Championship wrap: Wickham inspires Ipswich, Cardiff stumble

A Connor Wickham hat-trick fired Ipswich to a 6-0 thumping of Doncaster, while Cardiff dropped points late in Tuesday’s Championship action.

Wickham, 17, bagged his first professional treble and showed why the likes of Tottenham are interested in his services as he put on a solo performance to remember at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Ipswich Town appear rejuvenated under new boss Paul Jewell and headed into the game unbeaten in four and keen to keep their charge up the Championship table alive.

Sam Hird’s 25th-minute own goal gave the visitors the lead and Colin Healy added a second just seven minutes later.

Wickham bagged his first just before half-time and notched his double on the hour-mark as Ipswich started to run riot.

Defender Gareth McAuley got in on the act with his 65th-minute strike before a late penalty presented Wickham with the chance to score his hat-trick and he duly delivered.

At the Cardiff City Stadium, Dave Jones’ side drew with Burnley 1-1 and will be disappointed they let a chance to get within three points of table-toppers QPR slip.

Michael Chopra’s goal on the stroke of half-time looked to have wrapped up the points for the hosts but former Bluebirds striker Steven Thompson had other ideas, grabbing an 83rd-minute equaliser to ensure both sides would be forced to share the spoils.

In other games, Preston North End threw away a chance to climb off the bottom of the table when Watford clawed back from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road.

First-half goals to Sean St Ledger and Leon Clarke had given Phil Brown’s side a great chance of moving ahead of second-from-bottom Scunthorpe United, but Matt Whichelow and Adam Thompson hit goals in the last 25 minutes for the hosts.

Sheffield United remain in the relegation zone despite claiming a late point in a 1-1 draw with Reading at Bramall Lane.

Shane Long’s 81st-minute goal gave the visitors a late lead but the Republic of Ireland international turned from hero to villain, giving away a late penalty which was tucked away by substitute Daniel Bogdanovic.

Wed 16 February, 2011

Championship wrap: Wickham inspires Ipswich, Cardiff stumble

A Connor Wickham hat-trick fired Ipswich to a 6-0 thumping of Doncaster, while Cardiff dropped points late in Tuesday’s Championship action.

Wickham, 17, bagged his first professional treble and showed why the likes of Tottenham are interested in his services as he put on a solo performance to remember at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Ipswich Town appear rejuvenated under new boss Paul Jewell and headed into the game unbeaten in four and keen to keep their charge up the Championship table alive.

Sam Hird’s 25th-minute own goal gave the visitors the lead and Colin Healy added a second just seven minutes later.

Wickham bagged his first just before half-time and notched his double on the hour-mark as Ipswich started to run riot.

Defender Gareth McAuley got in on the act with his 65th-minute strike before a late penalty presented Wickham with the chance to score his hat-trick and he duly delivered.

At the Cardiff City Stadium, Dave Jones’ side drew with Burnley 1-1 and will be disappointed they let a chance to get within three points of table-toppers QPR slip.

Michael Chopra’s goal on the stroke of half-time looked to have wrapped up the points for the hosts but former Bluebirds striker Steven Thompson had other ideas, grabbing an 83rd-minute equaliser to ensure both sides would be forced to share the spoils.

In other games, Preston North End threw away a chance to climb off the bottom of the table when Watford clawed back from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road.

First-half goals to Sean St Ledger and Leon Clarke had given Phil Brown’s side a great chance of moving ahead of second-from-bottom Scunthorpe United, but Matt Whichelow and Adam Thompson hit goals in the last 25 minutes for the hosts.

Sheffield United remain in the relegation zone despite claiming a late point in a 1-1 draw with Reading at Bramall Lane.

Shane Long’s 81st-minute goal gave the visitors a late lead but the Republic of Ireland international turned from hero to villain, giving away a late penalty which was tucked away by substitute Daniel Bogdanovic.

Wed 16 February, 2011

SPL wrap: Celtic move clear as Rangers stumble

Celtic kicked five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League thanks to a 1-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday.

Neil Lennon’s side took full advantage of Rangers’ slip-up in the early kick-off at Hearts with another three points which takes them closer to winning their first SPL title since 2007/08.

Celtic went into the game against Aberdeen on a 10-match unbeaten run but their opponents were not in bad form either, undefeated in five under new manager Craig Brown.

But Celtic were unfazed and took the game to their opponents, opening the scoring through Anthony Stokes after 27 minutes.

The Glasgow-based side were unable to add to their lead, making for some nervy moments towards the end, but managed to hang on for all three points.

The win rubbed further salt into the wounds of Rangers, who lost 1-0 to Hearts earlier in the day.

Ryan Stevenson’s goal 13 minutes from time was enough to send a 16,737-strong Tynecastle Stadium crowd wild, with Hearts completing the home league double over Celtic and Rangers.

The result sees Hearts just two points behind second-placed Rangers and seven behind Celtic, meaning instead of the usual two-horse race between the two Glasgow sides, three teams are in contention for the SPL title.

In other matches, two goals in four minutes from Jamie Murphy and Steven Saunders gave Motherwell a 2-0 win over Hibernian while Garry Kenneth’s injury-time strike gave Dundee United a point in a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle and bottom side Hamilton Academical also played out a 1-1 draw while St Johnstone and St Mirren also could not be separated in a 0-0 draw.

Sat 22 January, 2011

SPL wrap: Celtic move clear as Rangers stumble

Celtic kicked five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League thanks to a 1-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday.

Neil Lennon’s side took full advantage of Rangers’ slip-up in the early kick-off at Hearts with another three points which takes them closer to winning their first SPL title since 2007/08.

Celtic went into the game against Aberdeen on a 10-match unbeaten run but their opponents were not in bad form either, undefeated in five under new manager Craig Brown.

But Celtic were unfazed and took the game to their opponents, opening the scoring through Anthony Stokes after 27 minutes.

The Glasgow-based side were unable to add to their lead, making for some nervy moments towards the end, but managed to hang on for all three points.

The win rubbed further salt into the wounds of Rangers, who lost 1-0 to Hearts earlier in the day.

Ryan Stevenson’s goal 13 minutes from time was enough to send a 16,737-strong Tynecastle Stadium crowd wild, with Hearts completing the home league double over Celtic and Rangers.

The result sees Hearts just two points behind second-placed Rangers and seven behind Celtic, meaning instead of the usual two-horse race between the two Glasgow sides, three teams are in contention for the SPL title.

In other matches, two goals in four minutes from Jamie Murphy and Steven Saunders gave Motherwell a 2-0 win over Hibernian while Garry Kenneth’s injury-time strike gave Dundee United a point in a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle and bottom side Hamilton Academical also played out a 1-1 draw while St Johnstone and St Mirren also could not be separated in a 0-0 draw.

Sat 22 January, 2011