Crown Football Round-Up
Brighton and Hove Albion’s on loan goalkeeper Christian Walton stars in stunning FA Cup win for Wigan Athletic over Manchester City!
Albion's Christian Walton helped Wigan to a huge FA Cup upset - by becoming the first goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet against Manchester City this year. The on-loan prospect played a key role for the League One promotion-chasers in their shock 1-0 win against ten-man City in the fifth round at the DW Stadium tonight.
Walton made key saves to foil Ilkay Gundogan early on and Sergio Aguero with a stunning stop just before half-time. Moments later, runaway Premier League leaders City had Fabian Delph sent-off by referee Anthony Taylor for a dangerous tackle on Max Power. Will Grigg fired Wigan's winner on the break with 11 minutes left following a mistake by Kyle Walker.
Walton now joins Albion in the quarter-finals with another home tie next for the Latics against Southampton.
Three Crown Football clients were nominated for the ‘PFA League One Fan’s Player of the Month’ award in January, in Stephy Mavididi, Christian Walton and Ryan Edwards. The fans have voted and the elected winner was Ryan Edwards - who was solid at the back keeping two clean sheets, as well as scoring his fourth goal of the season, where he rescued a point against Doncaster!
Ryan’s performance is testament to his amazing attitude and mental strength, while playing games knowing he has been diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. Ryan is now on the road to recovery, knowing his friends, family and team-mates are all behind him – With You Eddy!
Corey Whelan scored his first senior goal and Francois Zoko scored in injury time to seal Town’s place in the semi-finals of the Checkatrade Trophy at Fleetwood Town’s expense. A Cian Bolger goal at either end saw the scores level at half-time before Corey Whelan’s rifled shot put the Glovers in front. Jordy Hiwula made it all square late on, meaning a penalty shootout looked likely. But a moment of brilliance from Zoko secured progression to the last four and a fifth win over Sky Bet League One opponents this season. Corey’s goal came about when Cairns punched clear a trademark Tom James free kick and then out of nowhere, an unstoppable Whelan strike turned the match on its head. Picking up the scraps 20 yards out on the angle, the Liverpool youngster sent a swerving left-footer into the bottom corner for his first professional goal!
Leicester City’s Development Squad went level on points with Premier League 2 leaders Liverpool with a brilliant 3-1 victory over 10-man Arsenal at Holmes Park on Monday night. Josh Gordon and Josh Eppiah sent City on their way before Harvey Barnes added a third while Tyreece John-Jules was dismissed and Vlad Dragomir netted a consolation for the visitors later on. On 22 minutes, the Belgian took the ball under his control in the area, cutting it inside his man, before curling it beyond Deyan Iliev in the Gunners net with a refined finish.
That dominance led to a third goal on the hour-mark as Barnes latched onto an excellent pass from Eppiah to take it beyond Iliev before tucking it into the bottom corner - Josh’s second goal in as many games!
Cole Stockton's first goal for Carlisle United wasn’t enough as 10-man Chairboys scored two stoppage-time goals to defeat Carlisle at Adams Park. Wycombe struck twice in three minutes to lead 2-0 in the second half, as Matt Bloomfield's scuffed opener was quickly followed by Luke O'Nien's goal. But the mood changed early in the second half when Kris Twardek's shot hit the arm of O'Nien on the line and, after the midfielder was sent off, Danny Grainger stuck away the resulting penalty. The hosts were then awarded a penalty of their own when Jack Bonham took out Nathan Tyson, but the goalkeeper redeemed himself by saving Joe Jacobson's spot-kick. It looked to be crucial, as Carlisle turned the game on its head. Jamie Devitt's equalising header from James Brown's cross was followed by Cole Stockton's goal from Brown's free kick. But there was an incredible twist late on as Paris Cowan-Hall's diving header leveled the match before Bean's brilliant volley into the bottom corner sent the Wycombe faithful home happy.
