On the scoresheet at the weekend was 20-year-old Callum Marshall who hit the only goal of the game against Shrewsbury Town in his first league start for Huddersfield Town following his loan move from West Ham United.
“We do ask a lot from the centre-forwards in and out of possession,” said Town boss Michael Duff. “I thought he (Callum) took his goal really well.
“That was the thinking behind starting him and it’s always nice when they come in and score.”
Unfortunately, Marshall’s Huddersfield teammate Brodie Spencer was replaced six minutes after the interval with a shoulder injury.
“I’m unsure of the seriousness of the injury,” said Duff. “It obviously looked really bad when they put him in a sling, but that could be precautionary.”
Also Northern Ireland striker Shayne Lavery scored his first goals of the season as Cambridge United fought back from 4-1 down to rescue a point in a remarkable 4-4 draw at the Abbey Stadium at the weekend.
The former Linfield forward, who was released by Blackpool at the end of last season, equalised twice for the home side and contributed an assist for United’s third in what was his fourth appearance since joining the League One side in the summer
There was also a first goal of the new campaign for Leyton Orient’s Ethan Galbraith whose side went down 2-1 at home to Birmingham City who had Bailey Peacock-Farrell in their starting line-up.
In the Premier League Conor Bradley was again used as a substitute by new Liverpool boss Arne Slot though Jonny Evans remained on the bench as Manchester United slumped to an injury time winner from Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
There was some good news for Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill ahead of Thursday’s squad announcement with Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard playing the final few minutes of the Black Cats' 1-0 win over Burnley after recovering from a knee injury.
Elsewhere there was a debut for former Larne striker Lee Bonis who started ADO Den Haag’s 2-1 home victory over FC Volendam on Friday evening.
Speaking to irishfa.com Bonis said: “It was a great feeling to make my debut. The atmosphere was electric and the game went well. I was obviously disappointed not to have scored but I played my part!
“I think the standard in comparison to back home, tempo wise, is pretty similar as are the likes of workrate and tempo but I’d say it’s more technical and fast paced as in one and two touch.
“It’ll take a while to get used to the slick pitches and the speed of the game but overall it’s exciting and I’m looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland U21 midfielder Darren Robinson made his first appearance for National League North outfit Hartlepool United at the weekend following his loan move from Derby County and another former JD Academy graduate, Francis Turley, came on as a late substitute to make his debut for Celtic in their 3-0 success at St Mirren.
After the game Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers commented on the speculation that the 18-year-old could go out on loan this season: “I think he needs to stay. I was really impressed with him over the course of pre-season.
“That just gives him that bit more oxygen and that feeling of being out there for Celtic. But he knows himself he’s got a lot of work to do. But that’s why he’s here.
“He’s a talent and we’ve seen talents leave here because they’re impatient,” added Rodgers. “I don’t see that with Francis, after being with him over the summer. He signed a new deal and had his family in. They trust the club, which is important in his development.”
In the SWPL Northern Ireland captain Laura Rafferty registered her second goal of the season after scoring in Rangers' 9-0 win at Montrose and Brenna McPartlan made it two in two games for AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
Finally, George Feeney followed up his two assists for Spurs U18s last week by scoring his first goal for the team in their 5-1 U18 Premier League victory over Fulham.
