Rampant Jordan Ayew extended his fine scoring run in off-season with another beauty in a 1-2 win for Aston Villa.
The 24-year-old attacker registered his third pre-season goal for the relegated side to add to his goal tally ahead of the 2016/17 European season.
Jordan powered home a pile driver in the 81st minute to draw his side level against Telford United before locating Ally Cissokho for the match winner right on the stroke of full-time.
The Ghanaian looks set to stay at the Villa Park in their quest to make an instant return to the top flight amidst endless inquiries about his availability.
The former Olympique Marseille forward opened his pre-season account with a powerful brace for Roberto Di Matteo’s men and could be their star man in the Championship as they seek instant promotion to the premiership.
Day had four birdies, two double bogeys and a single bogey in his 73
Players Championship third-round leaderboard
-14 J Day (Aus); -10 H Matsuyama (Jpn), K Duke (US), A Cejka (Ger); -9 F Molinari (It); K Chappell (US), R Goosen (SA); -7 C Knost (US), C Tringale (US), J Blixt (Swe)
Selected others -5 R McIlroy (NI), G McDowell (NI), S Lowry (Ire); -3 A Scott (Aus); -1 R Knox (Sco); level P Casey (Eng), I Poulter (Eng); +1 J Rose (Eng)
World number one Jason Day will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Players Championship, despite two double bogeys in a 73 in round three.
Day, 28, four-putted the sixth hole at Sawgrass on what he described as “the toughest day I’ve ever had to play”.
The Australian played the last 10 in three under to close at 14 under, with veteran Ken Duke in a group of three sharing second.
Rory McIlroy had five three-putts in a 75 to leave him nine adrift.
“There were a few pins out there that I felt were just a little too much on the edge,” Northern Ireland’s world number three said.
Day’s second round 66 gave him a tournament record-low of 129 at the halfway mark, but he said of the third round: “We were out there for nearly six hours today trying to play 18 holes. They made the course pretty much nearly unplayable.”
After a day on which Sergio Garcia six-putted the fifth hole during his round of 77, PGA Tour rules official Mark Russell said the quickness of the greens was not planned.
“What happened was just a perfect storm with the weather,” he said. “We weren’t expecting a wind all day, and humidity 30%, not a cloud in the sky. They just sped up on us.”
Recent Players Championship winners
2015: R Fowler (US) -12 (won after play-off)
2014: M Kaymer (Ger) -13
2013: T Woods (US) -13
2012: M Kuchar (US) -13
2011: KJ Choi (Kor) -13
Scotland’s Russell Knox had a disastrous nine on the par-three 17th, sending three balls into the water surrounding the legendary island green.
“It’s such an easy shot when you have no nerves or adrenaline,” said the 30-year-old, who posted an eight-over 80 to drop into a tie for 40th, 13 shots behind Day.
“A pro would never miss that. We should know what we’re doing. But it’s a different story once you’ve hit two in a row in the water. The green felt like it was the size of a quarter.”
Only Bob Tway, who recorded a 12 in 2005, Robert Gamez (11, 1990) and Phil Blackmar (10, 1990), have scored higher on the 17th.
Veteran Duke had no such concerns after carding six birdies in his last seven holes to surge into contention.
“A lot of Open Championships and US Opens are set up a lot harder than this,” the 47-year-old said.
“We just had some wind and the greens firmed up a little bit and got speedy.”
Irishman Shane Lowry, second at the halfway stage, dropped five shots in his first four holes and carded a 78 to slip back to five under alongside McIlroy.
World number one Jason Day equaled the course record to take a two-shot first-round lead at the Players Championship.
The Australian hit a nine-under-par 63 at Sawgrass to move ahead of a group of five players that includes England’s Justin Rose and Ireland’s Shane Lowry.
Lowry picked up seven shots on the back nine to come home in a tournament record 29 strokes.
Masters champions Danny Willett is seven adrift on two under, while Jordan Spieth is one further back.
Rory McIlroy, one of the later starters, was one over after nine holes.
Day, starting on the back nine, began his round with three straight birdies and reached the turn in four under par.
He then added five more birdies when he got to the front nine to equal the course record shared by Martin Kaymer, Roberto Castro, Greg Norman and Fred Couples.
Lowry, 29, has recorded only one top-10 finish this season but joined Rose and American trio Bill Haas, Brendan Steele and Cameron Tringale in a homeward run that included chipping in for an eagle-three at the par-five 11th.
Willett and Spieth, both playing their first tournaments since an Augusta duel won by the Englishman, ended up well adrift on a day of low scoring.
Indeed, Spieth took a seven on the par-five ninth, his final hole, after taking five shots to get down from a greenside bunker.
