Russell Vernons' Sky Bet Championship Round-Up #7

Leeds United went down 1-0 to QPR at home on Saturday thanks to a goal on 75 mins from Clint Hill after Leeds had the majority of the possession. Austin hit the cross bar in the last minute of injury time.

Barnsley came out 2-1 winners v Huddersfield thanks to goals from O'Grady & Pedersen, Vaughan got a consolation goal for Huddersfield on 61 minutes. Dunn, Evans & a brace from Rhodes help Blackburn beat Bolton 4-1 in the local derby Baptiste score for the Trotters. Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday shared a 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium Antonio had put Wednesday 1-0 up before Carayol got Boro level.

Elsewhere in the Championship at St Andrews Birmingham drew 1-1 with Ipswich Berra scored for Ipswich before Burke leveled for Birmingham. Brighton & Millwall shared a 1-1 draw Woolford put Millwall infront before Ulloa scored for the Seagulls. Tom Ince scored the only goal of the game as Blackpool beat Watford 1-0. Goals from Morrison & Kermogant help Charlton beat Leicester 2-1 Drinkwater got Leicester's consolation goal.

Goals from Ings, Vokes & Shackell help Burnley beat Derby 3-0 at Pride Park. Bournemouth beat Doncaster at the Keepmoat 1-0 thanks to Pitman's goal. Wigan beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 thanks to goals from Maloney & Gomez, Reid had put Forest infront. Adam Le Fondre scored the goal of the game as Reading beat Yeovil 1-0.

There are no games this week due to Internationals back with a report around 18th September.

Check out my own sports blog on Leeds United at http://russvernonsport.wordpress.com/.

Mr Russ Vernon

Russell Vernons' Sky Bet Championship Round-Up #6

Welcome back to the weekly blog by yours truley Mr Russ Vernon reviewing the action from the weekends Sky Bet Championship action.

On Saturday there was a big game at Elland Road where Leeds United took on Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

Leeds started well and forced Chris Kirkland to make a save after just 10 minutes following a free-kick from summer signing Luke Murphy (£1m from Crewe) from the left of the area. Dom Poleon used his pace and caused problems for the Wednesday defence and was hacked down in the box by Lewis Buxton only for referee Roger East to wave away the claims for a penalty. There was also a scramble in the box and Kirkland managed to save well from a downward header from Tom Lees.

Minutes later Sheffield Wednesday had their first real chance in front of goal after Athde Nuhiu lached onto Chris McGuire's corner but his header was saved by Kenny. Leeds' first real chance came just after the 30 minute mark, McCormack got the ball outside the 18 yard box and saw his effort tipped over the bar by Kirkland. Nothing came from the resulting corner.

On 36 minutes the opening goal of the game came when Sheffield Wednesday won a corner which was hit to the back post and Stephen Warnock moved off the post to try and block Michail Antonio's header back across goal which found the head of Kamil Zayatte who headed it into the far corner to give Wednesday the lead against the run of play. Just before half time it looked like Antonio was about to double the visitors lead but his header went wide of the mark.

After the break Leeds had their first real chance of the game when McCormack held the ball up well and played in Murphy who sent a shot over the bar. On 56 minutes McCormack showed some individual brilliance as he carried the ball from just inside the Wednesday half and beat Zayatte with his pace and skill to leave himself one-on-one with Kirkland and he made no mistake and slotted the ball under the keeper to put Leeds level.

The noise levels rose inside Elland Road following McCormack's equaliser and Leeds upped the tempo and came close from 2 corners very close to each other and the game opened up as it went towards the final 15 minutes. First Antonio went close for Wednesday before McCormack tried for a second after great play from Poleon and Michael Tonge also saw a effort go wide after a deflection.

Tonge was next to try his luck again and his shot was charged down and Kirkland who made a save to keep the scores level. Moments after Leeds introduced Diouf for Poleon Murphy had a shot from distance and Kirkland saved well. There was five minutes added and in the second minute of them McCormack saw a free-kick rebound off the wall and that proved to be the last action of the game One-One the final score.

