Eagles Soars to RMI Crown

The Vikings claimed their first ever RM Invitational title as they defeated AFC Stanley 2-0 at home. The Vikings knew there was a chance going into the contest that a win could secure them the championship and so it proved. The Vikings would make the running in the opening 45 minutes but had to survive a Garry Molseley strike which went wide. Ferdo Pecar would miss the home side’s first chance by putting a header wide before Ferdinand Quinn hit a free-kick straight at Hessbo. The goal would come on 22 minutes as Vassilis Papakostas drilled in a powerful low shot to get the home fans dreaming. Anastasios Tassiopoulos nearly made it two but mishit his shot against a post but Lewis Branston would double the lead on 42 minutes with an excellent header. The Vikings were then happy to keep Stanley at arm’s length for the second 45 minutes to complete a 2-0 victory and a well-deserved title. News came out of Viking World that the manager and team ‘have been partying since the victory’ and the celebrations are sure to last for some time. Markham will be happy to see his side secure in the league and they will hope to sign off with victory over ThunderCats on Tuesday.

Totaalvoetbal’s title challenge ended with a whimper as they were outclassed by Santos 3-0 at Metelo Park. With Santos still needing to take care of business at the wrong end of the table they found greater desire in their performance to dominate proceedings. A quiet first-half saw only one opening with Torbjorn Alshammar forcing Leemans into a leg save from a free-kick. Santos would grow in confidence after the break and hit the front on 56 minutes with Alshammar slamming home an excellent strike from another set-piece. Robbie Mitchell would add a second with a powerful header on 71 minutes and the chances kept coming for the rampant visitors. Mitchell would loop another header high over the bar before Rico Raffaelli did add another with a bicycle kick. Marcelo Afonso then demanded a save from Leemans from his flick header before Raffaelli mishit a shot against a post late on. Sean was happy that his side survived although admitted ‘his tactics this season were spotty at best’ and the league will await a stronger side next term. Robin Meeblind offered ‘congratulations’ to Eagles before admitting he was ‘looking forward to the break over silly season.’

Yorkshires Amateurs were relegated at the other end of the division as Kirkbride Strollers held them to a 1-1 draw. With both sides having severe relegation difficulties this game was expected to be tight and nervy. Kirkbride saw Andrew Harrison steer an early shot just over before Derek Naples had a shot held by Hill at the other end as both sides looked for an early goal. Hugo Smallwood would see a header turned over by Hill as Amateurs pressed next but it would be Kirkbride who would open the scoring as Stephen Robinson belted home a free-kick. The second-half would remain as tight with the first chance coming from a free-kick which Robinson put over. Amateurs did level on 78 minutes as Jelle Kappenburg finished a fine breakaway but they would not be able to force any more chances. Kirkbride did have one last chance to pinch victory but Keith Ellison’s driving shot struck a post and they had to settle for a point. Jazza will know his side realistically need to win their final game at home to Madrid and hope West Brom don’t match or better that result. Danlufc13 has admitted promotion came ‘just that bit too soon’ but will be hopeful of another tilt at it next term.

OAP Pop Punk secured their safety with a 4-1 away win at ThunderCats. With both sides still not out of the woods mathematically a tough encounter was expected but the visitors would display better finishing. A diving header by Jordi Cruyff needed stopping by Magro and the hosts would immediately take advantage as Juliano Leite produced an excellent bicycle-kick to put them into a 1-0 lead. Eric Cantona would soon have the game level, though, albeit with a somewhat mishit shot on 21 minutes. Cruyff would then see a powerful strike held by Magro before Silvio Falcao tested Given at the other end. Bosse Bong would be the next to try his luck but his strike was straight at Magro before Luca Tonizu chipped over for ThunderCats. The game continued to go from end-to-end and on 42 minutes Shay Given put Pop Punk ahead from a coolly taken penalty. This would remain the score at the break and the second 45 minutes would continue to see chances. Jean Luc Picard saw a shot from a tight angle saved by Magro before he lobbed another effort over. At the other end Tonizu hit a free-kick which was miles off-target and ThunderCats fell further behind as Picard connected sweetly with a bicycle-kick. Tonizu would send another free-kick too close to Given before the ‘keeper also turned his header round the post on 72 minutes. Habib Bowser then confirmed the win with a calm finish four minutes later to put Pop Punk 4-1 up. Given would save yet again from a Tonizu free-kick and the visitors would see out time on a fine victory. Paddy will now set about moulding his team into an even stronger force next season and the signs look good. Baz’s side also confirmed their safety despite the defeat but they will also be looking for something more progressive next term.

West Brom Strollers remain on the precipice of the drop as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Real Madrid. With Madrid comfortable in fourth place all the focus was on the visitors but they would be unable to find the victory they craved. Enzo Maresca mishit a shot when well-placed with the first chance for West Brom while Pablo Sarabia blasted a shot over at the other end. From the other chance of the half Maresca put his shot comfortably wide to sum up an uninspiring half. Lee Hughes would have a further chance for West Brom on the hour but Casillas saved from his steered shot and their chance had gone. Madrid might have made matters worse for the visitors but Iain Wright couldn’t direct a free-kick past Carson and both sides picked up a point. DD will now expect his side to confirm safety with a victory at White Hawk on Tuesday and they will need to do so by a comfortable margin to make absolutely sure with goal difference likely to play a part. Fred Rizzo can confidently look ahead to next term following an excellent beginning to life in the RM top division.

Arsenal DB and White Hawk FC drew 2-2 at The Emirates in an open game in the division’s other encounter. With both sides knowing where they will finish the pressure was off the players who produced an excellent match. Michael Carrick placed an early header wide for Arsenal before Ryan Dharmsingh chipped over at the other end. Carrick was in the action once more on 11 minutes but saw his lobbed header tipped over by Dankoi while Aitkin was called into action in the home goal to save from a Charly Chan Jet Soe header. Adan Donahue would also try his luck for the visitors but shot wide while Faustino Asprilla brought a fine leg save out of Dankoi at the other end. As the game continued to ebb-and-flow the next effort came from Hawk who saw Dharmsingh’s placed shot saved by Aitkin. Hawk would take the lead on 42 minutes, though, as Matts Perman rounded the ‘keeper and slotted home. Arsenal would have the chance to respond on the stroke of half-time but Francesc Fabregas’ free-kick was repelled by Dankoi as Hawk took a 1-0 lead into the break. Asprilla would level up quickly at the beginning of the second-half, though, with a powerful header and Arsenal turned the game round on 50 minutes with a penalty by the forward putting them 2-1 up. Hawk would not be overawed despite finding themselves behind although Donahue’s free-kick was saved by Aitkin. Arsenal might have made the game safe but for a poor Asprilla header before they saw Yucel Kanburoglu sent-off for arguing. Urby Jerome would take advantage of the extra man for the hosts by slotting home following a breakaway and Donahue might have made things better but saw his free-kick saved. This proved the last chance of an enthralling game which saw both sides take a point home. Dom Brown was happy with a ‘respectable third place finish’ before adding they ‘might try something new’ to finish the season on a high. Hooraymee’s side has picked up of late and the signs are good for the start of the new season in Division One.