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Ipswich 3 Nottingham Forest 1: Match report

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Ipswich 3 Nottingham Forest 1: Tractor Boys cut down Tricky Trees to move out of bottom three

PUBLISHED:

22:18 GMT, 27 November 2012

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UPDATED:

22:18 GMT, 27 November 2012

Ipswich moved out of the relegation zone with a deserved win against in-form Nottingham Forest – only their second home victory of the season.

Mick McCarthy's men opened the scoring in fortuitous circumstances as a lack of communication between goalkeeper Lee Camp and defender Danny Collins saw Guirane N'Daw nip in to score.

Dexter Blackstock squeezed home an equaliser in the 58th minute, but Town regained the lead three minutes later when Luke Hyam netted the rebound from DJ Campbell's penalty which had been saved by Camp.

Moving on up: Guirane N'Daw celebrates his goal against Forest

Moving on up: Guirane N'Daw celebrates his goal against Forest

MATCH FACTS

Ipswich: Henderson, Orr, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell, Edwards, N'Daw, Hyam (Drury 83), Martin, Barnett (Murphy 56), Campbell (Chopra 88).

Subs Not Used: Loach, Hewitt, Higginbotham, Emmanuel-Thomas.

Booked: Orr, Hyam.

Goals: N'Daw 30, Hyam 61, Murphy 89.

Nottm Forest: Camp, Hutton, Ward, Collins, Harding (McGugan 77), Gillett (Reid 46), Guedioura, Cohen, Lansbury (Coppinger 46), Sharp, Blackstock.

Subs Not Used: Darlow, Moussi, Moloney, Ayala.

Booked: Camp, Sharp.

Goal: Blackstock 58.

Attendnace: 16,200

Referee: Andy D'Urso

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The Forest goalkeeper was lucky to be
on the pitch after rushing out to stop Campbell when he was bearing
down on goal in the 16th minute.

Substitute Daryl Murphy sealed the points at the death with a neat finish.

A lively start from Town saw them
create the first opening of the game. Lee Martin floated in a cross for
the unmarked Tommy Smith but his header was straight at Camp.

McCarthy had his head in his hands as
Camp escaped with just a yellow card after taking out Ipswich striker
Campbell as he raced through shortly afterwards.

Blackstock shot straight at Town
goalkeeper Stephen Henderson as Forest looked to respond, but Town
pushed forward again and Hyam fired inches over from a corner.

The home side got the goal their
pressure deserved in comical circumstances on the half hour. A mix-up
between Collins and Camp allowed N'Daw to sneak in and score.

The goal seemed to spark Forest into
life and they came agonisingly close to an equaliser in the 42nd minute
when Billy Sharp took advantage of a slip from Bradley Orr to rattle the
crossbar from Alan Hutton's cross.

Forest made a double substitution at
the start of the second half, with Andy Reid and James Coppinger coming
on for Simon Gillet and Henri Lansbury.

Big win: The Ipswich players celebrated their win that moved them out of the bottom three

Big win: The Ipswich players celebrated their win that moved them out of the bottom three

Both sides had early chances, with a
low shot from Orr creeping just past the left-hand upright and Sharp
failing to connect sweetly with an overhead kick attempt for Forest
after good work from the substitutes.

The double change had provided the Reds with added impetus and Reid forced a decent save from Henderson with a low drive.

Daryl Murphy came on for debutant
Tyrone Barnett and was immediately involved, firing in a shot which took
a deflection and almost caught out Camp who gratefully gathered.

Going down: DJ Campbell battles with Lee Camp

Going down: DJ Campbell battles with Lee Camp

But Forest levelled shortly
afterwards as Reid found Sharp and the striker managed to get the ball
across to Blackstock who poked home from six yards.

Their joy was shortlived, though, as
Ipswich were awarded a penalty when Campbell went down in the box under
challenge from Collins. Camp made a superb stop from Campbell's
spot-kick but Hyam followed in to score.

