Flying Kiwis – April 25
Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eerste Divisie)
One more positive result, that’s all PEC Zwolle needed to confirm their promotion back to the top flight of Dutch football at the first time of asking. It was going to happen eventually either way, only a matter of time, but the first chance to seal the deal was away to third-placed Almere City on Friday night local time. With even just a draw, PEC Zwolle would be confirmed for promotion as Almere would no longer be able to catch them. The title race will require more time but objective number one, the most important, was right there waiting to be ticked off.
Maybe it was the expectation, maybe it was fatigue nearing the end of a long season... but Zwolle weren’t their usual selves here. And a lot of that was embodied by Ryan Thomas who was unusually messy with the ball. Lost it against the press leading to an early counter attack. Sprayed a few long passes which he’s usually so much better with. Zwolle still had the possession dominance yet they weren’t really creating anything with it at all. Then, about ten mins before the end of the first half... lightning struck in the distance. Rain came tumbling down too and for the safety of the players the game took a pause.
The players returned about 10-15 mins later and played out the rest of the half, then went back into the sheds for proper half-time with things still all even. Zwolle made one attacking sub at the break trying to spark something. It wasn’t until the 63rd minute that they finally had a threatening shot on target. Thomas had tried to play a one-two down the right wing but his dude got cleaned out. From the free kick a flicked header forced a very good save. Zwolle were flowing now in a way they hadn’t all game. A couple Thomas crosses had asked questions. Much better areas.
Thomas did get booked after 68 mins for sliding in a little too desperately (and late) on an Almere dude by the corner flag whilst trying to prevent a clearance. He thought the yellow was a bit harsh. The other bloke thought it wasn’t harsh enough. Thommo had a few words to offer then walked off with a chuckle. Curious thing is that a double change happened straight after but Thomas wasn’t one of those replaced... thus taking him past the 72 minute mark for a new personal best since his return from injury.
Only issue was that just before he reached that milestone, they let in a goal. Glancing header from a strong in-swinging free kick. Stije Resink with the breakthrough. But no need to fear because Zwolle equalised straight away through main man Thomas van den Belt. Big leap and an expertly placed header from a corner kick, the RT’s midfield partner cannot stop scoring goals lately.
The lightning delay meant that Zwolle were behind a number of other concurrent kickoffs so as the game went on hold again for a head knock with ten left, they’d have already known that second-placed Heracles had finished up with a 1-0 win. Thomas was subbed off around that time same time. His 83 minutes marks his longest appearance of the season.
With the objective so close, things got very nervy in the latter stages. Especially on the sidelines...
Never more so than in the final seconds when Almere pumped a long ball into the area and it was up to the Zwolle keeper to rip off a reaction save. With that accomplished, the final whistle blew for a 1-1 scoreline. With the Heracles win it means their lead at the top dips to just three points... but that’s something to worry about another day. The draw also means promotion back to the Eredivisie and therefore it was party time.
In Ryan Thomas’ 12 starts since his injury return, Zwolle have won nine, drawn two, and lost only one... and the loss was a game they were tied in when Thomas was subbed off. Even though he’s regularly subbed in second halves, the team has a +18 goal difference when he’s on the pitch. Only two assists and no goals but he’s been quietly influential in this team hitting the accelerator since the turn of the year. Up the fence we go...
Up Next: Home vs Dordrecht at 6am on Saturday (NZT)
Max Mata & Nando Pijnaker – Sligo Rovers (League of Ireland Premier Division)
Inevitable. As far as favourable match-ups go, this is the one for Sligo Rovers. They were at home against the University College Dublin (UCD), a team that they’ve already beaten once this season and Max Mata scored a hat-trick on that occasion. From the very outset it was clear that something similar was possible in this meeting too. Mata charged down the keeper to earn an early corner. The Sligo wingers were finding plenty of joy, especially when their fullbacks got forward and joined in. Ultimately it took just five minutes before Max Mata had them into the lead, heading home from a corner kick.
It had to be a header because Mata was bossing those aerial yarns. Any time a cross floated into the area he looked like he might score – pushing further good chances either side of the goal. He could’ve potentially had a first half hatty. Nando Pijnaker was getting up for corners too although nothing goal threatening. However those wide players did combine for an excellent second on 25’ as Kailan Barlow and Fabrice Hartmann linked up for Hartmann to angle into the area and convert. Top work. Sligo Rovers were looking rampant and it was only a lack of clinical edge that kept them from surging away.
