Olivia Chance - Brisbane Roar / Annalie Longo & Claudia Bunge – Melbourne Victory (Australian W-League)

What. A. Hit. Olivia Chance showing everybody what she’s capable of in a massive game, not all too dissimilar to an effort she had at the World Cup except this one floated into the top corner. Goals really don’t come too much better than that. And to get her team back into the match in an elimination semi-final too. Let nobody tell you Liv Chance isn’t a Big Game Player.

The occasion, of course, was the W-League semi-final. Second-placed Brisbane Roar versus third-placed Melbourne Victory and there were three New Zealanders involved. Claudia Bunge and Annalie Longo on the MVC side opposite to Chance – while Footy Ferns coach Tom Sermanni was in attendance watching on (as he was in the second semi too). The weather looked awful but the grandiosity of the game made up for that as the Victory came out sharp despite some midweek disappointment as they missed out on the Premiers’ Plate. A looping header from Claudia Bunge, which probably took a bobble off a defender’s head, had to be tipped over the top with the Melbourne side well fired up... but then Tameka Yallop smacked the crossbar for Brizzy, thinking she’d scored as the ball thumped into the grass so hard that it literally rose back up and hit the crossbar for a second time. Don’t see that too often. The Roar were adamant that the whole ball had crossed the line, their manager had a big old moan about it afterwards, but wasn’t so by the ref/lino’s opinions. Play carried on with the Victory eventually breaking through midway into the first stanza and it was Lisa De Vanna who blasted it home.

Then Liv Chance did her thing. Perfect left-footer into the top corner. Brisbane had withstood a pretty hectic pressing game from the Victory and then pegged them back a few minutes before the break as they tired. But that good work was undone almost instantly as Catherine Zimmerman slammed one in from the left, in off the post, and it was 2-1 at HT. Then a minute and a half into the second stanza Lisa De Vanna sprinted around the edge of the defence on the break and her shot was parried away but only as far as Melinda Ayres who reacted first to tap it in for 3-1.

The Roar had only lost once all season and had back in January inflicted a 6-0 hiding on the Melbourne Victory in Liv Chance’s first start. She’s gone on to start every game since... but the Victory have also been top notch since that day, winning six of their next seven games with arguably the best defence in the comp. If coming back from 3-1 down against them was gonna be tough then it was made almost impossible when De Vanna scored her second on the hour, dispossessing Yallop and then picking out the top corner at the near post.

There wasn’t much hope left at that point but you try your luck in a finals game and Liv Chance nearly scored a second blinder in the 74th as she chopped onto her left foot with a defender in close attention then unleashed a shot that had to be pushed onto the crossbar. Tameka Yallop then rushed in to feast on the seconds and make it 4-2 and restore a little of that hope.

Confusing moments when the Victory were awarded a phantom penalty after BR keeper Georgina Worth came out to punch a ball and caught an attacker along the way. Soft penalty... but Ayres blasted it over the top on the retake (having initially scored). However she’d score a late double anyway to complete a hatty. Mariel Hecher had almost made it 4-3 to Brisbane but she was flagged offside. Thus the two late goals blew out the margin between the teams though nobody can argue the better team didn’t win. 6-2 was the final score.

Only thing missing was some Annalie Longo magic but she was happy to do the quiet stuff, with the fewest touches of any MVC starter, while others took the spotlight. Longo was subbed with twenty to play. Chance was subbed off in the ninetieth minute – ending her first W-League season with 11 appearances (803 mins, 9 starts) for 2 goals and 2 assists from midfield. Full game for Bunge who is one of four Victory players who haven’t missed a second of action all season: keeper Gabriela Garton, fellow CB Kayla Morrison, and fullback Angie Beard. No wonder the defence is so good.

Shout out to Melbourne Victory. First grand final appearance in Especially as that performance came on the bounce-back after their excellent form had been halted by Sydney FC with a 2-1 loss midweek in an effective playoff for top spot on the table. Sydney FC had looked likely to win that thing for most of the season but MVC’s near-flawless form got them within a win of overhauling them.

However a 29th minute goal from Teresa Polias busted the Victory’s defensive shutout after three straight clean sheets. It’d been 343 minutes between concessions for Bunge and mates... but there was no stopping Polias’ direct free kick as it nestled in the top corner. And in fairness it was Sydney FC who always looked more likely. Gabby Garton came up with a few top saves to keep them in it but then a 73rd minute penalty scored by Princess Ibini made it 2-0 and while Kyra Cooney-Cross’ breakthrough season continued with a brilliant late goal it wasn’t enough. Melbourne Victory needed to win to overtake Sydney FC anyway, a draw only suited the Sky Blues, so it wasn’t as close as it sounded. They were two goals away for most of the evening. Full game for Bunge, 78 mins for Longo. But hey they’re in the grand final now so who cares?

