Flying Kiwis – March 21
Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle / Matthew Garbett - NAC Breda (Dutch Eerste Divisie)
When this season began there was no reason to be watching the Dutch second tier. Now there are two reasons: Ryan Thomas at PEC Zwolle and Matt Garbett at NAC Breda. And on a Friday night in the Netherlands the two of them went head to head. Not only on the same pitch but actively marking each other for long stretches of it – with Thomas playing on the left side of central midfield and Garbett on the right side of a three heading the opposite way. These are rare days!
Breda were on the short turnaround after a hiding by Jong Ajax while Zwolle have been racking up the dubs as they continue their title challenge however the first shot in anger was cast by Matthew Garbett, fizzing one on target from outside the area after a PEC giveaway at the back. Keeper made a sharp stop diving low to their left. Granted that did prove to be a false impression as Zwolle very soon began dominating possession and playing this game at their own pace.
There was one beauty of a chance where a Thomas one-two created space on the right but the subsequent cross missed everyone. Almost got on the end of a long throw that bounced to the far past just before the break too. Thomas was having one of those games where he couldn’t misplace a pass if he tried (granted he did start taking more risks with the ball as the half went on in order to give his team a spark). But you know what? Goalless as the sliced oranges were served.
Great place for NAC Breda to be... unfortunately for that lot they came back out and conceded 41 seconds after the game restarted when Dean Huiberts charged down a goalkeeper’s clearance which rebounded into the empty net. Zwolle’s continued dominance looked a little different with a lead already established. That meant more Thomas silk and there was another wicked of a give-and-go, this time with Thomas the man overlapping, but his square ball wasn’t quite square enough and went out for a goal kick past the far post. Plenty more clinical passing.
Until Thomas’ evening ended on 62’ after he seemed to pick up a little knock, sitting himself down as the ball went out of play. Always an awkward thing with him given his injury history. He didn’t look too pained and walked off without a limp for a double change that seemed to have already been in the works. After the game he confirmed that it was more that he’d hit the wall physically after a tough run of games.
Ryan Thomas: “Certainly with three games in the week, sixty minutes is the maximum for me. I am fit, so it has nothing to do with injuries, it’s just that it’s been a long time since I played a whole game. I think more than two years at PSV. Now I need time. Only it’s frustrating, and quite difficult, because I feel I can give the team more than I can now. It often happens in the last thirty minutes of the game. It is difficult when you’re not out there being part of it.”
Minutes after that chance, Matt Garbett almost broke in behind onto a through ball only for the goalie to get there first. But then he was also subbed off in the 70th minute. Twenty minutes to go and a 1-0 lead for PEC Zwolle but no more kiwis remaining in the contest. Might as well skip to the end. At the time he was replaced, Garbett’s shot remained the only attempt at goal that his team had mustered.
Zwolle did eventually add a scrappy second on 84’ with Lennart Thy nodding in from close range after his team had just hit the crossbar from a set piece cross. Finally that killer blow. 2-0 was the final score. Close game though there was only really one team in it. Cool to see the bruvs chatting it out after the final whistle...
Up Next: Zwolle vs Utrecht on Sat 1 April at 7am; VVV vs Breda same day and same time (NZT)
Nando Pijnaker & Max Mata – Sligo Rovers (League of Ireland Premier Division)
Say, look who Player of the Month for Sligo Rovers...
Got him a trip to the jewellery store too. A Gucci watch for the bloke who scored a stoppage time equaliser last match? Sounds about right. It’s probably not that flash... but you can bet whatever’s in that bag is a bit fancier than the old free hamburger vouchers from back in the day.
Oh and Max Mata also made the shortlist for the League of Ireland Player of the Month nod. One of six blokes in consideration...
