Moon Soccerround – Sat 20th February

Soccer

FA Cup

Second half goals send Everton into the Quarter Finals

BOURNEMOUTH 0 EVERTON 2

Everton are into the quarter finals of the FA Cup after seeing off Bournemouth in a tricky away tie. The home side had the opportunity to go ahead after they were awarded a penalty after a James McCarthy handball. Everton keeper Joel Robles made a fine save from Charlie Daniels to prevent the Toffeement going behind.

The Blues took full advantage of their fortune. Ross Barklay gave Everton the lead after his shot looped off Dan Gosling, a former Everton player, into the net. Gosling had a chance to equalise shortly after but put the effort wide. Romelu Lukaku sealed the tie slamming the ball in from close range after a Gareth Barry corner.

Everton deserved their win and after missing out on Wembley narrowly in the League Cup, are one more win away from making up for it in the FA Cup.

Championship

Derby come from behind to get back to winning ways

BRENTFORD 1 DERBY COUNTY 3

Derby County looked like they were heading for another defeat before a storming last 10 minutes saw them solidify their play-off place. Derby started fast and had chances through Jeff Hendrick and Darren Bent in the first 10 minutes but were kept at bay by Brentford keeper David Button.

The home side took the lead against the run of play in the second half, Alan Judge struck from 20 yards and perhaps this would be another of those days for Derby. Derby brought on Chris Martin who added a solid presence to the midfield and the Rams took more control of the game, eventually equalising through Jeff Hendrick on 80 minutes.

Within three minutes Derby were ahead through Cyrus Christie’s first ever senior goal. The win was completed fittingly by Chris Martin, who scored froma  tight angle completing a breakaway as Brentford tried to push men forward late on. Derby are fifth and have a 5 point gap on 7th placed Cardiff in the play-off race.

League 1

Ajose hat trick downs Blackpool

SWINDON TOWN 2 BLACKPOOL 3

Former Manchester United trainee Nicky Ajose was in superb form sending Blackpool to defeat at Swindon. The seasiders started well with Tom Aldred heading in a David Norris corner. Ajose leveled on 17 minutes with a right foot strike and the sides went in even at the break.

Ajose got his second on the hour converting a cross from Bradley Barry. Barry was then responsible for giving away a penalty bringing down Clark Robertson allowing Danny Philliskirk to level it up at 2-2. It was to be Ajose’s day however, as Blackpool were hangin on to a valuable point, Ajose struck with just two minutes to go from 12 yards to complete his hat-trick.

Wins for Fleetwood and and Chesterfield bring Blackpool back into the relegation fight, just one point off the drop zone. Swindon are safe in mid table in 15th place.

League 2

Boden saves Newport a point at Exeter

EXETER CITY 1 NEWPORT COUNTY 1

Scott Boden earned Newport a deserved late point at Exeter. Newport should have been ahead in the first half with Conor Wilkinson hitting the woodwork twice. Against the run of play Exeter took the lead however with Jordan Tillson getting on the end of a Lee Holmes’ free kick to put the home side in front.

Boden, Medy Elito and Alex Rodman all had chances to equalise as Newport continued to dominate. They got their reward with 3 minutes to go as Elito’s cross was headed in by Boden for his 12th league goal of the season. Wilkinson had an injury time chance to win it but put his effort wide.

The draw means Newport are six points above the drop zone. Exeter are in mid table in 11th place well outside the play-off race.

Mansfield win to maintain play-off chase

MANSFIELD TOWN 3 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 2

Mansfield Town got their expected win over bottom side Daganham & Redbridge at Field Mill. Chris Beardsley and Malvind Benning had early chances before against the run of play, the Londoners took the lead. Joe Widdowson teed up Oliver Hawkins to give the visitors a suprise lead.

Mansfield hit back in the second half. Ryan Tafazolli’s free kick was turned in by Matty Blair to level. Cyrus Christie then put the Stags ahead with his first senior goal for the club.Krystian Pearce gave the visitors a way back in giving away a penalty and being sent off as a result, however Jamie Cureton missed the spot kick.

