I just sat down to prep this page ready for launch on the website thinking this will be the first time we have had a full quota of fixtures in ages only to realise that the game between Blackpool and Burton Albion had been called off because there has been positive tests in the Brewers camp for Covid 19, oh well, maybe next weekend.
So here we go again trawling through the pages to find out what’s been going on up and down the league, to see if we can get a clearer picture on who is looking in trouble, and who is positioning themselves nicely for the long run in.Oooops…. hang on the Cobblers game versus Wigan has been called off as Sixfields is waterlogged once again, what a joke of a ground that is, worse than that bombsite up at Bradford. No …another…..Charlton versus Portsmouth has also succumbed to the weather.
Sunderland 2 Gillingham 2
The Black Cats were fast out of the starting blocks scoring after just 6 minutes, somewhat fortuitously though when a long range shot from Aiden McGeady deflected past Bonham and into the corner of the net. The Gills though levelled shortly before the half hour when Alex McDonald volleyed in from the edge of the box. With just minutes before halftime Sunderland earned a penalty when McGeady was brought down. Grant Leadbitter stepped up and had his initial spot kick saved but reacted quickest and headed home the rebound. With seconds left in the game Sunderland must have felt their home victory jinx was well behind them but the Gills had other ideas, Vadaine Oliver flicked a pass to Jordan Graham who then rounded Burge in the Sunderland goal and calmly slotted home to leave it honours even, although the point pushed the Black Cats into the top 6 with Charlton not playing.
Bristol Rovers 1 Rochdale 2
Rochdale turned those high scoring draws into a victory on the road at Bristol Rovers. Alex Newby scored a brace to end Dales winless run of 7 games and just eases the gap between themselves and Rovers who remain two points clear of the relegation zone but with two games in hand over AFC who lost today, Luke Leahy scored the consolation goal for Rovers, George Williams playing the full 90 minutes.
Crewe 1 Ipswich 1
Crewe and Ipswich shared the goals and the points in a result that does little for either side. Charlie Kirk scored the opener for Crewe with a superb finish just begore the hour mark. Aaron Drinnain levelled the scores scoring his first senior goal capitalising on some lack lustre defending and bundled the ball home. Ipswich were reduced to 10 men ten minutes from time when Teddy Bishop received his second yellow card of the game for a late challenge on Harry Pickering, but Crewe failed to make use of the extra man and Ipswich negotiated a difficult final few minutes.
Hull 1 Swindon 0
Hull returned to the top of the table but made hard work of it after a quick start scoring after just 5 minutes through Greg Docherty, his first touch was sloppy, but the Swindon defence stood about and letting him control his composure and smashed it home. Swindon hardly threatened and created nothing meaningful in the whole 90 minutes and have now just won once in 11 games.
Lincoln 0 Doncaster 1
Doncasterlona almost cheekily stole all three points off of the Imps with a 1-0 win despite having only 29% possession and getting battered by 17 shots, Donny though had stopper Ellery Balcombe to thank as he made two penalty saves. Doncaster took the lead in the 15th minute as the Imps defence backed off and Taylor Richard’s long range effort crept beyond the Imps keeper. But it is the two penalty saves which will be the talk of the game as Balcombe saved a Gorge Grant penalty and then with minutes to go did the same to sub Anthony Scully. Doncaster menacingly move up to 3rd with games in hand and knocked Lincoln off the top spot.
Oxford 1 Fleetwood 0
Oxford equalled a club record eighth straight win beating a Fleetwood team that had to play 84 minutes with 10 men when Charlie Mulgrew was shown a straight red as the last man bringing down Matty Taylor as he ran on to a long pass through the Fleetwood defence. Josh Ruffels scored the only goal of the game heading home after Elliot Moore headed the ball back to him from a corner, incredibly Oxford move up to 8th place and show no signs of stopping this run just yet.Plymouth 2 Accrington 2
Plymouth fought back twice to get a share of the spoils from the unpredictable Accy Stan. Joe Pritchard scored a spectacular opener for Accy just before halftime with a diving header. Stanley held the lead for barely two minutes when than man Luke Jephcott scored his 16th goal of the season powering home after a quick break. With the second half just seconds old Stanley took the lead again, Dion Charles scoring. Plymouth boss Ryan Lowe wasted no time and made a triple substitution including home debutant Niall Ennis who just ten minutes later exchanged passes with Danny Mayor to somehow weave their way through a crowded 6 yard box and take a well-deserved point.
Shrewsbury 2 Peterborough 0
One of the results if not the result of the day was the Shrews beating a Posh team in good form and it was on loan midfielder Harry Chapman from Blackburn who did the damage netting both goals meaning the first defeat for Posh in ten games in all competitions. Peterborough slip down one place to 4th after being leapfrogged by Doncaster.
That’s it folks, enjoy your week, see you next Saturday.