Going in the right direction: Ipswich Town Manager Mick McCarthy saw his side win

Going in the right direction: Ipswich Town Manager Mick McCarthy saw his side win

After a mad few minutes the half hit a lull, with neither side able to create clear-cut chances.
But Ipswich sealed a much-needed win in the last minute when Murphy
dispossessed Reid and was allowed to carry the ball into the box where
he coolly slotted past Camp.

Michael Chopra career in jeopardy over race fixing charge

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Chopra career in jeopardy after charge for horse race fixing

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UPDATED:

21:57 GMT, 4 October 2012

Michael Chopra's career is in jeopardy after he was charged with fixing the results of horse races.

The British Horseracing Authority announced that the Ipswich forward, 28, has been accused of offering bribes to jockey Andrew Heffernan following an investigation into suspicious betting activity.

Though the FA are reluctant to act until the BHA has heard the case, Ipswich are considering whether to support Chopra.

Race run: Michael Chopra (left) has been charged with race-fixing by the BHA

Race run: Michael Chopra (left) has been charged with race-fixing by the BHA

Former Manchester United and England
Under 21 midfielder Mark Wilson and James Coppinger, on loan at
Nottingham Forest, have also been charged with ‘conspiring to commit a
corrupt or fraudulent practice’ based on nine races from November 2010
to March 2011.

Ipswich have yet to make a statement
but Chopra (right) has a history of gambling problems, and part of his
signing-on fee when he moved from Cardiff in 2011 was paid up front to
settle huge debts.

Ipswich have also advanced part of his salary, last December giving him 250,000 to help settle bookmakers’ accounts.

His debts emerged in a drugs trial at
Newcastle Crown Court last year when Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg
told jurors: ‘The people Michael owed money to were not respectable
institutions. I was under the impression he had to pay the money back or
he would find himself in trouble.’

Ipswich manager Paul Jewell’s training
sessions this season have been interrupted by people turning up to
demand money from Chopra.

READ THE BHA STATEMENT

The British Horseracing Authority released this full statement relating to the charges

Jewell’s team, 23rd in the Championship, host Cardiff tomorrow. The striker has been excluded from the squad.

Chopra has twice checked into the
Sporting Chance Clinic and, in an interview in November 2011, claimed to
have lost 1m feeding his addiction. He said: ‘I was gambling up to
20,000 a day. As a gambler you want to be playing to get the appearance
money. I was playing through injury to cover a debt.’

Chopra, Wilson and Coppinger are among
eight unlicensed people charged by the BHA with using links with
Heffernan for access to inside information. The jockey has been charged
with failing to obtain the best possible placing in three races.

He faces a maximum ban of 25 years if
found guilty. Chopra, Wilson and Coppinger could get 10-year bans from
any involvement in racing.

Heffernan is accused of trying to
finish outside the placings on Wanchai Whisper in the Fred and Ron
Gibson Memorial Handicap at Lingfield on January 28, 2011.

On February 2, 2011 he claimed he ‘lost his action’ when he rode Gallantry in the Betdaq Mobile Apps handicap at Kempton.

The third charge relates to Silver
Guest, which finished last in the Ashurst Wood Classified Claiming
Stakes at Lingfield on February 9, 2011. The horse was held up and
suffered a fatal heart attack after the race.

Accused: Mark Wilson

Charged: James Coppinger

Charged: Footballers Mark Wilson (left) and James Coppinger (right)

Doncaster v Portsmouth: Amazing late show sends Donny down

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Doncaster 3 Portsmouth 4: Amazing late show from Pompey gives them hope but sends hosts down to League One

By
Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED:

17:02 GMT, 14 April 2012

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UPDATED:

17:04 GMT, 14 April 2012

Portsmouth somehow kept their Championship survival hopes alive with two goals in the final moments on a dramatic afternoon at the Keepmoat Stadium to relegate 10-man Doncaster.

