League Two Preview: 29 August

Another weekend of League Two football is fast approaching, and you can keep right up to date with the goings on here at The Sports Lowdown. League leaders Leyton Orient will be looking to make it five wins on the bounce, whilst sides including Dagenham and Redbridge and Luton Town are still in search for their first wins of the season. Here is your League Two Preview:

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Leyton Orient vs Bristol Rovers 

League leaders Leyton Orient welcome an in-form Bristol Rovers to Brisbane Road with both sides looking to extend their winning runs. The O’s have won all four of their games, scoring three goals in three of those too, but face a Gas side that have won their last three on the bounce, with two of them coming in the shape of a late winner. Last season, two divisions sepearated the sides, but in the early stages of this campaign there is little between them.

Crawley Town vs Wycombe Wanderers 

Wycombe will be looking to keep the pressure on Leyton Orient, but only just salvaged a point last time out against bottom club Dagenham. Crawley found their first win last weekend, smashing three past an in-form Cambridge, but will face a tough test this weekend when the Chairboys visit the Broadfield Stadium.

Plymouth Argyle vs Newport County 

Two new managers and two very different seasons in the early stages. Derek Adams has seen his Pilgrims side pick up three wins from their opening four games, losing only to Portsmouth, whilst Terry Butcher’s Newport have failed to record a win, picking up only one point so far. The Exiles did come from two goals down last weekend against Leyton Orient to bring the game level, but still went on to lose the game. If they can replicate that commitment and desire, they could cause the Pilgrims problems, but Adams’ side look strong at present.

Hartlepool United vs Carlisle United

Hartlepool lost their unbeaten run last weekend, losing at Stevenage, whilst Carlisle are still in search of their first win of the season despite having the league’s top scorer among their ranks. Jabo Ibehre has netted seven goals from five games in League and Cup, and he’ll be looking to add another when his side travel to Victoria Park. Ronnie Moore’s side suffered a setback last weekend, but the Pools look strong enough to bounce back.

Luton Town vs Portsmouth 

Luton can’t seem to find a win from anywhere at the moment, and it won’t be any easier this weekend when Portsmouth visit Kenilworth Road in what will surely be an incredible attendance. The Hatters have already blown two two goal leads, drawing with Oxford and losing last weekend to Yeovil, and only managed a late equaliser on the opening day against Accrington. It’s fair to say they’re not quite hitting the mark, but the same can’t be said about Portsmouth who remain unbeaten. That said, Pompey came close to losing last weekend, but showed great character to come from three goals down to earn a point with Morecambe.

Barnet vs Cambridge United 

Cambridge suffered a significant setback last weekend, losing at home to Crawley, but this weekend they’ll be looking to capitalise on Barnet’s poor start to the season. The Bees have won just once, losing the other three, while its been the opposite for the U’s who have won three, losing the other.

AFC Wimbledon vs Exeter City 

Exeter will need to be more clinical than they were in last weekend’s goalless draw with York, but travel to a Wimbledon side that have already lost twice at Kingsmeadow this season. Both sides have made inconsistent starts to the season, and they’ll be eager to put a run of form together as we close in on September.

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Oxford United vs Yeovil Town 

Oxford may have only won once, but the U’s four game unbeaten run see’s them sit just outside the playoffs. Their biggest problem at the is that in every game they’ve had to come from behind, but they’ve managed to draw twice at 1-1 and came from two goals down at Luton. Yeovil also came from two goals down at Luton, but the Glovers went on to record the win, putting three successive defeats to a stop.

Accrington Stanley vs Northampton Town 

Accrington rescued a late point last weekend against Notts County after winning the Tuesday before, but their lack of goals could be an issue in these early stages, having only scored three. That said, Cobblers have scored three in one game – a 3-0 win over Exeter – but having won their opening two games, Chris Wilder’s side have lost their last two, and they’ll be desperate to avoid a third in succession.

York City vs Mansfield Town 

Two sides that drew last weekend meet at Bootham Crescent where York host Mansfield. Neither side have really got going this season, despite Mansfield winning at Notts County. Both sides have won only once, and they’ll both be desperate to add to that this weekend.

Morecambe vs Notts County 

Morecambe will need to pick themselves up, having thrown away a three goal lead to only earn a point at Portsmouth last weekend. I’m sure Jim Bentley would have taken a point before kick off, but a disappointing second half saw the Shrimps leave the south coast deflated. Their opponents, Notts County, too will be deflated, having conceded a late equaliser at home to Accrington, losing away to Oxford before that, and suffering a defeat to Nottinghamshire rivals Mansfield the week previous. The Magpies managed an opening day win, but have failed to capitalise in their previous three fixtures.

Dagenham and Redbridge vs Stevenage 

Bottom club Dagenham were unlucky not to take all three points last weekend after conceding a last minute equaliser at Wycombe. Other than that, they’ve had a poor season, suffering three defeats, and their opponents Stevenage are in a similar situation. Aside from last week’s victory, Teddy Sheringham’s first as Boro manager, the club have began the season poorly, and they’ll be looking to extend the Daggers winless run.