Winston Reid – West Ham United (English Premier League)

WIIIINSTOOOON!!! Oh what a moment, what a game. But we'll come to the Boleyn farewell soon, first off there was a very different game to discuss.

Slaven Bilic: “We were simply not good enough, the whole team. We had too many passengers relying on other players to do the dirty jobs.”

In this case, too many passengers was not a good thing. West Ham played their second to last game at Upton Park and were inexplicably pumped 4-1 by Swansea and this with a Champions League spot still on the cards and this with the Swans’ captain rested for the remainder of the season. You wanna know how bad it was? Bafetimbi Gomis scored.

It didn’t start like that. It started with West Ham winning corners and looking dangerous. Even Winston was getting up with a few headers up front and a shot on target. But roughly 20 minutes in it unravelled and Swansea brutally exposed Michail Antonio at right back. Usually a winger, Antonio has fitted in there nicely on a few occasions but not this one. ‘Twas rather crap, really.

Winston played all 90 minutes and along with that early shot he also made a couple tackles and four clearances. Well below his usual influence, this wasn’t a good day. He even got himself one of these bad boys:

And now the midweek game, yes that special one. At home to Manchester United, it was the final game at Upton Park – the Boleyn Ground as it’s also known. As amazing a deal they got for the Olympic Stadium, it’s still a sad thing to have to leave a ground that had been their home for a century. Tributes and memories went flooding on. You can even buy a seat from the stand if you’ve got a spare £50 or so. For the same price you could also get the ‘Keep Off The Grass’ sign that they use. Rare opportunity memorabilia, folks.

Perhaps it was a little too special. With thousands of fans lined up outside the gates the kickoff ended up being delayed 45 minutes as the Man Utd team bus was stuck trying to manoeuvre through the crowds. It got messy, the bus was pelted with bottles and other objects. David Sullivan blamed United for being late, the FA opened an investigation. There's always a couple, aye? Blame the Firm. 

When it finally got underway, West Ham were rampant. The crowd was bursting and the football exciting. Ten minutes in a deflected Diafra Sakho shot found its way past David De Gea and into the bottom corner. Things couldn't have started better for Winnie and friends. Although they could have continued better, both Andy Carroll and Dimitri Payet completely wasted great chances to make it 2-0. Having said that, while United started to get a foothold on possession but they still only managed one shot all first half and it was a Wayne Rooney specie that ended up 40 rows back.

But if the first half didn't live up to the occasion then the second half certainly did. It began with United drawing level, Marcus Rashford teeing up Juan Mata and there wasn't much to be done about Anthony Martial's close finish. Man Utd were playing to move into the Champions League spots and they needed this win to do that. 18 minutes from time Martial got the ball in a bit of space down the flank. He ran it at Winston and he beat him for pace, though it was keeper Darren Randolph who was at fault. In trying to jump out for the cross he left the near post open and whether or not Martial was shooting or looking for a teammate was irrelevant, it was 2-1. 

But just four minutes later the Hammers were level to the delight of an emotional crowd. Payet with the cross, coming after he free kick had hit the wall and Antonio beat the offside trap for a free header at the far post. West Ham seemed to have much the better of set pieces with their size and strength and that was a threat all game. Ten minutes from time, something special happened. Having fallen behind, having seen their Europa League spot in jeopardy, having looked as though this grand occasion would end on a bitter note... in came a whipped ball and off went a flicked header and as David De Gea dived he got one desperate hand on it but could not keep it out of the goal. 3-2. The head that supplied it? Winston Reid's. 

There were one or two nervy moments but the Hammers held on for a famous farewell to their home for the last 112 years. Devastating for Man United's Champions League hopes but massive for West Ham who should now hold on for a European place of their own. Hey, these two might even meet in the Europa knockouts next season.

Winston, mate. Seven interceptions for a game-high as well as four clearances but really it was only the goal that people will remember. The final one at the Boleyn Ground and his first since September 2014, which was against Liverpool. A man for the big occasion. Winston wrote his name into West Ham folklore forever with that goal. 

Meanwhile…

Up Next: Closing things out with a trip to Stoke, 2am Monday (NZT)

Jake Gleeson – Portland Timbers (American MLS)

So… that’s what Gleeson’s been up to. Last week we got all up in his heroism as the Timber won 2-1 over Toronto (Ryan Nelsen’s old managerial home). It was quality and he really got his name out there after years of sitting on the bench or playing out on loan.

