Rothion Revels in Rovers Win

AJ Rovers put in a powerful home performance to leave Manchester United defeated 3-1 at the AJR Arena. AJ would suffer a troubled beginning as they lost goalkeeper Justin Mortimer to injury and then went a goal behind as Cristiano Ronaldo headed home on five minutes. Dimitar Berbatov might have made it worse but fired wide of the target before a volley by Elling Jarnoy provided the first glimpse of attacking intent from AJ and needed dealing with by Kuszczak in goal. AJ almost contributed to their own troubles when Cirilo Gibernaue’s back-pass went just past the post but you sensed they were coming into their own as Jarnoy went close once more. Jarnoy had one more effort before the break but it didn’t really trouble the ‘keeper and United would maintain their goal advantage. Jarnoy continued to be frustrated at the start of the second-half as he looked to have done everything right only to see his chip come back off the bar. Rovers did equalise through Gordon Hogg as his chip found the back of the net following a corner. Wayne Rooney tried to re-establish United’s lead but his header was saved before AJ struck again; also through Hogg but in somewhat more fortunate fashion as his shot was mishit beyond Kuszczak. Jarnoy finally got his reward on 64 minutes when a powerful header found the net to give Rovers a 3-1 advantage and leave United reeling. To their credit United did rally but Owen Hargreaves missed their chance to get back into the game by hitting a half-volley wide. There was late chances in the game as Mercourios Simos went close for the home side before Ronaldo and Darren Gibson might have done better with efforts at the other end. Ultimately, though, it was a very satisfactory night for AJ and Rothion. The win takes them to within three points of United and with the section proving incredibly tight there is everything to play for. Pakya will be concerned with a run of form which has seen them win just once in their last four games and will be hoping to improve upon this in the coming weeks.

The Vikings took advantage of United’s slip-up by defeating PSV Eindhoven 2-0 at Viking Land. The sides shared early chances but neither Ted Tolley of The Vikings nor Timmy Simons of PSV could put their efforts on target. Tolley would have the next chance as well and did better with his header but Pepe Reina saved well to keep the score level. There would follow a quiet period in the game before Yang Sheng Nanmeng nearly gave PSV the lead with the first chance of the second-half; his powerful effort hitting the angle of post and bar to the dismay of the visiting fans. The Vikings took full advantage of this let-off by taking the lead on 70 minutes; Aris Almanidis bringing the home crowd to their feet with a stunning free-kick which gave Reina no chance. Tolley nearly made it 2-0 with a diving header but it went just wide and Vassilis Papakostas also had a near-thing with a nicely crafted shot. The second goal did arrive for Papakostas, though, on 87 minutes as he slid home following a swift breakaway. PSV missed a late chance through Nanmeng and couldn’t find a route back into the game. The win leaves The Vikings a point behind at the head of the table but most of the interest was surrounding youth starlet Deane Molloy. With fans excited by the prospect of seeing him play Eaglesrjh has a big decision to make with the boss saying ‘a meeting will take place soon.’ Kadri’s side are still above the relegation zone but will realise more goals are needed if they are to maintain Division One football while bringing on their young players.

Kirkbride Strollers also moved to within a point of first with a 1-0 home victory over Pahang United. United might have taken an early lead but Tom Hording’s diving header was disallowed for offside when replays showed that it was 50/50 at best. Kirkbride had their first effort on 19 minutes but El Lapinho couldn’t make good with a diving header and they were relieved when John Orr stopped a Romeo Hogg free-kick at the other end. Pahang started the better in the second-half as well but Hording’s header was stopped and the Strollers would start to take control. Mark Blacklock went within inches of giving the home side the lead with his shot following a free-kick move but it hit the woodwork. He would, however, get a late winner. The goal came from a Stephen Robinson cross and ended with Blacklock clinically heading home for three crucial points. Jazza’s Kirkbride have ticked all the right boxes as the season turns round and there is nothing to suggest that they will falter at the business end. Mr T will be happy with his side’s competitiveness but a little concerned that they now sit just two points above the drop zone however a win in the next few games will do much for their collective confidence.

Kensington Boys Club are also in the hunt and were in good form in front of goal in a 7-0 victory over St Omer. Harry Whitlow started the scoring spree with a diving header after two minutes and Adrian Gray narrowly missed making it 2-0 with a lob shortly afterwards. Barry Painter was the next to try his luck but he found it to be out as a chip hit the crossbar and went safe. The second goal did arrive on 28 minutes as Gray found the target with a nicely placed effort and the same player made it 3-0 with a beautiful lob after the half-hour. Gray completed a first-half hat-trick on 43 minutes as a powerful long range shot was too good for Hamshaw and the hosts went in with a 4-0 lead. Gray was in the mood for more after the break and another powerful hit from distance made it 5-0. Charles Tilly got in on the act after the hour with a superb volley which flew into the net and Gray scored his fifth and his side’s seventh with a volley of his own on 82 minutes. Tilly missed a late chance but it didn’t really matter as KBC went away very happy with a 7-0 win. Patrik was clearly pleased with his side’s performance as he exclaimed ‘viva goaldifferentio’ as they finally start to get that tally moving in the right direction. Cony said he was ‘not looking forward to the rematch’ following the defeat but his players are used to these experiences and they are sure to brush it off as they continue to develop.

Villarreal remain in good form following a 4-0 home win over Reggae Reggae Sauce. They got the ideal start when Jonathan Boulding curled in a beautiful free-kick on 12 minutes to put them 1-0 ahead. Claudio Moura nearly made it 2-0 but hit the ball over the top before Boulding did head in number two on 18 minutes. Alfredo D’Addadzio wasted a headed chance for Sauce by placing it straight at Abrey and the home side took advantage by making it 3-0 courtesy of a powerfully curled shot by Moura on 35 minutes. Andy Hardy nervously headed over his own bar before the break but Villarreal could be very happy with their 3-0 half-time lead. Petter Lundin forced Shay Mullen into a save at the start of the second-half before Eddy Grant had a toe-poke denied at the other end. The home side would add a fourth goal as Moura added his second with a powerful low shot from distance to end a satisfactory day for Cathal’s men. Cathal announced that he ‘will no longer be looking to bring in Dean Malloy from The Vikings’ but these are sure to be exciting times for a club which is looking for promotion and has money in the bank. Xpertelevener will still hold out hope for his side to avoid relegation now he’s back on task and he will look for his troops to put up a better showing in the return match with Villarreal.

In the division’s other game FC Flying Dog and Belly Tubbies drew 0-0 at Brewery Ground. Both sides had an early chance as Adrian Heath forced Wellens into action in the Dog goal while Kian Dadashi fired wide for the hosts. Antony Cowdrey had another effort for the hosts but his free-kick was gathered easily by Fitzsimmons. As the game continued to ebb and flow William Ralph Dean lobbed over the bar while Cowdrey was denied again by Fitzsimmons at the other end. The Tubbies started better at the beginning of the second-half but Dean had a header saved before lobbing over the bar as they couldn’t make the most of their possession. Meanwhile, a lob attempt by Arnold Atlee couldn’t find the target for Flying Dog and the sides would take a point each from a tight encounter. Tivvymike’s side remain in mid-table and full of promise as the manager gets used to his players. Fitzy’s Tubbies are two points from safety and will be keen to add more goals to their play to make progression up the table.