Bournemouth pull away from Play-off places; Luton on fire

There is only one place to start in the Championship and that is at the John Smith’s Stadium as 3rd-placed Huddersfield faced 2nd-placed Bournemouth. The Cherries were the convincing 3-0 winners thanks to well taken goals from Jaiden Anthony, Jefferson Lerma and the 23rd goal of the season for Dominic Solanke. After going 17 games unbeaten, the Terriers are now winless in three following last week’s draw at West Brom and a midweek defeat to Millwall. It was their first home defeat since a 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough in November.

Luton Town are one of the in form sides in the division. Following an impressive 4-0 over Preston in midweek. They went to Hull City, who themselves hadn’t won in four home league games and hadn’t scored at all in that time. Elijah Adebayo grabbed the winner when these sides last met and got Luton off to a great start with an early lead. Harry Cornick and an impressive James Bree free kick rounded off their scoring after Tom Eaves’ late consolation made the score 3-1 to the Hatters.

Shall we re-live yesterday? 😁

Reverse Angle is LIVE! 🙌#COYH

— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) March 20, 2022

Sheffield United are unbeaten in their last nine home league games and have kept a clean sheet in eight of those games following a 2-0 success in a South Yorkshire derby against Barnsley, with Sander Berge and Morgan Gibbs-White grabbing the goals.

At the bottom, Reading sit precariously just above the bottom three. They beat Blackburn 1-0 at the Select Car Leasing stadium, with Josh Laurent bagging the winner. It was only the Royals’ second win under Paul Ince, and Blackburn sit in the final play off place after only winning two of their last 10 league matches.

Derby County’s troubles off the pitch seem to increasingly be having an effect on it. They shared the points in a 1-1 draw with Coventry City at Pride Park. They now only have one victory from their last seven league games following a short upturn in form as talisman Tom Lawrence earned and scored a penalty to secure a point after Matty Godden’s well taken opener for the Sky Blues.

Rotherham lose at the top; Report from Gillingham vs. Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday went into Saturday’s game at Gillingham with an identical record away from home – 18 played: six wins, six draws, six defeats. Gillingham’s form has been patchy but their performances have improved dramatically since Neil Harris’ appointment as manager. Just under 7,500, with a packed out away end of 3,295, saw a drab 0-0 draw. The home side will be happier with the result and the pick of the very few chances in this game fell to them as Vadaine Oliver’s first time shot went just past Bailey Peacock- Farrell’s left-hand post. The Owls’ best chance fell to Lee Gregory midway through the second half as his shot inside the box was cleared off the line. A game that won’t live long in the memory as Wednesday sit just a point outside the top six, and the Gills climbed out of the bottom four. This was at the expense of AFC Wimbledon, who lost 3-1 at Cheltenham despite taking a first half lead. They fall to 21st as they remain winless in 19 league games.

FT: 0-0.
A poor game that neither side really deserved to win, with Vadaine Oliver nearly winning it for the Gills. They climb out of bottom four at AFC Wimbledon’s expense.#gfc #swfc #SkyBetLeagueOne pic.twitter.com/j6k8oAeItj

— Scott Kelly (@scottkmedia) March 19, 2022

The result of the day in League One came at the New York stadium, as Shrewsbury Town won at top of the table Rotherham. Their 3-0 win over the league-leaders follows an impressive 5-0 drubbing of Morecambe during the week. They were helped when Angus MacDonald was given his marching orders just before half time. The table toppers are going through their worst run of the season – they are without a win in five matches and have lost two home games on the bounce.

In-form MK Dons had a chance to close the gap. They took it as they won 1-0 at Cambridge, thanks to defender Warren O’Hora’s winner. Liam Manning’s side are unbeaten in twelve league games, and they haven’t lost away in thirteen league games – since a defeat to Shrewsbury in October.

Wigan Athletic maintained their push for the title with a routine 4-1 home win against Morecambe. They closed the gap to Rotherham to one point, with the Latics boasting two games in hand. Morecambe have the leakiest defence in the league, having conceded 12 goals in their last three games – and 79 goals all season.

Carlisle better Barrow; Orient finally grab a win; Rovers up to Fourth

Barrow parted company with manager Mark Cooper on Sunday, less than 24 hours after they fell 2-1 to local rivals Carlisle United. The Bluebirds now sit uncomfortably in 21^st and anxiously looking over their shoulder and have only one win from nine league games and haven’t enjoyed three points on home turf since December. Contrast that with Carlisle, who have won five of six league matches under returning boss Paul Simpson and now seem all but safe from relegation.

😍 Morning Blues 💙 #cufc pic.twitter.com/i9H2TZ5quD

— Carlisle United FC (@officialcufc) March 20, 2022

Another side struggling is Leyton Orient, but they picked up their first win in 15 league games and since Richie Wellens was appointed manager with a 3-1 win over Rochdale, with Paul Smyth grabbing the pick of the goals. Scunthorpe sadly remain at the foot of the table after they were thrashed 5-1 at Salford. They now sit 10 points from safety, having played a game more than teams around them.

A game effecting the top and bottom of the division took place at Boundary Park, as Oldham faced Exeter. A penalty miss from Latics Sam Hart was crucial with the Grecians leading 1-0 at the time. Jevani Brown grabbed a late second to secure them a 2-0 away win, despite a late red card. They climbed to second as a result and thanks to teams around them dropping points.

Bristol Rovers went 4^th as they won 1-0 at Northampton thanks to Harry Anderson’s early goal. The Gas have won eight of their last 10 league games.

Sutton and Tranmere played out a 1-1 draw at Gander Green Lane, which helps neither side in their push for promotion.