Dinky's Draws Open Race

West Brom were held to a third consecutive draw, this time by Santos, as their lead at the top of the RM Invitational was cut to just four points. Santos would waste a couple of opportunities before the visitors struck first. Robbie Mitchell had his diving header easily held by Scott Carson before the forward was denied once more by the ‘keeper; his free-kick being deflected away by the legs of Carson. West Brom would march up the other end and take a 1-0 lead; Billy Bassett rifling a free-kick into the top corner. They would take this lead into the break but Santos wouldn’t be disheartened. Bassett did see a further free-kick saved by Rodenas and the visitors would pay the price as Rogerio Franca netted the equaliser from the spot on 58 minutes. There would only be one further chance in the contest but Torbjorn Alshammar made it easy for Carson and the teams would collect a point each. The point wouldn’t set Santos’ hearts racing although ‘rumours of a brief Sean7/Madonna affair’ did quicken pulses and with images of said affair logged in Sean’s memory bank it’s a wonder he has time for X11. DD was much more concerned with on-field matters as his side look to bounce back against Totaal as they continue with their efforts to win the title. The manager was also worried about the future when he joked, ‘don’t talk to me about retirements’ with player decisions only days away.

Kirkbride were the side who closed with gap to within four of West Brom as they were comfortable winners against Underdogz United. Kirkbride didn’t have to wait long for their first goal of the day as Stephen Robinson hit home a trademark free-kick after only two minutes. Izu Casillas would have a busy day between the sticks for United and he made an excellent save to deny Mark Blacklock four minutes later following a breakaway of some class. Blacklock would be put through again on 12 minutes and this time, again under pressure from the ‘keeper, he would steer his shot wide of the target. The second goal would arrive on 21 minutes, though, as Malcolm Graham converted a penalty while Blacklock’s frustration continued when he curled a shot wide moments later. United had their first chance on 29 minutes but Robin van Izu could only hit a free-kick straight at Hill; a process he would repeat with another set-piece on the stroke of half-time. The second-half belonged entirely to Kirkbride and Blacklock would lead the way with a shot which needed saving by Casillas. The ‘keeper would then deny Graham’s placed effort as United clung on. Blacklock would waste another breakaway effort before finally getting his goal with a toe-poke in the area on 86 minutes. 4-0 would then follow as the excellent Robinson thumped home another free-kick and it might have been five had Graham kept his shot down in injury-time. Jazza was recently quoted as saying ‘with West Brom still to come to The Bush anything is possible’ and momentum continues to build in Kirkbride. Izu responded to the defeat by bringing in experienced defender Cees van Nisterooy in the hope that the defender will extend his career beyond this season.

ThunderCats stayed six points off the pace following a 1-1 draw at a spluttering Totaalvoetbal. The game would be an even affair with chances at either end. Bryan Robson had the first of the day but his free-kick missed by inches before he put another effort against a post six minutes later. Cal Beardsley would then shoot wide of the target before ThunderCats hit back. Carlos Partini’s steered shot needed saving by Leemans before Fabricio Cidade put a powerful shot well-over. Cidade would give the home fans a nervous moment with his next effort, though, as his driving shot smashed against the woodwork and bounced clear. The second-half would see more action at either end as both sides decided to attack the contest. Partini would head wide for the visitors who then saw Izet Hadzic have a shot saved by Leemans. Meanwhile, Johan Juffing hit a shot too close to Magro before the hosts did take the lead; Pierre van Diemen flicking home a delicate header on 75 minutes. The forward would then miss the chance to double the lead by heading off-target and ThunderCats had the final say with Leonardo Borja steering home the equaliser deep into injury-time. Manager, Robin Meeblind is said to be ‘looking to the future now’ and looks like having some average age problems in the coming weeks. Baz will remain hopeful of claiming the club’s third title but he will need to turn the draws into wins to achieve this.

Manchester United moved into fourth following a hard-fought 1-0 success at Sanity Clause. In a dull first-half the only chance would fall the way of the hosts; a header by Boguslaw Stanczuk not troubling Kuszczak. Cristiano Ronaldo would have the ball in the net for the visitors but he was the proverbial mile offside before he slotted home. The second-half saw the visitors come more into the contest and they would frank this by taking the lead as Ronaldo delivered a peach of a free-kick for 1-0. Nemanja Vidic would quickly have a chance to make it 2-0 but put his header over the bar when well-placed to do better. Sanity looked for a way back but Joseph Heffer’s best strike was saved by the ‘keeper and it would be United who would have the last chance; a mishit effort by Owen Hargreaves trickling onto a post. Vidic did spoil a successful evening for United by getting sent-off for a tackle from behind but, nevertheless, the visitors went home with the points. The title remains a possibility for United and they can keep themselves in contention with a victory at Underdogz on Tuesday. Sanity Clause’s form continues to improve under Crismorena and the club look to have a more promising future with him at the helm.

Another team in the title mix-up are The Vikings following their 2-1 home triumph over AFC Stanley. They would have a dream start as a diving header by Paraskevas Maladenis found its way past Moss to open the scoring. The Vikings would have a further chance but Vassilis Papakostas mishit his shot and Moss was down to save comfortably. The visitors would strike back before the break to level matters; Luke Riou looping a fine header over Raasch to stun the home fans. However, those same fans would receive a boost nine minutes into the second-half as Evstathios Gourmas coolly slotted home from the spot to restore the home side’s advantage. The rest of the half would be tight with a chance at either end. Riou wasted a chance to level again for Stanley by heading too close to Raasch before Alan Martindale saw red for unsportsmanlike conduct for the visitors. Papakostas would put a late strike wide as The Vikings looked for an insurance goal but it would matter little as they held on for a crucial 2-1 victory. Eagles claims to be looking ahead to next season but the manager did admit that ‘if WBS start to slip-up’ then ‘Vikings will be up for the challenge’ for the title. Markham remains concerned with relegation but said ‘we have not been playing that badly, we have just not been getting any luck.’

In the other game of the day Hun Haters recorded their first victory of the season by defeating Tranmere 1-0 at Scotlands Shame. Both sides enjoyed chances in an open first-half with Iain Emery steering an early shot at Sapienza for the hosts. A diving header at the other end saw Logan MacCanish put the ball over the bar while Jeremy Cumming fared little better for the hosts as he headed wide. Tranmere would have the final chances before the break but a back-heel by Morten Wessman didn’t test Boruc before Raymond Jillhed nearly opened the scoring as his lob struck the bar. The second-half would belong to Hun, though, as they went in search of an elusive three points. Nigel Bruggink would net the opener by looping in a header and Laurie Gow nearly made it two as his strike hit a post on 74 minutes. Emery would be denied by Sapienza late on as he tried to round the ‘keeper but it would matter little as the hosts held on for the win. While it may not boost their chances of survival by much the win is sure to have given the whole of Hun Haters a boost as they look to finish their season on a high. There was good news for Tranmere in the following days as they appointed Solongsuperman as their new manager. The club was quickly renamed Bryan Adams Athletic with the manager proclaiming that he’s the man ‘to turn this dreadful squad around.’ Things are looking up for the fans at the newly named Summer of 69 Dome.