Within 60 seconds Blair set up Matt Green to seal the game making it 3-1. Cureton did get a late consolation but Mansfield take the points and remain in 4th place in the play-off mix. Dagenham & Redbridge stay rock bottom.

Notts go down to third straight home defeat

NOTTS COUNTY 0 LEYTON ORIENT 1

Notts County failed to build on their win at Hartlepool in mid week as their frustrating season continued with defeat against Leyton Orient. Jay Simpson has the best chance for the visitors with a header in an other wise poor first half with few chances.

Laim Noble has Notts only shot on target early in the second half. From then on it was all Orient. Sammy Moore and Joby McAnuff had chances and Mattheui Baudry had a header cleared off the line. The goal came as Notts failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Sahun Brinsley to hook home the winning goal.

It is Notts third home defeat in a row and there were some angry scenes afterwards as fans confronted keeper Roy Carroll. Notts remain in 15th place and their season appears to be going nowhere. Orient are level on points with those in the play off spots and are only outside them on goal difference after this win.

National League

Caton double downs Southport

LINCOLN CITY 3 SOUTHPORT 1

Lincoln helped their play-off push with a comfortable win over mid table Southport. James Caton tapped in the opener after keeper Sam Crocombe failed to hold a corner. Caton got a second after being put through by Jack Muldoon’s pass as he shot low to make it 2-0.

Southport got one back with Andy Bishop setting up Louis Almond to score from the edge of the area. Chris Bush and Matt Rhead could have sealed it for Lincoln before Terry Hawkridge put in Robbie McDaid to finally make it 3-1 and put the game beyond doubt.

Southport are in 16th place after the defeat. Still comfortably above the relegation zone. Lincoln are ninth, two points off the play off zone.

Chester comeback earns a point

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 2 CHESTER CITY 2

Chester had to come back from two goals down to earn a point at Kidderminster. Arthur Gnahoua gave the home side the lead with a right foot shot on 22 minutes. Harry White made it two from the penalty spot after a handball from Ryan Lloyd. Ben Whitfield had a chance to make it three before the break well saved by keeper Tony Thompson.

Chester got a penalty of there own in the second half with Kelvin Longmead bringing down Ross Hannah who converted the penalty himself. The goal was Hannah’s 15th of the season. Chester completed the comeback with James Alabi breaking past a defender on the left hand side of the box and slotting home to make it 2-2.

Tyrone William had a great chance to win it for Harriers but Thompson made a great save. The draw moves Chester up to 15th place. Kidderminster are second from bottom still eight points away from safety.

Early strike the Wright stuff for Cheltenham in the rain

TRANMERE ROVERS 0 CHELTENHAM TOWN 1

Tranmere Rovers play-off hopes were dealt a blow as they lost at home to top of the table Cheltenham. The visitors got the only goal of the game on just 3 minutes scoring from Asa Hall’s cross for his eighth goal in the last six games. Tranmere, who were looking for a double over the top side after winning the away game could not repeat the dose in teeming rain.

Rovers had the better of the second half but could not find the breakthrough. Michael Higdon and Lois Maynard both brough late saves from keeper Dillon Phillips. The win moves Cheltenham four points clear of Forest Green at the top. Tranmere remain 4th and in the play off places but having played at least one game more than those below them.

Scottish Championship

Miller wonder volley sees off battling Queens

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 0 RANGERS 1

Rangers restored their eight point lead at the top of the table after an open game in Dumfries. Rangers controlled most of the game with Nicky Clark almost profiting from a mistake by Queens keeper Jim Atkinson. James Tavernier also forced a fingertip save from Atkinson.

At the other end Queens had their chances, Derek Lyle forced a good block from Rangers keeper Wes Foderingham and Lewis Kidd rattled the Rangers crossbar from range. But it was Kenny Miller’s dipping volley over Atkinson the proved decisive just after the hour mark. Chris Higgins and Andy Dowie had chances to level as Queens pushed forward late on.

