The first of the Easter weekend fixtures were played
across Friday and Saturday afternoon in League Two. With things close at both
ends of the table, it was a good opportunity for teams to build momentum going
into Easter Monday’s games as well as for the remainder of the season.
On Friday afternoon, five goals were scored at Vale Park
where promotion candidates Port Vale met Cheltenham, another team looking to go
up to League One automatically. The narrow victory in the hosts’ favour meant
the Rubies had to end the weekend with a place in the play-offs. Tom Pope’s
hat-trick helped Vale secure maximum points, his first goal coming via a header
in the opening 20 minutes. Cheltenham levelled after the break, Kaid Mohamed
pouncing in the area, before going on to take the lead through Paul Benson’s
effort. Vale equalised courtesy of a Pope volley and he completed his treble
midway through the second period, increasing his tally for the season to 30. A
neat chip over Scott Brown in the visitors’ goal secured the points.
A narrow win for Northampton kept them in the race for
third place, while defeat for Torquay sees them continue their fight for
survival at the wrong end of the table. Roy O’Donovan’s late strike five
minutes from time handed The Cobblers victory – it was his third goal for the
club since joining on deadline day in January.
There was also a Friday win for play-off occupants
Rotherham, with a single goal separating them and AFC Wimbledon. Alex Revell’s
76th minute header handed Steve Evans’ side their first win in four,
while the Dons still aren’t safe at the bottom.
Continuing with teams struggling at the foot of the
table, Accrington recorded a surprise win over Wycombe, courtesy of an injury
time goal. Three minutes into time added on at the end of the game, Lee
Molyneux smashed the ball home for a vital victory which sees Stanley sit five
clear of the dropzone.
Four goals were shared when Bradford hosted Southend on
Friday afternoon and the draws didn’t stop there with a further six sides
settling for a point apiece. At Valley Parade, the likelihood of either side
making the play-offs now looks relatively slim, with Southend seven points off
and Bradford a further point behind them, with just a handful of games remaining.
The Shrimpers found themselves two goals up after just 11 minutes: Gavin Tomlin
opened the scoring by tapping-in after Bilel Mohsni’s shot hit the post, before
Britt Assombalonga doubled their advantage seconds later. The Bantams responded
in the second half to deny Phil Brown a winning start as Southend boss. Zavon
Hines pulled one back after 50 minutes before James Hanson’s header salvaged a
point.
A goal each was the outcome when Oxford met Morecambe and
relegation- threatened Aldershot travelled to Rochdale. At The Kassam, Oxford
found themselves ahead via Alfie Potter’s effort on the hour mark, but Jack
Redshaw’s added time header ensured it remained honours even. A point for
Aldershot saw them move off the foot of the table, although they went behind at
Spotland after George Donnelly broke the deadlock for Dale, early in the second
period. When Josh Lillis couldn’t hold on to Ben Herd’s free-kick, Adam Mekki
punished Dale midway through the second half, earning The Shots a point in the
process.
The spoils were also shared on Good Friday between Barnet
and Dagenham & Redbridge. Despite a goalless draw, there was plenty of
incident and the Bees left the field at the end with nine men. Loanee Karl de
Silva was the first to be dismissed when he saw red three minutes from time for
his foul on Luke Wilkinson. After the whistle, Keith Hill showed a red to
defender Barry Fulller, following his verbal altercation with the official.
To Saturday’s games now, and Devon bragging rights were
with Plymouth as they beat neighbours Exeter by a solitary goal. Jason Banton’s
18-yard strike handed Argyle the lead in first half stoppage time, putting them
five points clear of the relegation zone. The Grecians stay in seventh at the
end of the weekend, four points ahead of Fleetwood who sit outside of the play-offs.
The Cod Army had to come from behind twice to earn a draw
against leaders Gillingham. Danny Kedwell opened the scoring for the Gills with
his top corner attempt, with Jamille Matt equalising after half an hour for the
home side. Charlie Allen nodded Gillingham back in front before the break but
Matt doubled his and Fleetwood’s tally for the afternoon, capitalising on a
defensive mix-up and slotting the ball home. Despite a single point, Gillingham
are now six points clear at the top of League Two.
Burton missed out on the opportunity to move back into
the automatic promotion places after their slender loss to Chesterfield. Drew
Talbot’s 25-yard strike early in the second half separated the sides.
Meanwhile, York remain in the bottom two although they
picked up a point against Bristol Rovers, who are reasonably safe now. The game
at the Memorial Stadium ended goalless.
Round two of the Easter games continues on Monday, with a
full programme in League Two.
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