Northern Ireland striker Callum Marshall marked his debut for Bundesliga 2 outfit VfL Bochum at the weekend with a goal just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute.
The 21-year-old, who entered the fray with a quarter of an hour remaining, stole in at the back post to head home an equaliser in the 82nd minute to earn his side a valuable point in a thrilling 3-3 draw against promotion-chasing Darmstadt.
After the game the former Irish FA JD Academy graduate, who is on loan from West Ham United until the end of the campaign, was full of praise for the Bochum fans who created an electric atmosphere.
“The atmosphere was just unbelievable,” enthused Marshall. “I knew coming over that German fans in general were massive in backing their team and were really loud.
“Everyone I spoke to when I came to the club said how good the fans were and how they will always get behind you.
“Even when we were losing they were completely behind us, and when you have fans like that at home it sort of pushes the ball into the net itself.”
Also on the scoresheet at the weekend was West Brom’s Isaac Price, who fired home his sixth goal of the season as the Baggies went down 3-2 at home to Middlesbrough in new manager Eric Ramsay’s first game in charge.
Elsewhere Northern Ireland Under-21 international JJ McKiernan made it two goals in two games since his return from injury when he found the net in Burton Albion’s 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town at the Pirelli Stadium.
In the Premier League Sunderland defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Stadium of Light, with Trai Hume, Daniel Ballard and Justin Devenny all playing the full 90 minutes for their respective clubs.
After making his first team debut for Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup last week, 19-year-old Aodhan Doherty made his league debut for the club when he came on in the final minute of the 3-0 defeat to Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
In League One Barnsley’s Patrick Kelly and Wycombe’s Caolan Boyd-Munce both recorded assists at the weekend. And Conor Hazard kept his sixth clean sheet of the season as Plymouth Argyle won 1-0 at Peterborough United.
Defender Kofi Balmer made his league debut as a substitute for Bristol Rovers, who lost 1-0 at home to Colchester United, and Jonny Russell started his third game on the bounce for Crawley Town since his move from Glentoran earlier this month.
In the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup Rebecca McKenna and Rebecca Holloway both started Birmingham City’s 6-2 victory at Hull City, while Brenna McPartlan, Danielle Maxwell and Louise McDaniel were all used as second half substitutes as Burnley went down 5-0 to last season’s runners-up Manchester United.
Kieran Morrison scored a hat-trick in Liverpool’s 7-0 U21 Premier League victory over Arsenal and Alfie Friars was on target as Derby County drew 2-2 in the U18 Premier League with Birmingham City.
On the transfer front Championship side Oxford United have secured the services of Northern Ireland midfielder Jamie McDonnell on a long-term contract from Nottingham Forest.
The highly-rated 21-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell with Colchester United last term and in the opening half of this season his stock rose even further following impressive performances on loan at League One Mansfield Town.
Speaking to the Oxford website, McDonnell said: “I’m very excited to be here and to get started at Oxford United. It’s a club full of ambition, and that was really important to me as I sign a long-term deal.
“I feel I’ve learnt a lot from my loan spells and grown with every step I’ve taken so far. I’m ready to challenge myself at this level now and give everything for the team.
“I’m a midfielder who wants to be involved in all aspects of the game, work hard for the badge and keep improving. I can’t wait to play in front of the supporters and show what I can bring to the club.”
Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield said: “Jamie is a really exciting young player and one we’re delighted to welcome to Oxford United.
“At every level he’s played, he’s stepped up and shown maturity, authority and a real understanding of the game that goes beyond his age."
McDonnell’s arrival at the club takes the Northern Ireland contingent at the Kassam Stadium to four. Already at the U's are fellow internationals Brodie Spencer, Ciaron Brown and the currently injured Jamie Donley.
The former Glentoran youth, who made his Northern Ireland senior debut against Germany in Cologne back in September, goes straight into the Oxford United squad for tomorrow's Sky Bet Championship fixture against Queens Park Rangers.