They paid a price for that because just before the break Mark Dignam chested the ball down on the perimeter of the area and slammed in a fine finish for UCD to half the deficit. The Students then popped up with confidence for the second half, stringing together ten good minutes of possession and causing worries. Mata was booked amongst that for being a bit too aggressive trying to bring down a clearance on half-way.
Sketchy times... although Sligo did soon revert back to the good stuff and Mata had another big chance, guiding a crouched header across the face of the goal. It was getting pretty frisky until the 75th minute when Fab Hartmann sliced infield once more and his shot took a huge deflection that looped into the net and that two-goal advantage was back no matter how it happened.
Mata would later be subbed off with three minutes remaining, the first minutes that he’s missed all season... allowing him to walk off to some glowing applause from the home crowd which was lovely. 3-1 the final score. Could’ve been six on a different day and Mata could’ve had half of those but as it is his eighth goal of the season keeps him clear as the LOI’s top scorer and helped his club towards a valuable victory.
Might just take a sec here to shout out Corban Piper too. The 20yo midfielder, ex-Birkenhead United, is playing at Wexford in the division below and while the team’s been up and down it’s worth noting that Piper has seemingly already worked his way into a regular starting gig with them. Began getting spare minutes at fullback, now is at the heart of the midfield each week.
Up Next: Saturday at 7am away to Shamrock Rovers (NZT)
Callum McCowatt - FC Helsingør (Danish Division 1)
Callum McCowatt is playing midfield these days (as you already know from reading this column every week) and it seems to have given him a whole new licence to thrill. Two quality strikes in FCH’s latest continues a hot streak that’s seen him deliver four goals and two assists in the eight games since the winter break ended in Denmark. We’re talking about a right-sided eight role in a midfield trio (with a CDM)... pretty much exactly what Matt Garbett also does for NAC Breda.
Just a shame that it didn’t lead to a victory. The reason it didn’t was an awful start that saw FCH trailing 2-0 to SondersjyskE after 22 minutes. Slow out of the gates... until McCowatt stole the ball in midfield and charged through all the way into the penalty area before slamming in his finish. Excellent work. FCH were back in the hunt at 2-1, a scoreline that maintained itself into the break – with CMC also getting a yellow card soon after his 25th minute goal.
Annoyingly the comeback quest took a blow only a couple spins into the second half. Overlapping run to the byline, chipped cut-back, open bloke on the penalty spot and boom that was 3-1 to Sonders. Soon after that, however, came that stunner of a second goal from McCowatt and they were right back into it again. Mean finish from distance. Alas, despite a nice spell after that where a few transitional attacks looked like FCH had an equaliser in them... they conceded again on the hour. Make it 4-2 as another guy was left open on the cut-back and picked his spot from the edge of the area.
This game was bonkers so clearly that wasn’t the end of it. Two minutes after allowing the fourth, FCH scored once more. This time a loose one outside the area fell for Nicklas Mouritsen who was able to swing his left boot through it on the move and it flew into the top corner. That was even better than McCowatt’s second goal. 4-3 to Sonders now, 62 mins gone. Then would ya believe it they levelled things up ten mins later via Nikolaj Bagger at the back post with the tap-in after Oliver Drost had dragged what looked to be an intended shot into a convenient assist.
Of course having tied things up they then had to deal with the response. A shot was blocked inside the six yard box. Header over the top. A few set pieces. There were hints of counter attacks of their own though nothing that could ease the pressure coming back the other way. And, well... in the 89th minute of the game it told. Square ball from out wide poked in from close range, striker evading the defensive set. Ninth goal of the game. 5-4 to SonderskjE.
If it was any consolation, the loud speaker at the ground did announce Callum McCowatt as the Man of the Match. Not sure if it will be after his team scored four goals and still lost though. This result leaves them 11 points behind the last promotion spot with only seven games left so if CMC wants to play top flight footy next season it’s extremely unlikely to happen in Helsingør.
