Championship Round-Up Saturday 29th March

AS the 2007/2008 season draws to an exciting end, even more finger nails were shredded on Saturday as yet another weekend of fixtures in The Championship unfolded, turning the league table on its head.

Bristol City replaced Stoke at the top of the table, as the Robins beat Norwich 2-1 with Stoke held to a 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Hull brushed aside a poor Watford side with a resounding 3-0 victory at the KC Stadium in the 3rd versus 4th clash. West Brom maintained their automatic promotion hopes, coming away with 3 points in a seven-goal thriller against bottom of the league Colchester United. Wolves moved up the league at the expense of Plymouth, who suffered at the hands of relegation threatened Coventry City.


Leicester won through in a tense bottom of the table clash against Scunthorpe, while Southampton are just one point above the drop zone after their 1-0 defeat at Cardiff.




Steve Brooker scored
the late winner to
send Bristol City top

Bristol City 2-1 Norwich City

Dele Adebola gave the hosts the lead just before the break, but Darren Huckerby curled a superb equaliser twenty minutes from time as Norwich piled on the pressure. However, in stoppage time, Steve Brooker pounced on a loose ball in the area to score his first goal for City in over a year, amid claims of handball from Norwich defenders, their appeals fell on deaf ears.

Burnley 2-1 Barnsley

Burnley moved to within 3 points of the play-offs after an entertaining game at a drenched Turf Moor. Wade Elliott capped a fine move on the half hour for the Clarets, poking home from 8 yards. The lead was doubled just 6 minutes later as Northern Ireland star, Kyle Lafferty, curled home from the edge of the area. F.A Cup semi-finalists Barnsley pulled one back through Brian Howard’s scrambled effort, but the Tykes couldn’t find an equaliser, moving them closer to the drop zone.

Cardiff City 1-0 Southampton

Cardiff faired better than fellow Cup semi-finalists Barnsley, with a Paul Parry effort as early as the 6th minute enough to defeat relegation-threatened Southampton. The Saints lie just one point ahead of Sheffield Wednesday, who have two games in hand.

Charlton Athletic 2-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Karl Henry struck in the 5th minute of stoppage time to steal all 3 points for Wolves in a gripping 5 goal thriller at The Valley. In-form Slyvan Ebanks-Blake gave Wanderers the lead as he lashed the ball home in the 15th minute. Full-back Greg Halford leveled for Charlton with a fine volley after half an hour. Ebanks-Blake restored Wolves’ advantage, in the second period, with a breath-taking solo effort. The former Manchester United man, turned Patrick McCarthy by the corner flag, before blasting a left-footed effort into the top corner from a tight angle. Leroy Lita looked to have rescued a point for the Londoners with a header in the 92nd minute before Henry’s timely intervention.

Coventry City 3-1 Plymouth Argyle

Michael Doyle gave Coventry a boost away from relegation with two goals in the first half to dent Plymouth’s promotion bid. Jay Tabb made sure of the win in the 65th minute to cap a fine personal display. Steve MacLean slammed home a consolation for The Pilgrims nine minutes from time.

Crystal Palace 0-0 Blackpool

Crystal Palace couldn't break down a stubborn Blackpool side at Selhurst Park. Neil Warnock’s side are just outside the play-offs while Blackpool edge closer to safety.

Hull City 3-0 Watford

Michael Turner provided the perfect start for Hull, heading home inside the first minute. Watford never recovered from that early set-back and were two down when Fraizer Campell continued his rich vein of form, netting in the 13th minute. Caleb Folan made sure of the points on 73 minutes before Steve Kabba capped a forgettable day for The Hornets as he was shown a straight red card for a late challenge.

Ipswich Town 0-0 Queens Park Rangers

Ipswich are just one point outside the play-offs despite being held to a goalless draw at Portman Road. QPR battled well to keep out The Tractor Boys who have only dropped 6 points at home all season.

Leicester City 1-0 Scunthorpe United

Lee Hendrie provided one moment of real quality to give Leicester the points in the all important relegation battle. The former England midfielder found the top corner in the 41st minute to move City two points above the drop zone, Scunthorpe look doomed.

Preston North End 3-1 Sheffield United

Preston continued their fine run of form with a deserved victory over Sheffield United. North End took the lead from the spot in the 28th minute after Neil Mellor was felled by Matthew Kilgallon. Callum Davidson stepped up to smash the ball home. It was Mellor who added the second before James Beattie ensured a tense finish with a penalty of his own 3 minutes from time. But Mellor wrapped up the victory, racing clear to score past Paddy Kenny in stoppage time.

Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Stoke City

Stoke failed to capitalise on a good start to the game, as Sheffield Wednesday scored late on to share the spoils. Former Owls striker, Richard Cresswell, gave Stoke the lead after a clever flick diverted Stephen Pearson’s drive into the bottom corner. However, City couldn’t convert several other chances and were duly punished as loanee Frank Songo’o drilled home a fine right-footed shot. Wednesday however included 6 loan players in their squad, going against league regulations which only allow 5, and could be hit with a fine by The Football League. Stoke City have made a complaint.

West Bromwich Albion 4-3 Colchester United

West Brom came from behind , scoring two goals in the last minute to snatch an important three points. Chris Coyne gave bottom of the table, Colchester, the lead after 14 minutes. To everyone’s surprise the U’s doubled their lead three minutes later, as Medy Elito expertly drove home his first goal for the club. The Championship’s leading scorer, Kevin Phillips, pulled one back for The Baggies before Chris Brunt curled home a brilliant effort to bring the scores level just before the break. However, Kevin Lisbie restore the visitors lead with just 14 minutes remaining as Colchester looked set for an astonishing away win. James Morrison and Roman Bednar broke the travelling fans’ hearts as they both netted in stoppage time. Colchester could be relegated next week.