Newcastle, Leeds through
MANCHESTER: English Premier League clubs Newcastle United and Leeds United overcame lower division opposition to secure their places in the League Cup third round with victories yesterday.
The thirdround draw pitted Newcastle against Crystal Palace, while Leeds travels to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The big match of the next round pits premier league champion Manchester City against last season's League Cup runnerup Chelsea.
Newcastle had to fight back from a goal down to beat fourth tier (League Two) Tranmere Rovers, who had taken the lead through a 24thminute Elliott Nevitt finish.
Jamaal Lascelles brought Eddie Howe's side level with a closerange drive before the interval and New Zealand striker Chris Wood glanced in a superbly delivered corner from Kieran Trippier to secure a 21 win in the 52nd minute.
Leeds also had a scare before running out 31 winner over Yorkshire neighbour Barnsley.
A Louis Sinisterra strike from 20m put Leeds on its way before Mateusz Klich doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.
A diving header from Mads Andersen gave Barnsley hope and it could have drawn level from the penalty spot but Callum Styles hit the post.
Klich made sure of the win with a curling shot in the 56th minute.
Premier league Brighton & Hove Albion cruised to a 30 win at League One Forest Green Rovers to set up a thirdround clash with Arsenal.
Championship (second tier) Bristol City won 31 at League One Wycombe Wanderers.
Manchester United will host Aston Villa in round three and Liverpool entertains League One (third tier) Derby County with the games to be played in early November. — Reuters
You have to love a title race that goes down to the wire. Cashmere Technical edged Christchurch United 10 last week to draw even at the top of the Southern League table on 46 points with one game remaining. Both face Dunedin teams in their bid for the title. Cashmere has a much tougher task, against the Dunedin City Royals at Logan Park Turf tomorrow. It holds a sixgoal buffer on goal difference. However, United is more than capable of banging in plenty against at home to Mosgiel in Christchurch if it needs to. Green Island travels to play Ferrymead Bays in its final game.
Penalties are always a tough way to lose. But the Dunedin City Royals women put on a more than valiant display to take it that far in their Kate Sheppard Cup semifinal, against the Northern Rovers. This team has shown its class all year and stood up to show it was among the best in the country last weekend. Shontelle Smith and Hannah MackayWright both netted goals in the 22 extra time final score, before the Rovers edged ahead 53 on penalties. Northern now plays Auckland United in the final.