Up Next: Monday at 1am away to Vejle (NZT)
Vic Esson - Rangers FC (Scottish Premier League)
For the first time ever, the Women’s Scottish Cup semi-finals were hosted at national stadium Hampden Park. It was there that Rangers met Motherwell for a place in the decider, seeking to make it a cup double after winning the League Cup back in December, and it was Vic Esson who was selected in goal. Sweet as.
Esson had played a lot of the early rounds of the League Cup but had to watch from the bench for the semi and the final. Not so here... although she did still do a fair bit of watching. Rangers were the heavy favourites for this match and proceeded to play like they knew it. Breaking down that Motherwell team did not come easy amidst some desperation defending and quality saves from the outset but luckily Rangers had capitalised early through a strong header from Hannah Davison from a wide cross on 17’.
That lead took the pressure off the fact that a second goal was so hard to find. There was a wide open chance missed from about two yards out (admittedly with a bouncing ball) just before the half which felt like a worry as the game dragged on and Motherwell remained within range of one moment of magic tying things back up. Rangers also hit the crossbar with twenty to go. But finally, with 88 minutes on the clock, Chelsea Cornet popped up from a corner kick with another header to clinch the tie. Through to the final. Here’s a full replay for the real Vic Esson stans out there. Not a single defensive clip made the highlight package so you’ll need the replay for any VE sightings.
In that final, Rangers will face old rivals and defending cup champs Celtic after they knocked Glasgow City out with a 1-0 victory. Natasha Flint scored the only goal in the 19th minute, busting the offside trap then finishing 1v1. Celtic had another one disallowed when the flag did go up later in the half though most of the shots were down the other end as the Hoops really had to dig in to get there. Keeper made a fantastic save near the end. Natalie Ross got sent off in stoppage time, a second booking which takes her out of the final. There was another big save from the free kick. But in the end Celtic held on.
Neither Meikayla Moore nor Olivia Chance were in the squads for that game, nor were they in the squads for the midweek league fixtures previously. Midweekers which were therefore pretty lame as far as appearances go but absolutely fascinating for results. The way things played out, the SWPL is suddenly in embroiled in an incredible title race with only three points separating the top three teams and only two Champions League spots available. Glasgow City had been leading things for most of the way, in fact they were undefeated until losing to Celtic last week. Well, they chased that by losing 2-1 to Rangers. Back to back defeats has shrunk their lead to just two points ahead of Celtic and now Rangers are right in the mix as well. It’s three losses in a row for Glasgow City if you count the cup semi as well.
Vic Esson didn’t play that Rangers vs GC game. Disappointing... but clearly they were planning on splitting the double-week between their two goalies. Jenna Fife got the crucial league game, Esson got the Hampden Park experience in the cup semi-final. Rangers scored first against Glasgow City through Rachel McLaughlin on 23’ but after leading the entire game they finally broke when Jenna Clark equalised in the 87th minute. Except that wasn’t the end of the story. Rangers had leaked a potentially devastating late winner to Celtic not so long ago. This time they were on the right end of the late drama as Kirsty Howat scored in the fourth minute added on. Incredible.
This after Celtic produced another strong attacking display to put six goals past Hearts in the midweek. 6-0 victory there, Katie Rood did start for Hearts (although was missing for the weekend’s game when they drew 1-1 with Hibernian), but we’re yet to see or hear anything from Liv Chance since getting injured for the Footy Ferns. Only mention on the Scottish side is that she’s currently out with a knock from international duty. Has been suggested by Ferns coach Jitka Klimková that she’s awaiting scans from a specialist so fingers crossed for that. As for Meikayla Moore... she’s only been in the matchday squad for one of the last eleven games. Didn’t play for the Ferns in the middle of that despite nobody mentioning any injuries. Very strange one. But here’s an interview with PUMA to cover the absence.
Up Next: Rangers vs Hearts at 3.10am on Monday (NZT)
Jacqui Hand - Åland United (Finnish Kansallinen Liiga)
Two defeats from two for Åland United to begin their league season but at least Jacqui Hand is up and running. She’s looked their most threatening option in both games and was able to make that count with a sharp finish from a tight angle after sneaking in behind the defensive line midway through the first half against HJK. Beat the goalie at the near post. Too sharp.
