As You Were

Manchester United were halted in their tracks by a determined Villarreal side who came away from Old Trafford with a 1-1 draw. Eric Cantona gave United a dream start by placing home an 11th minute opener. Ronaldo would then try and increase the lead but shot wide and United suffered a serious injury to Kuszczak in goal. Nevertheless United remained on the front foot with Owen Hargreaves trying to lob Abrey but the ‘keeper managed to punch the ball away. Villarreal would stun the hosts at the start of the second-half as Rafaele Di Muri headed home to level the game. A Ronaldo free-kick hit the post on 57 minutes and he would have another effort saved by Abrey as they suffered frustration. The visitors then thought they had pinched a winner but Claudio Moura’s injury-time effort was disallowed for a tight offside. United remain four points clear at the top and Pakya will be hopeful they can take advantage of a home match against Omer to stretch that lead still further. Cathal heaped praise on Pakya being a ‘brilliant team builder from the beginning’ before focusing on his next match against The Vikings against a manager who he likens to playing ‘rock, paper, scissors on world class.’

Kirkbride Strollers moved back into the top three with a solid 2-0 home success over Kensington Boys Club. The home side would see El Lapinho hit a post early on but then not enjoy any more openings in a quiet first 45 minutes. Keith Ellison cracked an effort wide at the start of the second-half and Malcolm Graham also struck a post as the pressure began to increase on the visitors. Billy Maneater would miss the target from a tight angle before the hosts would take the lead; Stephen Robinson making good from a free-kick chance. KBC would try to strike back with a free-kick of their own but James Wilde’s effort was held by the ‘keeper and Graham shot home following a corner at the other end to put the seal on a 2-0 victory. The victory puts Jazza back in possession of a sought after promotion place but he will be keen to stress to his troops that the hard work starts now. Patrik has seen his side lose their last three games and will need to arrest that run if they are to stay in the race for promotion.

The Vikings were the team replaced in the top three as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Reggae Reggae Sauce. Vassilis Papakostas had the only chance of the opening 45 minutes but couldn’t match power with accuracy on his driving shot. It would be the visitors who would have the first chance after the break but John Part couldn’t direct his powerful shot on target while Papakostas was denied by Taylor at the other end. Tassiopoulos also missed a chance for The Vikings before a powerful header by Timotei Orasan gave Sauce a shock lead. However, no sooner had they gained the initiative than John Part got himself sent-off for elbowing to boost the home side. The Vikings would take advantage of this by scoring a late equaliser; Melker Ahlm looping a header in to the relief of the home crowd. Eaglesrjh described his team as ‘stumbling onwards’ but they are sure to compete to the last. All RRS supporters will be delighted that their manager has ‘found time to pick (the) team and do tactics again.’ With this being the case a strong end to the season is hoped for.

AJ Rovers couldn’t make any headway on the top three as they were defeated 3-1 at home to FC Flying Dog. Rovers wasted an early chance as a Sonny Vickerman free-kick missed the goal. Sebi Cizma did better at the other end as he finished a breakaway move with some aplomb. Rovers would have a Mercourios Simos lob disallowed before the visitors doubled their lead courtesy of an Antony Cowdrey looped header. Dog saw Cizma head at Mortimer before a Collymore header hit the bar as they maintained the initiative. Collymore would add the third by toe-poking home on the hour as the game seemed out of the reach of the hosts. Simos missed a flick header while Collymore hit a half-volley wide as the chances continued. Cowdrey would see Mortimer punch his header away before Rovers would pull one back at the other end; Gregory Rowling slipping the ball past Dittmer to give the home fans something to cheer. Ultimately, though, it proved irrelevant and Rothion’s side are four points away from the promotion places. Flying Dog have moved themselves eight points clear of the relegation zone and look an attractive proposition for a new manager to take-over.

Belly Tubbies also eased their relegation fears with a 6-0 victory over St Omer at Flabbyland. A second minute strike by Graeme Sharp settled the crowd and the home side would go on to dominate. Sharp would brush a post with another effort before William Ralph Dean also hit a post with a fine header. Tim Cahill would add the second with an excellent volley and then added the third with a header on the half-hour. Adrian Heath hit an effort straight at Hamshaw before the ‘keeper also denied Kevin Sheedy’s header as Omer clung on. The fourth goal did arrive in the early stages of the second-half with Phil Neville curling in a spectacular effort. It would be 5-0 on 59 minutes as Dean headed home precisely and the rout was completed with a Heath effort from distance on 81 minutes. Fitzy has his side five points clear of the drop zone and has them in mean mood defensively as that is now five games without a goal conceded. ConyTottee will be pleased that the season is reaching its twilight period and the all-important change report will indicate what his next steps will be.

PSV Eindhoven paid the price for missed chances as they went down 1-0 at home to Pahang United. Rory MacFinlay would have the hosts’ first chance but his shot was gathered by Richert. Jonny Easter then forced Richert into a fine save with his feet as the defender tried to net with a header. Eindhoven would start the second-half with a Jose Fonte free-kick not really testing Richert while Xabi Alonso hit an effort over the bar. Pahang had their first chance with Tajo Cuevas putting a volley over while Frans Haggbring was denied by Richert at the other end. MacFinlay headed high above the goal and their frustrations would increase with a red-card for Easter and a Rano Pantow power shot resulting in a 91st minute winner for the visitors. The win has MrT’s side eight points ahead of their opponents and they will be confident of survival following the result. Kadri faces an important clash against his nearest rival on Friday and a win against Belly Tubbies becomes crucial to their survival hopes.