Willem II clinched promotion back to the Western European top-flight for the first time since season 6 after they battled to a late victory against Charleroi.

It is a remarkable turnaround for the Dutch side who only narrowly avoided relegation from the second tier last season. Kuzmenko was Willem’s main attacking threat, his surging runs causing plenty of problems for the opposition. One such run in the 8th minute saw him float a fine cross towards the far post, but Michelgrove failed to make any connection with his header as the ball drifted out of play. Charleroi also pushed forward as both teams chased the opening goal. Bolster sold Podrova a dummy before drilling a fierce shot that flashed wide of the post, and the striker came close to opening the scoring once more when his goalbound header from a corner was cleared off the line by Merton.

It was an open contest and the deadlock was finally broken early in the second-half. Tatarkova’s first-time cross was blocked, but the rebound fell kindly for Obradovic inside the penalty area. The left-winger took one touch and duly slammed an unstoppable drive past Keppenrus to the delight of the Dutch contingent. Play was temporarily halted after flares were lobbed onto the pitch, but once the match resumed Charleroi nearly grabbed a leveller. Verplancken stretched to reach Staunton’s cross but failed to make proper contact as the ball trickled wide of the near post.

Willem looked comfortable but the match seemingly swung in Charleroi’s favour in the 77th minute. A Willem II attack broke down and the Belgian side surged forward in numbers, outnumbering their opponent’s defence four to three. Bolster played Grebis through one-on-one with Bolea, and he was about to pull the trigger when Paquet desperately lunged in from behind. It was a professional foul and the referee had no hesitation pointing to the penalty spot and brandishing the red card.

Staunton displayed nerves of steel, stepping up to nonchalantly stroke his penalty past Bolea and level the scores. Willem had lost their lead and were a man down, but they responded in magnificient fashion to stun their opponents. A free-kick was pumped into the Charleroi penalty area, Kuzmenko chested the ball into Michelgrove’s path and the striker instinctively stuck out a boot to divert the ball into the roof of the net before being mobbed by joyous teammates.

Charleroi desperately chased a second leveller to bring the match to penalties, and Willem II were camped in their own half as they tried to see out four tense minutes of time added on. Bolea comfortably saved Verplancken’s scuffed effort, Bolster was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Podrova and Staunton’s long-range drive was superbly blocked by Vial. Gareffi booted yet another clearance into the stands and the final whistle was finally blown to spark a pitch invasion as Willem celebrated a long-awaited promotion back into League 1.

Attendance 17,000

Darlington pulled off one of the all-time great Western European Cup shocks, stunning giants and 4-time cup winners Cardiff City on penalties to win the club’s first major silverware, becoming the first lower-league winner of the competition since season 2.

Cardiff surprised everyone by fielding a weakened team, and the decision backfired as the Bluebirds blew their chances of a domestic cup double, having already won the Elite Tournament.

Cardiff started brightly infront of a crowd of 67495, but once Darlington had settled down they successfully stifled and frustrated their more illustrious opponents. Spebbington was heavily involved in his side’s attacks in the early stages, but faded as the match wore on. His thumping header from a well-worked set piece routine flew narrowly over the bar, and another cushioned header found Robben, who miscued an attempted volley and sent the ball harmlessly wide of the near post.

The early flurry of chances was promising as neutrals hoped for a goalfest, but it was not to be as both teams gradually got bogged down in a congested midfield. Both teams struggled to break down two resolute defences from open play, but Darlington in particular looked threatening from set-pieces. Overmars’ goalbound header was deflected wide, and from the resulting corner Cardiff goalkeeper Partridge had to be alert to palm away Liunio’s snapshot.

That was the last action of the first-half and the second period began in the same manner. A deep inswinging free-kick picked out Finnan unmarked ten yards from goal, who should have done better than glance a weak header straight at Partridge. There were encouraging signs for Darlington and they duly proceeded to create the best chance of the match so far, Marteau lofting a sublime cross into the box, where Liunio clattered the left upright with a rising drive.