Premier league side Swansea City is poised to appoint Christ Coleman as their new manager, should Francesco Guidolin land the Italian job.
The Welsh trainer will see out his current deal with the Wales national team in June 2016 but could soon be heading to the Liberty if negotiations go as planned.
Current manager for Swansea City, Francesco Guidolin, has openly expressed his desire to replace Antonio Conte as the new Azzuri head coach when the former Juve boss arrives at the Bridge.
Respected English newspaper, Daily Mirror, however reported that relegation bound Aston Villa has also joinedthe race for Christ Coleman who has transformed Wales into a fearsome name in European football.
Swansea City hired Francesco Guidolin midway through the season as a replacement for the departed Garry Monk and the Italian seems to have achieved his aim with the Liberty outfit- maintaining their place in the Premier league for another season.
If appointed, Coleman will be returning to his favourite hunting grounds having made over 200 appearances in the famous white jerseys.
Former Liverpool trainet Brenden is also in the race for a return to the side he qualified to the Premier league before heading to Anfield.
Ghanaian international Albert Adomah has warned his team mates to avoid another late collapse, ahead of their promotion run in the championship.
The Middlesborough’s attacking sensation has been fearsome, all season for the Teesiders in their quest to return to premier league with crucial goals and assist to his name.
The London born Black Stars attacker cautiously appealed to his colleagues to capitalize on the congested fixture schedule and return to the top of the log of the championship.
Aitor Karanka’s promotion chasing side are trailing the league leaders by five point having played one game less.
The 28 year old Ghanaian, who is gunning for the club’s player of the month alongside four others, identified the trip to Loftus as a crucial match in their quest to unseat the league leaders, Burnley.
“QPR are doing well,” said Boro’s London-born winger Albert Adomah.
“We’re hoping we can win the game, but they’re doing well at the moment so we have to be careful.
“It’s not going to be an easy game.”
The London clash is followed by three home matches over the course of a week and then two trips across to the Pennines – Bolton and Burnley – in the space of just of four days as the games come thick and fast.
“The good thing is there are games coming weekend, Tuesday, weekend and as players we look forward to the games,” added Adomah.
“Hopefully we can do it at QPR then it’s on to the next one.”
QPR are currently 11th in the division but they have only tasted defeat twice in the league since New Year’s Day and have won four of their last five games at home, conceding only once.
Boro are back in Championship action on home soil on Tuesday when Huddersfield Town are the visitors.
Boro missed out on promotion in a dramatic play off but look set to pick one of the available three slots to the top flight football in England at the end of the current campaign.
Black Stars forward Albert Adomah provided a crucial assist for Middlesbrough in the English championship as in a hard earned 1-0 win over Hull City.
The 28 year old speedy attacker broke heart of the visiting Tigers at the Riverside when his pearling cross on the stroke of full time was headed home by David Nugent.
Middlesbrough reinstated their self exiled coach Aitor Karanka for the visit of the Tigers and duly got their reward with a place behind Burnley on the rankings.
Hull City look set to have forced a stalemate at the dreaded Riverside only for the inform Adomah to swing in a wicked cross on the 90 minutes mark for the onrushing Nugent to win the points for Boro.
Karanka rescinded his decision to boycott the second place Middlesbrough and returned to earn the three points for the promotion chasing Middlesbrough.
Adomah and his Borough colleagues now remains four points adrift of the leaders Burnley on 70 points with seven game to end the season.
The explosive forward has since registered seven goals in his 38 appearances across the season.
Black Stars attacker Albert Adomah extended his scoring in the English championship with another strike to earn Middlesborough vital away points at the Craven Cottage.
The 28 year old wide man bagged his eighth of season to send Boro one point adrift of the top with a game in hand.
Adomah feasted on Steward Downing’s pearling cross to put the visitors ahead before Leadbitter rounded the scoring from the spot midway through the first half in a 0-2 away win over Fulham.
Aitor’s Karanka’s men headed to the Craven Cottage four points adrift of league leaders Burnley having played two games fewer but soon reduced their point deficit with a 3rd minute goal from their Ghanaian forward.
Former Liverpool winger Steward Downing swung in an inviting cross from the left wing which was met with precision by the onrushing Albert Adomah to put the Teesiders ahead.
The Riverside outfit added to their goal tally midway through the first half thanks to Leadbitter spot kick to seal the three points for the promotion chasing visitors in the Coca Cola Championship.
Burnely maintains their place at the top of the log with 65 points, one more than Middlesborough who has a game in hand.
The goal was Adomah’s fifth league goal in 29 appearances and his eight of the season so far.
Ghanaian striker Albert Adomah steered Middlesbrough to their first win in six matches with a crucial assist to his name.
