Weekly Round-Up

North and South London battled it out for result of the weekend as Barnet and Millwall gave their supporters an away day to remember.

The Bees boosted their survival hopes with a massive 2-1 win at in-form Hereford despite going behind in the opening minute of the game. A brace from former Charlton hitman Izale McLeod was enough to claim all 3 points for Paul Fairclough’s men and move them to within 2 points of safety.

It was the nature of Millwall’s victory that was so impressive; a 3-0 victory at fortress Turf Moor that keeps their faint play-off hopes alive following on from their notable defeat of league leaders QPR in midweek. Captain Paul Robinson netted twice from corners during the second period before Andros Townsend, on loan from Tottenham, scored a late third.

Elsewhere, in the two London derbies of the day Charlton’s poor form continued with a home loss to Brentford and QPR bounced back from their midweek loss to beat Crystal Palace 2-1.

It was a late goal from Leon Legge that did for Charlton as Chris Powell’s bedding-in period goes from bad to worse. It is now 6 defeats in 7 games for the Addicks.

Again, it was Adel Taarabt who was Rangers’ inspiration at Loftus Road. Having set up the opener for Heidar Helguson he was then brought down by Paddy McCarthy in the penalty area to allow Helguson to add a second from the spot and see off a spirited Palace side who had equalised through James Vaughan. Eagles fans were incensed by the penalty award and subsequent sending off of McCarthy and vented their anger by throwing bottles at R’s goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

There was more crowd trouble in the other Championship game in the capital as Sheffield United fans baited Hornets full-back Lee Hodson as he left the pitch on a stretcher. It was Watford who had the last laugh though as they blunted the Blades with a 3-0 victory. 2 red cards in the first 35 minutes for United players made their task somewhat easier as goals from Danny Graham, Martin Taylor and Ross Jenkins secured victory.

In the late kick-off Arsenal were knocked out of a third competition inside a fortnight after a 2-0 FA Cup loss at the hands of Manchester United. Despite enjoying the better of the game at Old Trafford goals from Fabio and Wayne Rooney either side of half-time vanquished the Gunners’ hopes of a return to Wembley after their Carling Cup Final defeat to Birmingham two weeks ago.

Also in FA Cup action were West Ham, who faced a gruelling trip to Stoke on Sunday charged with the task of keeping London representation in football’s oldest cup competition for another season. However, despite an equaliser from Frederic Piquionne, the Hammers wilted in the red-hot cauldron of the Britannia Stadium as they went down 2-1 to make sure there will be no London-based teams playing at Wembley in the Semi-Finals.

Back in League One, Leyton Orient’s best run of form since 1962 continued as they overcame Oldham 1-0 with a goal 3 minutes from time from substitute Paul-Jose M'Poku to make it 13 games undefeated for the O’s. Dagenham and Redbridge clinched a point at relegation-threatened Swindon in the afternoon’s other game thanks to Jon Nurse’s late equaliser.