Max Mata and Nando Pijnaker played every minute of the first five games so of course they were starting away to Derry City on Saturday morning NZT. Quick trip up to the North for St Patrick’s Day local time... and there would’ve been a hankering for some Guinness amongst the travelling support with how poorly this game began. Derry City were all over them winning a flurry of corner kicks amidst some hectic pressure. Even had the ball in the back of the net in the tenth minute but the ref had blown his whistle for an earlier foul when surely he needed to play advantage.
However Sligo Rovers managed to slog through that spell and then Max Mata began to build his portfolio for his next POTM candidacy...
Number five for the season. The second of those from open play. It’s what he does. Credit also has to go to fullback Reece Hutchinson for a stunner of a cross putting it right on the striker’s head. The whole move was immaculate from the Sligo lads.
There was an extended break in play around the 35 minute mark as Sligo Rovers’ Johan Brannefalk had to be stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious injury. Dude was in plenty of pain. The bloke who replaced him, Karl O’Sullivan, then twisted his ankle during injury time and would himself be replaced at the break.
Amidst that there was some classy hold-up stuff from Mata, including a couple clever passes that sparked attacks. There was one superb interception in particular from Pijnaker which avoided a runner in behind. Much better from Sligo Rovers thus despite having been distinctly second best for the opening 25 mins they found themselves leading at half-time.
Long way to go, of course. The second half began just as friskily as the first had, including Pijnaker having to squeeze a shot off the line at the near post, and this time it kinda just continued on from there. Sligo weren’t able to consistently release the pressure and with ten minutes remaining a great header by Ciaran Coll equalised for Derry City (from their 12th corner kick of the evening). Rovers had a wonderful chance to go straight back in front but Bogdan Vastsuk couldn’t score 1v1 (a move started by a Mata hold-up on half-way).
1-1 was the final score. Sligo Rovers did pretty well to get a point considering the run of play. They’ve got a good habit of doing exactly that – sitting fourth on the LOI ladder at the international break with 9 points from 6 games. Mata is currently the leading goal scorer in the division... yet this time it was Nando’s turn for Team of the Week honours. Both lads have made multiple of these things already.
Up Next: Sunday 2 April at 6.45am against Bohemians (NZT)
Max Crocombe - Grimsby Town (English League Two)
Alas, the dream underdog run has reached its inevitable conclusion. The quarter-finals were enough for League Two’s Grimsby Town. They knocked out three League One clubs, a Championship club, and then a Premier League club on their way this deep into the oldest football competition in the world but finally, in the final eight, they met a challenge they couldn’t surpass.
The Mariners were never in the race against Brighton and Hove Albion. They conceded in the sixth minute of the match, meaning they didn’t even get to make them sweat before Max Crocombe was picking the ball out of his net. Good save from Crocs initially after Moises Caicedo had unleashed a deep shot but then Deniz Undav beat him on the rebound. No defenders followed up. Brighton had the lead.
There was a VAR check to check that Brighton’s keeper didn’t handle the ball outside his area but he was okay on replay and we were back to the Brighton superiority areas. No more goals were scored in the first half to keep hope burning for Grimsby Town’s travelling support although that was only because of some sloppy finishing rather than strong defending. And that all changed in the second half.
Grimsby made two changes at the break but nothing that made a difference. Instead 18yo Irish striker Evan Ferguson scored a brilliant second for Brighton in the 51st minute thanks to one of the better first touches you’ll see this month. Finish wasn’t half bad either. Ferguson was denied a second on 57’ as VAR spotted an offside but he did eventually score again with twenty mins remaining. Then Solly March (82’) and Kaoru Mitoma (90’) each scored as well. The latter was a heavy deflection that just beat Crocombe to his near post.
5-0 to Brighton was how it ended. Nothing that was the keeper’s fault in any of those goals... they simply met their match against an in-form team from the top division in the nation. No shame in that whatsoever. Grimsby Town are the only team in history to knock five teams from higher divisions out in the same FA Cup, and the 84 years between quarter-final appearances is now a new competition record. It was one hell of a ride, mate.
