Match Reports

Paula’s Palace retained their top spot with a 3-0 win over Derby. Murray scored after 14mins, the second coming from Moritz and the last Murray again finished off a skilful run to see that Jon didn’t get a look in. In a top flight battle between Cardiff and Middlesbrough Keith was looking for his 9^th home win of the season. Connolly provided just that, nodding in a Whitingham corner after 19mins. Colin continued to press, hitting the woodwork through Ledesma and a long distance smash by Leadbitter that required a top save from Cardiff’s Marshall. Keith showed resilience and despite a number of injuries, overtook Colin in the CCC. Birmingham v Hull saw the Tigers manager return to his former club.  Amy showed Chris what he’s missing when Aluko had fired home two goals after just 26mins, a player who went unnoticed at Birmingham – making no league appearances.  Chester then turned Aluko’s corner in making it 3. Morrison (on loan from West Ham) mixed things up just before half time, with a start of a comeback. This seemed to have woken Chris’s team up, as King scored another just 11 seconds into the second half. Luckily for Amy, the game finished 2-3, securing their 4^th place in the table.  

Team of the week is starting to look a little cursed, with all 4 of the last teams enduring losses. Jan’s tractor boys proved that when Pete’s Leicester ironically put 6 in the back of the net (see Jan’s random facts)! Loan West Ham keeper Henderson brought down Nugent, gifting the star striker with a penalty. Nugent tapped in a second followed by Dyer, Knockaert, Waghorn and substitute Futacs all getting on the scoreboard. It seems Pete’s side were writing poetry at the King Power Stadium (on an unrelated note, Pete’s assistant manager’s surname is Shakespeare! Who knew…)

Blackburn scored against Peterborough after only 3 minutes into the game, with the second and third and fourth coming from Rhodes. Tomlin scored a screamer for Peterborough which was only celebrated as a consolation. It was an easy game for Shirley, but it should have been more, with Rhodes narrowly missing out on increasing his hat-trick and both Olsson and Nuno Gomes hitting woodwork. Dan’s Brighton won 2-1 at Andy’s Galphram Stadium to go on level points with the Terriers. Buckley scored both the goals and Brighton held on until Church got one back on 90mins. Mick’s visit to Ted saw a match that was riddled with missed chances.  Eventually, with 16mins to go an own goal from Llera saw Forest take the lead and the game. Scott’s Watford held a home win against travelling Sue. Chalabah took the lead, which enticed a response from Wolves through Sako. But ultimately, with the extra man on the pitch Deeney grabbed the winner for Watford.  Bristol v Blackpool saw late drama in the game. Kelly’s Bristol were given a penalty after 80mins and when Davies cooled slotted home, it gave the home team a rare glimpse at a win after seven successive defeats.  However Bristol threw this away also handing Blackpool penalty at 90+2. Ince stepped up to finish, full time 1-1. Burnley v Charlton saw Jane take her third successive win. When Jackson’s penalty was saved it wasn’t looking to be the Addicks day however when Anna was reduced to 10 men it took its toll and Charlton’s persistence paid off when Haynes headed it into the back of the net. It was a clean sweep for the Sheppards this week!  The Bolton Barnsley game was a ‘Davies’ affair; Margs took the lead through an technical finish after Kevin Davies controlled Chris Eagles cross and found the bottom corner. However Barnsley grabbed an equaliser after 65mins through Craig Davies to take a point. Both had the opportunity to take three points during a thrilling finale but neither could find the net (did Jan take them?)

The match of the day saw Dave take on Millwall at The Den earlier today.  Leeds were (as promised) involved in more bookings when they were reduced to 10 men after Luke Varney elbowed Adam Smith. Despite few chances created by Leeds, they managed to hold on, until Wood met Shane Lowry’s cross to head home the winner only minutes from the end.  This sees Dave’s beloved go nine games with only one win, can he turn that around next week and beat top of the table Palace?