Old Boys Weekend Round Up
As the season draws to a close, each game becomes just that little but more important. None more so than the game at Goodison Park that saw David Moyes' Everton play host to Aston Villa. Both teams are gunning for that 5th place spot to take them into the Uefa cup and with Everton three points clear of 6th place Villa, it was a must win game for Martin O'Neill's side. Captain Phil Neville put the Toffee's ahead early in the second half before a frenzied last six minutes which saw three goals scored. Gabriel Agbonlahor equalised on 80 minutes shortly before a quick retort from Joseph Yobo who thought he had done enough to secure the points for Everton. A John Carew goal salvaged a point for Villa who are of course till three points behind Everton.
The only other ex North Ender involved in this weekend's Premiership games was a former team mate of the aforementioned David Moyes, left sided midfielder Kevin Kilbane. He and his Wigan team mates earned another valuable point towards their bid to avoid the drop. The game finished 0-0 and now see's Wigan 5 points above the drop zone and with just two games to go, as a result this surely see's them ensured of Premiership football next season.
To the Championship now, where it has become common place in recent weeks for an ex-Preston player to play a major role in the game against Preston. This week was attacking midfielder Tommy Miller, who spent a short term loan spell at Deepdale last season. It was his goal from the edge of the penalty area which gave Ipswich the lead and hope of a play-off place. However, goals from Chris Brown and Neil Mellor put Preston ahead which seemingly put a stop to Ipswich's leap into the top six. An equaliser from Walters with three minutes to go was enough to salvage a point for Ipswich who are now just two points away from 6th place.
Keeping with the Promotion theme, Stoke City could have cemented their Premiership place for next season had results elsewhere gone their way. Sadly for Carlo Nash, Richard Cresswell and Ricardo Fuller said results didn't but Stoke are now just one point away from doing so. Stoke beat Colchester in what will be the last competitive game at Layer Road 1-0 thanks to a goal from Richard Cresswell.
Simon Davey and his Barnsley side finally secured their Championship status after turning their attentions away from the FA Cup. Such an achievement was down to a comprehensive 3-0 win at Oakwell against Charlton. Jon Macken got himself on the score sheet to add insult to injury to Charlton in what has been a disappointing season for them.
Centre half, Michael Jackson featured for Blackpool in their 3-0 defeat to Plymouth who are far from safe in terms of relegation. It is highly unlikely that they would go down but if results go against them on the final day then it could mean a short stay in the Championship for the Seasiders.
Franck Songo'o, who spent time on loan at Preston last season, played the whole 90 minutes for Sheffield Wednesday in their 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Leicester City. That win takes them above Leicester and just two points above the drop zone meaning that it will go down to the final day of the season to determine who will be plying their football elsewhere next season.
Gareth Ainsworth started and lasted the duration of the game for QPR who went down to a 3-0 defeat at Carrow Road. QPR are of course safe but Di Canio will want to have a positive end to the season, a 3-0 defeat being the exact opposite.
Into League One now where promotion hopefuls Doncaster Rovers edged further towards the Championship with a 2-0 win at home to Luton. The win for Brian Stock and his Doncaster team mates coupled with defeat for Carlisle means that Rovers will go up should they beat Cheltenham on Saturday.
Marcus Stewart featured for Yeovil in their 1-0 defeat to Leeds United who have booked their place in the League One play-offs as a result. Former goalkeeper, David Lucas was on the bench for United. Meanwhile, on loan Brett Ormerod came off at half time in Nottingham Forest's 1-0 win against Hartlepool who still have a chance of automatic promotion.
Elsewhere in league one, Southend's chances of automatic promotion came to an end after their 1-0 defeat to Tranmere. Alan McCormack, who has been a pivotal player for Southend this season, played the whole game.
Last but by no means least we look at League Two now where former gaffer Paul Simpson and his Shrewsbury Team could only manage a 0-0 draw against relegation threatened Chester City. David Hibbert started up front for Shrewsbury.