That’s it, we have reached the 10 game mark where everyone traditionally takes stock of how their sides have started. Have a read of the latest round of match reports and find out what our correspondents are thinking…
MATCH REPORT: Carlisle United 0-1 Stevenage
A stunning effort from Ben Kennedy handed Carlisle their second consecutive home defeat and kept Stevenage unbeaten in four outings.
Far from a game that will go down history books, Brunton Park (lacking some atmosphere all afternoon) witnessed a lackadaisical display from the Cumbrians that the Boro capitalised on. It was just the single change to the starting lineup for the hosts as Ashley Nadesan came in for the suspended Jerry Yates and Mike Jones returned from injury to the bench while the visitors were unchanged.
Throughout the first half some good football was played but neither side created an abundance of chances as it was stalemate.
Each team did have one great opportunity to rue in the opening period though. After some sustained pressure, Carlisle strikers Nadesan and Richie Bennett (who had a typically frustrating half) both failed to convert a goalmouth scramble and ten minutes later, Stevenage skipper Alex Revell fired straight at Adam Collin in a one-on-one situation.
It was clear the Cumbrians would go into the break level as they made numerous attacks but failed to capitalise on them and the Boro contingent gained confidence from their toothless opposition. A substitution was made around the half hour mark as loanee Jack Sowerby was replaced by George Glendon in the middle of the park for the home outfit.
Unfortunately, an accident on the A66 prevented no more than around 30 away supporters from watching the entire match as their bus arrived late.
Following the interval, it was all to play for and Stevenage broke the deadlock. A counter-attack down the right wing was slightly cleared by Gary Liddle and when Joel Bryom took it down on the edge of the penalty area, the ball was laid-off for Kennedy to hit a wonderful strike into the top left-hand corner; as Carlisle knew they had made things far more difficult than it needed to be going into the closing stages.
Shortly after their side had conceded, loanee Adam Campbell headed a lovely Jamie Devitt delivery from the right onto the far post. The visitors were winning everything that came their way and made some decent opportunities for themselves as a result of the hosts committing players forward but both Steve Seddon and Scott Cuthbert fired over within a few minutes of each other.
Things got heated on the sidelines when the referee stopped the game for a head injury which meant John Sheridan and Dino Maamria had to be separated as they exchanged verbal blows.
Despite work from Gary Liddle and league debutant Liam McCarron on the right, an equaliser never came and the few traveling supporters were awarded three points.
That result sends Stevenage into 4th place while Carlisle slip down to 11th ahead of a midweek round of fixtures.
Attendance: 4,200 (59)
Referee: Scott Oldham
Home star man: Gary Liddle
Away star man: Scott Cuthbert
words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent
MATCH REPORT: AFC Wimbledon 2-1 Oxford United
For the sake of my sanity I will make this brief. Wimbledon were poor, Oxford were worse.
Not much else to say really. If both sides play like they did today not only will both teams struggle but they will also be sued by fans for assault on decent football.
Wimbledon took the chances that Oxford gifted to them. Scott Wagstaff nodding home a cross to the far post and Joe Pigott capitalising on a slip by Oxford captain John Mousinho was enough to give the home side a two goal lead.
Cameron Brannagan pulled a goal back before the break to give the more than 600 travelling support hope but it was a false hope yet again.
The second half was dreadful. Oxford had eleven corners during the match and the only ones that weren’t headed away at the near post were over hit, missing everyone altogether.
In fairness the Dons defence were very solid with Deji Oshilaja organising things well. Pigott has now scored six goals for Wimbledon this season and at least looks like a decent striker, something Oxford really lack.
On to Tuesday night where we welcome Luton Town…..oh good!
words James Richards, D3D4 Football
MATCH REPORT: Grimsby Town 1-2 Morecambe
Street Sign In Cleethorpes
Right Up Jimbo’s Street…
Morecambe won two-nil at Blundall Park last January to collect another precious three points to keep them in the EFL at the end of the season by the skin of their teeth. Every little helps as they say. In previous encounters between the two clubs, the Shrimps have a slightly better record – five won; three lost out of fourteen meetings in the past.
Today’s fixture in Cleethorpes already had tremendous significance for both of these clubs, both of whom are struggling at the bottom of League Two even this early in the season.
