Balaban Double Boosts Brown

Arsenal DB made it two wins out of two under their new manager to continue their surge up the table. Coming up against a ThunderCats side still smarting from their latest defeat a battle was expected and it didn’t fail to deliver. An explosive start saw Francesc Fabregas hit a post with a free-kick before a Bosko Balaban penalty gave Arsenal a lead on three minutes. ThunderCats gradually worked their way back into the contest and a header by Silvio Falcao levelled matters before Izet Hadzic stunned the home crowd by powering in another header to give the visitors a half-time lead. Arsenal began the second-half in determined fashion and a powerful shot from distance gave Balaban his second of the game and levelled the contest. Faustino Asprilla would keep up the fantastic finishing by lobbing in a header as the see-saw contest took another swing Arsenal’s way. Placido Polo tried to level for the visitors but his free-kick was wild while Juliano Leite’s header was turned away by Aitkin. Michael Carrick would have a lob tipped over by Magro but Arsenal held on to move up to third in the table. Despite this promising start DomBrown is not getting carried away and he explained their aim this season is to ‘keep the club in the top division.’ Baz might be changing his expectations to something similar after three defeats have left them just above the trapdoor.

Totaalvoetbal remain top after an explosive 3-2 win against The Vikings at Metelo Park. With both sides in good early season form this game was almost too close to call and the players wouldn’t disappoint in a thriller. Totaal had the better of the opening half but couldn’t make their chances count. William Ralph Dean drilled a powerful low shot wide before Miquel Oriol missed the target with a half-volley. A free-kick was wasted by Antonello Ballarin as he put it over and the sides would go in level. Pierre van Diemen would see an early second-half toe-poke strike a post and The Vikings would stun the home side by taking the lead from their first chance; Ferdinand Quinn smashing home after some slack marking from a corner. The home side responded well, though, and Ramiro Verona made light of a tight angle to level only for Justin Portway to convert from another corner to put The Vikings back on top. The game then swung back the other way as Dean produced a clever finish through the legs of Raasch and a penalty four minutes later gave Ballarin the chance to open his account in the famous orange. Vassilis Papakostas had a header saved at the other end as the visitors tried to get back into the contest and an Aris Almanidis free-kick unfortunately hit the bar. Their cause wasn’t helped on 90 minutes, however, as Anastasios Tassiopoulos saw red for brutal play and Zlatan Izuhimovic might have added another goal but his powerful shot was tipped over by Raasch. Ballarin also had a late free-kick but he would narrowly miss the target as Totaal ran down time on a 3-2 win. Robin Meeblind spoke of an ‘epic second-half’ before feeling relief that his side ‘escaped with three points in a game which could have gone any way.’ Eaglesrjh congratulated his opposite number before adding he ‘would have to find a midfield from somewhere for his next game.’

AFC Stanley are still unbeaten following an excellent away point at West Brom Strollers. With the champions having endured injury problems in the opening to the season Stanley went into the game full of confidence and put in an assured display. However, it would be Graham Williams of the hosts who would have the first effort; a free-kick which was off-target. Luke Riou’s header at the other end didn’t trouble Valdezuka and the sides went in goalless. There were more chances in the second-half with Matts Wallman having an early free-kick which was kicked away by the ‘keeper. A set-piece at the other end saw Williams’ effort go wide before Enzo Maersca was denied by Hessbo in the visiting goal. Stanley had late chances to win it but Jon MacClintock’s flick header brushed a post while Garry Molseley put his too near Valdezuka who saved comfortably. Nevertheless, Markham admitted he would have ‘taken a point at the start of the game’ as his side’s good start continues. Meanwhile, DD took time out from the league table to admit to being ‘excited by his latest youth talent’; a 16 4 with free-kick to boot.

Kirkbride Strollers had to survive a scare but ran out 3-2 winners over Underdogz United. With the visiting side’s future uncertain due to manager Izuka’s running battle with X11 leaders it would prove the perfect time for Kirkbride to meet them. Mark Blacklock set the tone for a strong first-half performance from the hosts as he powered in a header on 10 minutes to put them ahead. Mark Simpson would then have a lob hit the back of the net but it would be disallowed for shirt pulling in the build-up and the lead remained at one. The home side would have further chances, though, with Stephen Robinson getting his shot all wrong to trickle it at Casillas before Blacklock did make it 2-0 with a looping header. Blacklock tried to complete a first-half hat-trick but Casillas made a good leg save from a powerful strike. The second-half would be more of a contest but again the hosts would start the stronger with Robinson blasting a shot over before Simpson had a chip turned over. They would add a third goal on 56 minutes with Billy Maneater heading home with some force to leave United with it all to do. To their credit they kept their cool and attempted to work their way back into the contest. Luis Carlos Almeida would give them hope with a flicked header which found the back of the net. Ike Dyer was unfortunate not to pull another goal back as a flick header of his own hit the angle but they were only a goal behind on 85 minutes as Izu Casillas converted a penalty with ease. They would have a late chance to level the game but Leonardo Borja’s free-kick proved easy for Hill and the home side clung on for the points. Jazza will see the first-half of the season as the time to move into position for a challenge later in the term and they are managing that very well after 7 points out of an opening 12 has them in fifth. Underdogz were hit after the game by the news Izuka is stepping down but the club appear in a strong position to appoint a new manager quickly.

Real Madrid sit in second following a tight 1-0 success over Yorkshires Amateurs. Both sides have had contrasting fortunes following their promotions last season but it would be the Amateurs who would make the early running in this contest. Hugo Smallwood’s early flick header was some way off-target before Antony Wallwork put a chip over. Madrid responded in devastating fashion as a lob by Pasi Lintu found the net to give them a lead against the run of play. Lucas Ravelli was the next to try his luck for the visitors but found Beeton in decent form in the Madrid goal and the home side would take their 1-0 lead into the break. The second-half saw Madrid gain in stature and with it create more chances. A free-kick on 66 minutes saw Samvel Aivazian strike too close to Bicanco before Wallwork again put too much on his chip at the other end. Kevin Gabriele then headed wide for the hosts before Samvel Mortanian couldn’t direct his header either. Despite these misses Madrid could still celebrate another three points as they remain undefeated and in a lofty position in the table. FredRizzo will be hoping this run continues but knows they face a tough task next; away against the also unbeaten AFC Stanley. Amateurs News reported that Danlufc13 wouldn’t be panicking yet as he ‘knows they have had an extremely tough start.’

White Hawk FC picked up their first point as a top-flight side as they performed impressively at Santos FC. With neither side having won a game yet this season a draw was perhaps the most realistic outcome and it would prove that way following a tight encounter. Rogerio Franca did put Santos in front on five minutes with a fine header and it would have been two had Dankoi not saved brilliantly from Robbie Mitchell’s shot on goal. Felix Sandstrom would also be denied by Dankoi as his powerful shot was repelled and Hawk took inspiration from this. Ryan Dharmsingh’s driving shot needed saving by Rodenas but Hawk would level through a sizzling shot from Cianan Cathan. The second-half would belong to the visitors but try as they might they couldn’t force a winning goal. Urby Jerome headed dreadfully off-target and a free-kick by Adan Donahue proved no bother for Rodenas as Santos held on for a point. The frustration will be growing for Sean7 as three draws from four games have left them some way off the pace in the early stages of the season. Hooraymee will see this point as his side’s springboard for the rest of the campaign and a home match against Yorkshires Amateurs is a vital game for both clubs.