England hold Germany
Richards and Eriksson win awards
Gillespie apologies for brawl
League One round-up
Torquay go top
The second round of the Women’s World Cup group games got underway in China today. In Group A, Japan beat Argentina 1-0 while England held the previously prolific Germany to a goalless draw and put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the World Cup knockout stages. Hope Powell’s side now know a two-goal win over pointless Argentina in their final group game should see them through. Meanwhile, in Group B the United States beat Sweden 2-0 and have an identical record to North Korea who beat African champions Nigeria by the same scoreline.
Manchester City’s Micah Richards has been awarded Barclays player of the month. The talented teenager is the first City player to win the accolade. Meanwhile, Sven-Goran Eriksson picked up the manager’s award - the first City boss to do so since Stuart Pearce in August 2005.
Northern Ireland footballer Keith Gillespie has apologised for being involved in a fight with team-mate George McCartney on a flight home from Wednesday’s defeat in Iceland. Gillespie said the bust-up was “unacceptable and unsavoury”. The Sheffield United winger has contacted McCartney to draw a line under the incident, which ignited after a misunderstanding over a lost passport.
Leeds United demolished Bristol Rovers 0-3 at the Memorial Stadium to record their sixth victory from six games and register their first points since eradicating their 15-point penalty. This win, achieved thanks to a brace from Jermaine Beckford either side of a Tresor Kandol strike, lifts Leeds off the bottom of the League One table for the first time this season. At the other end of the table, Tranmere Rovers go top after beating Luton Town 2-1 at Prenton Park while Swansea City come from behind to beat Carlisle United courtesy of late strikes from Darryl Duffy and Andy Robinson. The win was Swansea’s first at the Liberty Stadium this season.
In the Blue Square Premier, Torquay United beat Halifax Town 3-1 at Plainmoor to go top of the table.
Nathan Davies
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