Last week’s fixtures saw a huge forty goals scored across 12 games, averaging 3.3 goals a game. This weekend saw a number of significantly tighter affairs played out, the only game which saw more than 3 goals was City’s draw with Sheffield United in front of the Sky cameras.
Colchester 2-1 Gillingham
After their last two games (a 3-3 draw and a 3-2 victory) a 2-1 home defeat for U’s fans will have felt like a bore draw. After stealing all three points away from Bramwell Lane in midweek, Colchester will have welcomed the Gills with a degree of confidence despite their opposition’s unbeaten start to the season. Gillingham nearly took the lead in the first couple of minutes, Cody McDonald striking the post. Colchester responded two minutes later scoring the first goal of the game, Gavin Massey finishing after good work in the centre of the pitch from Callum Harriott. The Gills weren’t behind for long as Luke Norris levelled the scores. Harriott then added a goal to his previous assist, he thundered a shot into the bottom corner after a good passing move. Gillingham were literally handed another chance to level when the referee adjudged Frankie Kent to have handled the ball. McDonald could not add to his earlier goal, he smashed the spot kick straight into Jamie Jones. Colchester are now in 13th place with 10 points; 7 of those coming in the last three games. Gillingham are 3rd.
Millwall 0-2 Southend
Before visiting the Den, Southend had only managed one victory in the league. Goals either side of half time from David Mooney and Adam Barrett meant that the Shrimpers left London with a very valuable three points. David Worrall delivered for David Mooney to head home the game’s opening goal. Four minutes after the break Southend had doubled their advantage, another header provided the goal this time for Adam Barrett, he headed home Michael Timlin’s excellent cross.
Swindon 0-1 Burton Albion
Before Saturday Burton had never won at Swindon, a first half Stuart Beavon goal saw that duck broken and moved the Brewers to the top of the table. Unsure defending from Burton saw the ball put back into the box after a free kick wasn’t cleared, Beavon capitalised and fired past ‘keeper Vigouroux. Swindon pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half but it wasn’t to be. Jon McLaughlin saved well from a Yaser Kasim free-kick but the travelling side managed to hold on for the win.
Coventry 1-0 Chesterfield
Coventry City’s Adam Armstrong broke his mini goal scoring duck on Saturday; he made his tally for the season up to six with a goal which saw Coventry beat Chesterfield at the Ricoh. Armstrong is on loan from Newcastle and has impressed for the Sky Blues. He nearly opened the scoring half way through the first half when he dribbled his way through the Chesterfield back line only to blaze his shot over the bar. His goal came five minutes after the break, a neat finish after a Jacob Murphy pass. The game ended on a somewhat farcical note, Chesterfield substitute Mani Dieseruvwie was shown a second yellow card for attempting a ‘hand of god’ style move in a desperate attempt to draw the Spireites level.
Blackpool 1-1 Barnsley
Blackpool’s ascension from the foot of the table proved to be short lived as the slumped to the bottom again after failing to see off Barnsley at home. The visitors started the brighter out of the two and were ahead after 8 minutes, Conor Hourihane scoring his second in two games. The goal probably wasn’t the best of his career, he scuffed a Marley Watkins cross into the bottom corner. Jack Redshaw scored an equaliser in the second half which meant that Blackpool only slipped bottom on goal difference rather than points, not a huge consolation for Seasider’s fans.
Shrewsbury 0-1 Crewe Alexandra
With Blackpool not managing a win against Barnsley, Crewe could move off the bottom of the table with a win at Shrewsbury. After two minutes Crewe were realising this possibility, they took the lead through Adam King which, ultimately was enough to provide the Railwaymen with their first win of the season. King finished a counter attack after Jermaine Grandison was dispossessed on halfway. Crewe had to hang on tight for the rest of the game as all the chances fell to the Shrews, Jordan Clark came closest as his effort clipped the top of the bar.
Rochdale 2-1 Scunthorpe
Before visiting Spotland on Saturday Scunthorpe had failed to record a win in their last four games. They nearly put that form behind them early on in the second half as Paddy Madden hit the bar after a mainly uneventful first half. It was the hosts however who took the lead, substitute Joel Bunney lashed home from 18 yards. Murray Wallace seemed to have rescued a point for the visitors after he headed in a Gary McSheffrey corner. Scunthorpe however left Spotland empty handed as in-form man Peter Vincente made it three goals in four games securing the three points for the home side.
Wigan 2-1 Fleetwood
Wigan’s local boy on debut Jordan Flores opened the scoring at the DW stadium, the ball falling to his feet after Fleetwood failed to clear a Wigan corner. Flores then turned provider for Michael Jacobs who lashed home from ten yards to double the Latics lead. Wigan hadn’t conceded a goal at home before the visit of Fleetwood; they will be disappointed at the nature of the goal which ended that record. An Antoni Sarcevic free kick was deflected into Tyler Hornby-Forbes path who finished from 8 yards to half the deficit. Wigan managed to hold on but very nearly conceded deep into injury time, former Wigan trialist David Ball hit the post.
Peterborough 1-1 Walsall
Walsall had a chance to go top of the table if they could make it four wins in four against Peterborough. Peterborough have shown some real steel under Grant McCann of late and they proved to be tough opponents for the Saddlers. Walsall were ahead through Romaine Sawyer’s fifth goal of the season, he won’t score too many better than this one. He found himself in a good position 25 yards from goal and unleashed a fierce strike past Ben Alnwick. Getting back into the game was made doubly difficult for Posh when midfielder Jermaine Anderson was sent for an early bath after an apparent altercation with some spectators. Peterborough were handed a chance to rescue a point after Walsall ‘keeper Neil Eldridge brought down Callum Elder in the box. Michael Bostwick smashed the penalty past Eldridge to deny the Saddler’s top spot and a sixth win of the season.
Doncaster 1-1 Oldham
It was a battle of the interim managers at the Keepmoat as Doncaster took on Oldham. The home side were in front after 26 minutes through an Andy Butler header before Jonathan Burn levelled the scores 8 minutes later. Doncaster came closest to taking all three points but after a Cameron Stewart free-kick was tipped onto the post Oscar Gobern could only then head onto the bar. Doncaster and Oldham sharing points as well as job vacancies.
Bury 1-0 Port Vale
Another impressive Bury win sees the Shakers move up to sixth place. After winning their last three on the road Bury will be happy to give the home fans at Gigg Lane something to shout about with a win against Port Vale. Nathan Cameron scored the only goal of the game.
Billy Sharpe
League One Top Scorers
1 - Adam Armstrong - Coventry City - 6
1 - Bradley Dack - Gillingham - 5
2 - Billy Sharpe - Sheffield United - 5
3 - Marcus Maddison - Peterborough United - 4
3 - Patrick Madden - Scunthorpe United - 4
