Potsdam Delivers for Cath

Villarreal and Bonkers were involved in a thriller in Division One as the sides shared six goals. The chances started early with Joel Weymouth forcing a fine stop out of Dion Rossell in the very first minute. Errol Beddoe put a driving shot wide at the other end before Chris Sutton’s header demanded another save from Rossell. Bonkers would continue to look the more likely as Mortimer Wainman put a lob over and Rossell did well once more to save from a Stefan Bellenkamp free-kick. The goal would still prove elusive on 31 minutes as Sutton mishit a shot when well-placed and Usain Bolt could count himself unfortunate as his powerful low shot struck a post. The goal eventually arrived on 35 minutes, though, as Weymouth headed home from a corner and it might have been 2-0 but Sutton could only brush a post with his shot on 39 minutes. Villarreal would find some attacking fluency of their own before the break and Beddoe had already gone close before he shot home the equaliser on the stroke of half-time. The second-half continued in the same very offensive mode as Beelenkamp’s header forced another save from the home ‘keeper. Weymouth would put them back in front with his second goal of the day as he shot home from inside the area on 55 minutes. However, Villarreal were proving dogged opponents and Ritchie Morgan managed to flick home a header to bring them level once again. In a breathless encounter Beelenkamp powered in a header to put the visitors back in front and they were nearly gifted another goal as Bernardo Almeida miss-kicked in front of his own goal but managed to escape. Villarreal would take advantage of this let-off as Potsdam Erplatz headed in their third equaliser of the day on 81 minutes to the delight of the home fans. Still the away side had a chance to win the game but Sutton shot wide and a point would be all they would take from a cracking encounter. Cathal was pleased with the game and explained that ‘all (his) tactic testing has been good recently.’ Bonkers remain top despite being held although they might need to tighten up in their top-of-the-table clash with Kensington on Friday.

Kensington warmed up for that clash with a hard-fought home victory over White Hawk. An early free-kick saw Aubrey de Vere’s shot saved by Dankoi while Cianan Cathan hit a shot high and wide at the other end. Forward de Vere would go closer with his next effort as he beat Dankoi all-ends-up with his lob only for it to come back off the angle. A free-kick for Hawk saw Adan Donahue do the same at the other end and the midfielder hit another set-piece into the arms of Lorentzen on 25 minutes. Al Beback was having a busy day and awarded another free-kick on 29 minutes, this time for the home side although de Vere could only hit his shot too close to the ‘keeper. Clyde Nageswar nearly boosted the away side before the break but his lob smashed back off the bar and they went in goalless. The first chance of the second-half fell to the hosts and this time de Vere would make his free-kick count by blasting in the opening goal. Ryan Dharmsingh thought he’d levelled instantly but was a mile offside while Donahue had a free-kick saved by Lorentzen. Dharmsingh hit a further chance over before a breakaway move finished with Nageswar shooting over. Still Hawk would press but a side-footed shot by Dharmsingh unfortunately came back off a post and their chance had passed. Harry Whitlow might have added another goal for the hosts but he shot too close to Dankoi although his side could still celebrate three vital points. Patrik’s side ‘upped their game’ as he demanded of them and they will now go into their clash with Bonkers full of confidence. Hooraymee will have counted this as a rather unfortunate loss but with his side just three points back there is still all to play for.

Yorkshires Amateurs slipped a place after being held to a goalless draw at AJR Arena. The visitors would enjoy the majority of the chances but failed to find a cutting edge on the day. Antony Wallwork was denied as Mortimer punched away his powerful header while Sonny Vickerman hit a free-kick wildly over with the home side’s first chance. Wallwork would try his luck once more for the visitors but hit a lob over and the half ended with Bicanco stopping from a Mercourios Simos flick header at the other end. Amateurs would dominate the second-half, creating all three of the chances on offer. Gabriel Mohan would hit an early lob against the bar while Wallwork continued his afternoon of frustration by shooting wide. Still they would have a final chance to pinch all three points but Mohan’s header was tipped over by Mortimer. Wallwork would complete a disappointing day personally by shooting home a long time after being called for offside and on another day might have picked up a booking for such an act. Amateurs will now look to collect three points from a home fixture against Pahang and take advantage of the top two facing each other. Rothion’s side still have to keep an eye on relegation matters as they continue their campaign and would welcome three points against Madrid on Friday.

Real Madrid picked up an important three points in a 1-0 home victory over PSV Eindhoven. The goal came early with Stu Mackay slotting home a second minute penalty. PSV would have chances of their own but Xabi Alonso’s header was saved by Beeton. The sides would trade efforts as Kevin Gabriele put a header over the bar before PSV were unfortunate as Yang Sheng Nanmeng struck the woodwork with a fine lob. Mackay would waste a free-kick opportunity while Weston had to save from Samvel Mortanian’s header as Madrid finished the half on top. The second-half was a quiet affair with just one more chance. It fell the way of the hosts but Mackay couldn’t beat Weston from a free-kick. Drasko Mrdjic would receive his marching orders for PSV as he crudely used his elbow in a poor challenge. FredRizzo’s side would ease to victory following this incident and are just two points back of a place in the top three. Kadri’s side remain hovering above the drop zone and will recognise the need for more points if they are to survive the season as a Division One side.

AC Milan gave their survival hopes a shot in the arm with a big 3-0 home victory over fellow relegation candidates Pahang United. Both sides had chances in an even first-half with Jonte Sandholm having an early shot saved by Hussain. Pahang would then attack as Jeremias Lindeman couldn’t place his shot accurately enough before Tom Hording got his half-volley all wrong. They would pay for this as Savino Piovanelli slotted home a penalty before the break to give Milan a massive half-time boost. The second-half saw Milan take control and Ray Summerville saw an early strike saved by Hussain. Vittorio Cornacchini would also be foiled by Hussain before Pahang looked to strike back as Lindeman shot through the ‘keepers’ legs only to hit a post. Milan would then double their advantage on 79 minutes as Sandholm placed a shot home. Andrea Pirlo would waste a clear sight of goal on 84 minutes while Kilian Strongbow side-footed into the net at the other end only for it to be disallowed for a foul in the build-up. Milan would finish the stronger and a chip by Pirlo made it 3-0. They would be disappointed by a red to Ritchie Hindle for dangerous play but the three points will have been the most important thing for Xmensch after calling the match ‘a must-win game.’ MrT needs to find a win from somewhere as his side look certainties for the drop following a dramatic fall from grace.

F.C. Greatness put together a strong home performance to remind sides what they are capable of in a 2-1 win over Hicktown. A dominant first-half performance began with them taking a second minute lead as Dunstan Valenzia slotted home from the spot. Further chances came their way with Faust Baronchelli hitting a free-kick wide before another effort went over the bar from the forward. Valenzia would waste a free-kick of his own on 39 minutes but this miss was allayed somewhat when Martinus Benfari headed in accurately on 44 minutes. The second-half was a more even contest but Greatness might have made it 3-0 as Benfari’s header was well-saved by Syvaluoma. Hicktown would pull a goal back from their first chance as Marshall Mayhem headed in well and Hank Marvin was only denied by Rachao from a good half-volley effort. Greatness managed to hold on following this dicey period and Darren Calvert was happy with ‘a good result.’ Gary_C has to move his side on quickly as they face a massive home match against Milan on Friday; a win would put them well on the way to safety.