Max Mata & Nando Pijnaker – Sligo Rovers (League of Ireland Premier Division)

Gotta love a big week that begins with a contract extension. Ahead of a huge European tie, Max Mata was given a healthy boost with a new deal at Sligo Rovers that’ll keep him at the club until the end of 2024. Fine developments.

Sligo Rovers manager John Russell: ‘’I’m delighted to have secured Max on a deal until the end of the 2024 season. Max has all the attributes of a top centre forward. He is strong, quick, can link the play and is a real threat in the box. He has already shown his ability to score goals as well as a desire to work hard for the team. I think the fans will be excited by this news.”

Sligo Rovers were extremely fortunate to get past Welsh side Bala Town in their first round Europa Conference League qualifier. A poor home leg left them scraping through on penalties – thanks in large part to a goalkeeper whom they’ve since sold to Oxford Town. If they repeated the dose in the second leg against Motherwell of Scotland then that’d surely be the end of their continental campaign. Thankfully they did not repeat the dose.

In fact they could hardly have had a better start as Shane Blaney curled in a superb direct free kick with his left foot in just the fourth minute. Sligo should probably have come away from a strong first leg with better than a one-goal advantage. Well, here was that second goal. 2-0 up on aggregate with a sell-out home crowd to cheer them along.

Max Mata was on the bench, as was Nando Pijnaker. More or less to be expected given a relatively conservative set up from Rovers. It was working though. Motherwell didn’t offer much on attack in the first leg and they were no better here. Did put one away on 12’ but the offside flag had already gone up as that free kick was turned in from close range. The Scottish club had a lot of ball but very little to show for it.

Fouls were breaking things up and Sligo Rovers were already in devious mode. There was an instance later on when an injured Sligo player rolled himself back onto the pitch so the game couldn’t restart until he’d had treatment... but that was chump change compared to Max Mata who managed to get himself a yellow card before he’d even entered the game. 25 mins in, warming up down the sideline, and the ball bounced into his path so he hurled it into the stands. As you do.

Rovers even had a bit of an attacking burst later in the half with Aidan Keena forcing a save. Three-quarters of the way through the tie they’d have been stoked with their performance... but with a tough 45 minutes still to follow. Motherwell made a change at HT and that seemed to add more purpose to what they were doing. Couple big chances that they weren’t able to take. But Rovers survived that spell and then soon began to flex their own counter-attacking efforts.

Max Mata was subbed on after 69 mins (already on a yellow lol). He went up front with the direct approach quickly following. Motherwell kept chipping away, one goal from throwing the cat amongst the pigeons. Nando Pijnaker came on in the 79th minute in a straight swap at centre-back to freshen things up for the closing stages. And then, in the 91st minute, came the goal that clinched the tie once and for all...

Yeah, that’ll do it. Mata scored in the Bala Town tie and he scored in the Motherwell tie. To go with four goals in League of Ireland stuff. Excellent areas – no wonder he got that new contract. Sligo Rovers won 2-0 on the day and 3-0 on aggregate, taking themselves through into the third qualifying round where they’ll face Joe Bell’s old Viking FK team from Norway. Nando Pijnaker could have a reunion with his Olympic CB partner Gianni Stensness – although GS has been out injured for the past two months. Viking beat Sparta Prague (Czechia) 2-1 in the previous round thanks to a stoppage time winner. Big scenes.

After this round is the playoff round and beyond that is the group stage. Sligo Rovers had only ever won three European matches and two two-legged ties before in their history and have now doubled both those tallies with this season’s run. First time they’ve ever advanced through two rounds in one campaign. And it ain’t over yet.

Slight bummer then that they had to follow that up with an FAI Cup game against Wexford. A lower tier opponent but also one that didn’t play a massively emotionally draining game a couple days earlier. Both Pijnaker and Mata were chucked in to start amongst a number of other changes – including three academy graduates being given starting first team debuts.

As you’d expect, the game was far from fantastic. Particularly from a tired/rotated Rovers team. Mata Mata almost got through early but the keeper came out to smother him. There were a couple handball shouts turned down. Otherwise Sligo were well off the pace and looking vulnerable to the counter.

