Old Boys Weekend Round-Up
In the Premier League this weekend, Kevin Kilbane came on as a second-half substitute for Wigan during their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates. Despite going behind in the 16th minute through an Emmanuel Adebayor goal, Wigan put up a terrific fight and were unlucky not to salvage at least a point from the game. Kilbane came on to replace Emerson Boyce in the 77th minute.
At Craven Cottage, Dickson Etuhu was in the Fulham squad for the first time since his transfer from Sunderland. The former Norwich and Manchester City midfielder was unable to make his debut for the Cottagers but can take solace knowing that he has broke his way into the squad since his return from injury. Fulham drew 1-1 with Etuhu's former club Manchester City.
Striker Richard Cresswell was handed a shock start for Stoke's away fixture with Newcastle United on Saturday. The former Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday man almost netted his first Premier League goal for the Potters but, thanks to an intervention from Stephen Taylor, his effort was thwarted at the vital moment. Ricardo Fuller came on as a second half substitute and noticeably changed the game for Stoke. The Jamaican international was a real thorn in the Geordies side, providing an assist for Sidibie's goal. Fuller went close to getting his name on the score sheet himself with an audacious effort on the half-volley from outside the box before Abdoulaye Faye equalised for the visitors. Danny Pugh also started for Stoke and played the full ninety minutes whilst former teammate Andy Carroll was an unused substitute for Newcastle.
David Moyes' Everton suffered a sickening blow in the 94th minute at Goodison Park as Ashley Young grabbed an injury time winner to give Aston Villa the win. With the score at 2-1 going into stoppage time, Joleon Lescott equalised for Everton with 93 minutes played before almost immediately, Young had the final say in a five goal thriller.
Meanwhile David Nugent was an unused substitute for Portsmouth's 1-1 draw with West Brom at the Hawthorns on Sunday.
To the Championship and Oakwell in particular where a handful of former Lilywhites were involved during Barnsley's defeat to Reading. Both Jon Macken and on-loan Simon Whaley started for Simon Davey's Barnsley against the Royals but it was the visitors who emerged as winners with a 1-0 win through a Gunnarson goal just after the hour mark. Jon Macken was booked for his efforts.
Tamas Priskin picked up where he left off against Spurs in midweek for Watford's Championship fixture at St Andrews. Much like the Carling Cup defeat to Tottenham, the Hungarian international again found himself on the losing side despite putting the Hornets ahead. His goal game on the 7th minute just a moment before former Hornets striker Kevin Phillips equalised. The five goal thriller finished in favour of Birmingham City with Cameron Jerome netting the winner and Birmingham's 3rd just five minutes from time.
At Bloomfield Road two former Deepdale loanees featured for Charlton on Saturday. Jay McEveley played the full ninety minutes whilst striker Andy Gray was later substituted and replaced during the 2-0 defeat for the Addicks.
Kelvin Wilson started at the back for Nottingham Forest against Coventry at the City Ground on Saturday. Forest were 1-0 down as early as two minutes played after Elliott Ward put the visitors ahead. Two goals, one from each side in as many minutes, just shy of the half-hour mark, saw the score at 2-1 before Joe Garner equalised after 61 minutes to see the points shared.
Craig Beattie played the full ninety minutes for Crystal Palace's 2-1 win over Derby County on Saturday. The former Celtic striker was unable to add to his goal tally of four in nineteen appearances.
Brian Stock netted the only goal of the game for Doncaster Rovers to seal the points over Plymouth Argyle. Rovers leapfrogged their way into 22nd place in the Championship as a result. Stock will be hoping he can repeat his fortunes of the weekend on Tuesday night when Rovers visit Deepdale when the former Bournemouth midfielder faces his old club for the first time since his departure. Paul Gallagher featured for Plymouth and would have equalised if it had not been for Neil Sullivan in the Doncaster goal. Gallagher was later substituted whilst Yoann Folly played the full ninety minutes.
Striker Patrick Agyemang played the full ninety minutes for QPR's 1-0 win over Wolves at Loftus Road. The win is the first for Paulo Sousa since taking over from Gareth Ainsworth as manager lifting Rangers to 7th place and one above Preston in 8th.
After another terrific win for the Clarets in the Carling Cup, the test was whether they could continue that form in the Championship. Burnley took on Sheffield United at Bramall Lane and emerged as 3-2 winners in a thrilling game. Graham Alexander converted a 42nd minute penalty to put the visitors back in front before Eagles made it three with just over ten minutes to go. Stephen Quinn pulled one back with three minutes remaining to ensure a nervy end to the afternoon but Owen Coyle's men managed to hang on.
In League One, there wasn't much luck for the former Lilywhites involved this weekend. The only team to win featuring a former North End player was Huddersfield Town who beat Walsall and Michael Ricketts 2-1. Chris Lucketti was an unused substitute for the Yorkshire side.
Elsewhere in League One, Leeds United were beaten by Tranmere with David Lucas between the sticks, Oldham Athletic could only manage a draw with Brighton with Sean Gregan in defence whilst Alan McCormack and his Southend teammates devastated by a Matty Fryatt hat-trick for Leicester.
In League Two, Paul Simpson's Shrewsbury Town emerged as winners from their fixture with Rotherham. Grant Holt netted the only goal of the game for the Shrews who had Kelvin Langmead in the centre of defence and Dave Hibbert on the bench. Hibbert came on to replace White in the 77th minute.
For Exeter, in the absence of Marcus Stewart, Steve Basham came on as a second-half substitute during the win over Lincoln City whilst Brian Barry-Murphy played the full ninety minutes for Bury's 1-1 draw with Macclesfield on Saturday.
Concluding our round-up of the Football League means we take a look at the Conference. Goalkeeper Gavin Ward was between the sticks for Wrexham's 2-1 win over Kettering whilst Chris Day kept a clean sheet during Stevenage's 2-0 win over Lewes.