I was only thinking the other day how we used to get updates on football matches which prompted me to source the picture used in this article, the legendary BBC Ceefax. The scores came up and then you had to wait for it to cycle round for the latest update 2 minutes later. Before that in the days of black & white TV we had the BBC Grandstand teleprinter…..ask your parents….it would proudly state GOAL FLASH and then stall halfway through it, it seemed so cutting edge at the time, just shows you how far we have come, and it makes you wonder where it will all end up.
Lincoln were scheduled to be playing Charlton on Tuesday might, but that game has now been called off with positive Covid tests in the Lincoln team.Anyway below is the latest round up of games in League 1 for Easter Monday.
AFCW 0 Fleetwood 1
When you are having a bad day just look around you and there is always someone worse off than yourself and to put a smile back on our faces AFC lost again at the Meccano Stadium. In an even game possession wise Fleetwood created the most, AFC failing to register a single shot on target, but it was the hero from a couple of games ago keeper Nik Tzanev, that this week became the villain when he passed the ball straight to Barrie McKay in the 88th minute and he didn’t need a second invitation. AFC slip one place into 22nd but they still have their destiny in their own hands with a game in hand, but it is scarily tight in the basement tonight.
Blackpool 4 Gillingham 1
The Seasiders cemented their playoff berth against the unpredictable Gills with a comfortable win that hardly looked in doubt. Jerry Yates opened the scoring in the 5th minute, Jordan Graham pulled one back, but Yates again put Pool in front and from there on in it was a straightforward afternoon for the home team. Sullay KaiKai made it three on the half hour and with 30 minutes left KaiKai turned provider setting up Elliot Embleton to stick it in the bottom corner. Blackpool are now in 5th and with games in hand on the top two……don’t rule them out just yet.
Bristol Rovers 2 Doncaster 1
The clash of the Rovers and it was the Bristol version that came out on top to keep their hopes alive of getting out of the bottom four. Not being unkind, Donny are on awful run from seemingly being in a good place, in the top 6 and with games in hand, and now it’s gone horribly wrong. Luke McCormick scored a superb brace of long distance goals for the Gas after the evergreen James Coppinger had given Donny the lead after just 13 minutes. Bristol held on despite huge pressure from the away side, who had an equaliser ruled out for offside and them saw a Jason Lokilo effort cleared off the line. Bristol move up to 21st place, level on goal difference with Swindon, the Robins having a superior goal tally.
Burton 2 Swindon 1
Burton aren’t out of the relegation equation just yet, but this victory over relegation candidates Swindon eases the problem. Tom Hamer opened his Albion account rising highest to head home a Jonny Smith freekick, but ten minutes later it was all square as Josh Payne lashed in a screamer from all of 25 yards. Both sides went all out to get the much needed win and it was a thumping header from Albion skipper John Brayford 7 minutes from time that did enough to take the points.
Hull 3 Northampton 0
A comfortable win for the league leaders against a poor Cobblers showing that mustered no shots on target all game and just 3 efforts. Callum Elder got the scoring going after 30 minutes and it was already looking gloomy for Northampton. Keane Lewis-Potter made it 2-0 as he avoided the Cobblers offside trap, Gavin Whyte completed the rout in the third minute of injury time leaving the Northants side looking over their shoulders nervously as all the clubs below them have games in hand.
Oxford 1 Accrington 2
Someone call the police Oxford lost again, this time at the hands of Accrington. Both teams like us are midtable sides, and there isn’t much hope for either to get into the playoffs. John Smyth on loan from QPR sent Accy on their way smashing the ball into the roof of the net from 15 yards out. Less than 10 minutes later parity was restored when Matty Taylor set up Elliot Lee to slot home. Accy went back in front with 20 minutes to go and hung on to take all three points, Michael Nottingham collecting a poor clearance, he took a touch and half volleyed it into the net from 10 yards out.
Peterborough 1 Sunderland 1
The big clash of the day did little for either side with Hull winning and easing out their lead at the top to 3 points, but Posh do have a game in hand and the Black Cats two games in hand, so it is still very much a three horse race at the moment. Siriki Dembele got the opener on 66 minutes for Posh with some classy work, but Aiden McGeady the freekick specialist launched and unstoppable shot from 25 yards that left Christy Pym grabbing at fresh air. The Black Cats finished the stronger and nearly snatched a dramatic winner when Mark Beevers sliced a cross against his own post.
Rochdale 0 Ipswich 0
An admirable draw for bottom club Dale although it has to be said if you were watching on IFollow you would have had a case for getting your money back as neither side managed a shot on target, both keepers could have strolled out to the Willbutts Lane chippy and I doubt anyone would have noticed. Dale remain bottom, Ipswich stay in 8th spot.
Shrewsbury 3 Plymouth 0
Neither side are going anywhere this season, so we will move swiftly along but just mention the goals came from Will Aimson who was unfortunate to put it in his own net after a shot deflected off him and looped over his keepers head. Shaun Whalley capitalised on some sloppy defending to make it 2-0, and Nathaniel Ogbeta scored the pick of the goals 10 minutes from time curling the ball into the net from the edge of the area.
Wigan 0 Portsmouth 1
Pompey are still on target for a playoff place, currently sitting in 4th spot. All square at the break the appropriately named Andy Cannon scored a rocket of a strike just seconds after coming on as a second half sub. Wigan had the bulk of the possession but couldn’t do much with it and could only boast one shot on target. The defeat sees Athletic drop a place into 23rd, but with 2 points between them and safety they still have a chance to salvage the season.