It almost feels like a downbuzz to mention League Two action after all that... but Grimsby Town had earlier bagged a valuable 1-0 win away to Sutton United in the midweek. Clean sheet for Crocombe. Their second 1-0 win in a row after dealing the same treatment to Rochdale last time. They’re now placed above of Nik Tzanev’s AFC Wimbledon, who have plummeted in form lately, and with 2-3 games in hand on most teams around them thanks to cup run postponements they might not even be out of the playoff race quite yet. Keep grinding out those 1-0 wins and we’ll soon find out.
Up Next: Thursday at 8.45am away to Mansfield, then Sunday at 4am against Walsall (NZT)
Olivia Chance - Celtic FC / Katie Rood - Heart of Midlothian (Scottish Premier League)
Another Flying Kiwis derby to sit back and savour... although this one had different vibes to that Ryan Thomas/Matt Garbett one. The stakes are high when it’s a cup quarter-final and somebody’s chance at silverware is about to go down the drain. Then again it’s also a guarantee that one of them will advance. Conflicting areas for the neutral just wanting to support the kiwis involved.
Pesky thing was, neither of the NZers were ever on the pitch at the same time. Katie Rood started on the bench for Hearts while Olivia Chance lined up at left wingback for Celtic but only lasted half the game with things seriously not working for them. A Monica Forsyth goal on 16’ had Hearts in the lead, a goalkeeping error contributing to that one, and Celtic couldn’t seem to create much. Their best first half chance was offside. Hence two changes were made at the break and Chance was one of those replaced.
Meanwhile, at the exact same time, like ships passing in the night, Katie Rood was brought on to help hold an excellent first half lead for Hearts with the upset on the cards.
But that didn’t go so well either. Celtic were a completely different team in the second half and they equalised on 54’ with a proper screamer of a long strike. Four minutes later Celtic were leading. Rood did have a chance to tie things back up slicing in from the left wing but her attempt was blocked by a recovering defender. Soon Celtic scored again. And again. And again. They won it 5-1. Good for one, not so good for another.
Celtic advance to the semis of the cup and there they’ll meet Glasgow City. This after GC claimed a 3-0 win away against Kilmarnock. Still no sign of Meikayla Moore who hasn’t played for several games now – not ideal with a Football Ferns squad due to be named next week. Meanwhile Rangers whupped Hibernian 6-0 in their quarter-final with Vic Esson on the bench for that one. Rangers will face Motherwell in the semis.
Up Next: Rangers vs Celtic on Tuesday at 7.30am; Partick Thistle vs Hearts on Monday at 1am (NZT)
Marko Stamenic – FC København (Danish Superliga)
Love a Marko Stamenic sighting. They’ve been rare since he declined to sign a new contract with the club but he’s still keeping ready like a pro for whenever he’s needed. And there’s definitely a need for him as FCK continue to surge up the ladder.
The game against Viborg was second against third on the table in the final round of fixtures before the split. Big opportunity for Copenhagen to put some distance between themselves and their opponents and that they were (eventually) able to do with a scrappy 2-1 victory at their home ground. A gorgeous opening goal was scored by Hakon Arnar Haraldsson chipping the keeper from about 40 yards in the 13th minute after being gifted the ball. Viborg hit the crossbar ten mins later in search of an equaliser as things remained at 1-0 into the half. In the 66th minute, Mohamed Daramy curled in a cross from the left wing which avoided everybody and nestled inside the far corner to finally bust things open... but only briefly because Viborg got one back via Nils Mortimer only three minutes later.
But that was all they had. FCK were able to squeeze them out the rest of the way. Stamenic was subbed on after 89 mins as part of a double sub – officially replacing striker Jordan Larsson who himself had been a first half substitute when Diogo Goncalves was injured. Dudes were collapsing all over the place with cramp by that time. Partly because of a gruelling match and partly to waste time with that narrow lead. The ball was hardly in play the rest of the way thus FCK got that 2-1 victory they were after.
