ThunderCats Three Clear

ThunderCats eased to a 3-1 win at Milan to stay three points clear of West Brom at the top of the division. The Cats would dominate from the start as Placido Polo side-footed on goal to demand an early stop from Hindle. Hindle also denied Jake Sephton’s header as the visitors continued to look the more likely scorers. Sephton would go on to lob over the bar before giving his side the lead with a shot in the penalty area on 28 minutes. Juliano Leite would then have a header saved by the ‘keeper before Carlos Partini made it 2-0 with a lobbed header. Milan would surprisingly pull a goal back as Bernard Lormor finished a breakaway move with a fine chip as the half finished with a 2-1 score-line in favour of the visitors. ThunderCats would continue to dominate chances in the second-half with Leonardo Borja going close on 61 minutes as his free-kick struck a post. They would waste a chance to regain their two-goal lead on 74 minutes as Leite missed a penalty. Ultimately it wouldn’t prove costly despite Adalberto Rua also wasting a chance. Borja would eventually make it 3-1 as he thumped home a free-kick and despite late misses by Borja and Matias Rascao the visitors emerged comfortable 3-1 victors. Meelas continues to keep his side on course for the title and will be looking no further than a home game against Tranmere on Friday. Milan hit rock-bottom following their defeat and their future continues to be shrouded in uncertainty.

West Brom put in a resolute away performance to defeat Hun Haters 1-0 and stay within reach of the top spot. The visitors would start strongly but Tony Brown’s driving shot went over the bar and Lee Hughes would then see his header disallowed for offside. HH would have their first chance on 33 minutes with Craig Elliston hitting a poor free-kick off-target. This would be the last of the action in the first-half but the second 45 minutes would provide more interest. Willie Johnston missed a curled effort for the visitors while Ted Caird was denied by Carson as the game went from end-to-end. Hughes would see a header saved before Don MacArthur had a similar effort held at the other end. Carson would certainly be earning his money and West Brom were once more indebted to their cat as Finlay MacCleir’s curled shot was tipped away. Caird would be the next to be denied as Carson saved bravely at his feet and West Brom would capitalise. Johnston would provide an exquisite lob from distance to give them an 83rd minute goal and when MacArthur lobbed a header over on 87 minutes the points belonged to the visitors. DD was proud of his side’s ‘great performances of late’ but was under no illusions that they might ‘need to win all our remaining matches to topple ThunderCats.’ Hun Haters remain three points above the drop zone and will know they have lots of hard work ahead of them.

New York City saw their title hopes fade as they were defeated 1-0 at home by an impressive Tranmere Rovers side. The visitors made a fast start with Manuel Bonda going close with a strike on six minutes. Jari Sjoholm continued their exciting start as his free-kick needed tipping over by David Sattler. New York would have a response but Shinosuke Isimaru hit his shot wide and they were on the back foot once more as Marten Wessman had to be denied by Sattler. Wessman had a further effort on 41 minutes but this time he would have the beating of the ‘keeper to give his side a 1-0 half-time lead. The second-half started with a Sjoholm free-kick going over for the visitors before another set-piece hit the crossbar. City would enjoy a free-kick chance of their own but Demetrio Delpiano hit it too close to Sjolund and their hopes nose-dived. Sjoholm would waste another free-kick for the visitors but it wouldn’t prove costly as they saw out the game to collect three valuable points. Jimmy conceded that his title hopes may have disappeared on the back of the result but added that his aim was ‘to finish third.’ Baz’s season is looking better with every passing game and they also might see third as a real possibility as the season comes to an end.

Three Lions also saw their title hopes dented as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Totaalvoetbal. Horacio Metelo tested Valdezuka early on but the ‘keeper made a comfortable save from a free-kick. Edwin Hayter would then hit a volley against the post as Totaal continued their impressive start. Valdezuka then needed to be alert to deny Cal Beardsley as the defender side-footed an effort on goal. The Lions would have a free-kick chance through Izuael Clichy but it didn’t test Rimmer and the hosts went back on the offensive. Johan Juffing hit a superb half-volley after being teed up by Metelo and the ball flew into the goal. Metelo would then see another free-kick saved as Totaal had to settle for a 1-0 half-time lead. The second-half proved much quieter although Shivan Preetnav had a goal disallowed for a foul after hitting a beautiful long range strike. It wasn’t to matter, though, as Totaal picked up three points which ease their own relegation fears. Meeblind was quick to acknowledge a ‘strong performance’ and hoped they would ‘continue in this fashion until the end of the season.’ Izu admitted that his side ‘still have to play a couple of youths’ in upcoming games but it will have been a successful first season no matter how it finishes.

AFC Stanley moved above the Lions as they handed Greatness a 5-0 beating at Garden Street. The sides would trade early chances as Alan Martindale headed straight at Calvert for the hosts before Faust Baronchelli’s shot was well-saved by Moss. Stanley would be the next to press with Matts Wallman thumping a free-kick against a post although Baronchelli did waste a chance at the other end by shooting wide. The first goal would arrive just before the break with Per-Elvis Granander heading home well to give the hosts a 1-0 half-time lead. The second-half started with Alvaro Recoba netting for the visitors only to see it disallowed for offside and the home side then went on to dominate. Garry Molseley headed over when well-placed before Dijedon Betimaj steered in the second goal on 67 minutes. Wallman would then make good from a free-kick four minutes later and a precise header by Cal McMac made it 4-0. Greatness’ day went from bad-to-worse as Fabio Cannavaro saw red for arguing although Calvert would make a good stop from a Wallman free-kick. Stanley would still have the final say, though, as Mitchell Arkwright scored a 92nd minute penalty to complete a 5-0 win. Markham had further good news as he managed to sell Kaskinen days before he was due to retire and the club looks in good shape ahead of the silly-season. Darrencalvert simply said that he thinks he deserves ‘the sack’ following a poor season but there is still time for the club to get themselves out of the mire in the games to come.

Yorkshires Amateurs put in their best performance in weeks to welcome back Danlufc13 in a 1-0 win over Santos. They had an early effort by Amadeo Caviedes turned round the post by Rodenas before Vince Brightwell headed in their opener on 20 minutes. Robbie Mitchell saw a lob turned over by Bicanco as the visitors looked for an instant response. Adriano Ribeiro would head over and Torbjorn Alshammar put a lob over as the equalising goal proved elusive for Santos. The second-half saw both teams cancel each other out but that would play straight into the hands of the home side who recorded a much-needed 1-0 home victory. The manager will now try to put back-to-back wins together for the first time this season and see where they stand game by game. Sean7 will expect his side to come back strongly against Milan on Friday and three points there will surely make them safe for the next campaign.