Barcelona have not won away from home since late September and they finally found a place where they could win.Barcelona beat third-division Alcoyano in the Spanish Cup on Tuesday. It won 3-0.More here…
Source: Barecelona win away at last
Last Thursday’s FA Youth Cup First Round Proper match featured Brentford and Lewes at Griffin Park. On arguably the coldest night of the winter so far, ‘The Barber’ had two coats, two pairs of trousers, scarf, gloves and woolly hat. Only the Paddock on one side of the ground was open and the crowd braving the elements was less than 200.
I was sitting in the back row, the only one without wet seats, next to a cabbie. He was telling his pals about his ‘great fare’ of the previous day, picking a lady up in Richmond and taking her all the way to Hastings.
“Just wake me up when you see the sea,” she’d said, before dozing off in the back. It cost her more than two hundred quid.
The Brentford lads, stronger and fitter, were 2-0 up and comfortable at half-time but Lewes made a game of it in the second period. If their No.8’s long shot hadn’t been tipped over the bar near the end, it would’ve made it 3-2 and ensured an interesting last couple of minutes.
FA Cup First Round Proper day has always been special. My first ever game, Crystal Palace v Hitchin Town, was on that day 47 years ago and I’ve now seen 54 games in that round. On Saturday I was one of 2,711 fans at Priory Lane to see Eastbourne Borough, in their second appearance at that stage, lose 4-0 to Weymouth. It was only 1-0 with nine minutes to go.
Coming away from the ground I walked over a grassy bank in the dark to get to the bus stop and stepped in a pile of doggie-do’s. It completed a perfect afternoon.
I came back to London on Sunday via Lewes, in order to take in Lewes Ladies’ FA Women’s Cup Second Round Proper tie against Welwyn Garden City at the famous ‘Dripping Pan’ (pictured, left). This game was due to kick off at 1.30 but was delayed for 17 minutes. Someone told me one of the teams had insisted on a 45-minute warm-up period.
The visitors were 2-0 up in six minutes, but Lewes were back in contention after a disputed twice-taken penalty on the half-hour. The sun shone on an eventful second half, Welwyn scoring three more goals, having their manager red-carded and directed to the stand and their left-back whisked off to hospital after she’d jumped for a header and landed awkwardly. It looked like a broken ankle.
Last night’s Middlesex Senior Cup tie between Hanwell Town and Wembley at Reynolds Field was unusual in that both goalkeepers were injured in the first half and had to be replaced. Wembley, who won 2-1, didn’t have a sub ‘keeper and their lanky No.4 had to don the jersey.
Source: A Proper First Round
England 1-4 Netherlands
World Deaf Futsal Championship
Sofia, Bulgaria
Tuesday 13 November 2007
England saw their World Championship campaign brought to an end by a strong Netherlands team on Tuesday evening in their final group match in Sofia.
Peter Strugess’ men knew they had to win in order to secure a place in the final eight of the next phase, but the highly rated Dutch side proved too strong and a 4-1 reverse saw the Three Lions’ Championship dreams over. 
It all started so well for England too, as they enjoyed plenty of early possession whilst restricting the Netherlands to their own half and both Daniel Hogan and Alistair Dalziel went close in the search for an early lead, only to see their efforts blocked by the Dutch goalkeeper.
England’s tempo and Futsal style caused difficulties for the group leaders, with Ben Lampert firing in a couple of testing shots whilst Rowan Dixon continued to inspire the team’s ball possession and restrict the Dutch’s chances in the first period.
England deservedly took the lead in the 21st minute when Hogan converted a penalty after Liam Coventry had seen his looping shot handled by a Holland player inside the area.
Unfortunately, England’s lead only lasted for a few minutes, as Holland equalised in the dying minutes of the first half, after loose marking from England.
At this point, England’s Daniel Holdsworth was introduced, having been unused for the previous two games, and he immediately saw his effort hit the corner of the post. That goal would have put the Three Lions ahead, but sadly it was Holland that enjoyed a quick concession of goals in a short period when some inspirational Futsal saw them fire ahead into a 4-1 lead.
That left England with a mountain to climb if they were to get the victory they needed to secure their place in the last eight.
England’s assistant coach, Jon Smith, introduced a power play style, which saw goalkeeper Sam Kitchin replaced by John Atkinson to give the outfield players more support whilst providing vital attacking power at the same time. Hogan, Dixon and Brian Green all went close with efforts on goal, but they were kept away by the keeper, before it was finally all over for the heart-broken players.
