Weekend League 2 round-up

Such is the tightness at the top of the table at this early stage, Exeter City dropped from fourth to ninth in the standings with defeat to Newport County AFC, who rose a place to 11th with their victory.  Luckily, City fans don’t have to wait long for more action at SJP, with the always-enjoyable annual Varsity match against a side representing the University of Exeter taking place in midweek.

The division’s top two sides at the start of today’s play met this afternoon at the Kassam Stadium, as Oxford United were beaten 1-0 by a Chesterfield side whose run of good form shows no signs of relenting.  Paul Cook’s Spireites have only dropped two league points in their eight games so far, and Ritchie Humphreys’ winner sent them four points clear at the top. The U’s, meanwhile, who had defender Andy Whing sent off for a poor challenge on Eoin Doyle in the second half, have slipped to fourth, with just four points now separating the sides from second to ninth in the table.


Jamille Matt scored the game's only goal for Fleetwood

Replacing Oxford in second spot this week are Fleetwood Town.  Their 1-0 defeat of Portsmouth at Fratton Park means they have won all of their games in all competitions in September, with a visit of Exeter City to come next weekend to close out the month.  “We just couldn’t get going in the second half and our passing was a bit slow,” Pompey boss Guy Whittingham said following the match.  “When it’s like that you hope that you defend well and we did that, but we still conceded.”  Jamille Matt was credited with the Cod Army’s goal, after his shot deflected off Portsmouth defender Sonny Bradley and into the net.

There was an eye-catching result at Plainmoor as Torquay United hit four past Cheltenham Town in a 4-2 win for their second victory of the season.  The tone was set early on as Callum Ball opened the scoring after just two minutes.  Things were levelled with Byron Harrison’s equaliser ten minutes later, but Ball notched again just before the break.  The dangerous Karl Hawley got the Gulls’ third, and Terry Gornell got a consolation to keep things interesting, but the victory was sealed by a Jordan Chappell strike late on.

The most one-sided match of the day came at Field Mill, as Mansfield Town saw off Northampton Town 3-0.  Sam Clucas has four goals in as many games now as he got the Stags’ second, and otherwise Ben Hutchinson and a Mathias Kouo-Doumbe own-goal accounted for the scoring.  The home side have made a strong start to life back in League 2, and are now fifth in the table with 15 points, a fitting tribute to manager Paul Cox in his 100th league match in charge of the club.

AFC Wimbledon have now won three in a row in the league after Saturday’s 3-1 win over Burton Albion.  It was the Brewers that took the lead despite losing Marcus Holness to a red card – Adam McGurk’s shot was deflected in on the half-hour, but a second-half onslaught from the home side earned Neal Ardley’s side the three points.  It was the introduction of Chris Arthur that swung the tide in the Dons’ favour, as Ardley said to Dons Player: “I am pretty sure that there would have been a few raised eyebrows among our supporters when we signed him… but they can see a player with so much potential.”  Harry Pell, Jack Midson and Andy Frampton scored the Dons’ three goals.


Luke James celebrates putting Hartlepool 2-1 up against Bristol Rovers

Despite playing a half with ten men, Rochdale still hung on to win 2-1 at Accrington Stanley, who are still stuck on one solitary point.  All the goals came early in this one, with Matty Lund and Scott Hogan putting Dale into a quick 2-0 lead, before Kayode Odejayi got his first Stanley goal on 24 minutes – the derby defeat was Stanley’s eighth in a row.  Meanwhile Hartlepool were denied a crucial away win by John-Joe O’Toole’s last-minute equaliser for Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.  Matt Harrold opened the scoring for Rovers, but a Luke James brace looked like sealing the points for Pools, until Rovers’ last-gasp leveller denied United the chance to leapfrog them in the table.  Bury also got a late home equaliser to deny Southend.  Anton Forrester was the Shakers’ hero as he cancelled out Ben Coker’s first-half free-kick.

Plymouth Argyle were beaten for the second consecutive match as former Sheffield Wednesday man Etiënne Esajas struck in a 1-0 win for Scunthorpe United, meaning Scunny are one place and one point below Exeter in League 2 having gone unbeaten in four.  Four goals were shared at the Globe Arena as Morecambe drew 2-2 with Dagenham & Redbridge as Abu Ogogo got his second in as many games for the opener, before Morecambe replied and went ahead through Padraig Amond and Mark Hughes respectively, but Rhys Murphy equalised for the Daggers deep into stoppage time.  Finally, two goals in the space of seven minutes ensured Wycombe Wanderers and York City shared the spoils at Adams Park as it ended 1-1. David McGurk’s movement in the penalty area allowed him space to head home for the Minstermen, but the lead was short-lived, as Dean Morgan was first to the loose ball following Matt McClure’s shot hitting the post.