Meelas Makes His a Double

ThunderCats secured the title for the second season running with a 2-0 win at Three Lions FC. A free-kick on six minutes by Jake Sephton gave them the ideal start as it flew past Valdezuka into the goal. Luca Tonizu tried to respond for the hosts but had his shot blocked by Magro before the ‘keeper also tipped over a Robin van Izu header. The second-half saw Cristiano Izuldo steer a shot off-target before Tonizu put a header wide as the Lions sought an equaliser. ThunderCats would double their lead with only their second chance as Juliano Leite powered in a quality shot. Leonardo Borja then hit a half-volley at the ‘keeper before Izet Hadzic shot over as the visitors looked to step up the pressure. The Lions saw Jose Bosingwa sent-off for brutal play but they did manage to create further chances. A shot by Henning Bade needed saving by Magro before a free-kick by Tonizu flew well-wide. This proved their last hurrah as ThunderCats claimed the title amidst wild celebrations. Meelas added hopefully for the club’s fans that ‘a good change report will carry me through next season.’ Certainly with a hat-trick of titles to aim for there seems to be every reason to stay. Speaking of his pre-season plans Izuka said that he’d be ‘trying to persuade managers to sell a few potential new Lions to them.’

West Brom drew 3-3 with Stanley as their title dreams came up just short. A Willie Johnston header was saved by Moss before the visitors took the lead as Alan Martindale shot home in the penalty area. Cyrille Regis made sure they would not be behind for long, though, as he powered in a shot from distance and he then turned the game on its head by shooting home inside the area. The Strollers would double their lead on 48 minutes as Regis completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot. However, Mitchell Arkwright returned the favour three minutes later as he scored a penalty to halve the deficit. Enrico Fuentes brought the very best out of Carson from a powerful shot but there was nothing the ‘keeper could do as Martindale toe-poked home the equaliser on 57 minutes. Stanley saw Dijedon Betimaj hit the bar with a toe-poke while Regis missed an effort at the other end. Garry Molseley would waste a late chance to win the game for Stanley but a point was fair after a scintillating encounter. DD explained that ‘experience told in the end’ but his club are in fine shape to challenge for seasons to come. Markham also enjoyed an excellent season and he will be looking to build on this next term with a well-rounded and experienced squad.

F.C. Greatness were relegated as they could only draw 2-2 at home to Tranmere Rovers. Greatness had the first chance with Martinus Benfari hitting a shot over the bar on six minutes. Manuel Bonda would also miss the target at the other end before Jari Sjoholm had a free-kick saved by Rachao. A powerful shot by Faust Baronchelli was close to giving Greatness the lead as his effort struck wood but they would fall behind as Marten Wessman rounded Rachao to give Tranmere the opening goal. Sjoholm then had a free-kick saved as Tranmere finished the half on top. Sjoholm would start the second-half with a free-kick as well but put his effort off-target. This would be punished as Benfari shot home following a breakaway for the hosts while Baronchelli had an effort saved as they attempted to get the three points for safety. Angelo Foggia did flick in a header moments later as Greatness went 2-1 up to the delight of the home crowd. The lead would be short-lived, though, as Manuel Bonha hit home a half-volley for Tranmere and the hosts needed a good save from Rachao to deny Gabriel Dolff a winning goal from a header. Darren Calvert must now look to lead his side to promotion from Division One for the second time after enduring a disappointing campaign. Baz meanwhile will look for further progress next season after overhauling his side during this campaign.

Hun Haters survived in the top flight despite losing 3-2 at home to Totaalvoetbal. HH had the first chance and found themselves unfortunate as Lee Kidlaw hit the post with a cracking shot while Shirsh Vajpayee missed the target at the other end with a header. Nigel Bruggink would also miss the target for the hosts before Pierre van Diemen put Totaal in front with an unerring volley. Iain Emery put a shot high above goal while Horacio Metelo hit the bar at the other end as the chances kept coming. The second-half saw HH equalise with their first chance as Bruggink lobbed home on 57 minutes. However, Totaal were back on the attack and after Edwin Hayter and Johan Juffing had shots saved van Diemen put them back in front with a well-placed effort. Showing great spirit the home side came back once more although Finlay MacCleir’s shot was more luck than judgement but it had enough on it to beat Rimmer and make it 2-2. Miquel Oriol luckily deflected the ball straight to his own ‘keeper before they managed to steal the game; Metelo producing a storybook ending to his career with a brilliant free-kick which left them 3-2 winners. Celticchris can plan ahead now with his side still safely an RMI team and the manager and fans alike will be hoping for a higher finish next term. Robin Meeblind, meanwhile, was pleased to ‘finish the season on a high’ before cautioning fans that there ‘might not be many new faces for next term.’

Santos made sure that Jimmy’s final match in charge of New York City would be a miserable one as the home side ran out 4-1 winners. A Robbie Mitchell shot was saved before Rogerio Franca gave the home side a 10th minute lead after a quick breakaway. Sattler saved from Mitchell once more before Franca beat him again with a powerful strike from distance for 2-0. Adriano Ribeiro was denied by Sattler as the home side remained dominant although Eugene Kameni Idriss did force Rodenas into a save before half-time from a free-kick. Santos started the second-half strongly and added a third goal courtesy of a lob by Patricio Bento. A penalty by David Sattler did briefly give the away fans hope but Cesar Ferrari fired another warning shot at the other end with a lob which went over. Franca would seal the win with his hat-trick goal on 72 minutes as he hit a pearler from distance to finish the season on a high for Santos. Sean7’s side can now look ahead with confidence after a fourth-placed finish and if they maintain their end of season form into the start of the new one then they will be tough to stop. Jimmy proclaimed himself ‘gutted’ to have finished with a loss before taking up his new post and with Big K now taking over, the club will look for a new direction next season.

AC Milan defeated Yorkshires Amateurs 2-0 to finish a disappointing season on a positive note. Milan had the first chance and took the lead as Andrea Pirlo curled home a shot from distance. Victor Moses then had a header saved before the Amateurs saw Oliver Ambler’s header saved by Hindle. Jeffrey Cheeseman would lob a header over for the hosts before Bernard Lormor added the second goal with a low long range strike. The second-half saw further chances for the visitors but Humphrey Biehn had a shot saved before heading wide. Savino Piovanelli would be unlucky not to score with a diving header but it struck a post and went safe as Milan settled for a 2-0 win. XMensch and Danlufc13 will both be looking to lead their sides straight back into the top division next season with the Amateurs manager looking ‘to bring in the players that will allow them’ to do this right away.