Taylor Made to Measure for WBS

West Brom Strollers picked up a crucial three points as they continue their march towards the Division One Championship. They put in a powerful all-round performance to dominate a strong Manchester United side who have seen their own promotion hopes take a dent over the past couple of matches. Bobby Taylor proved the difference between the sides with a goal in each half as West Brom were rewarded for their positive approach to the game. His first goal came on 19 minutes when he shot home in the penalty area following some smart play from Tony Brown. West Brom wasted several chances in both halves and will have worried for a while that they may pay the price for their profligacy. However, despite creating three chances of their own, United were having a troubled evening as injuries to Darren Gibson and Nemanja Vidic disrupted their side. Their evening’s misery was completed when Taylor added his second goal with a calm finish after being put through by Lee Hughes. Although the Strollers also suffered an injury to Richard Sneekes nothing could detract from their delight at picking up a super three points. With the win putting West Brom seven points clear their rivals would not want to have heard the determination with which DD spoke about being careful enough to be ‘looking over our shoulders until we’re across the line,’ a firm indication that they will not be relenting just yet. Pakya will be desperate for United to pick up three points soon as they have now dropped to fifth and, with the other promotion chasers in good form, they have it all to do.

Josef bowed out as manager of Legends of Arsenal with a 2-1 win at Newry City. With the team unaware of their manager’s plans they performed a textbook away performance to grab three important points. With their only chance of the first-half, Shinosuke Isimaru struck in the penalty area to give the LOA a first-half lead. It was a lead they would keep in thanks, partly, to Newry’s inability to take their chances. Newry managed to right this in the early stages of the second-half as Antony Cowdrey produced a stunner from long range. Despite their parity they couldn’t kick on and take the further chances they created and were made to pay on 79 minutes. A corner expertly delivered by Ralf Kron found the head of Zenon Zagajewski who, in turn, found the net to propel LOA to three points. The defeat leaves Newry sat at the bottom of the table and, with games running out, the need to find a victory is becoming increasingly desperate. Josef, meanwhile, turned out the lights and left his post as manager of LOA but, on hearing the news, the seat was taken by the familiar figure of Jimmy, returning for his second-spell in charge of the club. Speaking after renaming the club, New York City, he exclaimed, ‘I saw the job and couldn’t resist.’

The Vikings ominously moved into a top three spot with a 3-1 win over Goals Aloud. Justin Portway was the key component of the victory as he was the only player who was able to find any real composure in front of goal in a game of eleven chances. His first strike came on 16 minutes following a classic Vikings breakaway involving pace and precision passing. An injury to Zdravko Milic didn’t unduly affect their rhythm and Portway added number two with his head from a wicked Tassiopoulos corner. Goals Aloud were playing a full part in the game but couldn’t find a finish to match their good build-up play. The Vikings continued their good news/bad news game with another injury, this time to Damon Strachan after the break. Portway added his hat-trick goal and showcased more of his talent by sweeping past Harper to put the hosts 3-0 up. Aloud did manage a consolation through Furgill Bhagirath but it was a case of what might have been for Popepiusx2 and his side. They face an important match next against S.S. Manfredonia, who sit just above the drop zone, and they will need to win it if they are to retain any realistic hopes of Division One football next term. Eaglesrjh saw his side slip into third and confirmed that they will ‘be pushing hard’ and hoping to get promotion ‘a season early.’

Keeping tabs on The Vikings and the promotion spots are Izuka’s Three Lions FC who enjoyed a 2-1 home win over Juventus. They produced a very solid opening 45 minutes to go in 1-0 up and concede no chances at the other end. Izu Kaka was on hand to net his second goal of the season on 20 minutes to give the hosts their breakthrough after creative approach play from Cesc Izukas. While Juventus couldn’t make an impact during the first-half they came out a stronger team following their half-time regroup. They put the game back in the melting pot when Mairthin Foley delivered a super free-kick to delight their manager, SuperJuve. The home side never panicked and continued to play some neat football despite being pegged back. Their frustration at being level wasn’t to last too long either as a penalty, awarded by Dick Tator, was finished precisely by Robin van Izu to restore their advantage. The win sees Three Lions sit on the same amount of points as The Vikings and Manchester United and meet the latter on Friday prompting Izu to say that it is a ‘must win game.’ SuperJuve sees his side remain in mid-table and, given their form, should see them retain their place in the division with some ease.

Kirkbride Strollers and PSV Eindhoven played out the stereotypical game of two halves as they drew 2-2 at The Bush. Both defences found themselves under pressure throughout the game as no less than 14 chances were created. It was a shock that we had to wait until the 39th minute for a goal but a classic header from Billy Maneater rectified matters. Three minutes later and the Strollers had doubled their lead. David Proctor was played through by Mitsuhiro Sinoda and delivered a stylish finish to put them 2-0 up going into the break. PSV, in stunning form during recent times, never let their heads drop despite finding themselves up against it and continued to create chances. They managed to stifle the home attacks somewhat during the second-half and when Yang Sheng Nanmeng shot home on 59 minutes to halve the deficit the comeback was on. Creating several chances it appeared only a matter of time before they drew level and, sure enough, it arrived on 82 minutes. A superb cross from Jose Fonte was met by a forward-thinking Xabi Alonso who produced an inch-perfect header to ensure a share of the spoils. Kirkbride sit six points off the promotion places following the draw and won’t give up hope while there are enough points to play for. PSV, meanwhile, sit a point from safety and, with Kadri having got the squad’s collective form to a good level, they will be looking positively towards survival.

Pahang United and S.S. Manfredonia met in a very tight tussle at Padang MPK. Both sides managed to create some openings but neither side looked to be in confident enough form to make the most out of them. Indeed, the main talking point in the encounter was the unfortunate injuries to the away side. They lost Theo Gronlund, Charlie Willysson and Claudio Flecha to knocks but battled manfully on and fully merited their point in a 0-0 draw. TrueBlue was frustrated that his side couldn’t produce ‘even a single goal’ but issued a rallying cry for the last 6 games with a ‘Come on guys.’ Sitting just three points above the drop zone it is hoped his players respond and avoid trouble. Manfredonia are two points worse off but, with Ekkjonqos settling into the job, the club will also be hopeful of staving off the relegation threat, starting with a home game against Goals Aloud on Friday.