League Two Review: Bristol Rovers and Plymouth defy the odds to win
It has been another weekend of breathtaking action from the Npower League Two as two of the early season front runners slipped to defeats and there was a first win of the season for Plymouth under new caretaker manager Carl Fletcher. All of the action is assessed here in the latest instalment of Andrew Steele Davis’ League Two Review.
Bristol Rovers entered their game with Morecambe in a mini slump, having not won in their previous five outings. Morecambe on the other hand had made a stunning start to the season and were going into this game full of confidence.
However, Rovers took the lead in the game, centre-back Cian Bolger heading home Matt Gill’s cross for his first ever goal in professional football. Morecambe then showed why they are top of the table, scoring twice in quick succession to turn the game on its head. Jason Price, who has had more clubs than what some people have had hot dinners, opened his account for Morecambe before Kevin Ellison made it 2-1 with a free-kick. One of the many contenders for this week’s Goal of the Weekend drew Rovers level, Scott McGleish smashing an unstoppable strike from 25 yards to make it 2-2. And Paul Buckle’s men completed their comeback when Joe Anyinsah waltzed past seven attempted challenges before finishing coolly past Barry Roach to hand Rovers the three points.
Southend produced the shock of the weekend by putting four past Rotherham. Swindon Town loanee Michael Timlin stood out in this mauling of the former League leaders, smashing in a fine double in-between strikes from Peter Gilbert and Neil Harris. Rotherham have now slipped to fifth in the table, a far cry from their unbeaten start in August with Andy Scott bemoaning another “totally unacceptable performance”. How they’re missing Adam Le Fondre…
As mentioned earlier, this week saw many fine goals making the choice to award Goal of the Weekend extremely difficult. However, after studying the goals again carefully, Christian Jolley certainly made it a jolly trip home for AFC Wimbledon with a fine 25-yard curler which secured the points against Bradford, who are still looking for their first league win under Phil Parkinson. Efforts from Swindon’s Matt Ritchie, Bristol Rover’s Scott McGleish and Southend’s Michael Timlin all impressed but it was Jolley’s strike that got the nod this week.
To the County Ground now and Paolo Di Canio’s Swindon Town team were looking to bounce back after defeat to Burton Albion last week. And bounce back they did, a superb team effort culminating in four goals being put past the hapless Barnet defence, who seemed more intent on fighting amongst themselves than anything else. Raffaele De Vita opened the scoring with a neat finish into the bottom corner before Matt Ritchie worked his magic scoring twice and putting in a delightful cross for Mehdi Kerrouche to nod home. This performance also sees Swindon awarded with this week’s Home Performance of the Weekend. The momentum is now firmly with Swindon and if they can carry their home form into away games then they are now firmly the team to watch.
Plymouth went into the game against Macclesfield embroiled in controversy after the shocking sacking of Peter Reid and the appointment of club captain Carl Fletcher as manager. However, Fletcher’s fighting spirit as a player was transferred across to his players who put in a gutsy performance to record a magnificent 2-0 win over Macclesfield. Warren Feeney and Robbie Williams got the goals in what has to be the Team Performance of the Weekend Award.
In the other results, Crawley Town edged a narrow contest against Aldershot one nil, who were more interested in celebrating their home tie against Manchester United in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. Cheltenham and Hereford played out a boring stalemate in what was a local derby, Crewe were held at home by Port Vale, a brace from Danny Kedwell handed Gillingham a 3-1 over Burton Albion, Northampton defeated John Still’s Dagenham and Redbridge side 2-1, Oxford United could only draw at home with Accrington Stanley, and Shrewsbury beat a Torquay side containing Billy Bodin 2-0, leaving Gulls boss Martin Ling to blame all 14 who took to the field.
As with the amount of fine quality goals that flew in this weekend, there were a lot of contenders for Player of the Weekend. Danny Kedwell, Michael Timlin and Joe Anyinsah all impressed but Swindon Town’s Matt Ritchie scoops the award for the second week running. After a fairly slow start to the season Richie is now turning on the heat against League Two defences and his performance against Barnet was truly breathtaking. Two goals and an assist added to the impressive performances put in by Ritchie in recent weeks. If he can keep this form up then Swindon will be right in the promotion mix come the end of the season, that’s if we can keep hold of the winger come January.
So there you have it, another weekend of action from League Two. Come back next weekend where we will be assessing all the action once more from the Npower League Two.
Swindon fans don’t forget to check back on The Washbag throughout this week as we analyse the key moments from our first ten League games.
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