The fortunate escape sparked Cardiff into life, Mccarthy producing a fine reflex save to tip Tavares’ header over the crossbar. And minutes later they too struck the woodwork, Massingberd drilling a twenty-yard strike against the base of the post. As the minutes continued to tick away Cardiff sensed a late winner as they pushed more numbers forward. It nearly paid dividends as Darlington failed to clear their lines properly, Robben latched onto a wild clearance and his subsequent effort deflected off Schellden and bounced agonisingly wide of the mark, with Mccarthy rooted to the spot.

Five minutes of stoppage time came and went, and it was left to penalties to decide the winner of a tense contest. Partridge saved brilliantly from Gibbons, but misses by Massingberd and Tavares undermined his efforts, and the underdogs pulled off a famous cup victory when Mccarthy kept out Spebbington’s decisive penalty with his feet.

Ben Watson’s side maintained their five point gap with a 5-0 demolition of struggling MK Dons, whilst Cardiff dominated high-flying Yeovill 3-0 in their own back yard to stay on QPR’s tail and take advantage should the Londoners slip up. The result relegates Ryan Lambert’s side to fourth.

Nottingham Forest continue their best ever season in the top flight, and put a bit more distance between themselves and Yeovill despite being held 2-2 at ninth place Dagenham & Redbridge courtesy of a very late home equaliser. The result moves Forest up to third and give them a five point buffer in their pursuit of IRC qualification.

Fifth place Cheltenham Town recorded a fine 3-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers, a result that leapfrogs them over their visitors, who in turn drop to seventh following Barnsley’s 6-1 smashing of rock bottom Colchester in a match that went into half-time at 2-1.

Ipswich, who have never finished outside the top three in Jim Magic’s 22 seasons in charge, managed to cling onto eighth with a narrow 1-2 win over Manchester City, who won’t be feeling safe from the drop just yet despite a ten point cushion to the drop zone.

Rochdale secured a crucial 3-2 win over relegation rivals Bournemouth and climb one place further from relegation, whilst in another six-pointer at the wrong end of the table 14th place Blackburn managed a 3-1 win – only their third of the season – over 15th place Northampton, although both sides remain in real trouble.

Barca themselves drop back into the danger zone following the defeat.

Three first half goals killed off the tie, and a second for ex-San Lorenzo youth striker Diamaro midway through the second half sealed an important win for the Italians in a crucial six-pointer.

Diamaro opened the scoring just before the half hour with an angled shot from Grumo’s square pass, before provider turned goal scorer a few minutes later as Grumo powerfully headed in Goodrington’s corner.

Goodrington smashed in a third from close range after Barca failed to clear Lonero’s looped cross, and Diamaro clipped in a fourth to compound the Catalan’s misery in the second half, having left his marker for dead for a neat turn.

Morello was visibly pleased with her side’s performance and result after the match, and will be looking to use them as a platform to rescue Ascoli’s ailing season:

‘This is a cracking result for us, and three points we really needed. We had to put a stop to the disastrous run we were on, and to do it in such style, and against Barcelona, will be a huge boost for the club and the fans. I did a bit of tinkering with the line-up and seems to have paid off. We need to push on from here, however. If we go on and lose our next three matches then this result means little. We’re in the final portion of the season and the next ten games are extremely important.’

Ascoli host fifth place Vitoria Setubal tonight.

Wolfsburg reached the first ever cup final in the club’s history after battling from a goal down to see off Slavia Prague in the Central European Cup semifinals.

Both teams had never reached any final before, and here was a chance for either club to set the record straight. And it was the hosts who settled the quickest in cold conditions as they took an early lead. Mollet’s cross took a deflection but fell kindly for Von Tunzelmann, who displayed admirable composure to sidefoot a placed finish past Noth for the left-winger’s 11th goal of the season.

The visitors reacted well to the early setback and patiently probed for an equaliser. Miller was inches away from making contact with Ciumak’s cross, and minutes later from a similar crossing position, Monteiro was relieved to see his wild clearance loop a matter of inches over his team’s crossbar. Wolfsburg’s best chance of the first period fell to Mochowak, but his snapshot from ten yards out was parried by Carnevale and Tucman hooked clear the rebound to maintain his side’s slender lead.

