Old Boys Weekend Round-Up
Saturday's early kick-off saw the Merseyside derby take place at Goodison Park. David Moyes will have had his men fired up for this civil war within the European capital of culture but despite this, the Toffees fell to a 2-0 defeat thanks to a brace from Spaniard Fernando Torres. Tim Howard's understudy, Carlo Nash, who ironically occupies the number one jersey, was on the bench for Everton.
Moyes has expressed his concern with Everton's early season form and will be looking to rectify that as soon as possible. Everton find themselves in the very mediocre position of 12th place in the Premier League as a result of the aforementioned slow start.
At the Britannia Stadium, Richard Cresswell was handed a rare start for Stoke City as he deputised for the not quite fit enough Ricardo Fuller who was only deemed fit enough for a substitute appearance against Chelsea. The Blues left Stoke with all three points after a 2-0 win for the premiership new boys.
Kevin Kilbane had to make do with a place on the bench as Wigan played host to the newly richest club in the world, Man City at the JJB on Sunday. Wigan saw off City in a 2-1 win.
Concluding our round up, as far as the Premiership is concerned at least, David Healy was an unused substitute for Sunderland's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday.
To the Championship now where, Jon Macken missed an early penalty for Simon Davey's Barnsley on Saturday. Rob Kozluk was also in from the start as Barnsley drew 0-0 with Norwich.
At Turf Moor, Graham Alexander adopted an unfamiliar holding midfield role as the Clarets saw off Alexander's former club in another entertaining Lancashire derby. Despite taking the lead through Barry Nicholson, Preston suffered their second 3-1 defeat in as many games thanks to a sensational effort from Joey Gudjonsson followed by Steven Caldwell and Chris Eagles deep into injury time.
Skipper Brian Stock was unable to prevent Southampton from leaving the Keepmoat Stadium with all three points as the Saint's saw off Rovers with a 2-0 win. Darren Byfield was also in from the start for newly promoted Doncaster who find themselves looking over their shoulders at the relegation places as they occupy 21st.
Tommy Miller got himself into the referee's book during Ipswich's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday. Jon Stead put the home side ahead with Victor Moses equalising just two minutes later. Craig Beattie made his debut for Palace following his loan move from West Brom. Beattie was booked for his endeavours.
There were two former Preston players involved at Home Park as Paul Gallagher started up front for Plymouth whilst Kelvin Wilson was in from the start for Forest. The Pilgrims sent Forest back with a long drive home after taking all three points in a 1-0 win.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Patrick Agyemang made a second half substitute appearance for QPR as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Derby whilst Andy Gray was substituted in the second half for Charlton in their 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
To English football's third tier now where former goalkeeper David Lucas regained his place back between the sticks for Leeds United on Saturday. Lucas will be pleased with his performance as he managed to keep a clean sheet with Leeds taking all three points in a 1-0 win over Hereford at Elland Road.
At Prenton Park, Paul Reid was involved in a seven goal thriller as his club emerged as victorious against Tranmere Rovers. Colchester who have recently parted company with Geraint Williams, climb out of the bottom four after Saturday's result.
Alan McCormack came onto make a second half substitute appearance for Southend United following a period of absence for the former Preston midfielder. Southend emerged as winners in a 3-0 win at home to Leyton Orient.
To conclude our round-up of league on, Michael Ricketts started upfront for Walsall before being substituted late on for Walsall during the midlands club's 2-1 win over Carlisle.
In League Two, Colin Murdock was booked for Accrington Stanley as they were defeated by Rochdale, despite taking an early lead. John Mullin was also in the starting eleven for Stanley.
Paul Simpson's Shrewsbury Town continued their impressive start to the season with a 2-0 win over Bradford City. The Shrews' victory was enough to see them occupy third place. Michael Jackson, who also picked up a yellow card, played from the start as did Dave Hibbert whilst Kelvin Langmead had to make do with a place on the bench. Omar Daley featured for the Bantams.
Elsewhere in League Two, Brian Barry-Murphy featured for Bury's 0-0 draw with Wycombe Wanderers.
In the conference there are two former Preston goalkeepers who ply their trade for their respective clubs. Firstly, Gavin Ward was in from the start between the sticks for Wrexham in their 1-1 draw with Torquay United whilst Chris Day, who now plays for Stevenage was involved in the 3-3 draw with York City on Sunday.
Old Boys XI
The criterion for any player to qualify for our Old Boys XI is simply that they had to have started for their clubs this weekend. Likewise with the substitutes, they cannot have played and instead must have warmed the bench for their clubs.
Accordingly, here is the team with one or two square pegs in round holes but nevertheless it is a team.
Manager: David Moyes (Everton)
Assistant: Ryan Kidd (Barnsley)
Gk. Chris Day (Stevenage Borough)
DR. Rob Kozluk (Barnsley)
DL. Graham Alexander (Burnley)
DC. Paul Reid (Colchester United)
DC. Michael Jackson (Shrewsbury Town)
MC. Brian Stock (Doncaster Rovers)
MLC. Tommy Miller (Ipswich Town)
MRC. Omar Daley (Bradford City)
FWL: Jon Macken (Barnsley)
FWR: Richard Cresswell (Stoke City)
FWC: David Hibbert (Shrewsbury)
Substitutes:
Kevin Kilbane (Wigan)
Carlo Nash (Everton)
David Healy (Sunderland)
Kelvin Langmead (Shrewsbury)
Ricardo Fuller (Stoke City)