Three the Number for Izu

Three Lions FC kept their hold on third as they took a step nearer to RM Invitational football with a 3-1 home success over relegation-threatened S.S. Manfredonia. Zlatan Izuhimovic served warning to Manfredonia that they were going to be in for a troubled afternoon by striking a post with a punishing header. Keeping the visitors chanceless at the other end the Lions struck the opening goal on 31 minutes. Izu Kaka produced some clever approach play to send Izuhimovic in and the forward made no mistake with a powerful finish. Both sides had near-misses during the second-half before the game exploded with time running out. It was to be the Izuhimovic, again, who would prove the hero. First he rose highest to thump in an 87th minute header to put his side 2-0 up before adding a poacher’s finish a minute later. He managed to ghost between markers and convert a corner delivered by Cristiano Izuldo. Manfredonia did get some reward for their afternoon’s work when they netted a consolation in the 91st minute, albeit an own goal from Carles Izuyol. The Lions still enjoy a two-point lead on fourth with manager Izuka confident that if they defeat Goals Aloud next they ‘will have won promotion.’ Manfredonia are three points adrift of safety and realise that they need two wins from their final two games to give themselves a realistic shot of survival.

Goals Aloud suffered relegation despite giving West Brom Strollers a shock before going down 5-3. Aloud edged the chances in the first 45 minutes but found themselves behind after 12 minutes. After picking up possession deep in their half West Brom broke clinically to net at the other end thanks to a Bobby Taylor finish. Aloud still managed to maintain their competitiveness, though, despite playing players out of position. They capped a good first-half performance with an equalising goal on 41 minutes. It came from Furgill Bhagirath as he reacted fastest to a Rowley Kinsella corner by turning the ball home. An injury to Erik Gall three minutes later soured their 45 minutes work, however, to leave them playing with 10-men for the remainder of the game. West Brom capitalised this on 59 minutes as they retook the lead thanks to a Lee Hughes strike following a corner delivered by Robert Koren. Amazingly, Aloud found enough spirit to pull themselves level almost instantly. The impressive Bhagirath enabled Dustin Digby to have enough space to beat Godden in goal from distance. West Brom, playing in front of a party atmosphere due to their promotion, regained their composure, though, to begin putting Aloud under pressure. This told on 68 minutes with a fine Jeff Astle header putting them in front for the third time in the game. This time it would prove to be crucial as they scored two goals in quick succession to open up a match-winning lead. Taylor netted his second goal of the game on 77 minutes by striking home in the penalty area before Astloe scored his second by completing a fine breakaway move. Aloud showed immense character to score a goal on 93 minutes courtesy of Trevor Fazackerley but it, ultimately, couldn’t stop them from suffering defeat and, with it, relegation. West Brom, meanwhile, have now moved within a point of the title with DD praising his forwards for being on ‘top form.’

New York City moved to within two points of promotion while also keeping West Brom waiting for the title with a 1-0 success at The Vikings. Their goal came with the game’s very first opening as Eugene Kameni Idriss smashed a free-kick into the goal on six minutes to give the visitors a massive boost. The Vikings went on to dominate possession in the opening half and, despite an injury to Lewis Branston, they would have the other chance of the half. It came from Clint Bonavia who struck a clean shot which would have brought the equaliser if it had been an inch inside the post instead of hitting it full on. The Vikings began the second-half much the stronger of the sides and were to be disappointed as a Tassiopoulos effort was chalked off due to a handball. Vassilis Papakostas went on to miss the home side’s final chance with a disappointing finish before New York took control of the final ten minutes of the game. However, they too produced some erratic finishing as Delpiano and Idriss missed chances to extend the lead. Despite their position and imminent promotion, manager Jimmy was worried that they might not ‘be able to challenge in the RMI’ due to a change report that ‘will not be great.’ Meanwhile, Eaglesrjh will be looking forward to his report as he looks for his side to turn into the real deal next season.

Manchester United kept up the pressure on Three Lions FC by defeating Juventus 2-0 at the Delle Alpi. United enjoyed the better of the first-half to create three chances to their opponents none. They made one of them count as Dimitar Berbatov shot home in the penalty area on four minutes after being found by a clever through ball from Nemanja Vidic. Despite their superiority they wouldn’t add to their one goal and suffered an injury to John O’Shea on 38 minutes which took the gloss of the opening half. Juventus came more into it in the second-half and both sides were to enjoy chances. The finishing, however, left a lot to be desired as the sides combined to waste a total of six chances. United did manage to secure the victory with a second goal, though, to claim three priceless points. Owen Hargreaves delivered a threatening centre for Darren Fletcher to head in on 77 minutes. His afternoon then turned sour as he was sent from the field just five minutes later. This didn’t alter the result, though, with United doing what they had to and kept their promotion hopes alive. Juventus slip down to eighth and two-points clear of the relegation zone. With tough looking matches against Kirkbride and The Vikings coming up they will be sitting rather uncomfortably as the season reaches its climax.

Level on points with Juventus are Newry City who kept up their good recent form with a valuable point in a 1-1 draw with Kirkbride Strollers. It didn’t look promising for the visitors during a first-half which saw the Strollers look the more threatening. Indeed, the home side would take the lead after shrugging off an injury to William Potter. Jordan MacIan led a superb breakaway move and after slipping in Cristian Trifan he watched as the forward finished with aplomb. Noah Scholey went off injured for the visitors to complete a poor first-half but they did find themselves more competitive after the break. Both sides would create a couple of openings but, while Kirkbride wasted theirs, Newry would be the team to score the crucial second goal. It came on 76 minutes as the legendary Muharem Husic saved Newry with a stunning long range strike to earn them a crucial point. Newry news pointed to Pahang’s crucial defeat and reported that ‘the dream escape can become a reality.’ Kirkbride are now mathematically safe and can plan towards next season after a solid first campaign in Division One.

Pahang United produced a disappointing home performance to fall to a 3-0 defeat against PSV Eindhoven and heighten their relegation fears. Things didn’t appear too bad during a first-half which saw them edge possession and chances but also saw them unable to take them. They were punished for this instantly at the beginning of the second-half as Jeremiah McNally produced a super strike from distance to give PSV a 46th minute lead. PSV went on and dominated the half as they knocked the ball about with supreme confidence while creating eight chances. They did suffer a blow as they lost Yang Sheng Nanmeng to a knock but even this didn’t deter them from their goal of three points. They rounded off the victory with two late goals. Albert Riera also put forward a contender for goal of the season with a stunning strike from distance before Ryan Babel finished rather more routinely with a header from a Riera cross on 91 minutes to complete a comprehensive 3-0 win. Kadri’s PSV now sit five points clear of Pahang and will think they are just about safe after producing a brilliant second-half to the season. TrueBlue will need to inspire his troops to two performances of quality if they are to play Division One football next season.