I tweeted a picture yesterday of all the English players set to be involved in the Norwegian Cup Second Round so thought I’d do a quick review of their involvement.
Skeid 3-0 Sandefjord
A huge upset in the first match with English involvement but unfortunately, Watford loanee Andrew Eleftheriou was on the wrong end of it.
The 20-year-old defender joined top flight side Sandefjord on loan earlier this year but despite playing the full ninety, he could not prevent his side losing 3-0 to third tier side Skeid.
Notodden 3-0 Asker
Three Englishmen involved in this game but no upset here. Second division Notodden beat third division Asker 3-0.
In the starting line-up for Notodden was Sunderland loanee Josh Robson (pictured above) and he guided his side to a clean sheet in his second cup appearance of the season. Michael Ledger was on the bench having played in all five of the club’s league games so far this season.
Aaron Jones was on the opposing team but the defender, who has also played in Sweden and New Zealand, was powerless to prevent defeat and also picked up a booking.
Bergsøy 0-6 Kristiansund
After pulling off the biggest upset of the first round, fifth-tier side Bergsøy could not repeat their giant-killing as they were heavily defeated by top flight side Kristiansund.
Craig Rogers was the hero in the last round as he scored in a surprise 2-1 win over Aalesunds and he played the full ninety in this match which, despite defeat, would have been a great experience to have played against a team from four divisions higher.
Fyllingsdalen 2-1 Sogndal
Another upset here as Fyllingsdaeln overcame Sogndal, a fourth tier club beating a second tier club.
Sogndal usually have Reiss Greenidge in their ranks but the former West Brom defender was not involved in the match as his side were knocked out of the cup.
Valdres 1-3 Strømsgodset
Valdres hosted a side from three divisions higher and did incredibly well to hold their full-strength opponents until the 76th minute but in the end, Strømsgodset had too much for them.
Kyle Spence and Dominic McGiveron both started for the hosts as they looked for a big upset. Ryan Nelson was suspended after picking up a controversial red card in the first round.
Having gone a goal down in the first half, Valdres did exceptionally well to stun their opponents with an equaliser in the 71st minute but with fifteen minutes remaining, the Eliteserien team scored a quickfire double to break Valdres hearts.
Bryne 1-0 Viking
Another upset here! Third division Bryne defeated a Viking side who were relegated from the top flight last season.
The winner came in the 88th minute as Bryne progressed to the third round of the cup for the first time since 2015. Sheffield United loanee Jordan Hallam could only sit and watch as his Viking side suffered the upset.
Tonight’s action
There are two more matches tonight as second round action comes to an end with one Englishman involved. Gary Martin will be looking to build on scoring his first goal of the season on Monday night as his side Lillestrøm take on fourth-tier Lørenskog.
English Players Abroad 