Belgium

Brabant Provincial 1 V.F.V.

Sunday 8th February 2026

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.03

K. Hoger Op Huizingen 0 Hoger Op Bierbeek 2, attendance 94

19’ 0-1

61’ 0-2 (pen)

@ Sportstadion Omer Van Roy

Sollenbeemd

1654 Huizingen

€8 Admission

No Programme.

It was an 04.30 alarm this morning, heading for the 08.15 P&O ferry from Dover, bound for Calais, then onward to Huizingen, just southwest of Brussels, where we were treated to a warm, sunny day, which unbelievably remained dry for the entirety. The pitch is railed/fenced off and has a small section of cover, with a pair of dugouts on the opposite side. The clubhouse/changing rooms are in the near corner as you enter, raised up slightly, with ample parking in the club car park.

The match was 13th versus 1st in the league table and was a more even contest than you’d expect from their respective league positions. Huizingen had the better of the early stages, but it was Bierbeek who broke the deadlock after nineteen minutes, when a cross from the right was touched in at the near post. They almost doubled their lead in the dying minutes of the first half, when a 30 yard free kick hit the post. Early in the second half they saw a 25 yarder strike the angle of post and crossbar, before doubling their lead just after the hour mark, dispatching a penalty that had been awarded for a foul by the home ‘keeper. Huizingen never looked like recovering and the league leaders easily hung on for all three points.

It was a trouble free journey back to Calais for the 22.25 ferry back to Dover, stopping off for a meal in Gistel en route. Clear run home once back in England, arriving home exactly 20 hours after this morning’s alarm call.

Gwent F.A. Amateur Cup

Preliminary Round

Saturday 7th February 2026

Kick Off 16.15 Actual 16.21

Panteg 2 Albion Rovers 3, attendance 51

22’ 0-1

52’ 1-1

60’ 1-2

84’ 1-3

90’ + 2, 2-3

@ Llantarnam Community Primary School, 3G Pitch

James Prosser Way

Llantarnam

NP44 3XB

No Admission or Programme.

A seventeen minute drive back down the A4042, just to the south of Cwmbran, for game two of the day and another match switched to a recently opened 3G set up, which was installed by the same company as the earlier match and was an exact replica, with spectator access along one side and two small sections of covered standing. The changing rooms are behind the near goal and there was plenty of parking, despite another game just finishing, which was the reason for our game having a later start time.

The match was a county cup tie, with both teams being in Gwent Premier League Division 1, with 10th hosting 5th as far as league positions go. Panteg had an early goal ruled out for a foul, before falling behind midway through the half, when a free kick was saved by the ‘keeper, as well as the follow up, but put past him at the third attempt. Albion also saw a cross from wide on the right hit the crossbar just after the half hour mark, but it remained 0-1 at the break. Seven minutes into the second half Panteg drew level, with a glancing header at the near post, from a corner on the left, but Albion were back in front on the hour mark. The ‘keeper had made a fingertip save from a long range shot, but from the resulting corner, he was beaten by an in swinging kick that he could only help into the net as it arrived at the near post. They had a header cleared off the line following another corner, before making it 1-3 with six minutes left, when a cross from the left was put in at the far post. A shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner saw Panteg pull it back to 2-3 in stoppage time, but it came too late for them to add to it.

Gwent Premier League

Division 2 Cup Group B

Saturday 7th February 2026

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 13.59

Pontnewydd United 1 Brynmawr United 4, attendance 20

30’ 0-1

45’ + 1, 1-1

47’ 1-2

72’ 1-3

79’ 1-4

@ Abersychan School, 3G Pitch

Incline Road

Abersychan

NP4 8PQ

No Admission or Programme.

Another week of almost constant rain meant this game was switched to the recently installed 3G cage at Abersychan School, just north of Pontypool. It’s got a designated spectator area along one side and has two areas of covered standing too. The changing rooms, where toilets were available, are a fair way from the pitch, but at least it means the players stay out on the pitch at halftime, which is good news if you’ve got a second game to head to, such was the case today.

