So the following has been announced this morning, so expect more Kick off times to be Friday nights, Saturday Lunch and tea time and Sunday lunch times.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/...per-season

EFL clubs have unanimously approved a record domestic rights deal with Sky Sports over a five-year period with over 1000 matches to be broadcast each season – a record number of games for any club football agreement.

Running from season 2024/25 to 2028/29, the arrangement will be made up of guaranteed payments of £895m and £40m in marketing benefits.

In total, 1,059 EFL matches are set to be broadcast across existing Sky Sports channels or live via a Sky Sports streaming destination available on TV and mobile devices.

Each season, Sky Sports will broadcast a minimum of:

328 Sky Bet Championship matches
248 Sky Bet League One matches
248 Sky Bet League Two matches
All 15 Play-Off matches
All 93 Carabao Cup matches
All 127 EFL Trophy matches
Each League weekend fixture round will see 10 live EFL fixtures shown. Five matches will be shown from the Sky Bet Championship and supporters of Sky Bet League One and League Two teams will now benefit from greater coverage than ever before with five of their games being broadcast live. For the first time ever, fans will be also able to watch every match from the Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy.

All opening, final day, and midweek fixtures in the Sky Bet EFL will be shown live, as will all games played on Bank Holidays including Easter, Boxing Day and New Year's Day alongside the matches played in Sky Bet League One and League Two during international breaks.

Yeovil Town secured immediate promotion back to the National League with two games of the season remaining.

The Glovers beat Truro City 2-0 on Thursday to confirm their return to the fifth tier after one season in the National League South.

Yeovil were relegated to the regional leagues for the first time since 1997 last May.

Victory leaves them nine points clear of second placed Chelmsford at the top of the table.

Having lost 2-1 to Torquay United on Monday and drawn 0-0 with Eastbourne Borough on Wednesday, defeat for Truro - who changed all 10 of their outfield players for the match - leaves them in 19th place, five points above the relegation zone.

They still have four games to play in the next nine days as they make up for a run of postponements.

Rhys Murphy's header gave Yeovil the lead after 12 minutes before Alex Fisher made it 2-0 midway through the second half to secure the win and league title.

Promotion caps a remarkable turnaround for Yeovil after a period marked by discontent and instability around the club's ownership only a year ago, when a sale fell through and staff and players went unpaid.

In May 2023, however, they were taken over by the locally-run Hellier Group and on the pitch things have stabilised.

'A horrible slippery slope' - Yeovil Town's fall from Championship to regional leagues
Manager Mark Cooper stayed on at the club alongside a number of experienced players, including Jordan Young who is this season's top scorer, while 14 new faces were brought in over the summer.

Of their 43 league games, Yeovil have won 27 and were unbeaten from September through November - setting a new 14-game club record unbeaten run in all competitions - and have seen the highest average attendance at home in the league by far this season, with over 3,700.

Yeovil saw their last game on Easter Monday against Weymouth abandoned after 75 minutes due to a medical emergency in the crowd and missed the chance to secure promotion at their home ground last Saturday, when they lost 3-1 to Worthing.

The Glovers' promotion comes after Tamworth also secured their place in the fifth tier for next season having wrapped up the National League North title on Saturday.

'Sights set on back-to-back promotions'
Analysis - Jack Killah, BBC Radio Somerset

What a difference a year makes. At this point in 2023 Yeovil Town were staring down the barrel of relegation and facing a fight to keep the club out of administration.

It had been a decade-long downward spiral for the Glovers, falling from the Championship to the sixth tier of English football.

This season, with a new ownership in place, manager Mark Cooper has been able to build a team with a strong mix of youth and experience.

A 12-game unbeaten league streak before Christmas showed just what the side is capable of. Smart signings like Jake Wannell, Morgan Williams and Michael Smith creating a solid backline to build from.

Promotion back to the National League was always going to be the ambition for the club, but nothing is guaranteed in football.

I spoke to striker Frank Nouble a few weeks ago and he told me he's got his sights set on back-to-back promotions and returning Yeovil Town to the English Football League.

Glovers fans will be hoping that dream becomes a reality.

