Midweek football action for Irish…21/02/2020

Friday
The Championship continued this Friday evening with Derby County teenager Jason Knight in the ‘Rams’ starting eleven for the one all draw with visitors Fulham for whom Harry Arter started with Cyrus Christie unused on the substitute bench at Pride Park.

Thursday
The first legs in the Europa League Round of 32 took place this Thursday evening with Matt Doherty in fine form for Wolverhampton Wanderers who defeated Spanish visitors Espanyol by four goals to nil. Earlier in the evening Jonny Hayes again filled  the left back position for Glasgow Celtic who emerged from their away contest against FC Copenhagen with a one all draw.

Wednesday
The second semi-final in the English Football League Trophy saw Salford City progress to face Portsmouth in the Wembley final with a 6-5 penalty shoot-out success against Newport County after the tie  finished scoreless after extra-time. Padraig Amond started for the hosts but club captain Mark O’Brien missed out through injury while Darron Gibson and Richie Towell started for the victors with Adam Rooney a late substitute.

Tuesday

There was Irish involvement in three separate competitions on Tuesday evening. In League One, Southampton loanee Thomas O’Connor was in action for Gillingham who scored the only goal for victory at Southend United.

There was a dramatic ending to the first semi-final in the English Football League Trophy with Portsmouth for whom Ronan Curtis was in action, defeating Exeter City by three goals to two with four of the goals being scored in the last few minutes of the contest.

There was also drama in the Scottish Cup fifth round replay between Motherwell and St Mirren at Fir Park. The visitors who are managed by Jim Goodwin included January signings Conor McCarthy and Jamie McGrath in their starting eleven and swept into a four one half time lead. The hosts responded in the second period scoring three times to force extra-time which remained scoreless. McGrath converted the opening penalty in the shoot-out and his side progressed with a three two success.