The quarter finals, semi-finals and the final all took place in yesterday's evening session of the World Snooker Shoot-out. There were still shocks to be had including the eventual winner.
Quarter Finals: Judd Trump was the first to be eliminated at this stage despite taking a 26-0 lead. His opponent Milkins came to the table and ended up winning the match 50-27. The impressive Mark King also got defeated, his opponent was the veteran Nigel Bond. Bond took the lead from the outset but just edged the match 29-23.
The shock of the quarter finals was world number one Neil Robertson getting dumped out by Marcus Campbell. Campbell took an early lead of 47-0 but Robertson looked certain to pull it back. However he missed an easy red at 47-33 and Campbell took the match 57-49. Mike Dunn was on course to beat the favourite Ronnie O'Sullivan at 14-0 but he ended up potting the cue ball. From there Ronnie only needed the one visit to progress into the semis with a 94-14 win.
Semi Finals: With three of the semi-finalists seeded below thirty a big surprise was on the cards. It was 36th seed Nigel Bond who secured the first sot in the final with a comprehensive 55-14 win. But the big shock was 33rd seed Milkins beating Ronnie O'Sullivan. Milkins took an early lead of 19-0 before Ronnie fought back to take the lead before missing a black at 26-19. Milkins took full advantage to win 72-35.
Final: With a shock victor already on the cards it was just a matter of which player would win it in the most nerve racking ten minutes of their lives. Milkins got the first chance after a long red but couldn't get on a colour and a poor safety led Bond to take a 6-1 lead. Following a defensive battle Bond was in again to move his score up to twenty before Milkins hit a fantastic plant, but he hit so well he wasn't on a colour. This allowed Bond to take full control of the game to win it 58-23 and become the first World Snooker Shoot-Out Champion.
Overall the tournament has been a big success with the element of surprise being a huge influential factor. Many purists would have hated ITV's Power Snooker as the rules were very different. But I think the purists will be a little happier with this format because the normal snooker rules apply (apart from ball in hand), all that is different is perhaps the speed but that only makes it more enjoyable. Steve Davis got it spot on by saying that 'Barry Hearn has the Midas touch when it comes to bringing in new tournaments' and indeed, it seems, he does.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Sunday, 30 January 2011
FA Cup Fifth Round Draw
With Avram Grant eyeing a third FA Cup final, West Ham are treated to a home tie against Championship side Burnley. Manchester City will get a home tie against Aston Villa, providing they beat Notts County in the replay at the City of Manchester Stadium. Huth's late winner earns Stoke a nice home tie against Championship Brighton. Birmingham's comeback against Coventry sees them host another Championship side, this time in the shape of Sheffield Wednesday. Leyton Orient get a champagne tie they were hoping for at home to Arsenal. Chelsea or Everton will get the chance of hosting Reading. After Fulham's romp, they are rewarded with a home tie against either Bolton or Wigan. They say the FA Cup is the Cup of Dreams and non-league Crawley Town will certainly agree as their heroics at Torquay have given them a fifth round tie at Old Trafford, where a Manchester United side will be waiting.
FA Cup Fourth Round: Sunday's Action
Five games took place today to seal the final places on offer into the fifth round of sixteen teams. Arsenal were given a surprise run for their money at home to Huddersfield in the day's early kick-off. A Peter Clarke own goal put the Gunners ahead after 22 minutes but Alan Lee equalised for Huddersfield after 66. Arsenal were awarded a penalty just two minutes before the end and substitute Fabregas stepped up to put Arsenal into the fifth round.
One goal nine minutes from time separated the teams at Molineux in the untelevised one o'clock kick-off. Robert Huth scored for the visitors Stoke from a set-piece, surprise surprise, to down Wolves.
The untelevised two o'clock kick-off saw five goals at Upton Park where West Ham took on Nottingham Forest. The took just four minutes to get going when Victor Obinna put Avram Grant's side ahead. Dele Adebola equalised after eighteen minutes for Forest before David McGoldrick put the visitors ahead five minutes before half-time. But there was still enough time for a fourth goal in the first half; Victo Obinna scoring his second just two minutes after McGoldrick's goal. The winner came seven minutes into the second half when Victor Obinna got his hat-trick from the penalty spot. Surely Avram Grant can't get to his third FA Cup final with a struggling team?