AFC Fylde 1-1 Southend United
Bromley 1-1 Solihull Moors
Ebbsfleet United 2-1 Altrincham
FC Halifax Town 0-1 Barnet
Hartlepool United 1-2 Dagenham & Redbridge
Kidderminster Harriers 1-0 Eastleigh
Maidenhead United 1-2 Gateshead
Oxford City 1-3 Oldham Athletic
Rochdale 2-3 Dorking Wanderers
Wealdstone 1-2 Chesterfield
York City 2-0 Woking
Aldershot Town 1-3 Boreham Wood


League Table After Matchday 53

SaltergateBorn - 904
Spireitematt - 851
Lord Snoots - 785
Amelia - 775
Dancing - 720
Devon - 686
St Charles - 673

Preston North End U18s were crowned Youth Alliance Cup champions courtesy of a 3-1 away victory over Portsmouth.

Theo Carroll gave North End an early lead at Fratton Park, which was soon cancelled out by Harry Clout.

PNE made their quality count in the first half, though, and were devastating in attack, with Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile and Troy Tarry adding to the scoreline before the break, and a professional second-half performance ensured the trophy returned to Springfields, two years on from the last victory.


Theo Mawene called Malachi Osei-Owusu into a couple of saves within the opening three minutes, firstly with a deflected free-kick and then from a powerful 20-yard effort.

carroll_t_pompey_celie_2324.jpg



There was nothing the ‘keeper could do, though, when Rodriguez-Gentile’s hustling opened up an opportunity for Carroll to nick in and find the bottom corner from inside the area.

But Pompey weren’t behind for long, as in the 13th minute Koby Mottoh’s cross from the right made it to Clout at the far post, who tapped beyond Tommy Davis.

North End were soon back on the front foot, with Max Wilson whistling a low effort just wide, and Jonny Brindle then came close with a free-kick of his own.

On the half-hour mark, PNE had their lead back as Wilson’s header sent Rodriguez-Gentile through on goal, and he made no mistake in beating Osei-Owusu.

frg_pompey_celie_2324.jpg

The young Lilywhites were soon celebrating again in the 43rd minute when Kacper Pasiek’s cross from the left caused all sorts of issues and Tarry capitalised to make it three at the back stick.

North End were almost in dreamland in stoppage-time as Carroll found the back of the net with an acrobatic effort, but he was penalised for offside.

Portsmouth had work to do after the break and they created the early second-half chances, firstly through Mottoh who headed wide, and then goalscorer Clout tested Davis from 20 yards.

teamhuddle_pompey_2324.jpg

PNE were doing well to limit their chances, while at the other end Kacper Pasiek struck an effort just over after a bursting run from left-wing back.

Jonny Brindle was then denied by the woodwork in the 75th minute as his inswinging corner from the left looked to be sneaking in, but the ‘keeper just managed to tip it onto the bar.

That was about that as far as the goalmouth action was concerned, as North End remained comfortable with their victory to lift the Youth Alliance Cup trophy, and ensure the double is still to play for.

Portsmouth line-up: Osei-Owusu (Glover, 88); Quarm, Bosaka, Fox, Laidlaw; Murray, Aston; Mottoh, Keteku (May, 69), Clout; Hurst. Subs not used: Straight, Singerr, Buckland.

PNE line-up: Davis; Blake, Wilkinson, McGhee; Tarry, Brindle, Wilson, Pasiek; Carroll (Goldsmith, 90+4), T.Mawene; Rodriguez-Gentile. Subs not used: Stowell, Critchley, Strinfellow, Garrigan.

Attendance: 904.

Referee: Mr T Farr.

THE MATCH

SATURDAY 13TH APRIL KO 3:00PM

v

LAST MATCH



Well we managed to snatch a draw from what looked like being a hammering against the Canaries. Norwich had already missed a couple of chances, when they took the lead from a throw-in, which was flicked on and finished by Sargent. It was quickly 0-2 when Beadle gave the ball away and Sainz tucked it away. We managed to keep it 0-2 until the break. DR made 4 changes at the break. Onto the 2nd and Norwich had a few more chances but couldn't take them. We pulled one back when Ihiekwe headed in from a corner and then with 5 minutes left Smith also headed in from a corner and we somehow salvaged a point.

DEJPHON CHANSIRI, GET OUT OF OUR CLUB    

THE MATCH



Next up and Stoke make the journey to Hillsborough. Stoke haven't had a poor season and are lingering in 19th place, just 3 points above the relegation zone and lost 3-0 to Swansea on Wednesday night, so a win for us would drag them right into the mire. They are managed by Steven Schumacher, who was the manager of Plymouth when they got promoted with us last season, who took over in December 2023, but has only won 6 of the 21 games he has been in charge of. There leading scorer is Vidigal with 7 goals.

