Meelas to Retire

West Brom completed the double over ThunderCats and the result signalled the end of an era in the RMI as Meelas announced his retirement from the game. A fifth minute free-kick saw Billy Bassett fire the visitors into the lead while Silvio Falcao chipped over at the other end. The chances would keep coming and Willie Johnston put a header over and Leonardo Borja’s free-kick was caught by Carson at the respective ends. Bassett would double the away side’s lead on 28 minutes with a neat side-footed finish after a corner. The home side would try to hit back before the break but Carlos Partini couldn’t make either a powerful strike or a volley count and a flick header by Tony Brown at the other end made it 3-0 to West Brom at half-time. West Brom would maintain control in the second-half and another beautifully executed free-kick by Bassett secured his side a 4-0 lead and himself a hat-trick. Darren Moore couldn’t add to the lead with a shot from a tight angle and ThunderCats would have the final say as Fabricio Cidade placed home a shot to make it 1-4. However, this would never threaten to be enough for the hosts and West Brom could celebrate a lead at the top of the table which has been extended to seven points. DD was pleased with the win but added that he would keep his side focussed to ensure a first title at The Hawthorns. Meelas explained his decision to leave and will be sadly missed by his fellow managers. The next ThunderCats boss has huge boots to fill.

Kirkbride Strollers remain one of the form sides of the division following a 4-0 victory at Santos. Brian Wills placed an early effort wide before Stephen Robinson did volley Kirkbride into the lead. Panu Sarapaa had a header saved by Hill as the home side went in a goal behind. Wills started the second-half with a header which went over and Robinson put a free-kick over as the visitors remained on the offensive. El Lapinho put a powerful shot against the bar but Billy Maneater would have the Strollers 2-0 ahead with a fine strike after a corner wasn’t cleared. Maneater would have a further shot saved before Rogerio Franca and Adriano Ribeiro tried but failed to get Santos back into the contest. Wills then made it 3-0 to the visitors with a clever finish after a fine breakaway move and Keith Ellison side-footed home a fourth a minute later. Ellison had a further effort saved by Rodenas while Robbie Mitchell had a volley saved by Hill as the game ended 4-0. Jazza proclaimed his side ‘were awesome from start to finish’ before turning his attention to Totaalvoetbal on Friday. Sean7 consoled himself with comfort food and music with Santos News explaining ‘morale was at an all-time low.’

The Vikings recorded a double over Underdogz United with a 3-1 home victory. Thorbjorn Lind wasted an early headed chance before Lewis Branston shot wide as The Vikings put United under some pressure. Evstathios Gourmas would also shoot wide and United would have their first chance as Robin van Izu’s free-kick was saved by Raasch. Aris Almanidis had a free-kick for the home side and was unlucky not to give his side the lead as it hit the bar. Vassilis Papakostas would also strike the bar with a fine lob as the half ended goalless. The second-half began with Papakostas driving in the opener to give The Vikings the edge. Papakostas would double the advantage with a fine header on 49 minutes while Gourmas volleyed in the third to put the home side well in control. Lind saw a header saved by Casillas while Papakostas missed with a well-placed shot. United would pull a goal back as Casillas scored from the penalty spot but the home side would have the next opportunity although Almanidis would waste a free-kick. He would have another set-piece chance before the finish and it would go closer as it hit the bar but they were still celebrating a 3-1 victory at full-time. Eagles was happy with the points before moving his attention to a tough next match against West Brom admitting that ‘it doesn’t look like a game (they) should win.’ Izu admitted he ‘could seriously be in danger of falling into the relegation zone’ and the manager will be keen to take three points against Tranmere on Friday.

AFC Stanley were much-improved against Manchester United but were undone by a 90th minute equaliser as the sides took away a point each. Oliver Trower gave Stanley an ideal start with a headed opener on 14 minutes. Owen Hargreaves tried to respond in kind for United but his header brushed a post and they went in behind. The second-half started slowly with the first chance coming on 67 minutes; Cristiano Ronaldo seeing his free-kick held by Hessbo. Stanley responded with a free-kick of their own; Halldor Valporsson receiving a tapped pass before striking a post with a splendid effort. United weren’t finished either as Ulrich Kischko had a header saved excellently by Hessbo while Stanley wasted a chance to double their lead with Matts Wallman hitting a free-kick straight at Kuszczak. This came back to haunt the home side as Michael Carrick curled in a beautiful equaliser on 90 minutes to ensure a share of the spoils for his side. The point consolidates Pakya’s position in the top five while Markham will have been pleased to stop the rot following three consecutive defeats.

Tranmere gave themselves renewed hope of avoiding the drop with a 2-1 home success over Sanity Clause. They would be much the better of the two sides in the first 45 minutes and Geomar Altieri looked to have given them a second minute lead but had it chalked off for handball. Raymond Jillhed would then demand an excellent save out of Widlund from a powerful shot before Logan MacCanish hit his own power strike wide. Altieri would have the home side ahead at the break, though, as he placed a header beyond Widlund on 34 minutes. The second-half was a more even contest but it would be Tranmere who would strike first; Eadbhard Lilley finishing powerfully after a dangerous corner was delivered by Bonda. Elvis MacCaran did lob over Sapienza to bring the visitors back into it on 64 minutes, though, and set up a tense finale. Jillhed would be denied by Widlund for the hosts while Joseph Heffer had a header disallowed for handball as the game remained balanced. Yves Vairelles would have the final chance of the game but his lob was punched away by Sapienza and Tranmere secured three vital points. Baz will now realise that a home win against Izu’s United on Friday will see his side within two points of safety and give them real impetus for the second-half of the season. Crismorena will also recognise his side’s clash with Hun Haters as a must-win contest if they are also to retain hope of climbing out of the bottom three.

Totaalvoetbal completed the double over Hun Haters with a 3-0 victory at Scotlands Shame. Pierre van Diemen got them off to a fast start with a powerful strike in the penalty area to give them a first minute lead. The Haters did attempt to strike back but found Leemans well-placed to deal with a Jeremy Cumming shot. Totaal would continue to have chances, though, and van Diemen went close with a header before Bryan Robson’s free-kick needed saving by Boruc. The second-half saw Robson make his next free-kick effort count by blasting through the ‘keeper for 2-0. This lead was soon 3-0 as Rodney Shuttlewood flicked home a header and this effectively put the contest beyond doubt. Edwin Hayter side-footed a shot wide before the home side had two late chances; Ted Caird hitting a free-kick too close to Leemans before Iain Emery was unlucky with a shot which struck the woodwork. Meeblind sees his side in second but admitted that the ‘title looks like it belongs to WBS’ even at this early stage. Celticchris’ first priority is form as his side continue to struggle but they are sure to battle to the very end.