An angry Ian Baraclough was left “annoyed and appalled” by a controversial red card for Jamal Lewis which he felt proved decisive as Switzerland’s 2-0 win in Geneva effectively ended Northern Ireland’s World Cup hopes.Lewis collected a second yellow card in the 37th minute of the match, with referee Slavko Vincic deciding the 17 seconds he took over a throw-in was far too...Full Story »

There was a horrible sense of deja vu for Northern Ireland as a controversial refereeing decision contributed to a pivotal World Cup qualifying defeat by Switzerland.A depleted Northern Ireland stood up to early pressure, but after Jamal Lewis was shown an extremely harsh second yellow card for taking too long over a throw-in, they cracked as goals from Steven Zuber and Christian Fassnacht seale...Full Story »

Callum Robinson ended a week of controversy with a decisive double as the Republic of Ireland won a competitive match for the first time under manager Stephen Kenny in Azerbaijan.Robinson hit the headlines in the run-up to the game after revealing he had chosen not to be vaccinated against Covid-19 despite twice contracting the virus, but provided the perfect response to the criticism he receive...Full Story »

A relieved Joey Barton insists there is plenty of hard work ahead for Bristol Rovers despite powering to a 3-0 win over Carlisle on Saturday.Antony Evans broke the deadlock before half-time with a superb turn and finish, and Sam Nicholson and Harvey Saunders gave the scoreline a handsome look with late goals to seal victory for Rovers and their under-pressure boss.The three points propelled the ...Full Story »

Goals from Antony Evans, Sam Nicholson and Harvey Saunders powered Bristol Rovers to a 3-0 win against Carlisle to ease the pressure on Joey Barton.A sedate opening half-hour drifted by, but the crowd was woken up 10 minutes before half-time when Evans isolated Danny Devine and darted beyond the defender before drilling a strike into the bottom corner.Chances were few and far between for Carlisl...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers will be without defender Alfie Kilgour through suspension for the Sky Bet League Two match against Carlisle.Kilgour was sent off late on in the 3-1 home defeat by Swindon last weekend and now serves a one-match ban.Nick Anderton could be drafted into defence as cover, having been an unused substitute against the Robins.Midfielder Sam Nicholson continues to recover from a shin prob...Full Story »

THE partner of England football star John Stones is causing controversy by reposting anti-vaxx messages online. The revelation comes after The Sun revealed on Saturday that at least five Three Lions’ players have refused to have Covid jabs. England football star John Stones's partner Olivia Naylor is causing controversy as she reposted anti-vaxx messages online She wrote 'Perfectly spok...Full Story »

Ben Garner denied taking special satisfaction from beating the club who sacked him only 11 months ago after Swindon won 3-1 at Bristol Rovers.But the Swindon boss was understandably proud of his players after late goals from Ben Gladwin and substitute Harry McKirdy crowned a dominant performance.Harry Anderson had fired Rovers in front in the 17th minute, only for Town to storm back after the br...Full Story »

Late goals from Ben Gladwin and Harry McKirdy earned Swindon a 3-1 League Two win over Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.The home side took a 17th-minute lead when a measured pass inside the full-back from Antony Evans set up right winger Harry Anderson to net with a well-placed drive.But Swindon stormed back in the second half, with Jack Payne equalising in the 57th minute with a low half-...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers have a range of injury issues as they prepare to face Swindon in Sky Bet League Two.Striker Leon Clarke is a long-term injury concern for Rovers boss Joey Barton and is expected to undergo surgery on a hamstring problem.Trevor Clarke is working his way back to fitness and the defender is making his return to full training.Sam Nicholson is “a couple of weeks out” accord...Full Story »

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson admits losing 1-0 to Hibernian following the concession of a controversial penalty was hard to take.Martin Boyle scored the only goal of the match in the 61st minute from 12 yards.The winger was involved in the penalty award as his first-time shot was adjudged to have struck the arm of Jamie McCart, who was standing right in front of him.McCart was booked ove...Full Story »

Walsall will be without Liam Kinsella for the Sky Bet League Two match against Bristol Rovers as the midfielder is set for knee surgery.Kinsella limped off towards the end of the defeat at Newport last weekend, with scans showing the need for an operation, but he is not expected to be a long-term absentee.Joss Labadie continues to serve a three-match suspension following a red card against Bradf...Full Story »

Callum McGregor will miss a third consecutive game for Celtic after Ange Postecoglou confirmed that the captain hasn’t recovered from injury in time to face Raith Rovers in the Premier Sports Cup.Manager Postecoglou said he expects to be selecting from the same group he had at his disposal for Sunday’s defeat at Livingston, with the exception of recently-signed Greek striker Giorgos ...Full Story »

Joey Barton admitted the “clock is ticking” on his attempts to revive ailing Bristol Rovers after hearing chants of “what a load of rubbish” at the final whistle of their 3-1 defeat to Leyton Orient.First-half headers from Harry Smith and Aaron Drinan, with a sweet Theo Archibald volley sandwiched in between, had Orient in cruise control by the break at the Memorial Stadi...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers have been dealt an injury blow ahead of their home game against Leyton Orient with the news that Leon Clarke is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.The striker was forced off in the defeat at Hartlepool with a hamstring problem and Rovers boss Joey Barton has said he will be a “long-term” absentee.Scans have revealed Sam Nicholson will need around a month to recov...Full Story »

Hartlepool are without forward Tyler Burey for their home clash with Bristol Rovers.The 20-year-old, who had scored three goals in five matches, suffered a serious hamstring injury in Pools’ last-gasp defeat at Tranmere last time out and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.Luke Molyneux replaced the on-loan Millwall man at Prenton Park and will hope to start alongside Will Goodwin, but ...Full Story »

Kieran Lee had a first-half goal controversially disallowed for offside as Bolton and 10-man Burton played out a lively 0-0 draw in Sky Bet League One.Lee’s 30th-minute strike initially appeared to have been awarded by referee Josh Smith.But after protests from Brewers goalkeeper Ben Garratt and consultation with his assistant referee, the official deemed striker Eoin Doyle was in Garratt&...Full Story »

Joey Barton praised the attitude of veteran Leon Clarke after the striker marked his Bristol Rovers debut with the only goal against Crawley in League Two.The 36-year-old had been on the field for only around 90 seconds at the start of the second half when he headed home a cross from fellow debutant Antony Evans.Rovers had to defend for their lives during seven minutes of stoppage time, but mana...Full Story »

Substitute Leon Clarke scored within 90 seconds of his Bristol Rovers debut to earn a 1-0 League Two victory over Crawley at the Memorial Stadium.The 36-year-old striker was introduced at the start of the second half and made an immediate impact, finding space in the box to head home from fellow debutant Antony Evans’ 47th-minute cross.Goalkeeper James Belshaw then protected Rovers’ ...Full Story »

Bristol Rovers are again set to be without goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola for the visit of Crawley in Sky Bet League Two.The Finn is still troubled by an Achilles problem and manager Joey Barton has indicated Saturday’s game may come too soon.It remains to be seen if Rovers’ latest signings Antony Evans, Junior Brown and Leon Clarke – all brought in before Tuesday’s transfer d...Full Story »