Papa The Daddy for Vikings

The Vikings won the big battle at the top of the RM Invitational as they edged Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu. With only a point separating the sides going into the contest both were eager to steal a march on the other as the season enters its second-half. Madrid began promisingly with Raul Gonzalez going close with a header which struck a post. Ferdinand Quinn responded with a free-kick which went wide for the visitors before Xabi Alonso put a diving header off-target for Madrid. Gonzalez would then put Madrid ahead with a looping header on 25 minutes and moments later it might have been two but Ruben de La Red couldn’t direct his half-volley. Quinn, meanwhile, would waste another set-piece for the visitors and they went in behind. They would be better after the break, though, and Quinn had a free-kick saved on 49 minutes. Konstantin Grozdanic would level the game on 55 minutes with a fine finish after a breakaway and the game had a dramatic ending. Alonso would have a header well saved by Raasch and The Vikings would capitalise as Vassilis Papakostas slipped the ball through the legs of Adan to put them in front. Esteban Granero would waste a late headed chance for the hosts and they would end up on the wrong end of a 2-1 score. The win was most welcome by Eaglesrjh who heaped praise on striker Justin Portway saying he deserves to be ‘mentioned in the same breath as the legends.’ Fred Rizzo was disappointed with his side’s defeat and declared ‘I thought we deserved more from the match.’

Totaalvoetbal managed to stay within a point of The Vikings as they left it late to defeat White Hawk 2-1 at Metelo Park. With differing agendas very much on the cards an explosive contest was hoped for as the sides looked for important points. Antonello Ballarin had an early curled effort held by Dankoi before Johan Juffing ballooned a lob over the bar as Totaal began well. William Ralph Dean would have a powerful shot held while Ballarin’s free-kick was also saved by Dankoi. Totaal would take the lead on 35 minutes although Zlatan Izuhimovic’s shot rather fortuitously found its way past the ‘keeper after being mishit. Adan Donahue saw a free-kick miss narrowly and the score remained 1-0 at the break. Hawk began the second-half positively with Caio Agua missing with a header before Ryan Dharmsingh did equalise with a powerful strike. Totaal managed to regroup, though, and Dean saw a half-volley miss narrowly. Dean would have the final say on 86 minutes with a stunning lob from long range to ensure they stayed in the heat of the battle. Robin Meeblind admitted some concerns after the game saying ‘I feel we will need to start scoring a greater percentage of our chances if we expect to compete this term.’ Hooraymee will be positive about this performance and confident about turning the result round in the return fixture.

AFC Stanley produced a brilliant comeback to move into fourth and leave Santos beaten 3-2 at Estadio do Deus. Both sides were looking to gain ground on the leading sides and this resulted in an open contest. Santos began quickly with Torbjorn Alshammar shooting over while Robbie Mitchell had a free-kick caught by Hessbo. Mitchell would see a further set-piece saved by the ‘keeper but Santos were in front on 16 minutes as Alshammar lobbed in a header. This became two just ten minutes later courtesy of a powerful header by Rico Raffaelli to leave Stanley reeling. However, they would find a response with Jon MacClintock powering a shot just over. Asmar Golkas missed a half-volley at the other end but Garry Molseley fired in from inside the area to give them hope before the break. The second-half began with Mitchell volleying too close to Hessbo before Matts Wallman levelled the game with a trademark free-kick on 67 minutes. Dijedon Betimaj had a shot saved as Stanley came on strong. Mitchell did miss a headed chance for the hosts and they suffered the worst possible fate as MaClintock headed home in injury-time to complete a stunning turnaround. Stanley News lauded the side’s ‘fighting spirit’ and they will hope for similar on Tuesday. Sean will be stunned by this result and will now set about picking his team up ahead of the rematch.

ThunderCats are in fifth after they secured a 2-1 success at Yorkshires Amateurs. With the home side in dire need of three points to give themselves hope of survival and ThunderCats looking to make ground at the top the fixture was highly anticipated. The Amateurs enjoyed the first chance and Gabriel Mohan produced a stunning finish to put them 1-0 up courtesy of a chip in the area. Luca Tonizu would quickly have the visitors level, though, as he scuffed a shot home with no little fortune. Andrew Potts had a free-kick saved for the Amateurs while Tonizu’s volley went miles off-target as the sides traded chances before the break. The second-half saw the visitors become more dominant and Silvio Falcao went close with a powerfully curled shot on 50 minutes. Placido Polo would head them in front on 62 minutes to leave the home side chasing the game. Izet Hadzic might have added another goal for ThunderCats but his powerful strike was saved although Potts couldn’t take advantage as he hit a free-kick too close to Magro at the other end. The final chance fell to the visitors but Carlos Partini couldn’t direct his header. Nevertheless, ThunderCats had picked up an important three points which sees them just six points back. Baz will be hopeful of victory in the return fixture as they look to build their challenge over the coming weeks. Amateurs News gave a realistic assessment saying they ‘have the weakest squad in the division and they have a real struggle to remain there.’

AFC Pop Punk picked up a highly impressive away victory at Arsenal DB to continue their move away from the bottom end of the table. With Paddy still unbeaten as manager Pop Punk travelled in confident mood but with the home side boasting a fine record at The Emirates a tight contest was anticipated. A first minute free-kick saw Francesc Fabregas go close for the hosts while Leonardo Borja missed the target with his set-piece effort at the other end. Fabregas’ next effort would be held by Given before Odinson Thor smashed the bar with an excellent strike on the stoke of half-time. The second-half proved just as tight with Cedric Roussel heading over for the visitors while Bosko Balaban went close with a powerful strike at the other end. The key moment would arrive on 83 minutes as Jean Luc Picard lobbed the ball over Aitkin and into the goal to put Pop Punk ahead. Balaban would have a late chance to level for the hosts but his lob would hit the woodwork and the points belonged to Paddy’s side. The manager was busy in the transfer market after the game adding the talented Bosse Bong to his midfield and Paddy was said to be ‘delighted’ with the acquisition. Arsenal News reported that the manager will continue to ‘find the right mix to play youths and remain in the top flight.’

The other game saw cup and league holders go head-to-head as Kirkbride and West Brom shared a 1-1 draw in the battle of the Strollers. With neither side living up to expectation so far this season both wanted to kick-start their campaign with a victory here. Billy Maneater powered an early header against the bar for the hosts but they would be behind as Cyrille Regis expertly finished from a swift break. Keith Ellison then had a shot saved for the hosts while Maneater’s strike was also repelled by Valdezuka as Kirkbride pressed for an equaliser. Maneater would be frustrated once more as his header was kicked away by Valdezuka but they would find their goal as Ellison defied a tight angle to beat the ‘keeper and level on 29 minutes. The second-half would be less eventful with just a chance to either side. However, neither would find the winning goal as Willie Johnston brushed a post for the visitors while Stephen Robinson hit a free-kick straight at the ‘keeper at the other end. Both Jazza and DD will be aware their sides are involved in relegation battles as it stands and a run of victories will be high on the agenda.