However they did score first. Aidan Keena scored from the penalty spot after Frank Liivak had been fouled and that spurred the home side onwards with Liivak and Mata both having subsequent chances. Yet they slipped up with ten to play in allowing an equaliser that forced extra time. And there the legs ran out. Wexford scored again to claim the 2-1 cup upset. Sligo Rovers had their moments but couldn’t put the ball in the net. 120 minutes for Mata and Pijnaker. Ah well, one cup run is enough for this season and the Conference League takes precedence.

Up Next: ECL third round qualifier away to Viking FC on Friday at 5am (NZT)

Joe Bell – Brøndby IF (Danish Superliga)

Got another UCL qualifier to report upon here. Brøndby were sloppy in the away leg against Pogon Szczecin (Poland), controlling the first half and taking a handy lead but then taking their foot off the gas in the second half to leave with a 1-1 draw. They didn’t start too flash in the home leg either, put on the back foot early on (with Joe Bell on the bench), having to deal with a decent lot of worrying pressure.

Yet despite Pogon’s ascendancy, they also turned up with a fatal Achilles heel. They could not handle the Brøndby press and against the run of play Simon Hedlund intercepted a loose pass and won a penalty which he buried himself on 17’. He’d had to negotiate his right to take the spottie with Josip Radosevic (the bloke who’s been starting ahead of Bell), who scored one in the previous league game, so lucky for Hedlund that his relatively average strike snuck in under the goalie.

Pogon Szczecin continued where they left off and soon struck the post as Jean Carlos chested one down and then gave it a whack. Couple other low crosses that were threatening. BIF were far from fluid here... and yet on 33’ the same thing happened again where the high press led to another weak giveaway and Simon Hedlund had himself another goal. Two absolute gifts. Pogon had a shot tipped over the top soon after – how they were losing 2-0 at the half was anyone’s guess.

But the damage had been done. Pogon visibly lost confidence in the second half and with a 3-1 aggregate lead Brøndby were now having fun. Mathias Kvistgaarden finished off a slick move by poking the ball through the keeper’s legs for 3-0 on 57’. Joe Bell was subbed on a couple mins later and one of the first things that he did was step up to win an interception and pushed a ball forward which led to a corner kick. From that corner Marko Divkovic flexed some tekkers to make it 4-0. The rest of the game was a cruise, Joe Bell operating with ease at LCM in the midfield diamond. Nothing to worry about. 4-0 final score, 5-1 aggregate victory. Brøndby will face FC Basel (Switzerland) in the third qualifying round.

No time to rest. That game was on Friday morning NZT, on Monday morning NZT the lads were up against Silkeborg in the Superliga. Quick turnaround and thus there were a whopping five changes to the starting team. One of those changes was Joe Bell coming in at CDM. Righto, cheers for that.

Unfortunately the game burst into focus in the seventh minute as Silkeborg took the lead. Nothing much had happened up to that point but then Nicklas Helenius peeled off his marker with an angled run and guided his shot in off the post. Sharp work but a clattering back down to earth for BIF. Within minutes they were banging down the door for an equaliser (including some more of that high press) but finishing has been a worry for them in their first few league games and it was again here.

Bell was positionally disciplined and quick to jump into an intercept, as per. You could regularly see him pointing and directing which way the play needed to go. Not a lot going forward though and on the rare occasions when he did step up, that was generally where his misplaced passes came from. He also took a knock about half an hour in, rushing up to close down a rival midfielder and then kinda just running straight into him as the guy stuttered. Bell caught the back of the dude’s head to his nose and needed not only a brief bit of physio treatment but also a change of shirts after dripping some claret onto his original threads.

Frustration was overflowing by the time we got into the chunky bit of the second half. Brøndby were too sloppy in the attacking third and the rain wasn’t helping. Nor the fact that they were stuck in deficit. There was a Bell corner that very nearly led to something but there was always a Silkeborg body in the way. Bell had a really excellent second half keeping that tempo high and moving the ball smartly but still his team couldn’t put a chance away. Then in the 83rd minute they conceded from a corner kick. Tobias Salquist with the goal. And that was that.

