Another weekend of action in League One & Two and another set of superb match reports from the D3D4 correspondents…

MATCH REPORT: Carlisle United 1-1 Cambridge United

In a game that was set to decide how each team would go into the dreaded run-in, no one could edge it as back-to-back goals straight after half-time saw it end all square at a sun bathed Brunton Park.

Returning to Carlisle line-up following a spell on the bench was skipper Danny Grainger, who altered the back four that were integral to the 6-game unbeaten run before the match but we’re mostly at fault for the collapse last weekend.

U’s striker the “Islington Assassin”, Jabo Ibehre returned to Brunton Park after two seasons with the Cumbrians , in which he hit 14 and 17 goals respectively, receiving a warm welcome back.

The first half was fairly scrappy as Carlisle dominated possession to pepper David Forde’s goal throughout to no avail, and Cambridge imposed themselves by winning most of the physical battles both in the air & on the deck. In-form men Hallam Hope and Jamie Devitt had chances for the home side early on but couldn’t keep their efforts down. At the other end, goalkeeper Jack Bonham and centre back pairing Mark Ellis and Clint Hill were tested consistently by Ibehre & his partner Uche Ikpeazu as they used their strength to push back Carlisle’s back line. Both managers were frustrated on the sidelines going into the interval with it all to play for after the break.

Despite goals, the second half wasn’t too different in flow. Carlisle struck first when they attacked down the left, Devitt whipped in towards the back post and Ellis made the initial strike – which Forde parried straight to the feet of Richie Bennett for a tap-in.

That lifted the crowd but Cambridge quickly silenced them. A cross from the right fell straight to Ibehre who headed back across to George Maris to head over Bonham to equalise.

From then on, both sides had decent chances although Bonham and Forde were quiet until late on. The Cumbrians started to get pressure from their own fans and the Curle’s men responded by pushing forward in the closing stages forcing Forde to pull off a string of saves, including two superb tips around the post. Time was running out and when Hallam Hope made way for Cole Stockton changing things slightly as another physical presence was forcing the U’s to sit deeper. When it came down to it, their efforts were all in vein.

Questionable decisions from the referee meant frustration built inside most of the stadium and when the final whistle blew to signal full-time, huge groans rose from the terraces & stands – as the home supporters knew that the play-off push was halted for now whereas the impressive travelling away supporters sighed in relief.

The deflated feelings at both clubs are set to continue before the ever-entertaining Easter schedule.

Attendance: 4652 [185]

Referee: Richard Clark

Man of the Match: Jamie Devitt

words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent

MATCH REPORT: Morecambe 0-0 Lincoln City

Shrimps stifle Imps

Lincoln City visited the Globe Arena today for the first time since their promotion back into the EFL following last season’s mighty promotion-winning effort and fantastic FA Cup run. This, memorably, saw the team directed by the Cowley brothers beat Premiership Burnley at Turf Moor and account for numerous other clubs supposedly of a higher status before finally losing at Arsenal. The Imps’ very first game back in the Football League was against today’s opponents: Morecambe weathered the storm at Sincil Bank last August to finally emerge with a 1-1 draw. Overall, Morecambe have lost three of nine previous EFL encounters with City and drawn four. Today, the Shrimps were hoping to emulate their experience at this venue last Saturday, when they beat high-flying Exeter 2-1 and improve on their re-arranged midweek fixture against Colchester, which ended in a pretty stale goal-less draw also at the Globe Arena. Before the game, Morecambe were eighteenth in League Two and looking anxiously over their shoulders at the relegation scrap at the bottom of the division. By contrast, City were in eighth position with at least one eye firmly fixed on the Play-Offs. The Imps were unchanged from their win over struggling Grimsby last Saturday but their Captain – Luke Waterfall – was still suspended following being sent-off at Mansfield at the beginning of the month. In a Shrimps’ starting eleven which showed four changes from their line-up on Tuesday, Kevin Ellison had recovered sufficiently from a hamstring injury to start against the club he once played thirteen loan games for.

