Patrik in Pole

Kensington Boys Club produced a superb away performance to defeat Bonkers 3-1 and reach the Division One summit. They took a hold on the game right from the start as a long range shot by Aubrey de Veres curled past Hawke for the opening goal on four minutes. Bonkers took a little while to get going but Stefan Beelenkamp gave them a massive boost by netting with their first chance; a beautifully crafted free-kick which left Lorentzen helpless. Kensington responded and saw Niles Worthington test Hawke with a toe-poke before the midfielder did restore the lead five minutes before half-time with an excellent header. Bonkers came out after the break and pressed for the equaliser; Henrik Larsson’s header needing close attention from Lorentzen. However, Kensington retained a threat at the other end with de Vere firing a warning from a free-kick. The visitors would get a crucial third goal as Harry Whitlow headed in confidently and although Larsson smashed a post at the other end Kensington had done enough for three massive points in the race for the title. Patrik’s side now face a tricky trip to Greatness but they know if they take maximum points from now until the end of the season they will be crowned Division One champions. After being hit by retirements and then this defeat Gareth Lloyd called it ‘a very very very poor week’ and declared ‘more hard work is needed’ to have hope of promotion.

Yorkshires Amateurs are in second following a battling 2-1 home success over Pahang United. The home side only created one chance in the first 45 minutes but it was enough for Gerard McMahon to give them a ninth minute lead with a calm finish. Bicanco had to be on form to keep out a lob from Tajo Cuevas as Pahang looked for a way straight back into the contest. Dirk Heller would also waste a chance as he shot wide when well-placed. The second-half was a more open contest and Antony Wallwork fired the hosts into a two-goal lead with a thumping strike. Kilian Strongbow flicked a header wide at the other end but they did pull a goal back as Cuevas chipped home following a corner. Romeo Hogg couldn’t bring them level as he volleyed wide from distance and their chance had passed. The Amateurs came on strong in the final stages with Amadeo Caviedes forcing a save out of Hussain before a powerfully curled shot by Hugo Smallwood went woefully off-target. Nevertheless the important three points belonged to the Amateurs as they look to keep their crucial two-point lead over the chasing pack. MrT faces a massive clash against AJ Rovers next and if they are to escape the dreaded drop they will need the three points from this contest.

Real Madrid surged into third with a stunning away performance which brought them a 4-0 victory at AJ Rovers. They were into their rhythm early with Pasi Lintu forcing a save from Mortimer after getting in a powerful strike. Lintu would hit another thumping strike on 29 minutes but Mortimer was the equal to it again while Mercourios Simos’ header was turned over by Beeton at the other end. Stu Mackay headed against the bar for Madrid as they searched for the first goal but they would go in deadlocked. Mao Wannasathit missed an early chance at the start of the second-half as he headed off-target while Mortimer saved from a Varoujan Zadigian strike. A free-kick for Rovers saw Byron Simon get it all-wrong and put it harmlessly wide and they would pay the price. Mackay would place a precise header in to put Madrid 1-0 ahead on 69 minutes and just four minutes later the midfielder would strike a sumptuous half-volley which doubled their lead. Mackay’s stunning period continued as he lobbed in a header for his hat-trick on 76 minutes and Madrid were romping in by the time Kevin Gabriele added his name to the score-sheet with a fine header on 89 minutes. Aren Garabedian did head over in injury-time but it wouldn’t take the edge off wild celebrations in the away end as the final whistle sounded. Fred Rizzo declared ‘the boys are full of confidence’ and added ominously for his rivals that they ‘want to be in the top division next season.’ Rothion’s side will have to get this defeat out of their system quickly as a massive trip to Pahang awaits.

White Hawk are in fourth as they put together a professional away performance to defeat PSV Eindhoven 2-0 at Philips Stadion. Hawk were dominant in the opening 45 minutes and created several chances. Matts Perman headed straight at Reina before the opening goal came courtesy of Byron Somaroe who shot home clinically from inside the area. Somaroe might have made it 2-0 but Reina tipped his powerful shot over to keep the hosts in it. Indeed, Reina was again on hand to prevent Adan Donahue’s free-kick from finding the net to keep the score at just 1-0 at the interval. The second-half remained tight until the final 15 minutes when Hawk pounced to seal the game. Donahue would climb highest to head home a Perman cross to make it 2-0 on 77 minutes and moments later a Perman lob found its way into the goal only to be disallowed for a foul in the build-up. PSV did create a late chance but Claudio Collauto put it well-over to symbolise their frustrating afternoon which culminated with the sending off of Jeremiah McNally. Kadri admitted that a ‘tactical error’ had contributed to their downfall but remained upbeat and said ‘1 or 2 wins’ can get them out of the relegation zone again. Hooraymee has grander ideas on his mind with the side sitting outside the promotion places only on goal difference; next stop a crucial match-up with third-place Madrid.

AC Milan continued their good recent form with a 1-0 win at Hicktown Hillbillies as they edged away from the relegation zone. Roy Summerville headed wide early on for the visitors before Uncle Sam forced Kalan into a comfortable save at the other end. A free-kick by Vittorio Cornacchini didn’t provide Syvaluoma with any difficulties in the home goal but the ‘keeper could do nothing to stop Simone Spina’s lob header finding the net on 39 minutes. Billy Ray Bongle nearly responded with an equaliser for the hosts but his powerful shot brought the best from Kalan with an excellent reflex save. The second-half was relatively quiet but did give Hicktown the chance to draw level. However, Billy Bob put a header over and Sam could only drive a long range shot wide as they slipped to a 1-0 home defeat. Xmensch will fancy his chances of avoiding the drop given their current run and victory over Villarreal on Tuesday could go a long way to sealing their safety. Hicktown have fallen below Milan on the back of the result and they themselves will need to find a couple of wins soon to ensure their survival.

Villarreal put in a home display the fans could be proud of by despatching F.C. Greatness 2-1 at Estadio El Madrigal. Errol Beddoe shot home in the sixth minute to give them a perfect start and Ritchie Morgan was unlucky not to make it 2-0 as his lob struck the bar. They would suffer further frustration on 10 minutes as Potsdam Erplatz had a goal disallowed. Their pressure would bring the second goal on 16 minutes, though, as Bernardo Almeida powered in a shot following a corner. Jonathan Boulding would then hit a free-kick over while Morgan put a diving header straight at Calvert as Greatness struggled. Johnny Douglas would strike the woodwork with a placed effort before the visitors did hit back towards the end of the half. Mario Balotelli produced a super diving header to pull a goal back with their first chance before Massimilano Cordone put a powerful shot against a post. The second-half saw more chances come as the game remained open. Douglas put a volley well-over while Martinus Benfari hit a tame shot at Rossell at the other end. The home side saw Douglas go close to making it 3-1 by putting a header off the post and they looked like paying for this miss as Fabio Cannavaro shot home only for it to be disallowed for a dubious offside call. Boulding would put a late header over as the hosts managed to hold out for a win which keeps their survival hopes alive, just. Cathal now takes his troops to Milan knowing nothing less than three points will do as they look for the unlikeliest of escapes. Darren Calvert will have been disappointed with this defeat following a good recent run but the club are sure to see a packed house as league leading Kensington come to town on Tuesday.