It's Round and It's White
Sam Robinson is back with another review of the League One weekend…
Tranmere Rovers took advantage of slip-ups from Sheffield United and Stevenage to increase their lead at the top of League One to seven points this weekend, but they did it the hard way.
Ronnie Moore’s men found themselves 2-0 down after half an hour following Paddy Madden’s third goal in two games since joining on goal from Carlisle and Sam Foley’s strike. However, Rovers skipper James Wallace pulled a goal back right on half-time to swing the momentum back the way of the hosts.
Five minutes into the second half, Jake Cassidy’s eighth goal of the season brought Tranmere level before Danny Holmes won it after Joe Edwards was sent off for two bookable offences.
Stevenage, meanwhile, lost their unbeaten start to the season as they went down 1-0 at Colchester thanks to Sanchez Watt’s 55th minute winner. The misery was compounded for Gary Smith’s men as Anthony Grant was sent off for two yellow cards.
In Yorkshire, Sheffield United looked set to keep on Tranmere’s heels after Nick Blackman’s penalty gave them the lead at home to Oldham. But, in injury time, Matt Smith struck after a superb cross from Jose Baxter to earn Paul Dickov’s men a vital point. United, along with Tranmere, remain as the only two sides in the league who are yet to be beaten.
Crawley picked up a home win against struggling Bury, but they were made to work hard for it. The Red Devils found themselves with a two-goal lead after an hour after Nicky Adams and Hope Akpan struck but Bury hit back and scored two quick-fire goals through Tom Hopper and Andy Bishop to bring themselves level. However, in injury time, ex-Bury man Adams scored his second from a cross that somehow found its way into the back of the net to give Richie Barker all three points against his old side.
New Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe watched as his side picked up their first home win of the season by brushing aside Leyton Orient 2-0. Goals in as many minutes from Lewis Grabban and Marc Pugh were enough to see off Russell Slade’s men.
Swindon recovered from two goals down to snatch a draw at home to Coventry. David McGoldrick’s first-half brace looked to have put Mark Robins’ men on the way to an impressive away win but summer signings Gary Roberts and James Collins scored to save Paolo di Canio’s men from another embarrassing defeat.
Notts County put successive home defeats behind them by thrashing Carlisle 4-0 at Brunton Park. Jeff Hughes opened the scoring when he headed home and Neal Bishop slid in a second. County took away any Carlisle hopes of a comeback with two goals in three second-half minutes. The first came from ex-Carlisle man Francois Zoko before Jamal Campbell-Ryce put the final nail into the coffin by converting the penalty that he won.
Portsmouth’s revival continued with a 2-0 win at home to Crewe. Michael Appleton’s men got off to a great start as Wes Thomas scored within two minutes and Izale McLeod’s penalty put the game beyond the visiting Railwaymen.
Doncaster picked up a point away at Hartlepool, captain Rob Jones rescuing the visitors with a last minute goal to cancel out Neil Austin’s earlier penalty. Brentford and Scunthorpe also shared the points and a goal apiece; Harry Forrester and Leon Clarke the goalscorers at Glanford Park.
On a not-so-Super-Sunday, MK Dons and Preston battled out a 0-0 stalemate at Deepdale whilst Paul Parry’s first half goal helped Shrewsbury earn a vital win over rivals Walsall.