It was sunny and almost Spring-like as the game started on the north Lancashire coast. As was almost guaranteed in a game including such notorious bruisers such as Matt Rhead, however, what happened on a heavy pitch after this was not pretty. In a muscular contest, there were few chances during the first half and little of note to write home – or anywhere else for that matter – about. Eight minutes were on the clock when Neal Eardley took a central free kick for the visitors from about thirty yards out. He passed the ball to Jordan Williams who, in turn, squared it to Rhead only for Scott Wharton’s eventual effort to be blocked by Dean Winnard on the Shrimps’ goal-line. Lincoln looked the most likely to score during the first period but the closest they came was just before the break. Rhead once again chested-down the ball to strike partner Matt Green but the man who sounds as if he has been named after a tin of paint allowed Barry Roche to take the gloss off his effort (sorry) by making a save in a situation where he might have done a lot better. That was more or less it but the teams went in at half time with visiting goalkeeper Ryan Allsopp not having had a single save to make.

It was a better contest to watch during the second half. Eardley crossed again after 54 minutes and Roche struggled to deal with it under pressure from Rhead but the Morecambe defence managed to scramble the ball away. Two minutes later, the Shrimps finally managed to fashion a chance but Sam Lavelle’s header from a corner was deflected away from the City goal. Elliot Whitehouse was then presented with a decent chance from Sam Habergham’s corner with almost an hour played but squandered the chance by missing the target with his header. The same player had another opportunity with 65 minutes on the clock but again failed to connect properly with his header from Eardley’s cross. Ten minutes later, substitute Ollie Palmer knocked the ball down for Whitehouse but the Imps’ striker yet again fluffed his lines with an off-balance volley which again missed the goal. But Lincoln’s hearts would have been in their mouths during the seventy-seventh minute when Alex Kenyon’s shot hit Ellison and looped over a helpless Allsop only to hit the woodwork and go behind for a goal kick. With ten minutes still scheduled to play, Eardley gave away a free-kick which Morecambe substitute Adam McGurk smashed against the City crossbar with Allsop beaten again. There were a few half-chances for both sides after this but an attritional encounter resulted in a point being ground-out by both sides.

FULL-TIME: 0-0 A tough physical encounter! Not the greatest football spectacle, but another point and resilient performance. #COYS

— Morecambe FC (@ShrimpsOfficial) 24 March 2018

So Morecambe’s run of three home games in succession came to an end.  Five points from a possible nine might have been better but boss Jim Bentley must have been happy that his team wasn’t beaten and competed well in all three games, keeping two clean sheets. Although the Imps’ Official site repeatedly seemed to be labouring under the misapprehension that they had just drawn against Southend United, the point keeps the Lincolnshire side in eighth position in contention for a Play-Off spot. Morecambe, meanwhile, slipped one place to nineteenth. With both Crewe and Forest Green winning today, they are still far from being out of the mire. As Barnet kicked-off late against Luton, Morecambe found themselves ten points ahead of them. The Shrimps also still have a game in hand over the three teams between them and the relegation positions. In the unlikely event that Chesterfield are able to win all three games they have in hand on them, free-falling Grimsby – who lost 4-0 at Coventry earlier – would swap places with them in the relegation positions. So Morecambe fans can count their blessings: things could be an awful lot worse…

Morecambe:  1 Barry Roche; 6 Dean Winnard; 2 Aaron McGowan;  3 Patrick Brough; 16 Sam Lavelle; 4 Alex Kenyon; 5 Steven Old; 29 Callum Lang (21 Gregg Wylde 66 mins); 24 Michael Rose (C); 9 Vadaine Oliver (28 Adam McGurk 66 mins); 11 Kevin Ellison (7 Garry Thompson 85 mins).

Subs not used: 12 Danijel Nizic; 8 Andy Fleming; 10 Adam Campbell; 17 Mitchell Lund.

Lincoln City: 22 Ryan Allsop; 23 Neal Eardley; 16 Michael Bostwick; 6 Scott Wharton; 3 Sam Habergham; 4 Elliot Whitehouse; 30 Alex Woodyard; 19 Lee Frecklington; 10 Matt Green (24 Danny Rowe (Y) 78 mins); 9 Matt Rhead (8 Ollie Palmer 59 mins); 14 Jordan Williams (26 Harry Anderson 59 mins).

Subs not used: 1 Paul Farman; 2 Sean Long; 7 Tom Pett; 15 James Wilson.

Ref: Eddie Ilderton.

Att: 1883 (c.500 from Lincoln)

words Roger Fitton, D3D4 Morecambe correspondent

MATCH REPORT: Luton Town 2-0 Barnet

Luton Town returned to the top of League Two with a solid effort to see off a Barnet side looking increasingly doomed to their fate. Martin Allen, like the mould around your bedroom window, always comes back and this is now his fifth spell with the north London club.

