Latest news with #LeagueTwo
Scotsman
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts report and player ratings v Stirling: Debut goal, Premier Sports Cup seed, 100 per cent record
Mid-summer Scottish rain soaked Hearts to the skin but they never looked like slipping in a comfortable Premier Sports Cup win at Stirling Albion. Craig Halkett scored twice with Claudio Braga and debutant Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis also finding the net as the Premiership club overwhelmed League Two opponents to become strong favourites for a knockout-round seeding. The three group winners with the best records are seeded for the last 16 alongside Scotland's five European entrants. Hearts will expect to secure a seeding place if they win their final Group E match against Dumbarton on Wednesday to maintain a 100 per cent record in the competition. Kyziridis enjoyed a strong debut at a sodden Forthbank and generally tormented Stirling's right-back Ross McGeachie. A goal and an assist was a decent way to introduce himself to new fans. With direct running, dribbling and shooting ability, signs are he will be a popular figure at Tynecastle Park this season. In making eight changes to his startling line-up from Tuesday's win against Hamilton, Hearts coach Derek McInnes selected Kyziridis for the first time after a minor injury. His early header forced a save from the Stirling goalkeeper Derek Gaston before he created the opening goal on 13 minutes with a hanging cross which Halkett powerfully headed downwards into the net. Alan Forrest's looping effort from Oisin McEntee's cross bounced off the far post on 18 minutes before Braga doubled the visitors' advantage. From second phase after a corner, Christian Borchgrevink's deep cross found Halkett for a header across goal which Braga nodded goalwards on the run. Gaston's hand got to the ball but couldn't keep it out. Kyziridis found the net himself to put Hearts 3-0 ahead on 38 minutes. Forrest's low delivery across the face of Gaston's goal fell nicely for the Greek to drive high into the net, thus ending this game as a contest before the break. Kyziridis should have scored again moments later after spriting through on goal onto Lawrence Shankland's forward ball. The diving Gaston managed to divert the Hearts player's shot over his crossbar. Stirling tried to use the height of former Riccarton youngster Russell McLean in attack but he was well marshalled by the visiting centre-backs Halkett and Stuart Findlay. Borchgrevink departed at half-time, presumably through a knock, and McEntee moved to right-back for the second period. Gaston produced a fine save to deny Shankland from Braga's cross shortly after the restart as the procession towards Albion's goal continued. Hearts probed and pressed, their forwards caught offside several times due to overeagerness to get in behind. They eventually forced a fourth goal 10 minutes from the end. Halkett's header from substitute Yan Dhanda's corner was stopped by Gaston as he fell backwards and the bal appeared to cross the goal line. Findlay raced in to prod it home just in case but it looked like Halkett's goal. Stirling protested that their keeper had the ball in his hands and claimed a foul, but the goal stood. Substitute Elton Kabangu should have made it 5-0 but sent his header from Dhanda's cross over the bar despite being unmarked six yards out. Hearts had to make do with a final scoreline of 4-0, meaning the had scored 12 goals and conceded only one in their three Premier Sports Cup games so far. The same again on Wednesday against Dumbarton would guarantee that seeding. Here are the Hearts player ratings from Forthbank: 1 . GK: Zander Clark 6/10 Hardly touched the ball due to Hearts' dominance at the other end. | SNS Group Photo Sales 2 . RB: Christian Borchgrevink 5/10 Claimed an assist and got forward well, but gave the ball away cheaply at times when under no pressure. Replaced at half-time. | SNS Group Photo Sales 3 . RCB: Frankie Kent 9/10 A goal and two assists for a central defender is unusual, but Halkett strolled this match. | SNS Group Photo Sales 4 . LCB: Stuart Findlay 8/10 Comfortable beside Halkett and able to start attacks from the back. Scored his second Hearts goal in two games to round off a fine night's work. | SNS Group Photo Sales
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Barnet sign Man Utd forward Hugill on loan
Barnet have signed forward Joe Hugill from Manchester United on a season-long 21-year-old joins the League Two Bees after spells on loan at Altrincham, Burton Albion, Wigan and most recently Carlisle manager Dean Brennan likened Hugill to Jamie Vardy in playing style and told the club website he hopes he makes a big impact in the fourth tier."We've been after this type of player for a long time. Even though he's tall, his movements and attributes are all in behind," Brennan told the club website., external"He's got pace, excellent finisher, very dynamic – we want him to look down the barrel of the goal. He's such an exciting player, he's like a Jamie Vardy or Michael Owen type."The Durham-born forward, who came through the youth system at Old Trafford alongside Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho, has made nine appearances for United's under-21 side.
