Manchester United 1 v 1 FC Twente

Wednesday 25th September 2024, Kick-off 19.45

Europa League League Phase Matchday One

Old Trafford, Manchester

Admission: £45.00

Programme: £4.00

Attendance: 73,069

A match report from a Manchester Unuted perspective can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below.

Video highlights can be viewed by clicking here

Match report: United 1 FC Twente 1 byAdam Higgins

Manchester United were forced to settle for a point in the opening match of the new-look Europa League, against Erik ten Hag's former club FC Twente.

Christian Eriksen's first European goal for the club gave the Reds the lead 10 minutes before the break with a sublime strike, which was cancelled out by Sam Lammers for the Dutch visitors midway through the second period. 

The Reds will feel that it is a missed opportunity, after the boss had stressed the importance of a strong start in the first of eight Europa League games, in our first competitive meeting with his own boyhood club, which he represented as captain, youth coach and assistant manager earlier in his career.

Erik made three changes to the line-up from Saturday’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace as Marcus Rashford, Manuel Ugarte and Harry Maguire were recalled in place of Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Matthijs de Ligt, who were among a strong substitutes’ bench.

Before kick-off, former United coach and FC Twente manager Steve McClaren was presented with an engraved silver plate at pitchside by Sir Alex Ferguson and Twente’s Wout Brace to recognise his contribution to both clubs.

FIRST HALF - ERIKSEN EDGES UNITED AHEAD

The slick surface contributed to a lively opening to our 201st European game at the Theatre of Dreams, which was in fine voice.

The visitors carved the first sighting of goal early on as ex-Rangers forward Sam Lammers side-footed wide at the near post from Bart van Rooij’s low cross.

In front of watching interim England manager Lee Carsley, Rashford made a positive impression down the left flank and his link-up play with our Dutch frontman Joshua Zirkzee looked like a promising route to goal for the Reds.

On the opposite side, Amad niftily worked his way to the byline and his threatening cross led to Zirkzee, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen all having shots that were frantically blocked by the Twente rearguard in quick succession.

But the visitors’ keeper, Lars Unnerstall, was tested for the first time by one of his own team-mates, when Mees Hilgers – under pressure from Zirkzee – inadvertently volleyed Lisandro Martinez’s knockdown towards goal, forcing an acrobatic stop.

Soon after, Rashford’s dazzling piece of skill deceived FC Twente skipper Ricky van Wolfswinkel before our no.10’s cutback picked out an unmarked Martinez, who found Anass Salah-Eddine in the way of his attempt at goal.

Just when it was becoming frustrating for the Reds, Eriksen ensured United had the advantage at the break by adding to the two goals he bagged against Barnsley in our previous home game.

The Danish midfielder fired a delightful first-time strike into the far corner, after the ball escaped the clutches of Diogo Dalot inside the box from Fernandes’s forward pass.

SECOND HALF - TWENTE FIGHT BACK

The Reds had more defensive work to carry out when the action resumed as the Enschede club sought a response, but Maguire had the first chance of the second period when his half-volley from Eriksen’s corner was denied by Unnerstall.

Andre Onana had little to do in the United goal, until he was called upon to tip Sem Steijn’s low free-kick behind for a corner after the FC Twente danger man had been fouled by Martinez, who was booked.

Moments after Garnacho entered the fray in place of Amad, Joseph Oosting’s side levelled matters as Lammers stole possession from Eriksen and rifled a shot past Onana, after a lung-busting run from Van Rooij had initially been halted.

The equaliser gave the Eredivisie outfit an injection of confidence and the Reds had to stay focused as the contest opened up again.

Zirkzee came close to his first European goal for the Reds as he exchanged passes with Dalot and forced a save from Unnerstall, before Maguire saw his header from Eriksen’s resulting corner deflect wide – despite a goal-kick being awarded.

A triple change from Ten Hag saw Mason Mount make his return to action after a month-long absence, as our no.7 was joined by Rasmus Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo to bring fresh energy to proceedings.

As United dominated the closing stages, Fernandes saw his shot whistle inches wide from Ugarte’s cutback and Garnacho curled narrowly over from the edge of the box.

In stoppage time, Maguire’s header clipped off the leg of Bruns and drew a last-gasp stop from Unnerstall, who also made a routine save from Fernandes’s distance effort. But the Reds could not find a winner and attention now turns to Sunday’s Premier League visit from Tottenham Hotspur (kick-off 16:30 BST).

United: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Eriksen (Mainoo 79), Ugarte, Amad (Garnacho 67), Fernandes (c), Rashford (Hojlund 79); Zirkzee (Mount 79).

