Bill Tuiloma – Portland Timbers (American Major League Soccer)

Say would you look at that? Bill Tuiloma scored another goal. That’s already his fourth of the season and having also bagged one last week it meant he’d scored in consecutive MLS games for the first time in his career. As you might have guessed, all four of his goals have been set piece goals. Three headers on the end of them and one free kick that he took and scored himself. Gotta say it once again: the man is a menace.

This goal came in the 56th minute against San Jose Earthquakes in what was clearly not one of Portland’s better recent performances. Despite taking the lead through Cristhian Paredes (18’) with a near post header off a corner, getting there ahead of Bill Tuiloma, they let that lead slip in a game in which they were out-shot and had only 39% of possession. Jackson Yuell (31’) and Jamiro Monteiro (44’) struck back to have San Jose leading at the half. Stink buzz.

Then Tuiloma popped up with the right of reply. Bang. Get in there. 2-2. Portland back in it. Such a great header the way he threw himself at that ball and still managed to produce the power that he did. Ah but sadly they couldn’t kick on. With ten minutes to go Bill Tuiloma was able to block a close range shot only for Monteiro to appear and bury the rebound. San Jose with the 3-2 victory. Bugger.

That game was in the midweek so there was a chance to put things right when they faced Philadelphia Union on Monday NZT... but again they were subpar. Conceded early in both halves, Daniel Gazdag (5’) and Sergio Santos (48’) the scorers, and barely managed to get much going at all on attack until the last third of the match. Though when they did you can bet that Bill Tuiloma was heavily involved.

And in more wholesome ways than this particular instance...

Larrys Mabiala was subbed on at CB at around the 65 min mark but not for Bill Tuiloma. For left back Justin Masmussen instead, leading to Tuiloma sliding out wide. One of the first major chances he had to get forward saw him work a couple one-twos up the sideline and them whip a cross in deep to where an unmarked Santiago Moreno very nearly scored. Cleared off the line... yet Sebastian Blanco was there on the follow to make it 2-1. Huge contributions from Bill Tuiloma despite him sharing the glory around for once. Except that it wasn’t a goal because after waiting around for an epoch or two it was determined that a slight flick from the cross had pushed Moreno offside. He was onside from the initial Tuiloma cross.

The Timbers kept bossing things from that point onwards but they couldn’t seem to work their way through the crowd of defenders. Philadelphia kept them out wide and left them relying on set pieces to get the ball into the area which as we know is a major weapon for the Timbers but Philly muscled up to win those headers and prevented Tuiloma from adding to his run of goals.

Having said that, there was one moment. Early in stoppage time, an aerial ball over the top of the defensive line which Tui angled a run towards from his left back spot and he thumped a first time volley towards goal with power, a wonderful strike on the run... but keeper Andre Blake was able to parry it to safety. Would have been a superb goal.

Nah ‘twas a 2-0 loss as the final whistle rang out. So it goes.

Up Next: One more game before international duty and it’s away to Inter Miami on Sunday at midday (NZT)

Chris Wood - Newcastle United (English Premier League)

Final game of the season for The Woodsman and his new club relegated his old club. Newcastle United beat Burnley 2-1 which, coupled with a win for Leeds United, sent the Clarets down into the Championship. Gotta say that Woodsy probably left at the right time, aye? With the dire financial situation of Burnley FC, whose new-ish owners basically just leveraged club debt in order to get the takeover done, it could be a tough couple years for that lot. Sad... but so it goes.

Chris Wood was named on the bench after missing last week with a minor hip niggle but was fit enough to feature for the latter stages of the Burnley game (a relief for the All Whites’ fates). His introduction came with a fair bit of personal awkwardness though. Imagine standing there by the fourth official waiting to enter the game and being wholeheartedly booed by fans of the club for which you’re the record Premier League goal scorer.