Despite that awful start to the season they’re now just one point off top spot with every intention of defending their league title. Five wins in a row since the winter break, plus another in the first leg of their Danish Cup quarter-final.
FCK would have been first had Joe Bell’s Brøndby been able to take points off Nordsjælland. They were actually in a good place to do that when they took the lead late first half. FCN’s goalie and a defender collided into each other allowing Hakon Evjen to nudge home. But Ernest Naumah curled in a fine equaliser on 52’ and with FCN really starting to turn the screws Joe Bell was subbed off (along with goalscorer Evjen) as they shuffled their midfield ranks.
At no point did they turn the tide but they did hold on until deep in the game... when a penalty was awarded against them after VAR intervention. Nuamah’s attempt was saved. Mads Hermansen with a relatively simple stop from a poor shot before he made two remarkable reaction saves from the rebounds to have both Brøndby and København fans celebrating. Alas... Ernest Nuamah instead scored a great goal in stoppage time so FCN won it 2-1.
Elsewhere Elijah Just got 38 minutes off the bench for Horsens as they rallied back from a goal down at the break to draw 1-1 away to Lyngby. Snaps a four-game losing streak since the winter break which cost them their chance of making the championship rounds. Good news for Brøndby though: Silkeborg and Midtjylland drew 3-3 in a thriller which means that BIF hang onto that sixth spot despite their loss.
Up Next: Bit of Vejle vs FCK in the second leg of that cup tie (FCK lead 2-0 on agg) on 7 April at 5.30am... still awaiting the fixtures for the championship rounds of the league (NZT)
Callum McCowatt - FC Helsingør (Danish Division 1)
Another assist to the tally as FCH came back from a goal down to beat Hobro 2-1 in the last game before the league split. Louicius Don Deedson (23’) had opened the scoring but McCowatt dished a slick little header over for Daniel Haarbo to equalise five mins before the half. Then on 82’ it was Jacob Schoop who popped up with a winner. More midfield activities for McCowatt, by the way. Seems to be working for him.
Hobro’s goal was their only shot on target so FCH were well worth the points even if they did have a tough time of getting around to them. That makes it three wins in a row and they’re now third on the ladder ahead of the championship rounds. Seven points behind Hvidovre in the second promotion spot but if they can beat then twice over the remainder of the season then that’s definitely not beyond them.
That’s also five assists for McCowatt this season. Sneaking his way up the standings: only eight blokes have more and all but one of them have played more minutes.
Up Next: Promotion rounds begin with FCH vs Vendyssel on 2 April at 6am (NZT)
Rebekah Stott - Brighton & Hove Albion / Anna Leat – Aston Villa (English Super League)
Yet again none of the NZers at WSL clubs actually played this weekend... but there were a couple of key recovery milestones. Such as, for example, Rebekah Stott being named on the bench for Brighton’s FA Cup quarter final against Birmingham City. She didn’t get on the pitch (as her team only used one sub) but she’s back in contention again which is huge.
Also huge is that Brighton won the game 2-0. A couple of quick goals from Poppy Pattinson (28’) and Danielle Carter (30’ pen) set them up for victory. The first goal went in directly from a corner, the second a penalty after a foul on Brianna Visalli. But this was by no means a straightforward cup win against a lower tiered opponent... Birmingham hit the woodwork an incredible five times in this game and bossed it for large stretches. Yet those two mistakes for the goals killed their cup dreams. Brighton survived and advance to what’ll be the club’s second ever FA Cup semi-final appearance (after losing to Arsenal in 2020).