Substitutes: Bayindir, Heaton, De Ligt, Evans, Casemiro, Collyer, Antony.

Goals: Eriksen 35.

Booked: Martinez.

FC Twente: Unnerstall; Van Roof, Hilgers, Bruns, Salah-Eddine; Regeer (Besselink 83), Vlap (Kjolo 61); Steijn (D.Rots 60); Van Wolfswinkel (c), Lammers (Lagerbielke 83), Van Bergen (Ltaief 74).

Substitutes: Tyton, Eiting, El Maach, Kuipers, Mesbahi, M.Rots, Tyton, Van Hoorenbeeck.

Goals: Lammers 68.

Booked: Bruns, Lammers, Van Wolfswinkel.

The New Saints 2 v 3 Bala Town

Tuesday 24th September 2024, Kick-off 19.45

Cymru Premier

Park Hall, Oswestry

Admission: £11.00

Programme: £3.00

Attendance: 179

A match report, from a TNS point of view, can be read by clicking here , also copied and pasted below

Video highlights can be viewed by clicking here

Late drama sees Bala Town leave Park Hall with all three points

Match report by Sam Wood

Following stoppage-time drama at Park Hall, Bala Town left Oswestry with a 3-2 victory over The New Saints.

With the game locked level at 1-1, Craig Harrison’s side thought’d they’d snatched a late winner with three minutes to play, courtesy of Dan Williams.

But it was the Lakesiders who went home with maximum points, after Alex Downes and Hussein Mehasseb stunned The Saints with last-gasp goals.

It was a fast start by the JD Cymru Premier champions, and they could’ve opened the scoring with just two minutes on the clock.

Making a lively run into the penalty area, Jake Canavan got on the end of Josh Daniels’ cross, but failed to hit the target with his shot.

Just three minutes later though, The Saints did make the breakthrough courtesy of Sion Bradley.

Controlling Leo Smith’s pass on the edge of the penalty area, the former Caernarfon Town man beat Joel Torrance with an effort into the far corner.

However, the TNS lead didn’t last long, as Bala equalised in the 12th minute of the match.

Collecting the ball on the halfway line, the Lakesiders’ number 22, Christian Norton, went on a surging run into the TNS penalty area, before squeezing an effort beneath the outrushing Connor Roberts.

Down the other end, Adam Wilson put the ball into the back of the net with 25 minutes played, but the assistant referee quickly raised his flag to signal an offside.

Five minutes before the break, Bradley could’ve restored his side’s lead, but after an inviting ball from Jordan Williams, the number 20 couldn’t quite connect with his head.

Following the restart, Wilson and Josh Daniels were both denied by the goalkeeper, as The Saints looked to start the second half as they did the first.

With 60 minutes gone, Bradley had a strike deflected wide from inside the penalty, before an important header from Alex Downes prevented Ben Clark from testing the goalkeeper.

Craig Harrison’s side continued to knock on the Bala door, and with 18 minutes to play, a header from Blaine Hudson went begging at the back post.

In the 81st minute, the home side went close again, as a free-kick from Sion Bradley cannoned back off the post.

With three minutes of the 90 to play though, The New Saints scored what they thought would be the winner, as substitute, Dan Williams, stroked the ball into the top corner following a cross from Jake Canavan.

But with six minutes of additional time indicated by the fourth official, there was still time for late drama to unfold at Park Hall.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Alex Downes scored a dramatic equaliser for the Lakesiders, as he beat Roberts with a composed finish from close-range after a great Aeron Edwards assist. 

And things went from bad to worse before the final whistle, as Caton’s side scored a last-gasp winner in the seventh minute of added on time.

Hussein Mehassed stole the ball from the feet of Blaine Hudson midway inside the TNS half, before racing forward and lofting the ball over Roberts from inside the ‘D’.

3-2 is how it ended, with Bala Town claiming their first-ever victory over The New Saints at Park Hall.

It’s the first time since 2019 that TNS have lost back-to-back league games – a run spanning 149 consecutive matches.

Charlton Athletic 1 v 2 Blackpool

Saturday 21st September 2024, Kick-off 15.00

EFL League One

The Valley, Charlton

Admission: Season Ticket

Programme: £3.50

Attendance: 14.149 (675 away)

Video highlights can be viewed by clicking here

A match report can be read by clicking here , also copied and pasted below

Kevin Nolan’s Valley View: Charlton Athletic 1-2 Blackpool

A poor Charlton performance led to the Addicks conceding two goals in the first half, before a farcical second half. KEVIN NOLAN is still fuming.

