Loan Report: Sam Smith Keeps Scoring For Cambridge United

Sam Smith was on the scoresheet for a second game in a row for Cambridge United as the Us drew 2-2 with Macclesfield Town in League Two, striking up an impressive tally over the past few games. The home side went 1-0 up in the first half, but the visitors responded with two goals in a five minute spell in the second half. Reading loanee Smith then grabbed the important equaliser with just over ten minutes to go.

Cambridge will have been frustrated by this result as they certainly looked good enough to win the game. Smith however could not make it three games in a row with a goal as Cambridge were beaten 1-0 at home by rivals Northampton Town in the Football League Trophy. The young striker started the game but was brought off with twenty-five minutes to go after failing to make an impact.

After missing out the past few games with injury, Marc McNulty returned to action for Sunderland when they were beaten 2-0 at Lincoln City, a game which cost Sunderland boss Jack Ross his job. McNulty started the game on the bench but was brought on ten minutes into the second half, but two goals from Nottingham Forest loanee Tyler Walker was enough to give Lincoln victory.

However, McNulty did start the game in midweek against Grimsby Town in the Football League Trophy. The Scot put in a very good performance while getting the full ninety minutes and grabbing himself a goal in a 3-2 win - a great contest that swung back and forth.

Atletico Baleares won their fourth straight game to maintain a two point gap at the top of Group 1 of Segunda Division B in Spain, picking up an impressive 3-0 win away at Racing Ferrol. All three goals came in the space of ten second half minutes to give the visitors a comfortable win, with Jordan Holsgrove playing the full ninety minutes for the islanders. His free kicks in training aren’t bad either!

Minnesota United rounded off their regular season fixtures in the MLS with a 1-0 defeat away to Seattle Sounders. Vito Mannone’s side were beaten by a goal on the half hour mark from Ramon Torres. Despite being defeated, Adrian Heath’s side actually put in a solid defensive display, but Seattle were deserved winners. This result saw the Sounders move above Minnesota in the Western Conference, which saw Minnesota finish 4th.

Mannone again played the full ninety but will have been disappointed not to keep a clean sheet. The Loons have a two week break before hosting Zlatan Ibrahmiovic’s LA Galaxy in the first round of the playoffs. Vito has had a solid season for Minnesota, winning over many fans with his performances.

It’s been a long week for fans of Tennai Watson’s Coventry City, not just in terms of the travelling they would have had to do for their games, but mainly because of the results. This past weekend they were embarrassed 4-0 at Rotherham United. The visitors were 2-0 down before having a man sent off, and the ten men were further put to the sword when their hosts netted another two goals. Watson was an unused sub for this game.

The young full back did however did start for the Sky Blues in their Football League Trophy game against League Two leaders Forest Green. Coventry will be disappointed they came away with an 8-7 penalty shoot-out defeat after the game ended goalless. Coventry had the better of the game but could not find their way past Forest Green. Watson played the full ninety and even converted a penalty in the shoot-out. Will this performance get him a starting place in the league?

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It was a day to forget for Denizlispor as their rut in the Super Lig continued at the hands of Yeni Malatyaspor, who hammered the visitors 5-1. Mo Barrow once again started on the left hand side, but was helpless in his efforts to help his team try and conjure up anything in a game were Denizlispor were completely outclassed. Barrow was replaced with quarter of an hour to go in what can only be described as a terrible day at the office for the away side.

Steaua Bucharest’s recovery after their poor start to the season continued this past weekend as they took on local rivals Dinamo Bucharest, in a game that finished 1-1. After missing out the past few games, Adrian Popa was brought on as a half time substitute, but could not help his team find a winner with both goals in the game coming in the first half.

Hamilton were brought back down to earth with a rather large bump, after being dispatched by Rangers 5-0 at the Ibrox. Hamilton had picked up their first win in a number of games the previous week over Livingston, but Steven Gerrard’s side were in devastating goal scoring form, with Jermain Defoe bagging a hat trick in the process. Luke Southwood was an unused substitute.