Guess what? Anna Leat also made her awaited return to the bench for Aston Villa’s own FA Cup quarter-final. A much tougher game against Manchester City... but they’ve already had a win and a draw against Man City this season so they had some prior form in their corner. Hannah Hampton was in goal for the 4-3 win early in the season. Anna Leat took the gloves for the 1-1 draw back in January. It was Hampton again here with Leat making her first matchday squad since the game after that City match, a pesky back injury restricting her progress. Villa had operated without a goalie on the bench in a couple of those games without Leat so you know they were stoked to have her back – we’ll find out in the coming weeks whether Hampton’s been able to win back the preferred starter’s gig in her absence.
Anyway, Aston Villa started well and scored first through Rachel Corsie on 20’ via a deflected header from a corner. It wasn’t a lead they were able to maintain as Deyna Castellanos levelled up after 38 mins with a sharp header herself... but that didn’t break them. A competitive contest ended up requiring extra time to split them and seven minutes into bonus footy saw an Aston Villa free kick curled into the area. Dan Turner flicked a header on target. Ellie Roebuck saved it. Rachel Daly scored on the rebound.
From there it was a matter of holding on against the pressure, of which there was plenty. But nothing they couldn’t handle. City had missed a couple of big chances in the second half but after Villa’s second goal they were regularly frustrated. It was a physical game, tough on the lungs and on the shins. Multiple injury breaks. Cheeky dose of time wasting in there too, naturally. And when the final whistle blew it confirmed Aston Villa’s place in the semi-finals.
Leicester City were already out of the FA Cup so they had the weekend off, though they did play a catch-up WSL game in the midweek against Tottenham Hotspur. Close game, limited moments. Beth England scored an excellent second half winner for Spurs who won 1-0. The game came too soon for CJ Bott to be a part of it despite her manager suggesting she may be back in contention. Hopefully that means it’s the last game she misses. Tough loss for them as they miss the chance to get off the foot of the table (they would’ve overtaken Brighton) but a huge three points for Spurs to end their own losing streak. Still holding out hope we’ll see Ria Percival back on the pitch before the end of the season.
Vicky Jepson, Spurs interim manager: “[Ria’s] making progress. She’s on the grass but not on the grass with the team yet, but she’s doing change of direction and ball work. The team are working tirelessly hard as Ria is every day to ensure she returns back in the best safe possible way.”
That nudges Spurs up to 12 points and ninth place. Leicester City remain last on 7 points and they no longer have a game in hand but their recent form has been much better than it was in the 2022 portion of the season and with four of their remaining seven games against bottom-half teams their survival is still well within their grasp.
Up Next: Monday at 2am sees Brighton away to Reading, massive game; at the same time it’s also Aston Villa vs Leicester City (NZT)
Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)
With an international break looming, Michael Boxall is set to miss one game, possibly even two, as he links up with the All Whites in Aotearoa. The Loons have stocked up on central defenders for 2023 so you want to leave some pleasant memories to ensure your spot is still yours when you get back, right? A comeback victory and a nomination for club player of the day sure seems like pleasant memories. Right on.
The game was away to Colorado Rapids. Boxy is one of eight players called up for the next international window and six of them started this match so there was no thought of preservation. Nor should there be, to be honest... although it seems that the coach made his changes specifically to give some of those call-ups games instead of some regular starters to protect the regulars for next week. Boxall would’ve started either way though, no dramas.
A couple of those international coaches would’ve been uncomfortable watching some hard challenges going in across this match amidst limited chances in the first half. Mostly just shots from range, until the home side stepped it up further to start the second spell with Cole Bassett giving them the lead on 49’. Working space to shoot them catching the MNUFC keeper slightly slow to react.
Colorado had the lead... for five minutes until a penalty was awarded the other way for a handball blocking a cross. Luis Amarilla scored from the spot (54’) then things really got funky. Colorado headed a free kick onto the crossbar. Minnesota scored through Bongi Hlongwane but it was flagged offside. Then with ten minutes to go the Loons took the lead via a flicked header from Miguel Tapias, Boxy’s new CB partner. Boom.
