Catching up on the lads out on loan. From a couple of weeks ago - "Ben Pringle came on for the last 20 minutes but couldn’t prevent Ipswich Town from slipping to a 1-0 home defeat by Rotherham United on Saturday. Leon Best hit the game’s only goal just before half-time, although Pringle went close late on when his cross-cum-shot just missed the target. Ipswich remain eighth with the result, but they’re now four points adrift of the Play-Offs. In Sky Bet League One, Jack Grimmer played the full 90 as Shrewsbury Town drew 2-2 at Bury. Sullay Kaikai netted either side of a Tom Soares effort to give the Shrews a half-time lead, but Peter Clarke’s goal ensured the spoils were shared as Town remain 17th. Elsewhere, George Williams came on for the final quarter of an hour of Gillingham’s 1-1 draw with Southend United at Roots Hall. Anthony Wordsworth opened the scoring for the Shrimpers, but Luke Norris levelled shortly after half-time to earn the fourth-placed Gills a point. In League Two, Sean Kavanagh played 64 minutes of Mansfield Town’s 1-1 home draw with Portsmouth. Matt Green put the Stags in front only for Mani Dieseruvwe to put through his own net just before the break, and that was the way it stayed. Mansfield dropped into the bottom half of the table as a result. In the Vanarama National League, Cameron Burgess played the entirety of Cheltenham Town’s 1-0 defeat at Braintree Town. Michael Cheek’s 63rd minute header proved decisive, with the Robins' lead at the top now cut to just one point. Elsewhere in the division, Marek Rodák’s Welling United were beaten by the same scoreline at home to Gateshead. Alex Whitmore struck on the stroke of half-time to extend 23rd-placed Welling’s winless run to 22 matches. In Denmark, Nikolay Bodurov played 90 minutes as Midtjylland lost 3-2 at SønderjyskE. Goals from Filip Novak and Martin Pusic had given the visitors a strong advantage at half-time, but the hosts turned the game on its head through a Nicolai Madsen brace and Mikkel Hedegaard’s effort. Midtjylland drop to fifth in the Superliga." And from last weekend - "Cameron Burgess played the full 90 minutes as Vanarama National League leaders Cheltenham Town stepped up their automatic promotion push with a 4-1 victory over struggling Boreham Wood on Good Friday. Danny Wright scored from the spot after Danny Woodards' foul on Dan Holman, who then put the Robins 2-0 up. Harry Pell was felled by Scott Doe and Wright added a second penalty before Danny Haynes replied from 25 yards. But Holman's strike in stoppage time sealed the win for Cheltenham who are three points clear at the top. In Sky Bet League One, Jack Grimmer played the full 90 minutes and Larnell Cole was a second-half substitute as 10-man Shrewsbury Town extended their unbeaten run to nine games with a 1-1 draw at home to Port Vale. Grimmer was booked early on and promotion-chasing Vale went in front on the hour mark as Louis Dodds headed in off the underside of the bar from six yards. Cole then entered the fray four minutes later and Shrewsbury levelled on 74 when Sullay Kaikai, on loan from Crystal Palace, cut in from the right and cracked a left-footed shot from 20 yards into the far corner of the net. Shrewsbury were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when skipper Nathaniel Knight-Percival was sent off for shoving Dodds but Town remain 17th. In League Two, Sean Kavanagh was a 77th-minute substitute as Mansfield Town went down to a 1-0 loss away to Wycombe Wanderers. The Stags were already trailing by the time of Kavanagh’s introduction after a 68th-minute strike by Michael Harriman. The loss sees Town drop to 14th, eight points off the Play-Offs."