The Glasgow side held out to do home with the three points. Queens fall one point behind Raith Rovers in the race for the final play off place.

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MOON OF LIBERTY SOCCER SCOREBOARD

FA Cup 5th Round

Bournemouth (0) 0 – Everton (0) 2 (Barklay, Lukaku) – At Dean Court, Bournemouth

Championship

Brentford (0) 1 (Judge) – Derby County (0) 3 (Hendrick, Christie, Martin) – At Griffin Park, Brentford, Houslow

League 1

Swindon Town (1) 3 (Ajose 3) – Blackpool (1) 2 (Aldred, Philliskirk) – At Bloomfield Road, Blackpool

League 2

Exeter City (0) 1 (Tillson) – Newport County (0) 1 (Boden) – At ST James’ Park, Exeter

Mansfield Town (0) 3 (Blair, Yussuf, Green) – Dagenham & Redbridge (0) 2 (Hawkins, Cureton) – At Field Mill, Mansfield

Notts County (0) 0 – Leyton Orient (0) 1 (Brisley)  – At Meadow Lane, Nottingham

National League

Lincoln City (1) 3 (Caton 2, McDaid) – Southport (0) 1 (Almond) – At Sincil Bank, Lincoln

Kidderminster Harriers (2) 2 (Gnahoua, White) – Chester City (0) 2 (Hannah, Alabi) – At Aggborough, Kidderminster,

Tranmere Rovers (0) 0 – Cheltenham Town (1) 1 (Wright) – At Prenton Park, Birkenhead

Scottish Championship

Queen Of The South (0) 0 – Rangers (0) 1 (Miller)  – At Palmerstone Park, Dumfries

Star Man

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN OF THE SOCCERROUND – Nicky Ajose (Swindon Town)

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Moon Soccerround – 02 Jan 2016

Soccer

Premier League

Hammers down the Reds with a fine counter-attacking display

Counter attack was the key as West Ham defeated Liverpool at Upton Park in the early game. Despite much possession Liverpool created almost nothing throughout. West Ham took the lead after Michail Antonio went end to end, stopping Alberto Moreno in his own half to start a moved that went the full length of the field ending with Anotonio rising above Nathanial Clyne to head home Enner Valencia’s cross to head the Hammers into the lead.

Emre Chan hit the cross bar for Liverpool and that was the closest they came. A typical Andy Carroll header from a cross from the excellent Mark Noble made it two, and Noble stopped Liverpool getting back into the game clearing a Lucas Leiva header from a corner off the line. In the later stages West Ham could have had more on the break, but fully deserve their 2-0 win against a toothless Liverpool side who have failed to deliver yet again.

Foxes held by gutsy Borunemouth

Leicester City have failed to score in three games in a row for the first time this season after being held 0-0 by Bournemouth. The Foxes controlled most of the game with Jamie Vardy hitting the post in the first half and Riyad Mahrez had a penalty saved after Bournemouth captain Simon Francis was sent off for bringing down Vardy. Leicester stay second but are 2 points behind Arsenal after their 1-0 at home to Newcastle.

Championship

Two quick goals down the Rams at the Riverside

The top of the table clash at the Riverside Stadium went Middlesbrough’s way with two late goals. With the game at stalemate Grant Leadbetter produced a bit of magic to send Albert Adomah through to chip the keeper to give Boro the lead with eight minutes to go. Within a minute David Nugent set up George Friend to make it two. It end the Rams recent unbeaten run and put Middlesbrough four points ahead of Derby at the top with a game in hand.

Forest throw away another lead at Charlton

Nottingham Forest will not be happy to have thrown away another lead at Charlton. Ryan Mendes set up Ben Osborn to give the reds the lead just before half-time after Charlton failed to clear a corner. Charlton leveled with twenty minutes to go when Simon Makienok converted Callum Harriot’s low cross. Forest had a man advantage for the last 20 minutes after Tarieq Homes-Dennis was sent off for Charlton, Nelson Oliveira forced two saves from the keeper but Forest could not find the winner and have now had three draws in a row, blowing a lead on all three occasions.