Substitute Marco Futacs struck an injury time winner just seconds after Dave Kitson had appeared to handball over the line to draw his side level.

It was harsh on Rovers who had been in control after Habib Beye and Fabien Robert netted in the opening five minutes but a chaotic game turned on the questionable dismissal of Beye on the hour.

Delight: Portsmouth players celebrate after a dramatic late Marko Futacs winner

Delight: Portsmouth players celebrate after a dramatic late Marko Futacs winner

Kitson fell theatrically under
pressure from the veteran Senegalese to give away a penalty that Greg
Halford netted before converting a second spot-kick moments later drew
his side level.

The drama continued though as James
Coppinger immediately fired Doncaster ahead, which would have kept
Rovers up and relegated Pompey, until a barely believable finish that
left the home fans hooting their disapproval at the end.

By contrast the few hundred
travelling Pompey fans remained singing after the whistle having avoided
what would have been the latest sorry chapter in their recent history.

MATCH FACTS

Doncaster: Woods, O'Connor, Friend, Lockwood, Beye, Oster (Hird 59), Barnes, Gillett, Coppinger, Brown (Dumbuya 73), Robert (Hayter 46).

Subs not used: Sullivan, Bennett.

Portsmouth: Ashdown, Ward, Rocha, Pearce, Halford, Rekik (Futaks 76), Allan, Norris, Varney (Harris 46), Etuhu (Kitson 26), Maguire.

Subs not used: Mokoena, Scapuzzi.

Referee: Russell

Attendance: 8.196.

Boss Michael Appleton vowed that his
side would not give up until relegation was assured, which had looked
likely following a disastrous opening five minutes.

Only three minutes had passed when
Beye netted the opener, rising highest to meet a free-kick and loop his
header over goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown.

A stunned Pompey were 2-0 down
moments later when Robert stabbed home from close range after John
Oster's initial effort had been blocked by Ashdown.

The travelling support behind the
goal responded with ironic celebrations although their good humour was
almost tested again on seven minutes when Coppinger's dipping 25-yard
volley smacked against the crossbar.

Portsmouth's response to the early
onslaught was underwhelming as a hopeful 20-yard David Norris shot was
the best they could muster before Appleton decided on a change of
formation after 28 minutes.

He brought on striker Kitson for
winger Dickson Etuhu and it almost paid immediate dividends as Halford
saw his firm header cleared off the line moments later.

A Beye header then tested Ashdown
again at the other end, the goalkeeper this time punching for a corner,
before Robert fizzed a pass across goal that no one was in a position to
turn in.

Despite Pompey's predicament their
few hundred travelling fans remained in full voice and they cheered
louder still when news filtered through that Bristol City had taken the
lead at Birmingham, to confirm they would go down with anything but a
win.

With that threat looming likely
Portsmouth finally showed signs of life soon after half-time with Scott
Allen firing against the crossbar from range before Luke Varney drew a
low save from an acute angle.

The visitors were then given a
hotly-contested penalty on 57 minutes when Kitson fell theatrically
under pressure from Beye, who was then also given his marching orders
for denying a scoring opportunity.

The veteran Senegalese protested the decision but once he left the pitch Halford tucked in the spot-kick.

The home fans clearly felt aggrieved
at the decision and their mood was hardly helped when the referee
awarded a second penalty against James O'Connor moments later. Again
Halford scored the spot-kick, despite Gary Woods getting a hand on the
ball.

Portsmouth may have been lucky to be
level but it lasted just four minutes as Coppinger netted a fine solo
goal. After being released down the right he cut inside and fired a low
shot that took a deflection as it went through the legs of a defender to
ensure Ashdown was wrong-footed.

Doncaster then set about holding onto
their advantage, which would have kept their slim survival hopes alive,
but with time ticking down they conceded a third dubious goal when
Kitson appeared to handball over the line.

It got better for Pompey in injury
time when Futacs popped up in the area and slid in a winner in to send
Doncaster down after four years in the Championship.

