Europe
Reid made his comeback in West Ham’s New Year’s Eve 2-1 loss away at Derby County in the Championship, the defender backing that up with another 90-minute effort in the Hammers’ 1-0 home win over Coventry City two days later.
The win puts West Ham equal top of the Championship with Southampton with only goal difference separating the two sides.
Still in the Championship, Chris Wood’s loan agreement with Birmingham City is due to expire early this month but could be extended again.
The former Waikato FC striker has scored 11 goals (nine in the Championship and two Europa League strikes) in 26 appearances for the Blues this season. Wood has started only 15 matches but the Kiwi is third equal in the Championship golden boot race.
Blues manager Chris Hughton continued to rotate the powerful frontman as he started in the home draw with West Ham but came off the bench in the last two matches – a 3-0 win over Blackpool and a 1-1 draw with Peterborough United.
Birmingham currently sit mid-table with two games in hand due to their European campaign.
In Scotland, Aberdeen’s indifferent form continued with a Christmas Eve loss to Inverness Caledonia Thistle backed up with a goalless draw against Hearts just before the New Year.
Rory Fallon played a part in both matches and was replaced in the come-from-behind 2-1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice by Mohamed Chalali, who equalised with his first touch after 67 minutes only seconds after replacing the All Whites striker.
Icelandic international Kari Arnason then scored a spectacular late winner to give the Dons only their second away win of the season.
In the Welsh Premier League, Olympic hopeful Greg Draper fired a hat-trick to take his season tally to 14 as the New Saints kept up the title pressure with a 5-0 home romp over struggling Newtown at Park Hall.
The Kiwi marksman’s opening goal separated the sides at the break and he then doubled the lead six minutes after the interval as the Saints eased to victory. Strike partner Alex Darlington got in on the act with a quickfire brace before Draper completed his treble in injury time
Kris Bright looks to have departed Balzan Youths in Malta and is poised to join Norwegian side Bryne FK.
New Zealand’s five Football Ferns who ply their trade in the German Frauen Bundesliga earned a well-deserved break over the holiday period with action set to resume in February.
Asia/Oceania
“Big Wednesday” featured all ten A-League franchises in action, with All Whites striker Jeremy Brockie grabbing the headlines after scoring a double in the Newcastle Jets’ win over bottom-placed Gold Coast United at home.
Fans favourite Ben Sigmund headed the Phoenix into a 3-2 lead with the Wellington-based side eventually running out 4-2 winners over Sydney FC.
His defensive partner for club and country Tony Lochhead continued his comeback from injury, and international colleagues Leo Bertos and Tim Brown continue to shine in the engine room.
Impressively, the Phoenix have scored nine goals in their last two home matches and will welcome Perth Glory this weekend.
Glory have been without Shane Smeltz for the past two matches and the All Whites striker is again in doubt for the clash with his former club.
Also absent is Gold Coast custodian Glen Moss, who will be sidelined for at least the next two months with a groin tear.
Marco Rojas didn’t feature in the match day squad for Melbourne Victory’s 3-1 loss at the hands of Brisbane Roar on New Year’s Eve. But the young midfielder was a late second-half substitute in the match against top-of-the-table Central Coast Mariners on Big Wednesday.
Michael McGlinchey fired a late effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy but his Central Coast side still ran out 2-0 winners to extend their lead in the A-League. The diminutive midfielder has been in impressive form over the festive period.
Abby Erceg and Anna Green return to W-League action this weekend as the Adelaide Lady Reds travel to Canberra United.
North America
Junior All White Andy Bevin of West Virginia University continues to bring in post-season awards as he was named a first team member of the 2011 Soccer America All-Freshman team.
The former Hawke’s Bay United striker started all 20 matches and finished his rookie campaign as leading scorer with seven goals and two assists.
Bevin becomes the first West Virginia player in history to earn this honour, as well as being the first to earn BIG EAST Rookie of the Year and ECAC Men’s Soccer Rookie of the Year. Bevin was also named to the all-BIG EAST third team and was an NSCAA all-Northeast region member.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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