Note the fact that it’s Boxall who continues his run into the goalmouth to give that ball a punt high into the skies in celebration. Which also means that it’s Boxall whose heroic roar is picked up by the broadcast microphone behind the goal. Turn your sound up and watch it back again, you can’t miss it.
Game ended 2-1 to Minnesota Utd. Two wins and a draw to begin the year. Great result heading into next week when they’ll be understrength.
Up Next: Minnesota vs Vancouver on Sunday but Boxy won’t be there for that one (NZT)
Bill Tuiloma – Charlotte FC (American Major League Soccer)
Charlotte won! Pocketed a 2-1 win away to Orlando City in a real scrapper, get in there. They could just as easily have lost... but you need a bit of luck sometimes.
CFC made five changes to the starting team yet the CB combo of Bill Tuiloma and Adilson Malanda was untouched. They are copping some heat from the fans though, gotta be honest, and Tuiloma’s getting more of it. He scored that own goal recently and here Orlando had the ball in the back of the net after his giveaway after only three minutes although the offside flag came to their rescue. Yikes.
There was plenty more than that going on too... but Charlotte resisted the early pressure and took the lead through Enzo Copetti running in behind (26’) before Kerwin Vargas doubled that with a deflected shot (37’). Uncharted territory for this team lately – they were 2-0 up at half-time. They also hit the post right at the start of the second spell or it might’ve been more.
Orlando pulled one back on 56’ to make a game of it after Tuiloma had misplayed a bouncing ball over the top. Another highlight mistake. Then there was an equaliser disallowed for offside – the second one ruled out by the linesman for the home side. Frisky times... but Tui and company were able to grind it out for the 2-1 victory. Would be better if he weren’t making these occasional defensive mistakes but he’s been very good with his distribution and there are only five blokes in the entire MLS to have made more clearances than him so far. Remember Tuiloma is skipping international duty to continue embedding himself at his new club.
Up Next: Sunday at 12.30pm against New York Red Bulls (NZT)
Alex Greive - St Mirren (Scottish Premiership)
Can’t start much worse than allowing a goal inside three minutes of the kickoff. That’s what happened to St Mirren when Steven Fletcher smacked in low drilled volley for opponents Dundee United. Good goal. Home fans dug it. But it left St Mirren in some trouble as Dundee Utd didn’t let up from there, continuing to push for further bangers.
Nothing to worry about there, mate. DU scored after two and a bit minutes then never scored again, giving the Saints plenty of time to chase an equaliser. To which end they had the bro Alex Greive starting up top... although he didn’t exactly threaten the net when he blasted one miles over the top after a turnover on the press. Still, that was the first proper sign of intent from St Mirren and helped them settle into the contest. They thought they’d levelled up through Richard Taylor in the second half but he was flagged offside from the free kick delivery. However they really did level up soon afterwards and from another set piece.
Penalty time. The last spot kick the club won was earned by Alex Greive drawing a handball. He was watching in support this time as Curtis Main got a shove in the back and took a tumble (granted Greive had just had a shout himself after being grappled in the area which looked at least as much of a foul as the Main one that was given). Captain Mark O’Hara took the spottie and did what needed doing. Still fifteen minutes remaining at that point, hence Dundee Utd were able to smack one off the post trying to find that lead they’d lost... and that wasn’t even their best remaining chance. Probably still should’ve won even after what they thought was a soft penalty decision. But they didn’t. That’s a point the Saints will absolutely gobble up. 1-1 final score.
And you know what else? Thanks to the striker injury curse at the club, of which he was briefly a part of, Alex Greive ended up getting the full ninety minutes in this match. That’s the first complete game he’s logged all season, coming in his 22nd SPL appearance. You can chuck six more cup appearances into that as well if you want.
Up Next: Home to Livingston after the internationals on Sunday 2 April at 2am (NZT)
Daisy Cleverley - HB Køge (Danish Kvindeligaen)
There are ten rounds remaining in the Kvindeligaen, which starts up again at the turn of the next month, and HBK are seven points clear seeking to make it three league titles in a row. But before that resumes there’s the small matter of trying to bag a spot in the cup final.