Oh hey and would ya look at this?

“Claudia Bunge – Melbourne Victory - The New Zealander had been a rock at the heart of the Victory defence throughout the campaign and she produced another steely performance to help book their spot in the Grand Final, winning three of her four duels. Bunge claimed three interceptions as the Navy Blue restricted the Queenslanders' opportunities through most of the contest, and the 21-year-old almost made an impact at the other end when her looping header had to be parried over the crossbar.”

“Olivia Chance – Brisbane Roar - Chance worked her socks off in the Roar midfield while providing some of their most dangerous moments, slamming a first-half effort wide under pressure and hitting the target with another before scoring with a sensational 30-yard rocket strike. Brisbane were overwhelmed in the centre of the field for much of the game but New Zealand international midfielder Chance helped keep the hosts in the game, winning four duels and adding a clearance and a tackle won against a swarming Victory attack.”

Up Next: W-League Grand Final – Sunday at 6pm (NZT)

Paige Satchell - Canberra United (Australian W-League)

As to who Melbourne Victory would face in the final, that was decided the following night when Sydney FC took on Canberra United. First versus four. Paige Satchell started on the left wing for Canberra and she very nearly set up a goal in the first thirty seconds with a cross in for Nicki Flannery but there was no final touch. Never any doubt that Satchell’s pace would continue to be a huge weapon for the Green Machine, particularly with top scorer Michelle Heyman out with a quad injury. Devastating loss given how massive she’d been in getting Canberra to this point.

Sydney FC soon put the clamps on with a few sighters of their own and quarter of an hour in a super ball from Clare Wheeler set up Mackenzie Hawkesby at the far post and her side-footed finish, having slipped free of any marking, was spot on. 1-0 to the minor prems and already that early chance was looking like the one that got away... although a Bianca Galik ball in behind gave Satchell some room to stretch her legs, turning a heavy pass into a good one but outrunning any support in the process and having to squeeze an awkward shot at goal from an angle she’d have preferred to cross with. Easy save.

Canberra had a decent spell after that which included Satchell winning a few corners. Though Sydney FC pushed back with Nat Tobin forcing a good save. Same deal in the inverse as Flannery had a crack from close. That single goal still separating the teams at the break. Then more of the same as the game got back underway: Canberra with a lot of ball, trying to link up and find space, but not a lot of clean chances. Satchell was heavily involved but had that tendency to play too direct sometimes. The final product in her game has come on heaps this W-League season but it’s still a work-on as she’d run down blind alleys and isolate herself from help. Sometimes to the frustration of teammates but also at least she was continually asking questions of the SFC defence.

But the Greenies took too long trying to figure all that out and in the 64th minute a cross into the CU area was met by Clare Wheeler with a ripping volley and it might well have found its way into the net regardless but a deflection that took it into the bottom corner made sure of that. Sydney FC up 2-0 with a goal against the run of play this time. Then left-back Ally Green rushed up on a backtracking Satchell on halfway to win the ball and then simply carried on her run before launching a shot into the top corner Olivia Chance-styles. 73 minutes gone and Sydney FC had basically clinched it at 3-0. Satchell was replaced on 76 mins. There were no more goals.

The scoreline didn’t reflect the match but the more clinical team, who were better throughout the season did win and you can’t complain about that. Satchell’s first W-League campaign ends having featured in all 13 matches (10 starts, 3 subs) for 852 minutes scoring once. She did have that previous stint with SC Sand in Germany but only played 149 minutes for them so this was her first consistent run of games at a professional level and she definitely won some fans. Still gotta wonder what might’ve been if that chance in the first minute had been converted. Oh well. S’pose we’re all Melbourne Victory fans now (and who knows there might just be a Wellington Phoenix team in the W-League next time).

Up Next: Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory, W-League Grand Final, 6pm Sunday (NZT)

Chris Wood - Burnley FC (English Premier League)

The first half hour of Burnley’s game against Southampton, coming out of the international break, was about as good as things have been all season. Named to start up top alongside Matej Vydra - with whom he’s establishing a really handy partnership as Vydra’s extra speed and mobility really simplify his own task whilst also allowing Burnley to press a little more up top - and The Woodsman was instantly in the action, popping up out of nowhere to win the ball back on halfway and then combining with Vydra before forcing a save 36 seconds after kickoff. Bit of a soft attempt but a worthy sighter that earned a corner.