Doncaster 1 Burnley 2: Charlie Austin"s penalty seals win

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Doncaster 1 Burnley 2: Rock bottom Rovers on the brink of drop after Austin's penalty

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UPDATED:

16:19 GMT, 9 April 2012

Charlie Austin's second-half penalty all but confirmed Doncaster's relegation from the npower Championship as Burnley collected their third win in four matches.

Eddie Howe's youthful side are finishing the season with a flourish after a late winter slump saw them slip out of play-off contention.

Josh McQuoid opened his Burnley account in fine style and the on-loan Millwall winger's 30-yard volley was the difference between the teams at half-time.

Delight: Josh McQuoid (right) celebrates his opening goal

Delight: Josh McQuoid (right) celebrates his opening goal

Match facts

Doncaster: Gary Woods, O'Connor, Lockwood, Hird, Friend, Bennett (Coppinger 46), Stock (Barnes 22), Gillett, Robert (Oster 87), Hayter, Brown.
Subs Not Used: Sullivan, Bagayoko.
Booked: Lockwood.
Goals: Brown 56.

Burnley: Grant, Trippier, Duff, Edgar, Wallace, Stanislas (McCartan 89), Marney, McCann, Ings, Austin, McQuoid.
Subs Not Used: Jensen, Lafferty, Howieson, Hewitt.
Booked: Austin, McCann.
Goals: McQuoid 36,Austin 76 pen.
Att: 8,350
Ref: Nigel Miller (Durham).

The introduction of James Coppinger for injured winger Kyle Bennett at the interval brought about a Rovers revival and the substitute's cross was headed home by Chris Brown to bring the hosts level.

Despite pushing for the victory they desperately needed, Doncaster were caught out by Junior Stanislas' clever through ball in the 76th minute and Adam Lockwood bundled Danny Ings to the ground in the area.

Austin sent Gary Woods the wrong way to condemn Rovers to their ninth game without a win and leave Dean Saunders' men 11 points from safety at the foot of the table with four matches remaining.

Doncaster goalkeeper Carl Ikeme paid for a dreadful error in Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Leicester with his place, as Woods started between the posts in one of nine changes made by Saunders.

Dean Marney replaced hamstring victim Marvin Bartley in the Burnley midfield – Howe's only change.

Ross Wallace was inches away from a spectacular early opener for the Clarets when his sweetly-struck 30 yard effort swerved narrowly wide.

As both sides looked to show attacking intent, Burnley settled into a smooth passing rhythm and at the end of one well-constructed move centre-back David Edgar found himself in the Rovers area to head wide a good chance from Marney's right-wing cross.

In the 21st minute Doncaster midfielder Simon Gillet exchanged passes with Brown and drew a fine save from Clarets goalkeeper Lee Grant with a stinging low effort.

Fabien Robert burst into the Burnley area from the right to send a dipping volley over 10 minute before the interval, but seconds later Rovers were behind.

McQuoid was first to the bouncing ball when Grant's subsequent goal-kick was flicked on and he rifled an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

Stanislas should have doubled Burnley's lead moments after the restart when James O'Connor's slip allowed him to retrieve Austin's cut-back, but the former West Ham winger hesitated and Coppinger got back to tackle.

And Coppinger made his efforts count in the 56th minute when his well-flighted cross was nodded home at the far post by Brown.

Doncaster were revitalised and Giles Barnes – a first-half replacement for injured midfielder Brian Stock – headed straight at Grant from Coppinger's free-kick after Burnley full-back Kieran Trippier earned a booking for bundling Robert to the floor.

A Burnley response was slow in arriving, but Austin tested Woods twice in a matter of minutes midway through the half – the second save a fine parry to the goalkeeper's right after Trippier's cross was headed goalwards.

The home side's comparatively fresher legs made them look the more likely victors, but when Ings got goalside of Lockwood and was brought down referee Nigel Miller had no option to point to the spot, from where Austin calmly converted his fifth goal in four games.