Hand had gone close even earlier with a similar run in behind, only she took her dribble too deep and didn’t have an option for the pull-back, instead shooting into the post from an angle where it was basically impossible to score. Had to waste that one to get the radar working to make it count the next time. Hand also fizzed one just over the crossbar later on as AU looked good for their lead at the midpoint.
Problem was they couldn’t keep the heat up in the second half. The equaliser came after an hour as AU missed two opportunities to clear the ball from out of their six yard box after a corner. Hand had the second failed hack off the line. That was one thing. But they should still have gotten out of there with a draw... or better, as they missed a sitter soon after the levelling goal. Instead they paid the cost in an extremely open last ten minutes plus stoppage time when HJK were able to bundle a winner over from close range in the seventh minute added on. Devastatingly late concession. Ah well, at least it’s still very early days. Full highlights here.
Up Next: ONS vs Åland United at 11pm on Saturday (NZT)
Bill Tuiloma – Charlotte FC (American Major League Soccer)
Bill Tuiloma: “I feel great coming into this team. I’m learning and I’m learning quick how Christian [Lattanzio] wants his team to play like. I’m just happy. I’ve gelled in very well with the players and just gotta keep working hard each week.”
Tuiloma’s copped some heat from Charlotte fans early doors this season, the kind of stuff which you can mostly put down to reactionary lunges with the team not getting the desired results. But it’s worth considering that for a team with a lot of defensive changes (mostly goalies and fullbacks) through these early games and with a new CB combination being worked through... it can take some time to settle. Don’t wanna be making judgements too soon because it might suddenly all click together.
CFC took on the in-form Columbus Crew this past game, a club that had had scored 13 goals in their previous four matches (taking 10 points in the process). Tough proposition for Tui and the lads. Yet skip ahead to the end of the game and the smiles were beaming after a 1-0 victory, keeping the first clean sheet of the Bill Tuiloma era (at the ninth attempt). Second win of the season. And while the goal from Karol Swiderski was a sweet one, check out that raking crossfield switch from Tuiloma first to spark the whole move...
What. A. Ball. Although to be fair with that much space he could’ve shanked it and the bro still would’ve got there miles ahead of any defender.
The signs had been better from the very beginning for Tuiloma as he rose onto a swerving attacking free kick cross to head on target after literally only a minute of action. Straight at the goalie but it’s about the best cross he’s been able to attack all season. There was still a miscommunication or two in there that they were lucky to survive but the backline otherwise looked really good, particularly after they had a lead to defend. Tuiloma headed away a shot on target with stoical poise in the second half. The final fifteen mins were nervous ones, made worse by a couple wasted chances on the counter to kill the game off, but they got there in the end for a second win of the season (thanks to a VAR disallowed equaliser on 88’ for offside). Phew. Get in.
In other games, Michael Boxall was shortlisted for Minnesota United’s man of the match vote but they lost 1-0 to Seattle Sounders. Boxy was excellent as they withstood the home side for most of the game however attacking outlets still weren’t where they need to be and ultimately a 79th minute goal for Albert Rusnak proved to be the winner. Boxall got a yellow early second half for being a little late stepping into a challenge on halfway. Elsewhere Tyler Boyd played 69 minutes and also got a yellow card as LA Galaxy won 2-0 against Austin.
Up Next: Charlotte host lower-tiered Tormenta in the US Open Cup at 11.30am Weds, then it’s DC United away at the same time on Sunday in MLS (NZT)
Rebekah Stott - Brighton & Hove Albion (English Super League)
Always adore some Stotty minutes and she was blessedly able to bank a few late on against Liverpool in Brighton’s latest. Only her third WSL appearance of the season and the first since mid-February. Having returned to the club after leaving two years earlier for her cancer treatment, Stotty broke an ankle in preseason which cost her the first half of the term. Finally made her second debut for the club in January only to then get injured on Ferns duty and she didn’t play again until the subsequent Ferns tour. Now she’s back on the pitch for Brighton (although there have been a lot of unused sub gigs in there between all those games). Doesn’t really help that Brighton are onto their third permanent manager of the season.