Here’s what the Timbers had to say in their press release:

"Gleeson, 25, made four saves in Sunday's win over Toronto FC, helping the Timbers extend their unbeaten streak to three matches. After the Timbers took a 2-1 lead through Diego Valeri's free-kick goal in the 74th minute, Gleeson turned in a Save of the Week contender in the 77th minute, as Toronto FC's Michael Bradley fired a shot from outside the box that was denied with a diving stop. In stoppage time, Gleeson denied a point-blank header that helped Portland secure its third home victory of the season."

It was a week of accolades too. That wasn’t the only one.

Against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Gleeson went about starting the way he finished that last game. A series of saves in the first half kept the Timbers in it as the Whitecaps somehow managed 26 total shots and 13 of them were on target. The Timbers still haven't kept a clean sheet after having one of the best defences in the MLS last season and things like that are why.

Despite being on the back foot so often, it was Portland that took the lead through a slick move between Darlington Nagbe and Fanendo Adi setting up Nat Borchers for the goal. A few more Gleeson saves and they preserved that unlikely lead all the way into the break.

Straight after HT it was more of the same. Gleeson had to dive low to save after a terrible defensive clearance had gone right to an attacker. On the hour though, he was finally caught out. Gleeson will be furious at allowing Masato Kudo to score at his near post too. But that wasn’t the real howler. The real one came six minutes later when Jakey gifted the ‘Caps the lead as he missed a Christian Bolaños chipped ball through his legs. Gleeson was still able to make two more amazing diving saves in that game as well as nullifying a one-on-one in injury time but the Timbers couldn’t muster much attack, going down 2-1. The fairytale kinda ended with that second goal he conceded, but in a funny way while he cost them the game there, he also sort of kept them in it with another game full of top, top saves.

Not that he was dwelling on anything other than the errors.

Jake Gleeson: "It's my job to keep the ball out of the back of the net. Today, I didn't do that."

Plus this, have a read of Gleeson spreading the Blackcaps gospel in the USA:

In Kip Colvey news, the young lad was on the bench as San Jose lost 2-0 away to Seattle. Clint Dempsey scored. This after Colvey had been loaned out for a game with San Jose’s lower league affiliate team Sacramento Republic FC. Sounds like he mostly played a pretty good one there too, though not enough to avoid a 1-0 loss.

Here’s Paul Buckle, Sac coach, on how the kiwi fullback went for his side:

“I think he showed that it's not always easy. I felt that James [Kiffe] needed a break. For me Colvey's really a right back, but he's done a great job with the Quakes at left back so we decided to go with it. He didn't get forward as much as we'd have liked… For me, the game of football is about details. I'm looking for quality and he certainly gave us that. Emrah was struggling with a cramp in his calf so we changed it and brought Kip across to the right. I think you saw with that run, the timing of the run, the ball into the box is whey he's playing at an MLS level. I thought he did well.”

Up Next: Portland Timbers vs NYCFC, 11.30am Monday (NZT)

Chris Wood – Leeds United (English Championship)

The playoffs were never much of a chance for Leeds but they’ll probably be satisfied with a 13th placed finish given how chaotic things got there (and still remain). Probably an appropriate number, really. Next season the targets will be higher but for now a steadying campaign is far from a bad thing.

They closed it out with an early afternoon visit to Preston North End. Just a couple changes, Chris Wood retaining his place up front. Amidst some mostly uninspired footy to begin the contest, it was Wood that fired the first real shot it as he smacked one across the goal from distance after 50 seconds. However it was PNE’s Joe Garner that came closest to breaking it open. He failed to turn in a deep cross having broken his marking. Wood got in behind and lobbed a shot over the bar with the keeper advancing before Garner buggered another header.

Woody was always most likely to do the damage. Into the second half he headed low for Chris Kirkland to save. The ex-Liverpool and Wigan shot stopper then turned villain though, coming out too far and clumsily chopping down Luke Murphy. Penalty. Up stepped Chris Wood…

Yeah, no problems there buddy. A 13th goal of the season for Wood. Ex-Leeds striker Noel Whelan had this to say about it speaking to the BBC:

“It was a great penalty and it showed a good sense of character. He was the designated penalty taker because he was starting the game and as much as Mirco Antenucci wanted to take it, he might not be here next season - Wood is. He is our first choice and he should be taking penalties. He needs that strength of character and he needs these goals. Signing off with a goal will put him in good stead for the start of next season.”

The debate there being that Antenucci, in his final game for the club, had wanted to take the spottie. The two strikers had argued it briefly before Wood took it and Ante seemed to have a few sour grapes based on the way he didn’t join in the team celebration.

