Brazilians Warming Up

Santos FC put in an express home performance to beat a previously in-form Tranmere Rovers 5-1. Both sides nearly enjoyed a piece of fortune as the game got underway; a miss-hit shot by Rico Raffaelli nearly finding a way in for Santos before Benicio Correa almost deflected the ball past his own ‘keeper at the other end. Santos did take an 11th minute lead when Marcelo Afonso produced a bit of magic to lob Onyszko from some distance. This seemingly inspired Adriano Ribeiro as he followed suit on 22 minutes albeit from closer range to give Santos a 2-0 advantage. Tranmere looked to have found a way back in moments later but a Gabriel Dolff header was disallowed for a foul and it would soon be 3-0. In keeping with the fine goals of the day Asmar Golkas produced a powerful grass-cutter which left the ‘keeper with no chance. Tranmere did get their goal as Raymond Jillhed flicked a header home from close range but they would go in at half-time with a lot of work to do. The second-half began in spectacular fashion with Afonso smashing in from close range with a shot which left Onyszko rooted to the spot. Torbjorn Alshammar would have a free-kick saved before Santos scored their fifth from the penalty spot; Rogerio Franca netting confidently. Ribeiro might have added a sixth but Santos could be more than happy with their evening’s work. Sean7 seems to have his side motoring now and making up the lost ground from the opening games of the season, in this form they are a danger to everyone. Baz will be keen for his new signings to settle in and, despite this defeat, the early signs are promising.

Hun Haters picked up their first point of the season with an excellent performance at ThunderCats. All the goal action came in a breathtaking first-half which left the pundits purring. The home side had already missed a chance through Leonardo Borja by the time they took the lead with a fourth minute penalty converted by Juliano Leite. However, HH hadn’t come to be overwhelmed and they struck back instantly with a well-placed shot by Alexandr Prohazska. Prohazska would stun the hosts by scoring his second goal on 20 minutes; picking the ball up from distance he opted for power to beat Amarante in goal. This lead would be short-lived, though, as Izet Hadzic powered in a header a minute later to bring parity back to the contest. The teams would have a chance each before half-time to claim ascendency; Borja hitting a free-kick directly at Boruc before Prohazska suffering the misfortune of hitting the post with a header. The home side saw Raimundo Lange try a driving shot on goal but he didn’t trouble Boruc and from this moment on HH assumed control. Finlay MacCleir missed with a lobbed header while Carlos Partini was lucky to escape with a misdirected kick in front of goal. Iain Emery might have done better than allowing the ‘keeper to gather at his feet when trying to round him as the Haters kept up the pressure. However, MacCleir saw red for dangerous play and the game slowed down in the final moments to finish 2-2. The performance will be a big boost to Celticchris as he looks to move his side up the table. Meelas will, no doubt, be disappointed at his side’s failure to pick up home points and will not rest until they are firing on all cylinders.

AC Milan bounced back from their late heartache against Totaalvoetbal with a 2-1 home victory over AFC Stanley. They started in positive fashion as Paddy McCarthy had a shot saved by Hessbo and then Ricardo Kaka hit a free-kick into the net on 10 minutes. Olli Kaskinen and Thorbjorn Lind attempted to hit back for Stanley but couldn’t find the desired accuracy or power to hit the back of the net. However, they would get their equaliser as a powerful strike on goal by Julien Motson proved too much for Hindle to handle. Humphrey Biehn hit a side-footed shot over as Milan tried to re-assert themselves and he would make amends minutes later. A fine cross from Mario Azofra found Biehn in space in the area and he planted his header into the far corner to put the home side back in front. Stanley attempted to fight back for a second time but Lind’s header was well saved. Kaka wasted an opportunity to put the game to bed as he headed well over and this allowed Stanley one final chance. Deep into injury-time Lind created some space for himself and hit a sublime lob over Hindle but inches too high as it crashed away off the crossbar. MarkieRich will be happy his side are keeping pace at the beginning of the season and will know if they can improve their away form they could be contenders this term. Stanley news bemoaned their side’s lack of fortune, especially the ‘disaster’ of seeing ‘superstar Olli Kaskinen seriously injured.’ Markham33 will now be charged with patching his side up and keeping them competitive until they become healthy once more.

