Thunder and Vikings Strike Twice

ThunderCats produced a strong home performance but had to settle for a point against a resolute The Vikings. With the visitors having opened up a three-point gap at the top they were keen not to slip-up bit they had to withstand a positive home display. Justin Portway got the visitors off to a perfect start with a thumping long range shot on five minutes. Aris Almanidis would then go close with a free-kick before Luca Tonizu wasted the home side’s first chance by shooting wide. Portway was back on the attack moments later but his shot was thwarted by Magro and ThunderCats might have capitalised but Tonizu’s free-kick struck a post. Tonizu had a further effort on 32 minutes but Raasch made a save before Portway put a chip over at the other end. Matias Rascao would fail with a low strike as ThunderCats tried to level before the break and Tonizu wasted the last chance by hitting a free-kick too close to Raasch. The second-half saw the home side continue to create chances and Tonizu came close to levelling but saw the ‘keeper turn his effort round. The equaliser finally arrived on 61 minutes with Tonizu getting his goal from the spot but minutes later they were behind once more as Portway curled a powerful shot in from some distance. However, the home side wouldn’t be disheartened and Carlos Partini saw a mishit shot strike a post as they went back on the attack. Juliano Leite did level on 74 minutes, though, as he connected sweetly with a diving header and only Raasch stopped it from being 3-2 to the hosts by tipping over a Tonizu looping header. The Vikings’ day got more difficult on 85 minutes as Portway saw red for a piece of brutal play and Placido Polo might have made them pay but mishit a shot when ideally placed. Nevertheless, the two-time champion side had produced a fine display against the champions-elect to earn a point. Baz78 will have been delighted with the performance of his side and will expect nothing less than this as the season ends as they bid to secure third spot. Eaglesrjh was happy that the retirements caused him ‘no trouble’ and will now focus on securing the title for his men.

Totaalvoetbal moved back to within a point at the top with a 4-0 victory over Real Madrid. Having stumbled in their last encounter the home side went into this one knowing nothing less than a win would suffice if their title hopes were to remain alive. Pierre van Diemen brought an excellent reflex save out of Adan early on from a brilliant volley before Antonello Ballarin did give the hosts the lead with a fine penalty on seven minutes. Edwin Hayter might have added a second moments later but saw his header strike a post while Shirsh Vajpayee’s header was held by Adan. Madrid did see Esteban Granero volley too close to Leemans but they would be 2-0 behind on 25 minutes as Ballarin curled home a free-kick. Pablo Sarabia would also have an effort for the visitors but his chip missed the target and they went in with it all to do. The second-half continued on the same pattern with Ballarin netting his hat-trick goal with a clinical header. Striker van Diemen would see another volley saved before a breakaway move ended with Ballarin chipping in his and his side’s fourth of the day. Ballarin might have added a fifth but his shot brushed a post and Totaal finished on a downer as Johan Juffing saw red for elbowing. Nevertheless, Totaal had secured an important three points although Robin Meeblind still said ‘The Vikings are in the driving seat, no question.’ FredRizzo will be hopeful of more than this as the season enters the final straight and they will need better performances if they are to avoid the drop.

OAP Pop Punk recorded a vital win at the bottom end of the table as they edged Yorkshires Amateurs 1-0 at George at Asda Pop Punk Park. With both sides having shown strong form recently a close encounter was expected and it delivered nothing less. Cedric Roussell gave Pop Punk an ideal opening by lobbing home on eight minutes to the despair of the visitors. Habib Bowser would also try to lob in for the hosts but his effort struck the angle and the score remained 1-0 at the break. The Amateurs would be better after the break but Hugo Smallwood headed wide before Andrew Potts put a free-kick off-target as they slipped to a damaging defeat. Paddy declared that his side ‘could finish as high as third’ but he will also be keeping a watchful eye on the relegation zone. Danlufc13 will be disappointed by this defeat but if they can find a couple of wins over the next few games they could still escape the dreaded drop.

Kirkbride would also pick up an important win down near the bottom of the table as they outplayed Santos to come away with a 2-0 win. With both sides uncomfortable in their position they were eager not to give ground to the other but it would be the home side who would emerge as the dominant force. The game would have a quiet opening but Kirkbride did breathe a sigh of relief when Robbie Mitchell’s mishit shot was disallowed due to a dubious offside decision. Mark Blacklock would then be presented with a chance at the other end but he too mishit his shot before Richard Weston chipped over before the break. Kirkbride would find a more clinical nature to their finishing after the break, though, and took the lead on 59 minutes when Weston placed beyond Rodenas following a smart breakaway. This looked to have become two on 72 minutes with Billy Maneater looping home a header only to have his celebrations cut short due to another strange offside call. However, they would get their second goal with time running out as Blacklock produced an excellent chip in the area to seal the win for the home side. The win will be crucial to Jazza’s hopes of keeping his side up and they face an important trip to Arsenal on Tuesday. Sean7 was recently reported to have a desire for his side ‘to go back to the offensive football that fans are accustomed to seeing’ but it remains to be seen whether they can do this against The Vikings on Friday.

West Brom and Arsenal were involved in a tight 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns as things remained close in the top division. With neither side safe from the drop points were all-important and would result in a cagey encounter. A free-kick on six minutes saw Jesse Pennington bring a fine save out of Aitkin in the visiting goal but the defender would get his revenge on 25 minutes by thumping another set-piece beyond the ‘keeper to give West Brom the advantage. Arsenal would recover in the second-half to create a chance of their own; Francesc Fabregas shooting home in the area following a corner. This goal would be enough for a point and pleased DomBrown who had played some youth players in the encounter. DD will look to keep his side in the division before hoping for a return to glory next term.

White Hawk and Stanley were also involved in a draw in the days other match as they shared four goals at White Stadium. Having endured a troubled week, Stanley were looking for three points to ease relegation fears while Hawk were waiting for the inevitability of relegation after finding themselves some points adrift. A free-kick on five minutes saw Matts Wallman curl an effort high over the bar before Luke Riou powered in the opener from distance to give Stanley the lead. Hawk’s response was an Adan Donahue free-kick which needed saving by Hessbo while Urby Jerome had a powerful finish ruled out for offside. Ryan Dharmsingh did level on the stroke of half-time, though, with a looping header from a fine cross and the sides would go in at 1-1. Stanley would look to reassert themselves after the break but Riou saw a lob come back off the bar rather unfortunately. Riou would get a second goal on 66 minutes with another clean strike from distance but Dharmsingh quickly levelled once more with a clinical strike in the area two minutes later. Per-Elvis Granander had a shot saved for the visitors while Wallman put a free-kick well-over as Stanley tried to hit the front once more. Meanwhile, Donahue had a couple of free-kick efforts at the other end but was denied comfortably by Hessbo and the sides would go away with a point each. Hooraymee will be planning for life in Division One unless a miracle occurs while Markham33 will be happy to have picked up another point and will look to put relegation fears to bed with a win against the Amateurs on Friday.