Soccer
Capital One Cup
Liverpool through to Wembley Final on penalties despite poor display
LIVERPOOL 0 STOKE CITY 1 (AGG 1-1) – LIVERPOOL WIN 6-5 ON PENALTIES
Liverpool have reached the Capital One Cup Final despite a poor display at Anfield. Leading 1-0 from the first leg, The Reds only managed one shot on target in 120 of football. Jonathan Walters had a great chance to give Stoke the lead when he was put through by a superb ball from Erik Pieters but he was closed down and put the shot wide. Stoke did finally deservedly level the aggregate score just before half time when Bojan’s low cross was met by Mark Arnautovic to score despite looking offside, the goal was given.
Peter Crouch and Jonathan Walters both had chances to put Stoke ahead and Liverpool looked jittery in defence at times. Stoke could not get the second goal through the 120 meaning it was level after extra time and it was to go to a penalty shoot out. Crouch and Emre Can both failed to score their penalties but all the others were converted in the first five taking it to sudden death. The key was Stoke’s seventh penalty where Simon Mignolet made the save from Marc Muniesa leaving Joe Allen to score the winning spot kick and take Liverpool to Wembley to face Manchester City or Everton who play tomorrow night, and give Jurgen Klopp the chance to win his first trophy.
Championship
Woodwork denies both teams in City Ground draw
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0 QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0
Nottingham Forest have gone 13 games unbeaten but could not find a way through against Queens Park Rangers at the City Ground in an entertaining 0-0 draw. Forest hit the woodwork twice with Ben Osborn hitting a post and a long range strike from Robert Tesche rattling the bar. Rangers also hit the woodwork through Alejandro Faurlin. Both keepers also had fine games with Dorrus De Vries keeping out Junior Hoilett with two excellent stops and QPR keeper Alex Smithies was not outdone either with an excellent point blank stop to deny Michael Mancienne. Despite remaining unbeaten the point is not a lot of use to Forest’s chances of getting back into the play-off race, they have now played one game more than most and are seven points away.
League 1
Seasiders get a well earned draw
BLACKPOOL 0 SHEFFIELD UNITED 0
Blackpool keeper Colin Doyle was in fine form to help them earn a well deserved point against Sheffield United at Bloomfield Road. He made an excellent save from Connor Sammon in the first half to keep the score level and in the final moments was on hand again to save from Jamal Campbell-Ryce to stop the Blades taking all three points. The game was fairly even and to lose would have been tough on Blackpool, whose best chance came from Iche Ikpeazu who scooped his chance just over the bar. The point keeps the Seasiders two points outside the drop zone, the draw also denied Sheffield United the chance to move into the play-off places, they remain eighth.
League 2
Controversial late penalty costs Newport a point
LEYTON ORIENT 1 NEWPORT COUNTY 0
Newport County produced a battling performance at Leyton Orient, but came away with nothing after a late penalty that left manager Wayne Feeney very unhappy. Most of the game was a stalemate with Conor Wilikinson having Newport’s best chance but neither side created much of note throughout. With five minutes left, Jobi McAnuff was adjudged to have been fouled by Darren Jones following a Kevin Nolan cross. Jay Simpson stepped up to score his 22nd goal of the season and win the points for the Londoners. Newport’s manager made clear afterwards his displeasure at the decision and being denied a point. Newport remain 4 points off the drop zone, the win puts Leyton Orient up to 6th and helps their play-off push.
Late show puts Stags back in play off hunt
MORECAMBE 1 MANSFIELD TOWN 2
All the action took place in the last 20 minutes as Mansfield Town came from behind to take all three points at Morecambe. The home side were looking good for the points themselves when Nicky Hunt brought down Kevin Ellison and Paul Mullin scored from the spot with 71 minutes on the clock. Tom Barkhuizen dragged a shot wide a few moments later in a chance to seal the game, one Morecambe would rue. Chris Clements equalised from close range with four minutes left and there was still time for a last minute winner. Lee Collins shot was saved but substitute Adi Yussuf followed up to poke home the rebound to give the Stags a confidence boosting away win. Mansfield are one point off the play off and while most around them have games in hand, a win like this could get Mansfield going again after a tough few weeks.
National League
Injury time winner ends Southport’s unbeaten run
SOUTHPORT 0 FOREST GREEN ROVERS 1
Southport’s eight match unbeaten run in the league was ended with a heartbreaking last minute goal which sees opponents, Forest Green Rovers, go to the top of the table. Michael Phenix had the best chance of a tight first half and Louis Almond forced a good save from Forest Green keeper Steve Arnold as Southport had slightly the better of the game. The killer moment came from a rebound when Max Crocombe failed to hold James Jennings shot and Kurtis Guthrie was on hand to score. The win is Forest Green’s fifth in a row and denies what would have been an excellent point for Southport, who are 15th and remain safely mid table.
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MOON OF LIBERTY SOCCER SCOREBOARD
Capital One Cup Semi-Final (2nd Leg)
Liverpool (0) 0 – Stoke City (1) 1 (Arnautovic) – (Agg 1-1) After Extra Time – Liverpool win 6-5 on Penalties – At Anfield, Liverpool
Championship
Nottingham Forest (0) 0 – Queens Park Rangers (0) 0 – At The City Ground, West Bridgford
League 1
Blackpool (0) 0 – Sheffield United (0) 0 – At Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
League 2
Leyton Orient (0) 1 (Simpson) – Newport County (0) 0 – At The Matchroom Stadium, Leyton, London
Morecambe (0) 1 (Mullin) – Mansfield Town (0) 2 (Clements, Yussuf) – At The Globe Arena, Morecambe
National League
Southport (0) 0 – Forest Green Rovers (0) 1 (Guthrie) – At Haig Avenue, Southport
Star Man
MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN – Adi Yussuf (Mansfield Town)
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