Elsewhere in the Championship on Friday Doncaster beat Blackburn thanks to a debut goal from new signing Theo Robinson and a goal from James Husband either side of the break. In the 3pm Kick-Offs on Saturday Goals from Jordan Cousins and Simon Church helped Charlton gain a draw 2-2 with Barnsley after a flurry of goals from Chris O'Grady put the Tykes 2-0 up.

At St Andrews Andrew Crofts scored the only goal of the game as Brighton beat Birmingham 1-0. Bournemouth's Lewis Grabban scored the only goal of the game as his side beat FA Cup Winners Wigan Athletic 1-0 at the Goldsands Stadium and Callum McManaman saw red for a late lunge on Brett Pitman.

Goals from Keith Treacy and Sam Vokes helped Burnley beat Yeovil 2-0 at Turf Moore. Lee Grant scored an own goal to help Leicester beat Midland rivals Derby 1-0 at Pride Park. Marvin Emnes scored a goal in 4 minutes of stoppage time as Middlesbrough held Blackpool 1-1 at the Riverside Chris Basham had put the seasiders in front.

James Vaughan scored the only goal of the game at The Den as Huddersfield beat Millwall 1-0. Goals from Jamie Mackie, Andy Reid & Henri Lansbury helped Nottingham Forest beat Bolton 3-0. Mackie's old club QPR won 1-0 against Ipswich Town thanks to a injury time goal from debutant Tom Hitchcock.

At the Madjeski Stadium there was a SIX goal thriller. Goals from Adam Le Fondre & Jem Karacan put Reading 2-0 up after 42 minutes before Marco Faraoni pulled a goal back for Watford on 66 minutes.

Four minutes later Karacan scored his 2nd and Reading's 3rd to make it Reading 3 Watford 1 but just 6 minutes after Karacan restored Reading's 2 goal cushion Troy Deeney scored a penalty following a foul from Danny Guthrie on Diego Fabbrini 3-2 with just 14 minutes to go surely Watford couldn't get back into this game could they??

You would have to wait until the first minute of stoppage time to find out the answer and it was yes they could Diego Fabbrini put the ball into the net to make it a thrilling game at the Mad FT Reading 3-3 Watford.

This weeks fixtures are as followed
Tuesday 20th August

Wigan v Doncaster**

Saturday 24th August
Kick-Off 15:00 unless stated

Bolton v QPR 12.15
Blackburn v Barnsley
Blackpool v Reading
Brighton v Burnley
Charlton v Doncaster
Huddersfield v Bournemouth
Ipswich v Leeds
Leicester v Birmingham
Sheff.Wed v Millwall
Yeovil v Derby

Sunday 25th August
Kick-Off 15:00 Unless Stated

Watford v Nottingham Forest 13.15
Wigan v Middlesbrough

** Rescheuled from Saturday 10th August due to Wigan being involved in the Community Shield.

Check out my own sports blog on Leeds United at http://russvernonsport.wordpress.com/.

Mr Russ Vernon

Russell Vernons' Npower Championship Round-Up #5

It's back to the Championship this week following FA Cup Action last weekend (5th Jan).

On Friday Evening Dean Saunders marked his first game as Wolves manager with a draw against Blackburn at Molinuex Jordan Rhodes gave Blackburn the lead from the spot before Roger Johnson equalised for Wolves in the second half. Onto Saturdays games and at Oakwell there was a Yorkshire Derby as Barnsley took on Leeds and won 2-0 thanks to a brace from Chris Dagnall one of which was a penalty. Bolton and Millwall played out a 1-1 draw following 2 penalties, Andy Keogh's 9th minute penalty put Millwall 1-0 up before Keith Andrews scored a penalty for Bolton and the points were shared. Goals from Ashley Barnes and Andrea Orlandi helped Brighton beat Derby 2-1 Jeff Hendrick pulled a goal back for Derby.

A Chris Wood  hat-trick and goal from Matty James helped Leicester beat Bristol City 4-0. Bristol City sack Derek McInnes as manager and name Sean O'Driscoll as their new boss following the 4-0 defeat to Leicester.  Elsewhere on Saturday Junior Stanislas scored the only goal of the game as Burnley beat Crystal Palace 1-0. There was a goalless draw between Cardiff and Ipswich at The Cardiff City Stadium. Goals from Johnnie Jackson and Scott Wagstaff helped Charlton beat managerless Blackpool 2-1 Nathan Eccleston pulled a goal back in stoppagetime. Adam Hammill's late equaliser made sure Lee Clark didn't get a winning return to Huddersfield as they drew 1-1 with Birmingham Callum Reilly had put Birmingham infront. 