League 1

Burton go top with win over Blackpool

Burton Albion are top of League 1 after a deserved 1-0 win at home to Blackpool. The winning goal came on 63 minutes with Stuart Beavon teeing up Mark Duffy for the only goal of the game. Burton should have scored more but the three points put them top while Blackpool are back in the bottom four after today’s results.

League 2

Stags lose ground after Accrington defeat

Mansfield’s play-off hopes took a big blow at Field Mill after defeat against Accrington Stanley. Piero Mingola’s early strike stunned the home side but in form Matt Green had the home side level on 26 minutes with a left foot strike. Mansfield had the better of the early second half exchanges but Billy Kee struck for the visitors with 20 minutes to go against the run of play. Terry Gornell added a third before Chris Clements gave Mansfield late hope getting one back with two minutes left. Accrington held out to take the points and move themselves into the play-off spots, Mansfield are four points behind.

Three late Oxford goals see Mapgies slip to home defeat

Notts County looked set for an excellent win against high flying Oxford at Meadow Lane with a 2-1 lead with 15 minutes left only to be blown away by a late surge. Jon Stead has equalised Liam Sercombe’s early penalty and Notts appeared to have momentum when Stead then set up Curtis Thompson to give the Magpies the lead. Alexander MacDonald however had Oxford level within three minutes and Oxford then took control with further goals from Callum O’Dowda and Kemar Roofe. The win puts Oxford third, and County still struggling at the wrong end of the table.

National League

Tranmere disappoint at home again

Tranmere’s chances of going straight back up to the Football League look further and further away after another poor performance at Prenton Park led to a 1-0 defeat at home to Macclesfield. The game was won on the half hour when Jack Sampson scored from close range following a low cross from Chris Holyroyd. Cole Stockton’s header six minutes from time was the closest Tranmere came leaving Rovers six points off play-off contention.

Seasiders great form continues with win over Wrexham

Southport’s remarkable turnaround continued with a win against Wrexham at Haig Avenue. Mark Carrington set up Wes York to give the Welsh side the lead but Louis Almond’s deflected strike from range had Southport going in level at half-time. Luke Foster headed in Paul Rutherford’s cross after the break to give Southport a 2-1 lead but it was cancelled out by James Gray after a goalmouth scramble.With six minutes left Jamal Fyfield brought down Almond who stepped up to score the penalty and give Southport their sixth win in a row. 11 points off the play-offs it would take a monumental effort to get back in the race, but on this form, maybe Southport can still dream yet.

Hannah scores again but Chester held to a point

Chester’s Ross Hannah scored his fourteenth goal of the season at the Deva Stadium today but on keeping with their season, they were held to a draw at home to Altrincham. Hannah was put in by Danny Hattersley to give Chester the lead but a Michael Rankine header following a Jordan Sinnott cross brought Altrincham level. The draw is typical of Chester’s ‘nothing to play for’ season, they are comfortably away from relegation but well out of the play off places and this draw just confirms all that further.

Scottish Championship

Doonhammers back in play-off hunt after much needed win

Queen Of The South have started the New Year with a much needed win at struggling Livingston. Queens dominated the game and broke the deadlock on 64 minutes after good work from Gary Oliver set up Derek Lyle to open the scoring. Mark Millar put Iain Russell in six minutes later to make it 2-0. Queens are now two points behind Raith Rovers in the race for the one remaining play-off spot that is open, given Rangers, Hibernian and Falkirk have a healthy lead over the rest.

