League Two round-up: 26/01/13

While it was another weekend of FA Cup action with teams playing for a place in the fifth round, it was business as usual in League Two. With Aldershot still in the Cup, Cheltenham and Rochdale meeting last night (in a game that finished 0-0) and Wycombe’s trip to Bradford postponed due to a frozen pitch, it was up to the 14 teams in action to play for what were, in many cases, some much needed points. Exeter and Torquay also meet tomorrow as they top the bill on Sky’s Monday Night Football programme.

Back to Saturday’s games and the surprise of the day came at the New York Stadium where Rotherham hosted the league’s bottom side, Bristol Rovers. John Ward’s strugglers made it back-to-back wins and move off the foot of the table after securing three vital points. The Gas took the lead late in the first half from the spot – Claude Davis bundled over Ryan Brunt in the box and Lee Brown converted the consequent penalty. Before the half time whistle, things got worse for Rotherham as Davis, the earlier offender, was shown a second yellow and received his marching orders on his debut. Rovers made their man advantage count and doubled their lead seven minutes into the second period through Ellis Harrison’s solo effort. Joe Ansinyah increased the visitors’ advantage before substitute David Noble scored what was to prove no more than a consolation for The Millers. Defeat leaves Steve Evans’ side outside the playoffs on goal difference – Southend and Fleetwood also sit on 43 points.

There was also a big win for Fleetwood who put an end to Oxford’s run of eight games unbeaten. Jamille Matt opened the scoring but it’s unknown how much he really knew about it. With Michael Raynes’ desperate to clear it, the ball ricocheted off the record signing, deceiving Wayne Brown in the process. Two second half strikes for the hosts killed the game off: Ryan Crowther’s first goal for the Cod Army doubled their advantage and Jon Parkin rounded things off with his tap in, late on.

Gillingham missed out on the opportunity to go top of League Two, with Port Vale not in action this weekend. Despite scoring both goals, they had to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw against York. Gills’ midfielder Charlie Lee put through his own net to gift the Minstermen the lead at Priestfield. Cody McDonald rejoined Gillingham on loan earlier in the week (this time from Coventry) and opened his account in his first game back when he levelled the scores five minutes from time. Despite being a point behind Vale, Martin Allen’s men still have a game in hand.

Morecambe went behind against Dagenham & Redbridge but, come the end of the game, went home with maximum points. After a goalless opening period, the Daggers took a second half lead through Luke Wilkinson’s header. Two goals in as many minutes then swung the game in the visitors’ favour but they left it late with the equaliser coming with under 10 minutes left to play. First Stewart Drummond’s 12-yarder levelled the scores before Ryan Williams’ curling effort secured the victory. Dagenham’s loss sees them drop a place, while the Shrimps move up two places to 16th.

There were also narrow victories for Burton and Southend in League Two this weekend. A fourth minute penalty separated Burton and Barnet, who were without player/manager Edgar Davids following his decision to stay in London due to illness. The Bees’ Barry Fuller upended Jacques Maghoma and the midfielder stepped up and converted the spot kick. Barnet are now only a point safe of danger; the Brewers remain in the playoffs. Elsewhere Southend left it late to earn all three points – also ending their run of three games without a win. Gavin Tomlin broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute to snatch a late victory.

In the League’s only other fixture this weekend, the points were shared between Plymouth and Accrington as they played out a stalemate at Home Park. The game’s main talking point was the injury to Stanley’s midfielder Nicky Hunt who was knocked unconscious following a collision with Ronan Murray. With a large amount of time added on at the end of the game, Hunt stayed overnight in hospital having been out cold on the pitch for 10 minutes.

As well as the Devon derby on Monday night there are also games on Tuesday with Gillingham hosting Northampton and Burton’s trip to Oxford. Friday night sees Bristol Rovers host fellow strugglers Barnet in a proverbial six-pointer while next Saturday League leaders Port Vale entertain Accrington and bottom of the table Wimbledon have a tricky test against in-form Burton.

League Two round-up: 19/01/13

The adverse weather conditions put paid to the majority of games in League Two this weekend. Three matches did go ahead, however, and should the outlook improve, there could be a few more games this week before Saturday’s fixtures.

Northampton moved into the playoff places following their win at home to Burton. A single goal was enough for the Cobblers to secure maximum points. The goal came on 69 minutes– top scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa’s looping header from Ben Tozer’s delivery being the difference between the sides. It was Akinfenwa’s 15^th strike of the campaign and the result sees Northampton climb to 6^th in the table.