A 2-0 loss for BIF who’ve now lost two of their first three Superliga games. Which is the same, by the way, for Marko Stamenic at FC København – Stammers was an unused sub as FCK lost 4-2 to Viborg this weekend, his coach preferring more attacking subs instead as they played from behind. Not ideal on either count there but of course it’s still very early days in the season – and they play each other next week.

For Brøndby it’s all about tidying up their attacking play because they did more than enough to win this latest one. At least we got ninety mins for Joe Bell for first time this season. Certainly one of his team’s best on this occasion despite the result. He’s doing what he can.

Up Next: ECL third round qualifying first leg at home to FC Basel on Friday at 6.30am; then Superliga against FC København on Monday at 2am (NZT)

Sarpreet Singh - Bayern Munich (German Bundesliga)

Look who’s baaaaack.

Had things gone differently, Singh would have been preparing for a Bundesliga stint with Werder Bremen right now but that transfer fell apart due to Singh’s ongoing pelvic injury so it was back to Bayern for the time being. That caused a concern as he was entering the final year of his Bayern deal (already extended by one year to make up for an aborted time on loan with FC Nürnberg) and his career would gain absolutely nothing by going back down the divisions to play for the Bayern Munich reserves. And he’s clearly not in the first team picture at this time.

So here’s the compromise that’s been settled upon: Singh has been extended by a further year at Bayern Munich and loaned back to SSV Jahn Regensburg where he spent last season. Effectively everyone is agreeing to a do-over and when that’s done we’ll be back where we hoped to be this past offseason. Singh is comfortable at SSV Jahn. He was on course to challenge for the Bundesliga 2 assist title until he got hurt. He’ll play regularly there and he’ll play well – it’s not the top flight as hoped but there’s still heaps to be gained.

Bayern academy director Jochen Sauer: “After Sarpreet’s move to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga didn’t work out and he had to step back a few weeks due to injury, we’re very pleased that he can return to a familiar environment. We are convinced that he will return to his old level of performance at Jahn.”

SSV sporting director Roger Stilz: “In the past few weeks we have been in constant contact with Sarpreet and also with FC Bayern Munich. We are very happy to have Sarpreet returning to us. As he has an injury that is not uncomplicated, we are giving him all the time he needs to get fit to play again. But he will join the team in the next few days and complete the rehabilitation measures here in Regensburg.”

Sarpreet Singh: “I had a great year in Regensburg for the most part. So I'm all the happier that I'm back at SSV Jahn. For me, of course, the first step is to get completely healthy and pain-free again. I am very grateful to Jahn for wanting to support me on this path. When I'm back on the pitch, I want to build on last season and celebrate successes with the team again.”

SSV Jahn have already begun their season. Off to a quick start just like last term, in fact. Couple wins in the 2.Liga and a penalty shootout victory over FC Köln in an impressive DFB-Pokal first round win. Singh is still a wee way from joining them though as he’s gotta fully recover from that existing injury. The latest is that he’s back running and there’s definite progress being made. However no prediction as to when he’ll be available to play yet.

Up Next: SSV Jahn vs Nürnberg on Saturday at 11pm – though Singh’s still injured (NZT)

Ashleigh Ward – Southampton (English Championship)

Another lovely bit of transfer news. Christchurch’s Ashleigh Ward sorta popped up out of nowhere when she was selected for the Football Ferns last year. She’d been captaining Actonians in the National League Division One South East, the fourth tier of English women’s football, whilst working as a PE teacher. A decent level but after that taste of international footy she was gonna need to step it if she wanted to capitalise on that shot of momentum. There was talk of Wardy spending some time on trial with an unnamed Championship (second tier) club midway through last season. Now she’s made that move for real.

Southampton had a New Zealander on the books last term but Katie Rood has since moved to Hearts in Scotland so it’s only fair that they’ve signed replacement. Ward joins on the back of yet another promotion as the Saints have pretty much stormed their way up the divisions this past half-decade. All the way up to the second highest level. Ward is one of a heap of new signings as Southampton cut zero corners in getting ready for the jump in standards.

