Loan Watch: Biereth scores again for Sturm Graz

Mika Biereth made it four goals in his first three games for SK Sturm Graz on the weekend.

Heading in the opening goal of Sunday’s 4-0 win at home to Wolfsberger AC, Mika went on to provide the assist for the second goal with a cross that was converted by Manprit Sarkaria.

Sturm Graz are now second and just two points behind Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga.

In Spain, Kieran Tierney came on for extra-time as Real Sociedad drew 1-1 at home to RCD Mallorca in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Tuesday. Mallorca went on to win 5-4 on penalties.

Later in the week, Kieran got more minutes under his belt as he played 84 minutes of Saturday’s 3-2 loss at Sevilla, the result condemning Sociedad to seventh in La Liga, two points off the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying places.

In the Football League, Charlie Patino came on in the 82nd minute of Swansea City’s 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday to go 15th in the Championship and four points clear of the relegation zone.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy also played his part in an important win for Millwall, coming on in the 62nd minute of Saturday’s 1-0 victory at home to Watford. The Lions are 18th, right in and amongst the eight teams in the bottom half of the Championship who are separated by just two points.

Overseas, Fluminense are fourth in Carioca Serie A, six points behind leaders Flamengo, after Sunday’s 4-2 defeat at home to Botafogo, which Marquinhos came on in the 74th minute of.

There were also substitute appearances for Khayon Edwards at Leyton Orient last week, as he came on in the 89th and 46th minutes of a 1-0 win against Blackpool and a 1-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers respectively. The Os are ninth in League One, six points off the play-off places.

Fighting for promotion to the third tier, Wrexham earned four points last week with a 1-1 draw at Forest Green Rovers and a 4-0 win at home to Accrington Stanley. Arthur Okonkwo was in goal for both matches, keeping a clean sheet in the latter to go third in League Two, level on points with second-placed Stockport County and three shy of leaders Mansfield Town, who both have a game in hand.

At the top end of the Vanarama National League, Alex Kirk played 90 minutes as Bromley won 2-0 at home to FC Halifax Town on Saturday. Bromley are 20 points behind leaders Chesterfield and level on points with third-placed Barnet, who have a lower goal difference.

One tier below in the National League South, Billy Vigar played the first half of Eastbourne Borough’s 2-0 defeat away to Tonbridge Angels on Saturday, which saw the former remain 22nd in the division and seven points from safety.

In women’s football, Kahtrine Kuhl provided the assist for Hanna Bennison’s strike as Everton were beaten 2-1 away to Manchester City. The Toffees are 10th in the Barclays Women’s Super League, eight points clear of bottom-placed Bristol City.

Last but not least, Ruby Doe came on in the 75th minute of Ipswich Town’s 3-1 win away to Plymouth Argyle on Sunday to go fourth in the FA WPL Premier Division South.

Players who were unused substitutes: