Kirkbride Counters Clinch Three Points

Big thanks to Sean7 for providing us with the review for round four of the RMI.

Kirkbride Strollers traveled to Viking Land to battle RMI Champion defenders The Vikings. Things started right from the get-go with Kirkbridge giving up a penalty in the first minute. Up stepped Evsthasios Gourmas, converting a cool penalty to give the early lead to the home side. Kirkbride settled their nerves after, and in the 13th minute, Billy Maneater finished with a strong header past the outstretched arms of Lukas Raasch to level things. From there, it was a match of chances, as possession was even in the contest, with Kirkbride opting to go as defensive as possible and hit on the counter, while Vikings looked to retain possession through their strongest three midfielders. In the second half, the action picked up from where it started, with Malcolm Graham picking up a free header caused by some defensive confusion to give the lead for Kirkbride. Vikings did their best to take back control of the game when Ferdinand Quinn launched a 40-yard screamer to keep the home side in it. However, Kirkbride killed the game off with a calm finish by Billy Maneater, his 2nd of the night, and Strollers winning 3-2. Eagles will be happy that the Vikings still remain atop the table and will look to make some minor adjustments to continue his title defence, attempting to become the first side since Meelas’ Thundercats in seasons 3-4. Eagles has stated in pre-season that Justin Portway is the forward of the future, and the young man will want to prove he belongs among the world’s best forwards. Jazza, having made no purchases over the last few seasons, will look to keep his superstars Keith Ellison and X11 leader Andrew Harrison hungry for success. On their day, it is hard to beat this midfield, and Jazza will want the superstars to carry the team, with the youth prospects providing clutch performances.


Arsenal DB got their first win of the season in a 4-2 win over Thundercats. While the home side dominated proceedings with their possession, Arsenal proved in converting their chances efficiently. The 14th minute saw Thundercats give up a penalty, up stepped captain and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to convert the penalty, 1-0 to the Arsenal. From there both sides refused to blow the game, preserving their energy for the second half fireworks. In the 56th minute, an indirect freekick saw Cesc Fabregas roll the ball to Emanuell Adalov placing the ball perfectly right inside the goalposts to make it 2-0 for DB. Meelas’s side responded in the 72nd minute by upcoming sensation Raimundo Lange. In the 87th and 88th minute however, Arsenal were quick to dispatch the game and silence the home crowd, courtey of super strikes by RVP and MOTM Faustino Asprilla. Veteran Silvio Falcao added a long range shot for the home side, but at the end of the day the visitors grabbed all three points. Dom Brown was elated for their first win of the campaign, adding that the opposition may see his ‘arsenal’ of offensive firepower through his seven strikers. Despite the departure of world-beater Nelson Queimado, manager Baz is comfortable with his array of special quality midfielders. He may look to tighten the defence as he looks to win games through this strong midfield.

Bosse Bong was the player of the week after continuing his torrid run atop the point charts, as OAP Pop Punk produced a scintillating display against a Totaalvoetbal side hungry for top honours. The match was a hard battle between defences, as neither side looked to give away a goal from open play. However, in the 8th minute Habib Browser got the visitors to a quick start with a shot in the penalty area, 1-0. In the 24th minute, a stalwart defence led by Jaap Cruz conceded a foul near the penalty area, a dangerous area for freekick specialists. Former Bully Boys player Bosse Bong struck gold with a curling screamer, leaving goalkeeper Ard Leemans helpless to make it 2-0 to the home side. Bosse Bong added to his tally with a Gerrard-like long range shot to seal the three points and give Pop Punk their victory. Paddy will be pleased with his team’s performance away from home, and must be pleased with how his star young midfielder is adapting to top league competition. Bosse Bong is a name to watch out for on the scoring sheets come end of season. Meanwhile, concerns about Zlatan Izuhimovic early in the pre-season were swept away by the Oranje manager, but better will be expected among the RMI’s strongest front three of Dean, PVD, and Izuhimovic. Nonetheless, RMB’s side is considered top contenders for the RMI title.

AFC Stanley won the battle among hot contested rivals Santos FC, 2-1 at Garden Street. It was a tense affair, both sides feeling each other out until the second half. In the 47th minute AFC Stanley won a penalty on the edge of the box, for Wilfred Tolkien to give the lead for Stanley. In the 78th minute, Santos fought back with a header by new acquisition Per-Anders Fajerrson, to level matters, 1-1. Stanley-Santos games have always had a history of improbable comebacks and last minute goals, and this occasion was no different. It was the 90th minute when Luis Almeida broke free from the defence to send a scintillating cross towards the head of Bobby Taylor, a fierce header that left the visitors helpless and the crowd roaring, as Stanley’s last-ditch efforts won them the game. Markham will be pleased with his first win and will look to build on a strong campaign from last season, and will look for veterans Bobby Taylor and Garry Molseley to groom the next generation of AFC Stanley forwards in Floyd Landers, Daley Eavis and Godfrey Hoffman. Sean7 will be disappointed with the last minute defensive frailties of the squad, and will look to shake things up by next round against Real Madrid FC.

TheSmurf and Smurftastic Smurfs continued their surprising run in their first season of RMI football, this time a 2-0 win over Real Madrid FC. Originally, the Hun Haters, the club had enjoyed a fantastic spell in the top flight before crashing out through relegation. TheSmurf has seemingly re-vitalized the squad and keeping their spirit alive. Defensive prowess was on display for the visiting team, allowing zero chances and scoring two through Ashton Crosby and midfield dynamo Craig Elliston. All-world forward Ernie Ormondroyd is leading the line and has already amassed 3 X11s. Watch out for wily veteran Finlay MacCleir, the 3rd leading all time point man will look to prove he has some tricks up his sleeves to win games for Smurfs. Meanwhile Fred Rizzo will look to get his offence going, looking for superlative forward Raul Gonzalez to win games for them. The purchases of Lassana Diarra and Ian Wright are important, but Xabi Alonso and Estaban Granero will have to prove a better partnership as they orchestrate Madrid’s attacks.

Pahang United battled fellow RMI first timers in Splott Rovers, with the home side winning 2-1. Pahang imposed their will through the midfield, with Ray Eastwood picking MOTM honours, Geraldo Aguiar picking up a goal (25th minute penalty) and an assist, and Romeo Hogg scoring the decisive goal to win the match. TrueBlue will look to build on his impressive start in the campaign, his past strength in defence has propelled the team forward in past seasons and will look to be integral in his first RMI season. Manager CarbonMonoxide did not expect to be at the bottom of the table after four games. However, CM is well aware of this, striving for a win and lamenting the losses of his prodigal players Badger and Punisher. It could be said that winning divisions 1 and 2, they have not experienced bad rough patches. Nonetheless, the team has a solid blend of youth and experience, as well as the championship mentality to overcome this hurdle. With former Thundercat Queimado’s experience in RMI, the former Division 1 winners will look to prove their mettle in the top flight.