Ashleigh Ward: “I’m very excited to be here, get in with the girls and get started. It’s an opportunity that I never thought I’d have. I saw the development and progression that Saints had in the women’s game and I was excited to be part of that journey and help with that, as well as see myself develop in my footballing career as well.”

Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football Marieanne Spacey-Cale: “Ashleigh’s going to be a real addition. She’s such a dedicated, passionate, committed person whatever she does. It’s great to get a left footed player - they’re such a premium in the women’s game, so it’s great to get a naturally left sided player into the squad. She will definitely bring a passion, commitment and desire because she’s gone through so much in her career already that she’s now living her dream and she’ll want to maximise the opportunity and embrace it the very best way she can.”

Up Next: Still in preseason mode – the opening weekend of the FA Championship is in three weeks

Jacqui Hand - Åland United (Finnish Kansallinen Liiga)

Strike. Get in. Jacqui Hand appearing right where she needed to be and driving in her second goal in two games, giving Åland United an 83rd minute lead to break the deadlock of a tight game against ONS.

It was a game that they probably should’ve won by heaps, up against a relegation threatened opponent. It was a game that they didn’t win at all as a defensive mistake in stoppage time allowed Tiia Pohjannen to equalise in the 94th minute. Not the best day at the office overall... but another goal for Jacqui Hand who continues to impress in the Finnish Kansallinen. Four goals and a couple assists in only ten league matches. And to think this is her first professional gig.

Up Next: PK-35 vs Åland on Saturday at 3.30am (NZT)

Logan Rogerson & Ollie Whyte - FC Haka (Finnish Veikkausliiga)

There’s your weekly Logan Rogerson assist. Good width, great cross. Sixth Veikkausliiga assist of the year for that fella which brings him within one of the league leader (Rui Manuel Muati Modesto of FC Honka). Rogerson has an assist in each of his last five games in all competitions. Insane streak. He’s been absolutely sizzling since the league resumed from the big midseason international break.

This was a huge goal that he assisted too. FC Haka were up against top of the table KuPS, with both Rogerson and Ollie Whyte in the starting team. Handy time to be facing KuPS given that they’d just been away in Moldova playing a Conference League qualifier (KuPS beat Milsami 6-3 on aggregate). They were gonna be a bit tired... and FC Haka knew it, starting with plenty of energy and forging a few rapid chances.

Didn’t capitalise and things slowed down as the rain began to fall in buckets. Then Whyte was subbed off at half-time. But another rapid start to a half this time did pay dividends as Elias Mastokangas whipped in the opening goal after a quick run to the near post. Rogerson involved earlier in the move, pushing a pass forward for the underlapping run of Seth Saarinen. Ten minutes later Mastokangas bagged his brace after Rogerson lifted one onto his head. FC Haka up 2-0 after an hour.

Mastokangas missed a great chance for a hat-trick soon afterwards. Rogerson had a crack himself running around the right edge, getting stuck between shooting and crossing and his effort was saved from a tough angle. Some of those chances gone begging looked dangerous when KuPS pulled one back from a corner kick with ten mins remaining... but thankfully one was all they’d muster – although they did hit the post with one of the last kicks of the game. Phew. 2-1 to FC Haka who become just the second team to beat KuPS in the Veikkausliiga this year, moving up to fourth on the ladder themselves in the process.

Up Next: Mariehamn vs Haka on Sunday at 3.30am (NZT)

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

After that disastrous collapse in the championship rounds of last season, FC Helsingør were either gonna stick or twist. Judging by a 6-0 defeat against Vejle in week one, coupled with a transfer window that’s mostly seen them operate as sellers rather than buyers, it seems that they’re going with the ‘stuck’ option.

FCH lost 1-0 to Hobro in their second game of the Division 1 campaign. Typical of a lot of their defeats late last term in which they had more possession, enormous quantities of shots (but not very many on target), seemed likely to win eventually no matter how hard they made it for themselves... then instead conceded a 75th minute goal to lose. Callum McCowatt was on the bench, subbed on after 66 minutes. Elijah Just was not involved at all.

