Pahang Pickpockets Go Top

Pahang United kept up their perfect record with a smash n grab away win at Hicktown Hillbillies. In a game light on chances Hicktown would pay the price for wasting theirs. Billy Ray Bongle chipped the ball over on 15 minutes in what proved to be the only opening of the first 45 minutes. The second-half was similar as Billy Bob hit a free-kick too close to Hussain as Pahang stood firm. They were rewarded with their only chance of the game and Rano Pantow showed great composure to head home in injury-time to claim three points for United. Mr T will undoubtedly be delighted with his side’s mean defence and they will look to extend their winning run to four with a home game on Tuesday. Gary_C saw his side lose their first game of the season but won’t push the panic button as they sit well-placed in fourth and look a solid unit.

Yorkshires Amateurs kept close order at the top of the table with a 5-0 thumping of Kensington Boys Club. A second minute header by Antony Wallwork sent them on their way and the forward came close to making it 2-0 as his header hit the angle of post and bar on nine minutes. A free-kick on 15 minutes saw Andrew Potts hit a post before a lob header by Amadeo Caviedes made it 2-0 on 22 minutes. This would be the end of the action for the first-half but the Amateurs would be quickly into their stride after the break. A lob by Micky Cox swiftly made it 3-0 on 47 minutes and although Adrian Gray and Aubrey de Vere had efforts at the other end the result was never in doubt. Caviedes added his second with a powerful strike from distance before Cox was denied by Lorentzen. A set-piece on 73 minutes saw Potts add his first goal and the Amateurs ran out worthy 5-0 winners. Amateurs News called it a ‘resounding victory’ and added the side ‘will look to maintain their unbeaten form’ on Tuesday. Patrik asked if his match could be left ‘out of it’ when it came to the reports and the manager will be keen for his side to erase it from their memory banks as they move on.

White Hawk and F.C. Greatness remained unbeaten following a 1-1 draw at White Stadium. Greatness saw Angelo Foggia lob home on 11 minutes only for it to be disallowed for offside. This didn’t deny them for long, though, as Fabio Cannavaro thumped in from distance to open the scoring on 26 minutes. This proved to be the last chance of the first-half but the game opened up after the interval. Cannavaro hit an exciting bicycle kick at Dankoi while Charly Chan Jet Soe volleyed over at the other end. Hawk had a header by Matts Perman saved but the midfielder did equalise as he hit through Rachao’s legs on 52 minutes. A free-kick by Faust Baronchelli was saved as Greatness looked to regain the lead and the forward was unfortunate as he hit wood with a fine header. Meanwhile, Ryan Dharmsingh headed straight at the ‘keeper before back-heeling straight at Rachao as the chances came and went. Hawk would have a guilt-edged effort from the spot but Perman hit a poor shot but Greatness couldn’t capitalise as Angelo Foggia headed off-target. This proved the last of the openings and Darren Calvert sees his side slip to third but still unbeaten following an impressive opening to the season. Hooraymee has his side in mean mood defensively and when they start scoring more freely they could be one of the teams to watch in a tight section.

PSV Eindhoven won their first game of the season in an exciting 3-2 success over AC Milan. The first chance fell to the visitors with Jonte Sandholm unfortunately hitting wood with a super effort. Milan continued to impress early and Bernard Lormor forced Reina into a save. Eindhoven responded on 17 minutes with Claudio Collauto hitting a powerful low shot against a post. Milan were the next to try their luck but Savino Piovanelli couldn’t make a side-footed effort count before a free-kick by Vittorio Cornacchini hit the bar. Timmy Simons headed wide at the other end before the deadlock was finally broken as Victor Moses made good from distance for the visitors. The lead proved short-lived as Simons hit a low shot beyond Levein. Moses saw a header go close for Milan before Piovanelli did head them back into the lead on the stroke of half-time. Eindhoven would improve greatly in the second-half and Simons went close on 47 minutes with a looping header. Colluato would equalise following a swift breakaway while Lormor was denied by Reina as Milan looked to hit back straight away. PSV were looking good by this stage and Levein needed to be sharp to deny Xabi Alonso while the ‘keeper found Jeremiah McNally’s effort somewhat easier. The home side would strike the front, though, as Simons netted his second following an excellent counter. Ray Summerville looked to bring Milan level but got his shot all wrong and PSV edged the points at the end of a thrilling encounter. Kadri will be happy that his young side have points on the board and it will serve as a good confidence booster ahead of their trip to Greatness. Xmensch will hope his side can bounce back at home to KBC and there was a lot to be proud of in their performance.

Bonkers also picked up their first victory with a 2-1 success over Real Madrid FC. They opened up quickly and were in front courtesy of a Stefan Beelenkamp lob. Aren Garabedian and Samvel Mortanian missed opportunities to draw Madrid level as they forced their way into the contest while Joel Weymouth got a lob horribly wrong for Bonkers. Madrid managed the first effort of the second-half but Kevin Gabriele missed a header and their task was doubled as Philip Calderwood steered home Bonkers’ second goal from inside the area. Madrid did pull a goal back as Garabedian side-footed in neatly but the only other chance fell to Chris Sutton for the hosts and even though Nersesian saved easily the points belonged to Bonkers. GarethLloyd will undoubtedly feel better now his side have registered their first three points and they will have their sights further up the table as the season unfolds. FredRizzo will be frustrated with his side’s start and it doesn’t look to get much easier with a trip to table-topping Pahang on Tuesday.

AJ Rovers and Villarreal fought out a tough 0-0 draw at AJR Arena in the other game. AJ had the first chance on 27 minutes but Sonny Vickerman hit a free-kick over. Eustace Bain did think he had scored moments later but was disappointed by the assistant referee’s flag. The second-half saw Rovers start better again but Morgan Deane’s shot was held by Abrey before the visitors had a fine effort from Ilppo Visavuouri tipped round. Villarreal also wasted a chance through Jonathan Boulding as he hit an effort over while Daniel Tabaranu did likewise at the other end. The visitors were unfortunate not to pinch all three points as Boulding hit a free-kick against wood and with Ger Wattamaleo’s sending-off they had to settle for a point. Rothion’s side have the full set following their first three games but will be looking for more goals as the weeks go by. Cathal’s side now have their first point on the board but expectations will be higher than a relegation battle and they will look to move upwards in future games.