This was the last match in the three team group that also involved Thornwell Red & Whites and a game Pontnewydd had to win by at least three goals to progress, whilst a draw would be enough for Brynmawr. It turned out to be an excellent game, with both teams going all out for the win. It was the visitors who took the lead after half an hour, when a through ball was deflected and it fell perfectly for a first time shot into the bottom corner. Pontnewydd equalised a minute into stoppage time at the end of the first half, when a ball over the top was lobbed over the ‘keeper from the edge of the box. Two minutes into the second half Brynmawr restored their lead, beating the ‘keeper low inside the near post and they never looked like being pegged back again. A diagonal free kick was put in from close range, after a fumble by the ‘keeper with eighteen minutes left, before they made it 1-4 seven minutes later, when a short corner was angled into the box and poked past the ‘keeper from close range.

Southern Counties F.A. Challenge Cup

Quarter Final

Wednesday 4th February 2026

Kick Off 19.45 Actual 19.49

Mid Annandale 3 Gretna 2008 5, attendance 87

32’ 0-1

34’ 0-2

48’ 0-3

61’ 1-3

69’ 2-3

74’ 3-3

82’ 3-4

89’ 3-5

@ New King Edward Park

Matthew’s Loaning

Lockerbie

DG11 2NB

£4 Admission

No Programme.

I’d seen Mid Annandale play a home game at King Edward Park back in July 2003, when they lost 1-2 to Dumfries in a South of Scotland League, League Cup 1st Round match, which was played on a grass pitch near the changing rooms. They still use the same buildings, but have since developed a 3G pitch, sandwiched between the railway line and some industrial buildings and this is now known as ‘New’ King Edward Park, complete with seated stand and spectator areas along each touchline, although the side with the dugouts was only occupied by ‘hangers on’ tonight. There’s a toilet block and a tea bar too, with hot food and drinks and the usual sweets/chocolate etc. available.

The match was South of Scotland League (9th) versus Lowland League (17th), with the visitors being the cup holders. There wasn’t a great deal to separate them early on, but when Gretna broke the deadlock after 32 minutes, poking in from close range following a knock down from a corner, followed by a second goal two minutes later, it looked to be heading for an easy away win. When they made it 0-3 three minutes into the second half, cutting in from the left and smashing a shot high into the far corner, it looked like it was game over. Just after the hour mark Mid Annandale pulled one back though and eight minutes later they got a second, poking a through ball past the ‘keeper from the edge of the box, having won the race to a through ball. The comeback was completed five minutes later, when a corner from the right was fumbled by the ‘keeper and volleyed in from six yards. As we entered the last ten minutes Gretna missed an open goal at the far post, somehow heading wide of the target from a couple of yards out, but it only took them another two minutes to edge back in front, when a slick three man move was squared across the edge of the box and finished with a low shot into bottom corner of the net. They made certain of the win in the last couple of minutes, when a corner from the right wasn’t cleared and ended with a shot from the corner of the six yard box that went in off the far post to make it 3-5.

The final whistle went at 21.43 and I was glad I was staying overnight in Carlisle, before taking a leisurely drive home in the morning. Just leaves me with Lochmaben left to do in the South of Scotland League now.

Portugal

Associacao de Futebol do Porto

Campeonato Divisao Elite

Sunday 1st February 2026

Kick Off 18.00 Actual 18.01

Sport Club Castelo Maia 2 Associacao Desportivo Grijo 0, attendance 205

6’ 1-0

36’ 2-0

@ Estadio Municipal Dr. Costa Lima

Rua do Campo de Futebol

Castelo da Maia

4475-169 Maia

€5 Admission

No Programme.

Despite the earlier game not finishing until 17.23 we were still parked up at the second game for 17.35 as it was only five miles drive north east. We parked in the street adjacent to the ground, right outside the original old entrance gate, which has the club initials and year of formation depicted.

Nowadays you enter behind the goal, having purchased your ticket at the bilheteira on the corner. As with this afternoon, it’s a ground that has a 3G pitch, with one large stand along the side and no spectator access to the other three sides, although it is evident this ground has hosted football at a higher level in the past and is more characterful than the dreadful cage set ups that blight our non league system these days, having been a grass pitch in bygone days.

The match was 9th versus 4th in the league table. It was a decent enough watch, but was never going to match the superb spectacle of this afternoon. The hosts took an early lead, when a quick break down the left was finished with an angled shot into the far corner. The second goal came nine minutes before halftime, when a corner from the right saw the ‘keeper come to clear, but he missed his punch and the ball was nodded in from six yards. Plenty of chances created at both ends, but neither side looked like adding to the scoring.

