Thunder to Strike Twice?

The top of the table clash at Garden Street saw ThunderCats demonstrate their champion quality to leave AFC Stanley beaten 3-0. The visitors would put in a devastating first-half display which left Stanley chasing the game. ThunderCats looked dangerous from their very first attack as Nelson Queimado struck a post with a powerful header. The lead would come on 12 minutes courtesy of a stunning strike from a tight angle by Paulino Ornelas which left Hessbo motionless. A breakaway on 20 minutes saw the visitors double their advantage with Fabricio Cidade placing the ball home nicely and they might have added a third before the break but Queimado couldn’t direct his header accurately enough. An injury to Thorbjorn Lind didn’t help the hosts after the break but a free-kick by Matts Wallman might have given them a route back in but his effort lacked accuracy. The ThunderCats then reasserted themselves with Jake Sephton driving just over before Cidade placed an effort wide. The third goal duly arrived courtesy of Johannes Ackesjo who produced a devastating header to put the game beyond Stanley. Leonardo Borja had a couple of late free-kick efforts go close as the visitors saw out time on a comfortable 3-0 victory. Despite the victory which saw his side go four points clear Meelas was demanding more from his forwards and added that he hopes ‘they work harder in the next match.’ With such a driving force behind them is it any wonder the champions have become such a feared foe? Markham was class as always following the defeat admitting that ‘ThunderCats tactics were spot on.’

F.C. Greatness caused West Brom Strollers problems once again as the league hopefuls fell four points behind ThunderCats following a 1-1 draw. Greatness made an excellent start with an opportunist toe-poke finding the net on seven minutes to stun the visitors. Tony Brown tried to overcome a tight angle on 32 minutes but found it too great an obstacle and a Fabio Cannavaro header might have doubled the pain but for some alert ‘keeping by Scott Carson. Both sides suffered injury problems during the first-half as well but it would be Greatness who would be the happier as they went in with a 1-0 lead. The Strollers emerged a much more focused unit in the second-half and Cyrille Regis showed his class in front of goal with a calm finish through the legs of Rachao to level matters. Derek Statham’s header needed saving late on while a free-kick by Faust Baronchelli at the other end was also well dealt with. The Strollers would have late chances either side of Paolo Serena’s red-card for Greatness but Richard Sneekes couldn’t make the most of his lob while a free-kick by Billy Bassett proved no problem for Rachao and the sides would go away with a point each. The point will be a welcome one for Darrencalvert and Greatness but they will be aware that a big battle to avoid the last relegation spot is brewing up below them. WBS News reported how well the promoted sides are doing and they will hope that there is still a fairytale ending for them. Meanwhile, Dinky has another important date on his hands and the league wishes him well for his wedding on Friday.

Three Lions defied a host of home chances for Santos to come away with three points in a 1-0 success at Estadio do Deus. Torbjorn Alshammar wasted an early free-kick chance before Fredrick Winnerljung was foiled by Casillas as the home side started the quicker of the two sides. The Lions would then enjoy a bit of fortune as they opened the scoring with Cristiano Izuldo hitting his shot so badly that it fooled Rodenas and ended up in the back of the net. Santos were quickly back on the front foot but Ray Goddard’s power shot went wide and another free-kick by Alshammar brought the best out of Casillas. A precise header by Asmar Golkas was also saved by Casillas while Robin van Izu wasted a free-kick at the other end. The second-half started with Santos once again on the front foot but a Winnerljung header was dealt with by Casillas before Patricio Bento also saw a shot blocked by the excellent ‘keeper. Alshammar would be unfortunate with a free-kick which struck a post before he repeated the dose on 68 minutes as the crowd sensed their luck was out. The Lions had some misfortune of their own, however, as van Izu hit the angle of post and bar with a splendid free-kick of his own. Santos had one final chance to rescue a point but Alshammar couldn’t produce with his final set-piece of the day and they slipped to a 1-0 defeat. Izuka keeps his side within six points of the leaders and he will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on the events unfolding above them while they first retain their top flight status for another season. Sean7 has seen his side slip into the relegation battle in recent weeks and he will be keen for a victory to ease the pressure which might be building on his players.

Tranmere continued their move clear of any trouble with an emphatic 4-0 home win over troubled AC Milan. An early free-kick by Jari Sjoholm went over the bar before Humphrey Biehn gifted the hosts the opener with a slack back header which defeated Speroni in his own goal. Sjoholm wasted another free-kick chance as he shot wide before he finally got it right on 17 minutes to double their advantage. The free-kicks kept coming and Raymond Jillhed was given a headed chance from one but Speroni comfortably gathered. Karsten Seibert lobbed well over before Sjoholm demanded excellence from Speroni from another set-piece. Speroni was on hand to save well from a Sandro Bucchi diving header and Milan were relieved to hear the half-time whistle moments later. The second-half brought much of the same with Jillhed heading wide early on. Marten Wessman did add number three with a clinical strike in the penalty area and a late powerful long range strike by Leroy Upson made it 4-0 on 88 minutes. There was still time for Sjoholm to have another free-kick effort but he couldn’t direct it on target and Tranmere had to settle for a 4-0 victory. Baz will be more than happy with how his side is progressing and with another home game on Friday he will be looking for his players to keep their form going. MarkieRich’s Milan look to be struggling for form and leadership at the moment and, sitting seven points adrift, they look nailed on for relegation.

Totaalvoetbal slipped deep into relegation trouble as New York City were the latest to beat them in a 2-0 victory for the home side. Totaal actually put in a good first-half performance and Cal Beardsley had an early half-volley saved by Sattler. Pierre van Diemen would also have a chance but shot wide before New York made them pay with the opening goal. A free-kick tapped to Elvis MacCaran resulted in the forward drilling past Rimmer to give them the lead. Even so Totaal should have equalised but van Diemen was off-colour from the penalty spot as he shot hopelessly off target. This would be their last chance of the half and they would go in a goal behind. An early volley by Benjamin Foran might have made matters worse for the visitors but he shot wide. It wasn’t long before they were 2-0 behind, though, as MacCaran succeeded where van Diemen had failed by thumping home a penalty. With the belief gone out of the visitors, New York comfortably saw out time on a deserved victory. Jimmy has navigated his side into fifth place and they look far too good to be embroiled in a relegation battle this term which will give the boss vital time to build an even brighter side for future seasons. Robin Meeblind admitted his side are in ‘a real battle’ for survival and with a trip to ThunderCats to come things are only going to become more difficult.

Hun Haters picked up a vital three points to close the gap on the teams above them as they defeated Yorkshires Amateurs 4-1 at The Thorp Arches. A lob from Dougie Gunn gave them an 11th minute lead and they always looked the stronger side. Gunn had a further effort saved before Andrew Potts had a free-kick tipped over at the other end. Micky Cox lobbed a header over for the Amateurs but they would go in a goal behind. HH had the first chance of the second-half as Craig Elliston forced Bicanco into a brilliant reflex stop and the Amateurs would take advantage by equalising through a Murray Davis penalty. HH responded well to this setback, though, and saw Ashton Crosby flick a header in to restore their lead. Jimmy Meire’s mishit shot was easily saved before the ‘keeper had to be alert once more to tip over from his own player Martin Vaclavik’s dangerous back header. Ted Caird did make good with a powerful long range strike to put the Haters 3-1 up and Meire completed a fine victory with a well-placed shot on 88 minutes. Celticchris’ side have bridged the gap to their nearest rivals now and they will look to take advantage of a game against Milan to move out of the relegation zone. Danlufc13 will probably focus on making his side competitive for future seasons once he returns to the hot-seat but for now the season looks sure to end in disappointment.