Without their win over ten-man Macclesfield last Saturday in Lancashire, Jim Bentley’s team would have only three points to show from the nine games they have played so far this term. The Mariners, meanwhile, have only trawled five points from their campaign before today and – even more alarmingly – hadn’t scored a single goal in league games this month, having lost all four of their matches in this competition during September. So the stakes for Michael Jolley – the Mariners’ Cambridge-educated Manager since March this year – were just as high as those of his opposite number. Jimbo has publicly stated he is `uncomfortable’ about rumours that Paul Ince is going to be appointed imminently as Director of Football at the club. “I am not pleased with it to be honest” he told the media earlier this week. “I have put my heart and soul into this club. It is not nice when your job is just banded around like it is.” Amen to that. Head to head, the Morecambe Manager has an incomparable record as opposed to that of Mr Ince, who has a solid record of failure at the overwhelming number of clubs he has been involved with as a Coach. So today’s match could have ramifications which would reach far beyond the immediate result as far as points in the table are concerned…
It was sunny and quite warm out of the shade if a bit windy when the match kicked-off. The visitors were immediately on the attack and should have gone ahead with only two minutes on the clock. A-Jay Leitch-Smith found himself on the left-hand edge of the Mariners’ penalty area from his point of view and had time to set himself to score. But his shot drew the first of a string of tremendous saves from home custodian James McKeown and the chance came to nothing. Already, however, the pattern of the game had been established: the Shrimps played lots of tippy-tappy football which usually ended in wasted opportunities whereas the Mariners played a more agricultural form of soccer. With their very first attack of the game, their far more direct approach ended with a goal after eight minutes. With the Morecambe defence parting literally like the red sea in front of him, Elliot Embleton advanced down the centre of the pitch, took a couple of shimmies and then set himself to shoot past a helpless Barry Roche from some way out as the Shrimps’ defenders stood off and basically looked on. It was an appalling goal to concede but Morecambe seemed reluctant to put in a tackle early doors far too often throughout this contest. Having fallen behind, the visitors continued to play most of the rest of the half in the home team’s half. McKeown pulled off another excellent stop after sixteen minutes, this time from Andrew Tutte’s volley high up into the corner of his net. Almost half way through the first period, Morecambe had a let-off when Big Baz left his goal far too late and made an attempt at a tackle which resulted in a free-kick to the Mariners. A less lenient referee than Christopher Sarginson would have booked him – a more severe one would have sent him off. But he got away with it today. With half an hour played, a Vadaine Oliver effort was brilliantly blocked by Luke Hendrie only for his goalkeeper to excel himself again to deny Tutte once more with another wonder save as the move reached its conclusion. And so the half ended. Morecambe had played almost all the football but Grimsby had broken their September duck with the only statistic that matters – they scored. That said, if it wasn’t for an outstanding performance from the man between their sticks, Town would already have been behind.
Football is as much to do with luck as anything else in all truth. The pivotal point of the match – in my view – arrived after 50 minutes. Embleton made good progress down the Grimsby left and crossed for Wes Thomas to smash the ball against the angle of crossbar and post as Barry Roche was a spectator. But the ball bounced down onto the wrong side of the line from the Mariners’ point of view. On another day, it would have gone the other side and put Town into a probably unassailable lead. But not today…
Morecambe equalised with just over an hour played and I think it’s fair to say it had been coming for a while. Rhys Oakes received the ball on the Shrimps’ right and progressed powerfully towards the edge of the Grimsby penalty area, from which he unleashed a tremendous strike which finally beat McKeown’s best efforts to keep it out as it nestled low in the corner to his right. Just four minutes later, the hosts were behind with the strangest of goals. Liam Mandeville took a speculative shot which – viewed from my position right behind the Town goal – seemed to simply find its way in slow motion past the Grimsby defence and then a goalkeeper who didn’t seem to see it until it was too late. After this, there were half-chances for both teams but the Shrimps held-out to put their travelling support into wonderland. Two wins in a row. Three times the amount of points they had just seven days and two hours previously. Brilliant. They are now seventeenth in League Two. Paul Ince? Who are ya? Who are ya? Who…
But spare a thought for Grimsby. They have struggled ever since returning to the Football League two years ago. Sadly, they will continue to struggle if they don’t improve the quality of their football if today’s performance is any guide. They looked and played like a non-League team for much of the game and if I was a Mariners’ fan, I would seriously fear for them.