As with earlier, the pitch suffered from the rain, with it being much more persistent as the game wore on. Never in doubt of not getting to a finish though…at least that’s the impression I got. The flight home with TAP from Porto to London Gatwick wasn’t until Monday evening and a break in the weather meant a nice stroll along the beach in Pavoa de Varzim before heading back to the airport. The 1820 flight left 20 minutes late and we were sat five rows behind West Ham United manager Nino Espírito Santo, who I doubt was hoping to tie up a transfer deadline day signing of any of the players I’d witnessed this weekend, although being West Ham, you never know….

Portugal

Associacao de Futebol do Porto

Campeonato Divisao Elite

Sunday 1st February 2026

Kick Off 15.30 On Time!

Desportivo Leca Balio 3 Valadares Gaia 5, attendance 147

1’ 1-0

5’ 1-1

42’ 1-2

60’ 1-3

67’ 1-4

74’ 2-4

88’ 2-5

90’ 3-5

@ Complexo Desportivo de Leca do Balio

Rua de Dom Dinis

4465-612 Leca do Balio

€6 Admission

No Programme.

Today should have started with a game at Liga 2 club Uniao Leiria, who play at a stadium that hosted games in the Euro 2004 Championship, but storm damage on Thursday evening meant the game was postponed. There were still double opportunities though, but it would mean both being at a lower level and instead of driving miles, I opted to stay north of Porto. First up was Desportivo Leca Balio, whose ground has a large stand on one side, but with no access to the other three. Toilets are under the stand and there’s a small clubhouse behind the near goal end. There is a small car park, but with plentiful street parking, not a problem. Luckily, it has a 3G pitch, as it started raining shortly before kick off and by the end the pitch was starting to flood, although the ball was still just about running freely through an increasing number of puddles. However, neither the Referee or teams seemed the slightest bit bothered. I doubt very much that the game would have continued here in England, such is our health and safety/blame culture these days and clubs looking for any excuse to not actually play games if possible.

The game was at level six in the pyramid, with 6th hosting 12th in the league table. It was an excellent watch, with both teams opting for an all out attack approach, which was superb from a neutral point of view. Leca were ahead inside a minute, but were pegged back four minutes later. Three minutes before halftime a through ball down the left was finished with a 20 yarder into the top corner to give Gaia a 1-2 lead at the break. On the hour mark a deflected shot saw them go 1-3 up and midway through the half a one two on the edge of the box was finished low into the far corner to make it 1-4. A low angled shot saw Leca pull one back with sixteen minutes left, to make it 2-4, before they had another effort ruled out for offside a few minutes later. Gaia hit the bar with a 30 yard free kick, before adding a fifth goal with two minutes left with a 25 yarder into the top corner. The hosts then got a last minute goal to make it 3-5 and the final whistle blew as the game re-started.

Portugal

Primeira Liga

Saturday 31st January 2026

Kick Off 18.00 On Time!

Rio Ave 0 F.C. Arouca 3, attendance 1,842

44’ 0-1

53’ 0-2

66’ 0-3

@ Estadio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube

Rua de Dom Sancho I

4480-876 Vila do Conde

€13 Admission

No Programme.

The 41 mile drive west from Felgueiras took about 45 minutes, calling in at the club shop at the stadium to buy tickets for the match, prior to heading off to check in at the hotel. There was no panic with getting in though, as the crowd of 1,842 was well short of the 5,244 stated capacity of this one sided ground. There’s a single stand, with cover in the centre section only, flanked by a block of open seats (one for away fans, the other for non members). It’s pretty poor to be staging top level football. Loads of free parking in the surrounding roads though and a tram stop right outside the ground too, which links you with Porto Airport.

The match was 12th versus 15th in the league table and was a game that barely set the pulses racing. Very pedestrian stuff, with build up play far too slow, with caution always the chosen option, rather than trying to be creative. I don’t recall too much of note from a dreadful first half, apart from Arouca breaking the deadlock in the final minute of the half, when a corner from the right was headed back across the six yard box and met with a close range header that beat the ‘keeper. Eight minutes into the second half they doubled their lead, when a cross was headed back across the box, resulting in an aerial challenge which struck a defender on the shoulder and sent the ball looping back over his ‘keeper for an unfortunate own goal. Their third goal came with twenty four minutes left, cutting in from the left before sending an angled shot into the far corner of the net from just outside the six yard box. They also had a header ruled out for offside with sixteen minutes left. Rio Ave offered nothing. The nearest they came to scoring was when an Arouca defender sliced a clearance against his own post in the final minute.

