Level Pegging at Top

Manchester United and Kirkbride stayed level on points as they fought out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo would get United off to a fast start with a bullet free-kick after only two minutes. The Strollers hit back with a couple of quick chances but Mark Blacklock put a diving header over while Mike Bell’s shot also went over the bar. This trend continued as Blacklock chipped over the ‘keeper but also over the top but the visitors would be rewarded for their pressure on 13 minutes with Stephen Robinson lobbing in delicately from distance. United tried to re-establish their advantage but Aisha Abdul-Malik hit the angle of post and bar after successfully getting the ball over Orr and the Strollers might have taken the lead as Robinson’s free-kick struck a post. Eric Cantona was then denied by Orr before a lob by Karim Benzema was tapped over by the ‘keeper as United finished the half on top. The second-half saw the sides only create a chance each with Mike Bell heading off-target for Kirkbride before Ronaldo hit a late free-kick wide as the sides settled for a point each. The point couldn’t stop United slipping to third in the table on goal difference but the fans will be delighted to see the return of Pakya for the final three games of the season. The big matches keep coming for the Strollers as they face The Vikings on Friday with Jazza declaring ‘we are going for the win.’

The Vikings drew level on points with the leaders as they won 1-0 at Belly Tubbies. It would be the home side who would threaten first but Trevor Steven headed wide and they would soon find themselves behind. Thorbjorn Lind was the scorer as he headed home a Colin Crouch cross on 32 minutes for the crucial opening goal. The Tubbies tried to respond but William Ralph Dean but his chip over and The Vikings went on to dominate the game. Lind would waste his second headed chance before the break as the visitors went in a goal up. The second-half saw Lind continue his aerial dominance but his next header would go just over. Anastasios Tassiopoulos would also miss the target with a shot following a breakaway and the pattern would continue as Lind headed off-target once more. Aris Almanidis could lay claim to being somewhat more unfortunate as his brilliant free-kick struck a post but ultimately they wouldn’t pay for missed chances as they claimed a 1-0 victory. Eaglesrjh declared himself ‘very pleased to (have) come away with 3 points’ and ahead of their clash with Kirkbride added that they ‘hope to cope with the pressure.’ Fitzy’s side are now just two points clear of Eindhoven and will hope to post a victory against Kensington on Friday to give themselves a little breathing space.

Bolton Hillbillies are now just three points away from first after defeating St Omer 3-0 at Five Percent Stadium. A fifth minute opener by Max Chillis settled the nerves as he powered in a shot from distance. There would be a quiet period in the game before Roberto da Luz threatened to equalise for Omer but put his shot off-target. The visitors would then enjoy a good period before the break with Clint Dickson flicking in the second goal with his head. Sebi Cizma lobbed just over three minutes later before Challis added the third with another powerful strike from distance on the stroke of half-time. Omer tried to hit back at the start of the second-half but Cony Tottee’s penalty was saved by Wellens. The only chance for Bolton came in injury-time but Challis couldn’t add a hat-trick goal as he headed wide but they had already done enough to claim three points. MasterReid has his side on a six-match winning run and if they can claim the scalp of United on Friday the run may end in ultimate glory of promotion or even the title. CT had further bad news as Norbert Rauscher was involved police trouble and will be in custody for 24 days. A tough season gets more difficult for Omer.

Pahang United moved to within five points of the top three as they beat Villarreal 3-0 at Padang MPK. The first chance took until the 26th minute to arrive with Kilian Strongbow’s free-kick demanding a save by Abrey. Strongbow would have his revenge five minutes later, though, as he headed past Abrey for the opening goal. The second-half was relatively uneventful until the sending off of Dudley Bennington for dangerous play. The chances would then start arriving in the final 15 minutes with Rano Pantow going close with a back-heel. Ray Eastwood would follow by driving a shot over the bar before Claudio Moura responded with a lob header for Villarreal but it would sail over the bar. Pahang would add their second goal on 85 minutes as Holger Pfitzner headed in and in injury-time Romeo Hogg placed a shot beyond Abrey for 3-0. Moura would waste another headed chance for Villarreal and they ended up being well-beaten. Mr T claimed that his side are still not ‘hoping for promotion’ but they will ‘try’ until it’s impossible. Cathal will now be looking ahead to the change report and the new season as a run of three consecutive losses have ended their promotion chances.

PSV’s survival hopes are still alive following a 6-1 home win over Reggae Reggae Sauce. PSV would signal their attacking intent early on but Jose Fonte had a free-kick saved before a Jeremiah McNally shot went wide. RRS hit back with an effort from Timotei Orasan which found the net but it was disallowed for a foul. PSV would take advantage of this let-off with Claudio Collauto opening the scoring with a calm finish following a devastating breakaway move. The lead would only last five minutes, though, as Orasan got his goal after being teed up from a free-kick by Christiano Torres. This would remain the score at the interval but PSV would emerge much stronger after the break. After surviving a Wayne Mardle half-volley PSV began to attack. Timmy Simons put them 2-1 up with a lob header and RRS were reduced to 10-men when Terry Jenkins couldn’t continue due to injury. Yang Sheng Nanmeng shot wide with a powerful effort before he did make it 3-1 with a super volley from distance. McNally headed in the fourth on 73 minutes as RRS began to crumble and it was 5-1 as Nanmeng headed in accurately. Collauto followed suit as he headed home his second goal in injury-time to complete an excellent evening’s work for the home side. Kadri declared that survival is now in their ‘own hands’ and they will be ‘giving this (their) best shot.’ RRS will be looking to get through the change report with some success as they try to forget a disappointing season.

AJ Rovers got the win they needed as they triumphed 1-0 over Kensington Boys Club. Sonny Vickerman would have the only chance of the half but he couldn’t beat Lorentzen and Wanda Rinn brought an end to an uninspiring 45 minutes with the score at 0-0. The second-half opened in more attacking fashion but Lorentzen would save a Vickerman free-kick. The goal would come courtesy of Gordon Hogg who hit an unstoppable half-volley on 70 minutes. Elling Jarnoy hit a wild shot when well-placed but Maurice Jacobs couldn’t make them pay as he missed KBC’s only chance in injury-time. Rothion declared that his side ‘might field a young side’ to ‘boost their experience’ in the games they have left. Patrik’s side remain in relegation trouble with the manager adding that his ‘wedding went better than xpert’ is at the moment.