Elsewhere, it was 17^th versus 13^th as a resurgent Wycombe side took on Dagenham & Redbridge. The hosts took the lead with just over half an hour played, through Sam Woods. That’s how it remained at Adams Park and victory for the Chairboys sees them move 10 points clear of danger.

There were no goals in the League’s remaining encounter, where York and Aldershot met. Both sides created opportunities but a share of the spoils was probably a fair reflection on the game, which proved difficult in such weather conditions. The teams finish how they started, in 15^th and 21^st places respectively.

Tomorrow sees an in-form Northampton side travel to Aldershot, while – weather permitting – there are games on Thursday (AFC Wimbledon v Port Vale) and Friday (Cheltenham v Rochdale).

Keeping an eye on tomorrow’s other fixtures, League Two’s knock-out specialists Bradford City head to Villa Park as they contest the second leg of their League Cup semi final against Aston Villa. The Bantams go into the game with a two goal cushion, having won 3-1 at Valley Parade earlier this month.

If the bad weather manages to hold off, the next round of League games will take place on Saturday. The pick of the ties sees Chesterfield meet Southend, with both teams pushing for a playoff place – three points separate 6^th from 11^th. Bottom of the pile Bristol Rovers travel to Rotherham while Martin Allen’s Gillingham will look to re-take top spot as they host The Minstermen of York.

Fans of the 72 – Barnet

So I was recently asked to answer a number of questions for ‘Fans of the 72’ – a blog dedicated to supporters of teams in the Championship and Leagues One and Two. You can also find them on Twitter @fansofthe72. Here are my thoughts on the season so far:

Who has been both the best player to feature for your club this season?

The best player this season has to be Ricky Holmes. He’s been in and out of the side with injuries, but he’s a consistent player and a definite game-changer. He scored a hat-trick against Burton in December (the win saw us move out of the bottom two for the first time this season). Since we signed him from Chelmsford City, there’s always been rumours of him joining bigger clubs, so I think we’d be very lucky to hold onto him. Ricky’s fast with tricks up his sleeves, leaves the opposition’s defence on the floor confused and creates goals as well as scoring them.

And worst?

The worst player, without a doubt, has to be Collins John. When we heard he had joined us in October and after waiting two weeks for international clearance, he was handed a start against Plymouth. After much anticipation and build-up, the signing’s been nothing short of a let-down. He lasted about 10 minutes and after going down for the second time in the game, he was substituted with a thigh injury – although it was evident he wasn’t really match fit by the way he was walking around the pitch. Who knows when we’ll next see him... 

Who has been the best signing?

Graham Stack or David Stephens – the two Hibernian lads. Solid, no-nonsense and have instilled some much-needed calmness and discipline in and around the six-yard box. Just wish Stacky could save a penalty though! Davids has obviously been a useful addition to the squad!

Who would you like to sign in the January transfer window?

We’ve recently acquired the services of Ibra Sekajja on a one-month loan from Crystal Palace – a striker. We have a number of strikers already the club, but none of them really strike me as the typical 20 goals a campaign man, like last year’s McLeod. So a forward capable of finding the back of the net would be good. We also need another defender or two, I think. We previously had Krystian Pearce on loan from Notts County and he was quality – and very popular with fans. So if we could have him back, that’d be great! I’m more concerned about the squad number though, so maybe if we could use this transfer window to get rid of the dead weight and then see what positions we need to invest in.

Views on the manager?

Well the results have certainly turned around since the arrival of Edgar Davids. The concern with having someone of Davids’ cachet at the club is that he could quickly become bored with the rough and tumble of League Two and seek new challenges. At the moment though his commitment seems genuine enough and there have been odd comments in interviews where he has spoken about long-term plans and the squad for next season. But no complaints at the minute – and he can still play too!

And finally, expectations for your club for the rest of the season?

Going into the New Year, we were the ninth-best team form-wise over the past 11 games and enjoyed the best Christmas in League Two with seven points from nine. Based on that form, the possibility of new signings and a number of players coming back from injury, we have the potential to avoid our final day dice with the drop – and even aspire to mid-table mediocrity. The current form of the teams around us down in the depths also gives genuine cause for optimism. Just not another relegation scrap, please.

League Two round-up: 12/01/13

A full programme of fixtures this weekend in the Football League’s basement division and it certainly wasn’t going to disappoint, with first meeting second and a number of games involving teams at the bottom scrapping for points. The round-up begins in the North West, where the shock of the day took place.