The 27 year old versatile attacker capped an eventful night at the Riverside with a sumptuous assist for Gaston Ramirez in a come back win for the former Premier League side.
Albert Adomah lasted the entire 90 minutes for Aitor Karanka’s men as they halted a poor run in style.
Middlesbrough endured a deadly run of results that cost them their lead at the top of of championship with no win in the last five matches.
Aitor Karanka rallied his boys to arrest their downwards spiral at home to Cardif on Tuesday night and the Teesiders responded in grand style.
Cardiff shot into an unlikely lead moments inti the first half before persistent pressure forced Colonely to put through his own net to level matters 25 minutes into the game.
Albert Adomah then took the game to the visitors with flurry of shots from near the penalty yard box only to meet an inspired custodian for the Welsh outfit.
Former Southampton attacker added more bite to the attack and duly killed off the tie by scoring the second goal for his side and starting the build up to Adomah’s assist.
Adomah sumptuously teed up David Nugent with a taylor measured pass who slot home to kill the game as a contest less than seven minutes remaining.
The victory puts Boro back into premiership contention just behind Hull City and Burnley with two games in hand.
Adomah has been an ever present figure for Karanka’s promotion chasing side all season with seven goals to his name in the Championship.
Former Junior National Athlete Abigail Kwarteng becomes first athlete to qualify for the 2016 African Championships in Athletics after clearing 1.77m(PB) to meet the GAA’s B-Standard for the competition.
Abigail, 19, also the reigning Ghana University Sports Association high jump champion recorded a personal best jump at last Saturday’s National Open Championship held at the El Wak Stadium to book the first ticket for the championship slated for Durban, South Africa in July.
She comfortably cleared the mark by two metres at her second attempt, however, her feat did not meet the 2016 Summer Olympic Games high jump entry mark of 1.93m required to qualify for the global showppiece slated for August in Rio, Brazil.
An excited Abigail later told the sportscrusader.com that she was thrilled to have qualified for the African championship at her first athletics competition of the year.
She said, “I am very happy and very excited and I knew I was going to do it before I came here. I had already jumped 1.70 to win the Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA) high jump so my target was to qualify for the championship.
“The poor state of the tracks was a hindrance because you have to be careful in your run-up. I even twisted my ankle on my last jump which was very painful, so I wish the authorities would fix it for us because my major target for the saeson is to qualify for the Olympics.”
Meanwhile, other athletes who participated in the multi-sport national open failed to produce performances required to qualify for the 2016 Olympics and African Championships.
Liberty Professionals attacking sensation Latif Blessing has set his sight on winning the U-20 Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Youth Championship with the Black Satellites.
The Dansoman based trickery forward is relishing the prospect of flexing muscles with the world’s elite players at the Youth Championship in the 2017 edition.
The Liberty Professionals dribbling magician revealed his long term ambition of inking his name into the archives of Ghana football with a world championship at the U20 level.
The 18 year old much sort after forward, cooled down imminent national call up but firmly believes an African Youth Championship trophy or the ultimate FIFA U20 WYC will be enough to smoothen his way to the Black Stars.
Blessing expressed his readiness to storm the age defined global tournament when given the platform by the national handlers of the Black Satellites.
“My first target is to win the Africa and World cup with the national Under 20 team and my work alone will tell the head coach of the Black Stars who I am. It will also tell the handlers of the Black Stars what I have in me.” Blessing told sports crusader exclusively.
The Dansoman based attacker has been tipped to play a focal role for George Lamptey’s side in the absence of Kennedy Ashia.
Middlesbrough suffered back to back defeat for the first time this season to surrender their lead at the top to Hull City.
The Teesiders were punished for their profligate shooting skills and generous defense with a late strike at the Riverside.
Aitor Karanka charges ended their over 90 minutes of league action without conceding away to Bristol City before dropping points at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Albert Adomah, 27, was powerless to prevent Borough from dropping valuable points despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession in front of their own fans. The then table toppers lost Steward Downing at the break due to muscular complains but returned from the dugout poised for that elusive opening goal of the game.
Notting Forest however punished their Riverside outfit with 70 minute powerful strike to silence the deafening home fans after a quick break.
English forward Jamie Ward shot his side into an unlikely lead only for the goal to prove an eventual match winner.
Hull City now tops the Championship with 56 points, one above Middlesbrough though the Tigers have played a game more.
Adomahha since scored 6 goals in his 28 appearances for Aitor Karanka all conquering Teesiders.
England based Ghana international Albert Adomah crushed out of the FA Cup at home to Burnley.
The 27 year old Ghanaian lasted the full duration for the Teesiders as they suffered their first defeat in ten matches.
