Strollers Christmas Special

West Brom moved to within one point of title glory as they destroyed Hun Haters 5-0 at The Hawthorns and results elsewhere went their way. The contest was never really in doubt from the moment Lee Hughes toe-poked past Boruc for the opening goal on six minutes. Tony Brown was denied the team’s second when Boruc dived at his feet to gather but it would prove to be only a temporary reprieve with Billy Bassett placing the ball beyond the ‘keeper on 16 minutes. A free-kick by Bassett on 20 minutes made it 3-0 as the midfielder continued his incredible campaign while a shot by Brown on 34 minutes defied a tight angle to make it 4-0. The second-half would see Finlay MacCleir put a header over for Hun before Cyrille Regis’ shot was saved by Boruc. Regis would get his goal on 91 minutes as he chipped Boruc and the fans were in jubilant mood at the final whistle with the title in touching distance. Dinky will now hope his side can finish it off by taking at least a point at Kirkbride on Christmas Day but he did say his side ‘would be playing our usual brand of passing attacking football’ as they look to ‘give the fans a title present.’ Celticchris travels to Stanley on the same day no doubt wishing the end of the season would come as quickly as possible.

ThunderCats and Kirkbride made each other’s life difficult as they drew 2-2 at Thundera Grounds. Kirkbride made a strong start to the game as Stephen Robinson delivered a textbook free-kick to put them 1-0 ahead. Leonardo Borja steered a shot off-target for the hosts before Keith Ellison brushed a post for the visitors. Mark Blacklock lobbed over for Kirkbride while Placido Polo also put an effort over at the other end as the game remained open. Ellison would be unfortunate not to give Kirkbride a two-goal lead going into the break as his toe-poke brushed a post but they could still be satisfied with their half’s work. They would be on the front foot at the start of the second-half and Mike Bell had already headed over by the time Ellison powered in a header for their second goal. ThunderCats have not been champions for the last two seasons for nothing, though, and they fought back in brilliant style. A precise header by Fabricio Cidade had brushed a post before he also smashed a post with a shot that had Hill beaten all-ends-up. They got a deserved goal on 74 minutes when Izet Hadzic powered in a header and the comeback was complete on 86 minutes with an excellent chip by Polo defeating Hill. This would be the last chance of the game and it seemed fitting that two of the very best in the league had ended even after a pulsating game. Jazza admitted losing a ‘2-goal lead was particularly disappointing’ but added that they ‘will be looking to continue (their) 100% home record’ when they play West Brom. Baz knows the title race is now out of their reach but the manager will surely be pleased with how things have gone since his arrival at the club and can look forward to next season with fresh confidence.

The Vikings kept their outside hopes of the title alive with a thrilling 3-2 home victory over Manchester United. A storming start saw Anastasios Tassiopoulos toe-poke home for the title hopefuls but there would be plenty of chances at either end in a frantic game. Darren Gibson lashed a free-kick just over before Wayne Rooney headed in a precise equaliser for United. Vassilis Papakostas curled a shot straight at Kuzsczak while Rooney couldn’t repeat his earlier headed glory as the game continued apace. Owen Hargreaves would see a flick header palmed away by Raasch as United continued to threaten and Darren Fletcher made it tell by shooting them in front on 20 minutes. Thorbjorn Lind would quickly equalise with an excellent header on 26 minutes and this would be the score as the sides headed into the break. United saw Hargreaves head in just after the break but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up while Tassiopoulos lobbed over at the other end. A header by Paraskevas Maladenis brought an exceptional save out of Kuszczak on 61 minutes as the home side looked for the winner which would keep their title hopes alive. The game took a sour turn on 76 minutes as Rooney was dismissed for arguing with the officials but they still threatened to net again although Fletcher couldn’t control his header. An Aris Almanidis free-kick proved no trouble for the ‘keeper while another effort was also saved by Kuszczak as the visitors looked to hang on. However, they would be heartbroken on 97 minutes when Tassiopoulos showed an ice-cool temperament to round the ‘keeper and roll the ball home for the winning goal. Eagles was left to wonder whether he should play his injured forward in his next game with his faint title hopes still alive. Pakya has been absent for a little while now and the fans will be eager their manager returns to keep their progress going next season.

Bryan Adams Athletic kept up their recent revival with an impressive 2-0 home victory over AFC Stanley. The home side would frank their recent improvement with a very good first-half showing although they did not get the goals their all-round play deserved. Benito Villas would see a header saved by Hessbo before a driving shot by Simon Teske flew over the bar as Athletic dominated the attacking play. A free-kick by Christiano Olias would be blocked by Hessbo just before the break but more chances would come their way following the interval. However, first Stanley would dominate the beginning of the half as Dijedon Betimaj saw a free-kick saved before Sapienza also held well from Eddy Jack’s volley. Per-Elvis Granander would then put a header wide of the target and the home side would reassert themselves. Leroy Upson would see a header hit the woodwork before Joseph Gerault toe-poked in the first goal on 80 minutes. Miles Madeley would follow up by brushing a post with a fine shot through the legs of Hessbo before their second goal arrived courtesy of an Eadbhard Liffey shot following a breakaway move. Liffey would go on to strike a post with a mishit effort but it wouldn’t matter as they had done enough to secure the three points. SLS spoke of hoping his run continues next season and the feeling remains that if he had come in a few games earlier Athletic might still have a chance of survival. Markham will have his focus on things to come as he plots a route up the table for his club next term.

Santos enjoyed an excellent away day to defeat Underdogz United 1-0 at Surprise Stadium. United would start the faster but Luis Carlos Almeida shot wide when well-placed on two minutes. Santos would take full advantage of their let-off and took the lead as Rogerio Franca converted a penalty on 14 minutes. Torbjorn Alshammar had a toe-poke easily saved by Casillas before the home side looked to strike back; Robin van Izu hitting a free-kick just wide. The second-half saw Santos enjoy the better of proceedings but there would not be any further goals. A free-kick by Robbie Mitchell hit a post when it deserved better while van Izu also struck the post from a set-piece at the other end. Alshammar would continue the theme of striking the woodwork as his thumping drive hit the bar while Mitchell would put yet another free-kick just wide. Santos would prove good value for their win and they will hope to secure sixth with a couple of wins to finish the campaign. Izu looked ahead to a Christmas Day match-up with Totaalvoetbal after the defeat saying, ‘this should be fun.’

Totaalvoetbal and Sanity Clause would be involved in a dour 0-0 draw in the other game at Metelo Park. The home side would enjoy marginally the better of the contest and had the only chance of the first-half. William Ralph Dean could do nothing with it, though, as he shot embarrassingly wide. The second 45 minutes saw a chance each with Pierre van Diemen forcing Widlund into a decent leg save from a powerful strike while at the other end Sammy Shepherd’s diving header was theatrically saved by Leemans. Robin Meeblind admitted he ‘was getting used to his side not scoring’ and was looking forward to the off-season to see how he can improve his club. Crismorena continues to be tough to beat and they will sure to be even tougher next season following some strengthening in the silly-season.