Brown Pops Punks' Resistance

West Brom Strollers picked up an important win at the bottom end of the table as they defeated OAP Pop Punks 1-0 at The Hawthorns. With three points separating the sides both knew the importance of the match-up but the home side would edge a dramatic three points. West Brom saw Lee Hughes threaten early and he was unfortunate as his shot hit a post and went safe. This proved the only chance of the opening half but there would be more opportunities after the break. A Richard Sneekes half-volley never really threatened for the hosts before Bosse Bong curled a powerful shot on target only for Valdezuka to make the save. Habib Bowser would then see a side-footed effort saved and West Brom capitalised on this by pinching an injury-time winner. It came from the spot and was coolly despatched by Tony Brown as the home crowd celebrated a vital win. DD will be delighted with this important win but with only a point separating them from the bottom three there is work to be done. Paddy bemoaned a ‘cruel loss’ but will be sure to have his side refocused for the crucial match against Kirkbride on Friday.

Kirkbride warmed up for that by picking up a massive three points with a 1-0 home success over Totaalvoetbal. With Totaal still chasing The Vikings at the head of proceedings the enormity of the match wasn’t lost on either side but the home team would produce a display deserving of the points. Totaal would have the first chance but Pierre van Diemen shot straight at Hill with a finish which would be indicative of their day. A free-kick at the other end saw Stephen Robinson force Leemans into a save with his legs before he put another effort more tamely at the ‘keeper. The second-half would see more chances as the game opened up and the first fell to Kirkbride as Mark Blacklock forced Leemans into another save. The visiting response forced Robinson into hitting a back pass off his own post but the midfielder, and Kirkbride, escaped. The home side would have the next chance but Andrew Harrison’s toe-poke didn’t trouble Leemans before Antonello Ballarin hit an uncharacteristically tame free-kick at the other end. Edwin Hayter would then force Hill into a save from a header while Scott Beattie missed narrowly from a drive as the game continued apace. Blacklock would be desperately unlucky with a volley which struck the woodwork but he got his goal moments later as a fine lob deceived Leemans to give the home side a deserved lead. Totaal had a late chance to pinch a point but Hayter couldn’t curl his shot on target and they had fallen to a damaging defeat. Jazza will be heartened by the display from his side but similar performances will be needed to steer his side to safety. Robin Meeblind called the defeat ‘deserved’ and the ‘form loss damaging’ ahead of the match-up with The Vikings but declared that ‘he hoped the best side won on Friday.’

The Vikings couldn’t extend their lead despite Totaal’s loss as they too fell to a 1-0 defeat, this one at the hands of Arsenal. With The Vikings not wanting to drop any points in pursuit of the title they knew they were up against dangerous opponents in pressure-free Arsenal. The first-half would belong to the visitors but they would find the finishing touch lacking. Ferdo Pecar would see his header held by Aitkin before Russell Ovendale saw his shot come unfortunately off a post. The final chance fell to Lewis Branston and he too would see his luck out as the ball hit the woodwork and went safe. The second-half was a role-reversal of the first but Bosko Balaban lobbed Arsenal into an early lead to provide the finish the visitors had craved. Balaban might have made it two moments later but put his diving header wide although it wouldn’t matter as they saw out time on an impressive victory. Dom Brown declared himself happy that ‘they have done enough to ensure they stay in the top flight’ and they are sure to be a team to watch next term. Eaglesrjh privately admitted that this season has ‘been one of (my) most enjoyable’ and was looking forward to Friday.

Santos would produce a strong home performance to defeat ThunderCats 2-0 and ease their relegation worries. With Santos just a point off the bottom three their need was greater than that of ThunderCats and their greater desire in front of goal showed. A penalty on three minutes gave them the ideal start with Rogerio Franca drilling past Magro to put Santos 1-0 ahead. Robbie Mitchell would then miss a headed chance but they would be 2-0 ahead on 27 minutes when Mitchell did place the ball beyond Magro and into the net. Silvio Falcao nearly brought ThunderCats back into it before the break but saw his steered shot hit the bar and they went in with it all to do. Santos would look to put the game to bed before the hour-mark but Magro saved from Mitchell’s free-kick and the visitors had a couple of late chances. However, Luca Tonizu’s header was punched away by Rodenas before he then hit a post with a fine free-kick. Sean will have been happy with his side’s performance but with others winning round him he will know they need a similar performance at White Hawk to keep their heads above water. Baz won’t be too disheartened but won’t want his side to finish weakly following a good campaign.

Yorkshires Amateurs saw their survival hopes fade while White Hawk were finally relegated as they fought out a 2-2 draw at The Thorp Arches. With Amateurs having hopes of getting out of the bottom three they knew three points against Hawk were essential but they were to be denied by a late equaliser. Antony Wallwork powered in a great header to put Amateurs ahead on 15 minutes and he might have added a second 10 minutes later but Dankoi made the save. Matts Perman would mishit a shot when well-placed for Hawk and they would go in a goal behind. The second-half opened with Charly Chan Jet Soe lobbing in a fine equaliser just before the hour before he nearly repeated the dose only for Bicanco to make the save. Amateurs thought they had won it on 82 minutes when Andrew Potts stroked home a penalty but a Soe thunderbolt on 87 minutes ensured the sides would share the spoils. Danlufc13 will recognise his side now face an almost impossible task but his side will undoubtedly battle on. Hooraymee has had his worst fears realised but he can now set about the task of making sure they bounce back at the first time of asking.

Real Madrid would keep distance between themselves and the drop zone with a good 2-0 home win over AFC Stanley. Despite both sides sitting in a mid-table position they knew they had to keep picking up points to maintain a healthy gap to the bottom three. The game was a slow-burner and would see no openings in the first 45 minutes. Madrid would start the second-half well, though, with Raul Gonzalez having a curled shot saved before Iain Wright rounded Hessbo to give them the lead just after the hour. Jon MaClintock tried to level quickly but his lob hit the bar and Madrid sealed the win just before time with Gonzalez shooting home clinically from inside the area. Fred Rizzo will have been delighted with his side’s last couple of games and if they carry on should find themselves in the top division next term. Markham will be similarly hopeful for his Stanley side but they face a big home match against West Brom on Friday.