Cup Final doldrums for Jordan Evans and a mixed weekend for the other lads, except of cousre the goal machine out in Portugal "Jordan Evans played the full 90 minutes at Wembley as Oxford United were beaten. 3-2 by Barnsley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final on Sunday. In front of almost 60,000 spectators, Evans’ long range free-kick drew a good save from Tykes goalkeeper Adam Davies, who was then beaten by Callum O’Dowda’s header just before the half-hour mark. please log in to view this image League One Barnsley improved after the break, though, and turned the Final on its head through Chey Dunkley’s own goal and Ashley Fletcher’s finish. Adam Hammill’s fine curling strike then looked to have settled matters, but the U’s provided an immediate response to make it 3-2 when Danny Hylton nodded home. However, they were unable to force an equaliser and so Evans and his teammates had to settle for runners-up medals. A day earlier, Ben Pringle played the first 69 minutes of Ipswich Town’s goalless draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. The visitors had the better chances to win it, as Liam Feeney hit a post and Brett Pitman saw his effort cleared off the line. The point keeps the Tractor Boys in eighth spot in the Sky Bet Championship. In League One, George Williams was a half-time introduction as Gillingham were held 0-0 at home by Coventry City. City’s Jacob Murphy – whose twin brother Josh scored Milton Keynes Dons’ goal at the Cottage – went as close as anyone when his long-distance strike came back off a post. The result sees the Gills remain fourth. Elsewhere, 10-man Shrewsbury Town were humbled 5-1 by top-of-the-table Wigan Athletic at Greenhous Meadow. Jack Grimmer played the full 90, and the Shrews actually took the lead through Sullay Kaikai’s goal. Conor McAleny’s volley ensured the sides went in level at the break, and efforts after the restart from Yanic Wildschut and Jason Pearce put the Latics in control. Town’s Zak Whitbread was then dismissed for fouling Will Grigg in the area, who then subsequently dispatched the resulting spot-kick, before grabbing a fifth in stoppage time. The defeat saw Shrewsbury drop down to 18th in the standings. Marek Rodák helped Welling Town to an impressive 2-1 triumph away to Play-Off hopefuls Tranmere Rovers in the Vanarama National League. Lee Vaughan put the hosts in front but United responded immediately through Ian Gayle. And they sealed the victory in the second half when Kadell Daniel converted a Nortei Nortey pass to put them to within five points of safety. The day before, Cameron Burgess played the entirety of Cheltenham Town’s 3-1 home win over Grimsby Town. A James Dayton free-kick had put them in front, but the Mariners hit back in the second half through Andy Monkhouse. The scores were level for just six minutes, though, as Harry Pell restored the Robins’ lead, before Danny Wright made sure of the points. The win temporarily put them five points clear at the top of the Conference, but it was cut to four after Forest Green secured a draw the next day. Elsewhere on Friday, Kostas Mitroglou grabbed a brace as Benfica thumped Sporting Braga 5-1. The Greece international opened the scoring 17 minutes in, and a Jonas penalty and Pizzi strike put them 3-0 up going into the break. Another Mitroglou goal and an effort by his compatriot Andreas Samaris then put them further in front, although Braga did score a consolation goal in stoppage time through Pedro Santos. Benfica now have a five-point gap at the top of the Primeira Liga. In Denmark on Sunday, FC Midtjylland leapfrogged opponents Brondby in the standings to go fourth with a 2-0 home win. Nikolay Bodurov featured for the whole game, as a goal in either half from Rilwan Hassan and Martin Pusic did the damage."