Grimsby Town: 1 James McKeown; 24 Harry Davis (2 Reece Hall-Johnson 58 mins); 25 Alex Whitmore; 6 Danny Collins (Y); 27 Luke Hendrie; 22 Elliot Embleton; 16 Martyn Woolford (8 Mitch Rose 68 mins); 4 John Welsh (30 Ben Pringle 68 mins); 7 Jake Hessenthaler; 39 Wes Thomas; 11 Jordan Cook (Y);
Subs not used: 15 Harry Clifton; 8 Mitch Rose; 9 JJ Hooper; 18 Charles Vernam; 23 Sam Russell.
Morecambe: 1 Barry Roche (C); 2 Zak Mills; 16 Sam Lavelle; 3 Luke Conlan; 6 Andrew Tutte; 5 Steven Old; 15 Aaron Wildig; 14 Liam Mandeville (27 Jordan Cranston 83 mins); 28 A-Jay Leitch-Smith; 9 Vadaine Oliver (12 Jason Oswell 81 mins); 18 Rhys Oates (24 Joe Piggott 89 mins).
Subs not used: 21 Mark Halstead; 14 Josef Yarney; 22 James Sinclair; 20 Lamine Jagne; 25 Ben Hedley.
Ref: Chris Sarginson.
Attendance: 3972 (57 from Morecambe )
words Roger Fitton, D3D4 Morecambe correspondent
MATCH REPORT: Wycombe Wanderers 2-3 Southend United
Wycombe Wanderers wait for a first home win in League One since March 2012 goes on after they lost 3-2 to Southend United at Adams Park on Saturday.
While Wycombe have been scoring freely away from home, they have found goals harder to come by in front of their own fans having found the net just twice in four matches. Equally, they had conceded just three goals in four home league games, but both totals were doubled in an open game in South Bucks.
Having picked up an impressive and deserved point at league leaders Portsmouth last week, Gareth Ainsworth kept faith with the same starting line-up from the rain-drenched encounter at Fratton Park, while Southend welcomed goalkeeper Mark Oxley back to their first eleven.
Wycombe pressed from the start and forced a corner in the opening minute, but the first effort of the game came from the visitors when Ben Coker shot wide from distance. Wycombe first showed signs of danger when Adebayo Akinfenwa was unable to connect with Matt Bloomfield’s low cross. Shortly after that, Akinfenwa headed down for Bryn Morris to shoot just wide.
However, it was Southend forward Theo Robinson who should have opened the scoring but he volleyed over when he really should have hit the target. His next effort was saved by the feet of Wycombe goalkeeper Ryan Allsop before Akinfenwa headed over from close range.
Robinson was in the thick of the action again after 24 minutes when he screwed the ball just wide when well placed. The first half hinged on two incidents just after 35 minutes when first of all, Wycombe’s Matt Bloomfield was sent through, but his first touch was too heavy and he was drawn into committing a foul. Shortly afterwards, Robinson found broke the deadlock. Wycombe’s Darius Charles was caught out of position allowing Tom Hopper to get in around the back and square to Robinson who had an easy tap-in.
Bloomfield then saw an effort saved by Oxley as an even first half ended with United a goal in front.
The second-half started with referee Ton Nield waving away Southend appeals for a penalty for a suspected handball from Sido Jombati before Wycombe’s Fred Onyedinma was sent through on goal, only to see Oxley race out and make a smart stop.
Come the hour mark though, and United were over the hill and far away. First a soft free-kick was awarded on half-way and Wycombe gave their visitors time and space to work the ball to Hopper who found the next from close range. On 57 minutes it was Simon Cox who made it 3-0, racing down the right flank to fire past Allsop.