Wolfsburg continued to apply the pressure in the second-half, with Haller forcing Carnevale into a smart stop at his near post. But ten minutes into the second-half and the Slavia Prague defence finally buckled. Hendrickson’s superb pass sliced open the backline, allowing Mochowak to stride through and tuck a finish into the bottom corner with consummate ease. Two minutes later and the turnaround was complete, Miller pouncing on a defensive mix-up to send a blistering effort past the stranded goalkeeper.

The goals further opened up what was already an entertaining fixture as Slavia Prague were forced to attack. Ivic flicked his header wide from Rosario’s cross, and then the hosts missed their chance to draw level as Ivic latched onto Buslingthorpe’s pass, but with only Noth to beat could only send a tame effort into the goalkeeper’s grateful arms. The visitors only took a few minutes to make him regret the miss as they pulled two goals clear. A lightning-quick break saw Miller burst down the pitch and release Hendrickson, who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted into the empty net from a tight angle to seal the victory.

They could have had a fourth if Savcyhn’s shot was not palmed clear by Carnevale, but three was enough as the estatic visitors celebrated their passage to their first cup final.

Attendance 21,000

Martin Baker: Hi Stefano, Glad to have the opportunity to interview you.

Lets start at the beginning, you joined the club 6 seasons ago. In your first full season you was promoted from league 3 via the playoffs, then the season after you followed the playoff win up with a runner up position to get to league 1. It was a great start to your career in world 1, did you expect to hit the ground running like that?

Stefano di Micro: Hi Martin, nice to be here with you!

Having been trusted with taking the mighty Espaonla back to where they belong in the top flight, I had a 5 year plan to get the team up 2 divisions and competing in League 1. I didn’t expect to achieve instant success, and in hindsight being in League 2 six seasons later you could say it was too much too soon! As a club we’ve enjoyed the ride, and I feel we’re now in a better position once results start improving.

MB: After 6 games in league 2 this season, the form has been poor, do you put this down to bad fortune, or poor player performances? How do you intend to turn it around, as Union Espanola are surely one of the favourites to be at the top end of the table this season.

SDM: The problem we’ve had is that in the past 3 seasons the team has set up to stop the big guns of League 1 from playing. Now we are expecting to go after teams and so far we have struggled to adjust. The standard of League 2 is clearly at lot higher than when we were here last, but as the season progresses my chairman Jorge Segovia and I fully expect the side to be pushing for promotion.

MB: The fans seem to be unhappy with a couple of players’ performances, with a lot of criticism aimed at Bello. Do you agree with the fans on this front?

SDM: I wouldn’t like to single out the performance of 1 player for criticism – the team as a whole is underperforming at present. Bello is still a young lad but he’s been a regular for two years now and perhaps some time out of the firing line would be useful for him. Sadly the squad is lacking strength in depth as the club is focusing finances on improving our Santa Laura stadium.

MB: What improvements can the fans expect with the stadium? What price will fans be paying after the improvements? And how much extra seating will there be upon full completion?

SDM: We’ve recently installed our first set of 4,500 seats, and improved the capacity of the ground to just over 20,000. The aim is to take this to as close as 25,000 before the season’s end, hopefully this will include some additional seating. There were discussions at the end of the last season to move the club east of Santiago, however the plans were scrapped on discussions with the supporters club and it was agreed we would expand the existing site.

In terms of prices, standing tickets are set at £10 with seating £16. For the upcoming cup game we are letting kids in for free when accompanied by an adult purchasing a full priced ticket. The ground has been a sell out for years so we clearly offer value for money.

MB: With improvements costing good money, will your hands be tied in the transfer market?

