South Asians in Football Weekly: Arjun Singh Purewal, Simran Jhamat and Imran Kayani all found the back of the net | Football news

The latest edition of South Asians in Football Weekly is out after another eventful week for the community as part of the Beautiful Game…

North East football fans were treated to a rare spectacle to kick off the weekend as the Sikh-Punjabi twins Amar and Arjun Singh Purewal captained their respective teams as Consett hosted Hebburn Town.

The brothers have been leading the way for British South Asians in football for more than 15 years, first entering the history books as teenagers when they became the first twins to score in the same FA match Cup after both scoring for Bishop Auckland in an extra match. Preliminary round victory against Darlington RA in 2008.

The twins made history again two years ago when they became the first British South Asian brothers to line up under the arch in a Wembley Cup final.

Arjun captained Consett that day, but it proved to be a day to remember for Amar, who scored his side’s first goal as Hebburn lifted the FA Vase Trophy with a 3-1 victory.

But Arjun had the last laugh this time, completing Consett’s scoring with a bullet header in a 3-0 win over Hebburn, who were top of the Northern Premier League East table heading into the weekend’s matches -end.

Simran Jhamat marked his first home start for West Brom with a goal in a 4–1 win over Huddersfield in a match played at the Hawthorns.

The striker started her first match alongside Mariam Mahmoudwith the pair both seeing their footballing journeys showcased earlier this year in the first-ever timeline and exhibition documenting the history of female players of South Asian descent in modern English football.

Jhamat opened her Baggies account with a typical poacher’s goal as she converted skipper Hannah George’s cross from close range. Mahmood also won a penalty in the match.

Sky Sports News exclusively revealed earlier this month that pioneering former Liverpool and Bristol City striker Jhamat was joining West Brom.

Whitehawk’s Newcomer Imran Kayani was also on target this weekend, marking his home debut with a well-taken goal as the Hawks beat Redhill 4-0 to book their place in the FA Cup third qualifying round.

It was another good week for Manchester United’s promising young goalkeeper. Safia Middleton-Patel, who briefly became the club’s second choice behind England international Mary Earps.

United parted ways with Sophie Baggaley, who joined Brighton on WSL transfer deadline day, leaving Middleton-Patel as the next goalkeeper in line to Earps, who herself had been linked with a distance from the club.

But as expected, United agreed a £100,000 deal to sign Phallon Tullis-Joyce from OL Reign later on deadline day to bolster their options between the sticks.

Middleton-Patel was also named in Wales’ squad last week for the opening matches of the UEFA Women’s Nations League.

Wales play Iceland on Friday, before welcoming Denmark to Cardiff City Stadium next Tuesday.

There was also an international call-up for residents of East London. Zahmena Malik, who was named in Pakistan’s squad for a six-nation friendly tournament in Saudi Arabia.

The London Seaward striker, who scored an assist on her international debut, is the only British representative in the team this time around.

Malik is expected to play a leading role in Pakistan’s campaign for the tournament, which begins with a match against Malaysia on Thursday before a showdown with the host nation on Sunday.

Legendary former EFL referee Jarnail Singh also visited Sky Studios in west London to share insights into refereeing and the British South Asian experience in English football.

Singh, who is the first and only Sikh referee to wear a turban in the history of English football, delighted staff members through Sky Sports News as he expressed his desire to see British South Asians much better represented in English football.

Singh and Sky Sports worked together earlier this year to urge the Football Association to issue guidance to match officials across the country on the importance of religious head coverings as articles of faith.

It follows an incident involving a Sikh semi-professional footballer, who received a second yellow card for his reaction after an opposing player appeared to pull on his patka, which is a religious head covering worn by many Sikhs.

Talk to Sky Sports News At the time, Singh said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to contribute to the education and increased understanding of the South Asian and Sikh communities in football.”

British South Asians in football

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