Ainsworth made a triple substitution with 25 minutes remaining, bringing on Craig Mackail-Smith, Randell Williams and Paris Cowan-Hall for Bloomfield, Onyendinma and Scott Kashket. The game however appeared to be dying out with United shutting up shop and Wycombe limited to long range efforts from Morris and Williams. Some fans made for the exit, but those that stayed were treated to an unexpectedly thrilling final ten minutes. Wycombe had fought back from a three-goal deficit against Norwich in the League Cup last Tuesday to leave the Canaries hanging on, and they did the same against Southend. On 83 minutes, Mackail-Smith produced a moment of magic from nothing, volleying into the top corner from the edge of the area. Mackail-Smith was then involved again as United cleared from on the goal-line before with four minutes remaining, Akinfenwa made it 2-3, tapping in Morris’s low cross.
The travelling fans had been in fine voice all afternoon, regularly reminding Wycombe of their equaliser in the 2015 League Two Play-Off final with just 20 seconds of extra-time remaining. However the shoe appeared to be making its way to the other foot as Akinfenwa saw Oxley hold on to his long-range effort before Mackail-Smith volleyed over following a good move. It was like the Alamo now with both sides encamped in the away team’s penalty area as two long throws from Williams caused panic. Wycombe were unable to take advantage though and when Morris went down with a knock to the head, the referee had to stop the game. This halted Wycombe’s momentum and allowed Southend to clear as they held on for the three points.
The result sees Southend move up to 13th while the two late strikes at least keep Wycombe out of the relegation zone on goal difference. This perhaps highlights the difference between a side expected to finish in mid-table and one that is likely to be in a battle to avoid the drop – victory for Wycombe would have seen them leap frog Southend and send them towards the wrong end of the division.
It would be unfair to say that Wycombe only turned up for the final ten minutes as at 0-0 and 0-1, they were very much in the game. Yet not for the first time this season, the 3-man midfield was overrun. They provided little cover down the wings – it is no coincidence that all of the Southend goals came from moves down these positions – while there is little by way of creativity going forward. A 3-5-2 formation that Ainsworth has employed in cup competitions left the defence equally exposed against Norwich so maybe he needs to go down the more traditional 4-4-2 route. Nobody can accuse Wycombe of lacking heart or battle as in each of their last four defeats in all competitions, they have staged a comeback to leave the opposition hanging on. And over half of Wycombe’s league goals this season have been scored after the 80 minute mark. That is all well and good, but talking up good elements of a performance and trying to convince yourself that the results will simply come does not necessarily make it so. Wycombe were guilty of that during their last foray into League One and after all is said and done, it is points, not positives, that count and October could well be a key month for Wycombe.
Upcoming games against Burton, Scunthorpe and Rochdale at Adams Park could well present an opportunity to pick up a first home win of the season – but only a stronger overall display from the Chairboys will have a realistic chance of making that happen.
FT: WYCOMBE WANDERERS 2 (Mackail-Smith 83, Akinfenwa 86) SOUTHEND UNITED 3 (Robinson 38, Hopper 53, Cox 57)
ATT: 4,784
words Phil Slatter, D3D4 Wycombe Wanderers correspondent
MATCH REPORT: Newport County 4-2 Cambridge United
If ever a match could be called “a game of two halves” this contest would rank high among the best with Cambridge bossing the first half and Newport taking control of the second half.
The crowd had hardly got settled in their seats when Cambridge’s Reggie Lambe hit the target with the first attack of the game putting a low shot from the left side of the penalty area beyond the reach of the Newport keeper. Cambridge’s flow of play was a joy to watch with accurate man to man passing leaving the Newport players chasing shadows. It was such a move that created the second goal for Cambridge. A neat interchange of passes starting on the right wing and involving four players finished up with a second goal for Lambe who lifted the ball gently over the advancing keeper. It appeared that Newport had no answer to the ball play of their opponents that only allowed the home side to keep possession within their own half without making any meaningful inroads into the Cambridge defence. Once they did manage to create a bit of chaos in the penalty area, a needless push by a Cambridge defender in first half stoppage time allowed Newport to get level with a penalty confidently put away by Mickey Demetriou and that appeared to be the only way that the home side would ever score. And then the second half started.