Rude. They’d cheered and clapped for fellow Clarets oldboy Keiran Trippier earlier. The boos were tinged with relegation fears so you can sorta understand the reasoning... but that’s still no way to treat the bloke who won the club’s golden boot in all four complete seasons with the Clarets. Note that Wood still applauded the Burnley fans after the final whistle.

All the scoring had gone down before Wood entered the game. A handball by Nathan Collins defending a corner kick on 17’ allowed Callum Wilson to step up to the penalty spot and convert his first goal since scoring in Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Burnley back in December. A game in which Wood played for the Clarets, with to Wilson an injury a month later being the factor that led Newcastle to sign him. That was actually the Magpies’ only victory prior to signing Chris Wood.

Wilson then scored a second on the hour as he tapped in Allan Saint-Maximin’s low pass across goal. Wide open, easily done. Wilson’s two goals here match the two that Wood has scored in 17 matches for Newcastle since signing. Of course we know his impact cannot be measured in goals alone... however we do have to report that his four season streak of scoring 10+ goals in the Premier League has officially come to an end with only five to his name (three of those for Burnley) in 2021-22.

Maxwel Cornet scored in the 68th minute with a driven low volley off his own rebound to get Burnley back into the match and give them some sort of hope of an unlikely comeback. Wood was brought on (his first substitute appearance for the Toon), replacing Saint-Maximin which meant a first glimpse of that Wood+Wilson combination that’s going to have to sizzle if he’s gonna get big minutes next season because he’s unlikely to edge out England international Callum Wilson in a head to head for one striker’s spot. That’s next season’s worry... but still good to get those initial opportunities to work on the connection.

Not that there was much connecting going on. Burnley were going gang-busters for a leveller (in between Brentford’s equaliser and Leeds’ winner in the other game one more goal would have been enough for survival) with Wout Weghorst unable to get a touch on one low cross and Jack Cork having a goal-bound shot headed away by Dan Burn in the six yard box. Cornet had a header on target too. Wood was used as an aerial target, naturally, but was stuck mostly playing deeper than Wilson – including making one important block off Cornet in the third min of stoppage time (though Cornet would have been ruled offside).

2-1 was the final score. Burnley relegated. Newcastle finish 11th. Incredible to think they were both in the relegation woes when Chris Wood swapped between them.

Chris Wood may not have brought the goals that were hoped for but he didn’t need to. 32 of their 49 total points came in the 17 games that Wood featured in - so 17 points from 21 games without him. The team’s xG differential (expected goals scored minus expected goals against) was +2.0 when Wood played which was the best in the squad. The team’s xG was +0.92 better when Wood was on the pitch versus when he wasn’t, also the best in the team tied with fellow January signing Matt Targett. In only half a season he had by far the most aerial duels won for Newcastle (145 @ 53.7% success). Whether he gets the credit for it or not he helped transform this team at a pivotal moment.

But now attention turns towards qualifying for the World Cup.

Up Next: All Whites duty, fire up

Katie Rood - Southampton (English National League Southern Premier)

They did it. Southampton beat Wolves 1-0 in the National League playoff thanks to an excellent goal from Sophia Pharoah in the 21st minute of play. This was the Northern Premier champs against the Southern Premier champs in what kinda feels like an unfair fixture given that they both did enough to deserve promotion... yet with only one spot in the WSL Championship available this is how it had to go down. Granted with a record crowd and an unprecedented BBC live stream this match did serve up more buzz for the National League than it’s probably ever had before.

That Pharoah goal, beautifully taken, was a valid reflection of the game to that point as Southampton burned through the initial nerves via a few good chances before taking control of the match with that banger. That all-important first goal in a final. A second proved trickier to locate but they did get a similarly big boost just before the break when Wolves’ Kelly Darby was sent off for a second yellow. Up a goal and up a player with forty-five mins left to traverse.

