop zone it is easy to see why he was so happy. Juventus are also just two points above the drop zone and will hope the manner of the defeat won’t affect their confidence too much.

Kirkbride Strollers completed the double over Pahang United as they continue their march up the table. In truth it was a tight encounter which could have gone either way. It was to be Kirkbride who would score the crucial goal, though, as Mitsuhiro Sinoda headed in a corner on 41 minutes to put the Strollers in the box seat. They had to withstand injuries to Garry Niern and Ian Irvine and also a couple of chances to Pahang but they managed to record the victory which puts them on 16 points and in second-place in the recent form table. TrueBlue, meanwhile, is starting to wonder about his side’s Division One status and when asked about whether they can stay afloat he said with sombre realism, ‘don’t think so.’

Top of the form table are Manchester United who had to withstand a good performance by The Vikings to record a 1-0 win at Viking Land. The main surprise as the events unfolded in the game was that only one goal would be scored. With the teams combining for a total of thirteen chances some wayward finishing and good goalkeeping displays kept the score down. The one goal came just before half-time as a Ryan Giggs corner was headed home by Wayne Rooney, the young forwards eighth goal of a memorable campaign. Try as they might The Vikings just couldn’t find the equalising goal and fell to a disappointing home defeat. Eaglesrjh rued the ‘pretty drastic’ performances of his forwards but was happy that his ‘mid-table’ placing was as predicted and they will ‘hopefully stay there.’ Manchester United have loftier ambitions as they sit in third and have opened up a four point gap over Three Lions FC.

Goals Aloud made light of Ocs' shock resignation by defeating Newry City 2-1 at Showgrounds. Newry enjoyed the better of the opening half but couldn’t make their pressure tell as the sides went in level at the interval. Aloud then had to contend with an injury to Srebrenko Cacic after half-time but their response was to take the lead through a Trevor Fazackerley strike. Arnold Atlee had a quick response for the visitors via a stunning distance strike but it was to be Fazackerley who would have the final say. After being given a pass by Aaron Kilner, Fazackerley stunned Wellens with a sizzling effort which left him with no chance. The win sees Aloud move to within a point of safety and with rumours of a new man coming in soon they will be retaining hope of keeping their Division One status. Newry are a point worse off than their opponents and will be looking to take full advantage of a match with Liverpool next.