Blackpool were the better of two moderate sides and did enough to win this game which disintegrated during a stop-start second half. In the interests of fairness and accuracy, that needs saying. 

It also needs to be said that their attitude was an absolute disgrace in a game they made farcical with their shameless play-acting after the break. You could say they enjoyed ill-health, regularly collapsing theatrically and calling for medical assistance which was primed and ever-ready to help. 

Twelve added minutes – which were hardly fitting punishment for their anti-football antics – almost cost Steve Bruce’s troupe of thespians the victory their first half superiority had earned them. Halfway through them, substitute Luke Berry reduced Charlton’s arrears by prodding home the mess made by Harry Tyrer of dealing with Conor Coventry’s cross. 

And with almost the last kick, the same player came agonisingly close to equalising from a free-kick, which Tyrer saved splendidly at the foot of his right hand post.

Before Mr Hyde replaced Dr Jekyll for the second session, the visitors played confidently and were good value for the two-goal lead they enjoyed with their tea at half-time. It might have been more but for Will Mannion’s early heroics in keeping out Kyle Joseph’s point-blank shot and reacting instinctively to parry Olly Casey’s effort to convert a juicy rebound. But there was little the Addicks’ keeper could do to save his side when Gassan Ahadme, anxious to help out, headed Rob Apter’s cross into his own goal.

Nathan Jones’s chaps were still absorbing the self-inflicted body blow when they found themselves two down. And it was hardly surprising that the scorer was none other than Albie Morgan, late of this parish. 

Looking leaner and fitter since moving to the coast, Morgan was making a constructive contribution to Blackpool’s crisp, attractive combination play before he added a rare goal to their cause. Pouncing on an inviting loose ball as a left-sided attack petered out, he drilled a first-time drive into the bottom left corner. Albie was not, by the way, part of the shady shenanigans which ultimately destroyed this game. He was brought up to play the game competitively but fairly.

One of Blackpool’s chief offenders was Joseph, a rangy centre forward, who operated with socks rolled down and was a consistent nuisance to Charlton until he changed his role to that of chief pantomime villain. During one lengthy second-half interlude he lay in apparent agony following an innocuous clash but was studiously ignored by harassed referee Charles Breakspear as play continued. 

Denied the pain relief he apparently sorely required, he sprang back to life and sprinted back to lend a hand defensively. He should have been encouraged to continue his run into the visiting dressing room, with a red card to send him on his way.

It’s tempting, of course, to blame Breakspear for the Tangerines’ skulduggery. Tempting but unfair. Referees can hardly be expected to decide whether injury is genuine or fake. He is hardly qualified to judge the difference. Some of his in-play decisions were, however, frankly incomprehensible, which is another matter entirely.  

Beaten for the first time at home this season, meanwhile, Charlton showed little imagination in dealing with a side who have made little impact on League One so far. Coventry and centre-back Lloyd Jones were their best players but there were disappointing contributions from, among others, skipper Greg Docherty and Allan Campbell. Up front the hard-working Ahadme and Daniel Kanu made little impression. 

The 70th-minute arrivals of Matty Godden and the inevitable Chuks Aneke added spark, with Aneke announcing himself by heading Macaulay Gillesphey’s cross narrowly over the bar. At the other end, Mannion continued to distinguish himself with an excellent save to tip CJ Hamilton’s goal-bound daisycutter on a post.

With time running out, Breakspear was given one clear-cut opportunity to redeem himself, but remained impassive as Berry’s hard shot was clearly stopped by a defensive hand. He had already seen nothing wrong with the blatant shove which propelled Ahadme harmlessly under a dropping ball inside Blackpool’s penalty area.

It’s fair to say that if Breakspear ever officiates again at The Valley, it will be a day too soon; the same could be said of Bruce and his Seasiders.

And if that sounds like the complaint of a sore loser, you got me. Because that’s exactly what it is!

Charlton: Mannion, Ramsay, Gillesphey, Jones, Edmonds-Green, Coventry, Small (Tyreece Campbell 37), Docherty (Anderson 64), Allan Campbell (Berry 64), Ahadme (Aneke 70), Kanu (Godden 70). Not used: Maynard-Brewer, Potts.  Booked: Docherty, Edmonds-Green.

Blackpool: Tyrer, Husband, Gabriel (Pennington 79), Evans, Morgan (Coulson 85), Joseph (Rhodes 76), Ballard (Beesley 76), Casey, Hamilton, Offiah. Apter (Carey 85).