DEJPHON CHANSIRI, GET OUT OF OUR CLUB    

ALL TIME H2H

OWLS 39
STOKE 35
DRAWS 24

CURRENT FORM

OWLS              -                                                               

STOKE -                                         

EFL STOOGES

DOES IT MATTER THERE ALL CORRUPT  

STEPHEN MARTIN
Mark Dwyer & Carl Fitch-Jackson
Fourth Official: Robert Madley

THE TEAM

Beadle
Palmer Ihiekwe Bernard Johnson
Musaba M Diaby Vaulks Bannan Gassama
Ugbo

SCORE & SCORER (HOME TEAM SCORE FIRST)

2-1 Gassama

WEDNESDAYS FIRT GOAL TIME

26

ATTENDANCE

28254

BML LEAGUE

Imre 23
Maddix 20
Washington 19
Owlkev 13
SCO 10

BMPL

Wereham 12
Stateside 6
Pei -2
Southey -12

OTHER GAMES OF MILD INTEREST

Burnley v Brighton
Birmingham v Coventry
Bolton v Portsmouth
MK Dons v Mansfield
Ebbsfleet v Altricham

AAAAA

THE MUPPETT LEAGUE




KATE BECKINSALE TRIBUTE PIC

There's not much to say about this game as Hibs have to win it to stand a chance of a Top6 place, depending on Dundee's last 2 games. To be honest, I'd rather we didn't finish in the top half, as we'll get thumped at least thrice, maybe even 5 times. It looks as though Hibs need to score 3 or 4 goals in every game to compensate for our defensive mistakes. But are our forwards really that interested in doing that?

2 points for correct result
4 points for correct score
2 points for each correct scorer
Correct joker doubles your score   (correct score on a joker would give you 8 points)
Wrong joker result gives you minus 2
Correct Random Badger gives you 2 points

The random badger is used for any random prediction used once in each matchday sequence. For instance, a scorer at a particular match, the number of red cards in the matches or yellow cards or own goals or owt you want really within reason, I do need to be able to check whether it's correct or not. Please don't put stuff like....."Commentator says...."  
The joker   is played for one match in each sequence and if correct you get double points. So if you've predicted 1-0 and it finishes 2-0, you get 4 pts, but if you've predicted 2-0, that's 8 pts. But if you get it wrong, it's minus 2.
Jokers and badgers are optional. You don't have to play one if you don't want.

The prize for winning the league is one rep point.

Cup games: In the event of a draw, it's half the points if you've predicted a draw when it gets to 90 mins and the full points if it's still a draw after extra time. Half the points will be awarded for correctly predicting the winner of the match if it goes to penalties. Similarly with the badger, if your random prediction is affected by this, it'll be half the points.

Random score generator: I will be using the random score generator again for those who miss predicting, so we shouldn't get some people too far behind that after missing a couple of weeks they lose all interest, because I know it's not easy getting on here every week.
To be fair to everybody, this is going to be like, say if three people in one week miss their predictions, the first one in the table will be given all 0-0, the second one down the line will get 1-0 and the third will get 0-1 and so on, like if there's four missing the 4th will get 1-1, then 5th 2-1, 6th 1-2. and if there are so many missing, might as well pack in.
And if you miss two weeks on the trot, I'll stop until you come back on again. Not doing it for half a season like I did t'other year.  

End of season Play Offs: The one who finishes top of the league will still be champion, but after the season finishes there will be Play Offs between the top 4, with 1st v 4th and 2nd v 3rd. This will take in stuff like the EFL Play Offs, FA Cup Final, final day of Prima Donna League, European Finals etc. It will be one matchday for the semis and one for the Final. It will be the individual scores for each matchday against the allotted opponent, with some kind of tie breaker for a drawn match.

The prize for winning will be enormous. Another rep point.