Notts County were ten minutes away from causing the biggest shock of the round in the televised two o'clock kick-off. Manchester City were the visitors and they found themselves 1-0 down when Neal Bishop scored just before the hour mark. City equalised with ten minutes remaining with £27million Dzeko earning the replay.
The final match of the weekend saw Fulham romp into the fifth round with a win at home to sorry Tottenham. Two penalties in the space of three minutes saw Tottenham two down with a man down. Danny Murphy converted the first penalty after eleven minutes before Dawson was shown red after conceding the second penalty just two minutes later, Murphy again converting from the spot. Brede Hangeland put the tie all but over after just 23 minutes and Moussa Dembele finished the romp just before half-time.
One goal nine minutes from time separated the teams at Molineux in the untelevised one o'clock kick-off. Robert Huth scored for the visitors Stoke from a set-piece, surprise surprise, to down Wolves.
The untelevised two o'clock kick-off saw five goals at Upton Park where West Ham took on Nottingham Forest. The took just four minutes to get going when Victor Obinna put Avram Grant's side ahead. Dele Adebola equalised after eighteen minutes for Forest before David McGoldrick put the visitors ahead five minutes before half-time. But there was still enough time for a fourth goal in the first half; Victo Obinna scoring his second just two minutes after McGoldrick's goal. The winner came seven minutes into the second half when Victor Obinna got his hat-trick from the penalty spot. Surely Avram Grant can't get to his third FA Cup final with a struggling team?
Notts County were ten minutes away from causing the biggest shock of the round in the televised two o'clock kick-off. Manchester City were the visitors and they found themselves 1-0 down when Neal Bishop scored just before the hour mark. City equalised with ten minutes remaining with £27million Dzeko earning the replay.
The final match of the weekend saw Fulham romp into the fifth round with a win at home to sorry Tottenham. Two penalties in the space of three minutes saw Tottenham two down with a man down. Danny Murphy converted the first penalty after eleven minutes before Dawson was shown red after conceding the second penalty just two minutes later, Murphy again converting from the spot. Brede Hangeland put the tie all but over after just 23 minutes and Moussa Dembele finished the romp just before half-time.
World Shoot-Out: Third Round
Today is the final day of the inaugural World Snooker Shoot-Out with the third round taking place earlier today and the remaining rounds taking later tonight. First out of the hat for the third round was Mark King against Fergal O'Brien, so far no-one has scored a point against King. But this time was different however O'Brien only managed five as King won 61-5 to be the first into the quarter finals.
The second match saw Nigel Bond take on Rory McLeod. It was the veteran who got off to the best start after McLeod fouled on the pink to allow Bond a 42-7 lead. But, just like yesterday, McLeod fought back and went three points ahead before the timer rushed him into missing the final red and leaving it on. Bond potted it and went onto win 47-45.
Stuart Bingham was also guilty of fouling in a match where his opponent Mike Dunn seemed in total control, Dunn won 52-6. Trump made it into the third round by a single point and his third round match against Peter Lines was just as close. Trump made the early lead before fouling twice to allow Lines take a 37-17 lead. But Trump came back to win 39-37 to make into the quarters.
The darkhorse Robert Milkins performed well again to make it into the quarter finals. Day actually took a 22-6 lead before fouling on the black to allow Milkins to win 48-22. After Robertson's last gasp victory yesterday, he proved no match for Ken Doherty as the world number one eased through with a 63-13 lead.
The match of the round, on paper, was Ronnie O'Sullivan versus Mark Selby but like Marco Fu in the first round, Selby only got one shot. Ronnie cleared up to the black to win 129-0 to cement the top break of the tournament so far. The final third round match saw Campbell also ease into the quarter finals with a break of 76 to beat Anthony Hamilton 88-0.
The second match saw Nigel Bond take on Rory McLeod. It was the veteran who got off to the best start after McLeod fouled on the pink to allow Bond a 42-7 lead. But, just like yesterday, McLeod fought back and went three points ahead before the timer rushed him into missing the final red and leaving it on. Bond potted it and went onto win 47-45.
