Tranmere Top Cats

Tranmere produced the performance of the day to beat ThunderCats 2-0 and throw the title race wide open. The home side missed an early chance through Silvio Falcao and paid the price as Raymond Jillhed looped in a headed opener on 15 minutes for Tranmere. Buoyed by this goal they pushed forward with Marten Wessman having a shot saved before Christiano Olias missed a free-kick as they had to settle for a 1-0 half-time lead. Jillhed would double the home side’s pain at the beginning of the second-half as he flicked a header past Magro to leave them with a mountain to climb. Olias might even have added another with a further free-kick opportunity before the home side tried to force their way back into the contest. However, Falcao found Sjolund in fine form in goal and couldn’t get his two efforts past him. Jillhed would miss a late chance to complete his hat-trick as a lob struck the woodwork but they had done enough to claim a 2-0 win. Baz explained how ‘several quality signings turned (their) season around’ and that a ‘top 5’ finish is the aim. Meelas has seen his side slip from first and will now seek a reaction in the final four games so they can retain their title.

West Brom Strollers took full advantage to move ahead on goal difference as they edged Three Lions 2-1 at The Hawthorns. The visitors would nearly shock the title chasers as Luca Tonizu hit the bar early with a lobbed header. However, this shock served to inspire West Brom to take the lead with Jesse Pennington heading home on 25 minutes to send the home fans into party mode. The second-half improved their mood further as Jeff Astle precisely headed home early to double the advantage. Robin van Izu missed with a powerful shot as the visitors tried to get back into it while Jeff Astle went close to heading in the third on 60 minutes. The Lions would make for a dramatic finish as Luis Carlos Almeida headed in with 20 minutes to go and they came within inches of equalising as Tonizu struck a post with a free-kick. Billy Bassett would do likewise at the other end as he nearly made it 3-1 with a power shot before Derek McInnes saw red for a tackle from behind. Despite this, though, they held onto the lead to secure the points which would see them go top of the table. DD said with a smile that he ‘owes Baz a pint’ after Tranmere’s win and knows that four wins will see them claim the title. Izu was happy that he had his ‘pre-season training money’ and that they ‘might actually finish in the top half’ as the season draws to a close.

New York City moved to within five points of the top as they defeated Hun Haters 4-1 at Emirates Stadium. Joseph Heffer headed in the opener on 11 minutes while Demetrio Delpiano had a header saved by Leishman. Delpiano would get a goal minutes later as he toe-poked in a clever finish while Hans Burckner was only denied a third due to some fine ‘keeping by Leishman. HH would score from their first chance after the break as Finlay MacCleir headed in before Iain Emery chipped over as they searched for an equaliser. City still maintained an attacking threat despite conceding and Delpiano had to be denied by the ‘keeper before Kay Flo headed wide. Flo would head in to make it 3-1 on 70 minutes and Sattler protected the lead as he held a Ted Caird free-kick. City would seal the win late on; Flo going close with a miscued shot before Eugene Kameni Idriss hit home a free-kick to make it 4-1. The win keeps Jimmy’s side in with a chance of claiming the title but the fans are said to be upset that the manager has ‘announced he wants to move clubs at the end of the season.’ HH remain in relegation trouble with CC knowing that they need to find victories to fight off the threat of Greatness.

AFC Stanley also moved to within five points of the leaders as they beat Yorkshires Amateurs 3-0 at The Thorp Arches. Dijedon Betimaj had an early header saved before Cal McMac shot home the opener on three minutes. Stanley would continue to dominate and added a second as Mitchell Arkwright slotted home a penalty on eight minutes. The Amateurs responded but Amadeo Caviedes’s shot hit a post and they were stung once more as Alan Martindale placed a shot home to make it 3-0. Per-Elvis Granander would head inches wide while Caviedes enjoyed nothing but misfortune as another shot hit the post. The second-half saw the visitors continue to be the more impressive side and Martindale had an early power shot miss. Garry Molseley saw Vadge collect his header before Betimaj hit the bar with a chip. Granander also struck the woodwork with a header while Kirk Armitage headed over as the chances continued to arrive. The Amateurs would suffer further disappointment as Fred Franklin was sent from the field for handball as they slipped to a comprehensive 3-0 defeat. Markham maintained that ‘the league has now gone from our grasp’ but was ‘delighted with the lads’ attitude.’ Danlufc will be looking ahead now as only a miracle will keep his side in the division.

F.C. Greatness picked up a point in their relegation battle but it might have been more as they dominated Totaalvoetbal at Cedar Road. The home side would see an early Angelo Foggia header saved by Rimmer before they suffered an injury to Alvaro Reccoba. Totaalvoetbal saw a header by Shivan Preetnav disallowed for offside while they were once more indebted to Rimmer for saving from Agostino Filippinetti. The second-half continued with Greatness creating the chances and Totaal sitting in. Paolo Serena, though, would miss a chance before they wasted a golden opportunity; Filipinnetti hitting the post with a penalty after some clumsy visiting defending. Angelo Foggia would then continue their frustration as he missed with a driving shot on goal and they would have to settle for a point. The point would take them one closer to HH as they look to escape relegation and they will look for further reward against the Lions on Tuesday. Robin Meeblind was relieved that their ‘place in the division is looking more secure’ but added he ‘will be pleased’ when the season is over.

Santos took advantage of a fixture with Milan to rack up three points in a 5-1 triumph. A third minute half-volley by Adriano Ribeiro gave them the lead and they never looked in any threat. Torbjorn Alshammar would then strike the bar with a fine free-kick before Marcelo Afonso demanded smart work by Hindle in goal. Santos would score their second on 31 minutes as Ribeiro headed in powerfully. This would remain the score until half-time as Milan remained toothless. Alshammar quickly added a third at the start of the second-half with a clever chip in the area. A free-kick by the same player was saved by Hindle before Ribeiro got his hat-trick goal with a fine low shot from distance. He wasn’t finished with three either and on 63 minutes he headed in his fourth goal of the contest to put them 5-0 up. Milan would see Bernard Lormor have a goal disallowed before Jonte Sandhold fired in a fabulous volley from distance to give the fans something to cheer. Ultimately, though, it would prove nowhere near enough and they finished well-beaten. Sean7’s side are now all but safe and can look forward to the future with renewed optimism. The same cannot be said of Milan who have endured a terrible season.