MOON OF LIBERTY SOCCER SCOREBOARD

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PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham United (1) 2 (Antonio, Carroll) Liverpool (0) 0 – At Upton Park, Newham, London

Leicester City (0) 0 Bournemouth (0) 0 – At The King Power Stadium, Leicester

CHAMPIONSHIP

Middlesbrough (0) 2 (Adomah, Friend) Derby County (0) 0 – At The Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough

Charlton Athletic (0) 1 (Makienok) Nottingham Forest (1) 1 (Osborn) – At The Valley, Greenwich, London

LEAGUE 1

Burton Albion (0) 1 (Duffy) Blackpool (0) 0 – At The Pirelli Stadium, Burton On Trent

LEAGUE 2

Mansfield Town (1) 2 (Green, Clements) Accrington Stanley (1) 3 (Mingola, Kee, Gornell) – At Field Mill, Mansfield

Notts County (0) 2 (Stead, Thompson) Oxford United (1) 4 (Sercombe, McDonald, O’Dowda, Roofe) – At Meadow Lane, Nottingham

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Chester City (1) 1 (Hannah) Altrincham (0) 1 (Rankine) – At The Deva Stadium, Chester

Southport (1) 3 (Almond 2, Foster) Wrexham (1) 2 (York, Gray) – At Haig Avenue, Southport

Tranmere Rovers (0) 0 Macclesfield Town (1) 1 (Sampson) – At Prenton Park, Birkenhead

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Livingston (0) 0 Queen Of The South (0) 2 (Lyle, Russell) – At Almondvale Stadium, Livingston

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Louis Almond (Southport)

Saturday Socceround – 28 November 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premier League

An extraordinary end at Dean Court saw what looked like a routine win for Everton turn into a six goal thriller. Everton were in total control with Ramiro Funes Mori heading in the first from a Ross Barkley cross and in form Romelu Lukaku adding a second. Everton held a 2-0 lead until the last 10 minutes when Adam Smith pulled one back to give the homes side hope. They then equalised when Joshua King set up Junior Stanislas to equalise. Ross Barkley then appeared to have won it in injury time sweeping in a ball from Seamus Coleman, but Bournemouth were not done, Charlie Adams crossed for Stanislas to earn Bournemouth a point in an incredible finish. It will feel like two points thrown away for Everton.

Championship

Nottingham Forest got a much needed win at the City Ground where Reading were the visitors. Reading took the lead when an Oliver Norwood effort deflected into the path of Matej Vydra. However Forest then took control, Chris O’Grady leveled from close range and Nelson Olvieira Scored what could be the goal of the day with a fantastic curling shot from 20 yards. Oliveira got a second tapping in an O’Grady cross to make it three. Jack Hobbs sending off made for a nervy last 25 minutes but Forest held on fairly comfortably to take three much needed points.

League 1

Blackpool’s recent improvement continued with a win in the derby against Fleetwood Town. Nathan Pond was the unfortunate match winner putting the ball into his own net which proved the only goal of the game. Despite dominating most the game, Fleetwood could not get an equaliser with Bobby Grant twice going close. The win does not take Blackpool out of the drop zone but they are now only 1 point behind.

League 2

Notts County continue to be inconsistent after failing to build on their fine midweek win with defeat at Cambridge. At half time it looked good as they lead at the break after Adam Campbell had given them the lead firing in low after a corner. The turning point was on 49 minutes when Alan Smith brought down Ben Williamson and Barry Corr equalised from the penalty spot. Cambridge then took control and goals from Williamson and Luke Berry saw Cambridge ease to a 3-1 win.

Mansfield Town are back in the play off zone after a good win at Barnet. A Reggie Lambe strike gave the Stags the lead and in form Matt Green added a second after the break. Josh Clarke made it harder for Barnet receiving a second yellow card, but a John Akinde penalty gave the home side hope, which built further when Chris Clements was sent off making it 10 a side. In the end though a late Michael Nelson own goal sealed the win for Mansfield to shrug off their poor midweek performance and get back to winning ways.

Newport moved seven points clear of the drop zone thanks to a second half hat trick from 19 year old Oliver McBurnie saw off Luton Town. The first came after McBurnie swept in a low cross from Tommy O’Sullivan, he added a second from close range on 79 minutes and Scott Boden set him up to make it three after a mistake from the Luton keeper. Newport had other chances to add to the scoreline in a dominant home display.

