Championship
Wigan flying high!
Wigan Athletic made it back to back Championship victories, thanks to a 52ndminute Nick Powell strike against Bristol City at the DW Stadium on Friday night. The Latics only had 1 shot on target throughout the 90 minutes but it was enough to give Paul Cook’s side all 3 points. The win saw Wigan move to 5thin the Championship table on 16 points, just 2 points off league leaders Leeds United.
Rovers Return to winning ways!
A five-goal thriller at the Bet365 Stadium saw Blackburn Rovers race into a 3-0 lead but were almost pegged back by Stoke City. Goals from Bradley Dack, Danny Graham and Harrison Reed put Tony Mowbray’s side in complete control of the match before 11 minutes of madness at the end almost cost them all 3 points on the road. Saido Berahino pulled one back for the hosts on 79 minutes before Tom Ince grabbed a second just a minute later. Stoke were on the up and just into stoppage-time had a terrific opportunity to equalise when they won a penalty, but Saido Berahino missed his spot-kick to ensure all the points were heading back to Ewood Park and saw Blackburn make it 3 games unbeaten.
They keep you wandering!
Bolton travelled to Ipswich Town, the only team in the league without a victory, on Saturday, but were held to a stalemate at Portman Road. ‘The Trotters’ failed to register a shot on target all afternoon, only had 38% possession and had to play with 10 men for over an hour of the game after Marc Wilson saw red in the first half. This coupled with the fact of having staved off administration, the news that defender Stephen Darby has motor neurone disease and the death of former owner Eddie Davies many would see it as a point gained rather than two dropped, despite Paul Hurst still searching for his first victory as Ipswich manager.
Late heartbreak for Preston!
The Championship’s bottom club Preston North End, fell to their sixth defeat in just nine games as an 87thminute David McGoldrick goal condemned them to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Sheffield United. Having found themselves 2-0 down after 51 minutes thanks to goals from Billy Sharp and Chris Basham, ‘the Lilywhites’ produced a terrific comeback to get themselves level after two goals in two minutes from Callum Robinson and Daniel Johnson respectively. Just when Alex Neil’s men thought they were about to end their successive run of defeats, David McGoldrick struck home to pile more misery on Preston, leaving them rooted to the foot of the table and 2 points from safety.
League One
Dale thumped at Sunderland
A five-goal thriller at the Stadium of Light saw Rochdale have 48% of the possession, 10 shots with 5 of those on target and still come away on the wrong end of a 4-1 result. Dale were up against it as they found themselves 4-0 down after just over an hour of the match, thanks to braces from both Josh Maja and Lynden Gooch. Rochdale scored on 71 minutes through Matthew Done, but it was too little too late as Keith Hill’s men left the North-East empty handed and condemned them to their first defeat in 4.
League Two
A stunning comeback by the Latics!
Oldham Athletic fans must have thought defeat was inevitable heading into the final 5 minutes of their match with Colchester United, as they found themselves 3-1 down. Luke Norris had given the Essex outfit the lead on 15 minutes before Harry Pell doubled the visitors lead just after the interval. Oldham responded through Sam Surridge’s goal just prior to the hour mark, before Norris doubled his tally for the afternoon to move him onto 5 goals for the season to date. The ‘Latics’ weren’t done there though, as on 85 minutes Surridge grabbed his second of the game and with just two minutes remaining captain Peter Clarke found the back on the net to ensure Oldham claimed a point.
Bury suffer home defeat for the first time this season!
Bury must have seen Gigg Lane as a fortress, as prior to their fixture on Saturday with Carlisle, the ‘Shakers’ had registered 3 victories and 1 draw in 4 games on home soil. Carlisle spoilt that unbeaten record though, thanks to a 52nd minute goal from Richie Bennett ensuring Bury tasted defeat for the first time at home this season.
Derby Day Defeat for Crewe
Leon Legge’s second-half header ensured Port Vale had the bragging rights over their neighbours Crewe Alexandra. Legge’s 75th-minute winner sent the 1,940 travelling Port Vale fans into raptures and confirmed the ‘Valiants’ first victory on the road in 17 games, leaving Crewe boss David Artell looking for a winning formula as his side slumped to their third defeat in six league matches.
Macclesfield rooted to the foot of the Football League
Macclesfield Town struggle in the Football League continued on Saturday, as they were beaten 2-1 by fellow strugglers Morecambe. The ‘Silkmen’ who are still without a win in the league saw their afternoon get off to a bad start, as defender Michael Rose was given a straight red on 38 minutes following a poor challenge on Alex Kenyon. Morecambe who came into the fixture with just 1 win so far this season made the 10-men of Macclesfield pay though, as AJ Leith-Smith and Andy Fleming struck either side of Danny Whitaker’s goal to confirm all 3 points for Jim Bentley’s side and move them up to 21st in the League Table.
