Irish in Easter Saturday action…20/04/2019

Premier League
Relegated Fulham scored the only goal to defeat their hosts AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Easter Saturday afternoon. Cyrus Christie was introduced from the bench for the ‘Cottagers’ on seventy five minutes. Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion played out a scoreless draw at Molineaux where Matt Doherty and Shane Duffy both started for their respective sides. Newcastle United defeated their visitors Southampton by three goals to one in the late kick-off at St James Park where Shane Long was a seventy sixth minute substitute for the vanquished visitors.

League One
Promotion chasing Luton Town defeated their hosts Accrington Stanley by three goals to nil to increase their lead at the summit of the League One table to five points from Barnsley with Portsmouth and Sunderland still very much in contention for automatic promotion.  James Collins returned to the ‘Hatters’ starting eleven following his suspension while defender Alan Sheehan got a rare starting role which was cut short by injury after fifty one minutes. Collins opened the scoring for the ‘Hatters’ after twenty four minutes from the penalty spot. Accrington Stanley are managed by former Sligo Rovers manager John Coleman and captained by Seamus Conneely.

Scottish Premiership
Heart of Midlothian went down to a three one home defeat by Glasgow Rangers at Tynecastle Park in their Easter Saturday noon engagement in the Scottish Premiership. Midfielder Jake Mulraney started for the hosts while Colin Doyle and Leeds United loanee Conor Shaughnessy were unused substitutes.