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HONOURS were even when the high-flying Saar Eagles took on title challengers Royal Riffa 'Wee Monty' in a thrilling Gulf Weekly Eight-a-Side Expat League encounter, writes Mai Al Khatib.
The top-of-the-table clash was described by Saar Eagles captain Brian Cross as the 'match of the season so far' and ended 2-2.
He said: "The game got off to a flier when the Monty's were first on the scoreboard after striker Scott Lee turned from the left and blasted a shot past the Eagles keeper - Steve 'The Cat' Gibbons.
"The game restarted and was played at a frantic pace by both sides, eager to get the prized top place in the league but at half time it stayed at 1-0."
The second half produced another shock when, after a long clearance, midfielder Steve McMurchie was able to blast the ball past The Cat again for a second goal. As he picked up the ball from the back of the net, the Eagles waited for Gibbons to choke on his furballs.
Two behind and the Eagles looked down and out and the players could not believe what was happening to their season. But just after kick-off a foul was committed on Eagles' Lewis Marr, who got up from the floor, dusted himself off and sent a pile- driver into the Monty's net to make it 2-1.
With a minute left, manager Cross sent on sub John Anderson for Marr, who picked up the ball in midfield, waltzed past three players and sent a shot into the bottom corner of the Monty's net. Super-sub had clinched the draw.
Next to battle it out were the Dilmun Club and the British Club. The 'Dilly Boys' disappointing season continued as the side lost by the odd goal in seven. The British Club team manager, Raj Pahuja said: "I thought we played very well and it proved to be an exciting game.
"We learned from our mistakes in our previous games and the team worked hard and played excellently. Midfielder Shane Strauss scored twice, midfielder Eric Sandretto notched one and defender Ian Butcher scored a contender for goal-of-the-season with a stunning strike from just past the halfway line for the winning goal."
Dilmun's captain David Lord scored two goals and Adam Vause notched another, but it did not prove to be enough. Sounding like Harry Redknapp after a thrashing at Arsenal, all Lord could say was 'a poor result'.
Last Wednesday St Christopher's School fought for a hard-earned draw against former Cup winners Oak FC.
Oak FC's Adil Glia scored the opener in the first half. Then St Christopher's captain Mark Holness rallied his troops at half-time and a strike by Richard Dixon Clarke levelled the score.
With St Christopher's Paul Cross working hard in midfield, substitutes Mark Little, Luke Coast and the ever loyal Ronan Armstrong came into the fray.
Lively Dan Lee played a lovely one-two with Dixon Clarke and scored a peach of a goal in the top corner. The last 10 minutes were frantic but even some crunching tackles from Holness could not prevent Oak FC's Andy Hinson from scoring the equaliser.
Captain Holness said: "It was a great effort from the teachers who thoroughly deserved the draw."
Oak FC's team manager Terry Churchill added: "It was a similar game to our last match in that we controlled most of the game but did not take our chances. We hit the bar or post 13 times in the last two games. It was a good competitive, physical game, which as usual Nick the referee kept on top of. With all respect to St Chris we consider these as two points dropped."
In the clash between The Arabian Celts and Bayer Neverlusen, Bayer lived up to their names with a 3-2 victory. Bayer's captain Tim Gillet said: "We started strong in this game as we looked to go top of the table; lots of chances were presented but none of them taken."
Midfielder Nathan Williams opened the scoring with a great right foot shot into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box and a long ball over the top allowed Arabian Celts midfielder John Gibbons to equalise.
In the second half Bayer took control when Williams made it 2-1 with his second goal of the game and Chris Tricker appeared to put the game to bed making it 3-1 but Celts midfielder Tim Backhouse pulled one back before the final whistle.
On Monday the Dilmun Club played St Christopher's School and the Saar Eagles went up against the Arabian Celts. Tonight Bayer Neverlusen play the Royal Riffa 'Wee Monty' at 7pm and the British Club take on Oak FC at 8pm at the British School of Bahrain pitches in Hamala.