West Brom Strollers kept up their good away form with a 2-1 success at New York City. They scored the opening goal on 11 minutes as Richard Sneekes hit a Billy Bassett pass through the legs of Sattler. City saw a Eugene Kameni Idriss free-kick safely held by Godden before he thumped his next effort into the net for the equaliser. Idriss’ afternoon would finish there, though, as he suffered an injury to the disappointment of the home fans. West Brom would gain the upper hand during an impressive second-half performance. Bassett might have given them the lead as he beat Sattler but saw the ball bounce away off a post. The Strollers would take the lead with their next chance; Bryan Robson producing a superb midfield run to meet Bassett’s cross perfectly with his head and guide it into the goal. Derek McInnes, Lee Hughes and Richard Sneekes all might have added to the 2-1 advantage with better finishing and they might have paid for this as time ebbed away. Elvis MacCaran flicked a header on goal and West Brom would be indebted to the good positioning of Godden who comfortably saved. Dinky spoke of being ‘pleased with the win’ and explained that ‘the team as a whole played really well.’ Jimmy will want his side to pick up another win soon to avoid a long season ahead, however, there are plenty of positives to suggest they should do fine.

F.C. Greatness put their last round defeat behind them to leave Three Lions FC frustrated at Cedar Road. The first-half was a tough battle which resulted in stalemate for long periods. Fernando Mello briefly caused a stir by sliding the ball home but he was so far offside that even the Lions support didn’t cheer. Greatness saw a Paolo Serena shot go over before half-time but, in keeping with what had gone previously, it was best forgotten. Greatness would start the second-half with a bang, though, as Faust Baronchelli powered in a long range shot, leaving Casillas with no hope. Greatness managed to keep a defensive hold on proceedings while seeing Baronchelli have a free-kick go wide. Mario Balotelli also hit an effort wide and, with Arnaldo Sifredi off for arguing, they might have paid for this had Robin van Izu not missed the target with a late free-kick. Darrencalvert was pleased that Baronchelli had performed well enough to get himself into the team of the week and will expect more of the same from his much-vaunted forward. Izu will be disappointed with the defeat and will hope his side can create more in their next match.

Totaalvoetbal picked up their first win on the road by edging out Yorkshires Amateurs 2-1 at The Thorp Arches. Horacio Metelo forced Vadge into a fine early save as Totaal started well. Pierre van Diemen would go one better with their next chance as he hit an accurate shot beyond the cat to give them a 15th minute lead. Armand Gomah curled a powerful effort wide before the break as Amateurs stirred into life. The second-half started as the first; a Metelo effort being saved by Vadge. A potential game-changing incident then took place on 56 minutes as Raymond Putnam went through Vince Brightwell with a crude challenge, ending with him seeing red and Brightwell being carried off. Gomah nearly took advantage of the extra man but found Rex Rimmer too alert and the ‘keeper gathered at his feet. They would have better luck with their next chance as Abraham Alejo launched himself to meet a Hugo Smallwood corner with a breathtaking diving header to level matters. Totaal would then play some excellent football, defying their one-man disadvantage. Edwin Hayter was denied by Vadge and Metelo also went close before van Diemen added his second of the match with a quality finish to a fast breakaway. The Amateurs attempted to respond for the second time but Tiarnach Casey saw his powerful low shot hit the post before an Andrew Potts free-kick was easily gathered. Danlufc13 will have rued his side’s lapse after getting themselves back into the game but he will realise if they can add a few more goals to their game they should be in good shape due to their strong defence. Robin Meeblind was ‘pleased with the character’ of his team to win with 10-men but would be ‘having words’ with Putnam for his horrendous challenge.