The nerves did return in the second stanza, as is only natural. Despite a heap of possession the Saints weren’t able to be as incisive as they had been earlier. On came Ella Morris off the bench with half an hour left, who seemed to help things. Then on came Katie Rood in the 73rd minute and she had a couple of chances for the clincher. A curling shot soon after her introduction that didn’t miss by much as it whipped across the face of the goal. Then a header later on from a deep free kick that was similarly close.

There was one terrifying moment right near the end as a header back across goal was met by Wolverhampton’s Tammy George with about twenty seconds of stoppage time left but her shot went over the top on the volley. Other than that, Southampton iced the game pretty smoothly. They took the 1-0 win. They lifted the National League Premier division title. They’re headed for the Championship. Get in.

Up Next: Find somewhere to put all these trophies they won this season

Ryan Thomas – PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie)

Here’s to those beautiful moments. The writing was probably on the wall when PSV declined Ryan Thomas’ contract option for next season but there was talk that they might negotiate something else. However now it’s been confirmed that Thommo will be leaving the Eindhoven club when his current deal expires at the beginning of July... although the club has told him that he’s still welcome to hang around and make use of their facilities as he attempts to get his career back on track after persistent injuries, especially to his knee.

Thomas busted his knee within a week of first signing for the club in 2018 and hasn’t played since last October due to his latest surgery. His release really had a lot less to do with his talent or fit and more to do with him only played 33 Eredivise games across those four seasons (plus another 15 matches in various cup competitions – including 8 Europa League appearances). Just those persistent injury clouds, unfortunately. There’s no set end in sight either. This is an especially concerning quote from PSV Inside (based on reporting from EL):

“The situation surrounding his injuries is a question mark. Roger Schmidt recently said that no one really knows what exactly is wrong with Thomas' knee. He will probably have to watch for months and may not return to the field until 2023.”

He’s already gonna miss the WCQ Intercontinental Playoff now it sounds like he’s a good bet to miss the World Cup itself even if the All Whites do qualify. Not happy news. At the very least it means that we probably shouldn’t speculate on his next club given that he might have a long road back to fitness first. Maybe Winston Reid can set him up with his personal trainer, they seem to have done a hell of a job with him.

Ryan Thomas wasn’t able to get himself an Eredivisie winner’s medal in his four years with PSV. They came as close as ever this term, running Ajax into the last couple games, but ultimately it was Ajax who won three titles in a row with one season abandoned due to the pandemic. Thommo did however get two runners-up medals as well as a KNVB Cup and Super Cup title this 2021-22 term. He didn’t actually play in either of those finals but he had already won both of them in his PEC Zwolle days so all goods. Two of each to his name. By the way, if you’re forecasting a PEC Zwolle return then maybe don’t because they got relegated this season.

Up Next: More rehab, basically

Emma Rolston - Avaldsnes IL (Norwegian Toppserien)

Season ain’t going great for Avaldsnes (or new manager John Arne Riise). They did manage to trade some early chances with Rosenborg this week but they fell behind on 22’ as Synne Hansen was given too much space on the edge of the area and rocketed in a great goal. Then having at least kept themselves in range for the rest of the half, aided by some average Rosenborg finishing, they conceded twice in ten mins through Emilie Bragstad both times (59’ & 67’) as the game got beyond them.

Nevertheless, no sooner had the third goal gone in than Avaldsnes pinched an attacking corner and after the initial header from Trin Karin Øritzland had landed on the crossbar it was Emma Rolston who was quickest to react to the seconds. Getting to the loose ball first to nudge in her first goal for her new club. A disappointing 3-1 defeat for Avaldsnes who have now lost four in a row... but at least this one came with a Rollo goal.

Should also mention that Rolston got 74 mins in a 3-1 cup win over Viking in the midweek. Joe Bell of course used to play for Viking’s men’s team, who have started the season in great form albeit a late equaliser away to Tromso this week cost them first place on the ladder, but their women’s team isn’t a top division side so Avaldsnes were expected to win. Which they did, despite a tricky tie that they only really put to bed with a third goal right at the end. A win is a win no matter how they come, especially in cup footy.