Portugal

Liga 2

Saturday 31st January 2026

Kick Off 11.00 On Time!

F.C. Felgueiras 1 Grupo Desportivo Chaves 0, attendance 850

40’ 1-0

@ Estadio Municipal Doutor Machado de Matos

Rua do Futebol Clube de Felgueiras 7

4610-808 Felgueiras

€10 Admission

No Programme.

This morning saw a 12 mile drive south east from Guimaraes to the town of Felgueiras, which took about twenty five minutes, arriving just under half an hour before kick off. No problem parking in the street next to the ground and tickets were purchased from the ticket outlet on the corner of the ground. The ground is two sided, with no access behind either goal and has a capacity of 6,587, which is probably rarely tested and certainly not with today’s turn out. As it was drizzling at the time, we opted for the covered side of the ground, but this soon cleared and it was very pleasant in the winter sunshine. The opposite side was open terrace, with the 65 away fans situated in the left hand side section as you looked across. The usual hot and cold drinks and snacks were available, reasonably priced. Despite there having been very heavy rain for the last few days, the pitch was in superb condition, but quite a few divots appeared during the warm ups and again during the match.

It was 11th versus 8th in the league table and another game that if you’re being kind you’d describe as being dull and lacklustre. The hosts did hit the crossbar with a free kick just after the half hour mark, before making the breakthrough five minutes before halftime, when a corner on the left was cleared and returned first time and poked in at the far post. They decided to sit back and try and protect what they’d got, rather than kill the game off by adding a second goal. Chaves went close late on, hitting the near post from a tight angle, having a diving header tipped around the post and having another header from a corner tipped over the crossbar. Their best chance came nine minutes into stoppage time, when they were awarded a penalty, but a pathetic stuttered run up was followed by an equally pathetic shot that was easily saved by the ‘keeper, low down to his left hand post.

Portugal

Primeira Liga

Friday 30th January 2025

Kick Off 20.45 Actual 20.49

Vitoria Sport Clube 1 Moreirense 0, attendance 10,826

66’ 1-0 (pen)

@ Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques

Avenida de Sao Goncalo 888

4810-527 Guimaraes

€15 Admission

No Programme.

Travelled out from London Gatwick on TAP yesterday morning, which departed 40 minutes late, bound for Porto and a few days in a rather wet and windy north west Portugal. First up was two nights in Guimaraes, the second of which would take in a match at Vitoria Sport Clube, who play at the 29,464 capacity Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques, which hosted games during the Euro 2004 Championship. Tickets were easily obtained from the club office at the stadium on Thursday afternoon, with no identification required, although as a non member you were limited to three areas. It would have been no problem buying tickets on the night though, as the ground was only just over a third full, with the visitors contributing about 200 of those. We chose to sit in the only one of the three areas available to us that were covered, in the top tier of the end behind the goal at the north end, which was a good choice, especially when the rain arrived (yet again) during the first half, causing those in the open areas to run for cover. The stadium is like an elongated horseshoe, with the stand that runs behind the south goal running straight across the bottom.

It was 9th versus 6th as far as league positions go, so we’d expected a decent game. Unfortunately, we got the opposite. Two teams lacking any ambition at all in getting forward, content with constant sideways and backwards passing, with the latter certainly favoured where possible. Every goal kick saw two defenders and the ‘keeper pass it between them around the six yard box, before playing it out to either fullback as the opposition closed them down, then back to the ‘keeper and start again. Neither side were any good at it, but both continued to play this way regardless. There was only one goal attempt in the first half, when a shot from the visitors was tipped round the post. The second half improved, but not by much. Vitoria did finally create a chance or two, but it was probably fitting that the only goal came from the penalty spot midway through the half. It was duly dispatched to give the hosts all three points.

There was late drama though, as after five of the seven added minutes of stoppage time had been played, the floodlights flickered. The bulbs then went out on two of them, followed about thirty seconds later by the other two. After fourteen minutes of darkness, they gradually came back on and the final couple of minutes were played out, with the final whistle sounding at 23.00. The stadium was in sight of our hotel and the lights had been on over three and a half hours before kick off, which probably didn’t help in them failing and it was after midnight before they were finally turned off!

Above : The floodlights going out didn’t seem to bother most of the crowd……