Alas, they went down 2-1 to Liverpool. Stott gave it a crack when she came on, her first involvement was a wonderful ball over the top only for her striker to be flagged offside. Stott went on as the middle defender in a back three and was more involved than she’d have liked to be, Liverpool finishing stronger despite Brighton being the team that were chasing an equalising goal. BHAFC had scored first through Elisabeth Terland and were leading at HT... but Ceri Holland scored a brace in the back half and the Reds managed it from there.
But while that one went awry for them, Brighton did manage a crucial victory against Everton in the midweek taking that one out 3-2. Frantic stuff in the latter stages after Everton had closed the gap on 83’ but they survived to lift themselves off the foot of the ladder at Leicester City’s expense. LCFC didn’t play this week since they were meant to face Chelsea who instead had to play their Champions League semi-final first leg. So CJ Bott got an extra week to recover from her injury – didn’t see her in the training gallery that the Foxes threw up a few days ago though that’s hardly conclusive.
Key thing for Leicester City is that they do now have a game in hand on Reading who lost 3-2 to Everton and are only one point behind them. Of the bottom four clubs, Reading are the only ones who don’t have a kiwi on the books so if they could be the team that gets relegated then happy days (for us). Spurs also aided their personal cause with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Aston Villa. They were 2-0 down, then 3-2 up, then Rachel Daly scored in the 83rd minute for a share of the points. Anna Leat was an unused sub for Villa (Hannah Hampton conceding three might help her case) while Ria Percival is getting closer and closer in her ACL recovery but wasn’t ready for this game.
Might as well also mention that Bristol City have clinched promotion from the Championship with a week to spare thanks to their latest victory. Southampton beat London City last week to pretty much end that race. Saints are in line to finish fifth though Ashleigh Ward is never more than a rare substitute for them. London City have dropped to third having only won two of their last four games. Couldn’t quite keep pace. But Grace Neville has been a regular starter for them at right wing-back which is cool.
Up Next: Spurs vs Brighton on Sunday at 4.15am (NZT)
Ria Percival – Tottenham Hotspur (English Super League)
Spurs boss Vicky Jepson: “This is good news so of course I want to share it. Ria Percival is back on the grass in full-time training. On Saturday she will be in her first 11v11 practise in our match-day minus-1 which is fantastic for her, having a year out the game. She's looking sharp as ever and has worked tirelessly hard to get where she is. We're hoping come Brighton she'll be in the squad provided things go well and we'll see whether she gets minutes. If things go as planned she will definitely be on the bench.”
Buckle up tight because the WSL is about to hit the open roads with the return of Ria Percival from that ACL/Meniscus injury. It was a nasty bastard of a knee tear but she’s back in full training and barring any setbacks or hesitancy she is in line to make the bench for the upcoming fixture against Rebekah Stott’s Brighton in a rather important relegation context game. Just the boost that Spurs needed at this moment – they had their best ever finish last season with Percival an influential player in the midfield. Without her they’ve been sucked into the relegation murk. Hopefully we got both Stott and Percy minutes in that game and may the best side emerge victorious (and may Reading get relegated instead of either of them).
Up Next: Tottenham vs Brighton, Sunday at 4.15am (NZT)
Sarpreet Singh - SSV Jahn Regensburg (German Bundesliga 2)
Standard areas for Regensburg. They were home against Kaiserslautern and they didn’t win. Didn’t lose either, which was at least something, instead drawing 0-0 in a game where neither team managed to reach double digits for shot attempts. Regensburg’s hopes took a blow when Benedikt Saller was sent off with quarter of an hour remaining. Here’s Sarpreet Singh going as close as anyone got all game with a deep shot fumbled onto the crossbar by the keeper. Feels like Singh’s not getting too many of these lucky breaks lately...
It was a point against a higher ranked opponent that probably ended Kaiserslautern’s hopes of promotion. That’s nice. Plus they did have to end the game with ten men which adds to the achievement (although the red card did lead to Singh being subbed off on 79’ as they shored thing sup). But overall it was another subpar performance from the Reggies who remain third-to-last on the ladder. As things stand they’d have to win a playoff to avoid relegation and if they sink any lower they won’t even get that opportunity. Next week is a massive game against Sandhausen who are one of the two sides below them on the ladder.