HBK’s post winter break began with a quarter-final away against Thy Thisted last week which doesn’t seem to have been broadcast properly although HB Køge did win thanks to a 90th minute goal from Cecilie Fløe, 1-0 the score there, and shaky wind-ravaged video of that banger has since emerged. Tricky game against a club with great recent history in cup competitions but they did grind them down eventually. Daisy Cleverley was named on the bench and was one of two subs used, coming on for the final twenty minutes as HBK began to take control in search of that eventual goal.
As reward for that victory they earned a two-legged semi-final against defending cup champs Fortuna Hjørring – Indi Riley’s old club. Home leg first and this time Daisy Cleverley was elevated into the starting eleven, playing about an hour before she was replaced. During that hour HBK were easily the better side but they couldn’t figure out how to get that pesky ball into that pesky net. Definitely a lack of match sharpness after the long break. Then as the second half progressed it was FH who steadied things. Seemed we were headed for a stalemate first leg... until HBK won a penalty with five minutes remaining. Except Cecilie Fløe’s effort from the spot was saved so back to stalemate status we went. 0-0 after the first leg. Second leg upcoming.
Up Next: 1am on Sunday, FH vs HBK, Danish Cup semi-final second leg (NZT)
Ally Green - AGF (Danish Kvindeligaen)
Meanwhile on the other side of the draw... AGF may find themselves on the relegation half of the league but they’re also into the final four of the cup. They returned with a 5-0 win over JAI in the quarters to get them there, held scoreless in the first half despite no shortage of enterprise before they busted it wide open in the second, scoring after three minutes and never letting up from there. Amidst all that... a debut for Ally Green! Subbed on after 57 minutes (either just before or just after the second goal). In fact according to the club’s match review she even set up the final goal...
“In the dying minutes of the match, the many spectators had even more to cheer about thanks to a great assist from Ally Green. In her debut, our New Zealand national team player fought her way down to the back line, from where she found Sarah Dyrehauge with a diagonally back pass, who closed and extinguished the game with the result 5-0.”
Annoyingly there doesn’t seem to be any video of it out there. The semi-final was filmed though, livestreamed on Youtube even. AGF against FC Nordsjælland. First leg away from home – where AGF had won the previous time they met in the league... but that wasn’t to be the case here. FCN won it 1-0 thanks to a penalty kick very early in the second half converted by Princess Marfo. Ally Green was subbed on for about the last ten minutes as they chased an equaliser, sent on as a left winger. It didn’t happen for them... but both teams had chances in this game so AGF will fancy themselves in the home leg.
Up Next: Sunday at 2am, Danish Cup semi-final second leg against FCN (NZT)
Ben Waine – Plymouth Argyle (English League One)
Hasn’t really done anything in these stints... yet still gotta report that Ben Waine has now played twice in a row off the bench for Plymouth. He’s come back in the mix as the Pilgrims rotate things around during a busy season. Important yarns because of course there’s that EFL Trophy final at Wembley coming up very soon. He’s a chance of getting a medal either way but you want to be in that squad for the full Wembley Experience.
The latest game was a 2-0 win over Forest Green Rovers. Makes that 17 wins from the last 19 home games in the league for Argyle, whose inconsistencies away have caused them to fall behind Sheffield Wednesday in the title race (Weds are one point ahead with two games in hand) but they remain in control of the second automatic promotion spot. Only just, Ipswich are hot on their heels, yet nobody said this was supposed to be easy. Ben Waine only had five touches in his twenty minutes of action.