National League

Eastleigh moved up into the play off places after a late goal saw them beat Southport. The Seasiders put up a brave display but Eastleigh were in control of most of the game and got a deserved winner six minutes from time when a low Josh Payne cross was met by Andy Drury to score from six yards. Southport are now four points away from safety and need some points on the board soon.

Southport’s position was not helped this afternoon by Tranmere Rovers failure to beat Boreham Wood in a dull game in Hertfordshire. Despite the home side not having a shot on target, Tranmere could not make the breakthrough in a poor display and a poor game. James Norwood came closest to winning it for Rovers but the game drifted into a poor 0-0 draw. Boreham Wood’s point lifts them 4 points ahead of Southport.

Chester City suffered defeat at Gateshead after an unfortunate late own goal. Chester nearly took the lead in the first half when Tom Shaw saw a shot cleared off the line and later hit the post. With the game looking like it was heading for stalemate, a CJ Hamilton shot was diverted into his own goal by Alex Whitmore seven minutes from time to hand the North-East side the three points.

MOON OF LIBERTY SOCCER SCOREBOARD

Premier League

Bournemouth (0) 3 (Smith, Stanislas 2) Everton (2) 3 (Funes Mori, Lukaku, Barkley) – At Dean Court, Bournemouth

Championship

Nottingham Forest (2) 3 (O’Grady, Oliveira 2) Reading (1) 1 (Vydra) – At The City Ground, West Bridgford

League 1

Blackpool (1) 1 (Pond {OG}) Fleetwood Town (0) 0 – At Bloomfield Road, Blackpool

League 2

Barnet (0) 1 (Akinde) Mansfield Town (1) 3 (Lambe, Green, Nelson {OG} ) – At The Hive Stadium, Harrow

Cambridge United (0) 3 (Core, Williamson, Berry) Notts County (1) 1 (Campbell) – At The Abbey Stadium, Cambridge

Newport County (0) 3 (McBurnie 3) Luton Town (0) 0 – At Rodney Parade, Newport

National League

Eastleigh (0) 1 (Drury) Southport (0) 0 – At Ten Acres, Eastleigh

Boreham Wood (0) 0 Tranmere Rovers (0) 0 – At Meadow Park, Boreham Wood

Gateshead (0) 1 (Whitmore {OG}) Chester City (0) 0 – At The Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Oliver McBurnie (Newport County)

 

 

 

 

Saturday Soccerround

Premier League

After a fine start to the season Liverpool got a rude awakening at Anfield. Aaron Cresswell pounced on Martin Skrtel’s poor header to cross for Manuel Lanzini to give West Ham a shock lead. Lanzini then nipped in to take the ball of Dejan Lovren to set up Mark Noble to make it 2-0. It ended ten a side after Noble and Liverpool’s Coutinho were sent off in the 2nd half. With Liverpool pushing forward West Ham hit the on the break for Diafrea Sakho to make it three in jury to complete Liverpool’s miserable afternoon.

Leicester remained unbeaten with a late penalty at Dean Court against Bournemouth. The South Coast side took the lead through Callum Wilson. With four minutes left and Bournemouth looking to hold on, good work from Jamie Vardy lead to Steve Cook bringing him down. Vardy got up to take the spot kick himself and level the scores. A good away point for the foxes to continue their strong start to the season.

In the late game Everton earned a good point away at Tottenham in a goalless encounter. Harry Kane had the best chance after being set through one on one with keeper Tim Howard who did well to make the save. Jan Vertonghen skimmed the bar and Tom Cleverley had Everton’s best chance. The toffees big concern will be Cleverley being taken off, it is unknown at the moment how serious the injury is.

Championship

Both East Midlands sides continued their poor form with home defeats. In the early kick-off Derby County fell to leeds United who took the lead when Tom Adeyemi converted a cross from Stuart Dallas. Chris Martin equalised shortly after half-time but a fine strike from range from Chris Wood two minutes from time gave Leeds the points.Derby have only four points from their first five games.

