Hirst’s Goal Run Continues For Loan Club Ipswich
- George Hirst nets again for promotion-chasing Ipswich Town
- Hamza Choudhury and Marc Albrighton play in the Championship
- Ayoze Pérez starts for Real Betis in La Liga defeat to Cadiz
- Ben Nelson, Jakub Stolarczyk and Kasey McAteer all feature in League 2
The young Leicester City forward netted the opener at Portman Road on Friday as Town recorded a 4-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers. His 38th-minute strike, which earned him a place in the League 1 Team of the Week, was followed by Conor Chaplin’s goal on the stroke of half-time.
Wes Burns and Freddie Ladapo, who replaced Hirst in the 68th-minute of the contest, added their names to the scoresheet in the second half to secure another three points for the Suffolk side.
The Tractor Boys added another point to their tally on Easter Monday, drawing 1-1 away at Cheltenham Town. Chaplin scored again, before Alfie May’s late equaliser earned a share of the spoils for the hosts.
Hirst started the game at Whaddon Road, once again being replaced by Ladapo during the second half as Ipswich maintained their third-place spot in League 1. One point outside the promotion places with six games to go, Kieran McKenna’s side host Charlton Athletic on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Hamza Choudhury played 90 minutes of both of Watford’s Easter weekend fixtures in the Sky Bet Championship, with the Hornets picking up one point from games against Huddersfield Town and Coventry City.
Goals from Yáser Asprilla and Britt Assombalonga weren’t enough to take anything at home to the Terriers, who triumphed 3-2 courtesy of Jack Rudoni, Matty Pearson and Kian Harratt.
Facing Coventry three days later, Chris Wilder’s side entered half-time two goals to the good, through João Pedro and Imran Pedro, but were pegged back by strikes from Matt Godden and Ben Sheaf.
That 2-2 draw leaves Watford just inside the top half of the table, prior to facing Bristol City at Vicarage Road on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Elsewhere in the Championship, Marc Albrighton started West Bromwich Albion’s 2-2 draw with Queens Park Rangers on Monday.
Brandon Thomas-Asante and Semi Ajayi gave the Baggies an early advantage, before Lyndon Dykes and Chris Martin completed a comeback for the away side. Foxes loanee Albrighton played 62 minutes before Karlan Grant was introduced.
The Midlands club were beaten 3-1 by Rotherham United three days earlier, with former West Brom loanee Jordan Hugill scoring twice against his former side, alongside Tariqe Fosu’s goal. John Swift had given the visitors the lead earlier in the game, before Albrighton replaced the midfielder in the second half.
Carlos Corberan’s side travel to face Stoke City at bet365 Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off), currently sitting in 11th in the standings.
Ayoze Pérez featured throughout Real Betis’ latest league game, a 2-0 defeat to Cádiz in which Los Verdiblancos were reduced to nine men. Both Sergio Canales and Aitor Ruibal received red cards, either side of goals from Rubén Alcaraz and Chris Ramos at Estadio Benito Villamarín.
Betis slip to sixth in the La Liga table but remain in contention for a European spot. Manuel Pellegrini’s side host Espanyol on Saturday (5:30pm kick-off).
Jakub Stolarczyk helped Hartlepool United move out of the Sky Bet League 2 relegation zone by collecting four points from a possible six over the Easter weekend.
Defeating Grimsby Town 4-1 at Blundell Park last Friday, Daniel Kemp’s hat-trick was followed by Josh Umerah’s goal. Pools ‘keeper Stolarczyk was beaten by Michee Efete, though it did not alter the result.
A 1-1 home draw with Stevenage extended the unbeaten run to eight matches, with Nicky Featherstone’s goal cancelling out Danny Rose’s opener.
The North East outfit are now one point above 23rd-place Crawley Town with five games to play, the first of those coming against Newport County on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Kasey McAteer found the net for AFC Wimbledon in a 3-2 defeat at home to Salford City on Monday. Callum Hendry scored two stoppage-time goals for the Red Devils to claim victory at Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Three days earlier, the Under-21s midfielder was introduced from the bench in the 74th minute of a 2-2 draw with Harrogate Town. Sitting 17th in the table, the Dons tackle Stevenage this Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Development Squad defender Ben Nelson started twice for Doncaster Rovers in narrow defeats to Gillingham Town (1-0) and Grimsby (2-1). Rovers, currently 15th in League 2, face Harrogate on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
All times BST.