That goal came with 12 minutes left but in stoppage time they blew it. Scott Wootton was caught out trying to shield the ball for a goal kick and Jordan Hugill equalised. Preston had already gotten the ball in the net a few minutes previous but the flag had duly gone up. This time there was no reprieve. Wood had a late header that might have salvaged the three points back but he nodded it wide and it ended 1-1.

One positive was the late debut of youngster Ronaldo Vieiri, days after signing his first pro contract. With a name like that he’s bound to be a superstar.

Steve Evans departed the game a little teary, knowing that his time with the club is surely up. If you want to keep your managerial gig at Leeds, midtable may be solid but it ain’t good enough. John Sheridan is the new favourite for that job, even if Evans’ position hasn’t been clarified yet. Sheridan is at Oldham currently and is a former Leeds player himself. Fabio Cannavaro, Dougie Freedman, Zenga and Gus Poyet are other names getting a mention. Probably don’t freak on the chances of David Moyes, Nigel Pearson or Paul Clement wanting to come to Leeds with other jobs available.

If Dougie Freedman gets the gig, that’d be an interesting one because he was allegedly sacked by Bolton in 2014 over a transfer row in which the final straw was the club refusing to sump up the cash to sign Chris Wood on loan.

As well as all that, hopefully you followed our lead and got voting for Chris Wood for Championship Player of the Month for April. If you didn’t then it’s too late now. Wood was one of three nominees along with Fernando Forestieri of Sheffield Wednesday and Greg Halford of Rotherham. Frankly, it was a little surprising to see him nominated but four goals in eight games got him in there. Bloody marvellous. 

Unfortunately Forestieri won by a resounding margin. Having taken Wednesday into the playoffs, he’s now won the damn thing three times this season and his 69.5% of the vote hardly left the third in doubt. Wood was second with 15.5%.

Also a serious note of recognition here, not enough people are making the Leicester City link with the lad Woody. He was there for a couple years, remember. He scored a late equaliser in their opening game last season and had the odd appearance off the bench as well as he fought for a place in the Premier League side, before a loan to Ipswich later in the campaign. Before that he scoredgoals in their Championship winning season and the year before that he started in their playoff semi-final second leg (a defeat to Watford in dramatic circumstances) ahead of both Jamie Vardy and the on-loan Harry Kane. Not quite a Riyad Mahrez level of influence but he played a solid role in getting this team along on their journey. Read this for more on said Foxes journey, and spot the mentions of All Whites strikers.

Tommy Smith – Ipswich Town (English Championship)

Ultimately it was so close for Ipswich, ending their season only one place out of the playoff, five points behind Sheffield Wednesday. But in truth they were always on the outside looking in. Still, two wins to end things ensured that it all looks a little sexier on the table.

It was a 1-0 win over playoff-bound Derby that proved the icing on the cake. Away from home too, although to be fair the Rams didn’t have a whole lot to play for with their place in the payoffs already sorted.

But from a purely Smith/Ipswich point of view this was a superb end to the campaign with one of their best performances in months. Bart had to make a decent save early on in goal but following that Ipswich started to thrive. McGoldrick poked a ball through for Freddie Sears who drew a save. McGoldrick also volleyed one that was deflected out. He looked sharp and you have to wonder how different their season might have been with him fit for the distance. As it was it was McG who scored the winner. Teddy Bishop went running into the box and was sliced down, ref pointed to the spot. David McGoldrick made no mistake for his fourth goal of the season.

Bart had to make another save from a Tom Ince free-kick but most of Derby’s chances failed to threaten him. Derby weren’t exactly phoning it in, they worked hard for an equaliser after the break but couldn’t find one. Closest was probably a slick move that got Craig Bryson a shot on the edge of the box, Bialkowski saving that one too and from the resulting corner, a second effort cross was headed wide by Chris Martin. The game lost a lot of steam late on when George Thorne was injured. It took eight minutes for him to get treatment after Jonathan Douglas’ (legal) challenge, medical exams later confirming suspicions of a broken leg, a terrible injury to suffer on the verge of the playoffs. Although there was nothing malicious in the challenge, Douglas did apologise and Thorne accepted it.

As for the numbers, Smithy made one tackle, popped up with three interceptions and made five clearances while being solidly above his average when it came to distribution. Even his long balls were on target, a lovely way to end the season. 45 games he played of their 46, scoring twice and setting up three goals. There were also seven yellow cards. Given the look of some of the young players coming through at Ipswich and given a few crucial injuries, there’s real optimism for their chances next season and Smith should shape as a big part of that.

Marco Rojas – FC Thun (Swiss Super League)

Over in Switzerland there’s still actually three more games to play for Rojas. That after a couple these last few days. First off we had a home game vs St Gallen, then a trip to perennial champions Basel. We’ll go chronologically.