Mitrog smashes Benfica record with his 22nd goal this season. "In Portugal, Kostas Mitroglou was on target in Benfica’s 2-1 win at Academica. Pedro Nuno had given the second bottom side a surprise lead, but Mitroglou levelled things up with a header six minutes before half-time. Substitute Raul Jimenez netted late on to ensure his side remained at the top of the league. In Denmark on Friday, Nikolay Bodurov helped Midtjylland claim a 1-1 draw at Viborg. Jonas Kamper had put the hosts in front, but Paul Onuachu responded soon after to earn his side a point which keeps them sitting fourth in the Superliga standings. Ben Pringle played the first half of Ipswich Town’s 3-1 defeat by Brentford at Portman Road on Saturday. After Sam Saunders had put the visitors in front, Town’s Luke Hyam was sent off in first half stoppage time for a second bookable offence. Brentford – who lost influential midfielder Alan Judge to a broken leg, an incident for which Hyam received his first yellow card – doubled their lead on 64 minutes through Lasse Vibe’s finish. Vibe made it three shortly after, although Liam Feeney did notch a late consolation for the hosts, who are now eight points adrift of the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off spots. In League One, Larnell Cole gave Shrewsbury Town the lead in South-East London, but a second half fightback saw Millwall claim a 3-1 win. The midfielder slotted home confidently with just five minutes played to give the Shrews – for whom Jack Grimmer also played 90 minutes – the lead, but Ben Thompson’s stunning long ranger just before the hour mark restored parity. Steve Morison headed the Lions in front shortly after, and the result was confirmed through Lee Gregory’s stoppage time penalty, after Town goalkeeper Mark Halstead was sent off for fouling him in the area. Shrewsbury are now just a point and a place above the drop zone. Elsewhere, George Williams played 50 minutes of Gillingham’s goalless draw with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The youngster replaced Jake Hessenthaler just after the half hour mark, before making way for Bradley Dack towards the end of the game. It extended Gills’ unbeaten run to six matches, although they did drop down to fifth in the standings. In League Two, Jordan Evans played the full 90 as Oxford United came away from Crawley Town with a 5-1 win. Joe McNerney had put the hosts in front, but Chris Maguire struck to ensure it was honours even at the break. Efforts from Callum O'Dowda and Liam Sercombe then put the U’s in control of proceedings, and they sewed things up with a Maguire penalty and a late George Waring goal. The win keeps them second in the standings, four points clear of the Play-Off spots with five games to go. In the Vanarama National League, Cameron Burgess played the entirety of Cheltenham Town’s 2-0 win at Guiseley. The league leaders had to wait until the 80th minute for the breakthrough, which arrived when Rob Dickie headed in. Dan Holman wrapped things up in the dying stages for the Stags, who had Harry Pell sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time. They’re now six points clear at the top, and four points from their remaining three games will guarantee the title. Elsewhere, Marek Rodák and Welling United were beaten 2-1 at home by Kidderminster Harriers in a battle between the division’s bottom two sides. Kadell Daniels’ early strike looked like it might win it for Welling, but two goals in the final eight minutes from Kelvin Langmead and James McQuilkin earned Harriers the win, leaving their hosts eight points adrift of safety, and all but relegated."
You will have read in the other thread about promotion success for Cameron Burgess: unfortunately for Marek Rodak things went the other way. "At the other end of the table, there was heartbreak for Marek Rodák and Welling United as the Wings were relegated to the National League South after a heavy 4-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Chester. John Rooney was denied from the penalty spot by Rodák but soon redeemed himself with a curling shot from 12 yards in the 17th minute. Rooney then doubled Chester's lead just after the break before turning provider for Kane Richards to net the third on 66. Tom Shaw wrapped up the win in the 84th minute as Welling returned to the National League South for the first time since the 2012/13 season. In Sky Bet League One, Jack Grimmer and Larnell Cole both started as Shrewsbury Town earned a late point in a 1-1 home draw with Bradford City. Cole was withdrawn after 39 minutes and the promotion-chasing Bantams took the lead when Tony McMahon’s cross was headed in by Jamie Proctor on 71. But Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro beat Ben Williams to the ball with six minutes left to draw Shrewsbury level. Town are 20th, two points clear of fourth-from-bottom Blackpool. A division lower, Jordan Evans played the full 90 as second-placed Oxford United lost 3-2 at home to Luton Town. he hosts took the lead as Danny Hylton netted from Kemar Roofe’s pass in the second minute. But Joe Pigott leveled just before the break and Olly Lee put the visitors in front moments later. Oxford drew level on 51 when Chey Dunkley headed in Chris Maguire's free-kick but Pigott’s tidy finish soon after gave Luton all three points and condemned United to a first loss in six to hand Northampton Town the title."