Captain Atkinson, speaking about his team’s performance, said: “Our fitness and pace today was on par with the Netherlands, but their years of Futsal experience had the strong advantage over us. 
“It is naturally disappointing for me and the lads, as we did not come to Sofia to reach ninth place. We had outstanding performances in our preparations, with the Spain friendly match and our victory over Ipswich Wolves and we had the confidence to finish in the top eight.
“Now the scenario is not to happen, but we can now focus on aiming for the highest finish possible, and hold our heads high.”
Sturgess was also pleased with his team’s response, adding: “It was important that every player played to their potential and it was clear from the first half performance that each player was ready to give everything.
“Our overall play deserved a different final outcome, but each time we play one of the leading Futsal nations, we learn more and the gap closes”
England now face the next phrase of the Championship, fighting for a final position inbetween ninth and 16th place and they will face Turkey or Israel on Thursday in a bid to secure a high finish.
England: Sam Kitchin (GK), Daniel Holdsworth, Oliver Monksfield, Ben Lampert, Daniel Hogan, Liam Coventry, Brian Green, Rowan Dixon, Alistair Dalziel, John Atkinson
Not used: Steven Wynne (GK)
Suspended: Taljinder Singh
Source: Heartbreak for Lions
Larry Johnson
Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Kansas City running back Larry Johnson will not play against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson announced that the swelling continues to subside in Johnson’s injured right foot, but he will not be able to play when the Colts host the Chiefs.
Peterson said Johnson, who was on the sidelines without crutches for Sunday’s 27-11 home loss to Denver, has been getting rehab treatments twice a day. Peterson said Johnson’s condition will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis, and that the running back will see a foot specialist next Monday.
The two-time Pro Bowl back injured his right foot on a fourth-quarter play in the November 4 loss against Green Bay, and had to be helped off the field. With a little more than eight minutes left in the game, Johnson received a short pass from quarterback Damon Huard, and was tackled by Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk.
Johnson twisted awkwardly on the play, and didn’t put any weight on the leg as he was assisted off the field.
Johnson has 158 carries for 559 yards and three scores this season, and 30 catches for 186 yards and a touchdown for the 4-5 Chiefs, who are a game behind first-place San Diego in the AFC West.
With Johnson out, Priest Holmes has carried the rushing load. He ran 20 times for 65 yards in the game against Denver.
The moment a manager starts talking about directors showing patience is the point at which you know he is worried his job is on the line. After one win in 11 matches and only goal difference keeping his team out of the bottom three, Dave Jones is at that point.
You cannot blame him for feeling vulnerable. This is the sacking season as Jones knows only too well, having been dismissed by Wolverhampton Wanderers two years ago this month. This year, the trigger fingers in the boardroom have been particularly itchy. Burnley’s Steve Cotterill last week became the 13th manager to part with his club since 1 October.
Moreover, Cardiff’s latest defeat came at the end of what was already a bad week for Jones, who found himself slated for missing a reserve game to attend the launch of chairman Peter Ridsdale’s book and then learned that a disgruntled fan had offered him for sale on eBay, hoping the club would take the hint and toss him back into the marketplace.
Raw nerves were on display, clearly, when Jones told one reporter he would “like to knock your block off” during a heated post-match press conference at The Valley, when he vowed to carry on regardless.
“Twelve months ago people were writing that I should be loyal to Cardiff and now the same people are saying that I should get out,” he said. “I have to put up with people hounding me every day and asking me stupid questions but I’m not going to lie down and die. Just because we are going through a bad patch it does not change my record as a manager. It hurts me to read the stuff written but I have to put up with it.”
Jones did respond, however, to the clamour to drop Robbie Fowler, who will travel to Germany this week to seek help for a hip problem but whose form has been patchy. The decision to start with Steve Thompson up front instead might have paid off, in fact, had the match not turned so dramatically when the former Rangers striker was denied a penalty just before half-time.
Jones was anticipating a 1-0 half-time lead. Instead, he watched in bewilderment as Charlton scored twice in first-half stoppage time, when an awkward free kick from the excellent Andy Reid was dealt with so poorly that Sam Sodje was able to claim his first senior goal, then Chris Iwelumo cashed in on a misdirected clearance to sweep home his third in as many matches.
“We were fortunate to go in 2-0 up but we have had first halves this season in which we have played very well and got nothing so maybe we deserved a bit of luck,” Charlton manager Alan Pardew said. “I’m very happy with the result.”