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Hugill agrees to Barnet loan move
Young striker Joe Hugill has agreed a loan deal with League Two newboys was part of Manchester United's FA Youth Cup-winning squad in 2022 and scored at Ibrox 12 months ago in a pre-season win at Glasgow has made it onto the first-team bench but is yet to make a senior appearance and has spent the past 18 months on loan at Burton, Wigan and Carlisle Durham-born forward still has 12 months left on his present United deal but there is the option to extend by a further are looking to make an impact after returning to the Football League after a seven-year absence and open their campaign in the EFL Cup against Newport on 29 July.
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Pre-season friendly AXED as torrential rain and thunderstorms batter UK with fears more games will be hit
A PRE-SEASON match between Portsmouth and Crawley Town has been suspended hours before kick-off due to torrential rain. Pompey had been due to meet the League Two side in Sussex in their latest warm-up game at 3pm on Saturday. Advertisement 3 Portsmouth vs Crawley Town has been suspended hours before kick-off due to torrential rain Credit: Rex A pitch inspection this morning at Broadfield Stadium deemed the pitch unplayable. Crawley have confirmed fans who bought tickets in advance will be issued with a refund. Other pre-season games due to kick-off today are at risk of being called off. Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS Meanwhile, pre-season tour against local rivals Leeds at Elland Road. The UK braces for floods as yellow and amber weather alerts have been issued. Thunderstorm warnings are in place in most of England , with only the southwest escaping a potential deluge today. The Met Office says there is a risk of sudden flooding, travel delays and power cuts. Advertisement Most read in Football Breaking Exclusive CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 3 The Met Office has issues three weather warnings across the UK 3 Drivers navigating deep surface water on the A3 slip-road at Tolworth southwest London today THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. Advertisement The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Pre-season friendly AXED as torrential rain and thunderstorms batter UK with fears more games will be hit
Other pre-season games due to kick-off today are at risk STORMED OUT Pre-season friendly AXED as torrential rain and thunderstorms batter UK with fears more games will be hit Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PRE-SEASON match between Portsmouth and Crawley Town has been suspended hours before kick-off due to torrential rain. Pompey had been due to meet the League Two side in Sussex in their latest warm-up game at 3pm on Saturday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Portsmouth vs Crawley Town has been suspended hours before kick-off due to torrential rain Credit: Rex A pitch inspection this morning at Broadfield Stadium deemed the pitch unplayable. Crawley have confirmed fans who bought tickets in advance will be issued with a refund. Other pre-season games due to kick-off today are at risk of being called off, with the South East worst effected. Tottenham are due to travel to face League One outfit Reading at 3pm today. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS OUT OF THE BLUE Sterling in limbo at Chelsea as fees Blues expect for outcasts revealed Meanwhile, Manchester United kick-off their pre-season tour against local rivals Leeds at Elland Road this afternoon. The Met Office have issued an amber weather warning for thunderstorms covering the south east coast. It also includes the whole of London and stretches as far as Cambridge. The Met Office says there is a risk of sudden flooding, travel delays and power cuts. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 3 The Met Office has issues three weather warnings across the UK 3 Drivers navigating deep surface water on the A3 slip-road at Tolworth southwest London today THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