Up Next: Double gameweek with Lyn away on Thurs at 4am and then Brann at home on Mon at 1am (NZT)

Liberato Cacace – Empoli (Italian Serie A)

Libby hadn’t made a start for a month but he’s managed to sneak one more in before the end of the campaign. Away to Atalanta in their 38th and final Serie A match. Liberato Cacace with his fifth start in the Italian top flight. His tenth appearance all up and his second victory for his new team as Empoli managed to sneak a cheeky 1-0 win thanks to a 79th minute Leo Štulac goal, knocking Atalanta out of European qualification in the process.

The goal came after Cacace had been subbed off in the 73rd min. Didn’t get a lot from him going forward in this match as Empoli relied on some superb goalkeeping from Gugliemo Vicario to keep things even in the first half, then when he was finally beaten in the second stanza by Jérémie Boga the ball rocked away off the crossbar. Close calls. Cacace offered some very tidy defensive acts – a couple tackles, a blocked shot – and plenty of running up the sideline to little avail. Didn’t really get the ball in those forward areas. Main thing he got from all that running was a bout of cramp which eventually led to his substitution.

Then Štulac scored a ripper of a goal from outside the area and Empoli had themselves and old fashioned snatch and grab victory (although not before Duvan Zapata also hit the bar). Cacace played his part in a clean sheet. Decent way to close out his first (half) season in Serie A in which he’s already started games against Juventus and AC Milan.

Oh yeah and here’s the best bit: he did this to Atalanta’s Mario Pašalić (a 36-cap Croatian international)...

Yeah, that’s our Libby alright.

Up Next: All Whites yarns, like so many of the blokes

Abby Erceg & Katie Bowen – North Carolina Courage (American National Women’s Soccer League)

The good news is that both Abby Erceg and Katie Bowen were available to resume their regular roles for NCC as they took on San Diego Wave on Monday NZT. Erceg as centre-back and captain, Bowen on the bench. This after they’d each missed the 2-1 loss to Orlando Pride in the midweek having been a part of a substantial Courage group stuck in covid protocols. It was bad enough that last week’s game against Gotham FC had to be postponed with their opponents also dealing with a long absentee list.

The bad news is that they lost. Went down 1-0 to a 41st minute Alex Morgan strike against what’s proving to be a pretty impressive San Diego expansion team. The Courage were close to full strength again after having nine players missing for that postponed Gotham match (though one or two are still out injured) but there did appear to be a little ring rust out there. Particularly for the goal as Morgan made a clever angled run between Erceg and Kaleigh Kurtz at CBs to get through and finish emphatically. All looked a bit too easy tbh.

That was the only main blip... but that lone blip was enough. NCC went hundies for an equaliser in the second half with Debinha playing like someone had lit her boots on fire but shot after shot was either saved or off target and nobody else seemed to be able to go with her for the Courage. Particularly with Kerolin still hurt from the Challenge Cup final. So the Courage went down 1-0 and, yes, there are extenuating circumstances, but having won the Challenge Cup they’ve now lost three from three in the NWSL and are sitting dead last. Hmm. Katie Bowen was an unused sub yet again.

Still waiting for that first point of the season but in the meantime here’s a podcast...

Up Next: Away to Houston Dash on Monday at 11am (NZT)

Ali Riley - Angel City FC (American National Women’s Soccer League)

Ali Riley has also been in covid protocols recently and wasn’t fit enough to start this week against Kansas City, only fit enough for the bench. Hence she had to surrender the captain’s armband with Dani Weatherholt, though Riley still got to do the pre-game huddle speech and still managed to partake in some footy too as she was chucked out there with thirty mins to go in a scoreless game

Didn’t stay 0-0 for long after Riley’s introduction. 70th minute and Christen Press got in behind. A heavy touch led her wider than she intended but she was able to fight through a challenge to straighten up towards goal. Tried to square it low despite there being no teammates in the vicinity, forced into that move in order to keep the ball from going out of play, but it worked because the goalie dived in front of a defender who wasn’t able to shift her feet in time and it bobbled in for an own goal. Needless to say Ali Riley was one of the first into the celebratory pile-on.