SDM: The fans have had to put up with us being a selling club for many years, as we try to lay the foundations for the long term future of the club. They have witnesses greats such Uribarri and Sonnefeld leaving for a total of £40m, and most of this money was invested into the future youth of the club. My chief scout and I are always on the look out for players that will improve the quality of the squad, we recently picked up two young keepers from Marseille for less than £500k. We also spent over £3m in bringing in Vibart from Rochdale in the summer. Hopefully the facilities that are now in place will provide the training and expertise needed to bring through the next Uribarri, and I hope that we can first look to promote from within before spending money that can be used elsewhere.

MB: Looking at your next league fixture, you come up against an in form Boca Juniors, unbeaten in the league so far. How do you rev the players up for this and what approach will you take?

SDM: Boca is a massive game for us. They finished bottom of League 1 last season but I have nothing but admiration for Ropey for turning it around this season. That said, we will go there expecting to compete and I would be disappointed if we didnt come away with something. We’ve played each other a number of times and they are always close encounters, and I don’t forsee this being anything else. Nunez is always a threat, and we will have to watch out for Dudic at set peices. I’m sure Ropey will be worrying about a few of my boys too!

MB: If you are to do well this season then Kripak’s goals will be important, just how big a player is he for you?

SDM: Kripak is extremely important, he’s the side’s talisman and his loyalty to the club should be rewarded with trophies. He arrived from Cheltenham for a club record fee, and has been top scorer for the past 4 yrs. We need to work on the supply line, because he’s a deadly finisher. His all round game has improved too, I’m hoping that Vibart could strike up a partnership with him but we can also use him on his own if need be.

MB: So your overall aim for the next three seasons? Is the long term plan to challenge for the IRC places?

SDM: Everyone’s ultimate aim should be the IRC otherwise you might as well pack up and go home! If we can get back to League 1 in the next 2 seasons then that would be a success, but the main aim is to build on what we have to ensure that if we go up, we stay up. Teams like Boyaco Chico, River Plate & Boca have started to yoyo and it can’t be good for player morale. We have some good youths filtering through in 3 or 4 seasons so the real push will start then!

MB: Sounds like exciting times ahead. Is there any particular youth that the world will be hearing of soon?

SDM: The four below are the best prospects:

O Wenzel 16 M-R 3 6 19 7 75 59 12 5 7 33%+7
Q Otañi 15 M-C 3 12 46 8 20 70 10 5 15 33%+6
L Freitte 15 D-C 3 55 15 7 17 8 3 4 16 33%+6
P Mazarz 14 A-C 1 17 17 5 26 13 11 61 14 33%+7

Mazarz should have over 500 points when he’s promoted so hopefully he will be a ready made replacement for Kripak or one of the big hitters may decide to take a gamble on a lower league youngster. Otani will fill the hole left by Uribarri, maybe Vasco will pay us £25m for him too!

MB: Who would you say are your rival teams in Americas, and which games do you always look forward to, in an attempt to get one one over the opposition?

SDM: Being from Chile, our local derby would be Colo Colo. We kicked off the season with an even 2-2 draw. Other teams are Lusa (family ties), Toronto, LDU Quito. I’m also looking forward to playing Botofogo and Libertad this season, and I hope to play Minnesota Thunder soon but preferably not in League 3!

MB: A new last question this week, sum up your style of management in one word.

SDM: Focused.

MB: Thanks a lot for your time Stefano, wish you all the best in trying to achieve your goals, long term and short term.

Credits to Martin Baker for the interview.

Martin Baker: Hi Mr Hatley, good to have the opportunity to speak with you. Well last season your Norwich team came so close to the playoffs, your aim for this season must be a top 6 finish surely?

Marc Hatley: Yes, last season Norwich were so close to the playoffs but I wasn’t expecting to be that high anyway as I was changing our tactics to see what suits us best. In addition, this season I would be happy to just stay up as I want to wait a few seasons for my young defenders in my YA to be promoted which I think is the last key step in allowing my squad to be good enough to try and put up a fight to stay in WE1. Overall, I would still be disappointed if Norwich didn’t get a playoff spot.

MB: Do you not feel that time out of the top league will hinder you, as the teams up there just get better every season, is there a worry Norwich will get left behind?

