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