Title Up for Grabs

Santos FC kept the title race open going into the final game with a 2-0 win over leaders ThunderCats F.C. In a hostile atmosphere the hosts made a fast start in creating two openings. However, some poor finishing by Rogerio Franca and Torbjorn Alshammar meant that they couldn’t capitalise on their good approach play. The visitors managed to weather the storm and then, with half-time approaching, they had an opening themselves. A fabulous volley from Silvio Falcao forced Rodenas into some fine work in goal to push the ball away. The second-half saw both sides create three chances but the finishing of the two respective teams determined the way the game went. While ThunderCats wasted chances, twice through Izet Hadzic and once a brilliant Leonardo Borja free-kick which smashed off the bar, the home side took two of theirs to race to victory. They opened the scoring on 49 minutes as Fredrick Winnerljung placed his finish beyond Magro after a corner from Patricio Bento wasn’t cleared. Their second goal then arrived on 71 minutes with a special free-kick from Alshammar which sent the crowd wild. Even an injury to Asmar Golkas couldn’t spoil the mood although Santos manager Sean7 said he was ‘pleased with the win’ but he was ‘ruing missed opportunities at the start of the season.’ Meanwhile, Meelas was still ‘very confident’ of winning the title ‘in front of my home fans’ as they go into their final match against Reggae Reggae Sauce needing only a point for the title.

Reggae Reggae Sauce go into that game after being relegated from the top division following a 2-0 home reversal against Totaalvoetbal. Sauce got off to the worst possible start as their leading player Eddy Grant was felled and had to go off with a serious looking injury. The half then proceeded to see lots of attacking play as Jenkins twice went close for Sauce. At the other end Shivan Preetnav had two near-misses while Johan Juffing and Horacio Metelo both went close. Eventually, the goal did arrive, though, just before the half-time whistle. A corner was taken by Shirsh Vajpayee and poked home by Preetnav for a deserved opener. Preetnav went on and doubled their advantage at the beginning of the second-half as he headed home a Metelo corner. Sauce had chances to get back into the game but couldn’t take them despite Totaal’s only recognised ‘keeper going off injured - to be replaced in goal by Richie Chalmers. Totaal would miss further chances themselves but were satisfied with a 2-0 victory. Meeblind already had his eyes on next season as he said ‘everything is going to plan.’ The same cannot be said for Sauce who have gone on a catastrophic run which has seen them go from fourth to relegated in a matter of weeks.

Hun Haters celebrated their safety with an entertaining 2-2 draw with AFC Stanley. Despite the first-half seeing five chances the sides were to go in 0-0 at the interval. Garry Molseley and Alan Martindale both had fine efforts for the visitors while Don MacArthur twice went close and Iain Emery might have scored with a header for the hosts. Stanley were disappointed with an injury to Oliver Trower, though, despite the level score. The second-half saw Hun Haters start on top and Nigel Bruggink might have put them ahead with better luck. After having one effort go close, he then placed a shot past the ‘keeper but back off the post as they remained frustrated. Bruggink did, eventually, find the breakthrough on the hour-mark. Picking up the ball from distance he hit a stunning shot past Hessbo for the opening goal. Stanley’s response was instant as Armitage hit the post with a shot before Molseley equalised from distance on 70 minutes. With defences now tiring, more goals looked likely and they duly arrived. Ted Caird was to put the hosts back in front with a fine shot in the penalty area after good work by Iain Emery but they were then to rue two wasted opportunities soon afterwards. Stanley drew level for the second time in the match as they were awarded a free-kick in injury-time. Macelino Montez stepped forward and hit his effort directly into the net to ensure a point apiece. Markham can be proud of his first season in the RMI and will look to improve next term after gaining valuable experience. Celticchris will be looking for his side to develop during the change so they can return to title-chasing after seeing this season turn into a struggle.

AC Milan were also celebrating survival with a strong 2-0 home win over Marseille. Milan made a positive opening to the game and, despite missing an early chance through Kaka, they took the lead on twelve minutes as Victor Moses shot home after a corner was delivered by Sean Scannel. Marseille did threaten an equaliser when Sid Peyton smashed a free-kick off the post and bar. They were then to suffer an injury to Boulding and had to look on in pain as Milan extended their lead; a precise header by Andrea Pirlo beating Abrey on 37 minutes. Peyton couldn’t replicate this at the other end and Milan took a deserved 2-0 win into the half-time break. The second-half saw Milan happy to play the game out in confident fashion. The sides traded chances through Ron Aldinho and Errol Beddoe but neither looked likely to add to the score and the home fans were free to celebrate survival. MarkieRich is now charged with the task of taking his side forward from their season of struggle and get back to the heights of second-place in season one. Marseille are still waiting to see who will be their manager as they prepare for life in Division One.

Yorkshires Amateurs confirmed their RMI status with a 2-0 victory over F.C. Greatness in a match that had everything. Mario Balotelli, Fabrizio Colluato and Alvaro Recoba all had opportunities for Greatness as they played their full part in an entertaining opening half. Vince Brightwell had an early chance for the Amateurs but they had to wait until the 39th minute to take the lead. It came in the shape of a penalty as Amadeo Caviedes made no mistake from the spot. However, this was to be Caviedes’ last moment of joy as he was the dismissed for some brutal play on 44 minutes. The beginning of the second-half was marred by an injury to Micky Cox but the Amateurs were to bounce back and double their lead through a Fred Franklin scorcher from distance. Agostino Bernardi went close to bringing the visitors back into it with a fine strike which came back off the post. However, they were to suffer further blows with an injury to Mario Balotelli and also a sending-off as Faust Baronchelli received his marching orders. Both sides will be looking to make a step further forward next season after they have proved themselves stellar members of the RMI.

Tranmere Rovers defeated St Omer 3-0 to guarantee RMI football at Prenton Park next season. A 16th minute header by Uilliam Flanagan set them on their way and even though both sides had chances during the first-half it was always the hosts who looked the likelier winners. The second-half bore this fact out as Rovers created four openings while keeping Omer quiet at the other end. They were to score from two of these chances as Victor Duvivier shot home following a corner on 69 minutes. Their third came late in the game as Flanagan added his second. A super cross from Leroy Upson was met well by Flanagan as they secured survival in style. Despite the defeat ConyTottee is ‘pleased with the way his plan for the club is going’ and they will be optimistic of winning more games in Division One next term. Baz will now be looking for Tranmere to kick-on next season and establish themselves as a top four club after spending their entire history in the top division.