Diemen Shows Greatness

Totaalvoetbal put in a strong home performance to defeat F.C. Greatness 3-0 at the MVB Arena. Greatness had a troubled start to the game as they watched Pierre van Diemen go close with a diving header before Fabian Ostgard had to go off with a serious injury. Shivan Preetnav was denied by Racho from a tight angle before Greatness had their first chance of the game; Mario Balotelli heading centimetres wide. Totaal would respond to this improved play from Greatness by taking the lead. Shirsh Vajpayee would be the scorer as he met Edwin Hayter’s cross perfectly to head past Rachao and put Totaal 1-0 ahead. Unfortunately for Vajpayee he then suffered an injury due to a horrid challenge from Agostino Filippinetti which saw his afternoon cut short. The game would ebb and flow at the start of the second-half with Faust Baronchelli lobbing over the bar for the visitors while Allan Akerboom had a near-miss from a powerful shot on goal. Baronchelli would then find Rimmer in excellent form as the ‘keeper diverted a shot from the striker round the post. One striker who has been in outstanding form this season has been van Diemen and he got his obligatory goal by calmly lobbing Rachao from a swift breakaway to put Totaal 2-0 ahead and looking comfortable. Paolo Serena tried to replicate van Diemen’s finish at the other end but ballooned it over the bar as Greatness became more desperate. It was 3-0 on 87 minutes with van Diemen producing a clinical strike to beat the ‘keeper from close range before narrowly missing the chance of a hat-trick from a header. Benfari would join the list to be denied by Rimmer at the other end as the visitors finished well-beaten. With Calvert unavailable for his usual post-match comment with it being rumoured that the players were given a severe dressing down in the changing rooms at the end of the game. Meeblind, meanwhile, was delighted with what he called ‘a super win.’

ThunderCats F.C returned to winning ways with a managerial master-class from Meelas to boot as they overcame Tranmere Rovers 1-0. A diving header from Silvio Falcao looked like giving the visitors the ideal start but, frustratingly for them, it bounced away off the post. With Tranmere struggling to put anything together it was ThunderCats who would enjoy the only openings. A free-kick by Leonardo Borja needed saving by Onyszko as ThunderCats went into the sheds the stronger team. Another Borja free-kick began the second-half as he aimed it onto the head of Izet Hadzic but his header went over the bar and Rovers escaped. Rovers would emerge from their defensive shackles to win a free-kick of their own but Christiano Olias could only hit it wide of the target. The visitors eventually got their reward as Hadzic powered in a shot from long range on 77 minutes. With the goal safely banked they then shut up shop and ran down time on an excellent performance. Meelas got the response he demanded from his players following their draw last time out and he will be a much happier man following this game. Baz will realise this was a day where nothing went right for them and they will be eager to put this behind them when they take to their home turf again on Friday against New York City.

AFC Stanley edged a tight encounter with Yorkshires Amateurs to return to winning ways at Garden Street. The first-half produced an entertaining fare as Garry Molseley got things going by striking a post with a fizzing long range shot. Thorbjorn Lind wasn’t as accurate, however, as he toe-poked well wide of the target as Stanley continued to force the pace. The Amateurs responded and saw Armand Gomah’s effort need saving by Hessbo before the ‘keeper then watched Hugo Smallwood’s shot slide wide. The final chance of the half went to Stanley but Molseley’s flick header lacked its usual accuracy and the sides went in level. The visitors were quick out of the blocks at the start of the second-half but a Gomah header lacked the power to trouble Hessbo and a Murray Davis back-heel was also easily dealt with. The key moment of the game came on 71 minutes when a corner was delivered by Dijedon Betimaj and met with a looping header by Jon MacClintock to give Stanley a crucial advantage. The Amateurs did think they had struck back following a super lob by Fred Franklin but it was to be disallowed for offside and they would end the evening frustrated. Despite the win Stanley news reported the performance as ‘lacklustre’ and added they would need ‘to be at their best’ for their match against Greatness. The season continues to be one of struggle and misfortune for the Amateurs and they will be hoping for a change of luck against Santos.