A brace from Czech striker Matej Vydra helped Watford to a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Scott McDonald headed in a consolation for Boro in injury time. Goals from Greg Halford and Elliott Ward helped Nottm Forest to a 2-1 win over Peterborough at the City Ground Scott Wotton pulled a goal back for Posh.

In the Evening Kick-Off at The KC Stadium Hull lost to Yorkshire Rivals Sheffield Wednesday 3-1. Reda Johnson, Own Goal from Eldin Jakupovic & Michail Antonio on target for Wednesday Robert Koren on target for Hull.



Championship Fixtures
Friday 18th January
Leicester v Middlesbrough 19:45

Saturday 19th January
Kick-Off 15:00 unless stated

Derby v Nottm Forest 13:00
Birmingham v Brighton
Blackburn v Charlton
Crystal Palace v Bolton
Ipswich v Barnsley
Leeds United v Bristol City
Millwall v Burnley
Peterborough v Hull
Sheff Wed v Wolves
Watford v Huddersfield
Blackpool v Cardiff 17:20

Check out my own sports blog on Leeds United at http://russvernonsport.wordpress.com/ also follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/RussVernonRadio

Catch me on Pitch Talk Every Monday Night 8-11pm talking about the biggest football talking points and reviewing the weekends action.

Mr Russ Vernon

Russell Vernons' Npower Championship Round-Up #4

In the Lunchtime FA Cup game Brighton beat Newcastle 2-0 thanks to goals from Orlandi and Hoskins. Aston Villa came from behind to beat Ipswich 2-1 at Villa Park Michael Chopra put Ipswich infront but Darren Bent and Andreas Wiemann scored for the Premier League side.

Danny Rose scored 5 minutes from time to give managerless Barnsley a 1-0 win over Burnley at Oakwell. Managerless Blackburn beat Bristol City 2-0 at Ewood Park thanks to goals from Danny Murphy and Grant Hanley. Bolton and Sunderland played out a 2-2 draw Lee and Sordell put the Championship side infront before Wickham and Gardner (My Goal Of The Week) earned Sunderland a replay on 15th January 2012. Former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford scored the only goal of the game as he helped Huddersfield beat Charlton 1-0 at the Valley. Crystal Palace and Stoke played out a goalless draw, Meanwhile at Pride Park Derby thrased Tranmere 5-0 to reach round 4 thanks to goals from Ben Davies, Sammon, Brayford, Hendrick and Bennett.

Fulham needed a late goal from Giorgos Karagounis to earn them a replay after Sylvestre put Blackpool 1-0 up at Craven Cottage, replay is 15th January. Hull City needed a injury time goal from Nick Proschwitz to earn a reply on 15th January after David Mooney put Leyton Orient 1-0 up. Luciano Becchio scored as Leeds United earned a replay against Birmingham on 15th January after Wade Elliott's stunning strike gave Birmingham the lead. Goals from Chris Wood and Richie De Laet gave Leicester a 2-0 win over Burton Albion at the King Power Stadium. Alex Lawless's goal a minute after the break was enough to give Luton a 1-0 win over Wolves and ended Ståle Solbakken's regin as Wolves manager. Macclesfield shocked Championship leaders Cardiff thanks to two goals from Barnes-Homer gave them a 2-1 win after Jarvis put the Red Dragons infront.

Manchester City made sure they were not going to be a upset at the Etihad as they brushed aside Championship highflyers Watford 3-0 thanks to goals from Tevez, Barry & Lopes. Middlesbrough beat non-league Hastings United 4-1 at the Riverside Stadium thanks to a brace Zemmama, Halliday and Miller on target, Goldburg scored for Hastings. Liam Feeney scored the only goal of the game as Millwall beat Preston 1-0 at The Den. A brace from Robbie Simpson and a Jose Baxter goal gave Oldham a shock 3-2 win over Championship side Nottingham Forest at the City Ground A Matt Smith own goal and a late Billy Sharp finish on target for Forest. There were no shock at London Road as goals from Elliot Bennett, Simeon Jackson & Rob Snodgrass gave Norwich a comfortable 3-0 win over Peterborough while there we a goalless draw at Hillsborough in the game between Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons, replay is on the 15th January.