Many Bees fans reacted as though the messiah had returned to save them but this display suggested that his fifth coming may be too late.

Luton have been struggling to keep up their early season form allowing Accrington to nick top spot from them after being there for four months straight. It was important to get back to winning ways against a side devoid of confidence and lacking overall quality.

The game played out as you might have expected with the Hatters bossing the possession but being frustrated by Craig Ross in the Barnet goal. He made a couple of smart stops during the first half and was also doing his best to run the clock down as much as possible.

Dan Potts and James Justin are exciting players in the Hatters back line. Both look to get forward as much as possible and Potts in particular is a threat at set pieces.

James Shea was in goal for Luton in this one and he looked confident and assured, coming out of his area to clear with Akinde clean through.

HT: Luton 0-0 Barnet

If Barnet planned to frustrate Luton for another 45 minutes then they were in for a shock. Danny Hylton had the simple task of nodding home after Dan Potts headed a Sheehan free kick back across goal. It was no more than Luton deserved and would make the game far more interesting as Barnet were forced to push forward.

Akinde, for all his hard work , does not look like the kind of striker that Barnet were holding out for £1m in the summer for. His size helps but without decent service he was pretty ineffective.

It was clear why Luton have struggled to kill teams off in the last few matches with Barnet always in the game with the score at 1-0. Luton have plenty of possession did on occasion lack that final pass or delivery.

The game was made safe on 68 when Berry picked out Collins on the edge of the box and his angled shot went straight through Ross for the second.

There was still time for James Shea to make a truly wonderful save from an Akinola free kick. The ball took a deflection off the wall as it went through but Shea dived to tipped it over the bar and prevent the grand stand finish.

🔥👏First league game of the season and first league clean sheet – well done @Jamesshea91! #COYH pic.twitter.com/Pxlqol8lSY

— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) 24 March 2018

On this evidence Luton are going up and Barnet won’t stay up. The D3D4 Luton correspondent Richard Armstrong tweeted out a damning fact. Hylton and Collins have scored 34 goals between them this season in League Two – the same total as the entire Barnet FC squad….oh dear.

words James Richards, D3D4 Football

MATCH REPORT: Bradford City 1-0 Gillingham

Valley Parade was today’s venue for a mid-table clash between the Bantams & the Gills on a mild cloudy afternoon in West Yorkshire.

One noticeable thing as the match started was the poor condition of the playing surface but I was expecting a good competitive game nonetheless. After a quiet opening ten minutes or so it was the visitors who threatened when Gills striker Wilkinson beat a couple of players but had his goal bound shot blocked by Bantams defender Matt Killgallon.

Bradford came more into the game & young midfielder Callum Guy had a shot blocked by Gills defender Ehmer before Gills left back Reilly struck a 25 yard shot narrowly over Bantams keeper Colin Doyle’s crossbar. Gillingham continued to look the more likely team to break the deadlock & midfielder Scott Wagstaff had two efforts on goal inside a minute just before the break, unluckily for the visitors neither troubled Doyle in the Bantams goal.

HT Bantams 0 Gills 0

The match was crying out for a goal & it got one three minutes after the restart, Bantams forward Dominic Poleon who had a fairly quiet first period struck a lovely 25 yard shot wide of Gills giant keeper Holy & into the bottom corner of the net. The game improved immensely after the goal with Gillingham pushing further forward but leaving gaps at the back for Bradford to exploit. Bradford’s Guy hit a long range effort which was saved by Holy. Bantams sub Bruenker also had an effort parried by the giant Gills keeper.

Gillingham then introduced top scorer Tom Eaves & after being put clear he saw his goalbound shot well saved by Doyle who hung on to the ball to foil any potential rebound. Gillingham dominated the last twenty minutes going agonisingly close through Eaves again & following a corner in injury time Gillingham’s Wilkinson headed over when it looked easier to score. So the Bantam’s poor run of ten matches without a victory is over but they were very fortunate to take the points.

Gillingham competed well on a pudding of a pitch & will be a little disappointed with the result stalling their good recent form but both sides will have to be content with mid table mediocrity in May.

words Ian Bradley, D3D4 Rotherham United correspondent and roving reporter

MATCH REPORT: Portsmouth 3-0 Oxford United

A trip to the south coast ended in tears for Oxford United and in particular for Alex Mowatt. The result hinged on a 20 second spell in the second half which saw the midfield miss a penalty and then get sent off for slapping Pompey’s Thompson in the face after he goaded the Oxford man.