They closed it out from there. The Current aren’t the flashiest attacking team and only managed one shot on target all match – an early free kick which was brilliantly saved by DiDi Haračić. Make that back to back 1-0 wins for ACFC. Three wins outta four to start the season. Form was sketchy in the Challenge Cup but they’re really beginning to figure things out now and seem to have a great team culture going no doubt hugely influenced by the leadership of Ali Riley.

Up Next: Angel City vs Gotham, Monday at midday (NZT)

Francis De Vries – IFK Värnamo (Swedish Allsvenskan)

Went a goal down in the 23rd minute away to Helsingborg. Still trailing by a goal with 65 mins gone. Seemingly staring at defeat. Instead rallied back to win convincingly with a 4-1 scoreline. That’s how you do it.

Francis De Vries has started in eight of their nine games, emphatically setting himself up as the first choice left back after promotion to the top flight. Carrying on his form from the second half of last term and translating it to a higher level. Plus he set up the first goal of the comeback. Love that.

Up Next: Värnamo vs Hammarby at 3.30am on Monday (NZT)

Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)

First game of the week was at home against LA Galaxy. Quite a fun game with plenty of shots at each end, both teams going extremely close time and time again, the two goalkeepers having blinders, though it wasn’t until late that the goals arrived.

It was LA Galaxy that broke the standstill. Awkward one in these parts because it came from the penalty spot after the VAR found a handball committed by Michael Boxall. It was a handball. Tricky one as it was struck into him from close range but the left arm was dangling out there and they’re always gonna call that. Sacha Kljestan converted from the spot for the 83rd min lead.

Boxall would have been sweating extras given how he’d already been booked in the first half but at least he escaped that double jeopardy. He also escaped being the unlucky villain of the day because four mins later Robin Lod drove in low equaliser for the home side. Phew. Both teams had a million shots and every reason to feel like they should’ve won but a 1-1 draw was about fair in the end.

Then Minny beat FC Dallas 2-1 in their second game of the week. Robin Lod was a lot quicker to get them up and running this time as he scored on 19 mins following up from a Manny Reynoso free kick that’d been saved. DJ Taylor then doubled that on 55’ with a low volley that somehow crept through about a hundred players between him and the goal. FC Dallas had been bossing possession and they’d certainly had a heap more shots than Minny, and would pull a goal back soon afterwards thanks to Paul Arriola with a remarkable bullet strike, but the Loons managed to survive the onslaught for a quality win.

Funky note: Boxall got another yellow card midway through the first half. Shouldered a dude off the ball and was pretty furious when the call went against him and the card came out but that card might not be the worst as it means he’ll be suspended for their next MLS game due to accumulation. There’s a US Open Cup game before then but once that’s done Boxy will presumably be free to join up with the All Whites WCQ camp a few days earlier than expected. At the very least he’ll avoid the risk of any last gasp injuries such as what happened to him before the Olympics. Danny Hay will be pleased.

Up Next: Midday on Thursday in the US Open Cup against Union Omaha (NZT)

Joe Bell – Brøndby IF (Danish Superliga)

Joe Bell was on the bench again for Brøndby. Croatian midfielder Josip Radosevic preferred in that CDM role. So Bell wasn’t out there when his team took a thrilling 17th minute lead as Simon Hedlund ran onto a long ball and slid it gorgeously across into the path of Mathias Kvistgaarden who buried that sucker. Lovely goal which gave the lads the early lead against Silkeborg.

