Vikings Point-ing To Title

The Vikings had to settle for a 0-0 draw at OAP Pop Punk as they inched closer to the RM Invitational title. With Pop Punk looking for points to avoid the drop there promised to be no quarter given or asked for at Pop Punk Park. The game would actually see little action with the only chance of the first-half resulting in a Justin Portway shot which was comfortably saved by Given. Pop Punk would be the more progressive side after the break and forced two chances of their own. Bosse Bong would see a header saved by Raasch before Paulino Ornelas struck a post with a fine effort in injury-time. Nevertheless, Paddy was pleased with the point ‘after sleeping through most of Tuesday.’ Eaglesrjh will be glad to get back to home comforts and a win against Stanley on Friday should take them to within touching distance of the title.

Totaalvoetbal managed to close to within two points but were made to work hard for their 1-0 home victory over ThunderCats. ThunderCats still weren’t mathematically safe going into the game and as such they weren’t going to roll over for Totaal. Indeed, they had the first chance but Placido Polo’s free-kick was turned over and the home side took control. Pierre van Diemen fired narrowly wide on eight minutes and just two minutes later William Ralph Dean had a powerful shot saved by Magro. The ‘keeper would also be alert to stop Antonello Ballarin’s mishit shot on 22 minutes while a lob by Dean moments later did went over the bar. Dean would eventually give Totaal the lead on the half-hour with a clever toe-poke which beat Magro and it might have been two moments later but Shirsh Vajpayee’s chip was tipped over by the ‘keeper. The second-half would be a completely different story as ThunderCats set about getting back into the contest. Polo would see an early free-kick blocked by Leemans before he was awarded another set-piece moments later although this time the keeper’s legs would prevent him from levelling. Raimundo Lange then powered a header wide before Izet Hadzic also shot off-target as ThunderCats stepped up the pressure. Leemans produced an excellent save on 70 minutes to deny Marcelino Morte’s header and when Polo put a last gasp free-kick over the points belonged to the hosts. Meeblind was ‘happy that his side ground out a victory’ but admitted he ‘wouldn’t be getting too excited regarding any lingering title hopes.’ Baz will be disappointed his side couldn’t earn a point following a strong second-half but he will be hopeful of points at home to Pop Punk on Friday.

Yorkshires Amateurs kept themselves alive with an impressive 2-1 away victory at West Brom Strollers. With the Amateurs knowing they needed nothing but wins to have any sort of chance they still looked in remarkably good spirits at The Hawthorns. They would be buoyed on 13 minutes as Gabriel Mohan placed home an accurate header to put them 1-0 ahead. Mohan would then power in a long range shot to double their advantage and leave West Brom with a mountain to climb. They did make a dent in this on 24 minutes courtesy of a side-footed effort by Enzo Maresca but they would endure a scare just before the break when Mohan had his hat-trick effort ruled out due to a 50/50 offside call. The second-half opened with Cyrille Regis forcing Bicanco into a fine save from a header while Antony Wallwork had a diving header saved at the other end. Regis would also power a low shot wide and with this the home side’s chance of a point had gone. Danlufc13’s side now finish with two home games and if they can defeat Kirkbride on Friday they might have a fighting chance of escaping the drop going into the final game next week. DD knows his side also has work to do to be playing RM Invitational football next term and they will hope to secure this away to Madrid next up.

Kirkbride Strollers are still in danger despite coming back from two goals down to draw with AFC Stanley. With Stanley still needing to do some work to secure safety, Kirkbride knew this would be no pushover and in the end they would have been thankful for a point. Stanley would net from their first opportunity as Jon MaClintock looped in an excellent header and when Luke Riou powered in a shot from distance the visitors were firmly in control. The second-half started in fine fashion for the hosts with Andrew Harrison lobbing in to halve the deficit. Stanley were nearly gifted a goal on 71 minutes but Harrison’s dangerous back header missed the target while Stephen Robinson failed to deliver with a free-kick for the Strollers. A free-kick for Stanley would result in MaClintock blasting an effort against the woodwork and Kirkbride would make the most of this let-off. Mark Blacklock had already seen a toe-poke hit the bar before Robinson thumped home a free-kick in injury-time to ensure a point each for the respective sides. Jazza will be relieved to have pinched a point at the death but will need his side to deliver three points at Amateurs on Friday to improve survival hopes. Markham’s side have secured their place in the top division for next season and will now look to dent The Vikings’ title hopes as they travel there on Friday.

Santos would add another point to their tally as they fought out a tough match with Arsenal DB. With Arsenal looking secure in third, Santos’ need for points was greater although the match turned out to be a tight and even affair. The first-half would yield no chances but a penalty on 49 minutes saw Rogerio Franca put Santos into the lead. Arsenal’s response came on 76 minutes and was thrilling as Francesc Fabregas curled in a superb free-kick. Santos still had time for one more chance but Franca’s lob hit the woodwork and they had to settle for a point in their battle for safety. Sean will be looking for points as they travel to Totaalvoetbal next with relegation issues still as unclear as ever. DomBrown admitted that ‘team form had been hammered’ but with just two games to go the club look in good shape for the future.

White Hawk picked up a rare three points as they defeated Real Madrid 2-0. With Hawk already down and Madrid safe in fourth the game was relatively pressure-free. Hawk opened positively and Adan Donahue powered in a shot to put them 1-0 ahead. Madrid’s response was an Iain Wright free-kick but it went over the bar. The only other chance of the half fell the way of the hosts but Ryan Dharmsingh’s shot unluckily hit the woodwork and went safe. Madrid opened the second 45 with another Wright free-kick but Dankoi made the save before another set-piece saw Wright strike the woodwork just after the hour. Byron Somaroe saw a shot saved by Adan for the hosts before they did seal the win as Clarence Ong A Fat headed home on 88 minutes. Hooraymee will be boosted by this end-of-season form and will hope they can carry this into a positive future. Fred Rizzo will be looking to finalise his plans to progress his side still further ahead of the silly-season and ultimately their second season in the top flight.