A hard-working performance by Nottingham Forest saw them defeat leaders Sheffield United 1-0 at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon. It was a competitive affair between two teams aiming to get out of the Championship come the end of the season and it was decided in the 69th minute when Lewis Grabban got his 10th goal in 11 games, deftly heading Joao Carvalho’s cross into the back of the net. The opening 20 minutes of the game were a quiet affair as both teams tried to settle into the tie.Oliver Norwood and Paul Coutts were both unsuccessful from distance for Sheffield United whilst at the other end, Joe Lolley smashed over a half-volley from the left of the area. In the 25th minute, it looked like the in-form Lewis Grabban may have had an opportunity one-on-one after a fine pass over the top by Joao Carvalho but United keeper Dean Henderson was off his line quickly and he beat Grabban to it and cleared the danger. Ten minutes before half time, Matty Cash found space 25 yards … [Read more...] about MATCH REPORT: Grabban scores again as Forest shoot down leaders
Match reports
Winnington Park 50 Fleetwood RUFC 29: Match report
Fleetwood RUFC scored five tries as they went down 50-29 at Winnington Park. Fleetwood had travelled in good heart after a home win against Sefton last Saturday.Park took an early lead with a converted try, but Fleet came back through an interception try by Karl Bowling before a great hand-off by Jordan Brocklehurst put them in the lead.Gavin Rowell kicked the conversion for a 12-7 lead before Park responded with two penalties and a try seeing them 18-12 up at the break.The second half was a continuation of the first with tries at regular intervals.Park scored from a five-metre scum, before Rowell responded to leave Fleet 25-17 adrift.From the kick-off Fleet conceded a penalty with a quick tap and go seeing Park score another try.Fleet responded again as, running the ball from deep, good handling put Brad Stapleton away to score.Two penalties saw Park make it 43-22 before both sides scored again as Bowling got his second try for Fleet and Park rounded off the game off with a converted … [Read more...] about Winnington Park 50 Fleetwood RUFC 29: Match report
MATCH REPORT: Fleetwood RUFC 25 Sefton 21
After Fleetwood were outplayed by a good Bolton side in their last game, the aim against Sefton was to turn that around and show everyone what they can really do. They put in a great effort to turn this game around after spending the first half almost totally in their own 22 and turning round at half-time 11 points down. They used the conditions well in the second half and turned the game around thanks to some skill and determination. Sefton kept the ball in the Fleetwood half for the first quarter of an hour but they were not able to break through a strong defence. They thought they had finally done so, only for a try-saving tackle from man-of-the-match Mike Kelly to save the day from Fleetwood’s perspective. They celebrated by finally managing to get over the halfway line, making good ground and earning a penalty for a deliberate knock-on. Gavin Rowell successfully took the kick to establish a 3-0 lead, only for Fleetwood’s defence to finally be breached moments later. An … [Read more...] about MATCH REPORT: Fleetwood RUFC 25 Sefton 21
Bristol City v AFC Bournemouth: Match report and reaction
Bristol City drew their final pre-season game of the season 1-1 with AFC Bournemouth. That blood red moon was nowhere to be seen on an overcast evening at Ashton Gate but there was plenty of shining forward play despite just the two scores as the Robins completed their warm-up for the new Championship campaign. After a nervy start where Bournemouth were afforded too much room and Brad Smith threatened down the home side's right, the visitors got their just reward. Josh King collected a ball in midfield on the counter and was left one on one with Nathan Baker after a three on three break. The Norwegian made the most to blast past Max O'Leary in goal from the edge of the area and open the scoring. Bristol City came back into the game towards the end of the half with Niclas Eliasson's crossing causing Eddie Howe's sides consistent problems. Baker headed a corner over and Andreas Weimann almost went through one on one with Asmir Begovic. But the equaliser came when Eliasson held the … [Read more...] about Bristol City v AFC Bournemouth: Match report and reaction
MATCH REPORT: Port Vale 0-1 Blackpool
Blackpool completed their friendly double header with a hard-fought 1-0 win against League Two side Port Vale. MATCH REPORT: Nantwich Town 1-2 BlackpoolNathan Delfouneso scored the only goal of the game just five minutes in to what was a tight, edgy affair at Vale Park.It came after a Seasiders side featuring a number of trialists had beaten Nantwich Town 2-1 earlier in the day.The Seasiders, just as they had done against Nantwich in the lunchtime kick off, took the lead with an early goal.With just five minutes on the clock, Delfouneso raced through on goal - ignoring the offside appeals from the home fans - to coolly slot home past Scott Brown.The linesman’s decision not to raise his flag enraged Port Vale boss Neil Aspin to such an extent he ran down from the director’s box - where he had been watching on from the stands - to launch a tirade of expletives at the referee’s assistant.When the game did restart, the Valiants almost found an instant response as Luke … [Read more...] about MATCH REPORT: Port Vale 0-1 Blackpool