Vikings Cruz-ing to Title

The Vikings struck a massive blow in the title race as they defeated Totaalvoetbal 2-1 at Viking Land. With just a point separating the sides defeat for either was unthinkable but it would be the hosts who would dominate. Totaal would pay the price for their lack of caution around referee Al Reddy as the referee caned them in the first 45 minutes. Both the home chances came from free-kicks but Aris Almanidis found Leemans well-placed in the first minute to make a save. The second opportunity would come on the stroke of half-time as Jaap Cruz was sent-off for fouling as the last man to leave the away side with a rearguard action to undertake. Benito Villas would have his header from the resultant free-kick tipped round as Totaal managed to go in level. The pattern would continue on 55 minutes as Almanidis curled in a fine free-kick only for Leemans to once again excel. However, the visiting side’s resistance was broken on 75 minutes when superstar Justin Portway looped in a fine header to set-off delirious scenes in the home crowd. This would become 2-0 just 10 minutes later as Portway launched himself to meet an Almanidis cross with an emphatic diving header. Totaal did briefly stir and Johan Juffing pulled a goal back with a nicely steered effort but the game would finish on a fitting note as Almanidis drove a free-kick just too high. Eaglesrjh admitted he was ‘very very happy to win the game’ but the manager admitted he would not be celebrating until the title was mathematically safe. Robin Meeblind, though, had a different take on it saying ‘the title is theirs’ and that The Vikings deserve ‘all the plaudits they will receive.’

OAP Pop Punk struck a big blow at the other end of the table as they defeated Kirkbride Strollers 2-1. With the Strollers just a point behind the winners knew they would have a big edge going into the final few fixtures. Mark Blacklock would miss an early chance for the visitors from a header and they would then find themselves behind as Habib Bowser toe-poked home cleverly just three minutes later. Abou Diaby would put a shot wide before Jordi Cruyff added the second with an excellent diving header as Pop Punk took complete control. The second-half would open with a Bosse Bong free-kick but the ball was stopped by Hill and Kirkbride pulled a goal back courtesy of a flick header from Andrew Harrison. Kirkbride were buoyed by this and Stephen Robinson brought an excellent save out of Shay Given from a free-kick before he lobbed a further effort just over. Pop Punk did see Bong hit a post with a free-kick before Dijedon Betimaj smashed the bar with a beautiful chip as they continued to look dangerous in attack. However, the visitors would have chances to level but Blacklock would see a decent strike and a header saved as their efforts were met with frustration. Paddy knows his side can now confirm their safety by defeating The Vikings on Tuesday and the side will be desperate to do this and concentrate on better times ahead. Jazza will be hoping home comforts help his side on Tuesday as they entertain Stanley knowing defeat could leave them with a mountain to climb.

AFC Stanley look safe following a solid 2-0 home victory over West Brom Strollers. With the Strollers hovering above the bottom three, Stanley were keen to keep them there and push themselves nearer the safety mark points wise. The first chance saw Matts Wallman hit a free-kick wide but the breakthrough wouldn’t take long to come. Wallman would flight another set-piece onto the head of Luke Riou and the forward headed emphatically home to put Stanley 1-0 up. Bryan Robson did head over at the other end but the home side would go in at the break with a deserved advantage. Stanley would be even more dominant after the break but Riou couldn’t double his tally as he put a header off-target. Lucio Rodriguez would then mishit a shot when well-placed but Stanley would get their second goal late on. Ironically, it would come via the head of ex-Strollers hero, Bobby Taylor as he powered home a super header to put the game safe for the home side. Riou would still have time to hit another shot over but the points were safe for a dominant Stanley. Markham will now want his side to make absolutely sure by picking up one more win while DD will be keen his side pick up three points at home to Amateurs on Tuesday.

Santos only managed a point in a 1-1 draw at White Hawk as their predicament remained precarious. With Santos just a point above the drop zone they would have pinpointed this match as one where they expected three points but came up against a spirited home side. Santos did start well with Asmar Golkas beating Dankoi following a breakaway only to see the goal disallowed. Hawk’s first chance wouldn’t arrive until 42 minutes and Ryan Dharmsingh couldn’t capitalise as he put a volley over. They would start the better after the break but Jerry Raafenberg had a header saved and Santos struck first with Adriano Ribeiro shooting home after a corner. However, the response was swift with Dharmsingh driving a powerful shot in from distance and they might even have won it but Adan Donahue put a free-kick off-target. Hooraymee will have been boosted by his side’s performance and if they can take this form into next season they should enjoy a better time of things. Sean has indicated a ‘lack of bonding’ might be behind his side’s struggles this season so expect everything to be tried to turn their fortunes round in the last three games.

Real Madrid all but secured their place in the top division for next season with a 3-1 success at Yorkshires Amateurs. With the home side looking in deep trouble, Madrid looked to take advantage and they would secure three vital points. Madrid would show a clinical touch in front of goal and their two chances in the first-half resulted in a 2-0 half-time lead. Roberto Carlos toe-poked them ahead on eight minutes and when Iain Wright looped in a header on 19 minutes they were in firm control of the game. Wright swiftly made it 3-0 at the start of the second-half with a nicely steered finish. Antony Wallwork had a lob tipped over at the other end before heading one back but ultimately they couldn’t produce any more and fell to a damaging defeat. Fred Rizzo claimed his side ‘played a great match’ and will look for more of the same against White Hawk next. Danlufc13 will realise his side are as good as down but they will look to delay it with victory at West Brom on Tuesday.

Arsenal DB put in a good away performance to move clear in third with a 2-0 win at ThunderCats. Both sides were looking for victory to push them as high up the standings as they could go but it would be the visitors who would produce the outstanding performance. A free-kick on 14 minutes saw Francesc Fabregas put an effort wide before Rafael da Silva had a shot held by Magro in an otherwise quiet first-half. Arsenal would continue to look the more likely after the break and Nemanja Vidic had already shot over by the time Darren Gibson volleyed them into the lead from distance. Arsenal would then secure the victory late on as a penalty allowed Cole Aitkin the opportunity to slot home and he wouldn’t disappoint. Word out of Arsenal is they are now chasing second as they look to finish the season on a high. ThunderCats will be eager to claim one more win so they can relax ahead of the final week.