Friday 11th January 2013
(Kick-Off 19:45 unless Stated)

Wolves v Blackburn

Saturday 12th January 2013
(Kick-Off 15:00 unless Stated)

Barnsley v Leeds United
Bolton v Millwall
Brighton v Derby
Bristol City v Leicester
Burnley v Crystal Palace
Cardiff v Ipswich
Charlton v Blackpool
Huddersfield v Birmingham
Middlesbrough v Watford
Nottm Forest v Peterborough
Hull v Sheff Wed 17:20

Check out my own sports blog on Leeds United at http://russvernonsport.wordpress.com/ also follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/RussVernonRadio

Catch me on Pitch Talk Every Monday Night 8-11pm talking about the biggest football talking points and reviewing the weekends action.

Mr Russ Vernon

Russell Vernons' Npower Championship Round-Up #3

Firstly i would like to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year and all the best 2013.

Onto the football and the early kick-off at Vicarage Road as Watford took on Charlton in a game which involved a 7 (SEVEN) goal thriller as the Addicks won 4-3 thanks to goals from Hoban (OG), a brace from Kermorgant and Jackson sealed the win as Pudil, Abdi & Geijo on target for the hosts.

In the 3:00pm games Birmingham took on leaders Cardiff who extended the lead to seven points thanks to a goal from Joe Mason was enough to give the Red Dragons all three points. Managerless Blackburn beat Alex McLeish's Nottingham Forest 3-0 thanks to goals from Rochina, Rhodes & Kazim-Richards, Blackpool and Hull shared a goalless draw at Bloomfield Road.

Crystal Palace claimed their first win since 1st December 2012 thanks to a 3-1 win over Wolves with a brace from Moritz and Bolasie adding a 3rd before Ebanks-Blake got a consolation goal for the visitors. Derby also started 2013 with a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough thanks to goals from Jacobs, Hendrick and Sammon before Jutkiewicz scored a consolation goal. Goals from Hammond, Mackail-Smith and Bridge helped Brighton to a 3-0 win over Ipswich. At Elland Road Leeds made sure they didn't claim 3 back-to-back defeats thanks to a penalty from Luciano Becchio helped them beat Bolton 1-0.

It was a unhappy return to Leicester for Huddersfield manager Simon Grayson who saw his side thumped 6-1 thanks to a debut brace from new signing Chris Wood before De Laet, another brace this time from Knockaert and Waghorn's volley made sure Leicester went home with the points Arfield got a consolation goal for the Terriers. 

Millwall started 2013 with a 2-1 win over Bristol City thanks to goals from N'Guessan and Smith but Stead did manage to get a consoltation goal for the Robins. Peterborough beat managerless Barnsley 2-1 thanks to goals from Bostwick and Rowe, Harewood got a consolation goal for Barnsley. 

In the final game on New Years Day Sheff.Wednesday lost 2-0 to Burnley as goals from former Wednesday loanee Treacey and Wallace give Sean Dyche's men all 3 points.

No Championship games this weekend due to FA Cup Action here is some selected FA Cup games involving Championship Sides:

Saturday 5th January 2013
FA Cup with Budweiser- Third Round

Brighton v Newcastle 12:30
Aston Villa v Ipswich
Barnsley v Burnley
Blackburn v Bristol City
Bolton v Sunderland
Charlton v Huddersfield
Crystal Palace v Stoke
Derby v Tranmere
Fulham v Blackpool
Hull v Leyton Orient
Leeds United v Birmingham
Leicester v Burton Albion
Luton v Wolves
Macclesfield v Cardiff
Man City v Watford
Middlesbrough v Hastings Utd
Millwall v Preston
Nottm Forest v Oldham
Peterborough v Norwich
Sheff.Wed v MK Dons


Check out my own sports blog on Leeds United at http://russvernonsport.wordpress.com/ also follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/RussVernonRadio

Catch me on Pitch Talk Every Monday Night 8-11pm talking about the biggest football talking points and reviewing the weekends action.

Mr Russ Vernon