Irish in midweek action overseas…26/11/2021

 

Friday
The Championship continued on Friday evening with West Bromwich Albion playing out a scoreless draw with visitors Nottingham Forest at the Hawthorns. Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby and Callum Robinson were both in the ‘Baggies’ starting eleven and were quite prominent for the 70 minutes they were in action. Molumby exited the match following a second caution for a reckless challenge while Robinson was sacrificed in the subsequent adjustments made by the manager. The reckless Molumby tackle which led to his dismissal has been a recurring feature of his career to date, one which he must address and rectify if he is to make the progress his talent deserves.

Thursday
Match Series Five in the Europa League saw Glasgow Celtic travel to leaders Bayern Leverkuson knowing they must not lose should Real Betis defeat visitors Ferencvaros,  as expected, in the other Group G fixture tonight. Despite a valiant effort the Glasgow side went down to a three two defeat while Real Betis were victorious thus ending their progress in the competition. James McCarthy was a 76th minute substitute while Liam Scales was unused on the bench.

Tottenham Hotspur included Matt Doherty in their starting eleven for their Europa Conference Group G clash with bottom side NS Mura which ended in a two one defeat for the London side. Doherty was withdrawn on 53 minutes in what was an all round disappointing display by the London side who can still finish second but will surely have to defeat Group winners Rennes whom they will host in their final Group contest in two weeks time. 

Wednesday
The Championship continued on Wednesday evening with Barnsley going down to a two nil defeat by visitors Swansea City for whom Ryan Manning was a 72nd minute substitute.  Blackburn Rovers crushed visitors Peterborough United by four goals to nil with Darragh Lenihan scoring one of their goals. Jack Taylor and  Sam Szmodics   started for the visitors while West Ham United  loanee Conor Coventry was a 61st minute substitute. Bristol City and Callum O’Dowda defeated visitors Stoke City with the only goal at Ashton Gate. Cardiff City suffered  a one nil home defeat by Hull City with Mark McGuinness in their starting eleven while James Collins was a 63rd minute substitute. Former Cork City defender Sean McLoughlin started in defence for the victorious ‘Tigers’.  Current leaders Fulham were held to a scoreless draw at home to  troubled Derby County at Craven Cottage where Jason Knight and U21 player Festy Ebosele started for the visiting ‘Rams’. Millwall included Danny McNamara in their starting eleven for the one all draw with visitors  AFC Bournemouth who were seeking to recover from their disappointing defeat by Derby County at the weekend.  Mark Travers and U21 midfielder Gavin Kilkenny were both in the ‘Cherries’ starting eleven.

Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to have been disappointed that he did not start in the Champions League for Liverpool this evening  as they overcame FC Porto by two goals to nil at Anfield.  Liverpool, having won all four of their opening contests, had already won Group B . 

Tuesday
The Championship continued on Tuesday evening with Blackpool playing out a scoreless draw with visitors West Bromwich Albion who included  Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby in their starting eleven with Callum Robinson a 60th minute substitute. Middlesbrough went down to a two one defeat by Preston North End at the Riverside Stadium where Alan Browne was in action for the victors.  Reading went down to a one nil defeat by visitors Sheffield United who included  John Egan, Enda Stevens and international retiree David McGoldrick in their starting eleven with Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane a 72nd minute substitute.

In League One Cambridge United played host to promotion chasing Wigan Athletic who recovered from a two goal deficit to secure a draw. James McClean and Will Keane both started for the ‘Latics’ with Keane scoring one of their goals. Ipswich Town welcomed Rotherham United to Portman Road where Chiedoze Ogbene started and U21 striker  Joshua Kayode was an unused substitute for the visitors who ran out two nil victors.  Lincoln City named  Sean Roughan on their substitute bench for the visit of Portsmouth for whom Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu was in action as ‘Pompey’ secured  three nil victory. Plymouth Argyle went down to a three nil defeat by visitors Wycombe Wanderers for whom Daryl Horgan was an unused substitute.  Sheffield Wednesday included Ciaran Brennan in their starting eleven for their two one victory over visitors MK Dons who included Warren O’Hora and Peter Kioso in their starting eleven at Hillsborough. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Troy Parrott was again missing from the visitors matchday squad.