West Brom Whack Newry

West Brom Strollers returned to the top of Division 1 with a thoroughly professional away performance at Newry City. Newry weren’t without their chances in the game but lacked the finishing prowess of their imperious visitors. The first goal came on 29 minutes when Bobby Taylor headed in a Richard Sneekes cross. The second-half saw the unbeaten Strollers take a further stranglehold on the game with Cyrille Regis also finding a weakness with the home sides' defending in the air. Ljubisa Novak suffered an injury which leaves him out until May 10th as the home team’s woes increased and their mood wasn’t helped by a third West Brom goal, scored by Willie Johnston. Despite the win Dinkydave was more concerned with Jimmy leaving the Mafia as he ‘was looking forward to a competitive season with (Jimmy).’ Regardless, the Strollers now sit top and will face up to the Mafia in the next game. Newry are in the relegation zone on the back of this defeat but won’t play against much tougher opposition this season.

Jimmy’s last game in charge of Mexican Mafia ended in a 2-2 draw at home to Three Lions FC. Both sides made the most of their three chances in the game with some impressive finishing but it will, perhaps, be the visiting side who come away the happier after a late equaliser. The first-half was overshadowed by two serious looking injuries; Eugene Kameni Idriss of the Mafia and Cesc Izukas of the visiting side. In between these injuries, though, the Lions managed to take a lead when Robin van Izu calmly slotted home a penalty. Mexican Mafia showed their quality by hitting twice in the space of three second-half minutes to turn the game round. Demetrio Delpiano headed in the equaliser after a corner before another header, this time from Shinosuke Isimaru threatened to give the Mafia three points. That was, until the late intervention of Luca Tonizu who found his range from distance to ensure a deserved share of the spoils. While the Mafia drop to second two points behind the Strollers, Izuka’s Three Lions find themselves in fifth within touching distance of the promotion spot he will be looking for this season.

Manchester United occupy the last promotion spot after they defeated Goals Aloud 2-1 at Old Trafford. The talented Wayne Rooney was to prove the hero for the home side with two goals which edged out a spirited Goals Aloud team. Rooney scored his first on 33 minutes with a long range shot following smart work from Darren Gibson. Aloud were briefly level on 46 minutes as they caught the United defence napping; Constantino de Melo taking advantage by heading in his third goal of the season. It wasn’t to be enough for the away side, though, as Rooney headed his side back in front just three minutes later and it was to be a lead they would never relinquish. The fact that there was no more goals was surprising due to the open feel of the game but United won’t complain following an important three points. Aloud find themselves still in trouble at the wrong end of the table and will want to take advantage of a home match against Juventus next time out.

Juventus warmed up for that match with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Liverpool at the Delle Alpi. The result didn’t seem in doubt from the moment Orlan Canito shot home after a minute. The same man combined with Mairthin Foley to put them 2-0 up on just 15 minutes as Liverpool’s lack of belief was shown up once more. More chances did arrive but it wasn’t until the 65th minute did they score their third goal as Foley turned scorer this time with a clever finish in the area. The victory has Juventus looking healthier in eighth place on 10 points while it leaves Liverpool looking rather desperate at the foot of the table with just four points. Buttons will need his side to pick up wins shortly before his side starts to get cut adrift.

Kirkbride Strollers made it two wins from the last two games with a fine 2-1 victory at Tropical Thunder. Action in the opening 45 minutes was scarce as only an injury to Luca Scolza provided the half-time chat round the ground. The second-half wasn’t to disappoint, though, with Kirkbride taking a grip on the game with two goals in three minutes. David Proctor sent them on their way when he finished a classic breakaway move and when Jack Ness shot in following a corner the away side were flying. Tropical Thunder kept going till the last and got some reward when Damiano Grimaldi finished a free-kick but it proved little reward for Jamesfreeman. They now occupy seventh spot and have a tough looking game against United next while the Strollers look to be upwardly mobile after finally finding their feet at this level.

In the divisions’ other game Pahang United and The Vikings fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Padang MPK. Pahang could claim to have had the better of the game but the away side’s better finishing always kept them in it. Henning Gassner had his evening cut short through injury but Pahang were to bounce back to take the lead through replacement Otto Andersen on 27 minutes. The Vikings managed an equaliser before the interval as Clint Bonavia scored his eighth goal in as many games this season. Pahang continued to edge the second-half and took the lead again through Andersen’s second. The Vikings again showed their class, however, as Aris Almanidis fired in a free-kick to earn a share of the spoils even though that was marred somewhat as the defender went off with an injury. Eaglesrjh proclaimed himself ‘pleased enough with an away point’ before adding that the injury to Almanidis was ‘not as bad as first feared.’ Pahang press described the game as a ‘waste’ as they ‘didn’t use the chances’ well enough. With The Vikings on 15 points and Pahang on 12 both teams will be looking to keep their seasons progressing in the coming weeks.