Not used: O’Donnell, Embleton. Booked: Rhodes.

Referee: Charles Breakspear.

Attendance: 14,149 (675 from Blackpool)

Brighton & Hove Albion 3 v 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Tuesday 18th September 2024, Kick-off 19.45

Carabao Cup Third Round

American Express Community Stadium, Falmer

Admission: £15.00

Programme: £2.50

Attendance: 16,018

A match report from Brighton’s perspective can be read by clicking here

Video highlights can be viewed by clicking here

Kadioglu seals Albion's Carabao Cup progress

Substitute scores with his first touch after first-half goals by Baleba and Adingra in 3-2 win over Wolves.

It looked like being a comfortable night at the Amex when Carlos Baleba and Simon Adingra hit sumptuous long-range goals during a dominant opening half-hour by the hosts.

But Rodrigo Gomes pulled one back just before the break and in an end-to-end second half it was 

Wolves who looked likelier to score the next goal. Jack Hinshelwood made an amazing goal line clearance, and the visitors wasted other opportunities.

But with six minutes to go Kadioglu finished a rapid counter-attack a minute after coming on and his volley made it 3-1. Tommy Doyle got a second for Wolves in stoppage time but Albion got the job done.

Fabian Hurzeler made eight changes from Saturday’s goalless draw against Ipswich and Wolves changed ten players, but it was Albion who looked more cohesive and their early dominance was rewarded with a brilliant goal on 14 minutes by Baleba.

He pressed Joao Gomes 30 yards out and won the ball back before setting himself and curling a left-foot shot into the bottom corner. The celebration wasn’t bad either as Baleba did two somersaults and a dance in front a delighted East Stand.

Minteh thought he’d doubled the lead midway through the first half. The impressive Evan Ferguson turned Alfie Pond expertly, Sa parried his shot but Minteh had drifted offside when he turned the ball into an empty net.

Wolves had a good spell and skipper for the night Jason Steele showed his athleticism to tip a powerful shot from the right-corner of the box by Goncalo Guedes over the bar.

But Albion were on top and scored another superbly taken goal on 31 minutes. Adam Webster’s raking cross-field pass found Adingra and he cut in from the left, gliding past Pedro Lima and Santiago Bueno before beating Sa from 20 yards with a low right-foot shot into the bottom corner.

Albion seemed to be in control but two minutes before the break Wolves got one back. Matt Doherty combined with Rodrigo Gomes on the left and Doherty’s pull-back was side-footed past Steele by Guedes from close range with the aid of a slight deflection off Adam Webster.

Steele denied Wolves an equaliser a minute after the restart when he blocked Gomes’ shot with his legs and Steele saved at the feet of Pablo Sarabia after more good work by Guedes down the right as Albion struggled to rediscover their first-half fluency.

They had another escape on 64 minutes when Nelson Semedo got to the line and pulled the ball back for Hee Chan Hwang. His close-range shot was deflected off Webster and Rodrigo Gomes was about to tap the loose ball home from a yard out when Hinshelwood somehow got across to boot it off the line.

Wolves squandered another chance in the 70th minute when Guedes in yards of space 15 yards out dragged his shot horribly wide of the left-hand post.

As the visitors committed more men forward they left gaps at the back and with five minutes to go Albion pounced. Adingra sent Welbeck into space and Sa could only parry his shot into the path of Kadioglu, who volleyed it home.

There was a late twist when Steele’s pass out was intercepted by Jorgen Strand Larsen and he teed up Doyle, who thrashed a right-foot shot past Steele and in off the underside of the bar. Wolves deserved a second goal but it came too late to stop Albion reaching the fourth round.

Albion: Steele, Hinshelwood, Webster, Igor, Estupinan, Baleba (Wieffer 62), Moder (Ayari 71), Minteh (Kadioglu 82), Enciso (Lamptey 82), Adingra, Ferguson (Welbeck 62).

Subs not used: Verbruggen, Dunk, Mitoma, Veltman.

Wolves: Sa, Doherty, Bueno, Pond, Lima (Semedo 64), Doyle, J Gomes (Lemina 64), Sarabia (Forbs 63), Hwang (Cunha 71), R Gomes, Guedes (Strand Larsen 82).

Unused subs | King, Dawson, Andre, Cundle.

Referee: John Brooks

Attendance: 16,018

Capel 6 v 1 Brighton Electricity

Saturday 14th September 2024, Kick-off 15.00

Southern Combination League Division Two 

Beare Green Playing Field, Beare Green

Admission: Free

Programme: Online

Attendance: 46