Blackpool takes slender play-off lead

Updated May 07, 2012 09:29:34

A Curtis Davies own goal has given Blackpool a 1-0 lead to take into the play-off semi-final, second leg in Birmingham, as both sides look to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Thomas Ince's deflected first-half strike gave Blackpool the win at Bloomfield Road ahead of the second leg at St Andrews next Wednesday.

Blackpool could have taken a greater lead into the second leg as Stephen Dobbie missed a clear chance to double Ian Holloway's side's lead.

The Blues offered little other than a Marlon King effort that clipped the bar.

The Seasiders' substitute and former Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips seemed to have bagged the crucial second 14 minutes from time but his header was ruled out for offside.

On Thursday West Ham beat play-off opponents Cardiff 2-0 away in the Welsh capital to take a major stride towards securing a place in the play-off final at Wembley on May 19.

The clubs will meet for the second leg at West Ham's Upton Park on May 7.

Championship winners Reading and runners-up Southampton claimed the two automatic promotion places on offer and are assured of playing in the lucrative English top flight next season.

But the four clubs immediately below the Saints must battle it for the one remaining spot in the top flight via the playoffs, which culminate with the Wembley final.

AFP/ABC

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, england

First posted May 05, 2012 08:47:52

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Away win gives West Ham play-off edge

Updated May 04, 2012 16:13:43

Jack Collison scored twice as West Ham moved closer to a return to the Premier League with a 2-0 win at Cardiff in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

Collison gave the London club a ninth minute lead when he followed up from close range after his initial effort was palmed away by Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall after good work out on the left by Ricardo Vaz Te.

And Collison doubled the Hammers' advantage four minutes before half-time when his shot from 20 yards deflected in off the head of Cardiff's Liam Lawrence to leave Marshall stranded.

The clubs will meet for the second leg at West Ham's Upton Park on May 7.

Championship winners Reading and runners-up Southampton claimed the two automatic promotion places on offer and are assured of playing in the lucrative Premier League next season.

But the four clubs immediately below the Saints must battle it for the one remaining spot in the top flight via the playoffs, which culminate with a final at Wembley on May 19.

Although West Ham - who finished third - have struggled at home this season, Cardiff now face the prospect of more play-off heartache having lost in the semi-finals to Reading last season after being beaten in the 2010 play-off final by Blackpool.

Wednesday sees Blackpool at home to Birmingham in the first leg of their play-off semi-final, with both clubs eyeing a swift return to the Premier League following relegation last season.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, england

First posted May 04, 2012 06:59:53

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Ireland given boost in Euro playoff draw

Updated October 14, 2011 07:25:47

Ireland, whose only appearance at a European Championship came back in 1988, was given a huge boost in its bid to reach next year's finals when it was drawn to play Estonia in the two-legged playoffs on Friday morning.

The other three matches pitted Turkey against Croatia, the Czech Republic against Montenegro and Bosnia against Portugal.

The ties will be played on November 11/12 and November 15.

The four winners will advance to next year's finals being staged in Poland and Ukraine.

Ireland, who controversially missed out on last year's World Cup finals after losing a playoff when Thierry Henry handled the ball in the build-up to France's winner, starts as the strong favourite to progress this time.

Estonia, traditionally one of Europe's weaker nations, exceeded expectations by finishing second in its group and would cause a major upset if it beat Ireland over two legs.

Turkey v Croatia is a repeat of their epic Euro 2008 quarter-final clash in Vienna, when Croatia went 1-0 up in the last minute of extra time, only for the Turks to equalise with the last kick of the game.

The Croatians then missed three penalties in the shootout while Turkey scored theirs and advanced to the semi-finals.

Bosnia v Portugal will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup playoffs, when the Portuguese won 2-0 on aggregate to go through to the finals in South Africa.

Play-off draw:

Turkey v Croatia

Estonia v Republic of Ireland

Czech Republic v Montenegro

Bosnia v Portugal

Reuters

Tags: euro, soccer, sport, ireland, estonia, czech-republic, croatia, bosnia-and-herzegovina, portugal, turkey, montenegro

First posted October 14, 2011 07:25:11

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Reading books Wembley play-off

Updated May 18, 2011 10:08:00

Reading has moved to within one victory of a return to the English Premier League after a 3-0 win away at Cardiff.

Victory spoilt the prospect of an all-Welsh clash in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on May 30, where Reading will now face Cardiff's arch-rivals Swansea in a match worth an estimated 90 million pounds to the winners.

After a goalless first leg in Reading on Friday, the Royals had the tie under control by half-time on Tuesday thanks to two goals from Shane Long.

Cardiff, without injured striker Craig Bellamy, saw Republic of Ireland forward Long put the visitors in front when he chipped in from 20 yards after home goalkeeper Stephen Bywater had smashed an attempted clearance against the Royals front man.

Long made it 2-0 on half-time from the penalty spot after Decal Keinan brought down Matt Mills before Jobi McAnuff's effort six minutes from the finish sealed Reading's victory.

- AFP

Tags: sport, football, football-english-lower-leagues, english-premier-league, united-kingdom, england

First posted May 18, 2011 10:07:00

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