Full-back George Friend almost found a second equaliser, with Grant at full stretch to touch his rising stoppage-time drive over the bar.

Doncaster Rovers 0 Millwall 3

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Doncaster Rovers 0 Millwall 3: Lions tear relegation rivals to pieces

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UPDATED:

22:03 GMT, 20 March 2012

Beleaguered Doncaster moved a step closer to relegation from the npower Championship as fellow strugglers Millwall significantly boosted their own survival hopes by coasting to victory at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Kenny Jackett's men were gifted a healthy advantage inside the opening 13 minutes, the unmarked Andy Keogh heading his fourth goal in six games before Harry Kane doubled the lead with a speculative strike from distance that deceived Carl Ikeme.

A lacklustre Rovers outfit were unable to respond and Millwall wrapped up the points shortly before the hour mark through Darius Henderson's 19th goal of the season in all competitions.

Rout: Millwall got one up on their relegation rivals with a thumping victory

Rout: Millwall got one up on their relegation rivals with a thumping victory

MATCH FACTS

Doncaster: Ikeme, O'Connor, Spurr, Hird, Beye, Barnes, Gillett, Coppinger (Dumbuya 77), Diouf, (Robert 78), Hayter (Oster 57), Piquionne

Subs not used: Woods, Bagayoko

Booked: Diouf

Millwall: Taylor, Craig, Robinson, Ward, Smith, Henry (Feeney 67), Abdou, Wright (Montgomery 88), Henderson, Keogh, Kane

Subs not used: Forde, Dunne, Bouazza

Goals: Keogh 8, Kane 13, Henderson 58

Booked: Robinson

Referee: Attwell

Attendance: 7,572

The Lions now sit nine points clear of the drop zone, but Doncaster are four adrift of safety with games running out – and the manner of this defeat will only serve to increase the pressure on manager Dean Saunders, who was subjected to criticism from sections of the home support.

Shelton Martis, Pascal Chimbonda and Kyle Bennett all dropped out of the Rovers squad, with Sam Hird, James O'Connor and James Hayter taking their places in the starting XI.

Millwall recalled Tony Craig and on-loan Tottenham youngster Kane in place of Alan Dunne and Hameur Bouazza, who were each named among the substitutes alongside new loan signing Nick Montgomery.

After a dire opening, the away side took the lead through their first meaningful attack in the eighth minute.

James Henry was allowed to progress unchallenged down the right and his excellent cross picked out former Wolves striker Keogh, who made no mistake from six yards.

Things swiftly went from bad to worse for Doncaster when Ikeme failed to keep out a powerful long-range effort from Kane that appeared to go through the hands of the goalkeeper.

Ikeme was at least able to get his body behind a low shot from Henry in the 18th minute, but Millwall continued to cut through their opponents' defence with ease, Kane volleying wide moments later.

Surprisingly, Tommy Spurr represented Rovers' greatest attacking threat prior to the interval, the full-back twice cutting in from the left before narrowly missing the target on each occasion.

Visiting goalkeeper Maik Taylor remained untroubled and his side were soon back on the front foot at the start of the second half.

A fierce strike from Henry was kept out by a combination of the woodwork and Ikeme, who then produced a superb one-handed save to thwart Henderson.

Millwall's top scorer would not be denied for much longer and added a third for his side in the 58th minute when he met another fine ball from Henry with a deft finish at the near post.

Frederic Piquionne went close for Rovers soon after, but Taylor was not called into action until the 79th minute, when Giles Barnes headed tamely towards goal to prompt ironic cheers from Doncaster's frustrated fans.

Doncaster 0 Notts County 2: Hughes scores both

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Doncaster 0 Notts County 2: Mad Dog's men produce cupset thanks to Hughes brace

Jeff Hughes grabbed a goal in each half as Notts County upset Doncaster to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Dean Saunders' npower Championship strugglers came into the game on the back of three consecutive home victories, but were more than matched in all departments by Martin Allen's League One outfit.