It’d be a myth to say that Burnley were completely dominant, Southampton definitely had a few early moments themselves, but the Clarets were playing their style of footy and it was working. Attacking set pieces, Woody under the high ball looking to link up with Vydra, Dwight McNeil with lots of touches. And before too long they saw their reward for that. Erik Pieters going down under the challenge from Kyle Walker-Peters and initially the ref allowed the game to continue but Pieters stayed down needing treatment and about a minute and a half after the initial challenge the VAR called for the ref to take a peek at the screen – thirty seconds later awarding the spottie. Just the second penalty that Burnley have won all season (but the 100th overall penalty awarded in the Premier League this season) and it was Chris Wood who placed the ball and then slammed it down the middle as Fraser Forster dove to his right. Third straight game with a goal for Woody and he’s up to seven for the season – very much on pace again for a fourth straight season with 10+.

He wasn’t done there either. Woody and Vydra’s combination continued to flourish when Wood flicked on a dropping high ball to his lil buddy on the runaround and Vydra thumped it home, great finish and Burnley were up 2-0 after 28 minutes.

Then came the rest of the game.

Chris Wood later suggested that Burnley switched off and were punished. He’s probably right, as Danny Ings touched a short ball into the run of Stuart Armstrong who drove in a first for the Saints just a few minutes after that Vydra goal. Then Ings was up to even more tricks against his old team, pouncing on a bit of hesitancy from Ben Mee and charging into the box, cutting past James Tarkowski and beating Nick Pope from up close. Another brilliant goal and just before the half it was all level. But that wasn’t the end of it because although James Ward-Prowse’s shot came down off the crossbar to Nick Pope’s relief, and Armstrong drew a brilliant save from Pope with a deflected cruncher, Nathan Redmond soon bagged one that counted in the 66th minute as he polished off a Theo Walcott dink-cross after Danny Ings had stung Pope’s palms again. From 2-0 up to 3-2 down.

All the while Chris Wood kept threatening. He had a header from a drilled in Pieters cross that was a tad beyond his reach while it was still 2-2. Then with his team trailing he curled one towards the top corner only for Forster to get his fingers to it. Then Forster did it again to a diving header from Wood in the six yard box near the end as Southampton clinched that 3-2 win. A good day in that Chris Wood looked sharp and scored a goal. A bad day in that his team bottled an early lead away from home in very un-Burnley fashion. Hmm, internal conflict.

Chris Wood on tying Ashley Barnes as Burnley’s all-time record Premier League goalscorer with 41 bangers: “Personally, it’s a nice achievement but just a bit sour because of how it finished. It would have been nice to take home the three points, or at least a point after the first 30 minutes. Hopefully I’ve got a lot more goals in me. But I’m sure Barnesy has too. He’s chomping at the bit to get back fit so I’m sure he will be back challenging me again very soon. It’s a positive run and hopefully there are a lot more to come before the end of the season.”

Up Next: Sunday at 11pm vs Newcastle United (NZT)

Meikayla Moore – Liverpool (English Championship)

Flying Kiwis Derby in the Champo as Liverpool faced Lewes but there was one clear winner who got all the spoils. Meikayla Moore with a goal and a clean sheet while Katie Rood was an unused sub, the contrasts of professional footy right there. Only the second time all season that Roodie’s been on the bench and not played in a league game although she has had to be content with a spot on the bench a little more regularly lately after a January transfer or two boosted the attacking stocks, she does usually get out there for a run.

But this one was all about Meikayla ‘Mouse’ Moore and her Liverpool team who came out of the blocks in a hurry, creating multiple opportunities to score (Kirsty Linnett heavily involved in most of them) before a seventh minute own goal got them up and running. A Ceri Holland corner kick diverted into the wrong net by Nicola Cousins.

Lewes weren’t having that and they had a strong spell soon after, Ini Umotong going close from distance before a succession of corner kicks kept the pressure on, though Holland nearly scored directly from a corner up the other end which had to be tipped onto the bar by Tatiana Saudners for Lewes. There was also a penalty shout against Liverpool late in the half but then they came back out for the second forty-five and a quick free kick from Holland to Ashley Hodson put Hodson in space to cross and a crunching header from Meikayla Moore took care of business. Her second goal for Liverpool. 2-0 was the way it ended as the Reds steadily saw it out from there.

