EFL records zero cases in latest round of tests
NO positive samples were returned in the latest round of EFL coronavirus testing, with its chief executive Trevor Birch describing the results as “a testament to the hard work and efforts of all clubs”.
The twice-weekly test programme included 5,524 players and staff from the 72 clubs, and it marks the first time that all concerned tested negative for Covid-19.
It is an impressive turnaround after there were calls for a mid-season “circuit-breaker” last December to tackle a worrying rise in infections.
Birch said: “Today’s results are a testament to the hard work and efforts of all EFL clubs during what has been a particularly challenging period.
“For 12 months we, like the rest of the society, have been dictated to by this virus. However, the stringent protocols implemented across the board have ensured that we are now able to turn our attention to returning to a certain level of normality. “Our focus must be on maintaining this low transmission rate and then ensure supporters can return in full as quickly as is safe to do so. “Football remains one of the most heavily regulated areas of crowd management, with EFL clubs already demonstrating they can stage matches safely during a successful pilot programme earlier in the season.”
The EFL introduced twice-weekly testing in early January.
■ Meanwhile, former Grimsby Town player Harry Cardwell’s second goal in three games and Will Collar’s rocket helped fire Vanarama National League promotion hopefuls Stockport comfortably past Eastleigh 3-0 at Edgeley Park. The hosts would dominate throughout and started brightly. Ash Palmer could have opened the scoring inside two minutes had he not headed Tom Walker’s free-kick just over the crossbar.
Cardwell made the breakthrough for fourth-placed County in the 23rd minute, Collar turning his man before racing up the pitch and slotting in the Beverley-born striker for a cool finish.
Provider Collar turned scorer in fine fashion nine minutes after halftime as he collected Paddy Madden’s pass and drove the ball into the top corner from 20 yards out. To rub salt in the Spitfires’ wounds, substitute Alex Reid made it three in stoppage time, nodding in James Jennings’ corner for his 11th goal of the season.
■ Notts County have sacked boss Neal Ardley as they chase a return to the EFL.
The Magpies also parted company with assistant manager Greg Abbott on Wednesday.
The club is sixth in the National League, with up to two games in hand on their play-off rivals, after Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Yeovil. Ardley had been at Meadow Lane since November 2018. Owners Chris and Alex Reedtz said: “We wish to place on record the huge respect we have for Neal both as a manager and a man.
“He stuck by this club through some of its darkest hours and has played a leading role in stabilising us following a devastating relegation, helping to maintain a close connection between the players, staff and supporters.
“We will never forget the job he did in guiding us to last season’s play-off final at Wembley and some of the excellent performances he has extracted from the team.”