24^th placed Bristol Rovers travelled to high-flying Fleetwood, but come 5pm and the Gas would have earned only their second away win of the season. Five minutes in and the visitors were ahead as Danny Woodwards met Ellis Harrison’s cross. Half an hour played and John Ward’s struggling side doubled their advantage through Eliot Richards, before the points were secured early in the second half – John-Joe O’Toole’s 18-yard strike hitting the back of the net. Despite their emphatic win, Rovers remain rooted to the bottom, while Fleetwood’s defeat sees them drop out of the playoffs.

Barnet made it back-to-back victories and continued to surprise when they travelled to Rotherham. A goal in each half helped their cause to move away from the drop zone and Jake Hyde made it eight for the season when his chip over Andy Warrington put the Bees ahead with 20 minutes played. It was game over for Steve Evans’ playoff chasers eight minutes from time when Ricky Holmes’ cross found Andy Yiadom, giving the winger an easy side-foot, which he promptly put away.

Staying at the wrong end of the table, Plymouth hosted Morecambe and Aldershot were looking to continue their recent good form against Accrington. John Sheridan’s tenure as Argyle boss began with a win – which also saw his charges end the weekend out of the bottom two. It was a great start for the home side and they found themselves two goals up with only 16 minutes played. Conor Hourihane opened the scoring, before Ronan Murray (on loan from Ipswich) set up Paris Cowan-Hall to turn in from close range. Morecambe managed to pull one back through Ryan Williams’ long-range shot with 10 minutes remaining, but their chances of finding a late equaliser were diminished when Andrew Parrish was dismissed for a second bookable offence

Meanwhile, Aldershot continued their fight against the drop while Accrington’s slump goes on. The Shots went in at the break with a single goal’s lead – an early strike from Troy Brown was enough to separate the sides. But a Dani Lopez header in the closing 10 minutes ensured the points would be the Shots’ and they find themselves two points clear of AFC Wimbledon who failed to win.

It finished honours even at the Kingsmeadow when Wimbledon took on fellow strugglers Wycombe. Wanderers led through Jo Kuffour’s early goal but the Dons hit back and levelled through Paul McCallum. The hosts turned it around before the break when McCallum made it two – his fourth goal in three games. But the visiting side secured a point with just under 20 minutes left to play, Matt McClure’s effort making sure that the Chairboys didn’t make it an eighth successive away defeat.

Switching to the top of the League Two table and it was all change yet again with Port Vale leapfrogging Gillingham to take first place. Tom Pope made it 26 for the season, the division’s top scorer heading in from Adam Yates’ cross to give the visiting side the early advantage. Vale’s lead was doubled soon after when Adam Barrett was adjudged to have turned into his net (although debutant Lee Hughes may claim the goal), but Gills reduced the deficit a minute later through Danny Kedwell’s edge-of-the-box strike. It remained 2-1 and so Vale now sit a point ahead of the Gills at the top of table.

Exeter moved into the automatic promotion spots and made it three consecutive wins when they beat a Southend side looking for a promotion place themselves. A brace from John O’Flynn helped the Grecians secure maximum points, his first coming minutes before the half time whistle. The hosts left it late to kill the game off but Scot Bennett’s looping header was soon followed by O’Flynn’s second of the day.  Southend remain in the top seven, but only on goal difference.

There was no Manager of the Month curse when Burton hosted Torquay. The Brewers’ Gary Rowett won the prestigious title for December after his side won 10 points from a possible 15. But it was Torquay who took the lead in this one, and Aaron Downes’ header before the break was the difference between the sides. With an hour played, Calvin Zola drilled in an equaliser and the eventual winner came only minutes from time – substitute Matt Paterson fired home to complete the turnaround for Burton, moving them into the playoffs in the process.

Cup heroes Bradford found themselves a goal up against Oxford, but come the end of the game, the Us made it four successive league wins. Nahki Wells, scorer of the Bantams’ opener against Villa, tapped in early on to give the home side the lead. But four minutes later Oxford levelled through Sean Rigg. With it looking likely that the points would be shared, Oxford were awarded a penalty after Alfie Potter was tripped – Peter Leven stepped up and snatched a late winner. Crewe beckons for Bradford as they play in the League Trophy northern semi-final on Tuesday.

There were also home wins this weekend for Chesterfield and Dagenham & Redbridge. The victory was wrapped up at half time when Chesterfield played a Northampton side who began the day three points ahead of the hosts. In fact, the game’s goals came in just eight minutes, the first courtesy of Jay O’Shea who recently made his move from MK Dons permanent. A double from Marc Richards soon followed – a mistake by Cobblers’ newly-returned Clark Carlisle saw the striker fire into the top corner, before a Tendayi Darikwa pass allowed Richards to make it three for the Spireites. Both teams sit a point off the playoffs, with Cheltenham still below Northampton.