Here’s a full replay...

Up Next: Leicester City vs Liverpool, FA Cup Fourth Round, Monday 19 April at 1am (NZT)

Ryan Thomas – PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie)

Well that’s a punch in the gut right there. Thommo was only just back in training and now he’s busted his ankle and needs season-ending surgery. This was all the detail that the PSV website had to offer...

“Ryan Thomas will soon have an operation on his ankle. The midfielder was injured during training. This operation marks the end of the season for Thomas. We wish Ryan a speedy recovery!”

Not sure if this is the same injury that led him to miss the previous three league games or if it’s a flare up of the same thing or perhaps something entirely different. Roger Schmidt had confirmed Thomas was back training with the group ahead of their last game before the international break but you never know. It’s a pretty big setback for Ryan Thomas considering he missed his entire first season with PSV due to injury and even this season it’s felt a bit like whenever he’s gotten a run of games there’s been an injury that followed.

Regardless, he did appear to establish himself as one of Schmidt’s most trusted midfielders. All up he played 16 Eredivisie matches, starting 11 of them, with one goal to his name and a pair of assists this season. He also featured off the bench in two KNVB Cup games as well as starting four Europa League matches including both R32 knockout legs against Olympiakos (plus two more games in qualifying). Couple of assists there as well.

PSV are already out of the Europa League in devastating fashion. They were knocked out of the domestic cup by Ajax. And Ajax would appear to be running away with the league title too... although PSV are in the midst of a three-team shootout for second which comes with the only other Champions League qualification ticket – AZ and Vitesse are the other two rivals there and AZ beat PSV just before the international break. PSV won 3-0 against Heracles two days after the Ryan Thomas news to keep them second on goal difference as things stand. Their season finishes in mid-May so although we don’t have a timeframe here we can assume that Thomas is out for at least six weeks. We can also probably assume that this means he won’t be in consideration as an overage player for the Olympics, which he’d already hinted he wouldn’t be doing.

Up Next: Surgery and then a bit of the old familiar recovery routine

Ria Percival – Tottenham Hotspur (English Super League)

On a similar note, last week Ria Percival’s ever-present WSL streak was broken when she missed a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal. This week she also missed a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City and gaffer Rehanne Skinner explained that absence in the club website’s preview of that match...

Rehanne Skinner: “Unfortunately, Ria sustained a calf injury in training just before the game last weekend. She is likely to be out for a few weeks, but we are hoping to have her back before the end of the season. Everyone else apart from Ash [Neville] is involved with the squad and available for Sunday which is great news.”

Up Next: Fingers crossed for a little more footy before the season is out

Liberato Cacace – Sint-Truiden (Belgian Pro League)

It was their first game in about four weeks but STVV did what they needed to do for one of their most important results of the season: a 2-1 win over Mechelen that might just give them enough gas in the tank to survive in the top flight, opening up a 4-point gap on seventeenth place with a game in hand and only a couple more weeks remaining. One more win in their last three matches will do it and even if they don’t get that they can still sit back and hope other results go their way.

The Mechelen game was one of those ones where Sint-Truiden had to do a fair bit of defending without the ball but the key was that they scored early. Yuma Suzuki of course. Eleventh minute tapping in from a cross and five minutes before the break he won a penalty which Ilombe Mboyo converted. Suzuki also came close to a third but they didn’t really need it, Mechelen playing too slow to break down STVV’s defensive structures... at least not until the very end when Igor de Camargo pulled one back but by then it was too late. The 2-1 win even more important because just as this game was kicking off, Waasland-Beveren were putting the finishing touches on a win over Oostende which might not get them off the bottom but they’re four points back from safety with a game in hand so things might’ve been sweaty had STVV not won here. As it happens they play Waasland-Beveren next in a game that could secure the club’s top flight status.

A quiet game for Liberato Cacace, STVV playing with a back four which limited his opportunities to get forward, and most of the fun happened in places other than his left flank although his passing was pretty sharp throughout.

Up Next: Waasland-Beveren vs STVV, Weds at 5am (NZT)

Nik Tzanev – AFC Wimbledon (English League One)

The heroic drama of last week would’ve had Nik Tzanev flying on clouds most of the week but it didn’t take too long in the following game to send him back down to earth as Sam Woods flicked one in at the near post for Plymouth in the 11th minute of the game. Early concession and it mighta been two on the half hour after a defensive giveaway but for Cheye Alexander clearing off the line to Tzanev’s left.