1. St Charles Owl = 306 pts
   
2. Lord Snooty = 305 pts
   
3. jjamez = 288 pts
   
4. themaclad = 278 pts
   
5. Baggiebob(BBB) = 274 pts
   
6. ritchiebaby = 265 pts
   

Saturday 13th April:
Bristol City v Town
Town scorers:
Brizzle scorers:

Birmingham City v Coventry City
Hull City v Queens Park Rangers
Millwall v Cardiff City
Sheffield Wednesday v Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland

Tuesday 16th April:
Southampton v Preston North End

Bonus matches:
Premier League:
Saturday:
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur (12:30)

Sunday:
West Ham United v Fulham (14:00)
Arsenal v Aston Villa (16:30)

Scottish Premiership:
Saturday:
Motherwell v Hibernian

Champions League quarter finals 2nd leg:
Wednesday:
Manchester City v Real Madrid (agg 3-3)

*** scores for ***
*** scores for ***
*** scores for ***

1. SHEP_HTAFC = 277 pts
   
2. theo_luddite = 271 pts
   
3. neonfoxinthebox = 270 pts
   
4. Devongone = 269 pts
   
5. WakeyTerrier = 204 pts
   
6. Amelia Chaffinch = 191 pts
   

Friday 12th April:
Plymouth Argyle v Leicester City

Saturday 13th April:
Bristol City v Town
Town scorers:
Brizzle scorers:

Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers (12:30)
Ipswich Town v Middlesbrough
Preston North End v Norwich City
Southampton v Watford
Swansea City v Rotherham United

Bonus matches:
Premier League:
Saturday:
Burnley v Brighton & Hove Albion
AFC Bournemouth v Manchester United (17:30)

Monday:
Chelsea v Everton

National League:
Tuesday:
Gateshead v Chesterfield

Champions League quarter finals 2nd leg:
Wednesday:
Bayern Munich v Arsenal (agg 2-2)


*** scores for ***
*** scores for ***
*** scores for ***

Premier League

Stairs 10
Lady J 5
Derby 5
Minizin 2
B.B.B. 2
Zinman 1

So after last week poor showing, this week got even worse!!! A complete washout on the Gamball, only one positive score on the Bonus and only 3 CSs across the whole lot!! Last week two players got into double figures, this week it was only one, so well done to Stairs for bringing a little bit of competency to this weeks proceedings!! He ended with 10 points, mainly thanks to a spot on Bonus!! Big drop to Lady Jane and Derby who ended with just 5 points each. These two along with Stairs Bonus were the only ones to get a Correct Score.

Minizin and BBB finished on 2 points each, both did it the same way, missed on all their balls and scored 3 CRs to stay positive. Zinman is still on the beach with a Pina Colada, he finished with 1 point, so he doubled his score over the last 4 weeks to a whopping 2 points!!!!

353 Zinman
335 Minizin
335 Derby
333 BBB
308 Stairs
254 Lady Jane

Only one change this week with Derby's marginally better week seeing him draw level with Minizin and hop over BBB in the process. Lead at the top is now down to 18 points. Stairs goes over the 300 mark as predicted and LJ is rooted to the bottom.

Championship

SCO 5
Sanjay 5
Twerton 4
BaggieOne 3
Snooty 0
Themaclad -1
AAA -1

Well it was a record breaking week for the Championship, though not in a good way:
The lowest points total of the season.
The lowest total number of correct predictions.
The lowest score needed to top the weekly table.
The first time that 3 players have failed to score a single point.

It was only the second time that nobody has reached double figures and the total number of points from the balls, minus 17, has only been lower on 2 occasions.

So nobody emerged with any glory on what proved to be a very difficult week. 4 games produced negative points with just one positive gamball and one bonus. For the second week in a row we had 3 negative scoreballs. SCO proved to be the stand out predictor (or at least not as bad as the rest) as he scored on 4 games including one correct score. Unfortunately he managed the worst possible minus 5 on his balls to drag him back down with the pack. Sanjay's correct bonus prediction saw him level with SCO though he only got 2 predictions right with no correct scores. One of Twerton's 3 correct predictions was the gamball but his negative scoreball stopped him from taking a share of the lead.

BaggieOne managed to stay positive with 2 correct predictions and one maximum but the rest had a nightmare week, all with just 1 correct prediction each. Snooty and Themaclad at least managed to turn their one correct prediction into a correct score though Themac was dragged into negative territory thanks to his nil - nil scoreball. AAA also scored minus 1 with just 1 correct result plus a scoreball point.

Carnage!

334 SCO
327 Twerton
301 Snooty
290 AAA
289 Themaclad
271 BaggieOne
231 Sanjay

Unsurprisingly, no change in the overall table this week!

No beach, but it's definitely hammock time in the garden with a refreshing G&T as I wait patiently for some competition!