Soccer

Championship round-up: Andrew Omobamidele returns as Norwich suffer opening loss to Cardiff

Chiedozie Ogbene on target for Rotherham with five Irish in action during Preston and Wigan draw

Norwich City's Irish defender Andrew Omobamidele in action at the Cardiff City Stadium. Photograph: PA
Sat Jul 30 2022 - 18:15

Andrew Omobamidele played the full 90 minutes as Norwich’s Championship season got off to a poor start, losing 1-0 to Cardiff in a game that saw both teams have players sent off.

The Irish defender missed the second half of last season through an injury sustained in December. The Canaries were relegated from the Premier League after finishing bottom and are tipped as one of the favourites to bounce back up.

They went a goal down just minutes into the second half when Romaine Sawyers struck on his Bluebirds debut. Perry Ng was then sent off for a second bookable offence but Norwich were unable to capitalise on the man advantage — which lasted only 12 minutes in any case before captain Grant Hanley was dismissed for picking up a second yellow card.

Swansea came from behind to draw 1-1 with newly-promoted Rotherham at the AESSEAL New York Stadium. The Millers came second in League One last season and took the lead through Irish international Chiedozie Ogbene 16 minutes in before Harry Darling pulled one back 20 minutes later to share the spoils.

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Last season’s League One champions Wigan picked up a point after being held to a goalless draw against Preston, who had Ched Evans dismissed late on. Five Irish players started the game, including Troy Parrott on loan from Tottenham.

The Preston striker went close to scoring before the break but was denied by a brilliant Ben Amos save. In the second half Will Keane had a strong penalty shout but stayed on his feet only to have his shot blocked, before Parrott went close again. On the shoulder of the last defender, he got his shot away, only to see it roll wide of the far post. Robbie Brady also made his Preston debut.

Charlie Cresswell’s double saw Millwall top of the fledgling table after beating Stoke 2-0 with the centre-half scoring in both halves on his debut. The Lions sit just above the Tigers in the table after a late goal saw Hull beat Bristol City 2-1.

Andreas Weimann continued his goalscoring form from last season to put the Robins in front at the half-hour mark but Hull came from behind to earn their first three points of the season thanks to Ozan Tufan’s second-half penalty and Jean Michael Seri’s deflected stoppage-time strike.

Blackburn also got off to a winning start as Lewis Travis’ goal made the difference to beat QPR and Callum Connolly scored in the ninth minute for Blackpool to secure a 1-0 win against Reading, while Luton were held to 0-0 draw by Birmingham.