United Enjoy Rovers Return

Manchester United reversed the form from earlier in the week in a 4-1 defeat of AJ Rovers. AJ might have taken an early lead, though, as Gordon Hogg looked to do everything right but his shot came back off a post to the relief of the home support. United responded quickly and Darren Gibson hit a free-kick into the post before teeing up Owen Hargreaves from one but the midfielder could only blast his effort high and wide. Gibson did eventually give his side the lead as he lashed a free-kick through the wall and into the net on 16 minutes. A header by Miron Lysenko would mean the United lead would last only four minutes, though, as he left Kuszczak well-beaten. AJ were still giving away free-kicks, however, and Karim Benzema put a shot over after being fed by Gibson. Gibson would re-establish the home side’s lead with a powerful header on 28 minutes and then teed up Benzema once more with the forward hitting a post with a cracking effort. Gibson would miss another free-kick while Hargreaves could count himself unfortunate with a flick header which hit the angle. The third goal did arrive before half-time as Darren Fletcher converted a penalty to give them a massive boost going into the break. Hargreaves had a header saved at the start of the second-half and Gibson missed a free-kick as the pattern continued. The fourth goal would duly arrive as Wayne Rooney headed in and Hargreaves once again came close to adding another. Rovers saw Simos demand an excellent save from Kuszczak but it was not to be their day. The win has Pakya’s side a point clear and they will be happy that they have remained ahead while being in indifferent form of late. Rothion’s side have slipped four points behind and will want to keep closer order to have a say at the end of the season.

Pahang and Kirkbride had a rare old tussle with the home side winning by the odd goal in seven at Padang. Kirkbride were nearly given a brilliant start as Franck Saur hit his own post with a dangerous back-pass. Despite this it would be Pahang who would score first with a delicious lob by Kilian Strongbow proving too accurate for John Orr. The lead would last just one minute, though, as El Lapinho drilled in a low shot from distance to level matters. Holger Pfitzner had an effort saved by Orr as Pahang looked to retake the lead but it would remain 1-1 going into half-time. El Lapinho once more proved the threat for the visitors after the break but Richert was the equal to it and a lob by Tom Hording at the other end gave Pahang the lead. Once more, though, the lead would be short-lived as Stephen Robinson headed in a Keith Ellison cross and things would get even better for the Strollers as Mark Blacklock fired in from distance to put them in front. However, in keeping with the game there would be more twists with Strongbow adding his second with a well-placed shot inside the area making it 3-3. Ultimately it would be Strongbow who would win the game with his hat-trick goal; hitting a powerful shot from distance he left Orr with no chance. Romeo Hogg narrowly missed making it 5-3 but Pahang will have been more than happy with their victory at the end of a titanic tussle. On the back of this win MrT’s side are out of immediate danger regarding relegation and if they keep this attacking form going anything might still be possible. The defeat will have come as a disappointment for Jazza whose side drop four points off the pace.

PSV once again put in a performance which belied their age and skill to hold The Vikings to a 2-2 draw. Xabi Alonso fired the first warning that they would be more than competitive in the game but Raasch saved and The Vikings would strike first. A penalty was awarded and Anastasios Tassiopoulos made no mistake from the spot to give them an 18th minute lead. Vassilis Papakostas had a chance to extend the lead but got his shot all wrong and Damon Strachan was unlucky to brush a post with his effort as The Vikings pressed. They would pay for their missed chances, though, as Claudio Collauto lobbed over Raasch to level matters. The second-half saw Strachan immediately put The Vikings back in front with a well-placed effort on 49 minutes. Colin Crouch hit a powerful shot over and Papakostas forced Reina into a save from a free-kick as the visitors once more looked the more progressive unit. However, as with the first-half the home side would level. The Vikings didn’t deal with a corner properly and Frans Haggbring reacted the quickest to toe-poke home to level the game at 2-2. Nanmeng tried to win the game late on but Raasch saved bravely and the sides would go home with a point each. The point keeps PSV two points clear of the relegation zone with PSV News saying the club is ‘quite proud’ of this and that they would be considered ‘one of the success stories of the season’ if they can remain there. Eagles admitted to feeling a little ‘unsure’ as how to feel after the game given his side had ‘out-possessed and out-chanced them.’

Kensington completed a routine double over St Omer with a 6-1 away win which keeps them a point off the top. Aubrey de Vere opened the scoring on five minutes with a well-placed effort and the visitors never looked in danger. A second goal quickly arrived and it was de Vere again who would score it, this time with an accurate header. He narrowly failed to make it 3-0 on 15 minutes as his lob header went over and Niles Worthington also missed with a header. Omer briefly rallied with a volley from Dennis Bogarde which flew into the net and they might have levelled on 38 minutes but Timmy Svenson fired wide. They would pay for this as Albert Finley headed in number three on 43 minutes and de Vere might have increased the pain before the break but the ‘keeper saved his free-kick. The second-half saw Kensington score early through a Gilbert de Clare header and a lob from Adrian Gray made it 5-1 on 55 minutes. Maurice Jacobs hit a stunning volley from distance to make it 6-1 shortly afterwards and Kensington could be satisfied with a job well done. Patrik had given praise to ConyTottee’s ‘patience’ to build such a youthful side but he will be more concerned with keeping his side winning to maintain the pressure on United. Relegation was accepted a long time ago at Omer and their reward will hopefully come in the shape of an exciting change report.

Villarreal CF maintained their position as the form team of the division with a 3-0 victory at Reggae Reggae Sauce. They withstood an early header from John Part and went on to dominate the game. Jonathan Boulding hit the crossbar with a free-kick as the first-half proved a little disappointing but they would make up for it after the break. Claudio Moura got his effort all wrong on 51 minutes and was denied from a diving header moments later. Dudley Bennington would give them the lead, though, as he hit through Mullen’s legs on the hour. Boulding hit home a beautifully well-placed shot on 64 minutes to double their advantage and Stanko Marincic nearly added a cheeky third with a back-heel but Mullen saved brilliantly. Boulding hit a chip over before the third goal duly arrived in injury-time courtesy of a well-placed effort by Andy Hardy. Villarreal are now in the promotion zone following the win and Cathal was already focusing on the next game and finding a way of beating a ‘keeper who is on top form’ in Fitzsimmons. Xpertelevener’s disappointing season continues as boss of Reggae Reggae Sauce and only a string of wins will give them a chance of survival.

Belly Tubbies and FC Flying Dog would share their second 0-0 draw in a matter of days as the two ‘keepers put in excellent displays at Flabbyland. The Tubbies would have the only chance of the first-half but Adrian Heath’s side-footed effort was easily saved by Wellens. The Tubbies would go close again through Heath with Wellens making a more difficult save to deny a curled shot from the forward. The visitors would have late chances following the sending-off of Pat van de Hauwe but Fitzsimmons saved from Stan Collymore and Antony Cowdrey put a free-kick over in injury-time as the points were shared. Fitzy will be pleased his side is remaining hard to beat despite not scoring many goals but he will be aware of the need to pick up victories if they are to avoid the drop. It is a similar tale for Tivvymike whose side are tight at the back but lacking a goal threat however the manager will look to survive and change this in silly season.