Patrik Plunders Viking Land

Kensington edged out The Vikings by the odd goal in five in a thriller at Viking Land. Things didn’t start well for the visiting side as they gave away a penalty which allowed Anastasios Tassiopoulos the chance to score from the spot for The Vikings. Things might even have gotten worse as Vassilis Papakostas narrowly missed with a clever lob. Kensington would win a penalty of their own, however, and level proceedings as Maurice Jacobs slotted home. Chances were coming freely at both ends with Papakostas firing the next one straight at Gardiner via a free-kick. Another free-kick from the forward saw Gardiner punch clear before Aubrey de Vere forced Raasch into a save at the other end. Papakostas finally made a set-piece count after 39 minutes as he drilled in but KBC struck straight back with a slightly lucky shot from Adrian Gray which was mishit. The second-half saw KBC start well and they had already seen de Vere strike a post with a powerful shot before they eventually hit the front for the first time. A shot on goal by Niles Worthington left Raasch beaten and the visitors with the advantage. Jacobs narrowly missed doubling the lead as he fired wide before a couple of injuries broke up play. The Vikings nearly received a boost with Alfie Whitley going within inches of levelling the scores by putting through his own goal; a post coming to his rescue. A late de Vere free-kick brought the best out of Raasch but Kensington didn’t mind as they had secured three priceless points in a brilliant match. Patrik was keen to credit his team for the win saying he was ‘pleased with the Boys.’ Eaglesrjh put a positive slant on the defeat by saying they were ‘still in a promotion slot’ and had gained ‘some valuable experience.’

Manchester United stayed top of the pile with a narrow 1-0 victory over a still all-at-sea Reggae Reggae Sauce. With both sides suffering from a recent lack of managerial attention it would be United who would cope the better of the two. They recovered from an injury to Jonny Evans to produce the only two chances of the half. A flick header by Eric Cantona was stopped by Phil Taylor before Darren Gibson lobbed over on the stroke of half-time. The second 45 minutes would see a similar pattern with Dimitar Berbatov being the next to waste a headed opportunity as he didn’t even test Taylor in goal. The opener did arrive, though, as Berbatov more than made amends by placing a header beyond the cat and into the far corner for, what turned out to be, the only goal of the game. United will be hopeful of holding onto top spot for Pakya’s return while RRS will need to start picking players in their right positions if they are to progress up the table.

Kirkbride Strollers had their progress checked slightly by an impressive AJ Rovers but still managed to come away with a point in a 1-1 draw. Berke Ocut sparked the game into life after a slow start with a brilliant long range shot which found the corner of the net. The Strollers did have the chance to level but Stephen Robinson’s free-kick struck a post and AJ might have added more before the break. Elling Jarnoy hit a post with a well-placed effort while Sonny Vickerman got his header all wrong. Daniel Tabaranu also had trouble directing his header as Kirkbride went in thankful to be only one adrift. AJ created the first chance of the second-half but, as with the first, accuracy was to be their undoing; Jarnoy getting a powerful shot all wrong to give Orr a free ride in goal. The Strollers would make them pay for this by equalising within moments. A textbook volley by Mike Bell beat Mortimer to bring Kirkbride back into the contest. Ocut would force a good save from Orr and a free-kick by Byron Simon missed the target as AJ were left to rue what might have been. Rothion will still be impressed with the level of performance, though, and if they can add goals to their game a promotion challenge is very much on the agenda. Jazza will recognise the quality of not being beaten while playing below par but will be keen for his side to improve in their next match at PSV.

Villarreal CF put in a strong away performance to defeat St Omer 6-0 at Five Percent Stadium. A flick header by Stanko Marincic after a minute put them on their way to a second successive victory. Omer recovered from this early setback, though, to compete hard with Villarreal for the opening half-hour and, indeed, had the next two chances. Unfortunately, Bruno Vasa curled a shot wide and a Lucas Ravelli header was well-saved by Dion Rossell. The visitors capitalised by adding their second goal moments later from a delicate Richard van Mosen header; the midfielder then went close with a driving shot on goal which needed saving. Potsdam Erplatz added the third goal with a clinical header after 36 minutes although the visitors would suffer a setback with an injury to Richie Chalmers. The second-half saw Villarreal extend their dominance with further goals. Claudio Moura quickly added the fourth by expertly rounding Frost and slotting home and Ritchie Morgan was only denied the fifth by some alert ‘keeping. The fifth did duly arrive courtesy of a precise header by Moura and, after a period of quiet, a powerful strike from Rafele Di Muri completed the scoring late on. Cathal calmed any fears about Chalmers by explaining the injury was ‘not too serious’ and will be pleased with his side’s progress up the table. ConyTottee remains focused on the task in hand and heavy defeats won’t distract him from this.

Belly Tubbies picked up three crucial points with a 2-0 home victory against Pahang which was inspired by the impressive Michael Fitzsimmons in goal. Pahang were hit with an early injury to their own ‘keeper Hussain but nearly took the lead thanks to a powerful low shot by Holger Pfitzner which brushed a post. A free-kick from Pat van de Hauwe didn’t trouble Pahang replacement Richert and the sides would go in level. An early free-kick from Kilian Strongbow missed the goal and Pahang paid the penalty as William Raplh Dean opened the scoring with a clinical strike. Rano Pantow tried to bring Pahang level but the onrushing Fitzsimmons put him off as he fired well-wide. The difference in finishing became even more apparent as Gary Lineker struck in the penalty area to double the lead and Strongbow’s free-kick was easily saved at the other end. While the win doesn’t take Fitzy’s side out of the bottom three it keeps them closing the gap on the sides around them and with Fitzsimmons in mighty form anything is possible. MrT will know that finishing cost his side the chance of points here and will prepare his side for an important match against Newry with this in mind.

PSV Eindhoven made light of their young team with a 2-0 home victory over Newry City. An early injury to Max Challis shook Newry and a header by Warren Hibbitt doubled their pain as PSV took a 17th minute lead. Newry had an early chance at the start of the second 45 minutes but Sebi Cizma couldn’t direct his header on goal and PSV would extend their advantage. The goal came from some excellent wing play by Rory MacFinlay and was finished by Jeremiah McNally to put the game beyond a disappointing Newry side. They did have one late chance but Clint Dickson’s header was stopped by Weston and PSV could celebrate three welcome points. Kadri will be delighted with the progress of his side as they continue to defy their inexperience with some impressive performances. Newry will struggle for improvement while Ramsay stays away and the fans will be hoping for some action sooner rather than later.