Rojas was named on the bench for the StG game, which was in keeping with his usual role these days – he hasn’t played 90 minutes since February, he’s either subbed in or subbed off usually. This time the former and it didn’t start so well for the Thuners either. 25 minutes in and Dennis Hediger, the bloody captain of all people, went and did some very stupid things in getting two yellow cards in the space of two minutes. The second was for a little trip of the heel and he was on his bike. Yet just minutes later they were in front as Gonzalo Zarate was fouled on the break. Enrico Schirinzi made it 1-0.

The ten men didn’t hold out long. Before 31 minutes had ticked over it was 1-1 with Albert Bunjaku getting free at the far post. Thun actually got the ball back in the net five minutes later but despite beating the offside trap, Ridge Munsy’s goal was disallowed for a high boot. St Gallen eventually took the lead and it came 63 minutes in from another open man off a cross. With the game slipping away now, FCT made three quick subs. The first on 79 mins, the next two on 84. One of the second batch was a lad named Marco Rojas. Five minutes later he did this:

2-2 the final score, Marco rescuing a point with his late goal. Love it. That’s his second of the season in the SSL.

And the Basel game, well, Rojas was on the bench again and this time didn't get a run, so we don't need to go into too much detail. Against the odds, Thun took the lead through Enrico Schirinzi, striking his shot perfectly in the bottom corner. It was almost completely against the run of play and yet they held out 'til half time with the lead. They held out after half time too. They held out all the way until the 81st minute when Birkir Bjarnason popped up on the end of a cross to make it 1-1. A bit of a pain but still a commendable result against the champs. Of course, it could have been a win had they used their last sub on that hobbit looking fella on the bench there.

Up Next: 2am Sunday morning at home to Sion (NZT)

Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredivisie)

Four months after the knee injury that cost him all but 12 Eredivisie games this season, Thommo is back! He was in the Zwolle youth team that fell 3-2 to NAC Breda, starting that one, although he had to be subbed off in the 38th minute with what was labelled a minor thigh strain. No real reason to worry, they’ll just be taking their time with his recovery as it’s too late for him to contribute much at this stage of the season. Nor should we expect to see him playing for New Zealand at the Oceania Nations Cup, so it goes.

Zwolle concluded their league season with a 3-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven, who clinched the title with that win. As for Zwolle, it was an eighth place final placing… although that was enough to keep them in position for the Europa League playoffs. They’ll meet Utrecht twice in the next seven days, home and away, with the victor over two legs playing either Groningen or Heracles. Those fellas do their bit and Thommo could be back in Europe next time around.

Up Next: PEC Zwolle vs Utreht, 6.45am Friday (NZT)

Jeremy Brockie – SuperSport United (South African Premier Soccer League)

It’s Cup semi-final time in a few days but first there is some league business to finish. In their third to last game both Michael Boxall and Jeremy Brockie were fairly influential in 90 minute performances though a 2-2 draw with Polokwane was kinda disappointing. It cost them the chance to rise to seventh in the standings and with two games to go those are points that will be tough to get back. Not that they lost any ground – incredibly there was only one result in the last round of games and that was the league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns extending their lead with a win over second-to-last placed Uni of Pretoria.

Dove Wome and Dean Furman twice put SSU in front but twice they were pegged back – the second equaliser coming in the 86th minute. A shame for United, however they can’t say they didn’t have their chances to put the game away and Brockie will be pretty frustrated at his efforts especially.

Up Next: 6.15am Sunday, Nedbank Cup semi, SSU vs Baroka (NZT)

Bill Tuiloma – RC Strasbourg Alsace (French Championnat National)

Strasbourg no longer. A frustrating loan has ended now with Billy jetting back to NZ to join up with an extended (a veeeery extended) All Whites training camp squad in Auckland. Not the worst thing at all for Tui right now, he simply wasn’t playing much at Strasbourg which is a huge disappointment for a developing player even if that is the way it goes sometimes. NZ coach Anthony Hudson has left Tuiloma out of his squads at times during this season citing lack of fitness so getting into that camp and working with Hudson seems a big opportunity for Tui to get back to that level he was a year ago where it seemed the lad was becoming one of the national team’s most important players.

So Tuiloma will return next season to Olympique Marseille where he is contracted until 2018. How much of a chance he gets there is impossible to say right now as that club’s in a bit of flux, but all up he leaves Strasbourg with nine appearances for the first team including two starts (and 14 matches named to the bench) and seven appearances (all starts) for the second team, for whom he scored one goal. Still, with RCS now five points clear at the top of the table, there may be a winner’s medal coming in the mail for Bill.