League Two Review – 10 December

After a weekend of FA Cup matches for many sides, a return to league play was on the cards for clubs in League Two.

We review results and highlights from around the league in Matchweek 20.

 

CREWE ALEXANDRA 0 – 2 CRAWLEY TOWN 

A James Collins brace (21’, 75’) powered Crawley Town to a 2-0 victory at Crewe Alexandra on Saturday. Both sides are level on 26 points each for 12th place in the table.

The Red Devils did well to earn an important victory with strong play in the midfield and an outstanding performance from Collins. The result was just Crawley’s second win in their last 12 matches across all competitions.

The Railwaymen came out more determined in the second half, but were unable to find the breakthrough. Crewe look to reverse their fortunes next weekend at Cambridge United.

 

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 2 – 0 DONCASTER ROVERS 

League leaders Plymouth Argyle were back in form with a 2-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers at Home Park. The Pilgrims had lost their last three league matches and drew Newport County 0-0 in the FA Cup.

Graham Carey opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, with the rain becoming an issue at both ends of the pitch. A penalty was converted successfully by Jake Jervis (63’) in the second half to seal the victory.

Plymouth Argyle are now two points clear of second-place Carlisle United and will travel to Accrington Stanley this coming Saturday.

 

CHELTENHAM TOWN 1 – 3 EXETER CITY 

Exeter City secured an important three points on Saturday in a 3-1 victory at Cheltenham Town. The result moves the Grecians to 17th place in the League Two standings.

The Robins dominated much of the first half but were unlucky not to find a goal. Lee Holmes (55’) gave the visitors the lead until Cheltenham striker Billy Waters levelled the match in the 70th minute.

Exeter midfielder David Wheeler (81’, 85’) scored two late goals to put the match out of reach for the home side.

Exeter will prepare to host Mansfield Town on Saturday, while Cheltenham will travel to Morecambe.

 

HARTLEPOOL UNITED 0 – 5 CAMBRIDGE UNITED 

It was a day to forget for home supporters at Victoria Park, as Cambridge United humiliated Hartlepool United in a 5-0 victory. The win puts Cambridge in ninth place on 28 points.

The Pools were level 0-0 at half-time before the visitor’s attack dominated the proceedings. James Dunne opened the scoring for the U’s in the 51st minute.

A spectacular sequence saw Luke Berry (62’), Leon Legge (66’), Uche Ikpeazu (70’) and Max Clark (88’) all score to finish off a disappointing result for Hartlepool.

Hartlepool look to bounce back next weekend at Portsmouth.

 

GRIMSBY TOWN 0 – 1 PORTSMOUTH 

An exciting match and a stunning late free-kick ended in a 1-0 victory for Portsmouth at Grimsby Town. Pompey now sit fourth in the league table.

The encounter looked set to finish in a draw until second-half substitute Kal Naismith curled in a wonderful strike from 25 yards out to put Portsmouth ahead.

Grimsby will look for better results this coming Saturday at Doncaster Rovers.

 

LUTON TOWN 1 – 1 CARLISLE UNITED 

Carlisle United and manager Keith Curle missed an opportunity to catch the league leaders on Saturday in a 1-1 draw at Luton Town. The Cumbrians now sit two points behind Plymouth Argyle in the standings.

Jason Kennedy (5’) gave Carlisle the early lead, only to see Luton forward Danny Hylton (10’) equalise moments later. After a red card to centre-back Michael Raynes in the 82nd minute, the Blues were fortunate to earn a point on their travels.

Luton Town will play at Blackpool on Saturday. Carlisle will play host to Yeovil Town.

 

LEYTON ORIENT 1 – 0 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 

Leyton Orient defeated ten-man Accrington Stanley 1-0 at the Matchroom Stadium on Saturday. The O’s had lost three consecutive league matches coming into the weekend.

A first-half red card to defender Sean McConville put Stanley in a difficult situation. Jay Simpson’s goal in the 65th minute was enough to earn all three points for Orient.

A tense affair on the pitch was mirrored in the stands, with supporters clashing throughout the afternoon.

Accrington Stanley will face first-place Plymouth Argyle next weekend, while Leyton Orient travel to Wycombe Wanderers.

 

NOTTS COUNTY 0 – 2 WYCOMBE WANDERERS 

Notts County’s struggles continued on Saturday with a 2-0 home loss against Wycombe Wanderers. The result is the Magpies’ fifth consecutive match without a win.

Adebayo Akinfenwa struck in the 37th minute to give the Chairboys a 1-0 lead. After a red card to Michael O’Connor, prospects looked bleak for Notts County at half-time.

Scott Kashket continued his fine recent form with another goal (55’) for Wycombe early in the second half. Despite a second yellow card to Akinfenwa bringing the match to ten players on each side, the visitors held on for a key win.

Wycombe are now sixth in the standings, one point behind fifth-place Luton Town.

MANSFIELD TOWN 0 – 0 COLCHESTER UNITED 

Colchester United earned a road point this weekend with a 0-0 draw at Mansfield Town. Both clubs displayed impressive defensive performances on the afternoon.

Despite disciplined and organised tactics from both sides, neither were able to create enough in the final third.

Mansfield Town will play at Exeter City on Saturday. Colchester will play host to Notts County.

 

STEVENAGE 0 – 2 BLACKPOOL 

Blackpool earned a crucial three points this weekend with a 2-0 victory at Stevenage. The result puts the Seasiders in seventh, as both clubs are battling for the play-off positions.

Goals from substitutes Bright Osayi-Samuel (77’) and Mark Cullen (84’) late in the match gave the Tangerines their fourth consecutive win across all competitions.

Blackpool will play Luton Town at Bloomfield Road next weekend, with Stevenage travelling to Barnet.

 

YEOVIL TOWN 0 – 1 BARNET 

Barnet and interim manager Rossi Eames moved higher up the League Two standings thanks to a 1-0 victory at Yeovil Town. The Bees extend their league unbeaten streak to eight matches.

Barnet kept numbers behind the ball throughout the encounter, with second-half substitute Alex Nicholls scoring the match winner in the 84th minute.

The result has Barnet level on points with Blackpool for seventh place, while Yeovil Town drop to tenth.

 

NEWPORT COUNTY – MORECAMBE FC (PP)

The match between Newport County and Morecambe was abandoned and postponed until a later date. Heavy rain caused the pitch to be deemed unplayable by officials at half-time.

Tom Owen-Evans had given the Exiles a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 26th minute.

A result from this fixture will be important as Newport battle to move from the bottom of the league table.