Karl Robinson took to the dugout for the first time as Oxford manger but it wasn’t long before the U’s old habits reared their ugly head once again. With five minutes gone Portsmouth got a corner and took the lead. Kai Naismith tapped home from close range after Rob Dickie lost a physical battle with Pompey’s Matt Smith at the far post.

Portsmouth had a good penalty shout turned down as Dickie had a handful of Pitman’s shirt to prevent the striker getting on the end of a Lowe cut back.

After a poor opening 20 minutes the Yellows started to boss possession and James Henry rattled the bar after a fine team move. Robinson had elected to start Malachi Napa with Obika out injured and the young man was unlucky not to equalise after his fine turn and shot was tipped wide by McGee.

Oxford continued to apply pressure and Rob Dickie should have equalised when he met a corner just six yards out. Either side of the keeper and it would have gone in but instead McGee parried it out and Pitman cleared the ball off the line from the resulting scramble.

HT: Pompey 1-0 Oxford

The second half saw Oxford continue to press though Pitman was a constant threat and it is clear why the frontman has scored nearly 20 goals this season.

On 62 minutes the game completely changed as Rob Dickie was dragged down in the box for a penalty and Alex Mowatt stepped up to take it. The man on loan from Barnsley hit it hard and low but saw his effort cannon back off the post.

While a distraught Mowatt was on his knees Nathan Thompson came over and screamed with delight right in the midfielders face. Mowatt should have walked away but instead gave the Pompey man a light slap across the face. Thompson went down as if he’d been hit by a sonic boom and after the resulting melee had died down Mowatt was sent off. Thompson got away scot free despite already being on a yellow card but there can be no excuse for Mowatt’s reaction. He let both himself and his team mates down badly in a game where they were clearly on top.

After that Pompey bossed the game and Oxford never looked like getting back into it. Pitman made it 2-0 from close range before some poor defending allowed Pompey through again for another simple finish, again from Pitman.

Overall you can’t complain about the result but the red card changed a very even game into a walk in the Fratton Park for Pompey. If they are to make the play-offs then they will have to play better than they did for the first hour of this one and for Oxford, Robinson has some work to do.

words James Richards, D3D4 Football

MATCH REPORT: Coventry City 4-0 Grimsby Town

After a very boring first half which was only brightened by a goal by Vincenti for the Sky Blues, it looked like the home side were going to struggle to break down the Mariners defence.

But whatever manager Mark Robins said to his players in the dressing room at the break it worked wonders as the City came out and started to believe in themselves and played some smashing football, and poor Grimsby started to look like a team who are fighting the drop.

They came into this match without a win in 18 games while the Sky Blues are now unbeaten in six games. The gulf between the two sides showed in the second period and the City players were attacking at will and the away teams midfield was being outclassed by the tenacity of Doyle who sprayed passes about, and upfront McNulty was all over the place and his work rate was richly awarded with a superb hat-trick with goals in the 55,76,and 87 minutes.

The crowd of 8,755 were treated to a thoroughly entertaining second period of football especially us Coventry City fans, who have been starved of goals this season.

Just when @Coventry_City needed a goal scoring hero up steps @sparkymcnulty with a hat-trick

📈He has now scored 2⃣1⃣goals in 4⃣1⃣appearances this season for #skyblues
➡️That’s an average of 0⃣.5⃣goals per game..not bad that man👍

✅love LG1&2? Give us a follow#PUSB pic.twitter.com/LZ2fi7TRlV

— D3D4Football (@d3d4football) March 24, 2018

This win sees us sitting nicely in sixth place and we have hit form just at the right time, and with Notts County slipping up today at Chesterfield we are breathing down the necks of those teams above us.

So all is looking rosy at our club but can we keep up the winning feeling? If we could play with the intensity shown yesterday in the second half for full ninety minutes between now and the end of this long gruelling campaign, I can’t see any League Two side beating us to be honest. But football matches are played over ninety odd minutes and not forty Five, so anything could happen.

Yet keep this quiet I am starting to believe in this squad of players and just as importantly also our manager Robins, so all that’s left to say is Play Up Sky Blues !

words Kevin Halls, D3D4 Coventry City correspondent