Division One Deadlock

White Hawk and Bonkers remained level on points at the top of Division One following a 1-1 draw at White Stadium. For much of the first-half it would look like the home side would be taking the initiative in this tightest of tight title races. They saw an early back-heel by Clyde Nageswar narrowly miss the target before Adan Donahue forced Hawke into a save from a free-kick. Hawke would also be alert to deny Byron Somaroe’s drive but he could do nothing to prevent Donahue putting the hosts in front from distance on 22 minutes. Bonkers would create a couple of chances in the first-half but Joel Weymouth put his power shot wide. Donahue had a free-kick go over at the other end before Stefan Beelenkamp went within inches of drawing the away side level with an excellent low drive. The second-half saw just one further chance but it would be enough for Bonkers to earn a share of the spoils. Beelenkamp would be the hero as he ghosted in to power a header past Dankoi and into the net. Hooraymee’s side remain in third on the back of this point but, perhaps crucially, have two of their remaining three games at home. Gareth Lloyd will surely be happy with this point away from home but the tough games keep coming as they face up to Madrid on Tuesday.

Yorkshires Amateurs remain on top but they were held to a 1-1 draw by Villarreal. The home side would have the best of the game but ultimately would pay for missed chances. Antony Wallwork shot wide with their first sight on goal on 29 minutes before Peder Hasselstrom hit a post with a side-footed shot. A free-kick on 42 minutes gave them another chance to take the lead and Wallwork could consider himself unfortunate as he struck a fierce drive onto a post. Their frustration would increase at the start of the second-half as Potsdam Erplatz looped a header into the net from Villarreal’s first attack. The response was immediate from a determined home side with Wallwork volleying home emphatically. Try as they might, though, they couldn’t create any more chances and had to settle for a point from the game. Amateurs News reported the fear ‘that Danlufc13 might look back on these two (Villarreal and Hicktown) games as pivotal moments in the promotion campaign.’ Meanwhile, Cathal has again plunged his team into crisis by refusing to commit to this historic club which is sure to leave the fans on edge.

Kensington Boys Club slipped a point off the pace as they were the latest victims of AC Milan who have surged to within four points of the promotion race themselves. An even contest saw both sides enjoy chances and it would be Milan who would go close first; Simone Spina hitting a shot just wide. Maurice Jacobs had a free-kick held by Hindle before the ‘keeper also showed safe hands to hold from an Adrian Gray strike as Kensington began to press. Charles Tilly would then miss the target when well-placed while Andrea Pirlo headed poorly at the other end. Milan would miss another chance as Quigley Addison put a free-kick well-over and Tilly made them pay by executing a superb volley from some way out to give Kensington a half-time lead. However, Spina would equalise on the hour-mark by placing the ball past Lorentzen for a deserved goal. This parity would soon become a lead with Victor Moses firing in from a set-piece move on 72 minutes. The home side would be unfortunate not to draw level as Jacobs smashed a free-kick against the woodwork while another set-piece effort saw him blast wildly off-target. This defeat will have done little to help Patrik’s mood after his disappointment of the last round and his side now face up to their judgement day in the shape of a home match against the Amateurs on Tuesday. Xmensch’s side have now won four straight and if they can add three more to that sequence their season might end in a fairytale conclusion.

Real Madrid are still in with a shout of promotion despite falling to a 1-0 home defeat to Pahang who boosted their own hopes of survival with the win. The first-half would be a quiet affair but it would see the all-important goal on 19 minutes. Kilian Strongbow would be the hero for the visitors by shooting home fiercely from inside the area as the home side failed to defend properly. Madrid tried to hit back at the start of the second-half but Samvel Mortanian’s luck was out as his free-kick struck a post. Pahang would then see the remainder of the chances with Strongbow hitting two free-kicks off-target but the damage had already been done by the front man. MrT’s spirits will have been boosted by this important victory and if they can follow it up with three points at home to Hicktown then survival will be a real possibility. Fred Rizzo was in reflective mood after the loss saying ‘if (Madrid) were fit and healthy for the full season they would have been league leaders by now.’

PSV Eindhoven picked up a point in their relegation battle with a 1-1 home draw against F.C. Greatness but they were left disappointed by a late equaliser. Greatness would waste the first chance of the game as Faust Baronchelli hit a free-kick off-target and this summed up an uninspiring first 45 minutes football. The second-half started in similar fashion but Baronchelli’s free-kick would go closer as it smashed back off the bar. The home side took advantage of this let-off by winning a penalty on 58 minutes; Daniel Agger confidently firing home from the spot. They might have furthered their lead but Rory MacFinlay’s long range shot was saved by Rachao and Mario Balotelli made them pay as he shot home following a corner by Sifredi. Claudio Collauto might have pinched the points deep into injury-time but his side-footed shot was too close to Rachao and they had to settle for a point. Kadri admitted that ‘it will take a huge slice of luck if (PSV) are to survive’ but the manager will sure to have them battling hard for the last three matches. Darren Calvert was full of praise for his young goal scorer but might still be disappointed with a season which looks likely to see them miss out on promotion.

AJ Rovers and Hicktown Hillbillies picked up a point each in their battle for survival in a desperately nervous clash at AJR Arena. The first-half would see no efforts on goal as both sides battled hard in the fight for points. Hicktown would improve slightly after the break but Billy Bob put his header tamely at Mortimer while a half-volley by Billy Ray Bongle was kicked away by the ‘keeper. This meant that both sides would earn a point towards their safety although neither manager will be overly content with the result. Hicktown News put much of the blame at the door of the official as he said ‘the referee killed the game showing 8 yellow cards’ and he will hope for calmer officiating as his side face a crucial match with Pahang next. Rothion might fancy his side’s chances of three points on Tuesday as they travel to bottom club Villarreal but they will need to start creating chances soon or face dropping down a division.