Just because our game was called off because of positive Covid tests at Lincoln City, doesn’t mean we have to take our eye off the ball, so as usual below we give you the round up of the Good Friday fixtures plus one game from midweek that we need to clear up, and we will cover that one first.
Gillingham 1 Wigan 0
A midweek fixture and a typical Gillingham performance this one soaking up pressure and riding their luck on numerous occasions before Vadaine Oliver made Wigan pay for those missed chances with his 14th goal of the season in the 76th minute, Oliver powerfully heading home the perfect cross from Ryan Jackson. The Gills move up to 6th but possibly only for a couple of days, Wigan remain in the bottom 4.
Doncaster 0 Charlton 1
In the early kick off between these two sides with playoff aspirations it was Charlton that took the lead after just 12 minutes, Jaiyesimi laying the ball off with his head into the path of 19 year old Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen who fired home from just inside the box into the bottom corner to record his first professional goal. Donny pressed hard but just couldn’t break the resolve of the Charlton team that boasted a rare appearance from Alex Gilbey. The win boosted Athletic up 5 places into 5th with the 3pm results still to come. The defeat pushed Donny down to 9th, and it could get worse depending on the Oxford and Ipswich results.
Accrington 0 Burton 0
Burton slowly but surely ease themselves out of trouble with this draw and are now 6 points clear of the danger. Accy battered the Burton back line especially in the final minutes with 25 shots although just 3 were on target as once again the JFH team proved a tough nut to crack.
Crewe 1 Hull 2
Our opponents on Monday took an unlikely lead versus League 1 leaders Hull City via the penalty spot, the ball striking a Hull players hand and the ref had no doubts. 37 year old Chris Porter stepped up and slotted home with the keeper not even diving. Soon after Hull had a chance to level from the spot when a clumsy challenge felled Callum Elder just inside, Josh Magennis who had only just come on took responsibility and sent the keeper the wrong way from 12 yards. Mallik Wilks rescued the points for Hull deep into injury time, with no apparent danger he switched the ball onto his right foot and fired home from a tight angle to score his 21st goal of the season.
Fleetwood 0 Peterborough 1
It was the late, late show at Highbury when Jonson Clarke-Harris scored what can only be described as an easy freekick as the Fleetwood wall was flimsy to say the least and JCH fired it into the corner for his 26th League goal of the campaign. The win keeps Posh in 2nd place, 1 point behind Hull City with a game in hand on the leaders.
Ipswich 2 Bristol Rovers 1
The Tractor Boys got off to a flying start scoring after just 1 minute when Luke Leahy put into his own net, but it quickly got worse for Rovers when they failed to clear a tame looking cross and Alan Judge was allowed to bites at the cherry to force it over the line. Rovers though quickly pulled one back through Luke McCormick, Ipswich trying to play it out from the back, got ambushed by Rovers strikers and McCormick as cool as you like just chipped it over the keepers head. Ipswich move up to 9th and Rovers look to be in all sorts of trouble after this 5th defeat in a row.
Northampton 1 Shrewsbury 0
In form former Don Ryan Watson did the Cobblers chances of survival no harm when he put them in front just before the half hour, Kioso squaring to Watson who knocked it into the roof of the net. The Cobblers now have three points on those below, but they have played more games and have a few crucial games coming up.
Plymouth 1 AFCW 0
Argyle were soon off to a good start scoring after 11 minutes following a training ground corner routine gone wrong, Argyle did eventually manage to get the ball into the box and Sam Woods cheekily back heeled it into the net for his first pro goal. The defeat leaves AFC in trouble although they do have games in hand on their rivals.
Portsmouth 2 Rochdale 1
Another team chasing the playoff spots or better is Pompey and like Ipswich got off to a flyer after just 5 minutes, a poor clearance by the Dale keeper finally found itself at the feet of Harness who whipped a quick cross in, and Ryan Williams was on the back post to tap hit home. Approaching half time Pompey doubled their lead, a pass into the heart of the Dale defence was picked up by Ronan Curtis who forced himself into the box and fired home from about 10 yards. Dale pulled one back at the death through Jake Beesley, but it was too little too late and Dale remain rooted to the bottom spot and Portsmouth move up to 5th.
Sunderland 3 Oxford 1
The Black Cats got a big shock to the system after 20 minutes, on the break Brandon Barker ran from his own half and laid it into James Henry’s path who duly obliged from 20 yards. With the U’s playing for the half time whistle Sunderland struck, Jordan Jones with some great play out on the touchline cut in and laid it on a platter for Lynden Gooch who stabbed it home at the near post although there was more than a suspicion about offside. On the hour Oxford were reduced to 10 men when Mark Sykes received his second yellow card of the game, but I have to say the second card looked a poor decision from ref Trevor Kettle….what a surprise. Things got worse for the U’s 10 minutes from time when Lynden Gooch avoided two or three challenges and then laid it off to Aiden McGeady who fired home from just outside the box. Ten men Oxford pressed for the equaliser but a quick break from Charlie Wyke from his own half, who then squared it to Max Power to secure the points. The Black Cats stay in 3rd in what is looking like a 3 horse race, Oxford drop down to 11th place, two points above us.
Swindon 0 Blackpool 2
On the stroke of half time the in form Seasiders took the lead against the relegation threatened Robins, Ellis Simms getting the wrong side of his defender and beating the keeper at his near post. On the hour Blackpool doubled their lead through the prolific and former Robin Jerry Yates with his 18th goal of the season. Yates was played in with a ball over the top and he had the freedom off Swindon as he calmly rounded the keeper to score although he did look well offside. Blackpool move up to 6th place, meanwhile the Robins are looking behind themselves as they sit on the threshold of the bottom 4 spots.
