Premier League
With Everton playing Sunday and Liverpool at Arsenal on Monday Night, only Leicester of our teams was in action in the Premier League. Going in with a 100% record, Tottenham had much more of the ball in the first half but did not break the deadlock until the 2nd half when Dele Ali scored from close range to convert a cross from Nacer Chadli. The lead lasted a minute as in form Algerian striker Riyad Mahrez equalised. A late header from Wes Morgan was saved by Hugo Lloris to deny Leicester taking all three points.
Championship
Both Nottingham Forest and Derby County continued to clock up the draws this season. Forest Keeper Dorus De Vries saved a first half penalty from Bolton’s Gary Madine in the main talking point of a goalless first half. Forest looked on course for all three points when substitute David Vaughen put Forest ahead from long range. However Forest again failed to secure the win as Stephen Dobbie equalised in the 93rd minute to ensure another draw from Forest after their 0-0 home draw in midweek.
Derby County were unlucky not to come away with the 3 points in the Friday night game at Birmingham. Despite dominating it was Birmingham who took the lead against the run of play when Stephen Gleeson’s 30 yard shot was deflected into the net.Tom Ince, Darren Bent and Andi Weimann all hit the woodwork. It was Johnny Russell who got the equaliser just after the hour but the Rams could not go on and find the winner adding another draw to the growing list of missed opportunities for Derby.Both Derby and Forest are in the lower half of the table as a result of their inability to secure the victory.
League 1
Blackpool sit rock bottom of the table after being comfortably beaten at Sheffield United who made it three wins in a row moving them into 4th place. Former Nottingham Forest striker Billy Sharp gave the Blades the lead on the hour with a right foot shot from close range from Jay McEveley’s corner. A long range strike from Marc McNulty secured the points and a 2-0 win for United. Blackpool’s hopes of re-building after relegation are looking a long way off.
League 2
Notts County and Mansfield Town joined the East Midlands drawfest this weekend with 1-1 draws. The Stags got off to the Perfect start at Field Mill against Oxford with a goal on 3 minutes from Craig Westcarr. Matt Green had a chance to make it two from the penalty spot but hit the cross bar. It proved costly as Mansfield conceded penalty in the second half and Kemar Roofe put it away to earn Oxford a point.
The Mapgies missed the chance to return to winning ways at Meadow Lane. They took the lead against Accrington Stanley when Graham Burke converted a Liam Noble cross with just 15 minutes to go. Noble himself with sent off on 86 minutes enabling Accrington to push forward for the equaliser and they got it in the very last minute with a strike from Matt Crooks. Notts County’s fine start to the season now seems a long time ago, with them struggling particularly at Meadow Lane.
Newport County put up a fine first half comeback against high flying Leyton Orient who raced into a 2-0 lead with goals from Paul McCullam and Jay Simpson. Two goals in two minutes for Newport from Scott Bowden and a long range strike from Mark Byrne sent Terry Butcher’s side in level at the half. Orient’s class showed however and a close range effort from Dean Cox gave the side run by Barry Hearne the points and puts them top of League 2.
National League
It was a miserable day for the teams in and around the Merseyside area in the National League. In a very poor game in Essex, Braintree Town took the points against Southport with the only shot on target in the whole game. Dan Sparkes left foot shot from the edge of the area was enough to leave Southport bottom of the table.
Tranmere Rovers suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat at home to Boreham Wood. After a stalemate first half Graeme Montgomery converted a Ben Nunn cross to give the Herfordshire side a shock lead. With Tranmere pushing to get the equaliser, Harry Crawford finished off a move on the break in the final minute to secure the points, and Tranmere’s first defeat in the National League since relegation.
Chester City had a terrible afternoon in Surrey that began with Ben Heneghan conceding a penalty and being sent off after 23 minutes. John Goddard converted the penalty to give Woking the lead. Chester managed to get to half-time only 1-0 down but where hammered after the break. Dan Holman made it 2-0 soon after the re-start and further goals from Kadell Daniel, Joey Jones and Ben Pattie added to the misery. John Rooney was one positive for Chester, he set up Ian Sharps and got on the scoresheet himself to grab some consolation. Woking’s 5-2 win moves them into 2nd place in the table behind the so far 100% Forest Green Rovers.
Scottish Championship
The Dumfries side are flying and maintained their 100% record in the league with a 2-0 win at Dumbarton. The on form partnership of Iain Russell and Derek Lyle struck again for the Doonhammers. A through ball from Alex Harris put Russell away to give Queens the lead. Lyle converted a corner in the 2nd half to secure the points. Queens top the table although Glasgow Rangers could overtake them if they beat Hibernian tomorrow.
MOON OF LIBERTY SOCCER SCOREBOARD
Premier League
Leicester City (0) 1 (Mahrez) Tottenham Hostpur (0) 1 (Ali) – At The King Power Stadium, Leicester
Championship
Bolton Wanderers (0) 1 (Dobbie) Nottingham Forest (0) 1 (Vaughan) – At The Reebok Stadium, Bolton
Birmingham City (1) 1 (Gleeson) Derby County (0) 1 (Russell) – At ST Andrews, Birmingham
League 1
Sheffield United (0) 2 (Sharp, McNulty) Blackpool (0) 0 – At Bramall Lane, Sheffield
League 2
Mansfield Town (1) 1 (Westcarr) Oxford United (0) 1 (Roofe) – At Field Mill, Mansfield
Newport County (2) 2 (Boden, Byrne) Leyton Orient (2) 3 (McCallum, Simpson, Cox) – At Rodney Parade, Newport
Notts County (0) 1 (Burke) Accrington Stanley (0) 1 (Crooks) – At Meadow Lane, Nottingham
National League
Braintree Town (1) 1 (Sparkes) Southport (0) 0 – At Cressing Road, Braintree
Tranmere Rovers (0) 0 Boreham Wood (0) 2(Montgomery, Crawford) – At Prenton Park, Birkenhead
Woking (1) 5 (Goddard, Holman, Daniel, Jones, Pattie) Chester City (0) 2 (Sharps, Rooney) – At The Surrey Sports Ground, Guildford
Scottish Championship
Dumbarton (0) 0 Queen Of The South (1) 2 (Russell, Lyle) – At The Dumbarton Football Stadium, Dumbarton
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