MH: I, as Norwich City’s manager, am always concerned about being left behind especially as the club hasn’t got anywhere near as big budget compared to others,  but am relying on my YA to start producing some talent to either keep as home bread stars or sold on for silly cash off of the big spenders.

MB: When you took over the club in season 13, what were you aims and how have you been able to fulfil them?

MH: When I took over Norwich in season 13 my aim was to get them to WE1 and challenge for the title but as seasons have gone on without heavy investment this is unlikely to happen. However, I believe as long as my players play as a team and give 110% every game we have a chance of winning anything.

MB: Over the past few seasons with a lot of comings and goings at the club which one player sticks out in either past or present, who really helped to push this club forward?

MH: I treat everyone equally in my team as they are all a big part in our team, however, there are 2 players which stand out from the rest:

K Le Bras 28 M-L 2 56 41 41 69 79 72 41 81 52 66 Accomplished 7,210,791
As he is Norwich’s assist machine and still plays at the club.

S Van Tiemh 32 A-C 27 87 77 16 92 66 80 85 74 20 69 Accomplished 19,527,934
As he was Norwich’s top goalscorer nearly scoring a 100 goals per season but sold him on when he was 29.

In all honesty I couldn’t choose between them as Le Bras setted Van Tiemh up to score so without either one they would not be as good as they are.

MB: What about the future then? You mentioned before that you are waiting for a couple of young defenders to grow a little more, is there any particular youth you are really looking forward to pulling on the Canaries shirt?

MH: Well, I have a 17 yr old DC called Verstappen, a young Dutchman, who will be going straight into my first team as he’s better than my current DC’s:

T Verstappen 17 D-C 5 69 58 60 37 5 1 2 10

He trains at 33% +7 and by the time he’s promoted should be able to get his speed, passing and set plays up to 60 and then start improving his arial, strength and tackling again.

MB: In the current market of defenders I’m sure he would prove well sought after, and a few top league clubs will surely come knocking. How do you intend to fend them off and stop the young lad’s head being turned?

MH: Yes, it’s so hard to find defenders recently, especially central defenders so he will be treasured here at Norwich. Furthermore, I’m sure some top clubs will be interested and will put in some sneaky bids in but I and the team will make him feel at home and welcome him as he’s going to be a key player in our defence.

MB: Is it mostly going to be youths coming through that will be making up the 1st team or a mix of bought in and homegrown? And just how important is it to you, to have homegrown players?

MH: Well, I would prefer to have mostly homegrown youths in the first team as I wouldn’t have to pay a fortune for first teamers but some brought in players I’m sure will be in the starting line-up. For I and Norwich homegrown players is so important as I wouldn’t have to pay 5-10m for one player so if a youth product replaced that person that 5-10m could go towards my stadium so we can bring in an even bigger income.

MB: How are the stadium developments coming along? And with each stage of improvement, is Carrow Road being filled?

MH: Well I built Carrow Road up to 21k but then concentrated on my YA and squad so haven’t touched our stadium for 5+ seasons but am going to start building again soon once the squad is on its way. Yes Carrow Road is constantly being filled with fans sometimes very angry as they cannot get a ticket for an important derby.

MB: Your next league game sees you take on promotion favourites Bristol Rovers. Who is your tip for the WE2 title?

MH: Well, the league is the toughest and closest it has ever looked in my opinion so it could be anyone’s, but if I had to choose a couple of teams it’s going to be between Rochdale, Bristol Rovers and Blackburn Rovers.

MB: If there was any one player in the world, that you could have who would it be?

MH: There are many players I would like but if I had to choose one it would be:

B Van Geem 23 M-C 3 87 81 54 81 75 80 62 89 37 57 Accomplished 21,209,130

He’s from Yeovil and is the World’s best youth player.

MB: Well Marc i’m going to have to wrap this up. Need to get to the cooking!! Thanks for your time and best of luck in your aims for the season.

Credits to Martin Baker for the interview.

Martin Baker: Hi Clint hope your well, its been a good season for Cheltenham so far and its looking like your team are mixing it well in league 1, what were your aims before the season started?