The Daggers also went behind against Rochdale before finding a late winner to snatch maximum points. After an open, goalless first half, the real excitement came in the final 20 minutes of the match. Dale went ahead through Andrew Tutte’s 12-yard strike only to be pegged back minutes later – Abu Ogogo finding the correct net and scoring from close range. That left both sides 15 minutes to find a winner; Dagenham got it two minutes into stoppage time, Sam Williams teeing up Medy Elito to smash the ball home.

The only other draw this weekend came at Whaddon Road where York travelled to face Cheltenham, a side who have recently dropped from third to having to settle for a playoff place. After their FA Cup exit to Everton on Monday night, the Rubies went ahead in this one – Shaun Harrad’s curling strike came midway through the second period and was his first goal since September. York levelled six minutes from time with Jason Walker’s effort from Chris Smith’s flick-on giving the Minstermen a share of the spoils.

With Torquay and Exeter meeting on Tuesday night in their rescheduled clash and Cheltenham’s trip to Morecambe on Friday night, it’s Saturday afternoon football for everyone else. At the wrong end of the table, Accrington meet Wycombe; elsewhere, Gillingham will look to return to winning ways against Rochdale at Spotland and the league’s bottom side Bristol Rovers host third-placed Exeter.

Two minutes with… Aldershot Town

Aldershot were the first team to travel to Underhill in 2013 with the traditional New Year’s Day game. Shots’ fan Rhys takes part in this instalment of ‘Two minutes with...’

Pre-match

Had you been to Underhill before?

Yes I have.

How did you get to the game?

I got the train.

The match

Whereabouts in the ground did you sit/stand?

I stood in the East Terrace.

What did you make of the game?

It was a very scrappy and gritty game.

Who (from either side) do you think deserved to be man of the match?

Aldershot’s Danny Rose.

Post-match

Was the score line a fair reflection on the game?

No, I think a draw would have been fair.

Who do you play next, and how do you think you’ll get on?

We played Rotherham in the FA Cup last Saturday. It was a game I thought we'd struggle with but we ended up winning 3-1 and play Middlesbrough in the next round. [Aldershot host Accrington in the League at the weekend]

Ratings

Cost of match day ticket

 ––– 2/10

Purchases made at ground

I bought a hot dog and thought it wasn’t very nice ––– 3/10

View

––– 7/10

Quality of football

––– 5/10

Overall experience

Due to the search a few of my friends and I had to have outside the ground it slightly dampened the experience ––– 5/10

Total ––– 22/50

And you can follow Rhys on Twitter @rhys9emberson

League Two round-up: 05/01/13

Even though it was FA Cup weekend with teams in Third Round action, there was still a healthy programme of League Two matches (notwithstanding the handful of teams hoping to secure a place in the Fourth Round). The round-up begins with two clubs at the wrong end of the table who provided the shocks of the weekend: AFC Wimbledon and Barnet.

AFC Wimbledon moved out of the bottom two following their win at playoff hopefuls Rochdale, also securing their first back-to-back victories of the season. The Dons went ahead early in the second half – Paul McCallum was allowed to side-foot the ball into the net after the hosts failed to clear from a corner. There was no way back for Dale once Joe Rafferty was sent off for a second bookable offence, but in the end the one goal settled it. Wimbledon still sit precariously above the drop zone, but they have games in hand over a number of teams struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Meanwhile at Underhill, Barnet were back to winning ways; Bradford could almost be forgiven for staying in first gear, with one eye on their midweek League Cup semi final with Aston Villa. A rather uneventful first half sprang to life just before the break, the Bees going ahead when Taiwo Atieno scored his first goal since joining as a free agent – a tap in from Elliot Johnson’s low cross. The home side doubled their lead three minutes into the second period – Ricky Holmes teeing up John Oster on the counter attack. The Bantams drop a place to eight, which sees them outside of the playoffs, albeit on goal difference.

Keeping with the bottom half, there were also good wins for Dagenham & Redbridge and Wycombe. 16^th met 17^th at the Crown Ground where Accrington hosted the Daggers and the away side took the lead after 20 minutes through Matthew Saunders. His header from Medy Elito’s cross separated the sides going in at the break. A second half goal by Luke Howell doubled the travelling side’s advantage – a win that sees them put an end to a run of three successive defeats.

Wycombe had to fight back after going a goal down to Chesterfield at Adams Park. Jay O’Shea’s powerful strike gave the Spireites the lead before the half hour mark but before the opening forty-five was out, Wanderers levelled – Kourtney Hause, with two goals in as many games, scrambling the ball over the line. The match then swung in the hosts’ favour and Jo Kuffour scored what proved to be the winning goal, flicking the ball past Tommy Lee between the Chesterfield sticks.

