Lower League Roundup: October 18th 2017

League One, Tuesday October 17

It was an interesting Tuesday night in League One. I predicted many things but, as per usual, there were a number of shocks that present some interesting questions.

With Shrewsbury coming off a couple of draws there was a question mark over how they would go about their home match against Bristol Rovers, but in the end they turned up the mojo and beat the Gas easily: 4-0. This has led me and many others to believe that they are the real deal, dishing out their biggest win of the season while also keeping a clean sheet.

Wigan, who I expected to smash Gillingham, were again frustrated, drawing 1-1 at Priestfield Stadium. The Gills are looking for a new manager and, judging by this performance, whoever it ends up being will have something to work with.

Walsall fans continue to call for Jon Whitney’s head after a fighting effort on the road saw them come back from behind to draw 1-1 with MK Dons. The fans are running out of patience as the performances have been poor so far this season and there is a growing sense that Whitney is not capable of getting the best out of his squad.

Bury are yet to put a run together after beating Bradford at Gigg Lane on Saturday - they again failed to capitalise as they lost 2-1 to a Blackpool side that have been excellent this season.

Rotherham continue to look a different side on the road as they were surprisingly beaten 3-1 away to AFC Wimbledon with Lyle Taylor grabbing himself a hat-trick. The Millers have been unable to re-create the home form that has seen them blow teams away in a number of games at the New York Stadium. They will have no chance of automatic promotion unless they can turn their away form around, and even the play-offs could slip away should there be any drop in the home performances.

The results in League One:

Wimbledon 3-1 Rotherham, Blackburn 1-1 Plymouth Argyle, Bradford 1-1 Oldham, Blackpool 2-1 Bury, Doncaster 2-1 Portsmouth, Gillingham 1-1 Wigan, MK Dons 1-1 Walsall, Oxford 1-1 Charlton, Rochdale 2-2 Northampton, Scunthorpe 1-1 Fleetwood, Southend 1-1 Peterborough, Shrewsbury 4-0 Bristol Rovers

League Two, Tuesday October 17

Luton Town continued to show what they are made of and I fully expect them to win the title, because when they play at their best no one in League Two can live with them. They beat Stevenage 7-1 on Saturday and have since trashed Exeter 4-1 away from home. This is a squad full of talent and high on confidence.

Carlisle however just can’t win at home as they yet again conceded late to allow Wycombe to come away with a point. The Cumbrians have played well on the road and have picked up some excellent results, but at home they have struggled and the 3-3 draw with The Chairboys sums up their season so far.

They had been 2-0 up, but Wycombe got back into the game before a second of the night for Reggie Lambe six minutes from time looked to have won it for the hosts. But, deep into stoppage time, Cowen-Hall grabbed a leveller to deny Carlisle the win and break the home fans’ hearts. To be fair to Wycombe they look like a real team this season and will never give up in any match, hence why they are fourth in the table.

Chesterfield got their first win under Jack Lester on Tuesday night, beating Crawley 2-0 on the road. It was desperately needed and well-deserved for a side that have played well in games but not been able to take their chances. The Spireites will have to make this kind of performance a consistent thing going forward if they hope to pull away from danger, but it is a start for now.

Elsewhere, Forest Green finally won a game, thanks to a 1-0 win at the Ricoh Arena, despite Coventry having a whopping 22 shots on goal. Also, Neil Aspin picked up his second win in three days as his Port Vale side beat Morecambe 3-0 at the Globe Arena.

The results in League Two:

Cambridge 2-1 Yeovil, Carlisle 3-3 Wycombe, Cheltenham 2-3 Grimsby, Coventry 0-1 Forest Green, Crawley 0-2 Chesterfield, Crewe 2-0 Notts County, Exeter 1-4 Luton, Morecambe 0-3 Port Vale, Newport 1-2 Colchester, Stevenage 3-2 Accrington, Swindon 0-1 Lincoln, Barnet 1-1 Mansfield Town

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