Hicktown Hit Greatness

Hicktown Hillbillies caught the eye with an impressive home performance resulting in a 3-1 win over F.C. Greatness. Billy Bob fired an early warning as his free-kick struck a post while Rachao had to be alert to stop a shot from Billy Ray Bongle. Bob Country then had a goal disallowed for offside as Hicktown continued to force the pace. The opening goal would arrive on 20 minutes as Country headed home well from a Bob cross. Incredibly, Greatness hit straight back as Martinus Benfari chipped home in the area two minutes later. Hicktown refused to be deterred by this, though, and Sam Jakestown finished a breakaway move to ensure they would go into the break with a one-goal lead. Greatness had early chances at the start of the second-half but Benfari’s header was saved by Boston while Faust Baronchelli hit a post with a fine header of his own. It would be the home side who would then take control and a well-placed shot from Jakestown made it 3-1. They might have added a fourth but Bob’s free-kick was saved and they had to make do with a two-goal victory. Gary_C was pleased with how ‘up for it’ the lads were and claimed that his ‘skilful players had won the day.’ Meanwhile, Darren Calvert won’t be happy with his side’s performance and will look for a much-needed victory at home to the league leaders on Tuesday.

Pahang United returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 success over AC Milan. Pahang started well but Hindle denied Kilian Strongbow from a free-kick. Jonte Sandholm went close with a header at the other end before a header by Romeo Hogg put Pahang in front on 17 minutes. The rest of the half proved a cagey affair and there was to be no more chances for either side. Pahang had the first opportunity of the second-half but Tom Hording curled his shot well-wide and Milan finished the game on the front foot. Roy Summerville placed a header just wide while Savino Piovanelli’s curled shot hit the woodwork as Milan suffered some misfortune. Ultimately it would be the home side who would hold on and MrT will be more than happy with his side’s three point lead at the top. Xmensch will have been impressed with how his side competed with the current leaders and that sort of performance will surely see them climbing the table soon.

Yorkshires Amateurs remained undefeated but were held to a 0-0 home draw by AJ Rovers. Indeed, it would be Rovers who would create more chances throughout a tight game. An early free-kick saw Sonny Vickerman put a shot high over for the visitors before Gregory Rowling was unfortunate as his header struck the bar. The Amateurs did have a chance late in the half but Amadeo Caviedes’ volley was blocked by Mortimer. The second-half saw just one further chance falling the way of the visitors. However, Mercourios Simos’ powerful low shot was saved by Bicanco and the sides gained a point each for their work. Danlufc13 will be proud of his side’s unbeaten run but this reporter understands that he is looking for three points soon to keep the pressure on Pahang. Rothion’s side remain competitive and will look to put distance between themselves and the bottom three with a trip to Milan on Tuesday.

Kensington slipped out of the top three as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at White Hawk. Kensington wouldn’t be without chances in the game, though, and Adrian Gray nearly opened the scoring on 18 minutes but his lob hit the bar. Matts Perman would fare better for the hosts with his own lob attempt on 25 minutes; perfectly judged he left Lorentzen beaten to put Hawk 1-0 ahead. KBC responded with an effort from Dorian Lonsdale which went over before James Wilde steered an effort into the ‘keepers’ grateful arms. Kensington continued to create chances in the second-half but Lonsdale’s shot was saved by Dankoi while Gray could only side-foot wide. Hawk might also have grabbed another goal but Adan Donahue’s volley didn’t unduly trouble Lorentzen and the ‘keeper also tipped over from another effort by the midfielder. It wouldn’t stop Hawk collecting the three points, though, to the delight of the home crowd. Hooraymee has his side just one point off the top three and history tells us when the side gets into promotion contention they normally make it count. Patrik will be eager for his side to bounce back with a home game against PSV on Tuesday to regain their place in the top three.

Bonkers put in a strong home showing to dispose of Villarreal 3-1 at Crazy Town. Stefan Beelenkamp forced an early save out of Abrey from a volley while a lob at the other end saw Ger Wattamaleo go close. It would be the hosts who would strike first as Tommy McCue headed in accurately and it might have been 2-0 had Edip Bayrak not shot straight at Abrey. Bayrak would soon make it 2-0, though, with a header following a dangerously whipped in corner. McCue put a volley wide and Bayrak headed against a post as the home side continued to press until half-time. The second-half proved more even and Villrreal got themselves back into the contest with a fine finish from Jonathan Boulding in the area. Bonkers responded with a driving shot from Mortimer Wainman which Abrey held before they did re-establish their two-goal lead; Wainman thumping home a header from close range. Bayrak might have added a further goal but lobbed over while Johnny Douglas saw a header saved at the other end. The visitors also saw Claudio Moura shoot wide as they slipped to a disappointing defeat. GarethLloyd declared that promotion is ‘still the object of (their) desire’ and they won’t be far out with performances like this. Cathal continues to look for his first win of the season and he will be eager for his troops to record this on Tuesday against White Hawk.

Real Madrid put in another strong performance as they defeated PSV Eidnhoven 3-0 to continue to climb the table. Madrid opened the scoring on nine minutes as Aren Garabedian placed home a header. PSV responded with a breakaway chance but Claudio Collauto narrowly missed the target while Teige Aran did likewise at the other end. Davit Ohanesian also missed for Madrid before Mao Wannasathit had a curled shot turned round by Reina. The ‘keeper would also deny Garabedian before the break as the score remained 1-0. PSV started the better after the break but Xabi Alonso fired wide. Ohanesian wasted a chance for the visitors before they did double their lead courtesy of a Garabedian header. The sides then traded chances with Ohanesian going close with a powerful low shot while PSV saw Yang Sheng Nanmeng put a header over. Garabedian missed a headed chance for his hat-trick before Pasi Lintu sealed the win with an excellent strike from distance. Kadri will have been disappointed with his side’s defeat and he will be working hard to find the winning formula for his side. FredRizzo, meanwhile, is seeing his side move up the table with some impressive performances. However, they face a massive task next as they travel to the unbeaten Amateurs.