Hughes was gifted the opening goal when Rovers failed to deal with Alan Sheehan's 37th minute free-kick and the midfielder settled County nerves from the penalty spot with 20 minutes to play.

Net gains: Jeff Hughes was Notts County's cup hero with both goals

Net gains: Jeff Hughes was Notts County's cup hero with both goals

MATCH FACTS

Doncaster: Button; O'Connor, Lockwood, Hird, Beye; Stock, Barnes (Woods 70), Coppinger (Diouf 82), Hayter, Bennett, Bagayoko (Oster 58). Subs not used: Woods, Martis, Diatta, Gillett.

Booked: Diouf, Bennett

Notts County: Nelson, Kelly (Harley 65), Sheehan, Chilvers, Stewart, Bencherif, Bishop, J Hughes, Judge, Hawley, L Hughes (Burgess 81). Subs not used: Mitchell, Edwards, Pearce, Hollis, Allen.

Goals: J Hughes 37, 70 (pen)

Booked: Sheehan

Referee: Phil Gibbs

Att: 9,535

Giles Barnes passed up Doncaster's clearest opportunity when he shot over from close range moments before Hughes' second, while James Hayter toiled without reward in attack as El-Hadji Diouf watched 80 minutes from the substitutes' bench.

Mali international forward Mamadou Bagayoko made his Doncaster debut as one of four changes from the Rovers side that beat Barnsley on Monday, while Damion Stewart was selected for his Notts County bow in defence after joining on loan from Bristol City.

County enjoyed their first opening when Lee Hughes got the better of Rovers defender Sam Hird to find strike partner Karl Hawley, who shot narrowly past the post after 13 minutes.

The visitors settled impressively and Lee Hughes was inches away from breaking the deadlock with a header from full-back Julian Kelly's sublime cross.

Doncaster midfielder Brian Stock carelessly ceded possession inside his own half with 23 minutes gone, allowing Alan Judge to advance for the Magpies and drill wide from 20 yards.

Up for the cup: Fans from the League One side packed into the away end of the Keepmoat

Up for the cup: Fans from the League One side packed into the away end of the Keepmoat

Judge then engineered another opportunity at the end of some cute work in the inside right position, but home goalkeeper David Button reacted sharply to parry clear.

At the other end, Barnes spurned a free header from James Coppinger's 32nd-minute centre, nodding into the grateful arms of Stuart Nelson.

It was a miss Saunders' side would regret shortly afterwards when some sloppy defending saw Sheehan's right-wing delivery bounce loose at the back post for Jeff Hughes to steer home.

Flashes: Giles Barnes went close for Doncaster, but ultimately they disappointed

Flashes: Giles Barnes went close for Doncaster, but ultimately they disappointed

Kyle Bennett brought a fine save from Nelson with a swerving, dipping drive as Doncaster made a brighter start to the second half.

Lee Hughes had an effort deflected wide as Notts County continued to threaten on the break, but Doncaster were making the running and Hayter had a penalty appeal rejected when he went to ground under pressure from Stewart shortly after the hour.

Then Coppinger almost found a fortuitous equaliser when his arching cross had Nelson backpedalling to tip around the post.

The resulting corner was only partially cleared and when Coppinger sent the ball back into the area it fell to Barnes, who blazed wastefully over from 10 yards.

Mad Dog: Martin Allen continues to prove himself a more than capable manager

Mad Dog: Martin Allen continues to prove himself a more than capable manager

And once again, a Barnes miss was followed by a County goal as Bennett hacked through the back of Sheehan in the box and Jeff Hughes withstood some kidology from Button to coolly find the corner.

Bennett had the chance to redeem himself when Hayter played him into space in the County area, but he slashed wide before Diouf followed up a booking for dissent by heading past the post from fellow substitute Martin Woods' free-kick.