A few of the guys had mid week games: "Jack Grimmer played the full 90 minutes as Shrewsbury Town were beaten 2-1 at home by Sheffield United on Tuesday evening. The Shrews squandered the chance to take the lead when Kyle Vassell’s early penalty was saved, and the Blades took full advantage when Billy Sharp slotted in. Abu Ogogo levelled matters after the restart, but United took all three points back to Sheffield when Che Adams rifled in from the edge of the box. The defeat means Shrewsbury remain just two points clear of danger in Sky Bet League One. A division below, Jordan Evans played the first half of Oxford United’s 1-1 draw at Newport County. The two goals arrived within a minute of each other inside the opening quarter of an hour, with United’s Jordan Bowery opening the scoring prior to Medy Elito’s instant response. The U’s dropped down to third in League Two, with just goal difference keeping them ahead of the Play-Off teams. On Monday, Kostas Mitroglou featured for 82 minutes of Benfica’s 2-1 home win over Vitoria Setubal. The visitors took a surprise lead inside the opening minute through Andre Claro, but quick-fire goals from Jonas and Jardel turned things around to keep Benfica at the top of the Primeira Liga. On the same evening in Denmark, Nikolay Bodurov played the entirety of Midtjylland’s 2-0 win at Esbjerg. A goal in either half from Rilwan Hassan did the damage, which moved his side up to third in the Superliga." By the by, anybody know what's happened to Stephen Arthurworrey? He hasn't featured for Yeovil for yonks.
Really tough luck - Jordan Evans has been ruled out for the rest of the season after it was confirmed he had cracked a rib in Oxford's 1-1 draw at Newport County on Tuesday. Source: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/o...d_United_but_Jordan_Evans_out_for_the_season/
Poor Marek Rodak isn't having a happy time of it - don't think you can put these constant drubbings his side are getting even down to "gaining experience". "Marek Rodák’s Welling United were beaten 5-0 at Altrincham. Goals from Jordan Sinnott, Michael Rankine (2), James Lawrie and Damian Reeves condemned the already relegated Wings to defeat. Jack Grimmer’s Shrewsbury Town got the better of George Williams’ Gillingham when the two sides met at Priestfield on Saturday. Sullay Kaikai had given Town the lead with little more than quarter of an hour played, but Cody McDonald restored parity from 20 yards deep into first half stoppage time. Andy Mangan put his side back in front not long after the restart, but Jake Hessenthaler’s long ranger five minutes later brought Gills level once again. Williams came on in the 78th minute as the hosts went in search of a winner, but it was the Shrews who grabbed it through Jean-Louis Akpa-Apro’s deflected late finish. The win moved Shrewsbury – for whom Grimmer played the full 90 – four points clear of the relegation zone with two games to play, while Gillingham slipped out of the Play-Off places. Cameron Burgess played the entirety of Cheltenham Town’s 1-0 win at Macclesfield Town. The Vanarama National League champions secured the victory with Dan Holman’s effort midway through the first half. On Sunday, Kostas Mitroglou played 67 minutes as Benfica ground out a 1-0 win at Rio Ave. The striker’s replacement Raul Jimenez struck the game’s only goal six minutes after coming on, as Benfica held on to their place at the top of the Primeira Liga. On Friday, Nikolay Bodurov featured for the full 90 minutes of Midtjylland’s 2-0 home win over Odense Boldklub. Martin Pusic scored in either half to secure the three points that keeps his side sitting third in the Superliga."
