The Sporting Hack

Sheffield United 0-3 Huddersfield Town Huddersfield Town’s impressive unbeaten start to the season continued as they inflicted defeat on Sheffield United boss Danny Wilson for the first time. Lee Novak’s first half double effectively settled this hotly contested Yorkshire derby after only 37 minutes before Oscar Gobern’s header wrapped things up for the Terriers. Lee Clark’s men, in particular Danny Ward, were responsible for seeing that this pulsating match up, played at a frenetic pace, was effectively over as a contest before half time. Forward Novak bagged the first of his brace after just 20 minutes courtesy of Steve Simonsen’s misjudgement. Ward’s well struck shot from 20 yards seemed to move in the blustery Sheffield air, and as a result, Novak was on hand to take full advantage of the ‘keeper’s lax parry. The Blades – who are joint leaders of League 1 on goal difference – could have restored parity had Chris Porter shown more composure from six yards as he flashed M...

Sheffield United 4-0 Bury Sheffield United kept up the heat on League 1 pacesetters MK Dons by brushing aside a toothless Bury outfit 4-0 at Bramall Lane. The hosts, who are only second placed on goals scored, bagged four for the first time in 19 months at home courtesy of Chris Porter (right), Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Matt Lowton and Erik Tonne despite the loss of key frontmen Daniel Bogdanovic and Jordan Slew on transfer deadline day. Two goals just moments either side of half time effectively put the game to bed when first Porter stabbed in from close range after a frustrating 42 minutes, before Mendez-Laing – on loan from Wolves – hit a speculative right wing cross which sneaked in at the near post after ‘keeper Cameron Belford’s misjudgement. The visitors, who were without prolific poacher Ryan Lowe for the first time after he moved to United’s rivals Wednesday in the aforementioned window, struggled for clear cut chances, with the pick of the bunch wasted by Giles Coke who ...

Review of Paul Merson's autobiography: ‘How not to be a Professional Footballer’ During the 1990’s, there were four outstanding English attacking midfielders; Paul Scholes, Matt Le Tissier, Paul Gascoigne and Paul Merson. The former two were loyal, one-club servants and consummate professionals. The latter two could also play a bit, sometimes more off the pitch than on it. While Gazza’s problems were well documented in full view of the media, the exact truth behind Merson’s demons have been bared publicly for the first time including how he lost in excess of £7 Million to the bookmakers. The affable joker had a seemingly darker side to his persona than the one which is played out to millions on a Saturday afternoon from the comfort of the Soccer Saturday studios for Sky Sports. In fact, the darker side wasn’t visible to the thousands on the terraces when he played or even those closest to him, who he eventually drove away. Born with what he describes as a ‘compulsive p...

If we’re being succinct over it, Dereck Chisora’s defence of his British and Commonwealth belts against Tyson Fury was two tubby ‘lard-arses’ slugging for their lives. A matchup between the 6’ 9” Fury and Chisora - seven inches smaller - was so eagerly anticipated among Boxing circles that only channel Five stumped up the cash to broadcast it. Best of British it may be, but unfortunately this fight carried on the disappointing chain of heavyweights nowhere near ready to take on the World. The trio of Michael Sprott, Audley Harrison and Danny Williams have now left the scene to let these two relatively inexperienced fighters have a go. Mancunian giant Fury unanimously, and deservedly, beat the cheeky Cockney named Del Boy who was far from savvy and generally just porky – weighing in 16lbs heavier than the last time he fought. In a contest which was similar to the dynamics of David Haye’s disappointing clash with Wladimir Klitschko, Chisora was not hindered by a broken little...

Book review of 'Beware of the Dog' - Brian Moore Former Yorkshire cricket captain Len Hutton once said of his teammate Geoffrey Boycott, that: “His idea of heaven would be to bat all night, having batted all day.” Someone as outspoken and stubborn as Boycott could also be found playing Rugby, his name is Brian Moore and his idea of heaven may not be too far off his fellow Yorkshireman’s – scrummaging was not only an art, but to Moore, became an obsession. So much so that he dedicates an entire chapter of his autobiography ‘Beware of the Dog’ to the subject. Fear not though for those of you who are not keen on Rugby Union. The trials and tribulations of his turbulent life are laid bare for all to see. Akin to his playing style, it’s straightforward and there are no punches pulled. He is even honest about his dishonesty when playing the game to international standard. The transition of a half Malayan adoptee raised in Halifax to 1991 World player of the year, Lions touris...

When Joe Frazier defeated Muhammad Ali forty years ago in Madison Square Garden’s, in their first of three brutal encounters, he probably didn’t have a care in the World. He had just retained his two World title belts and the word beginning with ‘R’ when he would hang up his gloves was most likely the last thing on his mind. Of the two fighters that left the ring in New York, time hasn’t been favourable to either. However, they are both held in the highest of regards by, not just the boxing public, but the sporting one. On the eve of David Haye’s pinnacle fight against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany we are witnessing boxers that are hyped as warriors and potential legends. Neither, in fact, is worthy of catching Frazier’s gum-shield or lacing Ali’s gloves. While Muhammad Ali is seemingly failing to deal with the subsequent severity of his Parkinson’s disease, Frazier is not just short of a ‘bob or two’, but damn near completely broke. The chance for myself to go to ‘an eveni...