Why was Elijah Just left out? He could have been a casualty of that awful week one result but nope that’s not what the Danish media were suggesting. Word there was that he was on the verge of signing with top flight club AC Horsens – the club who instead went on to win the Division 1 title (and earn promotion) that FCH should have claimed in 2021-22. By the time that rumour was made public only the formalities were left to figure out. Just was in attendance for Horsens’ most recent fixture. It was only a matter of time until this happened...

There it is. Elijah Just has signed with Horsens on a permanent basis with a contract that’ll run through until 2026. He will wear his trusty #27 jersey for his new team. Check out the quotes below and you’ll read that there was interest in him from several other clubs, including rival Superliga clubs, and that Horsens see him as an immediate help to their squad... albeit with the asterisk that it may take him some time to settle and adjust to a new team at a higher level.

As Just himself says: it was time. FCH had stalled and this opportunity was right there for him. Gotta do what you’ve gotta do. There’s even a ready-made spot there for him as attacker Casper Tengstedt is being sold to Rosenborg with Just seen as a direct replacement.

ACH sports director Niels Erik Søndergård: “Elijah Just had a terrific last season, where he really showed himself on an exuberant FC Helsingør team. He was one of the architects behind their great simple playing style. He fits very well into our strategy of bringing in young players with great development potential and we have no doubt that together we can turn him into a skilled Superliga player in a short time.”

ACH head coach Jens Berthel Askou: “We wanted to add another wide offensive player to strengthen the squad. Elijah Just, despite being only 22 years old, has been a big player for FC Helsingør and he has great untapped potential. He is a senior national team player and has eye-catching qualities. He can hurt the opponent in both small and large spaces, he finishes well with both feet, and he can attack his opponent in several ways. He is a very mobile, quick-thinking player who can give us even more dynamism. He will of course need time to get used to our way of playing and the intensity of the Superliga, but he is an exciting addition that fits well into our strategy. There has been a lot of interest in him - also from other Superliga clubs - so we are happy that he has chosen us because he can help us in both the short and long term.”

Elijah Just: “I am ready for a new and higher level in my career and it makes perfect sense to switch to AC Horsens. The club has a good staff and I really like the mentality of the players, which suits me very well. I was in Aalborg to watch the game yesterday and I saw a team desperate to keep that clean sheet above everything and it was actually quite inspiring. I already felt like part of the team and I look forward to contributing with my qualities. Of course, I have some work to do in terms of adapting to the playing style and getting to know my teammates but I will do everything to help the team as soon as possible.”

Of course this does leave Callum McCowatt a bit stranded. Often he and Just would find each other subbed in opposite directions at the same time so on a purely personal level this should mean a more consistent starting gig for him. But that’s assuming that he’s still there at the end of the transfer window which may very well not be the case. They’ve also sold striker Tonni Adamsen to Silkeborg this week to go with a few other offseason departures and there’s every chance that McCowatt might be eyeing a way out himself. But we’ll have to wait and see how that goes.

Up Next: Danish Cup first rounder on Weds at 4am, FC Helsingør away to Hvidovre (NZT)

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

No Katie Bowen this week, she was back to being an unused sub (and, you have to wonder, a possible offseason A-League loan signing with game time likely to be of a premium ahead of the World Cup – possibly for the Welly Nix but to be honest any team would do well to add Katie Bowen). It was also the first game for NCC for a couple weeks due to postponement yet they remained without their two best attackers: Debinha and Kerolin who were busy winning the Copa America with Brazil.

That’s the context for the Courage’s 3-3 draw with Washington Spirit. All the scoring took place between minutes 40-62. The Courage went behind three times and equalised three times. Crazy game but at the end of the day a single point was not enough to get the Courage out of last place on the NWSL ladder. Lots of games in hand but they’re really gonna need to start winning games soon.

Anyway, here’s a stat...

And here’s a fun clip from last week, when NCC didn’t play so there wasn’t a chance to sneak it into Flying Kiwis...

Up Next: Saturday at 2.30pm away against Portland Thorns (NZT)

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

Incredible start. Then not so good afterwards.