Cardiff City moved into the top 6 with victory at the City Ground. Kenwyne Jones rose to head home Peter Wittingham’s lobbed cross to give the South Welsh side the lead. Joe Mason diverted Anthony Pilkington’s shot into the net to make it 2-0. Mason could have had a third before Forest ever lively Michail Antonio got one back to force a frantic finish. Cardiff held on for the three point leaving Forest with five points from their first five games. Both Forest and Derby will need to improve quickly to make a run at the right end rather than the wrong end of the table.

League 1

Poor Blackpool remain rock bottom of League 1 after a 4-0 drubbing at home to Walsall. Romaine Sawyers got two goals including a fine strike from range. Blackpool defender Tom Aldred put a Rico Henry cross into his own net and Sam Mantom met a Jason Demetruius cross to add another and seal a comfortable win for the West Midlands side. Blackpool have a mere one point from their first five games.

League 2

After a bright start to the season Notts County are now struggling after a third defeat in a row at Morecambe. Genaro Snijders goal from all of 40 yards brought County level at half time equalising a strike from Alan Godall. Morecambe dominated the 2nd half though. Paul Mullin’s goal after good work from Alan McGowan put Morecambe back in the lead and additional goals from Alex Kenyon and Jamie Devitt ensured a comfortable 4-1 win. Notts have not recovered since their derby day defeat at at to Mansfield.

Talking of Mansfield they are flying high in seventh place after another good away win at York. They had to come from behind after Luke Summerfield set up Reece Thompson to score after some poor Mansfield defending from a corner. However Matt Green was the hero for the Stags equalising soon after and then getting what proved to be the winner after being put through by Craig Westcarr. Both sides had chances in the second half but Mansfield held onto the lead to take the points.

Newport County are bottom of league 2 after facing a difficult trip to Plymouth Argyle. A fourth goal of the season from Graham Carey sealed the points, he also hit the bar for Plymouth. Zac Ansah came closest to an equaliser hitting the bar himself for Newport. The win moves Plymouth up to second, Newport manager Terry Butcher was not pleased describing his sides performance as “Simply not good enough.”

National League

Southport’s hopes of getting a much needed win were dashed in a miserable after at Barrow. Both sides went into the game struggling but it was Barrow who took the points with a goal from Andy Cook. Andrai Jones and Josh Thompson were both sent off leaving Southport with nine men at the finish. Barrow perhaps should have won the game by more but it is their first win in four, leaving Southport rock bottom of the table with just one point.

Tranmere Rovers search to try and get back in the Football League at the first attempt suffered another blow with defeat at Altricnham. James Lawrie’s shot rebounded to George Bowerman to give Altrincham the lead. Martin Riley and Adam Mekki missed chances to level for Tranmere and they were punished when Michael Rankine made it two. Lois Maynard got one back in the second half for Rovers and had a chance to level in injury but put the effort wide. A second defeat in a row for Rovers who need to get back to winning ways soon.

Chester City capped a spectacular injury time comeback at Macclesfield who took the lead after Andy Whitehead who latched on to a loose ball to score. Macclesfield kept the lead until the 91st minutes when they gave away a free-kick who John Rooney’s delivery was met by Tom Peers to give Chester what appeared to be a point. However there was still time for a hero to emerge, Craig Hobson turned his defender and tried his luck from 25 yards with a wonderful strike into the top corner to give Chester all three points when it looked like they would not get anything.

MOON OF LIBERTY SOCCER SCOREBOARD

Premier League

Liverpool (0) 0 West Ham United (2) 3 (Lanzini, Noble, Sakho) – At Anfield, Liverpool

Bournemouth (1) 1 (Wilson) Leicester City (0) 1 (Vardy) – At Dean Court, Bounremouth

Tottenham Hotspur (0) 0 Everton (0) 0 – At White Hart Lane, Harringay, North London

Championship

Derby County (0) 1 (Martin) Leeds United (1) 2 (Adeyemi, Wood) – At Pride Park, Derby

Nottingham Forest (0) 1 (Antonio) Cardiff City (1) 2 (Jones, Mason) – At The City Ground, West Bridgford