Up Next: Away to Sandhausen at 11.30pm Sunday (NZT)
Matthew Garbett - NAC Breda (Dutch Eerste Divisie)
Not quite the same buzz around this game as the Zwolle game, nothing other than three points on the line. Breda were up against FC Eindhoven at home which was no easy task after Eindhoven had beaten PEC Zwolle a couple of games ago. They’re ahead of them on the ladder and Matt Garbett hardly had a memorable touch in the first twenty minutes as Eindhoven came out much stronger, culminating in the opening goal. Pjotr Kestens with the honours. Breda almost conceded again but for an offside, with a few more close shaves in there too.
Yet after the slow start they did turn things around. A goal for Elias Mar Omarsson on 41’ gave them a convenient 1-1 half-time nudge and then pretty much as soon as things got back underway they went and won a penalty which Jort van der Sande converted to make it 2-1. From that point, it was Breda who were spending most of the game in Eindhoven’s half. Needed more of a Garbett influence but that did begin to change as he worked a couple of long range efforts with about twenty to go. Both miles off target.
Eindhoven were able to wrestle some of that momentum back before the end although not to any serious threat. They ended up with ten men after a straight red challenge by Justin Ogenia after 89 mins. Ninety minutes in there for Garbett albeit a quiet one in terms of his attacking influence but that’s okay because they won 2-1 for three very important points. This takes them ahead of Eindhoven on the table and keeps the form looking sharp as Breda prepare for some probable playoffs endeavours.
Up Next: Sunday at 4.45am against Roda JC (NZT)
Ali Riley - Angel City FC (American National Women’s Soccer League)
Mad respect for Ali Riley’s relentless positivity. This was after a 2-0 loss at home to San Diego Wave. Frustrating game in which ACFC’s lack of finishing came back to bite them again with only two shots on target from 16 attempts, then conceding on 70’ and 76’ to go down to another defeat. That’s more attacking impetus than they’ve had for a while though so Captain Riley reckons it’s a turning point... which it may well be. Hopefully they figure out how to cross that bridge so she can then bring those lessons into the Football Ferns who have many similar issues. Fernies can’t call upon one of the best defensive mids on the planet in Julie Ertz to help their cause though – Ertz made her debut for Angel City in this match, heck of a mid-season signing.
In the other game, Abby Erceg’s Racing Louisville also lost 2-0. This was away to Portland Thorns, Christine Sinclair scoring for the Thorns inside two minutes before Morgan Weaver added another in first half stoppage time. Louisville played okay but the Thorns are the form team in the competition, the top scorers and the equal-lowest conceders after four games, and they punished them as others teams haven’t. First defeat of the campaign for Louisville after three straight draws.
Up Next: It’s Angel City’s turn to face Portland away on Sunday at 2.30pm; while RL host OL Reign at 11.30am on the same day (NZT)
Niko Kirwan – Calcio Padova (Italian Serie C)
Folks, he’s back. After suffering a serious knee at the very start of the season, literally the first cup game prior to the opening league game, Niko Kirwan made his long-awaited return off the bench last week in a 3-1 win against Lecco. He then started and lasted 58 minutes in another 3-1 win this time away to Mantova.
Niko Kirwan: “Today is a beautiful day. It was wonderful to come back after seven months, the choir and the applause when I entered the field gave me goosebumps and gave me an extra charge. I don't know how to thank the fans, really. When the coach called me for me it was an emotional moment. I have to thank everyone, my teammates and also the crowd who made me feel his warmth today before going on, then I concentrated on my job on the pitch. I thank Andrea Schiavo, a great professional and great person who has been close to me throughout this period as well as obviously all the doctors, physiotherapists and all those who have helped me in such a long and difficult journey. Now I hope to be able to give my contribution, I train hard to be ready when called upon and to lend a hand to my teammates. I am delighted to be back and to have given my contribution to this victory. I believe a lot in this group. Winning helps to win, we are improving: we have to believe in it until the end, it is important to stay on track and react to the difficulties as we did today, with this mentality and this spirit we can go far. My family woke up at 2 in the morning to watch the game and my return to the field, we spoke before the game, now they will be sleeping, I will hear from them when they wake up tomorrow.”
