Duane Holmes and Haji Wright both found themselves on the scoresheet as their respective teams, Preston North End and Coventry City, faced off in the Sky Bet Championship. Elsewhere, Reggie Cannon’s QPR settled for a lackluster draw against fellow relegation companion, Rotherham United.
Preston North End 3-2 Coventry City
Holmes scored once, Wright scored twice. You could say it was a good day at work for both Americans, but ultimately Holmes’ PNE emerged victorious despite a late consolation goal from Wright.
After 33 minutes, Haji Wright gave the visitors the lead, but Preston managed to turn the tables, going up 2-1 by halftime thanks to two quick succession goals.
Jay Dasilva failed to clear the ball with a header, leading to Duane Holmes finding the bottom left corner with a right-footed shot. Coventry’s captain, Kyle McFadzean, was then judged to have brought down Milutin Osmajic, resulting in a penalty which was successfully converted by home captain Alan Browne.
Osmajic seemed to secure the game for Preston with a third goal after 71 minutes. However, Wright’s second goal in the 83rd minute gave the Sky Blues a glimmer of hope but it only proved to be a consolation. Holmes’ PNE held on to secure their position in the Championship’s top six.
Despite the loss, Coventry’s record signing ended his four-game goalless run with a brace. Confidence is key in this sport, and maybe this is a turning point, with momentum shifting in his favor. Preston is no pushover team, as they’re battling for promotion into the top flight of English football.
Holmes also ended his goalless contribution streak with a goal. This marks his side’s first win in seven matches, as they went from being joint top to falling out of the playoff spots, and now springing back up to secure one of the playoff spots after the win.
Rotherham United 1-1 Queens Park Rangers
Another 90 minutes in the bag for the new QPR right-back signing in Reggie Cannon, but he is still seeking his first win with the Hoops, now under a new Head Coach. The West London club recently sacked their manager, Gareth Ainsworth, following a difficult start to the campaign. This currently sees the club in 23rd place, second from bottom. Charlie Kelman was on the bench but came on to play the final minutes of the match, replacing his countryman.
After a quiet first halve of football, it only took five minutes into the second half for Marti Cifuentes to witness his first goal as the new manager of QPR. A superb cross from Kenneth Paal found its way to the feet of Ilias Chair, who cut into the box and unleashed a powerful shot, hammering the ball into the top corner of the net to give the visitors the lead.
In the 70th minute, Kelly earned a free-kick which Bramall took, finding Kelly in the box. The Rotherham substitute created space for himself to volley the ball high into the net, making it one-one, and it remained that way until the end of the match.
Despite playing under a new Head Coach, and while still adjusting to the environment, Cannon was still given the nod to start. According to statistics from FotMob, the 25-year-old created the most chances of the match, with two from right-back. He faced some challenging moments in the first half but improved as the game went on. The former FC Dallas fullback played a role in the build-up to Rangers’ goal and showed confidence and composure on the ball.
Notes:
Lynden Gooch started on the bench for Stoke City and came on to play the remaining eight minutes of the 0-0 draw against Cardiff City.
Vaughn Covil was still on international duty with the USYNT as they lost to Mexico in the Pan-American bronze medal match.
Jonathan Tomkinson returned to the starting lineup for Bradford City, playing the full 90 minutes in their 3-0 win against Manchester City’s U21s in the EFL Trophy.
Josh Sargent and Daryl Dike are both still recovering from their injuries.
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