League 1

Blackpool (0) 0 Walsall (1) 4 (Sawyers 2, Alfred {OG} Mantorn) – At Bloomfield Road, Blackpool

League 2

Morecambe (1) 4 (Goodall, Mullin, Kenyon, Devitt) Notts County (1) 1 (Snijders) – At The Globe Arena, Morecambe

Plymouth Argyle (1) 1 (Carey) Newport County (0) 0 – At Home Park, Plymouth

York City (1) 1 (Thompson) Mansfield Town (2) 2 (Green 2) – At Bootham Crescent, York

National League

Altrincham (2) 2 (Bowerman, Rankine) Tranmere Rovers (0) 1 (Maynard) – At The Moss Lane, Altrincham

Barrow (1) 1 (Cook) Southport (0) 0 – At Holker Street, Barrow In Furness

Macclesfield Town (1) 1 (Whitehead) Chester City (0) 2 (Peers, Hobson) – At The Moss Rose Ground, Macclesfield

The Match – Liverpool V Bournemouth

17th August 2015 – Kick Off 20:00

FA Premier League At Anfield, Liverpool

Liverpool V Bournemouth

New boys Bournemouth traveled to Merseyside as the Reds were looking for their second straight win to open the season. However the underdogs started the brighter. Alex Watson’s pace caused Dejan Lovren problems and this helped Bournemouth win a string of early corners.

5 Minutes in Bournemouth will feel they should have had the lead. After Watson caused Lovren more problems leading to Adam Lellana to conceded another corner, Tommy Elphick rose above Lovren to head the ball into the net. The referee however ruled the header out for a push on Lovren. It is the sort of contest for the ball many referees would have seen as fair and given the goal.

After a rocky start James Milner and Phillipe Coutiniho began to take control of midfield. Liverpool started to dominate possession without creating a lot. The chance finally came from a free-kick, despite suspicions Coutinho was off-side, the flag stayed down and Christian Benteke got on the end of the cross to finish from close range and give the Reds the lead with his first goal for Liverpool in front of the Kop.

GOAL – 28 MINUTES – LIVERPOOL 1 Bournemouth 0 – CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

A couple of minutes later a smartly worked free-kick saw Jordan Henderson graze the bar with a long range effort. Liverpool ended the half the stronger. Coutinho’s through ball for Benteke was just too far to reach, then Coutinho trying to play a one two saw the deflection off the defender fall into his path but he put the clear cut chance wide of the target. Without being too convincing, Liverpool deserved their lead at the break.

Half Time – Liverpool 1 (Benteke 28) Bournemouth 0

Bournemouth’s Matt Ritchie started the second half brightly with a snap shot straight at Simon Mignolet. Bournemouth had more possession in the early part of the second half and showed they had every intention of giving it a good go. Approaching the hour Ritchie again nearly equalised with a hlf volley that hit the outside of the post with Mignolet well beaten. Time and again Liverpool got in good crossing position but Jordon Ibe was disappointing hitting the first man wasting a series of chances to create.

Bournemouth continued to try and push men forward but with less effect as time wore in. Benteke regularly broke up the play by holding the ball up and with some nice touches, working incredibly hard for the cause with not a huge amount of service. Milner also controlled the midfield in the latter point of the second half, slowing things down and keeping the ball well with simplicity and regularity.

With the game seemingly petering out into a one goal win Liverpool broke down the right hand side and a cross from substitute Emre Can fell to Benteke who scuffed the shot up onto the bar, Lallana shot over from the rebound. Bournemouth pushed forward again in stoppage time but did not deliver anything in terms of chances. This was a poor game overall with Liverpool doing just enough for the win and looking pretty solid defensively after a shaky start. Nathanial Clyne was again very impressive, but it was Benteke with a goal and a huge amount of hard work who got him Anfield career off to the most impressive start. Not pretty but two wins out of two for Liverpool, with the much tougher test of Arsenal away to come next week.

MOON OF LIBERTY FINAL SCORE

Liverpool (1) 1 (Benteke 28) Bournemouth (0) 0

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Christian Benteke (Liverpool)