League Two Review: 10 October

Midway through October in League Two and the shock results continue. This weekend, there were a couple of dismissals after some feisty affairs, whilst the season’s early pacesetters continue their good form. Here is your League Two Review:

 

 

Saturday 10 October 

Cambridge United (15) 1-3 (2) Portsmouth 

Portsmouth moved back to the top of League Two, albeit for 24 hours, after a comfortable win at the Abbey Stadium. But it was Cambridge that took an early lead as Robbie Simpson, in controversial circumstances, beat the offside trap before rounding the Pompey keeper to score, but the linesman had raised his flag for offside and the Portsmouth defenders stopped, however the referee allowed the goal to stand. But as a feisty first half came to a close, U’s player Mark Roberts clashed with Pompey assistant manager Leam Richardson, and the players was dismissed. As Pompey came out for the second half, Matt Tubbs, who scored a hattrick in a 6-2 win at the Abbey Stadium last season, saw his deflected effort find the back of the net, with the goal being awarded as a Leon Legge own goal. But Tubbs wasn’t to be denied as just two minutes later, the striker turned in Gareth Evans cross, before adding a third with a header late on. Pompey, who are unbeaten on the road all season, also ended the game with ten men as Evans was dismissed in stoppage time for a poorly timed tackle, putting a dampener on Paul Cook’s side’s overall performance.

 

Oxford United (3) 1-0 (14) AFC Wimbledon 

Oxford, boyed on by their Johnstones Paint Trophy victory over rivals Swindon Town on Tuesday night, continued their impressive form with a win at home against Neal Ardley’s Wimbledon. The Dons created a couple of first half chances, with Adebayo Azeez and Adebayo Akinfenwa both shooting off target, before U’s midfielder Liam Sercombe hit the bar for the hosts. Former U’s midfielder Danny Bulman came close in the second half for the Dons, but right back George Baldock’s 25 yard strike with ten minutes remaining was enough to extend Michael Appleton’s unbeaten run to five, whilst the Dons search for an away win extends to five games.

 

Mansfield Town (4) 3-0 (24) Newport County 

Mansfield continued their remarkable early season form with a comfortable win over bottom club Newport. After a goalless first half, Craig Westcarr opened the scoring for the Stags with a volley, before Malvind Benning’s spectacular volley, his second in as many games, doubled the hosts lead. Mansfield, who are unbeaten at home this season, added a third late on when Adi Yussuff netted his second goal in as many games to condemn John Sheridan to his first defeat as Exiles boss.

 

Barnet (21) 1-2 (5) Accrington Stanley 

Accrington bounced back to winning ways after picking up all three points at the Hive. Stanley took the lead midway through the first half when Josh Windass’s cross was turned into his own net by Bees defender Sam Togwell, but Michael Gash leveled soon after with his fifth goal of the season. But Stanley, who’ve won five of their last six games now, regained the lead in the second half when Sean McConville latched on to Billy Kee’s pass before striking in off the post. Barnet have now lost their last three games at home, whilst Stanley move back up to 5th.

 

Bristol Rovers (13) p-p (6) Wycombe Wanderers 

Postponed due to international call-ups.

 

Crawley Town (18) 3-2 (7) Leyton Orient 

Crawley recorded their first home win of the season after a fine display against an Orient side that have struggled in recent weeks. But the O’s took an early lead as Jay Simpson drove the rebound past debutant keeper Callum Preston, but the Red Devil’s were soon leveled when Roarie Deacon saw his effort go in off the upright. Mitch Hancox’s left footed effort gave the hosts the lead, before Simon Walton’s converted penalty gave Mark Yates’s side breathing space. With Orient to play the entire second half with ten men after Alan Dunne was dismissed for conceding the penalty, Ian Hendon’s side looked unlikely to reduce the deficit, but Simpson’s second of the game late on made it a nervy finale for the hosts, who held on to record just their second win in eight games, whilst the O’s haven’t won on the road in four.

 

Northampton Town (8) 2-1 (17) Hartlepool United 

Chris Wilder’s Northampton side extended their unbeaten run to six with victory over Hartlepool. The Cobblers took an early lead when last season’s top scorer Marc Richards netted his fifth of the season, before defender Ryan Cresswell doubled the hosts lead. The Pools did pull a goal back when Rakish Bingham rounded keeper Adam Smith before slotting home, but it wasn’t enough as the Pools suffered a third successive defeat.

 

Carlisle United (9) 2-3 (12) Morecambe 

These two sides are having a relatively inconsistent season, and this match emulated that as Morecambe left Brunton Park with all three points. Carlisle, who had won their last two games in succession, took the lead when Danny Grainger saw his 18 yard curler fly in, but Shaun Miller leveled for the Shrimps with a low drive. Midfielder Tom Barkhuizen, who has netted in three successive games, gave the visitors a second half lead, before Miller extended their advantage after finishing from close range. Derek Asamoah netted a late consolation but it wasn’t enough, with Morecambe ending their four game winless run, whilst extending their unbeaten away record to five.

 

Luton Town (10) 1-1 (19) York City

Luton have changed their form for the better in recent weeks, but were held at home against struggling York. Keith Lowe gave the Minstermen a first half lead, but after Dan Potts was fouled in the box, Cameron McGheehan leveled for the Hatters from the spot. The result extends the Hatters unbeaten run to five, whilst York are winless in six.

 

Yeovil Town (22) 2-2 (23) Dagenham and Redbridge 

Yeovil came from two goals down to earn a point against fellow strugglers Dagenham. The Daggers held a two goal advantage at the break after a Kane Ferdinand header and Frankie Raymond strike, but Ryan Bird’s fifth goal of the season reduced the deficit before Jakub Sokolik leveled after keeper Liam O’Brien saw his punched ball bounce back off the Glovers player. Dagenham, who also blew a two goal advantage last weekend before losing, are without a win in six, whilst Yeovil are without a win in four.

 

 

Sunday 11 October 

Notts County (16) 0-2 (1) Plymouth Argyle 

Plymouth regained top spot in League Two after a Reuben Reid brace at Meadow Lane. The striker opened the scoring in the first half with a shot from the edge of the area, before Graham Burke hit the post as the Magpies looked for an equaliser. But Reid pounced on the rebound after seeing his initial effort saved by Scott Loach to secure all three points for the Pilgrims, extending their unbeaten run to six, whilst Notts have suffered successive defeats.

 

Exeter City (11) 3-3 (20) Stevenage 

There was a six goal thriller at St James Park as Exeter and Stevenage shared the spoils. The Grecians were two goals up after fifteen minutes as a David Wheeler header and Clinton Morrison overhead kick put the hosts in control, but a Dean Parrett free-kick and Ben Kennedy header sent the sides in level at the break. Wheeler netted his second and restored the Grecians lead with an unstoppable right foot strike, but Chris Whelpdale’s terrific volley in stoppage time earned a point for Teddy Sheringham’s Boro, but they still haven’t won in six.