Stuart Bingham was also guilty of fouling in a match where his opponent Mike Dunn seemed in total control, Dunn won 52-6. Trump made it into the third round by a single point and his third round match against Peter Lines was just as close. Trump made the early lead before fouling twice to allow Lines take a 37-17 lead. But Trump came back to win 39-37 to make into the quarters.
The darkhorse Robert Milkins performed well again to make it into the quarter finals. Day actually took a 22-6 lead before fouling on the black to allow Milkins to win 48-22. After Robertson's last gasp victory yesterday, he proved no match for Ken Doherty as the world number one eased through with a 63-13 lead.
The match of the round, on paper, was Ronnie O'Sullivan versus Mark Selby but like Marco Fu in the first round, Selby only got one shot. Ronnie cleared up to the black to win 129-0 to cement the top break of the tournament so far. The final third round match saw Campbell also ease into the quarter finals with a break of 76 to beat Anthony Hamilton 88-0.
Saturday, 29 January 2011
FA Cup Fourth Round: Saturday's Action
The FA Cup returned today as the fourth round got underway. The televised lunchtime kick-off was at Goodison Park as we witnessed a re-run of the 2009 final between Everton and Chelsea. Louis Saha gave Everton the lead, just like in the final, after 62 minutes but Chelsea equalised through Solomon Kalou thirteen minutes later to set up a replay at Stamford Bridge.
Aston Villa hosted Blackburn in their tie that kicked-off at one o'clock. It took eleven minutes to get going when Ciaran Clark put Villa ahead but Blackburn equalised just seven minutes later through Kalinic. Robert Pires scored his first Villa goal to put them back into the lead after 35 minutes and Nathan Delfouneso all but made sure of the victory with three minutes of the first half remaining. The second half saw Nathan Baker receive a red card two minutes after the hour on only his second appearance at the club.
Sheffield Wednesday converted two penalties in a comfortable win over Hereford. Hereford did actually take the lead after nine minutes when Stuart Fleetwood scored but Darren Potter equalised for the Owls just six minutes later. Hereford were reduced to ten men when Joe Heath conceded the first penalty after 68 minutes, it was converted by Clinton Morrison. Wednesday went 3-1 ahead when Jermaine Johnson scored after 77 minutes and Morrison made it four with a second penalty just two minutes later.
The big shock came at Torquay as they were defeated by non-league Crawley Town. the missed two penalties but only needed a goal from Matt Tubbs eleven minutes before half-time to seal the game. Torquay had Chris Zebroski sent off just after the hour when he received a second yellow but the man count was levelled up seven minutes from time when Dean Howell also received a second yellow.
Reading were three minutes away from a replay before beating Stevenage. Mikele Leigertwood put the Royals ahead after 23 minutes but Stevenage equalised with eighteen minutes remaining through Darius Charles. Shane Long prevented the replay to put Reading through to the fifth round.
Just the one goal after sixteen minutes from Ashley Barnes was enough for Brighton to overcome Watford at Vicarage Road. But another shock came at the Liberty Stadium as Swansea lost to Leyton Orient late on. Jimmy Smith put Orient ahead after 35 minutes but Cedric Van Der Gun equalised just before half-time. The winner was scored two minutes from time when Alan Tate sliced a clearance past keeper Ma-Kalambay to give Orient the 2-1 win.
The only goalless tie of the round was at the Reebok where Bolton drew with Wigan, meaning a replay at the DW Stadium. But Burnley earned a comfortable win at home to Burton Albion. Chris Eagles put Burnley ahead just before the half hour mark and then added a second after seventy minutes. Calvin Zola pulled one back ten minutes later before substitute Martin Paterson finished it off in injury time.
Birmingham came from two down to see of Coventry at St.Andrew's. Marlon King put Coventry ahead after just eleven minutes before Richard Wood doubled the lead after 26 minutes. Bentley pulled one back for Birmingham ten minutes before half-time and Stuart Parnaby scored his first goal in five year to equalise after 67. The winner came from Kevin Phillips with seventeen minutes to play to edge Birmingham into the fifth round.
