Papa the Daddy for Vikings

The Vikings defeated Manchester United 3-1 as the visitors started to pay for the absence of their manager. The home side started strongly and Thorbjorn Lind had already put a header off-target before Vassilis Papakostas gave them the lead with a header of his own. The Vikings would net with their next chance also as Papakostas headed past midfielder/goalkeeper, Hargreaves to make it 2-0. United would improve after the break but Karim Benzema could only shoot over. Cristiano Ronaldo would fare better, though, as he drilled in a brilliant free-kick to make it 2-1 just after the hour. The home side would reassert themselves, however, and Papakostas completed a fine hat-trick by steering a shot home from inside the penalty area. They would then see Aris Almanidis smash a free-kick against a post before Ronaldo hit the angle at the other end with a set-piece of his own. Papakostas would miscue in front of goal on 91 minutes but the victory was theirs as The Vikings remained in the top three. Eaglesrjh admitted the victory was ‘pretty hollow’ due to the absence of Pakya but they sit in a very promising position just two points off the top with four games to go. United will be hopeful Pakya returns soon or a season which looked like bringing promotion may end in disappointment.

Kirkbride Strollers sit top of the division as they outclassed St Omer 7-0. All the goals came in a remarkable first-half which saw Omer put to the sword. Billy Maneater headed the hosts into a third minute lead and this was doubled by a precise Stephen Robinson header just three minutes later. Brian Wills narrowly missed making it 3-0 on nine minutes but Maneater would make it three with a fine strike in the area on 11 minutes. Wills would also see a header saved by Rain before Mike Bell made it 4-0 with a delicate lob. Bell then went on to see a shot saved but they would add a fifth as Maneater completed a hat-trick with a clinical header on 30 minutes. The sixth goal arrived seven minutes later as Wills got a goal his play deserved with a clever chip. A minute later and Wills added his second and his team’s seventh with an excellent header to cap a stunning half. Omer would regain some pride after the break with Joe Radley having a lob saved by Orr and Timmy Svenson heading wide of the target as they created the only chances of the half. Ultimately, though, it was another disappointing day for Omer with CT admitting conceding 100 goals for the season ‘looks pretty likely.’ Things couldn’t be more contrasting for Jazza’s side who are ahead on goal difference and travel to face United on Tuesday knowing a win might go a long way to securing them the title.

Bolton Hillbillies remained just three points behind The Vikings as they defeated Villarreal 2-1 in a game full of chances. Bolton started well with Sebi Cizma hitting a post before Clint Dickson struck the bar as they looked to stun their hosts. Dickson would also force Abrey into a save from a header while Cizma’s free-kick was saved by the ‘keeper. Cizma would finally get his reward, though, as he lobbed in the opener from distance on 20 minutes. This lead was doubled by a precise header by Arnold Atlee as they continued to dominate the opening half. The hosts would finally have an effort before the break with Errol Beddoe seeing a toe-poke saved and they would go in with plenty of thinking to be done. The second-half started in fine fashion for the hosts as Rafaele Di Muri converted following a corner to halve the deficit. The visitors would still remain a threat, though, with Dickson having a header which needed saving. The game started to flow from end-to-end at this point and Di Muri saw a lob go over for the hosts before Atlee hit a post at the other end with a fine header. Bolton suffered further frustration as Archibald Woodlands hit the bar with a powerful shot while Beddoe spurned a chance at the other end. Beddoe would also head over as Villarreal suffered in front of goal before Cizma hit over at the other end. Woodlands would have a final effort saved by Abrey but Bolton would emerge 2-1 victors. BH News called it a ‘stunner of a performance’ and added they would look ‘to get (their) goal difference up’ against Omer as they aim for promotion. Cathal was frustrated with ‘players dropping their average form’ and will look to reverse this before the season ends.

Pahang United moved level on points with Villarreal as they defeated Reggae Reggae Sauce 3-1 away from home. Pahang enjoyed a big boost as Romeo Hogg converted a 22nd minute penalty to give them the lead before Ray Eastwood headed over and Claus-Dieter Eilts volleyed over as they looked to add to it. RRS had their first chance on 31 minutes but Tyrone Barratt headed over and they would go in behind. The second-half saw an opening chance for Pahang bring the second goal as Kilian Strongbow fired in a free-kick. Eastwood would then head wide before Jeremias Lindeman looped in number three following a corner. Rano Pantow saw a volley saved before the home side would respond with a headed goal by Christiano Torres. This proved little consolation, however, as they fell to a 3-1 defeat. Mr T admitted it was ‘good to see all players in high form’ as they look to finish the season as high as possible. Xpertelevener admitted Pahang ‘were the better team’ as they continue their troubled season with relegation.

PSV Eindhoven fought their way to a creditable 2-2 draw at Kensington Boys Club but remain five points adrift of safety. They started well with Frans Haggbring steering in a shot in the first minute only to see it disallowed for a foul. KBC would then suffer a disallowed goal of their own as Adrian Gray saw a shot chalked off for offside. PSV had a Warren Hibbitt header hit a post before they fell a goal behind to a power shot by Gilbert de Clare. A free-kick by Jose Fonte brought them level on the half-hour but they would fall behind again as Gray headed in on 41 minutes. PSV continued to show their fighting qualities, though, and would equalise before the break courtesy of a clinical shot on 44 minutes by Jeremiah McNally. The second-half saw Hibbitt demand an excellent save from Sampson before KBC finished the stronger of the two. Their finishing wasn’t accurate enough, however, as Albert Finley and Aubrey de Vere both missed chances to win the game. The point will be seen as a positive for Kadri and if they can take advantage of a home match against RRS on Tuesday they might still escape relegation yet. Patrik will be hopeful that his side have now done enough to ensure safety and a win against AJ Rovers will seal it.

Belly Tubbies remained five points clear of the drop zone as they battled their way to a 0-0 draw at AJ Rovers. The game would see few chances but William Ralph Dean did think he had given the Tubbies the lead with a fine lob but he had strayed yards offside. Sonny Vickerman wasted a headed chance for the hosts before Paul Bracewell saw his shot saved by Mortimer. Michael Fitzsimmons would take his turn to excel in goal with a fine stop from an Elling Jarnoy shot as the sides went in at 0-0. The second-half saw no further chances as the sides went home with a point each. Rothion was already looking ahead following the draw as they ‘look to boost their performance’ to get a ‘promotion spot for next season.’ Fitzy will be aware his side need to remain diligent if they are to survive for another crack at Division One next term.