He has every reason to be. After Zheng Zhi’s header 10 minutes from time rubber stamped the result, Charlton are up to second in the table, at least until West Bromwich Albion play at Coventry this evening.
Goals: Sodje (45) 1-0; Iwelumo (45) 2-0; Zhi (80)3-0.
Charlton Athletic (4-5-1): Weaver; Mills, Sodje, Fortune, Basey; Sam (Ambrose 77), Zhi (McLeod 84), Semedo, Reid, Thomas; Iwelumo (Varney 84). Substitutes not used: Randolph (gk), Bougherra.
Cardiff City (4-4-2): Schmeichel; McNaughton, Purse, Johnson, Capaldi; Parry (Whittingham 69), Rae, McPhail, Ledley; Hasselbaink (Fowler 79), Thompson.
Substitutes not used: Oakes (gk), Loovens, MacLean.
Referee: M Jones (Cheshire).
Booked: Charlton: Sam. Cardiff: Capaldi, McPhail, Thompson.
Attendance: 22,866.
Man of the match: Reid.
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Source: Charlton Athletic 3 Cardiff City 0: Jones’ nerves are frayed as Cardiff slump continues
NEW YORK — C.C. Sabathia beat Josh Beckett at last — albeit a few weeks later than he hoped.
Sabathia won the AL Cy Young Award on Tuesday, topping Boston’s ace and two other worthy contenders by a comfortable margin to become the first Cleveland Indians pitcher in 35 years to earn the honor.
Sabathia received 19 of 28 first-place votes and finished with 119 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Beckett, who outpitched Sabathia twice in the playoffs, was second with eight first-place votes and 86 points.
“I did look at a few numbers,” Sabathia said on a conference call from his California home. “I definitely thought that Beckett — it could have went either way. I’m just happy and thankful that it went my way.”
It might have gone the other way if October results counted. Voting took place before the postseason, when Sabathia struggled as Beckett put together a string of dominant outings to help Boston win the World Series.
The Red Sox right-hander trounced Sabathia two times in the AL Championship Series and went 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA in four postseason starts, striking out 35 and walking two. Sabathia was 1-2 with an 8.80 ERA and 13 walks in three playoff outings.
“The first two I can definitely say I was trying to do too much,” Sabathia said. “Just trying to make perfect pitches.”
John Lackey of the Los Angeles Angels got the other first-place vote and came in third. Cleveland’s Fausto Carmona was fourth.
C.C. Sabathia’s numbers convinced BBWAA voters that he was the best pitcher the AL had to offer. A closer look at the Cy Young winner’s season:
How Sabathia Ranked In AL Wins 19 T-2 ERA 3.21 5th K’s 209 5th CG 4 2nd IP 241 5th K-BB 5.65 1st
Sabathia went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA and 209 strikeouts, pitching a major league-high 241 innings. Beckett (20-7) became the only big leaguer to win 20 games since 2005, compiling a 3.27 ERA in 200 2/3 innings. Lackey led the AL in ERA at 3.01, going 19-9 and tossing 224 innings. Carmona was 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA.
“I was excited. My family and everybody were around,” Sabathia said. “I was surprised. Beckett had a great year and an even better postseason.”
The only other Cleveland pitcher to win the award was Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry in 1972. Now that he’s got one of his own, Sabathia plans to display the trophy prominently.
“I’m sitting in my office right now, I’m looking for a spot. I’ll probably put it right here,” he said.
Sabathia is the first black pitcher to win a Cy Young Award since Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets in 1985 — and the first in the AL since Oakland’s Vida Blue in 1971.
“That’s awesome to be mentioned with him,” said Sabathia, adding that he recently attended a meeting designed to foster ideas on how to generate more interest in baseball among black kids.
While the top four Cy Young candidates had similar statistics, Sabathia’s stamina apparently set him apart. After being sidelined by injuries the previous two seasons, the 6-foot-7, 290-pound left-hander stayed healthy all year and made 34 starts to Beckett’s 30. That helped account for their wide gap in innings pitched.
“I can’t really say I was tired in the postseason,” Sabathia said. “My arm felt fine. … The velocity was there.”
The 27-year-old Sabathia also walked only 37 batters, giving him a remarkable strikeout-to-walk ratio that took pressure off his defense all season. Beckett had 194 strikeouts and 40 walks.