But things improved for the Dons and they forced a couple saves before the oranges were served and were honestly the better team for most of the second half as they pressed for an equaliser. Ethan Chislett completely miss-hit one from about seven yards out. Cross after cross was picked off smartly by defenders/goalkeeper. Ollie Palmer pumped one into the side-netting. Ben Heneghan headed off target right near the end. A couple tidy saves from Tzanev in amongst all that but end story was that AFC Wimbledon lost 1-0 despite a heap of decent sights at goal. Not quite how it’s meant to go.

And it certainly wasn’t how it was meant to go on Easter Monday against Fleetwood Town. In a game of relatively few chances, Tzanev had been solid in goal against all that came his way while his Dons forwards had the odd effort themselves it seemed like we were in for a cut and dried goalless draw. A point which the AFCW wouldn’t have been too bummed with. Until the 88th minute when Nik Tzanev reversed his aforementioned heroics as he collected the ball at his feet with the press coming towards him and he got caught with a little hesitation in his mind, turning back instead of clearing it to safety and Barrie McKay charged him down for a freakish goal. You’re up one week, the next you’re down. The fine margins of professional footy. Another 1-0 defeat.

Up Next: Accrington Stanley vs AFC Wimbledon, 2am on Sunday (NZT)

Winston Reid - Brentford FC (English Championship)

It was a third draw in a row for the Bees as they recovered from an early Lewis O’Brien goal for Huddersfield to level five minutes into the second half through Mads Bech Sørensen. More points dropped in the promotion hunt to be honest as the free scoring Brentford of earlier days continues to evade them, though Ivan Toney nearly won it when he shot off the post.

But we don’t have to dwell on this one as Winston Reid was rotated out. Sørensen has moved out to fullback these days but with Pontus Jansson back fit that means three CBs for two spots. Jansson had started a couple in a row alongside Winston Reid. Here it was Ethan Pinnock back in with Jansson. Winnie was an unused sub. Plenty more games where that one came from and chances are we see a fair bit more rotation like that the rest of the way.

Meanwhile here are some words...

Winston Reid to The Athletic: “It wasn’t until I was eight weeks into my rehab when my knee was feeling stiff. I couldn’t give it the full flexion and we had to go back to a specialist to get their advice on how to deal with it. He advised against us having a second procedure because the rest of my knee was fine. I went away two or three weeks before the summer holiday and continued my rehab, but more so to give it a bit of rest. I came back for pre-season and the first week I was working with the physio but after that, I was supposed to start full training with the first team. One day I was walking in the gym with the physio and then my knee just gave way. I wasn’t even doing any exercise. Then they found out there was something else wrong with my knee and it was going to take nine to 12 months to recover. That’s when I thought to myself, ‘I just want to play’. It’s not anyone’s fault and that’s how football goes sometimes. Everyone tried their best, it was just a freak accident. I’m not going to lie, I had a few dark moments and I was lucky I had a family to take care of because it helped take my mind off it. I was out for around 18 months and that’s a long time for anyone.”

Genuinely hard to imagine how tough it must be for a person whose identity is that of a professional footballer to not be able to play competitive football for basically two years. Let alone with the ups and downs of near-recovery and then set-backs like Reidy had. Plenty more good yarns in there if you have an Athletic subscription too... and if you don’t, sure you could sign up but also you could get in on The Niche Cache’s Patreon instead.

Up Next: Wednesday at 6am vs Birmingham (NZT)

Tommy Smith – Colchester United (English League Two)

Hey how good’s that? Easy to overlook that Smithy’s only 31 years old because it feels like he’s been around forever. 400 club appearances is a massive achievement. He’s done that at six clubs (including Colchester twice), three of them on loan, plus a seventh if you count Sunderland who he never played for but did make the subs bench a couple times before covid hit.

• Ipswich Town – 267 apps, 23 goals

• Stevenage Borough (loan) – 15 apps

• Brentford (loan) – 8 apps

• Colchester United (loan) – 6 apps

• Colorado Rapids – 64 apps, 7 goals

• Sunderland – 0 apps

• Colchester United – 40 apps, 2 goals

Looking at those numbers it stands out how often he pops up with goals as a central defender... but it’s still only appropriate that he celebrated number four hundy with a clean sheet. Up against Bolton Wanderers and there was plenty of chat surrounding this one considering it was a game with minimal action. Bolton are chasing automatic promotion while Colchester are hoping not to drop out of the division in the other direction. So can’t be too shocked that the U’s failed to have a shot on target all game and as Bolton pestered them, hitting the bar early as well as having a goal disallowed for offside and keeping CU keeper Dean Gerken busy throughout, Colchester very quickly showed that they’d be happy with a draw. This quote from Bolton boss Ian Evatt:

“It just becomes a farce really. It really does because you can waste time first half in games. I don’t understand why officials have a completely different view second half to the first half. It’s still the game, it’s still minutes in the game so they have to be all over it and if they don’t, the opposition are going to keep pushing the boundaries until the referee stamps it out and he didn’t stamp it out today.”