Half an hour into their game against the OL Reign, Angel City were up 2-0 and looking flash. Cari Roccaro had poked one in on the rebound in the ninth minute and then Sydney Leroux won a penalty which Savannah McCaskill converted (28’) to double the lead. Great yarns. Captain Ali Riley was ecstatic.

Then it went awry as a very good Reign team proceeded to forge chance after chance. Angel City held on until half-time, as keeper DiDi Haracic saved a Kim Little penalty deep in stoppage time, but Jess Fishlock finally put the Reign on the board on 54’ with a sharp finish before Sofia Huerta banged one in from range on 64’ to tie things up. A draw would still have been handy. But even that wasn’t to be as Tobin Heath came off the bench and a few minutes later scored an 89th minute winner volleying in at the back stick. Damn. 3-2 to OL Reign. Full game for Riley. But ACFC drop out of the playoff spots with this loss.

Up Next: Orlando Pride vs Angel City on Monday at 11am (NZT)

Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)

This should have been a Flying Kiwis derby of high proportions... but Bill Tuiloma has been stuck on the bench for the Portland Timbers lately. He didn’t even get a sneaky cameo in this one. Unused sub. Leaving it as a Michael Boxall/Minnesota United sole focus.

A shame, that. Because it meant that Tuiloma missed out on a whole heap of fun. This game was nuts. Utterly unhinged. The Timbers scored through Seb Blanco in the first minute of the match. Literally 13 seconds on the clock as they passed a weave through the Minny defence to score. But fast forward twenty minutes and the Loons were winning. Goals for Franco Frangapane (9’) and Bongi Hlongwane (21’)... then before the half was done Luis Amarilla had scored a belter of his own (42’) to make it 3-1 at HT.

But Portland rallied back. Quickfire goals from Blanco (50’) and Jaro Niezgoda (53’) tied it up and then a Kemar Lawrence own goal on 65’ meant that Portland had retaken the lead. Only for a couple minutes before Amarilla levelled up again though (69’). Mercifully the scoring stopped there. 4-4 the final score. Full game for Boxall who wore the captain’s armband in the absence of Will Trapp, though he also picked up a yellow card which means he’ll be suspended for next week’s match.

Up Next: Away to Colorado Rapids at 1am on Sunday (NZT)

Alex Greive - St Mirren (Scottish Premiership)

First game of the new Premiership season and St Mirren, by coincidence, found themselves up against the same team that Max Mata and Nando Pijnaker had just knocked out of the Europa Conference League: Motherwell. Get ‘em on the quick turnaround... although the Buddies themselves were coming off a morale deflating League Cup group stage exit despite only having lower tier opponents in their group.

Alex Greive started up front with new signing Jonah Ayunga. Aussie Keanu Baccus got an SPL debut in midfield. And for the most part St Mirren bossed this game with considerable advantages in the shot tallies in particular. Greive had a couple of blocked ones in there while Ayunga missed a pair of good looks and wingback Ryan Strain blasted one wide from close range. All of which was particularly annoying when a shot hit a hand up the other end and Motherwell took the lead from the penalty spot against the run of play. Kevin Van Veen on 42 mins, just before the break.

The second half then exposed that fragile St Mirren belief as mistakes crept into their game and they looked less likely to find a way through. Motherwell were reduced to ten men on 82’ after a poor challenge by Ricki Lamie. Fair bit of commotion followed that. But Greive had already been replaced twenty minutes earlier and the Buddies weren’t able to muster much else. Went down 1-0 to begin their new campaign with a loss.

Up Next: Away to Aberdeen on Sunday at 2am (NZT)

Chris Wood - Newcastle United (English Premier League)

One of the finest penalty takers on the planet, you already know it. This was Chris Wood burying one from the spot for the only goal in a 1-0 preseason friendly win against Italian club Atalanta. His first strike of the preseason for what that’s worth... not a heap but it’s always good for a striker’s confidence.

More important are the intimations that these games give about selections. Chris Wood is going to be behind Callum Wilson in the pecking order, that much was already clear to see. Doesn’t look like Eddie Howe wants to go away from the front three shape either to allow for both Wood and Wilson to play together – not sure those two played a single minute together on the pitch at the same time through these friendlies.