Clint Rossi: If I’m completely honest Motty I’d have to say I was looking at 6th place but now I will be happy with staying in the league. WE League 1 is the hardest I’d say due to the fact that most of the teams in the league are able to stay up and go down. And with teams like Bristol City, Manchester City and Leeds waiting to come to League 1 it will only get harder.

I’m loving the challenge it is all about gaining experience this season then pushing on from there.

MB: Your last five seasons have seen you promoted as champions each season, how did you get the team together for such a feat?

CR: Well I have been a bit of a wheeler dealer on the transfer market and I’ve gained a few friends in the game that were willing to help a new manager out like myself. I have heard of managers calling me names sometimes after some transfers but all in good humour and yes my nickname is: Cluntus Maximus.

This is the one thing I love about this world, the love shown by all the managers and help that is available if you ask on the forums. I also had a very lucky break having David Southam as a feeder; he has helped me out with a lot over the seasons. He is a top bloke and stays true to the game ensuring he can help out when possible.

MB: But now the challenge lies ahead, how far can you take Cheltenham and what are your hopes for the future?

CR: I knew the League was going to be hard, with teams like Ipswich and Cardiff bossing the league around since season 1, but I want to have my name on the league trophy as much as any Cheltenham Town fan and I know we can do it.

It will take a lot of time and I think it will take about 5 to 10 seasons but i will be here and fighting for the title in future at some point. The youth academy is the key to success and a little bit of luck. People say you need to invest heavy into the league. I say look at Yeovil Town and Ryan.

For the past 3 seasons I have not invested a lot into the team and I’m now looking at the YA to push me that extra mile. I have also had past investment by WTF (Wifehammad the Foundation) From Dubai to get the stadium sorted and now we have a 60,000 all premium seater stadium and this will give us a great injection of money each season.

MB: The two stand out performers this season have been Denton and Van Boxclaer, have the top teams been sniffing around these players?

CR: Well we’ve had a lot of interest in those two work horses and their record in the league is great. But I’m looking for them to perform a lot better and I’ve had to have some serious words with the boys on their performances of late.

Darren Stone and a few others have sent me a couple of offers for both players but I must say this now “Cheltenham Town is not a selling club” (Unless it is silly money!). I’m looking to win things and Cheltenham fans want to win things every season. For the past 5 seasons it has come as second nature and I want this to continue, so Cups and fingers crossed for a second IRC challenge should help me maintain a flow of trophies.

MB: With only being two points off the bottom four are you constantly looking over your shoulder in concern?

CR: For sure Motty, This is a tough league and anyone can go down. but I feel Cheltenham have enough now due to my new signing:

L Cagayat for 13 million.

Now speaking about that issue, Allowing players to walk out on a face value transfer. What are we saying as Human beings is that right, do we want to sign a person like that. The game is spoiling that, the game is wrong, the people in charge of the game are wrong and I’m not calling them names I’m just telling them their wrong. If Stevie Bevan is being bullied by a player and his agent or whatever….How wrong is the game? Yeah and when are you going to listen? Cardiff bought him they worked with him he really belong’s to them. If you buy a house, it’s paid for the deeds are yours if your lucky enough to buy one….. it’s yours. Then you have it for 25 years then it can just toddle off and do what it likes. It’s wrong! It’s WRONG!!

But after some talk with the lad we have sorted a few things out and I hope he can turn things around. I can only apologise to Stevie for his loss.

MB: Do you feel the greed in football needs to be looked at? Maybe with a wage cap and how do you go about your business regarding contracts?

CR: Well we all know contracts in the game are just another issue, but I’m sure PSM FA will be sorting something out I just hope it is sooner rather than later. I have a 13mil Defender on £100 a day and a 2mil player on 2,500 a day how messed up is that?. But again I feel they can sort this issue out.

MB: Your next league game sees you take on Phil’s ever improving Barnsley, a tough task no doubt. Just how are you preparing your players for this game?