Manchester United have made it hard for themselves all season and today was no different. The teatime kick-off was St.Mary's as Southampton entertained the Red Devils. It was Southampton who went ahead just before half-time when Ricahrd Chaplow fired one past debutant keeper Anders Lindegaard. But as we've already seen this season, United can comeback and Michael Owen provided the equaliser after 65 minutes. With United having the momentum and also having Giggs and Nani off the bench, they went onto win ten minutes later through Javier Hernandez.
Aston Villa hosted Blackburn in their tie that kicked-off at one o'clock. It took eleven minutes to get going when Ciaran Clark put Villa ahead but Blackburn equalised just seven minutes later through Kalinic. Robert Pires scored his first Villa goal to put them back into the lead after 35 minutes and Nathan Delfouneso all but made sure of the victory with three minutes of the first half remaining. The second half saw Nathan Baker receive a red card two minutes after the hour on only his second appearance at the club.
Sheffield Wednesday converted two penalties in a comfortable win over Hereford. Hereford did actually take the lead after nine minutes when Stuart Fleetwood scored but Darren Potter equalised for the Owls just six minutes later. Hereford were reduced to ten men when Joe Heath conceded the first penalty after 68 minutes, it was converted by Clinton Morrison. Wednesday went 3-1 ahead when Jermaine Johnson scored after 77 minutes and Morrison made it four with a second penalty just two minutes later.
The big shock came at Torquay as they were defeated by non-league Crawley Town. the missed two penalties but only needed a goal from Matt Tubbs eleven minutes before half-time to seal the game. Torquay had Chris Zebroski sent off just after the hour when he received a second yellow but the man count was levelled up seven minutes from time when Dean Howell also received a second yellow.
Reading were three minutes away from a replay before beating Stevenage. Mikele Leigertwood put the Royals ahead after 23 minutes but Stevenage equalised with eighteen minutes remaining through Darius Charles. Shane Long prevented the replay to put Reading through to the fifth round.
Just the one goal after sixteen minutes from Ashley Barnes was enough for Brighton to overcome Watford at Vicarage Road. But another shock came at the Liberty Stadium as Swansea lost to Leyton Orient late on. Jimmy Smith put Orient ahead after 35 minutes but Cedric Van Der Gun equalised just before half-time. The winner was scored two minutes from time when Alan Tate sliced a clearance past keeper Ma-Kalambay to give Orient the 2-1 win.
The only goalless tie of the round was at the Reebok where Bolton drew with Wigan, meaning a replay at the DW Stadium. But Burnley earned a comfortable win at home to Burton Albion. Chris Eagles put Burnley ahead just before the half hour mark and then added a second after seventy minutes. Calvin Zola pulled one back ten minutes later before substitute Martin Paterson finished it off in injury time.
Birmingham came from two down to see of Coventry at St.Andrew's. Marlon King put Coventry ahead after just eleven minutes before Richard Wood doubled the lead after 26 minutes. Bentley pulled one back for Birmingham ten minutes before half-time and Stuart Parnaby scored his first goal in five year to equalise after 67. The winner came from Kevin Phillips with seventeen minutes to play to edge Birmingham into the fifth round.
Manchester United have made it hard for themselves all season and today was no different. The teatime kick-off was St.Mary's as Southampton entertained the Red Devils. It was Southampton who went ahead just before half-time when Ricahrd Chaplow fired one past debutant keeper Anders Lindegaard. But as we've already seen this season, United can comeback and Michael Owen provided the equaliser after 65 minutes. With United having the momentum and also having Giggs and Nani off the bench, they went onto win ten minutes later through Javier Hernandez.
World Shoot-Out: Second Round
Tonight's action from Blackpool saw the second round matches take place. The beauty of it was that the draw was only made when it came live on air at 6pm so no-one knew who was going to play who. The first match drawn was Nigel Bond against Stephen Lee and the veteran Bond managed a 91 break to win 96-0.
The youngster Trump also managed to progress into the last sixteen by the skin of his teeth. His opponent was Mark Davis and it was the closest match of the tournament so far with Trump winning 31-30. Marcus Campbell was able to beat Andrew Higginson 67-1 to also progress.