Adomah, has been an ever present figure for Aitor Karanka’s promotion side at the English Championship with six strikes in 26 matches.
Adomah failed to add to his 6 goals as Burnley came from behind to end Aitor Karanka’s 9 match winning streak.
The Teesiders are on a run of 727 minute without conceding but could extend that run for just 35 minutes as Rauwen Hening cancelled out Diego Fabrini’s early opener for the home side.
English forward Stephen Ward then ended any slim hopes of a replay with a well deserved 72nd minute winner for the visitors.
It was the first time Borough conceded 2 or more since November 7, 2015 in an impressive run of matches in the English second tier league.
Adomah has since eased his way into the first team after an initial injury set back.
Black Stars wide man Albert Adomah registered a late goal to seal a vital win for Middlesbrough on the top of the table clash in England.
The 27 year old lanky attacker registered an 82nd minute opener for Borough at home to Derby to seal a nervy 2-0 win over the second place Derby in the English championship.
The victory projected Middlesbrough four points ahead of their defeated visitors who are now one point ahead of Hull City.
The Black Stars forward capped a highly successful outing for Aitor Karanka’s high flying Teasiders with a well composed finished to send the home fans agog.
A first half stalemate in front of the deafening fans threatened to end Borough’s extended run of results until the in form Adomah kept the points at home. The 27 year old Ghanaian kept his composure to send Leadbitter’s darting ball into an 82nd minute lead. It was his sixth of the season in a hugely successful 2015/16 season for the nomadic forward.
Substitute David Nugent then shook off his markers to set up eventual man of the man George Friend for the second goal to extend the Teasiders club record of 709 minutes without conceding into a new 727 minutes after a thrilling 90 minutes.
Aitor Karankas charges now has 52 points from 24 games with a game in hand and 4 points clear of Derby in the Coca Cola championship.
Middlesbrough went four points clear at the top of the Championship with a record-breaking win at home to promotion rivals Derby.
Goals from Albert Adomah and George Friend in the last 10 minutes of an entertaining game secured a crucial victory for Aitor Karanka’s in-form side, who are now unbeaten in eight matches.
Boro have also kept nine consecutive clean sheets and eight at home, with goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos breaking a 30-year club record.
It was a lively start to the game and Boro pressed first in the eighth minute. Emilio Nsue found space on the right to cross for Cristhian Stuani, but the Uruguayan headed over and Stewart Downing hit a speculative cross-shot high over the bar two minutes later.
The home side had a glorious chance to take the lead in the 16th minute when Downing found Friend on the edge of the box and he played in Kike, but the Spaniard’s tame shot was parried away by Lee Grant.
Adomah netted in the 83rd minute to send Middlesbrough on their way to a 2-0 win at the Riverside.
Boro forged another chance in the 21st minute after some good build-up work found Adomah on the left wing, but Nsue headed wide his cross at the far post.
Derby created their first chance in the 29th minute when Richard Keogh burst forward down the right and crossed low into the box, but Chris Martin headed wide.
A minute later they went close again, with Johnny Russell breaking into the box and hitting a low shot which Konstantopoulos saved with his legs.
Adomah was next to miss the target for Boro in the 36th minute when he robbed Keogh before racing clear but his drilled shot was well wide.
Boro were enjoying an extended spell of pressure and Grant did well to tip Friend’s powerful shot over the bar after good work by Kike.
Derby started to pressure the hosts as half-time approached and Boro managed to scramble clear just as Russell was about to shoot.
Boro started the second half in the same fashion and continued their search for an opener.
After winning a free-kick 30 yards out, Leadbitter’s effort was deflected wide and moments later Adomah tried an ambitious scissor kick which was well over.
Boro threatened again in the 67th minute when Derby failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Adam Clayton on the edge of the box, but Keogh did well to block the midfielder’s strong shot.
Downing went close to finding the elusive first goal in the 75th minute when his curling effort flew just wide of Grant’s right-hand post after good work by substitute David Nugent.
The goal finally arrived eight minutes from time after some neat build-up work between Leadbitter and Downing, with the former threading a great ball in behind the back line for Adomah to coolly chip Grant.
The second soon followed when a deflected shot found Nugent and he squared for unmarked Friend to tap in from close range.
Hasaacas Ladies emmerged winners of the National Women’s League for a historic third time after beating Ampem Darkoa Ladies by a lone goal in the Championship play-off played on Sunday, at the Tema Sports Stadium.
Hasaacas Ladies who emerged once again as Champions of the Southern Zone were handed a tough challenge by Ampem Darkoa Ladies who won the Northern Zone.
Black Queens forward Samira Suleiman scored for the Western based side in the the 66th minute to ensure their championship status.
Hasaacas Ladies won the last two editions of the national women’s league.
