There was a horrible sense of deja vu for Northern Ireland as a controversial refereeing decision contributed to a pivotal World Cup qualifying defeat by Switzerland.A depleted Northern Ireland stood up to early pressure, but after Jamal Lewis was shown an extremely harsh second yellow card for taking too long over a throw-in, they cracked as goals from Steven Zuber and Christian Fassnacht seale...Full Story »

Callum Robinson ended a week of controversy with a decisive double as the Republic of Ireland won a competitive match for the first time under manager Stephen Kenny in Azerbaijan.Robinson hit the headlines in the run-up to the game after revealing he had chosen not to be vaccinated against Covid-19 despite twice contracting the virus, but provided the perfect response to the criticism he receive...Full Story »

A relieved Joey Barton insists there is plenty of hard work ahead for Bristol Rovers despite powering to a 3-0 win over Carlisle on Saturday.Antony Evans broke the deadlock before half-time with a superb turn and finish, and Sam Nicholson and Harvey Saunders gave the scoreline a handsome look with late goals to seal victory for Rovers and their under-pressure boss.The three points propelled the ...Full Story »

Goals from Antony Evans, Sam Nicholson and Harvey Saunders powered Bristol Rovers to a 3-0 win against Carlisle to ease the pressure on Joey Barton.A sedate opening half-hour drifted by, but the crowd was woken up 10 minutes before half-time when Evans isolated Danny Devine and darted beyond the defender before drilling a strike into the bottom corner.Chances were few and far between for Carlisl...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers will be without defender Alfie Kilgour through suspension for the Sky Bet League Two match against Carlisle.Kilgour was sent off late on in the 3-1 home defeat by Swindon last weekend and now serves a one-match ban.Nick Anderton could be drafted into defence as cover, having been an unused substitute against the Robins.Midfielder Sam Nicholson continues to recover from a shin prob...Full Story »

THE partner of England football star John Stones is causing controversy by reposting anti-vaxx messages online. The revelation comes after The Sun revealed on Saturday that at least five Three Lions’ players have refused to have Covid jabs. England football star John Stones's partner Olivia Naylor is causing controversy as she reposted anti-vaxx messages online She wrote 'Perfectly spok...Full Story »

Ben Garner denied taking special satisfaction from beating the club who sacked him only 11 months ago after Swindon won 3-1 at Bristol Rovers.But the Swindon boss was understandably proud of his players after late goals from Ben Gladwin and substitute Harry McKirdy crowned a dominant performance.Harry Anderson had fired Rovers in front in the 17th minute, only for Town to storm back after the br...Full Story »

Blackpool made it three wins from four after they defeated Blackburn 2-1 in a hotly-contested Lancashire derby at Bloomfield Road.The Tangerines led 2-0 at half time as Shayne Lavery scored his fifth goal of the campaign before Jerry Yates added their second.Blackburn reduced the deficit early in the second half through the Championship’s in-form striker Ben Brereton Diaz, who has six goal...Full Story »

Late goals from Ben Gladwin and Harry McKirdy earned Swindon a 3-1 League Two win over Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.The home side took a 17th-minute lead when a measured pass inside the full-back from Antony Evans set up right winger Harry Anderson to net with a well-placed drive.But Swindon stormed back in the second half, with Jack Payne equalising in the 57th minute with a low half-...Full Story »

Gary Madine and Demetri Mitchell could feature for Blackpool in the Lancashire derby against Blackburn.The pair were brought back into the fold and handed their first starts of the season against Hull in midweek after recovering from injury.Jordan Gabriel could also be involved as he returns to the squad following a period of self-isolation.Grant Ward is still ruled out long-term after undergoin...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers have a range of injury issues as they prepare to face Swindon in Sky Bet League Two.Striker Leon Clarke is a long-term injury concern for Rovers boss Joey Barton and is expected to undergo surgery on a hamstring problem.Trevor Clarke is working his way back to fitness and the defender is making his return to full training.Sam Nicholson is “a couple of weeks out” accord...Full Story »

Huddersfield manager Carlos Corberan hailed a genuine “number nine” performance from two-goal striker Danny Ward following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Blackburn.Ward had only managed two goals in 28 outings since arriving for a second spell in West Yorkshire from Cardiff in August 2020, but matched that tally on one night with a headed second-half brace.The Terriers, who opened the ...Full Story »

Danny Ward’s brace earned Huddersfield a thrilling 3-2 home win against Blackburn.Matching his tally from the previous 28 outings of a misfiring second spell for the Terriers in one night, the former Cardiff forward settled matters after Ben Brereton Diaz had taken his season’s haul to nine goals with two second-half equalisers for the visitors.Spanish midfielder Alex Vallejo had ear...Full Story »

Rolando Aarons is in contention to return for Huddersfield’s clash against Blackburn.Terriers head coach Carlos Corberan confirmed it was his decision to leave the 25-year-old out of the squad that lost to Swansea at the weekend but said will be back for the visit of Rovers.Duane Holmes could start after impressing off the bench in his last couple of appearances.Long-term injury absentees ...Full Story »

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson admits losing 1-0 to Hibernian following the concession of a controversial penalty was hard to take.Martin Boyle scored the only goal of the match in the 61st minute from 12 yards.The winger was involved in the penalty award as his first-time shot was adjudged to have struck the arm of Jamie McCart, who was standing right in front of him.McCart was booked ove...Full Story »

Ben Brereton Diaz scored his first hat-trick for Blackburn in a 5-1 demolition of Cardiff in the Sky Bet Championship at Ewood Park.The Chilean was the standout performer in an afternoon when Rovers were comprehensively the better side, set on their way in a ruthless first half that yielded three goals.A composed finish by Sam Gallagher broke the deadlock before Brereton Diaz’s first-half ...Full Story »

Walsall will be without Liam Kinsella for the Sky Bet League Two match against Bristol Rovers as the midfielder is set for knee surgery.Kinsella limped off towards the end of the defeat at Newport last weekend, with scans showing the need for an operation, but he is not expected to be a long-term absentee.Joss Labadie continues to serve a three-match suspension following a red card against Bradf...Full Story »

Sam Gallagher is in contention for Blackburn’s Sky Bet Championship match against Cardiff after recovering from a thigh problem.Striker Gallagher has sat out Rovers’ last two league matches but is back in training and could be recalled against the Bluebirds.“Sam will have to come through training but if he does there’s no reason why he won’t be available,” bos...Full Story »

Callum McGregor will miss a third consecutive game for Celtic after Ange Postecoglou confirmed that the captain hasn’t recovered from injury in time to face Raith Rovers in the Premier Sports Cup.Manager Postecoglou said he expects to be selecting from the same group he had at his disposal for Sunday’s defeat at Livingston, with the exception of recently-signed Greek striker Giorgos ...Full Story »

Joey Barton admitted the “clock is ticking” on his attempts to revive ailing Bristol Rovers after hearing chants of “what a load of rubbish” at the final whistle of their 3-1 defeat to Leyton Orient.First-half headers from Harry Smith and Aaron Drinan, with a sweet Theo Archibald volley sandwiched in between, had Orient in cruise control by the break at the Memorial Stadi...Full Story »