Beelenkamp Boosts Bonkers

Bonkers were rewarded for their attacking intent against Yorkshires Amateurs with a 2-0 home victory. A free-kick by Stefan Beelenkamp gave them a lead on three minutes as he gave Bicanco no chance with a powerful effort. The Amateurs nearly responded straight away but Glyn Arnold’s header hit the angle and Bonkers escaped. Garry Maynard would shoot wide as the home side went back on the front foot and Yoshitaka Karahira headed in only to be denied by the assistant referee. Neo Clemence did make it 2-0 on 39 minutes as he shot past Bicanco in the area but the ‘keeper did stop Chris Sutton making it worse moments later. The second-half saw a more even contest and Scotty Raymond had a chance to pull a goal back but put his shot wide. Edip Bayrak was unfortunate not to make it 3-0 as his shot struck the angle while Beelenkamp wasted a free-kick chance. This wouldn’t come back to haunt the home side, though, and they ultimately picked up the three points which saw them hit the top of the division. GarethLloyd was disbelieving when he heard his side had reached the summit but Bonkers News was more positive when they reported that ‘the plan for domination of this league continues.’ Meanwhile, Danlufc13 will be working out how to counter Bonkers and have his side return to the top on Tuesday.

Real Madrid reached the top three in the division as they defeated Villarreal 2-1 at Estadio El Madrigal. Samvel Mortanian drove in an early opener as Madrid set about the contest with real purpose. Mortanian would have another chance later in the half but mishit his shot and the ball went wide. Stu Mackay would then head off-target while Claudio Moura also struggled in front of goal for the hosts as his mishit shot never troubled the goal. Mortanian saw a chip punched away by Rossell while Moura lobbed over as the half finished in exciting fashion. Madrid opened the second-half with a chip by Pasi Lintu and it was inches from making it 2-0 as it crashed back off the bar. Teige Aran would then head at the ‘keeper before they did finally make it 2-0; Lintu shooting home despite facing a tight angle. Jonathan Boulding responded by thumping in a free-kick for the hosts but it wouldn’t be enough to launch a comeback and Madrid took the three points home. Fred Rizzo will realise the division is extremely tight but will be confident of a promotion push given his side’s current form. Cathal continues to look to the future and admitted recently that ‘it would be a lot easier if (they) were in the bottom division.’ Careful what you wish for.

White Hawk fell out of the top three as they endured a frustrating afternoon against a resolute AJ Rovers. Hawk would force the pace throughout the contest and an early free-kick by Adan Donahue flashed wide. Donahue would have another free-kick on 21 minutes but Mortimer made a fine save. Ryan Dharmsingh thought he had given Hawk a lead when he shot home in the penalty area but it was chalked off for shirt pulling. The forward would then have another chance before the break but could only shoot over and Rovers went in the happier. Caio Agua had the only chance of the second-half but couldn’t direct his header on target to complete a frustrating afternoon for the home side. Hooraymee won’t be relishing a return match so soon but will be hopeful his forwards can make one of their chances count next time. Rothion will be happy with the point but will know there is more emphasis on them as the home side on Tuesday.

Kensington returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Hicktown. The home side had the better of the opening half but Lorentzen was alert to stop a side-footed shot by Bob Country while Gunther Westerville was also denied by the ‘keeper as his shot was palmed away. Kensington thought they had pinched a goal before the break when Aubrey de Vere shot home in the area but it would be disallowed for a doubtful offside. The second-half belonged to the visitors with Charles Tilly having an early header saved. A free-kick by de Vere was easily saved by Pressley but there was nothing he could do to deny Tilly’s flick header on 83 minutes. Hicktown had a chance to level in injury-time but Billy Bob’s diving header hit the woodwork and they fell to defeat. Gary_C’s side are only two points away from the drop zone and will be keen to find a win soon following two straight defeats. Patrik has manoeuvred his side to within two points of the top and if they can find a run of wins promotion will be very much on the cards.

Pahang continued their slide in MrT’s absence as they fell to a 1-0 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven. Xabi Alonso lobbed a header against the bar as PSV nearly took the lead while Kilian Strongbow missed with a free-kick at the other end in a quiet first-half. The second-half started with Strongbow hitting a free-kick against the angle and they would feel even worse when Yang Sheng Nanmeng volleyed home in the area to give the visitors a lead on the hour. Alonso would head over while Romeo Hogg had a late chance to level but couldn’t hit his lob well-enough. Kadri’s side have now won three straight and have put themselves in touch with the rest of the section following a tough start. Pahang are going in the opposite direction and only MrT’s return will help the side return to early season glories.

AC Milan and F.C. Greatness fought out an exciting 2-2 draw in the divisions’ other game. Faust Baronchelli hit home a free-kick to give the visitors an early lead and it might have been doubled but Martinus Benfari put his lob over. Quigley Addison hit a post with a free-kick for the hosts as they responded while Ricardo Kaka lobbed over. Baronchelli would hit a free-kick at Levein while Savino Piovanelli headed wide as the sides traded chances in an entertaining half. Roy Summerville would give the home fans a boost before the break by heading home the equaliser while Levein ensured parity at the interval by saving another Baronchelli free-kick. Baronchelli started the second-half with another set-piece but put it over however Greatness would take the lead as Dunstan Valenzia netted from the spot. Kaka ensured it would be a short lead, though, as he headed home on 63 minutes and Andrea Pirlo might have completed the turnaround but his header struck wood. Addison then headed wide for the hosts and both sides would take away a point from a pulsating encounter. Xmensch admitted that ‘nothing is going like we would wish’ but the fans realise he is working hard to turn results round. Darren Calvert will undoubtedly expect three points in the return match to keep his side on course for a tilt at promotion.