Blah blah blah. First time that Bolton have been kept scoreless for 17 matches. And a very valuable 0-0 draw for Colchester in a game that they were expected to lose.

Speaking of managers, Tommy Smith has another one. In what increasingly looks like an overambitious move, John McGreal had been sacked in the offseason after Colchester were beaten in the playoff semis by Exeter City – McGreal booted after four seasons in charge. But his replacement, former assistant Steve Ball, only lasted 23 games before he was sacked in February. Wayne Brown replaced him, hired from CU’s non-league affiliate club, on a caretaker basis hoping he’d stick until the end of the season but before this Bolton game he was cut loose with Hayden Mullins replacing him also on a short-term basis (having been an assistant to Steve Ball through the season).

Then for game 401, it was Barrow who came to visit... with a Callum Harriott goal in the first half putting Colchester on the brink of victory. Strong low volley off the left foot after the ball had fallen to him in the box. However Brendan Wiredu inexplicably tripped over his own feet and missed an open goal from about four yards out and then a couple other chances to clinch the points went astray before sub Tom Beadling popped up in the 88th minute to slam in an equaliser. 1-1 the final score. A point apiece between the two teams directly above the relegation zone.

Up Next: Oldham away on Saturday at 6am (NZT)

Michael Woud – Almere City (Dutch Eerste Divisie)

That’s what we’re talking about. Almere City with a well-earned 2-0 win over NEC Nijmegen. Woud was called into action after just 120 seconds with a low save at his near post but after that he was able to keep his hands pretty clean as big fella Thomas Verheydt charged down a clearance to run through on goal in the 18th minute and he smashed in the opening goal of the game. An excellent Woudy save down low to his right followed straight afterwards as NEC set about restoring parity but that didn’t happen. Instead some head tennis in the NEC box led to a penalty after 56 minutes which Verheydt stepped up and doubled the lead... and Almere City were off home with a 2-0 win. And beautiful day that it was, De Graafschap got beaten 3-0 at home by Dordrecht while NAC only drew with Ajax’s youth team which meant Almere City moved up to second on the ladder.

Albeit only for a few days because snow forced the abandonment of Almere’s Easter Monday clash with Roda JC with the scores tied at 0-0 in the 67th minute. Woud had made an excellent 1v1 save in the first half to keep things even while the sun was still out. Then the snow began to fall heavily and the teams had to disappear off to warm up in the sheds while the pitch staff tried to make things playable... but the downfall was too much. By the time it stopped, 45 minutes later, it was still gonna take ages to clear what had already piled up. The game will apparently be completed another day. That allowed De Graafschap to pick up another win to leap ahead of them again. But NAC lost. So that was handy.

Up Next: AC vs Telstar on Saturday at 6am (NZT)

Dan Morgan – Maritzburg United (South African Premier Soccer League)

Suddenly it’s five games unbeaten as the Team of Choice won 5-1 against Chippa United. Get in there. They conceded first in the 28th minute but then responded ferociously to be up 2-1 at HT, 3-1 on 50 mins, and then a couple bangers in the last ten made sure of the points. Dan Morgan played 70 mins in defence before he was replaced.

Up Next: Maritzburg vs Baroka, 3am on 24 April (NZT)

Hannah Wilkinson – MSV Duisburg (German Bundesliga)

Yeah... that’s not good. It’s not just that they lost, it’s that they weren’t even very close. All three goals were conceded in the first half (as well as another that was disallowed for a close offside) and Eintracht Frankfurt cruised from there. Hannah Wilkinson played 78 mins before being subbed in the team’s final sub window. The Zebras didn’t really threaten at all until the second half though they did have a few close calls from there one, including Antonia-Johanna Halverkamps hitting the inside of the post and Hannah Wilkinson blasting over from outside the area. However with five games remaining they’re now six points adrift from safety and are quickly running out of chances. Highlights here.

Up Next: Monday 19 April away to Potsdam (NZT)

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