CR: Well how we win I do not mind at the end of the day a win will be a win and in gentleman’s terms, If you go out one night and your looking for a young lady and your lucky enough to pull one you know that some weeks they will be good looking and some weeks not the best. I’m hoping the performance will not be the best looking but you’ll take it home for coffee anyway. A win will be a win to be honest!

The players are ready and awaiting the challenge and they have been told no less than a victory will do!

MB: The cup fixture tonight puts you up against Yeovil’s victors Cambridge, being favourites for the match will you rest some players or is the risk of a surprise defeat too high? And just how much would winning the cup mean to Cheltenham?

CR: Well to win the cup would be fantastic! Van Winckel has been playing very well since coming in and trust me when I say he is a big name in Cheltenham, he is big by name and big by nature, the boys don’t call him donkey for nothing but as this is a family interview I will try and keep it clean. I will be fielding a very strong team and I will be going for the cup we have been in the final before and this time we are hungry for the win.

Denners and Van the man should be ready for this game.

Well thanks for the chance to express my views on the game and and I hope we in the future can take this interview on to the screen and have a one on one.

The game of football is fantastic and should be held in the highest regard. When the seagulls follow the trawler because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.

I will leave you with this saying:

Football is a funny old game!

MB: I’m going to wrap this up now Clint. Thanks for your time, and best of luck in all competitions.

Credits to Martin Baker for the interview.

Record winners Cardiff City stormed into the Inter Region Cup final after a stunning quickfire hat-trick from Hessels. The four-time winners are Western Europe’s first Inter Region Cup finalist in 5 seasons since Cardiff defeated Chornomorets Odessa in season 16′s final, the region’s longest drought in the competition.

A highly anticipated encounter had started slowly, with the first presentable opening coming after 20 minutes. Cardiff probed the Ipswich defence with a patient passing game, but when the ball eventually dropped invitingly for Massingberd, he could only drag his effort wide of the mark. Ipswich responded and they went close through Galkin’s flicked header that only cleared the crossbar by inches. A crunching challenge on Huntingdon from Fletcher had the Cardiff fans up in arms, and moments later Hessels dribbled through the visitors’ backline before being halted by Jacquot’s excellent intervention. There were signs that the game was finally coming to life, but still neither goalkeeper had a save to make.

It was much of the same at the start of the second-half, with both teams probing but lacking the required penetration. Mccarthy needed to be alert to pluck Smekens’ cross out of the air, while a well-timed tackle from Koruba prevented Galkins from pulling the trigger. As the game reached the hour mark though, Hessels decided to go on a one man mission.

There was no imminent danger as the Dutch striker collected Huntingdon’s pass 30 yards from goal. But his first touch took him past Perez Paulina, his second left Hua flat-footed, and his third sent a rising drive into the roof of the net. The home fans celebrated a wonderful goal, but Hessels was far from done. Straight from kick-off he picked Smekens’ pocket, raced past a static Lyon to burst into the area and then saw his finish take a rather fortunate clip off Hua’s heels to bounce into the net.

Within two minutes he had sealed his hat-trick, outjumping Jacquot to send a thumping header past a helpless Milito. Ipswich were shell-shocked and their Inter Region Cup dream in tatters, but with Cardiff content to sit back and defend their comfortable lead, the onus was on them to try and launch a fightback. They threw bodies forward but stopped short of throwing the kitchen sink at their opponents, perhaps mindful of a certain Hessels laying in wait whenever the Bluebirds counter-attacked. Mccormack slammed a volley into the ground and over the bar and Galkins forced a smart stop from Mccarthy with a stinging drive, but the best late chance fell to Hessels who was put through by Massingberd. The hat-trick hero had plenty of time to pick a finish: perhaps too much time, as he was caught in two minds and eventually could only drill a tame finish wide of the far post.

But it mattered little as Cardiff closed out the game with little fuss to reach their seventh Inter Region Cup final, with a chance of clinching a fifth crown when they take on Grasshoppers on day 52.

Martin Baker: Hi Mr Hendy, great to have you with us.Lets start at the beginning. You started your career with Heracles and then 16 days later left to go to Ergotelis. How come the sudden change, was it a football related move or was there problems at Heracles?

