Strollers Marching On

Kirkbride Strollers eased to an impressive 4-0 home win over PSV Eindhoven to move into second place in the Division One table. A ninth minute diving header by El Lapinho sent them on their way as they outplayed the visitors. Xabi Alonso did have a lob skim the crossbar as the visitors attempted to hit back but a 27th minute penalty by Keith Ellison put them two goals behind and firmly up against it. Kees Splinter also got a lob wrong for PSV while Stephen Robinson had a free-kick effort saved at the other end by Reina. Robinson would test Reina again before the break but once more the ‘keeper was up to it and the score would remain 2-0. The second-half saw PSV lose Pepe Reina to a red-card and from that moment on there was only one side in it. Robinson put a lob over before El Lapinho made it 3-0 with a precise header. Malcolm Graham swiftly made it 4-0 with an excellent strike in the penalty area but Robinson met with more frustration from two set-pieces, both foiled by Loki Weston in goal. In truth it didn’t matter as Kirkbride eased to a 4-0 win and Jazza was in buoyant mood claiming his side ‘have plenty of goals’ in them so they can ‘look at catching Man Utd.’ Kadri won’t react to one poor performance in a season of uplifting ones and will focus on getting his side right for their next match; an important trip to FC Flying Dog.

Manchester United struck a crucial blow in the title race as they defeated Kensington Boys Club 3-2 at Kensington Grounds in a game full of chances. United would have the first one of the game but Cristiano Ronaldo disappointed from a set-piece and they paid the price as Charles Tilly headed in at the other end to give KBC a 1-0 advantage. Seymore MacRanald tried to lob in number two but Kuszczak made a fine save and it was soon level with Eric Cantona converting a penalty for United. Charles Tilly was the next to be denied by Kuszczak before the ‘keeper saved with his legs from a Maurice Jacobs diving header. Ronaldo missed another free-kick chance before Rafael da Silva had a powerful strike brilliantly turned round by Lorentzen. KBC were still creating chances of their own, though, and a super volley from Tilly was well-saved as the sides went in level. United would be the dominant force in the second-half with Ronaldo firing an early free-kick which needed saving by Lorentzen. A penalty by Seymore MacRanald would shock the leaders on 74 minutes to put KBC 2-1 up but United would respond. Ronaldo finally made a free-kick count on 80 minutes and a powerful header by Darren Gibson should have been more accurate as they searched for a winner. Gibson did make a better attempt with a strike on goal which brushed the post but it was left to Karim Benzema to score the winner with a clinical strike in the penalty area. Ronaldo would waste a further free-kick chance but United had the points in the bag to give themselves a four point advantage at the top. Pakya will know they cannot relax, though, as a bunch of teams have grouped behind them ready to capitalise if they should fail. KBC News bemoaned that ‘United had Ronaldo and sometimes that’s enough’ after a valiant effort came up just short. They are sure to remain in the mix, though, as they first celebrate manager Patrik’s wedding with the whole league wishing him all the very best.

Villarreal CF and Belly Tubbies battled out a 0-0 draw at Estadio El Madrigal in what was the visitors third goalless draw on the trot. The home side would have the first chance of the game as Claudio Moura headed wide. Kevin Ratcliffe would have a similar effort at the other end but Cecil Abrey made the save to keep the score level. Both sides would suffer injury problems in the opening half and it seemed to disrupt the rhythm as these would be the only two chances created in the first 45 minutes. Moura would have the first chance of the second-half also and would get his header on target this time only for Fitzsimmons to make the save. Meanwhile, at the other end William Ralph Dean got his shot all wrong when well-placed. The hosts would have a final chance to pinch the win but Rafaele Di Muri couldn’t direct his shot on target and the game would finish with both sides claiming a point. Cathal was pleasantly surprised to ‘still be third’ following the game and admitted that he is ‘still trying for promotion’ while juggling the ‘ME.’ Fitzy’s hopes will be to get out of the relegation zone with the same old story being lack of goals. This is seemingly the only thing stopping the side becoming a real force in the division.

The Vikings and AJ Rovers also battled out a 0-0 draw as both sides kept themselves in the promotion hunt at Viking Land. Rovers saw Leigh Roberts not really test Raasch early on before The Vikings were disrupted by an injury to Evstathios Gourmas. The home side did have a sight of goal through a Justin Portway shot but Darryl Moore made the stop and the game remained goalless at the break. Rovers would look the more likely after the break but Sonny Vickerman’s free-kick efforts couldn’t quite make the grade. His first one went just over before he thumped an effort wide as the game was destined to finish with both sides claiming a point. Rovers did suffer a late injury to Byron Simon but will have been happy with their point from a tough trip. Rothion has them four points behind the top three and if they can be a bit more free-flowing in front of goal they have every chance of gate-crashing the promotion party. Eaglesrjh called the game ‘an unexciting draw’ and admitted to having ‘striking dilemmas’ ahead of the next match. However, his side sit just a point behind and will have a major say in the race to come.

St Omer delighted everyone at Five Percent Stadium as they picked up their first three points of the season following a 2-1 success over Reggae Reggae Sauce. They started positively with Roberto da Luz heading in following a fifth minute corner and they remained on the attack as Dennis Bogarde went close with a lobbed effort. Sauce were looking disappointing and Omer might have made it 2-0 before the break but Joe Radley put too much on his chip and they had to be content with a one goal half-time lead. The visitors came into the contest in the second-half and had an early chance but John Part put his shot wide. Ruslan Gorlukovich made the visitors pay for this miss with a fine shot after a corner to double the advantage. Sauce did strike back quickly as Tyrone Barratt found an excellent finish from inside the penalty area. Both sides had a late chance but Dennis Bogarde missed for the hosts before Derick Maley came within inches of pinching a point on 88 minutes as he headed off the post with the ‘keeper beaten. ConyTottee was said to be ‘delighted’ with the win although he ‘isn’t expecting’ it to continue in upcoming games. However, this will serve as confirmation that they are on the right track. For RRS it continues to be a disappointing campaign and it looks certain to end in consecutive relegations after this ignominious defeat.

Pahang United picked up a victory in a home match against FC Flying Dog; edging out their visitors by a 2-1 score-line. The sides exchanged chances in the opening 25 minutes with Tom Hording heading at Wellens before Clint Dickson opened the scoring for the visitors with a long range shot. This lead might have been doubled but Arnold Atlee’s well-placed shot struck a post and Pahang got a new lease. Simun Klip powered in a shot just after the half-hour to equalise and the sides would remain that way until the break. Gerd Hirschauer got a header wrong on 48 minutes before Pahang hit the front for the first time with Holger Pfitzner heading home accurately on 50 minutes. The visitors saw Remigiusz Smoczek smack a crossbar as they attempted to get back into the game but Pahang also remained dangerous. Strongbow hit the crossbar himself at the other end with a fine header and both sides had a final chance each. Smoczek hit a lob just over and Strongbow also missed with a driving shot but wouldn’t be concerned as Pahang ran out 2-1 winners. MrT now has his side just five points off the promotion places and won’t be ruling anything out at this stage. Tivvymike has been busy in the transfer market of late and will be hopeful that these new players make their mark in the coming weeks to aid their efforts to stave off relegation.