League Two Review – 19 November

 

The first half of November was a busy time as always for clubs in League Two, as matches in the EFL Cup and FA Cup create a hectic fixture schedule.

With matches coming up on Tuesday night, we review results and highlights from around the league in Matchweek 17.

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 0 – GRIMSBY TOWN 3

Grimsby Town and manager Marcus Bignot secured an impressive three points in a 3-0 victory at league leaders Plymouth Argyle on Saturday. The result ends the Pilgrims’ incredible 15-match unbeaten streak in League Two this season.

Grimsby centre-back Danny Collins (44’) opened the scoring off a corner kick just before halftime. Striker Omar Bogle’s second-half brace (62’, 86’) secured the win for the Mariners, putting them sixth in the standings.

While Plymouth were able to create chances, a lack of defensive discipline ultimately undid their efforts on the afternoon. Their lead atop the league table is now at four points.

DONCASTER ROVERS 2 – HARTLEPOOL UNITED 1

Liam Mandeville was the hero at Keepmoat Stadium, as his late goal gave Doncaster Rovers a 2-1 home victory over Hartlepool United. The result has Doncaster in third place, five points behind leaders Plymouth Argyle.

Doncaster goalkeeper Marko Marosi was substituted in the first half with a possible concussion, with forward John Marquis giving the hosts a 1-0 lead moments later in the 23rd minute. Padraig Amond equalised for the Pools just before halftime after a penalty kick in the 42nd minute.

The match seemed set to end in a draw until Mandeville scored the winner in the 90th minute after a wonderful pass inside from Marquis.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 0 – STEVENAGE 1

Matt Gooden’s goal in the second half was enough for Stevenage to find a 1-0 victory at Accrington Stanley. The win moves the Boro up to 13th in the league table.

A steady rain did not make movement easy and a physical encounter saw six yellow cards issued. Stanley had several chances in the first half but could not convert any opportunities.

The home side missed an excellent chance to move into the top half of the table, with Gooden’s goal in the 71st minute ending a frustrating afternoon for Stanley and the home supporters.

CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1 – WYCOMBE WANDERERS 2

Wycombe Wanderers earned their first away win of the season on Saturday with a 2-1 victory at Cambridge United. Centre-back Aaron Pierre scored the winner for the Chairboys in the final moments of the match.

An early penalty kick converted by Paul Hayes gave Wycombe the early lead in the sixth minute and goalkeeper Jamal Blackman had an outstanding performance keeping Cambridge from finding the back of the net.

George Maris equalised for the U’s in the 87th minute, only to see Pierre score the winning goal moments from the final whistle. The result moves Wycombe up to tenth place in the league table.

LEYTON ORIENT 1 – BLACKPOOL 2

Blackpool continued their fine run of form with a 2-1 win at Leyton Orient. The Seasiders are now unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions.

Goals from Jamille Matt (30’) and Tom Aldred (57’) highlighted a strong team performance, with Blackpool now seventh in the league. A late goal from Paul McCallum was only consolation for Orient, as mistakes in defence undermined their chances.

The O’s sit 20th in the League Two standings on 18 points. The match featured protests throughout the afternoon from supporters of both sides, each frustrated with their ownership.

Blackpool prepare to travel to Mansfield Town on Tuesday evening, while Leyton Orient will host Exeter City.

YEOVIL TOWN 2 – COLCHESTER UNITED 1

A mesmerising final five minutes saw Yeovil Town score two late goals for a 2-1 home victory against Colchester United. The win has the Glovers tied with Blackpool for seventh place.

Kurtis Guthrie gave Colchester a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 49th minute. Manager John McGreal’s defence was fortunate to keep the hosts from scoring amidst constant pressure.

But second-half substitutes Francois Zoko (86’) and Tahvon Campell (90’) each tallied dramatic goals to send Huish Park into celebration mode.

Colchester currently occupy one of the relegation places on 17 points through 17 matches.

 

BARNET 0 – CREWE ALEXANDRA 0

Barnet missed an opportunity at home against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, playing to a scoreless draw at the Hive Stadium. The Bees extended their unbeaten streak to five league matches.

The home side controlled much of the match but could not find the breakthrough. Crewe appeared to take the lead in the second half with a goal from striker Ryan Lowe, but the effort was erased and ruled offside by the referee.

Crewe Alexandra will host Morecambe on Tuesday, while Barnet will travel to league leaders Plymouth Argyle.

CARLISLE UNITED 3 – EXETER CITY 2

A thrilling encounter at Brunton Park featured two late goals for Carlisle United in a 3-2 victory against Exeter City. Despite one of their best performances of the 2016-17 season, the Grecians are at the bottom of the league table.

Exeter forward Reuben Reid scored in the first minute, with Charlie Wyke equalising for the Cumbrians eight minutes later.

Lee Holmes (54’) put the visitors ahead in the second half and the defence was holding on for an important victory. But a Shaun Miller header (89’) and Wyke’s second goal of the night (90’) left Exeter stunned in a 3-2 loss.

Carlisle currently sit in second place, four points behind Plymouth Argyle.

MANSFIELD TOWN 3 – CRAWLEY TOWN 1

New Stags manager Steve Evans won his first match with his new squad, as Mansfield Town defeated Crawley Town 3-1 at Field Mill. Evans was appointed to the position only three days prior to the victory.

Mansfield dominated the match throughout but was unable to open the scoring until the second half. A Chris Clements brace (50’, 60’) and a goal from Patrick Hoban (54’) capped off an impressive overall performance. An unfortunate Rhys Bennett own-goal (82’) kept the home side from earning a clean sheet on the afternoon.

Crawley Town have lost their last three league matches.

CHELTENHAM TOWN 1 – PORTSMOUTH 1

Portsmouth battled to earn a crucial road point in a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham Town on Saturday. Pompey currently sit fifth in the standings, only two points behind Luton Town.

Midfielder Daniel O’Shaughnessy gave the Robins the lead in the 65th minute off a free-kick, with substitute Michael Smith (82’) equalising for Portsmouth with less than ten minutes remaining in the match.

Cheltenham produced excellent movements on goal just before Smith’s strike, but could not double their lead.

Portsmouth travel to Luton Town for an important match on Tuesday, with Cheltenham hosting Colchester United.

MORECAMBE FC 0 – LUTON TOWN 2

Morecambe’s home struggles continued on Saturday, as Luton Town secured a 2-0 victory at the Globe Arena. Luton Town extended their league unbeaten streak to nine matches.

Danny Hylton (26’) scored the opener and the Hatters controlled much of the proceedings. Issac Vassel’s goal in the 60th minute kept the match out of reach for the Shrimps.

The result leaves Morecambe 17th in the league standings.

NOTTS COUNTY 0 – NEWPORT COUNTY 3

Newport County provided one of their best performances for former manager John Sheridan on Saturday with a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Notts County. The win lifts the Exhiles out of the relegation zone.

A slow start from both sides turned quickly with goals from Sean Rigg (34’) and Rhys Healey (38’) giving Newport a 2-0 halftime lead. Josh Sheehan (62’) scored a third in the second half and an organised defence aided goalkeeper Joe Day in picking up the clean sheet.

Notts County struggled throughout the match to create scoring chances. Sheridan and the home supporters at Meadow Lane will be expecting better from the Magpies against Cambridge United on Tuesday evening.