ADO Den Haag striker Lee Bonis opened his account for his new club at the weekend as the Dutch outfit drew 1-1 at home to Jong Utrecht in the Eerste Divisie.
The 25-year-old, who moved from champions Larne last month, found the net in the 11th minute and he admitted he was relieved to finally get on the scoresheet in what was his sixth successive start for the Dutch second-tier side.
“Yeah I think it shows the manager has faith in me,” he told irishfa.com. “He knows what I’m capable of, he’s been telling me it will come and to just relax and play my football and to keep working hard off the ball and I’m thankful for that.
“The goal has been overdue but I knew it was only a matter of time so I’m just glad to have got it out of the way.”
Bonis still harbours ambitions of a recall to the Northern Ireland squad but he knows he needs to hit the back of the net regularly to be considered for selection by Michael O’Neill.
“It would mean a lot to me to be a part of the full international squad again,” he added. “I now have the determination to try and give Michael another option going forward.
“I know myself I need to be scoring and get a good run of form before I have a chance but I’ll keep working hard and focus on my game first and foremost.”
Also getting on the scoresheet over the weekend was Ciaran McGuckin who was on target for Yeovil Town in their 1-1 National League draw at home to Aldershot. It was the Under-21 international’s first goal since joining the club on loan from Rotherham United.
In the Premier League, Conor Bradley was again an unused substitute as Liverpool reclaimed top spot following a 2-1 success away to Wolves.
Defender Daniel Ballard missed Sunderland’s 2-1 defeat at Watford, though his teammate Trai Hume continued his run of having played every minute in the Championship for the Black Cats this season.
Meanwhile, there was a boost for international boss Michael O’Neill as Paul Smyth (QPR), Shea Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), George Saville (Millwall), Ali McCann (Preston) and Oxford United’s Ciaron Brown all managed to complete 90 minutes for their respective clubs.
In the National League, Darren Robinson, who is on loan from Derby County, made his first start for Hartlepool United in their 1-0 defeat to Forest Green Rovers for whom former Under-21 international Charlie McCann scored the winning goal.
There were assists for Rangers winger Ross McCausland and Kilmarnock midfielder Matty Kennedy in the Scottish Premiership, while former Ballymena United and Larne defender Kofi Balmer made his third appearance of the season for Motherwell when he came on as a substitute in the 2-1 win over St Mirren.
Elsewhere, there was a welcome return from injury for Rangers midfielder Megan Bell who came off the bench to provide an assist for her team’s third goal in the 3-0 Scottish Cup win at Dundee United.
In the Women’s National League Cup, goalkeeper Shannon Turner made her debut for West Bromwich Albion in their first round victory at Northampton Town and Katie Dickson scored in Plymouth Argyle’s 2-0 success against Maidenhead.
Finally, there were goals in the U18 Premier League for Aston Villa’s Cole Brannigan and 16-year-old Scott Hamilton who came off the bench to score in Nottingham Forest’s 4-1 victory at home to Leeds United.