Conveniently, it was still 1-0 as Bellinho was summoned off the pine for the final half hour. Replacing Mathias Greve in a slightly (but only slightly) more advanced midfield role. And, would you believe it, about three minutes later they scored a second. Nothing that Bell had any part in. A corner kick, headed back across, partially cleared, diverted around a couple times, then volleyed in through the crowd by Kvistgaarden for his second of the day.

When was the last time that BIF held a two-goal lead? That would be a 2-0 win over Nordsjælland back in February. It’s been a while. The cool thing about a two goal lead is that you can concede one in stoppage time, as they did here, and still win. 2-1 to Brøndby. Back to back wins – both with Bell on the bench, annoyingly – and just in the nick of time because combined with AaB losing to champions Copenhagen that meant that Brøndby jumped back up to fourth on the ladder in the final standings.

Fourth place means that they’re in position to play-off for the last Danish European spot depending on what happens in the cup final. Potentially extending their season by another week – commiserations to Danny Hay on that count. They’ll face Viborg, leaders of the relegation round teams, next week for that honour. Win and they earn a place in the Europa Conference League second qualifying round.

But here’s the thing... if Midtjylland beat OB in the Danish Cup final on Friday NZT then that game won’t happen and Brøndby would instead qualify for that spot automatically (since Midtjylland have already made the Champions League spots via their second placing in the SuperLiga). Meaning that Joe Bell’s season may or may not have already finished, they don’t know yet. Weird ones.

Up Next: They’ll either face Viborg on Monday at 4.30am or they won’t (NZT)

Callum McCowatt & Elijah Just - FC Helsingør (Danish Division 1)

There’s only bad news here. At home against Lyngby in a midweek fixture, FCH had the chance to jump back into the automatic promotion places with a win whereas a loss would almost take them out of the running entirely. But as the line-ups were announced in the early hours of Thursday morning Elijah Just was only on the bench and Callum McCowatt wasn’t even there. Then to make matters worse they conceded inside of two minutes. 94 seconds to be specific. Not how things are supposed to go down when you’re playing for your entire season’s work.

To be fair, FCH did scrap back. After somehow surviving a flurry of early chances – including a remarkable 1v1 save from their goalie – Helsingør were able to draw level just before the half as Nicolai Geertsen headed home. All was set up for Eli Just to come on and be the hero and sure enough on he was introduced after 64 minutes... but not sure if he even touched the ball before Rasmus Thellufsen diverted in a flick-on from a corner for his second of the day for Lyngby to make it 2-1.

Tonni Adamsen hit the crossbar for FCH soon after with a long shot (that always looked a little high, in fairness). And Eli Just did have a chance late after Liam Jordan had skipped past a defender to cut one back to the edge of the area only Just skied his shot. Thus 2-1 was the way it remained and Helsingør dropped four points adrift of promotion with only two rounds left. Not good. It really has been a stunning collapse after being 8 points clear in first place at the beginning of the championship rounds.

A collapse that was confirmed on Tuesday morning with a 2-0 loss to Hvidovre. Eli Just played ninety minutes, mostly on the right wing, while Callum McCowatt was again absent from the squad. But Christoffer Boateng scored twice for the home side within the first half hour and FCH struggled to create decent chances against a team who from that position could afford to be more cautious at the back. They got blanked. Fell to a seventh defeat in their last nine matches. Sunk to fourth place and with only one match remaining they now officially will not be promoted. It had been such a brilliant season all the way up to about two months ago and now here we are.

Up Next: Home to Nykøbing on Sunday at 11.30pm (NZT)

Niko Kirwan – Calcio Padova (Italian Serie C)

This won’t surprise you much but the hectic Serie C promotion playoffs don’t tend to produce crazy expansive games. You certainly didn’t get that as Calcio Padova entered the mix at the quarter-final stage, drawing Juventus U23s as their QF opponents, and in the midweek first leg away from home they grabbed a 1-0 win. May not have been too tasty but it was definitely filling.