Jack's the lad again. "Jack Grimmer was on target on Saturday as Shrewsbury Town secured their Sky Bet League One status, despite a late 4-3 home defeat by Peterborough United. The Shrews were three goals behind going into the final quarter of an hour, but Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro and Andy Mangan struck to reduce the deficit, before Grimmer nodded in an 89th minute equaliser. But Posh took the points when Jon Taylor netted in the fourth minute of stoppage time, with Town's Ian Black then sent off for a second bookable offence. Grimmer – who the next day won the club’s ‘Champagne Moment’ award for his late winner in the FA Cup against Sheffield Wednesday – played the entire game, while Larnell Cole made way for Akpa-Akpro in the 56th minute. In the Vanarama National League,Cameron Burgess played the full 90 as Cheltenham Town’s 3-1 win at home to Lincoln City was followed by the presentation of the divisional trophy. Goals from Danny Wright, Kyle Storer and Dan Holman sealed the win, as the Stags ended the campaign on 101 points, 12 more than nearest rivals Forest Green. In Denmark on Sunday, Nikolay Bodurovplayed the full game as Midtjylland were beaten 5-3 at Superliga leaders Copenhagen. It’s a result that sees his team drop down to fourth in the standings. On Friday, Kostas Mitroglou featured for 68 minutes as Benfica secured a 1-0 home win over Vitória de Guimarães. Jardel’s goal early in the second half proved enough for the hosts, who had Andre Almeida sent off late on, as they stayed at the summit of the Primeira Liga."
It's not looking great for Sean Kavanagh "Mansfield Town have allowed young Fulham defender Sean Kavanagh to return to his club early ahead of Saturday’s final game at home to Cambridge United. The Irish U21 international, who had played 25 times for the Cottagers, arrived on loan in January but struggled to make an impact. He looked lightweight at left back in his first game and, although he was tried on the left of midfield too, he found the competition too strong as he ended up with just two starts and coming on five times from the bench. Manager Adam Murray said, “Kav has gone back this week as we didn’t see him being involved in the final game, so there was no point in keeping him away from London. We thank him for his time here. Obviously it didn’t work out as we’d planned in terms of the amount of game time he got. But part of that is because the lads performed really well at times and it was tough for him to get in. We thank Fulham for their help with that one and we move on.” Source: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/stags-let-loanee-kavanagh-leave-early-1-7892161#ixzz47hzI9D4d
Mitrog seems to be shooting Benfica to the title: "Kostas Mitroglou was on target as Benfica went one step closer to the Primeira Liga title with a 2-0 win at Maritimo. Things didn’t start well for the visitors as they had Renato Sanches sent off for two bookable offences in the first half, but Mitroglou settled the nerves with a clinical finish soon after the restart. Anderson Talisca made sure of the points in the 83rd minute, with Mitroglou withdrawn moments later, and the numbers were evened up at the death when Maritimo’s Fransergio was given his marching orders. Benfica will win the league if they avoid defeat in their season finale at home to Nacional next Sunday." And ... "Jack Grimmer played the full 90, while Larnell Cole was introduced early in the second half as Shrewsbury Town lost their final game of the season 3-0 at Swindon Town on Sunday. A Nicky Ajose strike either side of the break put the Robins in control of proceedings, and they wrapped things up through Jordan Young’s late effort. The defeat meant the Shrews finished the campaign in 20th position, four points clear of relegation danger. Elsewhere, George Williams entered the action just before the hour mark as Gillingham were beaten 2-1 by Millwall in a thrilling game at Priestfield. Aiden O’Brien tapped the visitors in front a matter of minutes before Williams’ introduction, and the Lions then had Mahlon Romeo sent off on 86. John Egan fired in an equaliser for the Gills in stoppage time, but Millwall took all three points when Lee Gregory converted a 98th minute penalty. The result was moot in the end for the hosts, as they ended up finishing five points off the Play-Off places. In Denmark, Nikolay Bodurov played the full game as Midtjylland drew 1-1 at home to AGF, as Tim Sparv’s own goal was cancelled out by Pione Sisto. And ... Jordan Evans missed out on being selected in the Oxford side who beat Wycombe 3-0 and gain promotion to League 1.
