Tranmere Twist Title Race

Tranmere Rovers dented West Brom’s title challenge by taking a point from a 2-2 draw at Prenton Park. Rovers would score from their first chance on 24 minutes but Karsten Seibert’s diving header was ruled out for offside. Undeterred the hosts would actually take the lead five minutes later as Raymond Jillhed overcame a tight angle to beat Carson with a fine strike. The forward couldn’t reproduce his effort on 34 minutes, though, as he mishit his shot off target when well-placed. West Brom were improved after the break and Bobby Taylor brought them level on 47 minutes with an excellent lob. At the other end Jillhed remained a threat and only a fine stop by Carson denied a powerful strike from the forward. He then put a lob over the bar before West Brom saw a cheeky Bobby Taylor back-heel saved by Sjolund. Jillhed saw Carson deny him once more as his looping header couldn’t quite get over the ‘keeper and West Brom would take advantage as Jeff Astle put them in front with a powerful header. Tranmere would continue to look dangerous, though, and Christiano Olias brought them level as he converted a penalty coolly. This proved to be the last of the excitement as both sides earned themselves a point from an intriguing encounter. DD’s side are now three points from the leading Cats and they will be aware that they cannot afford any more slip-ups as the race enters its final straight. Baz has surely navigated his side into a safe position in the table and the fans are rightly excited about next season which promises to be their best yet.

ThunderCats moved three points clear with a comfortable 3-1 win over Yorkshires Amateurs. The Cats took a fifth minute lead as Silvio Falcao unleashed a brilliant volley which proved too good for Bicanco. Despite this setback the Amateurs would respond quickly with Andrew Potts thumping in a free-kick for the equaliser five minutes later. It would be the home side who would emerge as the dominant force, though, and Placido Polo had a header saved before Bicanco denied him once more following a steered effort on goal. Polo would waste a chance at the start of the second-half as he hit wide but the Cats would take the lead as Izet Hadzic headed in a corner on 53 minutes. Polo would get his goal as he curled in number three on 72 minutes and the home side might have added more in the closing stages. Leonardo Borja would have a free-kick held by Bicanco before the ‘keeper also saved from a precise Polo header. Nevertheless, Meelas will have been delighted with the three points which gives his side a little leeway as the race hots up. With a match against struggling Milan next they will be hopeful of widening the gap further still on Tuesday. Danlufc13 knows his side have little to play for now as relegation looms large.

New York City stayed within five points of ThunderCats with a 4-1 away success at Milan. Andrea Pirlo stunned high-flying City after just two minutes as he clinically headed past Sattler to give them a 1-0 lead. City would settle, though, and were unfortunate not to draw level when Elvis MacCaran hit the bar with an excellent header. They were level soon afterwards, though, as Scott Flynn shot through Speroni’s legs after a classic breakaway. MacCaran would get his goal on 32 minutes as he headed home a Kay Flo cross. It would be Flo who would make it 3-1 as he showed an eye for goal with a well-placed header of his own. City were rampant at this stage and duly made it 4-1 as Eugene Kameni Idriss thumped home a free-kick on 37 minutes. The second-half saw just one further chance with Demetrio Delpiano heading over when in a good position. Jimmy will be content that his side are doing what they have to in order to stay in touch with the leaders until the point when they meet the leading two. Milan remain rudderless with MarkieRich going AWOL and with relegation looming the future of the club is shrouded in uncertainty.

Three Lions are also still only five points behind top spot following a 1-0 victory over Hun Haters. The home side would have an early free-kick effort by Robin van Izu saved by Leishman before HH hit back. Iain Emery would waste the chance, however, as he fired wide and they would end up a goal behind at the break. The goal would come via the penalty spot as Izu Casillas made no mistake as he lashed past Leishman. The second-half saw Ashton Crosby hit the angle for the visitors who seemed to lose heart after this near-miss. The Lions would see an Izu Kaka effort punched away by Leishman before the ‘keeper also gathered a van Izu free-kick. Leishman would continue his battle with van Izu and would tip over the forward’s steered effort as the score remained 1-0. This would be the final score as Izu’s side remained in the title race. Izu was delighted with Casillas who he said was ‘doing very well this season’ before setting his sights on a Totaal side minus Pierre van Diemen. Hun Haters remain just above the drop zone and they will be eager to add a couple of wins to their tally in order to extend the gap between themselves and F.C. Greatness.

Greatness themselves would lose 2-0 at Santos as their troubled campaign continued. Santos saw an early header from Rico Raffaelli saved by Rachao as they sought a morale-boosting victory. Robbie Mitchell would also be denied by the ‘keeper from a free-kick before Raffaelli headed well-wide. Richardo Ferrari also struggled with his finishing as he shot wide but a well-placed shot by Raffaelli did give the hosts a half-time lead. Greatness nearly equalised with their first chance of the game as Agostino Filippinetti struck the bar with an excellent lob on 55 minutes. They would then see Alfonso Mazzoleni head wide before Rogerio Franca had the hosts’ first chance of the half but couldn’t make his header count. Santos would add their second goal with a Mitchell header and Greatness would suffer further woe as Faust Baronchelli’s header struck the bar. Both sides had late chances with Filippinetti having a free-kick saved while Mitchell shot wide before he saw his header crash back off the bar. The win was massive for Sean7’s side as it sees them nine points ahead of their beaten opponents and they will be confident of another season in the top-flight next term. Greatness continue to struggle with manager Darrencalvert rumoured to be baffled as to what is going on.

AFC Stanley returned to winning ways as they overcame Totaalvoetbal 2-1 at the MVB Arena. Stanley saw Per-Elvis Granander smash home from an acute angle on seven minutes and they would look the more accomplished side. Shirsh Vajpayee couldn’t make the most of his lobbed effort before Stanley saw Garry Molseley head wide. The second-half saw Totaal struck with a blow as Pierre van Diemen had to be taken off. Despite this the hosts hit back with an exceptional Horacio Metelo free-kick flying past Hessbo. Hessbo responded by saving Metelo’s next effort although he was then relieved to see the midfielder’s header on 59 minutes crash back off his crossbar. Stanley responded and finished the better of the side’s and although Matts Wallman’s free-kick was easily saved by Rimmer they would pinch a late win. Molseley would be the match winner as he rose superbly to head home and leave the home fans crushed. Markham said that he ‘thought a draw would have been fair’ but praised his lads for ‘battling right to the end.’ Meeblind credited Markham for preparing his side ‘expertly’ and bemoaned the loss of van Diemen which leaves his side ‘struggling for survival.’