The draw didn't produce many glitzy ties but we were still given our fair share of drama. Alfie Burden looked like he was progressing into the last sixteen with a 59-39 lead over Mike Dunn with only two minutes left. However a poor snooker allowed Dunn to fluke a shot and comeback to pinch the match 66-59.
Robert Milkins impressed in the first round and could prove to be a darkhorse with a 54-9 win over Tom Ford. Stuart Bingham also progressed by the tightest of margins to beat Adrian Gunnell 37-34. Tony Drago was given a bye into the second round but only just lost the match against Rory McLeod in amazing fashion. Drago had a 59-1 lead at one stage but McLeod forced it all the way to a black ball finish, in which McLeod smashed the black around three corners before his cannoned off the cue ball into a pocket with the cue ball agonizingly close to going in as well, McLeod pinched it 61-57.
Mark Selby kept up his title credentials with a comfortable 89-6 win over Stuart Pettman. John Higgins wasn't so lucky and became the first shock of the second round as he lost 54-47 to Peter Lines. World number one Neil Robertson also showed his worth with the tightest match yet, the score was 49-43 to Alan McManus with seconds remaining and Robertson on the black. Robertson struck the shot before the time ran out but the black didn't drop until after the time was up. Referee Paul Collier stated that because the shot was struck before the time ran out then it counts and Robertson progresses with a 50-49 victory.
Ronnie O'Sullivan didn't have such drama and was able to see off Rod Lawler 93-34. Ali Carter expressed how much he wanted to win this competition but his hopes were diminished by Fergal O'Brien with the Irishman winning 57-48. Anthony Hamilton managed to beat Dominic Dale 32-15 to progress.
Steve Davis' dream was burst by Mark King after King fell one short of O'Sullivan's highest break of 113 to win 120-0. In a battle of veterans, Ken Doherty managed to beat Joe Perry with a score of 83-25. The final match of the round and the night saw Ryan Day end Graeme Dott's hopes of success with a 53-40 win. The last sixteen raw takes place as soon as the action does at 2pm tomorrow.
The youngster Trump also managed to progress into the last sixteen by the skin of his teeth. His opponent was Mark Davis and it was the closest match of the tournament so far with Trump winning 31-30. Marcus Campbell was able to beat Andrew Higginson 67-1 to also progress.
The draw didn't produce many glitzy ties but we were still given our fair share of drama. Alfie Burden looked like he was progressing into the last sixteen with a 59-39 lead over Mike Dunn with only two minutes left. However a poor snooker allowed Dunn to fluke a shot and comeback to pinch the match 66-59.
Robert Milkins impressed in the first round and could prove to be a darkhorse with a 54-9 win over Tom Ford. Stuart Bingham also progressed by the tightest of margins to beat Adrian Gunnell 37-34. Tony Drago was given a bye into the second round but only just lost the match against Rory McLeod in amazing fashion. Drago had a 59-1 lead at one stage but McLeod forced it all the way to a black ball finish, in which McLeod smashed the black around three corners before his cannoned off the cue ball into a pocket with the cue ball agonizingly close to going in as well, McLeod pinched it 61-57.
Mark Selby kept up his title credentials with a comfortable 89-6 win over Stuart Pettman. John Higgins wasn't so lucky and became the first shock of the second round as he lost 54-47 to Peter Lines. World number one Neil Robertson also showed his worth with the tightest match yet, the score was 49-43 to Alan McManus with seconds remaining and Robertson on the black. Robertson struck the shot before the time ran out but the black didn't drop until after the time was up. Referee Paul Collier stated that because the shot was struck before the time ran out then it counts and Robertson progresses with a 50-49 victory.
Ronnie O'Sullivan didn't have such drama and was able to see off Rod Lawler 93-34. Ali Carter expressed how much he wanted to win this competition but his hopes were diminished by Fergal O'Brien with the Irishman winning 57-48. Anthony Hamilton managed to beat Dominic Dale 32-15 to progress.
Steve Davis' dream was burst by Mark King after King fell one short of O'Sullivan's highest break of 113 to win 120-0. In a battle of veterans, Ken Doherty managed to beat Joe Perry with a score of 83-25. The final match of the round and the night saw Ryan Day end Graeme Dott's hopes of success with a 53-40 win. The last sixteen raw takes place as soon as the action does at 2pm tomorrow.