But Wood did get some genuine time with the first teamers as Wilson’s workload was managed across preseason due to his injury history. Basically, Wood’s unlikely to play to the extent that he’s used to but he’s certainly not gonna rot on the bench. He’ll get his opportunities for sure and it’s up to him to make the most of them. New season kicks off in just a few more days.

Up Next: Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest on Sunday at 2am (NZT)

Nik Tzanev – AFC Wimbledon (English League Two)

League Two is the place to be for kiwis in England, apparently. Nik Tzanev has been relegated down into the division with AFC Wimbledon, Max Crocombe has been promoted up into the division with Grimsby Town, and Tommy Smith was already there with Colchester United.

However don’t expect to see Smithy in the short term as he’s currently out with a foot injury. Was seen at a club academy camp with a moon boot on last week so yeah could be a couple weeks before he’s available. Colchester lost 3-2 away to Northampton Town in their season opener. Wild game in which they twice equalised but then lost to an 89th minute strike.

As for AFC Wimbledon... they had a 2-0 win over Gillingham. Their first league victory for eight months – highlighting again what an absolute capitulation they had last term. Ethan Chislett scored a banger on 15’ then Jack Currie sealed the points in the 71st min. Nik Tzanev started and played the whole thing and was mostly unflustered in goal, almost getting caught out in the second half by a curling free kick but making a comfortable enough save in the end. Get that clean sheet, son.

Thus ended a 27-game league winless streak for the Dons. A perfect start to the new season in which they looked confident, took their chances, and most importantly earned a fine three points.

Up Next: Away to Hartlepool on Sunday at 2am (NZT)

Max Crocombe - Grimsby Town (English League Two)

As for the other bloke in EFL League Two... the good news is that Max Crocombe remains the starting goalie having earned the gloves midway through the season last time around (and then impressed in an absolutely bonkers playoff run to promotion). The bad news, which comparatively speaking is more than balanced out, is that Grimsby Town lost 2-0 away to Leighton Orient in their first game back in the football league.

Crocombe made a fantastic save with his feet in the first half, as well as surviving a few blazed shots that went narrowly off target. Still 0-0 at the break... but Orient scored four mins into the second half from the penalty spot (after a handball blocked a shot) then scored again on 56’ from an absolutely incredible volley. Seriously, what a goal. Not much Croc’s coulda done about any of that.

Up Next: Home to Northampton Town on Sunday at 2am (NZT)

Matthew Garbett – Torino (Italian Serie A)

Was hoping to see a bit more of Matty Garbett during his first preseason with the senior team at Torino. He played in their first two friendlies - there were a dozen minutes against Eintracht Frankfurt which was covered a couple weeks ago and then he got another 13 mins against Mlada Boleslav. That’s been it though.

Nothing more in the games since as Torino have tightened up the squad rotation in order to prioritise the first eleven downwards. The season proper begins next week. There’s a Coppa Italia match against Palermo coming up followed the week after by a trip to face Monza in the opening round of Serie A. It’s moving time, in other words, so keep the eyes peeled over this span of time to see if Garbs finds himself out on loan.

Up Next: Coppa Italia first round, Torino vs Palermo, Sunday at 7.15am (NZT)

Adam Thomas – Shelbourne (League of Ireland Premier Division)

Sneaky loan deal to chuck up here. Adam Thomas hasn’t featured much for top flight Irish club Shelbourne. Has gotten a few games in there but not many and there probably isn’t a major scope for that to change in the short term. So instead he’s been borrowed for the rest of the 2022 season by first division club Galway City, who are sitting second and challenging for promotion. This is a ‘get some matches’ kinda gig and if it all goes well and promotion happens then the lad’ll have some fine options for next term.

Thomas has already played his first game for his loan club. There was an FAI Cup match away to Bluebell United for a debut and not only did he play... he scored too! Bagged a 51st minute strike, the fourth of the evening as Galway United ended up winning 7-0 to advance. Not a bad way to make an introduction.

Up Next: Galway United vs Wexford, Saturday at 6.45am (NZT)

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Keep cool but care