Moving to the top of the League Two table and it’s pretty much ‘as you were’, with Gillingham leading ahead of Port Vale – both teams winning again this weekend. The Gills enjoyed a comfortable victory against the division’s bottom side, Bristol Rovers. They took the lead as early as the third minute when an effort by Chris Whelpdale landed in the top corner. And the league leaders doubled their advantage after the break – a Deon Burton goal compounding the misery for the Gas and their home support.

Managerless Plymouth continued their slump and finished this weekend in the bottom two after their emphatic defeat at Port Vale. Vale went ahead through Jennison Myrie-Williams’ 20-yard shot towards the end of the first half and they were handed a further advantage minutes later when Argyle’s Nick Chadwick was dismissed. It took until the 55^th minute for the game’s second goal to arrive and it was again for the home side – the division’s top scorer Tom Pope with a powerful header. With less than 15 minutes left to play, Pope turned provider for Ben Williams who tapped in a third, before the man of the moment scored his second of the game – his 25^th of the campaign. Yesterday, Argyle appointed John Sheridan as their new boss.

With no points shared this weekend, there were also wins for Northampton and Exeter. A brace for Jake Robinson helped the Cobblers to victory at Sixfields. Two goals before half time, a header from Chris Hacketts’ cross and a low drive from the edge of the box, put the hosts in control. A third was added by Clive Platt early in the second period and while Fleetwood left it late to register, Jamie Allen’s goal proved a mere consolation. The loss puts an end to the Cod Army’s run of five games without defeat, while it’s good news for Northampton who’ve now won three on the bounce.

Exeter move into fifth after their win against York. The Grecians were gifted the lead in the 14^th minute when on-loan winger Alex Rodman put past his own keeper but the Minstermen levelled five minutes later – Michael Potts was quickest to pounce once Matty Blair’s shot was parried. A second half goal by Exeter’s Jimmy Keohane secured the victory and sees them finish the weekend in the playoffs.

There’s a single game in League Two on Tuesday night as Morecambe host Dagenham – a game previously postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Looking forward to Saturday’s matches, the top two meet with Port Vale travelling to Gillingham. At the wrong end of the table there a number of exciting games in prospect with teams desperate for points. They include Wimbledon v Wycombe, Aldershot v Accrington and Plymouth v Morecambe.

 

Two minutes with… Bradford City

Bradford were the visitors to Underhill on Saturday afternoon. Bantams’ fan Kate reveals all in this instalment of ‘Two minutes with...’

Pre-match

Had you been to Underhill before?

No, I hadn’t.

How did you get to the game?

I travelled from Leeds so a mixture of train, tube and bus! I use a wheelchair so I had an interesting time negotiating accessible routes.

The match

Whereabouts in the ground did you sit/stand?

I was behind the goal in the away seated area.

What did you make of the game?

It’s one we wanted to win so to be honest I was disappointed! It wasn’t a classic match but I was surprised by how much football Barnet played and I think we struggled with that in the second half.

Who (from either side) do you think deserved to be man of the match?

Barnet’s winger, Yiadom – he caused us problems all afternoon.

Post-match

Was the score line a fair reflection on the game?

Probably. Barnet didn’t have many chances but they took them, and we didn’t take ours.

Who do you play next, and how do you think you’ll get on?

We have Aston Villa on Tuesday in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final. My head says Villa will win, but my heart reckons we can just nick it and take a narrow lead into the second leg! I can dream, right?

Ratings

Cost of match day ticket

£13, cheaper than a lot of other grounds, and probably fair given that Barnet are usually in the lower half of the league. ––– 8/10

Purchases made at ground

I only bought a Coke and the standard was fine, but the kiosk is up some steps which meant I had to get someone to buy it for me. ––– 5/10

View

Being behind the goal means you don’t always get a clear view of the opposite goal to where you are sitting, but there weren’t any obstructions besides my own eyesight! ––– 7/10

Quality of football

Better than I was expecting from Barnet having seen them at Valley Parade in the reverse fixture, but you lose a point for the score! ––– 6/10

Overall experience

The travel was much easier than I thought. The stewards were helpful, particularly when buying my ticket. As I mentioned before, there were access issues to the kiosk. (I think there was another kiosk down the far end of the stand but it wasn’t clear if this was open.) I would have obviously preferred a different result, but there wasn’t anything Barnet could do about that! ––– 7/10

Total ––– 33/50

 

And you can follow Kate on Twitter @bantamskatee