World Shoot-Out: Second Half of Round One
Just like yesterday, today's afternoon session saw the remaining first round matches with all the upsets and top performances. First up was World number one Neil Robertson as he took on Barry Pinches. Robertson showed his class with a break of 81 to make a century score, winning 106-15.
Barry Hawkins was fighting back against Peter Lines until a crucial foul that allowed Lines to win 65-24. The first shock of the afternoon came in the form of Shaun Murphy as he tumbled out to Rory McLeod. There was less than a minute remaining with McLeod still three behind but the underdog managed to pinch it and show Murphy the door.
A century break of 106 saw Alfie Burden beat Matthew Selt with the first whitewash of day's play. Joe Perry rolled back the years to break the century scoreline with a top break of 71, he overcame Ricky Walden 130-0.
The highly fancied Judd Trump was almost shown the door against Dave Harold. Harold was in control until he lost track of the time and the shot clock forced an error. This left Trump to win 52-31. Graeme Dott joined fellow veterans into the second round with a 99-16 victory over Matthew Couch.
It does seem that this tournament is surprisingly suiting the veterans as Ken Doherty also progressed with an 81-1 victory over Jamie Cope. Adrian Gunnell became the first player of the tournament to overturn a deficit of thirty points. He was 30-0 behind against David Morris but Gunnell fought back to win 85-30.
Rod Lawler also produced a somewhat surprise in beating Gerard Greene. Greene should have won it when he came back from 36-0 down but he missed an easy red at 38-36 to allow Lawler to win 55-38. Mike Dunn also beat Matthew Stevens 67-36 to progress into the last 32.
In one of the lesser games, Stuart Pettman just edged out Belgian Bjorn Hanneveer. Hanneveer managed to fluke his way to a winning chance but missed a red to allow Pettman to win 41-35. Mark Davis beat Joe Swail in one of the less fluent games 49-6.
The Jester from Leicester Mark Selby also managed to progress into the next round by seeing off Andy Hicks 44-34. At the age of just nineteen, Scot Anthony McGill had a chance at glory against Anthony Hamilton. But Hamilton managed to win 70-31. The final first round match saw Stuart Bingham to come back form 31-0 to beat Ian McCulloch 46-31.
Barry Hawkins was fighting back against Peter Lines until a crucial foul that allowed Lines to win 65-24. The first shock of the afternoon came in the form of Shaun Murphy as he tumbled out to Rory McLeod. There was less than a minute remaining with McLeod still three behind but the underdog managed to pinch it and show Murphy the door.
A century break of 106 saw Alfie Burden beat Matthew Selt with the first whitewash of day's play. Joe Perry rolled back the years to break the century scoreline with a top break of 71, he overcame Ricky Walden 130-0.
The highly fancied Judd Trump was almost shown the door against Dave Harold. Harold was in control until he lost track of the time and the shot clock forced an error. This left Trump to win 52-31. Graeme Dott joined fellow veterans into the second round with a 99-16 victory over Matthew Couch.
It does seem that this tournament is surprisingly suiting the veterans as Ken Doherty also progressed with an 81-1 victory over Jamie Cope. Adrian Gunnell became the first player of the tournament to overturn a deficit of thirty points. He was 30-0 behind against David Morris but Gunnell fought back to win 85-30.
Rod Lawler also produced a somewhat surprise in beating Gerard Greene. Greene should have won it when he came back from 36-0 down but he missed an easy red at 38-36 to allow Lawler to win 55-38. Mike Dunn also beat Matthew Stevens 67-36 to progress into the last 32.
In one of the lesser games, Stuart Pettman just edged out Belgian Bjorn Hanneveer. Hanneveer managed to fluke his way to a winning chance but missed a red to allow Pettman to win 41-35. Mark Davis beat Joe Swail in one of the less fluent games 49-6.
The Jester from Leicester Mark Selby also managed to progress into the next round by seeing off Andy Hicks 44-34. At the age of just nineteen, Scot Anthony McGill had a chance at glory against Anthony Hamilton. But Hamilton managed to win 70-31. The final first round match saw Stuart Bingham to come back form 31-0 to beat Ian McCulloch 46-31.
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