Saturday afternoon in the Championship…22/09/2018

The Championship continued on Saturday afternoon with Conor Hourihane starting for Aston Villa with Glenn Whelan unused on the bench as they suffered a surprise two one defeat by Sheffield Wednesday at Villa Park. Derby County included Richard Keogh in their starting eleven as they recovered from the concession of a first minute goal to defeat visitors Brentford by three goals to one, with Alan Judge an unused substitute. Middlesbrough and Darren Randolph played out a scoreless draw with visitors Swansea City while Nottingham Forest scored the only goal to defeat visitors Rotherham United for whom Ryan Manning and Richie Towell started with Anthony Forde unused on the bench. The Bramall Lane meeting of Sheffield United who included John Egan, Enda Stevens and David McGoldrick in their starting eleven and Preston North End for whom Alan Browne and Callum Robinson started with Graham Burke unused on the bench is believed to have been on the radar of Ireland Assistant Manager Roy Keane. The hosts prevailed by three goals to two with McGoldrick scoring the late winner while Robinson found the net for the ‘Lilywhites’. Stoke City were without the injured James McClean for the visit of Blackburn Rovers for whom Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams both started as their side secured a three two success. Millwall had Shaun Williams in their starting eleven with Aiden O’Brien a seventy second minute substitute at high flying West Bromwich Albion who secured the points with a two nil victory. We also cast an eye at League One where Ronan Curtis was in action for current leaders Portsmouth who were held to a two all draw by visitors Wycombe Wanderers.