“I think just keeping down the walks,” Sabathia said, “being able to go deep in the games, I think was the biggest deal in helping me win this.”
C.C. Sabathia, who pitched a major league-high 241 innings and won 19 games for the Indians, comfortably beat Josh Beckett to win his first Cy Young award.
AL voting Pitcher 1st 2nd 3rd Total Sabathia, Cle 19 8 — 119 Josh Beckett, Bos 8 14 4 86 John Lackey, L.A. 1 5 16 36 Others receiving votes: Fausto Carmona, Cle, 7; Erik Bedard, Bal, 1; Roy Halladay, Tor, 1; Johan Santana, Min, 1.; Justin Verlander, Det, 1.
Sabathia is entering the final season of his contract with the Indians, who are preparing to offer him a long-term deal this winter. Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro would like to have his ace locked up before spring training starts in February.
“This year he crossed the final gates of being a true No. 1,” Shapiro said. “C.C. took ownership of what he could control and let go of the things he couldn’t control, and that allowed him to really focus pitch to pitch, stay in his delivery and turn into a pitcher instead of just a guy with great potential and a great arm.
“Maybe the most influential leadership he demonstrated this year was how he handled the stretch of five to seven games where he got almost no run support,” the GM added. “He never pointed fingers, never felt sorry for himself, stayed a positive, team-oriented guy and continued to contribute and pull for our team’s victories, not worrying about his own individual performance.”
Sabathia, picked by Cleveland in the first round of the 1998 draft, has made it clear he’d like to stay with the Indians — for the right price.
“We have the utmost respect, appreciation for C.C. and a strong desire to keep him here and have him remain in an Indian uniform. C.C. I think shares that desire,” Shapiro said. “The only question that remains to be answered is, can we find a business deal that works for both the Indian organization and C.C. Sabathia? We’re going to take the next — what is it now, three months — and try to find that out.”
Beckett gets $100,000 for finishing second, and his 2010 base salary increases $100,000 to $12.1 million. Lackey earns $75,000 for coming in third, and his 2009 base salary goes up $500,000 to $10 million.
AL and NL Manager of the Year will be announced Wednesday and then the NL Cy Young Award on Thursday, with San Diego ace Jake Peavy considered the favorite.
Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia and Milwaukee third baseman Ryan Braun won the Rookie of the Year awards Monday.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Wales caretaker coach Nigel Davies has recalled Gavin Henson to a 31-man squad for the Test against South Africa on 24 November at the Millennium Stadium.
But World Cup captain Gareth Thomas misses out, along with Will James.
Chris Horsman, Kevin Morgan and Dafydd James are all injured, while Martyn Williams has retired from Test rugby.
Morgan Stoddart, Tom James, Lee Byrne, prop Rhys Thomas, Luke Charteris and Robin Sowden-Taylor come in, while South Africa have lost Victor Matfield.
Can I just ask what Gavin Henson has done to deserve a place in the team?
The World Cup-winning lock has been released due to personal commitments.
The Wales squad will be cut to 24 after this weekend’s Heineken Cup games.
The Springboks match will be Davies’ only game in charge before new Wales coach Warren Gatland takes over in December.
Henson is one of the players who is in the category of needing a big game this weekend to convince us
“We’ll identify the squad for the selection of the final 24 after the last Heineken Cup game by the Welsh regions on Saturday evening,” Davies told BBC Sport Wales.
“This announcement is designed to let the players know they are in with a chance and we will be looking for them to react positively in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the Heineken Cup.
“Henson is one of the players who is in the category of needing a big game this weekend to convince us he is ready to return to the international arena.
“He has been showing encouraging signs for the Ospreys and it will be a tough test for him at Gloucester playing against Mike Tindall and Anthony Allen.
“We have to remember that this is a squad for a one-off Test, not a series.
“We still need a certain amount of experience to take on a team of the calibre of South Africa, and with Martyn Williams retiring, we felt we needed to retain the unique talents and physicality of Colin Charvis within the group.”
Gareth Thomas is still making himself available to Wales, but we have to balance that with the need to move forward
Davies paid tribute to 100-cap man Thomas, who has not ruled himself out of future international consideration.
“Gareth is still making himself available to Wales, but we have to balance that with the need to move forward,” said Davies.
“He’s a very influential character who has been fabulous for Wales, but [new captain] Gethin Jenkins needs a bit of space to exert his own personality on the team.”