Funny to think there’s an alternate reality in which Liberato Cacace would have been playing for Juve. Anyway, Niko Kirwan started at left wing-back where he got a full game. Into the action early throwing himself at a Juve shot which was tipped wide by his goalie though it was Padova who had the better chances throughout and would have been disappointed to still be tied at zeroes heading into the half.

Padova continued to create some really tidy chances and continued to not do enough with them. A draw would hardly have been a major drama with the home leg still upcoming but before it could get panicky Cosimo Chirico popped up with a slick first-time finish across the keeper from a square cross and while that wasn’t the goal to bust the dams it did at least give them a crucial lead 68 mins into the tie. Wouldn’t say there was an abundance of ambition from that point onwards but they closed it out with professional sturdiness for that 1-0 advantage.

Then came the second leg a few days later...

Again, not a classic match. In fact Padova conceded in just the twelfth minute. Niko Kirwan had already gone close with a back stick header which could have led to a very different sorta second leg if he’d gotten it on target. But he didn’t and then nobody picked up Enzo Barrenechea from the low cross after the short corner routine. That tied things up at 1-1 on aggregate though as it stood Padova would still advance thanks to their superior regular season record.

Padova tried to respond. Umberto Germano hit the crossbar with a long ranger. Giovanni Terrani curled over the top. There was a penalty shout declined in the second half. Padova were the team that seemed more likely. But all the while there were these occasional moments sliding door moments which could have left their season on the brink, saves from their keeper or recovering defensive actions, all that sorta thing. Mad pressure ensued.

But Padova knew the score and while a 1-0 loss was not how they envisioned it, a 1-0 loss was still enough to see them into the semi-finals where they’ll face Catanzaro. Four games away from possible promotion to Serie B. Another full game for Kirwan at LWB.

Up Next: Away leg vs US Catanzaro is on Thursday at 5am; the home leg is on Monday at 5am (NZT)

Max Crocombe - Grimsby Town (English National League)

Elsewhere in lower league European promotion playoff action, there were some genuinely incredible scenes for Grimsby Town as they managed to score a 96th minute equaliser against Notts County in the National League playoff quarters to force extra time. Then they scored the winner in the 119th minute to advance to the semis. Outrageous yarns.

They’d gone behind in the 73rd minute. A handball penalty had Max Crocombe bouncing on his line but he went the wrong way against Ruben Rodrigues’ effort. Time ticked away. Deep into the added on stuff. Last chance saloon, attacking free kick, up went Crocombe. The ball bounced around in the area. It hit Crocombe on the shin before he could react. Then Gavan Holohan smacked it home. Max is claiming the assist and fair enough, you’ll hear no arguments here.

Yeah then Mani Dieseruvwe put one away with like two mins left in the second half of extra time. Not the most relaxing way to advance but who cares. They’re now two wins away from the Football League.

Up Next: Wrexham away on Saturday at 11.30pm in the NL semis (NZT)

Erin Nayler - Umeå IK (Swedish Damallsvenskan)

Tough loss for UIK this week. They were away against Kalmar who were in a similar position coming in on a losing streak but it was Kalmar who took a fourth minute lead. A through ball split the right edge of the Umeå defence and as Erin Nayler shaped up to protect her near post the ball was slid across for Juliette Kemppi to tap home. Ten mins later Henna-Riika Honkanen was able to finish a header from close range to tie things back up but within a minute Kemppi had scored her second of the day already again sliding it home after a cross from her left stemming from another ball in behind the backline.

2-1 down after quarter of an hour. Against Umeå responded. 33rd min and Honkanen combined with Anna Björk to make it 2-2 and it stayed that way for quite a while... until the 60th min when Erin Nayler slid out to deny Alyssa Walker 1v1 only the ball rebounded in off one of her defensive teammates for an own goal. This time UIK couldn’t find a leveller. They almost got one with twenty to go as Honkanen got into the area onto a short ball but she was blocked out by a great double save. A 3-2 loss. Could have gone either way but UIK have now lost four in a row. Highlights here.

