Potts Fires Shots for Amateurs

Yorkshires Amateurs picked up their first win since their return to top flight football as they overcame White Hawk FC 3-2. With both sides enduring a winless streak to start the season this match took on extra significance but the game proved to be open and entertaining. Hawk would look to strike the first blow and moments after Urby Jerome had seen a header saved by Bicanco, Charly Chan Jet Soe curled in a beautiful opener on eight minutes. The visitors wouldn’t take long to find their rhythm either but Antony Wallwork could only curl a shot wide on 18 minutes. Ryan Dharmsingh would then waste a chance to make it 2-0 to the hosts as he saw a lobbed header tipped over by Bicanco before another strike hit a post. The Amateurs would then enjoy a fine spell before the break and Derek Naples was unlucky with a shot which went just wide. Amadeo Caviedes would be the next to have a go but his powerful strike was parried by Dankoi. Nevertheless the visitors wouldn’t be denied their equaliser as Andrew Potts hit a long range shot beyond the ‘keeper on 44 minutes. The second-half wouldn’t see as many chances but would see plenty of goals. The Amateurs took the lead when Caviedes drilled in from distance on 63 minutes and once Potts had converted a penalty 10 minutes later they looked well in control. Hawk did manage a late consolation via the spot on 94 minutes courtesy of Adan Donahue but they had run out of time to snatch a point out of the game. Amateurs News reported that ‘a slightly more adventurous line-up’ paid dividends and they will now look to build on that against Stanley on Tuesday. Hooraymee has another home match next and will understand the necessity for three points as they remain winless.

The Vikings produced a storming first-half performance to defeat Arsenal DB 3-1 at Viking Land. On the back of defeat in their last game and with Arsenal in good form the home side knew they would have to be on top of their game and they wouldn’t disappoint. Ferdinand Quinn set the tone for a one-sided first-half by shooting home on just four minutes to delight The Viking support. Justin Portway quickly chipped in a second and Ferdo Pecar narrowly failed to make it three when his curled shot went just wide. Portway forced Aitkin into a decent save on 15 minutes from a placed shot but Thorbjorn Lind did add to their lead on the stroke of half-time with a clinical strike in the penalty area. Arsenal managed to restore a little pride in the second-half and pulled a goal back on 56 minutes when Francesc Fabregas placed home from their first chance. The same player might have set alarm bells ringing on 72 minutes with a header but it would brush a post and the home side would run down time on a fine victory. Eaglesrjh pronounced himself ‘still pretty happy with the progress so far’ and they look to be in prime position for a continued push for the title. Dom Brown admitted he is ‘trying a different formation each game’ in readiness for ‘next season.’

ThunderCats enjoyed a return to form in a 3-1 success over struggling Santos at Thundera Grounds. With Santos unable to find a win in their opening matches and ThunderCats also in need of a win something had to give in this match-up. The home side started in positive fashion with Silvio Falcao heading just wide but they would be stunned on 12 minutes as Robbie Mitchell powered in a header to put Santos in front. However, they would gift ThunderCats an immediate route back into the game as a miss-kick in front of his own goal by Torbjorn Alshammar resulted in the equalising goal. Falcao would then double Santos’ pain by putting the Cats in front with a finish of quality and the same player then defied a tight angle to put the home side 3-1 up on 31 minutes. Santos did try to get back into it before the break but a shot by Asmar Golkas went well-over and they faced a two-goal half-time deficit. The second-half began with Placido Polo putting a free-kick into the arms of Lukic while Mitchell forced Magro into a leg save at the other end. Mitchell would try his luck from a free-kick on 61 minutes and unfortunately saw his effort strike the angle of post and bar before Marcelo Afonso put a header poorly off-target. Santos continued to press but Mitchell’s luck was most definitely out as his free-kick struck wood again and this would prove their last chance. Carlos Partini missed a late chance for the home side but it proved irrelevant as they returned to winning ways. Baz will now look for his side to move further up the table with three points away to White Hawk and in this form they will be favourites. Santos News reported that ‘Sean7’s reluctance to spend on training sessions in order to get another superstar defender’ might be to blame for the side’s stuttering beginning to the campaign and they will need to find some wins soon to avoid a season of struggle.

At the top of the table Totaalvoetbal were held 1-1 by a strong Kirkbride Strollers side at Metelo Park. The home side were in confident mood after a good win last time out but came up against a resilient and impressive Kirkbride unit. It would be Totaal who would start the most impressively and they were in front on 10 minutes as Antonello Ballarin delivered a delightful free-kick which beat the despairing Hill in goal. Ramiro Verona would waste a chance to double the lead as he headed wide while Mark Simpson hit a tame shot at Leemans at the other end. The half ended as it began with a Ballarin free-kick but this time Hill was well-positioned to make the save. The second-half would see the visiting side become the more progressive unit. However, they had to survive an early Shirsh Vajpayee header which needed saving by Hill. Simpson would then see a volley saved by Leemans at the other end but they would find their equaliser moments later as a lob header by Malcolm Graham found the net. Billy Maneater then pressed Leemans into further action with a shot from close range before Stephen Robinson hit a post with a thumping free-kick. Totaal would respond but Zlatan Izuhimovic’s header was saved and they were once more indebted to Leemans who saved well from Graham at the other end. There was still time for Jaap Cruz to try and pinch the win for the home side but his booming drive struck a post and the sides settled for a point each. Robin Meeblind was ‘nothing more than satisfied’ with a point but admitted Kirkbride ‘will challenge all season for the title.’ Jazza’s side are just three points back of Totaal and they will now look to take advantage of a home fixture against Arsenal on Tuesday.

Real Madrid are still locked on points with Totaalvoetbal at the top as they took a point from a 0-0 draw with AFC Stanley. With both sides unbeaten following impressive starts to the campaign a tight match was expected and that is exactly how it panned out. The first-half proved a non-event as Stanley enjoyed a lot of possession but couldn’t make any chances while Madrid seemed content to just sit in. There would be chances after the break, though, and Jon MacClintock brought the very best out of Beeton from a steered shot before Garry Molseley got his shot all-wrong when well-placed. Madrid hit back and saw Samvel Mortanian bring a good save out of Hessbo before he then struck a free-kick too close to the ‘keeper. A late diving header by Vladimir Aleksanian went wide and the game would finish goalless. FredRizzo will see this as another positive display and his side continue to impress in their debut season. Markham looks to have his team primed for another strong season and will be looking to put themselves in contention at the halfway stage.

Underdogz United and West Brom Strollers played out a 0-0 draw in another tight game at Surprise Stadium. With time running out on Izuka’s stay at Underdogz his side put in a tiresome display to hold last season’s champions to a draw. Lee Hughes did nearly give West Brom an ideal start with a lobbed header which struck the woodwork but that would be the only chance in an otherwise quiet half of football. West Brom would also enjoy the first chance of the second-half and Hughes once again struck the woodwork this time with a half-volley. They would suffer more misfortune on 56 minutes when Willie Johnston side-footed beyond Casillas and, once again, the frame of the goal came to Underdogz’s rescue. The home side would force a chance on 72 minutes but Leonardo Borja couldn’t beat Valdezuka from a free-kick and 0-0 would be the final score. With Izuka looking like having one more game in charge of United he will be hopeful his side can give him a winning exit at home to Madrid. DD has seen his side struggle to score goals of late but with Bassett due back in their next game their title aspirations will surely improve.