West Brom Strollers had some memorable individual performances in an excellent 2-0 win at Three Lions FC. Lee Hughes demanded some early excellence out of Izu Casillas after hitting a superb half-volley on two minutes. Casillas was at it again on 15 minutes when he palmed away a Bobby Taylor header to keep the scores level. West Brom saw Billy Bassett go off injured before Hughes had another effort gathered by the ‘keeper and one go flying over the bar. The half-time whistle didn’t seem to alter the course of the game with Hughes suffering more misfortune by striking the angle straight from the restart. The Lions did manage an effort on goal of their own but Robin van Izu got it all wrong and it went high over the bar. Injury ended Hughes’ frustrating afternoon before the Strollers finally got the goal their play deserved. Bobby Taylor provided the finish with a super header from a Bryan Robson cross on 63 minutes. The lead was extended with a lovely curled finish by Willie Johnston as the visitors ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. DD was delighted with the result and claimed ‘we’d have beaten anyone today’ adding ‘it just all came together.’ Izu will be looking for his side to find their scoring boots after two blank games.

New York City excelled at Hun Haters as they recorded a 3-1 win at Scotlands Shame. An early breakaway for City saw Fagergren hit his shot just wide before they were stung at the other end. A well delivered free-kick by Craig Elliston saw Nigel Bruggink net with his head to leave City stunned. City had the only other chance of the half but Elvis MacCaran could only head at Boruc and the Haters maintained their lead. The second-half saw City, once again, start well. Fagergren hit wide before Demetrio Delpiano equalised with a beautiful header. Haters attempted to re-establish themselves but Elliston missed narrowly from a free-kick and saw Sattler save another one. City were to respond to this and finish the stronger of the two sides. Delpiano continued his excellent game with a well-executed chip which put the visitors in front for the first time. A lob header by Ralf Kron missed extending the lead by inches but he was to get his goal moments later with another well-placed header. Jimmy190 can be proud of his side’s start to life in the top flight and, after securing two wins, they can now look to move on to bigger and better things. Celticchris’s side continue to struggle and a win against West Brom has become even more important.

AC Milan and Santos FC fought out an exciting 2-2 draw at the San Siro in the division’s other game. Santos went close early with a free-kick from Torbjorn Alshammar but the ‘keeper saved well to get the crowd into the game. Milan responded with a power shot by Sean Scannel but once more a ‘keeper was equal to it as Paulo Valdez saved excellently. The game continued its basketball feel as Alshammar had a header saved by Hindle. Alshammar finally got his reward when he struck a beautifully curled free-kick into the net on 21 minutes to give Santos the lead. The visitors continued to produce some good attacking play and a diving header by Asmar Golkas nearly saw the lead doubled. Milan are a resolute side, though, and Humphrey Biehn produced a composed chip over Valdez to level proceedings on 34 minutes. Milan might have taken the lead before half-time but a Kaka free-kick hit the angle of post and bar to the dismay of the home fans. Santos thought they had struck first after the break as Fredrick Winnerljung cheekily back-heeled an effort past Hindle but he was denied by an offside flag. Disaster nearly struck for Santos as the play moved to the other end of the field; Rogerio Franca misdirecting a shot in front of goal only for his ‘keeper to bail him out with an excellent stop. The visitors enjoyed more fortune when another Kaka free-kick struck wood, the look on the face of the Milan player saying it all. The wood was to be struck at the other end as well with Marcelo Afonso the unfortunate player who saw his header denied. Santos eventually paid the price for some dangerous play in front of their own goal as Yogender Pragurd put past Valdez to gift Milan the lead. Milan immediately looked to give their new-found advantage away as Savino Piovanelli saw red for some brutal play which was out of keeping in a well-spirited match. Santos would strike back through that man Alshammar as he got it right from a free-kick once more to leave Hindle helpless and both sides with a point. The point leaves the sides locked on seven after the opening five matches and both Sean and Markie will be looking for more consistency after showing they can mix it with the very best.