Seventh Heaven for United

Manchester United got the better of Tropical Thunder by the odd goal in seven as Division One went goal crazy. In truth, United should have won by more as they out-chanced their hosts by a margin of 13-3. TT had the perfect start with a penalty being slotted home by Ignacio Castellini. Despite this setback United went on to dominate the rest of the half but only found their reward late on. Wayne Rooney drew them level with a shot of quality in the penalty area. United did suffer a setback with an injury to Jonny Evans but they made light of this by going in ahead courtesy of a Michael Carrick header. Cristiano Ronaldo added to the home side’s pain immediately after the restart with a trademark free-kick but Lauro Poggi gave the home side hope with a free-kick of his own seven minutes later. The game continued apace and it was Rooney again who would cause trouble in the home defence with a clinical header to put United 4-2 up. Poggi was determined to keep Thunder in the game and once more took advantage of a set-piece chance to drag them back to within a goal again. United continued to waste chances which would have put the game to bed and they also had to endure a late sending-off as Darren Fletcher received his marching orders. The result keeps United in third as they continue their quest for successive promotions while Tropical Thunder have slipped to ninth and only goal difference separates them from the last team in the relegation zone.

West Brom Strollers won the battle of the top two as they handed Josef a tough baptism to his spell as Legends of Arsenal manager. Tony Nolan was the star of the show early doors as he booked no less than five Arsenal players within the first 19 minutes. West Brom took advantage of the tightrope walking visiting side by opening the scoring on 21 minutes courtesy of a Willie Johnston effort from long range. It was a deserved lead with which they took to the interval as they kept Arsenal chanceless while creating four opportunities of their own. The goals eventually came for the Strollers during the opening thirteen minutes of the second-half. Cyrille Regis was the catalyst as he shot home in the penalty area on 49 minutes before rounding off a classic breakaway on 53. Five minutes later and the game was well and truly over as Lee Hughes finished off a fine pass from Lawrie Cunningham to make it 4-0. It was a thoroughly comprehensive win for the Strollers with Dinkydave saying it was ‘a fantastic result’ and they were rewarded for playing ‘an attacking formation.’ Josef was magnanimous in defeat congratulating Dinkydave on a ‘good job’ before adding his admiration for ‘a good team.’ They remain the top two in the league but West Brom now extend their lead to five points over the vanquished LOA.

Newry City enjoyed a good evening’s work in disposing of Liverpool 3-1 at the Showgrounds. The result was never in any doubt from the moment Raimundo Solari shot home on five minutes to put the hosts ahead. Andriy Voronin was injured for Liverpool as they made an uncomfortable start to the match and although they made it to the interval with no further damage they were just delaying the inevitable. Clint Dickson added a deserved second goal on 55 minutes but incredibly Robbie Keane scored with Liverpool’s only chance to send out a few butterflies amongst the home support. They needn’t have worried, however, as Dickson added his second of the game to seal the points and give Newry a much needed boost. Liverpool remain on the bottom and without much inspiration at the moment while Newry move up to eighth and will have welcomed the victory in their quest for survival.

Another team picking up a much needed win were Juventus who overcame Goals Aloud at Hoppitop ground 3-1. The finishing of both sides was excellent in a game of relatively few chances. Trevor Fazackerley set the tone for that with a well-placed header on 14 minutes to give Aloud a 1-0 lead. It didn’t last long, however, as Jorn Fruh dragged Juve level with a clinical strike three minutes later. The second-half swung the game in Juve’s favour as, despite giving up possession to their hosts, they were able to create the chances required to win the game. Orlan Canito took the first of their two opportunities with a shot in the penalty area and Fruh followed suit after 78 minutes to give Juve a match-winning 3-1 advantage. Goals Aloud’s struggles at the bottom continue following their defeat as they sit four points adrift of the safety mark. Juventus have given their season a massive push in the right direction with victory and a game against Tropical Thunder next gives them a chance to put distance between themselves and the drop zone.

Pahang United and Three Lions enjoyed a good battle at Padang MPK as both sides emerged with a point each. Pahang started the stronger of the two outfits and were in front on 3 minutes as Otto Andersen rose to beat Casillas in the visiting goal. Andersen then combined with Strongbow for the former to double the advantage. With Izuka directing on the touchline Three Lions kept their composure and started to bring themselves back into the game. Robin van Izu scored a brilliant free-kick to halve the deficit on 33 minutes and give them something to build on after the restart. The second-half proved a cagier affair but the Lions got the goal they needed and it was van Izu again who would make the home side pay, this time with a brilliant header which brought the scores level. Neither side could force a winner with TrueBlue saying that the result was ‘a bit frustrating.’ Izuka had recently called on his players to ‘perform better in the future’ and will have been pleased with their comeback. The result leaves Pahang on 13 points with Three Lions three points better off in fifth.

Kirkbride Strollers earned a welcome point against The Vikings and will have been relieved at the final whistle. The Strollers took the lead on eleven minutes courtesy of a free-kick from Fraser Symington but were not to create another chance in the game. The Vikings assumed control and the pressure told on the home defence when Colin Crouch headed in a cross from Milic. The Vikings hit the post twice as they tried to force the winner but their efforts yielded nought and they had to be satisfied with another point away from home. Eagles proclaimed himself ‘happy enough with (my) draw’ but went on to add it ‘could have been more.’ The result leaves them well-placed in fourth while Kirkbride drop into the relegation zone but they will be happy that they showed such determination and resolution against a strong Vikings side.