Up Next: Accrington vs Plymouth on Wednesday at 8.45am (NZT)
Andre De Jong – Stellenbosch (South African Premier Soccer League)
It’s not a goal or assist to his own tally but ADJ did start for the Stellies against his original South African club AmaZulu and you can see him playing his part in this move by shifting the ball to the winger from his midfield spot. This was the first goal in what ended up being a 2-0 victory. Goals scored by Iqraam Rayners (18’) and Devon Titus (76’). Both keepers made some good saves while it was still 1-0 while the Stellies also hit the post and missed a sitter. They should’ve really put it to bed much earlier than they did but the important thing was that De Jong played 76 minutes and (subbed straight after the second goal) and that these three points take them ahead of their opponents on the ladder. Unbeaten in all competitions for seven games now. This is the club’s best run of form all season.
Up Next: Sunday 2 April after the international break away to Kaizer Chiefs at 3.30am (NZT)
Tommy Smith – Colchester United (English League Two)
CUFC manager Ben Garner: “We’ll see how that reacts in the morning and whether or not Saturday comes too soon [for Tommy Smith]. I’m obviously aware that he’s due to go away with New Zealand on Saturday as well, so we’ll make a call on that tomorrow and see how he is after what he did on Thursday. He had a knock prior to me coming in and then, when Ross was in interim charge, he joined in for a day and tried to get back and still wasn’t right. He’s now had the recovery from what he had and did a full session today and looked fine, so fingers crossed that he’ll be back, if not for Saturday then at least for international duty and then he’ll be in good shape for us when he comes back.”
That’s good news ahead of the All Whites fixtures. Smithy’s in line to earn his 50th international cap if he makes an appearance against China but that was in plenty of doubt given he hasn’t played a game since late February due to injury. He didn’t play again this past weekend as Colchester drew 2-2 with top-of-the-table Leyton Orient (scoring twice after the 89th minute), breaking a streak of four straight goalless defeats, but based on what his new manager said there prior to the game he’s good to go and there’s no thought of him missing his flight to Auckland. Has done a full training session with no dramas. Injury recovered. Just wasn’t quite ready for that Orient game.
Up Next: Colchester plays Tranmere on Sunday at 4am but Smithy ain’t gonna be there (NZT)
Corban Piper - Wexford (League of Ireland First Division)
Check that debut for Corban Piper at Irish second tier club Wexford. Piper, a combative and hard-working midfielder, was really good for Birkenhead United in the last NZ National League and then flew off to Ireland to trial with Wexford during their preseason. Must’ve done well because they then signed him on a permanent basis. Then this week he finally got his first appearance coming off the bench in a 2-1 win against Kerry FC. You can see him wearing the 16 jersey in the clip of their second goal. Wexford have 7 points from 5 games so far.
Up Next: Bray Wanderers vs Wexford on Saturday at 8.45am (NZT)
Zac Jones – Haverfordwest County (Welsh/Cymru Premier)
Hadn’t kept a clean for about four months now here we go with two in a row. Plus it keeps Hwlffordd, to give them their Welsh name, sitting atop their relegation half of the standings. Didn’t need any last-minute Zac Jones super saves this time despite being reduced to ten men after half an hour. It was a straight red for an awful tackle by Ricky Watts but not to worry because three minutes later they scored and then midway through the second half they scored again (almost got a Zac Jones assist for a monster punt but the first bloke couldn’t beat the keeper, then another fella scored from the seconds). A red card for opponents Airbus UK on 73’ then evened up the numbers, a last-man tackle with HWC scoring from the free kick, and Country strolled home from there, scoring again near the end for a 4-0 victory.
Up Next: Sunday at 3.30am against Caernarfon Town (NZT)
Kyle Adams & Elliot Collier – San Diego Loyal (American USL Championship)
Nicely done. Kyle Adams also got ninety minutes in the back three for that clean sheet. Adams is now popping over to NZ for All Whites duty while Collier might be a shout of a San Diego start next week, we’ll see. The Loyal have won both games this year to nil.
Up Next: Sacramento Republic vs San Diego Loyal, Sunday at 3pm (NZT)
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