West Brom Outpace Strollers

West Brom won the battle of the Strollers with Kirkbride to set the early pace atop the RM Invitational. A free-kick in the first minute saw Hill have to save from Billy Bassett while Stephen Robinson demanded a save from Godden at the other end. Cyrille Regis would put West Brom ahead somewhat fortuitously on 20 minutes as he mishit a shot beyond Hill. Derek Statham powered a shot wildly off-target before El Lapinho stunned the home faithful by heading in an equaliser. West Brom would respond swiftly, though, as Regis netted his second by striking in the penalty area. They would continue to dominate the contest and Bassett had a free-kick saved before the break. The home side would continue to create chances after the break and Lee Hughes had already struck a post before shooting home inside the area to make it 3-1 on 64 minutes. A flick header by Richard Sneekes needed saving by Hill before Bassett added a fourth by lobbing the ‘keeper on 89 minutes. DD was happy his side had ‘worked hard today’ which allowed their ‘class to shine through.’ Jazza admitted the ‘step up (had) been a big one’ and added some of the squad ‘are struggling for form.’

Santos made it two wins from two as they edged Tranmere 1-0 at Prenton Park. Santos would make the only chance of the opening half count as Panu Sarapaa headed in on 35 minutes for the crucial goal. Tranmere threatened after the break but Logan MacCanish and Marten Wessman missed the target with strikes. Eadbhard Liffey did likewise from a free-kick and Raymond Jillhed had a header saved by Rodenas as Tranmere met with frustration. Adriano Ribeiro had the chance to double Santos’ lead but Sjolund turned the header away. This proved irrelevant, though, as the visitors held on for three points which keeps them on track with the early pace-setters in the division. With Sean7 saying his side are ‘ready for the challenge’ this promises to be an exciting campaign for Santos. Tranmere have opened up disappointingly and will now go on the road in the hope of picking up their first points of the season.

Underdogz United continued their fine start to the season as they outplayed Totaalvoetbal at Metelo Park to record a 2-0 victory. The first-half was a quiet affair with only a dangerous back header by Alexeij Ogliarki causing any goalmouth excitement but Valdezuka was the equal to it. Totaal had their first chance at the start of the second-half but Pierre van Diemen could only head wide. This proved costly as Robin van Izu flicked in the opener at the other end and when Rodney Shuttlewood placed an effort wide Totaal’s chance had effectively gone. A free-kick by van Izu sealed the win as Rimmer continued to have a horror game in goal and only a poor effort by Cristiano Izuldo stopped the score from getting worse. Izu explained that he had ‘played youths’ in the hope of a draw and so was pleasantly ‘surprised’ at the result. Robin Meeblind admitted he’d been given ‘a masterclass’ by his counterpart and responded by bringing in the experienced William Ralph Dean to add some firepower up front.

The Vikings continued to adapt well to life in the top flight as they edged out Cisco 3-2 at Viking Land. A free-kick by Aris Almanidis opened the scoring on 18 minutes as he left Widlund helpless in goal. This lead was nearly doubled but Justin Portway’s header went just over. Cisco’s reprieve didn’t last for long, though, as Evstathios Gourmas lobbed home from some way out on 26 minutes. Cisco had their first chance late in the half and Elvis MacCaran made it count to reduce the deficit to one with a clinical header. Lewis Branston would miss a late header as the score remained 2-1 at the break. The second-half opened with Colin Crouch curling an effort against the post for the hosts before Thorbjorn Lind had a header turned over by Widlund. Cisco emerged as an attacking force just before the hour with Ralf Kron forcing Raasch into a good leg save. They would find an equaliser on 72 minutes as Hans Bruckner headed in to quiet the home crowd. However, The Vikings had a response and Almanidis missed narrowly from one free-kick before tapping another to Portway who lashed into the net for the winning goal. Eaglesrjh was happy with his ‘first top flight win’ and explained that he was already trying to plot his way through the season with regards his squad. Big K’s side remains pointless after their opening two games and the coach shocked many by leaving his position with immediate effect.

ThunderCats got their first win of the season in defence of their crown as they thumped Manchester United 4-1. Nelson Queimado headed wide early on before Cristiano Ronaldo stunned the home crowd with a brilliant free-kick to give United a shock sixth minute lead. Leonardo Borja hit a free-kick too close to Kuszczak before the ‘keeper tipped a Placido Polo lob over. Kuszczak continued to excel as he denied Silvio Falcao a goal following a fine move. Micky Wyatt then hit the bar for United before Queimado finally equalised with a great header on 37 minutes. Borja quickly put the Cats in front with a free-kick of rare quality and they would take this advantage into half-time. Polo opened the second-half with a header too close to the ‘keeper while Falcao missed the target with a driving shot. Disaster struck for United when Ronaldo put too much on a back pass and beat Kuszczak to give the home side a 3-1 lead. Borja saw another free-kick saved before he then received his marching orders for a horrible elbow. United saw Darren Fletcher force Magro into a save from a powerful strike while Wyatt was also denied by the ‘keeper. Queimado completed the scoring with an excellent header on 90 minutes to give ThunderCats a thoroughly deserved 4-1 triumph. Meelas will be satisfied with his side’s start but knowing the competitive coach he won’t be happy until his side are top of the division once more. Pakya has seen United lose twice and will be hopeful they can adjust quickly to the higher demands of the top flight.

In the division's other game Hun Haters and AFC Stanley fought out an exciting 2-2 draw at Scotlands Shame. Garry Molseley opened with an excellent strike from distance while Ted Caird missed with the home side’s first effort of the day. Iain Emery did manage to level with a clever toe-poke on 21 minutes and Caird had another effort go wide as HH continued to press. Emery was on hand to put the home side in front on the half-hour by striking in the area and they withstood a Molseley header which hit the bar. Per-Elvis Granander headed straight at Boruc as Stanley went into the break a goal down. The visitors emerged with a purpose after the break and Granander forced Boruc into action once more. Craig Elliston did fire a warning shot at the other end but it missed the target and Stanley were back on the attack moments later as Dijedon Betimaj placed a shot straight at the ‘keeper. A free-kick on 63 minutes saw Matts Wallman go close and they eventually drew level as Kirk Armitage looped in a quality header 12 minutes later. Stanley went in search of the winner but Luke Riou chipped over and both sides had to settle for a point after an eventful game. Markham has seen his side go unbeaten during the opening two games and everything looks in place for another competitive campaign. Celticchris will be hopeful of building on this point but he will want his defence to tighten up when they face West Brom on Friday.