Joshua Hendy: Hi Martin! Thanks for making me feel so welcome!

Heracles…my darkest moment. The problem was the region. Western Europe is the toughest region and full of investors. If I were to be big in this game, I knew I couldn’t do it at Heracles. I saw Ergotelis were struggling in Balkan League 3 so I took up that job. We won the league later that year.

MB: It has been a constant rise since you joined, and with a ten point gap between yourselves and 5th place, the IRC competition looks around the corner for your side. How do you keep the team focused and looking forward?

JH: Train, train, train. Every player that plays for me, trains every day. My players are determined to make it on the big stage, although they know we are not at the standards to win it (eg Internacional), but if we reach the IRC, each and every one of my players will enjoy it and use the experience of it to help us push on in the league.

MB: Looking over the past couple of seasons, what would you say has been your best of business regarding Ergotelis?

JH: Hmmm, so many to choose from. Ergotelis have a link with Nottingham Forest and we have bought a few of our main players from them, the likes of Barreto, Hoebacke, Lawnder and Wolpe. I have always looked for bargain deals and have bought all these players for a low price. My best player? For the incredible amount of goals he scores, Barreto. Value wise, Wolpe.

MB: Baretto has had a great season and looks unstoppable at the moment, what has been the key to getting the best out of him?

JH: When I bought him, I knew he was good. But as Mr Bandwidth [manager of Notting Forest] put it, ‘his talent is being wasted on the bench’. I snapped up the chance to sign him and the rest is history. The reason he is so good is because of his incredible technique and he has the right people around him to set him up!

MB: Do you have any future signings lined up that the fans and press can get excited about?

JH: I do indeed! I have just signed MC Hartson and AC Gillespie, who appears to be an exciting prospect for the future. I have arranged a deal of £1.5m for AC Whiteman from Geylang United on Day 44, who I think can emulate Barreto’s success at the club. Also, there’s a youth AC from Norwich next season and possibly another AC from Nottingham Forest. But my money is mostly going into our Ergotelis Youth Academy, so we can start producing players as good as our current ones.

MB: Where are you at the moment with the youth system? There was talk that the club was hoping to get the very best youngsters from the balkans in at a very early stage in there careers is this true?

JH: It is currently only 2* but will be 3* in a matter of days. Only one good prospect really, a 20% +5 trainer, but that is it. The best youngsters don’t tend to go to Ergotelis because of our low rating, but I predict in 3 seasons time to have a 4* establishment and then we will start to get some of the best youngsters in the Balkans. There is some truth in that statement, but there will be a clearer picture in a few seasons’ time.

MB: Rivalries are both fierce and friendly in football, do you or your team have any particular matches you look forward to for that reason?

JH: OFI Crete are obviously Ergotelis’ main rivals, but whilst they are deep down the leagues we are at the top, so there is not much rivalry. Obviously, being located on Crete, there are not many teams. Despite the fact that me and Neil are good friends, Olympiakos is always a tasty game as we play another Greek team. Velez Mostar and CFR Cluj also are our bitter rivals. I always look forward to playing Bursaspor. We usually lose. But as we are so used to winning, it sort of brings our team down back to earth and focus on winning the next game. The league is tight and we cannot lose many points.

MB: With Nottingham Forest being your parent club, how much of an eye do you keep on there progress?

JH: Well, they are not officially my parent club, but we have a close bond. Freddy just offers me amazing players; he has helped me out a lot over these past seasons. But he looks a lot at my teams performances as half my players are his. To answer your question, yes, I do frequently look at his team!

MB: The question on everyone’s lips is where do you see your career path taking you. Is Ergotelis a long term thing or do you see yourself trying a different region in the future?

JH: I’m in it for the long run; I’ve come too far now to just give up!

MB: Okay Josh I’m going to have to wrap this up now, busy busy busy!!! Thanks a lot for your time and patience, I will jot you down for a future appearance.

Credits to Martin Baker for the interview.