United Draw, Gap Closes

Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw by Belly Tubbies as the title race heated up in Division One. A third minute shot by Darren Gibson gave them the perfect tonic as it flew past Fitzsimmons in goal. This lead would be doubled somewhat fortuitously as Adrian Heath deflected the ball on his own goal to make it 2-0 on 34 minutes. United continued to have the better of the opening 45 minutes and only Fitzsimmons stopped Dimitar Berbatov from making it 3-0 as he collected his header. The second-half saw the visitors start an instant comeback with Peter Reid volleying home from a corner on 53 minutes to halve the deficit. William Ralph Dean then saw a looping header go over before they won a 64th minute penalty. Dean stepped up confidently and slotted home for 2-2. Gibson tried to win it for the hosts but his volley was saved by Fitzsimmons and both sides went away with a point apiece. Pakya has seen United’s lead at the top cut to three points and will be keen for the side to tighten up defensively ahead of their visit to The Vikings. The point keeps Fitzy’s side five points clear of the relegation zone and looking in decent shape ahead of the season’s climax.

Kirkbride were the main beneficiaries of United dropping points as they closed to within three on the back of a tough 1-0 victory against Villarreal. The goal would come on 10 minutes as Keith Ellison powered in a long range shot which Abrey was unable to stop. The visitors worked their way into the contest despite this setback and were unlucky not to equalise when Errol Beddoe’s header hit a post. Still, Kirkbride might have added another goal but Stephen Robinson’s shot went over before Brian Wills had a goal disallowed for offside. Wills would start the second-half in quick fashion too as he got a header in but it went wide. The rest of the half proved quiet in terms of chances but Dudley Bennington might have pinched a point for the visitors but put his shot wide of the target. With a home match against St Omer to come on Friday Jazza will be looking at closing that gap still further as he looks for a first championship. The manner of defeat left Cathal feeling a little ‘p****d’ but he will no doubt regroup and look to get his side’s promotion hopes back on track.

The Vikings moved into third as they beat St Omer 5-0 at Five Percent Stadium. The Vikings got off to a fast start and were 1-0 up on three minutes as Vassilis Papakostas headed home. This lead was swiftly doubled as Thorbjorn Lind chipped in his first goal for the club following a breakaway move. The pain would continue for the home side as Papakostas then powered in his second to put The Vikings 3-0 up on 13 minutes. Omer would respond with a diving header by Soren Prestmoen but it was easily gathered by Connely. Lind would then have a header saved at the other end before Justin Portway chipped in the fourth on 34 minutes. That would be the last of the first-half chances but The Vikings would remain dominant after the break. Lind would have a well-placed shot saved by Hamshaw before a Anastasios Tassiopoulos strike skimmed over the bar from a tight angle. The Vikings would make it 5-0 on 87 minutes, though, as Melker Ahlm flicked a header home to complete a satisfying day for Eaglesrjh. The manager was especially pleased as ‘all youths have 100% ME’ meaning that his side can now ‘focus totally on winning games.’ Omer’s relegation was confirmed with the defeat but CT had always known this would be a by-product of what he is trying to achieve long-term with the club.

Bolton Hillbillies continued their late push for a promotion spot with a 4-2 home victory over Reggae Reggae Sauce. The Hillbillies would have the first chance of the game but Sebi Cizma put a free-kick wide. Alfredo D’Addadzio then did likewise at the other end as the game opened up. Thorvald Faste had a header saved by Mullen before Clint Dickson headed wide as the hosts pressed. The visitors would maintain a threat of their own, however, and a volley by Christiano Torres gave them a 26th minute lead. Two minutes later and it might have been 2-0 but Derick Maley missed with his shot and a side-footed effort by Arnold Atlee might have brought the scores level at the other end. Suso Soler fired wide before Cizma hit a post with a powerful strike as Bolton threatened goals. They would eventually be rewarded as Cizma curled home an effort from distance. This would remain the case at half-time as the sides went in for a well-earned break. Bolton began the second-half in fine fashion but Remigiusz Smoczek put a lob over the bar. RRS would respond with a free-kick by D’Addadzio but it was off-target while Cizma missed one at the other end. Bolton would take the lead on 62 minutes, though, as Archibald Woodlands shot home in the penalty area. This advantage might have been doubled seven minutes later with Clint Dickson heading accurately towards goal but Mullen pulled off a fine stop. Torres had an effort stopped also before the game had an explosive finish. Cizma fired in a free-kick for 3-1 on 83 minutes before Torres placed a header in to reduce the deficit back to one. However, Smoczek’s powerful header in injury-time sealed the points for Bolton. RRS would still have a Torres effort saved before the whistle brought an end to a breathtaking clash. MasterReid’s side are just three points back and they can do further damage in the race if they can defeat Villarreal on Friday. Xpertelevener will be encouraged by his side’s goal threat in this game and the signs are promising that they will enjoy a better time of it next term.

PSV Eindhoven remained five points away from safety as they drew 1-1 with AJ Rovers at Phillips Stadion. An 11th minute strike by Petrut Vrabioiu might have given the hosts the lead but Mortimer was well-placed to make the stop. A volley by Taylor Grape then took full advantage as the visitors took a 22nd minute lead. It might have been extended but a lob by Sonny Vickerman was saved by Reina and Rovers would have to make do with a 1-0 half-time lead. The second-half proved as tight as the first with Rory MacFinlay going close to equalising for the hosts with a powerful strike before Phil Marsh might have sealed the win for the visitors but for Reina making a save. As it turned out Eindhoven would pinch a point on 92 minutes as Claudio Collauto headed in clinically to wild scenes in the crowd. Kadri claimed this game showed his team ‘have talent’ and are ‘strong mentally’ which bodes well for ‘the future.’ Rothion’s side sit comfortably in mid-table although a strong finish might yet see them make a push for promotion.

Pahang beat Kensington in the day’s other clash as they kept up their outside chance of promotion. Pahang would have the first chance but Tom Hording’s driving shot was well-saved by Lorentzen. There was nothing the ‘keeper could do about Rano Pantow’s effort on 37 minutes, though, but the offside flag denied the forward a goal. The second-half brought more chances with the visitors seeing Kilian Strongbow head over. KBC would then make Pahang pay for missed chances as they took a 69th minute lead through a Maurice Jacobs penalty. The visitors didn’t panic, though, and Ray Eastwood thumped home an equaliser on 76 minutes. Better was soon to follow as Eastwood again hit an effort sweetly to complete a dramatic turn round. Kensington pressed hard for an equaliser in the final minutes but Gilber de Clare’s shot was saved by Hussain before Charles Tilly hit a post. Tilly tried again, this time with a diving header, but put his effort wide as the visitors clung on for three points. MrT’s side are five points adrift of the top three and if they can string a few wins together they will retain a chance of promotion. The same could be said of Patrik’s side but they have been struggling of late and may well be looking forward to the break where they can strengthen ahead of next term.