In about the same time that it took Cambridge to score their first goal in the first half, so Newport showed that they could do just as well by levelling the scores in the second through a header by centre forward Amond. This is when the tables really turned. It was all Newport now and Cambridge seemed to have lost their grip on the game. Gone was the visitor’s ability to keep the ball and frequent misplaced passes and on the hour this allowed Jamille Matt to benefit from a slight deflection off a Cambridge defender to put the finishing touch to the goal that put Newport ahead. A number of petty fouls had been interrupting the flow of play throughout the game and it was one such infringement that led to Newport’s fourth goal. An inswinging delivery from the right wing caused chaos in the visitor’s penalty area and again Matt was there to get the touch that counted just three minutes after his first goal.
Cambridge could and should have reduced the arrears later when the Newport defence stood still appealing for an off-side decision that wasn’t awarded but the Cambridge striker put the ball wide of the goal.
An entertaining game for the neutral supporter but much more satisfying for the home fans than the 6 goals that were scored in their previous League 2 home game against Yeovil when Newport failed to score.
words Mike Commins, D3D4 contributor
MATCH REPORT: Coventry City 1-1 Sunderland
Early kick off meant an earlier trip to the pub for our big game verses Sunderland and the boozer was packed with Sky Blues fans. You could sense the anticipation and excitement of the supporters, these are the matches we all enjoy and look forward to, and as the visitors clearly dislike our club, which gave it the feel of a local derby.
The sun was shining again and at kick off the decent crowd of 16,407 whipped up some noise, especially the home fans who were really up for this one.
The away following of 4,900 were packed in behind one goal and it reminded me of when we were in the Championship when crowds were bigger, and the atmosphere was better. But we are where we are so we just have to get on with it so to speak.
After a dreadful performance away at Bristol Rovers last week when the City got beat 1-3 I guess Sunderland thought they would just turn up and leave with 3 easy points. But I’ve been watching my team for fifty years and know their DNA so I was confident that we would raise our level and give Sunderland a game, and I was right as the Sky Blues really went at them from the first whistle to the last, and on another day could have won.
The only negative aspect is our finishing, as we created umpteen chances in the match but had to settle with the one goal. But other than that Coventry City play attractive passing football and if they could just be more clinical upfront, and be more ruthless, they can beat any side in this division.
Sunderland though are a good side and at times played well and this match was up and down, for ten minutes the away team were on top, then it changed around and the home side were doing the pressing, and so this pattern went on especially in the second half which was a cracking 45 minutes of entertaining football. It was like two boxers slugging it out in a ring, one would be ahead on points, then the other would take the lead. But it was compelling viewing and both clubs were a credit to League One I thought, as they were both playing the beautiful game in the right way passing it around and many players really stood out and gave good performances.
Lee Cattermole scored Sunderland’s goal and him and another “veteran” Coventry’s Michael Doyle had a proper ding- dong battle in midfield, as they’re both combative players who like to put themselves about, and Doyle played a really pivotal role in creating chances with some superb passes.
In the 67th minute big Jonson Clarke – Harris equalised for the Sky Blues which was fully deserved for all the effort the team had put in after going down 1-0 and on 90 minutes Conor Chaplin was put through on goal with just the keeper in the way from Coventry going 2-1 up but as we all rose to our feet in the stands ready to celebrate the winner, Conor decided to chip the ball Messi style over the onrushing goalie, who managed to get a touch on the ball which slowed it down, and we all watched as a Sunderland defender manged to stop it rolling into the empty net, and clear it away.
So this entertaining game ended all square at one apiece which was about right I guess, but with just a little bit more composure and confidence Chaplin would have buried that clear cut chance at the death, but he had a good game so we’ll let it go !
Up next on Tuesday night is another tough home game as high flying Pompey roll up to the Ricoh Arena. But I’m confident the City will be fired up for this fixture, and hopefully we can nick the win?
Finally after the game on Saturday I saw another fiery encounter as a large set of Cov fans had a fight with Sunderland fans outside the stadium, which didn’t surprise me as it was rumoured on social media it was going to kick off. It looked like a prearranged scrap so as we watched it from a distance I can’t say who won. But using a boxing analogy I’d go for a draw!
The crazy world of football!
words Kevin Halls, D3D4 Coventry City correspondent
MATCH REPORT: Peterborough United 2-2 Blackpool
Saturday 29th September 2018, English Football League 1.