Markham Date with Destiny

AFC Stanley defeated Totaalvoetbal 1-0 to keep the title race alive going into the final three games. Ike Dyer had a chance to put the visitors in front but shot tamely at Hessbo and this would signal the start of a frustrating afternoon for Totaal who would out-chance their hosts 3-1. It was to be Stanley, though, who would open the scoring. Matts Wallman took charge from a free-kick situation to thump an effort past Keizer and into the net. It would be enough to see the hosts go in ahead as Pierre van Diemen’s bicycle kick was saved by Hessbo at the other end. The second-half saw just one effort and when Ger Wattamaleo‘s header came back off the bar, the visitors' chance was gone. Stanley proceeded to give a defensive master-class to stifle much of Totaal’s play and collected, what might be, three priceless points in their quest for an RM Invitational title. They now sit five points off the leaders and are due to meet ThunderCats on Tuesday in a game which could decide the ultimate destination of the title. Meanwhile, Robin Meeblind claimed his side ‘played okay’ before praising ‘a big strong’ Stanley side and wished them luck for the season’s end.

ThunderCats F.C allowed Stanley to close the gap due to being held 1-1 at F.C. Greatness. It was Greatness who got off to the more confident start and they might have taken the lead after two minutes but for a disappointing finish from Mario Balotelli. Faust Baronchelli would make up for this on 15 minutes, though, as he drilled in a fantastic strike from distance to leave Magro sprawling across his goal, unable to make the ground up quickly enough. Magro then went off injured to continue the visitor’s disjointed start to the game. They did pick up soon afterwards, however, as Jake Sephton and Leonardo Borja both had efforts in quick succession. Cristian Dagostino went off for the hosts to disrupt their rhythm and ThunderCats took full advantage. Cidade and Sephton went close before the latter was, finally, able to bring them level by defeating Rachao from distance with a quality long range effort. The second-half didn’t live up to the standards of the first, though, and despite there being a chance each there would be no further goals. Meelas will still be comfortable with his side’s position and he knows if his side can avoid defeat against Stanley the title will be all but theirs. Darrencalvert was concerned with the injuries his side keep picking up and will be hoping they don’t have a detrimental effect on their upcoming change report.

Santos moved to within six points of ThunderCats with a comprehensive 6-0 win over a relegation-threatened Reggae Reggae Sauce. In fairness, the score could have been doubled as Reggae Reggae Sauce put in an inept display to give up thirteen chances and create none. Giving up 68% of possession as well, the visitors were always up against it and so it proved. Adriano Ribeiro headed home a twelfth minute opener for the hosts. Despite having to replace Asmar Golkas through injury, Santos remained focused and would take a 2-0 lead into the break thanks to a Rogerio Franca penalty. The second-half saw Franca go on and complete a hat-trick as he scored from distance on 54 minutes before heading in on 74 minutes. In between, Sonny Ozzinho headed a Ribeiro cross powerfully home as Santos ran riot. Creating chances at will it was no surprise when they added a sixth late in the day when Fredrick Winnerljung headed in again as Reggae Reggae Sauce’s defence gave up completely. With Santos now primed in third they will eagerly await the result of Stanley’s match with ThunderCats to see whether they also have a realistic shot at the title. As they also still have the leaders to play we could go into the final round with three sides all having a realistic chance of glory. Reggae Reggae Sauce look nailed on for relegation given this performance. With just a point separating them from Milan in tenth, they have an inferior goal difference although a match with bottom club Omer might give them a vital chance to get their season going again.

Yorkshires Amateurs surely secured their safety with an important 3-1 home win over Tranmere Rovers. In an open and entertaining first-half both sides created several chances as they looked for the points. Tranmere had gone close but fell behind on six minutes as Hugo Smallwood found his range from distance to beat Larkin. Vince Brightwell struck the woodwork from long range as the open nature of the game continued. Upson and Seibert caused a few uneasy moments in the home defence as Tranmere continued to trouble them but it was the Amateurs who went in ahead at the break. Despite an injury to Tiarnach Casey the Amateurs extended their advantage as Brightwell’s free-kick effort found the net after the super defender curled his shot past the wall. However, this two-goal lead would only last two minutes as Karsten Seibert got fair reward for Tranmere with a clinical strike following a corner. Tranmere had chances to get level with their hosts but the all-important fourth goal of the game went the way of the Amateurs on 84 minutes. A breakaway move which illustrated how the Amateurs can play when on form secured the win with Raymond Simmons finishing well from a Micky Cox pass. The win sees Amateurs move six points clear of the relegation zone and, with three teams between them and danger, they look good for survival after what has been a testing season for Danlufc13’s men. Tranmere still have work to do but have a three-point lead over Milan with a very winnable game against wayward Marseille coming next.

Hun Haters and AC Milan served up a treat of attacking football as the Haters edged it by the odd goal in seven. Both sides enjoyed plenty of chances in a game which saw defensive football thrown out of the window. Nigel Bruggink had put the hosts ahead with a shot in the penalty area only for Milan to bounce back on 16 minutes with a Brando Pisano shot after a corner. An own goal by Craig Elliston looked to have given Milan a first-half advantage but Iain Emery ensured parity at the half with a fine header from an Ashton Crosby centre. The second-half continued in the same vein with both sides enjoying, and also wasting, chances. Andrea Pirlo was the next player to be unfortunate enough to score an own goal to give Hun Haters a 3-2 advantage on 49 minutes. This proved a crucial moment in the game as, just three minutes later, Bruggink added his second of the game with a super header to put the hosts 4-2 up. Milan, to MarkieRich’s credit, kept going and forced openings in an attempt to get back into the game. They duly pulled a goal back on 68 minutes as Elroy Burns completed a fine breakaway move to shoot past Boruc and give the team fresh hope. A fourth goal would, however, be a bridge too far for a Milan side who fell into the relegation zone on the back of the result. You imagine, though, if Markie can keep them attacking in such a fashion they should have too much for relegation. Hun Haters’ win will have proved a big relief for Celticchris who saw his side move four points clear of their beaten opponents and he knows one win in their final three games should see them survive in the RM Invitational.

St Omer continued to impress as their season draws to an end with a 1-0 home success over Marseille. Omer were given the perfect platform when Roberto da Luz headed in a cross from Kamol Jitbut on just two minutes. Marseille did look like they had equalised this effort, though, when Stanko Marincic shot home in the penalty area on 34 minutes but it was disallowed for, what turned out to be, a clear offside. The second-half proved to be quiet until a lob from Rafaele Di Muri rattled the crossbar on 85 minutes for Marseille. As the ball bounced away so did Marseille’s chances and Omer could have extended their lead with a more accurate header from Edgar Passinha two minutes later. The sides look destined to meet next season in Division One as Marseille are set to join Omer as relegated over the next game or two. With Cathal promising a return to full-time duty soon it is hoped he can salvage the team while ConyTottee’s troops look set for a much-improved season next time out.