Hot selection debates surround the full-back spot, with Byrne and youngster Stoddart - the only uncapped man in the squad - in outstanding form.
Up front, a long-term successor is needed for Martyn Williams at open-side flanker, with Sowden-Taylor likely to be the favourite, although Charvis could delay his introduction to the team.
In-form Dragons prop Rhys Thomas could claim the tight-head shirt ahead of Adam Jones.
Full Wales training squad:
Backs: Lee Byrne (Ospreys), Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets), Mark Jones (Scarlets), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Tom James (Blues), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Jamie Robinson (Blues), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), Sonny Parker (Ospreys), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), James Hook (Ospreys), Ceri Sweeney (Dragons), Michael Phillips (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester)
Forwards: Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Alix Popham (Scarlets), Colin Charvis (Dragons), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Blues), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Michael Owen (Dragons), Luke Charteris (Dragons), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Dragons), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), T Rhys Thomas (Blues), Gethin Jenkins (Blues, capt), Duncan Jones (Ospreys)
Source: New-look Wales recall Henson
It’s never a good thing to see your starting TE on crutches. Especially a TE who happens to lead all Pac-10 TE’s in catches with 52 (did you know Collins ranks 6th in the entire conference in catches per game? Not bad for a guy who ran a “wind-aided 5-flat 40″!). But things are looking up for Collins, as Doba says he is now probable for Saturday.
But not only is Collins a productive guy in the passing game, but his blocking on running plays as sort of an H-back is crucial to the ground game. He was excellent against UCLA when Dwight Tardy ran for 200+ on what was one of the best rushing defenses in the conference. The offense introduced a new wrinkle with Collins in that game, where he would motion across the line before the snap in what looked like he would be a lead blocker on a sweep, only to come hard back across the line after the snap and help on some trap plays up the middle. It certainly caught UCLA off-guard that day. But if the Cougs’ have any hope of keeping things balanced this Saturday, and we know how important a good running game is to Brink’s success, they are going to need Collins out there, maybe more than any other game this year. You have to remember that the Beaver D is flat-out nasty against the run, now ranking number one IN THE NATION against the rush, allowing a mere 62.1 yards per game, and under 2 yards a carry.
With three DB’s suspended for the first half, and a passing defense that is in the middle of the pack anyway in regards to Pac-10 rankings, it’s pretty obvious that we’ll see the ball in the air quite a bit, especially early on.
Some other points of interest for today:
Abdullah and the rest of the secondary will need to be at their run-stopping best on Saturday. OSU’s o-line is simply loaded, in fact their entire starting 5 has had some sort of all-Pac-10 recognition at some point in their career. They are a tough, cohesive unit that plays with a major attitude, and there is no doubt that they are going to do everything they can to run the ball, early and often.
Source: Jed-Zilla Now Probable?
Arizona opened the 2007-08 season with a less than impressive 76-69 win over Northern Arizona. The Cats had to hang on to beat the pesky Lumberjacks who made a late run to make things very interesting.
Filed under Arizona
Source: Cats hold off NAU
Scotland U16 v England U16
Sky Sports Victory Shield
7.45pm, Thursday 29 November 2007
The Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk FC
£5 for adults, £2 for U16s, all pay on the night
The England U16 squad to take on Scotland in the final match of the 2007 Sky Sports Victory Shield has been named by coach Kenny Swain.
The Young Lions kicked-off their campaign in the Victory Shield with a 2-2 draw against Northern Ireland at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road in October before following that up with a 2-0 victory against Wales at the New Bucks Head Stadium in Telford.
England know that a victory against Scotland in this game will see them lift the Shield for the seventh successive season.
Name
Club
Lateef Alliyu
West Bromwich Albion
Abdulai Baggie
Reading
José Baxter
Everton
Sam Byles
Arsenal
Adam Davies
Everton
Emmanuel Frimpong
Arsenal
Luke Garbutt
Leeds United
Liam Head
Plymouth Argyle
James Hurst
West Bromwich Albion
Angus MacDonald
Reading
Keanu Marsh Brown
Fulham
Joshua McEachran
Chelsea
Eddie Oshodi
Watford
Ibra Sekajja
Crystal Palace
Jonjo Shelvey
Charlton Athletic
Jed Steer
Norwich City
Ryan Tunnicliffe
Manchester United
Jacob Walcott
Reading
Click here for the 2007 Sky Sports Victory Shield schedule and table.
Source: Squad named for Scotland