Totaal Prove Top Cats

Totaalvoetbal opened up the championship race while boosting their own survival hopes with a 2-0 away win at ThunderCats F.C. In a solid first-half performance they would take the lead with the opening chance of the game. An excellent header by Shirsh Vajpayee beat Magro after a telling cross from willing forward Ike Dyer. Pierre van Diemen might have made it 2-0 on 39 minutes but his shot hit the post however he wouldn’t be denied his goal and a well-placed header on the stroke of half-time gave Totaal a 2-0 lead. The second-half saw Totaal sit in content with the lead they had. ThunderCats would force a couple of late chances but Carlos Partini shot well-wide and Jake Sephton couldn’t keep a header down as the champions slipped to defeat. Despite the defeat they remain at the head of the table by a point but Meelas will demand a response as his side travel to Greatness in their next match. Robin Meeblind, meanwhile, was delighted with the performance saying it ‘was their best for some considerable time.’ However, he did add that there ‘was still a lot of hard work to come’ if they want to avoid relegation.

West Brom Strollers took advantage of the leaders’ slip with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Yorkshires Amateurs. A Lee Hughes strike gave them a second minute lead and they would never look back after Scott Carson denied Fred Franklin at the other end. Bobby Taylor’s lobbed header made it 2-0 on 21 minutes and only a quality save from Bicanco stopped Tony Brown from making it 3-0 with a header on 39 minutes. The third did arrive at the beginning of the second-half as Billy Bassett finished with some aplomb and Hughes probably should have done better with a header just after the hour. Taylor did force Bicanco into a fine save after hitting a lovely driving shot but the fourth goal would finally arrive when Bryan Robson headed in powerfully on 81 minutes. The win will have pleased Dinky as his side looks to keep the pressure at the head of the table and with a home match against Milan next they will be hopeful of another three points. Danlufc13 will already be planning for life in Division One as his side fell 13 points behind the safety mark but the coach will be determined that his side come back stronger after a troubled campaign.

New York City kept up their hopes of a first RM Invitational crown with a 1-0 home victory over F.C. Greatness. City saw Eugene Kameni Idriss go close with a free-kick before Fabian Ostgard volleyed wide at the other end. Greatness continued to pose an early threat but Arnaldo Sifredi lobbed hopelessly over and this seemed to affect their confidence. A well-placed header by Shinosuke Isimaru would give City a half-time advantage after leaving Rachao helpless in goal. Idriss had an early free-kick effort after the break but couldn’t hit the target and a header by Elvis MacCaran suffered the same fate. City continued to press but Scott Flynn also missed the target with a volley and a late power shot by MacCaran proved easy for Rachao. Greatness thought they had levelled with a late Faust Baronchelli header but the goal was disallowed for handball and the points belonged to the home side. City now sit just five points behind the top spot and if they can take advantage of a match against the Amateurs on Tuesday may close the gap still further. Darrencalvert cut a frustrated figure at full-time and snapped that he ‘thinks this game is stupid.’

AFC Stanley remained five points behind as they were beaten 3-1 at Santos FC. A diving header by Rogerio Franca needed saving by Hessbo before a 10th minute header by Adriano Ribeiro proved too good for the ‘keeper to give Santos a 1-0 lead. Ribeiro would nearly add a second but saw his looped header hit the bar before wasting another headed opportunity minutes later. Patricio Bento missed a side-footed effort as the pressure continued to build and Ribeiro eventually made it 2-0 with a well-executed finish. Ribeiro would try to score his hat-trick goal but blasted over from a tight angle before Julien Motson amazingly halved the deficit with a clinical strike at the other end. Alan Martindale missed the chance to level the game for Stanley and Patricio Bento nearly made it 3-1 but saw his powerful header hit the bar. The second-half would prove much quieter but Santos would create two further chances. Asmar Golkas was unlucky when his chip hit the angle of post and bar but Bento would seal the game with an excellent header on 81 minutes. Sean7 spoke about this season being ‘less satisfying’ but added that he thought the future looked brighter and that they ‘are aiming for a top 3 finish.’ Remaining just five points behind Stanley still have a chance at the title but can ill afford any more defeats as the season reaches the business end.

Tranmere and Three Lions battled hard for a point each in a 1-1 draw at Prenton Park. Fernando Mella tried to give the Lions an early lead but was denied smartly by Sjolund in the home goal. Tranmere’s first effort came via a free-kick with Christiano Olias being very unfortunate as he hit the angle of post and bar. The Lions started the second-half brightly with Zlatan Izuhimovic forcing Sjolund into a save before a free-kick by the same player brushed the outside of the post. Rodrigo Possebon also had a near-miss with a powerful low shot and Tranmere responded. Adam Mlynarz demanded an excellent save from Casillas and the Lions would take full advantage. A brilliant long range shot by Cesc Izukas gave them the lead with just 13 minutes to go. Raymond Jillhed would have a response for the home side, though, with a clinical header which brought them level and they might have won the game late on. Christiano Olias’ free-kick needed saving by Casillas before Jillhed shot wide when well-placed. Baz will be content with his side’s mid-table place but will be keen to push on with a win or two to cement their place for next season. Izu was disappointed at failing to ‘keep the egg’ but will be more than happy with his side’s current position.

Hun Haters took advantage of an unorganised Milan side to triumph 6-1 and move out of the relegation zone. Alexandr Prohazska might have given the Haters a lead with a header before Victor Moses' long range lob put Milan 1-0 up on 18 minutes. Ted Caird was denied by Speroni as the visitors tried to get level and Milan might have made matters worse but Kaka put a free-kick over the bar. Iain Emery did level matters from distance for HH and a free-kick by Craig Elliston quickly had them in front. Kaka wasted another free-kick chance before the break and they would go in a goal behind. Emery doubled the visitors lead with an early second-half header and he then completed his hat-trick with a clinical strike in the penalty area. Elliston hit the post with a strike before hitting a free-kick at Speroni as HH tried to extend their lead. Don MacArthur finished a breakaway to make it 5-1 and Ashton Crosby nearly made it six but missed his steered shot. Caird did manage to direct in their sixth and although Elliston missed a chance to make it 7-1 the visitors were worthy winners. Celticchris now has his side looking at mid-table and they can make that reality if they can defeat Tranmere in their next match. With MarkieRich absent things are looking bleak for Milan and a trip to West Brom Strollers will not be something the fans will relish at the moment.