Real Birmingham 2-1 London United

Wednesday 5th May

Muller Park, Birmingham. Att: 32,204.

Real Birmingham got back to winning ways with a 2-1 win over London United.

The first half was a mostly disappointing affair, but the game suddenly exploded into life before the break as former United winger Cristiano Costa scored his first goal against his old employers since his exit in August 2008.

After the break, Real had most of the play, completely outnumbering United at times and Costa and Adam Barry made life difficult for the two centre-halves in black, John Macdonald and Steven Tweed, with their blistering pace and the latter was soon rewarded with a goal to make it 2-0.

United were poor throughout the game. Midfielder Craig CraiCo wasn't allowed the space that he usually gets, and Real's Aussie midfielder Ryan Roberts upstaged the Geordie with two top-class tackles.

But they manage to find a goal, through Kevin Warhurst, but it was too little too late for visitors.

Goals

Real Birmingham: Costa 38', Barry 67'.

London United: Warhurst 89'.

Mighty Rats 0-6 London Town

Wednesday 5th May

Anfield, Liverpool. Att: 34,403.

London Town pulverised the Mighty Rats 6-0 before a big crowd at Anfield.

The Rats moved the game from their Mighty Cheese Arena in Kirkby to Liverpool FC's famous ground as a big crowd was expected with the champions in town.

The fans unfurled a banner before the game reading "Mighty Rats - Cockneys For A Day" to celebrate the occasion.

But the 30,000+ fans would go home very disappointed indeed as Town gave the struggling Rats a masterclass.

The Blues were still missing star striker John Carey, as the England frontman was serving the second game of his domestic three-match ban, but as they showed against league leaders Real Birmingham on Sunday, they can still give manager Ian Clarke a '%110' performance.

It only took them five minutes to break the deadlock, when a howler from Rats right-back Colin Price gifted the ball to the onrushing Andrea Romano, and the 'Italian Stallion' prodded home past keeper Danny Green.

And then James Douglas hit a 20-yard volley which bounced under the bar and in to make it two.

The Birmingham-born midfielder played a key role in the third goal, hitting a 25-yard diagonal to Romano who volleyed the ball first time into the net, and within only 25 minutes Town were up 3-0, staying that way at half-time.

The Rats started the second half creating chances but constantly thwarted by goalie Marco Schuipers.

Town and England skipper Daniel Perry looked a shadow of his old self, as the centre-back made an unusual number of errors but Schuipers was at his best, denying Zak McCracken twice.

Town were soon four up, Douglas linking up with Billy Bernhardt who fired past Green and into the net.

And they added two more in the final three minutes, Romano completing his hat-trick after lovely play from Douglas and Shane Macdonald, who substituted Perry who went off with a mild ankle injury.

Goals

Mighty Rats: none.

London Town: Romano 5', 25', 87', Douglas 11', Bernhardt 65', Macdonald 89'.