Nov 14
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…
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Nov 14
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.
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Nov 14
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
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Nov 14
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.
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Nov 14
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.
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Nov 14
NEW YORK — C.C. Sabathia beat Josh Beckett at last — albeit a few weeks later than he hoped.
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Nov 14
Henson’s fitness cost him a chance of making the World Cup
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.
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Nov 14
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.
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Nov 14
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.
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Nov 14
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
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