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Sunday, July 19, 2026
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Women's Football Round-Up: UK, USA & Iceland
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Sutton United Women produced the comeback of the weekend, overturning a two-goal half-time deficit to claim a thrilling 4-3 victory over Reading FC Women at the David Weir Leisure Centre.
K'Shaela Burch-Waldron and her teammates looked down and out at the break after a dominant opening 45 minutes from the Royals. However, a spectacular second-half resurgence saw United tear through the visitors' defense to secure a memorable pre-season win.
There was a reverse in fortunes for AFC Sudbury Women, who threw away a commanding position to go down 5-3 away against Cambridge United.
Eva Frazzoni’s side looked in complete control after a blistering first-half display left them 3-0 up at the interval. However, a clinical second-half response from Cambridge turned the match on its head. Despite the collapse, the fixture provided a valuable run-out for the Sudbury squad with plenty of positives to carry forward into the new campaign.
In the Iceland Women's Premier Division, Hafnarfjordur cruised to an emphatic 6-1 victory over Grindavik/Njardvik, aided by a lightning-fast impact from the bench by Nia Christopher.
Christopher entered the fray in the second half and took less than 60 seconds to find the back of the net, rounding off a dominant team performance to keep her side flying high.
Across the Atlantic in the NWSL, Reign FC suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to league leaders Gotham FC at the Icahn Stadium, despite a milestone goal from Mia Fishel.
Following a grueling weather delay of over two and a half hours, the Reign adapted to the damp conditions quickly. Fishel spearheaded an early counter-attack inside four minutes before winning a penalty in the 12th minute.
The forward stepped up and calmly slotted the spot-kick into the lower right corner to give the visitors an early lead and open her official NWSL goalscoring account. Reign added a second before the break, but the league leaders showcased their title credentials with a fierce second-half comeback to snatch all three points.
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Saturday, July 18, 2026
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Pre-season Round-Up: Mixed Day for Bermudians
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Cardiff City have been handed a timely fitness boost with the news that goalkeeper Nathan Trott has returned to full training.
The 27-year-old had been sidelined with a slight hamstring injury but has resumed duties with the main squad as the Bluebirds step up their preparations for the upcoming campaign.
Meanwhile, Luton Town were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against National League side Barnet at The Hive, despite a spirited second-half fightback.
The Hatters found themselves 1-0 down before Nahki Wells took centre stage. The striker was agonizingly close to scoring a spectacular equalizer when his long-range lob beat backtracking Bees goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond, only to crash back off the crossbar.
Wells did get his goal early in the second half, and momentum swung further in Luton's favour when youngster Jayden Luker struck to give the visitors the lead. However, Barnet earned a share of the spoils late on when Kabongo Tshimanga pounced inside the penalty area, firing past James Shea to make it 2-2.
It was a busy day of pre-season action across the non-league pyramid with several notable results:
Walton & Hersham enjoyed a successful afternoon on the road, with Ne-Jai Tucker helping his side secure a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bedford Town.
There was disappointment for Keziah Martin as Hereford FC slumped to a 2-0 defeat.
Halesowen Town's first home match of pre-season ended in disappointment for Milan Butterfield and his teammates, falling to a defeat against National League regional rivals Kidderminster Harriers.
Leiston FC suffered a narrow 1-0 loss away at AFC Sudbury, while Reggie Lambe's Ipswich Wanderers fought out a 1-1 draw with Bury.
At Greenwich Avenue, Harry Twite’s Basford United shared the points in a 1-1 draw against Gainsborough Trinity.
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Saturday, July 18, 2026
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Nodarse Strikes early as Smith's Rhode Island edge Hartford
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A brilliant first-half volley from defender Frank Nodarse was enough to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Khano Smith's Rhode Island FC over local rivals Hartford Athletic.
The tightly contested USL Championship clash at the Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket saw the hosts claim the crucial three points in the first meeting between the two New England sides this season.
Rhode Island found the breakthrough in the 20th minute courtesy of a well-worked set-piece routine. Jojea Kwizera whipped a precise cross into the danger zone following a corner, allowing Nodarse to pounce at the right side of the six-yard box and smash a right-footed shot into the back of the net.
Hartford Athletic fought hard to find a way back into the game, but Smith's well-drilled defensive line held firm to ensure Nodarse's early strike was enough to seal the victory and claim the local bragging rights.
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Friday, July 17, 2026
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Walton & Hersham Seal Deal for Bermuda International Tucker
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Progressive Isthmian Premier Division outfit Walton & Hersham have pulled off a major coup by securing the services of highly-rated Bermudian international midfielder Ne-Jai Tucker.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder arrives at the club boasting an impressive footballing pedigree, having spent his development years at the very top tier of English academy football.
Tucker’s footballing journey began on the island of Bermuda at just four years old with North Village Rams and ABC Valencia. After relocating to the United Kingdom at age 11, he spent two years within Manchester City's prestigious academy before being scouted by Burnley in 2016.
He went on to sign professional terms at Turf Moor in July 2021. During his time with the Clarets, Tucker was a standout performer in the Premier League 2, opening his account at that level with a memorable goal against Southampton at St Mary's Stadium. His technical ability and tactical intelligence even caught the eye of legendary former manager Vincent Kompany, who personally name-checked the youngster as a standout prospect during pre-season training in the summer of 2022.
Following his departure from Lancashire, Tucker returned to the competitive English game last summer by signing with National League North side Southport. To maintain match sharpness and continue his development, the dynamic playmaker also enjoyed a productive winter loan spell in the Northern Premier League with Workington AFC.
On the international stage, Tucker has evolved into a vital pillar of the Bermuda midfield engine room. He has been a driving force throughout Bermuda’s recent World Cup qualifying campaign, winning high praise from national coach Michael Findlay—who labelled him "player of the game by a long shot" after Tucker scored a brilliant goal and dictated the tempo in a thrilling 2-2 draw away to Trinidad & Tobago.
Walton & Hersham supporters will be eager to see how the international's top-tier academy background and immense transitional work rate translate to their ongoing league campaign.
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Thursday, July 16, 2026
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Bermudians in the UK: Pre-Season Matches
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It was a bustling evening for Bermuda's overseas contingent as the English non-league and National League pre-season schedules kicked into high gear.
From clinical victories to hard-fought stalemates, here is how Bermuda's top talents fared for their respective clubs.
National League side Dagenham & Redbridge secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hitchin Town, with Bermudian international Kane Crichlow starting up front in a star-studded partnership alongside former England international striker Andy Carroll.
Midfielder Reggie Lambe made an instant impact for his new club Ipswich Wanderers. The experienced playmaker helped his side kick off their pre-season in spectacular fashion, playing his part in an entertaining 3-3 draw against the Felixstowe Sea Siders.
Willie Clemons enjoyed a highly productive outing as Leiston FC ran out comfortable 4-2 winners against Aveley.
In the Midlands, Milan Butterfield dominated the engine room as Halesowen Town cruised to a 3-0 victory over AFC Wolverhampton City at the Prestige Midlands Arena.
Keziah Martin and Hereford FC had to settle for a 1-1 draw on the road against local rivals Hereford Pegasus at the KGD Stadium.
There was disappointment, however, for young defender Harry Twite, whose Basford United side fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Dunkirk FC at Greenwich Avenue.
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