The Weekend Round-up

by Danny Wright
The FA Cup Second Round got under way in earnest this weekend, and League Two Peterborough taught non-league Staines a lesson in finishing, 5-0 the final score at Wheatsheaf Park. Having dumped Stockport out in the last round, the hosts were in a confident mood ahead the visit of Posh, however their cup dreams soon crumbled as four goals from Craig Mackail-Smith helped Darren Ferguson’s men on their way to a healthy win. Shaun Allaway did his best to keep the score down by pulling off some fine saves, but it wasn’t enough as Aaron McLean sealed a comfortable win for Boro.

Bristol Rovers also hit five goals but they were given a real scare by Blue Square Premier (Conference) side Rusden and Diamonds at the Memorial Ground, a 50-yard cross-cum-shot from Marcus Kelly deceiving home keeper Steve Phillips to give Rusden the lead. The Pirates soon hit back though as the heavens opened, with Andy Williams, Craig Disley, Craig Hinton and a brace from Rickie Lambert completing a 5-1 win.

At the Coral Windows Stadium – that’s Valley Parade to me and you – Bradford succumbed to a convincing 3-0 defeat to Tranmere, meanwhile across Yorkshire Huddersfield dashed Grimsby’s hopes with a routine win by the same score. Hartlepool were left red-faced by giant-killing Hereford, 2-0 to the home side at Edgar Street as Havant and Waterlooville upset the apple-cart to beat Notts County 1-0 at Meadow Lane. It is the first time the non-league minnows have ever reached the Third Round proper.

Cambridge saw off Weymouth and Bury beat Exeter, Millwall, Brighton, Oldham and Dagenham and Redbridge also picking up wins to go into the Third Round pot. Elsewhere, replays are to be played between Burton Albion and Barnet, Northampton and Walsall and Oxford and Southend.

Harrogate Railway’s cup run came to on an end on the BBC cameras as they were defeated by Mansfield Town 3-2 at Station View. In an entertaining game the Stags took the lead through Gareth Jellyman with Michael Boulding increasing their advantage. Railway hit back though in the second half, Danny Davidson the scorer only for Boulding to strike away. Harrogate piled on the pressure and rewarded with another Davidson goal, but the visitor’s held on to book a Third Round date with Brighton & Hove Albion. Port Vale and Chasetown are set to replay after a 1-1 draw at Vale Park.

In the Premiership Aston Villa were defeated by the incumbent Arsenal at Villa Park, the visitors going five points clear at the top of the Premiership. Villa had taken a surprise early lead following Craig Gardner’s surprise effort but Mathieu Flamini hit back with a riffled effort, and powerhouse Emmanuel Adebayor nodded what proved to be the winner. The home side rallied in the second half and John Carew whacked the bar with a thumping header but the Gunners held on to claim a priceless away win.

Chelsea are next line behind the imperious Gunners after they beat West Ham 1-0 in a tight affair at Stamford Bridge. The Blues had Joe Cole to thank for the win as his tidy finish was enough to give Chelsea the points to lift Avram Grant’s men further up the table. Manchester United can leap frog Chelsea on Monday, should they beat Fulham at Old Trafford.

Wigan ended their eight-game loosing strike with a useful point against high-flying Manchester City. Steve Bruce’s reign couldn’t have got off to a worse start though when Titus Bramble’s miss-kick allowed Geovanni to stroll through and score after just thirty seconds. Paul Scharner saved the day for the Latics with a powerful first-half header as the home side had a loud penalty shout turned down, however they finished the game with ten men after Mario Melchoit lunged at Stephen Ireland.

Another new manager in the hot seat this weekend was Paul Jewell, who made his return to this week after being appointed Derby boss in light of Billy Davies’ sacking. There was to be no fairy tale start here either as the Rams went down to an unfortunate Antony Stokes goal at Sunderland, the young Irishman scrabbling home a headed effort that was brilliantly saved by Steven Bywater. Roy Keane made several changes to the side thrashed by Everton last week, including record buy Craig Gordon who had to be content with a place on the bench in place of Darren Ward.

Troubled Harry Redknapp couldn’t end the week on a high as his Portsmouth played out a dour stalemate against Everton. Reading and Middlesborough tied 1-1 at the Madejski, a near punch up between Royals Marcus Hahnemann and Ibrahima Sonko the only worthy incident of note.

David Bentley piled the misery on Newcastle and Sam Allardyce as Blackburn defeated a beleaguered United 3-1 at Ewood. Obefami Martins headed the Toon ahead but Bentley struck with two fine strikes to set Rovers on their way as Tugay sealed the win with a typically classy finished. The Magpies had chances but wasted them as their inability to defend cost them dear.
Liverpool cruised past Bolton to return to the top four, 4-0 the final score at Anfield meanwhile Birmingham upset Tottenham with a thrilling 3-2 win at White Hart Lane on Alex McLeish’s managerial debut for the Blues. Gary McSheffery put Birmingham ahead from the spot but two a quick fire double from Robbie Keane put Spurs in control. Keane’s joy then turned to pain as he was controversially sent off for a tackle on Fabrice Muamba and things got worse for Tottenham when Cameron Jerome slotted a tidy finish and Seb Larsson notched a terrific injury time winner.

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