Another weekend of football in League 2 has concluded and Wycombe Wanderers still lead the pile following their goalless draw away to Mansfield Town.
Sky Bet League Two Review January 24th
Firstly, we look at the biggest game of the week. On Friday night, League Two side Cambridge United held 11 time F.A Cup winners Manchester United to a goalless draw at Abbey Stadium. The U’s are the lowest ranked side left in the competition, whilst the Red Devils fielded a strong side, including summer signing Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and experienced midfielder Michael Carrick. Credit where credit is due, for a League Two side to take the Premier League giants to a replay at Old Trafford is a remarkable feat. Cambridge United reportedly earn £1.3 million in prize money for reaching this stage of the competition.
The side due to play them this weekend were Dagenham and Redbridge. The Daggers find themselves in the drop zone but will play this fixture Tuesday evening at Abbey Stadium.
League leaders Wycombe traveled north to face Mansfield Town, knowing that by bettering Burton’s result they’d stay top of the league. The Stags, who lost their previous home game against Exeter, held the leaders to a goalless draw. Vadaine Oliver and defender Michael Raynes both hit the post from headers for the home side, which shows encouragement for Adam Murrays men after having suffered three straight defeats. The point was not bad for either side, as the Stags move clearer of the chasing pack, staying 20th, and for the Chairboys they move a point further at the top of the league.
Second placed Burton Albion, for the second successive week, failed to capitalise on Wycombe dropping points as they salvaged a late draw away to York City. The Minstermen took the lead with just 20 minutes remaining thanks to debutant striker Emile Sinclair, but the Brewers levelled in the 87th minute courtesy of striker Adam McGurk. York have still only won once at home all season but remain in 19th. As for Albion, they’ve lost only once in their last 10 fixtures, but slip to 3rd in the league.
Shrewsbury overtake the Brewers thanks to a 3-2 victory at home against promotion hopefuls Stevenage. James Collins netted his 11th and 12th goals of the season in a five goal thriller at New Meadow. Adam Marriott gave the away side the lead after 10 minutess, but then two goals in two minutes from the Shrews turned the game. The first thanks to top scorer Collins, before experienced midfielder Liam Lawrence gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot. The away side leveled just before the break through defender Wells. The winner came two minutes from the end, as Collins scored his second of the match, taking his tally to 12 in 30 appearances. Salop remain unbeaten at home, winning 12 out of 14 fixtures, but for the Boro, they slip out of the playoffs following their seventh away defeat from 14 games on the road.
Luton Town remain in 4th following their 1-1 draw away to Cheltenham Town. The Robins move up one place to 17th and took the lead in the 20th minute through 19-year-old debutant Zack Kotwica, moments before Shaun Whalley’s instant reply one minute later. Cheltenham have only won one in their last 10, with Paul Buckle still searching for his first win at Whaddon Road.
Southend move up one place to 5th following their 2-1 victory away at Fratton Park. Pompey, who slip two places to 18th, took the lead in the 24th minute through right back Adam Webster. Midfielder Ryan Leonard equalised five minutes later for the Shrimpers as the teams went in level at half time. The winner came 20 minutes before the end, courtesy of 21-year-old striker Joe Piggott, who netted his fourth goal in eight appearances for the away side. Pompey have won just once in their last 10 fixtures, and manager Andy Awford finds his south coast side slipping closer to a relegation battle. Both sides finished with 10 men, as Corr was sent off with six minutes remaining for a second bookable offense, and striker Paul McCallum was given his marching orders in the last few seconds for the hosts. Southend however have been successful on the road, picking up 26 points from 14 games this season.
For the second successive week, Newport County slip to an uncharacteristic defeat on the road, losing 3-0 to a resurging Northampton side. The Cobblers have won their last three fixtures, whilst The Exiles have conceded 7 goals in their last two away games and slip to 6th. Goals from defender Ryan Cresswell and midfielder John-Joe O’Toole gave the hosts a two goal advantage going into the break. Midfielder Lawson D’Ath confirmed the points eight minutes from time. Cobblers move up to 14th, and Newport will need some consistent performances, knowing that at Rodney Parade they’ve lost just once, but must improve on the road.
Bury were the big climbers in the league, moving from 10th to occupying the final play-off place in 7th, following their 2-1 home victory over Carlisle. Goals in each half, the first a penalty, through 32 year old Daniel Nardiello, taking his tally to 7. He could have completed a hattrick as he saw his second half penalty saved. As for Carlisle, they levelled in the first half through Steven Rigg, who has netted 3 goals in 9 appearances. The Cumbrians couldn’t capitalise on their victory over Wimbledon last week, and slip back to 22nd having lost 7 of their last 10 fixtures.
Exeter City sit just behind Stevenage and slip to 9th following a late equaliser from Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium. The U’s, with a starting eleven average age at just 21, were the better side in the first half, taking the lead through top scorer Danny Hylton, taking his tally to 12 in the league. Oxford very nearly found themselves in the same situation as the previous week against Southend as they threw away the lead; first, Aaron Davies levelled for the Grecians just before the break, then striker Alex Nicholls thought he’d won it when he scored in the 88th minute. Oxford however have a talented youngster in the ranks in 18-year-old James Roberts, who popped up with a stunning 92nd minute equaliser, having now scored 5 goals in just 11 appearances in all competitions. The point moves the U’s up one place to 16th.
Plymouth slip slightly further from the playoffs following their 1-1 home draw against 11th placed Morecambe. The Pilgrims top scorer Reuben Reid gave the hosts the lead on the stroke of half time, taking his tally to 12. Striker Jack Redshaw leveled for the Shrimps early in the second half, leaving Plymouth with just one point from their last three home games.
A.F.C Wimbledon bounced back from their defeat to Carlisle last week beating Accrington Stanley at Kingsmeadow to claim their first win in 2015. Goals from Sean Rigg and Adebayo Azeez in each half gave the Dons a two goal advantage, before Stanley defender Adam Buxton found a consolation two minutes from time. Wimbledon move up one place to 12th, and Stanley drop one place to 15th.
The final game came at Prenton Park where Tranmere Rovers and Hartlepool United fought out a 1-1 draw in their relegation dog fight. For Pool boss Ronnie Moore, it was his first return to Rovers since his dismissal as manager in April last year. Kayode Odejayi gave the hosts the lead in the first half but just two minutes later Scott Fenwick equalised for the visitors. Hartlepool are 8 points behind Dagenham who sit above them, but Ronnie Moore will know a point away from home is always vital, considering they have lost 10 from 14 on their travels. Rovers meanwhile move up one place to 21st.
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