Up Next: Home to Kristianstads on Tuesday at 5am (NZT)

Jacqui Hand - Åland United (Finnish Kansallinen Liiga)

No goal or assist this week but Jacqui Hand did have a good sighter of Dana Leskinen’s 60th minute winner from her position just outside the area. Åland copped a late red card to Sarah Troccoli but no worries, still managed to come away with a 1-0 win over PK-35 Vantaa which is a pretty massive result as up until then PK-35 Vantaa had won all seven games this campaign. They were the last remaining undefeated team in Finland. Meanwhile Åland United, who lost both games prior to Hand’s arrival, have since peeled off a cheeky 6-game unbeaten streak including four wins on the trot.

Up Next: Honka vs Åland, Weds at 3.30am (NZT)

George Stanger – Dumbarton FC (Scottish League One)

New agents for the fella... and straight away a new contract on the table. George Stanger had been playing down the grades for Stirling University after his release from Hamilton Academical early on in the season. But in February he popped up on loan with Dumbarton in League One (third tier) where he was able to complete a sneaky set of having played in each of the top four divisions in Scotland already aged just 21.

For Dumbarton he featured 10 times in league play with a goal to his name. Unfortunately the club wasn’t up to a whole lot and they ended up going down 5-2 over two legs against Edinburgh City in a relegation playoff meaning they’ll dip into League Two next time around. Stanger played both legs although it was his poor backpass that led to the first goal that they conceded. Overall he seems to have impressed though and there’s a contract on the table for him to stick with the club if he wants it. The release only says that it’s been offered, not that it’s been signed, so we’ll see how it goes.

Up Next: Still seeing how it goes

Jamie Searle – Swansea City (English Championship)

WalesOnline: “Swansea City have published their retained list for the 2022-23 season, with six players from the first team and under-23s squad leaving the club when their contracts expire. Ben Hamer, Korey Smith and Yan Dhanda are the headline acts to exit the Swansea.com Stadium, although their departures have been well documented. Also heading out of the door are Jamie Searle, Nico Defreitas-Hansen and Josh Gould, while 12 academy players will also leave this summer.”

Ah well, another departure. Jamie Searle has spent time with Aston Villa and Swansea City since moving to the UK and he’ll be on the lookout for a new gig now that the Swans have declined to keep him around after a couple years in their U23 team. Searle made his All Whites debut at the recent OFC qualifiers in a 7-1 win over New Caledonia. Hopefully a few scouts were paying close attention.

Up Next: That’s up to the agents

Zac Jones – Haverfordwest County (Welsh/Cymru Premier)

A one-year extension to stay in Wales for Zac Jones, formerly of the Wellington Phoenix Academy and Miramar Rangers. He joined Haverfordwest County in January after the South Central Series which gave him half a season to do his thing. Didn’t make a senior appearance but did sit on the bench several times and played three times for the development team. Biding his time. With this extension he’s clearly tracking in the right direction.

Up Next: Earning the number one

Myer Bevan - Cavalry FC (Canadian Premier League)

Missed the penalty but scored the rebound, they all count the same. This was an 85th minute equaliser too so pretty big deal. Cavalry were up against Valour FC meaning Myer Bevan versus Moses Dyer and most of the fun was saved for the final six or seven minutes.

Basically what happened is that this penalty was to give Cavalry the lead but then four minutes later Valour equalised through Stefan Cebara. Back post header there ya go. Flicked on by Moses Dyer at the near post so chuck the assist on his tally. Weren’t done there though. An 89th minute equaliser is pretty dramatic but a 92nd minute winner is even more so. Elijah Adekugbe for Cavalry, following up on a blocked shot to guide in the decisive goal. 2-1 to Cavalry in the first Bevan vs Dyer head to head.

Up Next: Funky one for Myer Bevan who faces his old Vancouver Whitecaps team in the Canadian Championship quarters on Thursday at 1pm (NZT)

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