Just in time too because those were the last two games of the season and with those wins Padova climbed to a fifth placed finish. Enough to book them into the notoriously difficult Serie C playoffs – which Padova made it all the way to the final of last year but lost there while Kirwan was away losing in the World Cup intercontinental playoffs. That must’ve been a stinker of a week. Also, confirmation that he signed a new deal while he was out injured...
More from NK: “I promise to the fans that I will always give 100%, as I did in this recovery. I renewed with Padova until 30 June 2025, I'm very happy and proud. In the summer a couple of teams had looked for me, then I got hurt, but Padova kept their promise to renew my contract, which does them great honour. I was delighted and signed right away.”
Up Next: The promotion playoffs begin at home against Pergolettese on Monday at 1am (NZT)
Dalton Wilkins - Kolding IF (Danish Division 2)
Also amongst the goals in this banger-filled edition was Dalton Wilkins. Picked off a bad clearance by the opposition keeper and then stormed forward before lashing into the net. It was the only goal in a 1-0 Kolding win against AB which has them up to third on the ladder, just one point behind the second automatic promotion spot with eight more championship round matches remaining. Sadly the only video of it seems to be paywalled (giz a buzz if you're rich or can figure that out) but regardless it was a massive goal in the context of their season.
Up Next: Thisted vs Kolding, 5am on Saturday (NZT)
Marco Rojas – Colo-Colo (Chilean Primera División)
Check it out, a Marco Rojas sighting!
These have been almost as rare as the ancient moa in recent months. Reason for that being a shocking start to the season which caused Colo-Colo to change formation. They’re now lining up in a 3-4-1-2 shape rather than a 4-2-3-1 as they had been previously. It’s not that Marco Rojas can’t play within those tactics, the 10 role is perfectly suited to him, it’s more that there’s only that one role that fits whereas before he could also get minutes on either wing. Hence he’s competing with more dudes for fewer places in the team. Hence he’s only played 99 league minutes so far this year... although he has been on the bench for both Copa Libertadores games so he’s close to a famous debut in that competition.
The other issue with the formation change... is that it’s kinda worked. Therefore they’re not about to go away from it any time soon. Colo-Colo are steadily edging their way back up the table following only two wins from their first five games (not quite befitting of a team who call themselves the Eternal Champions) and they’ve had a win and a draw from their first two C-Lib games too, with Argentina giants Boca Juniors to follow.
Up Next: Saturday 29 April away to Union La Calera (NZT)
Ally Green - AGF (Danish Kvindeliga)
Tweet says it all. Been a different AGF since they started playing against lower tiered teams trying to get promoted. Taking care of business with 14 goals scored in those three games too. Seven more games remain and they’ve gotta finish top two to stay in the division... but so far so good. Elsewhere Daisy Cleverley was a 75th min sub for HB Køge as they missed the chance to make a near decisive step towards a three-peat of championships as they went down 3-1 to Brøndby. All the goals were scored before DC joined the action.
Up Next: B93 vs AGF at midnight on Sat/Sun (NZT)
Zac Jones – Haverfordwest County (Welsh/Cymru Premier)
A 4-1 win on the final day of the season beating Broughton away, means that Haverfordwest finished six points clear at the top of the relegation round standings (Jones was subbed off for the last five mins to give an academy goalie a first team debut – always a cool moment). They won six out of their ten playoff games with two draws and two losses. Those two losses were within the first three games so they ended the term on a seven game unbeaten streak. Zac Jones kept four clean sheets in those games. This marks Haverfordwest’s best ever league finish in the 12-team Prem. Say and look who was in the previous Team of the Week...
But the best result of all was that they won their independent appeal over the tier one licence denial a couple weeks back which means that they will be allowed to stay up in the Premier division after all (as their results did merit, to be fair – it was only an issue with the stadium that held them back).
That means that this wasn’t actually the last day of the season after all because as seventh-placed finishers they’ll now enter the playoffs for the last Europa Conference League qualification spot out of Wales. Those will take place in a semis to final format, probably not for a fortnight though as they’ve got to have the Welsh Cup final first to determine who else competes. From worrying about relegation to being in the mix for Europe with such a quick turnaround, how about that?
Up Next: Welsh Cup final is next weekend so the playoffs likely take place the week after
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