Santos Sweep to 9 out of 9

Santos won their third game in a row with a solid 2-0 success at home to Underdogz United. A second minute free-kick by Robbie Mitchell set the tone for the afternoon by striking the angle. The forward then struck a low shot wide before tapping to Rogerio Franca who also hit an effort off-target. They duly got their goal on 28 minutes as Franca made no mistake from the spot and might have been 2-0 up had Asmar Golkas’ half-volley not brushed the post. Rico Raffaelli sent a header wide before Underdogz responded. Luca Tonizu lobbed against the angle with a clever effort and Benicio Correa nearly gave them a helping hand when he headed close to his own goal. United would carry this revival into the beginning of the second-half but once Zlatan Izuhimovic had wasted a chance their resilience seemed to fade. Mitchell headed in the hosts’ second with an accomplished finish and further goals might have followed but Rafaelli headed at the ‘keeper before Mitchell hit a free-kick off-target. Sean7 met with the media after the win and explained that the club had formed ‘contingencies in the event (their) game plan falters.’ With this being the case there doesn’t appear a more prepared side in the RMI this season as they bid to claim their first title success. Izuka called the result ‘a bad loss’ before admitting his ‘mind was elsewhere’ on the day.

West Brom Strollers are still the side to catch following a 4-2 away win at Hun Haters. Following a quiet start a Lee Hughes lob needed saving by Boruc before Billy Bassett’s free-kick also needed palming round. There was nothing Boruc could do about the opening goal, though, as Cyrille Regis headed in accurately on 39 minutes. HH did find a response before half-time with Craig Elliston netting with a stunning free-kick. Lawrie Gow nearly produced the most remarkable turnaround but his chip narrowly failed to make the grade. The second-half had a quiet start also but Regis put an effort well-wide on 65 minutes. They looked like paying for missed chances when an Iain Emery lob put HH 2-1 up with only 17 minutes to go. However, West Brom responded like the all-star team they are and a Hughes header levelled matters on 82 minutes. It was quickly 3-2 to the visitors as Bassett placed home from inside the area and an insurance goal came from Regis as he chipped over Boruc to make it 4-2. Dinky will be keen for Carson to step up his game in future matches as the ‘keeper nearly cost his side their 100% record. However, scoring goals for fun the Strollers look tough to match on current form. Celticchris will have been disappointed with his side’s late capitulation but will concentrate on the positives with his side showing great intent going forward.

Kirkbride Strollers won their first game in the division with a stunning 2-1 home success over reigning champions ThunderCats. It was the visitors who had the opening opportunity but Placido Polo was denied by Hill. A similar chance ensued at the other end with Magro denying Billy Maneater. El Lapinho would have more success for the Strollers with an accurate shot finding the corner to give them the lead. Maneater failed to make it 2-0 with a header and the champions hit back as Juliano Leite drilled home a penalty. There was still time for Polo to have a free-kick effort but Hill made the save and the sides went in level. ThunderCats had the first chance after the break and Hill was called into action once more to save from Fabricio Cidade’s header. With time running out the visitors saw a powerful shot from Leite hit the woodwork before disaster struck at the other end. A free-kick by Stephen Robinson having too much power on it for Magro to handle to give the Strollers a superb 2-1 win. Jazza called it a ‘priceless 3 points’ before going out to celebrate the win. Meelas’ side has had a mediocre start to the season by his own high standards and will now need to find a run of form to chase down the five point gap on top spot.

AFC Stanley kept up their impressive start to the campaign with a 1-0 home win over Tranmere. Stanley had the opening chance but John MacClintock shot some distance wide. He produced a better headed effort moments later but found his luck out as did Luke Riou who hit the post with a placed strike. Kirk Armitage also saw a header miss the target as the score remained goalless at half-time. Tranmere finally had a chance in the early stages of the second-half but Kartsen Seibert’s header hit wood and went safe. Stanley eventually made the breakthrough on 61 minutes as a brilliant free-kick from Matts Wallman defeated Sjolund in goal. Tranmere tried to respond and came within inches as Eadbhard Liffey hit the angle of post and bar with a fine strike on 74 minutes. This proved the last chance as Stanley went home with three vital points. Markham33 was pleased with the victory but according to Stanley News was left ‘hoping there are no more injuries to the squad.’ Baz has seen his side lose their opening three games narrowly and will be hoping for a change of fortune soon.

Totaalvoetbal returned to winning ways with a 2-0 away win at renamed Sanity Clause. Clause had the opening chance with Elvis MacCaran forcing Leemans into an early save. However, it would be Totaal who would strike two quick blows. Johan Juffing hit in a thumping opener on 10 minutes before debutant William Ralph Dean volleyed in number two on 11 minutes. The home side tried to hit back through MacCaran but his header went over and the half-time score remained 2-0. Totaal opened the second-half with a Shivan Preetnav strike which was saved by Widlund. Leemans was forced into action at the other end to deny MacCaran once more and the forward would suffer more disappointment as a header was gathered by the cat. Eugene Kameni Idriss had a free-kick saved and when Yves Vairelles was sent-off the home side’s chance had gone. Bryan Robson had a late free-kick saved but they had already done enough to secure a solid 2-0 win. Robin Meeblind was happy that Dean had ‘settled in with the team’ quickly and looks forward to seeing a blossoming partnership between him and van Diemen. Bus_dude2001 will look to stamp his authority on his new team in the hope to get them off the bottom of the table in the coming weeks.

The other game saw Manchester United and The Vikings fight out a dour 0-0 draw at Old Trafford. In a tight game neither side found any attacking fluency. Indeed, the only chance came late in the game with Anastasios Tassiopoulos mishitting his shot. After he had gotten over the boredom Eaglesrjh declared it ‘not a bad result’ as his side maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Pakya’s side now have their first point on the board and they will look to build on that against Kirkbride on Tuesday.